PLAN FOR A POSITIVE AND SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATE

Our goal at McAuliffe Elementary School is to ensure that our students develop their full potential, academically, socially and physically.  We are committed to creating an atmosphere for learning and for developing social responsibility.  Each student is encouraged to take responsibility for his or her own learning and behavior.  We urge parents and guardians to be actively involved in supporting our efforts in teaching and discipline.

In order to provide a safe and orderly environment and to ensure that students are able to focus on learning, high standards are necessary.  The following standards have been developed with input from staff and parents, and are enforced by all members of the school community.

               ALL STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE:

               Respect for others

               Respect for their school

               Respect for themselves

               McAULIFFE IS A SAFE PLACE

Students will behave in such a way as to promote safety.

EXPECTED CAMPUS BEHAVIOR

1.  Respect must be shown toward students and adults at all times. Directions given by school personnel must be followed the first time.

2.  Fighting (including play fighting) or dangerous behaviors such as hitting, kicking, pushing, wrestling, and throwing objects (i.e. rocks and sand) are not permitted.

3.  Running and playing in the hallways is not permitted.

4.  Only materials, supplies, and items directly related to units of study may be brought to school. There may be some exceptions with prior approval of teachers. Electronic games and devices, cell phones, cassette players, radios, laser light pointers and toys are not permitted.  Inappropriate items will be confiscated and returned to the parents.

5.  School property, facilities, and equipment must be used properly and safely.

6.  Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and skates may not be ridden on campus.

7.  Chewing gum is not permitted at school.

8.  Hats are not recommended and need to be removed while indoors. (If hats are worn, the bill is to be forward.)

9.  All state and federal laws must be followed at all times.

SUPER 8 RULES FOR  SOLVING PROBLEMS

Students are encouraged to be peacemakers by using the following guidelines to solve problems:

1.    Talk it over ... listen

2.    Ignore it

3.    Walk away

4.    Say “I’m Sorry” or “Please stop that”

5.    Take turns

6.    Share

7.    Find something else to do

8.   Ask for help

CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR

Students may receive rewards for following rules and showing good citizenship and respectful behavior. Failure to follow school rules may result in the following action or actions (not necessarily in this order):

1.  Warning

2.  Reprimand/citation

3.  Parent notification

4.  Loss of privileges or activity, including end-of-the-year activities

5.  Detention

6.  Damage or replacement fees

7.  Suspension

8.  Referral for expulsion

9.  Police action

McAULIFFE DETENTION POLICY

The McAuliffe Detention Policy is presented with these basic premises.  They are:

1.            Every parent and child clearly understands the expected standards of behavior.

2.            The consequences for failure to follow the standards will be applied consistently.

3.            Children will be held responsible for their behavior by consequences established in this discipline plan.

It is imperative that students and parents understand and support the following standards.  These standards create a safe and effective learning environment, and promote the students’ academic, social, and emotional development.  All students are

expected to adhere to the standards and accept the consequences for each infraction they choose to make.

Note:  Parents will be notified by letter or phone first.  Detention is defined as the time served outside the school day.  (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 2:30pm – 3:00pm)

DUE PROCESS

Prior to the decision to suspend a pupil (except under emergency conditions) an informal conference must be held with the principal/designee.  At this time the pupil will be afforded an opportunity to know what s/he is accused of and to tell his/her side.  The parent shall be notified as soon as possible by telephone or other reasonable means of the decision to suspend a pupil.  A notice of the suspension will be given to the pupil’s parent/guardian and a conference may be requested.

A STUDENT MAY BE SUSPENDED AND/OR REFERRED FOR EXPULSION FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

Reason for suspension per Education Code Section 48900:

1a.                                                                                                                                                   Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.

b.    Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense.

2.    Possessed, sold or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object.

3.    Possessed, used, sold or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage. or intoxicant.

4.    Offered, arranged or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another substance and represented that substance as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.

5.    Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.

6.    Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property, or private property.

7.    Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.

8.    Possessing or using tobacco, or any product containing tobacco or nicotine products.

9.    Committed an obscene act, or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

10.  Possessed, offered, arranged or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia.

11.  Disrupted school activities, or willfully defied the authority of school personnel.

12.  Knowingly received stolen property.

13.  Possession of an imitation firearm.

14.  Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault.

15.  Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing the pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.

16.  Committed sexual harassment. (grades 4-5)

17.  Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participate in an act of hate violence. (grades 4-5)

18.  Created an intimidating or hostile educational environment by intentionally engaging in harassment, threats or intimidation against a pupil or group of pupils. (grades 4-5)

19.  Terrorist threats against school official or school property, or both.

20.  Aided or abetted in the infliction or attempted infliction of injury to another student.