Assertive Discipline is a method of discipline being used in many school
districts throughout the country. It was developed by Lee Canter, a child
management expert, after studying discipline practiced in the schools. It is a
positive approach to discipline that is effective for teachers and beneficial to
students.
We, at Waterford-Halfmoon Elementary, believe that by implementing Assertive
Discipline techniques, student discipline will improve, communication with
parents will increase, and consistency of discipline methods used by teachers
will be achieved. The ultimate benefit will be a most favorable climate for
learning.
Objectives
1. To create the best classroom environment for learning and for teaching.
2. To increase student time on task.
3. To achieve consistency in discipline in the school.
4. To provide students with clear expectations concerning behaviors.
5. To improve home and school communications and cooperation for the benefit
of the students.
6. To establish a philosophy of discipline and discipline code for Waterford
- Halfmoon Elementary School.
Philosophy
The Waterford - Halfmoon Union Free School District, committed to excellence
in its school program, considers discipline essential to the educational
process.
The district believes that all students can behave at school, and have the
responsibility to behave in a manner that allows teachers to teach and students
to learn, and which does not violate the best interest of any person in the
school community.
The district believes also that pupil conduct control should be maintained
with procedures that will advance the purpose of education while remaining
consistent with applicable state law and established Board of Education school
policy.
In order to provide students a calm, safe, and secure environment for
education, Waterford - Halfmoon Elementary School practices Assertive Discipline
based on the following precepts:
Students Rights
1. To be provided with a classroom atmosphere most conducive to learning.
2. To have a teacher who will provide positive support of a student’s
appropriate behavior.
3. To be provided with a teacher who will help the student limit his/her
inappropriate behavior.
Teacher Rights
1.
To have a classroom that provides the optimal learning
environment.
2. To determine and request appropriate behavior from students.
3. To ask for help from parents, the principal and other personnel when
assistance is needed for a student.
Parent / Guardian Rights
1. To receive timely communication regarding their child’s progress and
programs at school.
2. To be informed about school policies and procedures.
3. To have their inquiries responded to by appropriate school employees.
Each teacher has a discipline plan for his/her classroom that the teacher
will send home with the child by the end of the second week of school. There
will be consequences for inappropriate behavior and positive behavior will be
encouraged and reinforced. The plans of the special area classes are very
similar to those of the child’s assigned classroom.
Rules have been developed for the areas of the playground, hallways, buses,
and cafeteria and are posted in the appropriate places. The bus rules are
included in the student handbook.
The Principal’s Plan
Whenever a student is sent to see the principal for disciplinary reasons this
will be regarded as a serious matter since the student will have received
warnings and teacher consequences before being sent to the principal.
The principal will counsel the student and parents will be called. A report
will be filled out with copies going to the teacher and a student file. A
consequence will be assigned by the principal. The focus is on helping the
student to understand that he/she is responsible for his/her behavior, and that
there are consequences for unacceptable actions. Consequences are based on the
severity of the infraction and may include, but are not limited to: letters of
apology, written explanation of the incident and what should be done in the
future (student contract), loss of recess, loss of special events such as
assemblies and field trips, lunch detention, after-school detention, and
in-school suspension. Occasionally, a severe violation of our code of conduct
occurs. Fights, speaking back to a staff member, and vandalism are examples of
severe violations. If your child is involved in this type of incident, the
principal has the authority to immediately assign a more serious consequence
such external suspension. Determining what is fair and effective is the goal in
choosing a consequence.
Hall Rules
1. Students will WALK quietly in the halls so as not to disturb other
students who are working.
2. Keep hands and feet to yourself and away from student work or other
decorations that may be posted or displayed.
Playground Rules
1. Remain in play area designated by the staff member in charge.
2. Keep hands and feet to yourself.
3. Use playground equipment appropriately and safely.
Cafeteria Rules
1. Remain seated unless given permission to do otherwise.
2. Keep hands and feet to yourself.
3. Use a quiet voice when speaking.
4. Keep your eating area neat by cleaning up after yourself.
Most important is for each of us to treat others as we wish to be treated -
with courtesy and respect.
Prohibited Student Conduct
Students are not permitted to:
·
have cigarettes, cigarette lighters, matches,
tobacco, illegal substances, weapons, water pistols, cap guns, any type of
fireworks or explosives in their possession or on school property.
·
threaten to use any weapon
·
intentionally damage school property or the
personal property of another student or school employee (parents will be
held financial responsible for damage committed by their child).
·
commit any act of violence upon another student or
school employee.
A violation will warrant severe disciplinary measures by the principal or
superintendent.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
Appropriate student behavior on buses is extremely important, primarily
because of safety reasons. The most important rules are simple:
1. Remain in your seat at all times, except when loading or unloading.
2. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
3. Use a quiet voice when speaking.
4. Behave in a manner that is respectful and courteous towards others, and
remember that the bus driver is
in charge on the bus.
Also, please remember that, for safety reasons, there is to be no eating or
drinking at any time on our buses.
Bus Consequences
1st violation Student and principal conference. Report sent home.
Short term assigned seat.
2nd violation Student and principal conference. Report sent home.
Consequences may include but are not limited to:
Assigned seat
Lunch or after school detention
Written apology
Parent / student / bus driver / principal conference
One or more days bus suspension
A severe violation (smoking, fighting, drinking, destroying property) will
result in an automatic suspension from all bus privileges. Length of suspension
will be determined by the principal.
