Culture Guide 1

KIPP Courage Culture Guide 2018-2019

At KIPP Courage we believe that one of the most important people in the success of a child is their

teacher. A teacher’s knowledge, skills, and beliefs will impact their students either positively or

negatively. Consistency across classrooms builds a strong culture of high expectations for all students.

We must hold ourselves and others accountable to maintain school-wide systems and routines. By doing

so, we create a joyful and focused learning environment where students are successful and know what is

expected of them each day.

What You Can Find in This Document

1. Classroom Set Up Check List

2. First 5 / Classroom Entrance

3. The Do Now

4. Final 5

5. Exit Tickets

6. Paper, Notebooks and Binders

7. Student Engagement

8. Hallways

9. Bathroom Behavior

10. Lunch

11. Binders

12. Lifework

13. Technology

14. Cell Phones Policy

15. Uniforms

16. Backpacks

17. Athletic and UIL Eligibility

18. Food and Drinks

19. Behavior Deductions

20. Behavior Consequences

21. Lunch Bench

22. Grade Level and Administrator Response

23. Incentives

24. Student Support Team Procedures

Culture Guide 2

1. Classroom Set Up Checklist The classroom environment has a direct impact on a student’s ability to learn. Classrooms should be

organized, orderly and free of clutter. The following items should be in your classroom to promote

organizational system for teachers and students.

• University name

• School Schedule posted

• Character strengths posted

• Board Configuration – Date, objective, agenda, lifework

• Designated spot for:

o Lifework

o Classwork pickup and turn in

o Absent work

o Notebooks or binders

o Displaying student work both in and outside of

class. At least every 6-9 weeks.

o Blue hall pass

• Classroom and student goals for the year

• School Map/ Emergency Evacuation Map and Folder

• KIPPism posters

• Reading corner area (rugs, chairs, inviting reading environment)

• Books for students to assign themselves (content-specific and AR)

2. First 5 / Classroom Entrance Expectations:

Non-negotiables Your Choice

• Teacher greets students at the door • Students enter at a 0 • Directions on paper or board • Silent worktime begins when students

enter • Do Now is independent and self-

sustained • Timed for approximately 5 minutes • Teachers take attendance on Skyward

during the First 5.

• Location of paper pick up and distribution

• Location of binder distribution • Type/display of timer

Culture Guide 3

3. The Do Now Expectations:

● Every teacher assigns a Do Now every day at the beginning of each class period.

● The Do Now procedure should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and debrief (includes

student completion and whole class checking or feedback)

● The Do Now should be silent and independent worktime. Debrief of Do Now is expected at the

start of class.

● The purpose of the Do Now is to engage KIPPsters in the content of the upcoming lesson or to

assess their understanding of the previous day’s lesson. It should be at a rigor level where 100%

of students can successfully complete.

4. Final 5 Expectations:

Non-negotiables Your Choice

• All classes end with exit ticket or independent work

• Teacher dismisses students. The bell does not.

• Directions given after the bell are succinct and essential

• Location of paper pick up and distribution • Location and method of putting up supplies

*Student should never be waiting for the bell at the door.

5. Exit Tickets

Expectations:

● Teacher gives exit tickets every day of a lesson.

● Graded exit tickets should be returned to students the next day.

● Enter at least 3 assessments and 1 lifework into the gradebook each

week.

● The ET should take no more than 10 minutes for students to complete

and be directly aligned to the standard practiced

● ET should be silent and independent work.

● KIPPsters submit the ET in the same place daily during the Final 5.

6. Paper, Notebooks and Binders

Expectations:

• All papers have a consistent place to maintain classroom organization. Everything has a place

and a place for everything.

• Put notebooks and binders in the same place each class, making sure they are clearly labeled

with name and period

• All student work has KIPP Courage paper heading:

Culture Guide 4

7. Student Engagement Expectations:

● Attention-getting technique – Teacher says:

“Give me Five” In large group situations, the

teacher raises his/her hand first before saying

“Give me five”

● Attention-getting technique – In classroom

setting, teacher says “Track me in 3…2…1”

Teachers scans for compliance and waits for

100% attention before proceeding

● Students should answer questions with the

preface “Thank you, (student/teacher name)”

before they begin speaking.

