Elementary

Published on: April 12, 2018

Teacher Arriving at School Arrested in Parking Lot for DUI

A Las Vegas elementary school teacher on her way to work last Tuesday morning was placed under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

46-year-old April Shepard is a fourth-grade teacher at Tom Williams Elementary School, and she has worked within the Clark County School District for a total of 21 years.

As Shepard entered the school parking lot around 7:30 a.m. on the morning of April 3 she reportedly made impact with two parked vehicles. When she tried to get out of her car she was unable to steady herself and two parents nearby came to her assistance by helping her to stand.

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Published on: March 9, 2018

Elementary School Ex-PTA Treasurer Suspected of Embezzling School Funds

by Staycie R. Sena

The once-treasurer of the Herbert Hoover Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Association has been accused of misappropriating money from the organization’s fund and is facing felony charges for the claims made against him.

As reported by a spokesperson for the Desert Sands Unified School District, $22,000 of the money raised by the Herbert PTA was observed as allegedly missing from their fund. The financial discrepancy was detected sometime during the summer months of last year.

34-year-old Danny Cervantes, the treasurer of the Herbert PTA during the 11-month period that the money came up missing, became the main suspect for the misappropriated cash. Cervantes is no longer the treasurer of the PTA but it is unknown whether that is related to the allegations against him.

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Published on: October 6, 2017

Teacher Accused of Choking Students with Jump Rope

by Staycie R. Sena

A physical education teacher working at Herndon Barstow Elementary School in the Clovis Unified School District has been accused of punishing students by briefly constricting their necks with a jump rope. The victims are all children between the ages of 9 and 11.

Detectives reported that the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when the teacher, Peter Samhammer, allegedly utilized disciplinary measures consisting of holding a jump rope around their necks for a brief time before releasing them. Visible red marks were left on the neck and shoulder areas of the victims.

The Central Unified School District responded to the situation by releasing a statement confirming that Samhammer, who worked as a seasonal employee, has been placed on official administrative leave. They also announced, “Student safety is a top priority for the district and as such, we are fully cooperating with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and will continue to do so throughout the course of its investigation.”

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