Seclusion is when a child is locked in a padded closet for weapons, fights, self-defense, or imminent harm to self and others.

There were 44 seclusions in the New Hanover County Schools in September and October 2022. That’s at least one seclusion every school day.

All 44 of the seclusions were in our elementary schools. 95% of the seclusions were Special Education students with IEPs. 61% of the seclusions were Black students. There is no research or data to support the use of seclusion in schools.

Secluding a child only makes sense in those rarest of circumstances involving the immediate threat to safety and risk of death, extreme physical pain, disfigurement, or impairment of the body. The seclusion would last a few minutes until law enforcement arrives.

Love Our Children is calling for the NHC Board of Education to:

• train and support our teachers in positive behavior alternatives and fully staff our schools,

• end seclusion by the start of the 2023-24 school year,

• and add 6 words to School Safety Policy 1510: “and risk of serious bodily injury.”

Our “asks" limit the possible use of seclusion to only the most dangerous emergency situations.

You can help end the use of seclusion in New Hanover County by sending a letter to the Board of Education. A copy of your letter will be emailed to all seven Board members.

Love Our Children's goal is to keep everyone safe in our schools. Policy 1510 helps to do that.

Together, we can end seclusion in the New Hanover County Schools.