Petition Calls For Reinstatement Of Windsor Locks Athletic Trainer

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Social media is literally buzzing in Windsor Locks and an online petition has been started due to the apparent dismissal of a beloved member of the high school athletic department.

Patricia Taylor, known to most student-athletes as Miss Patty, has been the athletic trainer for over seven years at Windsor Locks High School. Though Superintendent of Schools Shawn Parkhurst told Patch Taylor's departure is a "confidential personnel matter that I cannot comment on at this time," a petition calling for Taylor's reinstatement has been formed on Change.org.

Petition organizer Benjamin Palmer, president of this year's senior class, wrote, "As someone who's greatly impacted the lives of thousands of students, Patty's presence in the school community was invaluable. Often spending her afternoon and late evenings at WLHS, Patty was an unsung hero at the school helping students with more than just physical therapy. Unfortunately, her abrupt dismissal has distressed many students, for whom she served as an influence, mentor, and motivator. By signing this petition, we request the school administration to reconsider their decision, reinstating her and recognizing her contribution to the development of our school's athletic department."

Less than 24 hours after being posted Monday, the petition had gathered nearly 850 verified signatures, many from Raider athletes and/or their parents.

Among the dozens of comments written in support of the petition are the following, presented in unedited form:

• Patty was almost like a second mom to most of us athletes at Windsor Locks High school. We could talk to her while she taped us and couldn’t have made it this far in athletics without her help!! We NEED her back!!!
• Ms P has inspired positivity in many of my peers. While this instance of conduct may not comply with district or state standards, it should serve as an example of her advocacy for students’ wellbeing and safety, and can easily be corrected with a less cruel discipline . Please consider reinstating her position to continue inspiration within our sports department and youth.
• Miss Patty has helped so many people and connected to so many people it is just not right to have her leave. Me personally as a softball player I loved having patty tape me and help me with any problems. She has such a sweet soul and was truly one of the people I felt closest to. I truly hope our voices will make a difference to help bring Patty back we would all be devastated without her.
• Ms. Patty is phenomenonal with our student athletes. Her communication with me as a parent regarding my athlete has been amazing. The safety of our athletes has always been her priority!
• Ms patty is an irreplaceable part of every sports team at wlhs. Every student and athlete who has the opportunity to spend any kind of time with her; knows her kindness, respect, and care for all around her. We truly considered her a part of the team and was more than just a trainer. Her care went beyond the typical job, she never let any of us down and went above and beyond for any injury, big or small. I would not have been back from my injury as quickly as I was without her. it is also thanks to her, that she kept small injuries from progressing/ worsening by taking the proper care.
• there’s no words that can describe how truly amazing my experience with patty was. not only was she knowledgeable about many injury’s my friends and myself had experienced but she also seemed to comfort us with ease. I can’t even begin to count the times she stayed late to help ice us or check on us not only physically but mentally. let alone how passionate and supportive she was for all the sports I played.
• Ms Patty possesses a combination of technical skills, emotional intelligence, and personal qualities that make her a perfect mentor for these kids, she’s definitely an asset to the athletes and the school community. As a parent of a freshman football player to us she is our peace of mind. To our son, she’s just a person who shows she really cares, implementing not only her medical knowledge and rehabilitation skills but also her empathy and compassion and the passion for the wellbeing of athletes. Not many out there and at Windsor Locks High School we were all too lucky to have her. We need Patty back.