My 5 yr old son was suspended today

[Rewind_Selector]

I have talked to him about it a couple times now. I don't think punishment is going to help in this situation other than no special treats today. He does know it wasn't the right thing to do.
I did have to call the school back already. While I was there talking the the Behavior Specialist who informed me of his suspension he said it was for today and tomorrow. I tried to tell him that 1 day especially for a first offense seemed adequate. He insisted that he does not make the rules and the handbook says 2 days. He was adamant that my son could not come back tomorrow. I didn't read the suspension letter until I got home. It specifically says he is suspended for 1 day (January 10, 2012) and at the bottom says "Your student will be expected to return to school on January 11, 2012" I left a message saying he will be at school tomorrow but have not heard back.
On top of all this I will have to deal with the people here at the shelter. They feel as though they have to have their hand in every single aspect of our lives. The case manager tried to make herself the emergency contact at the kids school. They have actually called her before calling me about MY children in the past. Nothing similar to this just sick kid and immunization exemptions etc etc. That is a whole other topic that would be much longer than this one.

[napua]

I wish I had great advice. I do think that at his age suspension is enough. Other than talking with him about it, I'd let it be. You guys have been going through quite a lot recently and I can only imagine how difficult that must be.

[z2akids]

I cannot help but wonder if there is more going on. An out of school suspension is a pretty serious consequence for a first offense.

My oldest never bit anyone in his life until one day in 1st or 2nd grade a kid (a friend) reached across his desk for some reason and he reached out and bit him. He left a mark, but didn't break the skin. His entire consequence was an hour or so in with the principal and mommy coming to school to talk to him. He ate his lunch in the principal's office that day and that was it. He has never exhibited another incident of violence before or since. If he were habitually violent with his classmates, the next step would be an in school suspension. My kids are in a very small school, so I don't know if a larger school would make significant difference, but I would be really curious why it went immediately to out of school suspension. An out of school suspension would be even more severe of consequence.

[escapethevillage]

Originally Posted by monkeymama07 I wouldnt make it fun or rewad him in anyway though so if TV, game systems, etc would not be out until the other kids got home from school

That is exactly what I would do too.

[Almacham]

Originally Posted by Rewind_Selector I have talked to him about it a couple times now. I don't think punishment is going to help in this situation other than no special treats today. He does know it wasn't the right thing to do. I did have to call the school back already. While I was there talking the the Behavior Specialist who informed me of his suspension he said it was for today and tomorrow. I tried to tell him that 1 day especially for a first offense seemed adequate. He insisted that he does not make the rules and the handbook says 2 days. He was adamant that my son could not come back tomorrow. I didn't read the suspension letter until I got home. It specifically says he is suspended for 1 day (January 10, 2012) and at the bottom says "Your student will be expected to return to school on January 11, 2012" I left a message saying he will be at school tomorrow but have not heard back. On top of all this I will have to deal with the people here at the shelter. They feel as though they have to have their hand in every single aspect of our lives. The case manager tried to make herself the emergency contact at the kids school. They have actually called her before calling me about MY children in the past. Nothing similar to this just sick kid and immunization exemptions etc etc. That is a whole other topic that would be much longer than this one.

I'm sorry about your situation. It sounds like you have a lot of things going on at the moment, beyond the biting incident.

[Rewind_Selector]

Originally Posted by z2akids I cannot help but wonder if there is more going on. An out of school suspension is a pretty serious consequence for a first offense. .

I thought this exact same thing. He has not had any trouble at school before this. He gets a paper sent home every day with his homework on it and it is marked by color green,yellow,red for behavior. It is almost always a green with the occasional yellow. When that happens the teacher puts a note and it's always that he plays around when it's work time and that might be once or twice a month.

Originally Posted by Freedom I'm sorry about your situation. It sounds like you have a lot of things going on at the moment, beyond the biting incident.

Thanks for your concern. We are making it work. What's so ironic is that only a few months ago we were living it up in Jamaica. Now we are where we are. It just goes to show how things can change so quickly.

[Rewind_Selector]

I forgot to add. I DID send him to school today as stated in the paper work I was given. I truly expected a phone call because the man yesterday said it HAD to be 2 days. I haven't heard anything. I still plan on calling the school later and trying to make more sense of this.

[luvsviola]

Did you hear anything back?