BEHAVIOR AND SCHOOLWIDE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM

We expect students to come to school ready to learn. If a child’s behavior inhibits his/her learning or the learning of others, we expect parents to be part of the immediate solution. Dependents are responsible for their own behavior and conduct; at all times sponsors are also held accountable. Students are expected to maintain standards of behavior that will bring credit to themselves and their families as well as show recognition and consideration for the rights of all SHES community members. No acts of violence, dangerous acts to self or others, or threatening behavior are permitted. Students are expected to obey all adults in the school environment.
Toys are only allowed for teacher/parent approved “show and tell” or other school related activities. Please do not allow your child(ren) to bring large amounts of money or expensive items to include jewelry to school.

CHEWING GUM
Chewing gum is NOT PERMITTED at Stearley Heights Elementary School.

WEARING HATS/HEADGEAR
Wearing hats, scarves, caps, or headgear in the buildings/classes is NOT PERMITTED at Stearley Heights Elementary School.
PORTABLE PLAYERS/RADIOS/CD PLAYERS/CELLULAR PHONES
Walkman, tape decks, CD players, radios, and electronic games (such as “tamagouchi”, laser pens) and cell phones are NOT PERMITTED at Stearley Heights Elementary School.

PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
All staff members are responsible for correcting students in an appropriate manner and as the situation dictates. The administration will meet with students to review and emphasize appropriate behavior guidelines and the disciplinary consequences of inappropriate behaviors. Proper supervision by classroom teachers, specialists, or paraprofessionals is essential to the development and maintenance of appropriate discipline standards. Stearley Heights Elementary School’s discipline program is based upon two principles:
1. Solving problems at the lowest level.
2. Treating all students fairly and consistently.

Classroom teachers are to resolve the majority of discipline/behavior problems in the classroom. Procedures to resolve problems will include:
1. Teacher counsels student.
2. Teacher notifies parents of misconduct.
3. Teacher discusses problem with counselor, administration, or requests assistance of the Student Support Team (SST).
4. Teacher meets with parent and student for a conference.
5. Teacher seeks administrative assistance.

Discipline procedures SHOULD NOT INCLUDE:
1. Isolation of a student or students outside of the classroom.
2. Use of corporal punishment.
3. Use of ridicule, sarcasm, or inappropriate language.
4. Assignment of homework and/or written sentences as punishment.
SST and counselor consultations are made in cases of recurring behaviors that disrupt the class and the student learning process. Although the school counselor is not directly involved with discipline, they may assist in developing appropriate and positive student behavior patterns. Counseling procedures may include:
1. Suggesting techniques to modify student behavior.
2. Regularly scheduling counseling sessions to resolve ongoing problems.
Students will be referred to administration only after all the above steps have been taken or in the case of extremely disruptive, disrespectful, or unsafe behavior on the part of the student, which requires immediate removal from the classroom.

ALL REFERRALS WILL BE WRITTEN ON A DISCIPLINE REFERRAL FORM AND PROVIDED TO ADMINISTRATION. Student behavioral incidents are entered into the administrative software and become an official record of student behavior.
After administration has investigated the alleged incident and if a student or students are identified to be at fault, a continuum of consequences will be determined on a case by case basis. Consequences may include - but are not limited to - counseling, parent conference, privilege suspension (cafeteria/recess), community service, or suspension (in or out of school).
As part of this process, administration will contact parents either with a pink copy of the discipline referral form, written behavior note, telephone, email, or conference.
In such instances involving possession and/or use of weapons additional guidance is provided on page 33 of this handbook.
Major behavioral offenses include (In such cases, an immediate discipline referral is made to administration):
(1) Endangering self and/or others
(2) Fighting
(3) Any form of aggression: kicking, biting, punching, slapping
(4) Throwing objects (e.g. erasers, rocks, sand, sticks, etc.)
(5) Profanity and use of inappropriate language

NOTE: When students do not complete homework or return assignments, other consequences will be followed since these areas deal with student responsibility and are governed by classroom expectations.

NO STUDENT WILL BE KEPT FROM SPECIALS, READ 180/LITERACY SUPPORT SERVICES, GIFTED ED, SPECIAL EDUCATION, ESL, etc. STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE UP CLASS WORK / ASSIGNMENTS THAT ARE MISSED AS A RESULT OF OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION.
STUDENTS MAY BE ASKED TO REMAIN IN CLASS DURING LUNCH RECESS TO MAKE UP CLASSWORK OR HOMEWORK.

