Code of Conduct

Discipline Policy

A positive and preventative approach to discipline shall be used to promote and encourage student responsibility, self control and self esteem at St. Thomas School.

This Code of Conduct shall emphasize a positive disciplinary philosophy and contains general school rules and procedures for rewards and consequences. The administrator and faculty will review this Code of Conduct as needed.

Discipline Philosophy

The root of the word discipline is disciple. We believe every disciplinary situation is an opportunity to teach positive, Christian behavior. We believe that students, teachers, parents and others in Catholic schools should respect each other because they respect Jesus who lives in them. We will encourage children to join with others to respect and show justice to one another. We believe in developing self-control in students through discipline that is positive, consistent, and fair according to the needs of each child. Central to this idea is the constant reminder that the students are expected to act in ways reflective of our Christian community, and which foster a positive learning environment.

The basic rules of Christian Conduct include:

  1. Respecting the rights and property of others.
  2. That everyone should be accepted equally and treated with respect and friendliness regardless of their differences.
  3. All students and staff members have a right to personal safety and freedom to learn.
  4. Showing respect to the rightful authority and obeying the school rules.

Rewards

Rewards are a natural outgrowth of positive living. In order to express appreciation for positive behavior at school, we make many attempts to recognize and reward students in many of the following ways: positive praise and feedback, stickers, bookmarks, awards, classroom parties, classroom auction, publishing names and pictures, extra recess times, positive parent phone calls, etc.

In earlier grades it is important that children experience these rewards in very concrete (extrinsic) ways. As they grow older it is important to shift the focus from the concrete or extrinsic rewards to the internal (intrinsic) rewards -- that feeling we experience for a job well done. For this reason it is common practice in schools to see less focus on concrete rewards like stickers and parties in the upper grades. However, we realize the need for recognition is important to all of us, even as adults. As a result, rewards in the upper grades will most often be in the form of praise, kind words, positive parent phone calls, a pat on the back, publishing names and pictures, etc.

We believe the more students are recognized and praised for positive behavior, the more students will repeat this behavior.

Consequences

In most disciplinary situations, the general procedure follows:

Step 1
Warning given to student by adult supervisor (teacher, principal, playground supervisors).
Step 2
If inappropriate behavior continues a reasonable consequence will follow (determined by the adult supervisor).
Step 3
If continued misbehavior occurs, the adult supervisor will assign a consequence and contact the parents with a concise explanation of the behavior and the consequences. Parents are expected to support and cooperate with the adult supervisor in carrying out the consequences. (Parents are strongly encouraged to carry out additional consequences at home.)
Step 4
If misbehavior continues after the above steps, the matter will be brought to the attention of the principal. The principal will either communicate with the parent(s) by phone or will provide a concise description of the student's behavior to parents to be signed and returned to school by the student. The student will be required to create a plan for improvement. The plan will be distributed to all appropriate teachers.

Students may skip Steps 1-3 in situations where a supervisor determines that misbehavior is serious and falls into one or more of the following categories: Dangerous, Disrespectful or Defiant. The student will be sent to the principal and will begin on Step 4.
Step 5
A conference will be held with parents, teachers, student, and principal present. Student will formulate a new plan for improvement. The plan will be distributed to all appropriate teachers.
Step 6
If above fails, failure to follow school rules and regulations will result in suspension or expulsion.

Detentions

Detentions are special disciplinary sessions with either the student's teacher or principal. Specific work is assigned for the detention period. Notice will be given on the day of detention. Should it be necessary for your child to serve an after school detention, your cooperation in arranging transportation will be necessary. If it is not possible for the parents to make appropriate arrangements, the detention may be served on the following day.

In-House Suspension

A teacher may remove a student form class to a place designated by the principal when grossness of the offense, the persistence of the misbehavior, or the disruptive effect of the violation make the continued presence of the student intolerable. Removal of a student from class is considered serious. The teacher will contact the parent regarding this action.

Full-Day In-House Suspension

The principal will call the student's parents to arrange the next possible day for In-House Suspension. The student will be provided space at school and the principal will require a parent or relative to accompany that student for the day or reimburse the school 50% of the substitute teacher fee.

Suspension

The school will not tolerate conduct that endangers the moral and/or physical well-being of the student body or staff, or conduct that is in open disregard for school authority. The school realizes its obligation to the students and will extend reasonable effort to assist students to adjust to the social and academic requirements of the school environment. When it becomes necessary to separate a student from the school setting for a specific period of time the following procedure will be carried out by the principal:

  1. The principal will contact the parent at the time of the suspension. The parents will be required to come to school, meet with the principal and accept the responsibility of their child for the duration of the suspension.
  2. The suspended student will be afforded the opportunity to state his/her account of the incident which caused the suspension.
  3. Parents will receive in writing the criteria involving the out of school suspension. This criteria will include the specific reason for the suspension and the length of the suspension and/or conditions for its termination.
  4. The student will be expected to complete all assignments during the suspension. Assignments will be turned in to the principal or teacher upon student's return to school.

Expulsion

Expulsion, the permanent exclusion of a student from school occurs only when the principal judges that the pattern of misbehavior has been a consistent choice of the student involved and every reasonable opportunity has been granted for the student to change the inappropriate behavior(s).

Expulsion is rare and adequate warning will be given to the student and his/her parents.

The principal is the final recourse in all disciplinary situations and may waive any disciplinary rule for just cause at his or her discretion.

Parent Communication/Problem Solving Process

The Education Commission of St. Thomas School envisions a form of team work to carry out the spiritual mission of all our students. Parents are encouraged to work toward resolving problems or disagreements with the appropriate staff member by ordinary methods.

Before a grievance can be initiated the parents must take the following steps: If the parent(s) has a school-related issue/problem, he/she will discuss it with the staff member promptly. If the meeting is not successful, the matter shall be orally discussed with the principal.

If the matter is of such a serious nature that the parent cannot address the issue with the person directly, (e.g., verbal or physical abuse, etc.) it may be brought directly to the principal. In the event the complaint is regarding the principal, the parent should discuss it with the principal and, if necessary, bring it to the attention of the President of the Education Commission.

Grievance Procedure

  1. If the matter is not resolved within 10 working days after the meeting with the principal described above, a written description of the issue(s) and steps/actions taken to date should be submitted to the President of the Education Commission.
  2. The President shall respond by written acknowledgment to parent(s) with suggestions for resolution or advising further action if necessary. All written correspondence will be documented and filed.
  3. If parent(s) wishes to pursue the matter after receiving the response from the President, the parent should refer the matter to the Pastor either verbally or in writing.

All parties agree that these proceedings shall be kept as confidential as may be appropriate at any level of the procedure.

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