A lunch supervisor at a west-end Toronto elementary school has been charged with assault against five students.
Toronto police responded to a call for assistance at Essex Public School, near Dupont Street and Ossington Avenue, during the noon hour Thursday after receiving reports that an assault had taken place.
Karla Martinez, 34, was arrested and charged with five counts of assault.
"It is alleged that a lunch supervisor assaulted five students on the school grounds during their lunch," a police statement said.
None of the children required medical attention.
Martinez, of Toronto, was scheduled to appear in court Friday.
Essex Public School is a blended junior and senior elementary school, meaning it has students ranging from JK up to Grade 8.
Principal Marc Green sent a letter home to parents on Thursday.
“While it is important to remember that laying criminal charges does not constitute guilt, and that a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, we also cannot and do not take these allegations lightly,” the letter states. “The safety of our students is a top priority and we are committed to enforcing policies about the well-being of students."
Martinez has been suspended pending an investigation and is banned from the school property.
In addition to the police probe, the Toronto District School Board will be conducting its own investigation.
