Principal of Ryan Park Elementary in Angola, Amy Heavin addressed several items during Tuesday Night's Steuben County School Board meeting, including a new discipline plan to be implemented in the near future.

The plan being developed by Heavin and fellow Ryan Park Elementary teachers is called “Rhinos Way.” Rhino, standing for Respect, Heart, Integrity, Neat and Prepared, Outstanding, and Safe is a plan they hope will students adapt into their every day life with a goal of reducing office referrals by at least 20% in the next school year by emphasizing on positive behavior incentives and consistent expectations to be put in place throughout different classrooms.

The basic language of “Rhinos Way” has been accomplished, but the plan will not be put into place until the final stage of clarifying the positive incentives has been completed and communicated with all teachers and faculty.

While the primary focus of the program is to focus on behavior in the classroom, teachers and administrators hope these changes will impact students outside of the classroom as well.