THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE FOCUS ON LEARNING

OBJECTIVE Provide a clear overview of how the discipline process will work for all stakeholders at Thomas Jefferson for school year.

HOW WE GOT HERE Colorado TELL Survey results – spring 2011 Ms. Just and Administrative team met in April and discussed discipline process as it was at TJ Team decided that process needed to be re-evaluated Solicited discipline plans from area high schools in and out of DPS (Bruce Randolph, ThunderRidge HS, Brighton HS) Focus Group conducted with students – May Focus Group with teachers and security staff – May Discipline Committee formed by volunteer teachers

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE Eileen Adair Brett Butera Linda Estlund Matt Santamborgio Matt Spampinato

FOCUS GROUP FEEDBACK 1. What is the responsibility of the student in a classroom? Teacher’s Response Student’s Response Positive, polite, prepared, prompt, productive – 5 P’s Positive, polite, prepared, prompt, productive – 5 P’s Respect – themselves, teacher, other students Respect – themselves, teacher, other students Participation Participation Apply themselves Apply themselves Don’t be disruptive Don’t be disruptive Learn the curriculum Learn the curriculum

FEEDBACK CONTINUED… 2. What is the responsibility of the parents? Teacher’s Response Student’s Response Be a parent – not a friend Be a parent – not a friend Should not play a major role Should not play a major role Act as advocate Act as advocate Make sure kids are doing what they are supposed to be doing Make sure kids are doing what they are supposed to be doing Be a support, but not baby kids Be a support, but not baby kids

FEEDBACK CONTINUED… What is the responsibility of the teacher? Teacher’s Response Student’s Response High expectations and accountability High expectations and accountability Clear expectations Clear expectations Communication Communication Prepared lessons Prepared lessons Model the behavior you expect from the kids Model the behavior you expect from the kids Clear and consistent behavior Clear and consistent behavior Positive consequences for those following the rules Positive consequences for those following the rules Learn what works with each kid Learn what works with each kid Consistent consequences from each classroom Consistent consequences from each classroom Be teachers, not friends Be teachers, not friends Clear rules and expectations Clear rules and expectations

FEEDBACK CONTINUED… 4. What is the responsibility of the administration? Teacher’s Response Student’s Response Pre-referral support Pre-referral support Students should be afraid Students should be afraid Support teachers 100% Support teachers 100% Consistency Consistency Scare kids Scare kids Communication of steps taken with a student Communication of steps taken with a student Set standards but be flexible Set standards but be flexible Make sure everyone is on the same page Make sure everyone is on the same page Keep kids safe Keep kids safe Get kids opinions on things like this Get kids opinions on things like this Security is too laid back Security is too laid back

FEEDBACK CONTINUED… 5. How can the current behavior plan be improved for next year? Teacher’s Response Student’s Response Clear and consistent measures Clear and consistent measures Consequences for everyone, be consistent Consequences for everyone, be consistent Clear expectations Clear expectations Everyone on the same page – needs to be a paper trail Everyone on the same page – needs to be a paper trail Consequence for teachers not in the halls Consequence for teachers not in the halls Get everyone on the same page Get everyone on the same page Consistency Consistency Follow up with discipline, if you threaten to do something, do it Follow up with discipline, if you threaten to do something, do it Teachers be more strict Teachers be more strict Pass room not a party time – take kids phones from them when they get there Pass room not a party time – take kids phones from them when they get there

WHAT DOES LEAP SAY ABOUT CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT? (LE-4) Teacher communicates high behavior expectations for all students and holds all students accountable. Teacher communicates high behavior expectations for all students and holds all students accountable. Teacher rarely needs to stop instruction to address misbehavior, or when necessary, handles it quickly and resumes instruction. Teacher rarely needs to stop instruction to address misbehavior, or when necessary, handles it quickly and resumes instruction. Instances of misbehavior, especially repeated ones, are addressed, not ignored. Instances of misbehavior, especially repeated ones, are addressed, not ignored. Teacher’s responses to misbehavior are effective and fair from student to student; responses are proactive and respect students’ dignity. Teacher’s responses to misbehavior are effective and fair from student to student; responses are proactive and respect students’ dignity. Teacher’s attitude communicates warmth and love, as well as a non-negotiable demand for student effort and mutual respect. Teacher’s attitude communicates warmth and love, as well as a non-negotiable demand for student effort and mutual respect.

FOCUS ON LEARNING 3-Step process to re-focus students on learning in the classroom AddressExplainCorrect

FOCUS ON LEARNING At Thomas Jefferson High School, our teachers and staff are committed to your learning and development into a young adult. We will create a safe and nurturing learning environment that allows for all learners to prosper. To help ensure that learning takes place in every classroom and at all times, the teachers of Thomas Jefferson have a three-step process to keep students on track : 1.Address the behavior needing correction with the student 2.Explicitly explain what the student needs to do to be successful 3.Give the student the choice to correct the behavior, and remain in the learning environment AddressExplainCorrect

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

HOW DO WE SUPPORT THIS? Campus Security stationed at the “T” on 1 st and 3 rd floor Campus Security stationed at the “T” on 1 st and 3 rd floor Campus Security stationed at front desk Campus Security stationed at front desk Teacher(s) stationed in passroom Teacher(s) stationed in passroom Teacher(s) stationed in cafeteria Teacher(s) stationed in cafeteria Teacher(s) roaming to assist in gathering students Teacher(s) roaming to assist in gathering students

DUTY – A TEAM APPROACH Pass Room Hallway Lunchroom

PASSROOM Pass room monitors will maintain a quiet academic environment. Student progress will be tracked using a spreadsheet. Teachers from each core subject will contribute essential skills worksheets and readings etc.… These items will be compiled into pass room work packets for students to complete if they have no other work to do. Additionally, a library of textbooks will be compiled for student use. Teachers will keep track of the textbooks by requiring students to use a sign-out sheet.

HALL MONITOR/WALKER Hall monitors will walk a “beat” that is designed to cover the entire building in regular intervals. Hall monitors will interact with students using a fair, firm, and friendly tone. Through the use of a radio they will coordinate efforts with school security. Tardy and truant students will be escorted to the dean’s office where appropriate action will be taken. Students may later be escorted to class. Students with no class will be escorted to the Lunchroom. Security will be called to assist in the event that students are reluctant to comply with the hall monitors request.

LUNCH ROOM SUPERVISOR It is necessary to provide a place for students to be so that the halls can be kept clear (eventually a comfortable student lounge may be developed). These students are usually juniors and seniors, so they will be loosely supervised, “given space” and allowed to relax. The lunchroom will serve as the location for students without a class, for a particular period, to hang out.

DUTY SCHEDULE FOR Each period there are teams of teachers ranging from 4-5 available people It will be left to the teams as to who does each duty each day (pass room, cafeteria, hallway) Duty Schedule