CONDUCT CODE
Bearing in mind that the mission of St. Dominic School is “to serve the individual needs, both spiritual and educational, of the children”, and believing that St. Dominic School is “A Place to Grow” for all students, our goal is to help each student learn how to conduct himself/herself in a manner which models how Jesus wants us to live. To encourage this self-development, the Conduct Code of St. Dominic School is based on the recognition of students for exhibiting self-discipline and proper behavior.
In grades K-3, the individual teachers establish recognition and reward systems commensurate with the age and age-appropriate behavior.
Every effort will be made to help each student develop self control and exhibit proper behavior; however, in the event a student does not exhibit personal self-discipline and proper behavior, the following is in place:
Grades K-3: A Conduct Deficiency Report (pink slip) may be prepared and sent to the parents. This report describes the misconduct, asks the parents’ cooperation in discussing the issue with the child, and requires a parent’s signature.
Grades 4-8: A demerit will be given to a student receiving five (5) points within a month. Points may be given for infractions as noted below. Please note that points for missing assignments will result in loss of lunch and recess and/or mandatory participation in after school Homework Club, and are counted separately from conduct points. See Homework Procedures for grades 4-8.
Points may be issued to students and recorded on their conduct card per the following:
| Code | Description
|
| CH | Misbehavior at Mass (two points) |
| D | Disrespectful behavior or attitude |
| DC | Disturbing the class |
| FD | Refusal to follow directions |
| H | School handbook violations/Other situations |
| L | Inappropriate or vulgar language |
| B | Inappropriate behavior |
| LC | Loss of Conduct Card (two points shall be added to accumulated total) |
| M | Not bringing needed materials to class |
| NC | Not having Conduct Card when asked |
| P | Playground violations |
| R | Not returning signed forms, detention forms, Conduct Cards, tests, etc. |
| T | Talking at inappropriate times |
| U | Uniform/Dress Code violations |
Note: A demerit of serious consequences may be issued immediately by any teacher/administrator at any school/parish related function both on and off premises.
The sequence for the demerit system described above is:
1st Demerit: Serve detention from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
2nd Demerit: Serve detention from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Parent meeting with teachers.
3rd Demerit: Serve detention from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
4th Demerit: Serve a one day in-school suspension. Teachers will assign work to be completed.
5th Demerit: Serve a two day in-school suspension. Parent meeting with teachers and principal.
6th Demerit: Serve a one day out-of-school suspension. Work will be sent home with the student and graded according to its completeness. Upon return to school, students must make up all work/tests not included in the packet.
7th Demerit: Meeting with the parents. Student may be asked to leave St. Dominic School.
CONDUCT CARD
Each student in grades 4-8 will be issued a conduct card at the start of each month of the school year. The student must, with the exception of Physical Education, attendance at liturgical functions in church, lunch, and lunch recess, carry the conduct card with him/her during the school day. The student may carry it on their person or in their plan book. Students must turn the Conduct Card in to their homeroom teacher each Thursday during the afternoon homeroom period. Students must take the card home each Friday, have their parent sign it and bring it back to the homeroom teacher each Monday.
One point on the Conduct Card may be removed upon the completion of a personal plan of action agreed upon by the issuing teacher and the student. Students interested in working off a point need to meet privately with the teacher within 24 hours of the infraction. The fifth point MAY NOT be removed. Only one point may be removed from the Conduct Card per month. When a point has been removed, the teacher will draw a line through the point, write the word Removed, and initial the card.
It is the student’s responsibility to inform his/her parents when a point is issued so there will be no “surprises” when the Conduct Card is sent home on Friday.
DETENTION PROCEDURE
A student receiving a demerit will serve the detention during the next after school detention session. Detention will be held on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in room 203. Students serving a detention will be dismissed at 4:00 p.m. The detention monitor will assign work for the students serving detention.
A student who does not report for detention or who misbehaves in detention may be subject to further disciplinary action up to and including suspension. Students who show up late for detention will automatically receive another detention. Students must serve the detention on the date specified unless the parents have made other arrangements with the school principal. Students who skip a detention may be subject to a suspension.
