Parents of preschoolers calling for “justice” in California have accused a teacher of applying mood-altering stickers to their kids without consent.
“She should be in jail.”
(Video: Fox 11)
Outside the Options for Learning Head Start facility in South El Monte, California, outraged parents had gathered with their young children to share their shock and dismay after their preschool became the center of controversy.
Observed behavioral changes in their kids in recent weeks was followed by the discovery of exposure to “ZenPatch Mood Calming Stickers,” Fox 11 reported, that in some instances had even left tots demonstrating “withdrawal” symptoms.
“We were surprised and really upset because you bring your kids, and you expect it to be good, you know,” mother Vicky Cano told the outlet.
Stephanie Rodriguez, whose 4-year-old son attends Options for Learning, recounted to the Los Angeles Times how one mother had picked up her son on Nov. 15 and discovered a patch on his back. Noticing an herbal aroma coming from the sticker that depicted a sloth, the mom sent it around in a group chat.
Rodriguez showed it to her son, Ethan, who she explained readily recognized it, “His face was like an addict’s face. He said, ‘Oh, yeah, that’s the sticker. That’s the koala sticker.”
Other children confirmed to Fox 11 locations on their bodies where the unnamed teacher was said to have placed similar stickers meant to calm the children and make them more manageable.
In a statement from Options for Learning CEO Paul F. Pulver, the official spoke about what the stickers “advertised as harmless.”
“Over our 40-year history, the safety and well-being of our students have been at the core of our mission at Options for Learning. The stickers are advertised as harmless; they contain natural aromas including lavender, orange, cedarwood, and mandarin,” it was noted having confirmed the “aromatic stickers were given to a limited number of students.”
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Pulver stated, “their distribution violated our policy requiring parental decision-making and consent on all such matters. The employee who provided the stickers has been fired.”
“We will not compromise when it comes to the care, safety, and peace of mind of our students and families,” he said.
Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras emphasized it was “not advisable” to expose any child to products like the patches reportedly used without a thorough understanding of their medical background on top of the need to obtain parental consent. Along with impacts to their moods and sleep patterns, he pointed to the potential danger of allergic reactions.
“He’s never talkative,” Monique Mata told the Times of changes noted in her 4-year-old son Ezra’s behavior. “Before, he would talk about how his day went at school and answer questions. I asked him now, and he was just like, ‘I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about it.’ He’s very timid and really mellowed out.”
The statement from Options for Learning read, “The employee is no longer with Options for Learning. Our investigation is ongoing, and an incident report has been submitted to licensing, which will conduct its own investigation. We are reinforcing child safety with all our teachers and classroom staff.”
“I just feel like they’re in on it,” Mata added. “They’re saying that everything is OK now, but it’s not. This is just the beginning.”
Rodriguez expressed a similar sentiment as she told Fox 11 of the teacher’s alleged responsibility, “Firing her is not good enough at all. I want justice. She should be in jail.”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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