MY CHILD WAS ABUSED AT PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY AND NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Friends: I ask that you please share this status, as the taxpayers and parents of children in Duluth, Minnesota need to be aware of how ISD 709 and Piedmont Elementary treat our children. My son, Jacob, is eight years old. He was born with a brain deformality, called cavum septum pellucidum. This deformality is very rare, with less than 1% of the population in the United States being born that way. Because he was born this way, he lacks basic social-emotional skills, cognitive abilities, and has virtually no short-term memory. About two years after his initial diagnosis, he was also diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum. With the two different diagnoses that he has, Jacob is a special case. Jacob has been going to Piedmont Elementary since he was in pre-K. Weve had quite a few bumps along the way, with what I would call student maltreatment. However, back then I was less informed about Jacobs rights as a student, and my rights as a parent. We have been fortunate, and have had a few great teachers and aides, but for the most part, things at Piedmont have been unsuccessful for us. Theyve fought Jacob having an aide, theyve fought placement in an Autism classroom, theyve refused to acknowledge the majority of his diagnoses. As I said, its been a struggle, but I *thought* things were turning around for us this year, because our family has been blessed by Jacob having such an amazing General Ed teacher. Unfortunately, we were wrong. On October 15, Jacob was subjected to physical abuse by his aide, Therese Bedard. Rather than his special education teacher calling to inform me about it, she called me to tell me that Jacob had been misbehaving, and that someone needed to come pick him up. Because I couldnt get away from work, I asked my mom if she could go. Upon her getting to school, Jacob informed her of what happened, and another aide was there to corroborate his story. On October 16, I called the Minnesota Department of Education to report the abuse. On October 31, they concluded their investigation, stating that Jacob had, in fact, been maltreated and abused, and that corrective action needed to be taken. After several phone calls and meetings with various school and administrative staff, I was assured that Jacob would be safe, and that he would not be subjected to her again. Unfortunately, that was all one giant smoke screen. My father and I met with the director of Human Resources for ISD 709, as well as the Principal of Piedmont Elementary, on Friday, November 21. In that meeting, I was told that Ms. Bedard had been a fantastic employee of the school district for several years, and that they couldnt, in good faith, terminate her employment because of one event that we believe is isolated. They went on to further explain that Jacobs actions before the incident occurred would have pushed anyone to their breaking point, so we think that it is important to recognize Jacobs part in this matter. Yes folks, they ARE, in fact, victim blaming an eight year old, developmentally delayed child with the mentality of a four year old. I was then told later in the day, via a phone call from the Principal, that Ms. Bedard would be returning to school this coming Monday, and that they know it is emotionally difficult for Jacob to see her (face his abuser), but that I should prepare him for the eventuality that he may be seeing and/or working with her. Help me. Help me tell the district and the school that this isnt okay. Help my son. Make him feel safe at school. Please. Share this with your friends. Help me get this publicized. This is not okay. Abuse of a child is NEVER okay, and making them face their abuser is despicable. This is an establishment that is supposed to PROTECT our children, not torture them. Please. Help.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 20:22:32 +0000
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