MORE OPTIONS: Alternative program opens up to elementary students

Clark County

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Staff photo by Kevin McGloshen
Staff phot by Kevin McGloshen

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November 14, 2009

By TARA HETTINGER The News and Tribune Sat Nov 14, 2009, 09:28 PM EST

Mary Lang, a once-retired teacher and recent home-school adviser, stood at the front of her classroom at Options Alternative School giving a lesson to her only student, who sat in the front row.

Her class, though mostly empty now, is new and prepared to hold about 12 elementary students from grades three through five.

The Jeffersonville school had previously only been open to some middle- and high-school students from Greater Clark County Schools, who went there in lieu of expulsion or out of school suspension, also called OSS.

Now, Principal James Sexton said it’s open for all those facing that punishment, as well as the elementary children.

“You should have options in life,” Sexton said, adding that the district is no longer expelling students, but instead having them work out their behavioral issues at Options. “That’s what Options is all about — having an alternative site to work with them in a smaller classroom setting to help them get back on their feet.”

Assistant Superintendent Travis Haire said the elementary part of the program kicked off this past week, thanks in part to economic stimulus funds. He said elementary schools in the district vary with the amount of students in OSS, with some around 12 and others 44 a year.

Those students will now go to the alternative classroom, from 8 a.m. to noon, and they have to be dropped off by their parents.

“When you have those elementary students suspended at home, there’s a whole host of problems with parents having to take off work, leave them with a sitter ... or maybe leave them at home by themselves,” Haire said. “I saw this as something I felt like we really needed to do.”

Students work on the computer and also have lessons at Options. They go home with a packet of work to complete. More than that, they work on the behavioral issues that brought them there, such as bullying. The program focuses on three Rs: Rules, respect and responsibility.

“I think this is very much needed,” Lang said. “They really need discipline and rules.”

Her student — who the school asked to remain anonymous — said he enjoys how strict the setting is.

“I do like it and the reason why is that when they are strict, ... you are punished [if you misbehave], but if you are good, you can play a game with them,” the third-grade student said.

Rules include raising your hand to talk, respecting others, taking responsibility for school work and other restrictions.

Haire said those who don’t follow through with going to the program will be referred to Superior Court No. 1 Judge Vicki Carmichael.

“My hope is that it will cut down on recidivism,” Haire said. “I’m very interested to see how many repeat offenders we have down there.”

Sexton said it may help to address problems earlier than when students get into the middle and high schools.

“You can identify students that are going to have problems in school in the third grade,” he said.

Haire said that’s why this program is proactive, as opposed to just being reactive to the students’ behaviors.

Haire said that though the program is set up for third- through fifth-graders, younger students will be accepted if necessary. Sexton said the younger students do not have any contact with the older ones in the same building.