Yesterday the students were getting their notebooks together for a notebook check and also receiving their grades. So, the class was talkative and they were able to move around a lot. Kind of a free day for them, and they were enjoying it.
One of the students called me over. She asked me what I would do if a student was being dangerous. I gave her my answer, but it wasn't what she meant. She asked me again, wanting to know what I would do about a student who wasn't being dangerous to anyone else. Again, I gave her my answer but it wasn't what she was looking for. So, she showed me. She said, "No, like this" and pointed at her arm. She had cut herself. There were 10-15 cuts, about an inch long, going down her arm like tally marks. They were very precise, all about the same size and the same distance apart. I told her that I would have to tell someone, and she just said, "OK" and seemed to be finished with the conversation.
So, I told Mr. Dorray. He called her over and I asked her to show him what she had shown me, which she did. When asked, she said she had cut herself because she was angry and this way she only hurt herself and no one else. Mr. Dorray told her he would have to send her to the counselor's office, but she told us she was sent yesterday concerning the cutting. After speaking with her for a few more minutes, Mr. Dorray let her go back to her seat. He emailed the counselor she spoke with to make sure the student was being taken care of.
I knew issues like this would come up, I just never expected to encounter them so quickly. My heart nearly stopped when she showed me her arm. She's only in the 7th grade!
2 comments:
It is very sad that she is so young and is filled with such anger. Sometimes it is hard to realize that children may be in situations they are too young for or nobody should have to deal with. I hope you are able to find some guidance and she is able to get help. Let me know if there is anything I can do, or you just need to talk.
My teacher got a little follow up on the student. He called home an spoke with her mother, who knew nothing about it. Why hadn't the counselor's office called?! So, at least she knows now. And, they are going to set her up with a mentor at school.
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