CONROE, Texas – Conroe ISD parents are expressing outrage after a message was sent home stating their children had lost the privilege to use the restroom because of a lost restroom pass. The incident occurred at Bartlett Elementary School in Conroe, and has sparked concerns over the well-being and treatment of students.
Teacher allegedly punishes entire class for lost restroom pass
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The controversy began when a first-grade teacher, Ashley Barerra, allegedly took away the restroom pass from her class around 3 p.m. on a school day, leaving the students unable to use the bathroom for hours. According to Amber Johnson, a concerned parent, her daughter was in the classroom at the time and witnessed some classmates struggling to hold it in, with some eventually soiling themselves.
Disturbing accounts from parents and students
Amber Johnson’s daughter, who was present during the incident, described the scene, saying that a few of her classmates “really, really” needed to go to the restroom, but were unable to because the pass was taken away. “They asked to go to the bathroom probably like ten times,” the child explained.
The issue arose after lunch when the restroom pass went missing. Johnson’s daughter said that as a result, the teacher punished the entire class by taking away their ability to use the restroom. For some students, this led to accidents as they were forced to wait for hours, unable to use the restroom.
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Emotional impact on students
The situation took an emotional toll on the children involved, as Johnson revealed that some students were left in tears, desperate to relieve themselves. “Some people were crying to death to go to the bathroom,” her daughter said.
Parents, including Amber Johnson, were further alarmed when they received a message from teacher Ashley Barerra around 3 p.m., informing them that the class had lost its restroom privileges as a lesson about responsibility. This left students without access to a bathroom from around noon, until dismissal at the end of the school day—about three to four hours. Some students had to wait additional time in their “car-rider lines” and on bus routes.
In the wake of the incident, Johnson learned from other parents that six students had soiled themselves during the ordeal. “So initially, we were told two, after we as parents got into a group and started talking more, it has come down to be there’s about six who actually soiled themselves and had accidents,” she shared.
Ashley Chancey’s son is also in the class. He says his desk-mate was reportedly one of the children who could not hold it in. She says he came home frantic and disheveled.
“He kept trying to tell me that something pretty bad happened at school today. I kept telling him ‘please calm down and just talk to me.’” He then described the heartbreaking moment when the young girl had an accident in front of the class, leaving her embarrassed and humiliated. “She said the class erupted in laughter as kids that are seven (years old) do. And the little girl was just absolutely mortified,” Chancey said. “He said there was urine all over the little girl. There was a puddle of urine under the chair that nobody came to help with, and nobody came to clean her up for the remainder of the day.”
Parents are not just upset about the humiliation their children experienced but also concerned about the potential health risks posed by holding in bodily functions for too long. Johnson, in particular, voiced her frustration over the inhumane treatment of the students, highlighting the possible health consequences such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder infections that can result from withholding bathroom access.
“It’s inhumane to not allow somebody to relieve themselves of a bodily function that everybody has,” Johnson said, adding that the situation was a violation of basic human dignity.
Conroe ISD responds to incident
In response to the incident, Conroe ISD sent KPRC this statement issued by the Bartlett Elementary School principal:
Good evening, Bartlett Families,
This afternoon, we were made aware of a situation in a first grade classroom in which restroom privileges were revoked. I have spoken with the parents of both students who, upsettingly, had accidents. The class will have a current staff member to serve as the substitute teacher for the remainder of the week while we complete our investigation into the matter. This incident is not indicative of the safe and loving environment we foster at Bartlett Elementary. I thank you for your support and continued partnership. Charita Smith Bartlett Elementary Principal
Parents remain outraged and demand accountability. “We’re all outraged. We want something done,” Johnson stated.
As the investigation continues, many parents are hoping that the school district takes swift and appropriate action to address the concerns raised and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Conroe ISD has assured parents that they are looking into the matter thoroughly. The district’s statement does not provide a timeline for when the investigation will be completed or what consequences, if any, may follow for the teacher involved. Meanwhile, parents are anxiously awaiting a resolution, hoping that this kind of incident does not happen again in the future.
