This Coelho Mom Has Faith in the Administration

The residents of South Attleboro have been shocked and surprised by an alleged sexual assault at Coelho Junior High. As a parent of a student who is attending Coelho, I can only say that IF it is true, and I hope that somehow it isn’t, it is completely out of character for the school to be seen in such a light. 

In my experience, the administration of Coelho, under Principal Reza Sarkarati, has been tough when it needed to be tough, and tolerant when tolerance was warranted. My daughter has come home with many stories of the administration’s attempts to keep the school in good order. Of course she had the attitude of “how dare they treat us in such a way,” and my response was, “that’s their job, to keep your kids in line so you can learn.” It is difficult to learn in chaos.

There was one situation in which I thought they were too severe. But my point in saying so is that I believe that the administration of Coelho has done everything possible to ensure the safety of our children within reasonable measures. 

So how could this, if it really did, have possibly happened? Not having all the facts of the case, I can’t comment on how it may have happened. I can only say that I hope that if a young student really did commit such an act on a fellow student, I hope he gets the help he needs, because this is truly a sickness. ut he is also an aberration and not at all typical of the average Coelho student.

I don’t believe that the students at Coelho, in general, are at risk from being around one another. And I hope that the administration does not over-react and create a prison-like environment. But if that is the case, I can say that I understand. However, it is very unfortunate and not at all a reflection on the efforts of Coelho’s teachers, staff, and administration to keep our kids safe.