Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women School Student Management/Discipline Plan 

PHILOSOPHY

Positive school and classroom climate contribute to positive behavior.  The discipline philosophy of Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women has five basic components:  high expectations for student behavior, clear and understandable rules, fair and equitable enforcement of these rules, reasonable consequences for infractions or rules, and consistent acknowledgment of positive behavior and improvement on the part of students.

SUPPORTING THE PHILOSOPHY

Teachers and the administrative team will facilitate class meetings in order to maximize classroom climate and increase the sense of safety for children.  These discussions are for the purpose of revisiting expectations; sharing observations; acknowledging student leadership and responsibility; and for setting a tone of community working together for a common purpose or goal.  Whether requesting the students to modify current behavior or commending them on appropriate choices, the tone of the conversations is to be positive and encouraging. Meetings will be scheduled into the weekly lesson plans and/or informally conducted as the teacher deems necessary in helping support the philosophy of HTLAYW.   Training in the facilitation of these meetings will be provided as needed.  

HTLAYW staff will convene monthly to address areas of strength and/or challenge in an effort to plan accordingly.

HTLAYW staff will demonstrate support for one another in maintaining the practice of consistent, fair, and agreed upon school expectations, rules, and policies.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

·        Teachers use the Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women’s Policies and Behavioral Expectations to develop rules and expectations for their classroom.  Teachers will submit a copy of their Classroom Management Plan to the Principal and Student Management Specialist by Friday, September 23, 2011.

·        Teachers share their Classroom Management Plan with parents at Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 27, 2011.

·        Re-teaching of these policies and expectations will occur throughout the year, especially after students have been out of school for an extended time (winter and spring breaks).  Consistent reteaching will support students in their learning and understanding of these expectations.

·        Behavioral interventions have been developed by the staff that are consistent, progressive, and follow the guidelines established in the Responsibilities, Rights and Discipline Handbook.  Students who do not follow the rules will be dealt with in a fair and consistent manner.    The focus of these interventions is to help the student learn safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors.  It is always desirable for a student to learn from their mistakes.

·        If a child needs to be seen by the Principal or Student Management Specialist, the staff member will complete a Referral Form (use of forms depends on the severity of the infraction).  Students should not be sent to the office without advance notice.  The document is to be placed in an envelope to ensure confidentiality, if delivered by a student messenger.   Students sent out of class are to report to the office directly!  If there is an emergency situation, staff are to call the office for assistance.  The Principal or Student Management Specialist will see the student as soon as possible.

·        If the problem continues, a behavior contract including specific areas of concern, responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, administrator, and any others involved, may be cooperatively written and implemented with help from the Principal.  A parent conference would be scheduled to present the plan.

 *All discipline procedures will adhere to guidelines identified in the HANDBOOK ON STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES, RIGHTS AND DISCIPLINE published by Portland Public Schools.  This document will be sent home during the first two weeks of school, after teachers have taught and reviewed Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women’s Policies and Behavioral Expectations.  These rules and expectations will be retaught throughout the year.

                                                                                                                                           March 2011