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Behavior Management Student Management and Discipline Philosophy and Policy Students at Highland Park are in school to learn. Students learn best
when they feel physically and emotionally safe at school. To increase
student’s performance, as evidenced by test scores and other measures of
quality work, we must insure that their learning environment is safe. Bully
and physical threats will not be tolerated at Highland Park. We believe in positive recognition of
students through a variety of in-class and whole-school reinforcements. For
example: student-of-the-week recognition
and awards, class parties, “Caught-Ya” cards (where students are caught and
rewarded for making good choices and showing respect --example),
personal notes to students and parents, stickers, verbal praise, phone calls
to parents, extra recess, and awards assemblies. Our staff believes in a fair and
consistent code of discipline (see separate link or page) and good classroom
management. Teachers maintain behavioral expectations for their students and
determine the consequences for noncompliance with classroom rules. Parents
are notified of unacceptable behavior and are included in conference if
necessary. When regular classroom consequences do not
help modify disruptive behavior, a student may receive a student infraction
notice, also referred to as a write-up, specifying the inappropriate behavior
or action. He/she may receive an in-school suspension or other consequence as
outlined by the Code of Conduct. Examples of
such behavior include: Emotional Assault: ·
Harassment: Continually bothering or
annoying another person verbally, by writing, or by body language. The
recipient feels emotional distress as a result of this behavior. ·
Intimidation: Threatening/bullying another
person verbally, by writing, or by body language. Physical Assault: ·
Any physical contact directed at another
person with intent to harm or damage, such as hitting, kicking, pushing,
pulling, throwing objects, or expelling body fluids. If disruptive behavior continues, the
student may receive an out-of-school suspension for a number of days
depending on the infraction. It is important to note that serious violations
as outlined in the Basic
Rules of Seattle Public Schools (see separate link or the last pages
in the handbook) will result in immediate suspension or expulsion. An
out-of-school suspension or expulsion is recorded on a student’s cumulative
record. In all cases, the administrative team (Head Teacher, Principal) will
be in direct contact with the student’s teachers and parent(s) regarding the
inappropriate behavior. Our goal is to keep all students in school and
learning. Therefore, out-of-school suspension or expulsion is viewed as the
last recourse. Other interventions before formal suspension might include a
SIT (Student Intervention Team) conference with parents about their child’s
disruptive behavior, or formulation of an individual student behavior
contract (written in conjunction with the school administrator, classroom
teacher, parent and student), including positive peer group activities
supervised by the school counselor. Please contact either Ms. Miller, Head Teacher or Mrs. Gray, Principal at 206-252-8240 if you have any questions regarding our student management/discipline program. |
