Some wonderful person was very concerned that I did everything right before I had Richard suspended.  Let's start by saying...I have been teaching in this district for 22 years now.  I know the rules, laws and procedures of the district.

Let me also say, That I was not the one to suspend him.  The Vice Principal was the one.  Was I ready for it?  You bet your sweet booty I was.  Richard was a brat.  He was becoming impossible.  I rarely send students out of my class.  When that happens, I feel you have lost control over the situation and the child has won.

He would not have been suspended if he had not been rude and out of line to the VP.  He just had had enough of school and I think he chose to go all out and get sent home.  I don't think he realized he would be out the rest of the year.

All of the times Richard was in trouble, it was not in my classroom.  It was on the playground, on the bus, in the halls, in a specials class.  I repeat, I don't send children to the office.  I deal with it in my room.  Sometimes ignoring a student is the worst punishment you can give.  Richard was like that.  However, by the end of the year, he pushed the limit so far that even I could not continue to keep him in class.  Maybe it was a combination of both of us being tired and ready for school to be out.

I will say this...The last two weeks of school were peaceful and almost stress free for everyone in the class.