A Connecticut school nurse has been suspended over a Facebook post that revealed an 11-year-old at the school she worked at was on puberty blockers.
Kathleen Cataford, who worked at the Richard J Kinsella Magnet School in Hartford, was dropped from her role on Monday for the post that was branded as transphobic.
In response to a request for local school recommendations, the 77-year-old wrote to a local mothers’ group and said, “Examine the school system’s curriculum…CT is a very socially liberal, gender-confused state,” the post read.
It continued: “As a public school nurse, I have an 11-year-old coed on puberty blockers and a dozen who identify as non-binary, all but two who, with the help of teachers, SSW, keep it a secret from their parents [social workers] and school administration.
“Teachers and SSW spend 37.5 hours a week influencing our children and not necessarily teaching our children what THEY think is being taught.”
Cataford went on to claim that “kids face this confusion in kindergarten.” ‘s attempts to contact her on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Puberty blockers are used to delay puberty in transgender children and are a current hot topic in the United States.
Kathleen Cataford has been suspended from the Hartford Public Schools School District after posting comments with specific and private details about students on the Connecticut Mom’s Club Facebook group
Supporters say it saves trans kids from potentially traumatic changes to a body they’re already uncomfortable with.
“I have an 11-year-old coed on puberty blockers and a dozen who identify as non-binary, all but two keeping this a secret from their parents,” Cataford wrote
Opponents say that while the blockers are said to be reversible, they can have irreversible side effects that can seriously affect the user’s well-being later in life, such as: B. Sterility and the inability to achieve orgasm.
The post became known to Hartford School District officials after the mentioned 11-year-old’s mother saw him and reported it to school officials.
She confirmed the content and context of the post to on Tuesday, but declined to comment further, citing her child’s privacy.
The post came to the attention of officials at the Richard J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts after the mentioned 11-year-old’s mother saw the post while scrolling on Facebook
Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, issued a statement condemning Cataford’s comments but did not name the nurse, citing privacy concerns.
“Hartford Public Schools strives to create an inclusive environment where all students feel seen, valued, respected and heard,” the statement said.
Torres-Rodriguez added, “We hold all of our employees to a high standard and trust them to be caretakers and leaders in the community.
“We as a school district are responsible for the health, well-being, social and emotional development, and safety of ALL children in our care.”
“It is our responsibility to support the growth, personal experiences and social-emotional development of our students.”
After learning of the position, the district launched an investigation to determine if Cataford will continue to work at the school.
Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, issued a statement condemning Cataford’s comments but did not name the nurse, citing privacy concerns
“Hartford Public Schools strives to create an inclusive environment where all students feel seen, valued, respected and heard,” the statement said.
The student’s family, who asked not to be identified to ensure their privacy, said they were satisfied with the school’s response to the complaint.
“As a family, we are very pleased with the thorough and prompt action taken by the school and the district to ensure the nurse is fully screened and to ensure the safety and privacy of our child. They couldn’t have done better,” relatives told local news station WSFB3 in a statement.
“It clearly doesn’t reflect who we are,” Torres-Rodriguez also told the outlet.
In addition to sharing specific and personal details about students on social media, Cataford has posted other links to stories that address the current transgender debate on her Facebook profile.
On Feb. 27, the now-suspended nurse shared a FOX article about former US swim official Cynthia Millen, who resigned to protest transgender student Lia Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania on Penn’s women’s swim team.
Cataford recently shared a press conference by Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh entitled “Here’s Why Men Don’t Belong in Women’s Sports”.
On Feb. 27, the now-suspended nurse shared a FOX article about former US swim official Cynthia Millen, who resigned to protest transgender student Lia Thomas at the University of Pennsylvania on Penn’s women’s swim team
Cataford recently shared a press conference by Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh entitled “Here’s Why Men Don’t Belong in Women’s Sports”.
She also declared her support for the recent convoy of trucks protesting vaccination mandates, saying that while she supports vaccination, she also believes in personal freedoms.
Other mothers whose children attend Hartford public schools have expressed concern about Cataford’s invasion of student privacy.
“I don’t think that’s right at all – everyone has their privacy – and especially when it comes to children. If that was my kid… I would go insane,” one concerned mother told WSFB3.
“I feel really bad because it’s upsetting and I have a daughter who also goes to Heartfelt and knowing that someone is sharing information about other people’s children … it sucks,” another mom told the outlet through One Translator.
Cataford remains on hold pending a school district investigation of her Facebook comments.
Other mothers whose children attend Hartford public schools have expressed concern about Cataford’s invasion of student privacy