Royal Palm
Exceptional School
"Where Choice Determines Your Future"
Program Outline
|
Dan R. Perry ~ Principal |
Robert Moretti ~ Assistant Principal |
|
John McCarron ~ Guidance |
Jane Reen ~ Staffing Specialist |
Program Description
Eligibility
Referral
Classes
Integration (Mainstreaming)
Parents
Royal Palm is a Pre-K through twelfth grade exceptional education school
program designed to serve students identified as having severe emotional
disabilities (SED). Students are placed in classes according to their social,
emotional, and developmental level. Their age and grade level are also
considered.
Each class may contain an age
and grade range of two to three years. Academic instruction is based on the
students' individual needs. Royal Palm can be a long term placement for those
students who are unable to successfully return to a larger school setting.
Students who qualify for
exceptional student education services may be eligible for placement at Royal
Palm. This includes students who are experiencing severe emotional and or
behavioral problems to a degree that they are unable to experience academic or
behavioral success in their regular school setting.
Problems exhibited can range
from shy and withdrawn to seriously acting out and aggressive behavior. Genuine
efforts must be made to provide appropriate services in the regular school
setting prior to referral.
Referrals to Royal Palm
come through the students' current school. Anecdotal, psychological, academic,
and social / behavioral evaluations preceed the referral.
Once referred, an eligibility
and IEP meeting is held to review the student's needs and to determine
eligibility. Royal Palm is one of the most restrictive special programs in Lee
County. Once eligibility is determined possible placement to Royal Palm or
consideration to other appropriate ESE programs are reviewed.
This decision is made by a
committee of interested and knowledgeable people such as parents, referring
teacher, school principal, psychologist, special education consultative
teacher, county office representatives, and a representative from the Royal
Palm staff. (As well as others who can contribute meaningful information.
There are between eight
and ten students with one teacher and helping teacher in each classroom.
Classes are self contained except for Physical Education and Media
classes. Classes are set up in a similar fashion to regular classrooms.
Royal Palm follows the Sunshine State Standards and the core curriculum of the
Lee County Public Schools. The curriculum may be modified or individualized to
meet the special needs of each student. A daily social skills curriculum for
every student is also provided.
Normalization is the key
concept for both academic and socialization activities. Community based
instructional field trips, extra-curricular campus activities, etc. are planned
to extend social and learning opportunities for every student.
Students are encouraged to
change those behaviors which resulted in their referral to Royal Palm. A campus
wide positive and consistent reinforcement system is provided. Students are
placed on a point system which operates across all grade levels. Students earn
points in order to progress through the level system, leading ultimeately
toward integration back to a regular school setting.
In addition, to the level
system, points can earn free choice activities, field trips, and other positive
reinforcement activities. After reaching level seven, the highest level, the
student may be placed on a four week contract with the principal. The student
must display positive behaviors in four key behavioral and academic areas. When
completed, an IEP meeting is scheduled. The School Choice office, along with
the recommendations of the IEP committee determines the school placement.
Parents are one of our most valuable team members. Parents are encouraged to
attend IEP meetings, participate in our School Advisory council, visit for lunch,
and attend special events.
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