Everyone working at North Ridge cares about children.  The children, each very different, challenge the staff in working to find ways to motivate our students to become positive and productive learners.  Home and school must be partners in finding creative solutions in response to discipline concerns that arise.  We follow the following guidelines and procedures in addressing disciplinary issues:

In emergency situations, a student may be directly referred to the office.  Emergency situations include: fights, threats to staff members or other students, leaving the school or classroom without permission, possession of drugs, possession of a weapon, etc.  A teacher or staff member will complete a Discipline Referral form when appropriate.

All other disciplinary issues may be dealt with by the office as follows:

	conference with the student or peer mediation;
	conference with the student and a letter mailed to the parent(s), including a copy of the referral;
	conference with the student and teacher, and time-out in the TPR Room (see below)
	conference with the student, parent(s), teacher, counselor, and administrator by phone or e-mail.  At the conference, a behavior plan will be developed to include what the school, parent, and student will do to solve the problem.

An administrative decision can be made in regard to systematic exclusion, in-school or out-of-school suspension.  Our goal is to provide guidance for the student to learn self-discipline.

TPR Room

TPR stands for "Taking Personal Responsibility."  Any student who causes a disruption in the classroom may be assigned to TPR for a period of time determined by an administrator.  Our goal is to ensure an appropriate learning environment for all  students, and disruptive students will not be allowed to remain in the classroom.  Parents will be notified by letter when a student is assigned to the TPR room.

Basic guidelines for the TPR Room:

Student behaviors that lead to placement in the TPR Room:

	problem with self control;
	disruptive in class;
	repeated arguing;
	outbursts in class;
	more serious offenses

Referral Process to the TPR Room:

	at least one documented contact with a parent;
	notify the student that continued misbehavior will result in TPR Room placement;
	teachers responsible for sending completed discipline referral to the office;
	referring teacher provides work for the student;
	parent informed each time student is sent to the TPR room;
	parent must come in for a conference after the fourth referral or student will receive out-of-school suspension.