| Safe Schools / Healthy Students is a collaborative federal grant involving the following organizations: St. Paul Public Schools, Wilder Foundation, St. Paul Youth Services, Ramsey County Project Assist, Thad Wilderson & Associates, and Big Brothers / Big Sisters. Services are offered at five Eastside St. Paul schools including Cleveland Junior High School to promote a safe and healthy school environment for all students.
One of the services offered through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant is the Alternative to Suspension Project for middle school age students from Battle Creek, Hazel Park Academy, and Cleveland Junior High Schools. Program services began on December 4, 2000. The program has staff from several St. Paul programs including Saint Paul Schools, Wilder Foundation, Saint Paul Youth Services, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Ramsey County Project Assist.
A student suspended from Cleveland Jr. High can be assigned to the project site at 951 E. 5th Street by a school administrator. After a parent is contacted, the student attends from 2-5 days. The student must return to Cleveland each morning and take a school bus to the project site. At the end of each day, the student is returned to their middle school to take their usual transportation home.
What do students do at the Alternative to Middle School Suspension Project?
- Students spend half of the day working with a Saint Paul School Teacher, working on class work assignments and school lessons in math, English and other subjects.
- Students spend time each day working with staff on learning ways to change negative behaviors that have lead to their suspension at school.
What happens when a student returns to school after 2-5 days at the project?
- Parents are invited to a re-entry meeting to discuss what help their child
needs to succeed in school.
- A staff member meets with the student to help them avoid future suspensions.
- Students are offered a mentoring program and when needed, additional support.
What can parents and guardians do to help?
- Attend the re-entry meeting at Cleveland Junior High School and help discuss ways to increase your child's school success.
- Contact Youth Service Case managers at Cleveland Junior High School, assigned to help students who are returning from the Alternative to Middle School Suspension Project.
For more information about the Safe Schools / Healthy Students Grant or services provided at CJH through the grant, contact us at (651) 293-8880, or Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant Coordinator Mary Kaye Monahan at St. Paul Public Schools District Services (651) 523-6341.
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