i've been tempted...

Substitute uses jump rope to tie up talking students

By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record
A substitute teacher at Southwest Elementary tied up four students on Friday when they misbehaved in class.

The four students were supposed to be working on writing, said Kyle Ivanko, one of the four students involved.

"She said we whispered when we were in writing, and told us not to talk," he said.

Kyle, 8, admits that he and his three friends said a few comments.

"We talked a little -- maybe three times," he said.

During recess, which is after writing, Kyle and the other three students who talked were tied up by the substitute teacher with a long jump rope — Kyle described it as the kind that two people swing so another person can jump.

The substitute teacher tied the rope around the four students' waists.

"During recess, she tied us up and said, 'This is what it's going to be like when you're in jail,'" Kyle said.

The four students were tied up for about 30 minutes. One of the children who was tied at the end of the rope managed to free himself.

"We tried to get untied because it was hurting our waists," Kyle said.

The substitute noticed the student who untied himself, though, and came over and tied him back up, Kyle said.

At the end of the recess period, the substitute untied them. One of the students went directly to the office to tell the principal, Kyle said.

Kyle's mom, Christine Ivanko, is outraged.

"I don't even like the idea of parents putting leashes on their kids," she said. "This is ridiculous.

"The school system has rules. If something was going on where the boys were getting into this much trouble, the principal should have known about it," Ivanko said. "The school system isn't doing its job. I don't want my kid going to a school like that."

Tracy Hall, public information officer for Hickory Public Schools, said a teacher and a parent notified an administrator at the school on Friday that a substitute dealt with four children in an inappropriate manner.

A letter went home to every parent at Southwest Elementary on Tuesday that stated a substitute at the school "inappropriately managed students during class time" on Friday, but does not state what the substitute did. The letter reassures parents that the substitute will no longer work in Hickory Public Schools.

Hall said the person has worked with the school system as a substitute since 2004.

Background checks are conducted on all substitute teachers. No red flags were raised with this person.

Angie Smithey is a mother of a Southwest Elementary student and a substitute teacher. She said she was surprised to hear about what happened.

"It brings tears to my eyes," she said. "I'm shocked, because I'm also a sub."

Sandra Brooks was picking up her granddaughter at Southwest Elementary on Tuesday when she heard about it.

"If I was Mrs. Willis (principal), I would not have her in school anymore, either," she said. "If I was his grandmother, I would be very mad. I wouldn't like it one bit."

Ivanko said Southwest Elementary's principal, Sherry Willis, called to apologize to her. She said she's happy Willis did, but that doesn't change some things.

"Now my kid doesn't want to go to school," she said. "I had to make Kyle go to school today (Tuesday)."

Kyle's side was also rubbed red, Ivanko said, from where the jump rope dug into his waist.

"She had persuasion over these kids," Ivanko said.

She said she plans to have a talk with Kyle about not letting anyone do certain things to him -- like tie him up -- regardless of what authoritative position the person holds.

Letter sent home to parents:
November 17, 2009
Dear Parents,
In order to keep you informed about our school, I feel it is important to address a situation that recently occurred.
Last Friday, I was informed that a substitute at our school inappropriately managed students during class time. I investigated this incident by obtaining statements from students and teachers who witnessed the situation, and I also reported this information to Dr. Cox, our Superintendent. No students were physically harmed; however, this person will no longer substitute in Hickory Public Schools. The safety of our students is my primary concern, and it is my expectation that the adults who work in our school treat our students appropriately.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Sherry R. Willis, Principal