HIA Alternative Instruction Room (AIR)

This process is put in place to address students with chronic challenging behaviors, and is
implemented as part of the HIA behavior protocol.
*AIR is defined as a student receiving instruction in a setting other than their regular
classroom. In addition, the student is provided with class assignments equivalent to assignments
instructed in their regular class(es).
**AR is alternative room placement. This is different from AIR. AR is in-school removal
in which a student is temporarily removed from their classroom and does not have access to
instruction.

Determination of AIR
• The behavior staff determines AIR when a student receives 3-4 office discipline referrals
(ODR) .
o Referrals are counted consecutively and irrespective of time span between each
referral.
o If a student is not placed in AIR by their third referral due to unforeseen
circumstances, the student will be placed in AIR after the fourth referral.
• The behavior staff will review the AIR contract with the student.
• The AIR contract is signed indicating that both parties understand AIR expectations.

Preparing for AIR

• The behavior staff emails relevant staff members of the student’s placement in AIR
o Staff members included in the email are: all classroom teachers, office staff
(Thong, Amee and Paulette), specialist teachers, test coordinator, special
education teacher, social worker, psychologist and administration.
• Core curriculum teachers are requested to prepare instructional material that could be
handed to the behavior staff or placed in the behavior staff’s box.
• AIR teachers will be informed the morning of placement.

Placement of AIR
• The behavior staff places students in AIR according to the rotation schedule.
• Lower grades (grades K-4) will be placed in middle school classrooms.
• Upper grades (grades 5-8) will be placed in elementary classrooms.
• There will be at least a two-grade difference between the student being placed in AIR and
the AIR placement (ex. 4th grade student placed in 6th grade AIR class; 5th grade student
placed in 2nd grade AIR class).
o Exceptions to the two-grade difference will be discussed with the AIR placement
teacher in advance
o Students will not be placed in classrooms for AIR when the teacher is being
observed or is hosting guest teachers.
o Students will not be placed in specialist classrooms (i.e., art, Hmong Literacy,
gym).

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Expectations of AIR
• Students are not to participate in class activities, which include specialist curriculum.
• Students are to have a workspace in the AIR placement.
• Students are to work on their instructional materials
• If a student is disruptive in AIR, follow the HIA protocol with the exception of the buddy
room. If the student continues to be disruptive, call for behavior support.
o Examples of disruptive behavior include, but not limited to, interfering with
instruction, engaging in inappropriate interactions with student in class, refusing
to follow the teacher’s directions.
• Students are dismissed to their regular classroom at 1:45pm.

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