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Home : 2001 : August : 5
I agree with PJ's suggestion of documentation and communicating with the office staff. Make
First, I had a sixth grade student which had identical behaviors to your student. I was warned by his elementary teacher of his episodes. As a fifth grader he even throw a chair at the principal. Guess what . . . when he came to middle school he didn't have one physical episode towards others. He was always kind and considerate and as a freshman in high school he returned and visited me last Christmas. Instead of physical confrontations with others he began hurting himself and became depressed. I think it is more scarier to have a student who hurts himself or herself. I worked with his parents and he began medication and counseling which helped him to deal with his behavior. I believe it helped but most of all letting him know it was a new school year and I was there to him help. I believe it is essential to know about students with a past of violent behaviors . . . be careful of self-fulfilling prophecy. This child could have changed over the summer and his outbursts may have been due to how his past teachers' reacted. Don't expect him to act out if you do then he will probably do so. I would speak to his mother and father about the new year and being his teacher. I guarantee his mother only receives communication from the school when her son is in "trouble." A positive phone call at the beginning of the year will help when a negative call needs to be made. It might help for all the teachers, principal, and parents to meet to discuss the child and his needs. You can even come up with a plan of action if he should have a outburst in school. You may want to speak to your school's behavior specialist or psychologist how to help this child after you have interacted with him. I bet if you spoke to him you may find out what works for him. The major problem may be how his mother reacts to his behavior and disciplines him. Our school offers parenting classes for parents to help with discipline of their children. Ask his parents how it is best to handle his behavior. I am assuming if this child is under psychiatric care that he is receiving counseling and may be on medication. It is important that you communicate with his psychiatrist, psychologist, etc. and even his family doctor who may have prescribed his medication. Ask for information on how to deal with his behaviors and medication info. Sudden changes of behavior may be due to his medication . . . communicate with medical professionals and his parents about changes of behavior. Our school has an exchange of information form which the parent completes and signs then it is sent to the appropriate individual so info. can be shared. The counselor may even send checklists and info. for you to fill out for this child. The counselor may even make a classroom visit and he may counsel the child at school as well as during office visits. Invite the parents to visit as well. I believe you need to find out what this child enjoys doing as a reward. You are probably going to have a behavior modification plan for him to teach alternative behaviors. You may already have one for home and it probably can be implemented at school as well. Could this child bring a weapon to school and try to hurt others . . . only God knows. My experience with researching the topic and personal experience suggests students who have been violent are not under psychiatric care, never displayed physical behaviors, and are not in special education. The first documented case of school violence is from 1970s which was committed by a female high school student who shot at elementary students as they walked to school. Not all students belong in the regular school environment but give this a chance to work. Please don't contact parents about this child because this violates confidentiality. Also remember if this child has psychiatric problems diagnosed by a medical professional then he has a disability and is protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Act. If problems occur then convene a child support team or complete a 504 plan. Document what you have done and other interventions you could use to help him. If this is unsuccessful, then convene a meeting to determine if he needs to be evaluated for special education. At all stages please contact the parents and ask for their suggestions. If he is found eligible for special education his parents will need to give permission. They may refuse then the school administration can determine if due process should be used. If the parents go to the school board or super. which I have experience with you have nothing to worry about as long as you have documentation.
Everything happens for a reason. Maybe this child has been placed in your class because you are the one who can help him. The reason I teach is not only to teach the academic material but to help students with their emotional well-being.
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