Discipline


Teachers are the primary people responsible for counseling and guiding students with behavioral problems. The director and head naturalist are available as a resource if you
need assistance.

The “Important Notice” explains the rules and consequences for breaking them for
students at Foothill Horizons. This notice is read to the students by their counselors
after lunch on their first day here. Refer to the “Important Notice” further down for
discipline guidelines. You are responsible for contacting parents of students who have
reached step 2 or 3. The phone in the health office is available for this purpose.

Each infraction of the rules will be considered on an individual basis. In most cases, a
student who has broken a rule for the first time will be placed on step 1. Depending on
the severity of the circumstances, the student may be advanced directly to step 2 or 3.
An effort should be made to give every student 3 chances.

Counselors may not place students on a step; only teachers and outdoor school staff
may do this. Counselors may use detention as a discipline tool.

Some actions that may advance a student directly to step 2 or 3 include stealing,
entering the opposite sex’s dormitory, fighting, raiding, chronic insubordination, sexual
harassment, and vandalism. We feel that the behavior guidelines at the
home school should be enforced at outdoor school; if a student would be suspended for
a particular offense at home, he/she should incur a similar penalty for that offense here.

The Foothill Horizons staff is not responsible for spending the night with students being
expelled from the program (however, if a medical emergency arises, a staff member is
on call to help). Therefore, when expulsion is imminent it is in your best interest to
contact the student’s parents as soon as possible so that they can arrange transportation home for their child on a timely basis.

It is the policy of the outdoor school that students being expelled from the program
shall be isolated from students still participating in the program.
The following information is from the outdoor education contract:
On the health form the parent has agreed to transport his/her student home in the
event of the following: communicable disease, evidence of lice/nits, or disciplinary
action. If a student must leave the Center for any of those reasons, the district shall be
responsible for transportation if the parent is unable or unwilling to meet this provision.

Any pupil sent home for discipline reasons will not receive a refund.

The following is a copy of the “Important Notice” read to the students by their
counselors following lunch on their first day here.


***IMPORTANT NOTICE***
 

Dear Students:
At Foothill Horizons, we believe that by cooperating with others and paying attention
to the rules, everyone will have an outstanding time learning and sharing new
experiences.
 

However, if these two important goals are not achieved, friendships cannot be made,
and feelings can get crushed. The staff feels that you should know the rules and the
consequences for breaking them. This will help you to understand how important it is
for everyone to work together as a team.
 

RULES
Stay with your group unless you have permission to leave it.
Be sure that you don’t injure someone or hurt their feelings.
Run only on the freeplay field or when directed by your naturalist.
Follow the behavior and dress code of your own school while here.
 

EXAMPLES OF BREAKING IMPORTANT RULES
Raiding other dormitories
Going into the opposite sex’s dormitories
Stealing someone’s belongings
Swearing or using killer statements (name calling)
Fighting with others
Not listening to a counselor
Leaving your group without permission
Running where it is dangerous
 

CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THESE RULES
First time: You will have a conference with your teacher and/or naturalist.
Second time: You will call your parents and tell them what you did.
Third time: You will call your parents and tell them you are being sent home.
In most cases you will receive these three chances before being sent home. However, if
your behavior is completely unacceptable you will be sent home immediately.
REMEMBER, that by cooperating with one another and having a positive attitude, you
will gain respect--and maybe a new friend, too. It’s up to you!
Yours for a great week,
The Foothill Horizons Staff
 

DRESS CODE
Students need to wear long pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes on all hikes. During
summer months, teachers and naturalists may elect to allow all students the choice of
wearing shorts on hikes. Otherwise, it is permissible to wear shorts only during meals
and at free play. Hats and sunglasses may be worn outside only; hats are to be worn
facing forward. Clothing with inappropriate messages and half shirts may not be worn.
Teachers should enforce the dress code just as they would at their own school. If a
counselor with your group is not appropriately attired, please speak to him/her
privately right away. As role models, counselors need to conform to the same dress
code as the students.
 

ITEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT AT HOME
It is the policy of Foothill Horizons that students not be allowed to bring non-school
related items such as gum, candy, money, knives, beauty products, aerosol cans, gang related items, or electronic devices of any kind (including butane curling irons). As the
student’s teacher, you are responsible for keeping these items and returning any you
think should be restored to the student when you and your class return to your school
at the end of the week.