The
Problem Solving
Room
The Problem
Solving Room is
open from
Problem
Solving
The Hazelwood
Problem
Solving Room provides a safe, calm, supervised environment where
students can
work out problems and learn how to communicate with others. Our goal is for all students to become
effective problem solvers and learn appropriate ways to deal with anger
and
conflict.
Emotional
Support
During quiet
times some
children seek emotional support from an adult regarding a problem they
might be
having at home or school. They just want
or need a person to listen to them. The
Problem Solving Room is there to give that little extra TLC.
Regroup
Time
There are times
a student
just needs a time out. The Problem
Solving Room provides that space. After
10 to 20 minutes of quiet time, he/she is usually ready to go back to
the
classroom.
Disruptive
Classroom Behavior
Staff members
usually send
students to the Problem Solving Room after two or three inventions have
been
tried by the staff member. Usually after
a discussion of the problem and reminder of the school expectations,
the
student is ready to return to class. If
the behavior is repeated, a conference will be scheduled with one or
more of
the following people: the principal,
parent, school counselor, social skills instructor, teacher and/or
Problem
Solving Room supervisor. Teachers keep
track of Problem Solving Room referrals as does the Problem Solving
Room. Teachers document anytime that they
have sent
a student out of their classroom for disruptive behaviors.
Quiet Work
Space
Until we
establish a Study
Table at lunch recess, the Problem Solving Room can offer a quiet place
to
finish incomplete classwork and/or missing homework assignments away
from
regular classroom distractions and/or during recess.
Students are sent to the Problem Solving Room
by their teacher with a pass. Students
may also ask permission from their teacher to come to the Problem
Solving Room
to finish work. Adult support and
encouragement is available. If the
Problem Solving Room is full, the student would need to go out to
recess or
back to a supervised classroom.
Lunch Room
Problems
A few students
like to eat
in the quiet atmosphere of the Problem Solving Room.
As space allows they are welcome. A
few other students find the unstructured
time in the café hard to handle and are assigned to the Problem
Solving Room
for lunch. If a student needs to talk
about manners, he’ll be assigned to the Problem Solving Room for a few
lunches
until the problem is solved.
Alternative
Recess
Recess
Problems
After trying two
to three
interventions on the playground, recess problems are brought to the
Problem
Solving Room for resolution. Serious
issues are brought in promptly. If an
injury occurs, the child is immediately sent to the office. Playground personnel notify Martha Emmons and
she will contact the office (#7884 or #2666).
Usually, following a cool down period, students are willing to
compromise and work out a solution.
Missed recesses, writing sentences, behavior improvement packets
that
are read and answered are tools used as necessary. Most problem solving
is done
during recess time so that class time will not be lost.
A phone call home notifies parents of a
second visit. If the problems continue a
conference is set up with the principal, parents, the student,
playground
assistant and Problem Solving Room Supervisor.
Often students write a note to their parents explaining the
problem and
their solution. The note is read, signed,
and returned to the Problem Solving Room.
In School
Suspension
On occasions
when a student
receives in-school suspension, they spend the day or part of a day in
the
Problem Solving Room. Study carols are
provided them and their work is sent from the class room.
Lunch is eaten in the Problem Solving
Room. At the end of the day a brief
review of why they were in in-house-suspension is discussed and plans
made so
that this behavior is not repeated.
Students complete a “Re-Entry Plan” prior to returning to class.
Questions or comments ? Contact weaverm@edmonds.wednet.edu