The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

Lincoln-Sudbury walkout planned after alleged sexual assault of student in 2013

In the wake of a sexual assault lawsuit recently filed against Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, some students have planned a walkout for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 29.

L-S Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong noted in an email to the L-S community on Sunday night that the walkout is permitted by school policy. However, non-L-S individuals who aren’t already at the school for a specific school-related purpose will be excluded from campus during the event.

The school as well as Wong, Director of Special Education and Director of Student Services Aida Ramos, and East House Housemaster/Associate Principal Leslie Patterson were sued  on April 24 by a former student who claims the school discriminated against her and inflicted emotional distress after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by two other students in 2013.

Allegations in the lawsuit include the following (the plaintiff is referred to as“Jane Roe” and the two boys are not named):

  • During a football game at the high school on November 1, 2013, Jane was lured to an adjacent field by the boys, who assaulted her on the bleachers of the field adjacent to the football field and in an unlocked storage shed near the bleachers. “Although Jane tried to resist, the perpetrators forced Jane to perform oral sex and penetrated her with their fingers.”
  • In text messages to Jane afterwards, “both perpetrators admit to having acted improperly and [begged] for Jane’s forgiveness and silence.” One of them told her he was terrified of going to “juvie” and losing his girlfriend if the incident became public. He tried to persuade Jane to keep silent by indicating that he was crying, to which Jane said that she’d “been crying ever since I left u guys,” and continued, “I resisted… I tried to run away… you both raped me.” In a separate text exchange with the other boy, Jane confronted him for attempting to justify his actions to another classmate by saying he was ‘drunk and high’.”
  • Six days after the incident, Jane reported it to L-S clinical counselor Sue Leichtman, who notified Patterson and Jane’s mother, a Lincoln-Sudbury teacher. Jane also showed screenshots of the text messages between her and the boys. Sudbury police subsequently began investigating. Jane’s parents obtained Harassment Prevention Orders from Middlesex County Juvenile Court to prohibit the boys from interacting with her.
  • Though Jane returned to school on November 12, she was unable to attend classes because the boys were allowed to remain in school and shared classes with her. Patterson therefore had her sit in the East House common area for most of the day. “She was not assigned work to complete and had little to no interaction with teachers, counselors or other Lincoln-Sudbury personnel. She spent her days sitting alone, listening to her iPod” while a steady stream of students, including the boys, passed through the area to check their mailboxes.
  • Wong told Jane’s parents that the school could not give them information about any investigation or discipline, citing privacy concerns because “the perpetrators were allegedly special education students, as was Jane.”
  • L-S did not provide Jane with any counseling or therapy services. She began seeing a therapist at her family’s expense.
  • On November 20, Patterson told Jane’s parents that L-S was finally allowed by the police to conduct its own investigation of Jane’s allegations, but that the school was not allowed to talk to the perpetrators and had no authority to punish or remove them from the school.
  • Because the school could not adequately support Jane or keep her apart at all times from the boys, it suggested she enroll in a therapeutic school, EDCO Collaborative School (then in Watertown). The district denied the Roes’ request for Jane to attend a different equivalent public or private school closer to home; also, her EDCO education was inferior because she had to drop her double enrollment in math, did not receive a wellness credit, and could no continue as a two-season athlete. When Jane’s special education liaison sent her a recommendation for private schools, she was reprimanded by Ramos.
  • In March 2014, Jane was admitted to Anna Jacques Hospital for a week after telling her therapist she felt suicidal.
  • L-S launched the BEACON program in the fall of 2014 for students who had either formerly been outplaced due to depression and anxiety or to avoid such outplacement, but Jane’s parents were told she did not qualify.
  • In the fall of 2014, Jane’s parents enrolled her at Lawrence Academy at their expense. She graduated from that school in 2017.
  • In October 2015, the district told the Roes that its investigation of Jane’s allegations was inconclusive. However, in August 2017 after both boys had graduated, Jane’s mother received another letter from Ramos and South House Housemaster Peter Elenbaas claiming that the 2015 letter had incorrectly reported the school’s findings. “In that August 2017 letter, Lincoln-Sudbury for the first time admitted and acknowledged that its investigation had found ‘that there was sufficient evidence that an interaction of an egregious nature did occur on the evening of November 1st, and that the boys’ conduct substantially violated one of the core values of L-S’.”
  • Lincoln-Sudbury “deliberately failed to accurately report the results of its investigation prior to August of 2017 because the perpetrators remained students at the school and defendants did not want to contend with adverse publicity or parental complaints about the presence of known perpetrators of ‘physical assault and inappropriate sexual behavior’ within the school.”

