See text of letter here
The parents of 14-year-old Staples High School freshman Christopher Lanni have appealed in an open letter to Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon to investigate whether his recent sudden death was related to cyberbullying.
Elliott Landon (at Jan. 5 Board of Education meeting): “The spreading of misinformation is harmful to our community.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
They asked to bring the police into the investigation if necessary.
“We request a thorough, professional investigation of allegations that Christopher was being bullied at school and/or on social media platforms (i.e. Instagram) by his fellow Staples students,” wrote Cornelia L. Gallo and Peter Lanni.
The letter dated Jan. 6 was sent to Westport news media tonight. Christopher died Dec. 23 in Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to a family-supplied obituary. No cause was given for his death.
The letter followed a Jan. 5 Board of Education meeting statement by Landon denouncing community members he said had spread “misinformation” about Christopher’s death. (See WestportNow Jan. 5, 2016)
Landon did not specifically cite the “misinformation” to which he referred. But social media posts by parents in days before the meeting speculated that Christopher took his own life as a result of persistent cyberbullying.
In a note to editors accompanying a copy of the “Open Letter to Dr. Landon,” Gallo, a psychiatrist, said:
“My husband and I recently lost our son, Christopher Lanni. Clearly, the hardest and most excruciating experience for parents. In the wake of his death, a few critical issues have arisen.
“As parents and as a mental health provider, we felt that a clear statement [was needed] about our concerns about issues affecting many others. Nothing can change our fate, but we hope that others can benefit from changes to address these recognized concerns.”
In their letter, the parents said, “While we want to maintain our privacy and our son’s dignity, please consider this letter our written report and arrange accordingly for appropriate investigative action into this situation that may have affected Christopher and others.”
It added: “If the police need to be involved as to extent of the communications, we understand that necessity as well and respect … and value their support.”
They said “information has been brought to our attention that should not and cannot be ignored. Obviously it’s too late to impact Christopher’s life, but it’s not too late to help other kids in Westport who might be suffering or be at risk. We wish to express our intentions clearly and personally as to avoid any further speculation or confusion.”
The parents said several current Staples students “have reported observing bullying, humiliating or inappropriate behavior by one or more peer or peers toward others, and these students report that [they] do not know how to respond or intervene.
“They feel guilty and ashamed of their inaction and passive consent to the blatantly behaviors. This is a critical area needed to stop these types of malevolent behaviors.”
The parents told Landon “mobilizing the passive observers can change the culture. There needs to be education and support toward this end.”
They said if an investigation to determine the necessity of this type of training is needed, it should proceed with the goal of developing “the appropriate forum or settings to implement the interventions strategies for all students, probably at an earlier age than high school as well.”
The parents also asked Landon to address school policy regarding mandatory electronics access and usage during class.
“We spoke with Christopher’s team of teachers and guidance counselor about limiting his access to this phone and laptop during the day to enhance his focus of his work,” the letter said.
“We were told that he had to have his laptop with him. Frankly, there should be more and better options available.
“Such policy presently seems to result in social media access during school hours, which is counterproductive to the learning environment and subjects kids to additional cyberbullying.”
The parents began their letter expressing appreciation for the moment of silence for Christopher at the Jan. 5 Board of Education meeting.
They also thanked “the community who has embraced our sorrow and loss and supported our family with inexplicable attention, generosity, and kindness … We are blessed and grateful.”
The letter concluded: “We thank you for taking expedient action. Hopefully, your forthrightness and sensitivity during this devastating time will aid what will be undoubtedly be a lengthy healing process for our family.”
