By Bill Turque

Interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson has rolled out a series of steps to address problems at Hardy Middle School. They include a new behavioral tool that asks each student to pledge to come to school on time, observe the rules and do their work. There is also a form that asks students to list three goals: academic, social and personal.

Under the new system, known as “Commitment to Advanced Achievement, students will be evaluated every two weeks on their progress toward reaching the goals. The form uses little smiley face icons to specify rewards for those who demonstrate progress: “recognition,” “trips,” ‘lunch party,” and “call home.”

The listed sanctions come with little frowning faces: detention, counseling, suspension, etc.

The plan, explained in a letter sent home to parents Tuesday, also involves task forces of DCPS officials that will examine school climate and scheduling issues. Eric Redwine, the cluster superintendent for Hardy, will establish an office at the school and be there at least once a week. Staff from the DCPS Office of Youth Engagement will also spend time at the school and offer suggestions.

Parents will discuss the blueprint at a PTA meeting at 6:30 tonight. But the early reviews are not positive,especially from those who contend that parents were not involved in the plan’s formation, and who regard the behavioral tool as something more appropriate for elementary school. They also say the plan lacks one essential element: the dismissal of principal Dana Nerenberg.

“When you are ready to have a serious dialogue with the stakeholders of Hardy Middle School and listen with an open mind, we are available,” said Candy Miles-Crocker in an e-mail to Henderson.

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