STUDENT HANDBOOK
PBIS
We are a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) school. We have three main PBIS structures in our school: (1) Diamondback Diner where students earn rewards as a class for using awesome etiquette at lunchtime; (2) Brag Tags that students earn throughout the year and get to wear on their school lanyard each Friday. Brag tags can be earned for achievements in academics, positive, behavior, and participation in several different school
wide events; (3) Dexter’s Dynamic Diamondbacks (also known as the Principal’s 100 Club). Students who are caught by school faculty and staff members can receive these “red” dia mondback tickets and come to the office to receive both a prize from the prize drawer, and add their name to a card that is hung on the Principal’s 100 club poster in the front office. Once all 100 slots are filled, Dr. Yost has a party with these 100 “dynamic” students!
SCHOOL RULES
DVES School Rules revolve around the specific positive behaviors expected in each area of the school. Every area has the following three components: Be Safe – Be Respectful – and Be Responsible. An example of this would be the hallways. Be Safe, walk forward, keep to the right, and hands to yourself. Be Respectful, no talking, so other students can learn and teachers can teach. Be Responsible, return to class promptly. All areas have a poster outlining the expected student behaviors and all teachers train their classes, using the three posters, about the rules at the beginning of each trimester. The rules are also reviewed daily during the morning announcements. The students are reminded to “Show Diamondback Pride – Be Safe – Be Respectful – Be Responsible!”
SCHOOL-WIDE DISCIPLINE CONSEQUENCES (for the disobedience of school rules)
We Believe all students can behave appropriately while at school. We also believe that every student has the right to learn, and that teachers have the right to teach. We will allow no student to prevent other students from learning or to stop the teacher from teaching.
1st Citation: Warning
Student’s Teacher calls Student’s Parent
Citation is completed and recorded
2nd Citation: Student loses 15 minutes of valued time
Student’s Teacher calls Student’s Parent
3rd Citation: Student loses 30 minutes of valued time
Student’s Teacher calls Student’s Parent
4th Citation: Student spends ½ day In-School suspension held in a specified class room or office
Student’s Teacher calls to schedule a Parent/Teacher/Principal meeting
5th Citation: Student spends 1 full day in Suspension
Principal calls home to schedule a Parent/Teacher/Principal meeting
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
Students should not have in their possession medication of any kind. However, the admin istration of prescription medications to pupils by school personnel will be permitted with a current prescription and a signed doctor request form (available on the WCSD website under “School Forms”). All medications are stored in a locked cabinet, and a record is kept of al medications given.
DIGITAL TEACHING AND LEARNING
DVES utilizes 1:1 technology for our students. Students will regularly utilize Schoology, (Learning Management System) as a major tool for their day-to-day learning. Students are required to adhere to the Technology Use Agreement at all times and will be responsible for any damage caused by negligent care.
STEAM Exploration Classes
On Fridays, from 9:30-10:15, students get the opportunity to attend a six-week STEAM Explo class of their choosing. These classes are hands-on activities that students get to do focusing on at least one aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Music, or Math. Students who do not complete class and homework assignments throughout the week go to study hall in the Library until they can complete their work and miss their opportunity for STEAM Explo class.
GENERAL SCHOOL SAFETY
Diamond Valley is a closed school campus. During school hours, all doors are locked except the front doors to the school. Additionally, all gates are locked during school hours to keep unauthorized persons from entering the school campus. Each month, our school participates in at least one school-wide safety drill, to include fire/evacuation, lock-down, reunification, lock-out, and earthquake drills throughout the year.
SAFE SCHOOLS POLICY
Diamond Valley Elementary School has adopted the Washington County School District’s “Zero Tolerance Policy” (zero tolerance means no warnings will be given) concerning fight ing, play fighting, harassment of any kind, drugs, weapons, or any violation of the policy. The following behaviors will not be tolerated and the consequences shall be to suspend or expel
students for any of the following violations of basic rules of acceptable conduct: 1. Frequent or flagrant willful disobedience, defiance of proper authority, or disruptive be havior. This includes the use of foul, profane, vulgar, or abusive language. 2. Willful destruction or defacing of school property.
- Behavior or threatened behavior that poses a threat to the welfare, safety, or morals of other students or school personnel or to the operation of the school.
- Bullying or Cyberbullying (doing something against the will of another, or forcing an other to do something against his/her will) including, but not limited to, the following behaviors: coercion, bribery, intimidation, threats, teasing, emotional, physical, or sexual harassment, etc.
- Behavior that threatens harm or does harm to the school property, to a person associated with the school, or property associated with any such person, regardless of where it occurs.
ITEMS PROHIBITED AT SCHOOL
Children should not bring nuisance items to school such as water guns or any type of guns, including real or toy guns and/or ammunition for said guns, knives, matches, lighters, toys, electronic devices/games, etc. If these items are brought to school (unless under the direction of a teacher), they will be confiscated.
WELLNESS CENTER
In addition to learning academics at DVES, we are also committed to helping students devel op their Social and Emotional skills. Occasionally, students (and adults) need a few minutes to take a break and de-escalate from the pressures surrounding them. DVES has a dedicated space for students to go so they can learn how to effectively self-regulate their emotions. This place is the Wellness Center. If students are feeling stress or anxiety or getting frustrated, they are able to go to the Wellness Center and practice healthy coping skills and learn to calm down on their own instead of allowing their behavior to escalate to a point that causes a negative disruption to the rest of the class in adverse ways. The Wellness Center is available to all students throughout the school day.
DRESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS
Washington County School District policy states “Students have the responsibility to avoid apparel that causes a distraction or disruption, interrupting school decorum and adversely affecting the educational process. Students must also avoid apparel that is offensive, represents a risk, or threatens student safety.” Students are to follow this policy, in part, by adhering to these guidelines:
- Clothes that are mutilated or immodest are not appropriate school wear. Any apparel revealing a bare midriff or bare shoulders, or cut low under the arms, is not permissible, including when raising arms. Tank tops, without a covering garment or t-shirt underneath are not permissible. Sleeveless shirts must cover from the neck to the outside of the shoulder.
- Dresses, shorts, skirts, and blouses should be modest in length and not revealing. 3. No gang-related attire will be permitted.
- Clothing attachments or accessories which could be considered weapons are not al lowed.
PRIDE IN DIAMOND VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We are proud of our beautiful building and grounds. Students are expected to maintain pride in the school by not littering the grounds and by not defacing or damaging school property. Roller blades, inline blades, roller skates, skateboards, and bicycles are not to be used on the school campus at any time. Bicycles are to be parked in the bike rack. Bikes must be walked off the school grounds when entering or leaving the school grounds.
