| Penobscot Community Elementary School |
| Student / Parent School Information Handbook |
| Code of Conduct |
| Purpose: First and foremost, the Penobscot Community Elementary School Code of Conduct Policy is intended to provide a framework for learning and practicing positive, socially acceptable behaviors. It is also intended to help students, parents and staff identify and deal constructively with behaviors that are inconsistant with the philosophy and Code of Conduct of our school, that jepordize the physical or emotional well-being of othe students or staff, that disrupt the learning process, or that interfere with the staff's efforts to maintain a positive climate. The Board belives that it is the duty of schools and families to assist students to become self-disciplined, responsible citizens who feel connected to the school through positive relationships with adults and other children who themselves feel connected to the school through positive interaction with others within the school. While the policy provides for a system of consequences, the board believes that punnishment alone will not he an effective means of changing behavior. Students must be taught appropriate behavior, and have oportunities to practice them, be reinforced positively when conducting themselves appropriately, and be worked with in a constructive way when their behaviors miss the mark. However, if it becomes clear, after repeated applications of the diciplinary measures otlined in this policy, a student is not learning appropriate behaviors, his / her continued attendance at the school will be contingent upon the student and his / her family successfully participating in alternative interventions as outlined below. ( See Climate Committee and System of Consequences ) The right to participate in the school program is accompanied by the responsibility of conduct oneself consistently with the school's Code of Conduct. Essential Principals and Beliefs: * Behavior is purposeful and is chosen to meet the need of an individual. * Schools must provide opportunities for students to develop decision - making skills that enable them to meet their own needs while also respecting the needs of others. * standards for behaviors must be explicitly taught, frequently reviewed, and clearly communicated to students and parents. * Disruptive behavior will not be allowed to interfere with the learning of others. * Positive reinforces are more powerful in shaping and changing behavior than punishments. * Diciplinary actions should be administered in a way that perserves the positive relationships between adults and children. * Discipline should lead to a change in behavior and direct the child in making more positive and effective choices in the future. * Consequences should be ininediate whenever possible. * Consequences should be non-violent, logical, and related to the students behavior. * Consequences should require the student to reflect on his/her behavior and practice alternative behaviors. * Disciplanary responses should be developmently appropriate and consistently applied throughout the school. * A positive school climate will promoe positive student behavior. Responsibilities of the Administration: The Principal Will: * Ensure that the discipline policy is communicated to all parents, students, and staff * Ensure that the system of consequences outlined below is administered consistently, equitably, and creatively, and with relevance to each situation. * Inform the Superintendent of Schools in a timely manner of serious behavioral problems , concerns, incidents that may require a student to be removed from school, or those that may need to be brought before the school board for hearings. * Ensure that accurate records are maintained in the office regarding serious infractions of this policy and that timely meetings are scheduled to discuss the incidents. * Oversee school wide efforts to maintain a positive, teaching approach to school discipline, review the instruction staff on classroom practices that support this overalll goal and arrange for ongoing professional development as needed * Maintain close working relationships with outside agencies that deliver supportive services. Responsibilities of Teachers: Teachers will: * Maintain positive relationships with students and parents and a positive climate for learning in the classroom. * Provide flexible teaching practices, reflective of the diversity of individual characteristics, learning styles, and ability levels present in the classroom. * Communicate clearly and frequently with students and parents about classroom expectations and problems as they occur. * Explicitly teach positive behavior and attitudes such as respect, kindness, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diversity and frequently review them with students, and positively reinforce students as they demonstrate them. * Teach students the necessity to report unsafe, illigal or harassing activities. * Participate in developing specific guidelines for appropriate behaviors in all school settings. * Listen carefully to and honor the knowledge that parents have about their children * Work effectively with the administration and other members of the staff to ensure that the system of consequences is administered consistently and in the positive spirit of this policy. * Bring to the attention of the principal all serious behavioral problems and issues. * Critically reflect on and seek professional development to inprove skills as needed in positively managing student behavior. Responsibilities of the Parents: Parents Should: * Send their children prepared for their day. for example: ( rest, permission slips, lunch or lunch money, Ect...) * Ensure that their children attend school and that school is notifies of any absenses, and/or any emotional or health issues that might impact the child's experience at school. * Review the schools dicipline policy and Code of Conduct with their children. * Stay informed about the school and support the learning of their child by trusting and respecting the professionalism of staff. * Communicate with the classroom teachers and the principal to discuss behavioral concerns and to seek improvments when they become neccessary. Responsibilities of the Students: Students Should: * Become familiar with the school's dicipline policy and Code of Conduct themselves in accordance with all rules and guidelines. * Come to school ready to learn, and allow others to learn , and allow teachers to teach. * Bring to the attention of staff all serious behavioral incidents or concerns that occur on the bus, at school, or at school events. * Work constructively with their teachers, the principal, and their peers to become positive, self-diciplined members of their school and community. |