Recess Discipline Program

Dear Parents,

During our Back to School Night and in one of our recent news notes, our focus regarding student discipline was discussed. Upon arriving at Semple, one of the concerns from the staff was the issue of playground behaviors with our students. While some systems were in place, there was the need to bring the system to consistency. The major areas of concern was student safety and included hands-on behaviors with students, running in unsafe areas, out of boundary areas, use of bad language, freeze bell and playing in the bathrooms.

As a result, the staff met on different occasions to first design the plan and second to evaluate the progress. The discipline plan is structured on a citation system that is progressive over a one month time period. Citations are given by staff assigned on yard duty during the day. The progressive plan is as follows:

One citation: Loss on one recess

Two citations: Loss on recess for one day

Three citations: Loss of recess for one week and a call home from the principal

Because we want our students to improve and learn the system, the beginning of each month begins a fresh start for all students. As with any system, there is a learning curve for all involved. Since the beginning of this program, students have been given several warnings regarding behaviors and were reminded of the consequences through their classroom teachers before citations were given out. In addition, an assembly for grades 1^st through 5^th grades occurred at the beginning of the school year.

We have received many comments on the improvement of student behavior and the school climate at Semple. I personally visit the detention room each day, serve as a staff member on yard duties, remind students of appropriate behaviors through morning announcements and talk with students each day in their classrooms. In order to increase instructional time and student performance, our goal at Semple is to provide a safe environment, reduce the number of office referrals/suspensions and to support all students with their needs. As a staff, we will continue to meet in order to discuss the progress of our program and make changes as needed. If you have any comments regarding the program and how it relates to your child, please let me know and I will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have.

We are off to a great start this year and as partners we can continue to make Robert Semple the shining star of the district.

Sincerely,

Gary Dias, Principal