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Pontiac elementary schools adopt new code of conduct
By Tony Sapochetti
tsapochetti@pantagraph.com
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PONTIAC — A new code of conduct will govern the behavior of Pontiac junior high students involved in a range of Illinois Elementary School Education-sanctioned activities.

Under the new code, students who are caught fighting, in an illegal activity or with alcohol, drugs or tobacco could be suspended from participating in sports, band, chorus, scholastic bowl and speech-related contests.

“We haven’t really needed it in the past but this past year we did have an incident where it would have been nice if something was put in place,” said Steve Graham, superintendent of the Pontiac elementary school district.

Graham said disciplinary actions will be based on the severity of the offenses, and suspensions will be handled by school Principal Judy Donze.

The code of conduct is modeled after something that Pontiac Township High School has had in place for many years and reviews annually. The high school district is separate from the elementary schools’.

A first offense, if the activity is in season, would result in that student being kicked off the team. A second offense would merit a 365-day suspension from any Illinois Elementary School Association activity.

PTHS Principal Jon Kilgore said a code of conduct is a form of “tough love.” Students need to be aware that they are representing the school at competitions and that these activities are voluntary and not required in order to graduate, Kilgore said.

“We are very tough, but they represent the community and the school,” Kilgore said. “We even have a grooming policy where guys can’t have facial hair and have to have their hair cut to a certain length.”

Kilgore also said that the high school has implemented a new rehabilitation component, a provision the junior high policy does not have. A student who goes through an approved treatment program can reduce the 365-day suspension to 180 days. The junior high does not have that provision.

School board member Cheri Lambert said that it was important that students have a code of conduct when participating in these activities because it has the potential to build character.

“I think it’s important to hold kids to these types of standards because we are thrilled to be able to offer these types of activities and students need to have a sense of accountability when it comes to things like conduct,” she said. “I think it is a good thing to live by, period, whether you are a student athlete, scholastic bowl member or even a citizen.”

The elementary district will continue the Character Counts program.

“We try to teach our students about the pillars of a good community . . . and to try and encourage our kids to be well behaved,” Graham said.

The program’s Web site, charactercounts.org, says it teaches students the “six pillars of character”: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Graham said the school usually holds monthly assemblies relating to this program, and that it has been going on for several years.

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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

WoW wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:55 PM:

" And the cops in the hall, Just like Prison, Not my kidds. "

Pontiac Res. wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:26 AM:

" I must say I gotta agree with both of you. I think this will get better now that a certain principle an A.D. are lon gone! Hopefully this will get better with Kilgore in there! "

To PTHS wrote on Aug 22, 2007 10:53 PM:

" You're right. But you probably already know how Pontiac is with their precious football players and cheerleaders! "

PTHS wrote on Aug 22, 2007 8:31 PM:

" I just have to laugh. This is modeled after PTHS? Right, when was the last time a football player was kicked off the team for drinking? The band members have to take a drug test more often then the atheletes do. "
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