Disciplinary incidents at Greenfield schools drop dramatically

By MARY BYRNE

Staff Writer

Published: 01-13-2023 4:32 PM

GREENFIELD — Reports of disciplinary incidents at Greenfield Middle School and Greenfield High School are down significantly this school year, compared to the same period last year, according to school officials.

“I think administratively, we would agree, our schools are in different places for a variety of reasons, but I’m extremely pleased with seeing these incident counts are in half,” said Superintendent Christine DeBarge.

Between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, there were 320 total incidents at the high school, compared to 682 during the same period last year, according to a summary of the statistics DeBarge presented this week to the School Committee. At Greenfield Middle School, there were 93 total incidents, compared to 399 last year.

At the high school, she highlighted a decrease in skipping class and tardiness by nearly 50%. At the middle school, disorderly conduct incidents decreased from 116 to 19, and reports of insubordination decreased from 78 to 48.

The data DeBarge presented was gathered at the request of School Committee members who sought a method for monitoring the impact of the Yondr cellphone pouches, which were implemented in September in response to reports of nearly daily disruptive behavior last academic year. On several occasions, police responded to reports of unruly students, teens smoking on the bleachers, and fights or altercations.

DeBarge, who ordered the pouches, previously said the start-up cost was about $16,000, which covers students at the middle and high school levels. Each morning, students’ phones are turned off and placed in a magnetic cellphone pouch that remains locked until dismissal.

School Committee Vice Chair Kate Martini said while it was great to have the data, she wanted to be cautious when it comes to interpreting it. She noted fall 2021 marked the return to full-time, in-person learning for most districts following months of remote and hybrid learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Correlation is not causation,” she said, speaking to the data following the implementation of the Yondr pouches. “I think we have to acknowledge the previous school year, especially that September to December period, was the transition back to ‘normal’ school.”

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Her hypothesis, Martini said, was that the behavioral problems may have had more to do with transitioning back to in-person schooling than any other factor.

“I do think it is really helpful in seeing where we are,” she said. “And it’s a good foundation for talking about what other initiatives and ideas might be additional contributing factors to bringing these numbers down further, and making our school environment feel (like a) safe and welcoming and comfortable place where students can focus and concentrate and learn.”

DeBarge said she “completely agreed” with Martini that the discipline data is reflective of 2021-2022 being a transition year and that Yondr pouches were not the sole, direct cause of the drop in disciplinary incidents at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

“I do believe, from subjective comment from staff, that (the pouches) are (making) a positive impact,” she noted. “However, there are a lot of factors that are different this year than last year.”

Between new curriculum resources, changes to the special education program and being a year removed from the return to “typical” school, there have been several positive changes since the previous academic year, she said.

“There are so many global pieces that I believe cumulatively are having an impact,” DeBarge said, crediting students and staff for dealing with the changes. “It’s a lot, but they’re doing a fantastic job.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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