STUDENT CONDUCT

Most behavioral situations are handled in the classroom by the adult in charge through regular classroom management techniques. Teachers will use caring, supportive yet clear methods to guide behaviors. If the teacher deems a behavior to be more serious or repetitive, he/she may ask for the Head of Lower School, or in the case of Extended Day, for the Director of Extended Day to assist. Parents may receive a phone call or a note afterwards.

Consequences usually involve discussion as to how to better handle the situation in the future, loss of privilege, apology, righting the situation (i.e. fixing a broken object) or taking steps to restore trust and to repair relationships.

When inappropriate or disruptive behaviors become consistent and a concern is noted by the teacher, the Division Head will support with suggestions and recommendations. The school’s psychologist may also provide additional assistance. It is our belief that each child must be given an opportunity for improvement while support is provided by the school and family. Once time has been afforded yet behaviors continue to consistently interfere with the learning process, continued enrollment may be withheld.

Any student threatening bodily harm to another person, child or adult will face immediate disciplinary action. Such statements, at the early childhood level, will be handled on an individual basis, as often times young students are unaware of the impact of these words.

Most behavioral situations are handled in the classroom by the adult in charge through regular classroom management techniques. However, if the teacher deems a behavior to be more serious or repetitive he/she may send the student to the Head of Lower School, or in the case of Extended Day, to the Director of Extended Day.  

In situations where there is a social component to the behavior, students are guided in shared problem solving and the creation of positive solutions and resolutions. We use the I to I Conflict Resolution process, where students engage in a discussion with adult support. Students learn to respect one another, understand another’s perspective, and to come to a mutual agreement.

Bullying behavior is taken seriously. Bullying is defined as aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength that occurs regularly over time. It can be written, physical, or verbal and can affect the emotional, physical and academic well-being of the students while contributing to a negative atmosphere at school. The developmental level of the students is always taken into consideration when addressing these concerns. It is expected that with younger students both their verbal and social skills are still developing and that their impulse control is not yet strong.  Lessons focused on all of these areas are an integral part of the Independence School mission.

Classroom Discipline- Teachers will use various methods to manage the students and handle discipline problems. They may combine positive incentives like compliment tallies, stickers and charts, reminders, reflection time, and so on to reinforce positive behaviors. Teachers may respond to undesired behaviors by speaking with the student or removing them temporarily from the group.  

Office Visit- Sometimes a visit to the Head of Lower School is warranted and teachers will use their judgment to determine when those visits will occur. Generally, students continued inability to adhere to classroom guidelines will prompt a visit.

Some behaviors will automatically require a visit. For example:

• Bad language
• Dishonesty like cheating, stealing, lying to a teacher
• Fighting or aggressiveness with an intention to harm
• Disrespect or disobedience shown to any staff member

Parents will be aware of the office visits by way of the Notice of Concern Form, or a call home. Possible consequences may include but are not limited to a reflection sheet, action plan for improved behavior, positive practice, loss of recess, and/or extended removal from class.

Parental Involvement- If the above steps are not successful in guiding students to positive behavior, a meeting with the parents is required. An action plan with the home and school will be created and monitored to understand the child’s behavior and address the problems.   

Separation from the community- If all efforts above are not successful in developing positive behaviors, the school may require a period of separation from the community. The length of which will be dependent upon the situation. Some behaviors that are strongly adverse will require immediate separation, regardless of previous history. When The Independence School is unable to meet the needs of the child and the impact of their behavior is poorly affecting the community, the school will guide parents to find alternative educational options. The school maintains ultimate say in determining a student’s enrollment or re-enrollment. 

As children become pre-adolescents and adolescents, it is important to clearly set forth behavioral standards for them. Generally, we encourage good manners, mature thought, and positive behavior.

The Independence School serves the well-behaved majority. Actions that disrupt the learning of others are unacceptable. At all times and in all places, students are considered Independence students. Accordingly, conduct outside of school that is in serious violation of school rules - especially if such conduct hurts the reputation of the school or affects the learning environment within the school - is subject to the same penalties as if the offenses occurred on school property during school hours. Independent school administrators and teachers have broad discretion to act in support of their school’s mission.

Student Protection from Bullying and Harassment Policy
The Independence School is committed to providing a safe and respectful educational environment, one which both celebrates the unique qualities of individuals and the importance of community. In addition to the many proactive efforts undertaken to foster a caring and respectful environment, a statement to protect individuals from bullying and harassment at school is outlined here.

