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06/14/2004: "New Discipline Policy in Philly"
There’s a pair of articles in the Daily News today that detail Paul Vallas’s plans for discipline next year. This “zero tolerance” approach sounds pretty, but I’d like to bit by bit through the rules and the planned “consequences.”
My comments interspersed throughout...
Starting in September, the Philadelphia School District will crack down on rulebreakers - even minor offenders - who make it hard for students who want to learn. The district, along with the Daily News, parents, religious institutions and community leaders, wants every public school student to know the rules and the consequences.
Attendance
Students must be at school and in class on time.
If absent, must bring written excuse from parent/guardian first day back to school.
Chronically late students will be locked out of school unless they arrive with a valid excuse note.
*The Police will not allow schools to lock children out- it creates a crime problem. At the two comprehensive high schools where I worked, attempts at late rooms could collect two to three hundred students EVERY morning. So...right away, you're setting up a dynamic where you will be unable to carry through on a consequence
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
Violators face corrective actions that can include meetings with school officials and parents, assignment to Saturday SMART program, loss of privileges, referral to counselor, referral to regional truancy court.
*Throughout this list, “referral to counselor” is listed as a consequence. Let’s be clear here- most schools have a student to counselor ratio of upwards of 1 to 200. These counselors are totally overburdened already.
(I won’t touch on the competency issue- if you know someone who works in a Philly public school ask them about their counselor.)
Cell phones
Phones, beepers and text-messaging devices brought to school will be confiscated.
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
A parent or guardian must come to school to reclaim the device.
Dress
Students must dress in the manner, colors and style adopted by their school.
What's in:
• Uniform shirts approved by school.
• Pants worn correctly at waist.
• Belts worn with trousers.
• Clothing that fits - not too tight, too big, too small, too short, too long.
What's out:
• Oversized T-shirts.
• Exposed undergarments.
• Stocking caps, doo rags, bandanas, hats.
• Muscle shirts, halter tops.
• Spaghetti straps.
• See-through clothing.
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
Students dressed inappropriately may be offered school-issue clothing or sent home to change. Violators also face corrective actions that can include meetings with school officials and parents, assignment to Saturday SMART program, loss of privileges, referral to counselor, referral to regional truancy court.
Why folks see uniforms as a panacea, I’ll never know. It makes some folks feel better, and it definitely makes life easier for the students. But it’s currency I believe would be better spent elsewhere- nome sain? Kids are tough and if you want to set rules consistently, you’ll spend a lot of time on it. Why add the hassle of arguing over clothing?
Language
Students, staff and visitors are expected to use polite and courteous language at all times.
Banned:
• Threatening or intimidating language.
• Cursing and other forms of foul or offensive language.
• Obscene or offensive writing or images.
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
Violators face corrective actions that can include meetings with school officials and parents, assignment to a disciplinary location, assignment to Saturday SMART program, suspension, loss of privileges, referral to counselor.
*Alright, I have to comment- meetings w/school officials and parents? This is a consequence? Does anyone understand how many of these meetings teachers/principals/disciplinarians already have?
And who is going to staff this Saturday program? Furthermore, why get the ACLU and various libertarian groups all upset by putting a policy like this on paper...
Weapons
Prohibited.
Weapons include guns, knives, any cutting tool, any household item that could be used to cut or stab another person, any blunt weapon and any other item that could be used to inflict serious bodily injury.
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
Students caught with a weapon on school property or while traveling to or from school will be expelled for at least one year.
Students in possession of a weapon on school grounds will be arrested and prosecuted.
In my years, the only kids ever caught with weapons were kids who had dumb things like box cutters. Like alcohol and other drugs, the kids most likely to get caught are the first-time users or amateurs; the experienced users are the least likely to get caught.
Respect
The school is a place where students, staff and visitors are expected to treat each other fairly and politely. Everyone must take responsibility for his or her own actions.
Students are expected to follow all school rules and treat other people the way they would like to be treated.
Students have the right to:
• Feel safe in school.
• Be informed of school rules.
• Tell their side of the story if involved in disciplinary matters.
Parents
Parents or other caregivers need to be involved with the academic success of their children. Parents are expected to:
• Take their children to school on the first day.
• Let their children know that school is important.
• Ask questions about homework and tests. Provide help if children need it.
• Make sure children attend school and arrive on time.
• Talk to teachers, counselors and other school staff to make sure children are succeeding academically.
Other serious offenses
Level 1•
Disrupting school.
• Disruptive/offensive use of language. Wearing gang colors.
• Damage, destruction or theft of school or another person's property.
• Fighting.
• Reckless conduct or false fire alarms.
• Possessing tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia.
• Possessing drugs or alcohol for personal consumption.
• Abuse of computer/Internet privileges.
• Cheating/academic dishonesty.
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
Level 1 offenders face corrective actions that can include meetings with school officials and parents, assignment to a disciplinary location, assignment to Saturday SMART program, suspension, loss of privileges, referral to counselor.
Level 2•
Repeatedly breaking school rules.
• Harassment of another person.
• Indecent assault or indecent exposure.
• Assault on school personnel.
• Possessing a weapon.
• Aggravated offenses, including injuring another person, selling drugs, setting fires, violence or threats of violence, damaging school property.
... IF RULE IS BROKEN
Level 2 offenders face corrective actions that can include placement in an alternative school or expulsion.
*That _CAN include. Not WILL include. The chaos endemic in most schools would fill up these “alternative schools” in a hurry.
*The real issue here is that it is another mandate without any real funding or assistance. The same security that sits on the steps at West smoking cigarettes with the kids is not likely to be ready to seriously enforce rules next year. Nor will these consequences be enforceable if there is not a committment of many new security folks.
*Finally, telling a child that respect is important when
they are sitting in a worn down building
with at least one sub and at least one dud teacher
with sub-par materials available some of the time
AND
they can look at the television or down the road in Lower Merion and see what other schools look and feel like
Now, that’s disrespectful.