Norton Demands Apology from U.S. Arboretum Over Aggressive Treatment of D.C. First Graders on Field Trip

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released her letter to U.S. National Arboretum Director Richard Olsen requesting a formal apology over the Arboretum's inappropriate and overly aggressive treatment of first grade students from Two Rivers Public Charter School, who were visiting the Arboretum on a field trip, and provide her office "with an action plan on how the U.S. Arboretum will train its staff and volunteers to ensure all visitors feel welcome." Norton's office was informed that an Arboretum staff member yelled at students who were playing near picnic tables at the Arboretum, and then called an armed officer to respond, making the students, parents, and staff feel unwelcome for a situation that was likely caused by poor signage of what constituted a restricted area.

In her letter, Norton wrote, "I ask that you apologize to the Two Rivers Public Charter school students, teachers, and parents affected by this incident, meet with the school community to discuss community partnerships, and develop clear signage and information regarding restricted areas. I ask that you respond within 30 days with an action plan on how the U.S. Arboretum will train its staff and volunteers to ensure all visitors feel welcome."

Norton's full letter is below.

Dr. Richard T. Olsen
Director
United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002-1958

Dear Director Olsen:

I was alarmed to hear about the actions of staff of the U.S. National Arboretum during a D.C. public charter school's visit to the Arboretum last week. Two Rivers Public Charter School recently took its first grade classes to the Arboretum on an educational field trip. I have been informed that the children were playing near picnic tables next to a parking lot when an Arboretum staff member approached in her vehicle, yelled at the children, and then proceeded to call an armed officer to respond. The charter school's staff and chaperones were not consulted and after the incident, they called immediately for the bus to leave the Arboretum, thus cutting the field trip short.

The students, parents, and staff were made to feel unwelcome at what is meant to be a "living museum where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes." I am pleased that the officer who was called by the Arboretum staff deescalated the situation and properly responded. However, this was likely a traumatizing experience for these children. It is clear that there was a lack of proper signage in the area to notify visitors of restricted areas and lack of appropriate training of staff on how to interact with children.

I understand that parents of the first graders at Two Rivers Public Charter School have already sent you a list of steps to take to improve community relationships and address the incident involving their children. I ask that you apologize to the Two Rivers Public Charter school students, teachers, and parents affected by this incident, meet with the school community to discuss community partnerships, and develop clear signage and information regarding restricted areas. I ask that you respond within 30 days with an action plan on how the U.S. Arboretum will train its staff and volunteers to ensure all visitors feel welcome.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton