Multi-Tiered System of Supports

 This week, I wanted to once again highlight our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).  We are lucky to have a comprehensive program that allows us to work with students and families in such a positive way.  MTSS is a relatively new acronym in education; although the core principles of the system are not new.  MTSS is a combination of RTI (response to interventions) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) which have been strong components of our school culture for years.  In short, MTSS works to provide target supports for all learners through research based practices.   

General Perry Central MTSS components include: 

      Academic Supports:  Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum, Formative Assessment Practices, Standards Based Grading, etc.   This data is used to supports students academic needs through small group instruction, after school remediation groups, flexible scheduling and more!

      Social/Emotional Supports:  Panorama Survey and discipline data is used to identify Tier 2 and Tier 3 students that need help developing their social/emotional skill sets.  Through the IDOE Project Aware Grant, we are able to pay for services through Life Springs and our school counselors to provide small group counseling for students. (We have small groups starting this month.)   Our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, driven by Shelly Kunkle, also provides all of our students in Tier 1 the opportunity to grow in this area as well.  Helping our students understand brain research, ACES, team work, communication skills, etc. are all important components of this work.  

     Behavior Supports:  Our focus of building strong relationships with students and families is at the core of our behavior support system.  Restorative Practices, PBIS Lessons, Home Visit, Reflection Rooms, etc. are all apart of our behavior support system as we try to teach students the skills they need to be successful.  

Just as the old saying goes, "It takes a village," a successful MTSS system takes each and every person in our school to make it successful.  Sometimes we get to see the fruits of our labor and other times the change doesn't come until the student is later in life.  What I do know is that the system changes lives.  Each of you are making a difference daily and we are grateful for the heart work that you do!  

 You can find a copy of our full, comprehensive MTSS plan HERE.  

Story of MTSS Support:  Earlier in the month, we had a student struggling to do their work and behave in class.  Every time someone would ask the student to do something they would bull up and refuse to do the work - even after spending several hours in 8th period, running sprints in football practice and sitting out quarters in the football game!!!    Normal discipline, although implemented, wasn't going to fix the problem. This child needed more than that.  Our MTSS team pulled together a group of individuals from the school and community that we knew were supporting this family.  The team consisted of a pastor, football coaches, parents, counselors and administrators.  During the meeting we brainstormed ways we could support this student through relationships and love.   We also made a plan with the family to get out-side counseling started for the student.  So far, his behaviors have improved.  We know he is going to continue to have good and bad days because overcoming the trauma he has endured takes a long time; but knowing that he has a community surrounding him with support and love will hopefully keep his outcome positive.    #nevergiveup  :-)      

Important Information: 

Contact Tracing - Last week, we thought we had our first COVID case that was going to require contact tracing in our school.  Luckily we learned the student wasn't at school all week so we didn't have to send anyone in quarantine!  We do appreciate all of our teachers having their seating charts in place and keeping students sitting facing the same direction and as far apart as possible.  I can tell you that it helped keep the number of students that could have been quarantined down to a minimum!  Keep up the great work!  Also want to send a shout out to our Health Department - they have been a great partner during this time.  

Virtual Day - Just a reminder that next Monday is a Virtual Day!  Please make sure students are made aware of assignments.  For younger students, if you want to post your assignments over the weekend so parents can be of more assistants to them - that is great!  We will not have a schedule for the day as it is your day to work and get caught up.   

College Go! Week - This week is College Go! Week!  Dana, Carly, Carol and Seth have all been working hard to provide opportunities for our students to learn more about their post-high school options.  The term "College" means so many things this day in age; basically we want our students to have something beyond a high school diploma.  This could be a certification, military experience, 2 or 4 year degree. Any of these experiences will help our students have successful careers after high school!    College Go! Week is also special to all teachers because you can wear jeans and your favorite college shirts to celebrate!  Have a great week!  Boiler Up!  :-)  

Readable English Training - Just a reminder to special education teachers that we will have Phase 2 Readable English Training for the next two Mondays from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.  Readable English is a comprehensive reading program to help our students that cannot read find ways to build their vocabulary and find confidence in reading!  Thanks to this team for their work!

Important Dates: 

Virtual Monday:  September 28th

SFS Personal Goal Support - 7:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, September 29th