okay to make a very long story short, my husband and i decided to take our kids out of a school they have been going to since they stated school now they are in 4th grade and 1st grade because one of the teachers was convicted of child molestation and the school is backing him to come back blaming the young girl who is in 8th grade but later found out she wasnt the only one . i am scared to move them to this new school because i am worried about everything now am i over reacting or just being cauious i hate change anyways please advice anyone!! help reasure me..
p.s let me clear up some facts so everyone doesnt think i am over reacting..... yes he turned himself in and was released without bail on his own recogness (spelled wrong) yes he admitted to everything, his parents are a very big part of the community better said rich!! and have pull in the town the D.A. said she wanted off the case because they were family friends also his mom is a teacher there and the whole community is behind him now i know gossip is brutal but when the school refuses to talk to the parents and reasure them and sweep it under the rug then one tends to wonder and the fact that the church also said he was way too good of a guy to do this then what do u do?..
I dont agree with the school backing him, but if he was convicted he will not be allowed back no matter what the school wants. because it is illegal for a convited sexual offender to be alone with children let alone teach them. I dont think you are over reacting though. raising kids is stressful enough if moving them to a new school will help you worry less about their saftey go for it
Feelings are neither right or wrong. They just are. It is what you do with them that matters. You may need to talk to a counselor or someone about this to get a professional perspective. This is a tough issue. You have to have trust in your school to send you kids there. Where ever you go. Your ability to trust any school has been rightly shaken by this event. That seems logical to me.
However, what alternatives do you really have? If you had your purse snatched would you never leave your house again? Maybe for a couple days, maybe at first you wouldn't go out at night, or alone, but would you never leave again?
Of course it is much easier when it is your life, than when it is your kids lives. I would check out the rules of the school. My kids go to catholic school, and after all the priest issues, they now have a program to train people about these issues. We also have some strict rules about being with children --- never alone, & always with the door open. I am not saying bad stuff won't happen at our school, it could, but I know more now that I took the class and I feel better prepared to keep an eye out for questionable situations. Knowledge can some times help over come fear.
This is hard. Best of luck.
I think if the school is asking this teacher back and there is any suspicion of molestation , and since there was a conviction I bet there is enough proof, you are correct in wanting to protect your children. I think more parents should speak up and make sure that teacher does not come back. I would be surprised if he does since a conviction would prohibit him from ever being near children again. If he doesn't, I would keep my children there, but if he does, take your kids to a safer school and make sure everyone in town knows what is going on. Child molestation is not to be swept under the rug. You could be protecting other children if you speak up.
It sounds like you have lost your trust in the school and it makes sense to not trust your children with the school authorities if you feel that they are making bad decisions for your children!
I know that it is difficult to have your children start at a new school but be sure to educate them at age appropriate levels about proper and improper touching - let them know that anytime they feel uncomfortable with an adult or other child touching them then they should tell someone! Don't frighten your children but teach them to respect their bodies and to express to others what they are comfortable and uncomfortable with!
Wishing you the best in this transition! Also, for you and your children - try and remain out of the drama of this whole story... move on and be done! Don't obsess about what is going on at the old school, don't follow every detail about this teachers story, etc. Move on, get involved with your new school and have a great year!
blessings,
Stacy
I did some googling and saw he was supposed to have his court date on may 11. What happened?
Updated
This does not make sense. Why would a school back a person that had been convicted of child molestation?
Is this a public school? I would go to the school board and demand that they not allow this person to teach anywhere in the state..
Also anyone convicted of child molestation is not allowed to be around children EVER again.They must be registered with the state.
If you are not willing to question all of this yourself, find a parent that willing or call the authorities and find out how this is allowed to happen.
I have a friend that lives in OK. He said if you will send us the name of the school district, the name of the teacher, he will be happy to look into this matter. You can send me a message.
Your kids are very resilient and will do okay with the change. I would be asking myself if they are willing to cover up for this guy what else are they covering up. I wouldn't keep my kids in that school one minute longer. Find the nearest public school to you and go talk to the principal. Go walk the school, find out about the PTA and other organizations, etc. The safety of my kids would come first and it doesn't sound like your kids school feels that way!
I changed schools many times while growing up due to relocation. We moved my youngest 2 from private school a couple years ago b/c the kids hated the cliques and the way the pastor's kids and friends were treated---very differently from the other kids.
You do all the research you can, ask good questions of the possible new schools and go with the best choice, based on your research, not your emotions. It's all you can do.
Good luck.
