Statement of Philosophy | Three Cornerstone Principals
Lafayette School & Treatment Center serves children and adolescents with emotional disturbance, behavioral disturbance, and/or mental illness in a structured special education and treatment program. Our philosophy is that all students have the capacity for learning and growth, regardless of their disability. The goal of the program is to provide students with the skills necessary to return to a less restrictive school environment. This includes having healthy relationships with adults and peers and functioning effectively in school and society.
The academic environment encourages success on many levels. Our teachers guide students to achieve academic and life goals and to help them develop a positive attitude toward school. The Virginia Standards of Learning provides the framework for the K-12 curriculum. Instruction is individualized for each student. The program integrates education, therapy, and life/social skills. The role of the therapeutic staff is to explore problems and to use a variety of techniques to promote emotional, behavioral and social growth. The staff works with students and their families, as well as the home school and other involved community agencies. Collaboration with community agencies and local school systems assists treatment and facilitates a successful transition to a less restrictive environment.
The three cornerstone principles of Lafayette School are Safety, Respect, and Progress. Cognitive-behavioral coping skills, such as anger management, relaxation training, problem solving, and assertiveness training are an integral part of the program. A behavior modification program with a level system, rules, consequences, and positive reinforcements motivates students to achieve their counseling and academic goals. Recreational, art, and other therapeutic activities provide an outlet for emotional expression and opportunities to excel. Individual, group and family therapy allows students to focus on their individual issues and needs. Active parental involvement is critical to success. Lafayette School provides a positive and nurturing environment for students to build self-esteem. A high staff-to-student ratio allows for intensive, individualized intervention and facilitates achievement of treatment and educational goals.
SAFETY means that no one is allowed to harm another person or themselves. Lafayette School wants everyone to feel safe, including students, staff, and visitors. Things like threats, acting out and disrupting the program are not allowed. Fights and verbal threats, or even horseplay will result in consequences. Parents will be notified of any unsafe behavior. Serious consequences, such as suspension, court referral, or expulsion from the program may result from unsafe behaviors. Students are encouraged to show safe behavior by following school rules both in school and in the community, accepting redirection from staff, using anger management strategies, and expressing feelings appropriately.
RESPECT means that all students are expected to show concern for themselves, others, and property. Name-calling, teasing or being mean is not okay and is hurtful or anger provoking to other students. Students are encouraged to treat others the way they want to be treated. Respect also applies to school property and the personal property of others. Any destructive acts will result in consequences. Serious consequences like suspension, court referral or expulsion from the program may result. Students are encouraged to show respect by participating in school activities, giving positive feedback to others, being an active listener, and taking care of personal and school property.
PROGRESS means that no matter what a student’s difficulties are, they are expected to work hard to make them better. This is often difficult, but staff provides support to students while they work through problems and issues. If students are not working on issues, staff may confront them and give consequences. Parents and families are also expected to participate in the program by reading and responding to correspondence and phone calls from school personnel, attending family meetings and IEP meetings, and communicating all questions and concerns to staff. Students can show progress by following the rules, earning levels, meeting IEP goals, practicing positive coping skills, building trusting relationships with others and sharing feelings honestly and directly.
