After Meeting With Scott Brabrand my sons Teacher Ellen Cormier Recommends Private School And Says "This Won't End Well For You!"

May 25, 2010 – 7:30AM - Having just met with SCOTT BRABRAND FCPS Assistant Superintendent of Cluster Four, who promised to speak with Washington Mill Elementary School PRINCIPAL TISH HOWARD on my SAFETY CONCERNS, I receive a phone call from my sons teacher who THREATENS ME FOR QUESTIONING SAFETY AT THE SCHOOL.

I receive a late afternoon voicemail from Ellen Cormier, a teacher at Washington Mill Elementary under Principal Dr. Tish Howard requesting that I instruct my son to stay away from an unidentified student. She states: “I am concerned about a situation that could possibly develop”. The message was troubling as I had never heard about this child or situation until the voicemail.

I spoke with my son that night and he told me before this child joined the class, Ellen Cormier had identified her as having a history of behavioral issues. In addition, he noted since recently joining the class she had already been suspended for hitting children. This child calls my son and others, including the teacher, a “nerd” and “idiot” regularly. On this morning, during Morning Meeting she kicked him repeatedly. When he asked her to stop, she replied “No. Make me!”. When he told Ellen Cormier about this he was instructed to ignore her.

That night I send Ellen Cormier an email stating:

“I need to know more about your request for me instruct my son to stay away from this student and a situation that could possibly develop.”
“I told him to stay away but I’m not sure what exactly is going on.”
“How is this behavior accepted in the classroom and how is my son expected to ignore it?”
“Please let me know what is going on here.”

The following morning at 7:30AM I receive a call from the school. It is Ellen Cormier and she is very aggressive. Rather than explain the voicemail she immediately says: “I have told you before about your son engaging children.” I voice that I know nothing of this child or any potential problem situation that could develop. She goes into a furious rage exclaiming the student has been in trouble and she is doing her best. In addition to questioning my parenting skills the following statements are made:

“I have done everything I can”

“Why would you trust an 8 year old?”

When I mentioned him coming home with poop in his pants from the bathroom incident: “That’s ridiculous, that did not happen”

“If you are not happy with this school then you should put him in private school”

“Your son has you twisted around his finger”

“Your son has you right where he wants you”

“If you are concerned for his safety, why haven’t you taken him out of this school”

“I have seen this before and this won’t end well for you or your son”

“This will not end well for you”

My son has no record of suspension or hitting yet he blamed for this incident. Rather than address the child who hits, the school contacts me about my son “engaging” another child. When I asked if my son had ever been sent to the principal, Ellen Cormier responded “I don’t know, has he?” She refused to give me any information on the child who kicked my son, directed me to principal Tish Howard and hung up.



Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have these serious threats be taken more seriously.

Jason