This happens at all schools. Unfortunately, these incidents don't always get solved in a timely manner, and the situation worsens. Ashley is lucky to have parents who are involved. We obviously don't know the whole situation, as the other side isn't being told. But at least her parents are listening to her. That's all a child needs sometimes.
Mark mentioned cyber-bullying, and as silly as it sounds, many children have ended their lives as a result of being bullied by kids at school through text messages, instant messages, myspace, etc. Just go to
www.mydeathspace.com and search "bullies." There are at least two documented cases on there, and many more cases reported in other areas of the country.
Not all kids are lucky to have parents who care or get involved. Monitoring children might seem like an invasion of privacy, but it's crucial to keeping them safe.
When I was in high school (not too long ago) I was bullied by girls on the basketball team all the time. My name was written on the walls, much like Ashley's. My gym shoes were stolen countless times and I would get in trouble instead of the thieves because I didn't have proper gym attire. There is a severe disconnect here, and the gym teachers, as someone stated above, seem to care more about the athletes than the other students. I learned line dancing in high school PE (how's that for fitness) while the basketball and softball team got to go outside and goof off.
I guess the point to all this rambling is that kids will be kids. But parents AND teachers have to step in and discipline them. It takes a village. As cliche as that is, it's true. Playing the blame game won't solve anything. Even if this child is receiving this bullying as a form of retaliation, should these girls act this way? No! They should report this behavior.
I can't believe this graffiti was left up longer than a day. The school should be ashamed. More monitoring is needed on the parts of the parents and faculty. It's a shame that these children have to go through this, but it's worse that nothing is done about it!