SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — A recent post in the private Facebook group “What’s Going on in Springfield, Oregon” has ignited considerable discussion, amassing over 300 comments that highlight prevalent concerns about bullying within local schools.
Blain Pearce, a concerned parent of a child attending Hamlin Middle School, initiated the dialogue by inquiring, “Is there any other parents that have children attending Hamlin being bullied so bad they don’t want to go to school?”
She expressed her frustration, stating, “IDK what to do but it’s gotten pretty out of hand.”
Pearce described her daughter’s troubling experiences of being teased, harassed, and even subjected to physical bullying, underscoring the severe emotional toll it has taken on her child.
In response, numerous other parents shared their own children’s harrowing encounters with bullying, revealing that this troubling issue extends beyond Hamlin Middle School, affecting students across schools in both Eugene and Springfield.
Concerns varied widely, involving reports of students confronting homophobia and racism, along with distressing accounts of children feeling terrified about attending school each day.
Many parents expressed their disappointment, stating that the school administration has not adequately addressed their concerns when raised.
One local student, a sophomore at Thurston High School, reached out to us and provided a statement saying, in part,
I actually just transferred to Thurston from SHS as a result of this same issue [bullying] with zero help from admin.
Addressing these serious allegations, Springfield Public Schools’ director of communication, Brian Richardson, asserted, “Safety is a top priority for Springfield Public Schools. We want our schools to be a safe learning environment. And we really strive for that. We want all students to feel welcome here, make sure they belong, really everyone to belong.”
Richardson emphasized that Springfield Public Schools’ websites have dedicated sections for parents to report any safety concerns they may have, fostering an open channel for feedback.
He also added, “As we continue to see these conversations unfold online, my best advice for people is just to engage with your administrators. When you have those problems, the solution comes at the school, not on social media.”
Interestingly, Richardson noted that attendance at Hamlin Middle School is up this year compared to last year, suggesting a potential discrepancy in perceptions about school climate amid these bullying concerns.
**Interview with Blain Pearce: Addressing Bullying at Hamlin Middle School**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Blain. Your recent post in the Facebook group “What’s Going on in Springfield, Oregon” has sparked a lot of conversation about bullying in local schools. Can you tell us what prompted you to raise this issue?
**Blain Pearce**: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. As a parent of a student at Hamlin Middle School, I’ve seen first-hand the impact bullying is having on my daughter. She has faced teasing, harassment, and even some physical bullying, which has led her to dread going to school. I wanted to reach out to other parents to see if they were experiencing similar problems, and the outpouring of support and shared experiences has been overwhelming.
**Interviewer**: That sounds incredibly difficult. What has been the most concerning aspect of your daughter’s experiences, and how are you coping with it?
**Blain Pearce**: The emotional toll on her has been the hardest part to witness. She’s been feeling anxious and stressed, worried about what might happen at school each day. I’ve tried to keep an open dialog with her, but it’s challenging when you feel powerless to protect your child. The response from other parents has helped me realize that we’re not alone in this, and it’s encouraged me to seek solutions collectively.
**Interviewer**: It seems like this is a widespread issue if other parents are sharing their stories as well. Have you been able to identify any specific resources or support from the school or community that could help address these bullying incidents?
**Blain Pearce**: I’ve looked into the Springfield Public Schools’ Bullying Prevention and Intervention Implementation Plan. They have a comprehensive approach aimed at addressing both bullying and cyber-bullying [[1](https://www.springfieldpublicschools.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=56257763)]. However, I think there is a gap between the policy and the actual implementation. Parents want to see more proactive measures taken and for the school to communicate more effectively about how incidents are handled.
**Interviewer**: That’s a crucial point. What do you believe is the next step for parents like you who are looking for solutions?
**Blain Pearce**: We need to come together as a community. I think it’s essential for parents to initiate discussions with the school and demand accountability, not just for individual incidents, but for overall school climate. We also need to support each other and possibly formulate a parent-led initiative to collaborate directly with school administrators on ensuring safer environments for our children.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Blain, for shedding light on this important issue. It’s clear that bullying is a significant concern, and your advocacy could really help not just your daughter but many other students facing similar challenges.
**Blain Pearce**: Thank you for having me. I hope that by sharing our stories, we can instigate real change in our schools to make them a safer place for every child.