Emily looked up.
It was such a small sentence, but I saw how much it meant to her.
Mrs. Reynolds turned to us.
“I want to be clear about our next steps. We’ll document this report, speak with the relevant staff, and investigate the incidents you’ve described. We’ll also contact the families involved where appropriate and apply the school’s conduct policies based on what we establish.”
“What about protecting her from retaliation?” I asked.
“That’s essential,” she said. “We will work on a plan with Emily rather than making decisions about her without her input. We can review her class arrangements, identify a staff member she can go to immediately, and arrange regular check-ins.”
Mark leaned forward.
“Can we also make sure she isn’t left alone with the students involved during the investigation?”
“We can discuss temporary adjustments to reduce unnecessary contact while we investigate. I’ll coordinate with her teachers.”
