been percolating on this a while, but decided to post back, just a bit more info.

about a week or so ago, my dd came home stating that the original author of all these accusations finally came clean and the whole thing was made up.

I thought, terrific, things will go back to normal.
HA HA HA - - not.

Dd was ok for a few days but since last week has been more freaked out about going back to school, she really is feeling that she can't trust the system or principal now, and even though kids make mistakes and have to apologize...well the adults don't seem to follow those rules.
Plus still worried about her 'permanent record'.

I finally decided to write to the counselor to ask her advice on how to repair dd's sense of trust, or at least get more comfortable again.

I doubt anyone will really step up, but I guess we'll see.