This is a very successful program that we have incorporated at Pendleton Middle School for which we have received commendations from the West Virginia Department of Education. Students will be given a handbook for this program and will be given instruction at the beginning of school.

Students will receive instruction on the guidelines of expected responsible behavior. Students are expected to follow each guideline:

• Come to class prepared with pencil, paper, textbook, notebook, journal, and any other materials needed.
• Be seated with materials on desk when the tardy bell rings.
• Remain in class the entire period.
• Homework must be completed at the beginning of class.
• Forms must be returned within two school days unless otherwise dated.
• Assignment books must be brought to each class.
• Use appropriate classroom behavior by staying on task, not distracting other students, and waiting for the teacher's dismissal.

• Each week, students who have received no "scratch slips"( for their lack of responsible behaviors from the above list) will pick a prize from the "cat box."

• Each 9-weeks, students with 5 or fewer "scratch slips" will participate in a special event or activity.

• At the end of the year, students with 15 or fewer "scratch slips" will be rewarded with an extra-special event. ** (There are additional requirements which are detailed in the Handbook.)

• At the end of each week, the class section for each grade that has accumulated the lowest percentage of "scratch slips" during the week will be released to lunch first each day the next week.

• At the end of each 9-week period, the class that was released first to lunch the most times will be eligible for a "party".

• In any 9-week period, students who receive more than 5 scratch slips will be required to attend a reteaching session, and a letter listing the number and type of "scratches" will be sent home to their parents.

• If 10 scratch slips are received during a 9-week period, the student will attend a conference with the middle school head-teacher or his designee and the student's parents will be called. Additional action may be taken by the head teacher.

• If 15 scratch slips are accumulated during a 9-week period, the student will be removed from the Responsible Student Program and will no longer be eligible for rewards. (see below: Students Removed from the RSP Program)

• At the beginning of each 9 -weeks, students who have not been removed from the RSP are given a fresh start. Old scratch slips are "scratched" and count only toward the end-of-year event.

• Students will not be eligible for the weekly reward if they have received any exclusions from class, in-school suspensions or out-of-school suspensions during that week.

• Students will not be eligible for the 9-week reward if they have three or more exclusions, more than one suspension (in or out of school), or three or more unexcused absences during that 9-week period.

• Students will not be eligible for the year-end reward if they have (a) 4 or more exclusions, (b) 3 or more days in BIP, (c) 2 or more out of school suspensions, or (d) 7 or more unexcused absences.

• Students who return to the RSP after being removed will be eligible for the next weekly reward and the next 9-week reward unless at least 5 weeks remain in that 9-week period.

• Special exceptions to any of the above consequences may be approved by the teaching staff.

II. Students removed from the RSP will not be permitted to attend any after school activities including but not limited to all sports games, dances, and parties. Violations of this will result in automatic out of school suspension and possible denial of all after- school activities for the rest of the school year.

III. The student will be informed that they are being removed from RSP and given the following procedures:
A. Parent will be informed of the removal.
B. Students will continue to be written up on scratch slips.
C. Upon receiving a total of 20 scratch slips, the student will be given morning detention (from arrival at school to first period) until the student returns to the program.
D. Upon receiving a total of 25 scratch slips, the student will be assigned 1 day in BIP ( in school suspension).
E. Upon receiving a total of 30 scratch slips, the student will be assigned 2 days in BIP.
F. Upon receiving a total of 35 scratch slips, the student will be assigned 3 days in BIP.
G. Upon receiving a total of 36 scratch slips, the student will be suspended from school until a successful parent conference.
H. Upon receiving a total of 41 scratch slips, the student will be suspended from school for 2 days.
I. Upon receiving a total of 46 scratch slips, the student will be suspended from school for 3 days and must have a successful parent conference.
J. Upon receiving a total of 51 scratch slips, the student will be suspended from school for 5 days and must have a successful parent conference.

IV. How Students Return to RSP:

A. Students will be permitted to return to the RSP program upon written request, if they have received no scratch slips for 5 consecutive days of regular school (not including days absent, days excluded from any class, and days in BIP).
B. Students will be removed permanently if,after being readmitted to RSP, they receive more than 5 scratch slips during any 9-week period.

V. Removed from Program and End-of Year Event

A. Students who are removed from the RSP program for 15 or more scratches during a 9-week period will be eligible for the event if:
(1) They are returned to the RSP program within 6 weeks of removal from the program.
(2) They remain in the program for the rest of the year.

VI. Students may be left in the program upon teacher recommendation.