Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Dear Families,
Welcome to a new school year. Our classroom program has changed a bit so please read over it before you sign
and return the bottom of the next page. These changes mostly affect the privileges students earn at each phase
level.
Another change this year is a longer supply list. I have decided to give each student the same supply list as all
other students in his or her grade at Rineyville Elementary. I am making this change so when students are able
to go out to a regular classroom for some classes they will have the supplies they need.
Thank you so much for all of your support and if you have any questions please call me at 737-7371.
Nancy Peden and Sheri Coolidge
Your New Special Classroom
The following is an explanation of the Behavior Management System and Phase Level System for
the Rineyville Elementary Emotional Behavior Disability Unit. If you have any questions, please feel free
to contact me at school to schedule a conference.
Each student will have a daily point sheet on which behaviors goals and task completion are
monitored. Goal check will be done at regular intervals depending on our schedule. Conferencing on
appropriate behavior as well as inappropriate behavior will occur at these checkpoints. Points are lost for
inappropriate behavior.
Each morning students are given Coolidge Cash for the points they earned the day before.
Coolidge Cash is used to shop in the Rewards Store each afternoon.
Each student will also be working in a Phase Level System that is detailed on later pages. If this is
your child’s first experience in this class, he/she will start out at the Introductory Level also called Phase
0.
A strike is called at the discretion of the teacher and/or Instructional Assistant. If a strike is called,
the student will lose his/her daily points. Depending on the severity of the behavior, other consequences
may be applied.
The following areas will be considered a Strike:






Suspension from School.
Fist Fighting.
Severe Disrespect to Staff.
4th Request Time-out.
Leaving the Classroom/Building without permission.
Other actions determined as dangerous by the staff.
We are looking forward to a great year.
Sincerely,
Nancy Peden and Sheri Coolidge
Remember!!
If you ever have any questions about this program or any concerns about your child please call us at
737-7371.
------------------------------------------Cut along this line and return the bottom part only.--------------------------Student’s Name______________________________________________________
I have read the classroom management program that will be used in my student’s classroom for the 2008-2009
school year. I do not have any questions at this time. I understand that if I should have any questions at any
time in the future, I am always welcome to call Nancy Peden.
Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________ Date__________
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS BOTTOM PART ONLY
HARDIN COUNTY SCHOOLS
Department of Special Education
Emotional/Behavioral Disability Special Program
Introduction:
The Hardin County Schools are devoted to providing quality education for the students of Hardin
County. One of the special programs in the school system is the Emotional Behavioral Disabled Special Class
Program, which is operated by the department of Special Education. This program provides educational
opportunities for those students who experience significant behavioral and/or emotional problems at school. The
program provides educational services for students ranging in ages from 3 to 21 years of age.
Services of the program include: 1) academic course work at the student’s functioning level; 2)
counseling and guidance; 3) behavioral management strategy development, and 4) parent involvement. This
EBD unit is staffed with one certified teacher and at least one instructional assistant.
The EBD program is devoted to helping students who are enrolled in the Hardin County Schools who
may need some extra assistance in learning to deal with the stress and problems associated with growing up in
the new millennium. The program staff is here to help the students that have problems and other difficulties that
they are unable to deal with without additional assistance and guidance. It is for those students that we are here.
It is the policy of the program to insure that basic rights are provided to each student. These rights
include the right to dignity, humane care, proper supervision, and justice. In recognition of a person’s status as a
developing individual, the student should be provided opportunities to enable him/her to mature physically,
emotionally, socially, and vocationally.
In order for our students to benefit from our program, the staff is committed to providing a structured
program. It is very important that you and your child clearly understand what is expected of him/her at school.
Expectations, rules, procedures, and routines will be taught to the students initially during the first two weeks of
school, and will be continually reviewed throughout the year when necessary. Included is a copy of my
behavior management plan to assist the students in my class to be successful at school. This plan includes:
- Classroom procedures
- Classroom and Behavior Plan
- A copy of the phase level system, which the students progress through during
the year.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
DAILY PROCEDURES:
Breakfast
Breakfast needs to be eaten quietly and in a
timely manner.
Supplies
In our classroom each student will be asked to provide the supplies appropriate
for his/her grade level. If students bring supplies that are not on the list they may
or may not be able to use them in class. If students bring any supplies that they
will not be able to use in class, they will be asked to take them back home with
them.
Work Completion
All assignments are due when specified by the teacher. Failure to do so could
result in the loss of points and the lowering of the grade as determined by the
teacher.
Help/Question
If you do not understand a question/assignment, first try the next problem. If you
still do not know what to do, raise your hand and continue working until a teacher
can help you.
Finished with work
If you are finished with your assignment and it is still work time, you may read or
complete other assignments. If you have earned it, you may be allowed free time.
Free time activities are determined by phase level.
Getting out of your seat
You may get out of your seat only when you have been given permission. Some
students may have more privileges in this area than others depending on their
phase level and what kind of day they are having.
Accelerated Reader Tests
After you have read an Accelerated Reader book, you may take a test with
permission. If you consistently score 80% or higher on AR tests you may earn the
privilege to take tests without asking first.
Restroom
We will take regular restroom breaks. If you need to go to the restroom at any
other time of the day you will need to ask permission. You may go to the
restroom one other time “free of charge.” Every restroom trip beyond these three
will cost 25 cents in Coolidge Cash. Your phase level and your current day’s
behavior will determine if you need an escort or not.
*Parents and guardians, if your child has been ill or has a condition that requires
more frequent restroom breaks please let us know so we can accommodate
him/her.
Teacher’s/Assistant’s desks Students are not allowed to go into the teacher’s area, take anything from or put
anything on the teacher’s/assistant’s desk without permission. Any of these
actions will cost a minimum of 20 behavior points.
Guests
When guests are in the room, you need to continue working as though no one
entered the room. Do NOT talk to that person unless you are spoken to by
her/him. Guests include parents, other faculty members, other students and
visitors to our school.
Severe Infractions
Negative Behaviors
of Classmates
It is my duty to make sure the classroom is a safe place for everyone, therefore,
there are two behaviors which will not be tolerated. They are 1). Using severe
physical/verbal aggression towards others and 2) interfering with staff interactions
with another student. Either of these actions could result in the loss of the entire
day’s behavior points.
If another student is misbehaving, it is best to ignore him/her. Ignoring can earn
you bonus points, extra classroom money or raffle tickets. Choosing to get
involved will result in the loss of points.
Safe Crisis Management
Teachers and Instructional assistants have been trained in Safe Crisis
Management. The purpose of Safe Crisis Management is to use the least
restrictive alternative of control in order to protect children and staff from violent
actions and behaviors. This is achieved by:
1. Understanding explosive situations
2. Diffusing explosive situations by using non-physical management
techniques, and
3. Using only enough physical restraint to control the violent behavior,
after assessing the above.
Time-Outs
Time Outs are given for continued rule breaking, extremely disruptive behavior
with inappropriate attitude or aggression and uncooperative behaviors in school.
Time-Out may be taken at your desk (“taking a break”), or in the isolation timeout room in the classroom. If you are in the time-out room, you are to sit in the
back of the room facing the back wall. When you are calm, you may return to the
classroom with teacher permission. Failure to take time-outs in an appropriate
manner will result in loss of points and possible use of Safe Crisis Management.
Anger
When you become angry with another person to the point that you feel you are
going to show inappropriate behavior, you may get up and remove yourself from
the situation by going to a predetermined location or back to your desk if you are
working away from your desk.
Fairness
Fairness is extremely important in this classroom, and some things that I do for
one student might not be done for another. Each student has his/her own needs
and individualized goals. These goals will be addressed as appropriate based on
the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and individual learning styles.
*****Please be aware that the above procedures and the details of the phase level
system below are subject to change. All students are not the same and even the
groups we have from year to year are not the same. We make changes as we see
the need to provide your child with the best educational experience we can.
Classroom Rules & Behavior Plan
II.
Guidelines for Success:
A. Be responsible.
B. Do your best.
C. Treat everyone with respect (including yourself).
III.
Classroom Rules:
A. Work during all work times.
B. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
C. Follow directions immediately.
IV.
Classroom Rewards:
A. Earn Coolidge Cash for appropriate behaviors to trade for items in store.
B. “Free time” for activities of student choice. (Choices depend on Phase Level.)
C. Participation in Fun Friday.
Each student has a daily points goal. When a student reaches this goal he/she may earn the
following privileges:
Shopping from the Rewards Store
 Shopping opportunities will be offered weekly.
 To shop a student must meet the requirements to get Fun Friday. These are different for
each phase level.
 If a student misbehaves on the bus or going out to the bus he/she will lose Coolidge Cash
for that day.
 The next day’s points will still count for earning Fun Friday (see below).
Fun Friday:
 Fun Friday will be scheduled on Friday afternoons.
 It may include social time, games and/or treats.
 To participate a student must earn his/her score 4 out of 5 days (or 3 out of 4 days if we
have a 4 day week).
 If a student goes to time out on a Friday he/she will not participate in Fun Friday that day.
V.
Consequences When Rules Are Not Observed.
A. Non-verbal or verbal warning.
B. Break (head down) at desk for 30 seconds (timed by the teacher), signaled by saying “take
a break”.
C. Removal from classroom to the time out room until calm. (Also given when command of
“take a break” is not complied with.)
D. Failure to calm down in time out room may cause use of Safe Crisis Management physical
assistance. Any staff members who are certified in Safe Crisis Management may be called
to help with Safe Crisis Management assists if necessary. Police may be called in severe
instances.
The Phase Level Program
Phase Level 0 (Introductory Phase): All new students will begin at this phase level upon entry to the
class.
Responsibilities:
 Must make a minimum of 70% on all behavior goals.
 Must complete all assignments.
 Phase lasts for 15 – 20 days. Once student has learned the classroom program
he/she automatically moves up to Phase Level 1.
Privileges:
 None
Free time:
 Read at desk
 Color at desk.
Fun Friday;
 May purchase Phase 0/1 items.
Phase Level 1:
Responsibilities:
 Must make a minimum of 75% on all behavior goals.
 Must complete all assignments.
 Phase lasts for 15-20 days. Must meet goal 15 out of 20 days (or 75% of the time.)
Privileges:
 None
Free time:
 Read at desk
 Color at desk
 Do puzzles at desk
Fun Friday:
 May purchase Phase 0/1 items.
Note: All returning students will begin the new school year at this phase level. This will last for
2 weeks.
Phase Level 2:
Responsibilities:
 Must make a minimum of 80% on all behavior goals.
 Must complete all assignments.

Phase lasts for 15-20 days. Must meet goal 15 out of 20 days (or 75% of the time.)

Choose any flavor milk at lunch.




Read at desk
Color at desk
Do puzzles at desk
Carpet time

May purchase Phase 0/1 and Phase 2 items.
Privileges:
Free time:
Fun Friday:
Phase Level 3:
Responsibilities:
 Must make a minimum of 85% on all behavior goals.
 Must complete all assignments.
 Phase lasts for 15-20 days. Must meet goal 16 out of 20 days (or 80% of the time.)
Privileges:
 Choose any flavor milk at lunch.
 Out of seat at appropriate times.
 Unescorted in hallway.
 Go out for classes.
 Wear jewelry.
Free time:
 Read at desk
 Color at desk
 Do puzzles at desk
 Carpet time
 Table time
Fun Friday:
 May purchase Phase 0/1; Phase 2 items or Phase 3 items.
Phase Level 4:
Responsibilities:
 Must make a minimum of 90% on all behavior goals.
 Must complete all assignments.
 Phase lasts for 15-20 days. Must meet goal 16 out of 20 days (or 80% of the time.)
Privileges:
 Choose any flavor milk at lunch.
 Out of seat at appropriate times.
 Unescorted in hallway.
 Go out for classes.
 Wear jewelry.
 Run special errands.
 Help Miss Lucas (with birthday table, etc)
Free time:
 Read at desk
 Color at desk
 Do puzzles at desk
 Carpet time
 Table time
 Electronics (computer, hand-held games, etc.)
Fun Friday:
 May purchase Phase 0/1; Phase 2 items; Phase 3 items or Phase 4 items.
Level 5:






Must make a minimum of 95% on behavior goals.
Must complete all assignments.
Phase lasts 9 weeks. Must make goal 8 out of 9 weeks.
In regular classroom with check in at the beginning and end of the day.
Follow behavior program of regular class.
May have all privileges as in above levels.