Discipline Policies

Discipline

Discipline Policy

We are committed to the development of a Christian Community wherein all members, adults and children, are encouraged and supported in their growth toward fullness in the person of Christ. In an effort to make this growth a reality, the faculty and staff are dedicated to building an atmosphere conducive to this Christian development. At times, this requires positive encouragement and building of self-esteem. At other times, it demands assisting an individual or group to re-direct energies toward growth.

Purpose of discipline at St. Philomena School

    1. To provide an environment of Christian community, wherein growth and development of the person is made possible, stimulated, and encouraged.
    2. To provide an opportunity for the student to practice Christian ideals and attitudes.
    3. To assist students in the development of self-discipline, courtesy, and respect.
    4. To provide an atmosphere conducive to learning, wherein no one student or group of students deprives others of their right to learn.
    5. To promote respect and care within the student for himself/herself, for others in the school, and for members of society.

Appropriate behavior is defined as following three basic rules:

  • We respect self and others.
  • We respect and care for school and personal property.
  • We observe playground boundaries, lunchroom, library, and school safety rules.

Corporal Punishment

The use of corporal punishment in any form is prohibited at St. Philomena School. All school personnel exercise pastoral care in the discipline of a student, and will follow carefully articulated discipline procedures.

Disciplinary Actions

Where methods of positive reinforcement, motivation, and conferencing with students have not proved successful, or when seriously disruptive conduct has taken place, other actions may be necessary, some of which are defined below. Since building a Christian community demands that each individual be given the opportunity for personal growth, infringement of these rights will result in disciplinary action.

Discipline Policies

To be successful, it is imperative that all students follow school policy and guidelines. School rules governing conduct and discipline are to be interpreted to ensure an optimum learning atmosphere and create a climate in which each student has the maximum opportunity to learn.

The following are in addition to the rules covered in the St. Philomena School Handbook.

Basic school-wide rules:

  1. Students are to comply with every faculty and staff directive at all times.
  2. Students are to use an appropriate voice when speaking.
  3. Students are to keep hands, feet, and other body parts to themselves.
  4. Students are to speak respectfully to others (no profanity or name-calling).

Discipline procedures and policies:

Processing

After classroom warnings have been given, the student will receive a time-out or processing in another classroom. Students are to enter the assigned classroom in absolute silence, sit as directed, and complete the required processing form. This form must be completed within 5 minutes, at which time the student needs to return to their classroom with form in hand. (Processing in the specialist’s classroom may vary slightly.) Parent signatures are required on all processing forms.

Failure to complete form in an appropriate manner or if the form is not returned, a lunch detention will result. Being processed twice in one week will also result in a lunch detention.

  After School Detention   

After School Detention will be held Tuesday through Thursday from 3:10 – 3:40 for PreK- 4th grade students and 3:10 to 4:00 PM for 5th-8th grade students. Students receiving After School Detention are required to call home when the parent-signed detention slip is not returned. Teachers will escort students to the detention room which will be posted weekly. Students must fulfill their detention time before they can participate in an after-school club.

After School Detention may result from, but is not limited to, the following:

· Gum chewing/spitting

· Inappropriate language

· Inappropriate Mass behavior

Wednesday School

Dr. Morissette will run Wednesday School Detention once each week from 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM. Major offenses (as found in the school handbook) as well as the following will result in Wednesday school:

· Two after-school detentions (the third resulting in Wednesday school)

· Harassment

· Fighting (includes play fighting)

· Cell phone use (phone will be confiscated)

· Serious offenses (such as those requiring a referral to the school office)

DISCIPLINE REGULATIONS

The rules of a school, governing all conduct and discipline, are in-place to insure an optimum learning atmosphere in the classroom. “Optimum learning atmosphere” shall be defined as the climate in which each student has the maximum opportunity to learn. Conduct of students that interferes with that climate should be kept at an absolute minimum as determined by the classroom teacher. Students are to comply with rules established for the governing of the school.

The principal reserves the right to waive and/or deviate from any and all disciplinary regulations for just cause at his discretion.

In-School Suspension

Two Wednesday-school infractions for behavioral reasons in a trimester will result in an in-school suspension and the implementation of a behavior contract. The student will not be allowed to return to class until a conference is held with the parents, student, teacher(s), and principal. Extreme or serious behaviors can result in an immediate suspension. Persistent and serious offenders may be asked to withdraw from St. Philomena School.

Out-of-School Suspension

A student may be placed on suspension for serious misconduct that is detrimental to the school or the school’s reputation on or off campus, during a school or parish sponsored activity, that happens off school grounds, or for continued misconduct after being placed on probation. A student may be suspended for a single serious offense, repeated infractions of the rules, or for the repeated disregard for the general good of the school.

A student may be removed from the school building for a period of time (not to exceed 10 school days) pending an investigation of the circumstances and a conference with the student, parents or guardian, teacher(s), and principal. A second suspension for the same or similar infractions may cause the student to be expelled. A psychological evaluation including a risk assessment of the student may be required as part of the documentation steps of a suspension, probation, or expulsion case.

Expulsion

Expulsion is the most drastic course of action for repeated or serious violations of school rules. Expulsion is a serious process and follows the steps outlined under suspension unless the seriousness of the circumstances necessitates immediate action. In cases of expulsions, parents and/or students have the right to request an appeal. The information for due process is available to those concerned in the Archdiocesan Policy Handbook. This handbook is kept on file for reference in the school office.

Due Process

The principal has the right, if necessary, to exclude a student from all school activities during the time of due process. If a student has been expelled from the school, the parents/guardians may request a hearing from the school. If a hearing is requested, the school must be notified within five school days after the parents/guardians have received notification of the student’s required expulsion. If a reply is not received within this five-day period, the hearing is waived and the expulsion from St. Philomena School is final.

If a hearing is requested, it is held within five school days of receiving such a request. The hearing committee will consist of the pastor or his designee, the principal, and a designated teacher. The final decision of the hearing committee will be submitted to the parents/guardians within five days of the hearing. The decision of the hearing committee is final.

Behavioral Contracts

A student is placed on a behavioral contract when there is a persistent issue with conduct. The school administration will determine when a student is placed on a behavioral contract. A written contract is drawn up by the school and presented to the student and their parents at a conference. The behavioral contract will state specific areas where growth is needed, and will provide specific directions in terms of negative and positive reinforcement.

Detrimental Conduct

A student who engages in conduct detrimental to the school’s reputation, whether on or off school grounds, can be subject to suspension or expulsion.