To Mr. Dan Vandiver Superintendent of Houston Mo. School District,

We, the community (parents, guardians and others), herby petition the superintendent of Houston Mo School district as well as the Houston Mo Board of Education; we the community impel that you review and revise your current policy on seclusion, isolation and restraint (S.I.R.).

We state or believe your current S.I.R. policy is more than inadequate, that it in actuality counteracts and does not foster a climate of dignity and respect nor does it promote safety or prevent harm to any life which may reside within the walls of our schools. We feel the outcome of this policy could ultimately have adverse effects upon our children by teaching them hate and cruelty, versus compassion and understanding. Furthermore, we feel the current S.I.R. policy is to open for interpretation as well as opinion and would lead to unfair treatment among students due to individual teacher bias. In addition, your current policy would have very little, if no positive effect in shaping the behavior of our children. We, the community, request the new revised policy contain the following:

1.       Not be viewed as a behavior change or intervention strategy,

2.       Only implemented or used in response to a crisis situation,

3.       Be implemented only under extreme situations and as a matter of a last resort,

4.       Be implemented only by trained personnel, who in fact will receive annual trainings on continuum of prevention techniques, environmental management techniques and continuum of de escalation techniques.

5.       Be accompanied by school wide pro-active positive supports that prevent the use of this policy.

6.       Policy is not an endorsement of the use of seclusion, isolation or restraint and applies to all students.

All persons who have signed this petition reside within the Houston Mo. School district, Texas County and or other counties within the state of Missouri and support-endorse the purpose and reason of this petition. Thank you for your time, patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

We the Community

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