Classroom evacuations?

[thechickencoop]

There have been three days this week (and 4 different incidents) that DS1's kindergarten class has had to leave the classroom because another student was out of control. DS said they had to have a classroom evacuation to make sure this kid doesn't hurt anyone until they can get him to calm down.

Today the principal called because DS got hit in the shoulder by a pretend lightsaber (thank you star wars day) and he went to the nurse to get ice. Ok. Whatever. When DS1 got off the bus I asked him about it and he said, "Same kid" was throwing and swinging around blocks and we had to have an evacuation out the back door because he was by the front door.

So...wtf?? I don't know, I don't know anything about this kid; although it's actually the same kid that sent DS to the nurse in the beginning of the school year because he punched him in the back. Wouldn't this warrant some sort of communication to the parents? I mean, I get not naming names (the only reason I know who it is is because DS has told me), but I feel like it's kind of a big deal that FOUR TIMES THIS WEEK the entire class has had to leave the room.

Or am I overreacting? Halp. Elementary school is new to me.

[Pistol]

So my kid will be starting K in the fall, but I would have an issue with this. I would probably try to get a meeting with the teacher and/or principal and see if they can answer any of your questions. I know they can’t really tell you shit about the other kid but I would hope they have something planned for him in regards to controlling his behaviors so they don’t interrupt the class.

Is it possible that these outbursts just started due to a change in the kid’s home life? Maybe they are just trying to get through the year and will be referring the kid elsewhere that’s more equipped to handle whatever behavioral problems he has?

What I don’t get though is why is the class evacuating instead of removing the child? I would be asking about that.

[bobyn]

It seems a bit OTT that they're removing everyone instead of this one kid. I don't see how that's helping the problem and I would also want answers.

There is one kid in B's class that gets physical with the others and, while it's gotten better over the year, it's still too much for my liking. I'm sorry you have to deal with a similar situation.

[sweptaway]

I'm sure the teacher has been in communication with the other child's parents. But if I were in your shoes I'd be reaching out to the teacher to ask what the plan is to keep the other children safe and minimize classroom disruption. I've never heard of a class being evacuated for this reason and I feel like the child in question could use, at the least, support services in the room (I am maybe not using the correct terminology so please forgive me).

Anyway I don't think this is acceptable

[joy]

I would email the teacher and ask for some clarification, honestly.

[gussie]

I feel like there has to be a better way than removing all the kids from the class and interrupting the flow of their day. I would be asking if they have another plan for the future. I feel like they can just say yes or no without giving away personal details.

[jorkzy]

This is unusual and has not been my experience with a kid in K-1 so far. Have they been doing this all year and it's just been more frequent lately?

[thechickencoop]

May 4, 2018 15:32:59 GMT -6 Pistol said:

So my kid will be starting K in the fall, but I would have an issue with this. I would probably try to get a meeting with the teacher and/or principal and see if they can answer any of your questions. I know they can’t really tell you shit about the other kid but I would hope they have something planned for him in regards to controlling his behaviors so they don’t interrupt the class.

Is it possible that these outbursts just started due to a change in the kid’s home life? Maybe they are just trying to get through the year and will be referring the kid elsewhere that’s more equipped to handle whatever behavioral problems he has?

What I don’t get though is why is the class evacuating instead of removing the child? I would be asking about that.

It's possible, that's why I am like, ok, where do I draw the line at with being pissed at them for not being able to control him? This is the first that DS has said that they've had to leave the room, but then again, he did hit DS back in like...September or October. So....I don't know. I don't really want to discuss it face to face but like...I do feel like it's becoming kind of a big deal.

[joy]

Clarification being: is your son’s accoubt of four evacuations this week correct, this is due to the same child and what are the future plans for this child as in will they continue to evacuate as needed due to the behavior? Or are other plans coming into play now?

[thechickencoop]

May 4, 2018 15:40:10 GMT -6 jorkzy said:

This is unusual and has not been my experience with a kid in K-1 so far. Have they been doing this all year and it's just been more frequent lately?

