Behavior Management

LINK to Student Behavior Tracker: fill this out each time a student engages in a Level 2 or Level 3 behavior 

The main goal with behavior management is to identify the root causes of student behavior. We can accomplish this goal by asking questions, and listening to the perspectives of all students involved in an incident. Restorative practices, such as getting all involved parties to participate in a restorative circle, are optimal for positively affecting individual student's behaviors, as well as the overall culture of the school. 

We generally do not suspend students, for the simple reason that suspension does not work. This statement is based on research, as well as experience. We maintain very high expectations for all students, and in the case of behaviors that would/could traditionally warrant a suspension, students may be separated from their peers to work independently in a different space until they show that they are ready to rejoin their peers. So, the fact that we rarely suspend students does not mean that they do not receive meaningful consequences.  

PHES Positive Behavior Plan

Chart showing Progression of Consequences (thanks Ms. Rogers!)

High Needs Students doc

Student Reflection Form

Here is possible Independent Work  for students who are sent to a buddy classroom or working with the principal or counsleor. 

Recess Problem Solving Sheet

Preventative Classroom Management Strategies

PHES Bullying Policy:

Paradise Hills is a community where all students, staff, and families have the right to feel safe, comfortable, and respected. This policy is in place to ensure that.

Definition

Bullying is generally defined as aggressive behavior or intentional harm by an individual or group. This behavior is often repeated over time, and often involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can take various forms, including verbal, physical, social, and cyber.

Verbal bullying: Saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes, but is not limited to:

• Teasing, taunting, threatening or name-calling

• Inappropriate sexual comments

Physical bullying: Hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes, but is not limited to:

• Hitting/kicking/pinching/tripping/pushing

• Spitting at someone

• Taking or breaking someone’s things

• Making mean or rude hand gestures

Social bullying: Hurting someone’s reputation and/or relationships. Social bullying includes, but is not limited to:

• Leaving someone out on purpose (excluding)

• Telling other children not to be friends with someone

• Spreading rumors about someone

• Embarrassing someone in public

Cyber bullying: Hurting someone’s reputation and/or relationships through the use of social or other media. Harming, harassing, intimidating, and/or excluding others using social or other media. 

• Posting rude comments and/or photos/videos on social media (Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)

• Posting rude comments on other online platforms (YouTube, websites, etc.)

• Texting or emailing rude comments and/or photos/video

• Showing “negative” and/or inappropriate photos/videos to others

If a teacher or administrator learns of bullying (even if it takes place at home) the procedure listed below is followed.

Process:

1.  When a student reports an incident of bullying to any Paradise Elementary staff member, or a staff member witnesses bullying, the staff member has students who were involved, as well as witnesses, fill out an incident report form (and/or explain the situation verbally to the staff member). The staff member emails the principal and counselor with a brief report. The staff member may also verbally explain the incident to the principal and/or counselor. 

2.  The staff member(s) and principal investigates the situation thoroughly, interviewing witnesses, the victim, and the person accused of bullying.  The staff member(s) and administrator who are investigating review the evidence, and decide on appropriate follow up. The counselor, school psychologist and other support staff are often involved in this process as well.

3. Administration communicates with students (and families, as appropriate) involved in the incident. In addition, communication is sent to the appropriate staff (students’ teachers, counselor, Ed. Specialist,etc).

4. Follow Up: see below

5. Principal or counselor makes an incident report containing all relevant information in Powerschool.

Follow Up:

 The Administration will decide on follow up based on the incident, the student, and the history of behavior. This follow up may include:

• Restorative Circle, with some or all of the following present: principal, counselor, staff, involved students, and parents.

• Conversations with counselor, school psychologist, principal, and/or other school staff 

• Removal from normal activities

• Parent phone call, and/or parent conference

• Suspension (only in extreme cases, per SDUSD policy)

• Recommendation for Expulsion  (only in extreme cases, per SDUSD policy)

Paradise Hills has a policy on retaliating against students who report bullying. If the student who reported the incident is bullied, the bully is subject to suspension, and/or loss of other school privileges.  This policy is in place so that Paradise Hills students feel safe in reporting bullying.  The school is committed to making sure that students who report incidents are treated with respect, and the school will do everything possible to maintain their confidentiality.

This bullying policy specifically prohibits discrimination, harassment, and intimidation based on these actual or perceived characteristics: disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Discrimination, harassment, or intimidation directed at someone associated with a person or group with one or more of the listed actual or perceived characteristics is also prohibited.

 Notes:

• The ultimate goal of this bullying policy is twofold:

  • Students are safe 

  • Students develop empathy, resulting in kind, respectful behaviors toward all

• A word about “Zero Tolerance”: traditional zero tolerance policies, such as automatic suspension or expulsion for bullying have been proven to be grossly ineffective. In contrast, an individual and holistic approach has yielded much better outcomes for students. Our bullying policy means that we will investigate any and all reported incidences of bullying and we will follow up appropriately with students involved (and families, as appropriate).