Melissa Stevens, the mother to a special needs child in Waterdown, is voicing concern after learning her daughter was left outside, unattended while at Mary Hopkins Elementary School earlier this month.

Stevens told CHCH News this is not a one-off occurrence.

She says her daughter, Peyton, has been left without the care and supervision of an adult 15 times.

Peyton is also prone to seizures, which adds to the danger of being left alone.

An action plan was put in place by the school, but Stevens says it’s not sufficient.

“I have been fighting against it, it’s the buddy system I said that might work if you were going to the zoo or something…but no child should be responsible for another child, especially one who can have seizures, or run away,” Stevens said.

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The parent of another child with special needs has been faced with similar issues at the elementary school.

Laura Vimboule’s son Logan was left unattended long enough during recess last year to leave the school premises.

“[I’m] just so disappointed that there isn’t a better plan in place for incredibly vulnerable children,” she said.

CHCH News contacted the Public Board of Education regarding the recent incident involving Stevens’ daughter, and a representative said they “do not discuss any details pertaining to specific students” as a matter of privacy.

“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that all students feel supported and well cared for at school.”

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