Sherwood Elementary School

 

Sherwood Elementary School

Discipline Policy

2009-10

The Discipline Policy at Sherwood Elementary School is based on expectations that promote a safe, healthy, and happy learning environment.  Staff, students, and parents all play a vital role in developing and maintaining a positive and productive atmosphere.  The Sherwood Elementary School community believes in these guiding principles:

            Mutual Respect--- Treat others the way you want to be treated.

            Respect the fact that we are all different and yet all the same.

            Our school is a large family and we need to support each other.

            Right to Learn and Teach--- Students and teachers at Sherwood

            have the right to a productive learning environment.  We all

            contribute to that environment by doing our best, helping others,

            and following the rules.

            Self-Control--- You are responsible for the good and bad things

            that you do.  You control yourself.  Be proud of your

            accomplishments, and apologize when you make a mistake.  You

            cannot blame someone else for what you do.

The implementation of this Discipline Policy will focus on changing inappropriate behaviors, not just punishing them.  Fair, firm, and consistent application of the policy is expected, and students will be made aware of the consequences of misbehavior.  However, it is equally important that each situation be carefully evaluated prior to the staff's response.  In dealing with each incident, the staff member will keep in mind that the purpose of discipline is to strengthen positive behaviors that will enable the child to grow and appropriately cope with similar situations in the future.

This Policy includes:

• Sherwood Elementary School General RulesSherwood Elementary School Detention Procedures
• Sherwood Elementary Serious Discipline Process outline
• MCPS Countywide Disciplinary Infractions and Consequences
• Appeals Process
• Maryland State Bullying Form

Sherwood Elementary School General Rules:

The minimum response to the following Sherwood expectations will be a conference between the staff and the student.  The maximum response will depend on the severity of the infraction and the frequency.  Maximum responses can include removal from the class/activity, parent conference, detention, or suspension. School behavior policies apply on all field trips and after school activities.

• Weapons and Look-alike Weapons:.  It is against the law and subject to expulsion when students bring guns, knives, or other items that can be used as a weapon to school.  Look-alike weapons such as toy guns and knives are also prohibited.
• Fighting:   Students are not permitted to hurt each other.  Students should report cases of aggression to an adult.  They should not strike back.
• Intimidation:   Students should respect the personal space of others and show courtesy for the staff and fellow students.  Students should respect each other and not tease or verbally abuse each other.
• Stealing:   Students should respect school property and personal belongings. Students should not go into other students’ desks or backpacks.
• Students should not bring personal items to school that are not related to school learning.  The school will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or broken toys or electronic devices. Specific items that are not permitted and will be confiscated include:

 

                                    skates/roller blades              chewing gum                        

                                    skateboards                          radios/electronics/Game Boys

                                    toy weapons                          collector cards

• Special permission from your teacher is required for:

                   live animals            games              toys       stuffed animals

Misuse of Portable Communication Devices:  Elementary school students are not permitted to use portable communication devices on MCPS school campuses during the instructional day.  An elementary school student may possess a portable communication device on an elementary school campus during the instructional day provided it is not visible or used.  It should be turned off.

• Leaving school grounds without permission:  Students are not permitted to leave school grounds without adult permission.
• Leaving class without permission:  Students must have staff permission and a hall pass to leave the classroom.
• Truancy:  Students should be in school every day unless they are ill or injured.  Excessive unexcused absences will be reported to Child Protective Services and the MCPS Pupil Personnel Worker.
• Tardiness:  Students should be in their classrooms by 9:15 ready to start the school day.  Excessive tardiness will be reported to Child Protective Services and the MCPS Pupil Personnel Worker.
• Refusal to identify oneself: Students must identify themselves to any staff member when asked.
• Insubordination/Disrespect:  Students are responsible and respectful to all adults at school---teachers, substitutes, administrators, volunteers, assistants, building services staff, office and health room staff, bus drivers, bus patrols, and lunch/recess assistants.
• Disruptive behavior:   Students should walk quietly at all times in the building.  They should keep the building clean and respect the bulletin boards.  They should use the bathrooms and bathroom materials properly.
• Profanity or obscenity Proper clothing and footwear is important for safety.  Clothes advertising cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or sex are inappropriate.  Parents will be contacted and clothing will need to be changed.  Students are not permitted to use profanity or obscene gestures.
• Graffiti:  Students should respect school property.  Defacing public property is a criminal offense and will be reported to the MCPS security department for investigation.
• False Fire Alarm:  Falsely setting off the fire alarm is a criminal offense and will be reported to the Montgomery County Fire Marshall and Police.
• Use of tobacco:  Use of tobacco by a minor is a criminal offense and will be reported to the Montgomery County Police.

