Expectations

Behavioral Expectations

A Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Plan, often called a Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Plan, is a proactive, team-based approach to creating and sustaining a safe and effective school environment. Its goal is to promote positive behavior and prevent problem behavior across all school settings.

Key Components

Clearly Defined Expectations
- Schools establish 3–5 positively stated behavioral expectations (e.g., Be Kind, Act Responsibly, Respect School Community, Keep Safe), which are consistently taught and reinforced.
Consistent Teaching of Behaviors
- Just like academic subjects, positive behaviors are explicitly taught. Staff model and practice expected behaviors with students across different settings (classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, etc.).
Systematic Reinforcement
- Students are acknowledged and rewarded for demonstrating positive behaviors, at times through a token or recognition system (e.g., BARK Bucks, praise, school-wide incentives).
Data-Driven Decision Making
- Schools collect data on behavioral incidents to identify patterns, address concerns early, and make informed decisions for interventions.
Tiered Support
- PBIS uses a multi-tiered system of support:
  - Tier 1: Universal supports for all students.
  - Tier 2: Targeted supports for students at risk.
  - Tier 3: Intensive, individualized supports for students with high needs.
Team-Based Implementation
- A PBIS team, typically comprising teachers, administrators, and support staff, meets regularly to guide implementation, review data, and refine strategies.

Purpose and Benefit

Code of Student Conduct

Student Behavior Procedures

Individual teachers provide primary intervention with regard to classroom management and maintenance of discipline.

Teachers are responsible for maintaining an atmosphere for learning in the classroom, in the halls, and on the playground.
All others (School Counselor, IST, Parents, Instructional Assistants, Principal, and other staff) provide secondary assistance when enlisted to support the teacher in their responsibilities.

When a discipline problem arises, the teacher:

Tries to resolve it with the individual involved
Involves other people in the following steps:
- Parent
- School Counselor
- Administration

For any serious rule violation, parents will be called immediately and the student may be suspended. A parent conference MUST be held prior to the student’s return to school following an out of school suspension (OSS). The school administration reserves the right to act with discretion on a case-by-case basis when making disciplinary decisions.

Other Important Information

Birthdays and Celebrations

The health and safety of all students is one of our top priorities. We want to promote and encourage health and wellness through our activities and celebrations.
Due to allergies, food sensitivities, and dietary restrictions, it is essential for us to be cautious and proactive in our approach to the health and well-being of our students and staff. Food will not be served at classroom celebrations. We encourage students to celebrate their birthdays by giving away pencils, stickers, or donating a book to the classroom.

Class Interruptions

Class interruptions should be kept to a minimum.
An effort should be made by everyone to respect the integrity of the learning environment and the instructional time needed by the teachers to get the job done.
In addition, children should be pulled out of class only when necessary, and care should be taken to minimize the effect of interrupting instructional time.
All visitors must make an appointment with the office prior to being permitted to enter the school for a visit or to be a volunteer and all clearance paperwork should be completed and approved prior.
If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment.
Many events and activities take place throughout the school year.
- We do not permit siblings to attend each other’s events.
- Please do not plan to have your child attend his/her sibling’s activities, as this is disruptive to the classroom and not fair to the rest of the students.

Items Dropped Off at Office

Vacations

Vacations during the school year are discouraged as they interrupt the educational process for your children. However, we realize that occasionally an opportunity will arise and your child will need to miss school for a family vacation.

Please notify the building principal, by using the vacation request form, at least two weeks in advance of your planned vacation. You will also need to contact the child’s teacher to arrange for work to be prepared for your child.

Please note that extended vacations will not be approved during the weeks of State PSSA
testing.

A maximum number of days absent must not exceed 10 school days, including any days your child has missed due to illness or other reasons.

Find our BARK posters throughout the website to direct good behavior at New Garden Elementary.

Cafeteria

Be Kind

I will mindful of others feelings, thoughts, and culture of others.
I will use kind words while speaking to others.
I will offer to help others when needed.
I will include those who are by themselves.

Act Responsibly

I will keep food on my tray.
I will stand in line quietly to get my food.
When my table is called, I will put my tray up where it belongs, and then line up quietly.
I will accept the outcome of my choices.

Respect School Community

I will follow adult directions.
I will speak at a low volume.
I will eat and touch only my food.
I will clean up my eating area, including the floor.

Keep Safe

I will raise my hand and wait for permission to leave my seat.
I will obtain adult permission before leaving the cafeteria for any reason.
I will maintain personal space.

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