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Discipline
Discipline
The Board finds that student conduct is closely related to learning. An effective educational program requires a safe and orderly school environment. The Board shall establish fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations regarding the conduct of all students in the school district during the time they are under the supervision of the school or at any time while on school property, while present at school-sponsored activities, and while traveling to or from school and school-sponsored activities. Please refer to Board Policies 218 and 218.1.
The main factor underlying any system of discipline is mutual respect for the rights of others. This attitude must be fostered daily between administrators, faculty members and students of our school system. Our discipline philosophy is based on the belief that it is each student’s responsibility to demonstrate behavior that is conducive to a healthy learning atmosphere. In order to maintain a suitable learning environment, each student must strive to demonstrate self-control and behave in a manner that does not interfere with the educational process. When a student fails to demonstrate self-discipline and engages in behavior counterproductive to the educational process, we will seek to help the student to change these behaviors through appropriate interventions, behavior modification, restorative practices and consequences. Whenever possible, restorative practices will be used to teach appropriate and expected behaviors and repair relationships. Our discipline model is progressive; as undesired behaviors continue and/or escalate, our response will become more restrictive and supportive. Our hope is our students will attain the self-discipline needed to be successful school citizens.
Discipline is meant to be training, an opportunity to learn from inappropriate behavior and reshape future actions.
The primary goal of discipline is to instruct and offer ways to practice appropriate behaviors, so the primary response to infractions would be to implement instruction and restorative practice in an effort to impose positive consequences.
For situations where restorative practices are implemented, the following questions may be used as a guide: Restorative Practices (International Institute for Restorative Practices: iirp.edu)
Restorative Questions I: To Respond to Challenging Behavior
- What happened?
- What were you thinking of at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Restorative Questions II: To Help Those Harmed by Others' Actions
- What did you think when you realized what had happened?
- What impact has this incident had on you and others?
- What has been the hardest thing for you?
- What do you think needs to happen to make things right?
Classroom Discipline Procedures
In the event that a discipline problem arises, the first attempt to resolve the problem will occur at the classroom level.
If a student becomes disruptive to the learning of oneself or others, the teacher:
- Will attempt to resolve the problem by first dealing directly with the student and/or his/her counselor
- Will notify the parents
- Document the behavior
If the situation is not resolved, the teacher:
- Documents the behavior on a discipline referral with classroom interventions and submits to Main Office
- Informs the student that such a referral is being submitted
- Informs the parents of the action
- Communicates with administration to help resolve the issue
All disciplinary infractions will be dealt with on an offense-consequence basis. The purpose of the discipline philosophy is to assist students in changing their behaviors to a more productive, positive student behavior. Students with chronic disciplinary infractions may be referred to the Student Assistance team for additional support when needed.
The administration reserves the right to alter the nature or severity of punishment (and to make exceptions) on a case-by-case basis. The violations and penalties listed in this handbook serve merely as a guide for both students and staff.
Students are expected to act honorably and take responsibility for their own learning. Academic dishonesty is any type of cheating, including plagiarism. Academic dishonesty will result in a disciplinary referral, teacher call to parent, student conference with a building administrator and a zero for the assignment. Students will be encouraged to meet with the librarian to review plagiarism guidelines and work with the teacher. Sanctions for subsequent offenses will include suspension from school, may include additional consequences, additional disciplinary action and support requirements based on the context of the case.