“The mission of the Maurice River Township School District is twofold. First, we are committed to helping each child to learn and to achieve success. Second, we strive to provide significant opportunities for learning suited to the age and abilities of the student by way of a challenging curriculum. The goals of our mission are to create an environment where all children are made to feel unique and special and where staff believes that all children can learn. This environment is promoted by high expectations of the staff for all pupils in a goal-oriented atmosphere with students’ success as its end.

Our philosophy is that “Everybody is special. We believe it and we live it.” The students and staff are told just how special they are every day. We provide a safe, caring, and nurturing environment for our students to learn and grow.”  - https://sites.google.com/mrtes.com/mrtes/website-builder

The above quote is pulled directly from the schools website. Although it is very promising, it holds nothing but lies. As a parent, do NOT try to hold administration to their word. They will call the New Jersey State Police and have you banned from the school leaving you unable to participate in your child’s academic career, and threaten to have DCP&P at your door every single night. This is exactly what happened to my family when we saw civil and social injustices being swept under the rug and attempted to hold the school administration accountable. The superintendent/principals response was to threaten my family with dyfs. How unprofessional. My question to you Superintendent  is this.. If you are the superintendent/principal and responsible for the children’s safety and have felt that my children were unsafe at home, why have you NOT called dyfs yet? Don’t threaten me with it when I am coming to you telling you what is happening in your school is wrong and sticking up for my children, do your job. How unprofessional and how can you really be trusted? 

Since moving to Maurice River Township and putting my four daughters into their school, my family and more importantly my children have experienced neglect, racism, and have been victims of retaliation by the school administration. I have never in my life experienced such an unwelcoming and hostile environment. 

“Nigger, orangutan, coconut, paper towel roll” and many more degrading words are all names my children have been called by other students at this school in the very short two years they have been attending. When brought to the administrations attention, they turn a blind eye. But how? How could you do that when you are promising a healthy and supportive learning environment for the children?  The worst part, my children aren’t the only ones going through this. I have spoken to multiple families who’s children have experienced the same thing, administration does nothing and the problem continues. I can only hope when they read this they speak up because they know that are not alone. I know one family who even pulled their children from the school as a whole because the problem of racism is not dealt with or addressed. 

Why is there NOT a zero tolerance policy for hate speech and racism? Why is there NOT a zero tolerance policy for bullying, violence, and harassment? How does this ensure the promise that you are making for a safe, caring, nurturing environment? Don’t ask the anti-bullying coordinator and behavioral interventionist. When we brought up bullying and it’s link to suicide in children, we were told to get our children help if we feel that they be at risk. Yet isn’t that why  I’m approaching you? Trying to get my children the help they need before it becomes an issue? What did you do instead? Called me accusing my daughter of being the aggressor and told me that maybe she’s lying to me for attention. Act holier than thou and so surprised when a parent doesn’t accept that and use your position to bully them with state police just so you don’t have to deal with the problem or do your job. Shameful. How could a parent or child really trust you? 

I’m not sure this administration has ever come across a set of parents that are so willing to stand up for what is right and speak up and bring it to light. Maybe that is why we are being treated so horribly, when all we want is basic civil treatment for our children so that they can be successful in their academic careers. It has gotten so bad, I have had other parents see me in the store and tell me I’m the parent that “goes off” at the school and I have had to sit and explain what is really going on and stand my ground for my family. Small town everyone talks and makes their own assumptions without knowing the facts and my character is questioned for trying to do what is right by my child. I believe there are other people like me who don’t agree with the practices of this particular school and that is why I am writing this petition. I have exhausted all options and am reaching out to the public for help. Maybe if I can get enough signatures, we can begin to start the process of ensuring a safe, nurturing, learning environment for ALL children. 

*** My goal is to hold the school administration to their word and create the environment they promise. Make them implement a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR HATE SPEECH, RACISM, BULLYING, AND VIOLENCE. My goal is also to bring this problem to light to be TALKED ABOUT, so that other potential victims of this school can step forward and speak up. And to stop the school administration from ever trying to silence another concerned parent again.

Please sign and share my petition if you would like to see the same change in Maurice River Township School District!