Behavior Management

Behavior Management

In California, all students have the responsibility to "comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study, and to submit to the authority of teachers." (Education Code 48921)  In addition, the Education Code states that teachers must "enforce the course of study, the use of authorized textbooks and the prescribed rules and regulations."  Also, teachers "must hold students to strict account for their conduct."   (Section 44805).

The Melinda Heights staff believes that all children, with proper guidance and reinforcement, can behave appropriately at school.  Thus, we have implemented a few simple school rules to accomplish the charge given to us and stated above.  These rules are based on several beliefs we have regarding discipline and character development.

We believe that character development is equally as important as intellectual development.  As Theodore Roosevelt once said, "To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."  We believe that there are three universal moral values that form the core of the values we teach: respect, responsibility  and integrity.  Respect means showing regard for the worth of someone or something.  It includes respect for self, respect for the rights and dignity of all persons, and respect for the environment in which we live.   Respect keeps us from hurting that which we should value.  Responsibility means taking care of oneself and others, fulfilling our obligations, and contributing to our families and community.  Integrity, as taught to children, means being honest and doing the right thing.

We believe that discipline is an act of love.  We understand that in order to be  happy, productive people, children need to learn to respect others, interact appropriately, and develop personal responsibility.  We care too much about our students to allow them to grow up to be disrespectful or irresponsible, for we know this will ultimately lead to their unhappiness.

We believe that self-control and self-discipline are learned behaviors.  Thus, if a child violates a rule out of ignorance, it is our responsibility to teach him or her the appropriate behavior.  If a child violates a rule out of defiance, then it is our responsibility to discipline.  We make every effort to provide logical consequences for inappropriate behavior.  For example, a child who has difficulty playing handball might be asked to sit and watch for a period of time, hopefully observing children playing appropriately.  It is our belief that disciplining of students should be done privately, whenever possible.  The correction of a student’s behavior is  a private matter between a student, the adult in charge, and the parents, if necessary.   We do not support the concept of "public humiliation."  To do so would be to model disrespect. 

We believe that the primary responsibility for teaching children strong character and positive behavior lies with the parent.  It is the school’s responsibility to reinforce those positive traits and behaviors that you, the parent, have worked so diligently to teach.

We believe that all students, when given proper guidance and reinforcement, can and will behave appropriately.  We believe that most behavior results in either a positive or negative consequence.  It is with this in mind that we have formulated a few basic rules to assist us in providing students with a safe, orderly, and respectful environment.

Discipline Program

The Melinda Heights School Rules are based on our core values of respect, responsibility, and integrity, as well as safety. 

Melinda Heights School Rules

1.       I will use common sense.  I will not do anything that is harmful to myself or others.

2.      I will follow the directions of the adult in charge.

3.      I will complete all school work assigned.

4.      I will treat everyone and everything with respect*.

5.      I will keep my hands, feet, and  objects to myself.

*       Respect for others includes refraining from the use of profane or vulgar language.  Our profanity policy is as follows: 

    First offense:         verbal warning

    Second offense:     phone call home

    Third offense:        suspension from school

Possible negative consequences for infractions of the above Melinda Heights School Rules may include a verbal warning, loss of privileges, parent contact, parent conference, suspension from class, and suspension from school.