The following policy will be in effect for students in grades four through eight in St. Joseph School beginning September 12, 2011.  Primary grade students will be held to the same standard of behavior, however, grade level and developmental differences demand more individual attention.  Parental support and cooperation is most important in establishing a well-disciplined atmosphere.  Please encourage your children to abide seriously by school rules and regulations in order to maintain a pleasant and Christian educational environment in St. Joseph School.

 Explanation

 Each student will begin the marking period with an outstanding conduct rating.  Points will be deducted with rule infractions.  Those students completing the marking period with positive evaluations in personal and social growth, effort and study skills, as reflected in grade level rubrics, will be recognized with a commendable report card evaluation.  At the start of each new marking period, the rating will be restored.

 Infractions

 Students will receive a demerit slip stating the infraction and the number of points deducted.  With this concrete reminder, he/she, with the help of teachers and parents, will be able to monitor, and hopefully change, his/her own pattern of behavior.

 Accumulation of demerit points

 After 5 points have been deducted, a student will receive a detention slip which must be signed by parents and returned.

 After 10 points or 2 detentions, parents will be notified regarding a conference involving parents, teachers, student and school administration.  The purpose of this meeting is to discuss patterns of behavior, and look for and document ways to make positive changes.

 After 15 points, or 3 detentions, depending on the nature of the infractions, the student may be suspended from classes.

 A continued pattern of defiance, disregard for school policy, disrespect, or “bullying” behavior, will render a student subject to possible expulsion from St. Joseph School.

Detentions

 Detentions will be served on the Thursday following the issuance of the detention slip.  The detention will extend from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. without exception. Parents are responsible for transportation. 

CLASS TRIPS, ASSEMBLIES, PARTIES, SPORTS, STUDENT COUNCIL AND OTHER EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

Students wishing to participate in school activities or field trips must be cooperative and generally well-behaved during the year.  If a student receives a significant accumulation of demerit points, or exhibits volatile, disruptive, erratic or disrespectful behavior, he/she may not participate in extra-curricular activities or field trips, or be extended other extra privileges.  It is a privilege to represent our school, and cooperative, respectful students deserve that privilege.

 A CYO athlete or student council member may be suspended from the team or group until teachers and coaches have agreed to restore the privilege.

 Because discipline is not an easy area with which to deal, and clear cut rules and regulations cannot always apply, we reserve the right to exercise good judgment in keeping with our Christian standards, to amend or add to this policy, and to make such changes applicable to current and new students when the situation dictates.

 DEMERITS               INFRACTIONS

 1                                  Uniform violations (including hair, jewelry, make-up)

1                                  Lateness, absence without a note

1                                  Gum chewing

1                                  Violation of individual classroom rules

1                                  Missed homework or class assignments

1                                  Misconduct in halls, lavatories, lunch room, yard, bus, etc….

3                                  Classroom disturbance or interruption

3                                  Lying, cheating, plagiarism, forgery, stealing

3                                  Obscene or disrespectful language or gestures

5                                  Fighting, physical or verbal

5                                  Disrespect toward authority (teachers, monitors, etc…)

5                                  Harassment of, or injuring others

5                                  Destruction of, or disregard for property

5                                  Abuse of Technology Authorized User Policy

5                                  Bringing (and/or using electronic devices) to school

                                                (Cell phones, iPods, games, etc…)

 Teacher/                   Bullying Behavior of any Kind

Administrative

Judgment

Bullying Behavior includes:

             Physical Aggression

-       pushing, hitting, kicking

-       defacing or stealing property of others

-       physically demeaning or humiliating others

-       threatening others

 Social Alienation

-       gossiping, embarrassing others

-       setting up to look foolish or take blame

-       ethnic slurs

-       exclusion from group

-       threatening isolation from group

-       use of social networking for any of the above

            Verbal Aggression

-       mocking, name calling, taunting

-       teasing about appearance, clothing or possessions

-       intimidating or negative phone calls, e-mail or texting

-       verbal or written threats

-       use of social networking for any of the above 

Intimidation

-       threatening to reveal personal information

-       playing dirty tricks

-       taking possessions (lunch, clothing, supplies)

-       extortion

-       coercion or threatening a weapon of any kind

-       use of social networking for any of the above 

Suspension or Possible Expulsion 

• Pre-arranged fighting on or off school property
• Excessive bullying behavior
• Any verbal or written threat toward another
• Use of technology to intimidate, demean, harass or hurt another
• Accumulation of demerits indicating continued defiance of regulations
• Public suspicion of criminal activity outside of school.

Cyber bullying of any kind is not acceptable at St. Joseph School.  If you believe that your child is a victim of another student, please save and print the messages so that we will be able to address the issue and hopefully, prevent future incidents.  

Expulsion 

• Possession or use of drugs, alcohol, weapons, dangerous articles of any kind, on or off school property

The above policy applies both in and out of the classroom, in the school community generally and outside the school community, where the behavior is contrary to Catholic teachings or could bring disrepute or embarrassment to the school. 

Conduct by students or parents/guardians, or anyone acting on their behalf, incompatible with the educational and religious mission of the school is grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to the immediate dismissal of the student, as well as reporting the incident to legal authorities where appropriate. 

In addition, in the case of threats of violence or harassment, in any form, including oral, written or electronic, by a student against any member of the school community, the student, if suspended but not dismissed, may be required to have psychological or psychiatric clearance before returning to school.