Student Behavior

In order to create a positive, productive atmosphere at the Tisbury School, we expect our students to behave with respect and courtesy for themselves, others, school property, and the learning environment through their words, actions and attire.

If a student does not comply with these expectations:

  • In cases of serious or persistent misbehavior, staff will contact parents and schedule a conference.
  • Students may be suspended from school for a designated period and a parent conference may be required prior to re-admittance. Immediate suspendable offenses included but are not limited to: insubordination or defiance of staff, swearing, leaving school grounds, assaulting another student, smoking, threatening or harassment, and possession of alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco products and/or weapons on school property.
  • Students may also be referred to the Principal or Assistant Principal for serious misbehavior, where appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
  • Expulsion can occur for possession of weapons*, drugs, or alcohol.

    **The legal definition of a weapon is any instrument capable of creating or causing harm to or fear in another person.

    Detention

    A potential consequence for misbehavior, detention runs from 2:45 until 3:30. Bus students will be given twenty-four hour notice unless other arrangements are made with the parents to provide transportation home. Detention is assigned for disciplinary reasons. Failure to attend detention may lead to further disciplinary action.

    Student Guidelines

  • Respect the rights of others.
  • Prejudicial remarks or behavior will be addressed with all due haste.
  • Be courteous to other students and adults.
  • Take care of school property. Students will be responsible for any damage to or loss of school materials for which they are responsible (i.e. books, equipment, etc.).
  • Respect the property of others.
  • Walk and talk quietly in the building. Please be safe and respectful
  • Use good manners in the cafeteria and clean up after oneself.
  • Fighting anywhere in the school or on the school grounds will not be tolerated.
  • Outdoor clothing and hats are not to be worn in the building during school hours.
  • Gum chewing is not allowed anywhere on school grounds.
  • Throwing snowballs, or other objects, is strictly forbidden.
  • IPOD, cellular phones etc. are not to be used in school. Electronic devices, including cell phones, must be left in lockers or backpacks during the school day. Skateboards must be left in the homeroom and cannot be used on school grounds.
  • Courtesy at assemblies and on field trips is expected.
    We are proud of our school's positive reputation for exemplary student behavior, as we maintain high expectations for respecting others.

    Special Education Corrective Action Plan

    The school's Code of Conduct includes required procedural safeguards such as opportunity for a hearing (per Goss V. Lopez).

    After a student with special needs has been suspended for 10 days in any school year, during any subsequent removal the public school provides sufficient services for the student to continue to receive a free and appropriate public education.

    The school provides additional procedural safeguards for students with disabilities prior to any suspension beyond 10 consecutive days or more than 10 cumulative days (if there is a pattern of suspension) in any school year.

    Bullying and Intimidation

    The administration, counselors, and staff of the Tisbury School recognize how important it is that children act appropriately with each other. In that light, we have outlined, specific responses to negative social behaviors such as bullying and intimidation. Please talk with your child about this so that they understand our seriousness in addressing bullying and intimidation:

    If any child causes or attempts serious harm to another child by bullying, intimidate, threatening, or taking out anger physically, the child will be suspended pending a full investigation by school personnel, who will decide on further consequences.

    Academic Alert List

    The Academic Alert List is updated and distributed weekly. Students in grades 5-8 may be placed on this list by their teachers for not completing homework and/or failing grades. Students on Academic Alert may not participate in extracurricular school activities (sports, assemblies, social events, etc.) Only after the teacher has informed a student that hi/she is no longer on Academic Alert may he/she resume participation. Students are notified in writing if they are on Academic Alert and in which class(es). It then becomes the students' responsibility to meet with teachers and complete missing assignments.