Intruders disrupt Paterson virtual classes with porn and profanity
By Jayed Rahman
Published: September 11, 2020
Dozens of virtual classes were disrupted by intruders putting on porn and hurling profanity during the first two days of school in Paterson.
School officials said there have been approximately 25 incidents. District officials are trying to identify the actors.
Some could potentially be prosecuted. Superintendent Eileen Shafer told parents she has reached out to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and Passaic County Sheriff’s Office to make them aware of the incidents.
“As Superintendent of Schools, I take these types of incidences very seriously,” said Shafer in the letter to parents.
Students who intrude will lose their technology privilege for five days. Those that introduce “obscene material” and threats into virtual classes will be suspended for 10 days and lose their Chromebooks.
Shafer also sent a memorandum to teachers providing guidance on how to handle intruders and disruptive students. Her memo states teachers should remove them and report the incidents to principals.
Shafer’s staff on Wednesday told the school board the intruders are gaining entry to the classrooms, in some cases, because students are sharing their invite links on social media. Some of the intruders are former district students, according to officials.
District officials are also in talks with Google to try to get enhanced moderation powers for Google Meet sessions.
Last year, the school district had some students receive instruction virtually while others were given paper packets. This school year, the district is providing all instructions virtually until November 1.
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