Discipline - Student Rules
As a Catholic school, our standards and requirements are intended to promote character building, as well as to provide a framework for smooth organizational functioning. In order to accomplish the objectives of the instructional program, it is necessary for students to respect and cooperate with the principal, teachers, supervisory personnel, other students and to observe school regulations. We aim to provide an environment that is conducive to learning through the establishment and maintenance of an effective discipline program.
Blessed Sacrament School has adopted a positive discipline approach in regards to student conduct. Students are encouraged in various ways to observe the school rules and show respect for others. The consequences for students who choose not to observe the school rules are clearly spelled out to students in advance.
Recognition
Students who observe the school rules and show respect for others may be recognized in the following ways: within each classroom, teachers have devised methods for encouraging good student conduct. Students may receive positive note and rewards for displaying good conduct.
Student of the Month
Each month, a student from each class is selected to be Student of the Month on the basis of good conduct, effort and grades. These students receive a certificate.
If a child is tardy more than five times a month, he/she will not be eligible to be chosen Student of the Month.
Awards Assembly
At the end of the school year, students in each grade are recognized for their good conduct and effort.
More than this, we recognize the importance of being good because it is the right thing to do. If Christ is our model, then we must strive in every way to be like Him. We are then taught to respect others at all times.
Consequences
Students who fail to observe the school rules are immediately corrected by the teacher or other school personnel and asked to change the behavior. Students who fail to change a behavior or continue to break a school rule may receive a conduct referral.
The following stages list the consequences of not following school and classroom rules:
First time: Warning
Second time: Parent Conference
Third time: Suspension
Fourth time: Expulsion
Responsibilities
Students are responsible for observing the following:
1. Students are to respect themselves and others in their words and actions. Keep your hands to yourselves. Absolutely NO fighting, bad language or name-calling will be allowed at school. Never take anything that does not belong to you. Return all found items to the School Office or to a teacher.
2. Students are to follow the direction of ANY teacher or school personnel during school hours. Follow the direction of any teacher the first time it is given. Observe all classroom rules.
3. Students are to complete all assigned work. Turn in all assignments on time. Incomplete assignments should be made up.
4. Students are to pick up after themselves. NEVER leave trash in the schoolyard. Always eat your lunch and snacks in the table area. Do not bring food or drinks onto the playground. You may not leave the lunch table during lunch until you are dismissed.
5. Students are to observe quiet in the school building. Absolutely NO running in hallways, up, down and on the stairs. No jumping in the hallways, no sliding on the hand rails, no playing or loud noises in the school building. Respect other classes and people in the office by going to and from your class quietly.
6. Students are to come to the school in uniform and keep themselves neat. Observe all the rules that pertain to the uniform.
7. Students are to remain in the yard during recess time. No loitering in the hallways or in the school office. If you need to use the restroom, you must ask permission from one of the yard supervisors.
8. Students may NOT leave the school grounds without permission.
9. Students are to care for all school property. Do not mark or damage any school property. All hardback books should be appropriately covered. Damaged school or library books will require a fine for the cost of the book.
10. Students are to go to the correct area at dismissal time. If you are picked up by car, you must sit at the lunch table area until you are picked up. If you walk home, you may not exit through the front doors near the school office. You may not leave the school grounds and return after school.
Attendance
Parents of Seventh and Eighth Grade students are to notify the school office by telephone the day of each absence and state the reason. A note should be sent with every student the day following an absence.
Tardiness
Students are considered tardy if he/she is not in line at assembly when the bell rings at 8:30 a.m. Tardiness is recorded daily. Any student who is tardy three (3) times in a month will not be considered for Student of the Month. The principal will call home to make sure that continuing tardiness shall not occur. Students who continue to be tardy may be kept for detention or cleaning of the school grounds.
Detention
Any student who receives a detention has a right to be heard regarding the detention. "A Christian due process model which requires that students at least be given notice (that is, what you did wrong) and a hearing (a chance to present his/her side) before the teacher, before punishment is imposed, is in order." (Catholic Schools and Law - Shaughnessy)."
The teacher on supervision must take attendance in the book provided.
The teacher will also prepare a letter to be sent home to the parent, which is found at the front of the book. The Attendance Book and the letters must be given to the Principal on Wednesday morning. The student will have to make up a detention the following week. Students who do not make up a detention at that time may forfeit recess, or lunch for two or more days and be asked to sit in front of the office during that time.
If a student receives three detentions within one quarter, the teacher is to notify the principal on the form provided in the Detention Book or the Appendix. At this time, the homeroom teacher will arrange a meeting with a Discipline Board. Members of the Board will be the Principal, two teachers, and a member of the Student Council. Together they will determine a plan of improvement. A letter will be sent home to the parents after this meeting. The teacher will send a weekly report for four weeks. If the student receives a fourth detention, she/he will be suspended for one day. Continued discipline problems may result in probation.
Students who abuse the above rules or who abuse any of the suspendable offenses outlined in the Administrative Handbook are subject to suspension or expulsion from school.
Teachers are responsible for the following:
1. Teachers in Grades 4-8 will supervise detention. It is the responsibility of the supervising teacher to notify the parents in due time.
2. The teacher on supervision shall send a messenger to the office to notify the secretary and the principal of those who are serving detention.
3. It is the responsibility of the homeroom teacher to remind students of their detention.
4. All students who have received a detention will report to the assigned teacher's classroom.
5. The record will be kept on file in the office. The teacher supervising detention must record the student's names using the following symbols: = (in attendance); NS (no show); and AB (absent).
