SHAWANO (NBC 26) — The Shawano School District addressed parents and guardians in a letter to provide information pertaining to an incident that occurred at the Middle School on Tuesday.
School officials say one student assaulted another student.
NBC 26 spoke with the mother who says her son was the boy who was punched in the face.
"His special ed teacher had emailed me about it, but I did not know the severity of it," Chelsea Giesen said. "I thought it just just like, a little rustle whatever, you know. They pick on each other or whatever. So, we blew it off."
That was what Giesen said she knew Tuesday.
But now, it's a different story.
"I was like, 'what video are you talking about?'," Giesen said.
Giesen said her brother sent her a video that surfaced online of a student punching her 8th grade son in the face.
"There's no reason that I know of that my son had did something to provoke him to do it," Giesen said.
Giesen said after watching the video, she went to the school to meet with a police officer and school officials.
The school district became aware of a social media post about the incident through a parent emailing the superintendent, Kurt Krizan.
"We applaud the parent for emailing us, and we encourage all students and parents to contact any trusted adult in the school system if they ever have any concerns," said Krizan. "Our highest priority is for the safety of all students and staff and keeping our schools a safe place to learn and work. We will take any perceived or real threat seriously."
The student who was assaulted was not seriously injured and returned to school on Wednesday.
"When he [Chelsea's son] left for school today this morning, before we knew everything, he just said he wants to feel safe," Giesen said.
Shawano School District has a zero-tolerance policy in place at their schools and it was reported the incident was handled immediately.
The superintendent could not tell NBC 26 what type of punishment the other student is facing because that information is confidential and cannot be shared.
Giesen said physically, her son will be OK.
"Mentally, it's going to take some time," Giesen said. "He's scared."
Following the district's established disciplinary procedures, Krizan says the school is following up with all involved individuals.
The incident is also under investigation in collaboration with the Shawano Police Department.
Krizan reminded parents, guardians and family members to "please help your children know that they can safely report any suspicions they have or seek help from all adults at school. Also, please alert them that any actions that threaten our school environment will be taken very seriously by school admonition."
