The WAVES Suite

What is the WAVES Suite?

The WAVES Suite is a specialized learning environment that provides intensive, individualized instruction and support for students with complex learning needs. Located within a consolidated classroom setting, the WAVES Suite is designed to help students build the academic, communication, and social skills they need to participate as independently as possible in school life — including specials, lunch, and recess with their peers.

The purpose of the WAVES Suite is to provide students with the opportunity to access grade-level academic and social-emotional standards through scaffolded learning routines. Learning occurs in a modified school environment with a modified school schedule. The primary focus is to provide explicit instruction in Social Emotional Learning to promote regulation and stamina in a structured, supportive setting.

The WAVES Suite is considered when all other supports within the neighborhood or charter school have been tried, and the student is still not finding success. Before considering the WAVES Suite, the IEP team participated in IEP revisions and incorporated extensive regulation strategies into the student's day. This process allows staff to make adjustments to the student's programming at the neighborhood or charter school, while modifying the Functional Behavior Assessments/Behavior Intervention Plans (FBAs/BIPs) and social-emotional learning strategies, before recommending placement in a different setting.

If, after the above steps are taken, the student demonstrates the following, the IEP team may consider having the student participate in the WAVES Suite:

• Need for numerous seclusions and/or restraints due to externalizing behavior, physical aggression, and elopement
• Exclusive staffing
• Need for own space
• Spending 90-100% of the day alone in the special education environment due to dysregulation or health needs

Additionally, students transitioning from more restrictive environments, such as residential treatment programs or those receiving shortened school days, may also be considered.

 

The WAVES Suite Access

For students participating in the WAVES Suite, this is considered their least restrictive environment.   Per the Department of Public Instruction Information Bulletin 00.04, the least restrictive environment is both a legal principle and a set of legal requirements found in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It does not require that every child with a disability participate in the regular education classroom. The overriding rule in determining a child's Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is that it must be determined individually based on the child's unique abilities and needs. Recognizing that the regular education setting and/or general education curriculum may not be appropriate for every child with a disability, districts are required to make available a range of service, location, and building options (a "continuum of alternative placements") to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities.

Lake Geneva Schools believes it is important to have a modified school environment for some students. Providing a controlled, small environment allows an opportunity for students to access learning routines in an environment that is supportive of regulation and safety needs, while limiting the ease of elopement and disruption to other students. When we highly modify the physical environment, we believe students will be better able to access their learning. With more participation in learning routines and regulation, we hypothesize a reduction in the need for office discipline referrals, seclusion, and restraint.

When determining if the WAVES Suite is the best option for a student, the IEP team collaborates with the Director of Student Services and the school Principal. The IEP team also invites the WAVES Suite teacher to visit the student in their neighborhood/charter school and to participate in the IEP team meeting, where placement options will be discussed. The WAVES Suite teacher will participate in the meeting to discuss and determine the placement decision. Additionally, the WAVES Suite teacher will provide the family and team with a tour of the WAVES Suite for the family and student.

Once a student begins attending the WAVES Suite, the IEP team meets at least quarterly to ensure the team consistently assesses progress toward IEP goals and potential readiness to return to the student's neighborhood school. We are also committed to offering additional training for aides and Case Managers (CMs) on topics specific to the WAVES Suite program to enhance the support students receive. 

 

The WAVES Suite Structure

To ensure a smooth start for the student, these steps are followed:

1. Determine Student Schedule: Identify the time the student will attend the WAVES Suite and set the start date.
2. Notify Key Personnel: Inform the PowerSchool secretary in the neighborhood or charter school to roster the student for the WAVES Suite during the designated attendance times.
3. Transportation Arrangements: The WAVES Suite teacher arranges necessary transportation for the student.
4. Food Service Coordination: Contact the Food Service Coordinator to ensure the student is included in the breakfast and lunch count.
5. Daily Visual Schedule: Develop a daily visual schedule for the student's time in the WAVES Suite to support their understanding of the daily routine.

The WAVES Suite Program is located within Eastview Elementary School. The space includes two classrooms: a sensory regulation room and an instructional room. Additionally, the facility provides access to school meals and opportunities for outdoor gross motor activities.

The IEP team reviews placement at the WAVES Suite on 8-week intervention cycles. Students may enter the WAVES Suite at any time during the school year. If, after 8 weeks, a student is making progress toward their IEP goals and developing the skills necessary to participate in the educational community, the IEP team will consider a planned transition back to their neighborhood or charter school.

If a student has been involved in the WAVES Suite for at least one intervention cycle and continues to exhibit behaviors that make it unsafe for the WAVES Suite staff to support them, the IEP team may explore the option of an out-of-district placement. This consideration arises in situations where the student frequently requires restraint or seclusion to ensure safety (at least once a week), when staff injuries lead to absences or significant harm, when there are repeated incidents of extensive property destruction at the WAVES Suite site, or when the student attempts self-harm that necessitates medical intervention.