Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

[Guest guest]

Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

By Colleen Wixon

Saturday, May 24, 2008

PORT ST. LUCIE — Barton said she is considering legal action after her

son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about

Barton's 5-year-old son, , his Morningside Elementary teacher

Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted — who is in the process

of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.

Barton filed a complaint with Morningside' s school resource

officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department

spokeswoman Steele said. But the state attorney's office

concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child

abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.

Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police

officials are documenting the complaint, she said.

Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.

Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.

Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because

of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the

front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.

Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with

Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. began

the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside

Principal Marcia Cully.

Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and

eccentric behavior..

has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton

said. After the family moved into the area and and his sibling

arrived at the school in January, spent much of the time in the

principal's office, she said.

He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues

during his two years of preschool, Barton said.

School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to

create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she

said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.

Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked how he felt.

" He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.

left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's

office, she said.

Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday,

he was leaving the nurse's office.

" He was shaken up, " she said.

Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her

what happened.

hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't

be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to

drop off his sibling at school.

Thursday night, his mother heard him saying " I'm not special " over

and over.

Barton said is reliving the incident.

The other students said he was " disgusting " and " annoying, " Barton

said.

" He was incredibly upset, " Barton said. " The only friend he has ever

made in his life was forced to do this. "

St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is

investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.

Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit

administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of

abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.

 

Rebekah

An extra little chromosome,

that's all it is, you see.

Where all of you were born with two,

She was blessed with three!

www.nailnwirecrosses.com

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish

[Guest guest]

Oh great. Suvivor TV for fifth graders.

granny, disgusted

On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 9:09 AM, Fourgiven <fourgivenfish@...> wrote:

> Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

> By Colleen Wixon

> Saturday, May 24, 2008

>

> PORT ST. LUCIE — Barton said she is considering legal action after her

son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

>

> After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about

> Barton's 5-year-old son, , his Morningside Elementary teacher

> Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

>

> By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted — who is in the process

> of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.

>

> Barton filed a complaint with Morningside' s school resource

> officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department

> spokeswoman Steele said. But the state attorney's office

> concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child

> abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.

>

> Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police

> officials are documenting the complaint, she said.

>

> Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.

>

> Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.

>

> Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because

> of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the

> front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.

>

> Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with

> Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. began

> the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside

> Principal Marcia Cully.

>

> Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and

> eccentric behavior..

>

> has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton

> said. After the family moved into the area and and his sibling

> arrived at the school in January, spent much of the time in the

> principal's office, she said.

>

> He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues

> during his two years of preschool, Barton said.

>

> School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to

> create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she

> said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.

>

> Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked how he felt.

>

> " He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.

>

> left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's

> office, she said.

>

> Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday,

> he was leaving the nurse's office.

>

> " He was shaken up, " she said.

>

> Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her

> what happened.

>

> hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't

> be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to

> drop off his sibling at school.

>

> Thursday night, his mother heard him saying " I'm not special " over

> and over.

>

> Barton said is reliving the incident.

>

> The other students said he was " disgusting " and " annoying, " Barton

> said.

>

> " He was incredibly upset, " Barton said. " The only friend he has ever

> made in his life was forced to do this. "

>

> St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is

> investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.

>

> Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit

> administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of

> abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.

>

>

>

> Rebekah

> An extra little chromosome,

> that's all it is, you see.

> Where all of you were born with two,

> She was blessed with three!

> www.nailnwirecrosses.com

> http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm thinking more along the lines of Hitler 101 for Kindergartners... how

disgusting, heartbreaking and disturbing is this whole thing

--

Sue

---- Gem Bordages <gem.bordages@...> wrote:

> Oh great. Suvivor TV for fifth graders.

>

> granny, disgusted

>

> On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 9:09 AM, Fourgiven <fourgivenfish@...> wrote:

> > Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

> > By Colleen Wixon

> > Saturday, May 24, 2008

> >

> > PORT ST. LUCIE — Barton said she is considering legal action after

her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

> >

> > After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about

> > Barton's 5-year-old son, , his Morningside Elementary teacher

> > Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

> >

> > By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted — who is in the process

> > of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.

> >

> > Barton filed a complaint with Morningside' s school resource

> > officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department

> > spokeswoman Steele said. But the state attorney's office

> > concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child

> > abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.

> >

> > Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police

> > officials are documenting the complaint, she said.

> >

> > Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.

> >

> > Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.

> >

> > Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because

> > of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the

> > front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.

> >

> > Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with

> > Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. began

> > the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside

> > Principal Marcia Cully.

> >

> > Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and

> > eccentric behavior..

> >

> > has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton

> > said. After the family moved into the area and and his sibling

> > arrived at the school in January, spent much of the time in the

> > principal's office, she said.

> >

> > He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues

> > during his two years of preschool, Barton said.

> >

> > School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to

> > create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she

> > said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.

> >

> > Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked how he felt.

> >

> > " He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.

> >

> > left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's

> > office, she said.

> >

> > Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday,

> > he was leaving the nurse's office.

> >

> > " He was shaken up, " she said.

> >

> > Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her

> > what happened.

> >

> > hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't

> > be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to

> > drop off his sibling at school.

> >

> > Thursday night, his mother heard him saying " I'm not special " over

> > and over.

> >

> > Barton said is reliving the incident.

> >

> > The other students said he was " disgusting " and " annoying, " Barton

> > said.

> >

> > " He was incredibly upset, " Barton said. " The only friend he has ever

> > made in his life was forced to do this. "

> >

> > St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is

> > investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.

