My 7 year Old Suspended for four Days MCPS

[Anonymous]

My son has been suspended for 4 days for kicking a paraeducator. I feel awful about it. I'm trying to see what my next steps should be. The incident started on the playground where according to him he was throwing mulch and rocks on the ground. Another student went to the paraeducator and said that he was throwing rocks at them. The paraeducator then came to my son and according to him yelled "NO THROWING ROCKS" and said he had to go to the office after recces.

My son did not do that, he proceeded to go to the special he had after recess because he didn't think he had done anything wrong. The paraeducator sees him standing in line at his special and tells him again to go to the office, in front of the other children and the substitute teacher, as the normal special teacher was out that day. He then asks the substitute if he can stay in class because he didn't do anything wrong. The substitute proceeds to mock him and repeats in a high pitched voice "I didn't do anything wrong." My son then runs away. He runs through the hallways at school and knocks over a recycling bin. He then runs down the stairs towards the office and is confronted by the assistant principal. As he is talking to her the paraeducator who has been following him walks up as well. He then kicks her in the knee.

A little background on my son. He has been having behavioral issues this year in class where this same paraeducator is his TA. He did not have any issues in K or 1st grade. He has stated to me prior to this incident that she picks on him. He's had a difficult year so far with acting out in class, being easily frustrated, and leaving when upset, and last week I met with the school regarding a FBA. They are in the process of observing him to create a Behavior Intervention Plan. The school is also aware that he is getting tested on Thursday for potential ADHD, etc. We talked about triggers etc. but I'm unsure they were shared with the paraeducator in question.

He obviously should never have kicked anyone and will be punished in that regard.

What should I do in this situation? Any input is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. The fact that your son had no behavioral issues in K and 1st strongly suggests that the new behavior is in large part environmental (ie due to the paraeducator's response.) The problem is that it's going to take a LONG time to get the testing done and any IEP put into place. So, you're going to have to work with the school and advocate hard for them to come up with behavioral approaches sooner rather than later. What I would do is say this:

"I believe that my son's behavioral issues are due to his special needs. I do not want to see him suspended again, because his behaviors are due to his needs. Therefore, we need a Positive Behavior Plan put into place ASAP. What kind of resources do you have to work with the paraeducator to give them positive tactics that will not escalate the behaviors?"

I would also seek out an independent child psychologist who can observe your child in the classroom and provide suggests to the school. I'm not sure if MCPS will allow this, though.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Four days for a 7 year old??? That is way out of line, especially given all that led up to it and all that is in process.

I'd appeal it.

[Anonymous]

You should cross-post in the Special Needs forum, OP, if you haven't already done so.

[Anonymous]

When I as in MCPS, taking a swing at a kid in the lunch room got you 3 days max, and that was in high school where people knew better.

[Anonymous]

next steps? teach him he can't do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:next steps? teach him he can't do that?

yes, because "teach him he can't do that" is SO simple when there are possible special needs and poorly trained paraeducators involved ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:next steps? teach him he can't do that?

If you'd read the first post, you'd see that OP is taking many steps with the school to figure out what is going on so that her kid doesn't act out like this. All behavior is communication. Clearly her kid is struggling with how to respond appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:next steps? teach him he can't do that?

+1

And please stop with all the educator lingo, OP. You are falling right into the education system's way of handling this problem, and thus is will be their decision on what is best for your son, not your's.

And I'd bet my bottom dollar that will include drugging him.

[Anonymous]

The next steps should be don't go to school for the next 4 days and continue to work with the school on the behavior plan and the testing. Your description seems to blame the staff for picking on him and making him run away and kick. Assure them that you have the same goal and you will work with them to resolve this. Make sure his next 4 days home from school are not full of fun and video games.

If the original post were from the perspective of a child who was hit by a rock or a teacher who was bruised by a kick, the responses would be different.

[Anonymous]

You’d think the paraeducator would have taken him to the office right then and there instead of telling him to go at a later time. It’s also hard to believe the sub mocked him in front of everyone...but no matter. You are doing what you are supposed to by working with the school and getting him evaluated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The next steps should be don't go to school for the next 4 days and continue to work with the school on the behavior plan and the testing. Your description seems to blame the staff for picking on him and making him run away and kick. Assure them that you have the same goal and you will work with them to resolve this. Make sure his next 4 days home from school are not full of fun and video games.

If the original post were from the perspective of a child who was hit by a rock or a teacher who was bruised by a kick, the responses would be different.

her description is actually quite objective. environment absolutely has a big impact on behavior. why do you think they're going to do an FBA and hopefully create a behavior plan for the teachers and staff to use? it's precisely because the way they are responding to him makes the behavior worse, not better. punishing this kid for 4 days is not going to do a single thing to improve his behavior, and will likely make it worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:next steps? teach him he can't do that?

+1

And please stop with all the educator lingo, OP. You are falling right into the education system's way of handling this problem, and thus is will be their decision on what is best for your son, not your's.

And I'd bet my bottom dollar that will include drugging him.

Please stop. If he has a disorder, he needs to be evaluated and diagnosed, and, yes, maybe medicated. Just like for a physical condition. It's part of medical care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’d think the paraeducator would have taken him to the office right then and there instead of telling him to go at a later time. It’s also hard to believe the sub mocked him in front of everyone...but no matter. You are doing what you are supposed to by working with the school and getting him evaluated.

If there are witnesses to the sub mocking him, I would report that to the school. That's terrible (and obviously contributory to what happened with his subsequent behavior).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Four days for a 7 year old??? That is way out of line, especially given all that led up to it and all that is in process.

I'd appeal it.

+1 One of the kids in my child's MCPS K class punched a severely disabled classmate, and all the school did was talk to his parents. 4 days suspension for a kid that young is ridiculous.