Rock Creek Valley ES

Discipline

Philosophy: 

The primary function of school is learning.  School should be a place in which children learn in an atmosphere of security and well-being.  Our goal at Rock Creek Valley is to provide a safe, pleasant, and stimulating environment that is conducive to effective and efficient learning and promotes mutual respect and cooperation between all segments of the school community. 

The cooperation of many people is necessary to establish and maintain a positive learning environment.  School staff, students, and parents/guardians must work closely together and assist each other in the establishment of classroom and school-wide rules and procedures, with consistent implementation of consequences (both positive and negative).  To teach and reinforce appropriate school behavior, the Rockville cluster participates in the Peace Program.  At Rock Creek Valley ES, our Peace Program provides a strong pro-active approach to teaching students a wide range of important social skills that are closely aligned to positive learning behaviors.  We believe that discipline is learned and taught in the home, the school, and the community.  Children learn through experience and imitation of those around them.  We also believe that discipline is a developmental process.  As the child matures, he/she should be given increased responsibility in keeping with his/her developmental level and social maturity and should be given every opportunity to practice self-discipline in order to positively reinforce responsible action.  Through the consistent application of the discipline policy, we at Rock Creek Valley ES can help children mature and become happy, self-disciplined, and self-reliant individuals capable of behaving appropriately as the situation demands. 

Disciplinary Standards and Procedures: 

As with all aspects of school, setting high expectations for children with regards to behavioral standards is a critical foundation for ultimate student success.  It is important that all children have a clear understanding of school expectations with regard to behavior and also clearly understand the consequences that may be experienced if they choose to engage in inappropriate behaviors.  Every staff member utilizes a wide array of behavior management strategies both within the classroom and in less structured settings (cafeteria, halls, etc.) to model, guide, and reinforce positive student behaviors.  When responding to inappropriate student behaviors that may occur, teachers also utilize a hierarchy of interventions which may include: problem solving between students, peer mediation (student-to-student issues only), staff-student conference, time out, parent contact regarding behavior, and staff-parent conference with student involvement.  Interventions utilized will depend on the severity of the infraction, frequency of occurrence, age of child, and other factors.  This policy reflects a balance between the rights and responsibilities of the individual and the group.  When a consequence does require that a student is removed from the assigned learning activity, it is important that this be documented.  When students are referred to the office from either a classroom setting or from lunch/recess, a referral slip must be completed and sent with the student to the office. 

Countywide violations are listed first.  The actions listed under this section are forbidden.  If a student is found doing one of these things on school grounds or at school-sponsored events, the student will be disciplined within the guidelines noted.  These guidelines apply to every school in the county.  After this section, specific schoolwide violations, such as fighting, profanity, leaving school grounds without permission, and insubordination, are identified.   The violations are followed by guidelines, noting minimum and maximum consequences that may be applied.  In dealing with each situation, staff will keep in mind that the purpose of the disciplinary action is to strengthen behaviors that will enable the child to learn and appropriately cope with similar situations in the future, and not primarily punitive. 

Appeal Procedures: 

If a student disagrees with a directive or a student/parent wishes to appeal a disciplinary action taken under this policy, the following steps may be taken:

• Follow the staff member's directions and then schedule a conference with the staff member to discuss the situation. 
• Meet with the principal or designee to seek an informal resolution, or request, in writing, that the principal formally review the disciplinary action.  The principal shall render a decision in writing, with a copy of the complaint, within ten (10) school days of receipt of the written complain from the student/parent. 
• Appeal the principal's decision to the superintendent or designee in writing within ten (10) days of the principal's written decision.  Within ten (10) days of receipt of the appeal, the superintendent or designee renders a decision and notifies the student/parent and principal in writing.
• Appeal the superintendent's decision by contacting the Office of the Board of Education.

MCPS Countywide Violations
Nondiscretionary Expellable Offenses 

MCPS Countywide Violations
Offenses with a Range of Consequences

Rock Creek Valley Elementary School Violations
Offenses with a Range of Consequences