Dist. 211 board reviews change in student discipline

Changing the mindset of student discipline from one of consequences to one of interventions has resulted in dramatic reductions in discipline referrals and suspensions in the past few years in Palatine-Schaumburg District 211, according to school officials.

The school board heard a presentation Thursday about the changes.

Kurt Tenopir, assistant principal at Fremd High School, said there is now a focus on a more individualized approach.

“In the past we've viewed student discipline as one size fits all,” he said. “What research and experience tells us, though, is that these consequences aren't always the best deterrent to student misbehavior, especially for the students who seem to always get into trouble.”

Jacquese Gilbert, assistant principal at Palatine High School, said traditional discipline has been replaced with restorative justice, which emphasizes to students that their actions are violating relationships and people, instead of merely rules and policies.

She said the school is also working to provoke students to take responsibility for their actions instead of feeling guilty after a consequence. For example, she said, students who commit drug violations can reduce the suspension days if they agree to enroll in a rehab center.

Bob Small, student services director and former Conant High School assistant principal, said the implementation of three problem-solving teams — which consist of two secretaries, administrators, counselors and a social worker or psychologist — has been beneficial because their offices are now all combined into one.

“Parents and students know only one phone number to call to access any of these services,” he said. “The team begins to know the family.”

He noted suspensions at Conant dropped more than 50 percent in just one year.

“We're keeping these kids in school, we're keeping them connected,” he said.

Josh Schumacher, assistant principal at Hoffman Estates High School, said the discipline office is now called the intervention office.

Last year, he said, there were 156 students who were tardy to class more than 10 times in the first semester. Counselors then made a contract with all those students, presenting them with consequences if they broke the deal and awards if they stuck to it. The average number of tardies dropped to five, he said.

“We all know it's not just about the numbers, it's about our students and supporting them in order for them to be successful,” he said.