In Suffolk, a bid to keep alternative students focused

SUFFOLK

Until January, Malik O'Neal spent weekdays attending typical seventh-grade classes and hanging out with friends during lunch.

Now a student in the city's alternative program, which is held at night, Malik plays on his computer while his peers are in school.

"I don't do nothing during the day," the 12-year-old said. "I just sit at home and get bored."

Boredom often equals trouble, school officials said, and that's one reason they want to move Suffolk's nighttime alternative-school program to the day.

But no one is sure exactly where classes would be held.

The program attempts to rehabilitate students with histories of disrespect, fighting, truancy, or drug and weapons violations.

It's a "second chance" for the division's most serious - and often repeat - offenders, said coordinator Ron Thomas. Without such a program, students who get in trouble would have no place to go.

"That's what it's all about - being able to help them return to school," Thomas said. "There's life 10 years from now, and they have to prepare themselves."

Kevin Alston, assistant superintendent for administrative services, is putting together a committee to discuss the fate of the nighttime alternative program. He said he hopes to have a recommendation in April.

The 10-year plan calls for a $4.87 million renovation of Florence Bowser Elementary School to accommodate the program. The money for that project won't be available for several years, so Superintendent Milton Liverman has suggested a "village" of mobile units.

Suffolk Public Schools' proposed 2008-09 budget includes about $578,000 to convert the night program. That money would cover a principal, five full-time teachers and "limited renovations" to existing classroom space.

If a location is chosen and financing approved, students in the nighttime alternative-school program could be meeting during the day as early as fall, Alston said.

The city already has some daytime alternative programs, including at Turlington Woods School, that serve students who are academically behind or have limited disciplinary issues.

About 70 students attend the nighttime alternative program, which meets after hours at King's Fork and John Yeates middle schools. They take four core courses - English, math, science and social studies - but could do more with a day program.

Students spend 3-1/2 hours each weekday, excluding Fridays, in small classroom settings. The teachers focus on minimizing distractions and providing individual attention.

Most return to their regular schools within nine weeks or a semester, depending on their behavior. Occasionally, Thomas said, a student is referred back to the program.

"Overall, we are successful," he said. "We're not a cure-all, but most parents are satisfied."

During a recent session, Malik quietly read from a textbook as a couple of other boys sat around him. Later that evening, he said his time with the night program has taught him to respect teachers.

"I'm not coming back," he said. "Because this is kinda wearing my mama down."

Malik said he was assigned to the alternative program because he was accused of making a threatening remark to a teacher, which he denies.

Kenetra Hicks said she's seen changes in her son. But she still worries.

When she heads to work each morning, Hicks knows she won't be able to get Malik and her 16-year-old son, who also attends the night program, off her mind. "I call, probably twice," she said. "Then my mom, she calls."

That's a complaint Thomas hears often. He said he tries to ride around students' neighborhoods and by their homes to make sure they're not on the streets.

Hicks said she would welcome a daytime alternative program, especially if there was transportation for the students.

"It is a blessing that they are taking the time out to do this for the kids," she said. "But it's kind of an inconvenience at night."

Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com