In order to enforce the rules of our school and in the classroom, we want to inform you of our classroom discipline procedures and student expectations.  We use a system of rules, consequences, and rewards to motivate students to be responsible for their own behavior.  Good behavior is critical to being successful in Britt David's accelerated academic program.  The following is a list of class rules, consequences, rewards, and conduct grading policy:

I.  CLASS RULES

1.       I will listen to and follow directions.

2.     I will raise my hand and wait for permission to speak.

3.     I will stay in my seat unless I have permission to do otherwise.

4.     I will show respect to our classmates and all adults.

5.     I will work quietly.

6.     I will always do my best and turn in quality work.

7.     I will come to class prepared.  

II. CONSEQUENCES

Conduct Grade / 5^th Grade Discipline Plan

          All students begin the 9 weeks with 100 points.  Loss of conduct points for infraction of classroom/school rules can occur from: stamps, action plans, and office referrals.  Students who lose conduct points during the week will not be allowed to participate in free time events. An explanation of each follows below.  After the progress report, the student starts over with 100 points for the rest of the nine weeks.  The student’s final conduct grade for each 9 weeks will be the average the student acquires before and after the progress report. 

Stamps:

Students will have individual conduct sheets.   The student will receive a stamp for infractions of class rules; the student will write the reason for receiving the stamp.  Each stamp received is two points off of the conduct grade.  Examples of stamps will be for things such as talking excessively, not being on task, not having homework, etc.  A full explanation of the report card conduct grade is summarized below.

Action Plan:

For other conduct infractions or when the stamps are occurring on a regular basis, the student will write an action plan, for a loss of 5 conduct points.  It will be sent home for the parent to sign, and it will be returned the next day.  Please note that notes / action plans not returned to school the next day can result in the loss of additional points.  Habitual violation can lead to an office referral.

Automatic office referrals:

Students will be referred to the office for serious offenses such as forgery, fighting, threats, bullying, etc.  A student may also be referred when he/she habitually breaks the classroom rules.  A student can lose up to 15 points from conduct grade for office referrals.  If a student is suspended for any reason, 25 points will be deducted from the conduct grade.

Bullying (Directly taken from Muscogee County Schools Board Policy Manual)

The Muscogee County School District , in accordance with O.C.G.A §20-2-751.4, which is applicable to students in grades kindergarten through twelve, prohibits bullying behavior of a student by another student.

Bullying behavior is defined as:

 Any pattern of written or verbal expression or any physical act or gesture that is intended to ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or cause measurable physical or emotional distress upon one or more students in the school, on the school grounds, in school vehicles,  at designated school bus stops, or at school activities or sanctioned events.

All students and parents will receive notification of the anti-bullying behavior policy via the Muscogee County School District Behavior Code and Discipline Policy handbook annually.  Posters will be displayed at all schools with the Student Hotline number.  Each student will receive a “Stop the Bullying - Know the Laws Against Bullying” pocket card.

Incidents of bullying behavior may be reported anonymously by a citizen, parent, or student to the Student Hotline number (706) 748-2267 or to the State of Georgia  at 1-800-children or on the website at http://www.cycc.state.ga.us/.  Incidents may be reported directly to the principal, teacher or other school district personnel verbally or in writing.

Each reported incident of bullying behavior will be investigated by the principal/designee, and in some cases school security, and a disposition determined which may include a suspension from school or a referral to the Student Discipline Tribunal.  Students who make a false report of an incident of bullying behavior will also receive a disposition.

Circumstances of each act of bullying may, in the judgment of the Muscogee County School District , require a more severe penalty or punishment of expulsion.  Students that have committed bullying behavior for the third time in a school year shall receive, at a minimum, the following penalties:

Students in grades K-2 shall be assigned to the Elementary Saturday School Program for six (6) weeks.  Students in grades 3-5 shall be assigned to the Elementary Evening Alternative School for six (6) weeks.  Students in grades 6-12 shall be assigned an alternative school for the remainder of the school year in which the violation occurs.

The Muscogee County School District shall ensure that the local superintendent and all principals, assistant principals, school counselors, resource officers, and other appropriate staff complete a research based training program, annually, relating to bullying behavior.  

Muscogee County School District shall report to the Department of Education incidents of bullying behavior pursuant to Code Sections 20-2-740.

Missing Homework

         Coming to school prepared is an integral part of being successful in 5th grade.  It plays a key role in assuming responsibility.  Our magnet program is not a place for nonconforming or unmotivated students.  It is a specialty school that students ask to attend because of a special interest or ability.  Attending is a privilege that can be revoked if students refuse to obey rules and maintain academic standards. The student will receive a stamp for a loss of 2 points on conduct grade.  Missing work should be done at home.  On graded assignments, there is a loss of 10 points for each day that the assignment is late.  After parents have been notified and the student continues to present irresponsible work habits, the student may be referred to the Standards Committee or to the office for review.  Students should be responsible and complete homework in a timely manner to avoid consequences.

III. REWARDS

         1. Positive notes sent home

         2. Good Conduct Grade

         3. Recognized with other students by our principal at the   end of the 9 weeks

           4. Special treats/ rewards

         5.  Free time / party reward

Qualifying for free time:

Free time on Fridays is reward time.  The following are requirements for participation for the week.

- being present all week

- not being tardy

- not receiving a stamp, action plan, or office referral

- being on track with AR reading

- not breaking any other infractions of class rules

At Britt David Magnet Academy , we are committed to creating an environment where teachers can teach and students can learn.  It is my intent to reinforce positive behaviors and this system allows us to accomplish this.  Please reinforce the idea that each child is responsible for his/her behavior.  Self-discipline is one of the best lessons a child can learn!