In order to maintain a Christian learning environment it is necessary to have a set of student discipline guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a safe and secure setting for all members of our school community.
Student actions, attitudes and behavior will be in keeping with our Mission Statement. Students will learn to become self-disciplined individuals who are responsible and accountable. An essential part of the school’s discipline guidance is the support of the entire school community, which includes teachers, staff, parents and families. St. Apollinaris Catholic School’s disciplinary guidelines and procedures are in compliance with Diocesan policies and procedures. Teachers, staff and administrators will enforce discipline guidelines.
In any disciplinary situation a student is informed of his/her infraction and is given a chance to be heard. The classroom/homeroom teacher will keep a written record of student’s behavior and consequences. No child will be dismissed from any class without prior notification and permission from teacher in charged of the student at the time. Students who participate in extracurricular activities (S.A.L.T., band, etc.) including sports need an overall grade average of C in academics, overall behavior grade of 2, and no 4’s in conduct and effort.
General School Rules
Students will:
· Respect themselves and the rights and feelings of others.
· Respect all property.
· Obey classroom, schoolyard and church rules.
· Observe rules and regulations for health and safety.
· Be prepared for class with books and materials.
· Observe regular attendance and be punctual for school and class.
· Be responsible for all communication forwarded home.
· Walk to and from classrooms, schoolyard and other parish buildings quietly and orderly.
· Behave in an appropriate manner when using bathrooms and water fountains.
· Observe traffic regulations in schoolyard and follow directions of the Junior Traffic Patrol and yard supervisors.
· Remain on school grounds during the school day.
· Arrive on campus no earlier than 7:55 a.m. unless on Traffic Patrol duty or enrolled in the Extended Care program.
· Leave campus at 3:20pm unless enrolled in Extended Care, Traffic Patrol or other authorized school activities under proper adult supervision.
· Observe uniform regulations and non-uniform dress code.
· No gum or sunflower seeds.
Classroom Rules
Students will:
· Respect themselves and the rights and feelings of others.
· Respect school and classmates’ property.
· Be prepared for class.
· Behave appropriately.
· Be punctual.
Church Rules
Students will:
· Show reverence.
· Participate during all religious services (responses, singing, etc.)
School Yard Rules
Students will:
· Line up quietly when school bell rings.
· Stay in designated areas during recess and lunch.
· Stay seated while eating lunch and snacks.
· Leave area clean.
· Follow yard duty supervisors’ directives.
· Be responsible for school/classroom playground equipment.
· Observe health and safety rules in yard.
· Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
Conduct Book
All teachers have a conduct book in which they log exemplary behavior and/or misbehavior each report card period.
Minor Misconduct
Some examples of minor misconduct include but are not limited to:
1. Tardiness to class.
2. Improper uniform or non-regulation dress.
3. Disruptive behavior during class time or assemblies.
4. Chewing gum and sunflower seeds.
5. Bringing personal items; such as cell phones, CD’s, headphones, walkman, ipods, hand held games and skateboards.
6. Failure to follow yard duty supervisor’s directives.
7. Other actions that violate the philosophy and mission statement of St. Apollinaris School.
Disciplinary Actions for Minor Misconduct
1. Verbal notification to student. (2 warnings of inappropriate behavior and reminder of expected behavior)
2. Written communication sent home.
3. Telephone call to parents.
4. After school detention (see page 15) followed by a Parent/Teacher/Student conference.
After school detention will be held on Thursday afternoons from 3:15-4:00 p.m.
5. If a student misses a detention without prior notice the student will have to serve two
detentions and so on.
6. After two detentions, per report card period, a Student Study Team (SST) conference will be scheduled.
· A SST is comprised of parent(s), teacher(s), principal, student and SST coordinator who meet to discuss student’s strengths, area of concerns, and make recommendations for helping student change his/her behavior. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled 2-3 weeks later in order to assess the implementation of the SST action plan.
7. In the case of a student not meeting the school’s SST expectations of the action plan the following may result:
a. A grade of “4” in home study, effort or citizenship.
b. Extended detention.
c. Probation.
d. Suspension
e. Recommended transfer.
Major Misconduct
Major Misconducts will be recorded by the homeroom teacher as a disciplinary action in the progression of misconducts in the conduct book, along with the disciplinary action(s) for a major misconduct as established by the administration.
Some examples of major misconduct include but are not limited to:
1. Physical, verbal or written abuse or disrespect to any teacher, staff member, student or other person.
2. Stealing other people’s property and/or school property.
3. Harassment of students – physical, verbal, written and/or sexual.
4. Fighting between students.
5. Cheating on assignments, which includes quizzes, tests, projects, essays, etc.
6. Plagiarism.
7. Falsification or alteration of school records or interception of any communication. between home and school.
8. Continued willful disobedience.
9. Use, sale or possession of narcotics, alcohol or tobacco.
10. Vandalism or misuse of school property.
11. Habitual truancy.
12. Assault or battery or any threat of force or violence directed towards any school personnel or their property.
13. Possession of any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil at school or at a school activity off school grounds.
12. Any other willful conduct or behavior, which in the opinion of the school, disrupts or
threatens any member of the school community.
Disciplinary Actions for Major Misconduct
In the case of a major misconduct the administration may:
1. Arrange a conference with the student, parent and teacher.
2. Serve an after school detention.
3. Impose an immediate suspension of student (in-school or out of school suspension).
4. Establish probationary terms.
5. Recommend transfer.
6. Expulsion
St. Apollinaris Catholic School’s Procedures for Detention, Suspension, Recommended Transfer and Expulsion
Detention Procedures
Students who violate school rules and polices may be put on detention. In such an instance:
1. The teacher or administrator will determine date and time of detention.
2. Parents will be notified 24 hours in advance of date and time of detention.
3. Detention notices are to be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher or administrator who issued the detention on the day following their issuance. If the notice is not returned, additional consequences may be enforced.
4. When a student does not serve the detention on the assigned date the amount of detention time will be doubled.
5. Parent must notify teacher or administrator if date and time of detention needs to be changed due to a conflict, such as a family emergency, medical appointment, or car pool arrangement. Parent, teacher and/or administrator will establish a subsequent date and time.
Suspension Procedures
Suspension is an action taken by the school, which prohibits a student from attending or participating in school instruction or events for a period of not more than one week at a time. Suspension can occur out or in school.
1. A decision regarding suspension will be made by the administrator after consultation with teacher and student.
2. The parents will be notified whenever suspension occurs.
3. A conference with the principal, parent, student and teacher will be held to discuss the suspension.
Recommended Transfer
Students who clearly are unable to follow the disciplinary rules and guidelines of St. Apollinaris Catholic School or who display a destructive attitude will be required to transfer elsewhere. The principal makes the decision in consultation with the Pastor. Ordinarily, the transfer is to take place at the end of a grading period.
Expulsion
Expulsion means action taken by the school to prohibit an enrolled pupil from further attendance at the school. It is an extreme but sometimes necessary disciplinary measure for common good.
Harassment Policy
The schools of the Diocese of Santa Rosa shall not tolerate the harassment, exploitation, or abuse of any person by any student and shall insist that all persons are treated with dignity and respect. Harassment is unacceptable conduct that is severe, persuasive and deliberate.
Any student found guilty of harassment, exploitation, or abuse, shall be subject to appropriate discipline including suspension and or expulsion.
Any student, who feels that he/she is a victim of harassment, exploitation, or abuse, should immediately report the matter to the appropriate school authority. Every reported incident of harassment shall be thoroughly and promptly investigated in a way, which reasonably ensures the privacy of all parties concerned.
