This is a sample letter used to request all suspensions be in writing and to give a school notice that the parents/family will not pick up the child from school without a written suspension notice.  Send this letter by certified mail with a return receipt to the principal and the special education director.  Keep a copy for your records. 

                                                                         (Date)

(Insert principal’s name), Principal
(Insert name of child’s school) School
(Insert name of county) County
 (Insert schools address)
 
RE:   Disciplinary removals (or sending home) of (Insert child’s full name) from (Insert name of child’s school) school.
 
Dear Principal (Insert principal’s last name),
 
      I am the parent of (Insert child’s full name), a student at (Insert schools name) School in (Insert county school located) County.  (Insert child’s first name) receives special education services.  
 
            The purpose of this letter is to notify you that (Insert child’s first name) has been sent home because of a “bad day” or behavior issues on numerous occasions without written notice of suspension.  In the future I (and/or other family members- if this is true) will require a written notice of suspension, which is included in my child’s school records, stating for what reason (he/she) is being sent home from the principal or the principal’s designee, before I pick (Insert child’s first name) up again because of a “bad day” or behavior issues.  
 
           I (and/or other family members- if this is true) have been contacted by staff at (insert name of school) to pick up (Insert child’s first name) with no written notice of suspension on the following dates:
 
- (list date and reason)
- (list date and reason)
- (list date and reason)
- (list date and reason)

            

(Sample letter continued on next page) 

       I believe that school staff are giving (Insert child’s first name) unofficial suspensions and/or disciplinary removals by sending (her/him) home from school, that school staff are unable to fully implement (his/her) IEP because of the absences, and that these unofficial disciplinary removals may be occurring in violation of IDEA 2004 and WV Policy 2419 regarding special education services. 

      It is my understanding that after ten (10) days, removals from the current educational placement  (through written/formal suspensions and unofficial suspensions) add up to a change of educational placement in violation of IDEA 2004, Policy 2419 and the IEP process. If school staff fails to comply with special education law and policy concerning disciplinary removals, I may file an administrative complaint with the State Office of Special Education and/or pursue legal remedies.

                                                                           Sincerely,
 
                                                                        (Sign your name)
 
                                                                        (Type your name)

 
cc:  Mr./Ms. (Insert last name of Special Education Director), Special Education Director

Note: If you are being contacted to pick your child up from school for such you will need to request a functional assessment to develop a positive behavior support (PBS) plan (see template). If your child already has a PBS plan, then you need to request the team to revise it.