Topic #2 "Seclusion rooms" in schools

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/17/seclusion.rooms/index.html


I was watching the news with Hubs and there was a story about a 13 yr old who hung himself in a "Seclusion room" at school.
From what I was able to get out of the news story, this boy did go to a school that specialized with "troubled youth". There were multiple times, i believe the news reporter said 15, that this boy was in this room, multiple times he displayed actions that would make anyone think he was not healthy, IE. ripped the hem off his shirt and tied it around his neck, threatened suicide, and a few other instances. The day the boy committed suicide, he was put in there for whatever reason, My guess acting out, and the teacher happened to also give him a Rope to tie around his pants to hold them up, and left him in this "Seclusion room".
Johnathan King Proceeded to feed the rope through a metal grate on the window, and hang himself. A VERY unfortunate/sad situation.


My thoughts are on the school side:
As stated in the article, teachers are not trained to deal with violent, out of control youth. To maintain a safe place for the other students and teachers, I think a time out room is ok. I am sure the school did what they thought was best at the time. For a child to continually act out as Johnathan did/was, I would have saught out more resources to try and help this little boy with his problems, what ever they may have been. If Johnathan had been this problematic, and reportedly been in this seclusion room 15 times, where were the parents to intervene. They claim they had no idea he had been in that room, that many times....As a parent, I find that hard to believe, to not know what is going on with your child at school. Had this been the case, as a school official, it would be my job to contact 3rd parties to help resolve the constant issues.


My thoughts on the parents side:
This is a horrible thing that happened to the King family. To any family that has gone through this same thing. As a parent, When I send my daughter to Kindergarten, I put her safety in the hands of her teacher, and the staff that are there or working with Sam. Had my child been as problematic as this little boy, I would want the school or teacher to notify me so I can seek help for whatever issue my child may have. Wether it be putting them in a treatment facility, Counseling, or what the doctor may advise. If the parents of Johnathan truly had no clue that Johnathan was put in time-out more than a dozen times, than I blame the school for that fully. It is the schools responsibility along with the parents responsibility to KNOW and to discuss issues that may occur, wether it be on a daily basis, or whenever issues happen.
My heart truly does go out to the King family, nothing that anyone can say or do, can bring their child back, or to heal the pain.