Fulton School district reports themselves for violating privacy laws

Fulton Middle schoolers were welcomed back from spring break on Monday with an apology.

After a week of reviewing what happened during the “Claim It” game, Fulton’s superintendent Jacque Cowherd said they did violate probably seven or eight points on the privacy law.

The “Claim It” game was when teachers asked students a list of questions and had the class step forward or back to answer yes or no.

Some of the questions asked included if they had ever been raped or molested.

“The bottom line is the questions were inappropriate. And after I understood what the questions were.. they were not appropriate in any format. And the only thing I can say at this point is I am sorry that this happened to their children and as we re-group and try and have a good end of the school year we will move forward and make sure that this doesn’t happen again. period,” said Cowherd.

The school district has gone back and forth these past two weeks with whether this activity was in line with Missouri curriculum.

The district first sent an apology to parents, then said the activity was aligned with DESE standards, and now are taking responsibility.

ABC 17 News asked Cowherd on Monday why the district ever said the game was aligned to standards?

Which was this:

“After gathering more information about the activity done in the PE class on Friday , it has been learned that the activity is called Claim It and was part of a day focused on Character Education. The activity is aligned to the Missouri State Standards for health and is also a part of the FMS Health Curriculum.

The activity is designed to be welcoming and inclusive so students don’t feel isolated and alone. It is never the intent to make any student feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.

Additionally, the activity was not mandatory and students were not penalized if they chose not to participate.”

Cowherd on Monday said when they sent that email out they had not seen the questions.

However, the email they sent parents and the media had those questions attached to the email.

On Monday parents told ABC 17 News that they are still worried, and that this game may have brought out the bigger issue with the school district.

“My first reaction is that this is a step in the right direction, but it is a step about a week too late. I’m concerned this is a step just to get parents to be quiet and not a step to actually help our children,” said Amanda Murdie, a sixth grade parent.

Cowherd said all faculty is now reviewing policy.

When ABC 17 News asked Cowherd about those directly involved with activity if they will face some sort of punishment, he said they are going through extensive training and are mortified.

He also said the principal was the one who approved the activity.

As of Monday Jan Bailey and Chris Daily are the administrators at Fulton Middle School for the remainder of the school year.

Bailey is the junior high computers instructor.