Bangor Area School District

Bangor Area Middle School teacher allegedly assaults student with book

A Bangor Area Middle School English teacher faces simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment charges stemming from a June 14 classroom confrontation in which a student was injured.

Traci J. Rumsey , 49, of the 700 block of Chestnut Street in Bangor, threw a workbook at a male student and pushed him into a closed door after he failed to follow directions, according to records.

The student requested to throw away his workbook, and Rumsey refused, records say. When class ended, the student ignored Rumsey’s directions and threw his workbook in the recycling bin as he was leaving, records indicate.

The teacher took the workbook from the recycling bin and threw it at the student, striking him in the back, according to records.

Authorities accuse Rumsey of then yelling and screaming loudly before pushing the student into a closed classroom door, causing visible injuries to his back and shoulders. The loud screaming drew a male teacher from his classroom to the hallway.

Another teacher witnessed the victim being forcefully pushed into the door, and a student saw Rumsey throw the book and push the student into the door, court records say.

A school nurse verified the injuries, according to records.

Rumsey was speechless when asked for a comment at her home. A man who identified himself as Rumsey's husband then shielded her from the door and said, “sorry.”

Her attorney, Marc Neff, said he just received the complaint today.

Neff also asked that the judge delay the preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 12 because neither he nor Rumsey will be available.

Rumsey has been a teacher in the Bangor Area School District for 16 years.

Rumsey graduated from Bangor Area High School in 1980 and was inducted into the school district hall of fame in 2000 . Bangor Area School Board President Joseph Boyle said Rumsey is still employed at the district.

I do not care if that student is the most disrespectful punk ever, you do not place your hands or physically act out of anger on a child. This is a middle school kid and she was the teacher; a well seasoned teacher even. If you find yourself resorting to throwing textbooks at your students or placing your hands on them, then maybe it's time to reevaluate your purpose in this field and give your position to one of the other hundreds of laid off teachers who can better control their emotions.

Bangor area school news

Schools

Merit Scholarship

BANGOR — Margaret Bryan, a senior at John Bapst Memorial High School, has been named a finalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. The daughter of Beth and Andrew Bryan of Holden, she has been awarded a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

The NMS Program honors students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest achievers on the 2009 Preliminary SAT-National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in each state.

Four John Bapst seniors were named Commended Students for placing in the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2009 PSAT-NMSQT and are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

They are: Andrew Babbitt, son of Gail and Joseph Babbitt of Hampden; Thomas Easton, son of Patricia and Christopher Easton of Dixmont; Jennifer Hannigan, daughter of Paul and Jane Hannigan of Holden; and Adriana Pellegrini, daughter of Joanmarie and Anthony Pellegrini of Holden.

“National Merit recognition has proven to be a great way to motivate talented young people to make the most of that talent,” said John Bapst Head of School Mel MacKay. “The leaders of the future will have to be well-educated to work effectively on the challenges they will face.”

John Bapst is a nonsectarian, independent, college-preparatory school that serves students in grades nine-12, the majority of them publicly supported. Located in its original 1928 building at 100 Broadway, the school welcomes students from more than 50 Maine communities and several countries.

For more information, visit http://www.johnbapst.org.

Summer science camps

BANGOR — The Challenger Learning Center of Maine at 30 Venture Way will offer summer science camps for children in kindergarten through grade eight.

For those entering kindergarten to grade two, Scientific Thrills will be held 9 a.m.-noon, Part 1 June 27-July 1, Part 2 Aug. 8-12.

Children entering grades three to five may attend Gizmos and Contraptions, both focusing on astronauts,  9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 11-15 and July 25-29.

Students entering grades six to eight may attend:

• Robo-Tech, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 18-22.

• CSI: Challenger Special Investigation, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 25-29.

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