From Harry

Domestic violence. When I was a member of the local volunteer rescue squad I saw it. Our dear deputy pixie has seen it. Sadly too many of us have seen its brutality.

I wasn't expecting to see it when I arrived in the school parking lot this morning. A couple of minutes earlier and I would have witnessed the attack on one of our teachers. Her assailant had assaulted her in the parking lot. Two other teachers, a husband and wife went to her aid and struggled to stop what was happening. The assailant left, but not before battering his victim, leaving her laying in a pool of blood.

The police and ambulance had already been called when I got there. I helped with first aid. and assisted the rescue squad when they arrived on scene. Luckily none of the buses had arrived at this time, and when they did the children were unable to see what had happened.

Soon it was over. A fellow teacher, a member of our school family, was on her way to the local trauma center and the police were taking statements and gathering evidence including a large knife that thankfully was not used.

Teaching was difficult. I still, five hours later, have a hard knot in my stomach. Middle school age kids laughed and made jokes not knowing what had happened. I wanted to scream at them, but managed to remain professional.

Finally we got two bits of good news. Our collegue had a clear CAT scan and would be release later today, and her assailant has been arrested and is behind bars. The school day goes on and we can pray for a better day tomorrow.

Note from the Pixie:

Last Monday one of my students threatened me. I'm not giving details for obvious reasons. No one else witnessed it, but he is on his way out of our school. Even though I'm small, I'm perfectly capable of cooking his goose. But it's still an upsetting experience.

Update: This young man was expelled from school as of 10 pm this morning.