(Atlantic) Atlantic Schools Superintendent Steve Barber is moving ahead with the concept of a Therapeutic Classroom.
“For multiple reasons, I felt it would benefit the school district, with a great opportunity to better serve some of our students’ mental health needs,” said Barber. “Thinking through this proposal, it became apparent to me that the plan’s development is vital to its success. Therefore, allowing Mr. Aden to get started in his role of Middle School Principal, which includes being an administrator of our Links program, would allow for more effective implementation once all aspects are discussed and decided upon by a team.
“Adding a third Mental Health Professional is to provide additional Tier II intervention support for our 4-8 graders. The district recently hired a third person, and the relocation of students due to the fire prevented the district a chance to implement this vision and experience the positive impact on student success,” stated Barber. “Our Mental Health Professionals feel strongly about adding a layer of intervention in school therapy. The big challenge is balancing the current success achieved with the work done, and adding this part is a big challenge.”
Barber’s recommendation is to provide each MHP (Mental Health Professional) two hours committed to school therapy at 30-minute intervals. The students eligible for treatment would be a team decision facilitated and led by building principals. Additionally, Principals and Mental Health Professionals will develop processes and procedures to ensure all legal guidelines, schedules, and other essential components necessary to have effective implementation. No student receiving outside services will be eligible for therapy at school.
