May 26, 2008

Maddening

Mom says teacher let classmates vote autistic son out of class
By Colleen Wixon | Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
2:31 PM EDT, May 25, 2008

PORT ST. LUCIE - Melissa 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, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted Alex -- who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism -- out of the class.

Melissa Barton filed a complaint with Morningside's school resource officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department spokeswoman Michelle 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.

Read entire story here


I would say that I could never fathom this happening in an American school, but unfortunately, I know from my 6 years in the classroom that things like this happen all the time. Truly revolting. There are no excuses for the damage the teacher has done to little Alex. This, along with at least a hundred other reasons, is why I am choosing to teach my child at home. You can find out what you can do to make sure the teacher is held responsible for her actions by reading Melissa's (the child's mother) comments below this post on Mommy Life. You can also send Alex a card by following the directions posted here. I have more to say about all of this, but it is late and I'll write more next time.

We are truly loving our new home. We finally have most of the pictures hung and boxes unpacked. I never imagined that God would bless us more than He did with our first house. I cannot describe the feeling of peace and retreat I get every time I pull into the driveway. Thank You, Lord, for this unexpected gift.

P.S. New pictures are coming, I promise!! :)

3 comments:

Penny said...

shocking!

Glad your are enjoying your new house :)

Susana M Kepner said...

I actually heard this on the radio and could not believe it... I can only pray for the little kid and hope that in a few years he can erase that day from his memory.

Mommy of 2 and 2 said...

This is just sick...and sadly shows how our society is lacking in the old adage of Do Unto Others as You would have them Do Unto you! People just do not think about their actions affecting other people and it makes me sick!!
Thanks for the comment about our school decision I appreciate it!!