Student Expectations

Marion Cross is a PBiS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) School

Faculty and Staff work hard to build a positive school climate that motivates children to care about one another and to be contributing responsible members of the school community. 

The community at Marion Cross School’s goal is to create, promote, and maintain a positive, safe, and effective learning environment by establishing behavioral supports and the social culture needed for all students in our school to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. We expect our students to:

Be Kind,

Be Responsible,

Be Safe

Playground Expectations 

Kind

• Solve problems respectfully with classmates and seek adult support when needed.

Responsible

• Follow the rules of the game and play fairly.
• Return playground equipment to its designated location before leaving recess.
• Line up promptly when the whistle blows.

Safe

• Use playground equipment safely and for its intended purpose.
• Report unsafe behavior or unsafe conditions to a supervising adult.
• Ask a supervising adult before beginning competitive games.
• Stay in the designated boundaries.  Ask when you need to go elsewhere.

Discipline

Discipline at Marion Cross teaches students to choose responsible behavior because it is the right thing to do.  Building community is an essential first step in creating this culture.

Staff at Marion Cross build community through morning meetings, teaching expectations, positive reinforcement, and celebrations.  Our goal is for students to feel that they are valued and have a strong sense of connection and belonging.

When a student misbehaves our priority is safety.  We will do our best to support them in developing self control and self discipline.  The positive discipline practices we use usually include a conversation with the child and a plan for the student to take responsibility and make amends. 

Some incidents are recorded via our school wide Behavior Form.  These are completed by school staff and help us track “minor” and “major” referrals.  Some minor and every major referral will be communicated to the parents of the child by the teacher, Associate Principal, or School Principal. 

The Prohibition Against Suspension or Expulsion of Students Younger Than Eight, Act 35 of 2021, prohibits suspension and expulsion of students under eight years old, except in cases of imminent harm or danger to others.  It is best practice for students to remain in school, so philosophically we support this way of thinking.  We will, however, contact families when any child has had a major incident.  The hope is that we can work together to regulate the student, repair any harm done, and avoid future instances of major behavior challenges.

If a student needs a more comprehensive plan to obtain our discipline goals, teachers, parents, and possible (EST) education support team will work together to create the intervention(s) needed to support the student.

Norwich School Board and Marion Cross School Policies

The following policies can be found on Simbli:

Bullying and Harassment (Policy JICK)

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (Policy JCDAC)

Administering Medication in School (Policy JLCD) 

Immunizations (Policy JLCB)

The following are Marion Cross School Policies:

Dress Code - All student dress must be neat, clean, in good repair, and in good taste.

Students may be asked to go to the nurse to find clothing from the lost and found that will cover extremely revealing fashions or that will keep a child warm when going outside. If you are in doubt about the suitability of your child’s clothing or appearance on a particular day, please call the school counselor or the school nurse, for guidance.

Elevator

The school elevator is available for use only by the physically disabled, those who are temporarily injured, or adults who have heavy loads. For the safety of all students, no student is permitted to use the elevator without specific permission from the front office.

Animals

Since the health and safety of our students and employees are a top priority, students wishing to bring an animal into school for a special project or show-and-tell must receive prior permission from the Principal. The animal must be removed from the building once the purpose for its visit has been accomplished. Animals without up-to-date rabies protection are not allowed in school.  Dogs and other animals are not allowed on school property, especially during dismissal and drop off.

Safety Drills

Fire and/or other safety drills are held once a month and are practiced for a variety of situations. Once or twice each year we evacuate the whole school to Tracy Hall. Parents are not notified of these dates.

School Safety

Emergency Actions & Safety Drills 

 

Marion Cross School utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to ensure a fast, organized, and clear response to any safety or emergency situation. Throughout the year, we practice these drills so that every student and staff member knows exactly how to act. 

Look for the safety charts posted near the door in every room to find your designated emergency exits and assembly areas. 

1. HOLD 

"In Your Classroom or Area" Used when hallways need to be kept clear for an internal situation (such as a medical emergency). 

● What to do: Stay inside your current classroom. 

● Expectation: Keep working as normal. Do not leave the room or enter the hallways until an adult gives the "All Clear." 

2. SECURE 

"Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors." Used when there is a potential hazard or activity outside the school building in the surrounding neighborhood. 

● What to do: If you are outside on the fields or blacktop, immediately move indoors. 

● Expectation: All outside doors remain locked. Business continues as usual inside the building, but students and staff stay indoors. 

3. LOCKDOWN 

"Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" Used when there is an immediate threat or hazard inside the school building. 

● What to do: Move quickly out of sight, away from doors and windows. Maintain silence. 

● Expectation: Staff will lock the door, turn off the lights, and guide students to a safe zone inside the room. Do not open the door for anyone under any circumstances. 

4. EVACUATE (Includes Fire Drills) 

"To a Location" Used to move students and staff out of the building when staying inside is unsafe (such as fire, smoke, or gas). 

● What to do: Walk in a quiet, orderly manner via the nearest exit. 

● If unescorted: If the alarm sounds while you are in the restroom or hallway without a teacher, exit immediately through the nearest door and join your homeroom teacher outside. 

● Alternate Dismissal Site: Because a real evacuation may prevent us from returning to the building, families and caregivers should discuss a plan for how students will travel home if school is dismissed from our alternate site Tracy Hall. 

5. SHELTER 

"State the Hazard and Safety Strategy" Used for environmental hazards or severe weather condition needs (such as high winds or earthquakes). 

● What to do: Listen carefully to the specific PA announcement for the safety strategy (such as "Shelter for Severe Weather, Drop, Cover, and Hold"). 

● If unescorted: If a shelter action is called while you are in the hallway or restroom, enter the nearest classroom with an adult present immediately and follow their instructions. 

                                                           

Title IX

Title IX is a landmark federal civil rights law in the United States that was enacted as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government.  SAU 70 Director of Student Services, Rhett Darak is the Title IX Coordinator/Human Rights Officer.  If you have questions or concerns, you may contact him by phone: 603-643-6050, ext 4280 or by email.  Please reference School board policies ACAA and ACAA-R (harassment of students) and ACAB and ACAB-R (harassment of employees) for more information.