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Revised 9/1/2006

Behavior Policies


School Rules & Conflict Strategies School Rules & Conflict Strategies Zero Tolerance Zero Tolerance
Classroom Rules Classroom Rules Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment
Discipline Plan Discipline Plan


School Rules and Conflict Strategies

At the beginning of the school year, each child is given a copy of the School Rules and the components of Conflict Strategies. Teachers and students discuss these at length, and the student and parent sign and agree to discuss and use these techniques throughout the year.

These rules and strategies, coupled with problem-solving situations, afford a positive way for students to develop their interpersonal skills.

Students are expected to obey all directions; be diligent in study; be respectful to teachers and others in authority; and refrain from the use of profane language. Teachers are expected to hold all pupils accountable for their conduct on the way to and from school, on the playgrounds and during recess.

Classroom Rules

Each of the teachers has a classroom discipline plan for their class. This plan includes a list of expected behaviors. Positive behavior is recognized and encouraged through a system of classroom and school rewards; there is also an established system of consequences for misbehavior.

Discipline Plan

Our Discipline Plan at Hickory consists of a set of school rules and components of a technique that we use called “Conflict Strategies.” These rules and strategies, coupled together in problem-solving situations, allow most children to learn alternative ways to reach positive closure on misunderstandings. By doing this, they grow in their responsibilities to themselves and others.

For those few students in grades 1 through 5 who frequently choose to abuse rules and strategies, we are adding a third component.

Students who repeatedly break the rules will be issued after school detention slips, which will be sent home on the day of the infraction for your review and signature.

Student must sit out a designated recess or recesses. Detention is supervised by teachers. Parent conferences are set up by the principal to discuss the student’s behavior, if necessary.

Progressive Discipline Policy

  1. When a student receives 2 detentions for breaking the same school rule, their homeroom teacher will speak to the student about the problem.
  2. When a student receives a third dt for the same broken rule, the Principal or AP will speak to the student.
  3. When a student receives 5 detentions, then the Principal or AP will call the parents to discuss the problem, how to remedy them including possible counseling, and the consequences if the poor behavior continues.
  4. When a student receives 10 detentions, then the Principal or AP will speak to the student and call the parents to tell them if the same specific poor behavior occurs again then the students will be suspended 1 day from school for defiance of administrative authority. A SARB meeting will also be set up.
  5. When the student receives another detention for the same specific poor behavior, then he/she will be suspended from school 1 day.

If a student continues with unacceptable behavior, s/he may be suspended from school. Any severe type of infraction, as listed in the Torrance School Board Policy 434.11, may result in suspension or expulsion from school. Possession of guns, knives, weapons, drugs, or alcohol will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion. (See Zero Tolerance.) Students who use ethnic or racial slurs or any type of harassment behavior or language can be suspended from school.

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Zero Tolerance

Torrance Unified School District and Hickory School adopted a Zero Tolerance code in 1993 for the following violations. Zero Tolerance means that should any of the named behaviors occur, a student may be recommended for expulsion by the principal. Students may be suspended pending investigation.

  • Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in cases of self-defense.
  • Possession of any knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil at a school activity off school grounds.
  • Unlawful sale of any controlled substance, except for the first offense for the sale of not more than one ounce of marijuana.
  • Robbery or extortion.
  • Bringing to school any sort of gun, or a play gun, which is a facsimile.

Students may not bring knives, play guns, firecrackers, or any type of explosive to share with their classrooms.

Sexual Harassment

Our School Board has formulated and adopted a sexual harassment policy for all employees and for students in grades 4 through 12.

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by any student in the district. Any student who engages in sexual harassment of any student in or from the district may be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion.

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