Maidu School- Home of the Mustangs

BEHAVIOR CODE

PHILOSOPHY

Students will be treated with dignity and respect. The school environment will be positive and pleasing to students, and they will be able to attend school without experiencing fear or undue anxiety. Maidu School will provide an atmosphere where each student can develop the basic academic and emotional skills necessary for independence in an ever-changing society, and develop self-discipline and a positive self-image with an appreciation for the value of learning.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

All members of the school community have the responsibility to ensure and maintain the stability of a positive learning environment. Human trust, acceptance, and concern for each individual must be fostered in order to achieve this climate in school. In creating a climate that includes the previous basic rights, it requires all individuals (staff and families) to be consistent in the teaching of these traits to the students at Maidu School.

1. School Staff

All School Staff have the primary responsibility for providing a teaching/learning situation that contributes to the atmosphere of respect and trust within the school community. School staff are responsible for modeling and teaching their students the behavioral standards existent in the classroom and the school as a whole. They enforce the rules and regulations in the schools and give support to the principal in maintaining district policy. All school staff will do duty the first week, enforcing rules and walking students to and from the MP room.

2. Parents/Guardians

Parents are responsible for reinforcing behaviors consistent with the school Behavior Code and District Policy on the part of their children. Parents also function in a partnership with school staff regarding decisions directly affecting their children or the well being of the school as a whole. Parents are liable for damages to persons or property by their children for any sum up to $5,000. If property is lost or damaged, the school may withhold grades or student records upon written notification.

3. Students

Students are responsible for the following school rules and procedures established by the Maidu Behavior Code. Respecting the rights of others and demonstrating self-discipline are primary requirements of students in order for optimum school climate to exist. Positive student attitudes and actions are an integral part of the establishment of such a climate.

SYSTEMATIC PLAN FOR TEACHING APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

1. Teachers will review the Maidu Behavior Code and the Playground Rules with students during the first week of school. During class discussion, the necessity for the rules will be emphasized. This will be repeated mid-year.

2. Each family will receive a copy of the Maidu Behavior Code to take home and share with his/her parents. A parent signature acknowledging understanding of the code will be required.

3. Each new family will receive a copy of the Behavior Code.

RECOGNITION OF APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

1. Maidu School will recognize positive behavior and classroom achievement weekly through the Maidu Pride Program. Students are encouraged to wear their Maidu T-shirt, sweatshirt or any blue shirt on Fridays.

2. In an effort to promote positive character development, Maidu students will be able to earn Character coupons based on the character trait that is being focused on that month. Students will have an opportunity to win a book drawn at random at our Character Assemblies.

3. In an effort to promote excellent behavior, all students will be able to earn “Caught Being Good” coupons. Students who turn in their coupons might win Pizza with the Principal in a random drawing.

BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES

CLASSROOM RULES

· Be on time and prepared for class.

· Be considerate, respectful and cooperative.

· Pay attention.

· Use time wisely to complete classroom assignments.

· Observe school-wide safety and courtesy rules.

SCHOOL-WIDE SAFETY AND COURTESY RULES

· Students must respond to the requests and direction of all school personnel immediately and without question.

· Physical contact with the intent to harm another student is expressly forbidden. (This is a hands-off policy.)

· Use of profanity is expressly forbidden.

· Students may be in the classroom only when the teacher or the aide is present.

· Students must remain in supervised areas.

· Students should walk inside buildings, to and from the lunch room and in recess play areas.

· Loitering or playing in the restrooms is unacceptable.

· Litter should be placed in the trashcans.

· Personal items including balls, toys and electronic equipment should not be brought to school. (The school will not be responsible if they are lost or stolen.)

· Play equipment is available to students only if the equipment is used in a fair and safe manner.

· Students are to treat others, as they would like to be treated.

· Students are to treat school property as if it were their own (with the exception of taking the school property home.)

· Students are to walk on designated sidewalks not through planter areas.

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS
In the event of repeated disciplinary problems or behavioral concerns, parents may expect contact from the teacher, the principal, the psychologist or other school personnel.

CONSEQUENCES
In the event a child fails to follow the above rules, the following may occur:

· The teacher, aide or principal will discuss the infraction with the student.

· The teacher or principal may contact the parent or guardian.

· The student will lose one or more recess periods.

· A parent – teacher – student – principal conference may be convened.

· The student may be suspended from class for a period of time.

· The student may be suspended from school for a day or more.

YELLOW SLIPS Consequences per Trimester

1^st – Misses a recess and must return the yellow slip signed by a parent the next school day

2^nd – Misses recesses, calls home and must return the yellow slip signed by a parent the next day

3^rd– Misses recesses, calls home, must return the yellow slip signed by a parent the next day and meets with the Principal

4^th - Misses recesses, calls home and must return the yellow slip signed by a parent the next day, is referred to the Principal and a parent/teacher/student conference will be held

SEVERE INFRACTIONS - INFRACTIONS INVOLVING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OTHERS

The California Education Code (Section 48900) delineates student violations which require more severe disciplinary consequences including suspension from school, filing of criminal police reports with local law enforcement agencies, and recommendation for expulsion from school by the principal to the district Board of Trustees.

