Birney Handbook
Students who struggle with self-control may need to enter into a behavior contract between the student, teacher and parent(s). In this case, the student is challenged and motivated to correct behaviors that prevent learning for a specific period of time.
Should the students disrupt the learning of others, teachers establish a quiet place in the classroom where students may be required to complete a problem-solving slip while separated from the group. Students will be expected to try to earn the right to rejoin the group, but if unable to correct behavior, then a problem-solving slip will be required at the next recess. They will bring this paper home for a parent's review and signature, and then return it to the teacher.
Problem-solving slips are entered into a database in order to track behaviors and identify patterns of behaviors that might need to be mediated. Students with multiple problem-solving slips will be given a school referral for further intervention to correct the problem. Referrals will be used as a means of intervention in the case of serious violations of school behavior rules.
Behaviors such as fighting, vandalism, or theft will warrant immediate referrals and suspensions (see California Education Code, Sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, 48900.4, 48900.7, and 48915 for further information). In addition, behaviors that continually impede learning, including but not limited to serious defiance, also warrant referrals and/or suspensions.
In the case of an office referral, one or more of the following consequences will result and will be overseen by the counselor and/or principal:
- Parent contact/conference
- Letter of apology or verbal apology; essay (upper grades)
- Behavior contract
- Community services
- Loss of morning or afternoon recess
- Parent visit to the class
Students who consistently violate school rules will be subject to a discipline step process, as follows:
- Three problem-solving slips for the same issue will result in a teacher-generated referral to the principal.
- Three referrals within the same school year will result in a mandatory meeting between school administration, the teacher and parent(s), and may result in a suspension for one or more days.
- Students who are suspended for any reason will require a behavior support contract on their return, to be drawn up in the meeting between school administration and the family.
Referrals that may result in immediate suspension include:
- Fight/Physical Contact
- Threat, causation, or attempted causation of physical injury to another
- Harassment/Bullying
- Obscene or offensive act, or habitual profanity/vulgarity
- Willful destruction of school property
- Theft
- Repeated disruptive defiance (i.e., refusing to follow directions to the point where it is disrupting learning of other students in the classroom)
- Persistent failure to respond to correction, especially as to respect for staff or others
- Persistent and repeated failure to follow student rules
Referrals which may result in potential expulsion (fourth or fifth grade):
- Possession of a weapon (e.g., a firearm, knife or explosive)
- Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer, or being under the influence of any controlled substance.