Student Rights/Responsibilities

The Carmel Central School District Board of Education has adopted a Code of Conduct for the entire district that can be obtained at the main office.  The expectations for conduct are based on the principles of civility, citizenship, honesty, integrity and mutual respect. 

At Matthew Paterson Elementary School Our students are expected to exhibit a commitment to learning and to achieving success. We believe that every child has the right to learn without fear in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Students are expected to behave in a manner that reflects respect for teachers, other adults and their fellow students. Although behavior expectations will vary with time, location, and situation, the following three general expectations will always apply:

  • Keep Your Hands, Feet, and Other Objects to Yourself
  • Be on Task
  • Show Respect

These three things will be expected at all times and will be instrumental in achieving MPES’s goals of safety and student learning.

Every student is expected to be responsible for his/her own behavior, to exercise self-discipline, and to refrain from behavior which interferes with other students’ right to learn or endangers the health or well-being of others. With respect to resolving conflicts, students are taught to use positive problem solving strategies We have guidelines for appropriate student behavior that reflect the school's philosophy of respect for self and others. These responsibilities apply not only to their academics, but also to their use and care of school facilities, equipment, textbooks and supplies, creating a climate that promotes challenging-learning opportunities and good citizenship. At MPES these concepts are translated into the rights and responsibilities as described below.

Student Rights

  • All students have the right to be proud of whom they are.
  • All students have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • All students have the right to learn without disturbance or distraction.
  • All students have the right to be free from teasing, harassment or verbal abuse.
  • All students have a right to learn and work in a school climate that has rigorous academic standards
  • All students have the right to be informed of school rules and to have such rules and conditions available for review.

Student Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities: Students should be familiar with and abide by all District policies, rules and regulations dealing with student conduct.  Please take time to discuss should discuss the following student responsibilities with your child to reinforce the student’s understanding and encourage his/her ability to follow of responsible conduct.

Students have the responsibility to:

  • Be in school and in class on time.
  • Show respect to other persons and to school property and the property or others.
  • Contribute to a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning.
  • Strive and work to the best of their ability.
  • Demonstrate respect and tolerance towards diversity.
  • Ask questions when they do not understand and seek assistance to resolve difficulties.
  • Respond to other persons appropriately and to develop adaptive strategies to control their emotions.
  • Think before acting by considering the impact that one’s actions have on self and others.
  • Seek help in solving problems.
  • Make positive choices and accept the consequences of their actions.

Consequences

CONSEQUENCES for unacceptable actions may vary depending on the severity of the behavior.  Generally, there is a hierarchy of consequences, which includes but is not limited to the following:

  1. Redirection to appropriate and/or expected behavior.
  2. Verbal warning.
  3. After steps #1 and 2, teachers will follow progressive discipline procedures outlined in classroom rules for infractions. Unsafe behavior warrants immediate referral to the principal.
  4. The range of disciplinary action for infractions may include:
    • A phone call to the parent/guardian.
    • Parent conference.
    • Loss of privileges such as recess and eating in the cafeteria.
    • “Cooling off” time.
    • In-school suspension.
    • Out of school suspension.
    • Recommendation for school support services based upon agreement between the school and family.
    • Referral to out of school agencies.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

In the following areas of communication, bus behavior, playground behavior, and cafeteria behavior students are expected to demonstrate responsible behaviors at MPES as follows.

Communication

EXPECTATIONS

  • Utilizing a courteous vocabulary that includes saying please, thank you and excuse me.
  • Listening and thinking about what is being said and/or taught. Listening includes looking at the speaker.
  • Asking questions when instruction or directions are not understood.
  • Listening and following directions the first time they are given.
  • Using language and gestures that are appropriate
  • Learning to disagree in a controlled manner.
  • Adhering to all school rules and expectations when attending school sponsored extracurricular events.

UNACCEPTABLE COMMUNICATION INCLUDES:

  • Using profane, discriminatory and/or abusive language or gestures.
  • Committing an act of violence such as hitting, punching, kicking and scratching.
  • Threatening others with harm and/or with using a weapon.
  • Committing acts of destruction that may include using flammable objects or using objects that are not harmful in a destructive manner.
  • Being untruthful and lying, this includes making false statements about another person.

