COSER 203

Education for students with emotional disabilities

A Circle of Courage School

Because of our strong belief in the Circle of Courage, we do all we can to help students achieve a sense of Belonging, Mastery of skills, Independence and Generosity toward others. We believe that these skills build on each other and are necessary for success in school and in the world. We expect students to understand these goals and contribute toward their development by participating in classroom and group activities, setting and working toward their individual goals, helping to maintain a safe school environment, and contributing what they can to the school community.

A Comprehensive Counseling Program

All students entering the Turning Point Program are expected to utilize counseling as part of their program. We offer comprehensive mental health services to students and their families including individual and group counseling, assessment and treatment planning, and medication and referrals when needed. Counseling goals are made with full participation of the student and student's family. Students and their families are expected to provide information and input into treatment goals, and to participate fully in treatment in order to help the student reach his or her goals. Counseling goals are reviewed regularly and changes can be made at any time to reflect changing needs and circumstances.

A Community

Our school community is a reflection of the community in which we live. Each student is an important part of the community and his or her actions affect everyone else in the Turning Point community. Students are expected to contribute in a positive way toward the community by helping to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, by allowing themselves to build relationships with other students and staff, and by giving input into planning school activities which help the school to be a better place to learn. Our school rules reflect the rules of the society in which we live, and in turn, the consequences for creating an unsafe environment must reflect rules of our larger society. At the Turning Point Program, consequences are decided with the individual's greater goals in mind, and the need to provide a safe environment for all of our students. It is our goal to help all students reach their potential in school by creating a community that supports all students' success. 

The Turning Point Program

¨       8:1:1 student to staff ratio

¨       Participation in regular education curriculum and New York State

¨       Assessments

¨       Regents, IEP and GED diploma options

Individualized Attention

We are a school for students with emotional challenges. Our students all come to us with a history of emotional disturbances, school difficulties or learning challenges. Each student is given individual attention to address his or her particular needs and strengths