To Whom It May Concern,

We, the undersigned parents and guardians of students at Charlestown Elementary School, are writing to bring urgent attention to ongoing and serious disruptions in our children’s education. Despite repeated emails and communications to both the principal and superintendent, no adequate steps have been taken to address these issues.

Currently, entire classrooms of children are being evacuated on a near-daily basis due to behavioral outbursts. These evacuations are prolonged, often lasting significant portions of the school day, resulting in a substantial loss of instructional time. Teachers are frequently forced out of their classrooms without access to necessary teaching materials, leaving them no option but to attempt instruction in hallways or other unsuitable spaces.

This situation is unacceptable and deeply concerning. It violates the guarantees set forth in Rhode Island’s Basic Education Program (BEP) Regulations, which affirm every student’s right to a safe, secure, and stable learning environment and require that districts provide sufficient instructional time and access to learning. Displacing entire classrooms of children for extended periods of time undermines these rights and directly jeopardizes their educational progress.

Furthermore, this raises serious safety concerns. Students should not be subjected to repeated evacuations or placed in environments that are chaotic, unpredictable, and unsafe. Teachers should not be left unsupported or stripped of the resources they need to provide quality instruction.

We respectfully request that the Rhode Island Department of Education take immediate action to:

 1. Investigate the frequency and severity of behavioral disruptions at Charlestown Elementary.

 2. Ensure compliance with Rhode Island BEP Regulations regarding instructional time, safety, and equitable access to education.

 3. Provide oversight and support so that teachers are not forced to hold class in hallways or without necessary materials.

 4. Implement effective, evidence-based interventions to support individual students with behavioral challenges without displacing entire classrooms of children.

We urge the Department to act swiftly, as the current situation is depriving children of their right to education under state law and creating an unsafe environment for both students and staff.

Sincerely,

Concerned Parents and Guardians of Charlestown Elementary School