On a first name basis with the principal~Week 2 of RAD at school!

Ahhh, the smell of school time. Children laughing, giggling, bands instruments playing, school bus smog in traffic, sporting events, first time crushes and kisses, meeting your new teacher jitters, discovering and making new friends, and my RAD pummeling your face!

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Crap! School started, we are week number 2. That's right folks, step right up and see the wondrous world of a RAD at public school. A spectacle for your eyes to behold. No, no, don't touch, I assure you he bites.

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I feel like my kid is in a cage with a huge disclaimer that must precede and follow him. If not for the disclaimer DCF would also be on speed dial. I am a bit lucky. Principal this year knows me (from last year and was a teacher when I was in school) so we have some history. Thank you Dear Lord for making him and all administration read the fancy little email I sent that detailed RAD behaviors, etc. (please exit stage right and check my little link to the letters to teachers for more info) Now I have to tell you what went down because sadly it is kind of funny...well as long as you are not the kid he targeted.

Lunch time. Gotta love school lunch. I make lunches for my kids, always have. If I do not my children (non RAD included) will not reach for the nutritious lunch but the cookies and candies made readily available in the lunch line. (that is a gripe I may post later-shame shame cafeteria lady!) Food hording and gorging has been, well an issue lately. We never know when it will strike. Sadly the best analogy was given to me today by my nanny "Seriously you know when a dog is aggressive over their food and you get near them and they growl and they are gonna bite you? That's what he is doing!" She is right. I am not sure what spurred this little outbreak but apparently someone either looked at him or eye balled his yummy food.

**ring ring**

"Oh hey Mike" (principal)

Principal: "Laugh...hey Brandy so I have RAD in my office and I was sure that when he was here yesterday, see I didn't bother calling because I think it was an accident. You see the squeezie yogurt you sent was squirted in another kid's face and I was pretty sure it was a game of look what happens when you squeeze it...but.."

Me: "Uh Mike that was not a game. It was a test on administration. What did he hurl at someone today, was it a bit more dramatic"

Principal: "Laugh...you could say that. Same kid. He opened his applesauce and dumped it on the kid's head and in his face. This is the second time I am sending that child home covered in food. RAD said that the kid looked at him and it made him mad. I read your email. I know what we are facing here so what do you suggest?"

~~Whoop! WHOOP! The principal asked me for a suggestion~~

I gave him my suggestion based on the "fix it and make it right scenario" we use at home. They need closure and they need to be able to repair the act. He had to do something nice for that kid and he was made to eat alone for a few days during school. I know secluding is not an option but I have to consider what will happen next to the unsuspecting child. My RAD will fly over the lunch table and choke you. I do not want him expelled! In addition, he will no longer be able to enjoy the yummy squishy foods that I put in lunches anymore. Sad for him but it is all about choices. He knows this. Now we face the music for it.

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Like I said kind of funny, not for the poor applesauce kid, but at least he did not use his fists or worse, take sharp objects to school (again). I feel like I have made an ally in the principal and I could not be happier! Only week 2 of school and he has had 3-4 visits with the principal. We are doing pretty good!