Discipline Policy

General Discipline Policy

A spirit of Christ-like charity, respect for authority and mutual cooperation are essential elements to the learning environment at Sacred Heart School. Students are expected to act with courtesy and respect toward one another and toward all members of the staff. They must take seriously their obligation to develop lifetime habits of self-control and concern for the well-being of others. Home and school will work together to help students to learn and live the qualities of responsible behavior and the elements of good citizenship.

A student who chooses to disrupt the good order of the school or to violate a policy or regulation will have to accept the consequences of those irresponsible choices. Appropriate discipline is within the discretion of the principal. Accountability for uncooperative, disruptive or unsafe behavior may take any of the following forms: misconduct referrals or warning; punishment assignments; denial of privileges; detention; in-school suspension; out-of-school suspension; expulsion.

Actions which violate the law, threaten or cause harm to other students or staff members, disrupt or impede the welfare and progress of the school community, or bring discredit to the school will not be tolerated. Such actions or other severe violations of school rules may result in immediate expulsion. If a student persists in violating basic obligations of courtesy, consideration, respect, cooperation or safety, a Principal/Parent/Student conference will be scheduled. All subsequent discipline, counseling, consultation and corrective actions will be viewed as positive home-school efforts to help the student improve behavior. If these cooperative efforts of parents and school staff prove ineffective, the student will be subject to expulsion or may be denied re-admittance to the school.

Detention

Detention may be given by any teacher to any child who violates the school rules. Cooperation of parents is greatly needed and expected.

Classroom teachers have the authority to detain pupils on any given day, giving a day's notice, for the violation of class or school regulations. A detention slip is issued one day in advance of the detention period. It must be signed by the parents and returned to the teacher the next day. Students will have detention even if they have not returned the detention slip. They will be permitted to call home at the principal's office after morning prayer.

When any misbehavior occurs and a parent does not understand the punishment involved or the action taken in correcting the child, he/she should first contact the classroom teacher. School offenses will be handled promptly in accordance with the severity of the act. Delayed disciplinary measures do not prove effective.

Reasons for detention are:

  • Disrespect

  • Continual tardiness

  • Disruptive behavior

  • Improper language

  • Consistent neglect of assigned class work or homework

  • Chewing gum

  • Continual violation of the dress code

Suspension

In-school or at-home suspension will be given at the discretion of the principal for:

  • Destroying property

  • Truancy

  • Smoking on school property

  • Leaving school grounds without authorization

  • Fighting - first offense (in-school suspension)

  • Stealing

  • Defiance of authority in action or language

  • Willful disobedience

  • Vandalism

  • Threats and other serious offenses as determined by the principal

Students write their name in the Behavior Referral Notebook when they violate a school regulation. If a student's name is written three times in this notebook, he/she will be suspended. During the suspension time, students must complete assigned work but will receive no credit for it. A student who persistently commits transgressions will be expelled from Sacred Heart School.

As soon as it becomes evident that the suspension of a particular student is appropriate, the student's parents/guardians will be notified and asked to confer with the proper school authorities about the matter. A student who has been suspended will receive a "U" in conduct and will not be included in the honor roll if he/she is an honor student.

Expulsion

Expulsion is viewed as a radical action at which point the school is saying that the student's interests would be better served in another environment, or that the individual's behavior is a serious threat to the school, community or both. Situations will arise in which expulsion may be merited. While it is not possible to enumerate all cases that could arise, several categories of cases can be listed for guidance. Other problems of equal seriousness will be treated similarly.

  • Possession of a weapon

  • Continued willful defiance or disobedience of authority

  • Assault

  • Extortion

  • Arson

  • Gross disorder

  • Grave defacing or destruction of school property

  • Possession of alcohol or other drugs

  • Criminal activity

  • Trafficking in pornographic materials

  • Serious theft