Grosse Pointe Farms

Teacher on leave after allegedly striking student with cellphone

By April Lehmbeck and K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writers

Ellen Bowen gets results when it comes to running a top-notch choir program at Grosse Pointe South, but her work was put on hold after she allegedly hit a student with a cellphone.

According to news reports, police have now closed the case after the student decided against seeking charges, but the Grosse Pointe Public School System is still looking into the matter.

According to police, Bowen hit a student in the head with a cellphone after she caught him using the device in class June 5. A police report was filed, which indicated that the principal told police the teacher took the phone from the student and then hit him on top of the head with it.

No injuries to the student had been reported, based on the police report.

When asked about the matter, the district did not confirm the teacher in question’s name, but did say that a teacher was placed on paid administrative leave.

“The Grosse Pointe Public School System is currently investigating a personnel matter,” GPPSS community relations specialist Rebecca Fannon said in an email, adding that the district contacted police and was cooperating with them fully. “This is a confidential matter involving a teacher.”

Fannon said the employee was placed on leave June 6.

“We are working with internal staff to cover duties and responsibilities related to graduation and summer programming to ensure student activities are not disrupted,” she said in the email. “Our goal is always to provide a safe and secure learning environment for students.”

Attempts to reach Bowen for comment were not successful at press time.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1043.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.