IN THE CLASSROOM

While individual classroom rules may vary somewhat, the following expectations for behavior will be consistent in all classrooms.

Students are expected to:

1. Treat everyone with respect;
2. Remain on task;
3. Follow adult directions;
4. Raise hand and wait to be acknowledged; and
5. Use appropriate voice control.

LUNCH EXPECTATIONS

All Panthers will…

• Walk to the lunch areas and use whispering voices.  Wait patiently and keep hands to yourself. 
• Stay in your personal “bubble of space”.
• Say please and thank you to all cafeteria helpers.
• Stay seated while eating and use polite language. Share your friendship but not your food.
• Clean up your table, bench, and floor/ground/patio completely after eating.  Recycle all food and trash in the appropriate bins. 
• Return to your seat and wait quietly for dismissal. 

• Walk to the playground behind the playground helpers and use whispering voices.

KINDERGARTEN RECESS EXPECTATIONS

All Panthers will…

• Be kind
• Be safe
• Be responsible

PLAYGROUND EXPECTATIONS (GRADES 1-3)

All Panthers will…

• Use whispering voices when walking to the playground
• Listen to and respect all playground helpers
• Follow directions the first time they are given
• Use appropriate manners and language
• Have fun and include all Panthers in games
• Play only in supervised areas
• Stay out of the trees
• Stay off the rocks and grass areas between the buildings
• Use playground equipment safely
• Follow the “hands-off” Panther rule
• Stay in their own personal “bubble of space”
• Be safe and make logical choices
• Walk or skip on the blacktop
• When the bell rings, freeze, sit down and wait for the whistle then walk or skip quietly to your line
• Have fun!

PLAYGROUND EXPECTATIONS (GRADES 4-5)

All Panthers will…

• Use whispering voices when walking to the playground
• Listen to and respect all playground supervisors
• Follow directions the first time they are given
• Use appropriate manners and language
• Understand that the use of inappropriate language, threats, “Put Downs” or bullying is not acceptable
• Play only in supervised areas
• Stay off the hillside and ramp near the kindergarten building
• Stay out of the bushes on the lower field and off the hillside near the playground equipment
• Use playground equipment safely
• Do not bring personal toys/balls from home to use on the playground
• Follow the “hands-off” Panther rule
• Stay in your personal “bubble of space”
• Be safe and make logical choices
• Get permission from a playground supervisor to walk to the restroom, walk with a buddy to the restroom, and return to the playground immediately
• Freeze, stop playing, and walk quietly to assigned area when the bell rings/whistle blows
• Have fun!

REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES

Students who behave appropriately have the satisfaction of knowing that “In my head and in my heart, I have done the right thing,” and will feel proud of themselves. Students are recognized for appropriate and exemplary behavior through verbal praise and Panther Pride Cards.

Students (Grades 1-5) who fail to follow yard and cafeteria rules will receive a Grounds Citation.  The Grounds Citation system operates cumulatively over the entire year.

• 1st Grounds Citation:  Student warning, parent letter
• 2nd Grounds Citation: 2 days lunch detention, parent letter
• 3rd Grounds Citation:  5 days lunch detention, office conference, parent letter

Grounds Citations are sent home for parents signature and returned to the school office.  Our goal is ongoing open communication between parents and children, as well as respect for the teachers and noon supervisors. 

Additionally, in accordance with District Policy and Education Code, students engaging in the following actions can be suspended from school:

1. Profanity or vulgarity
2. Fighting, participating in a fight, or threatening to harm another
3. Defiance of authority or willful disobedience
4. Willful damage to property
5. Theft, attempted theft, and/or receiving stolen property
6. Possession of drugs or weapons (including imitation)
7. Sexual harassment (Grades 4 & 5)
8. Acts of hate violence (Grades 4 & 5)
9. Threats or intimidation directed against a pupil or group or pupils (Grades 4 & 5)

Pacific School’s rules are explained to all students in a school-wide PBIS Standards and Expectations Assembly.  Panther Pride Cards are awarded from the first day of school.  Panther Pride Cards are awarded frequently and Grounds Citations very infrequently.  One Grounds Citation simply means that a student has made a mistake.  Students are encouraged to be open and honest with their parents, sharing successes and lessons learned.  “Smart people learn from their mistakes.”

INTERNET SAFETY

Everyone is aware of the potential dangers of inappropriate content on the Internet. It is critical that we help our children use home computers safely and appropriately. Students in the upper grades are increasingly making use of home computers for research and class projects, and this use will continue to increase as the students go on to MBMS and Mira Costa.

Please discuss responsible and safe computer use with your children, supervise their computer use, and consider installing content controls on all home computers. You may also wish to set up your computer in a central location.  The following websites offer information about risks and ways to protect your computer and your children:

                  www.getnetwise.org            www.safekids.com          www.cybersitter.com  

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Please review with your children appropriate use of research materials and the importance of creating original work while using those materials. Review their research materials as you help them with a project.  Be sure that your child’s final product is truly his/her own work. One of the elements of Depth and Complexity for our students in Kindergarten –Grade 5 is Ethics. Help your child be an honest academic!

NONDISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, threats, and intimidation, with respect to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any other personal preference or characteristic.  The School Board prohibits intimidation or harassment of any student by any employee, student or other person in the district.  Staff shall be alert and immediately responsive to student conduct which may interfere with another student’s ability to participate in, or benefit from school services, activities or privileges.  Teachers will discuss this policy with their students in age-appropriate ways.   

RELIGION AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The use of religious symbols, provided they are used only as examples of cultural or religious heritage, is permissible as a teaching aide or resource.  Religious symbols may be displayed only on a temporary basis as part of the academic program.  Students may choose to create artwork with religious symbols, but teachers should not assign or suggest such creations.  Information about treatment of religious issues and observance of religious holidays in public schools can be found in the brochure, “A Parent’s Guide to Religion in the Public Schools,” available in the school office.

CONCLUSION

All students at Pacific School have the right to a positive, warm, and nurturing environment where they can learn and play safely and comfortably.  Students are encouraged to care about others and to demonstrate school spirit and pride.