Discipline Policy

Discipline Policy

Valentine Elementary School utilizes PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). Our PBIS mission is to foster a safe, positive school environment that promotes academic success, and enhances student learning through teaching and recognizing positive behavior. The goal of PBIS is to promote responsible decision making, respect for self and others, respect for property and pride in appropriate behavior. One of our primary responsibilities as a school is to promote a safe, productive learning environment, and it is our belief that communication and teamwork between the home and the school are important in promoting good citizenship and a secure school.

Teachers will present school-wide rules and expectations for the classroom, playground, and all school settings. Our rules involve creating a safe and orderly working environment for all and will include the following: treating others with respect and as you would wish to be treated; playing safely with no rough play, fighting, or play fighting at any time; and using language that is appropriate to the school setting - there is to be no profanity or demeaning name calling. Students are expected to walk on the blacktop area and avoid walking through designated game areas. Our complete Discipline Plan is outlined below and includes specific school rules.

Valentine Elementary School Discipline Plan

We believe that together, we will promote an academically, physically, socially and emotionally safe environment in which every individual accepts personal responsibility for making a positive contribution to the harmony and welfare of the school as a whole.

We strive to have excellent character and good citizenship through H.E.A.R.T!

Helpful

Ready to give help to others; make a choice to be thoughtful of others; always striving to be kind and considerate; do your share; and be charitable.

Empathetic

Understand other's thoughts and feelings from their point of view; make a choice to treat others with courtesy and respect

Accepting

Everyone is welcome and everyone belongs as part of our community; make a choice to include others

Respectful

Make a choice to show consideration and regard for someone or something, listen and follow school expectations; think before you act

Trustworthy

Consider consequences and be accountable; make a choice to be your best; be honest, be loyal, honor your commitments and keep your word; make a choice to play by the rules

We show H.E.A.R.T...

Be in class, on time and ready to learn
Treat others as you wish to be treated
Be courteous, kind and positive.
Be trustworthy
Keep your hands, feet and unkind words to yourself
Follow directions
Take responsibility for your actions
Take the initiative to solve problems positively
Show pride and loyalty for yourself and your surroundings

We accept responsibility....

As students, we will…

Show courtesy, trust, caring, respect and fairness
Abide by the guiding principles
Uphold the school standards
Accept responsibility for decisions and actions
Abide by the policies and laws of the Board of Trustees and the State of California

As parents, we will…

Model courtesy, trust, caring, and respect
Support our student(s) in being in school, ready to learn.
Participate actively as members of the school community
Be informed about school policies and events
Work as partners with the staff in the problem solving processes
Hold high expectations for our children’s productive, responsible behavior.

As teachers, we will…

Maintain professionalism as we model courtesy, trust, caring, respect and fairness
Provide a well-organized instructional period and engaging work to facilitate good study habits and independence.
Properly supervise students at all times.
Be primarily responsible for managing discipline in our classrooms.
Maintain high expectations for productive, responsible behavior.
Set responsible and reasonable limits, make fair judgments, and follow through with appropriate procedures for rewards and/or consequences for behavior.
Cooperate with students, parents, and administration in a positive problem solving process.
Facilitate home-school communication and parent participation in problem solving.
Refer students to the appropriate support staff after appropriate measures to manage disruptive behavior have been unsuccessful.
Uphold all Board of Education Policies and laws of the State of California.

As support staff, we will......

Maintain professionalism as we model courtesy, trust, caring, respect and fairness.
Support students in making positive choices to maintain standards for academic excellence.
Be a positive role model.
Supervise the students on and off school grounds during school activities.
Support the certificated staff in conflict situations.
Participate in gathering information and problem solving.
Uphold all Board of Education Policies and laws of the State of California.

As the principal, I will…

Facilitate collaborative development of school-wide procedures and programs that promote a safe, respectful learning environment.
Maintain professionalism as I model courtesy, caring, respect, and fairness.
Provide support for the staff in the implementation of the disciple plan.
Provide strong, positive leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of the Valentine Code of Conduct.
Uphold all Board of Education Policies and laws of the State of California.
Provide leadership in maintaining a healthy, safe, productive and content environment.
Accept ultimate responsibility for resolution of conflicts at the school site-level.
Research and mobilize school-community resources to develop activities that encourage students to feel good about themselves and their school.
Be an effective school-community liaison.

Valentine children are productive students!

Occasionally, a student may behave in a manner that is counterproductive to a well-ordered, positive learning environment focused on teaching and learning. In each of these incidents, there is a unique opportunity for a child to learn decision-making and problem solving skills in lessons that are a foundation for lifelong productive behavior.

