Elementary students were traumatized by being left alone and locked in an isolation cell, according to a school administrator. The five children were in kindergarten and second grade at Silver Creek Elementary School. The allegations were made by a district administrator in a letter to the school board on March 28.
WIVB Channel 4's investigation team obtained a copy of the letter, which was written by Jay Hall, Assistant Director of Elementary Programming. It said in part that each of the young students was,
inhumanely and illegally locked or barricaded in an isolation cell.
Hall went on to describe the alleged cruelty, writing,
I have been fighting all year to keep children out of the isolation cell. It should never, even for one second, be used in any capacity to redirect or punish any child at any time.
In the letter, he says the room is made of cinder blocks, it's cold and reminiscent of a jail cell. Hall describes how scary the situation was for the students,
Children as young as 5 years old are being blockaded and locked in the isolation cell, kicking the door, pounding on glass with their fists, banging their heads, crying profusely, pleading to be freed, all with complicit staff members standing by and watching.
Silver Creek Central School District responded to the claims on Facebook,
The District is aware that this morning there were concerns raised on social media pertaining to our Elementary School. The District’s most important priority is the safety and security of all District students and staff. We take any concerns and allegations regarding student safety and their wellbeing as the top priority. The Board of Education received a multi-page letter yesterday, March 29, 2022 with several concerning allegations. The District engaged a third party, who immediately began and continues investigating the allegations set forth in the letter. Rest assured, that the District and Board of Education are engaging in a comprehensive and thorough investigation into this matter expeditiously. We will continue to inform the community with appropriate updates when the District is able to.
Here Are Some Of The Parents' Responses: