Teacher Fired After Allegedly Abusing Child at Goddard School
The Department of Early Education and Care reported that they received information from the Goddard School in Reading regarding alleged abuse of a child by one of the school's teachers.
According to MyFoxBoston.com, the Department of Early Education and Care reported that they received information from the Goddard School in Reading regarding alleged abuse of a child by one of the school's teachers. The teacher was fired.
Details of the abuse have not yet been disclosed. DEEC officials are still investigating.
School Owner Sarah Blumenstock Girrell said, "We want to assure you that our school is in full cooperation with local officials to investigate an allegation made against a former teacher in Reading, MA, regarding inappropriate use of discipline. Our first priority, every day, is to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in our Schools. The teacher involved is no longer employed at our School. The Goddard Schools are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment by consistently implementing best practices in hiring, background checks and overall faculty training and development."
Girrell said that the schools Customer Relations team is available for parent questions at 877-402-2554.
Spokesperson for the Department of Early Education and Care Kathleen Hart said, “The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) received notice from the Goddard School in Reading, MA, of an incident in their program involving alleged abuse of a child by one of the school’s educators. EEC immediately launched an investigation into the incident and that investigation is ongoing. Based on the findings of the investigation, EEC will determine whether or not any further action is warranted, in accordance with its policies and regulations, to ensure the safety and well-being of children.The Department of Early Education and Care is committed to ensuring high-quality early learning and developmental environments for children across the state that include positive adult-child interactions and supportive relationships between children and their caregivers.”
Please check in with us for updates on this story.
Erin Calvo-Bacci
8:42 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
It's an unfortunate incident, but not a reflection on the whole school. My daughter was one of the first student's at the school beginning in January 2010 after I pulled her from another school in Reading. She had a positive experience and misses the teachers there Miss Sarah and Miss Cheryl are true advocates for children, I wish you and the school all the best.
Tim Martin
1:01 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
My children have been going to the Goddard School since their doors opened. I wanted a place for them that they could feel loved and cared for as close as possible to their own home. My kids love it. Miss Cheryl, Miss Sarah and Miss Stephanie have always had an open ear and not just listened to any concerns but reacted when appropriate. They could have easliy have pushed this under the rug but didn't and reacted as they should have. Their actions continue to validiate the reasons I selected the Goddard School and will continue to refer them.
Howard Wakefield
7:58 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Dear Ashley, please, oh please learn to use apostrophes where appropriate in your articles. It is very hard to take a journalist seriously when they don't understand possessive apostrophes. This article contained less apostrophe issues than usual however there is still one missing from "schools/school's" in the paragraph "Girrell said that the schools Customer Relations team is available for parent questions at 877-402-2554." and yes, I do see the humor in an education article missing the basics.
Thank you.
Ron Powell
3:56 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
In all fairness -- Patch editors are really doing the jobs of five people -- reporter, proof editor, copy editor, senior editor, and marketing director. And they are doing it for not a lot of pay. Grammar and punctuation mistakes are always disappointing, but we should probably ease up a bit here. By the way, you have joined two independent clauses, and you need a semicolon between 'usual' and 'however.' You also need a comma after 'however.' Just sayin'.
Joe
9:39 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Howard,
"It's very hard to take a journalist seriously when they don't understand possessive apostrophes" should read "when he or she doesn't understand possessive apostrophes." Also, "less apostrophe issues" should read "fewer apostrophe issues."
Mary
8:23 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Are you people serious!! You're more concerned with grammar than child abuse.
Joe Veno
9:48 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Ashley, You are doing a fantastic job and most of us really appreciate it. Keep up the great work you are doing.
JIM
9:15 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
What is the teachers name ? Has the teacher been arrested ?
betty ryan
10:47 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Good questions because it's important to the other teachers there to not have others wondering was it this teacher or that one, I understand that it's important not to put any info that shouldn't be placed in there but it is important to make sure that the innocent teachers are cleared!!!
Ty Aard
10:07 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Hopefully they will publish what the particular abuse was in this incident. This shouldn't be swept under the rug as we have seen with other Reading school issues.
linda crisp
1:26 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I agree . why is this school still operating has it been cleared of these charges???
Ashley Troutman
3:16 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
The teacher was fired from the school. The details of this incident will not be released until the investigation is concluded.
lucy longo
7:50 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I heard a few stories which I dont know if they are true but its concerning the type of incident at the Goddard school.the story is that a child was locked in a closet for disipline,this was also reported to the director cheryl 3 months ago when this took place.from my understanding a grandparent heard of this last week and confronted the school and at that point it was finally reported,why was this swept under the rug till now.
Sally Chabert
11:50 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I personally don't know anything at all about the Goddard School, or this unfortunate situation, but posting about hearing "a few stories which I don't know if they are true" and then making accusations based upon that information only serves to spread rumors, cause concern and sometimes results in lasting damage to innocent reputations.
ConcernedParent
7:44 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Unfortunately as a parent of a child at the school this seems to be the only way to find out what happened. The school will not tell us. So any rumors you may have heard please pass them on. Sorry about reputations but I am worried about my child.
saddened citizen
2:44 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
I understand concerns but the teachers I know in that school are phenomenal ...don't let onne bad egg ruin the reputation of the rest