[Vision2020] Investigation into Summer Larsen, Declo Elementary 4th Grade Teacher

[Art Deco]

I agree that face painting of under-achievers besides is of very dubious
ethical correctness, and is not likely to lead to positive changes in
behavior, but to long lasting self-image harm.

There are some things about this incident that are especially disturbing
and in my opinion should not only include a professional standards review,
but a criminal investigation also.

1.  Permanent ink marks were used, and on the eyelids.  One slip and
serious damage to visual tissue could have been done.  The same for
removing permanent ink from the eyelids.  The application of the toxic
permanent ink could be construed as felony battery.  The whole incident
also appears to be child abuse both for the paintees and the painters.

While the offending ink appliers would argue that they had no criminal
intent because they were too young to understand the law, and were
following the guidance of an allegedly correct adult, the teacher being an
educated adult would could not make such an argument plausible without
claiming some kind of impairment.  The teacher is an accessory before,
during, and after the event.

2.  The offending teacher has so far offered no real apology, nor has she
admitted to egregiously wrongful behavior.

I suspect that once she lawyers up, a carefully crafted statement (mostly
by her lawyer) of sorrow and a "poor decision" will be forthcoming.

Since this incident has gained national attention, I hope that responsible
educators and psychologists will use this as a teachable moment.

w.



On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 3:54 PM, Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com> wrote:

> Now the professional standards commission can deal with it. I was worried
> that a parent wouldn't file a complaint. Looks like they did. Good for
> them.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Nov 19, 2012, at 11:18 PM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
>
> Courtesy of Rose's link to KTVB . . .
>
> <image.jpeg>
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares"
> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>
> On Nov 19, 2012, at 10:48 PM, "Rosemary Huskey" <
> donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> wrote:
>
> by Karen Zatkulak****
>
> KTVB.COM****
>
> Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:08 AM****
>
> Updated Friday, Nov 16 at 5:10 PM ****
>
> DECLO, Idaho -- An investigation is underway in Cassia County into how
> some students were allowed to punish others by drawing on their faces with
> markers under teacher supervision.****
>
> Superintendent Gaylen Smyer says the investigation stems from an incident
> on November 5th and involves a fourth grade class at Declo Elementary.****
>
> Smyer says the class decided on an accelerated reading program, and a
> punishment for those who didn't reach the program's goal. He says students
> who didn't reach that goal could choose one of two options: skip recess,
> or  have other students draw on their faces with markers.****
>
> Smyer tells us nine students failed to meet the goal, and six chose to
> have their faces drawn on with markers. He says the activity happened under
> the supervision of their teacher, and the students were not allowed to wash
> their faces during the school day.****
>
> Smyer says he became aware of the situation two days after it happened.***
> *
>
> "It's concerning," Smyer told KTVB. "Those students were not allowed to
> wash their faces, and it set them apart for the entire day, and I can
> imagine that some of the other kids made fun of them."****
>
> Smyer said he was in disbelief when he first heard the news, and began
> investigating the situation.****
>
> "In effect, the students were punished for their achievement, and we just
> can't condone that," Smyer said.****
>
> Smyer could not comment on whether any disciplinary action had been taken
> against the teacher involved. He did say, however, that the teacher is
> still in the classroom.****
>
> The Declo superintendent went on to explain that the idea originated from
> a similar school-wide reading competition where a staff member and student
> were allowed to paint the school principal's face and dye her hair after
> the students reached their reading goal.****
>
> Smyer says this particular case has drawn lots of opinions in the area.
> "There are some in support of the teacher, then obviously, like any issue,
> there are some who are outraged," Smyer said.****
>
> KTVB News Channel 7 has a crew in Cassia County getting reaction to the
> incident. Hear the community's response coming up tonight on the News at 6.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
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> =======================================================
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>
> =======================================================
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>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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