Behavior Policy

CODE OF CONDUCT

Schools must set boundaries that will ensure all students experience a safe, orderly and productive environment. Schools' ability to ensure this experience is influenced greatly by individual and school-wide discipline. At Sojourner Truth we strictly adhere to NYCDOE Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning Grades 6–8. The code of conduct is the behavioral framework by which Sojourner Truth carries on its day to day operations. The code reflects academic standards and the right for every student to learn in a non-threatening environment. Students must follow the School’s Code of Conduct before, during, and after school, as well as in school buildings, on school grounds, at school-related activities, at breakfast and lunch, and on the way to and from these activities.

Students’ behavior must not keep any of the members of the school community from doing their jobs. The codes that appear in the NYCDOE Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning Grades 6–8 governs the most serious and obvious types of student misconduct. The prohibited acts listed in the code are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Nor is the list to be seen as a limitation upon the authority of school officials to deal appropriately with violations of school rules and regulations or with other types of conduct that interfere with the good order of Sojourner Truth, the proper functioning of the educational process, or the health and safety of students, staff and visitors.

The administrators of Sojourner Truth will issue consequences and enforce violations of the Code of Conduct. It is our goal to treat each situation with consistency. However, there will be occasions where the use of flexibility within this plan will best serve the needs of the individual student and the population as a whole. Details regarding specific incidents are not available for public scrutiny. The Sojourner Truth administrators reserve the right to make decisions based on experience and knowledge of individual cases. Traditional punishments may stop unwanted behavior in the moment but do not lend to teaching necessary social skills required to be successful in schools and everyday society. Restorative Discipline teaches students rules to live by while holding themselves accountable for their actions. Sojourner Truth uses a Restorative Discipline approach school wide. Students will participate in Leader In Me and Restorative Circle activities, where they will learn skills necessary to regulate their emotions and handle conflict among peers. This is the preventive aspect to Restorative Circles. When there is an issue, students will work with those involved (peers, teachers, etc.) answering these essential questions 1. Who has been hurt? 2. What are their needs? 3. What caused the hurt? 4. What is needed to make things right?