Student Handbook

Children exhibit unexpected behavior for a variety of reasons, but all behavior is a form of communication

• Children’s behavior often tells us something is not going well for them.
• They may not know a safer more effective way to manage what they are experiencing.
• They may be frustrated, angry, or hurt and respond by teasing another child, calling names or physically striking out.
• They may not have learned how to engage as part of a larger group and need support understanding and following the group's expectations and needs.
• Or, because kids are kids, they make a mistake and it’s no more complicated than that.

Under the guidance of an adult at school and in partnership with the family, behavior that creates problems is an opportunity for students to learn a different response to a situation.

• A positive, proactive response to the mistakes that children make increases the chance that they will learn a different way to communicate their needs and wants.
• Building strong relationships with each child will help us help them and decrease the chance of problematic behavior reoccurring.
• Along with support to change the behavior, the student may experience a consequence designed to give them a chance to understand their role in the group, their ownership of a space, or their importance to the community.

Consequences are differentiated and we exercise our judgment about how we respond when a student makes a mistake.

• Our primary goal is to ensure Arrowhead is a place that feels safe and welcoming to every child.
• When a child’s choices interfere with the learning or safety of other children or when they seem to sabotage the child’s own learning or experience, staff will work as a team to create a plan. This may be time away from a triggering situation until a child strengthens their skills in responding to situations, repair work with a classmate or a space, or learning time with a caring adult to practice coping and communication skills.

Your partnership with us is critical to ensuring a safe school environment.

• If your child is having difficulties, please let us know so that we can help.
• Review the enclosed documents with your child, going over the expectations and needs of the school.
• Adhere to the pick-up and drop-off times so that we do not have students on campus when there is no adult supervision.
• Work with your child’s teacher, school staff, and the principal to reinforce and teach behaviors that create a safe school environment.

Your partnership with us is critical to ensuring a safe school environment.

• If your child is having difficulties, please let us know so that we can help.
• Review the enclosed documents with your child, going over the expectations and needs of the school.
• Adhere to the pick-up and drop-off times so that we do not have students on campus when there is no adult supervision.
• Work with your child's teacher, school staff, and the principal to reinforce and teach behaviors that create a safe school environment.

Communication is vital to a productive partnership between home and school.

• We find that frequent, open, two-way communication with families creates the best support team for each child.
• Your principal or one of your child’s teachers may reach out with questions or information about an incident that occurred at school.
• Please feel free to reach out to communicate changes at home or things you notice about your child that will help us support your child.
• We want children to learn to communicate. We encourage children to report struggles to a trusted adult. If your child reports a problem to you, share it with your child’s teacher or the principal and allow them time to investigate. Almost always, there are two sides to every situation and it helps us create a joyful, safe school when we understand how children interact with each other and what they each need to contribute to a learning community. There is rarely one bully and one victim. More often, there are two children who need to strengthen some skills.
• If the incident is of a serious nature, parents will receive a phone call and may be asked to meet for a conference.

Student Responsibilities

1. Read and/or discuss the information in this manual.
2. Follow the school expectations and behavior guidelines consistently.
3. Use good decision-making and problem solving.
4. Accept responsibility for actions and apply a growth mindset to learning from mistakes.

Teacher Responsibilities

1. Clearly teach, practice and model expectations and respectful interactions.
2. Consistently reinforce school/classroom rules and behavior guidelines.
3. Use visual tools as teaching and communication tools.
4. Provide reasonable and consistent consequences that are learning opportunities.
5. Teach, monitor and assist students in strengthening their pro-social behavior.
6. Contact parent when behavior interferes with a child’s education or the rights of others.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

1. Read and discuss the school expectations and behavior guidelines with your child; acknowledge when students are making expected choices.
2. Help your child take responsibility for his/her choices and learn from their decisions.
3. Work with the school to support your child’s development in decision-making, problem-solving and social issues.
4. Contact the school if you have a concern.

The intervention used is dependent upon the following:

• The physical, emotional, and/or social impact on self and others
• The child's learning style and needs
• The level of behavior, from mild to serious

Possible interventions

• Problem-solving conference with Principal/Teacher
• Need Reminder/Think Sheet requiring parent signature
• Conference with parent/guardian
• Physical proximity to principal/staff member at recess
• Defined location on playground or in the classroom.

Descriptions: The purpose of the descriptions below is to provide students and parents or guardians with an understanding of the general meaning of the terminology used at school and in the Behavior Standards Booklet. The descriptions are not meant to include all possible situations.

Mild – Serious Behaviors

• Mild behaviors are generally those that have happened only once, have limited impact on the other student(s), and are corrected with minimal intervention.
• Moderate behaviors are those that have noticeable impact on other students and are disruptive to a sense of emotional, social, or physical safety and/or a student’s ability to learn. Mild behaviors become moderate when the student has not responded to adult intervention.
• Serious behaviors have high impact on others; are repeated behaviors that have not changed based on multiple interventions, and/or have created immediate and severe safety concerns to the student and/or others.

Harmful Behaviors

• Physical: pushing, hitting, shoving, kicking, throwing objects.
• Emotional: teasing, name calling, spreading rumors – true or untrue, use of foul, racist or sexual language, threatening behavior.
• Social: purposeful exclusion of others from activities in or outside of the classroom, asking others not to include or play with another student.
• Use of Social Networks or Technology: to harass, tease, spread rumors, intimidate, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: Possession of any weapons (or look alike weapons) or student behavior that presents an immediate threat to safety will result in an emergency expulsion and/or suspension. Legal authorities may be contacted in case of illegal activities. Disciplinary actions will be based on the Northshore School District Rights and Responsibilities for Student Conduct.

