Passaic Arts and Sciences Charter School

"On September 27th I sent in 24 goodie bags for Kimberly and her classmates, therefore they can sing happy birthday to her and distribute the goodie bags during snack time, as discussed with Yahaira Hopper previously. I was advised by Yahaira Hopper to send in a cupcake for Kimberly to sing happy birthday at school given no food is allowed due to allergies. I sent Yahaira Hopper a message on the morning of September 27th advising what had been sent for Kimberly's birthday and asking for pictures. I did not hear back from Yahaira until late in the day, which is odd given we communicate every other day with prompt responses on both ends. Yahaira Hopper sent me a message saying that Kimberly refused pictures and did not want her cupcake. Upon picking up kimberly, the first thing she said to me was "mommy they didn't sing happy birthday to me." I said "why?" Kimberly said "I told my teacher at snack time we have to sing happy birthday and she said why, I said because I have a surprise at school and she said why again and I didnt say anything because I was scared." Kimberly was sent in with a tutu and headband for her birthday. Kimberly said she asked Yahaira Hopper to take a picture of her and Yahaira Hopper responded with "you have to take the tutu off." Yahaira Hopper never took the picture. I asked Kimberly where the goodie bags were since her birthday wasn't celebrated at school. Kimberly said her other teacher distributed the goodie bags out to the kids at the end of the day before going home. I shared this concern with the school director and placed a complaint with the main office. They were very receptive of my concerns but did share with me that they might not be able to change Kimberly to a different class because it may affect another student and space was limited. I didn’t send Kimberly the next day waiting to hear from them. I sent Kimberly the next day given I hadn’t heard anything and followed up via email, I was told that the director was absent and that she will get back to me. Kimberly informed me that when she returned to school given that I hadn't heard back from the school, Yahaira Hopper walked over to her and knocked over the chalk she was drawing with. I informed the school who said they would review the cameras, I never heard back from them. Kimberly also told me about all the unusual questions Yahaira Hopper asked her about if she already celebrated her birthday. The next day, Kimberly told me she was playing with her cubes and Yahaira Hopper knocked them over. I emailed the school to inform them of both instances where Yahaira Hopper was knocking over the things Kimberly was playing with. I never heard back. I became very nervous for Kimberly’s safety therefore withdrew her from the school, I never heard back. What I did hear back from the school was Miss Rabelo, she told me that the school helps me even though they are not supposed to given she enrolled Kimberly in one of the after school clubs despite me not sending in the form by the deadline. I feel there’s no comparison between enrolling a child who is five in a club and asking a child who is five why do you want us to sing happy birthday to you. This approach from this school is very disappointing, Yahaira Hopper practiced emotional and psychological abuse towards a five year old on her Birthday. She furthered her abuse to physical bullying by knocking down the toys Kimberly was playing with after I shared my concerns with the school. The school stood strong behind their “veteran teacher” was the term they used when I shared my concerns, and never got back to me. Do what you will with this information. But if your child is assigned Yahaira Hopper, pray, pray and pray for her emotional regulation. P.S. She may have gotten away with abusing a five year old child this time, but if she ever abuses your child and you need another example, or victim, please reach out to me. I’m contempt with time revealing all and I'm sure Yahaira Hopper will continue this behavior with the school behind her as she is a “veteran abuser.”"