The project reportedly occurred in a present occasions class at Alcovy and requested the next inquiries to college students:
- What occasion occurred through the Senior Skip Day at Denny Dobbs Park on March 18?
- Who was concerned within the occasion?
- What are Jarvins [sic] Hinton Jr. and Tashawn [sic] Lyons going through?
- Who was killed?
- Was [Justin] Etienne a bystander?
- Any ideas about this occasion?
The project additionally appeared to include a hyperlink to an internet article written by The Covington Information about Hinton’s arrest.*
Newton County Faculties (NCS) Director of Public Relations Sherri Partee confirmed the authenticity of the project to The Information. In a ready assertion, the district condemned the trainer’s actions, calling the project “inappropriate and insensitive.”
“Yesterday, an ill-advised warmup exercise was given to college students in a Present Occasions class at Alcovy Excessive Faculty,” the assertion learn partially. “The duty, which had not been reviewed or authorised by administrative personnel, referenced the latest tragedy at Denny Dobbs Park.
“With out reservation, we acknowledge that the trainer’s actions had been inappropriate and insensitive. Whereas it could have been supposed to facilitate a classroom dialogue below the guise of present occasions, the subject ought to by no means have been used. As quickly as faculty directors had been made conscious of the state of affairs, the exercise was suspended, and an inner assessment was carried out.”
The varsity system added that the trainer, who was not named within the assertion, was not an worker of Newton County Faculties however contracted by a third-party company as a consequence of staffing shortages.
Regardless, the incident prompted a number of to precise their displeasure on social media.
The Instagram account @justice_4justin, which is run by Etienne’s aunt, was one among many to talk out towards the project.
“MULTIPLE College students at Alcovy Excessive Faculty are Dm’n me upset {that a} trainer there made my nephews demise incident a graded project or an project in any respect!!” the Instagram story said. “I personally really feel it’s inappropriate and so they could make the scholars re dwell trauma.”
Many others additionally took exception to the subject material of the project, too.
“That’s so insensitive and ignorant,” posted J’Latae Spear.
“It’s insensitive and disrespectful to the household. That youngster’s demise had NOTHING to do with that trainer’s class or curriculum,” posted Nikia Smith.
As for addressing the subsequent steps, the varsity system stated they’d be consulting with the trainer instantly.
“We’re at the moment addressing this challenge instantly with the employees member concerned and can use this incident to make sure that better care and discernment are utilized when discussing delicate subjects within the classroom,” the assertion learn. “Newton County Faculties stays dedicated to offering a secure, respectful, and supportive studying surroundings for all college students.
“We prolong honest apologies to our college students and to all who’ve been affected or damage by this.”
* Editor’s Word: An article printed by The Covington Information was used as a part of the trainer’s project. Content material created by The Information goals to tell and educate, and due to this fact it’s accessible for classroom use. Nonetheless, The Information shouldn’t be affiliated with the trainer talked about on this article and doesn’t condone the trainer’s alternative to make use of information content material on this method.
