8.  Discipline Policy

Policy # 8

Required Policy                                    

SISI Standard

1st Reading:  9-19-06

2nd Reading: 

 

 

Section I:  Student Responsibilities

 

Students have the right to a meaningful public education.  However, they must conduct themselves in a manner which will not disrupt the other students or the routine of classroom activities.  Each student will be responsible for his/her own conduct which includes but is not limited to; rights and property of others, abusive language, disruptions which interfere with the educational process, and self-control of voice and limbs.  Students who fail to adhere to this code of conduct will be subject to the discipline referral procedures.  We expect students to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Willing to Learn, and Be a Team Player.

 

 

Section II:  Teacher Responsibilities

 

The most important element of encouraging good discipline is for all members of the staff to consistently work on enforcing the school expectations (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Willing to Learn, and Be a Team Player). Students in the classroom or in your area of supervision (including all common areas) are your responsibility.  Supervision of students is required 100% of the time. Most misbehaviors will be handled by the classroom teacher.  Well-taught classes with relevant content and sufficient amounts of class activity to keep the students working will keep discipline problems to a minimum.  Teachers are not only responsible for the conduct of their assigned pupils, but they are also expected to assume their share of responsibility in seeing that all pupils adhere to the policies and expectations of the school.

 

Level I- MILD (Classroom level): minor misbehaviors that can adequately be corrected at the time they occur.  They may or may not require minimal staff documentation, such as checklists, etc.  A staff member observing a Level I infraction corrects the student in the setting.

 

·          Tardy

·          Not prepared for class with materials                                  

·          Not completing assignment or homework

·          Cheating

·          Refusing to follow directions                                                    CORRECT IMMEDIATELY

·          Minor disrespect (rolling eyes, body language, faces, etc.)                                                                                                                      

·          Teasing

·          Running in the hallways                                                                     PROVIDE CONSEQUENCE,

·          Inability to accept feedback after correction                                                         IF   NEEDED             

·          General classroom disruption

·          Off task talking

·          Inappropriate behavior

·          Gum Chewing

·          Consistently out of seat

·          Dress code violation

·          Cell phone

·          Electronics

Procedures for Handling Level I Behaviors

 

Teacher/Staff will conference with the child and take appropriate action as outlined in the team discipline plan.  Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to:

 


 

Ø        Assessment of the root causes of the behavior

Ø        Schedule change; peer tutor                 

Ø        Proximity control; eye contact

Ø        Physical/seating arrangement of the classroom

Ø        Gentle verbal reprimand; positive reinforcement

Ø        Token economy

Ø        Random or Regular agenda checks

Ø        Parent contact

Ø        Non-verbal or visual prompts and cues or  gestures

Ø        Teaching and reteaching expectations

Ø        Alternate dismissal; structured transitions

Ø        Time-out within the classroom, within the team, or LAB

Ø        Behavior improvement contract or Behavior Plan

Ø        Loss of privileges; Loss of team time

Ø        Daily progress reports sent home

Ø        Teach replacement behaviors

Ø        Social skills instruction; Role play

Ø        De-escalation/relaxation strategies

Ø        Restitution; Apology

Ø        Model desired behavior; Provide positive practice

Ø        Visual schedule, checklists, timers, organizational tools

Ø        Student completes behavior improvement support

Ø        Planned ignoring

Ø        Intervention Behavior Wheel

Ø        Peer Mediation; SAP

Ø        Discipline log

Ø        Teacher/Student conference

 


 

**Teachers may want to consult and document on pyramid of interventions any strategies used to teach and reinforce behavior expectations.

 

Level II-MODERATE (Team level): Misbehaviors that do not require immediate administrative involvement, but do require documentation.

 

·          Disrespect to staff (Talking back, mocking, etc.)

