Edison Community Rights and Responsibilities

Rights and Responsibilities
for the Edison Community

We believe all members of the Edison community have rights. For example, children should have the right to feel safe throughout the building and grounds, to learn, and to play with their friends. Likewise, every teacher has the right to teach. With these rights come responsibilities. For example, students must take responsibility to play fair, to try their best, and to deal with others in appropriate and in physically and verbally non-violent ways.

All teachers, teacher assistants, parents, support staff and the administration convey rights and responsibilities to our students. On occasion, if a conflict arises between a right and a responsibility, we believe the problem should be handled immediately, directly and positively. Our primary concern is that the students learn from the situation and not repeat it.

At Edison, different levels of interventions will be considered when conflicts arise. In the classroom, playground, and other areas of the school, teachers will handle most conflicts. The student is provided an opportunity to tell his/her version of the incident. Consequences may include one-on-one counseling, time-outs, in-school community service, parent contacts, scheduled conferences, etc. If behavior problems continue, further avenues will be explored. Students will be referred to the Principal when violations of responsibilities continue or when one of the following severe violations of responsibilities occur:

  1. Physical contact between students such as fighting, kicking, spitting, etc.
  2. Willfully defacing, damaging, destroying, or taking property belonging to the school or others.
  3. Behavior that repeatedly interferes with a school's ability to provide educational opportunities to other students.
  4. Continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority.
  5. Violation of the DPS weapons, drugs and gang policy.*
  6. Bullying**

When a substantiated, continued and/or serious violations of responsibilities occur, the Principal may consider In-School or Out-of-School Suspension to help support students' positive school adjustment. (THREE SUSPENSIONS CAN TRIGGER AUTOMATIC EXPULSION AS A "HABITUALLY DISRUPTIVE STUDENT".) Note: If principal is out-of the building, a teacher-in-charge is always available. This person will have the authority to take action that is appropriate and consistent with the policies outlined here. They will also report back to the administrator upon their return.

If a student is suspended, a meeting will be set with the parent(s), the child, the principal, and any appropriate teachers to discuss and devise a written plan. The written plan will address ways to prevent the inappropriate action from occurring again as well as ways to help the student make better behavior choices at school.

Finally, verbal and physical threats involving intimidation of students and staff will not be tolerated. Bullying can be defined as aggressions in which one child, or group of children, engages in unprovoked and repeated physical, verbal, social, or emotional harm against another over a period of time. Physical bullying includes such tactics as tripping, kicking, stealing, and shoving. Emotional/social bullying includes gossiping, name calling, publicly humiliating the victim, or convincing others to reject or isolate the victim. These actions will be met with student's loss of privileges and parents will be contacted. Repeated acts may lead to suspension.

As a staff, we are all taking steps to help our students learn better communication skills, conflict resolutions skills, and anything else we can to help our students become good decision-makers. We are dedicated to creating at Edison the safest and most productive learning environment possible for all our students.

We think Edison's a great school in a wonderful community. We urge you to review this letter with your child before signing and returning the bottom of this page.

We thank you and look forward to a safe, exciting, and productive year!

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RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE EDISON COMMUNITY

1. I have the right to be treated with CARE AND RESPECT.
I need to take the responsibility to

2. I have the right to be seen as INDEPENDENT AND EMPOWERED.
I need to take the responsibility to

3. I have the right to be HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL.
I need to take responsibility to

4. I have the right to be LITERATE and see myself as a life-long learner.
I need to take the responsibility for

5. I have the right to be CREATIVE and excited about learning and life.
I need to take the responsibility to

6. I have the right to be safely TRANSPORTED to and from school.
Adults have the obligation to

BUILDING. PLAYGROUND AND BUS PROCEDURES

STUDENTS LINING UP OUTSIDE

I have the right to be with my classmates when lining up outside.
I need to take the responsibility to

STUDENTS MOVING THROUGH THE BUILDING

I have the right to move safely through the school.
I need to take the responsibility to

LUNCHROOM

I have the right to eat in the lunchroom with others.
I need to take responsibility to

STUDENTS ON THE PLAYGROUND

I have the right to be safe on the playground.
I have the responsibility to

STUDENTS ON THE SCHOOL BUS

I have the right to ride safely on the bus with other students.
I need to take responsibility to