Family Claims Elementary Teacher Struck Student, 12

(CBS) -- A Chicago family says a Fiske Elementary School teacher struck a 12-year-old boy earlier this week.

CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports.

Malcolm Woodhouse says his teacher threw a tantrum. His dad, John Barrow, points out his cheek and says it's still swollen a day after a woman in charge of instructing allegedly struck him instead.

"I was definitely livid to find out that a teacher would basically go to this level of violence," he says.

Malcolm says students in his class were riled up.

"And the teacher got mad and she told us to get our stuff and go line up," he says. "I slightly had bumped into her. And I said sorry."

He says he got a smack in the face in return.

"I was like so shocked," Malcolm says.

"I mean, you're supposed to be trained in cognitive behavior and psychological skills that will help you combat if your class is unruly," his father says.

Chicago Public Schools says the incident is under investigation.

"The safety and security of our students is among our highest priorities," a written statement said.

While that happens, Malcolm says, he won't be back in that class.

The family called police and filed a report. Malcolm's dad says the school has told him his son can skip that class for the rest of the year.

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