Behavior Code

  • I.    PHILOSOPHY
    Students will be treated with dignity and respect.  The school environment will be positive and pleasing to students and they will be able to attend school without experiencing fear or undue anxiety.  Cambridge Heights Open School will provide an atmosphere where each student can develop the basic academic and emotional skills necessary for independence in an ever-changing society and develop self-discipline and a positive self-image with an appreciation for the value of learning.

    II.    AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
    All members of the school community have the responsibility to ensure and maintain the stability of a positive learning environment.  Human trust, acceptance and concern for each individual must be fostered in order to achieve this climate in school.  With these basic rights go the responsibility for guiding individuals and disciplining their efforts to achieve this common goal of human respect?

    A.    SCHOOL STAFF - All the school staff has primary responsibility for providing a teaching-learning situation which contributes to the atmosphere of respect and trust within the school community.  School staff is responsible for modeling and teaching their students the behavioral standards existent in the classroom and the school as a whole.  They enforce the rules and regulations in the school and give support to the principal in maintaining district policy.

    B.    PARENTS/GUARDIANS - Parents/guardians are responsible for reinforcing behaviors consistent with the Cambridge Heights Open School Behavior Code and district policy with their children.  Parents/guardians function in a partnership with school staff regarding decisions directly affecting their children and the well-being of the school as a whole. 

    C.    STUDENTS - Students are responsible for following school rules and procedures established by the Cambridge Heights Open School Behavior Code.  Respecting the rights of others and demonstrating self-discipline are primary requirements of students in order for optimum school climate to exist.  Positive student attitudes and actions are an integral part of the establishment of such a climate.

    III.    SCHOOL RULES AND PROCEDURES  - BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE, BE A LEARNER

    A.    SCHOOL RULES
    1. The rights and property of others must be respected at all times.
    2. Students will attend school regularly and arrive at school on time.
    3. Students will walk throughout the school at all times.
    4. Students with Cell phones must have appropriate form on file in office, and cell phone must be turned off and placed in backpack.  Use of cell phones during the school day is prohibited.
    5. Students will stay in designated, supervised areas at all times.
    6. Students will walk bikes on campus. Bicycles will not be in the parking area or on the playground. The bike rack is off limits during school hours.
    7. Skateboards, rollerblades, and roller shoes are not allowed at school.
    8. Students will keep their hands, feet and other objects to themselves.
    9. Students will use restrooms for their intended use only. Playing or loitering is not allowed.
    10. Food is allowed at designated times and in designated areas only. Chewing gum is not allowed at school.
    11. Personal property (toys, games, electronic games or music playing devices, sports equipment, etc.) should not be brought to school. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
    12. The buying, selling and trading of personal items is not allowed.
    13. Animals are allowed on campus only with prior permission for educational purposes.
    14. No spitting is allowed on campus.
    15. Profanity (including gestures), ridicule or racial, ethnic religious, handicap or sexual slurs will not be tolerated.
    16. Fights, threatening the safety of others, willful destruction of property (including graffiti), and disrespect/defiance toward school personnel will not be tolerated.
    B.    PLAYGROUND RULES
    1. Students will remain in the designated playground area during all recesses. Students will not enter "off limit" zones without special permission from a staff member.
    2.  When the bell rings, all students will freeze until the whistle is blown and then walk directly to their class line-up areas.
    3. All games are “open” to all students.
    4. Kickball, soccer, and football are restricted to the field area.
    5. All equipment must be used safely, cooperatively, and for the purpose intended.
    6. Throwing sand, rocks, grass, bark, or other inappropriate objects is not allowed.
    7. When the grounds are wet, students are to stay on the blacktop. "CLOSED" signs will be hung on Pod C wall if the grass and/or play structure are too wet to be used safely.
    8. Injuries will be reported to the staff member on duty. Staff members will determine if office assistance is needed.
    C.    CAFETERIA RULES
    1. Students are to enter and exit the lunchroom n a quiet and orderly manner as directed by supervising staff.
    2. Students are to eat at assigned tables, be courteous, use indoor voices and exhibit good manners.
    3. Students will not share or trade food.
    4. Students will raise their hand for permission to leave their table.
    5. Each class will be responsible for cleaning their eating area before they are dismissed.
    6. Students will not take food onto the playground.
    7. Students will walk from the cafeteria to the playground.
    D.    DRESS CODE

