Discipline Policy
Vista School Discipline Policy
Behavior Guidelines
Vista School is committed to providing all students with a challenging, innovative, and results-oriented education through quality methods emphasizing academic excellence, accountability, character development, and respect for the individual. Students at Vista School should be examples and leaders in what they do and say. This includes making choices according to the school discipline policy, taking responsibility for their actions, and making sure these choices and actions do not cause a problem for others. We believe that our students are future leaders, and try to help them learn healthy, positive interactions with peers and adults – skills that will serve them throughout life.
Each Vista student is expected to:
* Be Proactive
I will choose who I will be, my actions are all up to me.
* Begin with the end in mind
After my years at Vista I’ll say, “I did my best in every way!”
* Put first things first
At Vista, we choose safety for one and all, We walk slowly and quietly in the hall We use kind words, careful hands and take turns We respect everyone, so that everyone learns.
* Think win-win
I win because Vista is such a great school, I respect the technology and every tool I work hard because the whole staff does, too I want Vista to win with the great things I do
1. Vista students are respectful in actions, words and attitude towards: -learning -staff members -other students -visitors -themselves -the building and grounds -technology -materials -opportunities at Vista
* Seek first to understand, then to be understood
I listen to teachers, the staff and my friends I know where my own space begins and it ends I show others I care about how they feel We take care of each other, what a great deal!
* Synergize
When I look around Vista I know I will see Uniforms and shoes just like the ones on me We all bring materials, we all come prepared We start class on time, our learning is shared
* Sharpen the Saw
I take care of myself with kindness that!s deep I eat healthy food, drink water and sleep I have fun at home, I feel good about living When I take care of me, I am much more giving
Minor Infractions:
When a student does not follow one of the above stated expectations, (including - tardy, uniform infraction, preparation, misconduct) the behavior is considered a minor infraction and the following will occur:
1st Infraction - Written warning
2nd Infraction - Detention*
3rd Infraction - Detention*
4th Infraction - Office Referral/Parent meeting with administration, detention*
5th Infraction -Office Referral/ detention*
6th Infraction - Suspension
*Vista discipline and administration team will determine the type of detention that is to be served. Types of detention include lunch, after school, and Saturday morning.
Major Infractions:
The following behaviors are considered major infractions and will result in an immediate office referral. Behaviors, which are or exhibit:
· Physically Dangerous (fighting, hazing, etc.)
· Ethnic, Gender, and/or Religious Slandering or Teasing
· Harassment (physical, sexual, written, or verbal)
· Bullying (including physical and emotional)
· Gross Insubordination (Student refuses to comply with a teacher or administrator, including following procedures and rules established in the classroom and/or by Vista School)
· Inappropriate Computer Usage
Procedures and Consequences for major infractions:
· First major infraction: 1-3 days of at-home suspension depending on severity.
· Second major infraction: 3-5 days of at home suspension depending on severity.
· Third major infraction: 5-10 days of at home suspension depending on severity.
· Fourth major infraction: Suspension indefinite/recommendation of expulsion to Board.
(Students with IEPs will be treated according to the state guidelines for students with IEPs.)
Expulsion may occur for the following:
The following may result in the expulsion from Vista: Students carrying, bringing, using, or possessing a deadly weapon, or possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. A deadly weapon includes, but is not limited to, a firearm, loaded or unloaded, knife, bludgeon, or any other weapon or instrument which in the manner used or intended to be used is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. In addition, the possession, control, or actual or threatened use of a real weapon, explosive, or noxious or flammable material is prohibited. A facsimile weapon will be treated as a weapon.
Questioning Students at School
As school officials, we have the right to question your child about his or her own conduct at school and, in the investigation of alleged misconduct by other students, to question him or her about the conduct of others. We expect students to cooperate in this process, and the refusal to cooperate will be treated as insubordination. We will not ordinarily contact you before questioning your child about his or her own conduct or about the conduct of other students, but certainly will contact you promptly if our investigation shows that your child has violated school behavior guidelines. Our investigation of possible violations of Vista’s behavior guidelines is not a criminal proceeding, and there is no such thing as “taking the Fifth” or a student’s right not to incriminate himself or herself in a school discipline investigation. Sometimes law enforcement officials or investigators from Child Protective Services (CPS) ask to interview students at school. In the case of an investigator from Child Protective Services conducting a child abuse or neglect investigation, we are required by state law to permit the investigator to talk to the child at school. We will also make every effort to cooperate with law enforcement officials conducting an investigation that requires talking to students.
Behavior Guidelines
Vista School is committed to providing all students with a challenging, innovative, and results-oriented education through quality methods emphasizing academic excellence, accountability, character development, and respect for the individual. Students at Vista School should be examples and leaders in what they do and say. This includes making choices according to the school discipline policy, taking responsibility for their actions, and making sure these choices and actions do not cause a problem for others. We believe that our students are future leaders, and try to help them learn healthy, positive interactions with peers and adults – skills that will serve them throughout life.
