8-Year-Old Arrested After Alleged Trantrum

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Police arrested an 8-year-old boy who allegedly had a violent outburst in school, head-butting his teacher and kicking an assistant principal, when he was told he couldn't go outside to play with other students.

The 4-foot pupil was led away from Rawls Byrd Elementary School in handcuffs Tuesday and charged with disorderly conduct and assault and battery.

"It's not something that happens every day," Maj. Stan Stout said of what could be the department's youngest arrest ever.

Stout said the chair-tossing, desk-turning outburst occurred after a teacher, and later the assistant principal, attempted to stop the boy from joining his classmates.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-brf-school-tantrum,0,4899634.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

Jeez!

Wouldn't want to cross that boy's parents!

Dulcinea
mother of 2

His behaviors remind me a lot of the abused and emotionally disabled kids I worked with. This is not to say kids that are not ED or abused don't ever have tantrums, but the fact this kid was doing this at school and the fact he was throwing things indicates he may well have some unaddressed emotional issues.

There are appropriate ways to restrain and deescalate a kid like this. It's not that hard to get control of an 8 year old. Calling the police is harsh and punitive but they probably couldn't call their School Social Worker or School Psychologist, because many of them have been layed off due to Bush's program slashes!

I do not like the idea that children who have emotional issues are punished, rather than treated. This is a regressive approach after decades of progress in the Human Services field.

It seems like suddenly nobody can control or restrain a child, so the child is either arrested, Tasered, or both. Geez people, get a grip, this is an eight year old kid, how difficult is it to bring this child under control?

It seems like all of these so called authority figures have become scared little weenies, afraid of a child:eyes:

never worked with a wide cross section of kids.

Sounds like this youngster was out of control and has serious emotional problems stemming from something outside of school.

And all of them were over eight years old, most were thirteen to sixteen. And there is one simpld hold that painlessly, easily calms a child down. It is called the basket hold, you cross the kid's arms over their chest, bring their hands towards their back, and hug the child close to you. It is(or was) the recommended way of restraining both children and adults who are acting out. I've seen one hundred pound women effectively practice it on two hundred pound teenagers.

And quite frankly, we don't have enough information on where this child's problems were stemming from. But an arrest record, even a juvie one, isn't the answer.

would be construed that way.

Second, maybe not everyone is as "gifted" as you at restraining out of control kids.

Third, in order to "basket hold" anyone you have to get a grip on them.

Fourth, you don't need anymore info to deduce this kid has serious emotional problems if he's head-butting, throwing desks etc. as a response to being disciplined.

Oh, I didn't.

problem stemming from an emotional problem, he should have IEP that would tell the school how to deal with him.

an almost identical chair-throwing tantrum here in my city led to a 9-year-old being placed in handcuffs in order to control him without hurting him. The cops were called after the boy broke the principal's wrist, but the cops were also unable to get him under control until they handcuffed him.

I freak out when I read about the Tasering of children by cops, but the handcuffing? Well, after what happened here in my town, I think the kid was probably a lot wilder than you can imagine. He was throwing furniture (as also happened here, requiring that the other students be evacuated for their safety). And the principal and teacher tried to simplyy remove him from the room and were unable to, with the principal getting injured in the process.

No doubt the child has serious emotional issues and needs counseling. And the boy here wasn't arrested. The handcuffs were just to get him under control. Afterward he was sent for serious counseling.

They are afraid of getting sued. Lots of schools and school officials have been sued for trying to restrain a child throwing objects. They can be held liable in many states if they lack the proper restraint training methods, such as PARTS, PRT, etc.

I worked in a halfway house for troubled teenagers twenty five years ago, and we were as equally concerned then with lawsuits. There were several state approved, non-violent ways of restraining children that were painless and effective, also sue proof.

do IS have a restraint program in place with DETAILED training for restraining children and have the parents sign it at the beginning of the schoolyear. It isn't as though schools have no recourse.