● When students are SSLANTing, they should be

tracking the speaker, feet planted on the ground with appropriate posture.

● While others are speaking, all KIPPsters are listening with hands down and tracking the speaker

silently.

● After KIPPsters do something to be celebrated, we say, “Can we give it up for ____________?”

Everyone does two claps!

8. Hallways Expectations:

● Students are expected to walk in the hallway, speak at a

conversational (2) volume and keep their hands to

themselves

● 5th grade KIPPsters are expected to walk in a line to ensure

students get to their next class as quickly as possible

● PDA, play-fighting, and running are not permitted.

● Kissing, groping, and extended hugs will results in a PDA

deduction.

● There is no deduction for hand holding but students

should be asked to keep their hands to themselves.

● Teachers monitor hallways by standing at threshold of classroom door

● Teachers address student misbehaviors swiftly any time they occur

● Teachers should wrap up all conversations with students by the time the warning bell rings.

● Students are only allowed in the hallway during class time with a pass. Not having a pass will

result in a -5 for “No pass; Wrong place”.

Full name Date

Assignment Name Class period

Culture Guide 5

9. Bathroom Behavior Expectations:

● The best times for KIPPsters to access the bathroom are during class changes and during lunch

in order to maximize work time.

o Exception: 5th graders do not use bathroom during transition time.

● During class time, KIPPsters are allowed to go to the restroom during guided practice and

independent practice time. No student should go during instruction unless it is an emergency.

Best practice is not allowing students to exit the classroom within 10 minutes of each bell.

● ELA teachers should be mindful of students wanting to use the bathroom during the double

block. i.e. a transition they do not have.

● Any KIPPster who needs to use the restroom during class should silently raise the bathroom

signal (Number 1) as they continue to work to signal their request to the teacher.

● Students should use the auditorium restroom during lunch. Seventh grade students should use

100 hallway bathroom. Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth grade students should use 200/300 hallway

bathroom.

● Students should never use gym bathrooms unless at P.E.

10. Lunch Expectations:

● All students eat lunch in the cafeteria. If you would like to

have lunch with your students, teachers may join students

in the cafeteria at any time.

● Students are not permitted passes to eat in any location

other than the cafeteria without an adult.

● Teachers should be vigilant in hallways during lunch

transition to ensure 100% of students enter the cafeteria by

the time the bell rings

● KIPPsters should not leave their seat or change seats without permission from an adult

● Students going to work with a teacher during lunch must be escorted by that teacher, from the

café.

11. Binders Expectations:

• Students are responsible for purchasing a binder of their choice

• Each student must have their binder with them at all times

• Binders should be organized with tabs for each subject/class

• Provide assistance to students who are struggling to organize their binder

• An agenda will be given to students. The agenda must be in the binder, must be completed

every day, and must be signed every night. If the student did fill out agenda this will result in a -2

the following day when having their lifework checked.

• Once all grade levels have visited the library, students are responsible for having a book with

them at all times. Students without a book will be given a -2 for missing materials.

Culture Guide 6

12. Lifework Expectations:

● Lifework should be meaningful practice or preparation and is assigned the following days for

each subject:

Monday & Wednesday – Math and Science

Tuesday & Thursday – Reading and Social Studies

Friday – Identity Project written assignment and Paycheck Reflection

● Teachers should update the agenda dashboard with a description of the lifework assignment for

the night before 7:25 for students to copy into their agenda each morning.

● KIPPsters should be able to complete assignments independently at home.

● Lifework should be differentiated by teachers for students with IEPs when needed.

● Lifework will be checked in homeroom, but collected from students in class. Collecting and

checking classwork ensures accountability.

● In addition, students are required to read at least 20 minutes a night, every week night,

including Fridays.

13. Technology Expectations:

• Teachers must check out technology before 7:15

a.m. from the front office for the day of use and

return tech at 4:30.

• Students must log in and out with their own

credentials

• Minimize the movement of technology around the

room to prevent technology from breaking.

• Teachers should monitor technology use and data

from programs to hold students accountable to

technology practices.

