Code of Conduct
Attendance
Punctuality is the early arrival to school. Every student is expected to attend school daily on time. When students have been absent from school, they must bring a note from home explaining the reason for the absence. This note must be submitted to the classroom teacher. After three consecutive days of absences, a doctor's note is required. Teachers are expected to report to the administration or guidance counselor the excessive absences or tardiness of their students.
Parents will be notified in order to monitor and correct the situation. Additional measures will be instituted if the situation continues after the first phone call and/or administrative conference. This includes but is not limited to notifying a social worker assigned to the school from the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services. The social worker will investigate and execute measures to bring the matter to a halt. Parents should make a concerted effort to ensure their child attends school regularly.
Care of Property
Students will be issued books that are the property of the Department of Education and the school. They will be permitted to take books home. parents are asked to monitor and encourage their children to exercise care and respect for all property. Parents will be held responsible for all payment in the event materials or equipment is lost, stolen or damaged by their children.
Discipline
Discipline at Yvonne E. Milliner -Bowsky Elementary School is an aspect of guidance and not simply a form of punishment. The purpose of discipline is to promote genuine respect for authority, one's peers, develop self-discipline and to provide a classroom atmosphere conducive to teaching and learning.
The Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) matrix is posted in classrooms and hallways to govern students' interactions. This matrix serves as a guideline for successful communication and interaction.
Courtesy, good manners, respect for authority and the personal property of others along with obedience are expected norms of behavior for students and teachers. It is expected that parents demonstrate the same courtesies when conducting business with any member of our faculty, staff or administration.
All staff members have the authority to take disciplinary action as allowed by he Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Board of Education toward any student who is in violation of school policy. These include but are not restricted to disturbance of class, failure to perform the assigned classroom tasks, violation of the dress code and tardiness.
Parent(s) will be contacted after two minor offenses by phone. Parental conferences will be held after three minor offenses. However, in case of major offences, the parent(s) will be contacted immediately, and a paternal conference will be scheduled. The office personnel will notify parents of the scheduled conferences; the student must be accompanied by a parent at that time.
Suspensions are utilized when students blatantly disrespect adults. This method is also exercised when students engage in fights, destroy property, exit the premises without permission, bring contraband or other unwarranted items to school or when they demonstrate unwillingness to comply with directives. Students are also given alternative forms of punishment when they demonstrate the inability to exhibit appropriate behaviors.
The Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBOE) Disciplinary Policy describes the various infraction types and possible disciplinary responses. They are printed in detail in the Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School Parent Handbook. Revised 2023. The VIBOE views disruptive and criminal acts, and those which may affect the health, safety, and welfare of those on a school campus as extremely serious in nature. In addition to disciplinary action administered at the school level, certain acts may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. These may include, but are not limited to:
1. Possession, use/distribution of weapons (mandatory reporting)
2. Arson
3. Assaults other than minor fighting
4. Bombs and other explosive agents other than minor fireworks
5. Breaking and entering
6. Disturbances which substantially disrupt school
7. False alarms or calls
8. Possession, use /distribution of drugs (mandatory reporting)
9. Possession, use/distribution of alcohol products
10. Property damage of substantial nature
11. Robbery
12. Sexual offenses endangering the health, safety, or welfare of others
13. Theft of items of a substantial nature
14. Trespassing after warning
15. Vandalism of substantial nature.
All students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the school as printed in the handbook r as published or amended in memoranda and letters to parents and students.
Parents are encouraged to discuss all rules and expectations with their children and visit the school as often as possible to monitor their progress. Parents are also requested to confer with the counselor, teachers and administrators at designated times to work cooperatively on their children's behalf. The success of our students requires all of us working together to bring out the best in them academically and socially.
Dress Code
Students attending Yvonne E. Miiliner-Bowsky Elementary School are expected to adhere to the dress code. Parents are encouraged to monitor what their child wears to school daily. The following information is intended to assist parents in monitoring their child's personal appearance upon leaving home for school.
1. All students are to attend school, properly dressed every day.
2. All students must have their hair neatly groomed.
3. If there is an emergency which prevents a student from being in full uniform, a note from a parent is required prior to a pass being issued for the student to be admitted to class for the day. The principal will be responsible for issuing this pass.
4. Parents of students in violation of the dress code will be called to bring a change of clothing (uniform). Students will remain in the office until the uniform arrives.
5. Students are expected to dress in uniform on field trips unless otherwise indicated.
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices , such as radios, gaming devices, and all other objects not related to school are not permitted on the school grounds. If a students is noncompliant with a directive to surrender the device, it may result in immediate suspension. If an item is confiscated, parents can receive the item upon request. The item, however, is not to appear in the school again. Cellular phones must be turned off and out of sight during the school day.