Hannah More at Chesapeake High School is a Type II School program developed to assist students with emotional disorders transition to a less restrictive setting.  The program is a collaborative effort between Hannah More School and the Anne Arundel County Public School System (AACPS).   Hannah More School provides classroom staff, a social worker, psychiatric consultation and supervision. AACPS provides classroom space, materials and access to the general and special education resources of Chesapeake High School. The Anne Arundel County curriculum is used as the basis for instruction.

 

Hannah More full-time staffing consists of one teacher, two teaching assistants and a social worker.  The Educational Director and the Instructional Coordinator for Hannah More Type II Programs in Anne Arundel County supervise and assist as needed.  Psychiatric services are provided once per week.

 

Students typically begin taking all classes within the self-contained Hannah More classroom.  As students progress academically and socially, they are mainstreamed into a Chesapeake High School class that is consistent with their skill set. The goal by the 10^th grade is for students to be “mainstreamed” in 2 - 3 out of 8 classes.  By 11^th and 12^th grades, the goal is for students to attend 4 - 6 out of 8 classes with Chesapeake students.  Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities such as music, sports and after school groups.  Hannah More staff (teacher assistants) provides support to the students in mainstream classes.  Support can range from 1:1 assistance in the classroom to daily or weekly teacher check-ins.

 

The program is linked to the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Program where students are involved in environmental projects, learn water safety, operate canoes and experience the Initiative and Confidence Course.  The Initiative and Confidence Course is a series of team building activities leading up to working as a team to complete a low ropes course.  The team building philosophy is built around the fundamentals of risk, responsibility and respect.  These concepts are reinforced back in the classroom as they are infused into the overall program as part of social skills training and group therapy.

 

The cornerstone of the Hannah More at Chesapeake High School program is the therapeutic group program.  Students attend a group led by our social worker for 90 minutes every other day.  Through group therapy students are able to process specific issues and learn skills that will enable them to navigate within society and lead to improved adult and peer interactions.  Students learn alternative ways to deal with relatively simple to very difficult issues and situations.  These skills are reinforced by all staff throughout the school day.

 

Hannah More staff work closely with Chesapeake academic and administrative staff on behalf of all students within the school building.  For example, Chesapeake students are able to attend the therapeutic group and academic classes if the need arises.  Hannah More staff collaborates with the school psychologist and special education staff on a regular basis with regard to Chesapeake High School students who may be struggling.  In addition, Hannah More staff collaborates with the regional program for students with emotional disorders that are housed within Chesapeake High School.