Many students, particularly those who have experienced trauma, often communicate their needs to teachers through behavior that may be seen as disruptive or disrespectful. This can result in a negative school experience for both the student and parents, and often impacts the child's academic and social progress in school.
To better meet the needs of these students, the Middletown Area School District offers Therapeutic Educational Support Classrooms, which are located at Fink Elementary. These classrooms, known as the MATES Program, help students with behavioral needs to succeed in the general classroom environment so they can get back to feeling excited about school and proud of their accomplishments.
The classrooms in the MATES Program have a smaller number of students and have teachers who excel at working with students with behavioral needs. The classrooms receive support from staff who have training and experience in positive behavior interventions. With a highly structured, yet nurturing environment where students feel safe, understood, cared for, and confident in their own abilities, the goal is for our students to transition back to a typical classroom environment with the tools and support they need to be successful.