Sidwell Soc. Studies teacher and Sleep Away Camp Director Arrested for Sexual Abuse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I HATE that this crook got access to our children!!!
Now all I want to know is what are we doing to get the other crooks and abusers out of our schools??????
No man (sorry guys) should be allowed private time with our kids.
Aren't male doctors required to have a female nurse in the room?

Mary Kay Letourneau!

[Anonymous]

I'm PP 22:57. To PP 9:57, my specific family member was told he had a chronic illness by a member of the "front office" when they asked why he wasn't there.
Camp Corsica is cancelled for this summer and all campers already registered are getting a refund. The camp was only operating during the summer months, not the fall.
I absolutely believe in due process, innocent until proven guilty, but from the evidence I have seen (I am an insider) it is insurmountable. Not necessarily direct contact with a child though (besides the 15 yr old involved here). I hope a cover up does not ensue. This man was loved by so many and it is really unbelievable what he was actually doing.

[Anonymous]

January 20, 2010


Dear Parents, Students, Teachers, Staff, Campers and Alumni:

The day before the 2009-10 academic year began, the Sidwell Friends administration learned of allegations that Middle School teacher Robert A. “Pete” Peterson had engaged in inappropriate conduct toward a minor while away from campus. Mr. Peterson has long been both a teacher of 7th and 8th grade Social Studies and Director of the School’s Camp Corsica.

As a consequence of the allegations, the School placed Mr. Peterson on leave before the academic year began and immediately informed the appropriate authorities. As a condition of his leave, Mr. Peterson has not been permitted on either campus or at any School-sponsored programs or events.

Since placing Mr. Peterson on leave, the School has been in ongoing communication with the investigators. Maryland authorities recently informed the School that they would be bringing criminal charges against Mr. Peterson. Based on the results of the criminal inquiry and the substance of the charges, the School terminated Mr. Peterson’s employment on January 14, 2010. The School continues to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Trust between an adult and child is the cornerstone of our Friends community. This School is a strong, resilient, and compassionate one. At this time, we must draw on those strengths and focus, most particularly, on the needs of our students and campers. To that end, we have arranged for additional counseling services for students, families, and employees. Please feel free to contact, in confidence, my office, should you require assistance or wish to share information.

Sincerely yours,


Stephen K. Barker
Interim Head of School
Sidwell Friends School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm PP 22:57. To PP 9:57, my specific family member was told he had a chronic illness by a member of the "front office" when they asked why he wasn't there.
Camp Corsica is cancelled for this summer and all campers already registered are getting a refund. The camp was only operating during the summer months, not the fall.
I absolutely believe in due process, innocent until proven guilty, but from the evidence I have seen (I am an insider) it is insurmountable. Not necessarily direct contact with a child though (besides the 15 yr old involved here). I hope a cover up does not ensue. This man was loved by so many and it is really unbelievable what he was actually doing.

If "not necessarily direct contact with a child" (other than the 15 year old), than what was this man doing??

[Anonymous]

Ok, so this goes back to the previous question. If the school learned of this right before the school year in August, what liability are they subject to, or what should they have done differently?

There doesn't appear to be a cover-up, nor does there appear to be any sanctioned contact between the teacher or any students at the time of, or after the time of discovery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm PP 22:57. To PP 9:57, my specific family member was told he had a chronic illness by a member of the "front office" when they asked why he wasn't there.
Camp Corsica is cancelled for this summer and all campers already registered are getting a refund. The camp was only operating during the summer months, not the fall.
I absolutely believe in due process, innocent until proven guilty, but from the evidence I have seen (I am an insider) it is insurmountable. Not necessarily direct contact with a child though (besides the 15 yr old involved here). I hope a cover up does not ensue. This man was loved by so many and it is really unbelievable what he was actually doing.

PP perhaps you should not be so free with the details here. Identifying the age of the boy seems like it is getting mighty close to identifying him and that seems like a violation of his privacy.

