Re: St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

[Guest guest]

I just read this article, and I find it appalling. How could a person (no less a teacher) humiliate another person like this. That poor child must be scarred. I was seething while reading this. That teacher should at best, be suspended without pay. And then they should probably put her in a room with her peers and ask everyone there what they don't like about her, and see if they wanted to vote her out of the school. Maybe she would then feel a smidgen of what must have felt. SHAME on her. She should find another career. Sharon Ari Ne'eman <Aneeman@...> wrote: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/23/st-lucie-teacher-has-class-vote-whether-5-year-old/?printer=1/ St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class By Colleen Wixon Originally published 01:50 p.m., May 23, 2008 Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 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 said they were going to take a vote, Barton said. By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class. Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspberger's, a type of high-functioning autism. began the testing process in February for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marsha Cully. has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said. The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan, she said. His teacher, Portillo, has attended these meetings, she said. Barton said after the vote, 's teacher asked him how he felt. "He said, 'I feel sad,'" she 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 on Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office. "He was shaken up," she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with the child's teacher, 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." Barton said is reliving the incident. They 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." The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie 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 is no longer investigating, but is documenting the complaint, she said. Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur. 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. -- Ari Ne'emanPresidentThe Autistic Self Advocacy Network1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212Washington, DC 20005http://www.autisticadvocacy.org732.763.5530

[Guest guest]

this has me boiling!!!!! disciplianry action needs to be taken on that teacher that has a rock where her heart shoud be!!! that poor child!!!! my heart hurts for him. the first school experience is very important for a child and his had a horrible one; he'll be scarred. i wish i could just go to him and hold him and hug him and tell him how great he is and how terribly wrong that awful teacher is. our aspie's worlds are difficutl enough fro them - this is an added nightmare.

From: Ari Ne'eman <Aneeman@...>Subject: ( ) St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class"ASAN" <asandiscussion >, "asan_au" <ASAN_AU >, "autisticselfadvocacynetwork" <autisticselfadvocacynetwork >, dcaspie , "autadvo" <AutAdvo >, "autisticspectrumtreehouse" <AutisticSpectrumTreeHouse >, "mc-asperger-parent-support-group" <MC-Asperger-Parent-Support-Group >, "aspergerscircle" <AspergersCircle >, "Aspergers Treatment" < >, aspergersparentsupport , md-as-support Date: Friday, May 23, 2008, 9:15 PM

http://www.tcpalm. com/news/ 2008/may/ 23/st-lucie- teacher-has- class-vote- whether-5- year-old/ ?printer= 1/ St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

By Colleen Wixon

Originally published 01:50 p.m., May 23, 2008 Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 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 said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class.

Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspberger's, a type of high-functioning autism. began the testing process in February for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marsha Cully.

has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said. The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan, she said. His teacher, Portillo, has attended these meetings, she said.

Barton said after the vote, 's teacher asked him how he felt.

"He said, 'I feel sad,'" she 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 on Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office.

"He was shaken up," she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with the child's teacher, 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."

Barton said is reliving the incident.

They 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."

The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie 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 is no longer investigating, but is documenting the complaint, she said.

Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur.

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. -- Ari Ne'emanPresidentThe Autistic Self Advocacy Network1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212Washington, DC 20005http://www.autistic advocacy. org732.763.5530

[Guest guest]

Hello Sharon!

This article reminds me of an incident that happened with my own son. Here is a letter that I wrote to the superintentent of the district where my son attends school.

Caroline

Dr. Golden,

My son, , was threatened last Thursday at school by his teacher, Mrs. Carver. The threats were made to my son in front of me as well as in front of several other children in the classroom. Mrs. Carver said to my son: “If you don’t stop talking to me that way I will kill you.” She went on to say that she will “hurt" my son if he continues behaving badly in her class. Mrs. Carver's statements were made in a very serious manner to my son, who is eight years old. Please be aware that there are times when I also do not approve of my son's

behavior, but it is inconceivable to think that his life should be threatened because of it.