> >

> > Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit

> > administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of

> > abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.

> >

> >

> >

> > Rebekah

> > An extra little chromosome,

> > that's all it is, you see.

> > Where all of you were born with two,

> > She was blessed with three!

> > www.nailnwirecrosses.com

> > http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

This whole thing is so disgusting on so many levels.

Not only was this child being ostrasized because he is " different " and who cares

if he has a label or not..( " Different " can be ANYTHING that people feel is out

of the societal norm)....so this poor boy is being excluded for not fitting in

with the generation who idolizes the Brittany Spears/Paris Hilton persona, but

they are being taught to persecute and discriminate against those who don't fit

in.

This teacher, and the administration should all be called on the carpet and

take some disability awareness training.

I hope this mom pursues the issue and calls them to task for it!!!

[Guest guest]

Curious...can we take a vote to have the teacher removed?  It seems to work

with her (il)logic.  And for to think he's not special because he was

called special in an (obviously) negative way...unthinkable!  He is special. 

EVERY child IS special!!!!!  , YOU ARE SPECIAL!!!!!!!

She should be a shamed.  Very ashamed!  Bad Portillo!  Bad!  Bad!  Bad!

Wife to Ted, mom to n (5 yrs) and Chase (18 mos), Ds & IS (SF-6.18.07)

 

Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

By Colleen Wixon

Saturday, May 24, 2008

PORT ST. LUCIE — Barton said she is considering legal action after her

son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about

Barton's 5-year-old son, , his Morningside Elementary teacher

Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted — who is in the process

of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.

Barton filed a complaint with Morningside' s school resource

officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department

spokeswoman Steele said. But the state attorney's office

concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child

abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.

Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police

officials are documenting the complaint, she said.

Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.

Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.

Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because

of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the

front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.

Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with

Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. began

the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside

Principal Marcia Cully.

Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and

eccentric behavior..

has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton

said. After the family moved into the area and and his sibling

arrived at the school in January, spent much of the time in the

principal's office, she said.

He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues

during his two years of preschool, Barton said.

School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to

create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she

said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.

Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked how he felt.

" He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.

left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's

office, she said.

Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday,

he was leaving the nurse's office.

" He was shaken up, " she said.

Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her

what happened.

hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't

be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to

drop off his sibling at school.

Thursday night, his mother heard him saying " I'm not special " over

and over.

Barton said is reliving the incident.

The other students said he was " disgusting " and " annoying, " Barton

said.

" He was incredibly upset, " Barton said. " The only friend he has ever

made in his life was forced to do this. "

St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is

investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.

Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit

administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of

abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.

 

Rebekah

An extra little chromosome,

that's all it is, you see.

Where all of you were born with two,

She was blessed with three!

www.nailnwirecrosses.com

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish

     

[Guest guest]

I'm horrified with this - what was the teacher thinking, let alone what it

has/will do to the young kid along with the rest of the class once they realise

the consequence of their action.

Keep smiling

Jan, mother of Trent 23yo w/DS from the LandDownUnder

Re: Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

I'm thinking more along the lines of Hitler 101 for Kindergartners... how

disgusting, heartbreaking and disturbing is this whole thing

--

Sue

---- Gem Bordages <gem.bordages@...> wrote:

> Oh great. Suvivor TV for fifth graders.

>

> granny, disgusted

>

> On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 9:09 AM, Fourgiven <fourgivenfish@...> wrote:

> > Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5

> > By Colleen Wixon

> > Saturday, May 24, 2008

> >

> > PORT ST. LUCIE — Barton said she is considering legal action after

her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

> >

> > After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about

> > Barton's 5-year-old son, , his Morningside Elementary teacher

> > Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

> >

> > By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted — who is in the process

> > of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.

> >

> > Barton filed a complaint with Morningside' s school resource

> > officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department

> > spokeswoman Steele said. But the state attorney's office

> > concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child

> > abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.

> >

> > Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police

> > officials are documenting the complaint, she said.

> >

> > Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.

> >

> > Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.

> >

> > Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because

> > of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the

> > front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.

> >

> > Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with

> > Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. began

> > the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside

> > Principal Marcia Cully.

> >

> > Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and

> > eccentric behavior..

> >

> > has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton

> > said. After the family moved into the area and and his sibling

> > arrived at the school in January, spent much of the time in the

> > principal's office, she said.

> >

> > He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues

> > during his two years of preschool, Barton said.

> >

> > School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to

> > create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she

> > said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.

> >

> > Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked how he felt.

> >

> > " He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.

> >

> > left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's

> > office, she said.

> >

> > Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday,

> > he was leaving the nurse's office.

> >

> > " He was shaken up, " she said.

> >

> > Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her

> > what happened.

> >

> > hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't

> > be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to

> > drop off his sibling at school.

> >

> > Thursday night, his mother heard him saying " I'm not special " over

> > and over.

> >

> > Barton said is reliving the incident.

> >

> > The other students said he was " disgusting " and " annoying, " Barton

> > said.

> >

> > " He was incredibly upset, " Barton said. " The only friend he has ever

> > made in his life was forced to do this. "

> >

> > St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is

> > investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.

> >

> > Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit

> > administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of

> > abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.

> >

> >

> >

> > Rebekah

> > An extra little chromosome,

> > that's all it is, you see.

> > Where all of you were born with two,

> > She was blessed with three!

> > www.nailnwirecrosses.com

> > http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurafish

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >