FSC-ED PROGRAM AHS PARENT HANDBOOK Teacher: Ms. Kory Toyozaki Ph. #: 483-7300 extension 289 Email: Ktoyozaki@ahs.k12.hi.us INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Fully Self-Contained Classroom for students with Emotional Disturbances (FSC-ED). Sometimes, students have difficulties controlling their own behaviors and as a result, get into trouble in and out of school. Students often feel that their behavior is out of their own control and they feel that they “can’t help it”. This program is geared towards teaching students to control and monitor their own behaviors. Once the students have learned that they can control their own behaviors, and then they can begin to transition out to other classes. I am looking forward to working with both you and your child over the coming school year. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: What is FSC? FSC stands for Fully Self-Contained. This means that the students in an FSC class stay in the same classroom all day and have one teacher who teaches them all of their school subjects. What is ED? ED stands for Emotional Disturbance. Students who have an Emotional Disturbance may have a variety of issues. For example, some ED students often have difficulties managing their reactions to their own emotions. Often, this leads to the student making poor decisions and then getting into trouble both in and out of school. Students who have an Emotional Disturbance need help in learning how to control their behaviors and how to cope with their feelings of frustration and/or anger. What is the purpose of the FSC-ED program? The purpose of this program is to teach students who are Emotionally Disturbed how to deal with their emotions and to make more appropriate choices. To do this, we use a Point-Level system that helps teach the student to think before they act and decide the best course of action to take when faced with a choice. How does the Point-Level system work? For each activity throughout the day (including recess and lunch time), a student can earn points. The number of points a student earns is determined by his or her behavior. The better their behavior, the more points they can earn for that activity. Throughout the day, the student’s points are added up and the more points the student earns, the higher his or her Level is. Each level has certain privileges and responsibilities that come with it. Eventually, the student learns how to monitor and control his or her own behavior and is ready to start the process of returning to nonFSC classes. 1 How does a student work his or her way out of the FSC-ED program? Once a student has reached Level 4 (the highest level in the Point-Level system), he or she has demonstrated that they can control and monitor their own behaviors. Once a student achieves a Level 4, the teacher will call a meeting with the student, his or her parents or guardians, counselor, other teachers, and any other people who work with the student to determine if the student is ready to transition out of the FSC program. If they are, the team then decides what class or classes the student would be ready for. After monitoring the student’s progress in the non-FSC class, the team will meet again to determine if he or she is ready to try another class outside of the FSC-ED program. Eventually, the student will have earned his or her way out of the FSC-ED program. PROBATION PERIOD (GETTING STARTED) When a student first enters the FSC-ED program, they have a 10-day probationary period. During probation, the student remains under close supervision in the classroom, even during recess and lunchtime. The student can use this time to become familiar with the program, the staff, their peers, and the Point-Level system. The teacher and EA use this time to get to know the student, as well. At the end of the 10-days, the student will be evaluated by the teacher and EA to see if they are ready to begin earning outside privileges (such as recess and/or lunch outside of the classroom). If the student has been behaving well, their probation ends and they can earn recess and lunch periods outside of the classroom. For students who have not been behaving well, probation may be extended. In addition, students must turn in the completed information and signature sheet (the last page of this handbook) in order for their probation to end. THE POINT-LEVEL SYSTEM The Point-Level System allows students to earn points for every activity throughout the day (including recess, lunchtime, and passing periods in-between classes). Points are earned based on the student’s behavior. 0 points = the student was required an excessive amount of prompts to follow directions (or was just unable to follow directions at all), was disruptive, disrespectful, or refused to do the activity. 1 point = the student needed no more than 3 prompts to follow directions. The student was able to comply with all school and class rules. 2 points = the student was able to follow directions with less than 3 prompts and stayed on-task by working quietly and paying attention. Please note that the student must meet both expectations in order to earn two points for the activity. 3 points = the student was able to follow directions, remain on-task, and used respectful communication (using polite, proper language and an appropriate volume and tone of voice). He or she met or exceeded all expectations for this activity and was able to comply with all school and class rules. Please note that the student must meet all three expectations in order to earn all three points. Throughout the day, these points are added up and the total helps to determine what Level the student is on. Each level also has certain rewards. Level 1 is the first level and means that the student still needs help in following directions and behaving appropriately. 