Dublin Middle School Interview with principal Robin Keener By Debra Perry

DMS is led by Robin Keener, principal and Mike King, assistant principal. These leaders are both in their first principalships, having been teachers previously. Their discipline plan is Effective Schoolwide Discipline Dublin Middle School Is the largest middle school in Pulaski County, Virginia

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School What are the challenges with student discipline?  lack of parental support  inconsistent expectations for school rules between teachers

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School How does discipline effect the overall school climate?  Teachers want to feel supported with their discipline issues

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School What is your personal leadership style/philosophy related to student discipline?  our job is to change or do away with inappropriate behavior. This can be done in other ways rather than always being punitive.

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School How do you involve parents in student discipline?  parents receive a copy of the student handbook with all school rules  teachers are to call parents as soon as problems surface in the classroom  with major infractions such as fights, threats, etc., parents are contacted by the administration immediately

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School What are effective strategies that you have used?  Effective School-wide Discipline committee  after school detention  Saturday School

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School How does a school go about creating a school-wide discipline strategy?  looking at the past and figuring out what works and what doesn’t

Current Support Systems Rules and guidelines are set forth in student handbook. We all MUST adhere to the same guidelines. Isolation (Not behind closed doors) Student Responsibility Center (SRC) Suspension Saturday School Field trip and sports restrictions

Previously Established Rules Walk on right side of the hall. Students carry planners. Discipline procedures must be documented in folder.

School Wide Discipline Procedures 1.Conference with student 2.Conference with parent (Document in contact log.) Phone contact Mail letter Meeting 3.Isolation after parent contact. 4.Submit paperwork for office referral and call home to inform parents. 5.After completing steps 1-4 continue to write referrals for the same offense. 6.If a student commits a new offense begin with step one

Previously Established Rules Walk on right side of the hall. Students carry planners. Discipline procedures must be documented in folder.

New Programs for Grant for handling suspensions –Student to Central Gym –Two-part day: academic and community service –Supervised by retired teachers Saturday School –8:00-12:00, two days per month –DMS and PMS, alternating locations –Supervised by retired teachers –Consequences to be determined After-school Detention

Programs for 2008 Saturday School –8:30-12:30, every Saturday –Located at PCHS –Supervised by retired teachers After-school Detention –Waiting on funding

Programs for 2009 Saturday School –8:30-12:30, every Saturday –Located at PCHS –Supervised by retired teachers After-school Detention (ASD) –Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 3:30-5:00 –Referred by teachers or administrator –Teachers must contact the parent to schedule detention and Jon Bell

Purpose Promote a positive learning environment and school climate. Standardize school rules to promote consistency and expectations. More effectively handle classroom distractions to increase academic performance. Define administrative and teacher roles as related to discipline. Create uniform cafeteria procedure for all three lunches

Documenting Discipline Incidents Online spreadsheet under F:\Home\Shared\Discipline\teamname Update ASAP after the incident Review Weekly (during guidance meeting) Viewable by all; password or rights protected to modify

Referral Data During , there were 1048 referrals During , there were 571 referrals During , there were 555 referrals

Continuing Concerns We all MUST follow procedure all of the time. Be consistent! Promptly deal with issues. Bus wait: students must remain in classroom until bus is called or 3:30 bell. Planner-use must be expected by all. (Can’t be expected in P.E.) There is a uniform cafeteria procedure for all three lunches. If a cell phone is out any time from 8:30-3:05 it is to be confiscated. Be sure to follow procedure for: Electronic Devices Tardies Vandalism Any rule in student handbook We endorse any activity to promote and sponsor positive experiences for students demonstrating positive behavior and good citizenship.

Interview with Robin Keener, principal Dublin Middle School How do teachers feel about how educational leaders approach to discipline?  this is one area in which teachers will never feel they are supported fully