Fairfax County Teachers are Child Champions

I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Labor Day weekend.  My longer-than-usual drive to work this week behind school buses and carpools leaves no doubt that summer is over – and school has begun. I enjoy seeing the crowds of excited children at bus stops and the stream of “first day” photos posted on Facebook.

Dedicated Fairfax County teachers will welcome their new students with enthusiasm and polished lesson plans. Sadly, they will also encounter children in their classrooms whose health and safety seems to be at risk due to abuse or neglect. These teachers face the difficult challenge of assessing whether their observations warrant a call to the Child Protective Services Hotline.

Nationally and locally, fall is a time of increased referrals for abuse and neglect investigation.  Child victims who might be largely absent from the public eye during the summer, will return to school where teachers are mandated to report suspected abuse.  If a child is placed under court protection, teachers and school social workers are part of a hardworking team, along with CASA volunteers, that ensure emotional, social, and educational stability for each child.  Time and again, we witness teachers taking on these extra duties with compassion and determination despite their busy classroom schedules.

As school begins, please join Fairfax CASA in acknowledging our County’s devoted and outstanding educational professionals who provide an extra level of protection and support for all at-risk children.