Halsted Middle School

Who: In 5-8, Newton Public School District students receive Tier 1 learning support. Students with IEPs may be educated in the general education classroom receiving the same Tier 1 behavioral support as general education students with the supports and services in their IEPs if the IEP team determines that is the appropriate placement.

What: Tier 1 involves the implementation of high-quality instruction within the general education classroom.

Where: Academic teachers deliver Tier 1 level of instruction through high-quality instructional strategies and the following models:

• Small-group instruction 

• Whole-class instruction

• Culturally-responsive instruction

• One-to-one conferring 

• Designated academic assistance/enrichment programs

Who: All 5-8 students receive Tier 1 social-emotional support. Students with IEPs may be educated in the general education classroom receiving the same Tier 1 social-emotional support as general education students with the supports and services in their IEPs if the IEP team determines that is the appropriate placement.

What: In Grades 5-8, whole-class Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies are taught and reinforced within the Health & PE curriculum and by school-based counselors in addition to the following programs:

• The Center for Prevention & Counseling

• PBSIS

• NJ4S

• Altitude/Challenge Day

• Mindfulness

• Best Buds

• Hashtag Mentors with NHS

• Choose to Connect (after-school program)

Where: Tier 1 level of support can be administered in the general education classroom by the classroom teacher, in-class support teacher, guidance counselor, or social worker.

Who: 5-8 students who are not making adequate progress within Tier 1 are provided with targeted intervention and support (Tier 2)

What: Tier 2 interventions and supports are supplemental, small-group instruction provided in addition to core instruction (Tier 1).

Where: In 5-8, students who qualify for Tier 2 receive supplementary instruction in the regular education classroom during classroom time and/or through pull-out services from their teacher during an instructional support period.

How: A staff member may complete and submit an Initial Request for Assistance Form after notifying parents/guardians of the intent to request academic support services. For academic interventions in 5-8, the MTSS Team consists of intervention teachers and I&RS members. Together, the team meets to review if the student qualifies for Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions. When applicable, the team will create an individualized action plan for the student. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions.

Who: 5-8 students who need more targeted support to meet their social-emotional needs. 

What: Tier 2 supports occur in addition to Tier 1 supports. Tier 2 reinforcement for 5-8 students involves remedial responses to Code of Conduct issues, function-based problem-solving, and support from the guidance counselor, student-assistance counselors, school social workers, the Core Team, the Child Study Team, and teachers who offer Check In-Check Out assistance. Tier 2 supplements for 5-8 can also occur through peer mediation in addition to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs and may include links to community-based resources. Outside agencies that pull identified students for Tier 2 support for 5-8 students include:

• Tri-County Behavioral Care (TCBC)

• The Center for Prevention & Counseling

• NJ4S

• Youth Advocate Programs (YAP)

• The Uncommon Thread

• Family Partners of Morris & Sussex

• Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center

• Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice

• Perform Care of NJ

• Project Self Sufficiency (PSS)

Where: Social skills and group sessions are provided outside the general education classroom.

How: A staff member may complete and submit an Initial Request for Assistance Form after notifying parents/guardians of the intent to request social-emotional support services. For 5-8 social-emotional interventions, the MTSS Team consists of the guidance counselor and social workers. Together, the team will meet to review if the student qualifies for Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions. When applicable, the team will create an individualized action plan for the student. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions.

Who: 5-8 students who have not made adequate progress within Tier 2 and/or who demonstrate the need for intensive individualized intervention

What: Within Tier 3, students receive intensive and individualized intervention and support. The academic staff provides Tier 3 intervention and support in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2. 

Where: Tier 3 interventions and supports are provided to the individual student in a separate class supplementary to the delivery of core instruction. 

How: In 5-8, the instructional staff utilizes a team-oriented approach to determine Tier 3 placement which occurs after a letter notification to parents/guardians of the intent to request academic support services. For 5-8 academic interventions, the MTSS Team consists of the referring teacher, RTI teachers, the assistant principal, and the I&RS team. Together, the team will meet to review if the student qualifies for Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions. When applicable, the team will create an individualized action plan for the student. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions that typically occur two to three times per week.

• If the child is determined to not be making adequate progress after a certain amount of time, a referral may be made to the I&RS team.

• Following the referral, the Intervention Team will have a meeting that includes parents/caregivers, teachers, and other health professionals and/or service providers as necessary to rectify the ongoing issue. Based on relevant and available data presented at this meeting, an individualized action plan may be created to address and remediate the area of concern.

Who: 5-8 students who have not made adequate progress within Tier 2 support or whose behavior/social-emotional needs created barriers to learning and/or social settings

What: Within Tier 3, the 5-8 students receive counseling sessions with the guidance counselor, student-assistance counselor, school nurse, social worker, or identified counseling staff member in consultation with the Child Study Team (CST). Tier 3 support is provided in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2 reinforcement and may include links to community-based resources. Outside agencies that provide Tier 3 support for 5-8 students include:

• Tri-County Behavioral Care (TCBC)

• Youth Advocate Programs (YAP)

• Atlantic Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention

• The Uncommon Thread

• Family Intervention Services

• Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P)

• The Center for Prevention & Counseling

• Family Partners of Morris & Sussex

• Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center

• High Focus Centers

• Lakeside Counseling Associates

• Perform Care of NJ

• Project Self Sufficiency (PSS)

Where: Tier 3 support typically occurs within the building but may also be provided outside the school district in partnership with other agencies. 

How: In Newton Public Schools, a team-oriented approach is utilized to determine Tier 3 placement which occurs after a letter notification to the parents/guardians of the intent to request social-emotional support services. For 5-8 social-emotional interventions, the MTSS Team consists of the referring teacher, assistant principal, and I&RS team. Accordingly, the team will meet to review if the student qualifies for Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions. When applicable, the team will create an individualized action plan. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions that typically occur two to three times per week.

• If the child is determined to not be making adequate progress after a certain amount of time, a referral may be made to the I&RS team.

• Following the referral, the Intervention Team will have a meeting that includes parents/caregivers, teachers, and other health professionals and/or service providers as necessary to rectify the ongoing issue. Based on relevant and available data presented at this meeting, an individualized action plan may be created to address and remediate the area of concern.