PGCPS policies to prevent abuse are hurting us further

[Anonymous]

In an effort to protect our children from abuse in the school system, PGCPS have put policies in place that are punishing good teachers for unsubstantiated claims of abuse. I am passionate about the cause to protect our children, but the application of the policy has cluttered the system therefore taking focus away from investigating actual cases of abuse. When teachers are cleared by Child Protective Services (CPS), I am hearing that it can take 5 – 18 months to return them to the classroom due to a backlog in cases. At my school, we have 5 teachers out on the leave. The Principle is trying to do her best to fill in the gaps, but it is awful. With sub’s there is more babysitting occurring than actual teaching. My 2nd grade son has complained that he has not been able to learn with the noise level (the classes have grown in size) and the change in teachers (substitutes, etc.)

In the cases that I am aware of at my school the reports were not abuse instead it was about not following the policy (no hands were put on the child, no verbal abuse, etc). The execution of the policy is like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. It is overkill in the scenarios that I am aware of at my school.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like we might be at the same school. My son is PK3 and his teacher has been out since the 4th day of school, with a new and different substitute every day. We are especially concerned because he has an IEP in which his teacher plays an important role, but of course the substitutes have no idea.

Any ideas for how we can fix this?

[Anonymous]

Yes. This is terrible. My child is in 1st grade and we were very happy with his teacher. But it’s been a month now with substitute teachers or being split up into other teachers’ classes, so there’s no actual learning taking place.

A lot of parents don't know that we can file a complaint with the Ombudsman. Please spread the word to other parents. If we all speak out, maybe we can get our voices heard and have a better chance at getting our teachers back sooner rather than later.

Here is the website:
Go to: http://www1.pgcps.org/ombudsman/
Click on "Submit A Concern Online"
Then "Create a Concern"
Then Fill out form and under "type of concern" choose "Policies and Procedures"

[Anonymous]

In addition to the ombudsman above, contact Kevin Maxwell. The parents at my son's school are in an uproar over this. The more voices, the better.

If you are willing to talk to the media the Washington post is writing a story on this last I heard. Lynh Bui is ther PG beat writer.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thanks 17:50 for adding the steps for submitting a concern.

I was also informed that Tracee Wilkons, Channel 4 News is handling the story RE PGCPS abuse. So, it could not hurt to reach out to this person too [e-mail] or 202 359-0525.

Maybe even contact the County Executive's office, Rushern Baker. I read that he commented about running for a higher office. Perhaps, he might be "interested" in responding in light of his recently admitted aspirations. I pasted the info below from their site:


We created CountyClick311 to provide better service to you. Did you know that:

· CountyClick 3-1-1 is a one-stop call center that residents may call to get answers to questions and resolve non-emergency issues?
· You can also submit a service request or research a question online at www.countyclick311.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
· The 311 Call Center has Bi-lingual Call Center Representatives whom are available to assist Spanish-speaking citizens?
· The 311 Call Center’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7AM until 7PM. If attempting to call from outside of the region, please dial 301-883-4748 to connect to the Prince George’s County 3-1-1 Call Center?

[Anonymous]

I believe we are at the same school too! My child is in kindergarten and the teacher has only been there a few days this year, and there has been a different substitute every day since. I am upset because I have been pretty much left in the dark regarding the situation, and don't even know the real reason of the teacher's placement on administrative leave.
I also feel like the children are missing out because they are not learning as much with substitutes.
It's definitely a frustrating situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Thanks 17:50 for adding the steps for submitting a concern.

I was also informed that Tracee Wilkons, Channel 4 News is handling the story RE PGCPS abuse. So, it could not hurt to reach out to this person too [e-mail] or 202 359-0525.

Maybe even contact the County Executive's office, Rushern Baker. I read that he commented about running for a higher office. Perhaps, he might be "interested" in responding in light of his recently admitted aspirations. I pasted the info below from their site:


We created CountyClick311 to provide better service to you. Did you know that:

· CountyClick 3-1-1 is a one-stop call center that residents may call to get answers to questions and resolve non-emergency issues?
· You can also submit a service request or research a question online at www.countyclick311.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
· The 311 Call Center has Bi-lingual Call Center Representatives whom are available to assist Spanish-speaking citizens?
· The 311 Call Center’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7AM until 7PM. If attempting to call from outside of the region, please dial 301-883-4748 to connect to the Prince George’s County 3-1-1 Call Center?

Rushern Baker's email is [e-mail]

Also email or phone your board of education rep! Find them here: http://www1.pgcps.org/board/

[Anonymous]

OH! I didn't realize this is why 5 teachers are out on leave at my child's school. (I assume we are talking about the school.) We've only been in the pgcps system for a few years. I assumed that it was sick leave because 3 out of 7 of my other child's teachers were out on extended sick leave last year at ERHS.

[Anonymous]

I heard that two teachers are out for apparent abuse-relates violations at my child's school. One of them taught my child last year and was not a problem, so without knowing details, I am sympathetic. The other one, well, I am not surprised or sympathetic. I will leave it at that. Also, I am not happy that the school has yet to inform me about the removals.

[Anonymous]

What has happened is that principal discretion has been taken out of the procedure when there is an allegation of abuse.

Either put principal discretion back into the procedure (but I assume it was taken out because some principals weren't following up correctly) or else hire more staff to investigate allegations.

[Anonymous]

Just in case you didn't receive any notice, there is going to be a meeting at school from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Several people from PGCPS (including Maxwell) will be there. I strongly encourage parents to attend to voice your concerns. You are the best advocate for your child, don't just let other people decide for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just in case you didn't receive any notice, there is going to be a meeting at school from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Several people from PGCPS (including Maxwell) will be there. I strongly encourage parents to attend to voice your concerns. You are the best advocate for your child, don't just let other people decide for you.

What school?

[Anonymous]

Now I am wondering about my child's school. One of her teachers left after just a few weeks of class, with no information from anyone as to what happened to her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now I am wondering about my child's school. One of her teachers left after just a few weeks of class, with no information from anyone as to what happened to her.

Was she an English teacher?

[Anonymous]

This seems to be happening in several schools. I'm a PG teacher and we're down several staff members as well.