Code of Conduct

Oakcrest Eagles

Students at Oakcrest Elementary School are expected to meet behavioral expectations outlined in District policy.  These policies can be viewed online at policy.jordandistrict.org.  The following are “Cliff Notes.”

Attendance  (Policy AA432)

School-age children are required, by law, to attend school.  There are valid and legitimate reasons for a child to be absent.  If you know in advance that your child will miss three or more consecutive days of school, please submit a leave form to the main office.  You will receive an automated call through Skyward if your child is marked absent on any given school day.  For documentation’s sake, please contact the main office anytime your child is absent.  Should attendance concerns arise, we will reach out to you in an effort to proactively address them.  While policy prescribes referrals to DFS and/or the court system for serious unresolved attendance issues, we believe that most, if not all, attendance concerns can be resolved collaboratively by the school and parents.

Punctuality and regular attendance are two important factors affecting school success.  Research has shown that an important aspect of students’ access to education is the amount of time spent in the classroom.  When students are absent from school, miss part of class, or arrive late, they miss opportunities to learn.

If your student is ill and you are keeping them home, please call the office to ensure that your student is excused.  Also, please let your child's teacher know about the absence.  We miss our students when they are not here!

We love having your children at school and want to keep them safe every moment they're here! To help us do that, please remember that playground supervision begins at 8:40 each morning.  Before then, our wonderful staff is busy preparing those special learning moments for your kids, and we don't have anyone available to supervise the playground or building. We know it can be tricky with schedules, but waiting until supervision starts ensures your child is safe and cared for from the moment they arrive.  Thanks for partnering with us to keep everyone safe and ready to learn!

Utah State Law (Public Law 53-24-1) requires every child between the ages of six and eighteen to be in attendance at school every official school day.  The law further states that every parent or guardian has the responsibility of sending his or her child to school. The administration and staff at Welby Elementary are committed to the success of students.  Student success can best be achieved when students, parents, teachers, and school administration work together toward a common goal.

TYPES OF ABSENCES

1. Excused absences
   1. Illness (a maximum of 10 days may be excused due to a student's illness before requiring a doctor’s note.)
   2. Doctor or dental appointments, which cannot be scheduled outside of school hours
   3. Funeral with parent permission
   4. Vacation absences and special types of obligation that require prior approval in accordance with Jordan District Policy, with the prior completion of the Vacation/Education Leave Form.
   5. Home and hospital instruction
   6. Required court appearance
2. Unexcused absences
   1. These are absences that are not authorized by state law nor by district or school policy, but which occur with parental knowledge or consent.
      1. Examples of unexcused absences may be, but are not limited to: “needed at home,” “homework completion,” “car problems,” “babysitting,” and “skiing.”  Additionally, students will be considered unexcused from school if a parent does not call in their absence and/or does not send a note to the office within one week of the absence.
      2. Life happens, and we understand that.  Please reach out to your child's teacher and the school office to let us know of any absences that come up.
3. Truancy absence
   1. Absences that occur without school and/or parental approval.  A student is considered truant if he/she:
      1. Leaves for school but does not arrive at school
      2. Arrives at school but does not attend class
      3. Leaves school without following the proper check-out procedure
      4. Obtains permission to go to a certain place but does not arrive there.

Checking in and checking out

The safety of our students is our top priority. Once students arrive on campus, they will not be allowed to leave except with a parent or a parent designee whose name is authorized in Skyward.  Please check your student out of school by coming into the building and signing the student out through the office.

Medication at School

Utah law states that medication may only be administered to a student by school personnel if the student’s legal guardian has provided a current, written, and signed request by a physician stating that medication must be administered to the student during regular school hours and that the statement describes the exact method, amount, and schedule for administration. This means that students are not to bring any type of medication to school.   This medication should be brought to the office by the parent.  Please see our office staff for the required forms that must be on file.

We share a nurse with several other schools.  She is available, by appointment, to visit with parents and staff to discuss and create student health plans.  She also coordinates various health screenings conducted in our school and presents fifth-grade maturation programs.  If you have questions for our school nurse or would like to make an appointment, please reach out to the main office for contact information.

For obvious reasons, students with sour tummies, coughs, runny noses, open rashes, or high fevers should remain at home.  Students coughing, sniffling, and running at the nose due to allergies are welcome to attend if they feel up to it.  Students who develop the conditions described above during the school day will be referred to the main office.  Parents will be contacted, as warranted, to pick up sick children.  Playground injuries are handled in the same manner.  Minor injuries may be handled with rest, band-aids, and ice, but calls will be made for anything that rises above a simple bruise or scrape.  Please be sure to keep your contact information updated on Skyward.

Allergies can be serious business.  Your child’s teacher will notify you of any known allergy issues in his/her classroom, and we’ll expect you to exercise the same safety precautions you’d take for your own child.  Animals other than service animals should not be brought into the school without specific permission.  A safe table will be set aside in the lunchroom for students with allergies.  If your child is at risk for a severe allergic reaction at school, please schedule an appointment with our school nurse and provide a current EPI-Pen to be stored in the main office. 

With the exception of asthma inhalers, students may not have prescription or over-the-counter medications in their possession while at school.  Prescription and/or over-the-counter medications may be administered by a parent during the school day or by trained staff in the main office with a written directive from a physician.  Check with the main office for paperwork if your child will need school personnel to administer medications during the school day.

Reminder—Students may not have medication in their possession. Therefore, they may not share any kind of medication with friends, including over-the-counter medications such as cough drops or aspirin.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

1. Follow directions the first time
2. Keep your hands, feet, mouth, and objects to yourself.
3. Use positive actions and statements towards others.
4. Always walk into the building
5. Always be in the proper place.
6. Handle all materials and equipment properly.

School Collaboration

Children experience optimal growth in a safe and nurturing environment with reasonable boundaries and engaged adults working together with a common purpose.  Working together, we can do more for our children!

Our school has an active parent-teacher association working cooperatively with the school to promote the interests of every child.  Joining our PTA shows support for the organization and its work in our school.  Joining does not require a huge commitment.  Volunteering opportunities range from fairly simple things you can do at home to service on the Board.  Get involved at a level that works for you and send a clear message to your child about how you value the education of every child in our school community.

Every school in Utah has a School Community Council (SCC) comprised of elected patrons and school representatives.  SCCs meet a minimum of four times annually, and meetings generally last less than an hour.  Members learn more about the things we are doing in our school and why.  They have a voice in site-based decisions and render valuable service by representing the interests and concerns of community stakeholders.  SCCs are responsible for developing Safe Access Plans, School Improvement Plans, Inclement Weather Plans, and Landtrust Plans.  They oversee the use of Landtrust resources to support the growth of all students in our school.  Reach out to the principal for more information if you are able/willing to serve in this capacity.  

Opportunities to volunteer are as diverse as the people in this school community.  There are things you can do at home.  Chaperones are needed for field trips and activities.  There is always a need for assistance in classrooms and the school.  If you are available and willing, there are meaningful and satisfying opportunities to serve in this school community.  For the safety of our children, all volunteers who may have access to students outside the immediate supervision of a teacher are required to submit to a background check.  These are conducted by the school district at no cost to the volunteer.  Before heading to the district offices for fingerprinting, you’ll need to view a video that is available on the district’s website and fill out some paperwork in our school’s main office.  We look forward to working with you as a volunteer!

Communication

Skyward is our school district’s primary digital communication platform.  Your family's Skyward Access allows you to register children for school, access grades and test results, check attendance records, communicate with teachers, manage your child’s lunch account, access busing information, etc.  We use the information you enter in Skyward to send out important communications and to contact you as the need arises.  Please be certain to keep your contact information updated.

You have one-click access to all of the teachers and staff in our school through our website.  Check us out under the Faculty and Staff link at the top of the homepage.  The main office can be reached at 801-280-7243.  Calls will not be transferred into classrooms during instructional time, but our office staff will be happy to forward messages to students and teachers upon request.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or via email with questions or concerns that arise.  We want to be of service to you!

Our office phones are business phones and will not generally be available for student use in the fifteen minutes before and after school.  Playdates and other special arrangements should be made in advance to avoid inconveniences.

Dress Code (Policy AS419)

School administrators will have the final judgment on all matters concerning the interpretation of student conduct, dress, and appearance.

Cell Phone (Policy AA543)

Please review the district cell phone policy. Following the district cell phone policy is important because it minimizes distractions, promotes respectful and focused learning, ensures student safety, and supports a positive school environment. Consistent adherence helps everyone stay engaged and maintain a productive classroom atmosphere. FAQ on AA453 Cell Phone

Drugs and Alcohol (Policy AS90)

Illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and variations on vaping chemicals/devices are not permitted on District campuses.  With the exception of asthma inhalers, students may not have a prescription or over-the-counter medications in their possession.  Prescription and/or over-the-counter medications may be administered by a parent during the school day or by trained staff in the main office with a written directive from a physician (check with the office for paperwork).

Safe Schools - Student Exclusion (Policy AS67NEG)

JSD students and employees are entitled to a learning/working environment free from violent and unlawful acts.  Fighting, use, or possession of a weapon or facsimile thereof, criminal behavior, or gang activity in or about district schools, property, or activities will be handled in accordance with district policy and the law.  Students may not have matches, lighters, or fireworks in their possession at school.  Violations of this policy may lead to student exclusion for up to one year.

The following conduct is considered dangerous or disruptive and is prohibited on school property at any time.

1. Possessing or bringing any potentially harmful item (including but not limited to guns, knives, weapons, poisonous items, or flammable materials).
2. Possessing or bringing any item that cannot be legally possessed by a juvenile (including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or unauthorized medication).
3. Possessing or bringing any facsimile of the items mentioned in #1 -2 (including but not limited to toy guns, pocket knives, drug paraphernalia, or items represented as drugs).
4. Attempting, threatening, conspiring, or committing any act that could result in harm to others or to the school (including but not limited to stealing, vandalism, assault, arson, sexual harassment, or gang-related activities).

Students who violate the Safe School Policy will face disciplinary action in the form of restitution, suspension, or removal from school.

Network Acceptable Use (Policy AA445)

Students at Oakcrest Elementary use digital devices and the internet to facilitate instruction, research, writing/presentation skills, and assessments.  With power and privilege come responsibility.  First is the responsibility to abide by generally accepted network etiquette.  Civility and kindness are always in vogue.  Second is the responsibility to use devices and networks appropriately.  Students may not intentionally transmit or receive material that is indecent, suggestive, or pornographic in nature.  Material related to weapons, controlled substances, or incendiary devices also fits this description.  Students may not use school networks to promote or engage in illegal or inappropriate activities, nor may they use them to intentionally harm or destroy school data/networks.  No expectation of privacy should be assumed when using district devices and networks.  Students in violation of this policy are subject to a loss of device and network privileges and may be suspended or excluded altogether, depending on the nature and gravity of the offense.   

Bullying and Cyberbullying (Policy AS98)

Oakcrest Elementary is committed to providing a safe and civil environment wherein all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.  Bullying behaviors, by definition, run counter to this commitment.  They are repetitive and include a wide range of unkind/disrespectful actions that negatively impact the bully and the bullied alike, resulting in a clear lose-lose scenario.  At Oakcrest, we are committed to teaching and living by the philosophy of Think Win-Win.  Accordingly, we encourage all who believe they’ve witnessed or experienced bullying behavior to report it to a teacher or administrator.  All reports of bullying behavior will be investigated in good faith and addressed at the level necessary to correct the problem, up to and including student suspension or expulsion.

By definition, bullying occurs when a student, or group of students, repeatedly behaves or speaks in a manner that belittles, scares, embarrasses, hurts, threatens, or intimidates another person.  These behaviors can look like:

• Verbal – teasing, name-calling, or purposefully belittling others.
• Physical – hitting, shoving, tripping, poking, cornering, or otherwise physically harming others.
• Visual – leering, exposing to harmful/embarrassing material or making unkind/threatening gestures.
• Emotional – gestures, notes, rumors, or gossip intended to emotionally diminish or hurt others.  May also include relational manipulation as a hurtful tool.
• Cyber – The use of media and/or electronic devices to humiliate, embarrass, threaten, or hurt others.

