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Behavior Policy

Teachers are responsible for classroom behavior, and we count on parent support. We have an overarching framework for the school that is clear, applicable, and gives each teacher the flexibility needed to work in the best interest of each class. OTC understands ‘discipline’ to mean self-regulation and respect for people and things around us. The OTC discipline policy is designed to support the emerging ability of students to be aware of their environment and appropriately manage their behavior within it. Students unable to control their behavior to the detriment of themselves or those around them will experience consequences guided by restitution and planning for next time. School is a place where we all have the right to work and learn safely, without interruption or fear. 

 

OTC endorses a positive, nurturing environment for behavior management. Our goal is to encourage children to behave appropriately on their own and to support consistent, clear expectations and routines by teachers. The primary goals of this approach are to: 

  • Establish a calm, orderly and safe environment for learning 

  • Help children develop self-control and self-discipline 

  • Teach children to be responsible, contributing members of a community 

  • Increase self-agency 

  • Promote healthy, respectful, kind and caring teacher-student and student-student interactions 

  • Positive behavior is celebrated. 
     

There are four school-wide core rules: 

1. BE KIND 

2. BE RESPECTFUL 

3. BE RESPONSIBLE 

4. DO YOUR BEST WORK 

 

COLLABORATIVE AND PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS 

OTC has adopted the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions approach to problem solving in which challenging behaviors are viewed as signs that a student is struggling with specific skills, such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, or flexibility, rather than as intentional misbehavior. The CPS approach aims to prevent problems from escalating by proactively addressing them before they become major issues. In cases where behavior management is needed, the school team will (sometimes with the parent) meet to identify lagging skills and unmet needs that may be contributing to challenging behaviors and then work collaboratively with the student and family to address these underlying issues. CPS involves children in identifying and addressing problems, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for finding solutions.  Our goal is to help children develop skills such as empathy, perspective-taking, and problem-solving.  

 

BEHAVIORS THAT PROFOUNDLY DISRUPT OR THREATEN THE SAFETY OF OTHERS 

The following student behaviors will result in immediate removal from the situation and may lead to suspension or expulsion: 

1. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person. 

2. Repeated maltreatment or bullying of peers.  

3. Disrupting school activities or willful defiance of a teacher, administrator, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties. 

4. Causing or attempting to cause damage to school or private property. 

5. Stealing or attempting to steal school property or private property. 

6. Committing an obscene/vulgar act or engaging in the use of profanity. 

7. Possessing a dangerous object or weapon. 

 

In such cases, the student will be escorted to the office and parents will be immediately informed by phone of the incident and may be asked to pick up their child. Documentation of the incident will be placed in the student’s file, and parents, teacher(s) and members of the administration and/or student support services will meet to determine a plan to move forward. 

 

CLASSROOM REMOVAL PROTOCOL 

When a student is removed from the classroom for disruptive or disrespectful behavior, the following protocol will be followed: 

  1. First and Second Removal: The student will be required to make up any missed work at home. If the work is not completed at home, it must be completed during after school. 

  1. Third Removal within One Month: After a student has been removed from the classroom three times within a one-month period, the student may be suspended. Parents will be notified and a meeting will be scheduled with the teacher(s), administration, and/or student support services to discuss next steps and develop a behavior support plan. 

This protocol is designed to ensure accountability while providing opportunities for the student to learn from their choices and develop better self-regulation skills. 

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