This is a good time of year to think about bringing the Toolbox Training to your district or ESC.  The Toolbox is a full day program focusing on an issue that virtually every district faces: how do you provide safety and a good learning environment while simultaneously serving students who may be violent or seriously disruptive?  The law expects you to do two things at once—serve each student in the least restrictive environment, and maintain safety and a healthy school climate for all.  It can be done, but it’s not easy.

In the Toolbox Training we identify ten “tools” available to school administrators to balance these responsibilities.  The Training is completely compatible, and, in fact, supportive of proactive services designed to improve student behavior.  The Toolbox is completely compatible with Restorative Practices.

We like to limit Toolbox audiences to 40 or 50, with a combination of campus administrators and special education staff.  It’s important for all of those key players to hear the same information at the same time.  Each participant gets the Toolbox book, some forms and some laminated guides to serve as reminders.  It’s an interactive day, with plenty of time for Q and A, and some hypotheticals to use for practice.

As you are reading this (December 6) I’m doing a Toolbox Training at Region 6.  I’ve got Toolboxes scheduled for next year in Regions 6, 7 and 11.  If you are interested in a Toolbox program, send me an email and we will find a date to come your way.

DAWG BONE: TEN COMMANDMENTS.  TEN TEAMS IN THE BIG 12.  TEN TOOLS.

File this one under: SPECIAL EDUCATION DISCIPLINE