Behaviour Support Services

1. Behaviour Support Services Building Inclusive Catholic Communities Program Department March 2009 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19: 3-14

2. Education for All The LDCSB welcomes all students and will provide them with the quality education they deserve; MissionOf the LDCSB: To serve the Catholic student in a community that nurtures a living faith and provides a quality Catholic education that enables the individual to become a contributing member of the Church and society.

3. Students With Behavioural Needs The LDSCB is committed to meeting the needs of students who exhibit behaviours detrimental to their own learning and that of others. • To improve student self-control and social interaction skills • To improve student learning • To reduce behavioural incidents GOALS Behaviour Support Services: A Positive Model of Inclusion, Dignity & Support. L.D.C.S.B. Safe Schools Policy – 2004 Lost at School – Ross W Greene (author of The Explosive Chiild) 2008

4. All students will do well if they have the necessary skills For some students ,what is often viewed as “poor behaviour” requiring discipline, is actually a student with behavioural challenges who requires planned intervention in order to assist him/her to improve behaviour. Students with social, emotional, and /or behavioural challenges may lack important thinking skills. These students are characterized by specific behaviour problems over such a period of time, and to such a marked degree, and of such a nature, as to adversely affect educational performance. Why our children with behavioural challenges are falling through the cracks and How We Can Help Them –RW Greene, Lost At School

5. Student Profile The frequency, intensity, or duration of the behaviour must be taken into account. Students who have behavioural , social or emotional needs (e.g. ADHD, conduct disorders, anxiety) may demonstrate behaviour that: • Lacks understanding and practice of appropriate social or cultural norms • Lacks understanding and practice with appropriate interpersonal relationships; i.e. uncooperative in groups, argumentative, non compliant, low self-esteem • Is injurious to themselves, i.e. excessive crying, anxiety, self-injury • Tends to be impulsive or compulsive that negatively affect learning; i.e. speaking out, disrupting, temper tantrums • Can be disengaged and/or passively aggressive Students are usually identified by an Identification, Placement and Review Committee under the exceptionality of Behaviour (after a Student Information Summary is completed)

6. Behaviour Support Services • LDCSB believes that all students require understanding and practice of appropriate social skills in order to continue to develop to their full potential as contributing members of their school communities and ultimately, society.

7. Behaviour Support Services LDCSB believes that all Behaviour Support Services will: • Address the behavioural needs of students in order to improve behaviour • Demonstrate an understanding and empathy for students with identified behavioural needs • Provide a positive model for behaviour support • Provide effective classroom and school management strategies • Utilize evidence-based practices that research has proven to be effective • Use evidence-based practices to approach both data collection, tracking over time and subsequent intervention • Could include support from: • In-School Team • Affiliate Team • Community AND

8. Preventative Model of Positive Behavioural Support using well researched, evidence-based methods • Intensive Individual Intervention: • Specialized support for Individual students with High-Risk Behavior 5% Targeted Intervention: Specialized Group Support for Students with At-Risk Behavior 15% Universal Intervention: School-/Classroom- Wide Systems for All Students Preventative, proactive 80%

9. Universal Learning for all Students • Our primary focus is to establish a culture of social skills, anti-bullying and peer mentoring opportunities that benefit all students. The culture will establish a common link of language and behavioural expectationsmodelled by their teachers and peers: • Building on strengths through use of student learning style to personalize education • Enhancing Social Skills • Building relationships • Celebrating diversity • Conflict resolution practices • Differentiated Instruction

10. Targeted Group Intervention Some students will require more intensive support to enhance their understanding of appropriate behaviours: • In-school Team • Affiliate and System Team • Family support networks • Community Support Teams “Students with exceptional needs are more like other students than they are different”

