Principal Donna Valentine is new to Woonsocket Middle School. She and
her administration have taken the brunt of the blame for unrest in this
building, but many of the problems were there before they even set foot
inside the school. Discipline has always posed a challenge. Many
students have been suspended more than once a year and most report
receiving detention at some point in the last semester. Plus, few
parents actually get involved in their students' education, leaving
administrators to serve as leaders, disciplinarians and sometimes
mentors.
Woonsocket Middle School figures are in bold. In some instances,
data refers to all Woonsocket students. (State figures are in
parentheses.)
Maintaining discipline
• Of the 2,606 suspensions levied during the 2003-04 school year:
1,686 In-school suspensions
920 Out-of-school suspensions
505 Students involved
3,914 Days out of regular classes while serving suspensions
• 162 (47) suspensions per 100 students enrolled
• 69 percent of suspensions were due to these infractions:
1. 691 Attendance cut / skipped detention
2. 622 Insubordination / disrespect
3. 214 Disorderly conduct
4. 170 Assaulting another student
5. 101 Fighting
Community involvement
• Those who participated in the 2004 SALT Survey:
47% (69%) Teachers
82% (85%) Students
37% (38%) Parents
• According to the 2004 SALT Survey, parents who say the school:
27% (29%) contacts me if my child does something well and improves
40% (56%) responds to my concerns and requests within a
reasonable time
26% (41%) includes parents on school committees
• According to the 2004 SALT Survey, teachers who say:
2% (37%) parents and the community are supportive of the school
81% (86%) the teachers maintain positive relationships with the
students' parents
SOURCES: Information Works! School Year 2003-2004; Rhode Island
Kids Count; SALT Survey 2004; U.S. Census
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