EDMONDS  ELEMENTARY  BEHAVIOR  GOALS  AND  EXPECTATIONS

We believe that it takes the cooperative effort of home, school, and the community to help children develop into respectful, responsible citizens. All children have the right to study, learn, and grow in a safe environment where they are listened to, cared about, and respected. Young people develop judgment skills when they have opportunities and encouragement to make good choices and decisions in an environment that emphasizes learning from mistakes. In a Positive Discipline school, students explore what caused the behavior to happen, how behavior affects others, and what can be done to prevent and solve problems. The two guidelines our students are encouraged to practice are:

• Show respect for myself, others, and property.
• Keep my body and objects to myself
• Make safe choices with words and actions
• Listen to staff and follow directions.

       Students will be expected to follow these guidelines and expectations at the bus stop, on the bus, at school, during field trips, and on any school-sponsored activities (for example, a school camp-in or Outdoor School).

Positive Discipline For School Success

The following support activities are designed to help children make improved independent choices. Support activities include:

1.   Catching children doing the right thing and giving them credit (Whale Tickets).

2. Celebrating good citizenship (Citizens of the Month awarded at Spirit

       Assembly).

3. Teaching problem solving techniques.

In-School Suspension

A student remains in the suspension area for a minimum of one half day, to complete schoolwork. There will be no recesses. Lunch will be eaten in the suspension area. Parents will be notified and a conference may be scheduled.

Out-Of-School Suspension

A student is formally suspended for one or more days. Parents are notified and a parent conference will be required before the student may return to school.

Students suspended from school on either an in-school or out-of-school suspension may not attend evening school functions or school-sponsored activities.

Exceptional Misconduct

The following behaviors cause a substantial disruption to the learning environment and will result in an immediate suspension.  The Principal or designee will determine the number of days of suspension.

• Blatant disrespect to adults or peers

• Profanity / obscenity

• Possession of alcohol, drugs, or weapons

• Intentional damage to property

Legislation allows for suspension and punishment of a student who defaces or otherwise injures “property belonging to a school contractor, employee, or another student” not just those damaging school property. A student suspended under this section may not be readmitted until the damage has been paid for in full or the superintendent directs his or her admittance. If the student was suspended for damaging a school bus, the same suspension provisions apply plus the student may not ride any school bus.

·         Fighting/Violence

Fighting is defined as any kicking, hitting (with hands, body, or objects), pinching, biting, hair pulling, or shoving (into people or objects) that causes physical injury (e.g., scratches, scrapes, welts, bruising, bleeding) to another student. Fighting is not defined as name calling or pushing, but those behaviors are often precursors to a fight. There will be no distinction regarding intent to harm once a student has engaged in a fight.

·         Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying

These behaviors can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written verbal, or physical actions.  The act of bullying is repeated negative and intentional actions designed to target and hurt a specific victim.  They are defined as an intentional written, verbal, or physical act which:

1)  Physically or emotionally harms a student or damages the student’s property; or

2)  Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or

3)  Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment: or

4)  Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school

Student conduct on School Buses

Student conduct shall be maintained on district school buses in order to provide for safe and efficient transport of students. Bus drivers shall have the responsibility and authority to maintain discipline on the school buses and to recommend to the appropriate building Principal when necessary, that disciplinary action be taken. Student misconduct on a school bus may, depending upon seriousness and / or frequency, be sufficient cause to discontinue provision of transportation to a student.

Parents of a student who damages a school bus will be responsible for restitution to the school district.

Rules and regulations for students riding buses

      These rules and regulations have been established for the safety of students riding school buses.

Prior to loading

1.  Students are to be at their designated bus stop five minutes before
pickup time.

2.  At the bus stop, while waiting for the bus, students are to stay off the traveled portion of the roadway and respect private property and each other.

3.  Students are to cross the street in front of the bus and not behind it.

4.  Students will follow the school rules in avoiding physical conflict and respecting parent supervisors.

While on the bus

1.  Upon entering the bus, students are to go directly to their seat, sit down facing forward, with their feet out of the aisle, and remain seated during the entire bus ride.  Students will follow the directions of the bus driver on where to sit quickly and without arguing.  Refusing to let someone sit next to you is not allowed.

2.  Students will keep their hands and feet to themselves and off other riders.

3.  Students are under the supervision of the bus driver and must obey the driver at all times.

4.  Students are to conduct themselves in a manner that will not distract the driver and not disturb other riders on the bus.   They will talk in a normal voice and never yell, scream or use inappropriate language.

5.  Students are to ride only their regularly assigned bus and leave the bus at their regular stop.  To ride another bus or get off at a different stop requires the written permission of a parent or guardian.

6.  Students should open bus windows only if the driver gives permission. Hands, head, legs, etc. are to be kept inside the bus at all times. No objects are to be thrown or passed through open windows or doors.

7.  Items not allowed on the bus included all forms of animal like (except seeing eye dogs), firearms, weapons, knives, breakable containers, flammables, and all other articles, which could adversely affect the safety of the bus and passengers.

Standards for student conduct on buses shall be the same as standards for student conduct in all other school sponsored activities.