11. Intensive Individual Intervention Students who present a direct risk to him/herself or others require special guidelines for their support. When a student’s behaviour poses a direct risk to him/herself or others, the staff needs to: • Conduct a functional behavioural assessment that examines antecendents and consequences associated with the problem behaviour and continue to collect data to monitor the effectiveness of the intervnetions. Track those behaviours which require skill building intervention and conduct a functional behavioural assessment that examines antecedents and consequences associated with the problem behaviour and continue to collect data in order to monitor the effectiveness of interventions • Develop a behaviour intervention plan that is based on the findings of a functional behavioural assessment and targets teaching alternative skills and behaviours that replace the problem behaviour. This is done in a safe and trusting environment that supports the development of positive behavioural repertoires.” • Implement Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Strategies where applicable “When one child is in crisis, the whole school is in crisis.”

12. Will have improved academic success Will have improved self-esteem Will experience reduced anxiety Will have a positive focus and direction Will experience personal growth Will have more friends Will focus on positive behaviours Will see a reduction in behavioral incidents Will have a greater sense of community Will feel supported Measuring Success The student The school community

13. Accessing Behaviour Support Services When a student shows challenging behaviour, the teacher: • Ensures that universal learning components are in place in the classroom • Discusses the behaviour with the parent/guardian, SPST Principal/Vice Principal which can result in the development of a Behaviour Support Plan through brainstorming for school-based solution that will involve: • The student • The classroom/subject teacher • The SPST • Other school staff (i.e. Guidance Counsellor, Chaplain, Department Head, Educational Assistant), The Principal/ Vice Principal • Involves Progressive Discipline techniques where applicable

14. Accessing Behaviour Support Services Further support may be needed after school-based solutions continue to be challenged. The referral process checklist is addressed and the school team prepares all information to be shared. The Affiliate/System Team • Affiliate Liaison Teacher • Social Worker* • Speech and Language* • Psych-Ed Consultant* • Attendance Counsellor Community Agencies *For these services, the school must acquire appropriate permission from parents.

15. Affiliate Team Members Roles Affiliate Liaison Teacher • Supporting the school team in its use of the processes of observation and information gathering about students • Liaising with school and system staff • Providing transitional support for students, parents and school personnel • Consults with school staff • Directs school team to teaching/learning strategies or other school staff with the necessary expertise • Facilitates a lending library of relevant resources

16. Affiliate Team Members Roles Social Worker • Assessment • Consultation • Referral to Community Supports • Individual, group or classroom intervention Psycho-educational Consultant • Psycho-Educational and Behavioural Assessments • Consultation • Behavioural Programming recommendations

17. Affiliate Team Members Roles Speech & Language Pathologist • Supports students with behavioural exceptionalities and communication difficulties • Develops resource material Attendance Counsellor • Assessment and Counselling for school avoidant and truant students • Transitional support for alternate school programs and community resources • Reviews and implements student attendance compliance with Ministry of Education compulsory education

18. Community Supports The LDCSB works collaboratively with families and community agencies to provide a seamless continuum of support. These are just a few of our partners:

19. Community Supports

20. Professional Development Opportunities For Staff • Classroom Management Training • Fred Jones Training • Tribes Process Training • NVCI Training • ABA Training • Social Skills Workshops • Inclusion Workshops • Guest Speakers • Support for Specific needs • Autism, ODD, ADHD, … • Peer Helping • Peer Mediation Sessions led by System and Community staff

21. References • Behavioural Support for Students: A Positive Model of Inclusion, Dignity and Stewardship, L.D.C.S.B. 2004 • Safe Schools Policy, L.D.C.S.B • Special Education Companion, Ministry of Education 2002 • Lost Child at School, RW Greene 2008

22. We are rooted in a faith-centered environment that: Values efforts of students, parents and staff in the leaning process in their school communities; Honours the dignity and uniqueness of students and enhances their formation as disciples of Christ; Communicates the joy and hope of our Catholic faith throughout the learning process, through prayer, reflection, fellowship and celebration of the giftedness of the children and staff in our schools; Encourages a standard of excellence for each student’s learning Cares for the sacredness of human life