Washington Street TLC

Washington Street is a school for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities at the middle school level (grades 7 and 8).

Small class sizes at WSTLC are designed to provide students with the support needed to succeed academically, socially and behaviorally. There are six classrooms in total. Each class includes one teacher, one teaching assistant and six students. All students are identified with disabilities and their individualized education plans support their acquisition of grade level standards.  

There are social workers, mental health professionals and other related service providers working collaboratively with teachers to provide students with intensive therapeutic and academic support. The Boys Town Specialized Classroom Management System is a highly effective, evidence based model that is implemented at WSTLC to teach students prosocial skills through a curriculum that reinforces positive behavior. 

Our goals are:

• Teach social skills
• Reduce specific behavior problems
• Increase appropriate behaviors
• Foster appropriate expressions of emotions
• Communicate regularly with parents to help them reinforce skills and behaviors
• Improve academic functioning
• Help stabilize and return the child to a less restrictive placement

Services include:

• Individual and group counseling
• Functional behavioral assessment
• Social skills development through the Boys Town model
• Child-focused family assessment, consultation, counseling, and referrals
• Crisis prevention and intervention
• Occupational and physical therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Assistive technology services
• Skilled nursing services
• Parent education, training, and support
• Collaboration with community service providers

Standards Based Instruction

Academics are provided by a team approach. Teachers coordinate curriculum along a research-based continuum, aligned with the NYS Learning Standards. Related service professionals support student learning as indicated by each child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Physical education, art, music, field trips, and community activities round out the instructional program. 

Clear Behavior Management Systems

Generally, many of our students have not developed self-management and self-awareness skills to an age-appropriate level. To help change dangerous, ineffective, or destructive behaviors, each classroom incorporates a variety of positive experiences that are contingent upon the student’s behavior.

As a tool for measuring success, a behavior management level system is used in all classes. The level system enables students to earn privileges based on behavioral and academic performance. Students have an opportunity to earn points every 30 minutes during class and transition time. This enables them to learn and demonstrate socially responsible behavior.

Uniform Structure & Language

Our staff has developed a variety of practices and guidelines to ensure philosophical consistency as they interact with our pupils on a daily basis. The approaches and techniques are primarily therapeutically appropriate and educationally sound, and the management procedures respect the individual needs and dignity of our students.

Community Linkages

Our philosophy includes working with the whole family. We are committed to linking families with wraparound service providers. These services might include private and public counseling centers, social services, public health, supportive and intensive case management, hospitals, family services, community recreation, and respite.

Individual Behavior Plans

In addition to the classroom management plan, an Individual Management Plan may be developed for students based on a functional behavioral assessment. This includes an assessment of the child’s strengths, problem behaviors, the environmental events surrounding these behaviors, the suspected function of these behaviors, and recommended replacement behaviors. Intervention and monitoring strategies are also based on the functional behavioral assessment.

Please contact us if you have any questions:
Laura Schaefer, Principal for Special Programs

12 Washington Street
Ft. Edward, New York 12828
Phone: (518) 746-3885
Fax: (518) 581-3888