DoDEA Internet Agreement: Violations of the DoDEA Internet Agreement will be addressed by administration and consequences determined on a case-by-case basis.

BICYCLES:
Bikes are fun! Riding bikes is a great way to enjoy being outdoors and riding to and from school. However, you can get hurt if you do not ride safely. Find safe places to ride, and if you must ride in the street always ride facing the traffic, so you can see the cars and cars can see you. Always wear a helmet. Wear your helmet the right way. It should rest just above your eyebrows. It must be snug and always remember to buckle the straps. Keep away from danger. Stay away from traffic, sand, and glass. Ride where it is flat and smooth. Take good care of your bike, have grownups check the brakes and other parts of your bike to ensure that your bike is always in safe operating condition.
Have fun and stay safe!
• Always wear your helmet.
• Find safe places to ride.
• Take care of your bike.
Boys and girls may ride bicycles to and from school but NOT ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS. Bikes should be secured with a lock in the bicycle rack upon arrival at school and remain locked until it is time to return home. Bikes may be barred from school at any time when it becomes a nuisance, is operated in an unsafe manner, or is found unlocked. The boundaries of the school campus are the fences.
SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER-SKATES, ROLLER BLADES (to include tennis shoes with roller blades attached) AND SCOOTERS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL.

BOOKS (Textbooks)
Books are provided on a loan basis. Students are responsible for books issued to them. Parents are encouraged to help by placing book covers on the books.
Parents are ultimately responsible to pay for lost and/or severely damaged textbooks and library books. Payment may be made by money order, which is kept by the library or office until the end of the year. If the lost book is not found, the money order is forwarded to the District Superintendent’s Office. If payment is made by cash or check and a receipt is desired immediately, a staff member will fill out a DD-1131 which then must be taken to Accounting and Finance located in Building 721 (cashier’s cage).

CHAIN OF COMMAND/PROCEDURES FOR CONCERNS
As partners in the education of students in our school community, a major part of our mission is to involve parents in their child’s learning. We expect all parents to volunteer in the classroom and school-wide activities, to participate in our PTO activities, serve as members of our School Advisory Committee, establish daily study times (even when there is no homework), and help children with task commitment, new skills, and projects. We realize parents’ time is limited by a myriad of responsibilities and activities; however, research demonstrates that students who have the greatest school success are children whose parents are actively involved in their education.
As in all partnerships, we realize that miscommunication, confusion, questions, concerns, and even discontent can occur. If you experience such a problem, we request that you please utilize the following sequence and chain of command to resolve the problem:
1. Meet with your child’s teacher to resolve the problem. Sometimes a phone call will suffice, but with serious concerns, we find that personal meetings tend to minimize miscommunication.
2. Allow a reasonable length of time for resolution following your conference. Request feedback and a follow-up conference in two weeks to review progress.
3. If, after a reasonable length of time and a follow-up conference, you feel the problem has not been resolved, request that the teacher establish a meeting to include the parent, teacher, and his/her supervisor for mediation of the problem.
4. During the meeting with the supervisor, teacher, and parent, the problem will be identified, a plan of action will be established, and follow-up procedures will be clarified. We will make every attempt to resolve all problems, focusing on the child and his/her social, emotional, and academic growth.
5. If a class change is requested due to unresolved issues, we request that the above steps have been completed prior to that request. In the event this occurs, we ask that parents make the request in writing and cite reasons for the change. We ask that this decision be considered very carefully to ensure optimum social and emotional growth.
6. An administrative decision will be made within three (3) days of the written request (if all of the above policy procedures have been followed). You and the teacher will be notified of that decision.
Class change may not be requested during the first (1st) month of school.

At SHES, we take great pride in our reputation as advocates for children and in establishing an atmosphere in which children not only receive quality education but also feel safe. We strive to establish a climate of high expectations (both academically and socially), and we honor each other for our uniqueness and diversity. We request your support and cooperation as we establish a partnership in your child’s education in ensuring that we are working together to provide students with the skills and opportunities to meet the challenges of the future.

Click here for a complete version of the parent/student handbook.