·          Repeated classroom Level I violations                                                     1.  CORRECT IMMEDIATELY                          

·          Chronic non-completion of assignments or homework         

·          Chronic teasing – Refer  to Counselor                                                    2.  DOCUMENT ON REFERRAL

·          Severe disruption (teacher unable to conduct class)                                            FORM TO TEAM LEADER                     

·          Profanity/Vulgarity                                                                                  AND FILE / (TL must  initial)

·          AWOL from class

·          Chronic tardies                                                                                        3.  PROVIDE TEAM/CLASS

·          Chronic hallway and bathroom behaviors                                                     CONSEQUENCES AND

·          Public display of affection (hugging, kissing, holding hands)                      CONTACT  PARENT

·          Repeated failure to follow directions                                                                      OR

·          Forgery                                                                                                        

·          Level II conflict-                                                                                       1.  PASS TO ADMINISTRATOR                                                                                                              

Ø        Confrontation: verbal argument, name-calling,                            2.   RECOMMEND CONSEQUENCE

posturing, hostile body language                                                     3.  CONTACT PARENT

(mocking, obscene gestures) – Refer to Counselors

Ø        Altercation: Pushing, shoving, tripping, spitting,

out-of–control horseplay, chesting, bumping. 

 

Teacher discretion is advised in determining team or administrator action for level 2 infractions.  The Team Leader must sign all level 2 referrals before processing.                                 

 

 

Procedures For Handling Level II Behaviors

 

Each team should keep a file for all students with disciplinary issues containing the appropriate documentation. Documentation of the behavior and actions taken should be listed on the pupil disciplinary referral form and given to the Team Leader.  In the event that the teacher and/or Team Leader should take action, the referral should be kept in the student file with the action noted.

 

In some situations, the referral may require administrative action.   The teacher completes the referral form, reviews student behavior folder, and consults with the Team Leader on possible consequences. The referral will be initialed by the team leader and forwarded to the appropriate administrator or counselor.  It is the responsibility of the person writing the referral to see that the parent is contacted.   

 

Disciplinary referral forms should be written and turned in the same day of the offense.

 

The administrator will follow up with appropriate parent communication regarding consequences taken if necessary.

Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to:


 

 

Ø        Any actions listed under level 1

Ø        School Time-out; Time-Out within the team

Ø        Team isolation; Team detention; LAB timeout

Ø        Connection Plus – Staff Mentoring

Ø        Team management plan; Team behavior contract

Ø        Reteaching expectations during team time

Ø        Adapted schedule, travel times

Ø        Daily agenda checks                                      

Ø        Individual Behavior Plan

Ø        Special seating at lunch; Lunch LAB

Ø        Student/parent/team conference

Ø        Team conference with parent

Ø        Guidance Office  Counselor Conference; YSC referral

Ø        Peer mediation; Peer tutor; SAP


 

 

Administrative interventions vary according to infraction/situation and include, but are not limited to:

 

Ø        Behavior packet in LAB (Learning Appropriate Behaviors)

Ø        Home visit

Ø        Referral to community agency

Ø        Individualized behavior plan

Ø        Lunch detention

Ø        Parent contact

Ø        Parent conference

Ø        Referral to counselor/YSC

Ø        After school detention

Ø        Saturday School

Ø        In-school suspension (LAB)

Ø        Out-of-school suspension

 

Level III-SEVERE (Administrator level):   These are serious misbehaviors that require immediate administrative involvement and written documentation.  They also include behaviors that are illegal or are so severe that the misbehaving student’s continued presence in a setting poses a threat to physical safety or adult authority and disrupts the educational process.  Most but not all Level III behaviors require immediate escort to the office; staff are to use professional judgment in following the guidelines below:

 

      A.   Keep in class/Send referral  and/or  notify immediately

·          Repeated violation of Level II behaviors                                                

·          Theft/Vandalism

·          Leaving school grounds without permission

 

 

  1. Teacher will escort student  to office or LAB immediately                DOCUMENT ON                                  with a timely referral form completed                                       REFERRAL FORM TO                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ADMINISTRATOR 

                                                                                                             

·          Disrupting the Educational Process in compliance with board policy 9.426

o         Willful disobedience or defiance of authority of school staff;

o         Conduct which threatens the health, safety, or welfare of others;

o         Conduct which may potentially damage property;

o         Illegal activity;

o         Conduct which interferes with or hinders the orderly administration of the school and school-related activities

·          Intimidation/Threatening/Taunting/Bullying                                                              

·          Possess, use, provide, transport/transmit, conspire to transmit, or be under the influence of drugs, unauthorized medications (Over the counter or prescription), alcohol, tobacco, or other controlled substances

·          Assault   

·          Abusive language/vulgarity                   

·          Arson

·          Weapons/Dangerous instruments/Knives

·          Level III fighting- use of serious physical force to strike a student or staff member

 

