Disciplinary Process:  At the beginning of each school year, teachers review the Student Code of Conduct with the students.  Parents and students should become familiar with the school's expectations regarding behavior.  Parents are reminded that the Code of Conduct applies to students at all times at school, including school-sponsored field trips, evening activities/functions at school, etc.

Teachers are encouraged to rectify student behavior problems early, and at the lowest possible level.  However, if warnings to the student and teacher-parent communication fail to bring about an improvement, the student will be referred to the school administrator in these instances.

Students who violate general rules of conduct will be subject to a standard discipline plan, as follows:

1. Students will be warned by the teacher about inappropriate behavior.

2. If the situation continues, the teacher will notify the parent by telephone, note, or disciplinary referral form.

3. If a student's infraction of the school rules is severe, he/she may be automatically referred to the Administration.

4. Specific procedures will be followed by the administrator if and when a discipline problem is referred to his or her office.  Those steps are:

   1. First referral:  Conference with the student with a review of the student's discipline folder, and possible parent contact, either by phone or form. (If form is used, it is to be signed and returned for filing in the student's records.)  A detention may also be assigned.  Detentions are held from 3:15-4:15 p.m. on Thursdays.

   2. Second referral:  Additional detention or in-school suspension with parental contact.

   3. Third referral:  In-school or out-of-school suspension with parent/student conference required before reinstatement (both parent and student will participate in the conference.)  Students assigned to in-school suspension or detention will be supervised.  During this time, students will complete current assignments (assigned readings, homework, etc.)

5. Students whose behavior causes on-going problems for himself/herself, other students, and for school staff members will be referred to the school counselor, in an effort to determine the cause(s) of the misbehavior and ways to modify it.

6. These guidelines may be adjusted depending on the age of the child and the nature of the problem.

Corporal Punishment:  New Jersey specifically forbids corporal punishment in the school.  The law defines reasonable exceptions to the State Statute forbidding teachers to use force on children.  The bill lets a school employee, within the scope of his employment, use and apply such amount of force as is reasonable and necessary, as follows:

1. To quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to others.

2. To obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects from the person or within the control of a pupil.

3. For the purpose of self-defense.

4. For the protection of persons and property.

Student Code of Conduct: 

1. Golden Rule

   1. Students will treat each other as they want to be treated.

   2. Speak politely.

   3. Be fair.

   4. Treat each other kindly.

2. Student responsibilities on school property

   1. Students will show respect for school staff, teachers, bus drivers, school property, and each other.

   2. Students will use good manners.  Some examples are:  "please, thank you, excuse me," etc.

   3. Students will use only acceptable behavior.

   4. Students will follow all safety rules.

   5. Passes:  If a student is late to class, he/she must have a note or late pass.

   6. Items which are hazardous to others or interfere with school procedure are not allowed and will be taken away.  Some examples are:  toy guns, water pistols, pocket knives, sharp objects, radios, skateboards, electronic toys and equipment, etc.

   7. Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking:  Students are forbidden to have, use, sell, give out, or share cigarettes, or any substance considered to be a drug.

   8. Gum chewing is not allowed on school property or buses.

   9. Students are not permitted to have cell phones or pagers on school property during school hours.

3. Homework

   1. Homework is due on the date designated by teachers.

   2. Students in grades 3-6 have received a homework assignment book, which should be used at all times.

   3. Missed homework assignments will result in after school detention as follows:

      1. Grade 3:

         • 1st Marking Period:  5 homework points per detention.

         • 2nd Marking Period:  4 homework points per detention.

         • 3rd & 4th Marking Period:  3 homework points per detention

      2. Grades 4, 5, 6:  3 homework points = 1 detention

   4. After a detention is served, the student is given a "clean slate".  Every student begins each marking period with a "clean slate".

4. Lunchtime behavior:

   1. Walk when entering/leaving the cafeteria.

   2. Stay seated:  Don't leave without the teacher's permission.

   3. Use good table manners.

   4. Keep your voice at a reasonable level.

   5. Clean up your own area.

   6. Do not take food out of the cafeteria.

5. Playground responsibilities:  Students can enjoy the use of the playground only if certain safety rules are followed.  Those who break the rules or hurt others will not be allowed to participate in playground activities.

   1. Students will listen to teachers on duty.

   2. Students will use all equipment properly and safely.

   3. Students will cooperate and use good manners.  (Sharing equipment, no fighting, no inappropriate language or gestures, etc.)

   4. Students will stay within the boundaries of the playground.

   5. Students must have a written note to be excused from recess (to help a teacher, finish work, etc.)

6. Bus Behavior:  All students riding the school bus must be considerate of the safety and well being of others.

   1. Students will listen to and obey the driver at all times.

   2. Students will get on and off the bus safely (no pushing or shoving).

   3. Students will remain seated at all times.  Seatbelts must be worn.

   4. Students will talk quietly (no yelling, screaming, shouting, etc.).

   5. Keep aisles clear (no book bags, feet, instruments, skis, etc.).

   6. Students will put nothing out the windows, including their bodies.

   7. Keep the bus clean; no littering or throwing of objects; no damage or vandalism.

   8. Follow school rules while waiting at the bus stop.

   9. No eating, drinking, or gum chewing on the bus.

   10. No inappropriate language or gestures.

   When a student is sent to a school administrator for breaking the bus rules, the following will happen:

   1. First Offense:  Student will meet with the administrator and parents will be notified.

   2. Second Offense:  Student will be given after school detention and parents will be notified.

   3. Third Offense:  Student will not be allowed on the bus for up to 5 days.  Parents will be responsible for transporting the child to and from school during that period.  School attendance is required during this time.

   4. Fourth offense:  Student will not be allowed on the bus for up to 30 days.  Parents will be responsible for transportation during this time, and school attendance is required.

7. Detention: After School Detention:  Students may receive an after school detention for violating general rules of conduct as described in the Parent Handbook.  Parents will be responsible for transporting their child home after detention.

8. Suspension:  A student may be suspended for the following reasons:

   1. Repeated refusal to obey the rules.

   2. Intentional damage to school or someone's property.

   3. Possession, consumption, or distribution of any substance considered a drug (tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.)

   4. Possession or distribution of any weapon.

   5. Sexual harassment and bullying.