Intervention Strategies: Academic

We believe all students can achieve academic success. Individualizing the past challenges for students is important so recommendations and goals can be used to help the student grow in their academic abilities. Riverside staff helps students identify the strategy needed to achieve their goals. Below is a list of staff academic strategy beliefs.

Academic Strategy Beliefs

Time Management

• Use your time wisely, make use of “down time” whenever possible.
• Get to class on time, do not miss out on anything that should be recorded in your planner.
• Start working on an assignment right away. If you run into problems, you have time to ask your teacher before you leave the classroom or school for the day.
• Use study time in your classes. If you don’t have a current assignment to work on, study your notes from earlier class periods.
• Don’t miss school. You will miss out on valuable class discussions and assignments and will have more work when you return.
• Make a “To Do List” (TDL). In the evening or the early morning, list the tasks you want to accomplish for the day and rank each task (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). Complete the tasks according to their importance and either cross them out or check them off when they are completed.

Study Skills

• Prioritize your assignments on your weekly calendar pages before you start studying. The following tips will help you maximize your learning during your study time and give you extra free time.
• Find a quiet place to study, make sure it is well lit, and keep the television and radio OFF or turned down low. They will only distract you if they are too loud.
• Sit in a chair that has a straight back. You’ll get too sleepy studying on your bed or in a soft chair. Make sure there is enough fresh air.
• Have all your supplies easily accessible: books, calculator, ruler, pens, pencils, paper, note cards, highlighters, paper clips, etc.
• Keep your workplace organized and clean.

Reading, Listening, and Note Taking

• Think about what you are reading. If the reading is hard to understand, stop and summarize what you’ve read. You may need to re-read the section more slowly and look up words you don’t understand.
• Use shortcuts such as symbols and abbreviations to speed up your writing.
• Listen and record information that teachers indicate as important. (“This is important.” “Listen to what I am saying.” “Don’t forget this.”)
• Listen carefully and stay focused. Ask the teacher to explain a point if you don’t understand everything.
• Evaluate what you read and hear before writing anything.
• Taking notes: *Keep notes for each subject together *Use highlighters/colored pencils for different subjects. *Write down vocabulary terms and their definitions.
• Using flashcards is a GREAT way to memorize vocabulary, formulas, concepts, history events, science facts, etc. before a test.

Academic Incentives

Academic Incentives are used in our secondary programs. Staff uses the WIN (What I Need!) academic intervention during each term to give students the individualized attention needed in the identified discipline challenge.

1. Individual Contracts: Students growing in their academic success can request a Progression Contract to support them as they begin achieving throughout the term. The social worker will oversee all Progression Contracts and will meet with students to modify as needed.

Intervention Strategies: Behavior

We believe the regulation of behavior is critical for all people. Riverside Academy uses Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) philosophy to reinforce and to teach the following behavior strategy beliefs:

Behavior Strategy Beliefs

• Self-Management: Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals.
• Self-Awareness: Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths and challenges
• Responsible Decision Making: Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior
• Relationship Skills: Forming positive relationships, working in teams, dealing effectively with conflict
• Social Awareness: Showing understanding and empathy for others

Behavior Incentives

Behavior Incentives are used in our secondary programs. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time to receive the below incentives.

1. Attendance Recognition Rewards: Monthly recognition awards in 5 areas as nominated by staff.
2. Riverside Pride Incentive Coupons: Random acts of kindness will be recognized by staff members by rewarding students with a coupon to enter into prize drawings.
3. Positive School Communication
   1. Home Contacts: Throughout the year staff will email, call, and conference.
   2. Social Media: Student and staff celebrations will be posted on our Instagram page. See our website for our internet link. Upcoming events will also be posted.