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

[Anonymous]

Hmm...

Charged in both Montgomery and Queen Anne's counties:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcschools/2010/01/sidwell_teacher_fired.html?hpid=newswell

Well, I guess you get what you pay for...

[Anonymous]

News of child abuse is always disturbing. I wonder if the school did a background check before hiring him. Of course, this would only be helpful, if he had been in jail for child molestation charges before. A lot of these freaks purposely seek out places where they have access to children (i.e. schools, summer camps, sports teams). I feel for the boys and their families.

[Anonymous]

Compare how this was handled versus the Beauvoir situation. When the school found out, the barred him from campus and did not can him until the charges were levied.

Horrible situation for the family(ies) involved, but really, is the OP going to claim that this never happens in public or god forbid, parochial schools?

[Anonymous]

22:57 From the Examiner:

School officials learned of the allegations against Peterson last fall, before the beginning of the school term, and placed Peterson on leave.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/sidwell-teacher-accused-of-fondling-teenager-at-school-summer-camp-82208357.html#ixzz0dDTSa8Ir

[Anonymous]

Apparently, there had never been any allegations against him before. But you have to wonder, if there are more victims and if so, will they be empowered to come forward?

The school did the wright thing in banning him from campus as soon as they learned of the allegations.

[Anonymous]

Hmm...

Charged in both Montgomery and Queen Anne's counties:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcschools/2010/01...acher_fired.html?hpid=newswell

Well, I guess you get what you pay for...

I assure you. You have a sex offender living within a 1 mile radius of where you live. I guess you get what you pay real estate taxes for ....

[Anonymous]

OP here

No I did not claim it doesn't happen elsewhere; but there have been posts on the public school forums from parents that want to go private to "avoid" issues. You can't avoid it, but you can always be aware, ask your kids questions and provide them guidance so a situation does not become problematic. You know they call it parenting.

And to 23:53 --- Actually there is not one living within 1.5 miles of our home but there are 4 that work night custodial duties at professional offices or are stockers at the local Giant. So I guess we did get what we paid for...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, there had never been any allegations against him before. But you have to wonder, if there are more victims and if so, will they be empowered to come forward?

The school did the wright thing in banning him from campus as soon as they learned of the allegations.

Very sad. And remember, this could happen to any school and there is no simple answer. But, I wonder if the school REALLY did the right thing? Merely banning him from campus until formal charges were made is hardly enough. Although I believe innocent until proven guilty, protecting the innonce of the children is really what is at stake. the man's needs were secondary. Did the school begin an internal enquiry? Would the school have done ANYTHING if the allegations were kept secret? Did the school contact families whose children were under this man's supervision in the past?? Allegations (whether they turn out to be true or not) are serious enough, that the school should have immediately provide counseling to his students. From the limited press this has received, I get the feeling that if charges weren't filed then the school would have let it blow over in hopes of keeping it secret. Truly sad if you think about the fact that other children could have suffered abuse at the hands of this man.

Remember, Beauvoir called the police on their sicko. No Beauvoir did not handle Toth perfectly, but at least the school came forward. I see no indication that Sidwell did anything but try to make the man go away. No compassion to the fact that other students may have suffered.

[Anonymous]

I see the school's action as a legal decision. You know they did not make a move until they consulted their lawyers. Anything deemed "rushed" could have opened them up for a horrendous lawsuit and it is the school and endowment they have to protect.

Having been on a school Board where a high-ranking admin left some years ago (and to this day, no one at the school knows who initiated it and why in order to protect everyone), there is no such thing as being too careful. I will say that there is alot of info the school is not letting you know in order to avoid legal action being taken against them.

[Anonymous]

It's everywhere unfortunately. My sympathies to any kids who were involved and their families. What a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

OP here

No I did not claim it doesn't happen elsewhere; but there have been posts on the public school forums from parents that want to go private to "avoid" issues. You can't avoid it, but you can always be aware, ask your kids questions and provide them guidance so a situation does not become problematic. You know they call it parenting.

And to 23:53 --- Actually there is not one living within 1.5 miles of our home but there are 4 that work night custodial duties at professional offices or are stockers at the local Giant. So I guess we did get what we paid for...

Your stupidity and illlogic is blazen. The Sidwell teacher and educator must moonlight as a custodial worker or stocker... as does your priest that receives your cleansing confessionals. I'm certain the sex offender in your neighborhood resides within your household.

[Anonymous]

I see the school's action as a legal decision. You know they did not make a move until they consulted their lawyers. Anything deemed "rushed" could have opened them up for a horrendous lawsuit and it is the school and endowment they have to protect.

Having been on a school Board where a high-ranking admin left some years ago (and to this day, no one at the school knows who initiated it and why in order to protect everyone), there is no such thing as being too careful. I will say that there is alot of info the school is not letting you know in order to avoid legal action being taken against them.

You betcha. Like STA the Sidwell endowment is not generous.

[Anonymous]

I wonder how Sidwell explained the teacher's leave in the Fall. This is sad. I observed him teaching on a tour a few years ago.

I do not see posts about this not happening in public schools. My child had a very strange experience with a teacher in public school. If we had been naive, something might have happened. We would not allow our child to socialize with this teacher outside of school, something the teacher wanted. This can happen anywhere.

[Anonymous]

OP's gloating is appalling. I don't have a child at Sidwell, but your obvious resentments are clouding your view of what can only be characterized as a tragedy. At least one child was terribly hurt.

[Anonymous]

Your stupidity and illlogic is blazen. The Sidwell teacher and educator must moonlight as a custodial worker or stocker... as does your priest that receives your cleansing confessionals. I'm certain the sex offender in your neighborhood resides within your household.

Do you have too much stress in your life? Take a little break and look out the window at something beautiful. You'll feel better, I promise!