If you notice you’re feeling upset and need to calm down, take some deep breaths. Breathe from your diaphragm and lengthen each of your breaths until you feel more calm and centered.
There may be differences in the stories depending on who’s telling, but get as clear of a picture as you can. Be willing to hear both sides without judgment or interruption.
An expulsion shouldn’t be a holiday for your child. You may want to take away their privileges (like a phone or television) or tighten the reins on their freedoms with friends. Remember, expulsion is already a major punishment, so don’t be too harsh!
Do things for yourself that make you feel supported and taken care of. Take a bath, go on a walk, write in a journal, or listen to calm music.
Some rights may differ by school district. Look on your school district’s website or ask a school employee for the school handbook on how to handle these procedures.
While getting a lawyer is optional, it can help you to familiarize yourself with the process and know what to expect. If you’re not sure what to say to the school, a lawyer can step in and talk for you. Bring a lawyer with you to the board hearing and seek fair treatment. Find a lawyer who’s worked expulsion cases before. Look online or get a recommendation from someone you trust.
You should be able to review the school records before the hearing.
An appeal would happen at the child’s expulsion hearing or shortly after. This process varies by school and may be outlined in the school handbook.
Private schools might be boarding schools or day schools. This might include military schools, religious schools, or therapeutic schools. [8] X Research source Homeschooling can help kids who are having social problems. If your child got mixed in with a questionable crowd, homeschooling can be a good option. Your child can even complete schooling online. Find more information about online school through your school district or state/territory education website. Online schooling may also be available in your state. Some organizations offer online public school and home schooling, such as the organization K-12. [9] X Research source These programs may be teacher-led or self-directed.
Once the re-entry plan has been completed, your child may go before the board once again. The board will vote whether your child will be readmitted.
Say, “My child is having some difficulties and I need some time off. ” If you want to be more specific, say, “My child is expelled and needs an adult present until we get something worked out. I need some patience as I sort this out and need a few days. ”
Therapy shouldn’t feel like a punishment to your child or a consequence for their bad behavior. Find a therapist by calling your insurance provider or local mental health clinic. You can also obtain a recommendation from a physician or loved one. You may also consider family therapy. This can help your whole family develop positive coping skills to move forward from what happened, and it can also help your family to adjust to the changes that your child’s expulsion may bring. If you have multiple children in your family, then family therapy may also help your child’s siblings process their feelings and cope with the changes after your other child was expelled.
For example, if your child bullied kids at school and was expelled, watch how they interact with their friends or siblings and don’t be afraid to correct bad behavior. Say, “You can’t talk to your sister that way. Try again. ”
Make sure your child knows the rules and consequences when they break a rule. For example, if plans change, have them call you on their phone. If they don’t do these things, then you will ground them or take away their computer privileges.
It’s okay to admit you don’t know how to be a perfect parent. Nobody does. A parenting class can at least give you some new things to try. Find parenting classes online or attend a live class at a local mental health clinic, church, or hospital.
While residential treatment isn’t a long-term schooling solution for education, children can still get school credits while at residential treatment as they work toward improving their behavior. Your child’s physician or therapist may provide recommendations for a treatment center or you can find one online.