On the Bus

EXPECTATIONS

  • Walk to the bus in a single line and boarding in a safe and careful manner.
  • Move over to let another student sit down when space is available
  • Find an open seat and using the restraint buckle if one is available.
  • Place book bag on the floor.
  • Use a quiet, calm, indoor voice and speak only with those who are seated nearby.
  • Remain in seat for the entire bus ride to and from school.
  • Walk off the bus in an orderly manner.
  • Walk in front of the bus where the bus driver can see the student if one needs to cross the street.

 UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

  • Distracting the bus driver.
  • Running to and from the bus.
  • Pushing others and cutting the bus line.
  • Shouting, yelling, and using inappropriate or foul language.
  • Eating food, drinking and chewing gum.
  • Pushing others from a seat or demanding that they move to another seat.
  • Hitting others with one’s book bag or using the book bag in an obtrusive manner.
  • Fighting on the bus.
  • Playing with the widows, emergency levers or any safety equipment.
  • Hitting children with seat belts.
  • Throwing objects.
  • Tripping others.
  • Changing seats while the bus is in motion or being out of one’s seat.
  • Opening windows without permission.
  • Refusing to sit in a seat assigned by the driver.
  • Tampering with emergency equipment and exits.
  • Possessing weapons and/or dangerous objects.
  • Carrying or igniting flammable items such as matches or lighters.

 CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

  • Drivers will follow progressive discipline procedures, beginning with a verbal warning.
  • The bus driver will complete a bus incident conduct report form and forward it to the principal.
  • The principal or designee will speak with the student(s) involved.
  • A copy of the referral will be sent home to the parent/guardian and to the classroom teacher.
  • A third bus referral will result in a call home from the principal.
  • The range of disciplinary actions for bus conduct infractions may include:
  • Special seating.
  • Suspension from bus privileges.
  • Parent/guardian conference.
  • Replacing or repairing the item or providing school services for the bus damage will be determined by the principal and family.

On the Playground

 EXPECTATIONS 

  • Listening respectfully to the directions of the adults in charge.
  • Playing fairly during recess time.
  • Being courteous and acting safely with classmates.
  • Being a good sport.
  • Treating everyone the way one wants to be treated.
  • Helping others to enjoy themselves and inviting children to play.
  • Lining up quietly and walking to and from the playground.
  • Utilizing appropriate space boundaries.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

  • Pushing, shoving, or placing your hands or feet on another person.
  • Throwing rocks, stones or objects or aiming any objects at another person.
  • Teasing, name calling, cursing, or using abusive language.
  • Fighting, kicking, hitting or using physical violence.
  • Speaking disrespectfully or not listening to adults in charge.
  • “Cutting” in games and during line up time.
  • Playing aggressively in a way that is harmful to yourself or others.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS

  • Verbal warning.
  • Alerting teachers to the infraction.
  • Parent phone call by the teacher.
  • Alert the principal.
  • Phone call to the family from the principal.
  • Unable to participate in recess
  • Suspension of recess privileges.
  • In-school suspension.
  • Out of school suspension.
  • Denial of the privilege to participate in activity where the infraction took place.

In the Cafeteria

EXPECTATIONS

 Lunch time is a time when courtesy and consideration become especially important.

  • Walk when entering the cafeteria and be seated in a calm manner.
  • Bring your lunch or lunch money with you when leaving the classroom.
  • Line up quietly when purchasing lunch or snack.
  • Remain in the cafeteria and do not leave your seat or the lunchroom without permission.
  • Use a calm “indoor voice” during for the entire time you are in the cafeteria.
  • Ask permission from a monitor to use the bathroom, or to leave the cafeteria for any purpose.
  • Wait for your teacher to pick you up from the cafeteria if you need to return to class.
  • Speak respectfully to the lunch monitors and all supervising adults.
  • Clean up after yourself. Pick up and properly dispose of all uneaten food, drink containers and wrappers.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

There is no:

  • Running around in the cafeteria or hallway.
  • Cutting, pushing or shoving while on any lunch line.
  • Speaking loudly or yelling.
  • Throwing and/or squashing food and drink items.
  • Leaving food, napkins or wrapper on the table or food.
  • Sharing of food.
  • Borrowing or loaning of money.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS

 Progressive discipline procedures will be followed, however unsafe behavior such as hitting or threatening warrant immediate attention of the principal.

