VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: One Syracuse mother relieved as Jowonio school reopens
Keleigh Arrington: Jowonio is reopening its doors today after a five-day state-ordered shutdown. Last week, I spoke with one parent as she scrambled to find care for her daughter during the closure. Now, with the school reinstated, she says the experience only reinforced how much the JoWonio community means to them.
Glasza Laub: The outpouring of love for Jowonio, like, it’s amazing.
Arrington: For Glasza Laub, the past week has been filled with uncertainty. Without the school, she found herself scrambling to balance work while caring for her daughter at home.
Laub: She watched a lot of television, which worked that day, you know, but it’s not something I’d want her to do every day. She was hungry, and then she wanted my attention. And, you know, I’m on the phone all day long, so then it really sometimes becomes challenging.
Arrington: The shutdown stemmed from a May 29 incident where state investigators say a child was left unsupervised in a transportation van for approximately five minutes, and the incident was not immediately reported. But for her daughter, Jolie, the possibility of not returning was heartbreaking.
Laub: Oh, stop. Slowly. Yeah.
Arrington: In an email sent to NCC News last night, the Office of Children and Family Services said after staff completed required training over the weekend, “We have reached an agreement with the center that allows them to lift their suspension and reopen.” Laub also told me former Executive Director Lori Salie has resigned. A review of the school’s website shows Jennifer Petrie and Kate Smith are now listed as co-directors. But for Jolie, the only thing that matters is being back with her friends.
Jolie: I want to go to Jowonio; I want to go to Jowonio.
Arrington: And today, her wish came true. In a letter sent to families, school leaders say the training is part of the requirements needed to remain in compliance following the reinstatement of its child care license.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)– A Syracuse family is welcoming the reopening of Jowonio, an inclusive child care center in Syracuse, after a five-day state-ordered shutdown left parents uncertain about work, child care and what would come next.
On June 10, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services suspended the school’s child care license after investigators found a child was left unsupervised in a transportation van for approximately five minutes. The incident was not immediately reported to the state. State officials cited the violation and the school’s recent history of noncompliance as reasons for the temporary closure.
“The safety and well-being of every New York child is our highest priority, which is why we moved to suspend the child care license of the Jowonio School due to violations that were severe enough to warrant a temporary closure of the facility while the investigation is completed,” the OCFS said in a statement.
For Glasza Laub, the closure meant balancing work responsibilities while caring for her daughter, 5-year-old Jolie, at home.
“You know, I was anxious because, like, this week, right? This week, I can work from home. Next week, maybe a little bit. My husband’s job is way less flexible about working from home,” Laub said.
Her connection to Jowonio spans years. Her oldest son attended the school because of its Individualized Education Program, and her mother once worked there.
“My oldest son went through Jowonio. He had an IEP. He had special needs. He had an aide. [You’re] just steadfast, like no matter what happens, you feel that you’re dropping off your child,” Laube said.
The uncertainty was also difficult for Jolie, who is preparing to graduate from Jowonio on June 24. Sitting with her yearbook and looking back on memories from the school, she struggled to imagine not returning.
When her mother asked how she would feel if she could not go back, Jolie replied: “Oh sad … lonely … and … lost.”
Moments later, she made her feelings even clearer.
“I want to go to Jowonio,” Jolie said.
In a letter sent to families on June 15, Jowonio announced that it had reached an agreement with the state.
“As a result of this swift action taken, the OCFS has agreed that the school can re-open tomorrow, June 16, meaning we are able to provide a safe environment to welcome children back to school tomorrow and Wednesday,” the letter stated. “This means we will also be open for the summer session from July 13 – August 21.”
The school also informed families it would be closed on Thursday, June 18, for additional staff training required by OCFS and would remain closed on Friday in observance of Juneteenth.
“Unfortunately we will not be open on Thursday, June 18 due to further OCFS-mandated staff training,” the letter said. “This means we will also be open for the summer session from July 13 – August 21.”
School officials said the additional training is part of the corrective actions being taken following the state’s investigation.