School Wide Behavior Plan

We are beginning a new school wide behavior plan at Jeremy Ranch called BEST (Behavioral and Educational Strategies for Teachers). We like it because it uses opportunities to teach the child, and has a positive element connected with it. We will be implementing this program in our common areas, such as the playground, lunchroom, and halls. The teachers will continue with their classroom discipline plans as they have done in the past, with a few modifications for school wide positive reinforcements for appropriate behavior. We have written the following rules, which you will see posted throughout the school:

1. I will follow directions the first time given.
2. I will keep my hands, feet, mouth, and other objects to myself.
3. I will use kind words in a polite voice.
4. I will walk single file in the halls, and will use only a Level 1 voice.
5. I will use, clean up, and put away all materials safely and properly.

The program has a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement. Here is a summary of how we will recognize those students modeling appropriate behavior in school:

1. JRES 500 CLUB: Each teacher will nominate one student every 2 weeks who is modeling exemplary behavior in class. Mrs. Wallace will announce those students nominated on morning announcements, then will call them to the office to draw a number. Each student will write his or her name in the corresponding square on the 500 grid in the office. When a line is filled in horizontally, the students with their names in that row will have a special activity with Mrs. Wallace.

2. Gold Medal Winners: A gold slip will be given by every adult to those students who are caught modeling great behavior. The teacher gives both copies to the child, who takes one copy home to share with his or her family, and puts the original into the box in the office for a drawing. Those students not receiving any referrals that month will be given an additional gold slip for the drawing.

3. Lunch Bunch: Our lunch aides will give tickets to well behaved students in the cafeteria. Each month 30 names from each lunch will be drawn, and those students will be rewarded with an ice cream treat.

4. Bi-Monthly Reward Activity: All students who have received no more than 2 referral slips will be able to attend the special activity planned every other month. Look for fun activities such as a sidewalk chalk party, snow sculpture contest, and paper airplane contest, as well as a special end of the year drawing for great prizes donated by area businesses.

For Rule Infractions:

Referral slips may be given by every staff member in the school. A one-minute teaching moment will be conducted with the child to help them remember why they chose to earn the slip. The adult issuing the slip circles the rule broken, reviews it with the child, writes a brief description of the behavior noted, and sends it home for the parent's signature. The white copy of the referral slip goes home with the child. The next two copies go to the office to be recorded and placed in the classroom teacher's box.

Consequences:

1st Referral: Lose 1 recess. Slip must go home for parents to sign and return. If not returned, a 2nd referral will be issued.
2nd Referral: Lose 2 recesses. Teacher and student discuss the child's role in the situation resulting in the issuance of a referral. Classroom teacher calls parents.
3rd Referral: Lose 3 recesses. Lose the bi-monthly special activity.
4th Referral: All of the above, plus a 1/2 day suspension in partner room.
5th Referral: Parent, principal, teacher, counselor, and child meet to develop a behavior contract. May result in Severe Clause consequences.

Severe Clause Consequences:

Severe infractions include behaviors such as fighting, bullying, insubordination, and Safe Schools Violations. They are cumulative for the school year.

1st Referral: 1 day In-School Suspension. Parent conference. Student misses next special activity.
2nd Referral: 2 days In-School Suspension. Parent conference. Student misses next special activity.
3rd Referral: 3 days In-School Suspension. Parent conference. Student misses next special activity.
4th Referral: 1 day Out of School Suspension.
5th Referral: Out of School Suspension. Time to be determined by principal.

What can parents do? Parents, please support our school staff in reinforcing the school rules with your child. If you have a problem with the reason a referral was given, please discuss it with the person issuing the referral. Generally, if you talk to the adult, you will gain an understanding of why the slip was given. We do not like giving referral slips. We much prefer giving gold ones. Once in a while, however, even the best behaved child makes a mistake. With your support of the school, chances are that the child won't make many more of them. We find that if you take your child's side and fail to support the school staff, it is easy for the child to get the idea that he or she is above the rules, and his or her parent will "fix it." This often leads to many more referral slips. We genuinely appreciate the parent who helps us reinforce the rules!