A first grader yesterday had a complete meltdown in class. First by crying her eyes out and then maniaclly laughing out loud. She took off her shirt and her pants and started playing with herself . The whole room was evacuated (except for her). I was asked by her step-parent if the teacher would call Child protective services. I'm a 5th grade teacher. I told her that the teacher would most likely call the principal and the counselor. As a teacher, would you suspect this child is being abused by someone in her custodial home? This child is not in special education and does display some learning delays when at her non-custodial parent and step-parent's home. Her step-parent is very concerned. I have informed the step-parent that the counselor would most likely be the one that called CPS about this child if they suspected anything or if they interviewed the child and the child said anything about this. :help: :thanks: ImaSuperTeacher
I would call if I was the teacher. I got in trouble my first year because I reported abuse to the principal. She choose not to report it. Later it was found that the parents worked nights and they were locking the child in a closet at night to not to have to pay childcare. When the social worker came to school I mentioned that I had reported concerns earlier in the year. I was "warned" never to trust someone else to report abuse. Our District Attorney told us in a workshop that he will prosecute teachers that have documentation or have voiced concerns to others but have not reported it to officials. He says having our counselor or principal report it is not good enough. It is our license he will go after--not theirs.
First off I'm a little confused why you were dealing with the first grader when you're the fifth grade teacher? But, beyond that I too would send this information to the counselor. Unless I knew more from this girl I personally wouldn't feel comfortable assuming immediatly it's some kind of abuse. I would record it down and file some kind of behavior report so you cover yourself and so that there is a paper trail that you did try to help in some way. The outburst with clothing removal is extreme and it's not something I have seen before but I know it has happened in my school in the past.
If one of the girls' in my first grade class did that I most definitely call child protective services unless there were specific medical info that explained it. I would strongly advise you against discussing what you think another teacher will do about the situation with the step-mother. First off the SM may not have legal custody thus you are violating privacy laws. Secondly for all you know the issues come from SM or from the little one's DF so revealing that the other teacher may contact CPS may create a situation that causes the child to be less forward about what was causing this to happen.
Yes, please call. If you even think there might be abuse then you are legally bound to call. However, I would not tell any family member which employee in the school might call DCS--that is dangerous.
I would most certainly call. You need to cover yourself and at least report that you have suspicions that something is not "right." Then, you are covered, and you have at least attempted to help this child.
Nope. I'm not sure why that particular home is the emphasis here. If the child spends time in two homes, and if I were in a position to suspect anything (and I'm not, not having seen the episode you've described) I would place equal suspicion on both homes. But again, to repeat the point I made in your other thread: you weren't there when it happened. It's hearsay, right down to the fact that the laughter was "maniacal."
Call Someone has to inform protective services. There is definitely something unusual going on in this girl's life. I can't remember any child in our school having such a bizarre episode.
I would call ASAP because you can not depend on others to do it. I have made a call on a student who was not in my class because of something that he told me while we were on the playground. Since he told me, I reported it. I also told classroom teacher, principle and counselor. If you saw this, if you had to evacuate the room, or sit with her, I say you call. Other wise tell the teacher to call today!
Here in TX (noticed that's where you live) you are required to report any SUSPICION of child abuse/neglect within 48 hours! That certainly sounds suspicious to me!