I immediately spoke to Mr. Garner, the principal at H School, and he said that he knows about the way that Mrs. Carver speaks to the children in her classroom. He stated that the "children know that she is just kidding when she speaks to them that way." Dr. Golden, she was most definitely not kidding: There was no jest or even sarcasm in her voice. She stated in our later discussion that her intent was to scare my son into behaving better and by the look on his face, she was very successful. In fact, her tone was so threatening that I, too, was intimidated by her.

I sent an e-mail later that day to Mr. Garner further stating my concerns about what had happened. Mr. Garner e-mailed me back calling the threats to kill and hurt my son "mistakes" made by Mrs. Carver. I do not consider death threats and threats to cause bodily injury to a child "MISTAKES".

I had an after school conversation about this issue which included Mr. Garner, Mrs. Carver, my mother and myself that same day. Mrs. Carver showed little remorse and even went so far as to indicate that she thought that I am just a troublesome parent. She was argumentative and defensive and although she stated that she was sorry, her words seemed forced and insincere. Mrs. Carver's demeanor and her lack of ability to reflect on her own abusive behavior causes me great concern.

After the incident occurred, I asked Mr. Garner to transfer my son into another third grade classroom at H, but he adamantly refused. I am concerned for the well being of not only my son, but also for the well being of the other children in Mrs. Carver's classroom.

Please be informed that this is my formal, written complaint regarding this issue.

Sincerely,

Caroline Buckley

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Re: ( ) St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

I just read this article, and I find it appalling.

How could a person (no less a teacher) humiliate another person like this.

That poor child must be scarred. I was seething while reading this.

That teacher should at best, be suspended without pay.

And then they should probably put her in a room with her peers

and ask everyone there what they don't like about her, and see

if they wanted to vote her out of the school. Maybe she would then

feel a smidgen of what must have felt. SHAME on her.

She should find another career.

Sharon

Ari Ne'eman <Aneemangmail (DOT) com> wrote:

http://www.tcpalm. com/news/ 2008/may/ 23/st-lucie- teacher-has- class-vote- whether-5- year-old/ ?printer= 1/ St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

By Colleen Wixon

Originally published 01:50 p.m., May 23, 2008 Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 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 said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class.

Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspberger's, a type of high-functioning autism. began the testing process in February for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marsha Cully.

has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said. The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan, she said. His teacher, Portillo, has attended these meetings, she said.

Barton said after the vote, 's teacher asked him how he felt.

"He said, 'I feel sad,'" she 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 on Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office.

"He was shaken up," she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with the child's teacher, 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."

Barton said is reliving the incident.

They 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."

The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie 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 is no longer investigating, but is documenting the complaint, she said.

Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur.

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. -- Ari Ne'emanPresidentThe Autistic Self Advocacy Network1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212Washington, DC 20005http://www.autistic advocacy. org732.763.5530

[Guest guest]

That is exactly what they should do. let the parents/peers say what they don't like about her !. (the teacher).sharon mitchell <smitch458@...> wrote: I just read this article, and I find it appalling. How could a person (no less a teacher) humiliate another person like this. That poor child must be scarred. I was seething while reading this. That teacher should at best, be suspended without pay. And then they should probably put her in a room with her peers and ask everyone there what they don't like about her, and see if they wanted to vote her out of the school. Maybe she would then feel a smidgen of what must have felt. SHAME on her. She should find another career. Sharon Ari Ne'eman <Aneemangmail> wrote: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/23/st-lucie-teacher-has-class-vote-whether-5-year-old/?printer=1/ St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class By Colleen Wixon Originally published 01:50 p.m.,

