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  2. General information
  3. Behavior and Expectations
  4. Behavior Expectations

Behavior Expectations

Old Mill School is continuing to develop its Character Education program. Students, Staff, Parents, and Guardians strive to exhibit the attributes of the Old Mill "Learner Profile". Old Mill was inspired by this character education framework from the International Baccalaureate in 2017. Last year, we added 2 more attributes to align with the entire school district for a total of 12 MVSD Learner Profile Attributes. 

The Old Mill Learner Profile is posted in all classrooms. There are assemblies and school bulletin boards dedicated to the Learner Profile and staff use this language regularly so the vocabulary is natural for our school community. Weekly school newsletters also highlight attributes with the "Weekly Challenge". Parents and staff can use this activity to discuss how striving for these attributes help us to become global citizens.

We encourage adults and students at Old Mill to become…

Courageous: 

  • They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Inquirers 

  • They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Knowledgeable 

  • They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

(Critical) Thinkers 

  • They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions

Communicators 

  • They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled

  • They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-Minded 

  • They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring (Empathetic)

  • They show empathy, compassion and respect toward the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Balanced 

  • They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective 

  • They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Collaborative

  • They can build respectful working relationships and understand that multiple perspectives are essential to solving complex issues and problems.

Perseverant 

  • They see challenges as opportunities to grow. They take initiative and demonstrate self-discipline, grace, and tenacity, especially in challenging situations.

Our overall Old Mill Code of Conduct is founded on four basic expectations:

Be Responsible 
Be Respectful
Be Kind
Be Safe

    • Come to class on time. All students must sign in at the office if they enter school after 8:30 a.m.
    • Use the designated student bathrooms properly, and help keep them clean.
    • Help keep the school clean by picking up litter.
    • School doors are open after school until 4:00 p.m. After 4:00 students will not be able to get forgotten homework, clothing, uniforms, musical instruments, etc.
    • Discuss after school plans with parents before leaving in the morning. The office telephone is available only for emergencies.
    • Jackets, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, water bottles, and backpacks should be labeled with the child’s name.
    • Keep toys at home unless allowed by staff.
    • Keep money, after school sports equipment, smart devices (i.e. phones, watches, etc), and other valuables in backpacks during school hours.

    • Be friendly, courteous, and polite to students, staff, and visitors. Hats should remain off except when outdoors.
    • Listen to staff member instructions. They want to keep you safe and allow you to learn.
    • Use indoor voices (adults too!) in the halls because students are learning.
    • Pay close attention to one another’s words and feelings. Take turns speaking, be caring, tolerant, and appreciative of other ideas.
    • Avoid negative remarks, name-calling, hurtful gestures, teasing & gossip.
    • Bring only healthy snacks for parties. Some students cannot eat sweets.
    • Toys, collections, cards or items that are distracting to the learning process are not to be played with during school hours. Keep them in a backpack or preferably at home.

    • Help make our school a happy place to be.
    • Use appropriate school language.  
    • Party invitations are not to be distributed at school, unless the entire class is invited.
    • Clubs are not allowed at school, unless permitted by school staff.
    • Playground games are open to all students who are interested in participating. Invite others to play your game.
    • Bullying is not tolerated. Let an adult know if you or others think bullying is happening at school or if someone is not being treated well.

    • Take care of each other. Get an adult if someone needs help.
    • Walk in the hallways, stairs, Quiet Zone, around the play structures, and inside buildings.
    • Before school, students should stay out of the buildings unless permitted by staff.
    • Skateboards, scooters, razors, skates, and shoes with wheels need to be carried onto the school grounds and taken to the student’s classroom for storage. They may not be used on the school grounds during the school day, after school (before 4pm), or during school events.
    • Walk bicycles on the school grounds and park in the bike racks.  ALL riders must have and wear a helmet.
    • Alcohol, tobacco, drugs or drug paraphernalia are not allowed at school at any time.
    • No weapons or dangerous items, including pocketknives or firecrackers, are allowed near or at school.