Behavior and Discipline

Behavior Expectations

Students have the right to a safe, respectful learning environment.  Students and their parents have a right to know the school-wide behavior expectations, and to know these expectations are consistently enforced by all school staff.  Student behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach or the ability of other students to learn will not be tolerated.  THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY WILL BE ENFORCED.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:

1. Show respect for all staff members at all times.

2. Follow directions of adults when they are given.

3. Use equipment and materials appropriately.

4. Use only actions that are productive to the safety, welfare, and education of yourself and others.

5. Do nothing behaviorally or verbally that is potentially or actually derogatory, harmful, or hurtful to yourself or others.

6. Behave in ways appropriate to the situation (concerts, cafeteria, playground, hallways, classrooms etc.). 

CONSEQUENCES (positive and negative examples):

1. Additional privileges

2.  Special reward activities

3.  Personal recognition in various ways (school-wide assemblies, newsletters, classroom, notes home, etc.) 

4.  Loss of privileges such as games, recesses, lunch with the class, trips outside the building

5.  Time-outs, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension

6.  After school detention

7.  Written reports home, development of specific behavior management plan/contract with students and parent/guardian

Expectations for behavior will be taught for each segment of our students’ day based upon the above school-wide rules, Morgan County School District Re-3 policies, and State Law.  All rules and expectations will be clearly communicated verbally to students in each of the various situations they encounter, along with established consequences, both positive and negative.  By aligning consequences with student choices, we strive to teach responsibility and self-control to every student.  The school staff will provide effective instruction and an optimal learning environment that includes positive expression of wants and needs, backed up with positive action and mutual respect.

Teachers may send students to the office for discipline reasons when a) the severity of the behavior warrants a more serious consequence, or b) the student is continuing to act in a disruptive manner after the teacher has already intervened.  Any teacher sending a student to the office in this manner will send him/her with a copy of the office referral form.  This form helps involved school staff members stay informed.  It also makes the school more accountable in regard to actions taken with students.  Parents will often be notified by phone or in writing when a discipline referral is initiated.  Other options available to teachers when dealing with behavior difficulties include a) in-classroom interventions, b) after-school detention, and c) In/Out of-School Suspension

Your support at home is very important in this process.  Together, we can make a positive impact on a student to better prepare him/her for success now, and later life. Because this partnership is so important, we will keep you informed when we have discipline concerns.  We will also ask for your help in resolving those concerns.

Behavior Expectations Matrix

COMMON AREA	BE SAFE	BE RESPECTFUL	BE RESPONSIBLE
All Common Areas	Walk facing forward. Keep hands, feet and objects to self. Get adult help for accidents and spills Use all equipment and materials appropriately.	Use kind words and actions Wait for your turn. Clean up after self. Follow adult directions.	Follow school rules Remind others to follow school rules Take proper care of all personal belongings and school equipment Be honest.
Cafeteria	Keep all food to self. Sit with feet on floor, bottom on bench, and facing table.	Be kind to anyone who sits next to you.  Use quiet voices. Follow adult directions	Raise hand and wait to be excused. Get all utensils, milk, etc., when first going through the line.
Playground/Recess	Walk to and from the playground. Stay within the boundaries. Be aware of activities/games around you.	Play fairly. Include everyone.	Obtain adult permission to reenter the building to use the bathroom and leaving the area.
Passing Areas, Halls, Breezeways, Sidewalks	Stay to the right. Allow others to pass. Keep hands and feet to yourself. Walk.	Hold the door open for the person behind you. Use quiet voices.	Stay on sidewalks. Single file.
Bathrooms	Keep feet on floor. Keep water in the sink. Wash hands. Put towels in garbage can.	Knock on stall door. Give people privacy. Use quiet voices.	Flush toilet after use. Return to room promptly.
Arrival and Dismissal Areas	Use bike lane. Walk bike onto and off school property. Use sidewalks and crosswalks. Wait in designated areas. Walk	(See All Common Areas)	Arrive on time. Leave on time. Get teacher permission to use the classroom phone.
Gym	(See All Common Areas)	Use quiet voices.	Obtain permission before leaving the area.
Special Events and Assemblies	Wait for arrival and dismissal signal	Use audience manners. Sit on bottom.	(See All Common Areas)
Classroom	Keep hand and feet to yourself.	Use quiet voices. Follow teacher directions. Respect property, yours and others.	Come to class on time, prepared for class. Remain quiet while others are working.
Bus	Stay seated on the bus. Use quiet voices. Respond quietly to the bus driver.	Listen to the bus driver. Treat the bus like it was your own vehicle.	Line up single file in the bus line. Sit in seat. Be quiet at railroad crossings. Gather belongings before exiting the bus.

