TCA Parent Statement
I am a parent of two children formerly enrolled in The Classical Academy North Elementary. Many of you know my family and my daughter once played with some of your children.
Like many of you, my husband and I were unaware of significant underlying issues with the administration at TCA until we found it necessary to address some tragic circumstances regarding our child. I know that you may have received an e-mail stating that we were satisfied with the outcome. LET ME BE VERY CLEAR: WE WERE NEVER SASTIFIED WITH THE OUTCOME. The President of TCA, Mark Hyatt went on camera and stated that as soon as he became aware of what happened to my daughter, he “dealt with it right away” by “engaging the family and contacting experts in the community.” The truth is: The President of TCA NEVER returned our calls until HE was contacted by District 20 and stated as much in this e-mail; The President of TCA NEVER contacted experts in the community and never reported the incident to the police, which is required by law.
In 2003 – 2004, my daughter–as a 3rd grader–began to be harassed and bullied. Although my husband and I immediately addressed the issue with her teacher, the bullying continued through third, fourth and fifth grade by the same child. Each time, we addressed the issue with the classroom teacher and each time we were assured by her teachers that the matter would be handled.
However, the behavior continued until the situation escalated to more serious matters. TCA’s negligence was evident in that each year, although we requested otherwise, my daughter and the perpetrator were placed in the same class. After addressing our concerns with her fifth grade teacher in the 2005-2006 school year, my daughter began to experience violent retaliation by the child had tortured her since third grade.
On Monday October 24, 2005 my daughter was sexually assaulted by the same boy who had bullied her since third grade. Let me say that again: MY DAUGHTER WAS SEXUALLY ASSULTED BY THE SAME BOY WHO HAD BULLIED HER FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS!!
That very same day, Monday October 24, 2005, I called the TCA North Elementary School Principal, Veronica Varland Wolken described to her in graphic detail the physical assault on my daughter and requested a meeting. The Principal told me that she did not have time. Only after I insisted that Sexual Assault is a serious issue requiring her attention, did she agree to meet with me and my husband.
On Tuesday October 25, 2005 we met with The Principal, the fifth grade teacher and tutor, and a D-20 Social Worker. During the meeting, the Principal responded to this very serious issue with the following comment, and I quote, “Boys will be boys.” She also promised us that there would be an investigation into the Sexual Assault and that the D-20 School Psychologist would provide counseling for my daughter.
Although we meticulously described the Physical Sexual Assault, the memo prepared by the D-20 Psychologist only mentions verbal Sexual Harassment. Although we were assured by The Principal that the proper and lawful steps would be taken, we discovered six months later that they failed to follow the legal requirement of reporting a Sexual Assault to the authorities.
As a family we were devastated, distraught, and deeply concerned for our child. At the time, our only concern was ensuring that her emotional, mental, and physical needs were addressed. Like many of you parents in the audience, we trusted The Principal and the Administration to do what was right. We expected them to follow the appropriate and legally required steps to ensure justice for our daughter as well as the safety and protection of all children entrusted to them. WE TRUSTED THEM TO FOLLOW THE LAW, AND THE INTEGRITY THEY ESPOUSE IN THEIR MISSION STATEMENT. WE WERE DECIEVED.
After we reported the Sexual Assault, the abuser received so little-if any–discipline that he felt empowered to recruit other boys to participate in his retaliation against my daughter. For months, my little girl was hit in the face, slapped across the back, punched in the arms, legs, back, and stomach, scratched, kicked in the ribs, and poked by this boy and his gang.
AS IS COMMON WITH MANY VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, our daughter became withdrawn and afraid to talk about what happened to her. The Principal frightened her from telling the brutal truth by using aggressive posturing and other intimidation tactics during her “so called” investigation. She was questioned about the Sexual Assault without either of her parents or a child advocate present. TCA’s failure to protect my daughter, the Principal’s accusations that my daughter was a liar, combined with the continual torment of her perpetrators caused so much emotional distress, that my daughter no longer felt safe to come forward with details of this horrific experience and withdrew emotionally to the point of never wanting to discuss the situation again.
