Pushups Used To Punish Elmhurst Students For Mask Flubs

ELMHURST, IL — A substitute teacher at Elmhurst's Bryan Middle School earlier this month required students to do physical exercises if they failed to wear their masks properly.

After two parents complained about the policy, the substitute met with her superiors and received a written warning. She also was asked to write a letter of apology to the two parents.

Patch received documents on the incident through a public records request with Elmhurst School District 205.

In a Jan. 6 email, a parent informed Principal Jacquelyn Discipio that the substitute required that her daughter do five pushups because her mask wasn't above her nose. The parent said other students faced the same punishment.

"I'm disturbed at the fact my child was given a physical consequence. Is this a Bryan policy?" the parent asked. "I would like to know what will be done about this and to assure she will never come in contact with my child again... I know times are tough for finding subs, but this is unacceptable and should not be tolerated."

Discipio responded within a couple of minutes.

"I assure you I will investigate this issue and get back to you tomorrow," the principal said. "I have not heard about this, and I assure you that this is not a Bryan policy."

A minute later, the principal asked for a meeting with the substitute and the assistant principal the next morning.

The parent then emailed again, praising Discipio for the prompt response, admitting to being in tears. Discipio responded she was in shock herself and that she had already set up a meeting with the substitute.

Four days later, the principal emailed the substitute and assistant principal. She acknowledged the substitute required students to complete five pushups or five jumping jacks if their masks were not worn correctly.

In the email, Discipio said it was never appropriate to have students do any sort of physical punishment at school and that the substitute would not do so again.

The principal advised that if a student was not wearing a mask correctly, a teacher should remind the student discreetly and then alert someone from the main office if needed, so someone there could address the issue.

Discipio also said she hoped the substitute would draft a short apology for the two parents who expressed significant concerns about the situation.

The substitute thanked the principal for giving her a chance to make amends.

"Again, I am so sorry to have caused distress not only to the students and their parents, but to have drained your energy resources," she said. "Obviously, I will never take action whatsoever that may be perceived as punitive. I will follow the proper protocol, discreetly remind the student, and alert someone in the main office if needed."

She described her letter as not too long, but "heavy on my heart."

The school district redacted the draft letter from the public records.

In the written warning, Discipio said the incident was isolated and that she would recommend no further action.