Brockton High immediately implementing these 7 action items to improve safety, discipline
BROCKTON — Following Friday's last minute early dismissal, Brockton High School Interim Principal José Duarte outlined an action plan in a message sent to parents and staff on changes that will be implemented "immediately" to address safety and discipline concerns that have plagued the high school.
Thursday afternoon Duarte called an early dismissal day Friday to meet with school staff and discuss the urgent need for stronger security policies, just days after taking the helm as principal from BPS Acting Superintendent James Cobbs.
"Our charge as high school educators is to narrowly focus on the academic and social emotional needs of our students so that they are prepared for college and career," Duarte said in the message sent to BHS parents through its mass messaging system Friday. "This work relies on collective buy-in from staff, students and families. We must function as a team working toward the same goal."
Duarte asked members of the Brockton High School community to help "change the culture of this school."
"We need all of you," he said.
Duarte outlined the following seven action items he is "immediately instituting":
1. Address staffing needs
As BPS struggles with a staffing shortage, some students are left without teachers to lead their classes. Although each class is staffed with an adult, some students spend class time in BHS's cafeteria.
"I am working with Central and the Mayor’s Office to immediately address staffing needs," Duarte said.
'This is beyond irresponsible' Brockton schools assistant CFO seeks whistleblower protection
2. Hire security specialists
Duarte said he is also working with the central administration and mayor's office to hire "security specialists who will monitor our exterior doors, hallways and bathrooms."
Duarte called hiring teachers and security specialists the most important steps being taken.
"We’re trying to think creatively about how we address staffing while also finding timely solutions," Duarte said.
Why cut fourth-grade music lessons? Limited staffing forces BPS to cut fourth grade music lessons. Here's all the details.
3. Cracking down on students leaving building without permission
Duarte also said the school will begin cracking down on students leaving the building without authorization.
"We will enforce consequences for those who leave the school grounds without permission and remind seniors about the appropriate protocols for signing out prior to exercising their senior privileges," Duarte said.
School police and local businesses will help identify students who leave the school's campus without authorization.
"Any student who leaves campus will not be allowed to take their bus home and will need to find an alternative way home. Additional consequences will apply," Duarte said.
"We need parent/guardian support on this. Please talk to your students. No one should be leaving the school building unless they are dismissed by an adult," he said.
$14 million deficit: See for yourself how Brockton schools are spending money in wake of massive deficits
4. Fixing the bell system
Duarte said the bell system in the school will be fixed to make bells louder and the schedule more punctual.
"This will help us to reinforce the expectation that every student remains in the classroom until the bell rings and is in their next classroom before the late bell rings," he said.
5. Grade-level assemblies this week
The high school will be holding grade-level assemblies beginning this week "to set very clear expectations for student behavior and performance. Students will be held accountable and strongly encouraged to avail themselves of the myriad opportunities that BHS has to offer," Duarte said.
6. One-on-one meetings with 'disengaged' students — and staff
Duarte will hold one-on-one meetings with "those who are disengaged from this community — both students and staff," he wrote.
"I will be working with those individuals to determine how we can enact supports to get them back on track," Duarte said.
"We will be particularly focused on students whose disengagement manifests in ways that are harmful and disruptive to their peers."
7. Elevating positive behavior
"In addition to enforcing consequences, we will be elevating students who are modeling positive behaviour every day — and they far outnumber the individuals who are responsible for the majority of issues in this building," Duarte said.
Meet Jose Duarte New acting principal named for Brockton High School
Who is Interim Principal José Duarte?
Duarte began as interim principal on Oct. 23 after Cobbs announced he would step down as BHS principal - a role he held at the same time as superintendent of the district. Applications for a permanent principal are currently being advertised and Cobbs expects to have the new principal in place by Jan. 1.
In his message to parents Friday Duarte said: "I want to reiterate that this work cannot be done alone. Which is why I am asking you to talk to your children this weekend about your expectations for their education and how they respectfully interact with our staff and their peers."
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton High School addresses urgent safety, discipline concerns
