AF Amistad High School Family Handbook 2017-2018 | 49 doing their best to “catch scholars doing the right thing.” Faculty will model and teach the school’s values, give Shout Outs for exceptional conduct, write “posi-notes” (positive notes) to scholars, and more. Our Deans of Students are the point staff people on discipline issues. The Deans work closely with teachers, parents, and scholars to help them learn and grow. The Deans and Principal have the authority to decide on the appropriate consequence for scholar behavior. The Deans and Principal may solicit parent input in certain situations, but they retain all decision-making authority. Some Common Consequences The following is a description of some of the consequences scholars may face if they make poor behavior choices. While we believe deeply in the power of positive reinforcement, we also believe that consequences have their role and are an important part of encouraging scholars to make more positive choices. Parents and scholars should understand that making up work or serving consequences after 3:26 pm daily is part of the regular program of the school, and the school expects cooperation from all parents to ensure that each scholar gets the help they need to succeed.  Detention – Scholars may earn detention for misbehavior during the previous day. New Haven scholars are responsible for transportation home when they are assigned to detention. Achievement First’s Approach to Discipline Achievement First has exceptionally high standards for student conduct because we believe these high standards create the safest, most positive, and most productive environment for our scholars. From the moment Achievement First scholars board their busses and all through the day, they will act in a way that befits an Achievement First scholar – respectful of themselves and others. This does not happen magically. It happens as a result of enormous planning, teaching, practice and reinforcement of positive behaviors. At Achievement First, much of the power of our culture is rooted in the clarity, consistency and rationale guiding our high expectations. Behavior expectations are common from classroom to classroom. For example, all AFAHS scholars come to school in their full uniform, including uniform bottoms, appropriate shoes, uniform shirt, and (for men) tie. We maintain this high expectation because we are committed to creating a professional learning environment and eliminating any competition that would distract scholars from their academic and social growth. Once inside our classrooms, all Achievement First scholars practice common courtesies (please, thank you, and proper greetings). They sit at their desks and utilize engaged posture i.e. not slouching. When they have ideas to share with the group and speak in “lecture hall” voices so that their thoughts are heard. We enforce these expectations because they are highly conducive to ensuring rigorous academic learning in our schools and success in college and beyond.