Omar is twelve years old and in seventh grade. His teachers agree that he is very
bright and could be excelling in school, but he has struggled with behavioral
issues ever since he started sixth grade last year at the Cornerstone Academy
for Social Action in the Bronx.
Over the past two years, Omar has been suspended at least 20 times, most
often for disruptive behavior, inappropriate language, or insubordination. Omar has served most of these
suspensions in his school's SAVE room, but the school has also imposed three
Superintendent's suspensions. The
exact number of suspensions Omar has faced is unknown because usually the
principal or assistant principal tells Omar he has to go to the SAVE room for
the day or for the next few days and calls his mother, but does not keep an official
record of the suspension, and does not give his mother notice of the suspension
in writing.
The school has tried meeting with Omar and his
mother, and tried having Omar write letters of apology for his behavior. But the school does not have a
full-time guidance counselor, and Omar's behaviors persist. Omar's mother
requested months ago that the school develop a formal Behavioral Intervention
Plan for Omar, but the school has not followed through. Today, Omar is out on suspension,
awaiting another Superintendent's suspension hearing next week.
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