Teacher Tapes Student To Chair In Pasadena School: Principal

PASADENA, MD — A substitute teacher at an Anne Arundel elementary school reportedly taped a student to a chair for not returning to his seat, the principal told parents. The incident, which Lake Shore Elementary School Principal Julie Little-McVearry said left her "shocked and appalled," happened Nov. 28 in a second-grade classroom.

A parent notified Little-McVearry of the punishment, and the unidentified teacher will not be in an Anne Arundel County Public Schools classroom until the matter is resolved, the principal wrote in a community letter.

Anne Arundel County Police were also notified about the discipline, she said. Police public information officer Marc Limansky told Patch that officers who spoke to those involved in the school incident decided not to file charges against the substitute teacher.

A parent on the public Parents Supporting Parents of Anne Arundel County Facebook page said her "son has ADHD, I can absolutely see him laughing at something like that; he’s impulsive. I would be devastated if a teacher did that to him."

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Here's the full text of a letter to parents from Principal Julie Little-McVearry as posted by FOX Baltimore:

November 29, 2018

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to make you aware of an incident that occurred in a second-grade class yesterday which I became aware of last night.

During regular classroom instruction, the teacher, a long-term substitute, remarked to a student that if he did not return to his seat, she would tape him to his chair. The student found the remark funny, and the teacher proceeded to do as she said she would.

I learned about this matter from a parent last night and immediately contacted our school system’s Division of Human Resources. Police have also been notified. The teacher is not in our school today and will not be placed in any school until this matter is resolved. Our school system will make further appropriate decisions at that time.

I want you to know very clearly that the conduct that I have described above is never acceptable in a school setting. I was shocked and appalled upon hearing about this incident. Our school is a place where every child is embraced, loved, and nurtured.

I am in the process of looking for another long-term substitute for the class and will keep parents updated as appropriate. We are continuing to investigate this matter.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the school.

Sincerely, Julie Little-McVearry

Principal

Image via AACPS