There are reform schools throughout the US where restraint is and MUST be used every day of the year and they aren't going broke.

if you touch a kid, someone screams abuse!!! assault!!! not only can you not control and restrain your own kid, teachers can't either. teachers get sued/arrested for sexual assault or misconduct if they hug a student. this kind of shit has gotten way out of hand. parents end up more like friends and not like parents. look, I've seen abuse, and I've seen parents trying to control their kids and do whats right, and have people threaten to report them for grabbing their kid by the arm at the grocery store and telling them to behave. parents rights are going down the tubes when it comes to disciplining their own kids.

In my day and time a good ass whipping would have been in order. I know it sounds harsh, but it sure beats being arrested. Thats the price allot of kids are paying, parents and teachers are handicapped in what they can do, so now the police have to take up the slack. This does no favors for the kids. I have often told my children i feel sorry for them and the world they have to grow up in now.

i can see a couple little boys i know that can go into that. i could also take down any of those little 8 year old boys that go into that. wouldnt need the police. but it does beg to be asked, why that child is so out of control. and how to help him with whatever created this outburst. maybe instead of the police, after the child did become controlled. if someone had sat and talked to the boy. to see what was up. instead of creating and treating like a criminal. ya

Go people watch somewhere. It is amazing; tiny tots just barely walking, throwing major tantrums to get their way and parents giving in to them because it seems easier than listening to them fuss. Multiply the lesson learned by thousands of similar interactions (giving in to every whim)over 5 years and you have kids who have never experienced "No" and have never had to deal with disappointment nor learned any self calming skills. Then they go to school and find out they are not the boss of everyone. Some kids take that really hard.

Not saying there aren't kids out there who are legitimately angry, but just watch sometime and see how often parents do not do the tough work when kids are little. They think it is easier to give in ans insist other do the same. Sets everybody up of lifetimes of unrealistic expectations and the anger when they all clash.

Teach your children well. Help them gradually master self control. Kids who grow up with boundaries are happier. The trick is gaging how to keep moving the boundaries out as the kids grow so they can gain skills and experience necessary to be competent in life. Giving in to their every whim cripples them. And it makes life hell for teachers and classmates.

his 13 year old stepdaughter. and i have my 12 year old niece. so many families where other adults are raising the children, not the parent. which in and of itself is interesting. i was saying how i get the 12 year old stuff. if i even hear a tone i turn on my niece and wow, mama bear getting tall and roaring. my 7 and 9 year old sons and husband get scared. lol husband cleaned kitchen the other nite, he heard my roar clear thru the house

i hear ya. this father saying how they had a descipline and mother eventaully gave in. that..........i do know not to ever do. one time is all it takes

there is a lot of that.

is what helps guide the kids to learn self control, coping skills, ressonable expetations. Giving lots of attention for good behavior and ignoring pestering behavior and making them face consequenses for bad behavior will make just about any kid a joy to be with and watch grow.

I see a culture with too many kids who are spoiled rotten but starving for good attention and good models. It is so sad to me. I love kids and am so amazed by them. When they are unpleasant they do not get love and that does not bode well for their lives.

Teach your children well. Hold them dear. They are not just something on a 'to do'list.

You have said it better than anyone.

Your assessment of todays parenting is spot on. I too people watch, and I am appalled at how the children today rule the roost.

My 14 year old daughter has been raised with boundries. It is important that they know there are limits.

She is a well rounded child who respects authority and would never even think about throwing a tantrum to get what she wants.
She WILL try manipulation, but never tantrums.

And she has never been spanked.

THAT'S why they call the police.

Which is craziness. It all goes back to parents of spoiled children taking the kids side no matter how wrong the kid is. If there was discipline at home and discipline in the schools, education would be 100% better.

/sarcasm

World gone mad, kids gone wild, adults brainwashed.

as HST used to say "how long, oh Lord, how long...?"

are totally out of control.

8 year old is head-butting, kicking, throwing over chair and desks all because he was being disciplined?

of dealing wit these kids. mine in public after 6 years in private. i like this public school. and it is lower income, transient school. they deal with a lot of issues

Every school I've worked in (probably close to 20 schools) has been orderly save for one stint I had as a sub in a rough part of town. That stank.

From professionals, I expect to see something more than tasers and handcuffs.

Children's environment or physiological conditions create this type of behavior.

