Consequences

1.  The first time a rule is broken, the consequence is almost always a warning.   An example or a warning could be, "Hey Adele, remember that equipment needs to be put down on the ground whenever you hear a stop signal.  Don't forget, this is how we take care of ourselves and the equipment during stop signals".

• Students know and understand that warnings are simply reminders that a rule (or rules) are being broken and that they need to fix whatever behavior is being identified by Mr. Tatro.  The important thing to know though is that these warnings (reminders) need to be listened to and a correction to whatever the behavior was is expected.

• Students know that sometimes a second reminder may be given as a friendly, "Remember, we just talked about what needs to happen with equipment on a stop signal, it should be on the ground".  The way that we rationalize it with students is by thinking of the three-strikes rule in the games of baseball and softball ... one warning - OK, two warnings - fine but not great,  but three warnings - we're going to have to take a break.

​2.  If a warning has to be given to a student for a third time for the same behavior, they will be asked to "Take a break".   "Take a break" means that because a warning was given twice and not listened to, the student will remove themselves from class by going over to get the "2 Minute Sand Timer" and sit out, along the side of the gym.  They will sit there until the two-minute timer has run its course.

• When students are taking a break, it is expected that they take the time to figure out why they were asked to take a break and what they need to do to come back into class.  When the two-minute time limit has been reached, the student will put the timer away and then come have a conversation with the teacher.

• After a student takes a break, they will check in with Mr. Tatro for a mini-conference.  During the conversation, Mr. T will be checking in to make sure that A) the student understands why they were asked to take a break and B) what they need to do to stay in the gym.  If they have understood those two questions, then the student and teacher will finish the meeting off with a symbolic "High Five" as a promise of sorts that the behavior will stop at that point ... promises are not meant to be broken.  If they don't understand why they were asked to take a break, or if they can't identify what they need to do to prevent it from happening again, Mr. T may ask them to take another two minute break so that they can have more time to think about it.

3.  It's important that students come back onto the floor knowing what they need to do to stay in class because if the same behavior is repeated again, then unfortunately they will be asked to "Leave The Gym".  If students are asked to leave, it is because they were given warnings which they didn't follow, then the were asked to take a break which wasn't effective, so they have to remove themselves from the gym.  When students are asked to leave, they know that they will take the orange five-minute timer, go out into the lobby, and sit in one of the waiting chairs until the five-minute timer has run it's course.

• Students who leave the gym will be asked to do the same thing as before when they took their two minute break however, when they come back for their meeting with Mr. Tatro, he will let them know that they will be getting a "Today in PE" note to bring home and get signed from someone in their family.  The hope is that the note will generate a conversation so that they connection between home and school is made and that these behaviors can be corrected.  If a student is getting multiple notes home, a telephone conference will most likely be scheduled.

• The "Today in PE" note if my first step in letting families know that there was a problem in PE today, that there were several ways we tried to manage the problem but yet, the problem persisited.  The note asks parents/guardians to have a conversation with their child and then to sign the note and have their child return the note to me.  In the note, I inform parents that they do not need to email me, have a phone conversation, or schedule a meeting with me yet as the conversation they have with their child is the most important first step in establishing a positive home/school relationship.  If however, other notes follow this first one, then by all means we should touch base.

5. Students in Kindergarten only use the two-minute timer for a "Take a break" and can receive more than one break during class if needed.  

• If a Kindergarten student is having to "Take a break" multiple times during a PE class, then a "Today in PE" note will be sent home.