The entire staff has the goal of establishing an atmosphere throughout the school in which children will be safe, secure, happy, and in addition, have a maximum opportunity to learn. In an effort to accomplish this goal, we have developed school-wide behavior expectations. The plan specifies rules that cover the behaviors we expect from our students. The plan also states that students who break the rules will receive negative consequences, and students who follow rules will receive positive consequences. Our school-wide expectations and rules are listed for you.

  Each teacher is responsible for his/her own classroom discipline and has a similar plan for classroom behavior, a copy of which will be sent to you by your child’s teacher.

SCHOOL-WIDE EXPECTATIONS AND RULES ARE:

                3.         Respect God, respect yourself, respect others, respect property:

§        Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

§        Be attentive and ready to learn

§        Treat others as they would like to be treated.

2.         Do your best work.

            Be on your best behavior.

1.                  Only you can control you!!!!

DURING ASSEMBLIES

We walk quietly to and from assemblies.

We are mannerly and courteous while being seated and when leaving.

We are courteous to those seated around us.

We applaud by clapping only.

We come to the assemblies to learn and appreciate the work of others.

We do our best to contribute to discussions.

IN THE CAFETERIA

We enter and leave quietly.

We practice good table manners.

We have pleasant but quiet conversation at our table.

We wait for dismissal by the person in charge.

We keep the area clean and take our wrappers and empty bags to the dishwasher and garbage area.

We stand quietly when it is necessary to get in line.

We are always respectful to the cafeteria staff.

IN THE RESTROOMS

We keep our voices quiet.

We keep the restrooms clean.

We use paper towels as needed and then place them in the trash.

We do not use electric dryer unnecessarily.

AT THE DRINKING FOUNTAIN

We keep our hands to ourselves.

We leave spaces between us and stand quietly.

If there are long lines waiting, we take a short drink and give others a turn.

We remember the fountain is for drinking and not playing.

DURING EMERGENCY DRILLS

We follow appropriate procedure quickly and quietly.

We remain quiet and wait for further directions.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

We follow the uniform dress code.

We keep ourselves neat and clean.

We exercise good hygiene by brushing our teeth, washing our hands and face before coming to school.

We dress according to the weather.

We do not wear hats, tank tops, or sandals, etc… (see uniform guidelines)

ATTENDANCE AT SPORTS EVENTS/  EXTRACURRICULAR  ACTIVITIES

We do not hiss, boo, stomp, or use other degrading mannerisms at any time.

We cheer strongly for our team, but we do not distract the other team from doing their best.

We remember that anybody can win graciously, but it takes a real true sportsman to lose gracefully.

We do our best to stay in our seats and cheer our team.

We always make our guests welcome.

Once a child comes to an event, they are to stay in the gym/building. Unsupervised or disruptive students or adults can be asked to leave if behavior dictates.

Forms of Punishment

·        Verbal Warning - reprimanding the students in a respectful manner

·        Written assignments of a beneficial nature that are to be signed by the parents.

·        Detention -  During the recess or lunch period or before or after school hours.

·        Loss of classroom privileges (i.e., incentives, field trips, etc.).

·        Student, parent, teacher, and principal conference.

·        In school / Out of school suspension by decision of the principal.

·        Expulsion by the decision of the principal and pastor

Detention

Detention will be held on Thursday mornings from 7:15 – 8:00 AM. Students should enter the school through the cafeteria door. The teacher on duty will greet students in the cafeteria to check them in. If a student receives a detention (discipline, tardy, or dress code), he/she is expected to serve it the immediate Thursday.  Students are to report promptly at 7:15 AM and are expected to complete a “Detention Packet” of work. The assigned work will be collected by the teacher on duty and forwarded on to the classroom teacher to be placed in the student’s file.

 A student arriving late will be required to serve an additional detention the following week. Any student who does not report by 7:35 will be considered to have cut detention and will be issued a more severe consequence as determined by the principal. Detention takes precedence over any other commitment/responsibility.

            A student may not be excused from serving a detention unless an emergency arises; being inconvenienced or having car pool difficulties does not constitute emergencies. The request for reassigning the time to serve a detention must be made by the parent to the principal prior to the time the detention is to be served. If a student fails to serve the reassigned detention, the student will serve an

 In-School Detention  and receive zeros for any work missed in the regular classroom setting.

Expulsion

Severe cases of misconduct, habitual disrespect, and disruptive behavior may be handled with expulsion. The student may be suspended pending expulsion. In accordance with Archdiocesan policy, the outlined procedure will be followed in order to offer procedural due process appropriate to the degree of the penalty:

1.      A thorough investigation of the misconduct will be conducted by the principal.

2.      A notice in writing to the student and parents will list the charges, possible penalty, and offer an opportunity of a hearing within 10 days.

3.      An opportunity for a hearing before the principal will be offered which will provide, at minimum, a recitation of the charges and a presentation of the evidence. The presence of the parents is encouraged, but not mandatory.

4.      An opportunity for the student and/or parents to tell their side of the story, to present new evidence, and/or to question the reasons for the intended expulsion will be offered.

5.      A record of the hearing will be maintained.

6.      A written record of the fact, and decision of the intended expulsion will be prepared after the hearing.

7.      Written notification to the student and parents, detailing the findings of the hearing, final determination, and length and conditions of the expulsion, will be forwarded.

8.      The parents or student have the opportunity to appeal the decision relating to the expulsion to the pastor within 10 days following the action.

Action Occurring on School Grounds Which May Necessitate Suspension or Expulsion

a)     Arson                                                                    k) Possession or sale of alcohol, drugs,

b)  Assault / Battery                                                        or substances being portrayed as such

c)  Assault with a weapon

d) BULLYING                                                            l) Possession of a weapon or article

e)  disruption of school or programs                          perceived as a weapon

f)  Explosives or fireworks                                       m) Repeated or excessive use of profanity

g)  Fighting                                                                 n) Setting off fire alarms

h)  Improper sexual behavior                                   o) sexual harassment

i)Insubordination                                                        p) Theft/possession of stolen property

Intimidation, extortion, coercion,             q) Tobacco possession

  or threats of personal harm (**see below)      r) Trespassing in or at school

j)    Making bomb threats                                          s) vandalism

t) Gang-related activity or paraphernalia

u) Use of violence, force, threats, passive    resistance, or other comparable conduct constituting an interference with school purposes.

*Other signs or acts unnamed in the above list will be left to the discretion of the principal.

**Saint Mary’s has established a Threat Assessment Team to gather information, evaluate facts, and determine whether a student poses a threat of violence. If the inquiry indicates that a risk of violence exists, authorities collaborate with others to develop and implement a plan to manage or reduce the threat to maintain a safe school climate.

*Online internet BLOGS – Please know that if the school becomes aware that you have posted a derogatory message about yourself, other students, teachers, the school or others, or indicates that you are engaging in illegal or immoral activities or harassment of others, you will be subject to school discipline which could include suspension or expulsion from the school. This includes MySpace, FaceBook or any site that is similar.

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