This Is In Need Of Seriouse Attention

[amanda]

I am a first year teacher. I teach 7th and 8th grade science. In one of my louder 8th grade classes one of my favorite students is letting her grades drop. She is very bright. But all of a sudden her grades are dropping. She isn't turning in homework. It isnt just my class. All her classes are slipping. She is usually very happy, and laughing, and respectful. But lately she is disrespectful and down. She fixates on anything she can on the ground and looks tired. I haven't seen her smile in a long time. I check in and she says shes sorry. She was a problem child last year and her teachers have given up on her already. She is a great athlete. She runs track, cross country, and plays basketball. When football season was in she was the only girl on her team. A captain for all these sports.I attended her game last night and she played horribly. I have attended other games and she is alot better than she played. I also attended her musical concert. She was once again unmotivated. I asked her what was going on and after alot of coaxing she told me she could never do anything right. Then ran off. I called her parents who are both lawyers and both loud and obnoxiouse. I told them I had concerns. They told me to keep my nose in my own bussiness. The next day I saw a large bruise on her jaw. I had seen bruises on her before. Horribley bad ones. But she told me it was from snowboarding or dirtikes. Or she fell. She is also lately quick tempered. She wont talk to me. She has skipped classes. I truly care about this kid. How do I help her? I dont want to see her get hurt. I miss her laugh and smile. She is a good kid. Help me help her. What do I do? :(

[Addict]

Wow! That is the longest sentence I have ever seen!

[Krafty]

If you truly feel there is an issue, I would discuss it with a guidance counselor/adviser or the principal. The parents don't sound like they will be much help, especially if they are part of the problem. I hope you can find a way to help her.

Unrelated, if I could respectfully make a suggestion for future posts - the lack of punctuation and the over-use of capitalization is REALLY hard to read. It may be deterring others from reading/responding to your post.

Take care,

[SLP]

My gosh, take a breath already!
Breathe in...breathe out...
Go to your happy place in your mind....

New Edit:
Amanda,
Thank you for editing that looooong sentence. It's much easier to read now.

[amanda]

I just need help on knowing what to do. I reported but nothing ever happened. She is to the point that I don't know who she is anymore. I talked to the g.c. and she said she will talk to her.
She is now suspended for fighting for the second time and is in danger of being expelled on her next behaviorl incident. I don't want her to get into more trouble than she can handle. All the other teachers say I am getting to involved. That I care to much. She is the one that is destined to be a street thug. But I know her better. That is not who she was in the beggining of the year. She does no extracurricular activities and dropped all sports. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

[dolmansaxlil]

If you're truly suspicious of the bruising, then I would say you have an obligation to call someone about it. If I feel a kid is being abused, I legally have to report it to Children's Aid.

[absentmindedprof]

I think you are right in thinking this is a very serious situation.

Even if it isn't abuse (and it looks like it is), it needs to be clarified. Have you spoken with the guidance counselor/ principal? What do they say? Is there anyone else you can talk to?

Although it is an extremely difficult situation to decide to go to human services, it is their job, not yours, to investigate. It is entirely within your rights (and legal responsibility) to report suspected abuse - you are not in the position to determine whether or not it is occurring.

Still, it is a very traumatic thing to call in DSS, both for you, the family, and the student. You should seek support from your principal/guidance counselor before proceeding. If they do not support you in this action, you should do some soul-searching and try to find out why. If after soul-searching, you truly believe that abuse might be occurring, and you believe that someone should intervene, seek some support and call DSS. Support might come from your union representative, other teachers or administrators in other districts.

Then hunker down and weather the storm knowing you did the right thing.

Best of luck.

[MrsR]

I agree, I would speak with the guidance counselor/social worker or principal. Maybe you could try to speak to her again, letting her know that you do care about her and would like to help her when something is wrong.

[christiw]

As a teacher in the state of California, I am a mandated reporter. If I suspect or see anything, it is my job to make it known to the authorities. If I don't my job is in jeopardy. Abuse is a complex issue at best but children deserve the extra help by having an adult intervene.

[Mr. Larrabee]

I realize that it's a new school year since the O.P. made her request for help. However, this is a situation that many can learn from, so I'll post anyway.

In my state, you are required to report suspected abuse, as was mentioned by another person who replied. That said, I can understand how that is very scary. Here's the thing. You're not doing it for yourself. You're not doing it for a warm-fuzzy feeling afterwards (I think I'd be downright nausious). You're doing it because that student CANNOT stand up for herself. She has no voice of her own to escape the situation, and you should make a phone call that might save her life.

I realize that we don't have the perfect system. We just pass the problem along to another agency. They meddle and move kids into fostercare, and even foster parents aren't all perfect. But I think the O.P. presented a clear picture of what happens when nothing is done.

I wonder what the principal and g.c. did at that school? If amanda is still reading this, please give us an update.

[teach4life]

Something is definitely going on with this young lady. I had a similiar situation with a young lady in my class and it happened to be her dad was selling drugs out of his home. She was there several times and witnessed it but was told to be quiet about it...anger built up in her until she had a breakdown.

Reporting to proper authorities and letting them do what they are trained to do in situations such as this is the best.

[upnorthteacher]

As hard as it is to do, reporting your suspicion of abuse is an ethical,and in most states, legal obligation. If your county CPS does not seem to take action and investigate, you may want to talk to a school liason officer or call the county sheriff's office. The county that I teach in often doesn't investigate abuse until the police are involved. Good luck. I know from experience how heart-wrenching this kind of situation can be.

[green.dlouise@comca]

I work in Utah and if I suspect any abuse I am required by law to report it to the child and family services immediately. I am a classroom teacher but have my school counseling masters degree. The CFS are the people to investigate any problems at home. Parents have a tendency to go after teachers or counselors who look into trouble at home. It is beyond you. Also, 8th grade girls, in my 13 years experience, become very moody, are quick to fight, rebel, and are generally loud or depressive. I have had so many girls change from day to night between 7th and 8th grade. I just try and let them know my room is a safe place and I care about them. I also let them know that there are things I am obligated by law to report but I will be there for them. This is a tough age. It does sound like there is something going on with this girl....home, drugs, boys...something.

[Chef Dave]

I will echo Mr. Larrabee.

I used to teach in Texas. (I'm assuming you're in Beaumont, Texas). If you have reason to suspect child abuse, you are legally bound to report this to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Here are highlights from their website.

1) Child abuse and neglect are against the law in Texas, and so is failure to report it.

2) If you suspect a child has been abused or mistreated, you are required to report it to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or to a law enforcement agency.

3) You are required to make a report within 48 hours of the time you suspected the child has been or may be abused or neglected.

DO NOT WAIT! The law is very clear! Call the abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

Best wishes,

David Chin, Chef Instructor
Culinary Arts Department
Thatcher High School
P.O. Box 610
Thatcher, Arizona 85552

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/About_Child_Protective_Services/reportChildAbuse.asp