Maryland Catholic Conference will support bill to eliminate statute of limitations, but only for future cases of abuse

The lobbying group that represents Maryland’s Catholic churches said Monday that it will support legislation in the upcoming state General Assembly session that would eliminate the statute of limitations in civil suits involving future cases of child sexual abuse.

While throwing its support behind the legislation, at least as it applies to future cases, the Maryland Catholic Conference at the same time indicated it would continue to oppose a provision that survivors and their advocates have long fought for — a “look back window” that would give survivors a two-year period in which to file lawsuits alleging abuse in the past, regardless of when the abuse occurred...

...The conference’s statement also comes after The Baltimore Sun reported that the church has spent more than $200,000 in recent years to prevent lawmakers from expanding the state’s statute of limitations arising from sexual abuse claims.

The legislation in question is a bill written by a group of survivors and their attorneys. Originally titled the “Hidden Predator Act,” it would establish the two-year window for past cases. Other states, including Arizona, California, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Washington, D.C., have established such look-back windows for civil suits...

Maryland Catholic Conference will support bill to eliminate statute of limitations, but only for future cases of abuse – Baltimore Sun

Zirkin turned his back on child abuse victims

I was sad — but certainly not surprised — to learn of former state Sen. Bobby Zirkin’s about-face on his original 2019 stance regarding the passage of the Hidden Predator’s Act (”Catholic Church paid Maryland lobbyists more than $200K to help limit, prevent abuse lawsuits,” Dec. 8). He had the courage then to stand up to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and push legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations regarding child sex abuse. But for the past three years, he’s been paid by the church to lobby against it. 

 In 1976, I first heard the catch phrase, “follow the money,” in the movie, “All The President’s Men,” about the Watergate burglary during the Richard Nixon White House years. Here is another example of a former state politician more interested in collecting a fee than what he at one time passionately believed to be the right thing to do. Why is it that money continues to override the decent thinking of today’s leaders? Can’t Zirkin collect fees lobbying for causes he truly believes in? I hope the former senator comes to his senses and stops his lobbying for the Archdiocese of Baltimore trying to maintain the statute of limitations on child sex abuse. 

There is another movie title I would like Zirkin to recall. This one is entitled, “Do the Right Thing.” — Mac Kennedy, Baltimore

Zirkin turned his back on child abuse victims | READER COMMENTARY – Baltimore Sun

Mother of Magruder shooting victim says school leaders never contacted her

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mother-of-magruder-shooting-victim-says-school-leaders-never-contacted-her

Deasy out at SUSD

See previous posts on John Deasy, former PG County Superintendent on this blog including this article:  http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2014/08/npr-investigation-by-member-station.html

****

The Stockton Unified School District Board of Education voted 4-3 in favor of accepting the resignation of superintendent John Deasy after a special meeting Tuesday.

Voting in favor of dismissing Deasy were board president Kathy Garcia, board vice president Maria Mendez, Cecilia Mendez and Scott McBrian. Voting no were Candelaria Vargas, Lange Luntao and Angel Ann Flores.

After opening the meeting and listening to 20 minutes of public comments sent to the district via email, the seven-member board went into closed session and announced their decision after about 90 minutes of discussion...

https://www.recordnet.com/news/20200421/deasy-out-at-susd

Publc School Arrests 10 year old with Autism for Acting Out. Child handcuffed, spends night in detention. #publicschool failure

A Florida mother filmed the arrest of her 10-year-old son as school resource deputies handcuffed him and took him away.
The boy, who has autism, is accused of battery of a school employee in Okeechobee County because he kicked a teacher last November. The offense is a third-degree felony.
His mother Luanne Haygood said her son shouldn’t have been arrested for the incident.
“It was because of his autism that spurred this incident,” Haygood told WPTV. “And he was arrested for that.”
In the video, which Haygood recorded on her cell phone, her son John Benji Haygood is heard as officers place handcuffs on his wrists.
“I don’t want to be touched. Please don’t touch me,” the boy says in the video. “I don’t know what’s going on.”
Not wanting to be touched can be a symptom of autism, according to Autism Speaks.
Haygood said watching her son be cuffed and put in a law enforcement vehicle “broke her heart.” She said the 10-year-old boy then spent the night at a juvenile facility in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Although the incident took place last year, deputies said they couldn’t serve the arrest paperwork until last week.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article145281069.html

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article145281069.html#storylink=cpy

 and first court appearance

http://www.wpbf.com/article/child-with-autism-arrested-in-okeechobee/9269563

Screens and Kids: Through the Looking Glass The MD General Assembly...

