returning from suspension

[newindc]

A child who brought a knife to my classroom returns tomorrow. He was suspended for 20 days and its 1 day before our big state testing starts so I'm a little nervous and many of my students are very very scared. Any suggestions to help smooth his transition back in?

Newindc

[dolmansaxlil]

Are you having a transition meeting? With something that big, we'd bring the kid and parents in in the morning along with all the teachers, and the principal/VP. Discuss a plan for return, expectations, etc. In this meeting, you could also explain to him that some of the students are scared, and that he needs to earn back their trust.

Good luck!

[newindc]

Can you PLEASE come be an administrator at my school?

Last thing I was told Friday before leaving was that they were not having his re'admit conference (for whatever reason). The school psychologist spoke to the student Friday by phone and she said he shows no remorse and does not understand why the other kids are upset. As far as I know now he will arrive with all my other students at 750.

Over the weekend I've had 7 kids email or call my homework hotline to say that they are scared about tomorrow. 1 kid even said she may not come to school - it is the day before our big state testing begins and my kids have been working so hard!!!!!!! I'm so sad that this is how they feel yet i can't blame them because even as an adult I'm kind of nervous about it.

Any advice how to handle this during morning meeting with all my students?

[bcasbcjs]

You would think that with this situation, they would have him test seperately from the students. I mean, your administration knows about the nervousness of the students. This could affect your students test scores....not good for the school....

[dolmansaxlil]

How did it go?

[newindc]

Things went ok - he was great on Monday but his behavior has deteriorated all week. He has a 504 plan for ADHD however he does not take medication. He is significantly behind my entire class acadeically because of missing the equivalent of 7 weeks of school and not completing the work that was sent home for him weekly.

Many of my students are still very nervous and they are not comfortable having him back. One thing that surprised me is that the kids do understand he still has a right to his education. Overhearing their discussions during lunch duty has been interesting because they are trying to come up with a way to help him. They have said they think he has to go to summer school or he may face retention which is true and the kids who are not scared have been helping him try to catch up.

From speaking to his test proctor he is not doing well which is no surprise to me. The rest of the school year will be very interesting and we have plenty of the year left - we go until June 22.

[dolmansaxlil]

I think it speaks volumes about your classroom management style that, although they aren't completely comfortable, your students are doing what they can to help him be successful! That's wonderful! Hopefully that kind of welcoming atmosphere will have a positive impact on him. :)

[newindc]

Fewer kids were scared today but now they're becoming upset with his lack of caring about school. For example, he has a daily behavior chart that must be taken home, signed and returned daily yet he hasnt been doing it. This afternoon he was yelling in another girls face and she got realy scared and immediately came over next to me and would not move more than about 2 feet away from me at any point the remainder of teh afternoon. We had testing this morning and were planning to spend the afternoon doing science and because of his constant disruptions we didnt get through everthing. Our school requires posted objectives in kid freindly language so they knew what we were suppossed to accomplish and they dont thik it's fair that they're losing out because of him. Definitely frustrating for some of them. Their patience is wearing thin and I think mine is too....

We have parent/teacher/student conferences this Friday so it will be interesting to see how it goes with her. The work never seems to stop that is for sure!!