Playground Conduct

Students may play on our playgrounds before and after school.  Please be aware that adult supervision is limited to the 15 minutes before the start of the school day and the 15 minutes after school lets out.  Equipment will be provided for student use during grade and lunch recesses.  Your child is welcome to bring equipment from home so long as he/she is prepared to accept the risk of loss or damage.  There’s a time and place for all activities. Recess may not be the right time or place for some of them.  In the absence of close supervision, coaching, trainers, spotters, and referees, the following activities are prohibited:

• • Versions of games that involve heavy physical contact or tackling.  Students are, of course, welcome to play the two-hand touch and flag versions of these games.
  • Throwing or kicking packed snow, ice, wood, or rocks.  That stuff needs to stay on the ground!
  • Standing or climbing on playground equipment surfaces not designed for that purpose (top bar of swingsets, top cover of slide tunnels, standing on monkey bars, etc)
  • Climbing or standing on top of anything lacking a safe fall zone (trees, fences, railings, and pillars in entry ways, for example)
  • Baseball-style games using a bat will only be played under the immediate supervision of a teacher or PE assistant.  Students should not bring bats or hard balls of any kind to school.  
  • Students may bring lacrosse sticks and balls to play catch with, as long as they move away from others and refrain from activities involving stick-to-stick or stick-to-body contact.
  • Jumping from or performing flips out of swings or off of benches.
  • Gymnastic “lifts” above waist-level.  Cartwheels, roundups, and other basic moves performed in gymnastic tumbling runs may be performed on the grass. 

Bicycles, Skateboards, Rollerblades, and Scooters

We encourage our students to walk or use bikes, scooters, and skateboards to access our campus.  A fenced crib is available on the northeast corner of our building to store bikes and scooters during the school day.  Students are encouraged to wear safety equipment and to cross streets safely and legally on their way to and from school.  For safety’s sake, students who ride bicycles, scooters, and skateboards to school will be asked to walk their “ride” while on campus.  

Student Responsibilities

If you feel you are being bullied:

• Tell the bully to STOP!  Make it clear that his/her behavior is not funny, kind, or welcome.  
• Walk away from the bully if he/she does not stop and report your concern to an adult (playground supervisor, teacher, counselor, principal, and/or parent).
• Support a peer who is being bullied by telling the bully to STOP.  Help the victim to peacefully escape the situation if you can, and insist that he/she confide in an adult.  Report the concern to an adult if you are uncertain that the victim will. 

Parent Responsibilities

• Review this Code of Conduct with your child and make sure he/she know what you expect and stand for as a parent.
• If you feel your child is a victim of bullying, support and encourage him/her through this difficult situation.  Insist that your child report the concern to school staff and follow up with him/her and school staff to ensure steps are being taken to address the problem.

School Staff Responsibilities

• Participate in annual training related to bullying issues.
• Explicitly teach students what constitutes bullying and how to proactively deal with it.
• Investigate all reports of bullying in good faith, communicate concerns with parents, and provide instruction/consequences, as necessary, to correct harmful behaviors.

Elementary-age students are at a stage in life where they are learning critical academic, emotional, and social skills.  In many cases, students this age who exhibit bullying behaviors think they are being funny or playful, or are otherwise oblivious to the severity of their actions, for their own development as well as that of their victims.  Oftentimes, with the support of parents, instruction, and simple consequences are sufficient to correct the problem.  Occasionally, more severe disciplinary measures are required.  Depending on the history and severity of behaviors, consequences may range from something as simple as a conference with teachers or administrators to outright exclusion from school.  No child will be allowed to persist in bullying behaviors at Oakcrest Elementary School.

Celebrating Great Kids!

We all make mistakes from time to time, doing or saying things we’re not especially proud of in hindsight.  By and large, though, our kids are great!  They’re caring and anxious to please.  At Oakcrest Elementary, we teach and model positive citizenship and go out of our way to recognize students who make great choices and contribute to our school community in positive ways :o)