Administrative interventions vary according to infraction/situation and include, but are not limited to:

 


 

Ø        Review of interventions and prior incidents

Ø        Behavior packet in LAB

Ø        Individualized behavior plan

Ø        Lunch LAB; special seating

Ø        Restitution

Ø        Parent contact

Ø        Parent conference

Ø        Referral to counselor/YSC

Ø        Referral for individual evaluation

Ø        Referral to alternative settings

Ø        Involve district or co-op consultant; student services

Ø        Involve School Resource Officer (SRO)

Ø        Connection Plus – Administrator monitoring and intensive mentoring

Ø        School time-out (office, LAB, Guidance, YSC)

Ø        After - School detention

Ø        In-school suspension (LAB)

Ø        Office Detention; isolation

Ø        Out-of-school suspension


 

Ø        Referral to alternative placement                                                                   

Ø        Contact SRO or law enforcement                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 

Under KRS 158.150, students may be suspended or expelled from school.  In situations involving the breaking of civil laws, the school officials will be contacted.

 

Section III. PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING VIOLENT OR THREATENING STUDENTS FROM THE CLASSROOM:

 

The teacher or Team Leader will notify the office via classroom telephone or radio to send school personnel/security to remove the student.  The behavior should be considered violent or threatening in order for a student to be removed by security.

 

Section IV.  REWARDS:

It is our belief that students should be rewarded for good behavior, not only punished for inappropriate behavior.  Therefore, each team will provide privileges and rewards to students on a regular basis.  Other school-wide rewards include, but are not limited to:

 

Finley’s Participation - Each grading term, we will hold a school-wide reward event for highly recognized students who:

1.       Maintain a “C” or higher in all classes

2.       Have no bus or school referrals during the grading term, and

3.       Have no unexcused absences during the grading term.

 

Dances, Socials, and Other After School Events -

Tickets to these events will be sold in advance to eligible students.    No tickets will be sold at the door and no student will be allowed to attend who is ineligible.  To purchase an advance ticket, students must have no unexcused absences, no disciplinary referrals for two weeks, and no failing grades.

 

 

Section V.  Harassment and Bullying:

 

Both bullying and harassment are defined as behavior that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or objectively so offensive that is denies or limits a students’ ability to participate in or receive the benefits, services or opportunities of the school’s program or creates a hostile/abusive educational environment.

 

Harassment deals with race, disability, age, origin, sex, and religion.  Harassment is a civil rights issue. Procedures for harassment are covered in  Board policy  (09.42811 AP.1).

 

Bullying  deals with areas outside of the above.  Bullying involves an imbalance of power. Bullying is when a child is the target, over time, of repeated negative actions.  Although not a civil rights issue, it is as serious as harassment.  Listed below are the procedures that must be followed.

 

Normal conflict between students involves equal power, is not pervasive, is not severe, may be coincidental or happens occasionally.  Kids of approximately the same age, strength or developmental level quarrel.  In this situation the students involved feel remorseful and make an effort to solve the problem.  Students dealing with normal conflict are good candidates for peer mediation or intervention from teachers or counselors.

 

The following process should be followed in reported bullying situations.

1.       Document everything the reporter tells.

2.       Interview everyone reporter names.

3.       Interview anyone else you think may be involved.

4.       Look at existing records.

5.       Notify teachers.

6.       Send a letter to the reporter that day acknowledging the report and the investigation, informing that necessary action is being taken.

7.       Develop an action plan that helps the victim and addresses the perpetrator.

8.       Send a notice to parties of the outcome.

9.       Implement and document.

10.    Report filed in discipline folder.

 

 

 

 

 

Section VI.  Bus Riding Disciplinary Actions:

 

Bus disciplinary actions will be handled in compliance with the Pulaski County Code of Acceptable Behavior.  Riding a bus is a privilege.  Students who choose not to comply with the bus rules will be subject to losing bus riding privileges.  Administrators are authorized to remove bus riding privileges up to 10 days per occurance.

If a student is suspended from one school bus, he/she is suspended from all other buses as well.  A school bus suspension is not an excused absence from school.  Students will be expected to be at school each day of their bus suspension.

 

 

Section VII.  Students with Disabilities:

                       

In cases which involve students with disabilities, the procedures mandated by federal and state law shall be followed. 

                        References:  20 USC § 1400, et seq.

                                            KRS 158.150