In the classroom, consequences for unproductive behavior will include a variety of actions depending on the situation including but not limited to the following: warning, teacher-student conference, a teacher-parent-student problem solving phone call or conference, and/or other classroom-interventions that are the natural consequence for the specific behavior. For example, if an assignment is not completed, the child may be asked to finish the work during playtime; or if a student is disruptive, his/her seat may be moved to a place where the disruption is no longer possible.

If the problem continues, the teacher may hold a conference with the parent, the child and the principal to construct a contract that outlines the behavior to be improved and rewards and consequences for changing or continuing.

The teachers with children who have special needs are fully aware of each child's Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan contents and will seek support from the case carrier as part of the plan to address issues arising in students with disabilities.

Our staff uses “teachable moments” of discipline situations to support changes in behavior and to build problem solving skills. The following problem solving skills are appropriate to address these “teachable moments” when misbehavior occurs.

To truthfully describe the problem in a clear and concise way
To be able to view the problem from a personal and broader perspective
To have empathy and compassion when appropriate
Respect the personal space of others.
To access and use strategies for problem resolution
To access and use strategies to calm down prior to responding
To make a decision to seek adult assistance when appropriate
To be responsible and accountable for one’s role in the problem
To cease future behavior that caused or exacerbated the problem.
Accept consequences as appropriate.

Strategies and Consequences to address unsafe or disrespectful behavior

In or out of the classroom unsafe or disrespectful behavior must be immediately addressed. The goal is to use the problem as an opportunity for the misbehaving child to effect positive change at this teachable moment and to provide an appropriate consequence.

Unsafe or disrespectful behavior must be taken seriously. It is important to remember that there is no one right way to address this type of behavior in that the circumstances, frequency, complexity, and special needs are all considerations when determining appropriate consequences. At the same time the following guide provides a starting point for determining a suitable strategy to extinguish unwanted behavior, encourage appropriate social conduct and provide an appropriate consequence.

Progressive Discipline

School is an important place for children to learn the social skills they will need to be successful in life. Misbehavior is an opportunity to teach the child kindness, self-discipline, trustworthiness and respect. To make a difference in helping the child to develop a conscience to guide them in future life, the consequence is most effectively related to the misbehavior.

At Valentine Elementary School we follow a progressive discipline plan where discipline interventions begin at the least intrusive level and work up to more restrictive and punitive levels if a student continues to repeat poor choices and inappropriate behaviors.

Flexibility and effective action are the keys. First and foremost, the consequence must be related to the misbehavior, taking into account any special needs the child may have.

Consequences for misbehavior may include the following:

Student assigned a "time out" to sit and think about the situation and/or find alternative solutions. Playground infractions could result in an immediate "time out" or referral to the lunch recess "time out location".
Student is redirected to another activity.
Student receives a written discipline notice to the teacher or principal.
Student will complete in writing a "Think Time" sheet to describe the situation and reflect on future appropriate behavior choices.
Student will write an apology note or verbal apology to students or staff members involved.
A discipline notice is sent home to be signed by parent and returned to school.
A phone contact with parent by teacher or principal.
Conference with the principal
Conference with the student, parent, teacher and principal
In-house, short or long term suspension

Any serious act of disrespect, physical aggression, bullying, hate, alcohol/drugs, vandalism or stealing must be referred immediately to the principal. These are some of the behaviors described in Education Code 48900 that command serious consequences that may include suspension or expulsion. Please see the Zero Tolerance Policy section in this handbook.

Valentine School Rules

Be helpful, be empathetic, be accepting, be respectful, be trustworthy

Before School

Our campus opens for students at 8:15 AM. Students should not be on campus before 8:15 AM except to participate in before-school scheduled activities or to attend the City of San Marino Daycare.
Students should go directly to the playground after arriving on campus. Except on rainy days, students should not be in the hallways or corridors before the 8:30 AM bell.
Students may play in the designated areas on the playground from 8:15 AM to the first bell.
Ball cart playground equipment is not available at this time.
Listen for the 8:30 AM bell. All students should immediately walk to your classroom at the 8:30 AM bell.
Please follow the silence in the hallways rule when you reach the concrete hallways.

Hallways/Walkways

Move through the hallways without talking- silence in the hallways.
Always Walk- no running, skipping or speed walking.
Alone, with friends, or as a class walk safely at all times facing forward.
Watch where you are going and walk in a single file line.
Be respectful of classes in the hallway and recognize the right of way.
Be cautious near doors/entrances and walk outside of the yellow doorway circles.
Don't cut others off- give special consideration to younger students who move slowly.
Walk directly to your destination. Do not stop to play, hide etc.

