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Parent/Student Expectations/Discipline 

 
 
 

Discipline
The purpose of discipline is to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.  Discipline is an aspect of moral guidance and not a form of punishment.  The purpose of discipline is four-fold:

  • To provide a classroom and school environment conducive to learning
  • To help students develop a sense of responsibility and self-control
  • To foster our values as a Catholic, Christian community
  • To nurture the formation of conscience

It is our intent to maintain the dignity of the student in the process of disciplining.  Generally, when teachers and students mutually identify classroom standards, and post for all to see, students are most helpful in maintaining a positive, cooperative climate in the classroom and other places throughout the school.  If a student does act out, he/she will be talked to and/or given an appropriate consequence.  If efforts to improve behavior are not heeded, parents will be called for a conference with teachers and student.  We rely on, and believe in the good will of our students to treat each other with respect, to reverence the property and goods given to them, and to desire to become the best one can be.  Children want to do the right thing…..most of the time!  In the event a student makes poor choices, unacceptable to a teacher, the administration and/or our school policies and standards, he/she may incur a consequence more serious than a “talking to” or any other typically used response to minor inappropriate behavior. 

 

Participation in a Catholic school is a privilege, not a right.  Students must accept responsibility for their actions, and work to uphold the standards, policies, rules, and spirit the school promotes.  The faculty will work to encourage and inspire a student to become their best selves, including positive follow-up with a student after he/she has incurred a consequence.  It is our hope that every student cooperate in the social milieu which encompasses the Catholic school. ^

 

Custodial/Non-Custodial Parents                                                                                                                                                                                    

In the case of divorce or separation, the school must not be placed in the middle of any feuding.  The school will act within the parameters of the law and in the best interest of the child at all times.  Any legal orders giving specific direction to the needs of your child must be filed in the school office in order to carry out specific directions.  ^

 
General Behavior Expectations

1.      Students will show courtesy and respect to all adults, students, and visitors.

2.      Students will respect other students’ property.

3.      Students will keep classrooms, school facilities, books, and materials in order and treat them with respect.

4.      Students will follow established classroom rules and procedures.

5.      Students will wear the correct uniform.

6.      Students will be on time for school and classes.

7.      Students will come to class prepared with all the necessary materials, including homework.

8.      Students will not have gum at school

9.      Students will walk quietly when they enter or leave school buildings, halls, or classrooms.

10.  Students will show appropriate response to requests for correcting behavior.

11.  Students will not have cell phones, CD players, electronic games, etc., during the school day.

12.  Students will observe all other classroom rules.

 

 

GENERAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1.     Students will be attentive and quiet while the teacher is teaching or others are speaking.

2.     Students must have the teacher’s permission to leave the classroom.

3.     Students will be tolerant and respectful of other’s ideas.

4.     Students will try hard, regardless of their capabilities.

5.     Students will use polite language.

6.     Students will complete homework assignments on time.

7.     Students will speak respectfully to the teacher at all times.^

 

ST. CLARE STUDENTS STAND OUT AND SHINE!

Conduct Slip

A conduct slip is a means of communication to parents for a minor behavior or procedure problem.  Minor infractions require a conduct slip.  This form lists when, where, and what kind of behavior was exhibited.  The student takes the form home for a parent signature.  Accumulation of three conduct slips results in a Second Step after-school session.  Further accumulation of conduct slips requires more serous intervention that may include a disciplinary referral, a parent-teacher conference, or a parent-teacher-principal conference.  Examples of behavior or procedure problems include, but are not limited to:

CONDUCT SLIP

 

Name_______________________              Grade ______         Teacher__________________              Date __________

 

Where?

 Classroom                    Hallway                           Stairway                            Cafeteria                         Gym

 Church                          Computer Lab                Playground                      Library                            Music Rm.

                                                                             

What?

 Talking out in class                                  Inappropriate/disrespectful language                           Not seated

 Unprepared for class                                Gum chewing                                                                     Disruptive

 Teasing/name calling                               Physical fighting                                                               Other:

 Tardy for class                                          Cafeteria problem                                                              Out of Uniform                                                                                                                                                      Passing Notes                         

Specifics:

 

Parent Signature __________________________________

 

Please return by ____________________

 ^

 

DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL (Results in Second Step After-School Session)

A Disciplinary Referral (DR) is a means of communication to parents for a serious behavior infraction.  This form outlines the infraction and indicates the actions taken by the teacher or principal as well as the consequence of the infraction.  This form requires the principal’s signature and goes home for parent signature.  It is then placed on file in the office. 

 

Examples of serious behavior infractions include, but are not limited to:

                           Bullying                                 Speaking disrespectfully to a teacher/other adult

                           Stealing                                 Causing physical harm to another student

                           Vandalism                             Physical fighting

                           Substance Use                       Sexual Harassment

 

DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL

 

Student ________________________               Grade ____           Date _______        Referring Teacher ___________

Description of Incident:

 

Action Taken:

 

Conference requested by principal?                  Yes          Not at this time               No. of referrals to date _______

 

Student’s signature ______________________________                      Date ____________

 

Parent’s Signature ______________________________                        Date ____________

Principal’s Signature_____________________________                        Date____________

Parent’s Comment:

 

SECOND STEP AFTER-SCHOOL SESSION

A Second Step After-School Session will be assigned for accumulating three conduct slips or as a consequence for a disciplinary referral.  Sessions are served after school on Thursdays.  During the session the student will write an explanation regarding the offensive behavior and the actions the student will take to improve his or her behavior.  This explanation will go home for a parent signature.

