SCHOOL RULES -Discovery Primary…Responsibility and Discipline Policy for Common Areas

Our goal is to have responsible behavior from all students.

Discovery Staff believe all students can behave appropriately. Students, parents, and staff work together in providing a school environment where effective learning can take place. Staff members focus on teaching and encouraging responsible behavior, rather than trying to “control” irresponsible behavior.   Students will learn to solve their problems in constructive ways and be accountable for their actions.   In order to implement the basic student conduct program the guidelines for success (below) is being used in all classrooms.  Parents should review these guidelines with their child.

A. General School Rules

Discovery Motto:  Be Responsible….Do your best and help the rest!

The ABCs of School Rules

Always try.

Be Responsible

Cooperate with others

Do your best

Everyone deserves respect.

B. Guidelines for Success…..School Expectations - Present student expectations to them on the first day of school and begin having students practice using responsible behavior in all school areas.    A copy of classroom behavior expectations including consequences for inappropriate behavior should be sent home to the parents and discussed at Curriculum Night or conferences.  School wide behavioral expectations will be send home in the student handbook.

Hallways

• Respect others by not disrupting classrooms or displays on the walls.
• Use quiet voices.
• Take a hall pass when not with an adult.
• Keep hands, feet, objects and inappropriate language to yourself.
• Remember to walk and stay to the right. 

Restrooms

• Use restrooms appropriately and leave them clean.
• Put toilet paper in the toilet.  Flush the toilet.
• Leave stall unlocked after use.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Please do not splash water.
• Leave the restroom as soon as you are finished.
• Use quiet voices and respect the privacy of others.

Lunch and Breakfast

• Walk to the lunch/breakfast area.  Always walk in the lunchroom area.
• Keep hands and feet to your self.  Sit on the bench with your feet under the table.
• Please do not touch or play with the curtain in the gym.
• Always speak with quiet, inside voices.
• Eat politely. Do not play with your food.
• Raise your hand to be excused or when you need help.
• Clean up your area and stack your tray carefully on the cart. 

Playground (see also RECESS and/or Playground Procedures)

• When the bell rings, stop your play and line up.
• Rough play is not allowed.  This includes tackle football, pulling on coats, grabbing and kicking.
• Take care of the equipment.  Place equipment back on the cart when the recess bell rings.  Stay in assigned areas unless you have permission to leave.
• Walk under the covered area when going and coming from recess.
• The gates need to stay closed.
• Running games are for the field area only.
• Please don’t climb the fence.
• Remember to leave hardballs, toys and personal items at home.
• Take turns in all games and on the equipment.
• Swinging coats, backpacks, necklaces, ropes, etc. is dangerous. Please don’t do this. 

Parent Procedures for Arrival and Dismissal

• Parents may drop off students at the south side of the school (preschool end) as long as they don’t need to leave their car in the morning. Greeters will meet the cars to help children exit safely.
•  At pick up time parents may park and come to the south side of the building to pick up their child or join the circle of cars and have their child delivered to the car.
• Parents should not pick their child up from the classroom                 

Assemblies and Large Group Gatherings

• Respond to school-wide signal (clap pattern, followed by school wide cheer) then:
  • Looking at the speaker
  • Being silent
  • Listening to the speaker
  • Keeping hands and feet to themselves
  • Thinking
• Follow entrance and exit procedures.
• Sit in assigned areas without disturbing others.
• Be respectful listening and only use applause to show appreciation.
• Remain seated until the teacher gives a signal to stand.

C.  Possible Consequences for Infractions

1. Verbal reprimand
2. Positive practice ( have the student do it the right way)
3. Stay with duty/teacher for short time.
4. Time out in the office or on the playground
5. Student writes a behavior improvement form and signs it.
6. Office referral

D.  Possible Positive Reinforcement Strategies

• Specific positive comment regarding appropriate behavior
• Rocket award - Sign principal book
• Extra recess 

E.  Supervision Responsibilities

1. Students should be supervised at all times.
2. When a student violates a rule, give a gentle verbal reprimand first, using a firm but respectful voice.  For subsequent infractions, implement as mild a consequence as reasonably fits the infraction.
3. Use an office referral only for illegal, physically dangerous, insubordinate, or chronic behavior.
4. Teachers will be responsible for escorting their classes to and from recess, to and from specialist classes, and to the dismissal area after school.

