McGilvra Elementary School

The school rules follow the 3R Plan (Rights, Respect, and Responsibilities) that was adopted school-wide.

All students will meet the expectations of the school for respectful behavior.  The purpose of school rules, or a code of conduct, is to make clear to parents, children and school staff, what is and is not acceptable behavior.  We seek to promote the development of student self-discipline and problem-solving strategies.

The 3R Plan

Respect

• Myself
• Others
• Materials and property

Rights

• To be safe
• To learn

Responsibility

• To be prepared
• To do my best
• To participate

School Rules

1.       Treat others with respect and fairness.

2.      Choose proper indoor and outdoor behavior.

3.      Show pride in our school by keeping it clean and unmarked.

4.      Leave things at home that are not needed for school (such as candy, gum, junk food, toys, radios, dangerous items and substances).

5.      Always walk on the right in hallways and on stairs.

Classroom Rules

While individual classroom rules may vary slightly, all include the following elements:

1.       Show respect for your teachers and classmates.

2.      Treat property with respect.

3.      Come to class on time and in an orderly manner.

4.      Do classroom assignments and homework neatly, on time, and to the best of your ability.

Playground Rules

1.       Obey the directions of the adult supervisors and playground helpers.

2.      Stay on the playground.

3.      Ask for permission to get a ball that goes outside the fence.

4.      Tell the playground supervisor if you are hurt and need to go to the office.

5.      Be a good sport:  No teasing, fighting, name-calling, rough playing or disruption of games.

6.      Stay off of the top bars of the play structures and off fences.

7.      For everyone’s safety, it’s important that there be no games of play-fighting piling-on, riding on someone else’s back, tackle football, or any rough games to intentionally knock others to the ground.

8.     Chase/tag may only be played in the areas behind the goals on the field.

9.      Stop playing and go directly to your classroom as soon as the bell rings.

Lunchroom Rules

1.       Use proper table manners and a normal tone of voice.

2.      Clean up your own area.

3.      Raise your hand and wait to be dismissed.

Bus Rules

The same rules for respectful behavior in school are expected on the bus.

• Obey the bus driver at all times.
• Remain seated on the bus until it is time to get off.
• Bring a note from home if you are going to ride the bus home with a friend.

Parents are always notified of misconduct on the bus. With the third written warning, student is subject to suspension from riding the bus.

Corrective Action

Teachers have the primary responsibility for maintaining an orderly classroom environment. Each teacher will develop his/her own procedures following the 3-R Plan for handling disciplinary actions within the classroom.  When a particular student has behavior problems the teacher will develop a plan for positively changing his/her behavior.  It can include teaching and modeling social skills, emphasizing school rules and affirming progress that a student makes.  The teacher will communicate the concern to the student’s parents/guardians to get their input and support.

If a student needs to be removed from the classroom and sent to the office:

• An appropriate consequence will be assigned.
• Teacher, if not the source of the report, will be notified.
• Parents will be contacted.

Dress Code

There are a number of issues that we take into consideration when these regulations are made. Safety comes first, of course.  Then we consider the dress standards appropriate for children attending school.  This includes an attempt to align to some degree the elementary and secondary school dress standards, so that when students move on, most of the rules will already be understood.

• Hats and jackets are to be worn outdoors only.
• Pants are to be worn at the waist.
• Undergarments are not to be exposed.
• Shirts must not expose sides or midriffs.
• See through, strapless, spaghetti strap or other thin-strapped tops are not to be worn.
• Skirts and shorts that are too tight or too short are not permitted.  They are too short when hems do not meet or extend below the ends of the fingertips when arms are held straight down at one’s sides.
• Shoes need to be comfortable and safe for walking and running.  No open-backed shoes/slippers.  Please avoid sending your child to school wearing flip flops, thongs, beach shoes, other shoes without backs or back straps, or shoes with platform soles and /or higher heels.

Students will be asked to change to more appropriate/safer clothing if they come to school wearing items that are either inappropriate or unsafe.

Offenses Away From School

Each student has the right to go to and from school in safety, without fear, and without confronting prohibited conduct.  Incidents that happen away from school can endanger the educational environment.  For these reasons, school rules and consequences are in force from the time a student leaves home in the morning until she/he returns in the afternoon.  Students are subject to school discipline for any actions that endanger themselves or others or that disrupt the educational process.

The teacher will contact parents/guardians to discuss the issue and to identify ways of encouraging and rewarding positive behavior.  At this time, the teacher may consider referring the student to the School Intervention Team for additional assistance from other staff members.

The District Disciplinary Code supersedes the school disciplinary policy, please refer to “The Basic Rules of Seattle Public Schools” that was sent home in the first day packets. Serious misconduct leads to serious disciplinary action.  This action may include suspension, emergency exclusion or even expulsion from school.  Misconduct of this degree includes district and criminal offenses such as the following:

• Assault, fighting, instigating (a fight, an assault, etc.), intimidation, harassment and other forms of bullying behavior
• Willful defiance
• Repeated acts of disruption, disobedience, disrespect, unacceptable language.
• Theft
• Vandalism, malicious mischief
• Smoking, or possession of drugs, alcohol, or any other or illegal substances.
• Bringing or possessing a weapon.