Arrowhead students are expected to follow the guidelines for use of technology:

1. Be ethical and courteous. Do not send hateful, harassing, obscene, or discriminatory messages via text, email, or phone messages, Facebook, etc.
2. Search Internet sites that are approved by staff. If, during a school related search, you find material that is not appropriate report it to staff immediately.
3. Respect the files and data of other users. Do not change or copy files/data of others without their permission.
4. Treat anything created by others (information, graphics, music, sounds, projects, etc.) as their private property. Respect copyrights (Board Policy 3212).
5. Use the network in a way that does not disrupt its use for others. Do not destroy, change or misuse the hardware or software in any way. Do not develop or distribute programs that invade other computers, computer systems, or networks. Do not “hack” the system.
6. Use the NSDNet and the Internet for educational purposes. Do not use the network to access or create inappropriate material.
7. Keep cell phones off at school and on the bus ride to and from school. If a family member needs to reach a student call the office and we will get a message to him or her.
8. Keep electronic games and other valuable electronic devices at home.

Consequences for infractions of the Technology Policy may include school suspensions, compensation for damages, and/or loss of Internet privileges at school.

At Arrowhead we accept all people, cultures, religions, and genders. Within our dress code we accept all clothing that supports learning. This includes cultural attire, different hairstyles, religious attire, and gender neutrality.

Children need to be dressed for work, play, indoors, outdoors, and our unpredictable Northwest weather. On warm days they might need clothing that covers their shoulders and layers that can be added and removed for comfort. On cold or wet days they need a coat and shoes that can handle the mud and rain - we have our children go outside every day!

If your child has sensory issues - hates wet clothing, scratchy tags, tight things - it helps us to know that so we can troubleshoot on days your child might struggle.

Children will run and move in PE and our playground includes hills, rocks and woods. Please send your child to school in close-toed shoes or solid sandals they can run in.

School is also a place where children need to navigate being part of a diverse group. While we love your child's expressions of individuality and style, clothing that depicts weapons, violence, alcohol, or profanity doesn't belong at school.

If your family needs help with school clothes, please let Kristin Bailey, Heidi Smith, Anne Janssen or your child's teacher know. We have access to children's clothing to help your little one have a comfortable, safe experience at school!

Since all students are released for recess, please remember to DRESS STUDENTS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE WEATHER.

Personal Safety Tips

• Do not walk alone; instead walk in groups of two or more.
• Never get into a vehicle with a stranger, instead fight, shout, scream, kick, bite, run, and tell.
• Never take anything a stranger offers you, do not accept candy, food, or money.
• Do not walk alone in the dark.
• Stay away from isolated places; do not go alone into deserted buildings, empty parking lots or places where there are few people.
• Remain on school grounds during school hours.
• Immediately tell responsible adults about any suspicious activities or people encountered going to or from school and give as many details as possible.

Walking Safety Tips

• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
• Use crosswalks and be vigilant when walking in the school parking lot.
• Always cross at a crosswalk or intersection.
• Obey traffic signals.
• Children younger than 10 years old should be supervised by an adult when around motor vehicles.
• Make sure drivers see you when they are backing out of a driveway.
• Determine the safest route with parents.

More information on personal, walking, and bicycle safety can be found on the Access Washington Web site.

	Bathroom	Walkway	Recess	Lunch Line
	Voice Level 2	Voice Level 2	Voice Level 2	Voice Level 2
I am Safe	Wash and dry hands One at a time	Walk facing forward Stay in line as a class Keep hands and feet to yourself	Follow directions of the playground teachers Hands and body to self Stay inn playground boundaries	Follow directions of lunch staff Hands to self Calm bodies
I am Kind	Respect others' privacy	Give a silent wave to friends Use quiet feet	Include all students who want to play Use kind words Be a good sport	Say 'please' and 'thank you' Wait patiently for your turn
I am Responsible	Go, Flush, Wash, Leave! Report issues to a teacher Keep it clean	Stay with your class Follow adult directions	Use equipment correctly Play by the rules of the game Line up quickly when the bell rings	Clean up or report spills/messes Be ready to order

 

	Arrival	Dismissal	Bus Line	Bus
	Voice Level 2	Voice Level 2	Voice Level 2	Voice Level 2
I am Safe	Drop off backpack at class Go straight to playground Follow adult/patrol directions	Walking feet Use crosswalks and watch for cars Stay behind the yellow line	Follow adult directions Keep body & belongings to yourself Pay attention in line	Listen to bus driver Sit facing forward Backpack on your lap
I am Kind	Greet others with a smile Use kind words	Say goodbye with a smile Watch out for others	Make room for others Use kind words	Use kind words Greet your driver Keep your body to self
I am Responsible	Finish breakfast in the lunch room Go right to class when bell rings	Know & follow your dismissal plan Listen to teacher directions	Go straight to the bus line Stay in line	Keep everything in backpack Be a positive role model

 

	Assemblies	Office
	Voice Level 0	Voice Level 2
I am Safe	Keep hands and feet to self Bottoms on floor	Calm voice and body Have a pass
I am Kind	Whole body listening Respond appropriately Remove hoods and hats	Greet office staff so they can help Say 'please' and 'thank you'
I am Responsible	Listen/look for directions Enter/exit appropriately	Wait your turn Take care of business quickly Ask for help when needed