We need your support to help make changes which are urgently necessary for the children in the TRES RP ED (Regional Program for children with Emotional Disabilities) and all students at staff at TRES. Please sign the below letter that will be shared with decision makers (BOE, Special Education, MDSE, and TRES admin): 

To Whom it May Concern,

   We write to you as a community that deeply cares about the physical safety, social-emotional well-being, and academic achievement of all children served by HCPSS. In 2020, Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School (TRES) expanded special education services which included a Regional Program for children with Emotional Disabilities (RP ED). While all children can learn from the unique strengths and challenges of others, we are concerned about the way the RP ED has been implemented at TRES. Multiple sources report that participants in the RP ED have experienced frequent and severe episodes of behavioral disturbance. The children in the RP ED are not receiving necessary support, which has impaired their ability to grow and has compromised the physical and emotional safety of all TRES students and staff.

     Children placed in the RP ED need intensive behavioral support. Unfortunately, the current behavioral supports at TRES’ RP ED are inadequate. Students are repeatedly witnessing violent behaviors, including other children hitting teachers, spitting, destructing property, and throwing books or other objects. Children in crisis have frequently pounded on classroom doors (that are frequently locked to protect the school community), sometimes entering the classroom, disrupting the learning of children in those classes, and leaving many fearful and distracted.

     Witnessing and experiencing these violent events increases the risk of negative consequences for the children at TRES. According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a research agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, “Children exposed to violence are more likely to have difficulty in school, abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, suffer from depression or other mental health problems and engage in criminal behavior as adults” (NIJ, 2016). The children at TRES are frequently being exposed to violence in their school. We ask that you consider the implications of HCPSS’ failure to protect children from exposure to violence and urge you to make changes today.

     There has been an unacceptable lack of transparency. While all schools that implement an RP ED require an additional social emotional learning curriculum, the TRES student body received no widespread announcement of the RP ED implementation. TRES administration informed parents that they would only receive communication if their child chooses to visit the nurse's office due to injuries. The TRES student body has only been notified when emergency vehicles have been called for a student in crisis. In response to parent concerns, a 25 minute presentation was provided on 11/3/2022 by our Principal, Vice Principal, and Ms. Jessica Yaniro, giving a general overview of the program without acknowledging any inadequacies or intentions to improve the program. At the end, questions were not entertained (although many were asked), lights were turned off, and parents were escorted out of the building.

     The children in the RP ED are not getting the support they need given their unique behavioral risks. The Ukeru method is a trauma informed alternative to physical restraints to effectively deescalate physical aggression. While three of the five RP ED’s in HCPSS trained their entire program staff in Ukeru in the 2021-2022 school year, it is our understanding that only one of TRES RP ED staff is currently trained in Ukeru. To facilitate safety, all RP ED staff must receive Ukeru training. Given that the TRES’ RP ED is relatively new, we would suggest that staff of more seasoned RP ED’s work to mentor TRES staff. RP ED staff need to read and understand each child’s IEP and meet at least weekly to discuss student progress. If a child in the RP ED compromises the safety of others, he/she should not be integrated into the general education classroom. When violence occurs, the circumstances of the event need to be considered to create and implement an intervention to prevent future violent acts. If the needs of a child in the RP ED are not met or that child is not an appropriate candidate, a higher level of care should be provided. Children in the program frequently trigger each other into crisis. Personality dynamics between children must be considered with RP ED placements. We urge the BOE and RP ED decision makers to work with TRES Administration to implement strategies that will allow the RP ED program to successfully meet the safety and academic needs of children in the program without compromising the safety and academic needs of others.

     Transparency must be present to restore lost trust in our administration. TRES parents must be notified if their child(ren) witnesses an act of violence so that appropriate and specific support can be provided at home.

     We are confident that HCPSS has the commitment and the means to promote the physical safety, social-emotional well-being, and academic achievement of all children served by HCPSS. We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with stakeholders to improve outcomes for all students and staff. We thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Concerned Community

References
National Institute of Justice. (2016, September 21). Children Exposed to Violence. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from <a href="https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/children-exposed-violence#:~:text=%5B1%5D%20Exposure%20to%20violence%20can,in%20criminal%20behavior%20as%20adults" rel="nofollow">https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/children-exposed-violence#:~:text=%5B1%5D%20Exposure%20to%20violence%20can,in%20criminal%20behavior%20as%20adults</a>