Each Vista student is expected to:
* Be Proactive
I will choose who I will be, my actions are all up to me.
- Vista students make positive choses, and take responsibility for themselves, their actions and attitudes.
* Begin with the end in mind
After my years at Vista I’ll say, “I did my best in every way!”
- Vista students give their personal best to every task.
* Put first things first
At Vista, we choose safety for one and all, We walk slowly and quietly in the hall We use kind words, careful hands and take turns We respect everyone, so that everyone learns.
- Vista students practice safety by: -walking slowly and quietly in the hallway -using appropriate language and kind words that create a safe environment -taking turns patiently at any activity (classroom, drinking fountain, playground equipment, etc) -keep their hands and feet to themselves -actively promoting a “bully-free” school through their own actions
* Think win-win
I win because Vista is such a great school, I respect the technology and every tool I work hard because the whole staff does, too I want Vista to win with the great things I do
1. Vista students are respectful in actions, words and attitude towards: -learning -staff members -other students -visitors -themselves -the building and grounds -technology -materials -opportunities at Vista
* Seek first to understand, then to be understood
I listen to teachers, the staff and my friends I know where my own space begins and it ends I show others I care about how they feel We take care of each other, what a great deal!
- Vista students actively listen and: -follow the directions of staff members when first asked -are kind to others about their feelings -respectful with the personal space of themselves and others
* Synergize
When I look around Vista I know I will see Uniforms and shoes just like the ones on me We all bring materials, we all come prepared We start class on time, our learning is shared
- Vista students arrive to school and classes on time, in uniform, and prepared for the specific needs of the day.
* Sharpen the Saw
I take care of myself with kindness that!s deep I eat healthy food, drink water and sleep I have fun at home, I feel good about living When I take care of me, I am much more giving
- Vista students value balance by taking care of themselves and their lives outside of Vista; in turn, they become a well-balanced, healthy member of the Vista community, making it stronger. (adapted from Stephen R. Covey)
Minor Infractions:
When a student does not follow one of the above stated expectations, (including - tardy, uniform infraction, preparation, misconduct) the behavior is considered a minor infraction and the following will occur:
1st Infraction - Written warning
2nd Infraction - Detention*
3rd Infraction - Detention*
4th Infraction - Office Referral/Parent meeting with administration, detention*
5th Infraction -Office Referral/ detention*
6th Infraction - Suspension
*Vista discipline and administration team will determine the type of detention that is to be served. Types of detention include lunch, after school, and Saturday morning.
Major Infractions:
The following behaviors are considered major infractions and will result in an immediate office referral. Behaviors, which are or exhibit:
· Physically Dangerous (fighting, hazing, etc.)
· Ethnic, Gender, and/or Religious Slandering or Teasing
· Harassment (physical, sexual, written, or verbal)
· Bullying (including physical and emotional)
· Gross Insubordination (Student refuses to comply with a teacher or administrator, including following procedures and rules established in the classroom and/or by Vista School)
· Inappropriate Computer Usage
Procedures and Consequences for major infractions:
· First major infraction: 1-3 days of at-home suspension depending on severity.
· Second major infraction: 3-5 days of at home suspension depending on severity.
· Third major infraction: 5-10 days of at home suspension depending on severity.
· Fourth major infraction: Suspension indefinite/recommendation of expulsion to Board.
(Students with IEPs will be treated according to the state guidelines for students with IEPs.)
Expulsion may occur for the following:
The following may result in the expulsion from Vista: Students carrying, bringing, using, or possessing a deadly weapon, or possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. A deadly weapon includes, but is not limited to, a firearm, loaded or unloaded, knife, bludgeon, or any other weapon or instrument which in the manner used or intended to be used is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. In addition, the possession, control, or actual or threatened use of a real weapon, explosive, or noxious or flammable material is prohibited. A facsimile weapon will be treated as a weapon.
Questioning Students at School
As school officials, we have the right to question your child about his or her own conduct at school and, in the investigation of alleged misconduct by other students, to question him or her about the conduct of others. We expect students to cooperate in this process, and the refusal to cooperate will be treated as insubordination. We will not ordinarily contact you before questioning your child about his or her own conduct or about the conduct of other students, but certainly will contact you promptly if our investigation shows that your child has violated school behavior guidelines. Our investigation of possible violations of Vista’s behavior guidelines is not a criminal proceeding, and there is no such thing as “taking the Fifth” or a student’s right not to incriminate himself or herself in a school discipline investigation. Sometimes law enforcement officials or investigators from Child Protective Services (CPS) ask to interview students at school. In the case of an investigator from Child Protective Services conducting a child abuse or neglect investigation, we are required by state law to permit the investigator to talk to the child at school. We will also make every effort to cooperate with law enforcement officials conducting an investigation that requires talking to students.
