Categories: School News

Parents Question School Policies After Tragic Incident

Parents Question School Policies After Tragic Incident

Simpsonville, S.C. – Parents in the Upstate are voicing concerns regarding the school system’s policies for protecting children with special needs, following a tragic event involving an 8-year-old boy. Lionel Cervantes, who had autism, ran away from Bells Crossing Elementary School on September 12 and was later found in a nearby pond.

Mother’s Heartfelt Plea for Change

Lionel’s mother, Dalia Cervantes, is devastated and is calling for action to ensure that no other child faces a similar fate. “I’m here to support you all in the future so that this does not happen again,” she said. “It’s not fair if they have special education children or they do or they don’t; we need to fix the school system and we need justice for Lionel.”

Widespread Parental Concern

Many parents in the community share Dalia’s anguish. James Bello and Lauren Tricarico, both parents to special needs children, expressed their worries. With their daughter about to start kindergarten, they highlighted the serious need for change. “Things need to change and I am going to say it over and over again. Greenville County has to step up now more than ever,” Bello stated. “We shouldn’t have to worry about our daughter’s safety at school.”

School District Responds

In light of the incident, officials from the Greenville County Schools emphasized their commitment to the safety of students with disabilities. “Ensuring the safety of our 78,000 students is the top priority every day,” a spokesperson said. The district is currently reviewing their safety procedures and has offered to meet with concerned parents to discuss individual plans for their children.

Options for Monitoring Students

Parents are also exploring the use of devices like Air-Tags or Apple watches to track their children’s whereabouts during school hours. State officials indicated that there is an exception in the new state policy that accommodates students with special needs and medical conditions, potentially allowing parents more ways to keep their children safe.

As this situation continues to unfold, the community is left grappling with the questions of safety and accountability within their school systems, hoping that necessary changes will be made to protect all students, especially those with special needs.


Author: HERE Greenville

HERE Greenville

Share
Published by
HERE Greenville

Recent Posts

Greenville County Launches Future Teacher Academy to Cultivate Next Generation of Educators

Greenville County Program Aims to Inspire Future Educators Greenville County, S.C. has implemented a unique…

43 minutes ago

Texas Approves Bible-Infused Curriculum for Elementary Schools, Sparking Controversy Over Religion in Education

AUSTIN, Texas - Bible Lessons on the Table for Elementary Schools The Texas State Board…

1 hour ago

Dnipro Faces Unprecedented Military Escalation as Tensions Surge in Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Dnipro Sees Unprecedented Escalation in War In a week that has turned the tables in…

1 hour ago

Fantasy Football Week 12: Cautionary Players to Consider Before Starting

Fantasy Football Week 12: Players to Think Twice About Hey there, football fans! As we…

1 hour ago

San Francisco Faces Severe Flooding as Torrential Rains Cause Chaos and Disruption

San Francisco Drenched: Intense Rain Floods Roads and Homes San Francisco woke up to a…

2 hours ago

Shocking Move in Texas: New Bible-Based Curriculum Sparks Outrage

Shocking Move in Texas: New Bible-Based Curriculum Sparks Outrage In a surprising decision that has…

2 hours ago