Edwin Rhodes Elementary - Behavior Definitions

Edwin Rhodes Elementary is committed to ensuring that problem behaviors are well defined for staff, students and families. Below are some definitions of problem behaviors that may result in an office referral:

Minor Problem Behavior	Definition
Defiance	Student engages in brief or low-intensity failure to follow directions or talks back.
Disrespect	Student delivers low-intensity, socially rude or dismissive messages to adults or students.
Horseplay	Student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate physical contact.
Poor Peer Interactions	Student engages in behaviors that inhibit his/her ability to form positive relationships with peers
Inappropriate Language or Gestures	Student engages in low-intensity instance of inappropriate language, not specifically directed at an individual
Impeding Peers’ Learning	Student engages in low-intensity behaviors that irritate others, possibly including making noises, tapping, wandering, etc.
Misuse of Property	Student engages in low-intensity misuse of property, possibly including accidental breakage
Non-Compliance	Student fails to follow schoolwide location expectations
Untruthful	Student knowingly tells falsehoods that negatively impact others.
Uncooperative	Student engages in low-intensity argumentation, delayed compliance with teacher directive, or other uncooperative but safe behavior.
Technology Violation	Student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate (as defined by school) use of cell phone, music/video players, camera, and/or computer.

Major Problem Behavior	Definition
Arson	Student plans and/or participates in malicious burning of property.
Assault	Student engages in actions involving serious physical contact where injury may occur (e.g., hitting, punching, hitting with an object, kicking, hair pulling, scratching, etc.).
Bullying	The repeated delivery of direct or technology-based messages that involve intimidation, teasing, taunting, threats, or name calling.
Committed Obscene Act	Student engages in actions that are obscene or sexual in nature.
Controlled Substance	Student is in possession of or is using illegal substances, including drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Destruction of Property /Vandalism	Student participates in an activity that results in destruction or disfigurement of school or private property .
Fighting	Student is involved in mutual participation in an incident involving physical violence.
Harassment	The delivery of disrespectful messages in any format related to gender, ethnicity, sex, race, religion, disability, physical features, or other protected class.
Profanity Towards Student or Staff	Student delivers verbal messages that include swearing, name calling, or obscene language directed at a particular individual.
Theft	Student is in possession of or is responsible for removing someone else's property.
Weapons	Student is in possession of a knife, gun (real or look alike), or other object readily capable of causing bodily harm.

Possible Function	Definition
Gain Peer Attention	Student engages in problem behavior(s) to gain attention of peer(s).
Gain Adult Attention	Student engages in problem behavior(s) to gain attention of adult(s).
Gain/obtain Item	Student engages in problem behaviors(s) to get a specific item
Gain/obtain Activity	Behavior is intended to gain the student a preferred activity.
Avoid Peers	Student engages in problem behavior(s) to get away from/escape peer(s).
Avoid Adults	Student engages in problem behavior(s) to get away from/escape adult(s).
Avoid Seat Work	Student engages in behavior to avoid individual work.
Avoid Group Work	Behavior is intended to get a student removed from a group activity.
Avoid Scheduled Event	Behavior is intended to get a student out of a particular activity (i.e. PE).