ed Hateoss Where the future is present ames Canon 3 Executive Director of Internal Investigations and ‘Security March 5, 2019 Ms. Susan Frazer 331 Nott Street Wethersfield, CT 06109 Dear Ms. Frazer: Recently, our office concluded an investigation in which you were involved alleging your involvement in a physical altercation with a parent. e war [After thorough investigation, a pre-dsipliary mecting was eld on February 27,2019 the presence Of Principal Edward Jacobsen, Janet Serrano lay Gutete and yursl. During We course of the mmecting you affirmed te accuracy of your sutements mae trough the investigatory proses Furthermore, you were provided an opportunity to provide any additional details andor relevant information for Administration to consider befor any disciplinary decisions were made. Specifically addressed were the facts and circumstances ofthe events of October 11, 2018 involving a student and his mother. You indicated that the student had been late for school and upon arrival he handed you a small bag with birthday cake in it that he wished to share with his classmates. As the bag, ‘was so small, you stated that you checked it and identified that it was a “pile of cake” in a small take out Container. Asa result of the cake not being in the original, nnopened packaging, you had concems regarding potential allergies. You then spoke with administration who shared your concems and you planned not to serve the cake. You then advised the student that you could celebrate his birthday on Monday, but that the cake could not be served. ‘That afternoon the student was dismissed early and his mom arrived t0 pick him up. He left the classroom and shorty thereafter you heard a commotion in the Tobby. Upon going out there, you saw the student handing out pieces of his cake to other students. You then approached him, retrieving the cake, and disposing of other pieces that students had. You returned the cake to your classroom and put it inthe refrigerator inthe smal closet. You indicated that while you had never met the student’s mother, you were aware of a previous incident earlier in the school year where she had been aggressive with other staff members. While teaching in your classroom, you stated that you tumed around and saw a woman who had appeared in the classroom doorway. You indicated that she mother was very angry and yelling at you. You stated that she had told you her son hated you and that she was swearing at you. She was angry that you hadn't served the cake and you thought the ‘jdministration bad called het to advise her of this issue. You indicated that you were able to get into the hallway very briefly and no one came o assist you. You said that the mother then left and you went beck to teaching, About ten minutes later, you indicated that she had re-appeared and had already stepped into the classroom, You indicated that she was swearing at you and calling you names in front of the class. She indicated that she wanted the remainder ofthe cake, so you turned to retrieve it from the adjacent Storage room, You indicated that much to your surprise, when you tumed around after having rerieved soraee from the refrigerator, the mother had followed you into the room. You indicted that you asked her not to continue to talk like that, and that she was now standing in the doorway, preventing Your re pasure You then indicated thatthe mother had swatted at the bag, knocking it rom your hand 19 the Street Hartford CT 06103 + worwrhartfordschosls orgss HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS ‘Where the future is present floor and also unlocking the elasp of your bracelet causing ito fall off. You then stated that you began to call for the teacher in the adjoining room, to no avail. You stated that you were fearful of potential bodily harm and then the mother pushed you. A student popped into the classroom and asked if you were ok, at which point you were able to instruct him to get security. Once security arrived, you indicated that you ‘were able to leave the room, At this point, security brought you to the Office and the mother was also separated, Hartford Police were then contacted and you were able to file a police report. You further indicated that you subsequently had gone to the doctor to have your shoulder looked at and it was bruised. ‘You further indieated that you were aware the mother had been arrested later by the Hartford Police related to this incident and that there was a hearing on this matter at court today Mr. Gutierrez then indicated that the mother had previously threatened a teacher earlier in the schoo! year ‘and that the parent had a history of being difficult. He then stated that you have been a teacher for 22 students past and present. He further reiterated your account years and you have great familiarity wi that you were not physi the parent and that you never used vulgarity. Furthermore, he indicated int in the face of what you were dealing with and had done the best you could that you showed great res under the circumstances. It should also be noted that DCF did not substantiate the allegations with respect to you being physical \Wwith the mother and in fact found the mother to be the agaressor in the event. Please consider this letter as documentation of the pre-disciplinary meeting. Furthermore, the investigation has shown no just cause for disciplinary action to be taken, While there was a verbal and ultimately a physical confrontation with a student’s parent, it was that parent who was found to be the ‘aggressor throughout. While this incident resulted in no discipline being taken, you are reminded that such situations ean become volatile when we engage verbally with a parent, such as demonstrated, and it incumbent upon staff to make attempts to de-escalate the situation. While this situation presented. quickly and failed to provide you that option, staff should be cognizant of options in dealing with a difficult parent. Sincerely, ‘mes Canon ive Director Internal Investigations and Security sha Banks, Tyrone Richardson, Janet Serrano, Investigation File ce: Principal Edward Jacobsen, Nata:Connecticut Department of Children and Families NOTIFICATION OF INVESTIGATION RESULTS &. O76 (Rev) ‘ A To(Namey : "i a) © Susan Frazer ose 42/27/2018 ‘Address: UNK # 331 Nott Street ae Wethersfield, CT 06109 he cerives . 10/12/2018 The Depart ol Citen and Fane (CF) emt stg apres legos) at ou sed nec od chen, The purpose cls arse oul e doen nae egg thamestgnmn nt veces ene DCE has concluded te oloning: (NOTE: For evry chi, sal alegations ad solet the dspostion fr sch alagaton) aaa Chics Name ‘Alegaton Diposiion |_Demoi Spence ag Physical Neglect, Unsubstantiated a __| {Select one) (Select One) oe (Select One) (Select One) | (Select One) (Select One) L (Select One) (Select One) ee 5 (Select One) (Select One) © 0.8 tse tat you donot pose ask to te heath, sft or wel-bing ofentren DCF finds that you pose a risk tothe health, safely or well-being of chikren and is recommending that you be placed on the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. Persons whom DCF finds pose a risk fo the health, safety or wellbeing of chidren sre recommended for placement onthe Central Registry. Names remain on this list indefinitely. The Central Registry may be checked by current or prospective employers whose ‘work involves contact with children and by federal, state and local icensing authores that regulate activites that mvolve cidren. Placement on the Central Registry may therefore affect your abiity to work in obs, obtain lcenses or engage in activites that involve contact with children, you have been recommended for placement on the Ceriral Registy your name wil be placed an the Central Registry unless you ‘exercise your ight to appeal ths finding. Whle the appeal is pending your name will nt be disclosed to anyone except as permitied by law ityou asagree win tne ting that you abuse or neolctd cis, you may appeal he fining by slgning an mating the encosed Hae ese hasen tor Apboel of Substaniaton Fngngs to DCF a the adess provided en te frm, Tis wll beg an appeal a aaee aeaeelain the DCF'sinang beg change. Pleas be ackisod tat You may alo request, wring, o have your Braces a ey eng ie doposton of eny cna sou proceeag ating fom he above sated abogations of abuse andor aoe ee er tdna your hesng be Gelered. you nut rotly OCF wiin fv years fo request at be enstated you neglect (i you eaves rf min ue years. te substantiation and Cental Regist fing, ¥ applicable, willbe utoratically ‘phets) Please note that your request must be received within hry (20) days ofthe date of his note inorder fr your appeal be 's wil ified in Please coe that your feats ll be competed wintry (30) days of DOF's receipt of your request. You wil be rot considered An mtg vow, and of futher eppeal actions aval 10 ou fe resus rot stacy oyu. Sincer Ce (aed Sal Worterinvesgatons — Telephone Lisa Butler (860) 418-8193 lisa. butler@ct.gov Ena