The Jack Hayward Junior High School recently implemented a Disciplinary Committee Proposal for Intervention Program.
Announcing the program was the vice principal Kendris D. Hield, who explained that this system which incorporates both internal and external affiliates and supports, that may help bring about a desired change in the child’s behavior.
The program involves the signing of a contract where the child and caregiver are made aware of what will be required and what will be the consequences if the contract is broken.
The contract will be aligned with levels of infractions in the Jack Hayward Rule Book, he said, noting that there are three stages and the desired behavior may be achieved at any stage.
Hield said that the expectations of the program are to yield incremental increases in overall GPA, modification of classroom behaviour, intrinsic motivation of students, mastering of time management and life skills, respect for others, and respect for public and private property.
“We believe that as teachers we need the support of other entities, both government and civic, in order to produce successful and desirable citizens,” he continued.
“Internal and external affiliations and supports are already in place; however, what is needed is a system. Internal and external affiliations and supports are all those government agencies in and outside of the school, where there exists the professional training and facilities which may not be readily available in our schools.”
The internal support comes from the Jack Hayward Jr. Guidance Department, while the external affiliation support includes Program Sure (Alternative educational environment); The Bahamas Social Services Department, Ministry of Education Psychological Evaluation (Dr. P. Mills); Rehabilitation Services (Mrs. McBride), School Community Policing (Royal Bahamas Police Force)/Probation officers, Simpson Pen Rehabilitation Center, Sandilands Rehabilitation Adolescent Unit, Civic and Cooperate sponsors and church counselors.
The stages for this program begin with the signing of a contract by students.
Hield said that student and parent will be informed of academic and behavioural deficiency and the use of past report cards may serve as proof.
The second stage is for students with contracts to attend mandatorily intervention clas-ses facilitated by school, police and or church pastor/civic affiliate. No absenteeism or tardiness will be tolerated. Parents will be held liable if child has one unexcused absence.
And the third stage involves being processed by the Guidance councilors for psychological evaluation.
Hield stressed that the purpose of this is to prevent the deterioration of at risk students with learning difficulties and behaviour problems, which could impede academic and social development, through individual and group counseling, remedial reinforcements, stimulating and strengthening parental involvement, systematical monitoring and fostering a direct communication with other entities, affiliates and professionals in order to effect an acceptable change.
He noted that a there will be a draft contract between students, parents and school. This, he said, will stipulate the conditions under which consequences will be allocated for breach.
Further, “to require a mandatory parental conference with students at risk. In order to review student’s current academic status and to negotiate a signed agreement between parties involved for an increase in grade for conduct and grade for subject over a reasonable time interval. Contracts are to be aligned with the policies, rules and levels of infractions as adopted by the Jack Hayward Jr. High School.
“To create a data base to track the development of at risk students, students with and without contracts.”
Source: The Freeport News
