Suspension for being involved with pot at school- has IEP.

a “manifestation determination” meeting can be held— if you think that the behavior in question is a manifestation of his adhd (impulsivity, etc.) you may be able to avoid the automatic imposition of certain consequences. I would contact your state parent resource center for advice and/or an advocate, just in case.

Were the other boys doing this at school? If the other boys were smoking pot at school, and he was with them, I’m not sure his IEP can offer him any real protection in the final analysis. Schools are very sensitive and very touchy about drug being brought to school these days. Now if the other boys were smoking pot off school property, that might be a different matter altogether.

For what it’s worth, the phrase ‘alternative school’ can mean many things and I’ve seen some alternative schools that I like much better - and that work much better - than regular schools. Usually class size is much smaller and the school itself smaller. Two of my own students who were sent to alternative schools wanted to stay and were very unhappy when their time at the alternative school was up.

Good luck with this.

Thanks,

Sara, I’m afraid he was physically with the boys and, in fact, later admitted to me that he had also taken a hit of the pot.

Another boy involved (also a 9th grader with no record at school like my son) has been suspended for two months with the option of going to the continuation-type school or having a home study program. We anticipate the same will happen with our son.

Which leads me to another question. The continuation-type school here is not in a good location, so we will probably opt for the home-study program. I have no idea how to go about filling my son’s day after he completes the work for his three academic classes. We want him involved in something constructive during this two-month time period versus watching TV. We thought about Karate classes or private Music, Art, or Language lessons, none of which he has been interested in doing in the past. Any suggestions or resources would be appreciated. Thanks…

Will he home study for the two months of suspension? Or longer?

In any case, what is he interested in? If not music or art or karate, fine, but what are his interests? Do you have any friends in business? When our son had an empty summer on his hands, one of our friends put him to work in his office as a kind of ‘jack of all errands’ boy. Our son liked being in the big city - he couldn’t have done it forever but for a few months it worked well. Another time he worked at a friend’s small restaurant as a bus boy and being the youngest worker there, the older waitresses made a quite a fuss over him which he enjoyed.

We have a local food bank here which is eager for young, strong volunteers and doing something like that would help to take this ‘stain’ off his record. Landscaping crews often look for help too.

Good luck.

Most schools have very specific consequences for drug use/possession. The consequences apply to all students. Since your son admitted that he participated, you might consider a counseling intervention focused on drug use, peer pressure, and impulsive behaviors. Obviously, the ADHD may have an impulsive feature, but should not be used as an excuse. The ADHD may be an explanation, but not an excuse. Your son needs to understand that and know the difference.

I would suggest that you ask for an IEP review and make sure that it includes a component that addresses impulsive behaviors and strategies for him to use. These could be implemented during the “home-schooling” or alternative programming. Additionally, find out the state requirement for “home-bound”. Many states have a mininum number of hours of instruction per week (five). That is generally enough to continue educational services for 4 or 5 subjects. Also, there is a difference between “home-schooling” and homebound. Make sure that you understand the school’s intention. Generally, even with “home-schooling”, the case conference committee can recommend some direct service. Parents are usually responsible for transportion in this case.

Finally, make sure that school understands that your son recognizes his mistake and takes responsibility. The school also needs to understand that the family accepts responsibility for helping their son avoid repeating the same mistake. Make an appointment to see a therapist immediately so that the school understands your commitment.

No, there is no excuse for this at school or anywhere. ADHD is not an excuse either. So, you have a manifestation determination and he understandst hat pot is against the law, lack of self-discipine doesn’t cut it. Then, if he is expelled, they give him an alternate placement and his sped. services.