After-School Program Re-Investigates Supervisor's Lesson on Sandy Hook Shooting

After the details behind the firing of a beloved after-school supervisor came to light, the Northport community and beyond had plenty to say about the situation.

GiGi Kearns, a former NYPD officer who has experience talking about sensitive issues, was fired for speaking to six elementary-aged boys about the Sandy Hook shooting during a lockdown drill at Dickinson Elementary School last month.

Even SCOPE Education Services had something to say to Kearns when they called her into their administrative offices on Tuesday, June 16.

Executive director George Duffy told Kearns that he wanted to hold another investigation. They are set to meet again Wednesday, July 1.

So far, the deletion of SCOPE Education Services - Child Care Facebook page is the biggest response from the organization.

Kearns showed the six young boys pictures related to the Sandy Hook shooting, none of which were violent or gruesome, and one parent was not happy about this. She complained to the after-school program’s administration and that led to Kearns’ dismissal.

SCOPE administrators never interacted with Kearns, a 15-year employee, before they fired her. They never knew how many parents and children cared about her and what they would do to get her back.

During SCOPE’s first investigation that led to Kearns losing her job, the administration spoke to the parent who complained about Kearns’ Sandy Hook lesson.

The other parents of the children involved said they have not been contacted by SCOPE during either investigation. Many of them aren’t surprised.

They want to know why one parent’s opinion got Kearns fired, but all the other parents have no say on the issue.

Patch reached out to the other parents of each child involved to hear what they had to say:

• “Gigi was a staple at the program and she was good at what she did. She went above and beyond for the families. I don’t understand how the needs and wants of one person could so overpower the needs and wants of the rest of us.” -Kristin Hagerman
• “It is truly sad that one person with an axe to grind is able to negatively affect so many people’s lives,” said Steven Teller.
• “I was totally in the dark on what happened. If it was so serious, why wasn’t I contacted?” - Jeannie Berger
• “It seems that Gigi was fired on the ‘say so’ or dissatisfaction of one parent. SCOPE claims to have investigated the matter but I don’t see how that can be as no other parents were contacted or questioned. If they were, it would be known that the overwhelming majority support Gigi’s actions and the way she handled the situation.” -Brian Drewes
• “Everyone has different opinions and ways about teaching kids lessons and show how the world is today, but I do not feel GiGi did anything wrong. I’d rather thank her for correcting my son’s misbehavior and guiding him why being safe is so important and he needs to understand that.” -Aya Blaney

Blaney is Kearns’ biggest voice in helping her get justice from SCOPE. “I don’t want to see someone who does all the right things get penalized,” Blaney said.

Thanks to Blaney, news organizations across the state have picked up Kearns’ story.

The public’s response was overwhelmingly positive towards Kearns. Young adults who were once watched over by Kearns reached out to their former supervisor to show support. The petition “Reinstate GiGi Kearns’ Position” went from 300 signatures to nearly 1,500.

“I was floored by the responses,” Kearns told Patch.

To help get Kearns’ job back, parents created a petition, wrote letters and reached out to the media. The next step could be to boycott SCOPE, but there aren’t any rival after-school programs in the area.

“The only way is this would ever amount to anything is if parents pulled their kids out of SCOPE,” Kearns said. “And they can’t.”

Other possible child care options include the YMCA in Huntington, which is too far away, and babysitters, which are too expensive, said Kearns.

Some parents aren’t aware of alternate childcare options.

SCOPE has an after-school program in all six Northport elementary schools. Since SCOPE is located inside the elementary schools, the students don’t have to be transported anywhere, which is a convenience for parents. The cost is $325 a month per child.

“SCOPE really is the best option,” Blaney said.

Parent hope that all the effort they put into getting Kearns her job back will be worth it. They may just have to wait for the July 1 meeting to hear the verdict.

Patch asked SCOPE to see if they wanted to discuss the media surrounding Kearns and her recent meeting with Duffy. A representative said there was nothing new to report.

Duffy asked Kearns if she would do it all over again. She replied, “Absolutely.”

SCOPE told Kearns the safest place for children is at home or school, but Kearns said a deadly shooting could happen anywhere, even inside a church, and children should be aware of that.

Kearns says wants to empower children.

“I have a 2-and-a-half year old,” she said. “I don’t want to scare her, but I want her to know things. If you can’t talk about sensitive subjects, you’re doing a disservice to the kids.”

Photo of SCOPE’s Smithtown office