May 23, 2008 Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 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 said they were going to take a vote, Barton said. By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class. Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspberger's, a type of high-functioning autism. began the testing process in February for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marsha Cully. has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said. The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan, she said. His

teacher, Portillo, has attended these meetings, she said. Barton said after the vote, 's teacher asked him how he felt. "He said, 'I feel sad,'" she 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 on Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office. "He was shaken up," she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with the child's teacher, 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." Barton said is reliving the incident. They 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." The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie 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 is no longer investigating, but is documenting the complaint, she said. Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur. 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. -- Ari Ne'emanPresidentThe Autistic Self Advocacy Network1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212Washington, DC 20005http://www.autisticadvocacy.org732.763.5530

[Guest guest]

It's difficult to belief that they are allowing her to teach at all. Her ability to commit this type of act against a child speaks to her opinions of children with differences. It has nothing to do with the kids in the classroom taking a vote. They are too young to hold any sort of opinion on whether a child should be removed from a class. She taught them HER opinion. If she is willing to teach predjudice in the public school and she got away with it......speaks a lot about where our schools are headed.

Wallbank - Wittmayer

DOK Grace Chapter

"Prayer without work is empty words,service without prayer is labor lost."

Re: ( ) St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

I just read this article, and I find it appalling.

How could a person (no less a teacher) humiliate another person like this.

That poor child must be scarred. I was seething while reading this.

That teacher should at best, be suspended without pay.

And then they should probably put her in a room with her peers

and ask everyone there what they don't like about her, and see

if they wanted to vote her out of the school. Maybe she would then

feel a smidgen of what must have felt. SHAME on her.

She should find another career.

Sharon

Ari Ne'eman <Aneemangmail (DOT) com> wrote:

http://www.tcpalm. com/news/ 2008/may/ 23/st-lucie- teacher-has- class-vote- whether-5- year-old/ ?printer= 1/ St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

By Colleen Wixon

Originally published 01:50 p.m., May 23, 2008 Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 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 said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class.

Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspberger's, a type of high-functioning autism. began the testing process in February for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marsha Cully.

has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said. The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan, she said. His teacher, Portillo, has attended these meetings, she said.

Barton said after the vote, 's teacher asked him how he felt.

"He said, 'I feel sad,'" she 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 on Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office.

"He was shaken up," she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with the child's teacher, 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."

Barton said is reliving the incident.

They 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."

The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie 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 is no longer investigating, but is documenting the complaint, she said.

Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur.

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. -- Ari Ne'emanPresidentThe Autistic Self Advocacy Network1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212Washington, DC 20005http://www.autistic advocacy. org732.763.5530

[Guest guest]

What state is this in? It is most definately child abuse in MY book ! I would

file a charge

in federal court citing Dept of Education law and breaking it !

Delores

>

> http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/23/st-lucie-teacher-has-class-vote-

whether-5-year-old/?printer=1/

> St.

> Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

>

> By Colleen Wixon

>

> Originally published 01:50 p.m., May 23, 2008

> Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 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 said they were

> going to take a vote, Barton said.

>

> By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class.

>

> Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspberger's, a

> type of high-functioning autism. began the testing process in February

> for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal

> Marsha Cully.

>

> has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said.

> The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an

> individual education plan, she said. His teacher, Portillo, has

> attended these meetings, she said.

>

> Barton said after the vote, 's teacher asked him how he felt.

>

> " He said, 'I feel sad,' " she 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 on Wednesday, he

> was leaving the nurse's office.

>

> " He was shaken up, " she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with

> the child's teacher, 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. "

>

> Barton said is reliving the incident.

>

> They 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. "

>

> The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who

> investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie 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 is no longer investigating, but is

> documenting the complaint, she said.

>

> Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur.

>

> 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.

> [image: Scripps Lighthouse]

>

> --

> Ari Ne'eman

> President

> The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

> 1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212

> Washington, DC 20005

> http://www.autisticadvocacy.org

> 732.763.5530

>

[Guest guest]

Never mind....I clicked the link and saw it is in Florida.

Delores

[Guest guest]

Delores,

I don't care what state it happened in, I'm with you...I'd sue the

school & that teacher! This is just outrageous!

>

> Never mind....I clicked the link and saw it is in Florida.

>

> Delores

>