PHILOSOPHY

The Board of Education believes that the primary obligation for developing self-discipline, responsibility, and respect for other people rests with the home and parents. Children who have developed these qualities usually progress well in school. The school is also concerned with the development of attitudes, habits, and behavior and must provide a proper climate for learning; therefore, it strives to work cooperatively with parents in the pupil's development. Teachers want all students to learn, but disruptive students can thwart their efforts. When students do not follow the rules of proper conduct, the school has a responsibility to take action in the interest of those students and the other students in the school.

PURPOSE

To insure an atmosphere, which is conducive to learning, it is necessary to carefully balance a student's individual rights with his or her responsibilities for good citizenship. It is in an effort to preserve this proper balance that the school board has approved this code. The intended effect is to create an educational climate conducive to learning, to responsible and considerate behavior, and one in which the safety of students and all persons is assured.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The development of responsible behavior and self-discipline among students occurs at two levels within a school. First, since the student spends the greatest amount of time during the school day in the classroom, the classroom teacher must assume the primary responsibility for gaining the respect and cooperation of the students so that an effective learning environment may be maintained.  Each teacher must apply a carefully thought out approach to classroom discipline and administer it with a sense of fairness and consistency.

Second, disciplinary problems occur which are beyond the scope of the classroom teacher's areas of responsibility (i.e., between classes, lunch time, before and after school, school bus) or are of a serious enough nature to require referral to the principal. Through  administration of the school-wide discipline program, the principal sets the tone for acceptable behavior throughout the school. The principal also must operate from a carefully developed set of rules and consequences that insure fair treatment, consistency, and due process.

1. Students should be respectful of themselves and others.
2. When in school, use quiet voices.
3. Walk in school.
4. Respect school property.
5. Teacher's permission is needed to bring toys, games, and electronic equipment to school.
6. Children will play safely on the playground. For example, No snow balls, face-washing, "King of the Hill", or tackle football.
7. Gum, candy, and pop are allowed for special treats only, with teacher permission.
8. Special permission is needed to bring pets to school.

This part of the policy is designed to describe the approach to classroom and school-wide discipline adopted by the Board of Education of the School District of Auburndale.

Individual Classroom Discipline

A positive learning atmosphere is the responsibility of both the teacher and students. Teachers will maintain fair, consistent, and effective discipline in their classrooms. Each teacher will establish rules and expectations for within his/her classroom. Your child will be bringing home his/her teacher's rules during the first week of school. Teachers will both reward positive behavior and discourage inappropriate behavior. Listed below are some of the options commonly used:

To Encourage Appropriate Behavior: praise and recognition, extra privileges, reward tokens like stars, happy face stickers, extra treats & phone calls, positive notes to parents, positive visits to principal

To Discourage Inappropriate Behavior: time out, loss of recess / privileges, parent contact, in school counseling, conference with parents, referral to the principal, temporary withdrawal from classroom

School Wide Discipline Matters (Playground, hallways, lunchroom,...)

The following are broad guidelines, which will be followed in most situations; however, the principal may alter the consequence depending on the situations.

1. Fighting: First occurrence - Loss of recess, apology, letter to parents. Second,    Kindergarten and Primary Students (K-3) - Loss of recess, apology, phone call to parents.  Intermediate Students (Grades 4-6) - Loss of recess, apology, personal parent conference. Third occurrence, Kindergarten and Primary Students (K-3) - Loss of recess, apology, personal parent conference.... Intermediate Students (Grades 4-6) - Suspension from school.

2. Disrespect to Teachers/Staff/Property: First occurrence - Loss of recess, apology, letter to parents. Second - Loss of recess, apology, phone call to parents. Third - Loss of recess, apology, personal parent conference.

3. Using foul language: First occurrence - Loss of recess, apology, letter to parents. Second - Loss of recess, apology, phone call to parents. Third - Loss of recess, apology, personal parent conference.

4. Use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol at school   Student detained in office until parent conference. Wood County authorities notified. Counseling is recommended to parents. Please note that imitation tobacco substitutes, such as herbal chew, will be confiscated because the spitting associated with their use is both a health and safety hazard.

5. Weapons  A student found in possession of a weapon, who verbalizes the potential violent use of a weapon, and/or implements the use of a weapon will be immediately suspended from school.  Weapons shall be defined as firearms, knives, BB guns, toy imitations, replicas, and/or any apparatus used or designed to inflict bodily harm.  This also includes live ammunition.

6. Harassment/bullying  Any harassment or bullying will not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately. Name calling and excessive teasingare considered harassment or bullying. First occurrence - Loss of recess, apology, letter to parents. Second - Loss of recess, apology, phone call to parents. Third - Loss of recess, apology, personal parent conference.

Suspension: In cases where there is a severe, continuous disruption in school or when a student represents a potential threat to the safety of other students, the principal may suspend that student for up to three days. Parents will be immediately notified and may appeal this suspension to the school superintendent. A personal conference with the parents or legal guardian and the principal will be necessary for the student to return to school.