Cherry Hill's Shame
In Defense of Special Needs Children
The recent discovery that a padded closet was being used for children with Autism in the Cherry Hill School system was absolutely shocking and broke all of our hearts. It is our opinion that such an atrocity was the result of the continuing degradation of Special Education by our School Administration under Superintendent David Campbell, and his Director of Special Education, Isreala Franklin.
Before the 2007 School Board election, the Campbell Administration stated there would be no cuts to special education, yet within a month more than two dozen special education aides lost their jobs. And that was just the beginning. In the months that followed, severe understaffing has lead to numerous schools lacking trained therapists, and dozens of children being denied their much needed therapies.
The NJ Department of Education has just ruled that Campbell Administration violated state special education law, in regards to how it deals with home instruction for the most needy children. This ground breaking decision is not only a vindication for the many families who have suffered from lack of resources, but it is a direct call for reform.
How many times are Special Needs children going to be treated like second class citizens? How many more nightmares are yet to be uncovered and revealed? For far too long Special Needs children in Cherry Hill have been bled by budget cuts, loss of staff and lack of therapists. Our children cannot stand further loss.
It is for all these reasons, and the many other wrongs committed against families with special needs children, that we, the undersigned, call for the removal of Special Education Director Franklin and for the creation of a new oversight committee by the Board of Education, so that the grievous offenses committed against the most vulnerable of our children may finally be dealt with and corrected.
Special Education Alliance SEA@hnva.net www.cherryhillsea.com
View the news coverage of the horrific padded closet: http://www.nbc10.com/education/14709002/detail.html
And here: http://cbs3.com/camden/Russell.Knight.Elementary.2.597024.html
In Defense of Special Needs Children
The recent discovery that a padded closet was being used for children with Autism in the Cherry Hill School system was absolutely shocking and broke all of our hearts. It is our opinion that such an atrocity was the result of the continuing degradation of Special Education by our School Administration under Superintendent David Campbell, and his Director of Special Education, Isreala Franklin.
Before the 2007 School Board election, the Campbell Administration stated there would be no cuts to special education, yet within a month more than two dozen special education aides lost their jobs. And that was just the beginning. In the months that followed, severe understaffing has lead to numerous schools lacking trained therapists, and dozens of children being denied their much needed therapies.
The NJ Department of Education has just ruled that Campbell Administration violated state special education law, in regards to how it deals with home instruction for the most needy children. This ground breaking decision is not only a vindication for the many families who have suffered from lack of resources, but it is a direct call for reform.
How many times are Special Needs children going to be treated like second class citizens? How many more nightmares are yet to be uncovered and revealed? For far too long Special Needs children in Cherry Hill have been bled by budget cuts, loss of staff and lack of therapists. Our children cannot stand further loss.
It is for all these reasons, and the many other wrongs committed against families with special needs children, that we, the undersigned, call for the removal of Special Education Director Franklin and for the creation of a new oversight committee by the Board of Education, so that the grievous offenses committed against the most vulnerable of our children may finally be dealt with and corrected.
Special Education Alliance SEA@hnva.net www.cherryhillsea.com
View the news coverage of the horrific padded closet: http://www.nbc10.com/education/14709002/detail.html
And here: http://cbs3.com/camden/Russell.Knight.Elementary.2.597024.html
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THIS IS JUST DOWN RIGHT SICK..YOU CAN NOT DO THIS TO ANY ONE
I to have found the school system in Australia my country lacking with support or even the willingness to find ways of helping children with disabilities. My son who is aspie was even put on lunch detention by his teacher every time he rocked in class.(which i made sure was stopped as soon as he told me.But this story reminded me of years ago where kids with so called abnormal personality traits where just hospitalised. totally disgusting.
speachless....
The padded closet is shocking to say the least.There should always be a place in school for children with special needs. My sister was a teacher for children with learning disabilities. She actually sued the school district to provide such a place in public schools for children with learning disabilities and SHE WON! I wish there were more like her in the world. What a much better place it would be for our children.
No more words are needed to describe shameful procedures of those to whom parents entrust thir chldren to ba taken good care of.
Instead of budget cuts to children in need these "public servants" should cut their own greedy requests! Shame on NJ for allowing this to happen to children!
THIS IS SUCH HORRIFING.HAS TO BE LOOKED INTO EVERYWHERE.SCARY
SPEK OUT AND STOP THIS
I am outraged by this, putting kids in a padded room, and for it to be for kids with special needs, they are going through enough. Seems like they think it is an easy fix, but it is just cruel. My son hates to be alone, someting like that, I don't know what it would do to him. The school needs a whole new staff, people who sincerely care.
This is completely unacceptable. These children have special needs. They do NOT deserve to be traumatized like they were. This would be horrific for any child to be treated this way.
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3:39 pm PST, Feb 28,
Name not displayed, Alaska
THIS IS GRRE YET AGIN PLACING LIVES SECOND..THIRD AND ALWAYS LAST. THIS IS A SICK AND DISGUSTING ACT OF SOCIOPATHIC BEHAVIOR AGAINST INNOCENT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. PLEASE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. |
