Don Shomette | Safe & Loved

At Richneck Elementary, a 6-year-old was sent home for destroying a teacher’s cellphone. On the same day he returned to school, he brought a firearm and shot his teacher.

This goes right in line with a finding from the U.S. Secret Service:
41 percent of school attacks take place after a break such as a suspension, expulsion, or withdrawal.

That means nearly half of all school attacks happen after a student has been away from school.

If you’ve made the hard decision to send a student home, make sure to prepare for their return.

Here’s a simple return-from-break protocol:

The day of the break.

Assess mindset, stressors, grievances, and potential for escalation before the student leaves. Document observations and notify relevant staff.

The day before return.

Contact the parents/care givers. Ask how the student feels about returning to school? How has their behavior been? Is there anything we can do to make their return easier, smoother, or more positive?
Alert relevant staff as needed. Loop in counselors, SROs, administrators, or teachers who need to be aware of concerns or risks. Silence creates blind spots and the ability for the student to slip through the cracks.

The day of the return.

Greet the student in the bus/parent drop off zone.
Once inside, hold a five-minute return meeting with the student and ask…How are you feeling about coming back today?
Is there anything we can do to support you?
Assign a counselor, SRO, or administrator to casually check in during the day. Watch for signs of withdrawal, frustration, or detachment.

A few small steps of engagement, preparation, asking the right questions, alerting the right people, and staying aware can prevent something bigger.

If you're not sure where to start or want help building a return-from-break process that fits your school, reach out.
I'm happy to help.

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