 

SECOND STEP REFLECTION

 

Name _____________________      Homeroom Teacher____________________        Date_______

 

REASON FOR CORRECTION

  Inappropriate behavior                                             Demonstrating disrespect for self and/or others

  Tardy for class                                                         Repeated disruption of class

  Repeated speaking out in class                                 Unsafe behavior

  Disturbing other students                                          Damage to textbook or other school property

  Gum/candy in school w/o teacher permission            Other ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Answer the following questions neatly using blue or black ink.  The answers will be read by teachers and/or principal.  They will be kept on file and can be shared with your parents, if necessary.  Answer each question with no less than one paragraph. Use your best handwriting, spelling and grammar.

 

1.      Describe, in detail, the circumstances that lead to this misbehavior.

2.      How does this behavior affect me and others?  Consider other students, teachers, parents, etc.

3.      Why is this behavior unacceptable at school?  (Be detailed)

4.      What can you do in the future to keep from repeating this misbehavior? (Be specific.)

5.      What should the teachers know that would help us understand why you behaved this way?  How can we better help you to avoid this misbehavior?

 

Student Signature ____________________________________      Date __________________________

 

Teacher/Principal Action Taken:

 

Parent Contact Made?    Yes          No

 

Comments

 

Teacher Signature ___________________________________       Date _________^

 

Corporal Punishment/Physical Restraint
Corporal punishment (the willful infliction of, or willfully causing the infliction of, physical pain on a student) will not be used as a means of student discipline.

 

There are times, however, when physical restraint may be necessary.  Oregon law and the policy of the Archdiocese does permit a teacher, administrator, school employee or school volunteer to use reasonable physical force upon a student when and to the extent the individual reasonably believes it necessary to maintain order in the school or classroom or at a school activity or event, whether or not it is held on school property or not.  ^ 

 

Suspension
Suspension may be invoked for a sufficient reason.  Students will be released only to parent or guardian in case of suspension.  The principal determines suspension, the temporary prohibition of a student’s attendance.  The suspension can be in school or at home, and should not exceed five days.  Parents will be notified by phone or in writing stating the reason for the suspension and how long the suspension will last.  Students returning from a suspension may do so only after a conference with the principal, teachers, and parents, and only after signing a contract agreeing to specific terms in order to remain in school.   Generally, students who have received a suspension make every effort to improve their behavior and attitude.^

 

CLASS EXCLUSION

Class exclusion is a method of disciplinary action that denies a disruptive student the ability to attend a particular class for a period of two days or less.  During this time of exclusion, the student is expected to work on classroom assignments while under the supervision of other teachers or staff members.  The purpose of class exclusion is to place mildly disruptive students for short periods of time, in an appropriate, supervised, in-school environment where student learning can continue.  In implementing class exclusion action, teachers and principal shall arrange, in advance, cooperative plans in dealing with disruptive students who are to be excluded from class.  ^

 

Expulsion
Expulsion is the permanent exclusion of a student from a school.  The expulsion of a student’s enrollment is a most serious matter, and should be invoked rarely and only as a last resort.  St. Clare School follows Archdiocesan policy in the matter of suspension/expulsion.  Parents and students may request from the principal to see further details about suspension/expulsion procedures according to Archdiocesan policy.

 

Full credit will be given for all work accomplished by the student up to the date of expulsion.

 

Reasons for suspension/expulsion may include, but are not limited to the following offenses:

 

Acts which endanger the moral, academic, or physical well-being of the student body, such as, but not limited to:

·        Actions gravely detrimental to the moral and spiritual welfare of other students

·        Assault, battery, or any threat of force or violence directed toward any school personnel or student

·        Actions which are inappropriate and/or detrimental to the physical well-being of other students

·        Habitual profanity or vulgarity

 

Prolonged and open disregard for school authority, such as, but not limited to:

·        Open, persistent defiance of the authority of the teacher

·        Continued willful disobedience

 

Illegal acts as defined by law, such as, but not limited to:

·        Use, sale, or possession of narcotics

·        Use, sale, or possession of any alcohol for beverage purposes on or near school premises

·        Smoking or having tobacco

·        Stealing

·        Willful cutting, defacing, or otherwise injuring in any way property, real or person, belonging to the school

·        Habitual truancy

·        Arson: The intentional setting of fire to property or facilities

·        Assault: Physical violence to persons

·        Burglary: Stealing of personal or public property

·        Drugs: Sale, use, or possession of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs

·        Explosives: Use of possession of any kinds of explosive on school property or at school-sponsored events^ 

 

Weapons Policy
Any student in possession of a weapon will be expelled from the school.^

 

Leaving school grounds during school day
No student may leave the school grounds during school hours without the permission of the principal and written authorization of parents or guardian.^ 

 

Search and Seizure
Lockers, desks, and personal belongings are subject to search at any time by school administration or teachers.  This is for the protection of students and school employees.  Lockers, desks, and any other storage areas at the school remain in the possession and control of the school even though they are made available or assigned for student use. ^ 

 

Complaint/Issue Resolution
Constructive criticism is always welcome when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the educational program. Please be as courteous to the teacher as you would expect him/her to be to you.  Questioning the teacher’s authority is not helpful in front of the child.  If you have a disagreement, please request an interview with the teacher privately.  If you are dissatisfied after this conference, you may ask for the principal to mediate.  Finally if the concern is still unresolved, the pastor may be contacted.  Please try to be open to both sides of the story if a problem arises.  Perception differences and information reported incorrectly can lead to unnecessary confrontations with the teacher.  Modeling good problem solving skills and reconciliation are part of your child’s education.  Such modeling must come from parents and teachers.^ 

 

Family-School Cooperation/Removal of Students Resulting from Parental Attitude
Under normal circumstances a student should not be deprived of a Catholic education on grounds relating to the attitude of the parents.  Nevertheless, if a situation arises in which the uncooperative or destructive attitude of parents so diminishes the effectiveness of the school, that family may be asked to withdraw from the school.  ^