Providence Public School Teacher Arrested for Assaulting Student
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence Public School Teacher Arrested for Assaulting Student
On Tuesday, GoLocal was first to report that three Providence Public School teachers are under investigation for their involvement in three separate incidents.
On Wednesday, GoLocal learned that one of the individuals who is under investigation - Susan Rizzo, a librarian at Pleasant View Elementary School - has been arrested on simple assault charges.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
About Report
According to the Providence Police report, on October 17, a woman went to Central Station to report that her son had been allegedly assaulted by his library teacher at Pleasant the day before.
The mother told police that her son began to “act out” in the library, when Rizzo allegedly “struck him with the force of an open hand on his back.”
The police report states that there was an adult witness to the event.
Rizzo was arrested on Monday when she turned herself in to police and was released.
Latest at Schools
As GoLocal previously reported:
GoLocal secured copies of the letters that were sent to the families of three different Providence schools relating to the incidents.
Lillian Feinstein Elementary School — November 10 Letter
The letter to families at the school read in part:
Friday afternoon, it was reported that a new staff member at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School at Sackett Street allegedly engaged with a student under their supervision in a manner that violated our professional standards. Providence Police responded promptly, and the employee was immediately placed on leave and has not returned to the school. This was an isolated incident, and no other students were involved or observed the event. This staff member was placed on leave pending an internal investigation.
This incident came on the heels of two other incidents GoLocal unveiled at the school in September.
Veazie Street Elementary School — November 10 Letter
The letter to families at the school read in part:
Friday afternoon, it was reported that a Veazie Street Behavioral Support Assistant (BSA) allegedly engaged with a student under their supervision in a manner that violated our professional standards. Providence Police responded to the school today to open an investigation. This was an isolated incident that was observed by a colleague, and no other students were involved. The staff member has been placed on leave pending an internal investigation.
Pleasant View Elementary School — October 17 Letter
That letter to families read in part:
I am writing today to inform you about an unfortunate incident that occurred in school yesterday. During a period outside of the classroom, a staff member displayed unprofessional behavior in front of other students. When administrators learned of this incident today, the conduct was addressed immediately and the staff member has been placed on leave pending an investigation. The involved students' family was contacted. Additional supports have been put in place to support the student for the remainder of the school year.
Response from the Providence School Administration
Alex Torres-Perez, Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs, wrote in an email to GoLocal Monday night, “The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.”
PPSD did not release any additional details related to the specifics of the incidents.
“The recent incidents are deeply concerning and unacceptable as every member of our school community deserves to feel safe and respected. We are committed to maintaining that standard. In order to do that, we are constantly assessing our safety protocols and strengthening our communication between staff, students and families, Torres-Perez added.