Two teachers in Spring, Texas, are under investigation after allegedly administering "sleepy stickers" to preschool children without parental consent. The patches, which reportedly contain melatonin, were used on students as young as four years old at Northgate Crossing Elementary School to make them drowsy during class. The alarming allegations have sparked outrage among parents, leading to the suspension of two teachers and two paraprofessionals.
The incident came to light when Lisa Luviano, a concerned parent, discovered her daughter had brought one of the patches home in late September. Described as a sticker with a nighttime motif of stars and moons, her daughter told her it was for "sleeping time" at school. After further investigation, other parents began questioning their children and received similar responses. Another parent, Melissa Gilford, confirmed her child also recognized the patch, calling it a "sleepy sticker." Parents were shocked, with some even likening the situation to drugging their children.
SCHOOL SHOCK Two teachers suspended after ‘giving sleepy stickers’ to pre-school children to keep them quiet in classhttps://t.co/6D8lROGz0z
— Shadygrooove (@shadygrooove) October 11, 2024
Spring Independent School District (ISD) swiftly responded by placing the implicated staff members on administrative leave. Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa expressed deep concern over the matter, stating that the school district had launched both administrative and police investigations. She emphasized that the actions of the staff were "deeply troubling" and "completely unacceptable," offering an apology to the affected families. Hinojosa assured that the district was taking all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The stickers, which were intended for adults and contain melatonin, a sleep aid supplement, raise significant health and ethical concerns. Melatonin, though widely available over the counter, is not generally recommended for young children without medical supervision. Experts warn that it can have unpredictable effects on young bodies, making its unapproved use by school staff particularly dangerous.
Two Texas teachers have been suspended after ‘giving sleepy stickers’ to preschool children to keep them quiet in class.https://t.co/0R8YqRzsn9 pic.twitter.com/USmeFhHxOg
— End Time Headlines (@EndTimeHeadline) October 10, 2024
Parents are demanding accountability and have taken the issue to child protective services. Najla Abdullah, another concerned parent, voiced her frustration, stating, "They're giving them drugs to make them sleep to keep them quiet." The school has not yet confirmed how long the practice had been ongoing or how many children were affected.
This case has raised larger questions about trust in schools and the safeguards necessary to protect children in educational settings. While the investigation is ongoing, the community is grappling with the shock of learning that educators, entrusted with the care of their children, may have crossed ethical boundaries in such a harmful manner.
The Spring ISD has promised transparency as the investigation unfolds. However, the controversy surrounding this incident is not expected to die down soon, as the parents await further details on the extent of the teachers' actions and the outcomes of the legal proceedings.
The controversy is a stark reminder of the responsibilities educators hold and the critical importance of maintaining trust between parents and school officials. As the investigation continues, many parents are left wondering how such actions were allowed to occur unnoticed within a school environment.
