Westwood High School Blue Ribbon Plan 2006-2007 Westwood High School 4480 Westmont Road Memphis, Tennessee 38109.

Westwood High SchoolBlue Ribbon Plan

2006-2007

Westwood High School4480 Westmont Road

Memphis, Tennessee 38109

Classroom Procedures

• Hall Passes: -15 minute rule: No hall passes are to be issued the first 15

minutes of class or the last 15 minutes of class. -Hall passes are to be issued during homeroom for

emergency use only.

• Students are to get permission from their teacher to get up from their seat.

• Students are to raise their hand to ask for assistance.• Students working in cooperative groups are expected to

stay on task and speak in conversational tones.• Homework is expected to be turned in on time.

School Procedures• Procedures for opening of school

-The building engineer will open the building at 6:45 a.m. for faculty and staff. Students may enter the cafeteria for breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. All students are required to remain in the cafeteria, auditorium, or outside until the 7:20 bell sounds. At this time students may go to their lockers and proceed to homeroom. Students who arrive after 7:30 a.m. must report to the auditorium for an admit to class. All students must be in the proper school uniform.

• Closing of school -All students must exit the building by 2:30 p.m. each day unless they are under the

direct supervision of a faculty member or authorized adult. -Students remaining after school must be in their designated site by 2:30 or exit the

building. -All teachers are instructed to verify that no students remain in the halls before they

depart at 2:30 p.m. -The building engineer will lock all doors immediately after 2:30 p.m. -The building engineer and the principal will tour the building after 2:30 p.m. to

ascertain that all students have departed or are properly supervised.

• Passing Classes -Students are to remain seated until dismissed by their teachers. Moving only on the

right, students have five minutes to reach their next destination. -Teachers are to stand in the middle of the hallway while students are passing.

School Procedures Continued…

• Lunchroom -It is the responsibility of all persons on duty to monitor in a manner that will ensure

that the cafeteria rules are obeyed and that the cafeteria is left in a clean and orderly condition.

-Teachers and/or designated staff must report to their post on time daily. -Students must remain seated unless they are in line to be served.

• Assemblies Assemblies are an integral part of the learning process and, as such, require close

supervision so that all students have the opportunity to derive the greatest benefit from them. Teachers are to escort their classes to assemblies, sit with their students in their assigned area, and remain with their students for the assembly.

How we teach the rules and procedures…

• Model during initial three weeks of school• Re-teach frequently (Open House, grade level

orientation sessions, new student orientation, signs in hallways, announcements over the intercom, classroom discussion)

• Reward appropriate behavior (pizza and movie parties, basketball tickets)

School Rules• Westwood Longhorns are to be: -present everyday -prompt everyday -prepared with the appropriate school supplies everyday -positive by following directions the first time they are

given -proud because Westwood is the best place to be

• Treat all other individuals as you would like to be treated.• Follow individual instructor’s classroom rules.• Speak in a conversational tone in the school lunch room and hallways.• Walk to the right in hallways to avoid congestion.

School Rules Continued…• Abstain from inappropriate language.• Refrain from bringing electronics, drugs, and

weapons to school.• Avoid public displays of affection.• Never leave campus without permission.

In-School Suspension (ISS)

• In-School Suspension may be used for repeated minor infractions for a minimum of two days per infraction.

• Students are expected to go to ISS at 7:30 a.m. with all of their books, ready to work.

• Students are not allowed to talk or sleep in ISS.• ISS students are kept separate from the main student body

the entire time they are on suspension.• ISS students are counted present in their regular classes.• Re-entry to the classroom follows the district’s guidelines.

Students must complete an ISS Entrance and Exit Form upon completion of ISS.

Prevention Model

• District Behavioral Specialist• Gang Awareness Workshop via MCS/MPD• Hall monitor/Security officer on-site• MCS Family Life Education and Health and

Wellness Curricula• Professional development

School Philosophy We believe that each child is an individual of worth who should be

respected, accepted, and encouraged by the entire school staff. A good educational program should begin by providing each child an opportunity to develop a positive awareness of his own worth and dignity. Therefore, our staff must understand the ways in which children learn and be familiar with the factors and circumstances that make learning easy or difficult-efficient or inefficient. It is through this understanding that we strive to develop the whole student to his greatest potential, in order that he may become a productive person-socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

It is the school’s responsibility to provide a climate in which children can develop the idea that learning is an exciting, pleasurable experience, which continues throughout life. In order to achieve such an atmosphere, there should be a reasonable degree of freedom as well as authority in the classroom. It is our obligation to encourage and guide each child in the development of his innate abilities, vocational interests, and cognitive skills.

The Memphis City Schools does not discriminate in its programs or employment on the basis or race, color, religion, national origin, handicap/disability, sex, or age.

School VisionWestwood High School will provide for development

of the whole child in a tranquil environment, believing that every child can learn at higher levels. Each student will be taught with vigor and enthusiasm, emphasizing a student-centered, knowledge-based curriculum, which will incorporate creative writingand critical thinking skills.

