An 8-year-old student at Nettelhorst School in Chicago is recovering from major mouth trauma after what her family says was a violent hallway attack last Thursday. The girl, identified by her family as Vivian, was rushed to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and now has a temporary bridge covering her upper teeth. Her family says they filed a report with the Chicago Police Department and are weighing whether to transfer her to a different school while authorities look into what happened.
According to WGN-TV, the family says another female student wrapped an arm around Vivian's neck in a Nettelhorst hallway and then shoved her to the floor, leaving the 8-year-old with broken teeth. Vivian's mother, Yue Zhao, told the outlet that the school nurse called her about the incident and that the family immediately headed to Lurie Children's, where doctors reportedly said Vivian will need extensive dental work to fix the damage.
"I don't want to go back because next time I go, she might hurt me more," Vivian told WGN-TV, according to her family. Zhao said she has filed a report with the Chicago Police Department and that the school's principal has opened an internal investigation. The family is considering pulling Vivian from Nettelhorst entirely while that review plays out.
How The District Will Handle The Report
Chicago Public Schools' anti-bullying policy requires principals to notify parents of alleged bullying within one school day and to launch an investigation quickly, according to Chicago Public Schools. Investigations are generally expected to begin within five school days and be wrapped up within 10 school days unless the principal documents a need for more time.
The policy also directs schools to log bullying allegations in the district's reporting system, put safety plans in place when needed, and contact law enforcement if an incident appears to be criminal. Parents are allowed to report concerns through the CPS Violence Prevention Hotline or by emailing the district's bullying-report address, the policy notes.
What The Family Says They Want Next
The family says they are waiting for word from both the school and the police and want clearer, concrete steps to keep students safe in the hallways. While the investigation continues, Zhao says Vivian will stay home and out of Nettelhorst until her daughter feels it is safe to return.
