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.
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.
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
- When a student receives 2 detentions for breaking the same
school rule, their homeroom teacher will speak to the student
about the problem.
- When a student receives a third dt for the same broken rule, the
Principal or AP will speak to the student.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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