DCFS report: Denman Elementary physical education teachers gave ‘birthday spankings’, taped students mouths shut

QUINCY — A Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) investigation in November revealed that two physical education teachers at Denman Elementary School frequently taped students’ mouths shut for talking and gave “birthday spankings” that led to students being afraid to let friends and teachers at school know it was their birthday.

While the investigation revealed no lasting physical marks from these actions, it was determined that such behavior was “wildly inappropriate, but not criminal” since there were no sexual connotations. 

Multiple parents with students at Denman, as well as Denman teachers, verified the incidents with Muddy River News. They said their children had begged them not bring treats or attempt to have their respective classes recognize their birthdays at school for fear of getting the “birthday spankings.” The names of the students, families and teachers asked for their names to be withheld for fear of repercussions from within the Quincy School District.

After the DCFS intervened in November following calls to their tipline, the behavior by the teachers subsided. But parents and teachers have told Muddy River News there were other instances that have occurred this semester.

According to the Illinois Compilation of School Discipline Laws and Regulations, “A physical restraint shall not impair a student’s ability to breathe or communicate normally, obstruct a student’s airway, or interfere with a student’s ability to speak.”

Corporal punishment is completely banned in all Illinois schools, both public and private. A law signed in August 2024 (House Bill 4175) officially made this effective as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Investigation Report on Incidents Involving Denman Elementary School Staff

DCFS initiated an investigation in November 2024 after receiving multiple calls on their reporting hotline about two incidents involving staff at Denman. The first incident involving a fourth-grade student occurred on Oct. 28, 2024. The second incident took place on Nov. 8, 2024, and involved two second-grade classrooms. Both incidents involved Kimberly Kirby and Jennifer Oitker, physical education teachers at Denman Elementary School.

The first report indicated Kirby administered what was described as “birthday spankings” to a fourth-grade student during physical education class. The second incident involved both Kirby and Oitker reportedly placing tape over the mouths of students in two classrooms.

Kirby confirmed in the DCFS report that she has a tradition of giving “light spankings” to students on their birthdays. Oitker also said that, on occasion, she and Kirby would “whack” students on the shoulder or buttocks and that students reciprocate by giving the teachers spankings.

The teachers had used their hands and/or their shoes to administer the spankings, which had been happening for years.

The conduct began at Denman under Principal Chrissy Cox, who reportedly suggested the teachers instead use pool noodles instead of their hands or shoes for the spankings.

Cox left the Quincy Public School District at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Amber Whicker is now the Denman Elementary principal.

Cox replied to the MRN story in a Facebook comment Tuesday afternoon:

“First of all, as the former principal of Denman elementary school, I never recommended using a pool noodle for spankings,” Cox wrote. “Using my name in your report that is clearly from a disgruntled parent is wildly inappropriate. I uphold the PE staff as they are amazing individuals that have a big heart for children. We live in such a broken world that even people that have chosen to give back to their community by teaching children are attacked by news media outlets, and families that are always looking for the bad and never the good.”

Oitker also acknowledged she and Kirby had placed tape over students’ mouths for “a couple of years.” She also confirmed that students were verbally warned, “If you don’t stop talking, we’re going to put tape on your mouth.”

When some Denman teachers arrived to pick up their students after PE class, they observed that several students still had tape on their mouths. One teacher reported that Kirby and Oitker had been their students’ PE teachers during the incident. Another teacher expressed concern upon noticing the tape and recalled being aware of the “birthday spanking” practice, which she found troubling. She also noted her discomfort at seeing students with tape, on which the words “no talking” had been written, on their mouths.

DCFS Conclusion: ‘Wildly inappropriate, but not criminal’

DCFS concluded that Kirby’s practice of administering “birthday spankings” and the use of tape over students’ mouths had been ongoing for several years.

After investigators concluded that the teachers’ behavior was “wildly inappropriate, but not criminal,” the matter was referred to Quincy Public Schools for disciplinary review.

Kirby and Oitker remain employed as physical education teachers at Denman.

Most students involved in the tape over the mouth incidents were not interviewed by DCFS and their parents never were notified by the school district.

Quincy Public School Superintendent Todd Pettit released the following statement upon request from Muddy River News:

“Quincy Public Schools values the partnership we share with parents and the community in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We encourage the reporting of any concerns that may impact that safety, and we take such matters seriously.

“All concerns or complaints are thoroughly reviewed and investigated in accordance with district policy. When appropriate, we also work in full cooperation with external agencies such as the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to ensure transparency and due process.

“Please understand that, in accordance with our commitment to privacy and legal obligations, the district does not comment on individual personnel matters.”

The complete DCFS report is below: