Mother calling for change after 2nd-grader attacked on school bus

PITTSBURGH — The mother of a second-grader who she says was attacked on her school bus shared her story with Channel 11 News Wednesday in the hope of shedding light on the issue and making a call for change.

Cellphone video captured the fight in which Arlington Elementary School student Brianna Zagwoski was repeatedly punched and had her hair pulled.%

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“Every time I would try to go swing, they would grab my arms and hold them,” Brianna, 9, said.

Just weeks after having her appendix surgically removed, Brianna managed to escape with only a lump on the back of her head.

“She says, ‘You know, mom, I tried to fight back,’” Irene Zagwoski, Brianna’s mother, said. “Because I teach my kids to defend themselves, and she apologizes and says, ‘I’m sorry. I had to ball up.’ I couldn’t take it no more.”

Since the fight on Monday, Zagwoski said she’s taken her concerns to the school principal and filed a written complaint. She said she want more done to address the school bus issues.

“You have to wait. There’s nothing you can do. You have to wait. Wait for the forms to be filed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zagwoski said she’s keeping her children out of school for the remainder of the year.

A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Schools confirmed to Channel 11 News Thursday morning that two students received disciplinary action and were facing charges.

Cox Media Group