Former MCPS Lunch Aide Sentenced to Probation in Child Pornography Case

Terms of probation include no unsupervised contact with children, including online

...As part of a plea agreement, Kelley agreed to serve five years of supervised probation, with the condition that he may apply for a sentence modification after three years...

...But during the hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Han said the volume of images recovered from Kelley’s computer didn’t reflect someone who stumbled into a dark corner, but rather a person who stayed a while...

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/courts/former-mcps-lunch-aide-sentenced-to-probation-in-child-pornography-case/

Essentially what the seemingly benign “if you like that, you’ll like this” mechanism is doing is training young children – practically from birth – to click on the first thing that comes along, regardless of the source.

In November of last year, I read an article in the New York Times about disturbing videos targeted at children that were being distributed via YouTube. Parents reported that their children were encountering knock-off editions of their favourite cartoon characters in situations of violence and death: Peppa Pig drinking bleach, or Mickey Mouse being run over by a car. A brief Google of some of the terms mentioned in the article brought up not only many more accounts of inappropriate content, in Facebook posts, newsgroup threads, and other newspapers, but also disturbing accounts of their effects. Previously happy and well-adjusted children became frightened of the dark, prone to fits of crying, or displayed violent behaviour and talked about self-harm – all classic symptoms of abuse. But despite these reports, YouTube and its parent company, Google, had done little to address them. Moreover, there seemed to be little understanding of where these videos were coming from, how they were produced – or even why they existed in the first place...

...Take YouTube’s recommendation system for starters, which doesn’t differentiate between Disney movies and a grainy animation cooked up by a bot farm in China. Essentially what the seemingly benign “if you like that, you’ll like this” mechanism is doing is training young children – practically from birth – to click on the first thing that comes along, regardless of the source. This is the same mechanism that sees Facebook slide fake political ads and conspiracy theories into the feeds of millions of disaffected voters, and the outcome – ever more extreme content and divided viewpoints – is much the same. Add the sheer impossibility of working out where these videos come from (most are anonymous accounts with thousands of barely differentiated uploads) and the viewer is adrift in a sea of existential uncertainty, which starts to feel worryingly familiar in a world where opaque and unaccountable systems increasingly control critical aspects of our everyday lives...

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jun/17/peppa-pig-youtube-weird-algorithms-automated-content?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Three arrests at one elementary school alarm parents and raise safety questions

When a substitute teacher was accused last month of sexual misconduct, Jim Bartley and other parents at Cloverly Elementary School were stunned. It was not just that they found the allegation horrifying. It was also how often the same Maryland school had been rocked by an arrest.

“Three in 21 months,” said Bartley, a father of four. “We have had enough.”

Bartley spoke as he and a small group of other parents rallied near the Silver Spring school one recent morning in a near-freezing rain to highlight concerns the school has faced in the suburb just outside Washington. They gathered with posters and young children, hoping to get the attention and help of top school officials in Montgomery County...

...Parents such as Bartley, whose youngest child still attends Cloverly, said the 2017-2018 school year began with little communication about the Vigna case and no visible changes in school procedures. That frustrated some families, and their concerns grew when a lunch aide, Sean Kelley, 30, was arrested on child pornography charges in January...

...Principal Melissa Brunson declined to comment through a district spokesman...

...Jennifer Alvaro, a longtime clinician and advocate on sex abuse issues who served on a school system advisory panel, said that best practices should be used at all schools immediately and that it would be unethical to add safety measures at just one school in a 205-school system.

She called for an outside investigation of all cases of sexual abuse in Montgomery County schools and urged the school system to do more to step up background checks, body safety classes and sexual harassment reporting. School culture needs to change, she said.

“I understand Cloverly’s pain and frustration,” she said. “But this is about more than one school.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/three-arrests-at-one-elementary-school-alarm-parents-and-raise-safety-questions/2018/04/02/8ebdb13e-2d57-11e8-8688-e053ba58f1e4_story.html?utm_term=.db2478e0bb91

WTOP: 3 arrests at Md. elementary school spark concern, meeting with superintendent

Smith met behind closed doors with parents and staff members Tuesday evening.

“It’s terrifying to send these kids to school, every single day, not knowing if they’re going to be safe,” said parent Jennifer Miller, who has three children attending Cloverly, and attended the meeting.

“It makes me sick to my stomach.”...

...“Last year we started that process of re-fingerprinting employees,” said Smith. “It does require their signature, and that it be notarized, so it’s a bit cumbersome, and we’d like to see that law changed.”...

...“Apples go bad after a period of time, you have to keep checking,” echoed Robin Ficker, a Republican candidate for county executive, who attended the meeting.

According to attendees, Smith said he couldn’t guarantee that no child would be abused, but was committed to making changes to promote safety.

“Everybody offends for the first time,” said Smith. “When you do the fingerprint, and the background check, going back and doing that on a periodic basis, it’s a good move.”..

...Smith told parents he would present several security options at future meetings, and gather parental input on which measures could be immediately put in place, and discuss which could be implemented in the near future...

