Inappropriate Aide: Pull child from MCPS

[Anonymous]

My child has reported “tickling” by a classroom aide in LFI MS. In contact with my advocate, meeting with school Monday. I’m told they will investigate.
Not sending child back unless resolved, but trust is lost with MCPS. What are options for certificate bound kids and homeschool? Any recommendations on what to do after you pull your child? Completely lost and overwhelmed.

[Anonymous]

How old is child? Was the interaction observed? What were the circumstances? Many children are not reliable reporters of what happened.

[Anonymous]

Take him to a psychologist and the police

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is child? Was the interaction observed? What were the circumstances? Many children are not reliable reporters of what happened.

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I'm sorry, but this is a completely inappropriate response. Children's reports need to be taken seriously. There are no circumstances under which tickling is appropriate at school. Ticking is a common grooming tactic used by predators. It breaks down a child's boundaries about who is permitted to touch their body.

OP, please make sure you complained in writing. Please also make sure you follow up any agreement in writing (i.e. a "thank you" letter that states something like, I appreciate discussing - re-describe the incident - and your commitment to - redescribed what was agreed to.

Glad you have an advocate. Best if you go to meeting with the advocate, but definitely do not go alone - even a friend or other family member who knows their job is to back you up (and take notes).

You may also want to report to the Title IX coordinator - ask who the Title IX coordinator is for the school building and who is the county-wide Title IX coordinator. Title IX protects students from sexual harassment. Tickling is a form of unwanted touch and as such can be consider sexual assault or sexual harassment.

I understand that you have lost trust, but, legally, I think the school system is obliged to suspend the teacher with pay while they investigate, and regardless of the outcome, if the school system is smart, to avoid future problems, they will have to not place your student with that staffer. I understand if you still wouldn't be comfortable with that outcome.

Your advocate should know about options for a different school placement, asking for compensatory hours while your child is out of school or asking for private placement. TBH, you would probably need a lawyer for any of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take him to a psychologist and the police

I would seriously consider reporting to the police. The school system rarely investigates possible sexual predation well. In addition, they do not have access to the tools the police do. The school system, for example, will never get a warrant to access the accused's computers or devices, which often show evidence of sexual predation.

I would speak to an attorney about this before you do it, so you know what the process is, and you and your child are represented by counsel when filing a police complaint.

[Anonymous]

Are there cameras in the school?

[Anonymous]

Do not overreact, OP. You don't want to lose everything MCPS has to offer, ie, taxpayer-funded services and accommodations, just because of one inappropriate interaction. Private schools are expensive, and homeschooling isn't possible if you're working.

You should request that your child be placed with another aide. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there cameras in the school?

No MCPS elementary school has cameras.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there cameras in the school?

No MCPS elementary school has cameras.

OP said middle school.

[Anonymous]

What is your concern? The ticking or that is done in school?

[Anonymous]

Tickling is not ok in school. I would call central office and put it in writing to everyone you can find and the boe and make a huge stink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take him to a psychologist and the police

I would seriously consider reporting to the police. The school system rarely investigates possible sexual predation well. In addition, they do not have access to the tools the police do. The school system, for example, will never get a warrant to access the accused's computers or devices, which often show evidence of sexual predation.

I would speak to an attorney about this before you do it, so you know what the process is, and you and your child are represented by counsel when filing a police complaint.

+1

[Anonymous]

If you’re worried there was more to it than tickling, reach out to the treehouse child advocacy center. They’re trained in forensic interviewing with children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take him to a psychologist and the police

I would seriously consider reporting to the police. The school system rarely investigates possible sexual predation well. In addition, they do not have access to the tools the police do. The school system, for example, will never get a warrant to access the accused's computers or devices, which often show evidence of sexual predation.

I would speak to an attorney about this before you do it, so you know what the process is, and you and your child are represented by counsel when filing a police complaint.

For tickling? Seriously? Report it to the principal and give them a chance to respond. Perhaps it's a sign of something sinister, but perhaps not.

[Anonymous]

Switch the aide immediately