Student Expectations

Student Expectations and Discipline

Roosevelt’s approach to behavior expectations and consequences is based on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and is designed to help students, parents, and school staff maintain a safe environment that fosters educational growth for all students. PBIS provides a framework for a multi-level approach to social, emotional and behavior support. We strive to provide equity, access and inclusivity to all students.

• Yakima School District Student, Parent, and Staff Handbook: YSD mails this booklet home annually, and it contains all federal and state laws, notifications, and district policies. It contains detailed information on prohibitions against and consequences for gang activity, weapons (including pocket knives), drugs/tobacco, disruptive conduct, fighting, insubordination, profanity, etc. These handbooks are also available online at https://www.yakimaschools.org/handbook.

• BEAR Expectations: Through the PBIS approach, all staff members explicitly teach, re-teach, and reinforce positive student behaviors in all areas of the school using the BEAR Expectations. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or anywhere in between, we are BEARS. That means, we will:

  • Be safe.

  • Expect success.

  • Act responsibly.

  • Respect all.

• Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying: (YSD Operational Policy 3215) Harassment, intimidation, and bullying mean any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical acts, including but not limited to acts motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, or other characteristics that:

  • Physically or emotionally harm a student or damage the student’s property; or

  • Have the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or

  • Are so severe or persistent that they create an intimidating or threatening educational environment;

  • Substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school (RCW 28A.300.285).

Harassment, intimidation, are bullying are prohibited, and this prohibition extends to online activities, school activities, school transportation, bus stops, and property adjacent to school grounds. Anyone engaged in this behavior will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension and expulsion. To report bullying, please first contact the classroom teacher and then the principal. Reporting forms are also available on the Yakima School District website at www.yakimaschools.org/hibform and can be completed anonymously.

• Sexual Harassment: (YSD Operational Policy 3216) Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity. Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when a student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, or when the conduct substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, or creates a hostile environment. Report sexual harassment to any staff member or to the YSD Title IX Officer at 573‐7066.

• Dress Code: Our dress code ensures that clothing does not disrupt our learning-focused environment. If there is doubt about the appropriateness of a garment, it should not be worn. The following items are not allowed: spaghetti-strap or low-cut tops, see-through shirts, shirts that reveal the mid-section (stomach), clothing without proper undergarments, jeans/pants with holes, muscle shirts, and items depicting drugs, alcohol, racism, and/or vulgar or suggestive pictures or statements. Shorts and skirts must be the length of tips of fingers when hands are at the side. Gang-like attire is prohibited: bandanas, wallet chains, hair nets, baggy pants sagging below the waist; red, pink or blue shoelaces; repeated wearing of red or blue clothing. For safety reasons, flip flops and “heelies” are allowed, and we strongly discourage students from wearing open-toed sandals without a back strap.