RANCHO CORDOVA – A 5-year-old Black particular wants scholar at Williamson Elementary in Rancho Cordova was restrained and slapped by his trainer, Amber McGiffin, on Sept. 11, Folsom Cordova Unified Faculty District Superintendent Dr. Sarah Koligian confirmed Sept. 25 at a press convention in entrance of the varsity.
Eceon Graham, who has been taken out of the varsity by his dad and mom, allegedly was getting on the varsity bus when McGriffin violently restrained him and slapped him.
Surrounded by supporters, Eceon’s dad and mom, Ebony McNeal and Willie Graham, stated they had been contacted by the superintendent’s workplace Sept. 14, three days after the incident, and are calling for the instant firing and even arrest of McGiffin.
Willie Graham (left) and Ebony McNeal converse to the media Sept. 25 about their son, Eceon, who was slapped and restrained by his trainer Sept. 11. (Rahul Lal)
“I’m nonetheless preventing for my son and I’m nonetheless making an attempt to determine what precisely occurred to him,” McNeal stated.
Koligian stated this was McGiffin’s first 12 months as a particular schooling trainer.
“The trainer was faraway from the classroom as soon as one other worker made a report that was investigated by the varsity,” Koligian stated.
Koligian stated the district applauds those that “step up and say one thing.”
In accordance with Angela Griffin Ankheli, the district’s chief communications officer, the district on Sept. 13 obtained an alarming report from a workers member in regards to the actions of a particular schooling trainer they witnessed Sept. 11.
“On Sept. 13, the trainer was placed on administrative go away and an investigation was launched,” Griffin Ankheli stated in an announcement. “The trainer has not been in an FCUSD classroom since Sept. 13.”
On Sept. 14, the assistant superintendent of particular schooling reached out to the household and the following day met with the household in particular person. Additionally on the assembly had been the varsity’s administrator and scholar’s individualized schooling program workforce to formulate a plan for the scholar’s classroom placement and extra assist to deal with their well-being, Griffin Ankheli stated.
“Once I got here to choose up my son on Sept. 14, [McGiffin] was not within the classroom,” McNeal stated.
Berry Accius, neighborhood advocate and founding father of mentorship program Voice of the Youth, referred to as the district’s actions unacceptable and referred to as for it to behave instantly.
“Somebody must be fired,” Accius stated.
Eceon has autism and is unable to verbalize ideas and emotions, his mom stated.
“He’s extraordinarily shiny and communicative,” McNeal stated. “Simply because he doesn’t speak doesn’t imply he doesn’t perceive.”
McNeal stated she had issues with the varsity and trainer from the start of the varsity 12 months Aug. 8, when the trainer confirmed up late to class and was advised by the vice principal to “get off campus.”
“I used to be not proud of the best way that I walked into the classroom,” McNeal stated. There was nobody there to greet me. The trainer [McGiffin] didn’t even arrive till half-hour later.”
An indication is held up Sept. 25 in assist of 5-year-old particular wants scholar Eceon Graham, who was slapped by his trainer Sept. 11. (Rahul Lal)
McNeal advised the vice principal that she didn’t really feel comfy leaving her son on the faculty having not but met his trainer.
“However I did go away my little one there,” McNeal stated. “I do need to go to work.”
5 days later, McNeal stated she obtained a name from McGiffin to come back decide up Eceon as a result of he was being “unruly.” An aide finally advised McNeal they’d misplaced her son within the cafeteria.
“They needed to do an all lockdown on the varsity and made it out of the cafeteria and off campus,” McNeal stated. “My son was capable of get via these black gates and onto this busy road.”
McNeal stated she is ready on a report from CPS and the district.
“Nobody had info,” McNeal stated.
She stated that finally, McGiffin must be fired and arrested.
“She harmed my particular wants little one,” McNeal stated. “She must be arrested. That’s the underside line.”
She additionally stated the district must make modifications to its individualized schooling program system and workers.
Folsom Cordova Unified Faculty District Superintendent Dr. Sarah Koligian (far proper) listens because the dad and mom of a 5-year-old Black particular wants scholar converse to the media Sept. 25 concerning the little one, who was slapped and restrained by his trainer Sept. 11. (Rahul Lal)
“The academics in his particular wants classroom weren’t correctly skilled,” McNeal stated. “I don’t really feel just like the individuals within the classroom had been capable of assist the youngsters that they’d in there.”
Koligian stated the district will make this proper and maintain workers accountable, with penalties starting from disciplinary motion to dismissal.
“However, we’ve to undergo the investigative course of … due to that there’s sure info that we can not disclose,” Koligian stated.
The district stated if there are enhancements it could make, it needs to remember so it could present glorious and secure studying areas for all of our college students.
“Aswe look at the steps which have led to this incident, we’re additionally taking a look at methods we will strengthen our processes and coaching for employees,” Griffin Ankheli stated.
Information of the incident follows the Sept.15 arrest of an FCUSD particular schooling trainer aide on costs associated to little one sexual abuse.
Eceon’s dad and mom stated they may search authorized counsel, however declined additional remark.