  • Reports may be filled out and given to the teacher who will discuss the situation with the student during a meeting or personal conference.
  • Denial of privileges such as sitting with their classmates or eating in the cafeteria.
  • Phone call home.
  • Lunch detention, recess detention, a cooling off time, in-school suspension, or out of school suspension.
  • Subsequent infractions may require a parent/guardian to pick the student up from school on the day of the infraction.
  • Students may be referred for in school support.

Response to Hitting/Threatening

Hitting and threatening are defined as physical or verbal assaults that cause harm to oneself or others. **

  • Warning at the discretion of the teacher or principal.
  • Individual or group conference with the teacher.
  • The teacher will talk with the student. Teacher calls home.
  • Lunch/recess (one day) in the cooling-off areas as per time schedule
  • In the “cooling off” room the student will reflect upon the incident and compose a written response about appropriate alternative solutions. The report may need to be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher. 
  • Additional number of lunch/recess times spent in the “cooling off” (two to four) Support service/principal calls home. The student will compose a written report (to be sent home and signed by the parent) the report of the offense so s/he can reflect upon the problem and work toward a solution.)**
  • In-school suspension (one-half to full day). The principal and teacher will conference with the children involved. A call home will be made by the principal. The student will write a report about his/her behavior and the parent will sign the report.  The report will be returned to the teacher.**
  • In-school suspension (two days) at the principal’s discretion. Parent conference with the teacher (if appropriate), principal (if appropriate), support personnel.  Possible referral for in-school support or to an outside agency with parent approval. **
  • Suspension (one day) – parent conference with teacher (if appropriate), support personnel, and principal. Possible referral to outside agencies, the Building Instructional Support Team and CSE.
  • Increase suspension to two, three, four, five days at principal’s discretion. Parent conference with principal, teacher and support staff.
  • Superintendent’s hearing with family, teacher, support staff and principal.

**When appropriate, conflict resolution strategies and mediation will be put into place   with support staff

Dress Code

Students are expected to dress appropriately for school and school functions.   Students and parents have a responsibility for acceptable student dress, appearance and cleanliness.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

  • Clothing should be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.
  • Dress items such as halter tops, short shorts, spaghetti straps, and shirts that bare the midriff or show undergarments are inappropriate.
  • Footwear should be safe. Flip Flops and high heels are discouraged.
  • Clothing should not include inappropriate words or pictures that are offensive, denigrate others, promote or endorse the use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal substances and/or illegal or violent activities.
  • Wearing hats in the school building is not permitted, except for special designated days.

Violations of the dress code will result in asking the student to modify their dress by covering or removing an offending item.  The parent/guardian may be asked to bring to school a change of clothes for the student.

Other

OTHER CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS AND PROHIBITIONS IN ALL AREAS OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING AND DURING SCHOOL FUNCTIONS:

(Violations may be subject to disciplinary action.)

  • Walking is expected in all areas of the school building and on school property.
  • Loud and unreasonable noise is not acceptable.
  • Language and gestures must not be profane, lewd, vulgar or abusive.
  • Students shall comply with the directions of the principal, teachers, and other school staff.
  • Engaging in violent behavior such as hitting, kicking, tripping, scratching, and/or punching is prohibited.
  • Weapons are not allowed in school nor are any displays of what appears to be a weapon.
  • Threatening to use a weapon to harm others is prohibited.
  • Intentionally damaging or destroying property of the school or other persons is prohibited.
  • Students shall not engage in conduct that endangers the safety, morals, and health or welfare of others such as lying, stealing, harassing, intimidating, discriminating or defaming others.
  • Proper use of the bathrooms is expected. Dawdling in the bathroom, writing on the walls or flushing inappropriate items in the toilet is prohibited. 

Students must abide by the Carmel Central School District Elementary Internet Policy which is sent home yearly. Students must have permission to use computers, software, and the internet/intranet account.  Using inappropriate websites or any other violation of the District’s acceptable use policy is subjected to disciplinary action.

Mediation: is a process where students are assisted in resolving conflicts and disagreements in a positive manner.  Children are guided through a series of questions that are solution focused.  Children who have a conflict and participate in mediation can expect to have an opportunity to safely discuss the problem/conflict, express their feelings and points of view and make decisions about how to avoid the conflict in the future.

Socialization Groups: These small social skills groups address specific areas of social skill development.  Some students benefit from a more personalized opportunity to develop and enhance their social interaction skills.