A spaceship or a penis? A mother in Atlanta, Illinois is very unhappy with what was sent with her daughter in a goodie bag given to her by her teacher for her birthday. The initial post has been shared with many Central Illinois Facebook groups.
“Looks like a fish on a fishing line to me,” said one community member on Facebook. “Y’all need to be a little less pervy.”
Initial post that was taken down, posted by Hayli Nussbaum
According to emails Amanda Gray, a first-grade teacher and Illinois State University graduate, is apologizing for sending home a penis-shaped straw home with Hayli Nussbaum’s daughter.
“I saw your post in the Atlanta Facebook group and wanted to address a few things immediately with you. I knew you said you contacted Mrs. Rogers, [the principal at South Olympia Elementary] but as I see speculation grow I wanted to resolve this tonight,” stated Gray in an email to Nussbaum. “I wanted to give you all the assurance that the straw was not given knowing or thinking it was inappropriate. I want to reassure you I had not looked at the shape that way and simply saw it as a crazy straw.”
Nussbaum said she doesn’t want to see Gray terminated but that this was a mistake that could have been prevent. Nussbaum is now considering homeschooling.
Her child used the straw.
“My children know nothing about this and what is going on. I took the straw and my husband and I had a conversation I don’t find it appropriate. And although my kids didn’t know… I knew,” said Nussbaum.
Nussbaum said the school apologized and that she believes accidents happen…
“I told her [Gray] that…when it comes to children you have to pay more attention. You saw the straw… she thought it was just a silly straw, but as an adult I just don’t see that,” said Nussbaum.
A screenshot sent to Nussbaum by Amanda Gray
After making the initial post that has since been taken down Nussbaum has received some backlash from the community.
“I just wanted to let people know that my daughter was sent home with this and I don’t find it acceptable. Now I am receiving a lot of hate from this,” said Nussbaum.
The alleged Amazon purchase that contained the so-called penis-shaped straw
Gray, in an email, attached where she had gotten the penis-shaped-crazy-straw. The attachment is to an Amazon screenshot where there’s a pack of a 60 count labeled “Crazy loop straws.”
In an email from Stacey Rogers, Rogers explained to Nussbaum that they would go through the 60 pack of straws and throw away any straw that resembles the one that was sent home with Nussbaum’s daughter.
Cities called the school this morning Jan. 9, and they proivided a statement that they sent to all the families of South Olympia Elementary.
“We wanted to share some information with you to alleviate any concerns or rumors. We were notified this weekend that a child received a straw from school that the family deemed as inappropriate. The straw was in a bag of goodies that was sent home as a birthday gift for the child. This straw was purchased as part of a crazy straw pack for children. This story has been shared on social media so we wanted our parents to hear from the school. We appreciate people reaching out with any questions. We will continue to be transparent with any issues that arise at Olympia Schools,” stated Rogers. Rogers also included the picture the alleged Amazon purchase that contained the so-called penis-shaped straw, the 60 pack of straws.