6. The supervising teacher will prepare a letter to be sent to the parent. A copy of the letter must be given to the principal on or before the morning of the detention.
7. The supervising teacher will make a list of any students who have served three (3) detentions in one quarter on the appropriate form.
8. Any student who cannot attend detention must have a WRITTEN excuse from a parent.
9. During detention, students are to answer the following questions on a piece of paper:
a. What happened to bring your here?
b. Is that behavior helping you?
c. Do you want to do something about it?
d. What do you do well to gain recognition?The supervising teacher will then discuss each student's answers with him/her and individually help the student work out a written plan to improve his/her behavior. The student and teacher will sign and date the plan.
10. Detention takes precedence over athletic events. Any team member who receives detention the week of a game may not play in the game that week. They may go to the practice after detention. The homeroom teacher who will have a players' roster must notify the principal of team member detentions.
11. Detention is served between 3:10 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. (30 minutes)
The following disciplinary measure are FORBIDDEN:
1. Corporal punishment defined as "any touch that can be construed as punitive," including shaking or slapping.
2. Harassment, i.e., language which is sarcastic or may bring ridicule to a student, his/her parent, background, etc. (see Appendix for Archdiocesan policy).
3. Sending a student outside the classroom to the corridor, a lower class, etc., where instruction is missed and supervision is absent. (In extreme cases, students may be sent to the office with a written explanation signed by the teacher).
4. Requiring a student to remain in the classroom during recess or lunch
5. Using religious actions, "standards" or important class assignemtns as punitive measures
6. Withholding or altering rightfully earned academic marks
7. Bizarre and unusual punishments
8. Fines where no destruction of property is involved.
Conduct Referrals
By issuing above models, it is hoped that there will be less of a need for detentions. However, there are times when students CHOOSE not to accept these responsibilities and inhibit the educational atmosphere. At these times, a student may receive a conduct referral, detention or suspension.
Conduct referral will be given to a student who is exhibiting on-going behavior, which is disrupting the teacher and the learning of others. A notice will be sent home which the parents are asked to sign so that the student may attend class the following day. The parent(s) or the teacher may desire a follow-up conference. This referral will not affect a student's conduct grade. It is a means of informing parents that their child needs to improve his/her general demeanor in class.
Suspension
Reasons for expulsion with mitigating circumstances are reasons for suspension:
1. In no case will a teacher on his/her own authority expel or suspend a student.
2. No student shall be suspended from an elementary school for more than two consecutive weeks.
3. Notice of Suspension shall be given to the parents or guardian by telephone, mail or other appropriate method advising of the fact of the suspension, its duration and the reasons. Parents will meet with the principal to discuss matters pertinent to the suspension BEFORE the student may re-enter the class.
4. If requested, the suspended student may also be present and may present informal proof of his/her side of the case.
Expulsion
Reasons for expulsion are (but not limited to) the following offenses committeed by the pupils:
1. Conduct, whether inside or outside of school detrimental to the reputation of the school.
2. Actions gravely detrimental to the moral and spiritual welfare of other pupils.
3. Immorality in talk or action inside or outside of school.
4. Habitual profanity or vulgarity.
5. Assault, batter or any threat of force or violence, directed toward any school personnel or pupils.
6. Open, persistent, defiance of the authority of the teacher.
7. Continued and willful disobedience.
8. Use, sale or possession of narcotics.
9. Use, sale distribution or possession of any alchohol on or near school premises.
10. Smoking or having tobacco on school premises.
11. Stealing.
12. Willful cutting, defacing or otherwise injuring in any way propoerty, real or personal, belonging to the school.
13. Habitual truancy.
14. Possession of harmful weapons or materials that can be used as weapons.
15. Involvement in gang related activities on or off campus.
16. Any student who is accused of felony may, at the direction of the principal, be placed on home study until the issue is resolved.
Written Records (Anecdotal Records)
Teachers must keep anecdotal records of students who exhibit potential behavior problems. This documentation must include dates of offenses, dates on which parents were contacted, and dates and results of parent conferences. Teachers shouls also indicate what measures were taken in then classroom to correct behavior. These records are to be kept confidential.
THE PRINCIPAL IS THE FINAL RECOURSE IN ALL DISCIPLINE MATTERS AND CAN, WITH JUST CAUSE, WAIVE ANY DISCIPLINE REGULATION.
Abuse towards Teachers
Any parent, guardian or other person who upbraids, insults or abuses any teacher of the school in the presence or hearing of a pupil is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Student Threats/Bullying Policies
Blessed Sacrament School needs your help in keeping the school safe for everyone. Blessed Sacrament School will take seriously all threats to inflict serious harm to others. The school will respond to any statements or behaviors of a threatening nature, any behaviors by any individuals that might pose a threat to the well being of students, staff or others and any weapon possession. Blessed Sacrament School has an obligation to keep our school safe and will take this matter seriously. This is not an area for practical jokes or offhand comments, as recent events demonstrate the importance of investigating thoroughly all potential concerns. If you become aware of a threatening situation, you must immediately report it to a teacher or the principal.
If a Blessed Sacrament student is found to exhibit bullying behavior the student will be suspended/expelled. (See Section re Discipline/Student Rules).
Crank Phone Calls
Any student who makes a crank call from the pay phone or a cell phone at the school to 911 will be responsible for the $500.00 fine imposed by the Police/Fire Department for such calls.
For more information, please call (323) 467-4177