Just this week. I even asked DS if they've had to leave like this at all any other times and he said no.

[thechickencoop]

May 4, 2018 15:39:31 GMT -6 gussie said:

I feel like there has to be a better way than removing all the kids from the class and interrupting the flow of their day. I would be asking if they have another plan for the future. I feel like they can just say yes or no without giving away personal details.

Right? Like, this has to be a huge disruption. Lining everyone up and leaving, then waiting for them to calm down or remove or whatever the other kid. How long is this taking? And DS doesn't have any concept of time 🤷

[jmski]

I’m sure the principals and teachers are working very hard to fix this situation. A room clear is used when restraining a student would escalate that student and restraint is s last resort. I am a teacher and restraint trained. Behavior comes in waves and this is a lot but will calm down or the student will be moved to a class for students with disabilities. It takes many weeks of data to prove that a change like that is needed.

[doublestuf]

You have to be very careful about putting your hands on students. In my state, you can only restrain a child if you've been properly trained, and that's usually not most people. Restraining would include removing the student.

When kids with more extreme behavior issues become defiant, they sometimes refuse to leave the room, and there's really nothing anyone can do or at least they try to not further upset the child to carry them out. Thus it's easier to get everyone else out. This is also the faster option if it takes admin a few minutes to get there.

I'm sorry your kid got hit. And I know it sucks and confuses and upsets the kids, but there is only so much the adults can do. They cannot and should not give parents any heads up or further info.

The fact that this is happening a bunch this week really sounds like this kid is experiencing some kind of trauma or major life upheaval. Also some kids with unstable home lives really come unglued at the end of the year because they know their stable, safe place is about to go away for a few months.

As best you can, just explain to DS that the kid is having a rough time and the adults are just doing everything they can to keep everyone safe. Again, I know it sucks and I'm sorry.

[Pistol]

May 4, 2018 15:40:14 GMT -6 thechickencoop said:

May 4, 2018 15:32:59 GMT -6 Pistol said:

So my kid will be starting K in the fall, but I would have an issue with this. I would probably try to get a meeting with the teacher and/or principal and see if they can answer any of your questions. I know they can’t really tell you shit about the other kid but I would hope they have something planned for him in regards to controlling his behaviors so they don’t interrupt the class.

Is it possible that these outbursts just started due to a change in the kid’s home life? Maybe they are just trying to get through the year and will be referring the kid elsewhere that’s more equipped to handle whatever behavioral problems he has?

What I don’t get though is why is the class evacuating instead of removing the child? I would be asking about that.

It's possible, that's why I am like, ok, where do I draw the line at with being pissed at them for not being able to control him? This is the first that DS has said that they've had to leave the room, but then again, he did hit DS back in like...September or October. So....I don't know. I don't really want to discuss it face to face but like...I do feel like it's becoming kind of a big deal.

I know I’m biased but R still struggles with impulse controls a bit. He’s leaps and bounds better since we’ve done OT but he still has a few triggers that set him off. It’s possible the punching earlier in the year was a one off (still not ok at all) and not necessarily part of the ongoing issue this week. I still find it odd they are removing the whole class instead of him though. To me that indicates the outbursts are pretty extreme if they are evacuating the room.

[thechickencoop]

DS says they have to leave because his teacher can't get this kid to calm down and they need to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone. Like, the other day he apparently was on the table and kicking off their little supply caddies that they have in the middle.

[thechickencoop]

May 4, 2018 15:44:01 GMT -6 doublestuf said:

You have to be very careful about putting your hands on students. In my state, you can only restrain a child if you've been properly trained, and that's usually not most people. Restraining would include removing the student.

When kids with more extreme behavior issues become defiant, they sometimes refuse to leave the room, and there's really nothing anyone can do or at least they try to not further upset the child to carry them out. Thus it's easier to get everyone else out. This is also the faster option if it takes admin a few minutes to get there.

