PALMDALE – In the wake of the tragic suicide of 13-year-old Hillview Middle School student Nigel Hardy, Westside Union School District has announced plans to hold a forum for the community to ask questions and raise concerns.
The Westside Union School District Community Forum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 24 at Hillview Middle School, located at 40525 Peonza Lane in Palmdale.
Organizers will provide information on suicide prevention, coping with loss, and school safety issues, including combating bullying, according to a news release.
“We are heartbroken over this tragedy,” stated District Superintendent Regina Rossall. “Any time we lose a child, we have to ask ourselves what happened and if there is anything we could have done better.”
“We want the forum to be one more step in the community’s effort to understand and cope with this loss as well as talk about what we all can do to prevent these tragedies,” Rossall continued.
Seventh grader Nigel Hardy reportedly shot himself in the head in a Rosamond restaurant on April 15 and was pronounced dead at Antelope Valley Hospital a short time later. The teen’s family had reported him missing that morning, after his father found a suicide note in Nigel’s room and discovered that his handgun was missing, sheriff’s officials said.
The 13-year-old had been despondent over an incident at school that resulted in him being temporarily suspended, sheriff’s officials said.
For more information on Wednesday’s Community Forum, contact Westside Union School District at 661-722-0716.
(Information via press release from Westside Union School District.)
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Mr. Burbank Ca. says
I am so sorry to hear about the tragic event in your community. I had not heard about intil I saw a girl singing on YouTube (xxpaigypxx) under bullying kills. I don’t know why it was not publicized more. I send my condolences to his family and friends. God bless you all.
Gladys says
Maybe they didn’t want to promote copycat suicides. That happens sometimes when one kid reads about this terrible situation. They see all the attention and wonder if anyone would care if they did it…so they try it.
nadia says
I still wonder what was done to the teen that fought with dearly departed Nigel. Hillview sounds like a school you’d find in the projects.
hill view parent says
i am surprised no one has responded to your comment about “hillview sounds like a school you would find in the projects” and what is that supposed to mean anyway? are you degrading a community or school by saying that…..some comments are not nice but yours is just dumb sorry to say that. Hillview is a really good school….look up the academics….its in one of the nicest neighborhoods in west palmdale and their students and staff are great. their clubs, sports and other programs are great too. this was a sad tragedy that unfortunately hasn’t only happened here at this school but many…..we hope that hillview, and all the schools in the AV will learn from the mistakes made which in my opinion were made by many surrounding Nigel’s life. i am glad they had that meeting this week which i hope brought some kind of closure to people or at least an understanding of the events that took place before and on that day…..you need to read a little more into it, get informed or something and for the people who dont have kids at hilview dont or really know anything about this issue maybe shouldnt make dumb comments like this one.
ryeneshia Jackson says
yes there STAFF AND STUDENTS THERE CLUBS AND SPORTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS ARE ALL SO GREAT so why now help a child that was bullied at this WONDERFUL school who killed himself NOW THIS is A WONDERFUL SCHOOL where was all this WONDERFULLNESS when it was needed hmmmmmmmmmmm
kim says
The suspension is what put him over the edge. He got in trouble for defending himself and tn is wrong. If children were allowed to defend themselves then we wouldn’t have as many bullies as we do. The school did not handle that appropriately
IJS says
My Son fought back when he was being bullied and the bully got the short end of the stick and now my Son has a court case pending.. He was being bullied and fought back and now he is the one with a potential record while the bully/gang banger is free because he is the victim now get to go on a bully some other kid… Where is the justice… these kids are left to fend for themselves at school against these bullies… If the child reports the bully they have to have physical proof of being bullied and even then nothing happens. The bully is told to stop and then the kid who told is now even more of a target for that bully and any others that want to join in…
Brianna says
Just want to say that I thought Westside Union School District did a wonderful job handling sensitive issues at their public meeting for Hillview tonight. They brought in great experts, and spoke eloquently and from the heart.
Cristina says
Apparently people don’t want a change they just want to complain about the failures of the school. I don’t know if things could have been done differently to result in a different outcome, but to now complain that they are doing something is really not helping. Unfortunately, change usually happens after a tragedy, not before. So before another tragedy happens, let’s work together, find out what was done that could have been done differently and not let this poor child’s death be in vain.
Parent says
Too little too late. It’s going to be the same as it ever was. My child goes to hillview and he said some eighth graders were spitting at six graders. Maybe the six graders should have punched them out as a group.
ryneshia jackson says
I know lets all do an anit bulling so no one has to go threw this… oh wait someone already did and he took his life well now lets do it see since we all didnt want to help him BEFORE he took his life lets take a stand now …… no sit down and be ashamed all this should have been done before this child wanted to harm himself now you all TAKE A STAND no you need to sit down and be quiet like you were when he was being bullied
DP says
It’s called “CYA” (cover your a–) a show for the public because they are aware that they are liable for non-action!! With the paper trail on this one – somebody’s going down!!!
Kathy C. says
That is exactly what it is, I’m so glad you had the nerves to say it. You got students posting and on YouTube about this. I’ve noticed this site has taken down negative comments from students.