 

Behavior PBS

Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) is a school-wide framework that identifies and recognizes students for their positive behaviors.  The framework is designed to increase a positive school climate by focusing on what students are doing right.  This is an attempt to decrease negative behavior, thus increasing instructional time and student performance.

OUR OBJECTIVE AT GREEN ACRES SCHOOL IS TO PROVIDE EACH CHILD WITH AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH A CONCERNED STAFF SETS FIRM, CONSISTENT, POSITIVE LIMITS.  WE CARE ENOUGH TO EXPECT THE VERY BEST…AND INTEND TO GIVE THE VERY BEST OF OURSELVES!

Bullying 

We support a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and learning, that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior.  We promote consistency of approach to help create a climate in which all types of bullying are regarded as unacceptable.  Bullying will NOT be tolerated.  

Bullying is defined as any written or verbal expression, physical act or gesture, or a pattern thereof, that is intended to cause distress upon one or more students in the school environment, which includes school buildings, grounds, vehicles, bus stops, and all school-sponsored activities and events.  

A student who engages in any act of bullying is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including detention, suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities.  The severity and pattern, if any, of the bullying behavior shall be taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made. 

Harassment

Harassment is defined as:  Verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct that is pervasive enough to interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the district’s educational programs or activities.  Violence of any kind will not be tolerated, even “pretend” fighting, shooting, martial arts, etc.

EXAMPLES OF HARASSMENT

• Intimidation implied or overt threat of physical violence

• Physical acts of aggression, assault, or damage to another’s property

• Demeaning jokes, taunts, slurs, nicknames, name calling, innuendos, or derogatory remarks either written or verbal

• Graffiti or visual displays such as cartoons or posters depicting slurs or derogatory sentiments

• Use of “fighting words” intended to incite individuals to violent actions

• Criminal offenses directed at an individual

In-School Suspension

A student can be sent to in-school suspension (ISS) when a) he/she exhibits behavior which warrants immediate and long-term removal from the classroom, or b) he/she is behind in class work and needs a quiet spot to catch up.  ISS students will spend this time in the office area.  Teachers sending students to ISS will fill out an office referral form. While in this room, students are supervised by a school staff member.

Right to Searches

The principal or her designee may search a student or a student’s personal possessions on school grounds or during a school activity held off school premises if there is reasonable cause for believing the student is concealing materials prohibited by Board Policy or materials detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of other students or school personnel.  Regarding searches:

• Searches shall be made in the presence of an adult witness of the same sex as the student in question.

• Searches of the person of a student shall be limited to:

  • Searches of pockets, including the student’s exterior clothing.

  • Any object in the possession of the student, including but not limited to a purse, briefcase, backpack, or coat.

  • No strip search can be carried out by any employee.

• Student desks, lockers, etc. can be searched when the person conducting the search has reasonable suspicion.

• Anything found during such a search which is dangerous to others or prohibited at the school shall be seized by school personnel.  Seized items can be used as evidence in a suspension or expulsion hearing or may be turned over to law enforcement personnel.

Suspension/Expulsion from School

Please see District Policy information on our website ~ fortmorgank12.com.

Substance Policy

Please see District Policy information on our website ~ fortmorgank12.com.

Vandalism

The school system’s buildings, grounds, and other property are built, purchased, and maintained with taxes levied on the community’s taxpayers, and all damage caused must be paid for in the same way.  Students who willfully or maliciously destroy school property through vandalism or arson, or who create a hazard to the safety of other people on school property may be referred to law enforcement authorities in addition to receiving disciplinary actions at school which includes paying for the damage that was committed.