Dear Parents and Caregivers
We appreciate the length of this piece, however, please read all of the following important message:
It is of the utmost importance, that our school playground is a safe and an inclusive place for all our children to be in each and every day, and we are pleased that for the vast majority of our children it is. However, recently we are very concerned with an increasing number of behaviours we are currently dealing with, that do not reflect our expected standard of behaviour, or our school values. Some of these behaviours include but are not limited to swearing, racial slurs, toilet language, as well as incidents that end up being physical in nature. These tend to involve older children i.e. Y5 and Y6, however, not always.
We are determined to change this negative culture that we see bubbling up, back into a supportive culture where all children feel included, and accepted for who they are. Therefore, all teachers will be focusing on actively promoting well-being this year, to help provide successful strategies, so all children can make good choices during breaks knowing that the adults in the school will actively support them to do so.
The school will also be introducing a new system, so we can deal with, and track behaviours, ensuring children understand that actions have consistent consequences while also ensuring that our parents are kept well informed. Please note all teachers will have a strict zero tolerance for the behaviours listed above, while also ensuring all children have a voice and have ways of getting help when dealing with playground interactions that don’t always go the way they should.
From tomorrow, we will be introducing a time-out room each lunchtime between 12.40pm and 1.10pm where children will go if their actions/ behaviours have been recorded by a teacher the day before. This may be just for a talk (especially younger children), or they may be required to complete a letter to bring home for you, so you are made aware of what occurred. We ask you to sign and return the letter the next day. On the letter you will also be provided the opportunity to let us know if you want to discuss the situation further. If we do not receive a signed letter back, we will make contact with you to follow up ASAP.
Depending on what the issue/ incident involved there may also be a time-out period applied in addition to the letter going home.
Sometimes a child can be upset that they may have to come to the timeout room the next day, especially if this is the first time they have had to do so, or they have not been at school long. Please know that we will listen to all sides before deciding on any consequence, and take past behaviour, age of the child etc into consideration before doing so. If your child does come home upset we ask you to still support us, as it is necessary we are consistent in following our systems including how we follow through with any consequence given. Experience shows that for most children, one visit is enough to encourage them to make better choices in the future.
Please note any behaviour that is deemed serious will result in the children involved being removed from our playground immediately, while we investigate further.
We know that by working together, we can improve our culture for the benefit of ALL and we thank you for your support in advance. Please do not hesitate to contact any one of the leadership team, if you wish to discuss this further.
Kind regards
Janine
on behalf of the Cornwall Park District School Staff
亲爱的家长和看护人
虽然这篇文章的篇幅很长，但请耐心阅读以下所有重要信息：
最重要的是，我们的学校操场是一个安全和包容的地方，孩子们每天都在这里玩耍，我们也很高兴绝大多数的孩子都觉得如此。然而，最近我们发现学校目前正在处理的行为事件越来越多，这些行为并不符合学校预期的行为标准或学校的价值观。这些不良行为范围之广，涉及咒骂，种族辱骂，厕所语言(肮脏的语言)以及最终导致身体冲撞事件。这些往往涉及年龄较大的孩子，但是，并不是只有5年级和6年级才会如此。
在这种不良文化不断传播之前，我们决心改变它，回复到一种所有孩子都能感受到被包容的支持文化中，并接受他们的种族和文化。因此，所有老师今年都会将重点放在孩子们的身心健康上，提供良好的策略，让所有孩子在休息时间里都能夠得到大人们的支持，选择良好的行为。
学校还将实施一个新制度，以便我们可以处理和追踪行为，确保孩子们了解所有的行为都是具有影响力和后果。其中一部分原因，是确保我们的父母了解实际情况。请注意，所有教师对上面列出的不良行为的容忍度近乎于零(完全不被容忍)，当然，我们同时也要确保孩子们都有发言权，并且在处理游乐场事件时能够获得老师们的帮助。然而这些同学间的互动方式并不能只是按照他们自己觉得是对的方式进行。
从明天起，我们将在中午12点40分至下午1点10分之间的午餐时间准备一个可以让学生冷静下来/隔离群体的教室。如果孩子们有不良的行为在前一天被老师记录下来，孩子们就会被送去这个教室里。有可能老师只需要与他谈话（特别是年龄较小的孩子），或者他们可能需要填写一封信带回家，这样您才能知道孩子们在学校里说了什么，做了什么。我们要求您在第二天将签了名的信件带回学校，表示您已经读过信件。在信中，如果您想进一步讨论事情发生的情况，您有机会可以告诉我们。如果我们没有收到签名的回信，我们会尽快与您联系，以便及时跟进。
根据所涉及的问题/事件，除了带回家的信件之外，信上还可能提及孩子被送往这个教室的时间长短。
有时孩子可能会很不开心，因为他们必须在第二天被送往特别的教室，尤其是如果这是第一次发生在他们的身上，或者他们从来没有上学过。请明白，我们在决定任何处罚之前会听取各方的理由和解釋，并且考虑孩子过往的行为，和孩子的年龄等因素。如果您的孩子回家时非常难过不开心，我们仍然要求您支持我们，因为我们必须遵循我们的原则，包括如何贯彻执行处分。经验证明，对于大多数孩子来说，一次处分足以帮助他们在将来做人处事上做出更好的选择。
请注意，任何被认为严重的行为都将导致我们在进一步调查之前立即将孩子从操场或游乐场上移开。
我们知道，通过共同努力，我们可以为所有不同文化背景的人利益着想，改善我们学校的文化。我们提前感谢您的支持。如果您想进一步讨论这个政策，请随时联系任何一个领导团队。
亲切的问候
Cornwall Park 小学全体教职员工
