From John Fial, a Parent
April 24, 2025
Dear Childpeace Families,
Many of you know me as a longtime member of this community—my child has been at Childpeace for years, and you’ve likely seen me at drop-offs, family events, classroom visits, or reading beside my little one in the hallway.
I’m writing this one-time letter to share the truth behind a heartbreaking situation now affecting not just our family, but the broader community. I will not contact anyone again unless invited to. Future updates, if any, will be posted publicly at www.johnfial.com/cp.
What Happened
On April 22nd, my child was expelled from Childpeace. This did not happen due to anything they did on campus—but just days after the school banned me, without warning or due process. The reason? I had privately raised serious concerns about integrity during my divorce proceedings, specifically regarding testimony from a former staff member who later resigned.
There was no incident at school. I have always conducted myself peacefully, including Monday morning, when I was barred entry by private security acting on administrative direction. By that afternoon, we had established mutual respect. On Tuesday morning, several of you saw me peacefully meditating outside. There has been no threat, no disruption—only silence, then retaliation.
Who I Am
I am a peaceful, loving parent with shared legal custody. I’ve served honorably in the U.S. military and bring a spiritual foundation rooted in meditation and integrity. A few years ago, I was falsely accused of misconduct during a difficult marital separation—a legal action that was swiftly dismissed. Equal parenting time was later granted following a full custody trial, supported by neutral evaluators and judicial findings.
Despite that, harmful narratives have continued to circulate. It now seems that the school’s leadership has acted on those narratives—without discussion, without hearing—and my child is the one who has paid the price.
What Comes Next
This week, I will be filing a federal lawsuit against Childpeace Montessori, grounded in constitutional law and supported by Supreme Court precedent (Marsh v. Alabama, Shelley v. Kraemer). Private institutions providing public education functions do not have unlimited discretion to exclude or punish parents without process—especially not when doing so harms a child.
Three key documents accompany this open letter:
- A printable copy of this letter
- A draft of the legal complaint
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail
I encourage all of you—staff and families—to read them carefully.
If leadership changes, or if my child is welcomed back and the harm acknowledged, I will gladly pause the lawsuit and any public action. But if nothing changes by Monday, I will begin peaceful, nonviolent protest outside the school, as is my right. I will be calm, truthful, and peaceful—guided by values we teach our children every day.
Why This Matters
In the last two days, I’ve also learned that false or misleading statements may have been made to law enforcement in an effort to discredit or silence me. I spoke with a Portland police officer this morning and am now communicating directly with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office about what I believe to be targeted harassment.
I am not afraid. I am not leaving quietly. I am telling the truth—and I remain peaceful.
This is not about me. It’s about the kind of moral example we set for our children. If only a few in the community reject truth and accountability, I can live with that. But if half or more of the community prefers rumor over reflection, I’ll know quickly that this is not the right place for my child.
Thank you for reading with care. And thank you, truly, to those of you who continue to see and stand for truth.
With resolve and hope,
John Fial
www.johnfial.com
📍 www.johnfial.com/cp for updates