New site serves suspended students

The Cedar Rapids school district has partnered with the Community Connections Resource Center to open a new off-site classroom for suspended or expelled students.

The classroom, located in the Community Connections Center at 1501 First Ave. SE, will provide an interim site for secondary students who have been suspended or expelled from their home schools for longer than 10 days. It also will serve students who are transitioning back to a regular high school setting from residential placements.

It will be ready for use March 29.

The new space was brought to the district's attention by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Angie Fogle, the district's associate director of special services, said the district had been brainstorming options for several months.

“We were tossing around ideas,” she said.

The district already provides an interim learning site for secondary students at the Alternative Education Center, 1548 Collins Rd. NE. However, Fogle said the new classroom gives the district options it didn't have before. For example, if two students are suspended for fighting, they can continue their education at separate sites.

The Alternative Education Center serves up to seven students at one time. The new classroom can serve 10.

The alternative programs give students the opportunity to earn credits and develop the skills needed to support a return to their home schools. It includes direct instruction of course materials and online course opportunities.

One certified teacher and a one paraeducator will staff the new classroom. Support from a general-education-certified teacher also will be available.

The program also will assist in identifying and partnering with community agencies to help students and their families.

Police Lt. Charles Mincks said the city is excited about the program.

“This will not be a detention center - all students involved are there voluntarily,” he said. “Supporting these students in this way gives them a better opportunity to continue preparing for their adult lives, which is mutually beneficial to them and the community.”