School Responds to 7News Inquiry Regarding Toddler's Restraint with a Towel at Alexandria Institution
In the heart of North Alexandria, the Vinci School, led by its founder and principal Dr. Dan Yang, has been in the spotlight recently. An incident that transpired over the summer has triggered a wave of changes at the preschool.
According to Dr. Yang, she and her staff reported the incident promptly upon learning about it. The incident, as verified by Child Protective Services, involved a teacher's actions that, while not malicious, raised concerns due to a picture showing a toddler secured to a chair at the Vinci School in August.
Dr. Yang emphasizes that working with young children presents daily challenges, but witnessing their growth and success is rewarding. She underscores the importance of establishing a solid routine and positive reinforcement for young children, rather than physical discipline.
In response to the incident, Dr. Yang and her team have retrained their staff and made it clear that violating regulations, even with good intentions, can result in immediate dismissal. The teacher involved in the incident was let go, despite pleas from other parents.
The safety and well-being of the children at Vinci School is paramount to Dr. Yang. She assures that they are being completely transparent and honest about the incident. The Virginia Department of Social Services has a full report on the incident, but details are not being disclosed to protect the child's privacy.
Dr. Yang is emphasizing other aspects to her staff, such as maintaining predictability and open communication with children. She reiterates that any form of physical restraint is prohibited by the school's rules.
The Vinci School, under Dr. Yang's leadership, continues to prioritize the education and well-being of its students, learning from the summer incident and moving forward with a renewed focus on positive reinforcement and adherence to regulations.
