Events
Clarkstown Principal Files Police Report Over End of Year Silly String Celebration
NEW CITY, NY – Around two weeks ago, we were contacted by a parent from New City Elementary describing an upsetting situation that occurred during an end of year graduation celebration. On Wednesday, June 26th the New City Elementary School 5th grade class held their annual end of year celebrations.
The graduates would walk-out (titled a “Clap Out”) the front entrance of school to be greeted by their parents and siblings. The ceremony is the final time the students will walk out of elementary school before they move on to Felix Festa Middle School next year.
As is the case in many elementary schools, parents coordinate with the school administration on end of year celebrations. During these discussions, parents discussed the idea of spraying their children with silly string along with a “2019” ballon arch. Multiple sources and texts message indicate that both requests were initially approved by New City Elementary Principal Deb Forman. According to Principal Forman (police report), she alleges that she informed the parents that “silly string” was prohibited. While we can’t confirm or deny these statements, what happens next is completely unexpected.
As the students begin to exit, Principal Forman can be heard saying “no silly string” to the parents assembled in parallel lines. You can visibly see slightly before and after her instructions, parents start spraying silly string. As this unfolds, the Principal can be seen walking in the direction of the students, and is visibly sprayed along with many others students by parents. Ms. Forman, is immediately visibly upset, and exits from the celebration. As the video proceeds, you see parents continuing to spray smiling kids as they walk out.
On Thursday, June 27 at 11 am, New City Elementary Principal Deb Forman went to the Clarkstown Police Department to file a police report regarding the silly string incident. (read full report below) She alleges that all parents were advised not to bring “silly string” to school, and that there have been some ongoing issues with some of the parents. Furthermore, she singles out one parent, Laurie Santulli, who she alleges sprayed silly string that ended up on Principal Forman. Santulli, an educator, is also a Rockland County Legislator who represents Congers and parts of New City. Principal Forman requested that the incident be documented and no further action was taken on behalf of the Clarkstown Police Department.
We were able to obtain video of the event. Below, we have slowed down the 10 seconds when the incident occurs.
“On what was one of the most memorable days of my life, seeing my youngest child with a big smile on his face walk out of elementary school for last time would soon turn to confusion. What is clear is that many parents were confused by Mrs. Forman’s last minute decision. I was shocked to discover that Mrs. Forman would single me out in a police report. The video as well as many other parent videos show she was severely mistaken.” said Legislator Laurie Santulli
In the video above, you can visibly see that the scene was somewhat chaotic. It is pretty obvious that Principal Forman was sprayed along with the students. It is our view, the Principal was accidentally sprayed by a parent who was directly across from her wearing a black shirt.