The lawsuit charges L-S with failure to train and supervise response to sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and discrimination on the basis of gender in violation of Title IX.

While noting that she could not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit that had been reported by various media outlets, Wong addressed the issue of sexual assault in two emails to the L-S community on April 27. In the first, she urged any student who had experienced unwanted verbal or physical sexual contact to notify someone at the school.

“The second you disclose to a trusted adult at L-S you will receive immediate attention and support,” Wong said. “You can tell ANY adult in this building and they will know what to do to make sure you get the help that you need.”

In the second email, Wong outlined the school’s measures to prevent sexual assault and support victims, including education around boundaries and consent, peer leaders trained through the Mentors in Violence Prevention program, self-defense classes and security cameras.

When an allegation of sexual assault occurs, “the police are provided the first opportunity to fully interview the affected parties in order to ascertain criminality,” Wong said. “We are able to interview the students more fully once the police have had their opportunity to interview. School discipline can only occur after these interviews are held. At the close of any incident of sexual assault, we also conduct a separate Title IX investigation to ensure that the civil rights of the student involved have been adequately protected.”

“We rely on every member of our community to help each of our students reach their fullest potential and to keep them safe. We cannot stress enough the importance of their learning about how to best maintain their own personal safety, and to reach out when in need of support,” Wong said.

Correction

In a set of obituaries published on April 25, the nickname of Elizabeth “Bisty” Donaldson was misspelled. The original story has been corrected.

Council on Aging activities in May

Piano class with Wanda Paik
May 1 and 15 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will be held on May 1 and 15 from 10–11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.

Mindfulness walks in nature
May 1 at 1 p.m.
Spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays May 1 and June 5 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place is to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let your senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Council on Aging. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org.

Surviving and thriving through life’s challenges
May 2 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically-proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to Bemis Hall at 9:30 on Wednesdays, May 2, 16, and 30 and June 13 to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, Social Worker, Life Coach, Certified and Licensed Facilitator of Positive Psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

The many faces of loss: a new group
May 2 at 10 a.m.
As we age we confront loss in many forms. It may be the death of loved ones. It may also be dealing with physical health, or cognitive changes in loved ones, friends or in ourselves. It may include regrets about lost opportunities and we may also confront the recognition of our own mortality. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, one of the COA’s social workers with many years of experience helping people navigate the losses of later life, will be facilitating a group that will give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The six-week group will run on Wednesdays 10–11:30 on May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6. Signing up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 is helpful but not required. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in May

Obituaries

Bitsy Donaldson

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Elizabeth “Bisty” Donaldson on Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at the First Parish Church in Lincoln. Donaldson, who died on March 19 at age 99, was a former member of the Lincoln School Committee, PTA, Lincoln 4-H Club, and First Parish in Lincoln choir.

David Ganley, 84 (March 28) — resident of The Commons.

Pat Seiden

Stefanie “Pat” Guzewicz Seiden, 82 (March 25) — former eucharistic minister at Holy Family Parish in Concord.

News acorns

Talk on Lincoln farming past, present and future

“Lincoln Has Long Been a Farming Town—Where Will This Heritage Take Us?” is the topic of a program presented by the Lincoln Historical Society and the Agricultural Commission on Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall.

It’s garlic mustard pull time

Fight invasive plants and pull garlic mustard with your neighbors from April 25 through May 31. Free paper leaf bags will be distributed to residents at the transfer station on Wednesday, April 25 and Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m.–noon. After that, bags will be available at the Conservation office above Lincoln Kitchen in the mall (courtesy of the Lincoln Garden Club).

Drop off full bags behind the DPW Lewis Street near the cell tower Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (no wall lettuce or yard clippings). The DPW will also pick up bags through May 31 if you contact them at 781-259-2612 or stacyc@lincolntown.org. Allow a few days for pickup. For more information and a fact sheet on garlic mustard, click here.