14. Cell Phones Expectations:

• Cell phones are not allowed at KIPP Courage from 7:25am-4pm. Any phone seen should be

collected and given to the front office with a sticky note attached with the student’s name.

• There are no warnings and no “next times.” Cell phones may be picked up by families in front

office for $15.

• Cell phones are allowed at breakfast and at lunch for students in grades 5th through 8th.

• Please do not use apps/sites in class that require students to use their cell phone. iPads and

chromebooks are available for checkout.

• Ear buds and headphones are not allowed to be worn

Culture Guide 7

15. Uniforms Expectations:

• Courage collared shirt, and khakis

• We believe students may be professionally dressed with shirts tucked or untucked

• Only KIPP Courage, YES Prep, or SBISD outerwear may be worn

• Neutral colored undershirts are preferred, but other undershirts are acceptable

• On Fridays students may wear any college, SKY, or spirit shirt in addition to their regular

uniform. Jeans are only permitted during specified days or opportunities.

• At times free dress wrist bands may be sold or received. During free dress students must have

no ripped jeans above the knees and no exposed shoulders.

• Bottoms should be at a length at our below the students finger tips. Bottoms should sit at or just

below the waist.

16. Backpacks Expectations:

● Students are allowed to have a backpack with them at all times. Students should carry all

supplies with them in their backpack and are responsible for keeping up with their own

materials.

17. Athletic and UIL Eligibility Expectations:

• KIPPsters must be in good academic and behavioral standing to participate in sports and UIL fine

arts.

• Students must be passing all non-pre AP classes with a 70% average or higher to participate in

any UIL event.

• Students who receive an out of-school suspension may not participate in any sports activities or

performances on that day (including practices and games).

• Please see the eligibility dates of the weekly notes calendar.

Culture Guide 8

18. Food and Drinks Expectations:

● Water is permitted in a clear plastic bottle

● No other beverages permitted

● Food such as candy and chips are only allowed in the lunch room only

● Gum is not permitted at any time. Teachers model school culture (No gum for students = No

gum for teachers)

Culture Guide 9

19. KIPP Courage Behavior Deductions

Classroom Teacher Response Grade Level Response Administrator Response

Inputting these deductions into Kickboard will not notify anyone

These deduction will be responded to by your Team

Leader (same day or following day)

Inputting these deductions into Kickboard will notify your

Assistant Principal.

Optimism Being impolite (-2)

Zest Horseplay/unsafe play (-5)

Curiosity Cheating on classwork (-10)

No pass, wrong place (-5)

Cheating or copying tests or major

assignments (-10)

Possession of drugs/alcohol (-10)

Possession of weapons (-10)

Grit

Tardy (-5)

Gives up/does not attempt work (-2)

Skipping: should include – date,

time, and location of the infraction (-10)

Self-Control: School Work

Minor misuse of technology (Including cell phone out. Cell

phones should be turned into the office) (-5)

Missing materials (-2)

Accessing pornography or anything illegal using technology

(-10)

Self-Control: Others

Distracting self and others (-5) Fighting (-10)

Gratitude

Minor stealing or vandalism (-5)

Uniform violation (can be

corrected at school. Clothing items should be collected until the

end of the day (-2)

Major stealing or vandalism (-10)

Social Intelligence

Time and place (-2) Bullying/purposeful hurtful name-

calling (-10)

Profanity towards teacher (-10)

Indecent exposure/sexual harassment (-10)

Other deductions

*LW -2 (missing signature or part of an assignment)

*LW -5 (missing an entire assignment)

*Uniform Violation (cannot be corrected at school, send to front office and office delivers -5)

*Best Practice: Please include a description of infraction when giving a deduction

Culture Guide 14

20. Behavior Consequences

At KIPP Courage we believe the best response to student behavior is a proactive one. Established systems

and routines help prevent minor misbehaviors from students. Kickboard will be the system used to

document student behaviors (both positive and negative). When issues of misbehavior arises, below are

the consequence protocols for teachers, team leaders, and administrators.

Classroom Teacher Response The first column of misbehaviors should be handled by the teacher in the classroom. These behaviors

can often be deterred by strong systems and routines and strong student and parent relationships. If the

same behavior persists, the ladder below may help.

