Discipline

Building Rules and Six Pillars of Character:

*Be Respectful

*Be Responsible

*Be Safe

*Trustworthiness

*Respect

*Responsibility

*Fairness

*Caring

*Citizenship

Behavior choices that require an intervention will be met with discipline, not punishment.

In the event a child is sent out of the classroom for disciplinary action he/she will work with a teacher, counselor,  refocus room coordinator, or the principal. The average intervention should take between 5-10 minutes with more severe problems taking 15-20 minutes. During the entire process the adult is dealing with the inappropriate behavior in a calm manner. 

Process of a Behavior Intervention:

The child’s side of the story will be heard; staff will investigate the situation, including obtaining information from other students and staff. It is important to note that the story given at school is the one we will work with, not a different story told by the same child to the parents at home. We have found that students do not like being in trouble with a parent or guardian and may tell a slightly different version of the story at home to avoid punishment. We must act on the information collected at school from the child, the adult, and all witnesses. Following the intervention, the child is taken back to the classroom where, depending upon the situation, restorative practices may occur.

Each student is a unique individual with unique personal, social and educational needs; therefore every situation becomes unique in nature.  Consequences for misbehavior provide the best learning value when matched to the unique situations.  Consequences may differ depending on the situation, number of infractions and each individual student. The principal, or her designee, does not always have a “black and white” situation.  We often have gray areas that require us to use our best judgment. 

Incident Report vs. Significant Behavior Referral

The school staff uses 2 different forms to track behavior misconduct: the Incident Report and the Significant Behavior Referral. An Incident Report is used for minor misbehaviors that do not usually require a consequence or parent contact. These behaviors are divided into three categories; irritating, mildly disruptive, or disruptive. Examples may be blurting, peer conflict, whining, defiance, or disrespect.  The behavior is addressed with differentiated intervention that may include restorative justice practices, community service, structured recess, and skill development. The student will return to class and the Incident Report is kept on file. If a student receives 3 Incident Reports for the same behavior, the 4th occurrence is an automatic Significant Behavior Referral. If a student receives 7 Incident Reports for different behaviors, the 8th occurrence is an automatic Significant Behavior Referral.

When a student exhibits significant behavior, as determined by categories of Severely Disruptive, May be Dangerous, or Dangerous, staff will follow the Significant Behavior Flow Chart process which includes maintaining safety, completion of a Significant Behavior Referral, and intervention. Intervention at Journey is differentiated and specific to the infraction and needs of the student. Intervention can include restorative justice practices, community service, tiered skill development,  behavior contracts, and behavior plans. 

The following infractions will constitute an automatic Significant Behavior Referral: sexual harassment, weapons, physical aggression*, fighting**, theft, drugs/alcohol and vandalism. Parents will often receive a phone call informing them of the child’s behavior. The Significant Behavior Referral is then sent home to be signed and returned to the office the next day. This process has been found, when presented with a learning response, to be extremely effective at helping children accept responsibility for their actions and to then alter or change that particular behavior.  

* Physical Aggression against any staff member will result in immediate suspension followed by a conference with parents, staff, and administration to determine length of suspension and the development of a behavior modification plan.

**Fighting is defined as students hitting, kicking, or grabbing other student(s) with the intention of causing physical harm. It does not matter “who started it,” all fighters (those who hit, kicked, grabbed) will be treated equally. Depending upon the situation, fighters can expect to be suspended for their actions.  

Behaviors that will result in a suspension can be found in the Discipline Framework section NCSD handbook. 

• ISS (In School Suspension)

• OSS (Out of School Suspension)

• SSSL (Safe Schools Suspension Lab)

During In School Suspension students will have work provided to them, will not be permitted to speak with other students, and will not be permitted to move freely about the refocus room.  ISS will not be used as a study hall. Those students who have repeated problems with anger or violence, or those students who continually receive office referrals will be referred to the at-risk process and team agreed upon interventions will be decided.  

