The Cardinal Way
Be Respectful.
Be Responsible.
Be Safe.
At East Cleveland City Schools, The Cardinal Way is more than a slogan — it's how our students learn to navigate school and community life. As part of our districtwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system, The Cardinal Way teaches behavioral expectations with the same intentionality we bring to academics. Just as we teach math, reading, and science, we teach students how to behave, how to cope with challenges, and what's expected of them in the school environment.
What Is The Cardinal Way?
The Cardinal Way is the heart of the East Cleveland City Schools. It is the way all Cardinals learn, connect, build relationships, read, write, support, think, problem solve and act in the community. The Cardinal Way references the life we are helping students earn and way of life.
Be Respectful
toward themselves, their peers, staff, and their school community
Be Responsible
for their choices, their work, and their impact on others
Be Safe
in every space, every day
Student Expectations -
Where & When
Classrooms
Be Respectful
- Listen attentively & speak when it’s your turn
- Use positive language
Respect self, others & property - Follow cell phone policy
Be Responsible
- Be on time and seated when the bell rings
- Have all required materials and be ready to learn
- Be in dress code
Be Safe
-
Use furniture, equipment and supplies appropriately
-
Follow all safety procedures
-
Keep all objects and body parts to yourself
-
Sanitize hands upon entering
Hallways and Stairways
Be Respectful
- Use positive language
- Keep halls neat and clean
- Listen to all adults and follow the directives of all adults
Be Responsible
- Walk quietly and directly to your destination
- Have a pass during instructional time
- Go to lockers at assigned times only
- Use time wisely
Be Safe
- Walk on the right side
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
- Be aware of personal space and respect boundaries
- Use fixtures as they were designed
Offices
Be Respectful
- Use appropriate voice level and tone
- Use positive language
- Interact with everyone respectfully
Be Responsible
- Check in with office staff
- Accept responsibility for your actions without argument
Be Safe
- Maintain safe social distance
Restrooms
Be Respectful
- Respect the space, privacy and property of others
Use appropriate voice level and tone
Be Responsible
- Keep all surfaces clean
- Report any concerns to teachers/administrators
Be Safe
- Flush toilet, wash hands with soap for 20 seconds, and
put all trash in proper receptacles - Keep hands, feet and objects to self
- Report all serious problems to an adult immediately
Cafeteria
Be Respectful
- Use positive language
- Interact respectfully with everyone
Be Responsible
- Use appropriate voice level and tone
- Raise your hand if you need assistance
- Dispose of food in the proper receptacles
Be Safe
- Enter and exit in an orderly manner
- Keep hands, feet and objects to self
- Wash hands with soap for 20 second or use hand sanitizer before and after eating lunch
- Stay in designated area
Arrival & Departure
Be Respectful
- Be cooperative and respectful when entering and exiting the building
Be Responsible
- Remain in designated area
- Come on time and prepared to learn
- Enter and depart at designated time, through assigned doors only.
Be Safe
- Cooperate with security, enter and exit through assigned doors only.
- Leave school immediately after dismissal
- Walk or ride bikes on sidewalks and in crosswalks
Assemblies
Be Respectful
- Listen attentively and participate appropriately
- Follow directions the first time given
- Be Courteous
Be Responsible
- Report to events in a safe and orderly fashion with an adult
- Exercise patience and cooperation
Be Safe
- Enter & exit in an orderly fashion
- Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
- Use school property as intended
Family Resources
M.T.T.S. Explained
Multi-Tierd System of Supports
MTSS is the process of maximizing learning for ALL students by efficiently matching student needs to instruction through the systematic use of assessment data in the collaborative problem-solving process.
Behavior - PBIS, executive function, SEL, trauma-informed practices, restorative practices, character education, culturally responsive teaching and more.
Academic - research-based core instruction, Science of Reading, literacy, reading, writing, and more.
Tier 3
Few Students
Tier 2
Some Students
Tier 1
All Students
Tier 3 - Individual
Individualized intensive support
Tier 2 - Small Groups
- Small-group intervention
- Additional supports
Tier 1 - All Students
- High-quality instruction
- Schoolwide supports
What is a Layered Continuum of Supports?
Tier 1
UNIVERSAL layer of support for ALL students and consists of high-quality classroom instruction provided by highly trained and qualified personnel. Layered by adding additional supports as needed.
Tier 2
TARGETED layer of support for SOME students that consists of supplemental academic and behavioral supports provided in addition to core high-quality instruction.
Tier 3
INTENSIVE layer of support for FEW students and consists of the most intensive, targeted instruction and intervention specifically designed to meet the individual academic and behavioral needs of students.
Parents Should Ask
- What supports take place for my child in the classroom (Tier I)?
- What will be done during intervention time?
- Who will carry out my child’s interventions?
- How often will my child receive intervention?
- How will my child’s progress be monitored?
- When will I be updated on the results of the intervention(s)?
- How can I support my child at home?
- Are there any resources available?
- Does my child qualify for any accommodations in the classroom? On testing?
Additional Tips
- Get to know you child’s teacher(s), administrators, and intervention team
- Contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns that you have.
- Have a clear understanding of grade-level benchmarks and what you can do to support learning at home.
- Attend conferences and meetings.
- Communicate what works/does not work at home
- Be open to recommendations.
