Apparently, one Calgary school doesn’t favour altruism.
On May 28th, Briar MacLean, 13, a Grade 7 student at Sir John A. Macdonald school, took initiative instead of spending time looking for a teacher’s assistance when a student pulled a knife during an altercaction.
After physically defending the student, MacLean was directed to the school office, then home.
The school and Calgary Board of Education delayed response until Friday, in a letter to parents on the school’s website.
“The student who reportedly intervened was asked to remain in the office to explain what happened but was in no way disciplined,” school principal Michael Bester typed.
The principal also stated that two students were suspended due to their actions regarding the occurence and that students musn’t become directly involved in these types of circumstances, as it compromises their own “safety.”
While the mother of the “hero” insists MacLean was rigidly reprimanded for “playing the hero,” she stands by her son’s decision to intervene.
Briar MacLean was innocently sitting in class during a study period that Tuesday, and while his teacher was busy on the opposite side of the room, one student began bullying the other.
“I was in between two desks and he was poking and prodding the guy,” Briar, 13, claimed at the kitchen table of his Calgary residence Friday.
While he mentioned he didn’t literally spot the knife, he did hear the bully say there was one: “I heard the flick, and I heard them say there was a knife.”
While the teacher did eventually intervene, the “hero” was sent to the office around fourth period and was kept there until the conclusion of the school day.
Allegedly, the vice-principal noted that Briar was present in the situation, emphasizing “that he decided to ‘play hero’ and jump in.” Leah O’Donnel, the heroic boy’s mother was notified of the incident by the vice principal and that the school did not condone heroics.
Being made out like a suspect, the teen filed a statement with the police, and his locker was searched.
Calgary Police Service verified that this conflict did indeed exist at Sir John A. Macdonald Tuesday; that a third student did become involved in a confrontation between two others and a knife was present, but that the investigation is ongoing and noone has been charged – yet.
The bully has been suspended.
Via Calgary Sun