School suspensions.

[mallardisme]

Sigh..
Yup, in the end that is where it does lie.
I will be contacting MUSD to clarify the suspension policy.

I will leave this here for now. It may be a few days before I get an answer.

[Desert Dweller]

During the time he was supposed to be in school, the school is liable for anything he does while in their custody.  In some cases, they are liable even after he leaves their custody.

If there couldn't have been direct two-way contact with the parents, the student should have been required to be there.

The contact numbers are no excuse.  Most schools verify the contact numbers when they are originally submitted, again periodically, and when they change.  There should have been primary and secondary contacts on file.  This is a screw-up on the school administration's part, pure and simple.

[Tigg]

During the time he was supposed to be in school, the school is liable for anything he does while in their custody.  In some cases, they are liable even after he leaves their custody.

In this case, I would say they're liable until he returned home, whenever that was.  If he didn't return home for days, they'd be laible till he did since they were the ones who essentially told him to run amuck and do whatever he wanted as long as he didn't show up at school and didn't stay home (since how's he supposed to stay home with a parent who is home all day who has no clue he's suspended).

Had I ever gone home and said that I had to stay home because I'd been suspended, and had no proof of said suspension, I'd have gotten in trouble for lying and trying to cut class and had my ass haulled to school (where I'd then have gotten in trouble for showing up at school when suspended).

[Arctic.rose]

I am curious as to whether a written notice was sent home with the student.  If so, did the student forge a signature?  It sounds as though the student is not entirely trustworthy.

[Tigg]

I am curious as to whether a written notice was sent home with the student.  If so, did the student forge a signature?  It sounds as though the student is not entirely trustworthy.

Precisely the reason written notice is rarely, if ever, an appropriate method of notification for a suspension.

[Desert Dweller]

Untrustworthy students are exactly the reason for direct two-way communication with the parent.  The student apparently didn't tell his parents about the suspension, so that in itself cast some doubt on his trustworthiness. 

[CopaDave]

This is interesting.  I had to fill out contact info for both the teacher's use and the school's use when this year started.  Two different forms.  A official district form that asks for contact info for both parents as well as a minimum of 2 alternate contacts.

The teacher form was just for email and teacher/parent contact stuff.

But still.  There is no excuse for being unable to contact anyone.  Too many questions here.  So far, it still looks like the school dropped the ball.

[Tempting Fait]

I am curious as to whether a written notice was sent home with the student.  If so, did the student forge a signature?  It sounds as though the student is not entirely trustworthy.

Really, what teen is going to take a note home to their parents and say "Gee, guess what, I got suspended today"?? Only a truly dumb one would do that.

[Desert Dweller]

It depends on how connected the parents are.  Most of the time if the parents are involved in the child's life, there isn't much chance of him getting suspended.  For a kid in this category that did get suspended, they would probably tell their parents.

The overwhelming majority, however, would never tell their parents if they thought they could get away with it.  Like I said, PARTY!