New York

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts) Thu Jan 23, 2014, 10:59 PM Jan 2014

Avonte Oquendo funeral plans announced

AP
NEW YORK -- Weekend services will be held for a 14-year-old autistic boy who disappeared from his Queens school in October.

The family's lawyer says Avonte Oquendo's funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Saint Joseph in Greenwich Village.

It will be preceded by a private service at the Greenwich Village Funeral Home.

The medical examiner said Tuesday that a body found last week along the East River was Avonte's.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9404981

7 replies

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Avonte Oquendo funeral plans announced (Original Post) hrmjustin Jan 2014 OP

Devastatingly sad. NYC_SKP Jan 2014 #1

The church is not far from my church. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #2

Church of Saint Joseph is a landmark, I know it well. NYC_SKP Jan 2014 #3

No that is a family thing. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #4

Yes, another landmark and community treasure! NYC_SKP Jan 2014 #5

It has been there since 1821 and my grandfather was baptized there in 1891. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #6

I wonder if there's been any serious look into the circumstances of his disappearance. Smarmie Doofus Jan 2014 #7

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

1. Devastatingly sad.

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:19 PM

Jan 2014

I learned about the discovery yesterday. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024370193

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

2. The church is not far from my church.

Reply to NYC_SKP (Reply #1)

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:20 PM

Jan 2014

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

3. Church of Saint Joseph is a landmark, I know it well.

Reply to hrmjustin (Reply #2)

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:28 PM

Jan 2014

I once lived around the corner from it on Sullivan near 3rd st.

Are you going to the service?

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

4. No that is a family thing.

Reply to NYC_SKP (Reply #3)

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:30 PM

Jan 2014

My church is a landmark as well. ST luke in the fields.

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

5. Yes, another landmark and community treasure!

Reply to hrmjustin (Reply #4)

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:36 PM

Jan 2014

Lot's of them in NY!

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

6. It has been there since 1821 and my grandfather was baptized there in 1891.

Reply to NYC_SKP (Reply #5)

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 11:40 PM

Jan 2014

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)

7. I wonder if there's been any serious look into the circumstances of his disappearance.

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Fri Jan 24, 2014, 10:06 AM

Jan 2014

Or are the city and the DOE trying to cover it up? (It's a rhetorical question.)

His school is in District 75 . That district has undergone ENORMOUS school-reform generated changes in the last three yrs, including MASSIVE staff turnover ( get rid of expensive labor; hire cheap labor).

So, who was in charge of Avonte, exactly? Did he have a 1:1 paraprofessional assigned to him? If so, where was he/she when the kid walked out? Who was the teacher? WHERE was the teacher? Is the teacher trained and licensed to teach autistic kids? How much experience does the teacher have w. autistic kids? ( Not much .... I'll wager)

For that matter: the same questions should be asked of the principal. And the network leader ( principal's boss). And the Superintendent.

Why was an autistic unit housed in a building that primarily served general ed kids? ( important because the school security guy said he thought Avonte was a gen ed kid who was permitted to go out for lunch.)

What administrative genius thought that THAT was a good idea?

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