Cottage School
Montessori Education
School Climate and Behavioral Expectations – 2014/2015
Show Grace
Act Responsibly
Build Peace
OUR MISSION
Inspired by the Montessori philosophy, the mission of Cottage is to guide and empower each child to think critically while
becoming an intrinsically motivated, 21st century learner who understands their responsibility within the diverse planet,
through the delivery of personalized instruction, in a child-centered environment supported by a nurturing community.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
All members of the school community have the responsibility to ensure and maintain the stability of a positive learning
environment. Human trust, acceptance and concern for each individual must be fostered in order to achieve this climate in
school. With these basic rights go the responsibility for guiding individuals and recognizing their positive efforts to achieve
the common goal of building a peaceful community.
SCHOOL STAFF - All school staff have primary responsibility for providing a teaching-learning environment which
contributes to the atmosphere of grace and trust within the school community. School staff is responsible for
modeling and teaching their students the behavioral standards of the classroom and the school as a whole. They
enforce the school/district rules and regulations and continually recognize positive efforts to show grace, act
responsibly, and build peace.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS - Parents/guardians are responsible for reinforcing behaviors consistent with the Cottage School
Climate Behavioral Expectations and district policy with their children. Parents/guardians function in a partnership
with school staff regarding decisions directly affecting their children and the well-being of the school as a whole.
STUDENTS - Students are responsible for following school rules and procedures established by the Cottage School Climate
and Behavioral Expectations. Positive student attitudes and actions are an integral part of the establishment of a
positive and productive school climate.
COMMUNICATION
Keeping parents and students informed of current and upcoming school events and issues is critical to maintaining a
positive school environment. Our school newsletter, Comet Connection, is an integral part of that communication. Other
methods of school-to-home communication include Connect-Ed, automated phone messages, and our school website,
www.Cottage Elementary.SanJuan.edu.
Additionally, each classroom teacher will send home weekly communication to keep parents informed of grade level
curriculum and special events. Student progress updates will be provided regularly through progress reports, parent
conferences, and report cards. Teachers will contact families individually when additional communication is needed.
Every Wednesday, students will bring home their Cottage Comet Folder. The folder will contain important community,
school, and class communication. If your child is not coming home with these items, please speak to your child and contact
his/her teacher if necessary.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact Cottage staff if they have input, questions, or need clarification on any school
or classroom topic. Parents may use email, voicemail, or notes to communicate with Cottage staff. Communication
regarding classroom topics should begin with the teacher. Parents/Guardians should schedule an appointment in advance
for classroom visitation or an individual conference with staff.
SCHOOL RULES AND PROCEDURES
Note: Cottage School is a PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) school. The premise of PBIS is to accentuate the
positive and reinforce appropriate behavior. Research has shown this to be an effective strategy for helping students
succeed. All students and staff will follow our three overarching guidelines:
Show Grace
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Act Responsibly
Build Peace
Students will follow the Cottage Dress Code Policy.
Students will walk in the hallways and stay in designated, supervised areas.
Students will use the restrooms for their intended use only and respect the privacy of others while in the restroom.
Food is allowed at designated times and in designated areas only. Healthy snacks are encouraged. Chewing gum is
not allowed at school.
Personal property (toys, games, radios, lasers, pagers, tape & MP3 players, etc.) should not be brought to school.
Exception: calculators and curriculum related items. The buying and selling of personal items is not allowed.
Students possessing cell phones must have them powered off and in their backpacks during school hours. A
current CELL PHONE POLICY must be signed and on file in the office.
Students will help to keep the school grounds clean and neat.
Bicycles must be walked while on campus. Skateboards, roller blades, shoes with heel wheels, and skates are not
allowed at school.
ANTI-BULLYING RULES
In the 2011/2012 school year we began implementation of Olweus, our researched based bullying prevention program. We
will continue to teach students skills and implement strategies to insure a bullying free environment throughout the school.
Our school’s anti-bullying rules are:
1. We will not bully others.
2. We will help students who are bullied.
3. We will include students who are left out.
4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
PLAYGROUND RULES
1. Injuries will be reported to the staff member on duty. Staff members will determine if office assistance is needed.
2. Students will remain in the designated playground area during all recesses. Students will not enter “off limits”
zones without special permission from a staff member.
3. All games are “open” to all students.
4. All equipment must be used safely, cooperatively, and for the purpose intended.
5. When the grounds are wet, students are to stay on the blacktop.
6. Throwing sand, rocks, wood chips or other inappropriate objects is not allowed.
7. Balls are not to be kicked on the blacktop at any time (the exception is organized kickball games with adult
supervision).
