School apologizes, says practice has been stopped

by VDC staff

A Hyde Park mother says her seventh-grade son was disciplined by being sprayed with water in class at Lamoille Union Middle School, according to a report by NBC 5.

Ally Judkins told News 5 that her son opened up to her earlier this month after school. “At first I thought it was funny,” she said. “I was chuckling, and he started crying in the back of the car, and I knew that he didn’t really find it funny.”

Judkins said her son described a teacher using a spray bottle to address minor classroom behavior. “If his chair squeaked when he moved it, she would spray him. If he was talking to the student next to him, he would get sprayed,” Judkins said. She added that her son told her he was once sprayed after asking to use the bathroom and instructed to return to his seat.

After learning about the incidents, Judkins contacted Principal Chris Hennessey. She said the school conducted a review and later notified parents that the practice had ended and was not condoned. In a statement to NBC 5, Hennessey said, “This is a personnel matter. We feel it has been resolved with the teacher in question, parents and students. We do not anticipate this will happen again.”

Judkins said she later shared the situation on social media to bring attention to it, noting that paraeducators were present in some of the classes where the spraying allegedly occurred. While she said she does not want the teacher fired, she hopes steps are taken to prevent a repeat. “I hope she gets the proper tools to put in her toolbox to manage the classroom,” Judkins said. “Whether that means more training, more support, anything that will help her out … not have a situation like this arise again.”

NBC 5 reported that the Vermont NEA said it had not been informed of the matter and declined to comment.

Judkins made a recent social media post about the incidents:

“I’m sharing this as a parent because I believe transparency matters when it comes to our kids.
“There have been documented concerns formally raised with school administration regarding interactions within the English class on Team Extreme at Lamoille Union Middle School. These concerns relate to classroom climate and the impact on student emotional wellbeing.
“As a result, my child’s sense of comfort, safety, and self-worth in the classroom has been affected. When a child’s identity, confidence, or peer perception begins to shift because of what’s happening at school, that’s not something to ignore.
I am not sharing this to attack anyone or create drama. I am sharing this so other families on Team Extreme can check in with their own children and ask:
• Do you feel respected in English class?
• Do you feel safe speaking up?
• Have you witnessed or experienced anything that made you uncomfortable?
If your child shares concerns, I encourage you to contact school administration directly.
“Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported in their learning environment. Please share this so other parents can be made aware.”

Judkins posted an apologetic response by Hennessey. He named the teacher as Hayley Fletcher, and added: “To be clear, our school does not approve of this in any way, and the practice has ended as of yesterday.”