Many abused children do have PTSD.

...clear over the past couple of decades that they don't want anyone in a school involved in disciplining their kids. As a result, the kids go to school knowing that teachers hands are tied, and that more than likely, they won't get into any kind of trouble even if they do act out in school.

You're using an argument championed by the rightwingers...interesting.

resulted in the parent taking his word that the kid was acting up and the parent would punish the kid.

Dad didn't like calling parents too much cause early on, he called someone's parents and the next day the kid came in with a black eye and he had the feeling it resulted from his call.

His favored method of discipline was to have kids come in and work in his office after school with the advanced kids who volunteered.

He didn't believe in seperating kids into fast and slow.

His classes, all those years ago, were a mix. The brighter kids would tutor the slower ones.

Anyway, he said kids most often just want attention and responsiblity.

Our schools run day in and day out without any incidents of even reportable nature. I personally believe leading kids away in handcuffs is pretty silly. But to think this happens everywhere all the time is equally silly.

who constantly rant on about the Teachers unions and all that, and that their kid is "an angel" who the "teacher has it out for" . . .

I wonder why there's no "respecting the teachers" today, especially with all the Repukes who constantly belittle the idea of public education. A kid hears this, knows the parents' attitudes toward the teachers, and causes trouble and points fingers at the teacher . . .

:eyes:

father in jail. mother keeps giving them to family members

who knows. i dont know the boys story

could be the umpteenth school he has been in a small period of time

because she didn't get her way. I snatched the scissors from her.

She had come up to my desk to complain about having to take turns when she wanted something NOW. She grabbed the "teacher's scissors" off my desk and lunged. She barely missed my flesh but did manage to rip my clothing.

She had control problems, mainly due to ADHD. At the time she was adjusting to a new medication. Powerful child, she once threw a very heavy chair across the room at my assistant. I had training in how to safely subdue a child during angry outbursts. Skills that kept the child from hurting herself or others.

After the near stabbing, she went into a tantrum. I used one of the techniques and picked the child up with her back against my chest and my hands locked under her legs at the knees...then carried her to the office. Mainly because she was scaring the other students.

My hands were blue and black from broken vessels where she squeezed her legs together, trapping my hands. I told her that she might consider becoming a gymnast with such strong legs.

I'll never forget that child. She was smart, delightful, and incredibly charming... when not having a bad day.

I never once considered calling the police on a 5 year old. I was never afraid OF her, I was afraid FOR her.

She had her entire life ahead of her and she was going to need a lot of understanding and patience to make it. You don't give up on children, you adapt to help them. You at least try to help them.

wow. each unique individuals. this is why i can never go to dumping on teachers or schools as a whole

thanks for sharing

...my Mom was given a black eye in the late 1970s by one of her middle school female students, and in the late 1960s, my Dad was punched in the nose by a 6'0", 210 pound junior in high school.

Mom's student was expelled from school.

Dad, having been a former undefeated light-heaveyweight boxer in the military, knocked the kid out in two punches. His student was expelled, too, but Dad had to endure a one month investigation that lasted about one month too long and cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Since then, school has become much more dangerous with every passing day.

I wouldn't tolerate physical abuse from a high school student.Though I would never hit back.

I'd probably not press charges against a child in middle school..though it would depend on the circumstances.

Really depends on the circumstances...Do I feel threatened or fear future attacks? Does this child have emotional problems? If a child can get help, I'd opt for getting the child help and not the punishment of arrest.

I don't want to be assaulted, but I don't want to make life harder for the child...and there's a reason for the bad behavior. Is that reason fixable? Can we help that child? Will arresting the child help the child? Or just make me feel better? It really does depend...and there are no easy answers.

I do know I wouldn't have hesitated to arrest a good many parents I came across while teaching.

Times have changed greatly, as you said...

...given the respect they deserve in our society. We saturate them with toxins then force them to do everything we say without a voice of their own.

This child may have had good reason to be upset. Lashing out is not an appropriate response, but what are we showing them in this modern world.

Please respect children. They are just as valuable a citizen of the world as anyone else. Until we begin to do this, we will reep the seeds we sow.

