2. 1 A clinical classroom model for public schools A N B

3. 2 NBA New Beginnings Alternative A school-based program at Fitch High School in Groton, CT for secondary students who need special education and… …intensive behavior support

4. 3 NBA meets 3 major concerns for public schools 1. Effective programming for adolescents with challenging behaviors 2. State and federal laws requiring students placed in the Least Restrictive Environment 3. Local district needs to limit school spending

5. 4...in compliance with Special Education laws NBA uses a Clinical Day School model... …similar to programs in other area secondary and middle schools...

6. 5 NBA is designed for: Students in grades 9-12 whose behavior interferes with their learning

7. 6 The NBA staff assume: All students are capable of high level learning …but all students don’t learn in the same way - or at the same rate

8. 7...and that all learning is influenced continuously by... Feelings Beliefs and Behaviors

9. 8 Highly structured and Closely supervised Because of this, some students learn best in a setting that is...

10. 9 Without this, students can get locked into... Failure cycles and Self defeating patterns of behavior

11. 10 Often, these patterns are characterized by... Interpersonal conflict Ineffective thinking School failure and Self doubt

12. 11 School behaviors can appear... Inappropriate Irresponsible Disruptive and sometimes… Unsafe

13. 12 Removing students from the ‘mainstream’... for a period of time... can help them get back on a ‘success track’.

14. 13 The mission of NBA is to help students become more successful in school... by addressing:  feelings & relationships  attitudes & beliefs  behavior habits & skills

15. 14 This Means Helping Students...  to feel safe, capable and connected  to control and organize their behavior  to learn how to succeed  and to become responsible  & self directed

16. 15 This requires daily attention to: Feelings & relationships Order & control Learning needs & motivation Social issues & skills

17. 16 …using several different program strategies

18. 17  Highly structured learning environment  Small group & individualized instruction  Incentives and rewards  Supportive relationships  Clear feedback about behavior  Therapeutic crisis management  Problem-solving counseling

19. 18 These program components are designed to help students in 4 important ways:

20. 19 1st - By Addressing Psychological Needs Safety & trust Competence Initiative Accomplishment Identity & belonging

21. 20 2nd - By Planning For Academic Success  Teaching how they learn  Small group instruction  ‘Engaging’ learning activities  Incentive strategies

22. 21  Day-to-day student management practices based on behavioral learning principles  Clinical & supportive group process  Student empowerment 3rd - By Building Self Control

23. 22 And 4th - By Teaching Social-Cognitive Skills Self awareness Ownership Communication Problem solving Goal setting & planning

24. 23 helping students rebuild... Self Esteem Self Control Self Determination Interpersonal Relationships and School Success NBA -

25. 24 ! keeping students in the LRE and ! avoiding costly out-placements

26. 25 NBA Staff 2015-16 Dr. Barbara Bronson School Psychologist Judith Santanelli SPED Teacher Mike AldrichSPED Teacher Pam Neidig SPED Teacher Breanna GomezTeacher Assistant Chris BarsaleauTeacher Assistant Steve EarlyTeacher Assistant Dr. Paul J. Pattavina SPED Supervisor

27. 26 Dr. Paul J. Pattavina Special Education Supervisor 860/ 572-2157 Ms. Erin McGuire Assistant Principal, FHS 860/449-7200 - for more information-

28. Special thanks to the following individuals for providing invaluable technical assistance in the production of this document: Mark Russell, Media Department, Groton Ella Secchiaroli, High School Student, Stonington Musical background – “Brothers in arms”, Dire Straits 27