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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2022)
Page 2 November 02, 2022 Lawsuit Filed Against Portland Public Schools Family of assaulted student files $1.18 million lawsuit against PPS A lawsuit against Portland’s public schools was filed last Friday following the assault of a Grant High School student earlier this year. The lawsuit alleges that on January 4, 2022, a student was assaulted by two other students in the middle of the school day. Court documents state that the victim was sitting in a booth in Grant’s lower commons area charging their phone when the two students approached and began verbally harassing the victim. Things escalated when the two students allegedly be- gan physically assaulting the victim, ending with the victim on the floor still being attacked by the students. Court records show the victim sustained mul- tiple injuries during the attack, including bruises to the head and persistent shoulder pain, which necessitated sustained physical injury. Grant High School located in Portland, Oregon Allegedly, a staff member saw the assault happening and did nothing to intervene. According to the suit, PPS al- lowed the students to return back to school a few days after the in- cident, without telling the victim, leading to the victim obtaining a temporary Stalking Protective Order against the two students. PPS allegedly did move the two students to a new school until a month after the incident. The victim also transferred schools, with the lawsuit stating this was due to a loss of trust in Grant High School. They also allege emotional damage, including in- creased fear over escalations by the students who were allowed back to campus, embarrassment and loss of self-worth. The assault was captured on several security cameras, but according to the lawsuit, PPS failed to preserve the original footage so the only footage that remains is cell phone footage of the security camera recorded by the Vice Principal. The victim, a minor repre- sented by their guardian, is suing PPS for negligence and inten- tional infliction of emotional dis- tress. The lawsuit is asking for a total of $1.18 million in relief. Raising Awareness About Challenges Faced by Veterans Washington County to participate in “Operation Green Light” in support of local veterans In honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Wash- ington County will participate in Operation Green Light, illu- minating green the courthouse and Juvenile Services Building in downtown Hillsboro from November 7-13. This new na- tional initiative of the National Association of Counties aims to support military veterans, raise awareness about the unique chal- lenges faced by many veterans, and make known the resources available at the county, state and federal level to assist veterans and their families. “We want to make sure our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacri- fices,” said Vicki Horn, Veteran Green lights, light up the county for veterans Services supervisor with Wash- ington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services (DAVS). “It is our duty to make sure they are served by their county gov- ernment and our community.” Community members are en- couraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their home or business to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a con- versation with visitors. DAVS has a limited supply of green light bulbs available to the public. The office is located at 5240 NE Elam Young Park- way, Suite 300, in Hillsboro and is open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. American Legion and VFW posts will be handing out green bulbs at local poppy flower ta- bles. Community members can also buy green bulbs at local hardware stores or online. “Operation Green Light draws much needed attention to the challenges veterans face, partic- ularly as they leave active ser- vice and return to civilian life,” Horn said. “By shining a green light, we let our county’s 33,000 veterans know they are seen, ap- preciated and supported.” While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day, community members are encouraged to continue shin- ing the light year-round and to share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight. Vis- it www.WashingtonCountyOr. gov/DAVS or call 503-846- 3060 for more information on services available to veterans and their families.
