web1_Confirmation.jpg

Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church 2015 Confirmation class

web1_EpilepsyPic.jpg

Dallas and Wycallis Elementary students learn lifesaving lessons from Epilepsy Foundation

WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Charges against a GAR High School teacher accused of body slamming a student were dismissed at a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.Joshua Wasielewski, 27, of Dana Street, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Rick Cronauer for simple assault and harassment charges stemming from an incident that happened at GAR High School on March 24.District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said that the charges were dismissed because the victim did not show up for the preliminary hearing. She said her office plans to meet with the family and discuss the case before making a determination to re-file the charges.According to the affidavit of probable cause:A student at the high school alleged that he tried to call out to his friend on March 24, who was being escorted by Wasielewski. When his friend did not respond, the student jogged behind him and playfully jumped on his shoulders.Wasielewski allegedly grabbed the student around the waist and slammed him into the ground. The student complained to school officials of side and head pain from the incident. Assistant Principal Robert Watkins and nurse Cathy Okrasinski were notified about the incident.The administration at GAR High School then reviewed video surveillance of the incident, and contacted ChildLine, a toll-free service used to report child abuse.Police reviewed the video on March 26, which showed Wasielewski escorting a student when the other student ran toward the rear of the two. As the student made contact with the student Wasielewski was escorting, Wasielewski allegedly grabbed the student and pushed him into the lockers before slamming him on the concrete floor.The video later showed the student that was allegedly slammed stumbling down the hallway and holding his side.The affidavit indicates that the victim&#8217;s mother and aunt reviewed the video on March 26, and later took her son to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital where he was diagnosed and treated for blunt abdominal trauma.Wasielewski later told police that as he was walking with the student, he heard a student yell &#8220;you are about to get (expletive) up,&#8221; and that he tried to protect the student he was escorting when the incoming student jumped on his back.The student that Wasielewski was escorting, however, told police that his friend yelled, &#8220;I heard you are going to get (expletive) up,&#8221; and that Wasielewski allegedly responded &#8220;no you are the only one that&#8217;s going to get (expletive) up.&#8221;Wasielewski was suspended without pay because of the incident. Solicitor Ray Wendolowski said he is aware of the charges being dismissed, and said that he would be conferring with Superintendent Bernard Prevuznak to discuss the next step in the matter.

Charges dismissed against GAR teacher accused of body slamming student