School's Alternative Programs & The Police Part II

In Part One I talked about the kids we place in alternative schools and how many of them become problems for the police. Of course many kids become problems for the police for many other reasons, however, ask yourself, "Is the gang problem growing with younger and younger members?" "Are today's juvenile offenders more brazen and less afraid and better armed than ever?" If you are not sure, ask a cop or a parole officer. "How is the Texas Juvenile Justice System today?" "Is it Working?"
Officials, take just a moment to look into the records of your cases and see how many display the behavior of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and how many went to schools whose faculty had never had training in this field. How many kids that drop out are Reactive Attachment Disorder kids, kids who were physically or sexually abused at such an early age that they cannot attach themselves emotionally to anyone. "Officers, are they dangerous? Will they shoot at you?" Are Alternative Schools packed with these kids?
Like most of you, I was taught that I follow the orders of any police officer if they say, "Stop!" or "Come Here!" What do many kids do today?
Why am I bringing this up? I believe that many of theses kids are well within the window of reform if we change our alternative programs to be designed to address the above disorders and we teach the way kids learn best, not the way teachers teach best. Even though I am a retired educator, I still substitute in a wonderful middle school every day that I can and I know that the teachers for whom I have been a sub do utilize all major learning styles and many of the skills to which I have eluded in this article. I feel sure that many other schools do the same thing. What concerns me are the schools that don't address these issues. In future articles I will address "At-Risk" kids and why we are woefully lacking in recognizing them and helping them. To all the great cops and teachers out there I salute your dedication and applaud your courage. To the school districts who are only demonstrating in the enzone for public approval and not really addressing the problem I say GET HONEST! And REALLY do what you are supposed to do. Stop building hugh schools and create REAL Alternative Schools. While you are at it, take time to reward the teachers who are gong the extra mile and don't forget to say thanks to the police officers who are working to keep your school and your community at large a safe place to learn. Till next time I remain 10-08 - Mr. G.

How Can Schools Help The Police? Part I

ARE SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATING IN THE END ZONE WITH THEIR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS?
School districts throughout the state are mandated to have some form of alternative education program available for those students who, for one reason or another, are not having success in the regular education program. Some school districts want an alternative program which looks good but really doesn't help many kids.

This is an example of how school districts sometimes promote a program that looks good but is actually being operated at the expense of many ( demonstrating in the end zone). Many have wonderful sounding names, however, when one looks into them one discovers that this is just a fancy name for a punishment center. Now there are some wonderful alternative schools in the state -- Mary Grimes Educational Center in Carrollton and the KEYS Learning Center in the H.E.B. District to name just two. There are also some real tragedies out there. Many school districts have an alternative program which is totally punitive in nature. This is fine for removing disruptive students from the classroom. This is fine for demonstrating to students that there are consequences for inappropriate behavior. We are removing them from the regular educational environment and that is as it should be, however, it isn't enough if you expect real change. In fact, if a program only starts at the middle school, it is probably too late for most of the kids who need an alternative form of education. I could go on and on, however, that isn't the reason I am writing this article. I do have ideas which I know from personal experience as an educator that really work for kids who don't do well in the traditional setting. I have seen wonderful things happen to kids who seem down and out. I'm not a bleeding heart, I was a public school educator for 27 years and I am reasonably sure that a kid who is ganged up and drugged up isn't going to stand much of a chance for success. I also know that we have one or two generations of emotionally arrested parents who are trying to relate to their kids and their schools from an adolescents point of view. These are the parents who come to school trying to defend their child's inappropriate behavior.

The classroom teachers and, for the most part, the building administrators are really doing the best job they can. However, I really get upset when I see the educational leaders of any community, those who KNOW BETTER, pretend that their alternative program really makes a difference. As educators, WE KNOW how to teach to all types of learning styles, WE KNOW that large schools are detrimental to learning for many kids, WE KNOW that we should intervene at a much younger age if we are really going to make a difference in the lives of many of our kids with problems. WE KNOW that we are only addressing symptoms and not causes. WE KNOW That "At-Risk" students require physical space equal to if not greater than regular students and yet we put alternative schools in old, run down buildings or small classrooms. WE KNOW that kids who take an alternative program frequently are abused in some form and have many unresolved issues with which to contend. We know that these kids have buttons which are easy to push and yet we continue to develop programs ( in alternative schools) which seem to guarantee failure.

