The High School Meeting - To be EXPELLED or NOT, that is the question

First things first he wasn't expelled but it isn't totally off the cards either. *sigh of relief*
Now the panel consisted of Graham (the Assistant Principal), Peter (the Principal), Marg (School Council President) and John (School Counsellor/Guidance Officer). Mark was there with me (but boy were we out numbered!!)
Here's what happened in the meeting .. We began with talking about what we have done at home, school & church. We talked about what has been successful in the past, what is or isn't working now and what we could do in the future. This was all discussed before we even had Brodie join us in the latter stages of the meeting.

I told them that I thought that Brodie has reached a plateau in his learning/behaviour. Mark said to them that this plateau may not change for years or it could change at any moment there was now way we could truly know. I explained that changing the geography (meaning changing schools) would not rectify the problem. That all the issues would still be there and they weren't going to change in a hurry. I told them (and Brodie too) that with all the time and effort we have put in over the past 18 months was important, that it was not wasted and that it would be a shame to throw that all away if we had to leave the school. I told them that it would be harder on Brodie if we made him leave, that change is not a good thing for him (Aspie kids don't like change) and that it would be hard 'teaching' a new group of people how to deal successfully (or otherwise) with him.

Brodie, once he was asked to join us, was asked how he felt about his situation and bless him he was very honest with them and very polite as he spoke with the panel. I was proud of him as his behaviour showed the maturity that was required given the seriousness of the meeting. I even told him as much when we were asked to leave the room so that the panel could discuss his future.

Once we were called back in the panel even said that they were impressed with his honesty and told him so. They also said that it was one of the main reasons why they were giving Brodie another chance but there are of course conditions. I expected that there would be. The main one being that Brodie needs to work harder in his sessions with John (school counsellor) and that he is no longer to 'play' games or mess about while in these sessions. That he must try hard to follow teachers instructions and to try hard not to do the back answering/teasing/calling out. Do they expect miracles? (oops sorry for the sarcasm there)

Things will be reviewed some time next school term and we will have regular updates but if there is an outburst of violent behaviour, which can happen without warning, his situation will be reviewed immediately and they will then decide whether he stays or not. I am hoping that this wont happen again and I am doing my darnedest to make sure that Brodie follows the school rules as best he can.

I don't think I have left anything out. We did talk at length though & I have probably forgotten some important parts. He outcome was better than I expected. I did notice though at one stage, and Brodie noticed too, as Peter (Principal) was speaking to him about how he could stay there were tears in his eyes. Brodie said to the Peter that he saw them and Peter didn't deny that they weren't tears. He did talk to him about it but I cannot for the life of me remember what he said. I think I was in 'relief' mode by then. So I know at least that he cares what happens for him to have been affected like that.

The school (mainly the lady who works with kids like Brodie) along with myself are trying to get an integration aide for him (well, at least the funding to try and get an aide for him) we are in the middle of preparing the application for it and he is currently being tested in many different areas such as speech, hearing and eye sight. That was why I stressed to the panel that we have spent a lot of our time and effort on Brodie and his 'school career' and it would've truly been a shame to have wasted it all.

I am still keeping other schools in mind 'just in case' we need to at a future date. I need to keep our options open I guess but I don't want to contact them not yet any way.