Included in Section 48900 are requirements for disciplinary action when students:

· Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause injury to another person (including mutual combat)

· Aided or abetted in the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury to another person*

· Possessed, sold, or furnished a firearm, explosive, knife or other dangerous object**

· Possessed, furnished or was under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any intoxicant**

· Sold or negotiated to sell alcohol, a controlled substance, or any intoxicant**

· Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion

· Caused or attempted to cause damage to school or private property

· Stole or attempted to steal school or private property

· Possessed or used tobacco or any tobacco or nicotine product

· Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity

· Possessed, furnished or negotiated to sell drug paraphernalia**

· Disrupted school activities or willfully defied valid authority

· Knowingly received stolen property

· Possessed an imitation firearm

· Committed or attempted to commit sexual assault**

· Committed sexual harassment

· Caused, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence

· Made a terrorist threat against school officials or property**

** May result in mandatory expulsion recommendation

INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS
It must be understood that each child at Maidu School is an individual. Rules, rewards and consequences are the guidelines through which appropriate school behavior is practiced. In order to establish and maintain a safe, orderly school environment, some students may require a specific behavior plan to assist in their acquisition of consistently appropriate school behavior. Involving students and parents, individual behavior contracts will be written for some students.

PLAYGROUND AND LUNCHROOM STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

PLAYGROUND

Children MUST on the Playground:

	Eat in the Snack Circle
	Be on the playground before school and at recess- not in the hallways
	Walk to recess on the pathways
	Keep hands to themselves
	Freeze when the bell rings and stop bouncing balls
	Stop talking after the bell
	Listen for a whistle and walk to line
	WALK to line up/go to class
	Carry balls to barrels and place balls in barrels; do not throw them
	Throw away trash in the trashcan

What is NOT okay on the Playground:

	Moving after the Freeze Bell rings
	Getting drinks or using the restroom after the Freeze Bell rings
	Kicking balls
	Kicking or interfering with a ball that is rolling by that is not part of your game
	Using jump ropes for anything other than jump rope
	Playing in the bathroom
	Playing tag games on blacktop
	Retrieving balls outside the fenced area without permission
	Hanging on the volleyball net

What TO do on the Playground:

	Use the restroom and get drinks during recess -- not after
	Make sure snack litter goes in the garbage can
	Leave alone balls that are not part of your game
	Stay out from behind the portable buildings
	Use the restroom only to go to the bathroom and wash up
	Use footballs, soccer balls and red balls on the playground for catching and throwing (no kicking)
	Use footballs, soccer balls and red balls on the grass for kicking games
	WALK to line up after you are told to do so -- even if your class is going to PE and not to a classroom
	Stay within the “safe” zone on the field.
	Play catch with a ball on the blacktop

What to EXPECT on the Playground:

	A “Caught Being Good” for demonstrating appropriate behavior and choices on the playground
	Being told to sit on a bench if you misbehave on the playground
	A yellow slip for serious infractions

PLAY STRUCTURE

	The play structure is closed when wet or drizzly.
	Running through the play equipment is not allowed
	After the bell, climb off of equipment, walk to the blacktop and “Freeze”

What TO do & what is NOT okay to do on the Play Structure:

SLIDES

	Down Only
	One Student at a time (no trains)
	Feet first, sitting down

BRIDGES

No jumping off the railing

POLE

Go down only

CURVY LADDER

	Sit and slide down
	Only go one student at time

PLATFORM

Climbing over the railing or jumping off of the railing is not allowed

HORIZONTAL HANGING LADDER

	Both sides of the ladder may be used
	Climbing over the top is not allowed
	Stomping/Steeping on other student’s feet is not allowed

RINGS

	One at a time
	Hands only
	Chicken fighting or kicking is not allowed

PULL-UP BAR

	Hands only
	Hanging or spinning with your legs is not allowed

HORIZONTAL BARS

	No skipping bars
	One person on the ladder at a time

BALANCE BEAM

	One person at a time
	On wet days, the balance beam is closed

STAIRS

Stay off the railings

What to EXPECT on/near the Play Structure:

	A “Caught Being Good’ for demonstrating appropriate behavior and choices on the play structure
	Being told to sit on a bench if you misbehave on the play structure
	A yellow slip for serious infractions

LUNCH

Children MUST during Lunch:

	Listen to the staff
	Find a seat at once
	Use an inside voice
	Clean up the area where you have eaten
	WALK from the lunchroom all the way to the playground blacktop

What is NOT okay during Lunch:

	Yelling or using a loud voice in the lunchroom
	Moving from place to place
	Throwing food
	Leaving a mess
	Running to be first to the playground after lunch

What TO do during Lunch:

	Come in quietly
	Visit with your friends while eating
	Keep hands, feet and food to yourself
	Clean up your own area
	WALK from the lunchroom to the playground blacktop

What to EXPECT during Lunch:

	A “Caught Being Good” for demonstrating appropriate behavior and choices in the lunchroom
	Being told to clean up if you leave a mess
	Being last to be excused if you do not behave during lunch
	Losing the privilege to eat lunch with your peers if behavioral issues are on-going

PHILOSOPHY:
Students will be treated with dignity and respect. The school environment will be positive and pleasing to students, and they will be able to attend school without experiencing fear or undue anxiety. Maidu School will provide an atmosphere where each student can develop the basic academic and emotional skills necessary for independence in an ever changing society, and develop self discipline and a positive self image with an appreciation for the value of learning.

	Areas of Responsibility
	School Rules
	Playground and Lunchroom Student Expectations

Last Updated Tuesday, November 04, 2008