Screens and Kids: Through the Looking Glass The MD General Assembly...:

Through the Looking Glass The MD General Assembly and Classroom Screen Safety: 
A study of disturbing nonsense

For student health advocates across the state and across the country, watching the developments surrounding the nation's first classroom digital device safety legislation during the recent Maryland General Assembly was a surreal, Alice in Wonderland kind of experience.

Just the idea that parents would have to take their case to the state legislature, to protect their children from serious harm caused by their teachers and schools is a bizarre concept. Aren't teachers supposed to be caring, nurturing people who protect children? And yet, their silence is deafening, even after learning of the myopia, retinal damage, sleeplessness, muscle pain, eye strain, anxiety, depression and addiction associated with daily use of digital devices in school.

Perhaps they are silenced by a craven shadow government, the Maryland State Department of Education, that consumes the lion's share of any budget, and then arrogantly dismisses the people who pay their salaries, while utterly disregarding the medical needs of the growing children, whom they are paid to serve.

A culture of fear 

Bloated and self-satisfied, state and local school boards and the crony political groups who shape them dole out mandates without a single thought to the health of our kids, and then intimidate any staff member or teacher who doesn't get onboard, according to what teachers say privately. 

http://www.screensandkids.us/2017/04/through-looking-glass-md-general.html?spref=bl

Md. mother admits to killing children; legal loophole exposed

...At the time, Thompson and Spoon were in a custody battle over Kayla. But Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said no law was broken when no one notified social services of the threat against the 3-year-old’s life...

 http://wtop.com/maryland/2017/03/md-mother-admits-killing-children-exposes-loophole-law/

88 PG public schools exceeded EPA allowable lead levels #lead

After the story of the Flint Michigan water crisis unfolded in the media last year, I read a news story reporting that lead had been found in the water at Ardmore Elementary School and that water fountains and sinks had been turned off. I became curious. Was the drinking water in our county schools safe?
So in January of 2016 I decided to write to PGCPS CEO Dr. Maxwell and began a long inquiry asking what tests had been done in Prince George’s County Schools to measure for lead. Here is what I learned:

The school system performed water tests from 2009 to 2012 and found that at least 88 schools exceeded EPA allowable lead levels. (Read the list of “Prince George’s County Public Schools Fixtures that are Valved Off” which was sent to me from PGCPS). The majority of  schools with lead contamination are elementary schools.
As of December 2016, the school system had not done anything to remediate this other than simply to turn off faucets in the majority of these schools.
At first, PGCPS told me that they were fixing the lead problem. I was sent a document titled “PGCPS Lead in Water Program” that explained a four-phase plan to fix the lead problem. This document said that a Request for Proposals (RFP) had been submitted “to remediate the remaining classroom water fountains and sinks throughout the system.” This was “Phase Four” of the plan.
You can imagine my surprise to learn that in fact the information PGCPS had sent me was not accurate. When I asked PGCPS to share the details of the “Phase Four” plan, they responded on October 7, 2016 with an email saying that they had made a mistake...

https://pgcabs.org/2017/03/10/what-i-learned-about-lead-in-the-water-in-prince-georges-county-schools/

Maryland delegate's effort to allow child abuse lawsuits clears hurdle

C. T. Wilson gathered his courage, told his colleagues in the Maryland House of Delegates about how he was sexually abused as a child and urged them to allow child victims more time to file lawsuits against their attackers.
The first two times he did that, the Charles County Democrat saw his proposal die in a House committee without even being called for a vote.

He said it was a relief after repeatedly giving painful testimony.
"It's a huge accomplishment. Also a huge weight," Wilson said. "To expose yourself like that is so painful."

For the bill to advance, two powerful opponents had to be won over: the Catholic Church and Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr., chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Their concerns were satisfied when the bill was amended to make it more for difficult for victims older than 25 to win damages in civil lawsuits...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-abuse-statute-20170315-story.html

Senate Committee Votes NO to Protecting Students from Eye Damage

Ever wonder how much screentime your kids have at school? Chromebooks and ipads, Promethean boards, videos.... We can monitor screentime at home, but we have no idea what goes on in class. 

Today's instruction requires computers. "Computer literacy" is baked into Curriculum 2.0. Substitute teachers reportedly let kids play "computer games" for an entire period. Indoor recess = videos. Homework requires computers. 

Just Google "retinal damage," "digital addiction," and "wifi radiation" for why this is a problem.

What can you do? Maryland is on the verge of creating legislation that gives schools common sense guidelines for device time. Please pick up the phone today and call our Montgomery County legislators.

"What do I say?" "I'm a Montgomery County parent and I want to voice my support for HB866 and SB1089." Honestly, that's all. 

Phone calls are best, but here are email addresses:

Senator Zucker

410-841-3625

Senator Kagan
410-841-3134

Delegate Kaiser
410-841-3036

Delegate Luedtke
410-841-3110

craig.zucker@senate.state.md.us
Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us
anne.kaiser@house.state.md.us
eric.luedtke@house.state.md.us

Virginia Governor Signs Teacher Misconduct Reporting Law

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) signed a new law to protect students from teachers who engage in sexual misconduct.

The law requires all Virginia school districts to report cases of possible misconduct to the Virginia Department of Education within 10 days of learning of the allegations. Sponsors of the legislation said they sought new law because of the findings of a December investigation by the News-4 I-Team, which showed Fairfax County Public Schools waited years before formally requesting license revocation for four teachers who admitted sexual misconduct.

Source: Virginia Governor Signs Teacher Misconduct Reporting Law | NBC4 Washington http://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/Virginia-Governor-Signs-Teacher-Misconduct-Reporting-Law-415008953.html#ixzz4a6JvkvMg
Follow us: @nbcwashington on Twitter | NBCWashington on Facebook

MCPS Parent on Minnesota Rock the Schools: Child Sexual Abuse in Schools #PassingtheTrash #grooming #mcps #CodeofConduct

About Rock The Schools with Citizen Stewart
Hosted by: Chris Stewart
Executive Producer: Monique Linder
Stewart’s mission with “Rock The Schools” is to “create a greater educational opportunity for black communities by grounding the school reform debate in black history and transformative black thought.” Stewart believes “this is done by challenging the dominant trope of anti-school reform activism, and illustrating connections between the liberationist principles of yesterday’s black struggles, and today’s education proposals (e.g. “privatization,” school choice, and charter schools).” Stewart’s tag “Public education for an educated public” begs the question of accountability.


About MCPS parent Jennifer Alvaro

BOE President Vows Full Investigation into Child Porn incident #NOnotMCPS #neverMCPS

When the same thing happened in Montgomery County Public Schools there was no FBI tip line, no statements from the Board of Education, and no investigation.  In fact, MCPS has disbanded their work group that had met a few times to shuffle papers around on this issue. 

From WUSA9: 
School board chairman vows full investigation into child porn charges On Thursday, the Chairman of the Board of Education for Prince George's County vowed to conduct a full investigation into the sexual abuse allegations rocking a Glenarden elementary school. http://www.wusa9.com/videos/news/local/2016/02/18/investigation-into-school-background-checks-/80592480/

 

WUSA9: Md. only state without criminal penalty for failing to report child abuse

...Maryland state law mandates that principals call police or child welfare immediately if they just suspect possible child abuse, but advocates say the trouble with Maryland's law is there is no penalty if they don't.

 “It's a massive problem,” said Jennifer Alvaro, a child safety advocate and therapist who has treated both sex abusers and victims. “It's like having laws against speeding and speed limits, but if you break that law, there is absolutely nothing anyone could do to you.”...

 http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/maryland/2016/02/17/md-only-state-without-criminal-penalty-failing-report-child-abuse/80526454/

Fox5: Health Concerns over Wi-Fi Technology Exposure in MCPS

Congress Enacts Toomey Measure to Help Protect Children from Pedophiles Infiltrating the Classroom #listenupMCPS

Under this new federal law, MCPS will no longer be able to Pass-the-Trash by allowing teachers who are known or suspected child sexual predators to quit and move on to new jobs with children with a MCPS recommendation. 

We have no doubt MCPS administrators will find a way to circumvent this new federal law. That is the MCPS way, after all. Remember, MCPS administrators have been leaving suspected child sexual abusers IN CLASSROOMS WITH CHILDREN for over 20 years.  That practice has been documented by the Maryland State Board of Education. The Maryland legislature, however, has failed to even acknowledge this practice, much less take any action to protect Maryland students. 

Enforcement of this new federal law in Montgomery County will rely on parents and guardians reporting violations to the federal government.   

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Education Bill, Including Pass-the-Trash Ban, Goes to President’s Desk

...Under Toomey's provision to the Every Student Succeeds Act, schools will no longer be able to help a known child molester obtain a job elsewhere, and become someone else's problem. It is hard to imagine that this appalling practice ever occurs-much less occurs so frequently as to have its own moniker, ‘passing the trash.' Congress's ban is long overdue. This is a victory for children in Pennsylvania and across the country," said Sen. Toomey....
 
