Parents horrified after 'inappropriate' horror movie shown at Miami Springs charter school

MIAMI - Michelle Diaz is irate about the way The Academy of Innovative Education, a K-12 charter school in Miami Springs, has handled alleged complaints from other parents about what she considers a "careless teacher" with his students.

"I feel completely abandoned by the school," said Diaz, as she stepped out from a meeting with the school's principal.

She said her fourth grade twins were distraught because of a movie their math teacher played for students on Monday, Oct. 2.

"They were exposed 20 to 30 minutes to a movie called "Winnie the Pooh, Honey and Blood." 

The film has obtained an NR rating, meaning it is not rated.

According to Wikipedia, the film is about two bloodthirsty murderers, one of whom wears a Winnie The Pooh mask while terrorizing a group of young university women.

"He didn't stop the movie, even though there were kids saying, 'Hey, stop the movie, we don't want to want this'," said Diaz, adding that some kids were seriously affected by the showing.

According to Diaz, the students selected the movie.

"It's not for them to decide what they want to," she said. "It's up to the professor to look at the content."

The Academy of Innovative Education, located at 1080 La Baron Drive in Miami Springs, is not under the umbrella of Miami-Dade Public Schools.

By virtue of being a charter school, the institution hires its personnel independently.

CBS News Miami reached out to the head of the school, Ms. Vera Hirsh, who provided a statement:

"The Academy for Innovative Education has become aware that a segment of a horror movie was shown to fourth graders, Monday, October 2, 2023, that was not suitable for the age group," the statement said. "Our administration promptly addressed this issue directly with the teacher and has taken appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

"We are actively monitoring the students and our mental health counselor and principal have already met with those students who have expressed concerns."