Reply to My 7 year Old Suspended for four Days MCPS

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My DC at the age of 7 was suspended for 3 days at a Bethesda ES. Total clusterf*ck. It was the principal's call. The rest of the staff looked stunned and embarrassed. In the end we got county placement because it was clear 1) the school couldn't handle dc and 2) dc needed different/better. MCPS is an f-in mess. [/quote]

This is why Maryland now prohibits most suspensions for K-2 kids.  The law just went into effect for this school year.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=hb0425&tab=subject3&ys=2017RS
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That's good news! People thought our case should have been publicized but I was in the midst of going to county and I didn't want to encounter any problems as a result of this so I kept quiet.  [/quote]

Unfortunately the law has exceptions, "Assaults a teacher, teacher’s aide, student teacher, other
7 professional or paraprofessional school employee, or other student;"  So it seems she can suspend our child regardless.  This has just been an insane situation.    
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I think you are reading the wrong section.  This is Section 7-305-1 of the Education Code, which applies to K-2.  I've bolded the most important parts.  But the principal must consult the school psychologist and they must decide your kid is an imminent threat that can't be resolved another way.  Also, according to MCPS rules, the principal must contact his own supervisor before suspending the student.  So I'd interpret this to mean that your kid would have to be completely out of control within this section, and even then, the principal has to make at least two phone calls first.  A single kick or push to a teacher is not what they are talking about.  You should make sure the principal followed the proper procedures and find out if he really was an imminent threat.

7-305.1. Student enrolled in public prekindergarten program, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade -- Suspension or expulsion prohibited; exceptions.
(a)  Definitions. -- 
(1)  In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)  "Public prekindergarten program" means:
(i)  Any publicly funded prekindergarten program established under § 7-101.1 of this title; or
(ii)  Any qualified vendor of prekindergarten services as defined in § 7-101.2(a)(7) of this title.
(3)  "Restorative practices" means practices conducted in a whole-school ethos or culture that supports peacemaking and solves conflict by building a community and addressing harm in a school setting and that:
(i)  Are conducted by trained staff;
(ii)  Focus on repairing the harm to the community through dialogue that emphasizes individual accountability; and
(iii)  Help build a sense of belonging, safety, and social responsibility in the school community.
(b)  In general. -- 
[b](1)  Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a student enrolled in a public prekindergarten program, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade may not be suspended or expelled from school.[/b]
(2)  A student described under paragraph (1) of this subsection may only be:
(i)  Expelled from school if required by federal law; or
[b](ii)  Suspended for not more than 5 school days if the school administration, in consultation with a school psychologist or other mental health professional, determines that there is an imminent threat of serious harm to other students or staff that cannot be reduced or eliminated through interventions and supports.[/b]
(3)  The principal or school administration shall promptly contact the parent or guardian of a student suspended or expelled under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(c)  Intervention and support by school. -- 
(1)  The school shall provide intervention and support to address the student's behavior if the student is:
(i)  Suspended under subsection (b) of this section; or
(ii)  Enrolled in prekindergarten, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade and:
1.  Is disruptive to the school environment; or
2.  Commits an act that would be considered an offense subject to suspension but for the student's grade.
(2)  Intervention and support provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection includes:
(i)  Positive behavior interventions and supports;
(ii)  A behavior intervention plan;
(iii)  A referral to a student support team;
(iv)  A referral to an individualized education program team; and
(v)  A referral for appropriate community-based services.
(d)  Remedying impact of behavior. --  The school system shall remedy the impact of a student's behavior through appropriate intervention methods that may include restorative practices.
(e)  Regulations. --  On or before May 1, 2018, the Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the requirements of this section.

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