Be Responsible 
Be Prepared Be Respectful
SCHOOL HOURS ARE:
| Building Open to Staff | 7:30 AM |
| Tardy-Middle School | 7:50 AM |
| Tardy-Elementary School | 8:35 AM |
| Building Closed | 4:30 PM |
PBIS (POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS)
PBIS is a school wide system that is used across the country to establish behavioral expectations, teach procedures, and reward students for good behavior. A problem-solving team works to change the behavior of targeted or at-risk students so that the whole school benefits. To learn more about PBIS, please take a look at the web site of the New Hampshire Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports (NH CEBIS).
The Ellis School Behavior Matrix was developed by the Ellis PBIS Universal Team. It shows clear expectations for students, and gives examples of what being responsible, prepared, and respectful looks like in a variety of school settings.
Middle School PBIS
Code of Conduct for Students
We believe it is our mission to provide a safe, comfortable, consistent environment which is conducive for everyone to reach their full potential; academically, socially, and emotionally. To that end, we have established expectations and procedures for how we will learn and work together.
Ellis School has a school wide behavior management system that is based on reinforcing positive behaviors. This system improves school climate and teaches our students responsibility and to be good citizens.
The expectations for student conduct are:
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Prepared
Each expectation will be taught, practiced, and rewarded. Students will clearly know what it means to meet those expectations in all areas of school life, from classrooms to field trips. Behaviors have been clearly defined and divided into minor and major offenses with consequences for infractions also clearly defined.
Students will be rewarded with Ellis Points for meeting the three expectations. Each day a student is present at school and has Gold Card status, he/she earns one Ellis Point. If a student is tardy or dismissed early, he/she will earn half a point. The points entitle students to different events that are scheduled throughout the year.
Gold Card Status
The Middle School students have the component of the Gold Card status. Gold Card status grants the member the following privileges:
Field trips
Assemblies
Membership in groups such as Student Council, Student Advisory, Yearbook, etc.
Membership in any sports team
After school programs
Extra-curricular activities including dances
Use of electronic music device
Chewing gum.
Special events
Middle School staff and administration set the parameters of these privileges and have the right to terminate that privilege if those are not being followed.
Gold Card status can be revoked for Major Behaviors. Middle School staff and/or the Principal can revoke status. Once status is revoked, the privileges are immediately no longer available. If a student loses his/her Gold Card status within the week of a special event, he/she will not be able to participate in that event even if restitution is completed.
A member can be reinstated in one of the following two ways:
Wait until the next Ellis Point Event occurs. Status will be reinstated after the event has taken place, about once every six weeks.
Complete a restitution plan with the staff member who did the write up. The restitution plan outlines what the student will do to make up for why his/her status was revoked. This plan is based on the incident, those involved, and the developmental level of the student. Every plan includes an apology. Once the plan has been completed, the student is reinstated with full privileges. Students have one week to complete a restitution plan or they must wait until the Ellis Point Event is over.
Platinum Card Status
Students who have earned Platinum Card Status are those students that have no behavior referrals for a 5-6 week period. They enjoy all the privileges of the Gold Card Status, plus others. They are guaranteed attendance at an Ellis Point Event and have other special events that only they can attend. Behavior status is checked at Progress Report and Report Card times each trimester.
Is this system effective?
Based on our data that has been collected the past three years, it is. We have seen a decrease each year of all behaviors. We believe the reasons that this program is effective are many. Expectations are clear and communicated to the students. There is consistency among all staff and parental support. The students had direct input into making the system unique to them. They decided the privileges associated with the Gold Card Status and came up with the Platinum Card to further acknowledge those students who always meet the expectations.
Gold Card Disclosure Form
A Gold Card Disclosure Form must be signed by students and parents before Gold Card Status is given. The form was mailed home with the placement letter. Another copy can be obtained by clicking on the link above.