WCNY's InSight Report of Discipline in Syracuse Schools
In watching the video what struck me most was (again) the perceived lack of compassion for the majority of students who come to school ready to learn. While everyone is focused on how to best serve the students with disciplinary issues, all of the other kids are being let down - again and again and again.
We understand that being suspended home is not the answer and may indeed further contribute to the problem. But... we contend that there need to be alternative settings - in separate locations, not traditional school buildings - for students with disciplinary actions that are either chronically disruptive or dangerous to others to receive the education AND counseling that they need in order to return to the traditional classroom setting.
Their right to an education
cannot and should not
supercede the rights of
the students who come to school every day
ready and eager to learn!
cannot and should not
supercede the rights of
the students who come to school every day
ready and eager to learn!
We need to look at how to create alternate settings that address the whole child - their educational AND emotional needs - in a way that prepares them to return to their home school ready to learn and be a contributing member of their school community.
Not discipline, not punishment -
instead re-education, redirection and refocusing.
instead re-education, redirection and refocusing.
With services in place to help parents learn how to better support their kids in education. Or where they are not willing, mentorship programs with adults who ARE. It seems from a logical and humanistic standpoint, that this would serve these struggling students best and maybe give them a shot at actually receiving the education they are entitled to.
And it could serve our budget best, too. Rather than programs with representatives in each school, have just two or three locations with a full range of services available. Beard School is still open - we're still paying the bills to keep that building open to service just a handful of kids. Can this not be a setting for middle and high school students who are struggling with disciplinary issues? Surely we can find another setting for elementary school kids, as well? By consolidating, we could potentially reduce our 30+ Huntington counselors to maybe 10 to 15 as well as other community service providers and redirect a portion of the $7,000,000 that the District claims is being spent on these services toward bringing TAs back or adding resource officers.
And by reducing disruptions in the classrooms for the other students - and the teachers - wouldn't we be giving those who are ready to learn an even better chance for success?
What are your thoughts?
AND...
Check out these links to two new articles in the Syracuse Post Standard regarding discipline and culture in our schools
"8 Ways SCSD is Attacking Discipline Problems"
"Contreras on Discipline - 'Changing Culture is Hard'"
Check out these links to two new articles in the Syracuse Post Standard regarding discipline and culture in our schools
"8 Ways SCSD is Attacking Discipline Problems"
"Contreras on Discipline - 'Changing Culture is Hard'"
I am so glad this sight is up and running again. I was starting to think the members went away! Please keep this sight current! We need you! :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the steps the District is taking. I still have concerns though: the article mentioned 75 students in one program with a waiting list. How long is the waiting list and what is happening with these students while they wait? The article mentioned yet more training for teachers to aid in deescalating situations and training to prevent situations from arising. OMG...give the teachers the teachers the training, bring the TA's back and give them the training. If a classroom has 1 or more disruptive students there should be a TA in the room. STOP placing the bulk of the burden on ONE person who is teaching 25 plus students! The article mentioned that this is a district inherently low in social workers in the school. Was it not this administration that cut social workers and TA's?
ReplyDeleteI agree the outsourced "supports" that Contreras claims SCSD is contributing to would be much better re allocated to bring back district staff, especially the huge cuts to social workers. However, the truth is, SCSD is not funding any of the money for (specifically) the dozens of Huntington workers throughout the district. Contreras needs to start putting some money back into district supports instead of OUTSOURCING!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteOut of the mouths of babes:
ReplyDelete“Hillbrook is like a summer camp where I get to eat awesome tator tots and play basketball.”
I was told this by a student last week.
I am a parent. I am not in the schools every day. On the occasion I have witnessed a fight, witnessed a middle school boy gyrating on a door, etc. These are "tame" incidents I am sure. The voices that are not being heard in this arena and MUST be heard are those of students and TEACHERS who are witness to the daily incidents of violence spoken by Ken Ahern. Teachers know, TA's know, secretaries know, janitors know, café workers know what happens in the schools. SPEAK NOW! The time is here for change. The time is here to speak for the students who want safe classrooms and schools.
ReplyDeletePolice were called to Lincoln Middle School today after a student attacked a student attempted to stab a teacher with a pen resulting in minor injuries to the teacher.
ReplyDelete