Nov 5, 2007 7:21 pm US/Eastern
Boys, Girls Forced To Share Bathroom In NYC School
Young Children Asked To Bring Extra Set Of Clothes
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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NYC Department Of Education
What if you have to use the bathroom, but you're told "no" you have to wait. That's what's happening to some children at a school in the Bronx.
They're just little kids, but some students have a big problem. They need to use the bathroom, but can't.
"If I have to use the bathroom for an emergency ... and they are using it and there are boys inside then I can't use it," third grader Karina Espinal said. "Then I have no place to use the bathroom."
Added parent Theresa Hedrington: "We have a situation where the environment is not conducive for anyone."
Parents and students are upset over the lack of bathrooms in the Bronx Little School, where more than 100 students attend. Remodeling has closed the girls' room, forcing the children to share one boys' room.
When asked if some students are having accidents while waiting, fifth grader April Veras said, "Ya, but our teachers let us go to the principal's office so it's not that hard."
April's mother, Nydia Veras, said the whole thing can be traumatic for small children.
"I think it's very distressing to have to have extra clothes for your child especially if they are not that age where they need an extra set of clothes," Nydia Veras said. "It can be very embarrassing, very sad."
The remodeling of the bathrooms was supposed to be completed by the fall, but when asbestos was found it had to be removed and sources say that's what put workers behind schedule.
"I think it's something that should have been done over the summer before the kids returned to school," parent Lisa Martinez said.
Board of Education officials say the girls' room will be ready in December. Until then, second graders will be allowed to use the first grade bathroom and the principal is allowing students to use her private lavatory.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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