Bullying is defined as aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength that occurs regularly over time. Bullying behavior can be written, physical or verbal. It can seriously affect the emotional, physical and academic well-being of students and contribute to a negative atmosphere at school.

Harassment related to race, ethnicity, religion or gender is considered in the same manner as bullying behavior and will not be tolerated. Acts of bullying behavior via electronic communication outside of school, if they create a threatening environment for a student or students at school, will also be considered under the purview of this statement.

Sexual harassment is defined as an unwelcome act of a sexual nature, either verbal or physical, which offends or intimidates others. This can include jokes with sexual content, leering, derogatory remarks or gestures and may be intentional or inadvertent. Sexual harassment is included in this statement.

In keeping with our honor code, we believe that those who witness bullying or harassing behavior have a responsibility to the community. If a student is aware of such a situation, it is his/her responsibility to either take appropriate action himself/herself or report it to a teacher, advisor or administrator. In keeping with our approach to discipline, the bullying behavior is the focus. To label a child a “bully” is to lose sight of the importance of separating the behavior from the person.

Any incident of bullying or harassing behavior can be reported to any staff member. The report may be redirected to another staff member who may be better suited in handling the situation, and due diligence will be followed in investigating it. The process may include students meeting face-to-face, staff members meeting with students to discuss behaviors and set consequences, or small or large group meetings to review behavior expectations and policies. Information will be kept confidential in some cases, as appropriate. However, the need to fully understand the circumstances and to guard against significant risk to members of the community is considered a higher priority than anonymity.

When a student or parent on behalf of a student reports incidences of bullying or harassment behavior, every effort will be made to protect the student from retaliation. Any act of retaliation will be considered a separate incident of bullying behavior and will be dealt with accordingly.

The outcome of a report of bullying or harassment behavior can include anything from a conflict resolution conference to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the school. Depending on the seriousness of the complaint, a detailed write-up of the process may be generated. Action will be taken as quickly as possible. Factors examined to determine consequences include but are not limited to age/maturity of the students, degree of harm, surrounding circumstances, history of behavior pattern, and relationship of the parties involved. Consequences will be determined by school administrators as appropriate. Personal measures, such as student counseling, may also be required.

Our goal is for students to learn from their errors and to restore positive relationships. Proactive steps are to be taken to regain lost trust and to foster constructive interactions.

Detentions
Documented academic and behavioral concerns may result in detentions. Detentions served for academic reasons are held after school from 3-4 p.m. Although parents have the option of handling the matter at home, chronic offenders may be required to attend mandatory detentions as set by the administration. The school will notify parents if this is the case.

Detentions served for behavioral reasons, as determined by the faculty and administration, are held in the Middle School study carrel area during recess/lunch or from 3-4:30 p.m. depending on the severity of the offense. Minor offenses (Level 1) such as copying homework, chronic calling out in class, or minor horseplay are assigned one point, while more serious offenses (Level 2) such as cheating on a test, being dishonest, or vandalizing possessions of others are assigned three points. Certain major offenses could result in an immediate suspension. Points are cumulative throughout the year. An accumulation of five to seven points requires parent contact with the Head of Middle School to discuss the situation. As designated by the Head of School, eight to 10 points may result in a suspension and/or probation. Eleven or more points may result in suspension, probation, or dismissal. A student receiving any type of suspension will not be permitted to participate in any after-school activity (sports, plays, concerts, dances, etc.) on the day of the suspension.

Detentions must be served on the appointed date regardless of participation in after-school activities and athletics. Students assigned to after-school detention whose parents cannot arrange transportation upon completion of detention must report to Extended Day until such transportation is available.

Behavioral Concern slips will lower Conduct/General Citizenship grades for that trimester accordingly and could cause loss of Citizenship Honors. Some offenses will result in the automatic loss of Citizenship Honors during the current trimester.

Major concerns: racial slurs; sale, possession, or consumption (or appearance thereof) of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other modified versions (such as Vapes, Juuls, etc.) on school grounds; assaults on or public humiliation of a teacher or a peer; major cheating; major theft; vandalism; seriously immodest behavior; possession of a potentially dangerous item or weapon (including penknives); or chronic misbehavior may result in suspension or expulsion. Any student threatening bodily harm to another person, child or adult may face immediate suspension and possible expulsion.