September 2006

“PANTHER PRIDE”

“Work Hard, Do Your Best, and Be Kind”

Dear Parents;

I want to take some time to describe our school wide behavior plan. We believe that this plan reinforces our philosophy of providing a positive learning environment which maximizes instructional time for all of our students. We believe that our behavior program will foster an environment of kindness and mutual respect that is conducive to learning where teachers can teach and students can learn.

Our plan is called the “Panther Pride” Behavior Plan since each day we remind our students to show their Panther Pride by working hard, doing their best and being kind. We are taking time during the first two weeks of school to teach this plan to our students. I will be visiting classrooms and/or conducting grade level assemblies. We will formally begin the program on the first day of school.

In order to keep our program consistent across all grade levels, we will be implementing a school-wide color change program. In grades 1^st-5^th, students will start the day on green. If students do not demonstrate appropriate behavior they may be moved through the colors to yellow, orange then red. Some behaviors can move a student to a more serious color bypassing less serious colors. Students will also have an opportunity to earn a purple when they consistently remain on green or demonstrate above and beyond good behavior. Your child’s teacher will explain how he or she uses the color system at their grade level. Kindergarten students will only use the green, yellow and red colors. .

Research has indicated that parental involvement is essential for any behavior plan to be effective. Our school motto is “A Team on Track for the Future.” We believe that by working together, we can more effectively help our students to be successful, learn to their fullest potential and have Panther Pride each and every day. In order to make certain that all parents have a copy of the plan, we ask that you sign the back page and return it to your child’s teacher. Please review and discuss our school Behavior Plan with your child. Let us know if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Sincerely,

Andrew Buchheit

I. Panther Pride School Wide Focus

At Bristow Run Elementary School, we believe that every student and staff member has the right to be in a

school environment where he/she feels safe, respected, and protected. Every day, we remind students to Work

Hard, Do their Best and Be Kind which complements Prince William School’s Code of Behavior and the

Virginia Character Education mandate.

We will work to raise our students’ awareness about which types of behavior are respectful and which are

inappropriate or show disrespect. Students should strive to do their best and be their best while at school. We

ask that students show respect at all times while at school. This includes to/from school, at the bus stop, on the

bus, in the hallways, during lunch, while at recess, on field trips, during assemblies and while in Encore Classes.

Each Morning we begin the day by reciting the Bristow Run Pledge.

“I will remember to be respectful, kind, trustworthy and a good citizen.

I will be responsible for my actions, work hard and do my best.

I will seek to make a positive difference at school.”

II. SHOWING PANTHER PRIDE IN THE CLASSROOM

Each teacher/grade level has developed a plan for the classroom centered on the color change system of Green –

Yellow- Orange – Red. Purple will be used for students who consistently stay on green or who go above and

beyond in some way. Kindergarten students will only use Green-Yellow- Red. The plans are designed to deal

with minor infractions. Your child’s teacher will review these plans with you and your children. Our objective

and intent is to ensure that all students are safe and comfortable and are not being distracted from learning while

at school.

III. SHOWING PANTHER PRIDE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL

• On the Bus - Please talk to your child about proper behavior on the school bus. Students should stay in their seats, keep hands to themselves, maintain safe behavior at bus stop, not run in street, and never throw objects. There are additional bus rules in the Code of Behavior. If students cannot conduct themselves appropriately while on the bus, they may be suspended from the bus. Bus riding is a privilege.

· In the Cafeteria - We expect students to have good manners in the cafeteria. School rules also apply in the cafeteria. Students should use restaurant manners, remain seated, walk at all times, sit at assigned tables, and raise their hands. Students who break cafeteria rules or disturb others may be sent to the quiet table where they will remain to eat the rest of their lunch in quiet. We will explain our cafeteria behavior plan to the students. We recognize the quietest class each day on the afternoon announcements

· In the Hallways - The hallway is considered a Quiet Zone. Students are expected to be quiet while traveling or waiting in the hallway so that they do not disturb students in other classes. Also students should not run through the halls. Students should walk with a buddy while in the hallway.

