A Westland mother is speaking out after two years of what she describes as repeated bullying against her daughter at Elliott School, saying the school principal has done little to nothing to address the situation despite multiple attempts to get help.
Tiana Bradshaw took to a local Facebook group to share her frustration, describing a pattern of harassment involving a girl and her brother who live on the same street as her family.
According to Bradshaw, the bullying does not stop at the school doors. It follows her daughter on the walk to school, on the walk home, and even spills into the front of their home.
“These kids legit stop in front of my house on the way home and start hollering and trying to get my child to react while they scream at my front door from the yard,” Bradshaw wrote.
She says she has reported the incidents to the school numerous times over the past two years, asking staff to monitor recess and requesting that the children take a different route to school that would keep them away from her home.
That route, she noted, is the same distance. Neither request, she says, was acted upon.
What bothers Bradshaw most is what she sees as selective involvement from the principal. The only time the school stepped in, she says, was when her 11-year-old son, who does not even attend Elliott, threatened an 18-year-old sibling of the bullies.
That confrontation came after the group apologized to her daughter, invited her to play, then threw slush in her face while the brother allegedly attempted to slam her head in a garage door. When her son reacted, the school called the police.
“The only time the school intervened in this bullying scenario was when my 11 year old son threatened the 18 year old, but not when it has to do with who actually goes there,” she wrote.
Attempts to resolve things with the other family have also gone nowhere. Bradshaw says the parents largely refuse to engage, though the father did come to speak with her once.
She says he backed her onto her own porch and would not give her a chance to respond.
Neighbors and community members who saw her post were quick to offer advice and support. Kathy Statham urged Bradshaw to take the issue higher up the chain.
“Make an appointment with the district superintendent to discuss lack of support from school and principal,” Statham wrote. “You will get more action when you are looking at the whole situation.”
Booth Janet suggested bringing law enforcement into the conversation. “Go to the police station and talk to someone. Or call 911 and say non-emergency. Tell them you need officer assistance,” Janet wrote, adding that the situation simply has to stop.
Elizabeth Srock took it a step further, recommending Bradshaw copy the mayor and city council president on any emails sent to the school district.
“Let them all see who’s being informed,” Srock wrote.
Bradshaw says she is now filing a police report and plans to pursue a meeting with the district superintendent.
She says her goal is resolution, not confrontation, but after two years of feeling ignored, she is done waiting.