Our vision is: All who enter our doors will find that dreams do come true.

School MissionThe mission of Westwood High School isto educate our students to become productive learners and academic achievers and to become successful citizens and workers throughout the 21st century as evidenced through federal, state, and local assessment and through graduation rate.

Blue Ribbon Mission Statement

The mission of the Blue Ribbon Committee at Westwood High School is to provide all students with a quality education in a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning. To accomplish this mission, the scholars at Westwood High School are encouraged and expected to become active participants in learning by displaying positive behavior and coming to school every day on time.

Goals and/or Objectives

Goal: It is the goal of Westwood High School toimprove student academic performance by reducing the incidents of negative behavior in the school.

Objectives: • Increase student attendance by 7%.• Decrease suspension rate by 25%.• Decrease office referrals by 25%.• Increase parental involvement by 20%.

Westwood High SchoolBlue Ribbon Discipline Committee

The Blue Ribbon Discipline Committee isrepresentative of the schoolfaculty andincludes an administrator.

*Indicates members mandated by MEA contract.

Principal: *Ms. Tommie McCarter

Assistant Principal: Mr. Clarence Daniel

Professional School Counselor: *Ms. Demetrius Tompkins

School Psychologist: Dana Gaston

General Education Teacher (s): Paul Bryant

MEA Representative: *Ms. J. Davis

Elected Teacher (s): *Ms. Patricia Lawrence/Caroline Reed

Special Education Teachers (s): *Ms. S. Davis

Students: Kelly Martin

Educational Assistant (s)/Non-Certified Staff: Mr. Myron Hobson

Community Member: Rev. Melvin Watkins

Parent (s): *Ms. Ann Anderson

Cafeteria Staff: Mrs. Mattie Stokes

Other Chairman: Sgt. Major Percy Porter

Character Education

• Teachers will discuss character traits each week.

• Affirmations will be posted daily on the announcement board outside the cafeteria.

Harassment and Bullying Prevention

• Annual harassment training is done with faculty members on September 20th.

• Bullying can be defined as the use of one’s strength or status to intimidate, injure, or humiliate another person of lesser strength or statue. Bullying can be categorized as physical, verbal, or social.

• Training with faculty members consists of school-wide, classroom, and individual interventions. School-wide rules and sanctions that emphasize a climate intolerant of bullying behaviors are reinforced by regular classroom discussions. Individual students receive consistent supervision and discipline, accompanied by parent involvement and in some cases, mental health interventions.

Teacher Incentives

• Procedures for recognizing and encouraging positive teacher interaction:

-Attendance prizes -Student/Teacher commendation

Resources for Incentives

• School Adopters (Brim’s Snack Foods, Grand Party Rentals, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Systems Technologies, LLC, and Wal-Mart)

• Community Agencies and Businesses (MPD CO-ACT)

• Local Restaurants (Sander’s Catering)• Fundraisers (Candy and cookie sales)• Local Churches (Mt. Vernon Baptist Church)• Parent Organizations (PTSO)

School Safety Plan• Each teacher is required to post the building emergency evacuation plan in

a visible location within the classroom.• Earthquake drills are conducted twice a year. (A record of conducted drills

is on file.)• Fire drills are scheduled at various times, once a month. Two are

conducted the first month of school. (A record of conducted drills is on file.)

• Metal detector scans are scheduled at various times, once a month. (A record of conducted scans is on file.)

• Severe weather drills are conducted twice a year. (A record of conducted drills is on file.)

• Teachers have assigned positions in the morning, in between classes, and after school to supervise student movement and safety.

• Other drills such as lockdown, bomb threat, etc., are conducted at random. (A record of conducted drills is on file.)

• All staff and students wear ID badges.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

• Establish & Confirm Commitment:

The assistant principal is a permanent, active member (of the Blue Ribbon Team) who promotes PBIS as a priority and assures time on the staff agenda for updates. (see team meeting minutes and staff meeting agendas)

Climate/Discipline is one of the top three school improvement goals identified in the school improvement plan, and faculty member feedback is obtained throughout the year at faculty meetings and through the ESB online survey.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…

• Establish SWPBS Team: The Blue Ribbon Team was established at the beginning of

the school year and developed a clear mission and purpose as stated in the Blue Ribbon Mission Statement.

The Blue Ribbon Team has clearly defined objectives as stated in the Blue Ribbon power point presentation.

Agendas are used to document the participation of the assistant principal in team decision-making.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…

Conduct Self-Assessment:

The faculty completes the ESB online survey.

The Blue Ribbon Team summarizes existing school discipline data by observing Chancery incident reports and the disciplinary notebook.

A schedule for rewards and incentives was planned for the yearduring team meetings.

The team makes it easy for staff to implement and respond to feedback through e-mail and staff meetings.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…

• Teach Behavioral Expectations Associated with School Rules:

Rules are developed for specific settings in the student/parent handbook.

