Student Behavioral Expectations

PWCS Code of Behavior

The PWCS Code of Behavior Link is posted on the PWCS website and contains PWCS student expectations of behavior and conduct. The Code of Behavior includes the following topics for parents: 

• Reporting Allegations of Student Misconduct
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Student Rights
• Student Code of Expectations
• Rules and Regulations
• Summary of Discipline Code
• Student Behavior Categories
• Examples of Tiered Responses to Student Behavior
• School Conference
• Teacher Removal of Students from Class
• Legal Notices to Students and Parents
• Suspension, Expulsion, and Appeal Procedures
• Discrimination and Harassment
• Bullying

Positive Behaviors

We are going to start strong by having regular class meetings, teaching positive behaviors, and structuring our classes and environments to promote positive social interactions. We will have high expectations for behavior and will not accept fighting, racism, bullying, or disruptions.  

We will be using positive reinforcement through fun activities, assemblies, and awards throughout the year to help motivate students to learn and follow school rules. 

Dress Code

Prohibited items of clothing according to the COB include clothing which:  

• reveal bare skin to the extent that they distract or may foreseeably distract other students or staff; 
• reveal or expose undergarments; 
• fit in a manner as to reveal or expose undergarments; 
• contain vulgar, discriminatory, lewd patently offensive or obscene language or images; 
• contain threats or gang symbols; 
• promotes the use of weapons and violence, or the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs, and/or associated paraphernalia; 
• cause or may foreseeably cause a disruption to the learning environment; and 
• accessories which could be regarded as or used as a weapon. 
• Headwear which covers one’s entire head or face with the following exceptions: 
  • worn as part of one’s religion; or 
  • worn for medical reasons; or 
  • worn for personal prevention practices as in the case of the spread of infectious diseases; or 
  • worn for an approved school event; or 
  • worn as an expression of one’s cultural or ethnic background. 
• Jewelry or other items which could be regarded as or used as a weapon. 

Lunch Behavior

 Students are expected to behave during lunch to include the following: 

• Remain seated at the table during the entire lunch period. Elementary students may only get up if they have permission from a staff member who will help get them anything they need. Middle level students may get up to throw away trash and clean their tray. Once a middle level student selects a seat at the start of the lunch period, that is their seat for that day. They may sit in a different seat the next day. 
• Talk with in an ‘inside voice’ quietly to those near them. 
• Clean trash from lunch and make sure the area, table and floor, is clean before leaving. 
• Follow the directions of the cafeteria hostesses and staff on duty. 
• Raise hands and be polite when asking for assistance. 
• Refrain from throwing any objects. 
• Only eat food that the student purchased or brought with them. 

Bringing Items to School

Students should not bring toys, games, gaming devices, tablets, comics, trading cards, sports equipment to school unless they have been asked or given permission to do so by their teachers (i.e., show and tell, earned rewards/time). The student will assume responsibility for any item brought to school. Students should never bring weapons or anything that can be seen as or used as a weapon to school. (Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Code of Behavior)