There are many parents facing similar frustrations regarding their child or children, so I felt it important to share.
First you should seek the advise of a lawyer. Generally it would be ill advised for a school to take such a swift decision on expelling a child in such a short time.
Generally if a child is not adjusting well, you will be called in for a meeting at minimum prior to such a permanent decision being made.
You should listen to what is being said and take careful notes.
More so than often a school will strongly suggest you have your child "tested" or seek outside behavioral counseling.
My suggestion is to say nothing, go home and sleep on it.
If it was me, I then would take my child to see by an outside(not in anyway associated with or suggested by the school) psychologist.
Have him or her evaluated.
The best thing you can do is advocate for your child without giving all the power to the schools administration.
You need to always be in control and be honest about your child and his or her needs.
This can be painful to your ego but necessary to help your child thrive in a safe, positive school environment…whatever that may be.
Do not get railroaded but also do not get so caught up in a label.
My son has ADHD and it was extremely difficult to hear people speak of him as if he was broken in some way. Far from the truth he needed positive support, acceptance and love to thrive. I was told he was delayed, not the case, in actuality he was far more advanced but that was clouded by his inability to focus prior to diagnosis.
So when I hear of kids being tossed out of a school it brings back that pain, but I have to think that possibly that school was not only a bad choice for a child but that the parent was not seeing
that their child might be better served and happier in a more accepting school.
I also am not a supporter of shadow teachers for Behavioral or Learning support.
Having someone mind your child only makes them stick out and are then bullied, or teased.
Many schools take advantage of parents and it's ridiculous especially at a large school like Stanford.
I suggest getting outside tutoring and put your child in a smaller school where the ratio is less than 21 to 01.
Remember the school can be your biggest supporter or your biggest nightmare…….
1. the school has a moral and legal obligation to serve the child and children in the school( so if your child is disruptive to other's you need to be honest and work out a plan to help your child grow and mature in a positive way)
2. you should get everything in writing
3. do not allow the school to conduct any testing and unless it's medical or you are comfortable do not give the school any access to private records.
4.the school must give warnings prior to expelling to justify cause.
5.if your child is targeted, especially in private or
International School, I suggest moving him or her prior to being asked to leave, You will find it nearly impossible to get accepted at another school.
6.i am not saying lie to the school as that serves no one, just do not hand over your rights as parents.
7. get a respected professional Doctor to inform you on your child, not a school psychologist( thats not saying they are not good, but their interest is first to the school for which they are employed) or teacher or better yet an administrator.
Remember you know your child best and if that means making a choice between helping them grow and thrive over being in a "private" or big school……I choose my child's needs over my e.g.o.