Ed chief: Teachers involved in video incident won’t finish out year with classes
GREENWICH — The district has closed its investigation into an incident in which two teachers showed a cartoon video that was “not appropriate” to two second grade remote classes in March, according to a statement Friday from the Greenwich superintendent of schools.
Neither teacher will finish out the year with the classes, according to the statement, although it’s not clear whether they have been terminated, reassigned or some other arrangement was made.
“While we cannot discuss personnel decisions due to privacy, the internal investigation has concluded and the second grade remote classes will have new teachers to finish out the remainder of the year,” Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones said Friday. “We have a transition plan in place, including an opportunity for families to send goodbye notes to their teachers, as well as welcoming their new teacher. We look forward to concluding the school year on a positive note.”
The cartoon, called “Alfred Jr. & Shadow — A Short Story about Being Scared,” was shown to the remote students March 29, according to Jones. The cartoon, which she said is meant for children in a private therapy setting, depicted scenes of physical and sexual abuse and, in one scene, a cartoon-image of a man’s penis.
The district said it could not provide any additional information about the teachers, including whether they remain employed by the district. Greenwich Education Association President Carol Sutton could not immediately be reached for comment Friday afternoon about the case.
“The video was shared during a lesson on social and emotional learning depicting a character who discusses fear and being afraid,” Jones said in an earlier statement. “Around the midway point in the video there is reference to situations in which children may become afraid, including being afraid of abuse, both physical and sexual.”
The district’s Human Resource Department investigated the incident, she said.
The district also alerted the state Department of Children and Families
about the incident. But Sasha Houlihan, the district’s director of communications, said DCF declined to open an investigation.
“Our district apologized to the families involved for any questions or concerns that this video raised with their children, and offered support to families from our GPS staff psychologists,” Jones said in the earlier statement.
The incident was reported by multiple news outlets, and some parents and local politicians expressed outrage, including Ed Dadakis, an RTM member and the former Greenwich Republican Town Committee chair.
“Full facts must be divulged to the Greenwich community within days — not weeks or months. Appropriate action must be taken, which may well include termination of those involved. Facts now!” Dadakis said on Twitter.