Recess/Playground

Respect all staff on the playground.
Follow directions the first time they are given.
When a whistle blows during play STOP, LOOK and LISTEN.
Be sure to use the restrooms and drink fountains during the recess play period. You may not use the restrooms or drink fountains after the recess bell when you are walking to class.
Eat snacks only while sitting at the tables in the lunch court or on the playground.
Sand, wood chips, rocks, and sticks stay on the ground.
Running is not allowed on the blacktop area except as part of play in the basketball court, kickball or switch-it courts.
No tackle football, play fighting or playing rough.
Respect others- keep you hands and feet to yourself.
Use all play equipment properly and appropriately as instructed.
Share equipment and take turns.
Return equipment that you have checked-out.
Play by game rules.
Don't argue if you are called out.
Try to solve problems by talking it out- get help if you need it from playground staff.
Stay within the playground boundaries.
Tag games are not allowed on the blacktop, hallways, bathrooms, BigToy area, or Lunch Court.
Balls are bounced on the ground and ball walls- not the building.
Listen for the "End of Recess" bell and follow these directions:

Safely get down immediately from all play equipment.
STOP. Remain in place, stop all talking, and wait.
Listen for the whistle.
Collect and return any equipment you are using.
Walk to your classroom. Remember to be silent when you enter the hallways.
Enter your classroom quietly and ready to learn.

Lunch/Snacks

Lunch brought from home must be eaten in the lunch court.
Students purchasing school lunch should walk quietly to and from the cafeteria.
Respect and obey the lunch supervisors.
Enter the lunch court and cafeteria quietly and orderly.
While you are eating, sit quietly facing your table and focusing on eating your food.
Talk in an appropriate conversation voice only to the people sitting on either side of you and in front of you in your table group.
Do not trade, share, or give away any food.
Raise your hand if you need help.
Leave your seats only to throw away trash or to use the restroom. Students may not go to other table groups for conversations during lunch time.
Stay at your table until dismissed by the lunch supervisors.
Use good table manners and clean crumbs, spills, trash and messes in your area before you leave the table.
Walk from the lunch area to the playground. Walk on the blacktop to your play area. Take special care to watch for younger, smaller students walking on the blacktop as they return to class.

Assemblies

Hallway rules should be followed as students walk silently to the Little Theatre, Playground or Huntington Middle School Auditorium. Please remember that we are guests at Huntington Middle School. We must be silent and respectful as we walk through their hallways in a single file line.
Enter and exit the assembly area quietly and safely.
Use quiet voices before and after the assembly.
Sit with your bottom on the floor or ground- be still- when on the playground or in the Little Theatre. Sit with your bottom on the seats in the auditorium- be still- do not bounce on the seats.
Look at the speaker or performers throughout the performance.
Keep hands and feet to yourself.
Be an attentive listener. No talking during the performance to others sitting near you.
Show appreciation appropriately- polite applause.

Restrooms

Always respect the privacy of others.
Use restroom equipment appropriately.
Flush the toilet.
Wash your hands.
Throw the paper towel in the trash.
Use appropriate voice volume.
Do not play or take time visiting in the bathroom.
Return immediately to your assigned area- playground, classroom etc.

Afternoon Dismissal

Go directly to the area where you are being picked up following the designated routes. Our vehicle pick up lines become very congested when we are waiting for students late to arrive.
Students who are walking and riding their bikes home must immediately leave the campus. You may not stay with your friends and talk until their ride arrives.
Walk and move safely in the hallway and pick-up areas.
Follow all directions from staff the first time they are given.
No horse play in or on the way to the pick-up areas.(chasing, running, swinging backpacks, playing tag).
Wait only in designated areas at each pick-up location. Kindergarten students should sit quietly on the benches until your name is called. All students waiting at the Virginia and Huntington must sit on the blue benches. Sit on the benches facing the parking lot where you ride is planned to arrive. Stay in your seat on the bench and pay attention to the cars as they arrive.
Listen attentively for your name to be called when your ride arrives.
Students can only wait in the designated areas on the benches. Students may not wait in the lunch court, playground, hallways etc.
No eating in the pick-up areas or hallways after school.
Students may not wait on campus for older siblings to be dismissed. Supervision is provided only at the Virginia Road Circle and the Huntington Drive Circle from 2:30 to 2:40 P.M. for students in Grades 1, 2, & 3 and from 2:50 to 3:00 P.M. for grades 4 & 5. Supervision is not provided from 2:40 to 2:50 P.M. Supervision is not provided after school in other locations on campus including the playground, lunch court or the green wall.
Students may not play on the playground area after school is dismissed.