Son Bitten by Head Start Classmate; Policy Won’t Expel, Mom Frustrated

WOODBINE – Sometimes the best of intentions to give children a running start to their education go awry in the execution.
The Herald was contacted by Michele Rose of Woodbine who wrote, “I have been having an issue with Woodbine Early Head Start program. My now 2-year old son has gone there for a year, and we’ve been having an issue with a child abusing my son and other children by biting them. I can’t do much about the other children being bitten, I know that, but I am looking to fix the problem for my son which will hopefully fix it for the other children.”
Response Sought
The Herald then solicited input from the Gateway Community Action Partnership administrators of the Head Start program.
“We take any parental concerns very seriously, especially since we are a community-based organization and always have the best interests of the community and children uppermost at all times,” said Michael Cudemo, vice president for planning, based in Bridgeton. 
Per its website description, the early intervention Head Start program is a full-year program that provides affordable child care for children ages 0-5 years with experienced, degreed teachers; nourishing breakfast, lunch, and snack daily; age-appropriate instruction; supervised play time; field trips and activities and transportation.
Potential participants may qualify for services if they are working, attending school or living in an Abbott district and services may be free to income-eligible families.
“Abbott districts” are school districts in New Jersey that are provided remedies to ensure that their students receive public education in accordance with the state Constitution. They were created in 1985 as a result of the first ruling of Abbott v. Burke, a case filed by the Education Law Center.
Tried to Personally Handle
Rose went on to explain that the biting incidents affecting her son started in the first three months of this year, throughout the summer months with the last incident happening Aug. 7. She had taken photos and given signed incident reports to Head Start personnel.
“You may be asking why I waited so long to try and get a hold of someone. That would be because I’ve been trying to handle this on my own with the actual Head Start itself.”
Rose listed the various Head Start personnel she had contacted including, “The teacher who tells me she’s doing what she’s supposed to do. I’ve contacted the family service coordinator for Head Start, and she asked me if this was my first child. I’ve contacted Karen Houser, who is the building director for Woodbine Head Start. She told me that she’s been trying to fix this problem also, but she’s been deadlocked by everybody saying that they’re doing what they’re supposed to do. 
Up the Chain
“I have reached out to Bonnie Eggenburg. I also tried to get a hold of Kelly (I don’t know her last name) who is the district director. She said nothing can be done.”
“I’ve received the reports about the biting incidents, and we are engaging all the appropriate resources we have to address this behavior as we do with all behaviors that are harmful to the children,” Eggenburg said.
“We are working closely with the parents of both children including a mental health team working with the child who is biting and with the site director.
Emotional Issue
“Biting is a very emotional issue; in fact, when my own child was in pre-school 30 years ago and was being bitten I remember how emotional I felt.”
Eggenburg has been working with the program as an education manager for 19 years and as a teacher before that since 1986. Continuing with her explanation of the situation, “Biting is one of the hardest behaviors to address, but under our regulations, we are not allowed to expel any child.
“Every child, and we have programs for children from 0-3 years of age, has a right to early Head Start resources. My understanding is that these biting incidents are not occurring on a daily basis, that they started in the winter, stopped and now there have been more recent incidences.
Using Right Techniques
“We are using all the right techniques with this child including providing toys to bite on and appropriate shadowing by one of the teachers who can bodily shield other children to help the child who is biting develop the necessary social skills.”
Both emphasized that this early intervention at the youngest age through the early Head Start program affords great benefits. “Research shows the many advantages of this program. We offer everything from mental health services, dental and health care and we really strive to take care of the whole child.”
Legal Liability
In responding to a question about potential legal liability, given the ongoing and known nature of the biting incidents, Eggenburg responded, “For any accident on-site we would cover doctor bills and for horrific incidents, counseling as well.”
She concluded by saying, “Gateway Early Head Start takes seriously the growth, development, and safety of all of its infants and toddlers. We are dedicated to helping all children to achieve their best, and sometimes that means helping a child that is struggling to learn socially acceptable behaviors while at the same time protecting other children so that they can also learn. 
“Our highly-trained team works together to provide love, guidance and a supportive, caring environment in which all children succeed.”
“I understand children really well, I have three of my own, and I am not looking to have this child expelled,” Rose said. 
Nothing’s Working
“I can’t say anybody from the program is working with me as has been stated. With so many biting incidents over so many months, it’s clear none of the techniques are working, and the program is not providing a safe environment for my child and the other children.
“So, in fact, per the parent handbook I was given the first day, the program can indeed expel this child because of the situation and when certain methods have been exhausted.
“There is provided in the handbook the option to home school and develop an individual plan that provides the same services.
“My son is coming home with bite marks on his arms and another child too. It’s clear the biting child can’t interact and react appropriately with the other children.
“The teacher tells my child to stay away from the biting child, but since he’s 2-years-old, of course, he doesn’t understand what is meant. And then we feel like the program is putting the blame on my son for being bitten.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.