I posted this response in the thread about my apology to Thomas, the problem student. This is the other BD student in my class. It's distressing to me to know a child is in pain...

I have had a good week with Thomas and this difficult class. There is another boy in the class, also BD (behavior disorder) student. He is the other one who said they would "hustle" for a living during my confrontation with Thomas. This same boy has mentioned for two weeks now that he has a bad toothache. No one in his family will take him to the dentist. I spoke to the counselor and principals about him and the tooth condition. They told me he is often hungry, lives with two cousins who don't work and who only took him in because he gets a little bit of money from some sort of child welfare since he has no parents. I asked the principals if there was some kind of fund which would allow me to take him to the dentist. I said, and I meant it..."If you have a pet that's hurting, you take him to the vet!" This boy isn't even getting the attention of an animal. Anyway, this same boy has done the most beautiful art work this past week. I went to the In School Suspension room today and pulled him out to come to my class. Like Thomas, teachers just want to get him out of their classes. As he was leaving the classroom, I said "thank you" to him for doing such nice work, and he said, "Thank YOU for bringing me in here!" I'm thinking child protective services should be contacted regarding this boy and the neglect he's experiencing, but, as usual, this will probably not happen.
Patty