Search and You Will Find Their Light!

(written by Jeanne Lind, Director of Kids at Hope Southwest Campus)

Manuel came to our alternative program as a seventh grader last school year after being suspended from his own school. We were excited with his progress at times while other times we had to go back to the drawing board and discuss other ways to address his behavior setbacks. Our counselor, Ric became another “caring adult” in Manuel’s life during this time.   Manuel had made some significant positive changes in his behavior at the end of last year.  Unfortunately, the overall feeling at the start of next school year was to continue sending him off campus to our alternative program. Within a couple of weeks and several conversations, we knew we had to find an innovative option to keep him motivated and progressing.  We also needed to think about how he would transition to high school successfully.  Since then, Mr. Rodriguez became principal at our charter high school, but still came by our campus to check on Manuel.  As conversations continued, we came up with the idea of allowing Manuel to spend a couple of days on the high school campus while completing his current 8th grade work.  This preview into high school would help Manuel take ownership of his education and behavior. Two weeks ago we made it happen!  Manuel is on the alternative education campus Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and on the high school campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

It took the whole team to make it happen: his mother, his home school, the school district, a bus driver, our staff and last but not least, Manuel.  He has come to understand and take responsibility for his actions; negative and positive!  This situation has reminded all of us that every student we have the privilege to serve has different needs. Our responsibility is to look at all the different options, think outside the box whenever we can, and to not forget that, “All children are capable of success, no exceptions.”