How can you teach a child to respect others if they are not shown respect as a human being?

I know first hand about an 8 yr who went out of control once, and now he is 13 and branded as a problem child although he has NEVER once physically touched a teacher or another student. The schools make it more difficult by treating these "branded" kids so differently, that other students treat them differently.

Until a child is beyond puberty, they need to be under the strict control of their parents.

That does not mean corporal punishment.

That means that they will live the life that their parents set out for them.

A child is incapable of making rational decisions concerning how they live their lives. Left to a child, he/she will make the wrong decision every time.

Look at homework for example. Does your child see the importance of homework, and would they do it without the threat of discipline?

How about cleaning their room? Do you think they know that you make them clean their room to get them trained not to be a PIG in their adult life?

What about school in general?
Do you think a child has any clue that school is preparing them for life in the world of being employed?
Would they go to school if they weren't forced to?
No.
Children do not and should not have a voice.
They are and should be a reflection of you.
When they get to be young adults, then and only then do they have a voice.

...that you are completely and absolutely wrong about everything you stated. Experiencing a child, or another human being making choices that are appropriate for them does take a significant change in outlook and unlearning of past conditioning though.

Until we can unlearn these things, we will continue a cycle of controlling abusive attitudes.

"Children do not and should not have a voice.
They are and should be a reflection of you."

Disgusting.

Clueless parents are the reason kids are the way they are today.

No respect for one another, no respect for adults, no respect for life in general.
The most important thing in a kids life today is material.
Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Steve Madden, name brand after name brand.

All the girls want to be Brittany, all the boys want to be, hell who knows who the boys want to be.

My point is, kids need to be guided. Whether you know it or not, they don't want to make the important decisions. They shouldn't have to. That's our job.

Get a clue before you start spouting a philosophy that definitely doesn't work.

Disgusting you say??

My 14 year old daughter doesn't think so.

"No respect for one another, no respect for adults, no respect for life in general."

Exactly, they are not shown respect. There is so much truth to be seen in the young. Their reaction to us should teach us plenty.

"The most important thing in a kids life today is material.
Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Steve Madden, name brand after name brand. "

Pleasure seeking, filling the emptiness, just like overeating. And just who is marketing to them what they NEED to have? BTH my kids are allowed to eat whatever and whenever they want. They choose a balanced healthy diet. I do not think they will seek out what is going to harm them later(drugs) because of what they were denied.

"Get a clue before you start spouting a philosophy that definitely doesn't work."

It works. It is called mutual respect.

Either way, this was the incorrect response.

Why isn't the personnel in this school trained in how to handle this child? School teachers in Special Education Services, psychiatric nurses, etc, are supposed to all get trained in how to handle a situation like this without violence. The programs are called "Nonviolent Crisis Intervention".

Instead, these people are punting to some other people who don't know what they are doing in handling this, and applying excessive force. I see this as a response to prevailing attitudes at the top, and I don't mean at the school district, but by the Dept of Justice, which gets its orders from the warmongerers in the White House.

These people should be ashamed of themselves. God, sometimes I just hate them.

This poor 8 year old child needs help, not harsh punishment. There are therapuetic discipline techniques for children like this. Having him arrested is not one of them.

Are they raising a pit-bull or a child?

need to be throughly investigated. There could be abuse or neglect causing this child to act out in such a manner.

Are adults so intimidated by a kid acting out they have to call the cops? This is absolutely ridiculous.

blood on his face from an altercation with a student on the playground. He completely went off the deep end, (luckily rampaging through the school building, and not against the child who hit him) and it took two grown adult men to hold him down while they did wait for the cops (Councilor and 6th grade teacher, I think). In any case, the cops did come and he was taken from school for a week. Was it appropriate? I know it was disturbing to watch, I know I would have tried something else, first. But the child was out of control -- both teachers knew about ways to use safe holds, but they couldn't get in the right position, so they did what they thought was appropriate.

I think the circumstances matter greatly -- if this incident in Virgina was a one-time thing, and they are just trying to "scare him straight" it's an inappropriate way to use the police. If they really feared for other students and for their own safety, then it could be seen as appropriate, perhaps.

