When I first started teaching more than 20 years ago, there were no smartphones, no social media, and less distraction in the classroom. For the most part, students came to school for the right reasons, very few young people caused trouble, and if they did, there were strict disciplinary policies to help things run smoothly. There was also a relatively healthy appreciation for authority, but recently those things have begun to deteriorate. Whether it be a consequence of COVID lockdowns, riots and protests, social media, or a combo of all of them, the number of violent incidents in schools have risen.
As a result of these incidents, the Department of Education has begun to focus less on student success. Now they are obsessed with the social and emotional problems of a growing number of troubled students in schools. CDE has introduced the “behavior intervention plan” designed to support students who are having issues like anger, hyperactivity, panic, anxiety, rage and lack of personal regulation. This new label falls under the “affect needs” category.
If a school has a student(s) who struggle with outbursts, fighting, and distracting others, there are very strict guidelines for how these students can be disciplined. Many times they can not be withdrawn or expelled. Most importantly, the schools are not permitted (for privacy purposes) to inform the community if a student with this designation has a safety plan. For example, a school can mandate a daily pat down of these students if they are suspected to have a weapon (or have in the past) on school grounds, and no one would know about it. Regardless of their offenses, a school’s hands can be tied when discipline is assigned. |
The recent shooting at East High School in Denver, saw the outcry from parents who demanded to know why families were not aware that these pat downs were happening with the student involved in the shooting of two administrators in March. This teenager’s safety plan called for routine searches as he entered the school. The lack of information that the school’s administration was allowed to put out to the public caused understandable frustration. It was especially discouraging since students and parents had been demanding that the DPS school board reinstate a Denver Police SRO in their building.
If your student encounters violence, or traumatic events that add stress for your student, many times just simply having a conversation with your child can help. However, if you feel like you need a little guidance on what to do if your child is struggling with coping after a crisis, this site can help you to know where to start. |
However, there doesn’t need to be a traumatic experience for your child to feel nervous or concerned about something going on in their class or school. Your student can, and most likely will encounter students at their school who have been placed on one of these behavioral plans and are causing frustration among the student body. In these moments, your child may need to be reminded about how to deal with situations that are uncomfortable, wrong, or even dangerous. They should steer clear of others who they KNOW are not making good choices.
That is not to say that your child should be mean to anyone, but their everyday interactions with friends or classmates need to be positive and safe. Talk to you kids about their friend group. Young people are impressionable and sometimes they can be drawn to wanting to hang out with “friends” who make bad choices. Having conversations about those that they interact with can help you determine what type of influence those friends have on your child, and whether or not they give in to peer pressure when with each other. Here’s a good list to guide little ones, and one for middle schoolers. |
Some other suggestions include:
-Praying over them before they go to school. Declare that they have the mind of Christ, and that He guides and directs them to be alert to their surroundings and wise about their choices everyday. Here are some scriptures to pray.
-Go over scenarios with your child about what to do if a friend gets angry, is disrespecting adults or authority, what to do if your child feels uncomfortable in situations. Most of the local schools in this area have SROs and students should feel comfortable approaching them. That can begin with parents introducing themselves to the police officers on duty and modeling for young ones how to appreciate and converse with them. Children and teens should be reassured that a police officer is there to keep them safe, and they should not be afraid of them. Here are other ways to encourage appreciation and respect for young children.
-Monitor their engagement on social media. Many times if there are issues or problems at school or with classmates, kids will be talking about it on Instagram or Snapchat. Here are some guidelines about helping them make appropriate choices on these platforms, and communicate with you about content that might be bad.
-Get to know your child’s friend group. Depending on the age of your student, you can have a play date or schedule an outing with them. You would be surprised what they talk about when they are together.
-If you feel like something is wrong - report it. If you hear from your child or other children about something that doesn’t sit well with you as it pertains to the safety of the school or kids, you should definitely say something. This is not a time to repeat rumors or spread stories, but to express a valid concern to the appropriate staff member about something illegal, unsafe or possibly dangerous. If they hear about, or see a weapon, or if they witness something that they know is wrong, it’s important to tell someone.
Additionally, if you feel like your child is dealing with significant behavioral or emotional regulation, reach out to your school’s counselor. There are programs in all of the local schools that can help evaluate and support your students (see a listing of sites below).
Bennett Schools
Strasburg
Byers
Deer Trail
-Praying over them before they go to school. Declare that they have the mind of Christ, and that He guides and directs them to be alert to their surroundings and wise about their choices everyday. Here are some scriptures to pray.
-Go over scenarios with your child about what to do if a friend gets angry, is disrespecting adults or authority, what to do if your child feels uncomfortable in situations. Most of the local schools in this area have SROs and students should feel comfortable approaching them. That can begin with parents introducing themselves to the police officers on duty and modeling for young ones how to appreciate and converse with them. Children and teens should be reassured that a police officer is there to keep them safe, and they should not be afraid of them. Here are other ways to encourage appreciation and respect for young children.
-Monitor their engagement on social media. Many times if there are issues or problems at school or with classmates, kids will be talking about it on Instagram or Snapchat. Here are some guidelines about helping them make appropriate choices on these platforms, and communicate with you about content that might be bad.
-Get to know your child’s friend group. Depending on the age of your student, you can have a play date or schedule an outing with them. You would be surprised what they talk about when they are together.
-If you feel like something is wrong - report it. If you hear from your child or other children about something that doesn’t sit well with you as it pertains to the safety of the school or kids, you should definitely say something. This is not a time to repeat rumors or spread stories, but to express a valid concern to the appropriate staff member about something illegal, unsafe or possibly dangerous. If they hear about, or see a weapon, or if they witness something that they know is wrong, it’s important to tell someone.
Additionally, if you feel like your child is dealing with significant behavioral or emotional regulation, reach out to your school’s counselor. There are programs in all of the local schools that can help evaluate and support your students (see a listing of sites below).
Bennett Schools
Strasburg
Byers
Deer Trail
Getting involved locally:
There are many different ways that citizens can get involved in the educational process. Schools are asking for participation in many different ways. The schools along the corridor have made school board meetings readily available for the public to watch and participate in. Together, we can contribute time and attention to our young people. Below is a list of opportunities:
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
- Bennett * Mrs. Robin Purdy
- Strasburg * Mr. Dan Hoff
- Byers * Mr. Tom Turrell
- Deer Trail * Mr. BJ Buchmann