Latest news with #TAAS
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Sikkim's snowfall crisis: Travellers rescued, travel permits cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions
In a recent update, East Sikkim is suffering from a heavy snowfall crisis. The roads in the region are blocked because of heavy landslides, prompting authorities to implement new travel restrictions for tourists. In response to the dangerous weather conditions, travel permits have been limited to specific locations: up to Changu Lake on the JN Road and up to Zuluk on the RN Road. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to clear the affected roads and ensure the safety of all travelers in the region. Travel restrictions The heavy snowfall created treacherous conditions, making it nearly impossible to travel in many areas. As a result, local authorities imposed limits on tourist movements to manage the situation. Road clearing efforts have been prioritized, with teams working around the clock to remove snow and debris, aiming to restore access to key routes safely. Successful evacuation of stranded tourists in Lachung by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My Stepdad Demands I Pay Him Rent On My 18th Birthday. He Doesn't Know I Own The House So I Did This Beach Raider Undo The snowfall and resulting landslides left many tourists stranded in Lachung. Authorities acted swiftly to organize an evacuation. The district administration of Mangan, in coordination with local community groups, ensured that tourists were safely moved out of the affected areas. The Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) took charge of logistics, while the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and construction companies such as A.K. Builders and SUL worked to clear the debris and restore road access. Lachung Road reopens In a significant development, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under Project Swastik, reopened the road to Lachung for one-way traffic, allowing light vehicles to pass through. This allowed stranded tourists to be safely transported to Mangan, where arrangements were made for their accommodation. The evacuation process was described as efficient, with local authorities and the Driver Association of Chungthang ensuring safe transport for all passengers. Many of the tourists, who had been stuck for over two days, expressed their gratitude to the local authorities and community members who facilitated their safe evacuation. Thanks to the quick response of the district collector of Mangan and the SDPO of Chungthang, all affected travelers were safely evacuated from the region. This incident highlights the challenges posed by natural disasters in remote areas but also demonstrates the region's ability to respond swiftly and effectively. The travel restrictions and successful evacuation efforts reflect a well-coordinated approach to crisis management, ensuring the safety and well-being of both tourists and locals.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Parents speak out after 20 Chester Community Charter School workers charged in child abuse case
The Brief 20 Chester Community Charter School workers have been charged in connection with a child abuse case. Authorities say as many as 26 children, from kindergartners to fifth graders, were victims of the alleged abuse. Parents are speaking out as the investigation unfolds. The Delaware County District Attorney is charging 20 people with abuse-related crimes after an investigation showed widespread "systemic abuse" at the Chester Community Charter School in Chester Township. The investigation was launched after parents complained that their children feared being placed in 'holds' by school staff. What they're saying "My children came to me on several occasions about what was going on with the school where I took pictures of my children's bruises" said parent Saabriah W., who did not want to give her last name. This Chester mother didn't have to read the 84-page criminal complaint below to know what happened to her son. Click to open this PDF in a new window. He's listed as one of the 26 victims of abuse who were students at the school's West Campus. She says it was so bad two weeks ago she pulled all of her children out of the school. "If I can't see what is going on inside the school now these accusations have been out I want to make sure my children are safe. And this is a way for me to keep my children safe," said Saabriah W. "You can see them grabbing their hands putting them in front of them to restrain them. Often times you see them using their knew to take them to the ground" said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteheimer. Dig deeper Investigators say surveillance footage in late 2024 showed over 100 incidents of workers at the school abusing children in the K-5 (TAAS) program for students who need emotional support. The 'techniques' used by those nine workers allegedly included the following: Pinching Pressure points near their necks Holding children in restraints Threatening with 'shoulder work' Authorities say more than 100 incidents of abuse and behaviors were captured on surveillance cameras. Several of the workers accused of abuse were found to have been employees of a company called 'Peak Performers Staffing, LLC which had been co-founded by Jennifer Woodhouse and Emmanuel Gilbert, both of Chester. Investigators say Woodhouse assured them her staff was trained in safety-care techniques, but investigators later learned that none of the staff had up-to-date and required training. Nine of the school workers are charged with multiple counts, which include conspiracy, simple assault, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, and failure to report endangering the welfare of a child. Raymond Harris Kabree Daniels Christian Denny Martin Mincey, Jr. Harry Woodhouse, Jr Amaru Mohammed Leroy Campbell Adrian Hospedale Monica Griffin Eleven others were charged with at least one count of failure to report the endangerment of the welfare of a child. Daemon Pierce Don'Neisah King Pierce Arijah Clements Cyrus Barlee Neanne Edmonds Breshonna Belgrave Deja Bennett-Allen Ryan Ridley Maggie Moloney Dahkeem Williams Asia Pena Officials say all the defendants are classified as mandated reporters of incidents of suspected child abuse under Pennsylvania Law. "This case is every parents' nightmare. We send our children to school expecting the adults will keep them safe, not abuse them physically and emotionally." said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. "Our investigation showed some staffers physically abusing children while others sat passively and watched. All the adults charged are equally guilty in failing to protect these children, some as young as 5 years old." Stollsteimer continued. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Chester Community Charter School indicated that three school employees were charged with failing to report the alleged conduct. The rest were 'employees of a certified contractor formerly associated with the school." "As soon as school administrators learned that there was any possible violation of approved methods, it took swift and decisive action to terminate the contractor. CCCS employees who are alleged to have carried out such practices were also promptly terminated at that time, and any employees who might have had knowledge of the situation were placed on leave, pending further investigation. CCCS has been completely cooperative with local authorities," a statement from the school read in part. In a press release issued by the DA's office, investigators say school officials confirmed that any use of a 'safety hold' must be reported under state guidelines. School officials confirmed to investigators that no holds were reported by the school during 2024, when many of the abuses were alleged to have taken place. CCCS sent FOX 29 a press release which breaks down the school's association with Peak Performers Staffing Solutions. "CCCS relied on Peak Performers Staffing Solutions, a local vendor that represented itself as expert in the field of classroom management and behavior improvement practices, only to find that Peak Performers employees had not completed necessary training, did not have proper knowledge in their field, and were completely unqualified to manage children," the statement begins. CCCS leaders say they will pursue all necessary legal action against Peak Performer amid the allegations. "CCCS believes Peak Performers must be held accountable so that it can never victimize other students, teachers or schools," the statement ended. What's next FOX 29 tried to reach out to Peak Partners Staffing. So far we have not received a statement. Several of those charged have turned themselves into police. The Source The information in this story is from Chester Community Charter School parents, the Delaware County District Attorney and Chester Township police.
