Isolation Box in Elementary Schools: Therapeutic or Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

This morning I saw a report on Komo 4 News about Mint Valley Elementary School in Longview, WA.  This particular school deems it necessary to place children in their special education programs into an isolation booth as a " therapeutic calming method" when the children get out of line.  The school has been using this method for the past for years and claims to have parents sign waivers at the beginning of the school year to allow this method to be used for their children.  The issue arose today because a few parents stepped forward stating they never signed a waiver and their children were still placed in this isolation box at the school.  Worst of all, the children complained to their parents that they weren't posing a threat to themselves, other classmates or weren't even being disrespectful in the classroom environment.  They did admit that they were either crying or tapping on their desk which led them to be placed in this booth.  This isolation booth is conveniently located in the storage area of the school. (see picture below)  With this booth being located in the storage area of the school - who monitors the children while they are placed in isolation?  Hmmm...I wish they would do that to my child!  NOPE!  Not at all okay!



How is this method therapeutic?  It seems very abusive to me.  I have two children.  Neither of them are in special education programs, however, I don't see how this method would be necessary for a child inside or outside of that program.  I also don't understand what type of parent would agree to such punishment for their child (or any child) that is in elementary school.  In my opinion this method seems more harmful than helpful and is very damaging to a young child's mental state.  With the lack of supervision and accountability between the school superintendent / principals and the staff - anything is liable to happen.  Most times I feel like teachers aren't trained to deal with children that may have more behavioral and/or educational challenges.  I am all for smaller class sized in schools so that teachers can dedicate more time to their students.  There also needs to be more up to date training for teachers on how to effectively handle difficult types of children and situations versus suspending them, sending them to detention or isolating them in a box.  Man...woman...young or old....How would that make you feel? 

For more information on this story and comments from other readers please see the link below:

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Isolation-box-Abuse-or-therapy-for-Longview-school-kids-181195571.html

Well...looks like they found "Amber"

A few things come to mind when I think of the “Amber Alert” that was displayed this morning on Komo 4 News but the main thought was suspicion.  I am unsure if this alert was put in place so quickly because a) the suspect was young and black b) the suspect is a classified as a level 1 (minor risk) sexual offender or because c) the 16 year alleged victim was the child of a sheriff in Pierce County?  I cannot say that I have seen many Amber Alerts issued in such short timeframe but in this instance, I highly doubt it was what is considered to be “normal protocol”.  It seems a bit obsessive in my opinion.  I fully understand there was a missing mentally delayed teenager in question but she was not even missing for 24 hours before they had the news crew, the newspaper and the flashing alerts on every freeway monitor.  I can’t help but wonder if these SAME efforts would have been put forth if this scenario were to take place but the roles were reversed…white woman, “abducting” a mentally delayed black teen male?  Things that make you go hmmmm!

Sometimes I feel that society’s labels on people can be too much.  Many have biased opinions that are simply based on age, gender, race, environment and other superficial things without really knowing any of the particulars that make up a human being.  These are characteristics that merely scratch the surface of someone’s make up!  Yet, people are so very aggressive with their demeanor, views and judgments.  While reading some of the posts below the news update – there were a few that asked for the suspect to “be made the example”!  Really?!  Why so extreme!?  Komo 4 reported that the teen was found “safe and unharmed”.  If there was foul play I don’t believe the man should be allowed to just slide but are we going to reprimand anyone else that was involved because clearly others were neglecting their responsibilities.   Should we make an example out of the personnel due to the lack of supervision that allowed this 16 year old to walk freely out of the bowling alley?  How about make an example of the school that didn’t do THEIR part in securing responsible chaperons who was supposed to make sure there was accurate supervision for this after school event? It just seems so extreme.  I am sure that the Sherriff, her father, has some type of power that allowed the news and alerts to be escalated in the manner that they were.  I just hope people use some of that same power is utilized to find some of these innocent children who are snatched away from their parents and are still missing a year and some later.  Some people in this world are extremely selfish and simply crazy!  My grandmother use to say “if it is good for the goose – it is good for the gander.”  Next Amber Alert I see better have the same type of execution and precision used regardless of the child's age, mental state, race and relation.

Check out the link below...
 

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Amber-Alert-issued-for-Briana-Troyer-seen-with-sex-offender-Terrence-Powell-179266361.html

 

 

 

Who has the last laugh?

So I decided to get a head start on the next discussion for my Sociology class.   I logged into my course and pulled up this week’s assignment when I saw we would be discussing hegemonic beliefs and this one specific website.   

So I click the link… (check it out… http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com/)

IMMEDIATELY after pulling up this page - I was offended.  Highly offended!  The webpage and its content are outrageous!  I had to pose the question to my professor to see if this site was created for the purposes of this course and/or discussion or if this is an actual website?!  (TBD)  I feel the site is extremely rude and offensive to all parties involved!   I can’t lie and say that I have never heard some of these racial stereotypes before because the fact of the matter is…..I have.  Hearing and thinking about it is bad enough but to publish it on the worldwide web is just too much.  Come on now – when are we going to start using common sense or at least start filtering ourselves and what we say AND what we allow to be said to us?  Our society can be so toxic.   There should be love and equality for ALL people across the board.  This certainly isn’t the time to defend the amount of friends I have of different cultures – because that doesn’t matter.  What matters is taking pride in yourself and your culture.  This is not even acceptable for the sake of the class discussion or just a quick laugh because it is NOT funny.  As an African American – I am embarrassed.   This website is just one of the many examples of how “humor” can be misconstrued and taken lightly in the place of racism.  Reading some of the captions, you almost want to laugh at the mess that is posted but you soon realize you might be laughing with THEM (the creator), while they are laughing at US!  Uh uh….

