Alpena High School recently added another behavior management options for students with its new in-school suspension (ISS) program.

Staff writer Reagan Voetberg reported on Thursday that, though the program is still new, it is seeing success so far.

The program was pitched after parents, staff, and others recognized that the school needed more options for behavioral management. ISS now acts as a bridge between the standard lunch/after-school detention and an out-of-school suspension.

We’re glad to see that students are being taken care of and that their needs are not only being recognized but also tended to.

ISS runs Tuesday and Thursday at AHS, and students in the program spend those days in the ISS classroom. There, they turn in their electronic devices and participate in behavior modules. It’s also a chance for the students to catch up on school work or study while reflecting on what they are being disciplined for.

Staff at AHS said they have already seen positive results and will continue to improve and adjust the program as needed.

“We want kids to realize the impact they have by doing anything that they do,” AHS Dean of Students Eric Mitchell said. “And then, moreover, making sure that we try to repair and restore the damage that we make.”

The times have changed, and students’ needs have changed, so finding new ways to support them and their education is beyond valuable. This new program is part of taking the initiative to discipline students while also ensuring they are being cared for and learning from their mistakes.

We hope that this ISS program continues to help students, and we’re grateful to those who have dedicated their time and energy to getting this up and running.