September 24, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

You received copies of the Rockford Public Schools 2009-2010 Discipline Code during school registration last month. Today’s mailing contains guidelines for administering the discipline code, which were approved September 22 by the Rockford Board of Education.

The guidelines are designed to reduce the number of out-of-school suspensions and ensure that disciplinary measures are being applied evenly from school to school. I proposed the amendments for the simple reason that students who aren’t in school cannot learn.

What you’ll find enclosed is an expanded index of positive behavior interventions, which educators should use whenever possible as alternatives to out-of-school suspensions. You’re also receiving the consequence matrix, which was developed to assist building principals in applying disciplinary responses to inappropriate and disruptive behaviors. Both the matrix and the index are part of an administrative reference guide being provided to our principals.

None of these suspension alternatives, when administered correctly, poses a hardship or inconvenience on students who are on task and demonstrating good behavior. Please know as well that many of our schools already embrace positive behavior interventions and don’t resort to suspensions as their first disciplinary option.

We are committed to ensuring that our schools are safe and that they are also nurturing, child-centered learning environments.

Respectfully,

LaVonne M. Sheffield, Ph.D.

Superintendent