INTERMEDIATE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT CLASS
Ms. Lori Hyde
Mrs. Joanne O'Connell

“This class really helps students! The teachers in this class teach the kids all subjects. They teach thing after thing and they make it fun to do work. The class helps kids control themselves and to have better attitudes. Then kids are ready for a regular class!”

ABOUT THE CLASS
These comments, made by students in the Intermediate Behavior Support Class for grades 4-6, illustrate that this special education class focuses on both academics and behavior. The class, staffed by a teacher and one or two teacher aides, can accommodate ten students. Students participate in individual or small group instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. They also participate in whole class science and social studies lessons. By engaging in specially designed activities, students learn personal and interpersonal skills. They develop self-control as they monitor their performance and set goals for themselves. A structured, supportive environment helps students succeed in school. Students begin in the class as full-time students, and they earn mainstream classes as they show an ability to do well both academically and behaviorally.

BEHAVIOR
Your child is expected to follow the class guidelines, which involve staying safe, treating others with respect, being honest, working productively, taking care of things, and following class guidelines and directions.
Your child will receive a Daily Evaluation to take home every day. The Daily Evaluation reflects “money” that your child has “earned” for performing well in school. Your child can use “earnings” to participate in class activities or obtain class items. Please sign the Daily Evaluation so that your child can return to school with it on the following day.
Your child can become eligible for a mainstream class by maintaining an average of $ .90 or higher for five consecutive weeks.
Your child will participate in a Values class on a weekly basis. During the class, your child will record performance from the previous week and will meet with the teacher to set goals to improve future performance.
Within the classroom setting, your child may receive reminders or time outs to help him or her improve behavior. If your child has a particular difficulty, a special program may be put into place.

MAINSTREAMING
Once your child earns a mainstream class, both you and your child will have input regarding the choice of the mainstream class that your child will attend.
Your child's mainstreaming schedule will be arranged in a way that will best allow for your child to receive all academic services unless you make a particular mainstreaming request.
Your child will be expected to sign and abide by a Mainstream Contract.
You will receive a weekly report completed by the mainstream class teacher regarding your child's performance in the mainstream class.
In order to continue to earn mainstream classes, your child needs to meet performance standards in all classes, regular and special, for five consecutive weeks.

CLASSWORK
Your child will receive individual and/or small group instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics and will participate in group lessons for science and social studies.
Your child will participate in an academic program that is aligned with the district curriculum but involves a limited work load.
Your child will not be required to complete classwork at home.

HOMEWORK
Homework will begin the last full week in September and it will continue until the last full week of school.
Your child will have homework every week from Monday through Thursday.
Your child will have a homework folder that contains everything needed for completing homework assignments.
Your child should have no problem completing the homework independently in about thirty minutes.
You can help your child take responsibility for homework by arranging a time and space for homework.
You and your child will receive detailed information about the Homework Program at the time that it starts.

SPECIALS
Your child will participate in physical education class on Monday and Wednesday, music class on Tuesday, computer class on Thursday, and art class on Friday.
A teacher aide will be available to assist the class during specials.

EVALUATION
Your child’s performance will be evaluated on a scale ranging from no stars to four stars.
A three or four star performance indicates proficiency.
You and your child will receive detailed information about the Evaluation Guidelines.

LUNCH
Your child will have lunch in the school cafeteria and will sit at the table assigned to the class.
Your child will be encouraged to eat at least half of his or her lunch unless you request a different approach.
Please inform the school if your child has any special dietary needs.
A teacher aide will supervise the class during lunch.

RECESS
Your child will have an opportunity to vote on a daily basis for indoor or outdoor recess.
Indoor recess will be held in the classroom and outdoor recess will be held on either the field or the blacktop.
Your child will participate in class games during recess three to four days per week and will have free recess one to two days per week.
The teacher or a teacher aide will supervise the class during recess.

SUPPLIES
The school will provide all of the school supplies that your child needs.
Your child may find extra pens, pencils, and erasers helpful.
Your child might enjoy having crayons and markers as well as a notebook or folder, but these items are not necessary.

TOYS
Your child is welcome to bring items made of paper to school.
If your child would like to bring something special that is not made of paper to school, please send a note.
Toys are discouraged, and playthings that your child uses during school will be confiscated. At the end of the day, your child can ask for the return of a confiscated item.
There is no giving or taking, lending or borrowing, or buying or selling. If you find that your child has something that does not belong to him/her, please inform the school.
Your child should leave items of value at home.

SNACKS
Your child has the option of eating a snack during break time, which takes place every morning.
Your child will need to bring snack items from home as the school cafeteria does not offer snack items.

COMMUNICATION
You can write a note on the Daily Evaluation.
You can telephone the school at (508)867-8774. The best time to call is from 10:50-11:30 any day but Wednesday.
You can send an electronic message to hydel@tantasqua.org.