PSA - Sex abuse at Washington Hebrew

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This whole last set of posts is problematic. There are one or more people reporting they raised concerns to DJ and were dissatisfied with the response. If the issue were so clear cut or serious at that time (2016) it seems like either they should have complained to the administration higher up (if nothing else about DJ’s response) or if really red flags to the police. That fact that this did not happen to me means it likely wasn’t that clear cut even if concerning? I have to assume that and I have to assume that DJ didn’t see them as red flags either because whatever you think, who would ignore a potential child predator when running a school. It just makes no sense to keep harping on this piece.

Also any OPs with information about what was flagged in 2016 and concerns about the response, please make sure to call the lawyer for the temple. The police are investigating the predator. It’s the Temple’s job to investigate whether any red flags were missed. I was told by the lawyer today (paraphrasing here)that in speaking with over a hundred parents, no one stated that there were any concerns about this teacher before this information came to light in August. Maybe he’s protecting the temple (his job) but part of his job is to internally investigate how this happened and fix it, so it seems odd to me he would say something so direct if it’s not true. If you have this information, please call the lawyer in addition to the police.

This same lawyer also swore that they only knew of one child which numerous posters and the police said was incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Washington Hebrew began the Thursday meeting with two key themes: transparency and moral obligation. They have not been transparent. And there has been no moral obligation to the students who were in the care of the alleged suspect.

[Anonymous]

I agree and encourage anyone who had their instincts triggered by this teacher and reported it to DJ only to have it dismissed and laughed at by her — and I have now heard of at least 2 separate incidents where parents said they felt concerned about interactions between their child and this teacher and DJ dismissed it and laughed it off — to report this to the police directly and the lawyer secondarily. Can only hope DJ was not complicit — will assume not since that makes me feel better, but obviously we can’t tell. The fact that she did not know about this or at least have policies in place to prevent this is inexcusable and woefully incompetent at best. There is simply no way this should have happened, and no excuse. If DJ was not so dismissive and frantic all the time, maybe she could have prevented this — obviously not fit for this job, plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree and encourage anyone who had their instincts triggered by this teacher and reported it to DJ only to have it dismissed and laughed at by her — and I have now heard of at least 2 separate incidents where parents said they felt concerned about interactions between their child and this teacher and DJ dismissed it and laughed it off — to report this to the police directly and the lawyer secondarily. Can only hope DJ was not complicit — will assume not since that makes me feel better, but obviously we can’t tell. The fact that she did not know about this or at least have policies in place to prevent this is inexcusable and woefully incompetent at best. There is simply no way this should have happened, and no excuse. If DJ was not so dismissive and frantic all the time, maybe she could have prevented this — obviously not fit for this job, plain and simple.

yes. exactly.

[Anonymous]

No reason to report anything to the school at this point. Any information that would be helpful to the investigation should be reported to the detectives so they may add this to the investigation. Let the experts who have the job to protect our community have all the facts. The WHC lawyer has one job, to protect WHC ONLY! Not the families. Not the students. Yes, the school, but only as it relates to WHC in hopes that lawsuits won't occur.

[Anonymous]

Um, if the lawyer knowingly lied or made a false statement, you can file a complaint with the DC Bar - they can sanction or disbar them depending on the severity.

Also, this was a quote from the Post: “Following the allegations, the preschool said that it will hire more staff members and make changes to ensure the safety of students. Children at the school will be accompanied by at least two teachers at all times. The school will have additional staff members supervise students in activities including art, construction and nap time.”

Wow, DJ is really on top of this. She put basic, preventive policies in place to protect the children — good thinking. I’m sure the child victims and their parents will be all better now. Bravo. #ALittlelate.

[Anonymous]

“Children at the school will be accompanied by at least two teachers at all times.” Does anyone know if this is required by DC regulation? If it is, then was the school breaking safety rules by not having this policy before the alleged incident?

[Anonymous]

DJ’s policy created the perfect environment for child sex offenders, perfect fostering environment.

"what happens at school stays at school"

[Anonymous]

Yes, most parents are annoyed and frustrated by this.

[Anonymous]

http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/police-investigating-allegations-of-sex-abuse-at-dc-jewish-preschool

[Anonymous]

The head should step down. You never leave young ones alone with just 1 teacher. Our co-op preschool always had teacher + assistant. Common sense. Your voices will be loudest if you LEAVE the school until changes are made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The head should step down. You never leave young ones alone with just 1 teacher. Our co-op preschool always had teacher + assistant. Common sense. Your voices will be loudest if you LEAVE the school until changes are made.

+100!

[Anonymous]

The school keeps saying that they are providing counseling services to families. But it is unclear who this is through. The email from last Friday points to the BCAC, and while I found Drew to be really wonderful that night, its unclear that they really are in a position for counseling. Also, they pointed us to safe shores, but safe shores only does interviews if you are refereed by the detective. Has anyone else figured out what counseling services they are referring to?

[Anonymous]

To the poster who wrote the the school has a policy/attitude of “what happens at school stays at school"? What do you mean by this? Did someone actually say this? Or did you infer it? Why specifically do you think the school has this attitude?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school keeps saying that they are providing counseling services to families. But it is unclear who this is through. The email from last Friday points to the BCAC, and while I found Drew to be really wonderful that night, its unclear that they really are in a position for counseling. Also, they pointed us to safe shores, but safe shores only does interviews if you are refereed by the detective. Has anyone else figured out what counseling services they are referring to?

Can anyone share in detail what is provided by the school as far as support goes right now please? I think a lot of worried parents, who have not (yet?) concluded that our children were affected, are interested in talking to professionals about how to broach this with children. I would like to know the full scope of resources that the temple is providing and paying for. Thank you.