8. Snacks should be eaten only in designated areas (bench areas) on the blacktop and only during the morning recess.
9. Students will follow the detailed primary and intermediate playground rules taught by school staff.
DINING ROOM RULES
1. Students are to enter and exit the lunchroom in an orderly manner as directed by supervisors.
2. Students are to eat quietly at assigned tables, be courteous, and exhibit good manners. Trading food is not
permitted.
3. Students are to finish eating before leaving the cafeteria.
4. Students are to remain seated until dismissed by a supervisor.
5. Each class will be responsible for cleaning their area before they are dismissed.
FIELD TRIP BEHAVIOR POLICY
Field trips are an extension of the classroom learning environment in a less structured setting. Therefore, it is important
that students participating in field trips conduct themselves in an appropriate manner which will insure their safety and the
safety of others. Students' behavior must be appropriate to the setting to allow all participants the opportunity to see,
hear, and learn.
FIELD TRIP BEHAVIOR POLICY - Continued
During a field trip, a student will be expected to follow school rules. If a student's behavior endangers his/her safety or the
safety of others or requires a significant amount of teacher/chaperone time which would endanger others, the student may
need to be removed from the site of the field trip.
One indicator of a student's ability to behave on a field trip is the citizenship exhibited at school. Therefore, a student may
be excluded from a field trip if prior behavior has been inappropriate and causes a concern for the safety of others or for
the amount of teacher/chaperon time that would be required to monitor such behavior.
SYSTEMATIC PLAN FOR BEHAVIOR
TEACHING APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
1. On the first day of attendance at Cottage School, parents and students will receive a copy of the Cottage Family
Student Staff Compact, Cottage School Climate and Behavioral Expectations, Cottage Dress Code Policy and the SJUSD
Parent Handbook including Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion. Families are asked to read and review the
documents with their child. Parent signature is required and indicates agreement to collaborate with the school to
support their child’s education.
2. Teachers will teach and practice the Cottage School Climate and Behavioral Expectations with students during the first
weeks of school. Safety issues and community expectations will be reinforced and reviewed throughout the year.
3. GRACE, RESPONSIBILITY and PEACE posters will be visible throughout the school.
POSITIVE RECOGNITION FOR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Cottage School strives to enhance every student’s intrinsic motivation. We focus on verbal recognition of student’s efforts
to show GRACE, RESPONSIBILITY, and PEACE. Character education values are also emphasized and reinforced.
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Classroom – Teachers will have systems for recognizing GRACE, RESPONSIBILITY, and PEACE within the classroom. This
information will be shared with parents at Back-to-School Night.
Schoolwide-Grades 1-5 – GRACE, RESPONSIBILITY, and PEACE tickets will be given to students or groups of students
demonstrating GRACE, RESPONSIBILTY, or PEACE. The tickets will be collected for the community and counted regularly
by TASK Force students. Each time our goal is achieved we will have a community celebration!
Specific examples of GRACE, RESPONSIBILTY, and PEACE on our campus will be described in the monthly Comet
Connection. Classroom examples will be included in grade level newsletters.
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Cottage School uses the “Behavior Data Form”. This form is part of the school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and
Support (PBIS) system. The Behavior Data Form provides specific information and action taken regarding the infraction.
“Behavior Data Forms” may be issued by any staff member.
For students earning several “Behavior Data Forms”, it may be necessary to convene a parent conference with the child in
attendance to create a behavioral contract geared to accentuate the positive, yet also hold the child responsible for
inappropriate actions.
The natural consequence for student’s inappropriate chose is a consequence directly related to the misbehavior. This
might include performing school cleaning tasks, loss of recess privileges, assisting in a classroom, or writing a letter of
apology. Students may also be required to pay for any damages.
For more serious violations, a Behavior Data Form will still be issued, yet a referral to the principal is likely. Refer to the
Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion for greater detail on school responses to serious misbehaviors.
COTTAGE SCHOOL CLIMATE AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS AND THE SAN JUAN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES
GOVERNING STUDENT BEHAVIOR
The Cottage School Climate and Behavioral Expectations has been written in conjunction with the mandates of San Juan Unified
School District Policy 5161 - "Policies and Procedures Governing Student Behavior" and California Education Codes 48900/48915.
These regulations define suspension and expulsion from school. A copy of the guidelines for suspension/expulsion can be found in
the SJUSD Parent Handbook.