I can’t believe I even have to write this. But here it goes.

My twin brother, Nick, was senselessly murdered three months ago. Many have asked me how they can help, this is the favor that I'm asking.

Our little sister is going into her senior year at Newtown High School. Senior year is the year my sister will say goodbye to her classmates. The classmates who stood with her eight years ago in the Sandy Hook School gymnasium as another murderer changed her life, and all of our lives, forever. 

However, my sister will be attending her last days at NHS walking in the same hallways as Jeanette Roderick (Manfredonia), the mother of our brother’s murderer, who is a biology teacher at the school. 

Unfortunately, after three months of imploring Newtown Public Schools to change Mrs. Manfredonia’s teaching placement, the district says they do not have the power to remove or transfer her, meaning the decision is up to her.

Mrs. Manfredonia is choosing to return as a teacher at NHS, in the same building as my sister, next week when the school begins its hybrid model.

The school will be meeting with Mrs. Manfredonia to discuss this, and I want them to know how many people understand how inappropriate this is.

I need your help, so that my sister can have somewhat of a normal senior year of high school.

There is no way someone could learn and receive a quality education with the fear of who might be around the corner, or the whispers of her peers in hallways about the obvious elephant in the school.

When we started speaking with the school they suggested my sister go to a different school in another town. This would mean leaving behind the friends she has grown with through tragedy and through love.

How will being taught by a murderer's mother impact the other students who were in Sandy Hook Elementary School on that tragic day? The mother of a gunman who allegedly had Adam Lanza's name written on his bedroom wall?

Newtown, of all towns, should have zero tolerance for gun violence. We need to prevent this from traumatizing all Newtown youth even more.

My sister has seen more tragedy in her 17 years than many people will see in their entire lifetimes. Her mental health is at stake, along with the other students.

Our youngest sister will also be entering Newtown High next year. 

Our mother has been pleading with Superintendent Dr. Lorrie Rodrigue between planning a pandemic-safe funeral, cleaning out my brother’s apartment, and everything else that comes with losing your child. This is the last thing she needs to worry about. 

Please sign and share this petition urging Jeanette Roderick (Manfredonia) to reconsider her position at Newtown High School.

Thank you so much for your time and thank you to everyone who has supported my family so graciously these past three months. 

We Choose Love.

Michael Eisele