· In the Restroom - Students should be respectful of one another and school property while using the restroom. No horseplay is permitted. Students should be quiet and respect the privacy of others. The restroom is not a play area and is not to be used for social gatherings.

· On the Playground - Students should continue to remember their Panther Pride while at recess. In addition, students should remember that recess should be a fun time. It is important that students play fair and not roughly with other students. Inappropriate words, actions and behavior will not be tolerated outside the building just as it would not be tolerated in the building. Students should not jump off equipment.

· Walking Home – Students should demonstrate Panther Pride while walking to/from school each day.

IV. CHARACTER COUNTS

On July 1, 1999, the teaching of character education in Virginia public schools became mandatory and the Virginia Board of Education approved criteria for character education on February 24, 2000. Character traits as defined in the Code of Virginia §22.1-208.01 include:

1. Trustworthiness, including honesty, integrity, reliability, and loyalty;

2. Respect, including the precepts of the Golden Rule, tolerance, and courtesy;

3. Responsibility, including hard work, economic self-reliance, accountability, diligence, perseverance, and self-control;

4. Fairness, including justice, consequences of bad behavior, principals of non-discrimination, and freedom from prejudice;

5. Caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, consideration, generosity, and charity; and

6. Citizenship, including patriotism, the Pledge of Allegiance, respect for the

a. American flag, concern for the common good, respect for authority and the law, and

b. community-mindedness.

It has become imperative that, as educators, we nourish and cultivate the emotional and social development of our students as well as their academic development. We are faced daily with compelling evidence and information, via news reports, educational statistics, and our own awareness of the changing fabric of society, which emphasizes the need for character education programs within schools. By incorporating these skills, ideas and activities into our students’ educational program, we feel there will also be an increase of student academic success. Students will understand their role and responsibility in their education as well as the education of others and see the value and strengths that they and others possess.

V. BULLYING BEHAVIOR

At Bristow Run, we will not tolerate Bullying Behavior and have created a No Put Down Policy. Many of the

behaviors that we witness between students can be classified as bully types of behavior. We want our students to

feel safe and comfortable at school so they can be focused on learning to their fullest potential every day. We

have identified the following behaviors as bullying behavior. Bullying Behavior includes pushing, hitting, kicking,

pulling, hurting, slapping, inappropriately touching, spitting, stealing, destroying property, gossiping, spreading

rumors, embarrassing others, ethnic slurs, name calling, taunting, humiliating, excluding from group, dirty and

hurtful looks and gestures, putdowns, teasing, telling others you won’t be their friend, threatening, intimidating,

harassing, pressuring or making others do things they don’t want to do and writing unflattering letters, notes,

stories or emails about others or drawing unflattering pictures of others.

VI. INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS AND CONSEQUENCES

We believe an effective discipline plan must provide instruction to students indicating which behaviors should be avoided. It is important that all of our students learn to accept responsibility for their actions and understand that there are consequences for inappropriate behaviors. We believe that most discipline situations can be resolved in the classroom with the help of teachers, students and parents. However, if a problem continues, it will be necessary to send the student to the office with a discipline referral. We also recognize that some students may need an

individual behavior plan. The administration, guidance, teachers, parents, and students will develop these, if necessary. We have identified and divided inappropriate behaviors below in increasingly serious levels in order to more effectively help students understand which actions are not appropriate for school.

Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
· Name-calling/teasing · Embarrassing others · Laughing at/mocking · Excluding from a group · Rumors/gossip · Sneering/making faces/dirty looks · Eye rolling · Pictures/notes during instruction · Disruptive behavior · Inappropriate running · Disregarding/ignoring requests · Interrupting during lessons · Excessive talking · Not following directions/Off task · Incomplete/missing home/class work · Vulgarities - Something said in poor taste. · Careless use of property	· Taunting · Inappropriate gestures/body language · Put downs/insults/degrading remarks · Intimidating/coercion · Back talk/muttering under breath · Defiance/Arguing with teacher · Lying · Forgery · Profanity · Cheating · Stealing · Pulling on others/putting hands on each other · Possession of inappropriate material · Disruptive behavior that endangers property · Three Level 1 violations of same offense in one 4 1/2-week period · Five Level 1 violations of any combination in one 4 1/2-week period	· Hitting/kicking/slapping/pinching/ Hair pulling · Spitting/ pushing · Throwing things · Stealing · Obscene language/gesture/Ethnic slur · Harassing/bullying behavior/Repeated Verbal assault · Threatening others · Disruptive behavior that endangers others · Fighting · Vandalism/damaging property · Graffiti—using a permanent medium on school property · Inappropriate touching · Indecent exposure · Drugs/weapons · Three Level 2 violations of same offense in one 4 1/2-week period. · Five Level 2 violations of any combination in one 4 1/2-week period

Below is a list of possible consequences.

· Teacher/student conference

· Classroom time out

· Loss of recess time

· Extra homework

· Restitution made by student/making it better

· Teacher/Parent conference/phone call

· Review definition and rule

· Refer student to school counselor

· Peer mediation

· Student writes note to parent acknowledging the inappropriate behavior to be signed by a parent

· Lunch in office

· Detention—after school

· File county Discipline Referral

· Loss of field trips, assemblies and other special events

· In-school/Out of school suspension

Major Offenses--There are a number of major offenses which will require immediate removal from

class, a discipline referral to the administration and/or suspension from school.

· Drug and weapon violations - The Code of Behavior outlines procedures and consequences dealing with these issues.

· Running out of the classroom/building (running away from an adult)

· Stealing from a teacher or student

· Hitting or kicking an adult

· Throwing objects which could harm or injure

· Challenging/deliberate disrespect to an adult

· Fist fighting/hitting, kicking in an aggressive manner

· Sexually explicit language/inappropriate touching

· Swearing/threatening an adult/student

· Biting

· Deliberate destruction of property

· Deliberate spitting on a person

· Verbal threats which could harm an adult, a student, or property(Bullying, Harassment, Threats against school/student)

DETENTION

We will have an after school detention program. Teachers and the administration can assign students to

detention. Detention is designed to help students think and reflect about their behavior. There will be

assignments related to the Code of Behavior, Character Counts, and our Discipline Plan. Detention may be

assigned if a classroom discipline situation continues to exist. It may also be a consequence for a major

infraction. Detention could also be assigned to help correct a bus or lunch problem or for uncompleted work or

missing homework. Parents will be contacted by phone. Parents will pick up their child at the conclusion of

detention.

VII. SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS

1. Verbal threats or comments of physical harm/injury by one student to another will not be tolerated at any grade level. Depending on the nature of the incident, out of school suspension and police contact are possible. This is not a joking or teasing matter.

2. Any verbal threats or comments about harming the school or school property will not be tolerated. Depending on the nature of the incident, out of school suspension and police contact are possibilities. Again, this is not a joking or teasing matter. Please remind your child to tell an adult if he/she is being teased or being called names. We can solve the situation but we need to know.

3. Bullying behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes name calling and put downs.

4. The Code of Behavior outlines provisions regarding weapons. This also applies to toy weapons. If a student accidentally brings something to school that he/she realizes should not be at school, the student needs to tell an adult as soon as possible.

5. We will be reinforcing these points when we meet with students.

6. Disruptive incident/Teacher removal of student from class—occasionally, it may be necessary to remove a disruptive child from the classroom. The following procedures are to be followed:

· A student may be removed from the classroom if his conduct obstructs the learning environment or if he is exhibiting behaviors that are considered harmful to himself, to the teacher, or to other students.

· If a student is exhibiting inappropriate behavior, a teacher has the option of escorting the student to the office, or of buzzing the office and asking for someone to come and remove the student.

