CHESHIRE, Mass. — C.T. Plunkett Elementary pupils and teachers are benefiting from the newly implemented student support center.
Principal Michelle Colvin introduced the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee on Monday to the team of Plunkett administrators and teachers who have created and implemented a program that allows disruptive students to leave the classroom, unwind, and learn better self-control.
"This literally started from nothing and they built a hugely successful program that addresses some of the challenging behaviors we are dealing with," Colvin said of the Adams school program. "We know our budget is really tight ... but we want you to hear about this program and we want you to be as excited about it and invested in it as we are."
Dean of Students Patricia Misiuk said the support center is a room where teachers can send children who are acting out.
"These are kids who are disrupting class and the teacher is going back and forth trying to get them reined in," Misiuk said. "We want to make sure our teachers are teaching. They have a lot to do and a lot to present to kids and we want to make sure that the disruptions are minimal."
Paraprofessional Shelly Cozzaglio works with children sent to the support center, talking to them about why they were disruptive, the choices they made, and how to practice self control.
"She is virtually teaching them how to self-monitor themselves. We find they go in for 10 minutes, they get themselves back together, and they go back to the classroom," Misiuk said. "Our job to begin with is not to punish kids. We want to change behavior or else they will just repeat. We find in this room, that is what is happening."
She said Plunkett has seen an increase in children with behavior issues and that the program has cut down on the number of kids who have to visit her office for discipline.
Adjustment counselor Nicole Seyerlein said there are myriad activities students can do to calm down such as puzzles, coloring, and even a very popular hula hoop.
Seyerlein said there are also morning check-ins for students who may have trouble at home.
"Unfortunately, we have kids who maybe don't have the greatest home life and they may have had a rough weekend," she said. "So they come in on Monday and meet with Shelly and they talk about it and process it."
She added that the program also works as an incentive and teachers can negotiate with the students. Those who finish their work can visit the student support center.
First grade teacher Amy Anderson said they reached out to other schools early on that have student support centers, such as North Adams.
The program was implemented in January and recorded data until the April vacation. During this time, 58 different children have used the room. Anderson said it is open to all children from kindergarten to fifth grade and that the room is always occupied. She said nearly 10 students have everyday check-ins.
She noted that the "heavy hitters" and high users seemed to be mostly from the first and second grade.
Misiuk said the program could also work at the high school and that Hoosac Valley administrators have shown interest in adopting the model.
