Out of school suspension in MCPS

[Anonymous]

I have read the MCPS code of conduct and discipline policy and it seems to be saying that out of school suspensions should not be used unless efforts to keep the kid in school really are not working. The document talks about things like restorative opportunities, opportunities for apologizing, peer justice, etc. These all sound like great things but our middle school keeps suspending my kid for nonviolent offenses such as talking back with inappropriate language and disobeying requests from staff. They’ve never given them a behavioral plan, they’ve tried to work with him but today I had to ask if he could even talk to a counselor before he was booted out the door on his suspension. They don’t seem to offer anything but out the door you go. Come pick him up. Has anyone found that MCPS handles suspensions a little more lightly than I am experiencing? Have you ever complained or fought the suspension and how do you do that in MCPS? In my opinion suspension is just stupid unless the kid is a physical threat to someone at school. Sending him home for a few days does nothing to help him change his behavior and I thought MCPS was getting that point.

[Anonymous]

Come to my inner city school and he won't ever get suspended even when he throws chairs at teachers and other students, threatens to kill people, etc.

[Anonymous]

I thought MCPS rarely used suspension anymoire..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought MCPS rarely used suspension anymoire..

The “inappropriate” things OP’s son is saying are like threats of violence, sexual harassment, or some form of hate speech, then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come to my inner city school and he won't ever get suspended even when he throws chairs at teachers and other students, threatens to kill people, etc.

We’re at a Focus ES at Silver Spring and my kids have witnessed this type of behavior an worse. Only one kid has been suspended. Usually they are allowed back in the classroom with little consequence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have read the MCPS code of conduct and discipline policy and it seems to be saying that out of school suspensions should not be used unless efforts to keep the kid in school really are not working. The document talks about things like restorative opportunities, opportunities for apologizing, peer justice, etc. These all sound like great things but our middle school keeps suspending my kid for nonviolent offenses such as talking back with inappropriate language and disobeying requests from staff. They’ve never given them a behavioral plan, they’ve tried to work with him but today I had to ask if he could even talk to a counselor before he was booted out the door on his suspension. They don’t seem to offer anything but out the door you go. Come pick him up. Has anyone found that MCPS handles suspensions a little more lightly than I am experiencing? Have you ever complained or fought the suspension and how do you do that in MCPS? In my opinion suspension is just stupid unless the kid is a physical threat to someone at school. Sending him home for a few days does nothing to help him change his behavior and I thought MCPS was getting that point.

If the kid is so disrespectful to staff and peers that the teacher can't even teach, then that is grounds for removal from the classroom. If this happens in multiple classrooms, then it can clearly reach the level for suspension/ parents required to pick up the student that day. MCPS is not a daycare service.

[Anonymous]

It’s up to the principal at your school. Ours hands them out liberally, even if the student doesn’t have any past infractions.

[Anonymous]

Do you think your son has an emotional disability? That interferes with accessing the curriculum?
Consider asking for an evaluation for special ed services- if he was eligible there are protections for kids w/ disabilities.
Too long to explain here but go to www.wrightslaw.com and read up on it.
He can’t be learning if he’s missing a lot of school due to his behaviors and repeated suspensions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think your son has an emotional disability? That interferes with accessing the curriculum?
Consider asking for an evaluation for special ed services- if he was eligible there are protections for kids w/ disabilities.
Too long to explain here but go to www.wrightslaw.com and read up on it.
He can’t be learning if he’s missing a lot of school due to his behaviors and repeated suspensions.

His right to learn is more important than the other kids who have to try to listen to the teacher over his disruptions?

He needs a more restrictive environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come to my inner city school and he won't ever get suspended even when he throws chairs at teachers and other students, threatens to kill people, etc.

Same in my MCPS elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come to my inner city school and he won't ever get suspended even when he throws chairs at teachers and other students, threatens to kill people, etc.

Same in my MCPS elementary school.

Opposite experience at a Silver Spring ES. 2 problematic kids in my son's class suspended many times this year for similar behavior. Also, suspended from school bus a few times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come to my inner city school and he won't ever get suspended even when he throws chairs at teachers and other students, threatens to kill people, etc.

Same in my MCPS elementary school.

Opposite experience at a Silver Spring ES. 2 problematic kids in my son's class suspended many times this year for similar behavior. Also, suspended from school bus a few times.

Then your principal has bigger balls than mine. Mine is only worried about how the data will look. Never mind how the behavior impacts students and staff. I was screamed at directly in my face today and the kid knocked my glasses off my face. There were both student and adult witnesses. I did nothing to provoke the student. I wrote a referral and nothing will happen because my principal is worried how it will look. Central office does not like it when students of certain races are referred. In fact, my principal asked me to just email about the issue instead of filling out a referral. Referral data is tracked and emails are not. I called the parent and was told it was my problem to deal with during school hours. -teacher

[Anonymous]

Unless he’s an underrepresented minority or has an IEP, he’s totally going to get suspended. The county is more concerned about disproportionate suspensions of black kids, for example. They’ve been penalized more than whites in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless he’s an underrepresented minority or has an IEP, he’s totally going to get suspended. The county is more concerned about disproportionate suspensions of black kids, for example. They’ve been penalized more than whites in the past.

Not true, my kid has an IEP and got an in school suspension for copying what another kid said, but that kid got no consequences. Several other kids did it and weren't as severely punished as mine. My kid lost recess and lunch (which was fine with him as he hated it anyway and asked to go back every day) along with missing the rest of the day from school. He's white. Other kids were not. Principal is not white.

[Anonymous]

My principal is new and wants to reduce suspensions so unless a student brings a weapon to school, they can pretty much do anything and still not get suspended.