While I am NOT recommending tasering or other extreme measures on children, we need to recognize that some children are in grave need of help, and often react in ways in which they are harmful to themselves and to others. School officials need to have policies in place if such an event occurs, so that people aren't reacting off of adrenaline (which I think was the case in our school) -- but from a standard plan. And -- to alleviate any "lawsuits" -- this needs to be in the Student Handbook, and talked about in public forum to the parents -- not just about "bad" kids - but about ALL policies and procedures that have been adopted and will be used in the school when necessary. If parents sign a document stating that he/she understands the rules and policies of the school, maybe there would be less trouble with the threat of a lawsuit? --- Probably not.

molested....is in therapy...has been in a mental hospital and foster care....and has endured more in 8 years than most adults.

a really sad sad situation indicitive of the environment created for so many of our children that dont have a foundation of safety and security that will allow them the space to make proper decisions from an emotional stand point. and the school people probably dont have a clue what to do with this child, have lost hope, are fearful of, just feeding this childs out of control more

because he was being deprived of recess as a punishment?

Much more than other kids, children with excessive aggression need constructive physical outlets for their troublesome energy. Yet, especially in areas of concentrated poverty, miserly public school budgets and excessive emphasis on test scores tend to lead to elimination of "frills" such as phys ed, school athletic teams, art, music, and all the other activities that may be especially important to troubled kids. Instead, they get multiple doses of sitting still for stultifying and repetitive "drill" in reading and math, just what is NOT in their critical paths for development to healthy adulthood.

The political disfranchisement of African-American parents in states like Virginia makes race the elephant in the room in disproportionate emphasis on punishment for African-American schoolchildren. I don't think it's a coincidence that this incident took place in one of the few states where the recent USSC decision on execution of children will force change, and where rates of incarceration of African-American men are highest, making China or Korea look like bastions of liberty.

That kid is in a class with other kids not just an adult. What if he decides tomorrow to throw chairs at some of them? Given the severe mental problems this child has according to a post down thread, he shouldn't be in a regular class or should be in there with an aide assigned to him alone. I would be mighty pissed if my kid were in that class and nothing had been done to a kid who tossed chairs.

I am also amazed at the idea that teachers should have to become expert at restraint techniques. Just what other special skills would you like us to aquire and who should pay for their aquisition? One of the major problems in education is that the students who least wish to be in school are the ones that get the most time devoted to them. Which short changes the other kids who want to be there.

And teachers do need basic training on therapeutic intervention techniques and when it's appropriate to make a referral to the School Social Worker or Psychologist for follow up. A one day training seminar would suffice and the school should pay for this.

The "least restrictive environment" clause in the American Disabilities Act, allows children to be mainstreamed. They should not all be automatically removed from the regular environment and the law protects them from being so.

IF there were more interventive programs to address the causes of child abuse, poverty, drug addiction, poor parenting, unaddressed emotional issues, etc, there would be less child abuse.

Unfortunately, social program funding gets slashed every time Republicans get the chance to do so. What ends up happening is by not making an investment on the front end, the costs are higher AFTER the fact. Pay now or pay more later!

This thread got started in LBN and got moved here. Speed8098 asked/stated:

"If you don't know, or can't figure it out, you have no business being a parent, or in your case, a STEP Parent."

He quotes me:

"If it requires arrest and handcuffs for the children to learn their actions do have consequences, I can live with that."

What if the person accusing the child is a nutcase? Are you ok with that person having the ability to get your child put into handcuffs?

Who is the judge? Do you advocate the cops being the go-between in every off color situation?"

He quotes me:

"As an example, my stepdaughter refused to get out of bed and go to school. The state was jumping on our asses because she was missing school. Child Protective Services was jumping on our asses because we weren't being "considerate" of her needs. I finally gave up and called the police to send my step-daughter to school."

He says:

"I find this statement to be suspect.

How old is your STEP-daughter?
By the way, I wonder if you introduce her to people as your STEP daughter?
If you do, STOP IT.
I was a step child, I know what I'm talking about.

