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