dublin middle school interview with principal robin keener by debra perry
TRANSCRIPT
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle School
Interview with principalInterview with principal
Robin KeenerRobin KeenerBy Debra PerryBy Debra Perry
DMS is led by Robin Keener, principal and Mike King, assistant principal. These leaders are both in their first
principalships, having been teachers previously. Their discipline plan is
Effective Schoolwide Discipline
Dublin Middle SchoolIs the largest middle school in
Pulaski County, Virginia
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipal
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle SchoolWhat are the challenges with What are the challenges with
student discipline?student discipline?
lack of parental support lack of parental support
inconsistent expectations for school rules inconsistent expectations for school rules between teachers between teachers
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipal
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle SchoolHow does discipline effect the How does discipline effect the
overall school climate?overall school climate? Teachers want to feel supported with their Teachers want to feel supported with their
discipline issues discipline issues
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipalDublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle School
What is your personal leadership What is your personal leadership style/philosophy related to style/philosophy related to student discipline?student discipline?
our job is to change or do away with our job is to change or do away with inappropriate behavior. This can be done in inappropriate behavior. This can be done in other ways rather than always being other ways rather than always being punitive. punitive.
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipal
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle SchoolHow do you involve parents in How do you involve parents in
student discipline?student discipline?
parents receive a copy of the student handbook parents receive a copy of the student handbook with all school rules with all school rules
teachers are to call parents as soon as problems teachers are to call parents as soon as problems surface in the classroomsurface in the classroom
with major infractions such as fights, threats, with major infractions such as fights, threats, etc., parents are contacted by the administration etc., parents are contacted by the administration immediately immediately
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipal
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle SchoolWhat are effective strategies that What are effective strategies that
you have used?you have used?
Effective School-wide Discipline committee Effective School-wide Discipline committee after school detentionafter school detention Saturday School Saturday School
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipal
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle SchoolHow does a school go about How does a school go about
creating a school-wide creating a school-wide discipline strategy?discipline strategy?
looking at the past and figuring out what looking at the past and figuring out what works and what doesn’t works and what doesn’t
Current Support Systems
• Rules and guidelines are set forth in student handbook. We all MUST adhere to the same guidelines.
• Isolation (Not behind closed doors)
• Student Responsibility Center (SRC)
• Suspension
• Saturday School
• Field trip and sports restrictions
Previously Established Rules
• Walk on right side of the hall.
• Students carry planners.
• Discipline procedures must be documented in folder.
School Wide Discipline Procedures
1. Conference with student2. Conference with parent (Document in contact log.)
• Phone contact• Email• Mail letter• Meeting
3. Isolation after parent contact.4. Submit paperwork for office referral and call home to
inform parents. 5. After completing steps 1-4 continue to write referrals
for the same offense.6. If a student commits a new offense begin with step one
Previously Established Rules
• Walk on right side of the hall.
• Students carry planners.
• Discipline procedures must be documented in folder.
New Programs for 2007-08
• Grant for handling suspensions– Student to Central Gym– Two-part day: academic and community service– Supervised by retired teachers
• Saturday School– 8:00-12:00, two days per month– DMS and PMS, alternating locations– Supervised by retired teachers– Consequences to be determined
• After-school Detention
Programs for 2008
• Saturday School– 8:30-12:30, every Saturday– Located at PCHS– Supervised by retired teachers
• After-school Detention – Waiting on funding
Programs for 2009
• Saturday School– 8:30-12:30, every Saturday– Located at PCHS– Supervised by retired teachers
• After-school Detention (ASD)– Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 3:30-5:00– Referred by teachers or administrator– Teachers must contact the parent to schedule
detention and e-mail Jon Bell
Purpose
• Promote a positive learning environment and school climate.
• Standardize school rules to promote consistency and expectations.
• More effectively handle classroom distractions to increase academic performance.
• Define administrative and teacher roles as related to discipline.
• Create uniform cafeteria procedure for all three lunches
Documenting Discipline Incidents
• Online spreadsheet under F:\Home\Shared\Discipline\teamname
• Update ASAP after the incident
• Review Weekly (during guidance meeting)
• Viewable by all; password or rights protected to modify
Referral Data
• During 2006-2007, there were 1048 referrals
• During 2007-2008, there were 571 referrals
• During 2008-2009, there were 555 referrals
Continuing Concerns
• We all MUST follow procedure all of the time. Be consistent! Promptly deal with issues.
• Bus wait: students must remain in classroom until bus is called or 3:30 bell.
• Planner-use must be expected by all. (Can’t be expected in P.E.)
• There is a uniform cafeteria procedure for all three lunches.
• If a cell phone is out any time from 8:30-3:05 it is to be confiscated.
Be sure to follow procedure for: • Electronic Devices• Tardies• Vandalism• Any rule in student handbook
We endorse any activity to promote and sponsor positive experiences for students demonstrating positive behavior and good citizenship.
Interview with Robin Keener, Interview with Robin Keener, principalprincipal
Dublin Middle SchoolDublin Middle SchoolHow do teachers feel about how How do teachers feel about how
educational leaders approach to educational leaders approach to discipline?discipline?
this is one area in which teachers will never this is one area in which teachers will never feel they are supported fullyfeel they are supported fully