Whitney Point principals cite fewer referrals after CEA behavior plan, pledge and reset room

Erin D'Antoni, principal of the CEA, and Lauren Propath, assistant principal, presented a building-level report to the Whitney Point board about behavior supports, family engagement and early-literacy screening at the CEA and pre-K programs.

D'Antoni said the school implemented a CEA pledge — an every-morning affirmation that begins each day with statements such as "I am safe, I am kind, I am respectful, I am responsible, and I am a learner" — and built classroom-level "looks like, sounds like, feels like" guidance for teachers. The building also introduced a reset room where students can de-escalate and a series of short interventions including reset walks and targeted social-emotional lessons.

Lauren Propath described early outcomes: referrals from September through November this year were 83, compared with 198 at the same point last year. She and D'Antoni attributed the decline to the combined strategies of consistent expectations, morning assemblies, targeted supports and greater family outreach. "We're at 83 where at that time last year we were at 198," Propath said.

The principals also reviewed curriculum changes and baseline kindergarten screening results (the presentation noted that about 24% of incoming kindergarteners scored at or above the baseline measure on the district's screening tool). They described plans to measure progress with regular benchmark assessments and to continue family newsletters, open houses and other engagement practices.

Board members praised the work and asked staff to share posters and materials with other buildings. The presentation concluded with an agreement to continue tracking metrics and report back next semester.

No formal board action was required on the presentation.