The tragic news of a 10-year-old boy taking his own life has shocked the community of New York. Gianlukas Illescas, a student at Hillcrest Elementary School in Peekskill, was reportedly bullied by his peers for months before he decided to end his own life. His family is now speaking out against the school officials who they claim failed to take action despite being aware of the ongoing bullying.
Gianlukas Illescas, a child who had his entire life ahead of him, was driven to such desperation that he felt taking his own life was the only option. It’s difficult to imagine the pain and suffering he must have gone through leading up to that moment. It’s even more disturbing to learn that the school officials were allegedly aware of the situation but chose not to act. According to News12 Westchester, the child had asked for help on several occasions, including social workers, much to no avail.
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“Look! Look!” his dad Christian reportedly yelled at the district board members while holding a photo up of his deceased son. “You didn’t have time? Five minutes. I don’t know how you can sleep. I don’t know how.” Bullying has become an epidemic in schools across the country, and it’s time for all of us to take responsibility for it. Schools have a duty to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for their students, and that includes taking action against bullying.
When a child is being bullied, it’s not enough to simply turn a blind eye or say that there isn’t enough time to deal with it. Lives are at stake, and every child deserves to feel safe and protected. The family of Gianlukas Illescas is understandably angry and heartbroken over what happened.
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They are speaking out in the hope that their tragedy will help to prevent others from experiencing the same pain and loss. It’s important that we listen to their message and take action. We need to hold schools accountable for their role in preventing and stopping bullying. We need to educate parents, teachers, and students about the devastating impact bullying can have on young lives. And we need to work together as a community to create a culture of kindness, compassion, and respect.
One reason for the increase in elementary school bullying may be due to the rise in technology use among children. With the advent of smartphones and social media, it has become easier for bullies to harass their victims outside of school hours.
Cyberbullying has become a major problem, and it has made it difficult for parents and teachers to monitor and control children’s online behavior. Another factor that may contribute to the rise in bullying in elementary schools is a lack of intervention from adults. Teachers and school administrators may not always be aware of the bullying that is taking place, or they may not take it seriously enough.
Parents can also play a role in preventing bullying by teaching their children about empathy and respect for others. Many schools have implemented anti-bullying programs to help combat this issue. These programs aim to educate children about the negative effects of bullying and provide them with strategies for dealing with bullies. However, it is important to ensure that these programs are effective and that they are being implemented consistently across all schools.