II.  BEHAVIOR

Discipline Policy 

St. Albert the Great School, as a part of the larger community of St. Albert the Great Parish, recognizes, supports, and will incorporate the "Code for Everyday Living".  

The following steps will apply when appropriate:

STEP I:  PROBATION

A warning to the student with notification to the parent and the coach or leader will be dispensed. At this time, if needed, a conference with student, parents and teachers will be requested. The student can continue participation, but improvement must be noted in a given time period set by the school for probation to be lifted. If improvement does not occur, the student can be placed on either Step II or Step III.  

STEP II:  SUSPENSION

A student will not be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities until definite improvement has been noted in a two-week period of time. Parents, teacher and principal will schedule a conference.  

STEP III:  REMOVAL

A student is prohibited from participating in any extra-curricular activities for the duration of a school quarter following a conference of parents, teacher and principal. 

This participation policy applies to both St. Albert the Great School and Religious Education students and is subject to yearly review and revision.  

Discipline Overview  

The responsibility for enforcing the Discipline Policy and Code for Everyday Living rests with the teachers, principal and other designated individuals. A variety of discipline techniques will be used throughout the day. The principal maintains the right to respond to individual cases, as she judges most appropriate.  

7 Steps to Success 

1.     Respect yourself, others, and property.

2.     Listen carefully.  Follow directions the first time given.

3.     Raise your hand to ask a question and wait to be called upon.

4.     Stay in your seat.

5.     Walk in line quietly in the hallway.

6.     Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

7.     Come prepared for class: In uniform, on time; with needed supplies. 

Referrals  

Referral notices will be dispensed at the judgment of a teacher and will serve as a tool to communicate to the parent/guardian that there was some problem at school. Referral notices will be issued for violation of school rules and /or inappropriate behavior. Referral notices are to be signed and returned the following day. 

Referrals—List of Minor Offenses 

	Not prepared for class
		Missing or incomplete homework assignment
		Misconduct in class
		Uniform violations
		Misconduct in cafeteria
		Repeated offenses will result in demerits

Demerits 

Students will receive demerits for repeated offenses, more serious violations of school rules and for behavior that will not be tolerated. 

·        All demerits are to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the homeroom teacher the first school day following the infraction.

·        A signature on a demerit does not indicate approval or disapproval of the circumstances surrounding these disciplinary actions.

·        Parents will be contacted if student fails to return signed demerit.

·        Parents may request a conference. 

The following list serves as a guide and is not all-inclusive of the types of behavior, which may incur a demerit.     

1.   Disobedience

2.   Disrespectful conduct

3.   Lying

4.   Cheating

5.   Plagiarism

6.   Stealing

7.   Fighting

8    Harassment, bullying, name-calling, teasing

9.   Leaving school grounds without permission

10.  Truancy

11.   Forgery

12.   Destruction of school property

13.   Inappropriate language, vulgar or obscene gestures

14.   Violation of the Internet Acceptable Use Policy

15.   Gum chewing

16.   Repeated dress code violations

17.   Excessive tardiness (5) during a quarter

18.   Repeated infractions of classroom rules

Detention 

Students will receive a Saturday detention as a serious disciplinary action. Detentions may be incurred in the following manner: 

	The accumulation of 3 demerits will result in Saturday detention.
		The accumulation of 5 demerits will result in second Saturday detention (Level 2).
		The accumulation of 8 demerits will result in a 1, 2, or 3-day suspension (Level 3).

Serious Misconduct

Actions on the part of the student that may warrant immediate suspension/expulsion of the student are:  

1. Possession or distribution of pornographic materials.

2. Possession of or smoking any substance on school property or at a school sponsored event.
3. Use of drugs, alcohol, or inhalants on school property or at a school sponsored event. The student must be assessed for substance abuse by a specialized agency with the results submitted in writing to the school.  The prescribed treatment plan must be followed if the student is to be considered for continued enrollment.

4. Possession or pretended possession of drugs, alcohol, or inhalants on school property or at a school sponsored event. The student must be assessed for substance abuse by a specialized agency with the results submitted in writing to the school. The prescribed treatment plan must be followed if the student is to be considered for continued enrollment.

5. The selling of any drug, alcohol, inhalant, or drug related paraphernalia on school property or at a school sponsored event. The student must be assessed by a specialized agency with the results submitted in writing to the school. The prescribed treatment plan must be followed if the student is to be considered for continued enrollment.

6. Possession or pretended possession of a weapon which includes guns, bullets, pocket knives or any other object which is intended to cause physical harm.
7. Theft (property to be restored in kind).
8. Repeated physical, mental, sexual, or emotional harassment.

9. Possession of a lighter, matches, or any other object used to start a fire.

10. Vandalism or serious destruction of school property (property to be restored).

11. Threats to harm another individual.

12.  Violation of the Internet Acceptable Use Policy, which includes plagiarism from the Internet.

Out of School Suspension 

A student may be suspended for violating any of the prohibitions listed above.  Further, the principal, in her discretion, may suspend a student if the principal believes the student’s misconduct or continued misconduct warrants a suspension.  The duration of the suspension will be determined by the administration but in any event will not last more than 3 days.

Expulsion 

A student may be expelled for violating any of the prohibitions listed above.  Further, the principal, in her discretion, may expel a student if the principal believes that a student’s misconduct or continued misconduct represents such a danger to individuals or to the school or so threatens the school’s educational environment that expulsion is warranted.