Role of School Nurse in Suspension and Explusion From School

Role of School Nurse in Suspension and Expulsion from School
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Role of School Nurse in Suspension and Expulsion from School
Several factors cause inappropriate student behavior resulting in students violating school rules. These include undetected disability, peer conflicts, emotional problems and community environment. Most instances, alternative interventions are recommended before suspension or expulsion from school (Kemerer & Sansom, 2013). According to the various state laws, suspension or expulsion is only necessary after a medical examination confirms that the student is under the influence of alcohol, dangerous substances or any intoxicated chemical like glue or improper use of over the counter medication while at school (Kemerer & Sansom, 2013).
School nurses play important roles during suspension or expulsion proceedings, when any school staff suspects that a student is under the influence of these substances he immediately reports her suspicions to the school principal or school nurse for further action. The school nurse is required to conduct a medical examination before the final decision for suspension or expulsion is made. (Watson, 2014).
In situations where other tests are required, the school nurse accompanies the student to the nearest emergency room. Within 24 hours of the examination, the school nurse is required to issue a written report about his finding to the principal. The report is to be shared with the parents and the district chief school administrator. The school nurse needs to include in his report whether the drug taken by a student is likely to interfere with school performance (Watson, 2014).
Who is responsible recommending suspension or expulsion
According to California Education Code 48900, the law stipulates that the superintendent of a school district or the school principal where the student is enrolled is the one to determine if the pupil can be suspended or expelled. Pupils can be suspended or expelled is he causes or threatens to cause physical harm or use violence to another person except when acting in self-defense (Watson, 2014).
As part of the disciplinary action the school principal or the principal designee, the superintendent of the school or the governing boards may require students to perform community service on school grounds or off grounds with parents' permission. Punishment should be within non-school hours. Community service can be in different forms like cleaning up the school compound, attending teacher or peer assistance programs, participating in outdoor beautification, campus betterment processes or any service that will benefit specific groups of people within the community (Kemerer & Sansom, 2013).
Frequent suspensions and expulsion are undesirable because they lower academic achievement and promote antisocial behavior and higher school dropout rates. The education department together with school districts provides workable solutions to encourage school attendance through alternative programs like restorative practices. Restorative processes enable students to realize how harmful their actions can be (Kemerer & Sansom, 2013).
Restorative justice aims at holding the offender accountable for his actions ...