On Thursday March 23 2006, my daughter was knocked unconscious in P.E. While staff reviewed the incident to determine what had occurred, evidence of the violent physical abuse was recorded on tape. On Monday, March 27, I viewed the tape and immediately asked for a copy. I was told they would have to check on the necessary paperwork to release it. When I called an hour after leaving the meeting to find out when it would be ready, I was informed the tape had been destroyed.
There were numerous acts of physical violence and emotional torment toward my daughter between Monday, April 3 and Monday April 10, 2006 during which time I had left a number of detailed messages for The President of TCA. After receiving no response to these serious issues, I called District 20 and spoke with Dr. Ken Turner.
For the first time, we realized the Principal had not followed through on her legal responsibility to report the Sexual Assault on our little girl. Our trust had not only been broken but violated. In the Police Report, the officer documented numerous inconsistencies in the Principal’s account and that she, in fact, lied to an officer of the law. Though he encouraged us to press charges, we determined that the trauma to our daughter would be too great at the time. She no longer trusted adults to protect her.
I could continue for hours about what my then 10 year old daughter went through, and the lasting affects this situation has had on her and our family. These are the facts, and they are well documented by me, my husband, my daughter, District 20, and the police:
TCA FAILED TO PROTECT MY DAUGHTER. TCA FAILED TO PROVIDE A SAVE ENVIRONMENT FOR MY DAUGHTER TO LEARN. TCA ADMINISTRATION FAILED TO REPORT THESE SERIOUS INCIDENCES, WHICH IS REQUIRED OF EVERY SCHOOL EMPLOYEE BY LAW AND THEREBY, BROKE THE LAW. THE PRINCIPAL LIED TO AN OFFICER OF THE LAW TO COVER UP HER NEGLENECE. TCA DESTROYED EVIDENCE.
But, what I find more disturbing than any of those offences is what was done to my child. Our daughter was victimized twice. First, by the boys in question and then again by The Principal, who used intimidation tactics on a 10 year old child in an attempt to sweep this under TCA’s very dirty rug. TCA’s mode of operation in situations like this is: BLAME THE VICTIM.
I feel it is important for me to make it clear that TCA NEVER conducted their promised internal investigation into my daughter’s Sexual Assault. In late June of 2006, EIGHT MONTHS after my daughter’s tragedy, I received a letter from the President of TCA which referenced a copy of the investigation into the Sexual Assault. However, the investigation was on an incident when my daughter was kicked in the ribs – NOT THE SEXUAL ASSAULT!
TCA NEVER CONDUCTED THE PROMISED INVESTIGATION INTO MY DAUGHTER’S SEXUAL ASSAULT!!!
It has been three years since we were FORCED to remove our children from TCA. Throughout ongoing attempts to resolve this issue, our credibility was questioned and our character assassinated. TCA’S administration failed to be accountable to District 20 taxpayers and the LAW!
We are here in hopes that you, as parents, will hear us. As a family, we felt very much alone during our ordeal. But after hearing of recent incidents, we know that we are no longer alone. We have the support of other parents whose children have fallen victim to TCA’s corrupt Administration. Do not be too trusting. Do not be deceived. You will hear many misleading statements and lies. Know this: We simply want to help you protect your children.
To the parents of the audience: Three years ago, it was my family against The Classical Academy; we had no support. My daughter had withdrawn emotionally and it was in her best interest for us to move on and help her heal from her terrible ordeal. But after hearing of recent incidences, we realized we were no longer alone in our quest for justice. I stand here before you as a mother who is still furious about what happened to her daughter. I am quite sure that you will hear many misleading statements from TCA but do not be deceived!
We have the truth on our side, with official documents to prove as much.
Mark Hyatt has been forced to recant numerous statements due to his untrue and misleading delivery.
Upon hearing a distraught mother’s description of the Sexual Assault on her daughter, Principal Varland, instead of following the law, assigned herself judge and jury in my daughters case. Her JOB was to report the incident to police!
Understand this:
My children no longer attend The Classical Academy. I am here for your children, many of whom I’ve known since they were in kindergarten.
I AM SPEAKING AND STANDING UP FOR THE CHILDREN WHO NEVER HAD A VOICE. I AM HERE FOR THE CHILDREN!!