Back to your statement, The state was jumping on our asses because she was missing school. Child Protective Services was jumping on our asses because we weren't being "considerate" of her needs.
That part makes no sense whatsoever. How were they jumping on your ass, and what NEEDS were you neglecting?

If the kid was skipping school and the state was aware of it, why wasn't CPS aware of it?"

He quotes me:

"I finally gave up and called the police to send my step-daughter to school."

He says:

How does that work?
Did the cops actually walk her to her class?
Did a judge rule on this?
How did the cops handle this?
What town do you live in where the cops give a shit about this kind of thing?
Our cops would laugh and tell us to take it to family court.
They don't have time to escort unruly kids to school.

I'll say this one time.

ADULTS SHOULD NEVER EVER ADVOCATE A CHILD BEING TAKEN AWAY IN HANDCUFFS BECAUSE OF A TEMPER TANTRUM! IT'S STUPID.

end of speedies rant.

I'm going to be polite about this because it seems you have personal issues with this topic. But, you asked questions which I will attempt to honestly answer.

The child in question drove staples into the walls throughout her room, and we had to pay for it. The child in question was caught sneaking out of her window at 3 in the morning while I was doing the laundry. The child in question, at the age of 12, consistently left steak knives on the fucking floor while we had a <1 yr old crawling about the place.

This child told her brother, my step-son, he was a traitor if he ever called me "dad" after he said he wanted to do so.

This child demanded to be left with friends halfway across the country where she promptly fucked the man of the house. When the man's wife found out, she kicked the child out. She was sent to her grandparents, and, now, at the age of 17, has an STD and cervical cancer.

Why am I a step parent? Because one child insisted I wasn't any better. She told her brothers I could never be "dad."

As to the cops, it was San Diego, two cops (one male, one female) came to our home, made sure the child was safe, and the female cop said "get your lazy ass out of bed and go to school."

Side note: I have 3 supposed mothers and 3 supposed father, so fuck your sanctimonious shit.

Get your head around this. I have stepsons. I call them my boys. I have a daughter, around which my world revolves. They're sad when I go to work and happy when I come home.

They're creative, beautiful, spontaneous, and sometimes weird kids.

Sometimes kids HAVE to be realed in. I'm sorry if you don't see it that way.

quote: "This child demanded to be left with friends halfway across the country where she promptly fucked the man of the house."

WTF? "SHE fucked..."

Do you have a child?

Do you supervise that child?

You say:
I'm going to be polite about this because it seems you have personal issues with this topic

You're correct, I was the Step Child that was accused of everything. My step brother was a troublemaker like you wouldn't believe, but I was the one who always got accused.
Example: When we were 11 years old, he sold his bike to a kid from school. When his mother figured out it was missing, he acted like he had no clue where it was. I got accused of stealing and selling it. When I told her it was her son who sold it, I got the strap for talking back.
He got a new bike.

That's only one example out of hundreds of incidents that happened to my brothers and me.

This child demanded to be left with friends halfway across the country where she promptly fucked the man of the house

How old was she? How can a minor child DEMAND anything from you and get it?

The child in question drove staples into the walls throughout her room, and we had to pay for it.

PAY for it????? Who freaking cares about money in a situation like this?
Did you get this girl therapy?

This child told her brother, my step-son, he was a traitor if he ever called me "dad" after he said he wanted to do so.

How long had you been their step-parent at that point?
What happend to the biological parent?
I understand you're hurt, but do you understand why she would say that to her brother?

Side note: I have 3 supposed mothers and 3 supposed father, so fuck your sanctimonious shit
Then you should know that it's not easy for a kid to accept another adult as an authority figure in their life.
And I wasn't being sanctimonious, I was just stating a fact.


Look, it's obvious you have a troubled step daughter on your hands, and I sympathize with you, however, I will always be against bringing the police in on family problems. If anything, their presence alone makes the situation worse.

Counseling may be the way to go for your situation, but the police have no descretion when it comes to matters like this.

As it stands today, I'm 48, my biological brothers are 55, and 58. Our father is in a nursing home and he thinks his step sons(48,55,& 58) are his biological children. My step mother died this year and we had a party to celebrate.