2 Students who earn a disciplinary referral are automatically placed on Level 1. Level 2 means that the student has shown that he or she is able to follow directions and behave properly with reminders from staff. Level 2 students are able to earn free time privileges such as group games (board games or card games). Level 2 students are able to earn free time during recess. Note: A Level 2 student cannot earn more than one checkmark next to their name for negative behavior (see CONSEQUENCE PLAN section of program handbook). Level 3 students are showing that they are able to behave and follow directions with minimal (if any) redirections from staff. Level 3 students are able to earn free time privileges, Internet access, use of the listening station, and other privileges. Level 3 students are able to earn recess and lunch periods outside of the classroom with their peers. Also, during the last 30 minutes of the school day, Level 3 students are allowed to participate in outside group activities like basketball or touch football. Once a student has maintained a Level 3 for 10 consecutive school days, he or she is eligible to reach Level 4. Note: A Level 3 student cannot earn any checkmarks next to their name for negative behavior (see CONSEQUENCE PLAN section of program handbook). Level 4 students are eligible for consideration to begin the transition out of the FSC-ED program. In addition to all Level 3 privileges, Level 4 students are also able to assign their own points. This is to help them get used to monitoring their own behavior, rather than relying on the Teacher to monitor their behavior for them. Level 4 students earn special privileges and rewards for behaving well and making positive, appropriate choices. Note: A Level 4 student cannot earn any checkmarks next to their name for negative behavior (see CONSEQUENCE PLAN section of program handbook). The Point-Level system encourages students to think about the consequences of their decisions before they act and to take responsibility for their own actions. School staff, administrators, counselors, social workers, and therapists are a part of the team that will be working with you and your child to teach them new ways of coping with their frustrations and other emotions. As your child learns different ways to deal with their emotions and to make more appropriate choices regarding their behavior, he or she will be able to achieve higher levels. CONSEQUENCE PLAN Should a student decide to behave in a negative way, the teacher will use the following plan: 1st incident of negative behavior = verbal warning. 2nd incident = name on the board (and a loss of points due to behavior). 3rd incident = checkmark next to name (includes a loss of points and/or level, depending on student’s level). 4th incident = 2nd checkmark next to name (includes a loss of points and/or level, depending on student’s Level), and parent/legal guardian notified of behavior. 3 5th incident = 3rd checkmark next to name (includes a loss of points and/or level, depending on student’s Level), and the student is referred to office. If the student behaves in a way that is severely disruptive or dangerous, the student may be immediately referred to the office. Students who lose their Level due to behavior will lose all points they have earned so far through the day and will have to start over. GRADING POLICY Grading System: Students will be graded on class assignments, quizzes, tests, and homework. Grades will be calculated based on the total points earned divided by total possible points. Grading Scale: A= student’s performance is excellent, goes beyond standards. (outstanding) 100-90% B= student’s performance is thorough, exceeds the standards. (proficient) 89-80% C= student’s performance is adequate, meets the standards. (satisfactory) 79-70% D= student’s performance is minimal, does not meet standards. (developing) 69-60% F= student’s performance is weak or does not exist, far below standards. (unacceptable) 59-0% CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN Students are expected to follow classroom rules as well as all school rules. Mutual Respect- treat others the way you like to be treated Be Positive- come with a willingness to learn Always Be Safe- don’t do anything that can bring harm to you or others. Consequences 1st offense- verbal warning 2nd offense- call to parent/guardian 3rd offense- detention 4th offense- sent to administration Note: Depending on the severity of the offense, consequences may vary and may not follow this 4 step procedure. All contraband items will be confiscated and sent to the office. All violations will follow school procedures. Teacher has reviewed Chapter 19 Rules and Regulations with students. HOMEWORK POLICY If homework is assigned, it must be turned in the following day by the beginning of the school day (8:20 am, unless told otherwise by the teacher). Homework that is turned in after the 2 nd bell is considered late and the student’s score for that assignment will fall by 10%. If a student has not finished his or her homework or has missing assignments, they lose their outside/free time privileges until they have completed their work appropriately. IN CLOSING… Some students have difficulties controlling their behaviors. The purpose of this FSC-ED program is to show these students that they are in control of their own behaviors. If they make a decision to behave in a particular way (appropriately or inappropriately), they must also take responsibility and accept the consequences of that decision. Part of the process is learning new ways to cope with frustration, anger, and other emotions. This process is not an easy one to master, but it is one that is worthwhile. Once the students have learned that they can control themselves, they can make better choices when it comes to their behavior. Once they have learned that lesson, the students will be able to focus on their education and their roles as young adults. 4 FSC-ED PROGRAM The information provided will be kept confidential. Telephone numbers will not be given out to other students or to their families. The information provided will be used by Aiea High School staff for school purposes only. _______________________________________________ Student’s Name (Please Print) ___________________ Home Phone # _______________________________________________ Mother or Guardian Name (Please Print) ___________________ Cell Phone # ___________________ Work Phone # Email: _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Father or Guardian Name (Please Print) ___________________ Cell Phone # ___________________ Work Phone # Email: _______________________________________________ By signing on the lines below, you are stating that you have read the entire FSC-ED program handbook and understand the expectations of this program. _____________________________ Student Signature __________________ Date _____________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature __________________ Date Please turn in this page 5 to Ms. Toyozaki 5