D11 Students Harassed, District Says, David Tauchen, KOAA, May 1, 2009

D11 Students Harassed, District Says

By David Tauchen
KOAA
May 1, 2009

http://www.koaa.com/aaaa_top_stories/x551455607/D11-students-harrassed-district-says

District 11 officials say students at Russell Middle School are being harassed by a local church, which they declined to name. On multiple occasions, the district says, students were approached on school grounds and while walking to and from school. The district also says one student was told to get inside of a van.

"A lot of things go through your head," said Brenda Castle, who says her 12 year old daughter was approached twice by the group. "I'm upset."

Castle says the church members peppered her daughter with questions about her religion and whether she thought "she was going to heaven or hell."

"She's terrified," said Castle. "We started talking to her about it and she started crying."

District 11 schools have stepped up security and officials filed a police report, according to Spokesperson Elaine Naleski.

"It's definitely a safety issue," Naleski said. "They shouldn't be approaching children."

Naleski says the principal of Russell Middle School contacted the leader of the church and asked that they stop approaching students. The request was ignored, according to Naleski, and the harassment has escalated.

Russell Middle School Principal Jeanice Kerr Swift sent a letter to parents Thursday explaining the situation. "Most recently, a 7th grade female student who was walking home on a neighborhood street was approached by one of these individuals and invited to get into a van," the letter said. "Clearly, we are most concerned about these incidents."

Swift is urging parents to talk to their children about staying away from strangers.