European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 08, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday May 8, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 9 education news false accusations called serious threat by William j. Bartman Washington Bureau Washington an overseas teachers Union has threatened court action against parents and military officials who falsely accuse teachers of child abuse. This is the most serious Throat on the welfare of teachers overseas i be seen in my 25 years defending teachers  said  Lehmann. European director for the overseas federation of teachers. Teachers Are absolutely threatened and  Lehmann said he was aware of at least five cases of unsubstantiated allegations of child abuse levelled against teachers in the Mediterranean Region. He warned that parents face grave risks to their careers w Hon they make such   pointed to a suit filed by an in Ciurlik elementary teacher As the first step in the Union s Campaign to Lake its accusers to coun. The Union s initial counteraction involves Barbara Hawkins of in Ciurlik elementary who was absolved oct. 18 of charges that she had physically abused the son of air Force Cap. Thomas Metcalf. The air Force s office of special investigations handled the probe. Hawkins filed suit in a turkish court charging the Parent with slander and criminal intent to defame her professional reputation. Parents who Are considering this Type of unfounded action should be aware thai they cannot make such serious. Damaging and false charges such As those filed against Hawkins with  Uhmann said. In addition to the Hawkins Case the Oft plans to file suits against parents or military officials in Italy. Spain and Portugal. Lehmann said the Union is seeking Relief through overseas courts because of the Cost of bringing Legal action through the . Court system and the distance. The Union has set aside funds for its members Legal costs associated with child abuse charges. Defense department attorney Robert Stein said the Mil itary supports employee efforts to fight harassment but said that All child abuse charges must be thoroughly investigated. There s always the possibility that there Are those cases where somebody uses policy for the wrong  he said. But having a teacher that was guilty remain in the classroom for the six months it takes to investigate that would be criminal  Lehmann charged that overseas teachers Are subject to a military Justice system that is freewheeling without due process guarantees and subject to improper local com Mand influences. There s no judicial review. Teachers Don t have the right to see their accusers or the right to an open  Lehmann said. When a complaint is filed we move in quickly to deter mine whether there is something  said Barbara Pope Deputy assistant Secretary of defense for family sup port education and safety. I mean kids do it file abuse complaints against their parents. There has to be some caution As to the veracity of the charges. There is due process Pope said. Anyone is innocent until proven  said the major concern among military officials is that commanders have sometimes tried to suppress the child abuse problem and we Don t want it  overseas education association spokeswoman Sandra Vickstrom said that although her Union is not actively encouraging members to file suit Over untrue child abuse accusations the sea leadership is disturbed by reports that parents in the Pacific Region Are lodging inaccurate charges of child abuse against teachers. Parents arc saying that teachers Are mentally abusing their  Vickstrom said. Some parents have Cone straight to family advocacy or Security police. Without seeing the teacher first. They make claims such As the teacher has embarrassed the child or caused them to suffer  said teachers Are removed from classrooms during some investigations to protect the accused and the alleged  s say there was a kid who got a in and the teacher was being investigated for abuse and this student wanted Roget even. He could file a charge too. So it s for the Benefit of the teacher As Well that they Are removed from the class  stud end ideas heeded thanks to suggestion Box by Janet  staff writer Frankfurt. West Germany it All started when a shoe Box. Used to col Lect suggestions at a school open House was left behind on the school s office counter. Two weeks later when Frankfurt mid dle school principal Catherine Ake decided to throw the eyesore away she paused. When i picked up the Box. It rattled and inside i found about 211 slips of paper All suggestions from  she said. The first slips were signed by starving students who said they could t Stom Ach the school s regular lunch offerings. Portions the students complained also were too Small. Ake worked with the cafes staff to provide better service and complaints about the cafeteria food stopped after december. But the teens still Iclet some thing was lacking during their midday meal they wanted music to Munch by. Now. A variety of Rock rap soul country and classical music Lills the lunchroom. These Davs the school s new wooden suggestion Box averages about 15 re quests per week from the k75-Mcmbcr student body. Ake reads the notes on fridays and answers them in the school bulletin which also is read Over the pub Lic address system each Day. Seventh grader David Moore figured his suggestion for a skateboard contest at the school had As much Chance of Success As a three sixty an airborne body spin with the rider returning to the rolling Board. Despite those Odds Moore and two other teens spent a week planning the project before handing the idea Over to the principal. Two Days later the idea was approved. Since november everything from a request for left handed desks to questions about handling peer pressure have poured in. Some suggestions have been turned Down basketball in the gym a lunchtime and wearing biking shorts at school for example but the students generally get More nods than nays to suggestions for improving the school. As suggested exams have been spread out Over the school week and basketball and track have been added to the school s is Michael Abrama Frankfurt Middle school principal Cathe Rine Ake reads a note from the in. Physical education program. The principal actually answers and listens to  Moore said. With Romany kids in this school the can t do everything for everybody. This Way everyone can be  of the notes showing up in inc Box have touched on harder hitting con Cerns. One student had questions about suicide others about drugs. One unsigned slip of paper was from a teen who was being sexually abused at  could t Tio anything without know ing who it was Ake said. Those who do sign suggestion slips get the Chance to meet with the principal before their concerns Are addressed in the bulletin. According to Ake. The suggestion program makes the school population feel important. And while it still lakes Lime to follow up on their ideas i feel it s time Well spent Ake  Moore is one student who s pleased Wilh the program. His contest held april 18. Drew 40hoi-Doggers and was dubbed a Success even if Moore himself was sidelined. While looking for a ramp the Day before the contest he fell on some wet pave ment and needed stitches in his leg. Thai time it was Ake who had the suggestion maybe next year she said. Mannheim West Germany i huh school Junior Richard Jones concentrates while painting hair As a Fini Shine ouch on the two ranged monster he created out of Clay. The 17-year-old student is in an Art class taught by Ron Koehn. Soon someone Neaf to Meef new York a move Over. Or. Was born to Lucy Ricardo in 1953. Graver. It s a squirt Ernie and Bert. Hear the word. Big Bird sesame Street is having a baby. The show is creating one of its own. No to birth has been More eagerly awaited since Ricky characters Luis and Maria married at the end of last season will have a baby in this season s finale. Details of the blessed event arc closely guarded and those who know the child s sex Are sworn to secrecy