I'm sorry your kid got hit. And I know it sucks and confuses and upsets the kids, but there is only so much the adults can do. They cannot and should not give parents any heads up or further info.

The fact that this is happening a bunch this week really sounds like this kid is experiencing some kind of trauma or major life upheaval. Also some kids with unstable home lives really come unglued at the end of the year because they know their stable, safe place is about to go away for a few months.

As best you can, just explain to DS that the kid is having a rough time and the adults are just doing everything they can to keep everyone safe. Again, I know it sucks and I'm sorry.

Thank you. The bolded is what we've been telling him, just that "G" is having trouble calming down (and DS himself has a lot of anxiety and has trouble sometimes, just not physically, so I know he understands), and that his teacher is just trying to be sure that he doesn't hurt anyone or himself. He seems to be fine with that.

[doublestuf]

And I know it seems obvious to just think why aren't there extra support services in place but it doesn't work like that.

The kid would have to have an IEP, and if he/she doesn't one, it can take a while. And just because there are some really extreme behaviors doesn't guarantee a kid will get an IEP...at all. There has to be some kind of diagnosis (medical or educational) that proves to be hurting his/her academic progress.

Some kids' behaviors are due to terrible home lives and trauma and not medical or educational reasons. Is varies so much from place to place, but behavioral intervention specialists are just not that common. I teach in a large, fairly wealthy district and they aren't at every school....not even close.

[doublestuf]

May 4, 2018 15:53:49 GMT -6 thechickencoop said:

Thank you. The bolded is what we've been telling him, just that "G" is having trouble calming down (and DS himself has a lot of anxiety and has trouble sometimes, just not physically, so I know he understands), and that his teacher is just trying to be sure that he doesn't hurt anyone or himself. He seems to be fine with that.

You may also explain that they don't want G to be embarrassed and this helps him calm down with less people watching. It sounds like you're having good conversations with him!

[hufflepug]

I don't think removing the class is OTT. If the student poses a safety risk and refuses to leave, what other option is there?

This might be unpopular, but I don't think you are entitled to too many answers here. The reasons behind the child's behavior aren't your/anyone's business.

I do think after multiple removals, the school should probably send a 'sometimes we evacuate the classroom. Here are some reasons we might do that' kind of letter.

Hopefully the reason for the increased evacuations is because they are using them to collect data to get he student more appropriately placed in a BD or ESM classroom for next year. I'm sorry your son is in this situation. I hope it resolves soon.

[jessila]

I've taught in quite a few elementary schools and special schools. Like PP said, the teachers and admin are doing what is best for all students involved in the situation. While removing one student would seem to be the easier solution, it is not always the best solution for the problem.

Restraining a student is always the absolute last option. Sometimes restraining them makes the situation worse and will further escalate the behaviors. In my state restraint training got a makeover in the last couple years because students were getting hurt when it happened which was a liability for the school system.

I'm sorry that your child has gotten hurt by this student on multiple occasions. Having worked with volatile students, please know that the teacher always feels awful when students get hurt and it is out of their control. Although, I am always ready to give parents a full account of what I saw, or was told because we can't see everything at all times, happened.

If this is a recurring problem, know that there is more than likely a team of professionals involved in finding help for the student.

Another thing to explain to your child is that not everyone can control their emotions and how they come out. Their classmate might be frustrated about a lot of things and doesn't know how to explain what he is feeling. Reinforce the idea that the school is doing their job by keeping everyone as safe as possible when they do have to leave the classroom.

[cdnfarmgirl]

Everything that doublestuf said.
I’m also a resource teacher in an elemtary school and that is exactly what we do/say.

It’s not as black/white as some people thing. We can’t just stop and pick up kids and take them out of the classroom.

I’m sure there are supports in place. You can ask o Falk to the teacher, but I’m sure all she is going to say (due to privacy) is that they have plans in place to keep everyone safe.

