Since the start of the health crisis, the Robert-Desnos school group in Fleury-Mérogis (Essonne) has been operating according to the same ritual.
The principal, alone, welcomes the students and their parents through an annex portal.
"But not all parents wear the mask," laments a mother.
The director is therefore responsible for calling them to order as best they can.
Tuesday March 16, at 8:30 am, the situation escalated.
"A mother always puts it below the chin or the nose," says Sarah
(the name has been changed),
witness to the scene.
There was an argument between the principal and this mother.
She responded very aggressively to him claiming it was harassment and then moved on to death threats.
According to a source close to the investigation, she shouted, "I'm going to kill you."
"
Woman gets punched in the face after trying to intervene
A student mother stays with the principal at the gate to try to protect her.
But this is not enough.
“The mum without a mask ran into the principal and tried to punch her,” Sarah says.
The mother who intervened took the blow in the jaw and was pushed violently.
Finally, a dad managed to grab her, take her out and told her to calm down… Around, all the children were crying, it scared them.
"
Contacted, the Academic Inspectorate confirms that the director "was the victim of an assault last Tuesday in the course of her duties".
"The Academy of Versailles strongly condemns this aggression and has given it all its support," specifies the Inspectorate.
Support as well as functional protection were offered to him.
"
An open investigation
According to the Evry-Courcouronnes prosecutor's office, an investigation has been opened for "death threats against a teacher or member of a school".
The 32-year-old mother has no criminal record.
"She admitted the facts at the hearing and apologized", confides a source close to the file.
The mother was summoned to the Evry court in April and will be tried out of court in the context of a criminal composition.
She faces up to five years in prison.
"Incivilities keep increasing in front of the school group"
At Desnos school, in recent weeks, this incident would not be an isolated case.
Several parents, whom we were able to meet this Friday in front of the gate, denounce the violent and vindictive attitude of some around the establishment.
“The director cannot manage everything alone, proclaims a mother who wishes to remain anonymous.
When she asks parents to wear their masks, they roll their eyes and insult it, that's unacceptable.
"
In a letter from representatives of parents of students, which we were able to consult, they noted "several breaches of barrier gestures" in recent weeks.
"Incivility continues to increase in front of the school group, often leading to verbal or even physical violence", continue the parents, who are calling for "police patrols" at the time of entry and exit.
Reinforcement mediators
Joint, the mayor (PCF) of Fleury-Mérogis, Olivier Corzani, confirms a "tense situation" and "sharp words", even if overall, "the parents respect the wearing of the mask".
"I appeal to the adult role of parents vis-à-vis children," continues the councilor.
At the moment, in Fleury and elsewhere, the climate is tense.
We see it for example with the registration to the nursery.
Parents who call the town hall number are threatening.
"
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Following the attack on the director, the Academic Inspectorate dispatched two mediators to the Desnos school last Thursday.
"The academy works in close collaboration with the gendarmerie to ensure the security of the surroundings of the school", adds the Inspectorate.
The behavior of some irritates parents all the more as two classes at the school have already closed due to cases of Covid-19.
Under the health protocol, the appearance of patients in a third class would mean… the complete closure of the establishment.