Edit/Update 4/4/15 1803 EST: I earlier hid this post as the original post was hidden on Facebook. Not knowing details and wanting to respect her privacy if she removed the post for whatever reason, I placed the post as hidden. Her post is now back up with this addition "PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT INDIVIDUALS LISTED WITH THREATENING OR HARASSING WORDS OR ACTIONS!!!!!" (Caps hers) Remember, the goal here is an investigation and getting to the truth of the matter, please do not muddy the waters with threats or harrasment
******************original posting below***************************
Today, while scrolling my Facebook news feed, a disturbing post popped up. If the allegations in this post are in any way true, this is a disturbing problem. IF these allegations are in any way true, then the school district should be fully cooperating with the investigation, while, from this post they are attempting to cover. Now, please understand, this is not in my direct local area, and I know none of the parties involved. I have sent a message to WBNG to see if they have received any further information re this story. I will update if I find any further information, and I ask any of you, if you find any further information, please share, by our powers combined, let us get to the truth of these disturbing allegations
Please note, posted below is a direct quote from the Facebook post, and are not my words:
"PLEASE SHARE! I would like to ask my friends to please share and support us at this time. I am not going to stand silent anymore. On Tuesday, March 17th, my son, Tommy suffered an attack by his math teacher at Tioga Hills Elementary School in the Vestal School District. As many of you know, my 10 year old, fourth grade son, Tommy has been through many ear surgeries over the past years, resulting in a significant hearing loss in his left ear. He has a 504 Plan in place at school due to his disability. The plan specifies that he have preferential seating in the front of the room with his right ear, his “good” ear towards the teacher. This plan has been in place over 2 years. It came to our attention that during this math teacher’s class, Tommy is seated near the back of the classroom with his impaired ear in the direction of the math teacher. During CSE meetings the hearing specialist from the school noted that Tom cannot hear in this position. Tommy and students in the classroom testify that on Tuesday, March 17th Mrs. P was working on a math problem at the front of the room and hesitating with an answer. Tommy blurted out, “the answer is..” giving the answer out of turn. From what students have testified, Mrs. P screamed, “GET OUT!!!!” Tommy said he was startled and wasn’t sure if she was talking to him. She came directly behind him, dragged and lifted him up from his chair, pulled him by his right arm to the door and pushed him out into the hallway with both hands while screaming, “GET OUT!!!” She then slammed the door, causing the teacher from the next door classroom to come out into the hallway to see what was going on. Parents reported to me, that students still in the classroom sat there stunned. My son was hurting, shocked, and terrified what just happened to him. When Tommy came home that day, I checked with parents of students in the class to see what they would say happened. They all told the same scenario that Tom relayed of the events. Tommy complained of shoulder pain and his shoulder was making very loud popping sounds. Concerned that the teacher had injured his shoulder, I took him to Lourdes Hospital Emergency Room. X-rays and the Dr. confirmed that due to the attack on Tommy from this teacher, he suffered a third degree separation (Closed dislocation) of his Acromioclavicular Joint with significant scapular winging. At that time the hospital social worker said as a mandated reporter she must call Child Protective Services for an investigation of the case. Our family was devastated. Expecting to hear from Vestal School District regarding their concern for Tom’s health and well being we waited and waited thinking we would be contacted by someone from the district. Up to this point, no explanation or even acknowledgement of the incident has been made on the part of the school. The State Police investigator has informed us that the school district has blocked him from contacting individuals, students, and has retained legal counsel for Mrs. Pokarak. Again, to this day she refuses to speak to the investigator regarding her brutal attack on my son. Now, the Tioga County District Attorney, Eric Gartenman, is refusing to speak with our attorney regarding this incident. We are left confused and without resolution or answers as to why. When speaking with the investigating officer, he stated that Mr. Gartenman felt that Mrs. Pokarak was justified in injuring my son due to his “talking in class.” The investigator stated that Tommy wasn’t out of control, disrespectful to the teacher or others..he was “talking.” When we explained that he MUST be seated toward the front of the room with his good ear facing the teacher (according to his 504 plan) Tommy said he truly didn’t hear the teacher from where he was placed in the classroom if she had asked him to be quiet. Why couldn’t she ask him to leave the class, why the brutal attack that resulted in a dislocation? What kind of force and anger causes this action and injury? Why is this okay? And WHY are there so many questions left unanswered?! My son is now experiencing both physical and emotional trauma due to this assault. He is afraid to be in school, afraid of another attack. If not on my son..who will be next? Our elected officials are doing NOTHING!! So, when you think your kids are safe at school, think again. It is with a heavy heart that I post this and ask for support, because I am a teacher and can’t even imagine EVER harming one of my students. Please, please help us get the word out regarding this cover up by Vestal School District and Eric Gartenman and ask for justice on behalf of my son. Keep all of our children safe. Please “Share” in hopes we migh get some help and resolution and prevent this from happening to someone else’s child. Thank you so much- Sharon and Frank Russo
Tioga County D.A.- Eric Gartenman’s # (607) 687-8650
Vestal Schools Superintendent- Mr. Mark LaRoach (607)757-2227
Tioga Hills Elementary School Principal- (607) 757-2366"
Original Post and image source here
Shared in its entirety in the hopes of getting to the truth of the story, and I will update this post with any further details I find. My knee jerk reaction is anger, as I think it is for any of you, but lets hold off on the pitchforks until we have some more details. If this proves true, I hope this teacher never steps foot in a classroom again, but, until then, I have no desire to demolish an innocent persons reputation further than necessary to conduct a proper investigation.
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