First Parish holds May Market

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold its annual May Market “Trash and Treasurers” fair on Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m.–noon in the parish house auditorium (14 Bedford Rd.). The fair offers antiques, collectibles, jewelry, household goods, furniture, and much more. Shoppers who arrive before 9 a.m. can enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee while they wait for the doors to open. All proceeds go to the First Parish in Lincoln. Past fair proceeds have funded projects such as a kitchen renovation, a sidewalk between the church and Parish House, and the Children’s Chapel. “It takes two years to collect the treasures and it’s recycling at its best. You’ll find things you never knew you needed,” said Tucker Smith, May Market committee chair. Any leftover items are donated to Households Goods, Inc., an Acton-based nonprofit that provides donated furniture and household items to the needy.

Teach a class at L-S Adult Ed

Are you interested in teaching an adult education class in fall or early winter, or a course you’d like to see offered by Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education? The program is especially looking for classes in technology, literature, writing, foreign languages, and history for students in middle school and older. They’re happy to help you design a course and work with you on the details. For more information, email adult.ed@lsrhs.net by May 31. 

Free tours at Gropius House, Codman Estate

There will be free guided tours on the half-hour of the Gropius House and the Codman Estate on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area has invited the 45 towns and cities within its bounds to participate in “Hidden Treasures 2018,” a regional celebration.

Mother’s Day Country Breakfast at Pierce House

The Pierce House will host two Mother’s Day Country Breakfasts on Sunday, May 13 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. under the tent, complete with lawn games and music. Advance reservations required; see the menu and reserve by May 10 by clicking here. $45 for adults, $40 for seniors and $20 for children 6-12 (free for children under 5). Catered by Tastings Caterers. Private rooms are available at an additional cost of $35; a minimum of eight people is needed to reserve a private room, with a maximum of 18 people.

Cabaret with Crowe and Harris

The Lincoln Public Library presents and evening of cabaret with Mary Crowe and Evelyn Harris on Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. Cabaret originated in France in the 16th century, expanded to Germany and England in the 1930s and crossed the pond to the U.S. soon afterwards. Many songs were written by classical composers. Crowe and Harris will perform cabaret songs by Poulenc, Britten, Bolcolm, and Weill, as well as contemporary cabaret songwriters Carole Hall, Harriet Goldberg and Crowe herself.

The pair perform as a duo and with the Lincoln Hill Trio at jazz clubs at art centers, retirement communities and libraries throughout the Boston area. Their latest CD of Mary’s original songs, “Rebound,” was well reviewed in Metronome Magazine. Crowe has been on the Voice Faculty of Indian Hill Music School for 20 years and Evelyn Harris teaches Suzuki piano from her studio in Lincoln. For more information and calendar of upcoming performances, click here. The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Marijuana forum could precede town votes in the fall

In advance of Wednesday’s public forum, the Marijuana Study Committee has released this FAQ document explaining the ramifications of the state’s 2016 vote to legalize recreational marijuana, the pros and cons of allowing marijuana businesses in Lincoln, and a town decision timeline. The forum takes place on Wednesday, April 25 from 7–9 p.m. in Town Hall.

After Lincoln residents approved the 2016 ballot question, the town imposed a temporary moratorium on cannabis businesses while it decides what to do about the issue. The moratorium expires in November and most likely cannot be renewed. Any town—including Lincoln—whose residents voted in favor of the measure in 2016 must take certain steps if it decides it doesn’t want to allow commercial medical or recreational cannabis cultivation, processing, or sales within its borders.

To enact a partial or full ban, a Town Meeting vote to adopt a zoning bylaw amendment restricting or banning cannabis businesses must pass by a two-thirds majority, followed by a simple majority at a town election. A partial ban could allow only one type of business use, such as cultivation, testing, manufacturing, or retail businesses to the exclusion of others. The town could also opt to do nothing, in which case the state could begin issuing licenses to qualified Lincoln‐based marijuana establishments of any type permitted by state statute. Lincoln voters cannot prohibit personal use or cultivation of marijuana.

Assuming that the June 9 Special Town Meeting on the school and community center projects is not expanded to include the marijuana question, there would be a second town forum in September, followed by a Special Town Meeting and special election in October, according to the committee’s FAQ document.

South Lincoln sidewalk, other improvements on the way

A new sidewalk will appear in coming weeks between the Cambridge Trust Co. building and St. Joseph’s Church.

Now that the weather is finally improving, a new sidewalk will soon be installed across from the Bank of America in South Lincoln, which pedestrians in the area have been requesting for years.