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2018/04/3-arrests-at-md-elementary-school-spark-concern-meeting-with-superintendent/

3 Hour Meeting - Cloverly Elementary School parents demand answers after recent arrests

SILVER SPRING, Md. (ABC7) — Frustrated parents packed a meeting at Cloverly Elementary School on Tuesday, hoping to speak directly to the superintendent about a recent string of arrests involving school staffers.


The most recent arrest took place in March...

..."It happened once, then twice, then three times! What is going on that this is slipping through the cracks? These are innocent children’s' lives and safety at risk and no one seems to care or be doing anything. It has to stop," said parent Jennifer Miller.

Miller was one of many parents who attended Tuesday's community meeting with Cloverly's Principal and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jack Smith.

The nearly three-hour meeting was closed to the media, but Miller said the superintendent spent most of it listening to parents about preventative measures and possible solutions...

ABC7 News spoke to Smith after the meeting about what it will take to restore trust in Cloverly Elementary.

Smith said he heard a lot of different ideas from parents and hopes to hold additional community meetings over the next few weeks, to get more feedback.

So what were some of the proposed solutions?

"Having parents engage in personal body safety units that children learn, having parents learn those too was one idea," said Smith. "Another one was making sure all staff members have a clear understanding of policies and procedures around child abuse. Not just the reporting of it, or the fact that they don't behave that way themselves, but really to understand how it all fits together with the state attorney's office, the police department, the special victim unit, and child protective services."..

http://wjla.com/news/local/parents-demand-answers-after-3-men-accused-of-crimes-involving-kids-at-elementary-school

WUSA9: Parents Demand Answers After 3 Teachers Arrested on Sex-Related Charges

http://www.wusa9.com/article/news/education/3-md-school-staffers-arrested-on-sex-related-charges-in-21-months/65-534690547

MCPS Holding Workshop at Cloverly Elementary School, April 3rd 7 PM with Superintendent Jack R. Smith

From the Cloverly ES PTA calendar

Cloverly Elementary School parents will be meeting with Superintendent Jack R. Smith on April 3, 2018, to ask for their school to be a pilot program.

From the public comment of a Cloverly Elementary School parent:

...Dr. Smith graciously responded to our call immediately. He has meet with the staff at Clovery, the very next day and plans to meet with school parents on April 3rd, 2018. We are so happy to have his support. Now we are requesting your support.

We are requesting at our meeting with Dr. Smith a pilot program for recommendations for more safety and security at our school. It is our hope, that if we can create the right model so we can make all Montgomery County Public Schools safer in the future. We would love to have your commitment and funding to making Montgomery County Public Schools the model schools that they once were when I attended them. If our schools are safer and more secure, then we all can focus more on why we are here – Education.

We understand that the overall budget has been finalized for the upcoming year. However, we ask for flexibility in the budget in order to provide Cloverly Elementary School a pilot program for security and safety. It is our greatest hope if approved and implemented correctly our school can be the model for all Montgomery County Public Schools for security and safety...

http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2018/03/cloverly-parents-want-for-pilot-for.html

ABC7: “I think symbolically it’s important for me to go there after what happened.”

“I think symbolically it’s important for me to go there after what happened.” - Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith hours after protests over substitute teacher accused of touching student inappropriately @ Cloverly ES.

More at 10 on @NewsChannel8 & 11 on @ABC7News.  @Jeniffermalvaro pic.twitter.com/gIFfoDRCiQ

— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@ABC7Annalysa) March 20, 2018

WBAL: 3 Children report touching by MCPS Substitute Teacher

A substitute teacher has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor and fourth-degree sexual offense in Montgomery County.

Now, school officials are concerned he may have been involved in inappropriate behavior with children in other school districts where he worked.

...A court charging document indicates the 11-year-old boy claims Katz touched his shoulder and then moved his hand down to the child's buttocks. According to the court record, Katz denied, then confessed, admitting to investigators he apologized to the victim for touching him on his buttocks and that it was an "accident."

"He did touch the back of the female student, and advised that he apologized to her," charging documents stated. "Katz also stated he touched the waist of another student in the class and apologized to that student as well."

"We're asking all of our parents to have conversations with our young people, if they've had any interaction with this individual, to bring that forward immediately," said Dr. Michael Martirano, Howard County Schools interim superintendent...

http://www.wbaltv.com/article/montgomery-county-substitute-teacher-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-a-minor/19486186

ABC7: Superintendent Dr. Smith says he will visit staff at Cloverly ES tomorrow

[NOW] Superintendent Dr. Smith says he will visit staff at Cloverly ES tomorrow after @MCPS substitute teacher accused of molesting male student. Parents are demanding resources to protect students. https://t.co/soFFArCw1j pic.twitter.com/bMDiQjJHKq

— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@ABC7Annalysa) March 20, 2018

Reply:  

‏

 

@jennifermalvaro

More

Replying to @ABC7Annalysa @MCPS

@A_mac_25   is this a typo?  Smith is going to visit staff tomorrow but parents have to wait til April for him to meet with you?