I hope your step children fare a little better than we did.

So yeah, it's a little personal for me.

I befriended a younger boy when I was 11 who was hyperactive and always in danger of being kicked off the bus because of his activity including violence against other children. I restrained him from getting in fights several times. I also dealt with a few aggressive children when I volunteered for a summer youth program and taught Bible school. I was not trained and did worry about hurting these children. It was not hard physically though as children who have not gone through puberty are much smaller than adults and not nearly as strong. Given the number of children acting out, teachers should be taught how to restrain children without hurting them.

But then I don't think we've heard the entire story.

Was this the child's first tantrum? What was going on in the child's life that would cause such an outburst?

The school has a special ed specialist and a nurse on duty; no discussion if these people were called in.

The principal and assistant principal are relatively new to the school administration, I can't believe they are that inexperienced to use the police as a resort for a non lethal school discipline problem.

Bringing in the police causes a destabilizing environment for the other children...if I misbehave, I get arrested.

Check out the school's website, especially its history and the environment....

http://www.wjcc.k12.va.us/rb/

It's right on their website that they are required to complete a module for their teaching license.

That teacher either fell asleep during the course or was ignoring the signs/symptoms that child was exhibiting and failed to use proper techniques.

I hope they get some Social Workers or Child Psychologists in that school to do some additional training. If I were that child's Social Worker, I would be filing a formal complaint against them for how they handled that 8 year old child's condition.

It amazes me to see how so many have such a lack of understanding of child development, child abuse, and appropriate parenting & discipline for both abused and non abused children.

My third grade teacher had an arm from a rocking chair hanging above the door to the classroom. It was just perched up there like a big fucking fish she caught and was so proud, that she had it mounted.

When she said 'open you books to page 47 and eyes on the board' she got it. She did not have to spend ten minutes of every class period begging for quiet.

Funny thing - she never had to use it. Maybe subtle threats don't work anymore...

Is highly inappropriate and cruel. This child was having an episode brought on by abuse.

Would you beat a kid for having an epiletic seizure? Or "spank" a kid for exhibiting typical autistic behaviors? It's the same thing. Children develop conditions from abuse that cause them to act out such as: Reactive attachment disorder, Defiance disorder, Generalized Anxiety disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc.

Punishing a child for a disorder is a dark ages mindset. In a civilized society, mentally disturbed people are not chained in basements or beat for their conditions.

Using physical force as a means of discipline on any child is immoral IMO. Why hit a child rather than teach a child? What kind of double message does it send to a kid to hit them?

I don't remember anyone EVER getting paddled in gradeschool.

None of the kids took ADD drugs either. Better living through chemistry only fucks these kids heads up - for life. We're raising a society of brain-damaged children.

I mean, that's all the rage right now! :crazy:

4-foot !!!
i'm trying to visualize it and every which way the adult has contol.

In this fundy, voucher craving climate, it is open season on teachers. In my northern VA county there have been so many false complaints against teachers this year, that we have been told to keep our hands behind our backs or in our pockets when reprimanding or disciplining a student. Now imagine the head butt.

Jeez...these cops must be damn lib'ruls. :eyes:

They can't discipline their kid, but then expect him to react normally when a teacher tells him "No".

...to calm themselves down. There is no need to put a hand on an 8 year old until he can calm himself.

So many of our dear kids in this culture, from 3 to 93--are too low in the nutrients that calm the brain! Omega-3 fats are essential, along with B vitamins and the calcium/magnesium/vitamin D series are essential nutrients. Instead we load up with corn and soy oil and sugar. It's no wonder all the police, parents, teachers and kids are on tilt.

Reaching a child's attention is made difficult when the blood sugar is low, when he is having an allergic reaction, and once the adrenaline and cortisone have flooded in. A gentle voice, telling him to relax, breathe, then "look at me"--it is the feelings of relaxation and trust that will calm him.

What a violation of a child's trust, a lifetime project, by the way, to call the police and put him in handcuffs. Only if an 8 year old has a gun on him (!) should the police be involved.

And yes, teachers need, and states ought to provide (in some other world, to be sure) training in such techniques. Or, consult their common sense.