TRCS - Three Rivers Charter School - Our Behavior Expectations

TRCS Behavior Expectations

The Character Outcomes of the Three Rivers Charter School will help to create an atmosphere that values and celebrates individual and cultural diversity. The Three Rivers Charter School will provide a foundation for each student to develop a strong sense of self-worth and sensitivity to others. We support children’s emerging capacities for positive social action: cooperation, empathy, and responsibility. Our goals for character development are based on the child’s growing sense of self, understanding of individual others, and participation within the community.

Self

Self-awareness and understanding
Self-confidence and self-esteem
Responsibility for one’s actions and choices
Autonomy and self-reliance
Integrity

Individual Others

Capacity to initiate, develop, and maintain satisfying relationships
Interpersonal skills: communication, negotiation, and cooperation
Respect for others
Capacity to understand another’s perspective

Learning Community

Capacity to function harmoniously and effectively with others
Responsibility and sensitivity as a group member
Concern for the common good of the group
Propensity to contribute to the welfare of the group
Sense of social responsibility
Positive leadership

Each student, with a parent or other advocate, will attend an orientation session. A portion of this time will be spent explaining the rules and expectations of the program, as well as, the consequences for failure to meet the above expectations. The Character Outcomes will be distributed, and the parent/student/staff will be required to sign the acknowledgement page stating that the parent understands the Character Outcomes, including the consequences of unacceptable behavior by the student. The acknowledgement page also states that the parent has reviewed and explained the Character Outcomes with the student, and that the staff shares responsibility with the parent to ensure a safe, secure school for learning. Staff, Parents and Students will work together to set goals that each student will work toward.

The Character Outcomes will be posted in all classrooms of the building. Behavior expectations will be strictly adhered to and supported by all staff/parents/students/community members.

In-school consequences, restitution or larger community service will be used whenever possible so students remain at school to work through issues, rather than returning home. In the event that a student’s behavior becomes disruptive to the educational setting, the student will be removed from class to work independently in a quiet study area. Once the behavior issues are identified by the student/staff, reflections have been gathered, and dialogue with all parties has taken place, the student will be allowed back into the learning community.

The Board of Directors will demand a safe and secure school for teaching and learning. They will incorporate suspensions and expulsion statutes into the Student Character Outcomes, including the due process rights that a student attending a public school in Oregon is entitled. However, should problems continue, the parents, guardians or mentor of the student will be notified for a parent/student/staff conference where the student may be placed on a behavior contract. The Three Rivers Charter School will establish a zero tolerance policy for students who engage in activities involving weapons, drugs, alcohol, violence or/and gang activity. Such activities will result in expulsion process.

Each student will provide a satisfactory written explanation from his/her parent for any absence from class and for the release of a student from school during the school day. The Administrator or his/her authorized representative may at his/her discretion accept a personal or telephone contact with the parent in lieu or a written excuse for the student’s absence. Justifiable absences include those due to the illness of the student, death in the family, medical or dental appointment, observance of a religious holiday, or other reasons deemed acceptable to the Administrator.

Student Behavior Consequences

This learning community will provide a safe environment in which students are treated fairly using a clear and consistent system of justice. Students will be notified of the character goals and procedures by which the school is governed, and the process by which discipline may be involved.

The on-site Administrator and the staff of Three Rivers Charter School has authority and control over a student at school during the regular school day, at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location, and while being transported in authorized vehicles.

If a student engages in behavior that is disruptive, unsafe or illegal, the school has the responsibility to take steps to stop the behavior. Sometimes these steps will include quiet study time, reflection/processing with all involved, conference with parents/guardians/staff/student, restitution or community service. There will ALWAYS be an attempt to teach the student why the behavior is unacceptable and how the behavior is in conflicts with the Three Rivers Charter School’s Character Goals.

Drug/Alcohol Use

A dangerous drug is defined as any drug obtained with or without a prescription that has been used in a potentially harmful manner.

Use and Possession

Students who use, possess, or are under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs on or near school property during school hours or at any school-sponsored activity, on or off school property, are subject to immediate suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion.

First Offense: Administrator shall…

Notify appropriate law enforcement/juvenile agency.
Notify parents/guardians of the student offence and request an immediate conference with them.
Suspend the student for (7) calendar days for violation of the school rules with expulsion recommendation pending. The student may be readmitted at the end of 7 days if the following conditions are met:
- An individual behavior contract is filled out with parent/Administrator/student signatures.
- Student/parent join the Parent Resource Center to help facilitate Counseling services for both individual student and family.

Second Offense: Administrator shall…

Follow the same procedure as set forth for a first offense, except for a second offense an expulsion will be recommended.
Recommend a student be admitted to a drug/alcohol treatment program.

Serious Offenses

The infractions of Three Rivers Charter School’s Character Goals listed below are serious and may be cause for restitution, in-school suspension, immediate suspension, or recommendation for expulsion.

Harassment of others, including sexual harassment.
Unprovoked assault.
Open acts of defiance or disrespect towards adults or other school staff.
Profane, obscene, abusive language or actions toward teachers of other school staff.
Evidence of drinking or possession of illegal/unauthorized drugs or narcotics in any form.
Sale of a narcotic, illegal/unauthorized drug or alcohol.
Theft of school or personal property.
Malicious destruction of or damage to school or personal property.
Pranks resulting in excessive damage and expense.
Use or possession of tobacco.
Leaving school premises without permission.
Fighting, intimidation or threat of harm to others.
Disturbance or disruption of the learning community, school activity or lunch that threatens or interferes with the learning or safety of others.
Failure to obey bus/car pool regulations that threatens the safety of others.
Blatant failure to follow the direction of a staff member.

Sanctions

The following is a list of school sanctions. In cases where the law has been violated, civil authorities will be notified.

In-school suspension/after-school detention. A teacher or Administrator may assign these when a student commits initial minor violations of the Character Goals. Students are expected to bring study materials and be picked up after the agreed time by parents/guardians.
Restitution. Work that is deemed appropriate by the administration/parents for the sanction violated. The type of restitution choosen would be choosen so that the student had a direct relationship between the behavior and its consequences.
Suspension: Temporary termination of enrollment, until stipulated conditions are met. As established by OAR 581-21-065, the Board of Trustees will limit suspension to a specific maximum number of days.
Expulsion: Termination of enrollment for extended period per procedures established by OAR 582-21-070.

Suspension Procedure

Student is informed of the infraction. The student will have the opportunity to present his/her view of the situation to the Administrator. If the Administrator determines a suspension is appropriate, the length and beginning time of the suspension will be explained to the student.

Dress Policy

Addendum to Discipline Policy 2002/2003

Our first priority is to the academic and personal growth opportunities provided to each student. Clothing and attire at all times will reflect this ethic.

If a student’s attire is disturbing to the educational environment, the student will be asked to alter (change) his/her attire.

If necessary, parents will be phoned and asked to remedy the situation immediately, as well as, establish guidelines for the future.

Attendance Policy – Three Rivers Students

Student attendance is critical to school success. We will report attendance figures to West Linn-Wilsonville District & the State of Oregon . All attendance records will be kept in hard-copy format on school premises. Students who are absent more than 10 consecutive days will be contacted by phone or mail and removed from the Three Rivers Charter School student list. We will make every effort to make sure that parents/students are informed prior to the 10^th day of absence. When a student has been withdrawn from the TRCS student list, if they would like to return, they must submit a card and move to the TRCS waiting list. If the TRCS board determines that they would like to grant a leave of absence (see board policy) they may do so if parent/student initiates this process at the administration level.

Each student will provide a satisfactory written explanation from his/her parent for any absence from class and for the release of a student from school during the school day. The administrator or his/her authorized representative may at his/her discretion accept a personal or telephone contact with the parent in lieu of a written excuse for the student’ absence. Justifiable absences include those due to the illness of the student, death in the family, medical or dental appointments, observance of a religious holiday, or other reasons deemed acceptable to the administrator.

If we do not hear from the parent/guardian by 9:00A.M., we call to verify the absence by voice each day.

We ask that TRCS families refrain from planning vacations during school hours. Missing school is a stressful event for students. Please help to plan your family vacations to times that are allotted during the school calendar.

Tardy Policy

We are expecting all TRCS students to arrive at school on time. Being organized and ready for school at the correct time is a valuable tool to establish for your child’s future. We believe that if a student is counted as tardy 5 times throughout a term, they will need to make up the work/time that they have missed from their first period class. This time will occur after school on the day of the 5^th tardy. The student will be asked to remain after school for one hour to work on the work missed in their first period class. We will notify parents by e-mail on the 4^th tardy marked, notifying them. Each term, we will clear all attendance records and begin again. We hope that your children will be able to come to school on time all year!

Before/After School Policy – Three Rivers Students

The staff work day does not begin until 7:30 A.M. Please do not drop your child off before this time. If you have a pre-arrangement with a teacher this would be considered extenuating circumstances.

Prior to 7:30 A.M. – Students can wait outside under covered bike rack.
7:30 – 8:00 Front door is open.
8:00 – School Begins. Students are tardy if not seated by 8:00 A.M.
3:00 – Students Dismissed – Under supervision of teacher on duty outside.
3:15 – 4:15 WEDNESDAY ONLY – After school homework time. Students are allowed to stay at school to work quietly upstairs or to check in with a teacher to receive assistance. All students who stay after school are to check in with the administrative assistant. Students cannot call home during the day to make these after school arrangements. All arrangements must be made with parents prior to the school day start time.
4:30 P.M. – Students to be picked up from school unless involved in an organized, school sanctioned event. Any student that is picked up after 4:05 will be charged $15.00 for every quarter of an hour they remain at school. We have had to institute this charge because of the late pickups’ that have caused our staff to stay after their scheduled work hours. We all want to respect your time, as much as, the teachers/office time here at school. Please plan ahead to pick your children up in a timely manner.

