"By law I can't promise you a huge cash settlement...But I promise you a huge cash settlement..."
Posted on 05/15/2015 8:13:24 PM PDT by Marie
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – New Braunfels ISD responded Friday to a complaint from parents of a student at Carl Schurz Elementary School being in a "FOCUS room."
A website, called "The 'Focus Room' Horror" and dated May 13, shows photos of a visibly upset boy sitting on the floor of a room. The website writes that the boy is a 9-year-old student named Alex and states that he was confined to the room for more than an hour.
According to the website, Alex was told to sit in a circle drawn on the floor for 90 minutes "to earn 90 minutes in the classroom."
The website's author wrote a synopsis of Alex's conversation with his parents that evening. The site states Alex's mother was taken to that room after she was "denied five times by the vice principle [sic]." Alex reportedly told his parents the room is called the "focus room," and it's "where bad children go and serve their in-school suspension." According to the website, Alex told his parents he has been confined to the room nearly every day, that it's very cold and that "sometimes they shout at me and say rude things." Alex reportedly said students are not allowed to go to the bathroom, have snacks or get exercise.
The district sent a letter to parents at the school clarifying the district's punishment procedures.
"You may hear the term 'FOCUS Room' or 'Safe Room.' These are two different environments. A 'FOCUS Room' is a classroom environment that allows for behavior intervention such as social skills and counseling. A 'Safe Room' is used in times when a child is a danger to himself/herself or others," said the letter.
New Braunfels ISD said it is not sure who created the website. A NBISD spokesperson said FOCUS rooms or safe rooms are in many schools, used as a safe place during emotional outbursts or as a "timeout."
('It's not a FOCUS room! It's a SAFE room!' Oh, that makes it so much better...)
(photos are this link)
http://helpingalex.squarespace.com/blog-native/helpalex
Here’s another news story with video.
The news article in post #2 explains a bit more.
The blog was made by the child’s father. And the boy was put into this room because he threw food in the cafeteria.
According to the father, the boy had been in there many times. He had to do 90 minutes in this room to ‘earn’ 90 minutes of classroom time.
"By law I can't promise you a huge cash settlement...But I promise you a huge cash settlement..."
When I was in elementary school, I wouldn't have been sitting in a circle to correct my behavior. In fact I would have probably had problems sitting at all.
Now I know why my property/school taxes are so high, all these FOCUS rooms.
“Put your hands on MY Desk” was what the Principle use to say to me, as that whatever it was with all those holes drilled in it hit my skinny but.
Isolation and hypothermic torture — both CIA enhanced interrogation techniques — used on a 9 year old school kid and in violation of Texas law.
Part of Common Core ‘teaching’ technique or just liberalism in action?
IOW, behavior problems in schools cost taxpayers big bucks.
Exactly.
The whole ‘endure this hell for 90 minutes to earn 90 minutes of classroom time’ is still sticking in my craw.
On one of the articles some of the commenters are saying, ‘we don’t know what he did. he may have tried to stab someone...’ and other such speculation.
He threw food in the cafeteria.
The horror. What nine year old would ever do such a thing? Why I thought that nine year boys were *known* for their impulse-control and their thoughtfulness.
When I was young, that would’ve earned a bark from a teacher and the kid would’ve been forced to pick it up. Then life would go on. Do it again and you’d get sent to the principal’s office.
A paddle is cheaper, delivers more for the bang of the buck, and goes directly to the problem.
A strong right arm and a couple of witnesses or a camera assures reason and standard, and protects the offender.
When I was in school they hit bad kids with “the board of educationion.”
It’s because we’ve lost male authority in the schools. Almost all of the teachers are women and they can NOT hold the line as well as men.
I know I struggled with my two when my husband was deployed. And I’m no pushover.
I’ve been saying for years that we need to segregate the sexes and have men teach the boys and women teach the girls - with male authority in the hallways. Every single study and experiment proves that boys do much better without women running their education.
They can still spank kids in Texas. My two went to school there just a couple of years ago.
I will ask my nephew about this tomorrow. He is a student.
bump
What grade?
A situation where the Board of Education should be applied to the seat of knowledge.
So we understand they didn't want to do it, but she insisted, ...so they sent her there for 120 minutes! There,...problem solved.
He was at that school (It think) last year, he’s Jr High this year.
At that time in my life I hated that woman with a visceral passion. At this time in my life I know she did me a great favor and service. She did not even call my parents I think, that was the sword she held over our heads.
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