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Thanks to everyone who send me info.  Since, I had so many requests for
a HIT, here it is.
My original question was
    >"...I would be very interested in some "real life" examples of
middle schools that have seen
    >positive changes in student behavior and school climate when they
   > instituted a new approach to student discipline."

_____________________________________________-

 From: JANELLE KIRKEIDE <jkirkeide@stanthony.k12.mn.us>

  "Safe and Respectful Schools"  program.
 We have had good results in both our middle school and high school this
year,
 our first year, using this model.  Fights have gone down to nothing,
and other behaviors such as running in the hallway, swearing and
bullying
 are much improved.  Good luck in your efforts.  I think you will find
the
 efforts are worth the improved school climate.  The key  to success is
 to get all of the teachers to buy into the program.  You need to
present a unified  front.
____________________________________

From: Joanne Ladewig shatz@lightside.com

I don't know about discipline, but one of our teachers formed a club,
the
"Arona Society" for this group of special students. They focus on doing
positive projects for the school. They have helped plant bushes and
trees, etc.

_____________________________________

From: Mary Ann Bell <mbell@main.com>

1.  We sent to a much stricter dress code this year.  Wanted uniform
dress but did not get quite the votes from parents.  Anyway outlawed
baggies and shorts, made them tuck in all shirts, etc. etc. and the
difference was really striking at the beginning of year.  Now we are
used to it plus springtime is here, but still a  positive change.
2.  Went to block schedule.  Referrals down.  AP thinks it is because of

less hall traffic.
3.  Outlawed bells, just go by clock.  Teacher can hold class and make
'em put things up, etc. at necessary.  Much quieter, less frantic
atmosphere.  I hate bells now.

___________________________________________

From:  Susan Grigsby <sgrigsby@atlchai.org>

First, some background. We are a private Jewish day school that serves
pre-K through 8th grade. Our discipline principles are based on Judaism
and the mitzvot and the commandments. That said, here's what has
happened. Two years ago we implemented a dress code for students.
Although the change was subtle, there WAS a change in behavior among our

middle school students - less aggression, less teasing, etc. This year
we also implemented an advisory system where the middle school students
meet once a week with an advisor (may or may not be a classroom teacher
they see academically) in a group of 5 or 6. They plan goals (school and

community), develop a service or charity project, and discuss what's on
their minds. The kids came up with some ideas for the lunchroom
(chocolate milk on Tuesdays, for example), they had the idea of a
dress-down day for charity (students pay $3 to wear jeans to school and
the money goes to a chosen charity such as the Food Bank or Hospice
Atlanta), etc. This gave them the feeling of having input in "important"

decisions and created a sense of connection to the school.
_________________________________________________


From: Pat Elliott <pat.elliott@sympatico.ca>

We use the Assertive Discipline Plan by Lee Canter
http://www.canterweb.com/sitemap/index.html

combined with the Making the Difference Program by Connie Dombrowski.
By the Friday of the first week of school each class must have their set

of classroom rules of behaviour to the principal for his records. We use

the from in the Canter book.
The students understand the rules and if they misbehave they go through
a check system that moves them to the series of discipline set up at the

same time as the rules are set.
Students can jump to more stringent discipline repercusions based on the

infraction.
If they get to the end of the discipline path and they need action from
the principal the child has gone to the learning centre where the
special education team has dealt with the problems the the child is
creatd due to 'inappropriate choices' for his/her actions.
the concept of the student being responsible for his actions is the
basis of the Dombrowski program. (I can't find info about the program on

the web, but a teacher at our school has been trained to teach the
program and I can get further infor from him)
this is a very brief explanation of the program in our school and I
haven't done what we do justice by the brevity of the outline. But it
works very well.  Educating the parents about responsibility for actions

made by the students is very much part of the process.

____________________________________________

From: Elizabeth Davenport <ed1mrvl@moa.net>

In my district, we have junior high's not middle schools, with grades
7-9.  In the last few years were have instituted Responsibility Training

based on William Glasser's writings.

We have a responsibility room which is run by trained parapro's or
certified teachers (in the high school only).  Each classroom is
encouraged to set up a set of rules.  Each classroom also has a "Time
Out" desk.

If a child is misbehaving or just not doing their work, they get one
reminder.  With the second remark, the child is sent to the "Time Out"
desk to write up a contract to correct the infraction.  This is worked
out with the teacher.  If the student breaks the contract or misbehaves
in the "Time Out" area, they are sent to the "Time Out" room for indepth

counseling.  They come out of the room with a contract for improvement
that must be OK'd by the classroom teacher.  If the student breaks the
contact, they get sent to the "Time Out" room again.  A third infraction

results in a suspension.

There are hours of training involved for all staff members.  But the
focus is to get the student to accept the responsibility for their
actions, not blame others.  In the three years I was at the junior high,

suspensions were cut by half.

There should be information available in ERIC etc. about Glasser and
Responsibility training.  I feel it's well worth the effort.

Thanks again!
--
Jackie Corrigan, Library Technician
George Waters Middle School/St. James Collegiate Institute
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Mailto:jcorriga@mbnet.mb.ca

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