In a troubling incident at a Texas middle school, a student faced suspension after taking action to help a classmate experiencing a severe asthma attack. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges schools encounter when addressing the needs of students with asthma. Just last week, another middle schooler was punished for lending her inhaler to a friend struggling to breathe during gym class.
The Incident at Gateway Middle School
At Gateway Middle School, eighth grader Jake Thompson was in class when he noticed a peer, Sarah, coughing and gasping for air. While the teacher attempted to contact the school nurse via email, precious minutes passed without any assistance. As Sarah’s condition worsened, leading her to collapse from her chair, Jake took matters into his own hands and carried her to the nurse’s office.
The teacher documented the incident in a suspension referral, stating: “During 5th period, another student complained that she couldn’t breathe and was having an asthma attack. As I waited for a response from the nurse, the student fell out of her chair to the floor. Jake proceeded to go over and pick her up, saying ‘Forget this, we ain’t got time to wait for an email from the nurse.’ He then left the classroom with her.”
While his intentions were undoubtedly heroic, Jake was nonetheless issued a two-day suspension for his choice of words and for exiting the classroom without permission. His mother, Lisa Johnson, expressed her disbelief, stating, “I get that he shouldn’t have used that language, but he could have potentially saved her life by acting quickly.”
Criticism of School Policies
Gateway Middle School is known for its strict disciplinary policies, particularly as it serves students with behavioral issues. However, critics argue that this response is misguided. Instead of punishing Jake for his actions, it would have been more appropriate to commend him for stepping up in a critical moment. After all, why was the teacher waiting for an email while a student was in distress?
With approximately 6.8 million children in the U.S. suffering from asthma, the stakes are high. In 2013 alone, there were 3,630 asthma-related fatalities and 1.8 million hospitalizations due to asthma complications. A student losing consciousness from an asthma attack is a serious matter, and punishing Jake for taking action in such a dire situation seems unjust.
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Conclusion
In summary, the incident at Gateway Middle School highlights the need for schools to better support students with medical conditions rather than punishing those who act in their best interest.