An Orillia Secondary School (OSS) student says she has been bullied out of the classroom by fellow students.
Grade 11 student Isabelle Turner says she became the victim of bullying last year after rejecting a romantic relationship from a fellow student.
"She told me back in October last year that she had a crush on me," Turner explained. "I told her I did not like her back and she did not take kindly to that."
The spurned student allegedly began spreading rumours about Turner being sexually interested in minors and having no father figure in her life. This year, two other students have become involved in the bullying, she said.
"I asked them to stop making fun of me because I don't have a dad," Turner explained. "I also asked them to stop calling me autistic and gay knowing that I am neither of those things."
In February, Turner moved her locker and changed her routine to avoid the bullying. That's when she claims the students took things to another level, waiting for her outside of her classrooms to harass her.
"They would follow me to my bus while pointing and laughing at me," she said. "They will stand in front of my locker in the mornings."
Turner says the bullies have succeeded in their rumour mongering. She says she no longer has any friends and finds that no other students will communicate with her.
"With how many fights there have been at my school recently, I am worried that they will try to hurt me," she said.
The bullying has gone beyond the school. Turner says she has received "horrible comments" on her YouTube channel and social media accounts.
Turner says her plea for help to the school's principals has gone nowhere.
"It seems like no matter how many times I go to them about this, they won't do anything more than just have a talk with them," she said. "It just gets worse and worse.
Turner has taken her concerns to the police, who have told her they can't do anything until the bullying becomes violent.
Turner believes her situation is only a small part of a bigger issue. She believes the bullying at OSS has gotten out of control.
"A group of kids will corner one kid in the bathrooms and start beating them up while others watch and record," she explained. "There have been fights in the parking lot where kids from even other schools will get involved."
Out of fear for her safety, Turner has decided to finish the school year from the comfort of her own home, completing her work online. She is hopeful she will be able to transfer to a different school in September.
"I wanted to finish my high school career at OSS," Turner said. "Before all this started, I had friends and knew lots of nice kids. I was hoping to graduate with them, but now nobody talks to me."
Turner says she no longer feels safe at the school because her situation has fallen on deaf ears numerous times, which is why she refuses to return to in-class learning.
"I've explained my situation, and they don't really seem to care," she said. "They're more concerned about me being at school in general than me being at school and feeling safe."
In an effort to protect students, Sarah Kekewich, the manager of communications for the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB), says she can't comment on individual incidents.
"What I can share is that the SCDSB is committed to maintaining safe, inviting, and supportive school environments, and recognizes that all students have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in their school community," she said in a written statement to OrilliaMatters.
"Allegations of bullying are treated very seriously with immediate action."
Kekewich says students are encouraged to speak with their school principal or another caring adult within the school if they have any concerns.
"Bullying is not accepted on school property, at school-related activities, on school buses or in any other circumstances that could impact the moral tone of the school, including online and via other forms of technology," she said. "Staff, students, and parents work together to implement bullying prevention and intervention plans in their schools."
Kekewich says schools use a progressive discipline approach and may use a range of interventions, supports, and consequences when bullying behaviour happens, with a focus on improving behaviour.
"Strategies and supports for students are determined on an individual case-by-case basis," she said.
