East Street Alternative School
The Program
The Terrebonne Alternative Positive Program for Students (TAPPS) program is a state mandated alternative program whose mission is to provide educational services to students who have been either suspended or expelled from the educational mainstream.
Long-Term/Short-Term
The program is divided into two separate and distinct components, long-term and short-term. The long-term component is designed to continue educational services for those students who have been expelled. Emphasis is placed on Language Arts, Math, and Physical Education, using a modified traditional approach. Science and Social Studies are also addressed. The short-term program is a highly structured, boot-camp style program. It is designed to change students' attitudes in response to authority and to adhering to rules and regulations. Physical training, academics, attitude adjustment, counseling, and social skills training are at the core of the short-term program.
Academics
Students are provided remedial academic assignments in a highly structured setting that does not allow for any student interaction. Assignments are collected as they are completed and graded. At the end of he day, the teacher will determine if the student has made a reasonable effort to remain on task and to complete all assignments in a timely manner based on individual ability.
Physical Training
The physical training aspect is a vital component of the short-term program. In fact, it is the primary deterrent in the program. Students are required to participate in a very vigorous and challenging regimen of calisthenics and running drills twice daily. Each student's performance will be evaluated in each physical training session. A reasonable amount of effort must be maintained in each session in order to receive credit for this aspect of the program.
Attitude
The third area of evaluation is a student's attitude. Everything that a student says and does, including gestures and looks, is considered when evaluating a student's overall attitude. Attitude will be evaluated by the student showing respect for all authority figures at all times, and willingly doing everything he/she is directed to do at all times. As with academics and physical training, an unsatisfactory in this area will result in loss of credit for the day.
Counseling
Counseling services are provided to students by an on-site Licensed Certified Social Worker. Identifying, assessing, and resolving difficulties which may interfere with a student's attendance, adjustment, and achievement in school are all within the scope of the Social Worker's duties. The Social Worker also acts as liaison between the home, school, and community. Maintaining an advocacy role to ensure that the student's needs are met in accordance with established laws, rules and regulations is another of the Social Worker's responsibilities. Additionally, the Social Worker works closely with teachers and families of at-risk students in an effort to keep students in school. The Social Worker also helps to provide students with the necessary skills needed to prevent conflicts from escalating. This is facilitated through small group discussions with students that begin with self-reflection on the circumstances which lead to being assigned to East Street. Students are then lead through activities designed to teach effective strategies for preventing and solving conflict, as well as handling anger.