Amid a growing hostility toward migrant and Latino communities in the United States, an alleged attack in Redwood City has raised concerns among parents and community organizations.
The complaint regarding discrimination and xenophobic aggression at Orion Elementary School in Redwood Cityhas deeply angered Latinx and migrant families. They report that their children are living in fear and insecurity after an incident in which a teacher allegedly attacked a 10-year-old student.
In a radio interview with Peninsula 360 Press, Belén Salazar, the mother of the affected child, stated that on March 24 of this year, "my son came home with swollen eyes from crying and a sad little face. "‘My teacher hurt me a lot, she told me she was going to send me back to my country with my family,’my son said.”
Apparently, the child had an altercation with his teacher that morning for trying to defend his classmates whom the teacher had called 'losers,' and the child responded that the teacher was being 'racist' because of the way she spoke to other students. During the altercation, the educator allegedly took the minor by the shoulders, sat him down on a chair against his will, and replied, “Yes, I am racist, and I am going to send you back to your country with your family.”
Since March 24, the minor told his mother that he lives in fear, “I don't want to go to school. What if the teacher does something to me?” The events in the classroom were shared among students, who informed their parents out of concern, leading to a report being made to the school authorities.
Peninsula 360 Press spoke by telephone with the mothers of two classmates of the child who was assaulted at Orion School. They requested that their identities be kept confidential. The mothers confirmed that their children witnessed the events described and that they had been psychologically affected by what occurred. Additionally, other mothers reported that their children are experiencing high levels of anxiety and are refusing to attend school.
Parents report that their children felt threatened by the substitute vice principal of Orion Elementary School in Redwood City, who allegedly addressed the students in the classroom where the events occurred with intimidation and disdain. Peninsula 360 Press went to Orion to try to interview the principal, the vice-principal, and the teacher, but we were told that this was not possible because, according to protocol, it is the School District that should provide information on the matter.
Redwood City School District responded in a letter to this newspaper that “a thorough investigation into the matter was conducted. Following the investigation, appropriate action has been taken with the staff member in question. In addition, the school administration has met with concerned parents to address their questions and provide the necessary support,” and that ‘due to staff confidentiality, specific details about the investigation cannot be disclosed,’ wrote Jorge Quintana, Director of Communications for the Redwood City School District.
Para la familia, la respuesta por parte de las autoridades escolares como del distrito escolar ha sido insuficiente. “La maestra fue reintegrada al salón como si nada hubiera pasado. No hemos obtenido soluciones reales, mi hijo tiene miedo de ir a clases. Se siente ansioso, triste, nervioso”, concluyó Salazar.
The after-school care center reports that the child arrived crying inconsolably on the day of the incident. Days later, the child left the classroom where he felt unsafe and went to take refuge in the care center. The center reported that no authorities were aware of the child's absence during school hours.
Alma, the child's grandmother, who was also present at the radio interview with P360, expressed her regret over the school's actions. Despite its good reputation, she felt the school had failed to address the situation appropriately. “They should prioritize the emotional safety of the children rather than allowing the teacher to remain in front of the class and protect the students who have already been harmed,” she stated.
Although the district promised to implement measures, Salazar mentioned the support she received was scarce. "I requested that they provide a teaching assistant in the classroom while they conducted their investigation, but they informed me that there were no available funds for that. The only option they offered me was to join my son as a chaperone on an upcoming field trip.
What concerns Salazar and her mother the most is the welfare of the children who were victims and witnesses to the events. They do not view it as an isolated incident but rather as part of the country's growing hostility towards migrant communities. “Before, it was hidden; now it seems normalized. They are telling us that we are fewer in number and that we don't even have the right to speak our language,” they lamented.
Manuel Ortiz, the host of the Saturday program "Por la Libre" on Península 360, urged families to speak out. "Speak up, support your children, and raise your voices. This is not normal, and it should not be allowed to continue," he stated.
The case in question is still under investigation. However, the families affected are demanding accountability for the actions that harmed their children. They are also seeking a process of reparations and psychological support for the victims of the attacks. Additionally, they desire an apology from both the accused and the corresponding authorities to help initiate healing and reparations for those impacted by this violence.
The Salazar family is actively working to protect the dignity and safety of their son's school environment, as well as the well-being of all those affected. The community is observing closely and asking an important question: “How will the damage be repaired?”
Erratum: The position of assistant principal was changed to substitute assistant principal at Orion Elementary School in Redwood City, after the vice principal, Brianna Turner, has been on maternity leave since December 2024.
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