Hello, my name is Jeanette Martinez, I am coming to you today in place of my family and my son, Roger.

Roger was born and raised in Englewood, has been a student, classmate, teammate and friend in Englewood schools since preschool, he is currently in the 7th grade and most recently a student in

ELA, Englewood Leadership Academy.

On Monday Nov. 7th, 2022, Roger was on his way to Basketball practice when he was viciously attacked and beaten at the light on Lehigh and Logan, there at the Englewood middle school campus, by two of his classmates. Roger sustained multiple facial fractures, a severe concussion, mild head trauma, his top and bottom teeth were knocked out Including his upper gumline.

Roger has sustained after effects of this attack, has gone through reconstructive surgery, multiple Dr. appointments, and will continue with a series of surgeries and specialty appointments for some time to come. He will forever be impaired.

Roger plays sports for Englewood schools and PYS Sports, he is apart of the Englewood community, and known by his coaches to be an outgoing, determined and dedicated player! Roger was recently selected to play for the Gold Crown competitive basketball league, however is now on leave due to his concussion and when cleared will have to wear a facial brace to protect his upper and lower jaw from further damage due to the fractures and reconstructed gumline.

Roger is one of many students in our Englewood community to suffer from the outrageous bullying and attacks that are both physical and emotional.

I, as not only Roger's mother, but as a member of the Englewood community, former Englewood Alumni, and a mother/woman in general, am hoping to speak for us all by saying..

When is this viscious cycle going to end, when are our school officials going to step in and start to protect our children instead of secluding them to protect themselves and an image?

Our children are facing this type of cruelty everyday in our Englewood schools, I can only pray that our story will speak to one if not more students and or families, and will give them courage to speak up and to no longer be affraid of telling thier story!

Thank you for reading through, reaching out, and helping if you can with the medical/home care needs we will need to recieve for the duration of my sons healing. It all means a lot to me, my family and Roger, to have all of your support during this difficult time.

Thank you all!