Feel Good’ Tactics Land Preschool Teacher In Hot Water!
Parents of preschoolers at Options for Learning Head Start in South El Monte, California were stunned last week when they learned that a teacher at the daycare facility had allegedly applied mood-calming stickers to their children without their consent. The stickers, known as "Zen Patches," are said to have been used on every child in the classroom before being removed before the end of the school day. The incident has sparked outrage among parents, who are now demanding teacher accountability and child safety.
Two parents, Vicky Cano and Stephanie Rodriguez, spoke to FOX 11 Los Angeles about their shock and dismay upon learning about the incident. Cano expressed her frustration, saying "you bring your kids, and you expect it to be good, you know." She and Rodriguez also shared concerns about the potential risks and consequences of using these stickers on young children without parental consent.
The news broke when one mother showed up unannounced at the school and discovered that a teacher had been using the mood-calming stickers without her knowledge. The children reportedly told officials about the stickers during interviews, and parents became suspicious when they noticed changes in their children's behavior and sleeping patterns.
“Firing her is not good enough at all,” Stephanie Rodriguez told the news station. “I want justice. She should be in jail.”https://t.co/jZiuNr8PdL
— Michael (@MikeLaPorte) December 13, 2023
Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras, a physician, spoke to FOX 11 about the potential dangers of applying any substance to children without the consent of parents. He emphasized the lack of regulation for products like these and the possible risks of allergic reactions.
In a statement provided to FOX 11, Options for Learning Head Start CEO Paul F. Pulver confirmed that the stickers were given to a limited number of students in a class of 16, and their distribution violated school policy which requires parental consent for any substances used on children. Pulver also confirmed that the employee responsible for providing the stickers has been fired.
However, parents are not satisfied with just the firing of the teacher. Rodriguez told FOX 11 that "firing her is not good enough at all." She and other parents are demanding justice, with Rodriguez even suggesting that the teacher should be arrested.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and well-being of children at the day care facility. Some parents are questioning whether there are other instances where their children's safety has been compromised without their knowledge.
The school and Options for Learning Head Start have not yet responded to media requests for comments on the situation. It remains to be seen what actions will be taken to ensure the safety of the children at the facility and to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.