...Sally Cooke, of Blackwood, N.J., the mother of a child who was sexually abused by her track coach, explained how crucial Sen. Toomey's legislation is. She said, "Thank you from every child who will not have the guilt, the shame, the pain of abuse. Thank you from every mother who had to watch her child endure the pain, the trauma of abuse. Thank you for protecting our children. Thank you for standing up and saying this is not okay that our children are exposed to these criminals. I hope everyone realizes what an impact this bill has: Many children are safer. Because of this bill, and Sen. Toomey's efforts, we are a better society."

Sen. Toomey's legislation to ban passing the trash was inspired by the tragic story of 12-year-old Jeremy Bell. A school in Delaware County, Pa. quietly dismissed a teacher for molesting several children. But instead of acting to stop the predator, the school helped him obtain a new job in West Virginia, sending letters of recommendation for the teacher. That teacher continued to harm young children, eventually raping and murdering Jeremy Bell.

Under Sen. Toomey's provision, a school district that receives federal funds shall not assist a school worker in obtaining a new job if the school knows or has probable cause to believe that the school worker engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor or student.

The provision has been endorsed by seven child advocacy groups, three law enforcement organizations, and three prosecutors groups:
Child Advocates:
National Children's Alliance
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
S.E.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct & Exploitation)
Center for Children's Justice
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
MassKids, Inc.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Law Enforcement:
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
National Association of Police Organizations
National Sheriffs' Association
Prosecutors:
Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
National District Attorneys Association
PA District Attorneys' Association

http://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=news&id=1654

WJLA: 26 Mont Co. Schools with elevated levels of cancer causing gas

SILVER SPRING, Md. (WUSA9) -- "I was shocked to get the letter," said one mom dropping off her Kindergartner at Oakland Terrace Elementary School Tuesday.
She says she trusts the administration but has questions about elevated levels of radon found at the school, specifically is my daughter's classroom affected? "I would like to know but I would assume if it were dangerous they would not be in school today or have an alternative," she reasoned.
Twenty-six elementary schools in Montgomery County have elevated but not dangerous levels of radon - a naturally occurring carcinogen from decaying soil that could cause cancer with high levels. The gas is colorless and odorless. Three out of the 53 classrooms at Oakland Terrace are affected including two kindergarten classes.
"I'm not an expert in this field," said another mom of a first grader, "they have the right people and I trust that."
According to the school department, there was a lapse in routine testing for radon and when levels were elevated a second round of testing was never performed - but now will. A letter was sent home Tuesday but we learned did not specify which classrooms and did not make it to every parent...

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/2015/12/02/montgomery-county--schools-radon-elevated-levels-cancer-causing-gas/76661734/

Kojo Show Won't Report on Sexual Abuse of Students Right Here in Montgomery County

The Kojo Nnamdi show has as their tag line, "Connecting your neighborhood with the world."

Yet, today the Kojo Nnamdi show will highlight the sexual abuse of students that took place in New York.   Meanwhile, the decades of documented sexual abuse of MCPS students here in Montgomery County is ignored in the media. 

Today at noon the Kojo Nnamdi show will discuss:

Generations of students at the prestigious Horace Mann School in the Bronx knew something wasn’t quite right. [CHECK - WE HAD THAT IN MCPS.] Rumors swirled for decades before an alumni brought the truth to light – stories of sexual abuse that ultimately resulted in twenty-two former teachers and administrators at the school being accused.  [CHECK - WE HAD THAT IN MCPS.] Those seeking justice for these alarming, decades-old wrongs have been frustrated by legal statutes of limitation and the school’s reaction. [CHECK. CHECK. DOUBLE CHECK. SAME IN MCPS.] We consider the challenges of bringing cases of sexual abuse of minors to light, societal reluctance to discuss this difficult topic and what we can learn from this scandal.
Guests

Marc Fisher Senior Editor, The Washington Post
Amos Kamil author, "Great is the Truth: Secrecy, Scandal, and the Quest for Justice at the Horace Mann School" with Sean Elder; playwright; screenwriter

Breaking News: Wheaton HS Cell Tower Radiation Levels up to 5000 times higher than at nearby school without cell tower. #whocares #noone .@GPArchitects .@mocoboe

Wheaton High School Cell Tower Radiation Levels are 1000 to 5000 times as high as nearby Arcola Elementary School (where there is no cell tower). Very low levels have been shown to have biological effects in thousands of studies.
Please learn more at Parents for Safe Technology.

An Acoustimeter was used to take microwave radiation readings.