Big Behaviors During the School Day

We want each of our students to feel safe and supported while they’re at school, even if they are having a hard day. We are committed to both managing and de-escalating challenging situations such as big behaviors and big emotions without using physical restraint, and in a way that protects both our students’ physical safety and their dignity. Below are some of the ways that we address big behaviors or emotions during the school day.

School safety

“HOLD” Safety Response 

We implement a safety response called “Hold” or “Hold and Teach.” Both terms mean the same thing. If we give the direction to “Hold,” teachers keep students in their classrooms and sometimes, depending on the situation, may also lock classroom doors.

We use “Hold and Teach” because it helps us to keep students clear of spaces in the building while we facilitate a medical response, de-escalate behaviors in a hallway, or address a maintenance issue. 

This response is part of our Safety Response Protocol. 

Learn more about all our safety response terms. 

Ukeru

We use a trauma-informed program called Ukeru to help support our students who sometimes have big behaviors at school when they are working through tough emotions. Ukeru is a unique name, but has really been helpful for our staff and students. 

Here are some key aspects of Ukeru:

  1. Trauma-Informed Practices: We understand that some children have experienced difficult situations that can affect their behavior. Our approach recognizes these experiences and aims to create a supportive environment that helps them feel safe and understood.
  2. Verbal and Nonverbal De-escalation: We use both words and body language to try to calm situations before they escalate. This involves careful listening, showing empathy, and using soothing tones and gestures to reduce tension and prevent conflicts.

Ukeru is a crisis management system that is completely restraint-free and prioritizes the emotional and psychological well-being of our students. Our staff are trained and certified in techniques for using safe and non-aggressive physical movements to protect themselves and others from harm without the need for restraints. 

Ukeru techniques also use large pads that are soft and cushioned to create a barrier and absorb the impact of physically aggressive behaviors such as hitting or kicking. This helps reduce the risk of injuries and keep everyone safe as we work to de-escalate behaviors. 

Room Clears

We sometimes implement “room clears” in an effort to keep our students safe, emotionally regulated, and/or to protect a student’s privacy and dignity. We use a room clear when a child becomes dysregulated, is having big emotions or behaviors, or if a student is experiencing a medical emergency. 

During a room clear, all students in the room who are not experiencing big behaviors, big emotions or a medical emergency are evacuated to another area so they can remain calm and continue their school day. Other staff remain in the room with the student experiencing big behaviors, big emotions or a medical emergency. 

Talking With Your Children

Situations when we use these approaches can sometimes be unsettling for our students, especially our youngest learners. We do our best to help them process and understand what happened in a calm and reassuring manner. Here are three suggestions on how to you can also approach a conversation about these situations with your child:

Reassure Them:

  • Start by reassuring your child that they are safe and that a room clear, hold or use of Ukeru techniques was something we do to try to protect them physically and mentally.

  • Explain that a room clear is similar to practicing fire drills at school to make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

  • Remind your child that teachers and other adults are there to keep them safe.

Encourage Questions:

  • Encourage your child to ask questions about what happened.

  • Listen attentively to their concerns and provide honest, age-appropriate answers. Use simple language and avoid sharing unnecessary details that might cause additional anxiety.

  • Emphasize that it’s normal to feel scared or confused and reassure them that it’s okay to talk about their feelings.

Focus on Coping Strategies:

  • Teach your child coping strategies to manage their feelings of fear or anxiety.

    1. This could include deep breathing exercises, counting to ten, or visualizing a safe and calming place.

  • Encourage them to express their emotions through drawing, writing, or talking to a trusted adult. Remind them that it’s important to take care of themselves and seek support when needed.