Principals Talk Alternative School for Struggling Naugatuck Students

In an effort to both lower the dropout rate and assist the failing students that are the most in need, ’s principal said the should look into creating an alternative high school setting for the students that require individualized attention.

“My concern to what we’re seeing at the high school is an increased failure rate for certain students, and there are multiple reasons for it,” said Principal Janice Saam, during a meeting with the education board’s curriculum committee on Tuesday.

Saam told the committee how a very small segment of the high school student body is not getting the care it needs at NHS, based on a variety of reasons. Some of the students come from very hard home lives, some don’t see the value in education and other do not see any goal for them at the end, she said.

To tackle this problem of certain failing students, Saam proposed the borough should examine establishing an alternative school for grades 7-12. The troubled students would get personalized attention, counseling and certain training that can assist them in the real world, Saam explained.

Funding weren’t discussed in full specifics, as Saam acknowledged she didn’t hash out the exact costs due to the fact that the program is just a concept at this time. But, when asked, she estimated it could cost between $2 to $3 million, and that would include hiring an administrator, teachers, a security guard and to fund the facility. A

The idea isn’t anything new. and, during recent meetings of the Long Term School Facility Planning Committee, commission members vetted the idea of transforming into an alternative high school space years down the road.

But Saam’s approach included addressing the concept in the short-term, before any buildings are constructed or schools are re-appropriated.

The curriculum commission’s chairman, Dorothy Neth Kunin, as well as commission member Diana Malone agreed to take a tour of certain schools — such as the Danbury public school system — that currently operate an alternative high school setting. The two would then likely explain their research during a full Board of Education meeting next month.

Saam further explained how the concerns with troubled high school students are not due to a lack of intellect, but rather a lack of motivation. As an example, the principal noted how some students may not do well in class, but are able to apply specific educational skills to pragmatic assignments.

“I saw a piece of this when some of our toughest students helped build the (Naugatuck Savings) Bank,” Saam said, citing . “I never saw that level of commitment with some of these students… they saw a reason to do this; they saw a goal.”

She explained how should would like to see these types of hands-on projects be a focus for students attending an alternative high school program.

Principal Christine Blanchard, who was also present during the meeting, noted that her school would like to work hand-in-hand with the high school in the effort.

Dealing with students in need is different at the middle school level, Blanchard said, however the same types of problems exit.

“There are issues with a lack of achievement, students being brought up with drugs in the home, a lack of parental involvement,” she said.

Both Blanchard and Saam agreed that the program wouldn’t be permanent for the students that participate. There would be a clear expectation that the students would work to get out of the alternative learning program and back to Naugatuck High School, Saam said.

“Especially with the middle school children, they have many years to go so we want them to get back into a larger program,” Blanchard said.

Neth-Kunin and Saam both mentioned whether Prospect Street School could be used, however Assistant Superintendent Brigette Crispino noted that the entire second floor of the school is being used for the Head Start program. It’s likely school and borough officials will look into possible space options, however none were pinpointed on Tuesday.