School Policies

Saratoga School Schoolwide Agreements

Discipline at Saratoga School is viewed as a positive process that promotes safety, increases student responsibility and builds respect for self and others. Our schoolwide agreements, including our newly-adopted Anti-Bullying Behavior Policy, reflects this philosophy and fosters a safe, inclusive environment. The staff and Student Council develop agreements. They are shared with all of our students at the beginning of each school year and are reviewed on a regular basis. In the Saratoga School community, emphasis is placed on accepting responsibility, problem solving and resolving conflicts using positive strategies.

Behavior Expectations

• Students will give their best effort.
• Students will show respect and courtesy to other students and staff.
• Students will follow school agreements and directions given by staff.
• Students will work and play in a safe manner.
• Students will respect personal and school property.

Conflict Resolution

All students and staff at Saratoga School receive training in the use of conflict resolution. Students are encouraged to use these skills to solve conflicts by talking through their problems.

Students must agree to:

• Solve the problem.
• No name-calling.
• Do not interrupt.
• Tell the truth.

Some of the key questions to finding solutions are:

• What do you need to have this problem solved?
• What can you do to help solve this problem?
• If this problem happens again what can you do differently?

Students will discuss the problem and come to resolution with the help of a student conflict manager or an adult. They will also agree to tell their friends that the problem is solved.

Indoor Agreements

• Walk quietly in all indoor areas.
• Bathrooms should be used properly and left clean.
• In the cafeteria speak in a normal voice, use good manners, and clean up after yourself.

Playground Agreements

Student safety is the most important reason for playground rules. It is important for students to play actively at recess and lunch. It is also important to respect others and the rules of the games. All adults, as well as all students, should be shown respect when they point out the rules to students on campus. It is the responsibility of all of us to help keep Saratoga School a safe place to be at all times.

• Solve a problem by talking with the other student, telling the person on yard duty
• and/or talking with a conflict manager.
• Wood fiber, rocks and other foreign objects are not to be thrown.
• Tables and benches are to be used properly.
• Tackle, wrestling and rough tag are not allowed,
• Games of tag must be played only in the open field.
• Except for basketball, only rubber balls may be used on blacktop areas.
• Walk in corridors to and from the playground.
• Play fairly and follow rules of the game.
• Do not jump off equipment.
• Use ladders and zip-line one at a time.
• Keep campus clean by putting all litter in the garbage cans.
• Do not go back into the classroom during recesses.
• Use the restroom and get a drink of water before the end of recess.

Zip Line Rules

• Go down and back one time.
• Only one person on the zip line.
• Line starts on the swing side.
• Only one person waits on the platform.
• Do not walk or run under the zip line.
• Do not slam the zip line at the end of your turn.

Play Structure Rules

• No jumping off the structure.
• Go down the slide on your bottom. Do not climb up the slide.
• Do not play tag on the structure on in the tanbark area.
• Rings are one way and one person at a time.

Swing Rules

• No walking through swings.
• No jumping off swings.
• Do not throw swings over the top.
• Do not swing side to side.
• Do not twist on swings.
• No pushers.
• Do not climb on swing poles.

SES Shared Facilities Guidelines between 2:25 and 3:00 P.M

To balance the challenges of the multiple dismissal times and the need for students still in school to have access to all areas of our school, please follow these guidelines when you are on the playground at this time.

Rainy Day Agreements

During rainy days, students will play quiet games, read or draw in the classroom. Adults supervise students by rotating from room to room. We would appreciate additional adult assistance during rainy weather.

• Play quiet board games, read, draw, use the computer or other quiet activity.
• Stay engaged in an activity.
• Take turns with desirable activities.
• Use quiet voices and appropriate conversations at all times.
• Stay seated when using a pencil or art supplies.
• Never throw any object in class.
• Follow emergency procedures as needed. One student calls the office, walks to the office, or goes to the nearest adult supervisor for assistance.

Severe Behavior

• Refusing to obey an adult or obeying with a defiant attitude.
• Fighting or injuring another person.
• Leaving school grounds for any reason without permission.
• Having dangerous objects in one’s possession.
• Destroying, defacing or vandalizing school or private property.
• Stealing.
• Verbal abuse (name calling, swearing or threatening).
• Repeatedly disrupting the learning of others.
• Throwing rocks, sticks or other objects.

Consequences

Students who do not abide by the school and classroom agreements may receive any of the following consequences: warning, time out, loss of privilege, performing a school service, written composition, parent phone call, student/parent conference with the principal, classroom suspension, off campus suspension, expulsion.