NBC4: Katz has taught at 15 of the county's schools since May 2017 @mcps

...Katz has taught at 15 of the county's schools since May 2017

Burtonsville Elementary School

Olney Elementary School

Sherwood Elementary School

Cloverly Elementary School

Pyle Middle School

Kennedy High School

Burnt Mills Elementary School

Brooke Grove Elementary School

Seven Locks Elementary School

Sherwood High School

Wayside Elementary School

Paint Branch High School

Farquhar Middle School

Frost Middle School

Burning Tree Elementary School

In a letter sent to parents, Howard County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Michael Martirano said Katz was a substitute teacher in Howard County as well. Martirano said the news of Katz's arrest has sparked a change in how the school system will do background checks.

"These charges cause me great concern as I'm sure it does for each of you. We take safety of our students seriously and I am greatly chagrined that this individual was trusted to enter our classrooms and teach our children," Martirano said. "As with all HCPSS employees, he underwent a criminal background check, fingerprinting and a detailed reference check when he was hired by HCPSS. I have directed our staff to review the process for evaluating substitutes, and putting in place a system to more periodically conduct background checks."

Montgomery County police said any parents whose children may have had contact with Katz should talk to them and contact SVID detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Substitute-Teacher-Charged-With-Sexually-Abusing-Elementary-Student-477182163.html?akmobile=o

Superintendent Jack R. Smith Phones Cloverly Parents, But Not Showing Up at School Yet

@barnardfox5dc @AdamTuss @ABC7News updt - Dr Smith briefly spoke via phone to concerned Cloverly parents. @MCPS Hopefully a face to face meeting will take place this week or after spring break #Cloverly pic.twitter.com/QKIRTVFVUm

— Adam McKenzie (@A_mac_25) March 19, 2018

Breaking: ABC7 - Parents at Cloverly Elementary Protesting / Want to Meet with Superintendent / 3rd Arrest in 21 Months

Parents & students at Cloverly Elementary School demonstrate this am after a third staff member is arrested in 21 months. Most recently a substitute teacher allegedly touched a student in an inappropriate way. Police are investigating. Parents want to meetwith Superintendent

— Suzanne Kennedy (@ABC7Suzanne) March 19, 2018

ABC7: MCPS substitute teacher accused of molesting male student

http://wjla.com/news/crime/mcps-substitute-teacher-accused-of-molesting-male-student-has-ties-to-other-local-school

Police: Detectives Charge MCPS Substitute Teacher For Inappropriate Touching of Student

Detectives Charge Substitute Teacher For Inappropriate Touching of Student


Posted on 03/17/2018

Steven Katz

Detectives with the Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have charged Steven Katz, age 59, of the 6500 block of Quiet Hours in Columbia, with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and 4th Degree Sexual Offense.  The charges involve the inappropriate touching of an elementary school student by Katz in his role as a substitute teacher.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that sometime after school on March 8, a Clovery Elementary School student told his parent that his substitute teacher, identified as Katz, had touched him in a way that made him feel uncomfortable at school that day.  The parent notified Cloverly Elementary School administrators who then notified police.

During the investigation, detectives interviewed the student and also interviewed Katz.  During the interview with Katz, he made admissions relating to inappropriately touching the student.

A warrant was issued for Katz’ arrest.  Katz turned himself in to investigators this evening and he was transported to the Central Processing Unit.  Bond information is not available at this time.

Detectives are requesting that parents of juveniles who may have had contact with Steven Katz to talk to their children about any interaction with Katz and contact SVID detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.

http://www.mymcpnews.com/2018/03/17/detectives-charge-substitute-teacher-for-inappropriate-touching-of-student/

ABC7: With the arrest of sub teacher Steven Katz, this marks 3 sex crime arrests at @MCPS Cloverly ES in past years. John Vigna & Sean Kelley too. @NathanABC7

With the arrest of sub teacher Steven Katz, this marks 3 sex crime arrests at @MCPS Cloverly ES in past years. John Vigna & Sean Kelley too.

— Nathan Baca (@NathanABC7) March 17, 2018

Parents are upset after Superintendent Jack Smith left tonight’s budget meeting early. They wanted to ask him about the former lunch aide at Clover Elementary School aide, Sean Kelley, who was arrested for child porn distribution.

[Happening Now] Parents are upset after Superintendent Jack Smith left tonight’s budget meeting early. They wanted to ask him about the former lunch aide at Clover Elementary School aide, Sean Kelley, who was arrested for child porn distribution. pic.twitter.com/4sGM9Ba0xs

— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@ABC7Annalysa) January 9, 2018

Full Report:  http://wjla.com/news/local/community-meeting-addresses-arrest-of-teachers-aide-charged-with-possession-of-child-porn

Police: Montgomery Co. elementary school aide charged with possession of child pornography #CloverlyElementary

Breaking: Cloverly Elementary aide Sean Kelley arrested for possession of child porn. @ABC7News has been investigating him for months. More on http://wjla.com tonight.

Breaking; Here’s the note Cloverly ES sent to parents about arrest of aide Sean Kelley. pic.twitter.com/2qWKt5vqmi

— Nathan Baca (@NathanABC7) January 5, 2018