Grade Level Response Behaviors that alert the Team Leader automatically put the student on bench. These behaviors are:

• Any -10 deduction

• Students that hit $35 dollars or below

Bench procedures • Students who are assigned a -10 from the behaviors bench list above will populate on a daily

bench list.

• Student must receive a parent phone call from the teacher who assigned the -10 deduction

• Team Leader will circulate to manage Bench lists during homeroom. TL will assign a back up to

help with Bench list in the event of an absence.

• Students will be placed on Bench for 1 day.

• Teachers may make choices to better accommodate student learning and behavior for students

who are on bench. This may include different seating, beginning of class check-in and look-fors,

or a peer assistant during class. Tactics should not be used that draw unnecessary attention to

students on the bench. • Students will participate in Bench Lunch. Bench lunch is a silent, isolated lunch in the cafeteria

or other designated space. Students must check in with the AP/Team Leader in charge to receive

First Offense Reminder 1

Second Offense Reminder 2 or provide choices or paycheck deduction

Third Offense Provide choices or paycheck deduction or student conference or removal of

distraction

Fourth Offense Provide choices or paycheck deduction or student conference or parent call or

removal of distraction

Fifth Offense Referral to TL for grade level help

Culture Guide 15

credit for bench lunch. • Team Leader will need to remove student from consequence roster on Kickboard once they

have completed their consequences

• If a student is not off of Bench after 2 days, TL will decide on next steps for further grade level

consequences. These additional consequences can include:

o Temporary removal from elective class

o Parent conference

o Parent visit to class

o In school suspension

• All efforts will be made to avoid ISS.

21. Lunch Bench Expectations:

• Students must report to the cafeteria or designated location and be checked in for lunch detention by AP or the Team Leader.

• Students are expected to eat silently at the specified area (the first two or last two tables in the cafeteria)

• Students must have bench lunch form signed by an AP or teacher in the cafeteria at the end of bench lunch.

22. Administrator Response Inputting any of the following behaviors will automatically notify AP. AP will conference and decide on

consequences depending on the situation. Consequences will include both punitive and restorative

actions.

• Possession of drugs/alcohol (-10)

• Possession of weapons (-10)

• Accessing pornography or anything illegal using technology (-10)

• Fighting (-10)

• Profanity towards teacher (-10)

• Indecent exposure/sexual harassment (-10)

Skipping

All teachers MUST take attendance during the first 10 minutes of class in Skyward. If a student is more

than 15 minutes late to the start of class, the teacher should input a skipping class deduction in

Kickboard. Administrators will investigate and assign consequence.

Excessive skipping will result in other consequences provided by the administrator.

Students who arrive to school tardy will receive a -5 from office manager/receptionist.

Culture Guide 16

Removal of Students from Class or the School Environment

At KIPP Courage we believe that the most important place for a student to be is in class learning. We will

do everything in our power to keep students in the learning environment. If a student is struggling in a

learning environment we as administrators will support both the teacher and the student in finding

solutions. Removal from class is not a permanent solution for behavior.

Level IV and V Offenses

In events of behaviors including but not limited to possession of firearms, illegal substances and assault,

KIPP Courage will follow the SBISD Code of Conduct.

Culture Guide 17

23. Incentives

In order to maintain a culture of joy and celebrating and focusing on the positive, we believe in

routinely recognizing and honoring what students do well. Positive incentives reward great

behavior and academic achievement.

Major Field Trips

Students have the opportunity to earn two large field trips throughout the year. In order to

attend, students must maintain a $45 weekly average paycheck to earn the trip. Paycheck

averages restart in the second semester.

5th Grade

December June

A&M College Visit

6th Grade

December June

Courage Lock-in + U of H Utah

7th Grade

December June

Kemah Boardwalk College Visit

8th Grade

November June

Alley Theatre Washington D.C.

Bid Trips

Students will have the opportunity to earn bid trips throughout the year. These activities are

opportunities for students to engage with their peers and teachers in an activity of their choice

that is on campus and afterschool. Bid trips can include, but are not limited to: soccer

tournament, open gym time, movies, crafts, etc.