CBS News
31-03-2025
- CBS News
20 Delaware County, Pennsylvania, school employees facing child abuse charges against students, DA says
Twenty people working within a Delaware County charter school have been charged following an investigation into child abuse and child endangerment against more than two dozen elementary school students, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced Monday. In a news release, Stollsteimer said the 20 people who were charged worked in the Chester Community Charter School. As of Monday afternoon, Stollsteimer said he believed 3 of the 20 were in custody, but many had made arrangements to turn themselves in. The school staffers were charged with multiple counts related to child abuse against 26 children, ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade, who were involved in the school's Team Approach to Achieving Academic Success program. According to the school's website, the Team Approach to Achieving Academic Success program, or TAAS, utilizes a "team approach to assessing and assisting students facing unique academic and behavioral challenges." The program is described online as a "hallmark success" at the Chester Community Charter School by "implementing a highly effective method of intervention." The investigation into the staffers began after two parents informed school officials in January 2025 that their children were scared to go to school and be placed in "holds" by staff. "Our investigation showed some staffers physically abusing children while others sat passively and watched. All the adults charged are equally guilty in failing to protect these children, some as young as 5 years old," Stollsteimer said. Nine of the 20 staffers charged allegedly used "techniques to restrain and punish children" that were a part of the school program, according to the DA's Office. The methods of abuse allegedly ranged from pinching students in pressure points near their necks, restraining them and threats of "shoulder work." Stollersteimer explained that shoulder work involved pinching students on the pressure points by their necks, putting them in holds with their arms crossed in front of them, and then having a knee pushed on their back until he student was on the ground. Stollsteimer said many instances of the abuse were captured on surveillance video and that in one incident, he saw a staffer "jack a kid up against the wall." "This is just unacceptable behavior to happen anywhere, but particularly in a school setting for children who are supposed to be getting emotional support," he said. Many of the staffers accused of child abuse were employees of Peak Performers Staffing, LLC, a company co-founded by Jennifer Woodhouse and Emmanuel Gilbert of Chester. Woodhouse said the Peak Performers were trained in safety care techniques; however, when investigators asked for records of the training in restraints and crisis prevention techniques, it was revealed that none of the staffers had the mandated up-to-date training, Stollsteimer said. The Chester Community Charter School principal told investigators that any use of safety holds are required to be reported due to Pennsylvania guidelines. However, no holds were reported by the school for 2024, which is when many instances of abuse happened, according to Stollsteimer. "As soon as school administrators learned that there was any possible violation of approved methods, it took swift and decisive action to terminate the contractor," a statement from Chester Community Charter School read in part. "CCCS employees who are alleged to have carried out such practices were also promptly terminated at that time, and any employees who might have had knowledge of the situation were placed on leave, pending further investigation." The school statement said families were notified as soon as they became aware of the abuse allegations and that the families have all decided to keep their kids enrolled. According to the DA's Office, the 20 people charged include: Raymond Harris, Kabree Daniels, Christian Denny, Martin Mincey, Jr., Harry Woodhouse, Jr., Amaru Mohammed, Leroy Campbell, Adrian Hospedale Monica Griffin, Daemon Pierce, Don'Neisah King Pierce, Arijah Clements, Cyrus Barlee, Neanne Edmonds, Breshonna Belgrave, Deja Bennett-Allen, Ryan Ridley, Maggie Moloney, Dahkeem Williams and Asia Pena. Harris, Daniels, Denny, Mincey, Woodhouse, Mohammad, Campbell, Hospedale and Griffin are charged with conspiracy, simple assault, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child and failure to report endangering the welfare of a child. Pierce, King-Pierce, Clements, Barlee, Edmonds, Belgrave, Bennett-Allen, Ridley, Moloney, Williams and Pena are charged with failure to report the endangering the welfare of a child. "All of these employees, all 20 people, have a duty under Pennsylvania law to report instances of child abuse. They are mandated to report that by law," Stollsteimer said. "So by not reporting it, they violated the law." Stollsteimer said it's an ongoing investigation and authorities are still reviewing surveillance video. Any parents of potential victims are asked to come forward. "This is a systemic problem in this school where these kids in this program were living in fear, a lot of them," he said.
