5th Grader Tells School Board A Bully Threatened To Shoot, Bury Her
PLAISTOW, N.H. (CBS) — A young girl who claims a student threatened to shoot her and bury her said she's had enough of being bullied at school and she wants authorities to do something about it.
Delanie Marcotte, of Pollard Elementary School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, went before the 8-member Timberlane Regional School board Thursday night and tearfully told them about her struggles.
"I have been threatened to get shot in the head by an AK-47 and buried in my backyard and many other things," she said, reading from a prepared statement.
Those other things made Delanie dread going to school.
"They call me names, threaten me, kick me, trip me," she told WBZ's Lisa Gresci.
Delanie and her parents say they tried going to the school but the bullying did not stop which is what lead them to the school board meeting.
"I was getting ready to go up there and when she asked me where I was going she said, 'can I go.' She asked me what I was going to talk about and I told her and she said, 'can I?' and I said, yeah," Delanie's father, Todd Marcotte said.
Even though her parents offered to speak up for her, Delanie knew she wanted to be the one to tell her story.
"I'm here to talk about a problem that means a lot to me. Bullying. Bullying is a problem at our school and I am a victim of it," she said.
The school district says it takes these concerns seriously and Delanie's plea is now under review.
"I'm happy because I spoke for myself in my own words and I hope it does change because it just needs to stop," Delanie told WBZ.
After Delanie finished reading her letter, the board and everyone in the room applauded.
"She did it and she did it by herself and I'm proud as her dad," said Todd.
And he's not the only one. Her speech has been shared thousands of times and she's now feeling support from all over the country.
Delanie's family feels confident the superintendent and school board are going to take action now to make sure Delanie and no other student feels this way again.
Here is the full version of the letter Delanie read before the board:
"I'm here to talk about a problem that means a lot to me – bullying. Bullying is a problem in our school. I am a victim of it. My parents have contacted the school about it, but it continues. It happened to me and my classmates. I have been asked by the mother of my bully during a school field trip why I tried to get her son in trouble. I have been threatened to get shot in the head by an AK-47 and buried in my back yard and many other things. I ask you what are you going to do to protect me and my classmates against bullying. I am here to stand up for every kid that gets bullied."