· The student will be allowed to return to the classroom only after the administrator and the teacher have conferred and a joint decision has been reached as to when the student may return.

· There may be some instances in with an administrator is not available to deal with the referral. In those cases one of the guidance counselors will talk with the student. The student may be returned to class until an administrator is available.

· If the student’s behavior escalates, the parent will be called and asked to come to school to meet with an administrator and possibly take the child home. The counselor may be in attendance at this meeting.

· If a student receives three such discipline referrals he will be recommended for Out Of School Suspension. An administrator and the teacher will determine the length of the suspension.

VIII. POSITIVE RECOGNITION

At Bristow Run Elementary School, we believe all students, staff and parents should feel safe, comfortable and respected. We are all committed to providing the most effective learning environment possible and maximizing instructional time for all students. We want our students to learn, be successful and feel happy while at school. Our teachers and staff will provide positive reinforcement through individual classroom recognition activities as well as whole school programs. The administration will also recognize students for their outstanding work, behavior, effort and attitude. Please keep us informed of your child’s achievements and successes outside of school. In addition to classroom reward systems, we will recognize students as a whole school in a number of ways as outlined below.

I. Citizenship Recognition

A. Classroom Recognition Plans – Each classroom has a plan in place to recognize students during the school day. Your classroom teacher will share their plan with their students and you.

B. Positive Difference Certificates - Each week, classroom teachers will select a student from their class who they feel has made a positive difference in the classroom environment, has shown outstanding character and has been a good worker. Mr. Buchheit will visit the classroom to present the certificates to the student.

C. Panther Pride Recognition - Each 9 weeks, Mr. Buchheit will recognize students who have earned Panther Pride for the 9 week period. These students have consistently strived to work hard, do their best and be kind and respectful each day. Each student who receives a Panther Pride Recognition Certificate has met the following criteria as reflected on the report card and in classroom behavior: (1) Conduct and Work Habits: S or S+ and no checks in the descriptors (for 1^st grade only students can have 1 x in work habits for the 1^st and 2^nd 9 week periods). (3) Effort: No X for any area for the grading period.

(4) Follows School Wide Behavior Plan. No discipline referrals, detentions or suspensions.

II. Attendance Recognition

A. Perfect Attendance pencils – Grades K-5 - Each 9 weeks, these pencils will be given to students who have attended school each day and have no more than 2 tardies or early dismissals.

B. Excellent Attendance pencils– Grades K-5 - Each 9 weeks, these pencils will be given to students who have attended missed no more than 1 day of school and have no more than 2 tardies/ early dismissals.

C. Best Attendance Recognition – Classrooms with the best attendance for each month will receive recognition on the morning broadcast and the top three classes will be given a special treat.

III. Academic Awards

A. Principal’s Honor Roll Certificates – Grades 3-5 - All A’s in all Academic Subjects.

B. Honor Roll Certificates – Grades 3-5 -A’s and B’s in all Academic Subjects.

IV. End of the Year Recognition

A. Principal’s Honor Roll All Year Certificates – Grades 3-5 - Given to students who have had All A’s or a cumulative average of A’s in all academic subjects for the entire school year

B. Honor Roll All Year Certificates – Grades 3-5 - Given to students who have had all A’s and B’s in all academic subjects or a cumulative average of A’s and B’s for the entire school year.

C. Perfect Attendance All Year Certificates – Grades K-5 - Given to students who have attended school each day and have no more that 5 tardies for the entire school year.

D. Excellent Attendance All Year Certificates– Grades K-5 - Given to students who have missed no more than 2 days of school and have had no more than 5 tardies for the entire school year.

V. Other Types of School Wide Recognition

A. Super Cafeteria Behavior Recognition - Classes will be recognized for their good behavior in the cafeteria at the end of each month. Each day, classes will be given information on how they behaved in the cafeteria. Classes with the most green or best behavior days will have their names put into a drawing at the end of the mont