Who is principal at Coconut Palm K-8 Academy? Girl, 9, beaten by 2 male students on school bus in viral video was 'constantly bullied'
MIAMI, FLORIDA: A viral video has sparked outrage after two boys were seen savagely beating a 9-year-old girl aboard a school bus on Wednesday, February 1. The students involved in the callous altercation belonged to Coconut Palm K-8 Academy in Homestead. The Miami-Dade Schools Police said they have arrested someone in the attack, but no identities of the offender have been revealed.
“Miami-Dade Schools Police arrested the offender and they will be charged accordingly,” the district said. “Additionally, those involved will be disciplined according to the Code of Student Conduct." The 30-second viral footage shows a large boy pummeling the back of the head of the 9-year-old. When the boy stops hitting her another appears to throw a flurry of punches. The little girl desperately defended herself by covering her head with her hands, while the bus filled with students and adults watched.
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Who is the principal at Coconut Palm K-8 Academy?
Jose L Pena is the principal at Coconut Palm K-8 Academy. According to the school website, Jose L Pena swears to be committed to providing a safe environment and the best learning experience for all its student. The school is "committed to providing a safe, top-notch learning experience for our students that will empower them with the skills necessary for success in an ever-changing, ever-evolving world," wrote the principal Jose L Pena.
"Our goal will be to 'recognize individual strengths every single day!' Every child. Every teacher. Every parent. Everyone has a strength. It is these collective strengths that will help us all to persevere!" states the website. The victim's mother claimed she had informed the school about her three children being constantly bullied. “Ever since then, I’ve been to the school, and I’ve spoken with counselors, principals, assistant principals," reported MEAWW.
“An assistant principal wrote us, and she said, ‘Oh, I think it’s time you take your kids out of the school,’ and our kids aren’t the problem,” said the children’s father. “They love to learn, and it’s just so sad that something that they enjoy is becoming something they’re fearing now,” said the mother.
What are the school's motto and mission?
The Coconut Palm K-8 Academy school pledges that "Safety and security are top priorities at Coconut Palm" according to its Parent-Student Handbook. The manual says, "School crime and violence are multifaceted problems that need to be addressed in a manner that utilizes all available resources in the community through a coordinated effort of School District personnel, law enforcement agencies, and families," adding, "School administrators and local law enforcement officials must work together to provide for the safety and welfare of students while they are at school or a school-related event or are on their way to and from school," remarked the book.