Weekly Celebrations

Each grade level will recognize students weekly during celebrations. Students will participate in

challenges and be publicly recognized for showing character strengths and academic growth.

Culture Guide 18

Positive Office Referrals

This program is a way to recognize students who are living out what it means to be a KIPP

Courage student- they are working hard, being nice and living out the character strengths.

A positive office referral is a way to honor that student go above and beyond classroom

incentives. Positive office referrals help to destigmatize the office as a place only for

misbehaviors and it allows the admin team to intentionally celebrate students.

To complete a positive office referral:

• Fill out the referral form

• Send child to AP’s office with positive office referral

• If AP is out, there is a folder on the door for the student to place his/her referral. AP will

circle back with the student at a later time.

• We will celebrate positive office referrals with the student by:

o Calling home to inform parents of the actions leading to the positive office

referral

o Small prize

o +5 ganas added to paycheck

Culture Guide 19

Classroom Rewards

There are many ways to get your students excited about learning! As a teacher, it is important

to find the systems you are authentically invested in. Below are a few systems to consider

which also include school-wide systems:

• Character strength ganas cards

• Student and Teacher Shout outs

• Mastery wall

• Data competitions

• Table competitions

• Point systems

• Prize give-away

• Positive Phone Calls

• Positive Office Referrals

• College v. college challenges

• Bid trips

• Mastery Celebrations

• Public praise of excellent work or character

Culture Guide 20

24. Student Support Team Procedures

Meetings with the Counselor

Counselor will complete intake surveys with students at the beginning of the year when

groups/individual meetings are being scheduled and formed. Counselor or a member of the Student

Support Team will meet with students individually or in groups during lunch, electives and, in emergency

cases, during core classes.

Student Support Team Referrals

1) Student self-refers: Student Concern Form

a. Can be a paper form that the student gives to the teacher or puts in the Mailbox in the

Team and Family Room

b. Teacher can take a picture of form and text/email it to the person the student wanted

to talk to.

2) Students of Concern (Mental Health Support)

a. Teacher refers student for socio-emotional support (student is upset and needs to talk

to someone in the moment.) Staff member should text counselor in these

urgent/emergency situations.

3) For Student Support Plans

a. Grade level team submits request for Student Support Plan to counselor by email.

b. Student Support Team discusses form at following Student Support Team meeting.

c. Staff member assigned to the grade meets with the student within 24 hours of meeting

to develop Student Support Plan.

d. After plan is developed, plan is discussed with grade level at next Grade Level Meeting.

e. Student Support Team will follow up with Grade Level team at least 1 time per week to

assess progress on plan.

Culture Guide 21

Restorative Practices at KIPP Courage

Healing Circles

1. Students can request healing circles with Big or Little KIPPsters by filling out a KIPPster Concern

Form or by having a teacher contact the TL (team lead).

2. As part of completing Bench, teachers may ask students to participate in a Healing Circle. In this

case, the TL will coordinate a Healing Circle, prep all parties involved, and facilitate the circle at a

time that is both convenient for all parties AND does not interfere with academics.

3. TL will follow up with staff member (or student, if student self-referred) within two days of

Healing Circle to discuss the Circle and any follow up needed.

4. TL may occasionally be asked to work with a student to come up with an appropriate

consequence to a negative behavior. Examples of such consequences can include:

A. If student was referred for vandalism, student may have to perform 2 hours of

community service cleaning the school with the custodial team.

B. If a student distracted the class for 30 minutes, they will have to sit out of PE for 30

minutes.

C. If the student stole an item, the student will have to work after school or during PE (If

item was worth $50, student will have to work 5 hours).

D. If student was unkind to another student, student may have to research and write a

paper on the long-term effects of bullying to others for both him/herself and the

student affected.

E. If student used a racial slur, student may write a one-page paper on the history of that

slur and why it’s inappropriate.

In these cases, TL will work with, Student Support Team, or Assistant Principal to ensure that

consequences are carried out in a timely fashion. Some consequences may be prerequisites for a

student getting off of Bench.

Culture Guide 22