A parent’s anonymous post on the Sawyers Bay Facebook community group has drawn wide attention after describing ongoing bullying at the school’s playground, a space many local families rely on for after school activity.
The post, shared without a name attached, explained that the family chose to stay anonymous because their child feared being labeled a snitch more than they feared the bullying itself.
According to the post, children who regularly use the Sawyers Bay School playground have been telling other kids to leave because they do not live in the neighborhood. The post also described incidents of children being mocked for their weight, teased about their clothing, and threatened with physical fights.
The parent emphasized that the playground is meant to be open to every child in the area, regardless of age, size, ability, or which street they live on. The post asked parents to speak with their own children about kindness and to make clear that bullying will not be tolerated.
Neighbors and Community Members Offer Support
The response from the group was largely sympathetic. Several commenters expressed sadness on behalf of the family and offered encouragement, with some saying they were heartbroken to hear a child was going through this kind of treatment from peers.
A number of parents who frequent the playground said they would start paying closer attention to interactions between children after school hours. Others offered to keep watch for any behavior matching what was described in the post, saying they wanted to help make the space feel safer for all kids using it.
Calls to Involve the School Grow
Multiple commenters urged the anonymous parent to bring the matter directly to school leadership. One suggested reaching out to principal Gareth Swete so the issue could be addressed in a way that would not put the child at further risk of being singled out.
Another parent, who identified herself as a teacher connected to the school, offered to have the family message her privately with more details, noting that the school maintains a zero tolerance stance on bullying and that a broader conversation at an upcoming Friday assembly could help reinforce expectations for student behavior.
A few community members also pointed out a distinction worth noting, saying that not every child involved in the incidents necessarily attends Sawyers Bay School, but all of them are considered locals to the area, meaning the problem extends beyond the classroom and into the wider neighborhood dynamic among kids who grow up together.
As of now, the original poster has not indicated publicly whether they have reached out to the school. The thread continues to draw comments from residents who say they plan to keep a closer eye on the playground in the coming weeks, with many agreeing that the shared space should remain welcoming for every child who wants to use it after school.