Playground Rules and Referrals

The following rules cannot possibly cover all situations, but will develop more consistent supervision. These rules have been established for the protection of the students. We will have at least two playground supervisors on duty at all times the children are outside. The building rules apply to the playground (see Building Rules). There are certain types of behavior that cannot be allowed, either because it presents a danger to either the child or others, or because it violates what is commonly accepted as civilized behavior. Throwing rocks, gravel, wood chips, sand, and ice, will not be tolerated.

Journey Elementary staff members model the correct playground behavior for students and cover the playground expectations at the beginning of the school year as well as periodically throughout the year.  Given the fact the students are aware of the playground expectations and correct playground behavior, students are given several warnings before an Incident Report is written.  Depending on the severity of the offense, students are given a verbal warning or warnings, and then they are given structured recess (exercises to perform instead of free play).  If the behavior continues, the student will be sent to the office and a Significant Behavior Referral will be written.

The possession of alcohol or any illicit (illegal), controlled substance, as defined by Wyoming state law, by any student attending school, or while on campus at any school activity, is prohibited.

First Offense: (Any student K-5)

*Notify parents

*Notify police (prosecution at police station)

*Five day out of school suspension (normal due process procedures must be followed)  

*Recommendation to parents for referral to the Wyoming Behavioral Institute or a similar agency.

Second offense:

*Notify parents

*Notify police (prosecution at police station)

*Ten-day suspension (normal due process procedures must be followed).  

*Mandatory referral to Wyoming Behavioral Institute or similar agency.

*Possible assignment to another school or agency for remainder of the year, or referral to the Board with a recommendation for expulsion for the remainder of the year.

*If a Board hearing for expulsion is recommended, the student will be assigned to the Youth Crisis Center or other agency for a period of time between the conclusion of the ten-day suspension and the Board hearing and action.

*Possible referral to other rehabilitation program(s).

It is the policy of NCSD #1 to create a learning and working environment that is free from sexual harassment.  Therefore, Board policy 5144 prohibits any form of sexual harassment and any form of retaliation related to one’s rights to pursue/defend/ present evidence regarding a sexual harassment complaint.  Sexual harassment can yield consequences ranging from warnings to recommendations for expulsion in cases of students found to be in violation of the policy.  In cases involving employees, disciplinary actions could include, but are not limited to, warnings or more serious steps such as discharge. More information can be found in the district portion of this handbook. 

Mace, tear gas, knives*, and/or firearms of any kind are strictly prohibited. Possession of any of these will result in confiscation of the weapon.  The parents of the child will be notified, as will the Casper Police Department.  Students possessing weapons at school face the possibility of 10 days out of school suspension or expulsion for one year.

*Pocket knives are often brought to school by mistake.  Once they are safely turned in, the student continues their day with no consequence; however, the situation will determine any action taken.

There are many ways we try to acknowledge students’ accomplishments each day at school.  We understand the importance of recognizing student achievements immediately and often.  We also want you as parents to be informed about the recognition systems and be aware how your child is recognized.  

The following are recognitions your child might receive:

• Hero Quarterly Celebrations:  A few students from every class are selected to be honored during a Quarterly celebration. Teachers, Students and Parents are encouraged to say something about the student. Parents are invited to join in the celebration when their student is selected for the celebration. 

• Classroom Recognitions: These are both formal and informal.  Ask your child how they are recognized and celebrated in their class.

• Announcements:  Each day, announcements are made school wide and students who are given a positive office referral are given a cheer in the classrooms.  Announcements are awarded for a variety of reasons celebrating behavior and academic achievements, positive office referrals and classroom projects.   

Our goal is to formally recognize each of our students, throughout the year, for all of the great things they are doing each and every day!  Not every child will be recognized at every assembly. The teacher will notify parents of students who will be receiving recognition.  

Quarter 1 - To Be Announced

Quarter 2 - To Be Announced 

Quarter 3 - To Be Announced

Quarter 4 - To Be Announced

We believe it is important for students who continuously do the right thing to be recognized for such actions. Too often we spend a great deal of time and effort dealing with negative behaviors of some students, which results in others being overlooked. We would like to reverse this trend by spending a lot of time rewarding appropriate behavior and actions. We would like you to encourage your child’s appropriate behavior at school.