Several other efforts were critical. Teachers and administrators also spent lots of time talking with students about how adults solve problems. Before students can return to class, they must write a positive plan describing what they will do differently when they return. Parking Spots are not assigned to students who have been suspended, or who have had attendance problems, in the previous year. The other three high schools in Utica have since adopted the plan.
Teachers have cafeteria and hall duty .
A Student Assistance program was started to work with groups of students to address issues like anger management, relationships, drugs and alcohol, etc. As a result of these and other efforts, fights are down to 4-5 per year, smoking in the building is almost nonexistent, and suspensions are way down. One of the first stops was the media center, where he pointed with pride at the flags , which represent the homelands of the students. Actually it took more than flags. Another part was ensuring that discipline was meted out to all kids in a similar fashion.