A general FYI regarding school protocol:I have mentioned that my son is a teacher (special education, grades K-5).
I asked him several questions without disclosing the reason:
Q: If you knew of a child age 6 or 7 who walked home with a twin and a 9-10 year old, would that be cause for alarm?
A: Not really, we have a lot of kids (that age) who walk...but usually with an older child.
Q: If the girl ran off a lot and you knew about it, would you investigate it?
A: Depends on other factors, like, you know, if the she had bruises, things like that...
Q: What about a child that got into a fight at school, hit another child with a backpack or something like that?
A: Well, in any case where there is hitting or physical contact involved, we have to deal with that...first of all, I would try to determine what happened. Then I would contact one or both parents and inform them.
Q: And you would document it?
A: Document, everything.
Q: If you suspected a child was at risk - say two or more of these factors (above) were involved, what would you do?
A: We have what is called a SWAT TEAM. If one of us is concerned, we get the team together - teacher(s), guidance, social worker. We all know the child and we determine what we should do.
Q: Are the parents invited to that?
A: No it is our team. Parents can come if they want to.
Q: To what extent do you involve the parents?
A: Inform the parent of incidents or concerns and schedule a conference with them, with or without the team, depending on where in school the problems are happening. If it is a lot of things like you said, have the parents meet with the team and make recommendations.
Q: What is the protocol for abuse. You have called DCFS?
A: I did not (do not) personally call DCFS. I alert the guidance and social worker and they make that call.
Q: They do not call the police?
A: No, the procedure is to call DCFS.
Q: Is there a file kept on the child?
A: Of course there is a file/files, because everybody involved documents everything.
Q: What are some reasons you have alerted DCFS?
A: Suspected incest or sexual abuse, child filthy, body odor, child talking about drug use at home, suspicious marks on the child, child saying there is nobody at home, things like that. (A lot of the kids he has have no parents, live with grandparents, have parent(s) in jail or parents so high when they come in they can hardly walk/talk).
Q: Have you had to call more than once on a child?
A: Of course, because the parent had a disconnected phone, or didn't respond to any calls, refused to come in, or do anything about the problems, yes. Whenever we suspect there is anything happening, we discuss it and the call is made.
Q: And of course the principal is made aware of this.
A: The principal is aware of anything outstanding about any child, especially when the child is at-risk.
I then told him about the situation with the DCFS call. He stated that is exactly how it happens. I told him about the "unfounded" status and the suggestions about day care, etc., and how it was declined.
A: Mom, I hate to tell you this, but in my school, the majority of parents are like her.
Q: Is there anything else you can tell me?
A: I am very tired and will be working from 7:45 a.m. till after a school board meeting at 8:30 can I go home now?
