DISCIPLINE POLICY

The distinctive purpose of a Catholic School is to create a Christian Educational Community where human culture and knowledge is shared among teachers and students in a spirit of freedom and love.  In this atmosphere, the children will learn to exercise self-control and be self-disciplined.  In guiding the children’s growth, the positive, rather than the negative, will be emphasized.

 

Helping a child grow in self-discipline should be the constant aim of both parent and teacher.  We at St. Lawrence O’Toole School feel a strong need for a Christian atmosphere.  By our example and through our teaching we try to instill a genuine care of, and respect for others and their property.

 

When necessary, discipline will be administered.  Full, cooperation between teachers and parents is needed in order for discipline to be effective.  It is the right and responsibility of each teacher at St. Lawrence O’Toole School to discipline all students, not only those in his/her homeroom.

 

The following are responsibilities that apply to all students of St. Lawrence O’Toole School:

1.      To obey all the rules of the school.

2.      To show respect to all teachers and adults at all times.

3.      To respect the rights of other students.

4.      To respect the property of the school and other students.

5.      To conduct himself/herself properly in school, on school grounds, and on the bus.

6.      To be on time for school and attend school regularly.

7.      To complete school and home assignments on time.

 

The following behavior will not be accepted:

1.      The use of foul language or obscene gestures in the classroom or on the playground.

2.      Disrespect towards teachers or other adults.

3.      Talking back to a teacher or other adult.

4.      Damage, theft, or destruction of school or private property.

5.      Fighting in school, on school property, or on the bus.

6.      Repeated violations of school and bus rules.

 

St. Lawrence O’Toole School does not allow weapons of any kind, guns, knives, etc. to be brought to school-whether real or fake.  Also not allowed are: water guns, radios, Walkman, Discman, Watchman, Gameboy, beepers, laser pointers, or cell phones.  If any of these articles are brought to school they will be confiscated and become the property of the school.  Parents will be notified and appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken.

 

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT FOLLOWING RULES:

1.      Parent Note

2.      Detention

3.      Call to Parent

4.      Meeting with Parent and Teacher

5.      Meeting with Parent, Teacher, and Principal

6.      Not attending field trips

7.      Probation, suspension, or expulsion

 

EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION:

As Archdiocesan Policy indicates, when appropriate, the Principal may impose disciplinary measures such as probation, suspension and expulsion.

 

The expulsion of a child from school is a serious punishment and is used rarely.  However, there may be situations, which demand removal of a student from school.

 

CAUSES FOR IMMEDIATE AND PREMANENT EXPULSION FROM SCHOOL:

1. Possession, use, distributing or selling of illegal or controlled substances as well as any paraphernalia related to the above, on school grounds or at school related activities.

2.  Possession and/or use of alcohol on school property or at school related activities.

3. Possession and/or use of a gun and/or other weapons on school property or at school related activities.

 

Before a child is expelled, the following steps will be followed:

            1. A meeting with the principal, pastor, parent, and child will take place.

2. The principal and pastor will make the final decision as to whether or not a child will be expelled.  The parents will be informed of the decision in writing.

 

Each case will be handled individually according to the nature and seriousness of the violation.  Once a child is expelled from St. Lawrence O'Toole School, he/she will not be accepted back into the school at any time.

 

POSSIBLE OFFENCES FOR PROBATION, SUSPENSION AND/OR EXPULSION:

1. Truancy from school

2. Leaving school grounds during school hours

3. Threatening or seriously harming another child

4. Possession of any weapon or item deemed dangerous, or use of such on school property or at school related activities.

5. Smoking, carrying cigarettes or matches on school grounds or at school related activities.

            6. Stealing, lying, cheating, forgery

            7. Damage to school property

            8. Chronic disregard for school rules

 

Probation and suspension (in-school and out-of-school), are punishments that may be used for violation of important school rules.  They are used after other means of discipline fail.  Probation and suspension are considered warnings for possible expulsion.  Each case will be handled individually according to the nature and the seriousness of the violation.

 

The length of the suspension will be determined by the principal according to the severity of the offense.  The parent will be informed as to the nature of the suspension.  The suspension can either be an in-school or out-of-school suspension (according to the principal’s discretion and/or severity of the offense).  For an in-school suspension, the student will report to the school office and remain there under the supervision of an adult.  The student will be expected to do school work during the time of the suspension.  Students will not be given credit for work done during a suspension – either an in-school or out-of-school.  During an out-of-school suspension, it will be the parent’s responsibility to supervise the student and see that he/she does the assigned work.  If work from the time of suspension is not completed when the child comes back after suspension, the child will be sent home until such time as all work is completed and handed in to the teacher(s).

 

 

DETENTION

Detention is provided for upper grade students (grades 5-8) whose conduct warrants this penalty.  It is given after other means of discipline have failed, primarily a verbal warning.  In some cases, however, an automatic detention may be given with no verbal warning.  Detention is served on Wednesday from 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.  A detention slip will be sent home stating the reason for the detention and the date the detention is to be served.  If a detention cannot be served on the assigned day, A WRITTEN NOTE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE TEACHER FROM THE PARENT STATING THE REASON WHY THE DETENTIN CANNOT BE SERVED.  Arrangements will be made to serve the detention on another day.  DETENTIONS CANNOT BE SERVED DURING LUNCHTIME OR GYM PERIOD EXCEPT IN AN EXTREME EMERGENCY.  Parents will be given a day’s notice or longer if a student is to serve a detention.  The slip is to be signed by the parent or legal guardian and returned to the teacher who issued the detention the next day.  Failure to return a signed detention slip before the day the detention is to be served and not serving a scheduled detention will result in a second detention (3:15 p.m.).

 

Detentions may be issued for:

            1. Inappropriate language

            2. Insubordination

            3. Physical or verbal fighting

            4. Inappropriate behavior in church

            5. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom

            6. Late, incomplete, or missing assignment

            7. Disrespect toward teachers or other adults

 

3 detentions will result in a half day in-school suspension, 6 detentions (total accumulated from one or several teachers), will result in a one day in-school suspension.

 

9 detentions (total accumulated from one or several teachers), will result in a two day in-school suspension.  At this point, a parental conference will be requested to discuss appropriate future action.