***All after school play dates and other after school arrangements may NOT be made at school. Parents and students need to plan ahead and send a note to school indicating the arrangement on the morning of the event to notify us if there is a change in transportation that afternoon.

Homework Policy

Homework should be a regular part of children’s school life several or more days a week. We believe that this regular practice fosters maturity, organization and the skills to build upon in their future schooling. Students are welcome to stay after school until 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday and Thursdays. Our guidelines are as follows:

4/5^th Graders:

September (Monday – Thursday)

40 minutes – Language/Math

October – June (Monday – Thursday)

1 hour:
- 20 minutes – Language
- 20 minutes – Math
- 20 minutes – Social Studies/Science

There should be no homework on weekends or vacations!
Larger projects assigned occasionally with lots of time in class to complete the work.

6/7^th Graders:

1 hour – 1½ hours (Monday – Thursday)
- 30 minutes Language
- 30 minutes Math
- 20-30 minutes Science/Social Studies

Larger projects assigned more frequently to help this age of student manage their time and set goals for successful completion of outside work.

8^th Graders:

1½ - 2 hours (Monday – Thursday)
- 30 minutes Language
- 30 minutes Math
- 30 minutes Social Studies
- 30 minutes Science

There should be no homework on weekends. If your child is using their time wisely within their class times/study halls, they should be able to keep to this schedule.

Our expectation for each student in our class is very different. Some students have been used to an organized system of homework, some have had weekly packets that were completed over the week and some have never encountered homework before. We consider each student individually with the guidelines above used as the ultimate goal for the year. Our homework is a meaningful extension of the work the student is doing here at school. We would like homework to be a positive experience, one that furthers the educaton of the whole-child through a thoughful development of study skils and habits.

If your child is absent, they are allowed the same amount of days that they were absent to turn in the work that was missing. This is your child’s responsibility to find the work and complete it to the best of their abilities. We would encourage you to discuss this with your kids as they learn to navigate turning work in for full credit. After the days absence has occurred, 10% each day will be deducted from any late work.

If your child is absent for more than 2 days, you may be able to stop by and pick up the assigned work for them. Please call ahead so we can prepare this for you. This will keep them on track and the stress level to a minimum. This work is separated into subject areas. It is easy to find and we will expect all of the kids to manage getting this work for themselves. They will be allowed the same amount of time that they were gone to complete the homework.

One last note… homework is not punishment. If your child seems frustrated and needs additional help, just let us know that they worked on the assignment for the required homework time. It is very important to build independence and responsibility during these middle years. As they become used to this time commitment each night, they will be building study skills important for a successful future.

Rights and Responsibilities of TRCS Students on Technology, Internet, Computers and Network Use

Three Rivers Charter School has made a strong commitment to the use of computers to aid in the educational process. We expect and encourage all persons to use the computers, available software, the computer network and the computer peripherals in the proper manner. These uses must be obviously and unquestionably legal, ethical and educational. TRCS employs the use of filtering software. Students are allowed to use the internet as long as they respect and adhere to these filters. When students go around these filters, they will be at risk of losing their privileges to continue to use the equipment at TRCS. We will not be able to allow students to use floppy disks in any of our school computers, but instead encourage them to use a thumb-drive to transport work from school to home.

Students have the RIGHT:

To receive a network account and internet access which is free to users.
To research assigned classroom projects.
Work on homework/schoolwork assignments.
To access and use software programs stored on the system in specified areas.
To be as creative as far as their imagination takes them.
To use USB storage devices.

Students have the Responsibility to:

To not use the internet for illegal purposes.
To not use impolite or abusive language or offensive image content in any context.
To not violate the rules of common sense and on-line etiquette
To not change any computer files if they don’t belong to you.
To not use anyone’s password to access their files.
To not by-pass the filters without permission from a teacher ie: Google UK
To not send, receive or use copyrighted materials without permission.
To not bypass the network login routine.
To not give your network account password and name to another without specific permission from a teacher.

Failure to respect and live up to your responsibilities will result in revocation of network privileges and/or internet access. The TRCS Board or administrator may modify this agreement at any time.

TRCS Student Laptop Policy

Use of technology is the wave of the future. TRCS will check out Laptops to students who show responsibility and care for their actions during the school day – which is at the sole discretion of the school administrator. When a student would like to check out a computer, a teacher must agree that the student is responsible and will treat the TRCS property correctly. The student will be expected to sign out a laptop from the office. The office will provide them with a sign out agreement that spells out the following expectations:

All students will follow the TRCS Technology policy (located in student Agenda and signed in September by both student and parent)
Students will use the laptop at TRCS only.
Students will move the laptops inside the computer bag from location to location.
TRCS Computers are to be used inside the TRCS Building only in full view of all staff of TRCS.
Student realizes that any damage to the equipment or loss of these items will be the responsibility of the student. Our insurance has a $500.00 deductible that will be the student’s responsibility.