WOW,Don't PUSH anybody...

Yesterday I went to bat, Not at a ball game, but for Matthew. He had been detained since May (59 days!) for a probation Violation, and allegedly pushing down another student. He's smart but challenged. His consequences MUST be kept short otherwise his ability to "see light at the end of the tunnel" becomes clouded and closed off thus his behavior gets worse. That was still the case in Juvenile Detention, where you can get a write-up for belching (he had 22! write-ups in 10 days). Frustrating though as it may seem (hoping we are ready to have this child back at home), I spoke in court yesterday expressing how this as well as boredom can easily influence Matthew's behavior to get worse, of the safety plan and services we've put in place for him as well. It was really a triumph when the Magistrate chose to NOT SIDE with the probation department (and continue to detain him) but to release Matthew until his trail. The Magistrate told Matthew "DO NOT DISAPPOINT HIM and make him regret his decision". Hopefully the child can "hold it together" long enough to be proven innocent and if he doesn't get that verdict maybe, just maybe he'll simply get "time served". The maximum sentence is 180 days!!