F.  Discipline Procedures – Severe Misbehavior

Most students will never have serious discipline problems.  To protect the rights of all of our children, it is important that parents and students understand the consequences of misbehavior.   Most misbehavior will be dealt with discussion or mild consequences in the classroom or in the area where the behavior occurred.  

Office referrals are reserved for dangerous, severe, and chronic misbehavior.  When making an office referral, the referring staff member will complete a Behavior Referral Form.  All major offenses are recorded and a behavior card is kept by the principal for each child who is referred.  Parents may be contacted after any one offense, but parental involvement is required for step 3.

Three categories of severe misbehavior will result in the student being sent immediately to the office.

1. Physically dangerous behavior: fighting, assault, physical intimidation

Staff should firmly inform students to stop a physical altercation.  If students do not respond, staff should use professional judgment to determine whether or not to intervene physically.  Staff are not required to take action that could be physically dangerous.  Another student should be sent immediately for assistance.

1. Illegal acts

If a staff member is aware that a student has done or is doing something illegal, the staff member is obligated to refer the situation to the office.  The principal must make all decisions regarding whether or not to contact any relevant authorities.

1. Insubordinate behavior

Insubordinate behavior is defined as the direct and immediate refusal to comply with a reasonable staff instruction within a specified period of time.  A student forgetting homework or being disruptive in class are not examples of insubordinate behavior.

Office referrals are to be reserved for severe and chronic misbehavior.   Students soon learn that being referred to the office is “no big deal”.  To maintain effectiveness, office referrals must be used only for severe or recurring problems.

When making an office referral, the referring staff member will complete a Behavior Referral Form.

Records will be kept by the principal and the office staff on all office referrals. These records will be compiled and shared with the staff several times a year.  Using these records, the staff will determine whether there is a need to revise policies, or whether there is a need for further staff development to ensure more consistent implementation of the current policies.

When the principal is in the building, office referrals will be handled by the principal.  When the principal is not in the building, an acting principal will be designated.  The school secretary will always know who the acting disciplinarian is, in the event of a crisis situation.  If the principal or acting principal is not available, office staff will contact another district administrator.

Once students are sent to the office discipline procedures are the responsibility of the principal or acting principal. 

Principal student conference – records will be kept

Conference with student and write an action plan (parent contact)

Conference with student, teacher, and parent

• Step 1 – Minor Offenses:  Minor offenses include such actions as running instead of walking inappropriate talking out, or not following directions.  All minor offenses are handled on the spot in class, halls, lunchroom, playground and other areas of the school.   Staff members will frequently ask children to practice the appropriate behavior.

• Step 2 – Major Offenses:  Major offenses can include spitting on others, throwing objects, leaving school grounds, defying authority, being disrespectful, harassment or bullying.  When these behaviors occur a student is sent to the principal with an Office referral Form”.  Possible Consequences for Infractions include:
• Verbal reprimand
• Positive practice ( have the student do it the right way)
• Stay with duty/teacher for short time
• Time out in the office or on the playground
• Behavior contract
• Principal student conference – records will be kept
• Conference with student, teacher, and parent
• Step 3 - Severe Offenses:  Suspension occurs when intervention as prescribed by building procedures have failed to correct the behavior. The following activities will be subject to immediate suspension:
• Fighting
• Hitting an adult.
• Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse
• Harassment of students or adults
• Any action which threatens the safety of students or staff, including verbal and physical intimidation.  Threats with toy weapons may be included.
• Malicious mischief or property damage.

The following will result in immediate suspension or expulsion in accordance with state law:

1. Possession and/or use of a weapon: firearms, knives, pepper spray, throwing stars.
2. Possession and/or use of illegal drugs or alcohol or tobacco products.
3. The student’s presence poses an immediate and continued danger to the student, other students, or school personnel, or an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption of the educational process

*Toy weapons of any kind are not allowed at school.  Toy weapons fall under the districts weapon policy and may lead to the student’s suspension or expulsion from school.

*Bullying and Harassment:  Students are expected to speak and act respectfully at all times.  Students who use language and actions that intimidate and demean others will be dealt with immediately.  Parents will be notified.  Please refer to: Fife School District Rights and Responsibilities Manual.

***Possible Positive Reinforcement Strategies***

Students may be recognized for appropriate behavior or for growth through the following methods:

• Specific positive comment regarding appropriate behavior
• Positive note to the principal
• Invitation to sign the Principal's book
• Note or phone call home
• Extra recess or extra privileges