Aggressive Behavior and Possible Consequences
Six Categories of Student Misbehavior
Lower-level peer problems not on a list of rules (low-level mutual friendship conflicts not involving name-calling, exclusion, rumors, or threats) we can respond to these behaviors with suggestions of ways to resolve the problem (play with someone else, tell the person you want to be his or her friend, meet with the counselor together.)
Quiet, non-disruptive refusal to do schoolwork. Notify parents after two incidents. Set up a conference between teacher, parent and counselor and/or special educators after three incidents to develop a plan and/or screen for learning disabilities.
Inappropriate but not aggressive or unsafe actions (rough play or swearing but not directed at another child.) these behaviors are best dealt with by staff-created consequences such as removal from the activity or a call to parents.
Bullying (name-calling, systematic exclusion, rumors, threats or hitting). Use immediate consequences such as “You hit – you sit” for kindergarten and first grade. Each staff person should have a clipboard, and outside staff should take clipboard out to recess. Write up and submit a behavior report form if you see, hear, or have this behavior reported to you. You do not have to investigate students’ reports to you, though you may ask for more information if you have time. The principal will investigate student-reported behavior. Aggressive students should only be sent directly to the office if they represent a continuing threat to others. Use your judgment in reporting rumors, exclusion, and fighting. Please lean toward reporting if the behavior seems on-sided and likely to hurt. If there are three incidents, schedule a conference with parents, principal, and counselor to plan a strategy.
Class disruption (disrespect to teacher or disrupting others’ learning). Suggested interventions include a warning or asking the student to sit away from other students in the classroom. If the behavior continues, send the student to your partner classroom for fifteen minutes and have him/her stay in at the next recess detention as a consequence. Inform the counselor that the student received this consequence. Inform parents of events. If there are three such incidents, schedule a conference with principal to plan a strategy.
Sever behavior putting one’s own or others’ safety at risk, continued disruption of teaching; refusal to leave the room, continued or severe aggression, threat of severe aggression). Call or take the student to the office immediately.
Definitions of Aggressive Behavior
- Teasing - includes name calling, insulting, or other behavior that would hurt others’ feelings or make them feel bad about themselves.
- Exclusion - includes starting rumors, telling others not to be friends with someone, or other actions that would cause someone to be without friends.
- Hitting - includes pushing, slapping, or grabbing.
- Severe Hitting - includes punching, kicking, and similar behavior that may injure others.
- Threat of Serious Violence - includes telling someone that you will hurt them or hurt someone they care about.
- Harassment - includes racial, ethnic, or sexual name-calling or other severe harassment.
Rubric for Consequences for Peer to Peer Aggression
Grades 1-6
Over all suggestions for all incidences.
- Students in grades 1 and 2 may receive one additional warning.
- Inside recess means the student stays in at one recess each day, completes a “Think About It” form during that time, and goes outside at other recesses.
- Classes only means the student stays in at lunch and at all recesses under supervision.
- Severe behaviors may lead to more serious consequences. District policies may lead to more serious consequences for sever hitting, threats and harassment. If the student has broken the law, the school will inform the police.
Teasing or Exclusion
- First time: written warning, student calls parents.
- Second time: one inside recess, student calls parents.
- Third time: three inside recesses, student calls parents.
- After three incidents: develop individual plan, follow school due process.
Hitting
- First time: one inside recess, student calls parents.
- Second time: three inside recesses, student calls parents.
- Third time: five inside recesses, student calls parents.
- After three incidents: develop individual plan, follow school due process.
Severe hitting, threats of violence, or severe harassment
- First time: three inside recesses, student calls parents.
- Second time: five inside recesses, student calls parents.
- Third time: classes only for three days, student calls parents.
- After three incidents: develop individual plan, follow school due process for out-of-school suspension.
Rubric for Consequences for Peer to Peer Aggression
Middle School and High School
Over all suggestions for all incidences.
- Quiet lunch - student eat lunch away from peers with no interaction with other students.
- Classes only means the student stays alone at lunch and at all other unstructured times under supervision and participates in no sports or other extracurricular activities.
The supervisor of quiet lunch will assist the student as needed to complete the “Think about it” form. - District policies may lead to more serious consequences for sever hitting, threats and harassment. If the student has broken the law, the school will inform the police.
Teasing or Exclusion
- First time: written warning, student calls parents.
- Second time: one quiet lunch, student calls parents.
- Third time: three quiet lunches, student calls parents.
- After three incidents: develop individual plan, follow school due process.
Hitting
- First time: one quiet lunch, student calls parents.
- Second time: three quiet lunches, student calls parents.
- Third time: one day classes only, student calls parents.
- After three incidents: develop individual plan, follow school due process.
Severe hitting, threats of violence, or severe harassment
- First time: three day classes only, student calls parents.
- Second time: one week classes only, student calls parents.
- Third time: in-school suspension until individual plan is developed.
- After three incidents: develop individual plan, follow school due process for out-of-school suspension.
Source - Davis, S. (2005). Schools Where Everyone Belongs.
Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©