[sammy]

I work with special/high needs kids in an elementary school and we often have to evacuate our classroom. In order to restrain a student you must be certified. Also, when restraining you absolutely cannot move the child. So the safest and really the only option is to remove the students from the room. This is in Canada so I’m not sure how the laws differ in the US. We also do not notify parents when the evacuations occur.
If you are concerned I’d contact the teacher and principal to check in to ensure they are aware you are concerned. I know our teachers will talk parents through safety measures when a parent voices specific concerns.

[Yogurt]

I teach resource in elementary.

I will agree with posters who mention that it's easier to get compliant children out of a room than a non-compliant one, so it makes sense to have the group leave and this kid stay. Here as a "crisis intervention trained" staff person, I can only lay hands on a kid if he is a danger to himself or others and it has to be something actually pretty dangerous. If a kid is say...trashing a room, we have to let them do so and block access as much as possible, but couldn't restrain.

I think a general parent letter, without any specifics pertaining to this kid would be a nice idea, but not something I'd expect. We don't send anything like that home here.

Also, there are a lot of factors that disqualify you from special education services, so it's not always a matter of the kid should be getting services he isn't getting. And if he were to qualify it's a very long process. And even if he does qualify, this might still happen a lot. We have to put students with special needs in the least restrictive environment, and can't remove them from general education until many interventions have proven to not be effective, which can take years.

I'm assuming something has happened to this boy to make him act out, so I hope counseling or therapeutic supports are available to him. I hope the disruptions stop soon.

[shan-ah-doo]

It’s not as simple as it sounds and I’m sure the staff has everyone’s safety in mind. It’s a sucky situation but I’m not sure exactly what’s pissing you off about it?

[tinyjoys]

bwisco, maybe you can weigh in?

[GhoatMonket]

May 4, 2018 16:19:32 GMT -6 shan-ah-doo said:

It’s not as simple as it sounds and I’m sure the staff has everyone’s safety in mind. It’s a sucky situation but I’m not sure exactly what’s pissing you off about it?

This. And this is all based on the word of a Kindergartner and they can be a little overdramatic at times. 

[shan-ah-doo]

May 4, 2018 16:25:50 GMT -6 GhoatMonket said:

May 4, 2018 16:19:32 GMT -6 shan-ah-doo said:

It’s not as simple as it sounds and I’m sure the staff has everyone’s safety in mind. It’s a sucky situation but I’m not sure exactly what’s pissing you off about it?

This. And this is all based on the word of a Kindergartner and they can be a little overdramatic at times. 

Op comes off very “not my preshus” here.

[misskilljoy]

I am an elementary teacher and I would say there is at least one class in my small school evacuated each week. It's a risk management tactic used when the child's behaviour has escalated beyond basic intervention strategies. We evacuate the class when we think a child poses a risk to other students. Like PP said, once a child has escalated to this point, there is no "just removing them instead".

Trust, no one is jumping to evacuation straight from go. It sucks, it's disruptive, and the increasing rates of evacuations are signs of huge gaps in student supports - but there isn't much choice available to educators when a child is that deeply in crisis. I will always call for backup and take my students out of the room rather than continue trying to talk à student down when they're flipping desks or throwing things. My class is already disrupted at that point, so removing my other students actually allows us to get back on track more quickly.

[shan-ah-doo]

I’ve had to watch my one of my neighbor’s daughter be physically taken out of their car and brought into school kicking and screaming everyday for months. The look of defeat and exhaustion on their face was heartbreaking. I cannot imagine thinking of myself in that situation.

[thechickencoop]

I shouldn't have said pissed at controlling him really, because I'm not. I get that they can't really restrain him. I guess I'm just more annoyed that no one was notified of the disruptions. AND I was speaking with the principal today and all he said was that they were playing lightsabers and it got out of hand. I wish I would have asked specifically about the issues because I guess that's true that he wouldn't necessarily bring it up like, "oh, by the way, while playing star wars, your DS was hit and they also had to evacuate because he wouldn't STOP throwing and hitting".