Behavior Expectations

Behavior Philosophy

At Ophir STEAM Academy, we work collaboratively with colleagues, parents and students to promote a safe and productive learning environment for all. Our common goal is for all students to be successful and positive contributors towards a school climate that builds a caring school community. Through positive recognition, we strive to acknowledge students who continually demonstrate positive character traits and foster a welcoming and safe school environment.

Ophir's reputation will be reflected by the students’ behavior in the classroom, on the playground, in assemblies, at athletic events, and on field trips. Students are the key to making Ophir a school of which to be proud. The Ophir Behavior Expectations, outlined below, were developed to serve as a guide for students to promote high standards of behavior.

Behavior Expectations

The school wide behavior expectations are designed to protect all children and establish a positive and productive learning environment for all students. The school staff will encourage appropriate behavior through the teaching and reinforcement of positive character traits and by using a variety of venues including, but not limited to, school wide assemblies, guest speakers, morning announcements, classroom discussions, classroom/schoolwide recognition and daily interactions. The school staff will work with students to promote appropriate behavior and will assist each student in correcting inappropriate behaviors. Parents can assist their children by reviewing the behavior expectations and by supporting school personnel should behavior concerns arise.

At Ophir STEAM Academy, we agree to C.A.R.E.S.: to be "C"reative, to "A"chieve, to be "R"esponsible, to be "E"mpathetic and to be "S"afe!

• Classroom Expectations:

  • Be an active listener

  • Be helpful to students and teachers

  • Use appropriate voice levels

  • Be polite and courteous to others

  • Be a diligent worker

• Playground Expectations:

  • Play safely and fairly

  • Be inclusive: invite fellow students to join your games and take turns

  • When using the play equipment, follow the guidelines for use

  • Walk on sidewalks and in hallways

  • Use restrooms appropriately

  • Please keep personal items at home (toys, balls, trading cards)

  • No play- fighting, tackling games or rough-housing

The management of each individual classroom is the responsibility of the classroom teacher. It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that the classroom environment is conducive to learning. The specific details of how this is to be managed are left to the professional judgment of the teacher. There are several broad guidelines that the teachers are to follow:

• • All classroom rules are posted in the room.

  • At the beginning of the year, teachers will review classroom rules, procedures and expectations. These will be reviewed by the classroom teacher throughout the year.

  • The teacher is to inform the student and notify the parent if the student is having persistent behavior concerns in class.

  • Extreme disruptions could result in an immediate office referral without parent notification.

All school rules apply to students on their way to school, while at school, on the way home from school, and at school events, even if not during the regular school day.

Positive Recognition:

• Positive behaviors are welcomed, recognized, appreciated and acknowledged at Ophir STEAM Academy. These may include:

  • School wide recognition

  • Classroom recognition

  • Verbal praise

  • Parent communication regarding positive behaviors (B.O.B.cat tickets, notes, phone calls, e-mails)

Discipline Referral:

If it becomes necessary for a student to visit the principal for discipline, a Student Referral Notice is given to the administrator with a summary of the misbehavior. After the administrator has seen the student, the administrator will determine and document the disciplinary action taken on the referral and in the student database. Consequences may include: loss of recess, lunchtime detention, principal meeting, parental meeting, behavior monitoring, internal school suspension, out of school suspension and expulsion. One copy of this will be sent home to the child’s parents and a copy will be sent to the child’s teacher to inform him/her of the results of the referral.