Consistent violations of the Conduct/Discipline policies may result in the student not attending special events such as field trips/class functions, entertainment/performances, Walk-a-Thon’s, and Track & Field days.
CODE OF DISCIPLINE
Discipline usually means the systematic development and training of a child’s physical, social, intellectual, moral, and spiritual capacities through guided instruction and controlled self-activity. It is the purpose of St. Dominic School to aid parents in the formation and education of Christian children.
Discipline is not regimentation; neither does it imply the detailed surveillance of every action of each child. The following code is not intended to place undue restriction on the students but rather to prescribe and encourage students to act in proper manner.
1. This is your school and students are expected to respect the property of St. Dominic School. Writing on desks, walls or ceilings will not be tolerated. Floors are to be kept clean of paper, etc. Damaging school property is a serious matter and violators will be sternly disciplined.
2. If conversations in halls are necessary they should be in a soft tone.
3. During school hours, students are not permitted to leave school property without permission.
4. Stealing is a serious offense and will be met with strict measures.
5. Proper behavior in the cafeteria is a must. No food or drink may be taken out to recess.
6. Students are expected to respect teachers and other persons in authority as well as each other.
7. All books are to be treated with utmost care. Charges will be assessed for loss of or damage to books. Children should not mark in books. This applies to books assigned to students as well as books used in the classroom. Textbooks must be covered at all times.
8. Positively no chewing of gum anywhere on the school premises. This includes during lunch, recess, before and after school program, field trips, or school related functions.
9. Children may be kept after school if parents have been notified in advance.
10. Students may not have electronic devices on the school premises during school hours. For safety reasons, students may carry a cell phone in the backpack, but it must remain turned off during school hours.
There are certain instances of misconduct that are subject to immediate action and could result in an automatic demerit, suspension or expulsion. A student will be a candidate for expulsion if there is a consistent pattern of behavior unacceptable to St. Dominic School. Examples of such misconduct are:
1. Intentional damage or destruction of school property
2. Any verbal, written or implied threat or verbal/physical assault on or against any person and/or parish/school property
3. Possession, use and/or under the influence of alcoholic beverages while on school/parish premises, on a school bus, or at a school/parish related function taking place on or off school/parish premises
4. Possession, use, and/or under the influence of drugs or look alike drugs while on school/parish premises, on a school bus, or at a school/parish related function taking place on or off school/parish premises
5. Possession, use, and/or under the influence of tobacco products while on school/parish premises, on a school bus, or at a school/parish related function taking place on or off school/parish premises
6. Truancy
7. Complete disregard for school assignments or instructions given by school personnel
8. Possession of a weapon and/or any object which is intended to be and/or construed to be a weapon on parish/school property
9. Cheating/plagiarism
Special Note: A student will be considered for immediate expulsion if selling and/or dispensing drugs, weapons, alcohol, tobacco products, and/or other contraband on parish/school property.
PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN CASES OF EXPULSION
In cases where a student is expelled, these procedures may be followed:
1. The advice of the psychologist, physician, social worker, counselor or other appropriate persons may be sought.
2. Written notice will be sent to the pastor, parents and the student, stating the reasons for the student’s removal and proposed expulsion.
3. A hearing must be held between the school representatives and the parents.
4. The pastor of the parish shall be notified of the expulsion in writing by the principal.
5. A report detailing the reasons for expulsion must be sent to the Superintendent of Schools on students expelled from the school.
6. Parents who believe their child has been expelled from school for insufficient reason have the right to appeal, in writing, to the Superintendent.
A student that is expelled from school, or withdraws from school in lieu of expulsion, will not be allowed to participate in athletics at St. Dominic School for a minimum of the current sports season plus the next two sports seasons.
The administration reserves the right to impose discipline for behaviors deemed inappropriate, disrespectful or dangerous to the members of the school community. The administration reserves the right to discipline a student for off campus activities that would significantly affect the school environment. The principal and pastor are the final recourse in all disciplinary matters.
Consistent violations of the Conduct/Discipline policies may result in the student not attending special events such as field trips/class functions, entertainment/performances, Walk-a-Thon, and Track & Field days.
Approved by the Education Commission on November 12, 2012.