Summit Schools: How To Talk To Kids About Arrested Teacher

SUMMIT, NJ — After a Summit teacher who lives in Morristown was charged earlier this week in connection with producing child pornography, the principal and vice principal of Summit Middle School sent a letter to parents whose kids would have been at Washington Elementary School while the teacher was there. The letter gave suggestions about how to discuss the situation with children.

Superintendent Scott Hough had said in a statement Tuesday that the Summit School District has placed Steven Brooks, 34, a former fifth grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, on leave. The FBI had told officials the incidents surrounding the allegations didn't happen on school property or involve Summit students.

On Thursday, while schools were remote due to a snowstorm, Summit Middle School Principal Donna Gallo and Assistant Principal John Ciferni sent a letter to "Parents and Guardians of former Washington Elementary School students."

Washington is a grade 1-5 school. Thus, students who had the teacher in a past year would be in middle school now.

The letter said that the district was not going to mention the issue to students, but if parents heard kids talking about it, they could ask the kids what they knew. The letter also said that if parents wanted, guidance counselors were available to discuss the matter with individual kids.

They wrote:

<blockquote>

<p>We wanted to send a separate communication to the families of former Washington Elementary School students who may be impacted by the recent news of an employee. We recognize it may be difficult for some of our students and families to process this information and we want to provide you with additional resources and support. Our school counselors are available to speak with students if they need assistance. In addition, the talking points below may help when discussing this subject with your children at home:

● If your children are not aware of the situation, you may choose not to discuss this as a family. As a school district, we will not be initiating discussions about this situation in school.
● If your children are aware of the situation, but not the details, you may choose to ask them to tell you what they know and validate the parts that you know to be true. There is no need to elaborate on details they don’t ask for. You may want to monitor your children’s access to the press and social media.
● If your children have seen the media postings or if they know the details of the press reports, you can also allow them to tell you what they know, validate what you know to be true and then ask them how they feel about the situation.
● Remind your children that you are always available to listen to them, no matter what they have to say. Listen, without interruption or judgment.
● Respond that you are just as surprised, confused, worried, etc. without giving out too many details. You can share your emotions with them, “I am sad/confused/upset too…”
● Inform your children that this will not be a topic of discussion in school but if they need to speak with someone they can contact their school counselor, Mrs. Hicks, Mr. Ciferni, Ms. Muller, or Dr. Gallo.
● There will be information in the press. We suggest that you do not allow your children to consume this information, to the best of your ability. It is best if all information comes through you or the school and only if requested by your children.

The district will continue to share additional resources for parents and students. Below are some links you may find helpful:

● KidsHealth.org
● CISA.gov
● 10 Ways to Teach Your Child the Skills to Prevent Sexual Abuse
● Online Enticement
● Internet Safety for Parents and Guardians (Espanol)

Please contact your school counselor or either of us if you have any questions or concerns.
</blockquote>

"As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to, under the law, share further information," Superintendent Hough had said Tuesday.

The complaint against Brooks said that a computer repair technician in California notified the FBI about items on the external drive in January, after Brooks mailed it to the company for repair.

The complaint says that videos were captured of people, possibly under 18, engaged in mastrubation and other sexual acts.

The Summit schools had hired Brooks to work at Washington Elementary School in 2017, according to their website. Brooks appeared on NJTV in April 2020 to teach a math lesson in conjunction with the New Jersey Education Association and New Jersey Department of Education.

Read more of this story here: Morristown Man, NJ Teacher Charged With Child Porn

Josh Bakan contributed reporting for this story.

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