    Dress for school should be safe and conducive to learning.  The choice and type of clothing and hairdo is a matter of individual taste, but must be safe, appropriate and not disruptive to the educational process.  Any extreme clothing or hair style may become distracting or disruptive.  A staff member will talk privately with any student in inappropriate attire or hairstyle.  Depending on the violation, a student may be required to call home for a change of clothing.  Guidelines for dress are:
    1. Shirts must cover the student's torso and all undergarments.
    2. Pants should fit around the waist.  No undergarments may be exposed (i.e. sagging pants).
    3. All clothing must be hemmed.
    4. Hats and hoods may only be worn outside for sun protection or head warmth during winter.
    5. No make-up may be worn.
    6. Unnatural hair coloring is not permitted.
    7. No clothing with printing or pictures making reference to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, sex, or slurs.
    8. Shorts, dresses and skirts must be finger-tip length or longer.
    9. Sleeveless tops must have a minimum "two finger width" shoulder strap. No "off the shoulder" tops. Arm holes may not be excessively large.
    10. Footwear must be worn at all times and must be safe for activity. Shoes/sandals must have a heel strap. Flip flops, Roller shoes and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.
    11. Sports shoes are to be worn for PE.
    IV.     FIELD TRIP BEHAVIOR POLICY

    Field trips are an extension of the classroom learning environment in a less structured setting.  Therefore, it is important that students participating in field trips conduct themselves in an appropriate manner which will insure their safety and the safety of others.  Students' behavior must be appropriate to the setting to allow all participants the opportunity to see, hear, and learn.
       
    During a field trip, a student will be expected to follow school rules.  If a student's behavior endangers his/her safety or the safety of others or requires a significant amount of teacher/chaperon time which would endanger others, the student will be removed from the site of the field trip.  Either the parent will be called to come to the site and take the child home or the principal will come to the site and take the child back to the school.
       
    One indicator of a student's ability to behave on a field trip is the citizenship exhibited at school.  Therefore, a student may be excluded from a field trip if prior behavior has been inappropriate and causes a concern for the safety of others or for the amount of teacher/chaperon time that would be required to monitor such behavior.
        
    V.    SYSTEMATIC PLAN FOR BEHAVIOR
        
    A.    BEHAVIOR CODE
    1. Teachers will review the Cambridge Heights Behavior Code with students during the first week of school. During class discussion, the necessity for the rules will be emphasized. Safety issues and school rules will be reviewed mid-year and after Spring Break.
    2. Each student will receive a copy of the Cambridge Heights Behavior Code and the SJUSD Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion to take home and share with his/her parents. Parent signature acknowledging understanding of the code and grounds for suspension will be required.   
    B.    POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
    1. Each teacher or Pod may have a student recognition program to be shared with parents at Back-to-School Night.
    2. Articles in the Cougar News will celebrate student accomplishments. 
    3. Each month students with "perfect" attendance will have their name listed in the Cougar News. A special certificate will be given for exceptional attendance for the year at the school-wide Last Day assembly.
    4. Exemplary work will be displayed throughout the school.
    5. "Caught Ya' Being Good" tickets will be earned by students demonstrating exemplary behavior. Lunch time drawing of CYBG will be held for prizes and "Pizza and Pals" parties.6.    PAWS will be given to classes demonstrating positive behavior. Classes earning 15 PAWS will have a PAW celebration.
    6. A school-wide Last Day assembly will recognize student accomplishments.
    C.    NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
       
    At Cambridge Heights Open School we use a progressive discipline system.  The goal of any negative consequence is to direct and encourage positive behavior. Possible negative consequences to be applied when dealing with students who do not observe the Cambridge Heights Open School rules are:
                    1.  School community service
                    2.  Letter of Apology
                    3.  Recess Detention
                    4.  On-site Suspension
                    5.  Suspension
                
    The Cambridge Heights discipline system follows this progression: 
       
    Verbal Warning: Verbal warnings are the most frequently used effort to change negative behavior and encourage positive. Warnings will always include a review of the positive behavior that is expected.
         
    Guidance Reports: If verbal warnings do not positively affect a student’s behavior a Guidance Report is issued. Guidance Reports are used for repeated and/or minor infractions of the rules.  The purpose of these slips is to remind students that their behavior is not appropriate or is unsafe. Parent signatures is required on these reports. The staff realizes the student is more likely to change negative behavior if the school and family work together to encourage positive change.
       
    Student Behavior Reports: For more serious offenses or multiple/repeated minor infractions a student will be issued a Student Behavior Report. In addition to parent signature these reports may  require a parent conference to develop a plan for improving the student’s behavior.
       
    Suspension: Suspension means removal of the student from ongoing instruction for adjustment purposes.  It also means that the student is not to attend or participate in school activities for the duration of the suspension.  Parents are required to respond to a conference regarding a suspension without delay. 
       
     VI.    CAMBRIDGE HEIGHTS OPEN SCHOOL BEHAVIOR CODE AND THE SAN JUAN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
       
    The Cambridge Heights Open School Behavior Code has been written in conjunction with the mandates of San Juan Unified School District Policy 5161 - "Policies and Procedures Governing Student Behavior" and California Education Codes 48900/48915.  These regulations define suspension and expulsion from school.  A copy of the Cambridge Heights Behavior Code and the SJUSD Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion were included in the first day of school folder. The required parent signature reflects receipt and understanding of these documents.
Last Modified on May 21, 2014