Halley Elementary's faculty and staff are committed to the success of all students. Students demonstrating appropriate behaviors will be recognized with positive consequences on both an immediate and long-term basis.
School-Wide Implementation
Students and/or classes demonstrating appropriate behaviors will be recognized with positive consequences on both an immediate and long-term basis.
The Star Search Program recognizes students who:
. Exhibit exemplary behavior and fine character
. Exhibit acts of kindness, caring and courtesy
. Are role models for other students
. Follow Halley school rules
. Are respectful, responsible and give their best effort
Students recognized in the Star Search Program will receive a star bookmark and will be recognized during Morning Program for K-2 and on WHES for grades 3-6.
Halley Good Character Awards are distributed regularly at Morning Program (K - 2nd) and grade level meetings (3rd - 6th). Stickers will be awarded for positive behaviors. Any faculty member can award stickers. Please see T-Chart on following page.
Team/Grade Level Implementation
Team and grade level positive consequences will be developed at team meetings.
Classroom Implementation
In classrooms, teachers may choose to reward individuals or entire classes who have complied with the school rules. Some examples of positive reinforcements may include:
. Smiles
. Stickers
. Happy notes
. Happy phone calls home
. Special privileges (teacher helper, media helper, read to another class, extra computer time)
. Lunch with an adult
. Special treats
. Tokens
. Games or activities
CHARACTER EDUCATION
Morning Program
Halley Elementary begins each morning with Morning Program for teachers and students in kindergarten through second grade. Morning program is a short event from 8:45-9:05 a.m. when the students and staff gather together. Students lead songs and the pledge to the flag, announce the date and lunch menu for the day, and report the weather. Our principal, Mrs. Funk, and the assistant principal, Mrs. Chianetta, greet the students and recognize new students and birthdays. A special activity or a guest speaker is planned for most days. On Fridays, the "Halley Good Character Award" is given to a student in each classroom who has followed the school rules and has demonstrated the character trait of the month.
If parents have a morning free, they are welcome to join us for Morning Program.
Class Meetings
Teachers will conduct class meetings on a weekly basis. Class meetings are an opportunity for students to practice self-discipline, cooperation, mutual respect, and problem solving in a school environment. When class meetings are scheduled as part of the regular class routine, teachers realize immediate benefits. Students learn that there is a designated time for problem solving. They become invested in classroom management and therefore teachers have more time to focus on teaching. Communication is enhanced through improved listening skills, oral expression, abstract thinking, and empathy development. Classroom climate is enhanced as students accept ownership of conflicts and consequences. As students become more involved in decision- making and problem solving, they become more willing to cooperate. Research and experience indicate that class meetings support the development of a positive classroom community. Practicing the process fosters a cohesiveness that provides students a safe environment in which to share concerns regarding school issues, help each other solve problems and plan class events.
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Bullying is physical, verbal, social or emotional teasing, or intimidation, that occurs over a period of time. It is repeated negative behaviors intended to frighten or cause harm.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a research based program that has been shown to help individual students adopt pro-social behaviors and to become more likely to stand up against bullying. The program includes school-wide, classroom, individual, and community interventions that will reduce bullying school-wide and create a more positive learning environment. Principles of the program include:
• Adults create an atmosphere of warmth and caring
• Adults communicate that bullying is unacceptable, and respect is expected
• A common definition of bullying is articulated
• Positive rewards for respectful behavior and negative consequences for bullying behaviors are established
• Regular Class Meetings provide opportunities for student discussion of social issues and for practice of pro-social skills
• Adults meet individually with children who bully and with children who are targets of bullying
• Social power is removed from bullying peers and reinvested in positive peers' students are empowered to stand up for one another
Hierarchy of Consequences
- Non-Verbal Cues - Planned ignoring, proximity, eye contact, silent signals, redirection through touch
- General Classroom Reminders - Verbal reminders of classroom rules.
- Student-Specific Warning - Verbal warning to a student to remind him/her of appropriate behavior
- Time-Out in Classroom - Student is sent to a " Think Center " to complete work or to complete a "Think Sheet"
- Time-Out in Another Class/Parent contact - Student is sent to complete work or "Think Sheet" in another class; arrangements and partnerships are set up in advance. A note home, phone call, or parent/student conference request must follow the removal on the same day . For excessive disruption in which the student is sent to another class for more than a few minutes (such as for the remainder of a class), teachers must send the Student Removal from Class Form (Student Removal From Class Form and state letter must be sent home to parent on each occasion , refer to FCPS Regulation 2606 and sample letter following).
- Professional Learning Communities - Response Team (PLC-RT) Request for Assistance - To request assistance specific strategies/interventions.
- Office Referral * The teacher will make a formal referral when the above interventions have failed (possible outcomes include, but are not limited to, suspension, and alternative instructional arrangements, etc.) Teacher must complete office referral form when sending student. Work for the student should follow as soon as possible.
- CT Button * - To be used in emergencies only! (Examples may include, but are not limited to: medical emergency, dangerous situation such as a weapon or physical aggression)
Notes:
- Parents may be notified at any level depending on the severity of the situation or problem.
- Some inappropriate student behavior may warrant immediate use of more severe consequences.*