The sidewalk, which was removed during a road construction project eight years years ago and never replaced, is one of the projects funded by a $400,000 Complete Streets grant the town received last fall in an effort spearheaded by Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney and the South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee (SLPIC).

The package of projects, which Burney said should be completed by September 2018, also includes informational kiosks, safety improvements to the intersection of Route 117 and Lincoln Road, wayfinding signs, and repairs to some sidewalks and roadside paths.

The South Lincoln Revitalization Project includes several SLPIC working teams that are looking at wayfinding, planning and zoning, the Department of Public Works site on Lewis Street, the MBTA station, and the green on the east side of the mall between Donelan’s and Lincoln Woods. The goals are outlined in this presentation made at the State of the Town meeting in November 2017.

The town plans to apply for a second $400,000 Complete Streets grant next fall to fund the following projects, according to Burney:

ProjectLocationFunding request
Complete Streets gap analysis and strategy for trails, sidewalks, biking, school bus routes, and places of interestTown-wide$108,000
Intersection improvements study and constructionIntersection of Lincoln Road and Codman Road$25,000
Bicycle improvementsTown-wide$50,000
Repaits to culvert, wooden pedestrian bridge, and sidewalkLincoln Road$20,000
Intersection improvements study and constructionFive Corners near library$40,000
Intersection improvements study and constructionIntersection of Route 117 and Tower Road$25,000
Parking lot study and improvements including pay kiosk and lightingLincoln Station commuter lot$132,000

New York Times art critic to lecture at deCordova

Holland Cotter

Award-winning New York Times art critic Holland Cotter will give the 2018 Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum on Wednesday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. 

One of today’s foremost art critics, Cotter is known for his wide-ranging reviews of art that are marked by “acute observation, luminous writing, and dramatic storytelling,” as described by the Pulitzer Prize committee. Cotter plans to speak on the vital role of art in our current social and political moment and will also address the importance of growing up in the Boston area.

“When I was a kid in the late 1950s and early 1960s, deCordova was where I first saw modern art—Abstract Expressionism. I loved it enough to try my pre-teen hand at it. For a short while I took drawing lessons in an upstairs gallery in the museum’s main building. As it turned out, the hands-on part didn’t last, but the love did,” Cotter said.

Cotter, a Weston native, is a co-chief art critic for the New York Times, where he has been on staff since 1998. In 2009, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. Cotter earned an A.B. from Harvard College, where he studied poetry with Robert Lowell. He later received an M.A. from the City University of New York in American modernism and an M.Phil. in early Indian Buddhist art from Columbia University, where he studied Sanskrit and taught Indian and Islamic art.

The Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture series was established in 1981 to consider topics broadly focused on changing attitudes towards 20th- and 21st-century art. The Cronin Lecture series is made possible by a generous grant to deCordova from the Grover J. Cronin Memorial Foundation.

Lecture attendees are welcome to arrive early for a casual reception with Holland Cotter at 6 p.m. Wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages will be served. Tickets (available online here) are $5 for deCordova members and students with ID, $10 for nonmembers. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fee fife fo fum? (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Before the annual Patriots Day “Lincoln Salute: A Festival of Fife & Drum Music” featuring some of the best fife and drum groups from New England, the United States, and abroad, the groups are invited to the Pierce House for a luncheon hosted by the 4-H Fifes & Drums and the Lincoln Minute Men. But it wasn’t the British Invasion.

Because fifers and drummers stood alongside officers and played a vital role in communication in 18th-century armies, it was important for officers to be able to identify musicians readily—so if the coat colors of the unit, for instance, were blue coats with red facings, then the musicians would wear red coats with blue facings, explained Don Hafner, a Belmont resident and professor of political science at Boston College.

Thus, the redcoats who appear to be invading the Pierce House are in fact “friendlies”—American fifers and drummers. And the young man in the blue coat with red facings (below right) from the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps is wearing what the regular soldiers would have worn (though as a musician, he really should have been in red as well, Hafner noted).

(Photos courtesy Nancy Beach)

The musicians gathered at the Brooks School Auditorium in Lincoln later in the afternoon (rather than Pierce Park in a concession to the weather) for a fife and drum concert. Other guests at this year’s event included the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps, the Colonial Williamsburg Fife & Drum Corps, the 1st Michigan Colonial Fife & Drum Corps, the Bluff Point Quahog Diggers, the Musick of Prescott’s Battalion, the Sudbury Ancients, and the Aleppo Pipe Band.