HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous - 549 Chickering Road 549 Chickering Road
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549 Chickering Road
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March 7, 1981
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Kathy
thy McLean
10 Richardson Ct.
C) Methuen, MA 01844
Dear Sir: � �-4
Since November 7, 19803, I have been employed at the ECLC Learning
Center in No. Andover. I was fired from my job as a teacher's aide to-
day, March 7, 1981, by Irene Rochwarg, the center's director. This let-
ter is an appeal to have my situation reconsidered fairly. Copies have
also been sent to the health boards in No. Andover and Boston, the build-
ing inspector and the Office for Children in Middleton so that the liv-
ing conditions at the center will improve for the children who go there
in the future.
This past February I called the No. Andover building inspector
about the overcrowding in the center, asking him also to check into cer-
tain safety standards that were notbeing met. He knew who the director
was and said the center was due for inspection.
Some of the children must sit on the floor for snack because there
isn't enough table space available. The snack consists of saltine crac-
kers and a type of kool aid drink put out by Domino Sugar. There is no
adequate lock on the toddler playground fence which is near the highway
(in fact there was no lock at all for some time), and I personally took
down a hazardous platform (it had nails sticking out and was falling
apart) so that the children would not be hurt. The director had been
notified by the teacher and an aide several times, but it was never taken
d own.
I have heard numerous complaints fron the staff on how the center is
run so that's when I decided it just to call the building inspector for
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help since the director had not responded. The children's bathrooms are
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filthy
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filthy and have no doors on them for privacy; the floors were washed
only once to my knowlege since I've worked there; and the rugs still
need vacuuming. One of the aides asked the director to talk to the
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late-day aides so they would clean up out area at the end of the day
but nothing is ever done. There are not enough supplies at times
(napkins, cups, paper, new puzzles and books) , which the director
asked us to cut down do our use even further. And as I stated earlier,
the snack exhibits a lack of good nutrition.
As for the overcrowding, part of the toddler group has moved
over to the 3-year-old area__, and we have just enough space to work in.
There is no discipline other than sitting the child in a_'chair (which
doesn't work) and since there are too many children to care for, we
have bloody noses in block area; hitting, punching and pushing down;
fresh language; disinterest in lirojects--in short, a general lack of
true order where the children can learn good behavior and appropriate
skills.
My heart goes out to these children who should have a much better
living and learning environment. We have the means to do something to
change this for them. This is the primary import of this letter.
I have written to the labor board because I have been unfairly
judged by my director concerning an incident that occurred earlier this
past week. This should be reviewed so that it doesn't happen to anyone
else. The responsibility of a director is not only to the parent and
child but to her staff as well.
In brief, I received a phone call from a mother who was upset about
an "incident" that happened at the center that morning. The mother was
angry so I asked her to come in and talk it over. I said nothing that
should have upset her, but she accused me of implying that she was an
unfit mother. My director, at my request, would not bring the mother in
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to
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to meet so that the three of us could talk it over. The director said
that she wasn't interested in doing so. I thought it the only fair
thing to do since my job was on the line, and it would be a good oppor-
tunity to explain to the mother that she had totally misinterpreted our
phone conversation. Not only would the director not hold this meeting,
she also wanted me to sign a statement about the incident which was ins
correct and very misleading. Naturally, I didn't sign it.
I sincerely hope that all who read this letter will consider the
improvements that the children have a basic right to and that the direc-
tor be asked to fulfil her job in a more professional and concerned
manner for parents, children, and staff alike.
Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,
Kathy McLean
Copies have been sent to the following people:
The Dept. of Labor and Industries
The Office for Children
Community Health Service
Health Boards
Building Inspector
Irene Rochwarg, SCLC director
Mr. Nicholas J. Buglione, State Representative
Dr. Robert Kowash, The director's supervisor
Nary Claire Barry, Teacher at SCLC Learning Center
Address c K C �Q � ,u
C. 12 a
Title of File
Page of
Date File Open:
Date file closed:
CJoc Document/Action Tifile Date of Refer to other Purpose of Document Act
action Document/ document/ / on and notes
fWum' Action
Department
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Board of Appeals — Board of HealthPlanniing Board ; Conservation Commission _ _
Building Departnlen;t -