Morning bus fight prompts discussion on schools’ bullying policies | #childpredator | #kidsaftey | #childsaftey


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – We continue our coverage on the fight captured on video allegedly involving a stun gun and pepper spray on a bus to Springfield International Charter School on Tuesday morning. After hearing the suspects’ parents’ claims, we’re getting answers on what the school’s bullying policy is, and what may be next for that student.Let’s first start with the parents, what was the main takeaway from that conversation with the family? The parents we spoke with asked to remain anonymous but said the stun gun and pepper spray were used by the suspect to defend herself. The suspect’s family said the conflict wasn’t new, they claim the other girl bullied their daughter for weeks before that fight.Here’s what they say happened on that bus Tuesday morning, “they dragged her from the back of the bus to the front of the bus stomping on my daughter,” the parent said, “my daughter’s screaming and she’s holding my daughter’s hair and punching her in her head while my daughter’s on the floor and the other girl’s on top.”The parents said they had been in contact with school officials in the weeks leading up to the fight, and showed them prior threats. They kept their daughter home for three days, and on the day she was returning, that fight broke out on the bus.If this was a case of bullying, and they claim self-defense, what could be next for their daughter?The 15-year-old’s parents said she now could face expulsion and believe their side of the story isn’t being heard. We reached out to Springfield International Charter School for comment, we have not yet heard back.We did, however, find a comprehensive bullying policy in the school’s student handbook. Part of that section said, “we will not tolerate any unlawful or disruptive behavior, including any form of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation, in our school building, on school grounds, or in school related activities. We will investigate promptly all reports and complaints of bullying, cyber-bullying, and retaliation, and take prompt action to end that behavior and restore everyone’s sense of safety.”The school policy mentioned a bullying prevention and intervention plan, which includes faculty tracking incidents and coordinating with families, annual staff training on prevention, and age-appropriate anti-bullying curriculums.But according to the parents, it does seem like this girl’s time at Springfield International could come to a close.Since keeping an eye on this case now when we first learned about it, where does the investigation stand?We haven’t learned too much on the legal front, and we don’t know the extent of any injuries. Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh told us that due to the fact it’s a juvenile involved, no further information will be released.Police haven’t said if there are any more arrests or charges coming, or if the suspect has been released, all we know right now is an investigation *is ongoing, and that 15-year-old girl was arrested.Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.

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