Taunton Schools Superintendent Apologizes After Elementary Student Injured

TAUNTON — Taunton Public Schools Superintendent John Cabral is apologizing to the family of a student at Elizabeth Pole Elementary School after the child's neck was injured by a jump rope.

According to the superintendent's statement, the incident took place at recess on Tuesday, Oct. 11, but the parents were not notified after the student visited the school nurse.

A group of students were playing with the jump rope by wrapping it around each other and then spinning them by pulling on it, Cabral said.

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School officials investigated and deemed the incident accidental.

"At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that there was any malicious intent behind this incident," the statement reads.

It is unclear how bad the injury was.

Cabral noted that a review revealed multiple "reporting and communication errors" from school officials, including the failure to notify the students' parents.

A school resource officer with the Taunton police was also notified, and tried to contact the student's family, according to the superintendent.

Cabral said student safety is the schools' core responsibility, and officials will be more proactive going forward and will review policies and procedures around communicating student injuries.

"While we have been in contact with the student’s family throughout this week, we know we can do better," he wrote, adding that he has scheduled a meeting with the family to hear their concerns.

"I want to sincerely apologize to the family of this student for our failure in communication."