MOYOCK, N.C. - Some Moyock Elementary School parents say their children are traumatized after a student lashed out on the school bus yesterday.
"She ran to me and hugged me, she was like, 'Mommy, I love you so much, I'm so glad that I get to see you again because I didn't think that I would,'" says a Moyock mother. "That's horrible for a child to say something like that."
News 3 spoke with two parents who asked us to protect their identity.
A mother says a fifth grade student started cursing at some of the students on the bus. One of the students told the bus driver about the boy's behavior, so he was brought to the front of the bus.
She says the student then jumped over the seat, physically hit the bus driver, jerked the steering wheel, and then threatened to kill the students on the bus. Shortly after, the bus driver called police.
"Yesterday could have been a horrible tragedy and my child was on the bus," says a Moyock mother. "She's scared that he's going to come to the house and kill her."
Moyock Elementary School sent a letter home and also contacted parents who had children on the bus.
In part, the letter said, "Today there was an incident on Bus 4 involving a student that required the bus driver to contact law enforcement."
Some parents say the student that lashed out was already suspended at least once this year. They are worried that he will only be suspended and brought back into school without getting any help.
"When is he coming back, when do we need to start worrying if something more severe is going to happen?"
News 3 reached out to Currituck County Public Schools Superintendent, Mark Stefanik.
In an e-mail, he said that juvenile information is confidential. However:
"if/when inappropriate behavior occurs at school or on a school bus, a report is generated and sent to the principal's office. The principal's role is to investigate the report and gather the data needed to make an informed decision about consequences and/or support services for the student who was behaving inappropriately. Communications are made with the student's parents to enlist their support in the discipline/support process. At times, depending on the severity of the behavior, the school district needs to partner with local law enforcement, and we are appreciative of their support."
