LAMB Sued for $20M by 2 families of sexual abuse victims

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This thinking is so delusional.

I am a teacher and a parent. I actually entered the LAMB lottery in 2016 and got a spot but we declined, for a few reasons. I actually didn't love the administrators that I met while touring though of course I had no idea that things were this bad.

Having taught in multiple charter schools in DC, I would 100% not send my child to LAMB at this point and I am very glad I didn't in the past.

I’m a new parent and I actually agree with the PP that this is probably a very safe time to be at LAMB. There is a lot of focus on making sure teachers, parents and students are all aware of and have the tools to prevent sexual abuse. It’s just sad that it took hurting children through willful incompetence for the school to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no reason for any teacher or staff member in any type of school to take kids to a basement and lock the door. Just think of the PTSD impact on those kids. 8 years? Unreal.

All the kids went to the basement, pretty regularly (according to my LAMB kid from that classroom) to help Mr Fernandez retrieve or put away 'science materials.' The kids understood it to be part and parcel of the Montessori curriculum where students help care for the classroom environment.

So far as my kid will admit, nothing happened when he was down there with the teacher. But I still worry.

I've been a special ed teacher and now a school psychologist for many years. We're not allowed to take any students of any age to a place like a basement---and certainly now with a closed door--much less a locked one!

certainly not

Sounds like the entire school was well aware that Fernandez took these basement trips all the time. Why was that permitted?! Overnight trips? Field trips where he's the sole chaperone? How does this happen today?

I'm the PP who mentioned this.

I didn't know about the basement trips until 2 years later when the arrest was reported in the Washington Post. And I asked my DC about whether he ever went to the basement storage at LAMB and he said -- 'yeah, we had to help Mr Manolo get science materials from there.'

Clearly it set off an alarm with another faculty member -- because a teacher reported two incidents of this to the administration.

There were annual overnight camping trips for older children at LAMB. Multiple faculty and admins went -- parents did not. But it seems that LAMB didn't follow the standard 'no adult should ever be alone with one child' rule. But Fernandez actually seems to have assaulted a child in the presence of a second. The 'going out' field trips around DC are a Montessori thing -- and usually involved one adult taking 2-4 children someplace that the children planned an excursion to.

Clearly the school needs to rethink that. NEVER offsite with a single adult alone with children. I don't buy the "it's a Montessori thing"

Student-planned and led learning expeditions are very much Montessori.

The single adult chaperone part shouldn't be standard, at least not anymore.

Well child molesters love that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty shocking that he was given such little prison time. Terrible injustice.

He pled guilty to abusing 6 students.

But at least 15 more students alleged to police that he abused them.

When the case was ruled upon had the full breadth of Fernandez's bad deeds been exposed? Can he be tried for additional instances of sexual abuse of children if new children come forward? Eight years does not seem sufficient for forever alternating the lives of so many.

No. His plea agreement precludes any additional LAMB-related cases from being brought.

He had good attorneys.

Not true. My child was a victim and if any other children come forward that have not yet said they are a victim, additional charges can be brought against him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

The fact that Cottman isn't already gone speaks volumes about the school and the board.

She is delusional and sounds like the board and parents are too. Yes, safer than almost anywhere.... I can't even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

Sad but true. It's those who have students at schools which have NOT been through this who need to keep their eyes and ears open and watch for the signs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

Sad but true. It's those who have students at schools which have NOT been through this who need to keep their eyes and ears open and watch for the signs.

Wait, isn't LAMB still employing an adult who was at a minimum was complacent or at worst actively covering up the sexual abuse of multiple children? You think that is a safe environment?

Seriously, I don't get it. I can guarantee you that LAMB is a complete anomaly in their response to this situation. Frankly, it is scary and embarrassing for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

Most schools have proper policies in place -- and have for decades. Don't you wonder why LAMB didn't put proper policies in place in 2015? It took more students being abused for them to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

Most schools have proper policies in place -- and have for decades. Don't you wonder why LAMB didn't put proper policies in place in 2015? It took more students being abused for them to do that.

Oh, please. See: Miner, Sidwell, Oyster-Adams, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

Most schools have proper policies in place -- and have for decades. Don't you wonder why LAMB didn't put proper policies in place in 2015? It took more students being abused for them to do that.

Oh, please. See: Miner, Sidwell, Oyster-Adams, etc.

Exactly. And policy in place PLUS strong enforcement, which is probably where schools fall short. I am simply not buying that this is an anomaly. Have you heard of #metoo???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

Most schools have proper policies in place -- and have for decades. Don't you wonder why LAMB didn't put proper policies in place in 2015? It took more students being abused for them to do that.

+1. They should have had proper policies from the day they opened in 2004.

However proper policies aren't a guarantee against abuse (see Georgetown Day School, multiple MCPS just in the past year). Strong policies and a culture of safety though enable schools to swiftly move if something bad happens or is suspected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

Yeah most school systems have policies in place, the problem is that a lot of placed don't follow them or think that because they "know" someone they can skirt commonsense polices and procedures!

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

Most schools have proper policies in place -- and have for decades. Don't you wonder why LAMB didn't put proper policies in place in 2015? It took more students being abused for them to do that.

Oh, please. See: Miner, Sidwell, Oyster-Adams, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so heartbreaking. We have a kid at LAMB now, and were excited at the prospect of our second going there too. I will have to give this real consideration. We aren't at the campus where this happened. I'm glad that the administration has been removed. I am hopeful that with one campus there will be more oversight and less divided attention. I'm still getting very scared to have my babies there.

The fact that numerous LAMB teachers spoke out, repeatedly about this teacher should make you feel better. More than one person stuck their neck out to protect the kids. The administration just couldn't or didn't want to believe it could happen.

The administrators who looked the other way are gone (counselor and Encinas). Cottman will be gone in June.

The Board should have asked more questions at the time, IMO. A few new Board members have been added in the wake of this, and they are outsiders, not people known to Cottman. I hope all of the old ones are replaced asap.

Honestly, I think right now your child is safer there, than almost anywhere else because LAMB under a microscope and everyone has learned a hard lesson.

Yeah most school systems have policies in place, the problem is that a lot of placed don't follow them or think that because they "know" someone they can skirt commonsense polices and procedures!

This does make me feel a bit better.

It doesn't make me feel better. The teachers should have gone to parents and CPS. And just because people at the top are gone does not at all mean there is a culture of accountability and abuse prevention now.

And yet I think there is. You're perhaps the one who's delusional thinking this takes a very special situation to happen. No, it can happen at any school. IF proper policies aren't in place. Most parents probably don't know what those are and therefore need to have a review. LAMB now has already implemented safeguards and has a detailed implementation plan to prevent any such instances again.

Most schools have proper policies in place -- and have for decades. Don't you wonder why LAMB didn't put proper policies in place in 2015? It took more students being abused for them to do that.

Oh, please. See: Miner, Sidwell, Oyster-Adams, etc.

Were there additional kids abused by the same employee after administrators were informed? After they put in new policies and training did the abuse continue by the same abuser? I won't even go into how the administrators were still employed by the school after all of this was uncovered.