THIS has got to stop!!!!!

While on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, I came across this picture that was very disturbing to me.  I almost scrolled right past the picture until my curiosity had me look again.  I recognized the number of “likes” and comments that followed the picture, which led me to read the caption below.   When I read the caption I started to really get upset.  I gazed back up at the picture and then down at the caption again.  I did this a few times as I continued to read through the story.  Once I was finished reading it, I started to tear up a little bit.  I continued to study the picture again and again thinking what I would do if faced with this type of tragedy.   

The picture and article displayed is a very unfortunate and tragic story from 2009 that is based out of the state of Georgia and reported by Black Media News.  The tragedy took place between a 9 year old little boy, the little boy’s mother and a local sports coach.  The mother caught the coach raping her 9 year old son in her home!  The mother out of instinct and natural reaction, did what was needed to protect her child. She grabbed a carving knife and cut the offender!  Four years later – the mother has charges pending for attempted murder and can potentially face 15 years in prison for trying to keep her child out of harm’s way. 

 

 

I am concerned with the Georgia state laws and the fact that the mother has the potential to face any kind of criminal charges.   I am more concerned with the rising rate of sexual predators and offences against young children.  It is getting ridiculous and straight out of hand.  As a mother of two boys, I wouldn’t want to even imagine going through this kind of incident.  I also couldn’t imagine how broken ANY child must be after living through such a horrible and vile experience.     

As parents – we MUST talk to our children and keep ALL lines of communication open and flowing on a regular basis.  Our children MUST be able to come and talk to us about any and everything that is going on at home, school or where ever...REGARDLESS of how large or small the matter.  Parents we need to also be proactive and learn to talk to our children.  We should approach our children before problems arise just to be aware of what is going on in their minds and their lives.  We also need to have the heart and mind to discern when something is not right with our child(ren).  We should know them better than anyone else.  It is our job to protect them and keep them from any kind of potential danger.  Let’s work harder on effective communication with our children in hopes of avoiding any incidents like this.  As a society, I am very disappointed!  We have got to do better – the world we live in is getting crazier every single day!

 

 

 

 

 

Rock the Vote

Four years ago was the FIRST time I ever even considered voting.  Sad but true!  Today, while at the gym I decided to watch the Final Presidential Debate (mental and physical stimulation LOL).  The older I get I definitely see the importance behind voting.  We must begin taking a stance for a better America for me, you, our families and the future of America!  I have been following this year's election and I am really excited to be able to make my mark again.  I hope everyone who is able to vote can see the importance of this day and decide to make a difference in this year's election! Received my 2012 Ballot so I am ready!  Let's Rock the Vote together!

Here's a taste of the Final Presidential Debate of 2012.....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/22/presidential-debate-2012-_n_2003880.html

Workplace Politics

Am I the only minority (and/or woman) working in Corporate America in 2012 and STILL fears speaking up for what is right because of retaliation?  There are so many ridiculously inappropriate situations that should be addressed because change is definitely needed!  Sometimes as much as I am angered by the politics in Corporate America (and as outspoken as I can be) I am silent.  It burns me up on the inside but I make the decision NOT to speak on certain situations in fear of what reporting may bring.  Sometimes I feel like my reactions to situations will be pushed aside because “I am a woman”, “I am over-reacting out of emotion” or because I will be labeled as the “angry black woman”.  Since the recession – I’ve heard many people say “you better be lucky you have a job”!  So instead many of us chose to sensor ourselves, put a filter on the truth and play along with the wrong just to make things continue to seem “right”!  The older I get – I really do not like this.  I talk to myself (YES MYSELF), God and my friends and I try to reaffirm that I am not trying to seem ungrateful.  I just don’t quite understand when it was acceptable to be treated in such an inappropriate manor.  WE KNOW that if the tables were ever turned we could not act in that same fashion and still have this job that we should be "oh so grateful" for.  Change is needed!    I am not selfishly looking to change things that only pertain to me.  I am also looking for change to circumstances that should not be existent to anyone – period.  I have never been so self-consumed that I am only moved when situations have a direct effect on me – we are all somehow affected by it all.  Nothing we do has an effect on just US.  The question is…where do we begin?

I choose not to go into detail about any situation in particular but this topic was definitely on my mind today so I decided to blog about it.  Unfortunately, I am sure many of you can relate.  Care to share your thoughts…??

It's NEVER too late for change

 

For the past few months I have been turning into Komo 4 News to hear that someone else has senselessly gotten shot and killed. This past Wednesday morning wasn’t any different. I tuned in to learn that a man; 27 years of age, was shot and killed in his car in a pretty prominent area of Seattle. This is the second incident within the past few months that a body was discovered in this area, which is also coincidently, by a friend’s house.

Every time I hear about a story like this – it really touches my heart.  I, myself am not aware of who this young man may be but it is sad nonetheless. I have two boys of my own and I fear what may be in store for them in a world like this. I recently started to question myself.  “Has the world always been like this or has my growth and maturity made me more aware of what is really going on?”  At this moment, I don't have a clear answer about that!  Seattle use to be one of the safest places to live. It is certainly not that way anymore. It is unfortunate because most of these life altering mistakes are being made in the blink of the eye but the actions change people’s lives forever.  When do we just stop, think and learn to silence ourselves without ruining each other’s lives? Most times it is too late.

We all need to wake up and make a change so that things can not only be better for society, our family's, ourselves but most importantly... for our children. They certainly don't need this type of stimga placed on them because of this cruel world we live in. When reviewing the school text regarding people being stigmatized and stereotyped, it really made me reflect the type of world our children will be left in.  What kinds of things will they need to do to merely survive with all of the foolishness going on?

We really all need to wake up!  It's NEVER too late for change.