No sanctions have been issued to the school following the release of state findings
Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School Principal Kathleen Wang.HADLEY - While the state Department of Children and Families has determined there was a case of neglect at the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, it is unclear if the state will do anything about it.
A 9-year-old child was confined to a “a time-out” for at least seven hours - but was allowed to use the bathroom and eat lunch. The incident took place March 25.
According to the report from the state, Kathleen Wang, the school principal, said the decision to put the child in time-out was a team decision and that the action was appropriate.
The school’s executive director Richard Alcorn said “there’s no finding against the school, three’s nothing actionable.”
“Because there has been no finding against PVCICS or any members staff, we have not and may never receive a copy of the any associated report(s),” Alcorn in a statement. He said they will talk to school attorneys and figure out how to proceed.
According to the state findings, Wang said the action taken was appropriate and not in violation of school policy. She said they child was a difficult and fragile child, something not supported by the child’s doctor, according to the report. The doctor links current symptoms to what happened on that day, according to the report.
“Furthermore any fragility perceived By Dr. Wang and her staff should have served to protect” the child from any excessive discipline.
The school, which first opened in Amherst in 2007, serves students from 39 communities in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties.