Student Code of Conduct

Danielle Eastman

Grand Canyon University: Shaping School Culture

July 13, 2022

 Background

Greyhound Intermediate School is home to almost 500 third, fourth, and fifth grade

students, located in a small, rural city called Eaton Rapids. We have 34 amazing staff members

that are part of our school community. Our school enrollment has been fluctuating the past year

due to COVID. We hve had many students who have went to other districts because of city

mandates and many that have joined our community because of our safety protocol for COVID.

We also have an online academy for students and families who are still timid about COVID.

Greyhound Intermediate School’s Mission and Vision Statements

Staff: Our vision is to be a staff that works collaboratively toward students' success. We

recognize individual learning styles and intelligence and will create conditions that promote high

student achievement.

Students: Our vision is to inspire students to take pride in their work, be good citizens and

actively participate to enhance their learning. By doing this, they will achieve success as a

learner and acquire the tools needed to be successful in life.

Community: Our vision is to form a strong partnership between our school and the community.

We will increase the opportunities for our families and community members to interact with our

students and teachers in an environment of mutual trust and respect.

Curriculum: Our vision is to provide curriculum consisting of clearly defined academic goals

based on state objectives with purposeful, ongoing assessment that directs instruction. A
progression of interventions will address the learning needs of our students so that everyone will

grow and improve.

Climate: Our vision is to make GIS an inviting, safe place where everyone can feel inspired,

respected, motivated and confident. Greyhound Intermediate will be a place where effort and

achievements are celebrated (Greyhound Intermediate School).

Behavioral Expectations

Specific school values that promote positive behaviors and a school culture that aligns

with Greyhound Intermediate School’s vision and mission statement focuses on the safety of

students and their education. Our school believes in promoting equality, fairness, social-justice,

and respect among students and staff. As a school community, we will create the safest

environment for our students with respect, confidence, and motivation. Our goal is to make sure

students are comfortable and are getting the best education as possible. We will create positive

relationships that will support students becoming more comfortable with being at school and

more successful academically. Staff must work collaboratively to support all student needs

where we will create and promote a successful education for students and higher achievement.

Staff will role model positive behaviors that will help them be successful in their future careers

and working to become a great citizen. Students will acquire the best social skills to help them be

successful in life.
1. Respect students, staff, and property.

2. Treat people how you want to be treated.

3. Best Effort

4. Stay positive.

5. Be kind.
 Code of Conduct Topics

1. Rules and expectations for student behaviors

2. Emergency procedures

3. Disciplinary procedures

4. Student rights

5. Academic information

6. Attendance policies

7. Policies on bullying, harassment, and student safety

Narrative

The student code of conduct that I developed focuses on student safety and academic

success. It includes not only information on students, but it includes staff, the culture, and the

community. The staff truly is in charge of helping students grow into the person they are and are

the sole purpose of their academic success. “School safety and academic success are formed and

strengthened when all staff and personnel build positive relationships with students and are

actively engaged in their lives and learning” (Advancement Project., Pg. 1). School culture is

beyond important because it will help students and staff feel more comfortable being at school.

This will create success not only in students, but in staff.

Not only is school culture important, but it’s vital that staff role models’ positive

behaviors they want to see in students which will help them in social skills and future careers.

“Teachers are a constant presence in a child's life. They influence children as much as—if not

even more than—parents do” (Barile, N). A teacher can impact student in many different ways.
They can teach basic social skills, manners, motivation, responsibility, and so many other

important attributes to be successful. There are so many families in this area who were

negatively impacted by COVID, are low socioeconomic families, or simply do not have a great

household which will directly impact their children. It’s up to the teachers to help support them

in areas their parents or families may not. We as educators can support students and help prepare

them for their future simply by being good citizens in front of them, teaching them lessons, or

talking to them about their behaviors.

Lastly, staff must collaboratively work together when supporting their students.

Collaboration can help students academically, socially, and social-emotionally. Teachers can’t

do their job on their own. We are constantly still learning how to teach students that will best

support their learning or behavioral needs. Veteran teachers have not completely experienced all

student behaviors or learning needs, and it’s important to collaborate with others who may have

experienced something they haven’t. For newer teachers, this is an entire new generation of

students that we are still leaning about. Not only is it important for students when staff

collaborates, but it’s important for staff. We are building connections with each other and sharing

new ideas.

As a school, its beyond important that we focus on student academic and behavior needs.

We can start by creating a school culture that promotes positivity, safety, respect, confidence,

equality, fairness, and social justice. Administration and teachers are the key to promoting a

positive school culture through role modeling, teaching life lesson that will help prepare them for

their future, and respectful social skills. Academic success stems through collaboration of staff, a

positive school environment where they feel safe, and connecting with our students.
 References

Advancement Project. (n.d.). Model School Discipline Policy.

https://www.njjn.org/uploads/digital-library/AdvProject_Code-of-Conduct-Tips-

Examples.pdf

Eaton Rapids Public Schools. (n.d.). Greyhound Intermediate School.

https://www.erpsk12.org/apps/pages/Greyhound-Intermediate-School

N.B. (n.d.). How to Be a Role Model for Students. Hey Teach!

https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/how-to-be-a-role-model-for-students1911.html