Rules are linked to expectations in the Blue Ribbon power

point presentation.

Booster sessions for students and staff are scheduled and planned as evidenced by grade level orientation sessions, professional development, and staff meetings.

Strategies for use by families and the community are developed with the assistance of the MCS Behavior Specialist and Student Advisory Board.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…

• Develop & Implement School-wide System for Rewarding Rule Following:

Rewards are linked to expectations as evidenced by the Honor Roll pizza and movie luncheon.

Rewards are varied to maintain student interest as evidenced by the occasional “blue jean day” and individual teacher incentives.

The system includes opportunities for naturally occurring

reinforcement on an individual basis in classrooms and hallways.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…• Develop and Implement Array of Procedures

for Addressing Rule Violations:

Behaviors are clearly defined as evidenced by the professional development conducted the first week of school: “A Vision of Teamwork”.

Clearly defined and consistent consequences and procedures for undesirable behaviors are identified as evidenced by the discipline referral process, the student/parent handbook, the Title I Home/School Compact, and the MCS Student Code of Conduct.

Clearly defined major/minor behaviors are identified in these same documents, along with a suggested array of appropriate responses to these behaviors.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…

• Discipline Data are Gathered, Summarized and Reported to Staff to Make Decisions:

Data collection is easy, efficient, and relevant as evidenced in Chancery incident reports and individual student portfolios in the disciplinary office.

Additional data is collected in the form of progress reports and report cards.

Office referral forms list student and incident information as evidenced by the discipline referral form.

Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC)

continued…• Build Capacity for Function Based Support: At least one individual on the PBIS has training or experience in

behavior support as evidenced by the presence of the guidance counselor and assistant principal.

Students are identified through multiple data sources such as Special Education referrals, the MCS Behavior Specialist, ISS referrals, etc.

The focus of support is preventative, educational, functional, data-based, and empirically valid as evidenced by gang awareness workshops, hall monitors and security officers, etc.

Intervention Plan• Student warning from teacher• Phone call to parent from teacher• If necessary, referral to disciplinary office. • Parent notification sent home with student

regarding possible suspension/detention• Parent, student, teacher, administrator

conference leading to decision• Morning/After-school detention• In-school suspension (ISS)• Board suspension• (After three times in ISS, students are referred to

the MCS behavioral specialist for other possible interventions.)

Monitoring Process• Behavior is monitored through the publication of the

Chancery incident report, which is done before a conference is requested or suspension occurs. This report documents the number of times a student has been referred to the office.

• Behavior is also monitored through the Westwood High School Disciplinary Report, a notebook students are required to sign upon entrance to the disciplinary office.

• Behavior is monitored through the Blue Ribbon Website.• Behavior is monitored through individual student incident

portfolios stored in the disciplinary office.

Absenteeism Monitoring Process

• Attendance is monitored through the daily Chancery attendance report.

• Chancery homeroom absentee reports and daily absentee reports are e-mailed from the technology coordinator each morning to every teacher for accountability purposes.

• Students are required to get a pink absentee form from their homeroom teacher the day they return to school. Each period, they are to have this form signed by their teacher. The seventh period teacher turns the form in to the attendance office.

Absenteeism Monitoring Process Continued…

• The school’s family specialist follows these steps in monitoring student absences:

Day 1: Telephone call to parents Day 2: Telephone call to parents Day 3: Telephone call to parents and warning letter mailed to home Day 4: Parent conference Day 5: SART (Student Attendance Review Board, JC-Juvenile Court) meeting request, warning letter to home, develop PSAP (Parent, Student Attendance Plan) Day 8: AG’s (Attorney General) warning letter mailed to home Day 10: Continue PSAP or referral to SARB Day 10+: Modify PSAP and refer to JC for disposition

Celebration!

• During the 2005-2006 school year, the entire student body of Westwood High School was treated to dinner, free transportation, and a Memphis Grizzlies basketball game for being the only high school in the district to be 65 days fight-free!

• Honor Roll Pizza & Movie Luncheons every six weeks

Conclusion

Westwood High School will continue to consistently demonstrate positive relationships, responsibility, and results, therefore achieving the districtgoal of providing a safe, orderly environment where students, staffmembers, and families share highexpectations for academic achievement and personal behavior.

Evidence• According to the Community Report

Card to Parents published by Partners in Public Education (PIPE),

2004-2005 2005-2006

Dropout Graduation

Did not meet AYP Did meet AYP

2004-2005 2005-2006

Suspensions 745 310

Westwood High School met AYP in Math and Reading for the

2005-2006 school year and was the only high school in the district to go 65 days fight-free.

Plan for Support & Monitoring

• Blue Ribbon Action Steps for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (Aligned with TIC) will be reviewed and updated monthly

• Blue Ribbon TIC (Team Implementation Checklist) will be reviewed and updated monthly

• Ongoing professional development will be provided