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.

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 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

• Problem-solving conference with Principal/Teacher
• Reminders/Reflection Sheet as needed.
• Conference with parent/guardian
• Physical proximity to principal/staff member at recess
• Defined location on playground or in the classroom.

• 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.

• 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.

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 electronic games and other valuable electronic devices at home.
     
   Electronics, Personal Devices & Valuables

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 office staff 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!

• 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.

• 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.

Birthdays & Celebrations

We love celebrating our students and recognizing their special days! To help keep all students safe and included, food treats and goodie bags for birthdays or individual celebrations are not able to be distributed at school. Teachers will continue to find exciting, fun ways to recognize birthdays and make students feel special at school.

This supports our school community in two main ways:

• Health & Safety: It protects students with severe allergies and dietary restrictions, allowing every child to participate safely in classroom activities.

• Financial Equity & Inclusion: When some families bring in treats or goodie bags, it can build pressure on others to do the same. Eliminating outside treats removes this expectation, ensuring no student feels left out or uncomfortable if their family cannot afford to participate.

Please also keep in mind: Party invitations may only be distributed at school if every student in the classroom receives one. Teachers are not able to give out personal contact information of families.

Thank you for helping us celebrate students in ways that are safe, inclusive, and focused on making every child feel special!

We know our furry friends are an important part of many Arrowhead families, and we love how much they are loved! However, to ensure our campus is safe and comfortable for all students, staff, and families, we ask that family pets stay at home or remain securely in your vehicle during arrival, dismissal, and other school activities.

We recognize that this may be a change in routine for some of our families, and we truly appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work together to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

• Note: Service animals are always welcome on campus.

Homework during Extended Vacations 

We appreciate families making every effort to plan vacations and extended trips during regularly scheduled school breaks. We also understand that this may not always be possible. When students are absent for an extended vacation while school is in session, teachers are not required to prepare assignments or homework in advance. Much of the learning that takes place in the classroom is connected to direct instruction, discussion, collaboration, and hands-on experiences that can be difficult to replicate outside of school.

Upon returning, teachers will support students in reconnecting with classroom learning and will determine what missed work, if any, is essential to complete.

Will you be gone for more than 5 days?  If so, please fill out a  Pre-Arranged Absence Request form and return it to the Arrowhead Office.