Changing One Day at a Time

Writing from Friday 03-05-10

So... Friday I had some time to gather my thoughts and calm down over the situation.

I called the principal. Left a message, of course and waited. Once he called back, we had a really nice conversation. I was informed how luck my son was, he didn't get arrested. As well, he had some great people on his side who were able to convince the principal to be ok with a stipulated expulsion and allow Nathaniel back in school. However, it wasn't up to him. I still had to go through the Head of pupil Services for approval. It is up to the district.

And now it is off to a phone call to them...Another message and more waiting. I decided that I would call some teachers and ask for their assistance with some letters of recommendation, or character letters more like it.

And now we wait..And I stew and I get more and more angry at the thought of random backpack searches without any probable cause. I keep telling myself to focus on the goal of keeping him in school and worry about this if you really have to fight.

No the weekend wait begins....

Writing from Thursday March 4th

Today I was called to pick my son up from school. He had a knife in his backpack...Of all thing to not know you had with you! Grounds for immediate expulsion.
I went completely prepared to ream him up one end and down the other. And then I got there and saw him and knew that it was a complete mistake and he really did not realize it was there. He put it there over the weekend when he went somewhere and simply forgot to take it out.
He left his backpack on a lunch table while helping with an assemble and the school security picked it up and went through it. Of all days and all backpacks...
Initially it was just a suspension and then I was called to say he was being referred for expulsion.
That was really hard to deal with. I have a young 14 year old sophomore in High School, taking him away from a good group of friends he has had for years was just not an option. He has good grades, plays sports and has never been in trouble.
And so...We decide to fight it!!!!

I called an old coach from when I went to school there, now the activities director. He know Nathaniel pretty well and was going to speak to the Principal on his behalf.

And now we wait for tomorrow to see what happens when I speak witht he Principal..
boy I hated high school.

Although, i have to agree, he was completely in the wrong and does deserve a punishment.