Sandwich science class presentation irks parents, students

Parents of some fifth-graders at a Sandwich school were horrified when their teacher decided to invite a presenter to class who showed them cell development at different stages of growth.

It happened during a class last Thursday at the Forestdale School. The teacher allegedly had the presenter come into her class with embryos, hearts and lungs at different stages of development.

The jars contained formaldehyde and, while students wore latex gloves while handling the jars, we're told the fire department should have been alerted, due to the dangerous nature of the chemical.

School Principal Sharon Bellao approved the science lesson.

Parents we talked to tonight say it's too much to show young children without permission from their parents.

The school will hold an emergency meeting on the matter on Tuesday night.

Statement from Dr. Mary Ellen Johnson, Superintendent of Schools:

I am aware of the concerns resulting from a science lesson at the Forestdale School in a fifth grade classroom. I have looked into the situation and determined that a fifth grade teacher invited a guest speaker, a Pathologist Assistant, to the classroom for a study on cells. Prior to the lesson, the students had developed a list of their own questions on cell development. The guest speaker did share examples of cell development from a scientific background. The children viewed slides of lung tissue, brain, skin, kidneys and spleen. They also viewed specimens of zygote and embryo development with a focus on the development of tissues to organs. They also viewed heart, liver and appendix tissues. The guest speaker spoke about her own experience in school and how this influenced her decision to become a pathologist assistant.

The principal and I will be meeting with the parents of the students involved to discuss the matter.
Because this is a personnel issue, no further comment is available at this time.

Statement from Robert F. Simmons, Jr., Caiman of the Sandwich School Committee

The School Committee is very concerned about these events. The Superintendent has met with the principal and will also be meeting with the teacher and the parents of those students involved.