I went to MAPS for most of my K-12 education. My niece now attends this school and it's scares me to pieces that something like this happened. I do have to agree with the person who made a comment about fighting for privacy. I do think that the children that are directly involved should be talking to someone. I do think the school needs to do more. MAPS has always been horrible about informing parents about situations. It's nothing new for them. Its a tough situation especially when parents feel helpless. They don't really know what happened or where it happened. They don't know what to ask their kids or how to talk to them. I hope this gets situated and I sure hope that these children get the help they deserve.

We are all still waiting for that update. The police have completed their investigation...

where is the rest of the info.update?

I am a parent with kids at Jefferson Elementary. Jefferson is a great school, however there are many people like me who are very, very concerned about this incident. Not only that it occurred to begin with, but how it has (or has NOT) been handled by the school, administration and authorities.

Did you know that parents with kids in the classroom where this occurred STILL haven't been contacted by the school or authorities? Yes, 2 notes were sent home, but there still haven't been phone calls made to parents of the other kids in this room.

The school and authorities say they are investigating the incident. Doesn't an investigation start with interviewing people present?

And in this case, personally informing the parents and then interviewing the children with their parents present?

Ask yourself - if you had a kid in this class, who may have WITNESSED A SEXUAL ACT IN THE CLASSROOM - would you be upset that the school did not pick up the phone and call you and advise you of the situation?

And if you had kids in Jefferson school (not in that classroom), would you be concerned about how this is being handled?

I know how my answer is YES and I know there are a lot of other parents out there who feel the same way but don't know what to do, other than coming to this forum and hoping that 10 days after this has been publicized, a thorough investigation will begin.

Please contact me at jeffersonmom@gmail.com if you feel the same way.

I want to know which classroom this happened in and which teacher it was who allowed it to happen. My son goes to Jefferson Elementary and is in the 2nd grade. He was victimized at an extremely young age and the idea that it could happen again (or may have already and he isn't talking)terrorizes me. The schools need to reassure the parents by letting us know when this happened or which teacher was so neglectful. And how do I ask my son questions without leading him or frightening him. I am also afraid this will cause him flashbacks. We have been only four years nightmare free, will they return?

This entire situation has brought me to not trust the school to keep my son safe, and since it is a short week, I am keeping him home.

What concerns me is that children who touch one another in a sexual way probably have been exposed to a 'situation' themselves. Second grade children don't just do things like this... not unless they have been exposed to something they shouldn't have been. I am not saying this is definitely the case, but I sure hope they investigate thoroughly to be sure that the children who have done these acts... haven't been assaulted themselves.

Very concerning when you hear of such young children doing this type of thing. And, how on earth does this happen in a classroom without a teacher not noticing?

My heart just bleeds for the families of both the victim and the accused. The horrid perps you are refereing to are CHILDREN!! They do not understand how horrible their actions were, how damaging to eveyone involved or what a political firestorm they have caused. There are reasons we have juvinile courts for children and adult courts for adults. They have the rest of their lives ahead of them and I hope this does not get them run out of town. Manistee knows better than anyone about shame, and about guilt and about never letting anyone live down a bad mistake. I am glad the feds are involved and heck yes I would want to know what is happening in my children's school, but if that was my kid who pulled a stunt like that, you better belive I would fight tooth and nail to protect his privacy (as if a secret can be kept in that town!) and his rights.

I read the accompanying article. It is hard to believe that a child is harmed on school property & the officials aren't on top of it. It appears that this kind of behavior happened before there but got covered up. There's a real breach of trust going on. I am glad the feds are involved. Also, the child perpetrators should be investigated to find the adult abuser. At the bottom of this is a sexual predator teaching the little kids perverted behavior & victimization.