Bishop Elementary School

Policies: Student Rules

It is the intent of Bishop School to keep the number of school rules to a minimum but to discuss the need for rules and guidelines frequently in class to help students learn to use good judgment, better solve problems, and see the need for rules and laws in our society. It is also our belief that rules are better followed if students are helped to see the need for these rules and agree that they are necessary and reasonable.

Mutual respect and support among Bishop students and staff is a reflection of the school motto "Bishop is the School That Cares." Excellence is promoted by expecting all students to meet with very high standards of behavior and learning. The Code of Conduct is the result of parents and staff working together. Each student is expected to take home a copy of the Code to be used in conjunction with the Sunnyvale School District Student Discipline Policy, to be signed and returned at the beginning of the school year.

The principal works closely with staff, parents, and students to make sure that the agreements are clear and consistently applied in each situation. For specific students, individual contracts are created by parents and staff to solve a given concern. Students are given the chance to create different ways of solving problems before being suspended; therefore, the actual suspension rate for the student population remains very low.

To meet the standards of excellence, we realize that students need to feel confident and happy about themselves. Toward that end, classroom teachers use many different programs and practices to celebrate the individuality of students and their accomplishments. Schoolwide programs include Student of the Month, Honor Roll, and Scholarship Society.

Code of Conduct for Bishop Students

Everyone at Bishop School is important and has the following rights:

• To be safe everywhere at school
• To learn and be in an environment in which he/she can study
• To feel successful at school
• To study and play in pleasant and unlittered surroundings at school.

General Rules

1. I will protect the school building, grounds and equipment from damage, litter and misuse.
2. I will not throw anything on the roofs of the buildings or the hallways
3. If I should cut, write on, deface or otherwise injure any. property, real or personal, my parents or guardian will be liable for all damages caused by me.

Grounds for Suspension

1. Possession and/or sale of illegal substances, knives, and other lethal weapons (grounds for expulsion).
2. Bodily injury to another student or another adult; i.e., karate kicks or intentionally trying to cause an injury.
3. Defiant or aggressive behavior towards adults.
4. Harassment of others.
5. Any fighting or hitting in the playground or on the school grounds.
6. Any destruction of school property, including graffiti.

Playground Rules

1. I will stop all playground activities when the bell rings and go directly to the line up area for my classroom.
2. I will play on the designated areas of the playground only. Upper grade students will stay on the Maude Avenue side of the playground. ONLY playground apparatus nearest the upper grade area may be used during the afternoon recess by upper graders.
3. I will be on the field or playground at all times during school and not remain in the halls.
4. I will follow the rules of all games being played.
5. I will use play equipment appropriately at all times:

    Slides:

1. I will slide down on the seat only.
2. I will not climb back up the slide.
3. I will ot play tag on or around the slide.
4. I will remember that only one child goes up or down the stairs and slides at a time. When a child gets to the top, the next child may start up.

    Overhead Parallel bars:

1. I must go in one direction only.
2. I may not sit, walk, or stand on top of the parallel bars.
3. I will not kick, push, or tackle other children while using the parallel bars.

     Jungle Gym: I will use the jungle gym safely. I
     will not push or kick others.

     Ball Games: Football, soccer, baseball or
     kickball will only be played on the grass area.

6. I will avoid dangerous games that involve tackling or general rough housing.
7. I will keep off all fences, bushes, and trees.
8. I will play on the playground equipment in a courteous manner.
9. I will not play on the grass during rainy days or when the grass is very wet. I will also avoid puddles.
10. I will not throw tanbark, rocks, and/or sticks.
11. I will use the bathroom and use the water fountain before the bell rings.
12. I will listen and obey the rules of Bishop School that the noon aides require and I will show respect to the noon time supervisors.

Cafeteria Rules

1. I will wait in the cafeteria line in an orderly and quiet manner.
2. I will sit, eat and talk quietly.
3. I will not throw food.
4. I will clean up before being excused.
5. I will walk, not run in the cafeteria and corridors. I will:

1. Walk down Room 17 corridor (upper grades).
2. Walk past the Resource Center to the lower grade area.
3. Walk until I get to the blacktop area.

6. I will follow directions of the noon time supervisors.
7. I will not be able to eat in the school cafeteria if I can not conduct myself in a courteous manner.
8. I will eat at my assigned classroom table.

Theatre Etiquette

1. I will give my undivided attention and respect to all guest speakers and performers.
2. I will applaud when appropriate.
3. I will remove my hat when in the theatre.
4. I will keep my feet off the furniture and on the floor.
5. Students are not to leave the theatre once the performance has started.

Dress

Students should dress in clean, appropriate uniform clothing that follow the school's guidelines or clean, neat clothing. Baggy pants, long t-shirts, or any clothing with offensive pictures or writing, and earrings on boys are not acceptable school clothing. Thongs, sandals or toeless shoes are not to be worn as they are conducive to foot injuries and are not appropriate for P.E.

Parents or guardians of students who are not appropriately dressed for school will be notified and will be required to take their students home for a change of clothing.

For My Safety and the Safety of Others

1. I will walk at school at all times, especially in the hallways.
2. I will keep my hands to myself and refrain from pushing and shoving my fellow students.
3. I will not linger or play in the restrooms.
4. I will cross the street at designated crosswalks or cross at corners only.
5. I will be on time to school each morning.
6. I will bring a note to the teacher explaining any absence from school.
7. I know that students may NOT leave school without permission at ANY time.
8. I will go home for lunch ONLY if an adult is there and a permission note is registered in the school office.
9. I will leave gum and sunflower seeds at home.
10. I will stay out of hallways before and after school. (No earlier than 8:00 a.m.).
11. I will obey requests of all authorized adults.
12. I will keep the school clean of litter and graffiti.
13. I will not use profane, racist, sexist, or demeaning language at any time. I will also not use profane gestures. (Grounds for suspension).
14. My personal belongings are my responsibility and subject to parent and teacher approval before bringing them to school. I will not bring objects dangerous to others or disruptive to school activities (i.e., knives, radios, tape recorders, lighters, etc.).
15. I will show respect to fellow students and adults at all times. I will not commit any act that injures, degrades or disgraces any other person. I know that continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of the authority of school personnel shall constitute good cause for suspension from the school.
16. I will not spit inappropriately.

Classroom Rules

1. I will follow rules the first time they are given.
2. I will stay in my seat unless given permission to do otherwise.
3. I will raise my hand before being called on in order not to disrupt others.
4. I will avoid disrupting others (this includes teasing and swearing).
5. I will keep hands, feet and objects to myself. Bishop teachers use positive consequences to reward good behavior of individual students, groups, or the entire class. Negative and positive consequences may differ from class to class, but the behavioral expectations remain the same.
6. I will treat all students and adults equally; with respect, dignity, and courtesy at all times.
7. I will not wear a hat in the classroom (except on Hat Day).