[Anonymous]

The age of the boy has been in the press. Folks, I am sure public relations factored into the discussions. That's the reality here given who attends Sidwell. The letter from the acting head of school was dated January 20, this past Friday, but the teacher was terminated on January 14, the previous Saturday. Why no letter on Monday or Tuesday? Because Monday is the top of the news week. I'm a former journalist, and everyone knows Friday announcements get less play unless they're especially urgent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The age of the boy has been in the press. Folks, I am sure public relations factored into the discussions. That's the reality here given who attends Sidwell. The letter from the acting head of school was dated January 20, this past Friday, but the teacher was terminated on January 14, the previous Saturday. Why no letter on Monday or Tuesday? Because Monday is the top of the news week. I'm a former journalist, and everyone knows Friday announcements get less play unless they're especially urgent.

Funny, on my calendar the 20th was a Wednesday and the Post stories came out that day. And I did not see the age of the boy in stories.

[Anonymous]

Hey, the 20th is a Wednesday on my calendar too! I know everyone likes a good conspiracy theory, but maybe the school just announced the info as soon as it was ready.

[Anonymous]

I read the boy's age in the press as well. Here is the article:


http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/crime/One-student-involved-in-Sidwell-molestation-accusations_-attorney-says-82292557.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The age of the boy has been in the press. Folks, I am sure public relations factored into the discussions. That's the reality here given who attends Sidwell. The letter from the acting head of school was dated January 20, this past Friday, but the teacher was terminated on January 14, the previous Saturday. Why no letter on Monday or Tuesday? Because Monday is the top of the news week. I'm a former journalist, and everyone knows Friday announcements get less play unless they're especially urgent.

Funny, on my calendar the 20th was a Wednesday and the Post stories came out that day. And I did not see the age of the boy in stories.

[Anonymous]

Doesnt' take a rocket scientist to figure out the age of the boy. Peterson taught 7/8th grades. The incident(s) allegedly took place after the boy was his student in 2008. So that means he's probably 15 or 16.

I'm wondering what the "insurmountable" evidence is that something inappropriate took place. I think unless other victims come forward to corroborate these allegations will be hard to prove and Peterson may get away with it.

[Anonymous]

I'm PP 22:57 & 22:40. Evidence does not have to be testimony of a victim. In addition, you can be a victim of a crime and not know it has happened to you. Sometimes the criminal doesn't even have to be within 5 feet of a child for that child to be a victim of a crime. At Beauvoir there were many victims who didn't know they were victims right?

PP 7:04, you said there doesn't appear to be "sanctioned" contact ... that's correct and that is the exact problem! Sidwell knew of these allegations in August and at the time there were just that, allegations! Sidwell had no idea what was true but it should have erred on the side of caution and notified parents then that the teacher had been placed on leave and was prohibited from both campuses and school events. They should have left it at that. No other explanation needed. However, in September, when my family member asked where this teacher was, they were told he had a chronic illness.

This was kept extremely quiet, and rightfully so as to the specific allegations. The specific allegations should not have been released in August before charges were brought (IMHO). However, let’s take this scenario: what if another teacher, Sally, knew “Pete,” (Peterson)emailed him & asked how he was. Pete responded that “he was doing Ok, getting much better” and Pete explained that he was not “contagious” but he was getting pretty bored every day by just being at home. Sally felt sorry for Pete and recommended Johnny and Joey, Sidwell students, to Pete for tutoring. Johnny & Joey met with Pete (at their house or at Pete’s house) for extra help. Let’s say Pete victimized one or both of these students. Would Sidwell be liable somehow for that ??? I think there is an excellent argument there. The families should have been told that Pete was banned from campus and school events. How would you feel?

Oh and btw, the age of the boy was printed many times in the press. I have no idea whatsoever who this boy is.

[Anonymous]

PP I think you may be better served raising your concerns with the administration of the school. The letter from the head seemed to encourage questions from School families.

[Anonymous]

The age of the boy has been in the press. Folks, I am sure public relations factored into the discussions. That's the reality here given who attends Sidwell. The letter from the acting head of school was dated January 20, this past Friday, but the teacher was terminated on January 14, the previous Saturday. Why no letter on Monday or Tuesday? Because Monday is the top of the news week. I'm a former journalist, and everyone knows Friday announcements get less play unless they're especially urgent.

the letter came out in due time. you are not that important for any one to miss sleep for an annoucement.

[Anonymous]

Have there been any updates to this story?