Last week, I sent a student home sick. While she was there, the mom of said child took me aside and told me of disturbing conversations her 8 yo son claims he had with a classmate.
Apparently the classmate has been telling the other kids all kinds of things about sex, that he's had sex, and that his (HS age) sister touches his private parts. He used a number of very crude terms to identify anatomy that are not at all something an 8 or 9 year old should know, much less say. He also remarked about some deviant sex acts.
Understand that this child has, in the past, been very fantastical in his thinking. He definitely has issues and values "shocking" people. He has also suffered from anxiety and some behavioral issues.
The mom who confided her concerns had told the teacher as well, and was very upset that these things were brought forth at school.
The teacher and I both contacted our school counselor as well as the Principal. Later today, they claimed it has all been "handled" since the Principal called both mothers and the "tell all" child had been spoken to. Nobody has spoken to either child in school at this point.
The teacher and I were both told to just let it go.
But we both feel that is not the right thing to do. That the Counselor should sit down with the "teller" and in a gentle way, try to determine what is going on on this poor kid's life that would cause him to act out like that.
I am prepared to make a report to CPS, but I worry I might be jumping the gun, with no follow through from our counselor. Or anyone so far. I am still leaning toward doing it. BUT it will throw the counselor under the bus, since she has not taken action, and CPS meets in her office. I know the safety of the child should trump the feelings of the Principal and Counselor, but as you know, I have to think this through.
I appreciate everyone's input and objective opinion.
I appreciate the support. I am still incredulous that some others in my building considered it "handled" before trying to determine what led the child to act out the way he did.
I don't know what the laws are in your state. But in my state if you don't report something like this, then you could lose your license.
The nice thing is you can file a report online anonymously and it will give you a case number. If you keep the case number you have proof that you filed a report (to protect your license) and no one has any way of knowing you're the one who filed the report.
SnowyJ, RN
844 Posts
I appreciate the support. I am still incredulous that some others in my building considered it "handled" before trying to determine what led the child to act out the way he did.
It's nice to have others around who understand.