How does all this relate to schools helping police? In Part II I hope it will become clear. We haven't even addressed drop-outs, ADD,ADHD, RAD, kids. Cops have to deal with them every day AND they grow up to be a challenge to all of us especially the police. More later. Stay Safe.

Mr. G.

Make A Date With Your Spouse

Steve Glenn,
Former Chief Instructor, Capitol Police Academy, Austin, Texas.
TOGETHER – YET ALONE
THE POLICE SPOUSE MUST….
OFTEN ASSUME THE ROLE OF THEIR ABSENTEE MATE.
LEARN TO FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY.
LEARN TO COPE WITH BEING ALONE.
SPEND SPECIAL HOLIDAYS ACTING AS BOTH MOM AND DAD.
SOME PROVEN STRATEGIES ( FROM Irene Schreiber – Suffolk Co. Police Wives Assoc. )
MAKE TIME; MAKE DATES TO BE TOGETHER
YOU DID IT BEFORE YOU WERE MARRIED, SO JUST DO IT AGAIN. RESERVE SPECIAL TIMES TO BE TOGETHER. ALSO, SET ASIDE A “FAMILY DAY” EVEN ONCE A MONTH SO THE KIDS CAN SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH BOTH PARENTS.
KEEP BUSY WHEN HE OR SHE IS NOT AVAILABLE
CLUBS, SCHOOL, HOBBIES, EXERCISE, VISITS, ETC. CAN TURN EMPTY HOURS INTO POSITIVE TIME.
TURN OFF THE BEDROOM PHONE AND TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER.
HELPS TO DROWN OUT DAYTIME SOUNDS WHEN THEY ARE SLEEPING.
ALSO, UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP MAKES THEM A HAPPIER MATE, A BENEFIT TO YOU.
HAVE SATURDAY NIGHT ON WEDNESDAYS.
INVITE FRIENDS FOR SUPPER OR EARLY EVENING COFFEE AND CAKE MIDWEEK SO YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SOCIALIZE TOGETHER.
KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN BUT RESPECT THEIR SOLITUDE.
REMEMBER THAT BOTH BEHAVIORS MAY HELP TO KEEP THE MARRIAGE HEALTHY.
CELEBRATE SPECIAL OCCASIONS ON ALTERNATE DATES.
MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO COINCIDE WITH HIS SCHEDULE. FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ARE QUITE COOPERATIVE AND SUPPORTIVE.
JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP
SHARING CONCERNS AND IDEAS HELPS REDUCE FEELINGS OF ISOLATION, INCREASES COPING SKILLS, AND CAN PROVIDE COMPANIONSHIP AT NEEDED TIMES.
DON’T SHUT THEM OUT!
WE TEND TO AVOID TALKING ABOUT “THE JOB” BECAUSE WE THINK THEY WON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO. OR WORSE YET, WE THINK WE ARE PROTECTING THEM FROM THE NASTY PART OF OUR BUSINESS.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE GRAPHIC OR SCARE THEM
THEY DON’T NEED THE GRUESOME DETAILS. THEY JUST NEED TO KNOW HOW THE SHIFT AFFECTED YOU EMOTIONALLY. TALK ABOUT THINGS ON A FEELING LEVEL AND NOT ON A GRAPHIC, BLOODY LEVEL. SAVE THAT FOR THE COP SHOP.
REMEMBER------
IF YOU EXCLUDE THEM FROM TALKING ABOUT YOUR JOB, YOU ARE SHUTTING THEM OUT OF HALF OF YOUR LIFE. THE PERSON YOU MARRIED LOVES YOU AND CAN HANDLE MORE THAN YOU THINK THEY CAN.

Travis Co. S.O. Class

Many thanks to the men and women who attended my class on Arrested Emotional Development on the 8Th of Jan. Your participation, excellent questions and cooperation was greatly appreciated. Some of you may have thought some of my comments were a Little upsetting and I apologise for them if they upset you. I didn't always say things the way I wanted them to come out. All-in-all I felt it was a good 8 hours of information and hope the awareness of people who display these characteristics will help you when you deal with them as you go about the business of making our world a better and safer place.
Stay safe
Watch your back
Wait for backup

Mr. G.