PROGRESSIVE CONSEQUENCE (RESOLUTION)

Understanding consequences as "teachable moments" is fundamental to a positive approach to discipline.  Instead of seeking punishment, progressive consequences seek to ensure accountability and behavior change.

With progressive consequences, a student's first violation will usually merit a lower level consequence than subsequent violations.  A variety of factors are, however, taken into account and considered before determining consequence.  In instances where a student's conduct is dangerous or threatens the safety of others, more severe disciplinary action may be warranted, even if it is the student's first violation.

With progressive consequences, we aim to help students:

• Understand why the behavior is unacceptable.
• Understand the harm the behavior caused and the impact that it has.
• Take responsibility for their action.
• Be given the opportunity to repair the harm caused by their behavior.
• Be given the opportunity to learn pro-social strategies and skills to use in the future.

Every reasonable effort should be made to correct student misbehavior through interventions and other school-based resources.  Interventions are essential because inappropriate behavior or violations of the code of conduct may be symptomatic of more serious problems that students are experiencing such as homelessness, poverty, trauma and loss.  It is imperative that school personnel be sensitive to any issues that may influence the behavior of students and respond in a manner that is most supportive of their needs.  SCSD supports a trauma sensitive schools model which provides all staff with professional development in responsive and supportive intervention strategies.

When student conduct becomes a disruption to the educational process, school staff and principals respond logically appropriately and consistently,.