CHARACTER COUNTS
The Prescott Unified School District uses an excellent program called Character
Counts in all its schools. The Character Counts program is based on teaching
children six “pillars” of good character. These are: Trustworthiness, Respect,
Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. Our goal is to weave the essentials of good character throughout the daily life of the school. Students will have weekly presentations about the pillars of character, taught by trained volunteers. Teachers will reinforce good character every day by using character examples throughout the curriculum. Finally, students will be recognized for
demonstrating good character through the “Kids of Character” program.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT
Teachers will have specific expectations of student conduct in the classroom. They will make the expectations known to the students and will provide parents with a copy of the classroom conduct plan.

Although there are many specific rules listed here, no list can cover all possible situations. This year our goal is that the pillars of good character will guide student behavior. Students should show respect to the teachers and other adult supervisors at the school by following the rules and obeying their directions.

Usually when students don't follow the rules, a simple reminder will do. Supervisors may also require a “time-out” to provide a cooling down period or separate a child from a potential problem. Typically, time outs are followed by a discussion of What the behavior was, Why it created a problem, and How the student could have made a different choice.

Sometimes however, it is necessary to give a child a discipline referral, which means he/she receives a consequence by the immediate supervisor. The child's teacher and principal are notified of the infraction. A copy of the referral is sent home for parents to sign and return.

For misbehavior which is more serious such as endangering the safety of one's self or others, defiance of the rules or of authority, or major disruption, the student will receive a referral to the principal. The principal will decide the consequence and parents will be informed of the infraction. Parents may be
asked to have a conference with the principal and/or the teacher to work together with the school in improving the child's behavior.

MY CHARACTER COUNTS PLAN
Abia Judd has a school wide behavior plan to keep track of students who may have a number of disciplinary referrals. Teachers and the office will keep track of all the referrals that students receive.

Teachers will determine which step a child is on based on a continuous nine-week calendar. That means if a child receives a referral, the teacher will check to see how many referrals the child received in the preceding nine calendar weeks. In addition to the consequences the child may receive for the referral,
the following actions will take place:

Step 1 Referral noted by teacher in student's 3-R plan.

Step 2 2nd referral during a 9-week calendar period. Noted by teacher in student's 3-R plan.

Step 3 3rd referral during a 9-week calendar period. Teacher will make contact by phone or written note (other than the referral) concerning the behavior problems.

Step 4 4th referral during a 9-week calendar period. Child is referred to the Principal.

Step 5 5th referral during a 9-week calendar period. Child is referred to the Principal. Teacher will make phone or in-person contact.

Step 6 6th referral during a 9-week calendar period. A AL.A.B.@ (Learning Appropriate Behaviors) conference is held with parents, teacher, principal, behavior coach and other concerned parties to write a specific behavior plan for the child.

Important Note: This is a general plan that will be followed in most cases. Behavior that is particularly severe may require that a student move more quickly to step 6. The plan is to enhance parent contact, not limit it. So if a teacher believes parent contact/conference should happen sooner, the teacher will do so.

SUSPENSION
On rare occasions, student misconduct may require that the student be suspended or expelled from school. In such cases the principal will gather the necessary information and make a determination to suspend a child from 1-10 days. The Governing Board according to district policy may impose longer-term suspension or expulsion. In all cases of suspension, the parents will be notified in
writing and the student will be given the appropriate due-process rights according to law.

ABIA JUDD “DEBUG” SYSTEM
One of the most effective tools we teach students to help them avoid trouble
is the “debug” system. Students are taught to use the system if someone is
saying or doing something that may cause the student to react inappropriately.

The steps are simple, yet powerful:

1. Ignore- Try to ignore the other person’s behavior. Often, that will cause behavior to stop.

2. Move Away- Get away from the situation that is causing the problem.

3. Talk Friendly- Using words like “please”, ask or tell the other person to stop.

4. Talk Firmly- Tell the person very clearly in a firm voice to stop.

5. Get Adult Help- Tell an adult what the person is doing, and what you have done to get the person to stop.

Students are also taught if behavior is dangerous to get immediate help.

BUILDING CONDUCT
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a calm, orderly manner inside the building.
- Students must walk in the halls
- Don't bounce balls, play physical games or block halls
- Use quiet voices in the building
- Students may not chew gum anywhere on campus
- All students are expected to keep restrooms, hallways, and classrooms clean

Prior to 7:45
- Students are not allowed at school prior to 7:45 unless they are participating in
the “Buck Club” program that begins at 7:00.

7:45-8:30
- Breakfast is served beginning at 7:45.
- When students arrive, they may come in the building to drop off their
supplies. From 7:45 to 8:25 students must go outside. They may not go into a
classroom or the library unless a teacher is there and gives permission.
• At 8:25 students may enter the building without lining up.
8:30-2:45
• From 8:30-2:45, students may not talk in the halls. They may enter the
building after recesses without lining up but they must enter quietly.
• Students must use designated doors for entering and exiting the building.
Teachers will tell their classes which doors they must use to enter and exit for
each recess.
• When leaving class during class time, students must have a pass.

PLAYGROUND CONDUCT
1. Stay in assigned areas and use designated restrooms during recesses.

2. Use all playground equipment safely.

3. Walk (don't run) on sidewalks.

4. Stay off of trees, fences, buildings, and railings.

6. Keep playgrounds clean.

7. Respect the rights and property of others.

8. Follow the directions of the playground supervisors at all times.

9. Do not play rough games involving fighting, tackling, or pushing.

10. Eating food on the playground is not permitted except during special
noontime sales.

11. Stay out of ice and water puddles.

12. Do not throw rocks, snow or any other potentially dangerous items.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT RULES
We have a beautiful playground with modern equipment and play areas. Because of the number of pieces of equipment, students will study playground rules in their classrooms. Each piece of equipment and area of the playground has specific rules that must be followed at all times. In general, students are expected to play safely and obey the directions of the playground supervisors at
all times.

PLAYGROUND AREAS
This year there will be construction on each of our playgrounds. The widening
of Williamson Valley Road will impact the use of our main playground areas.
At all times we will consider student safety our priority. That means we may
have parts of the playground blocked off with tape or temporary fencing.
Students must obey all signs and announcements regarding playground areas.
At some point this year we will have the upper field completely renovated with
equipment and turf so the playground assignments for recess and lunch will change. At the beginning of the year the following play areas will be assigned:

Kindergarten - Students will use the kindergarten playground before school and during PM recesses. During AM recess and lunch students will use the 1st grade playground.

Before School - Outside playground for all grades

Morning Recess - Outside playground for grades K-5

Lunch Recess - Grades K-3 on Outside playground. Grades 4-5 will have the choice between outside playground and upper field.

Note: All students going to and from the upper ball field must walk on the sidewalk between the cafeteria and the ball field. Once students go to the ball field, they may not come back until the bell rings.

LUNCHROOM CONDUCT
1. Students will go to the lunchroom in line with their class. Once inside the lunchroom, students will stay in an orderly line until served.

2. Students will go to designated areas assigned by the cafeteria monitors. Once students are seated they must remain seated until given permission to leave.

3. Students may talk quietly in the lunchroom.

4. When finished, students must raise their hands to be excused by the cafeteria supervisor. When excused, students should make sure their areas are clean and dispose of garbage in the trashcans provided.