Safety and Respect
ode of Conduct and Safety (download here)
We are committed to establishing a learning environment that is safe and fosters optimal learning opportunities for all of our students. One of our main goals is to help develop responsible and independent citizens who can recognize choices, think about consequences (good or bad) and base their actions on that information. This Code of Conduct sets a standard to guide that process. It includes, but is not limited to the following expectations.
Focus on Respect
- Respect all students and adults. Examples: Show kindness, use polite language, be truthful and honest, share and help each other, take turns, solve problems peacefully.
- Respect school and personal property. Examples: Keep a neat work area, take care of buildings and supplies, borrow only when necessary, take care of other people's property. Electronic toys, games, and other personal equipment are not allowed in our school. Such items are a disruption and we cannot be responsible if they are lost or stolen.
- Respect learning time. Examples: Follow classroom rules and directions, be prepared for class, be attentive, do your best work, respect other learners, be on time, have good attendance.
- Respect the health and safety of yourself and others. Examples: Walk orderly and quietly in hallways, avoid pushing, walk bikes on the school grounds, eat only when and where permitted, follow the directions of patrols, follow bus rules, wear shoes and clothing that fit school activities. Hats are only to be worn outside of school buildings. Fighting is not acceptable at Island Park.
- Respect the school's responsibility for you. Examples: Bring written excuses from parents for absences and tardies, check out in office before leaving midday, make sure an adult knows where you are at all times. Students may be in classrooms only when supervised by an adult. Students must have teacher permission to leave the classroom.
Expectations for a Safe and Happy Playground
- Think safety. It is our first concern, fun is our second!
- Follow the directions of all supervisors. The first time.
- Take care of recess equipment. If you take it out, you take it in.
- Solve conflict without fighting. Fighting, bullying and harassment is not acceptable. If you need help, ask another student or an adult to help you.
- Get permission from a supervising adult to leave the playground.
- Stay out of wooded and planted areas. The sidewalks and planted areas by the office and parking lots are not play areas.
- Use all equipment safely. Treat equipment so it will not be damaged. If unsure, ask a supervisor. Follow her directions.
- Play wallball against walls (not windows or doors). Do not play where classes are in session.
- Games that are rough and call for physical contact are not allowed. They lead to injury, torn clothing and conflict.
- Share personal equipment if brought from home. Items must have your name on them. The school is not responsible for loss or damage.
- Stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate clothing on rainy or cold days.
- Keep eyes safe! Leave rocks, sticks, pine cones, bark, dirt, snow, etc. on the ground – do not throw them!
- Use appropriate language.
- Stop play immediately when the bell rings. Hold on to equipment in line and while returning to class.
Expectations for the Island Park Lunchroom
- Talk in calm, quiet voices. Respond immediately to the sign for quiet.
- Stay seated until you are excused. Raise your hand if you need to leave your table.
- Be respectful of people and their property. Keep your hands to yourself; do not share your food or take food from others; behave in an appropriate way; show respect to all people – other students and supervising adults.
- Clean up after yourself. If you make a mess, clean it up; throw all garbage away; you are responsible for the area at which you are seated. Tables will be excused one at a time; those that have behaved and cleaned up well will be excused first.
Firearms on School Premises
Any elementary or secondary school student who is determined to have carried a firearm onto, or to have possessed a firearm on, or to have displayed a firearm look-alike in a malicious way on public elementary or secondary school premises, public school provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public schools, shall be expelled from school for not less that one year as required under RCW 28A.600.420. Such expulsions shall continue unless modified pursuant to the applicable hearing provisions of CH 10-40 WAC/. Please see Board Policy 3241 and 3241P for the most current language regarding student discipline.
Threat of Violence Policy
Students must work to resolve conflicts in a positive manner. According to Mercer Island School District Threat of Violence Policy, any student who threatens to harm someone using a weapon will be expelled from school until a psychologist's assessment determines the child is safe to return to school.
Technology Code of Conduct
Electronic Information System (Networks) Acceptable Use and Code of Conduct Statement
We are pleased to offer students access to the district computer network. Access to the network and Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users throughout the world. Families should be warned that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. To protect student access to objectionable material, filtering software has been activated on the district network. While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and collaboration, exceed any disadvantages. For security and administrative purposes the district reserves the right for authorized personnel to review system use and file content. User files and communications are not to be considered private or confidential.
Ultimately parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Therefore, we ask your assistance in discussing with your son or daughter the following acceptable use guidelines and student code of conduct statement. Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in school classrooms. Individual users of the networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks. It is required that students comply with district acceptable use guidelines (Administrative Policy 2022) and he code of conduct statement they have signed below:
Network Code of Conduct
- Be ethical and courteous. Do not send hate, harassing or obscene content; use discriminatory or obscene remarks; or demonstrate other antisocial behaviors.
- Maintain the integrity of files, data, and equipment. Do not modify or copy files/data of other users without their consent. Do not destroy, modify, or abuse the hardware or software in any way.
- Respect intellectual property. Treat information created by others as the private property of the creator. Respect copyrights of software (Administrative Policy 2025 and Procedure 2025P) and other materials (for example music, digital images, printed text, and videos).
- Protect the availability of the network for others. Use the network in a way that does not disrupt its use by others.
- Maintain the integrity of the MISD network. Do not develop or introduce viruses, worms, or other programs that potentially damage software components or computer systems.
- Use the MISD Network and the Internet for legitimate educational purposes only. Do not use the network or Internet to access or process inappropriate or obscene material or pictures.
- Do not use the MISD Network for commercial or political purposes.
- Protect the security of any passwords.
- Maintain personal safety when utilizing interactive communication tools, such as wikis or blogs, by not sharing personal information.
Consequences
For those students who chose not to follow school expectations, three levels of intervention may apply over the course of a school year.
Level I
If a student violates a school rule, the supervising adult will determine appropriate consequences, such as: removal from the problem situation, loss of a privilege, or participation in a helping activity (i.e. cleaning up in the lunchroom, picking up playground litter, etc.).
Level II
If teacher/staff interventions do not remediate the inappropriate behavior, the student may be issued a written notification (conduct referral) with copies sent to the classroom teacher, parent, and principal. The parent will be asked to acknowledge receipt by signing and returning the bottom of the form the following day to the Main Office.
Level III
If related violations continue, a student’s parents may be asked to come to the school to help monitor the child's behavior in the problem situation and to model proper behavior for his/her child. (If the problem is in the lunchroom, the parent will be asked to come during lunch; if on the playground, the parent will be asked to come during recess, etc.) The student will not be allowed to participate in recess until a parent fulfills this obligation. If a parent is unable to come to school, he/she will need to find an acceptable adult substitute. Exceptional circumstances may be discussed with the Principal.
Behavior Plan
If a student persists beyond Level III in violating school rules, the principal, teacher, supervisor and parent will meet to establish appropriate consequences through an Individualized Behavior Plan. The goal of this plan is 1) to help students learn to make responsible choices, and 2) to insure a safe and appropriate learning environment. If staff and parent interventions are not effective, a student may be suspended from school.
The above procedure will not apply to behaviors that are dangerous, highly abusive, or determined to be extreme by the supervising adult. Examples of such behaviors include: Disrespect (profanity, harassment, or failure to cooperate), physical harm or danger to another person; and/or the destruction of property; or weapons on school premises.
Bringing to school or having in the student's possession a dangerous weapon, or having in the student's possession any object which can reasonably be described as a weapon, including but not limited to a knife, razor, explosives, or ice pick, will result in the offender going directly to the principal. Toy guns and squirt guns are also not allowed.
Suspension or expulsion from school and notification of law enforcement officials, if appropriate, are probable consequences for students involved with weapons. In such cases, the principal will determine appropriate intervention upon consultation with the supervising adult and consistent with School Board Policy 3241/3241P, Student Discipline.