Specialized behavior program reopens in new setting

Newton Community School District’s specialized behavior program staff are finally able to operate in the building they had wanted to work in since the 2022-2023 school year. With the changes made to the building and a go-ahead from the fire marshal, staff held an open house Aug. 21 to showcase its facilities.

Previously, the program was operating out of the school district’s administration office until the new building, 1017 E. Seventh St. N., was prepared to meet fire codes. Danielle Kenny, director of special education for Newton schools, said the building allows the district to focus on behaviors 100 percent of the day.

“Our kiddos have struggled in a traditional public school setting, so they’re getting more support in their day in a smaller setting,” Kenny said of the program’s purpose. “There are more adults to students, and behavior is our focus and to transition kids back to their neighborhood school.”

Students come and go in the specialized behavior program. Currently, Kenny estimates there are about eight to 10 students starting with the program.

Shannon Garringer, a special education teacher for the specialized behavior program, has worked in the program for the past two years. For her, the job is all about seeing progress from the kids assigned to the program. Seeing them overcome challenges — big or small — is exciting, said Garringer.

“I’m excited to continue to implement Boys Town,” Garringer said of the model staff use for the program. “And I’m excited to do that in a space that allows us to be spread out with our kids and provide that more individualized instruction. I like the Boys Town model because it allows us to have a common language.”

Which also provides a greater level of consistency for staff and students across the district. Garringer said consistency with kids is crucial to their success, and the Boys Town model helps with that by providing life skills. Also helpful to their success is the environment they learn in. Staff say the new office does just that.

Chad Garvis, supervisor of the specialized behavior program, said the building has double the space staff and students were accustomed to in the district administration office. An important part of the program is to meet kids where they are at, he said, and provide what they need to meet educational goals.

“This building will make a huge difference,” he said. “There are lots of room and places to do our work … We’ve got a lot more space and we’ve got a lot more spaces. We were down to three spaces in the other location, and it just became hard because sometimes kids need, just that, space.”