Sherwood Elementary School Detention Procedures

Students in grades 1-5 who break school rules may be required to serve detention after school from 3:30 to 4:15 pm.  The steps in this process are:

1. Teacher will discuss behavior with student and the detention decision will be explained.
2. Detention slips will be given to the student, giving the date, the room number, and the reason for the detention.  The student takes the slip home to parents for signature.  If the assigned day is not possible for parents, they may request an alternative date to occur within 7 days.  All students assigned detention will be expected to serve it. 
3. Detention is a quiet time.  Students cannot do homework, read, color, draw, or talk.  They will fill out a detention response form describing the behavior and how it will change in the future.  These forms are kept in the office for the school year and then destroyed.  They are not a part of the student's permanent record.

   4.  Parents must pick up their children promptly at 4:15.

   5.  After a third detention within a 3-month period, parents will be notified that a fourth detention will result in a one-day suspension.  In the case of suspension, a parent conference is required before the student can return to school.  Referral to the Educational Management Team (EMT) may also be recommended.

 

SHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Serious Discipline Process

Student Name:  _______________________

The purpose of this form is to outline and track severe student behavior beyond the regular disciplinary procedures.  This is a CONFIDENTIAL form that will be maintained in the principal's office.

Prior to the steps outlined on this form the student will have classroom interventions, counselor interventions, and a principal conference.  All staff are expected to communicate problems and concerns to parents and the principal and document interventions.  These steps will not preclude required suspensions under MCPS policies.  If general interventions do not change the behavior, the following steps will be taken.  A Functional Behavioral Assessment will also be considered.

Step 1:           One half-day in-school suspension

                        Principal will contact parent by phone and letter

 

            Date:  _____________

 

            Incident:  _____________________________________________

 

Step 2:           One full day in-school suspension

                        Principal will require a parent conference

 

            Date:  _____________

 

            Incident:  ____________________________________________

 

Step 3:           One to three day home suspension

                        Principal will require a parent conference

 

            Date:  _____________

 

            Incident:  ____________________________________________

 

Step 4:           Up to five-day suspension

                        Principal will require parent conference.

                        Principal will refer to EMT for evaluation and possible special placement

 

            Date:  _____________

 

            Incident:  ____________________________________________

 

 

MCPS Policies and Procedures

MCPS policy requires that certain major infractions result in uniform disciplinary action throughout the school system.  At the elementary level, the minimum actions can be modified through a principal-parent conference.  The principal can also initiate proceedings to exceed the maximum penalties as listed, or pursue a special placement for a student who poses a serious disruptive threat or repeatedly misbehaves.  The Deputy Superintendent is involved in cases of suspension beyond five days or expulsion.

The major infractions and consequences are outlined on the following pages.

 

 

Please contact the school if you feel that your child is being harassed or bullied.

Sherwood Elementary School Appeal Procedures:

If a student or parent feels that a disciplinary action is inappropriate or unfair, the following steps for appeal must be followed:

            1.  Schedule a conference with the principal to discuss the action.

            2.  File a written Citizen's Complaint (form is available in the school office) to the principal within 10 days of the conference.  The complaint should include pertinent factual information and the remedy requested.  The principal will respond in writing to the complaint.

            3.  If the principal's response is not acceptable, file a written appeal to the Deputy Superintendent to request a review of the principal's decision.  The Deputy Superintendent will respond in writing to the appeal.

 

 

 

Site maintained by  Nancy Bailey. Last updated October 2009