St. Bernadette School is committed to creating a safe, caring, respectful learning environment for all members of the school community. As disciples of Jesus, we understand that personal discipline is a Code of Christian Behavior that calls each of us to personal responsibility and respect for ourselves and others. Saint Bernadette School staff will employ techniques that enable students to problem solve while keeping their dignity and self-worth intact.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Students at St. Bernadette School are expected to
· treat everyone in a Christian manner, showing respect and courtesy in their speech
and actions.
· accept responsibility for their own actions.
· respect the opinions and property of others and to care for the school’s materials.
· conform to the school’s regulations for conduct and for dress.
· exercise self-control on all occasions.
· observe the rules for safety and quiet in the halls, on the stairs, during safety drills,
etc.
· recall that their conduct reflects the education received from their home and their
school. This includes their conduct at extra-curricular activities.
· learn and to conduct themselves so as to allow others to learn while in school.
We believe that discipline is fundamental to life. Discipline is a necessary reflection of the philosophy of a Catholic school which attempts to develop a fully committed Christian – a Christian committed to the observance of just rules and regulations, which will assist the individual in responding to his/her responsibilities and obligations to himself/herself and others.
Correct training in discipline means that a child learns to accept rules and regulations presented by authority. Students are expected to act in such fashion that their behavior will reflect favorably on themselves and the school. They are expected to show consideration and respect for their fellow students and teachers, thus creating a harmonious atmosphere within the school. All students must recognize their individual responsibilities and obligations and discharge them in accordance with school regulations. Children who fail to comply with school policies and regulations must accept the consequences.
The individual classroom teacher will customarily handle disciplinary procedures for PRE-K through Grade 8. Policies are developmentally appropriate for each grade level. Policies, expectations, and consequences of inappropriate behaviors (words and actions) are explained thoroughly in each new year to both students and families. Behavioral charts and strategies are displayed in every classroom where students collaboratively plan for personal growth and academic success with their teachers. The Principal, who promotes and encourages both consistency and ongoing parent communication in the growth of a healthy school environment, reinforces individual policies that are within the framework of this handbook. The Principal is always available to all faculty, staff, students, and families and acts as an additional resource for the strategies necessary to plan for individual student growth and learning.
Please note: The school reserves the right to search anything brought on school premises.Archdiocesan Discipline Policy: Section 319
The school is the co-tenant of all storage areas and desks and reserves the right to search them at any time without notice. Defacing desks, chairs, books or any shool related item is strictly forbidden. Students will be financially liable for any cleaning and/or replacement. Administration also reserves the right to examine all items brought on to the school grounds including backpacks, phones and other items.Golden tickets are awarded for these behaviors. (see examples listed below) Students who receive 3 golden tickets are placed on our Wall of Fame - a student recognition award bulletin board displayed prominently in our school. These students are eligible to receive prizes throughout the year.
Exhibiting leadership qualities
Active participation
Respectful
Helpful to Faculty/Administration
On task in class
Supports classmates
It is our goal to reinforce and support our students as we work with our parents to instill Christian values and promote the virtues of courtesy, fairness, gratitude, generosity, peace, integrity, empathy, forgiveness and fortitude.At times, it is necessary to give a consequence to students who struggle to make choices that are in line with the Be's of Bernies.
Consequences include:
Some examples of what may warrant a detention:
Suspension may lead to dismissal. The Principal and Pastor will inform the parents/guardians of the seriousness of suspension and seek their immediate cooperation in a corrective program designed to resolve the student’s problem, if possible.
A student may be suspended immediately for any of the infractions listed as Unacceptable Conduct:
In addition to suspension, a student is placed on disciplinary probation for one trimester.
If a student is suspended more than once, he/she may be asked to leave the school. In extreme cases, immediate expulsion may occur with the approval of the pastor.
PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT SUSPENSIONS
PROCEDURES FOR DISMISSAL OF A STUDENT
Misbehaviors involving disrespect of adult authority figures or other students, and ridiculing or harassing others will warrant an immediate referral to the principal. These will be handled accordingly. Misbehaviors will also affect the conduct grade on the report card. Consistent misbehaviors of this level may result in suspension or a Discipline Review Board meeting.
Major infractions including, but not limited to disrespect, irreverence in church, consistent minor infractions, defacing property, bullying, fighting, hitting, stealing, forgery/plagiarism, and misuse of technology may result in immediate suspension and referral to the Discipline Review Board.
Any major infractions or multiple minor infractions may result in a request from the Discipline Review Board for dismissal from school.Harassment
The School follows the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Policy prohibiting harassment, including sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, or requests for sexual favors or other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature.Sexual Harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. Any student or parent/guardian who is determined to have violated this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal of the student. A complete copy of the policy is maintained by the Principal and is available upon request.
St. Bernadette School provides a safe environment for all individuals. Verbal or written threats made against the physical or emotional well-being of any individual are taken very seriously. Students making such threats (seriously or in jest oronline) face detention, suspension, and/or expulsion.
Harassment of any type is not tolerated. The Principal investigates all complaints of harassment. Students involved in harassing behavior face detention, suspension, and/or expulsion.
Engagement in social media such as, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. may result in disciplinary actions if its contents include defamatory comments regarding the school, the faculty, other students, or the parish.
ViolenceViolence may be defined as anything that could cause physical harm to another. Threatened violence is defined as threatening to cause physical harm to another. A student whose verbal or written comments, including e-mail messages, blogs, social media, and cell or text messages include a threat to another student, faculty member or staff shall be:
1. Immediately suspended from school after the parents have been informed of the situation.
2. Be seen by a psychologist, at the parent’s expense, and by the school counselor, both of whom will be asked to submit a written evaluation. If it is determined that the child was serious about the threat and has the capacity to carry it out, the child may be dismissed from school. If it is the opinion of those who evaluate the child that the child did not seriously intend to do harm to others, the child may be allowed to return to school.
3. If allowed to return to school, the child should be placed on probation with an indication that, should a similar threat occur, the child may be dismissed from the school.
4. The Office of Catholic Education will be notified in these cases. The school may also submit to the police an informational report.
5. When children from the primary/elementary grades are responsible for verbal or written threats, the administration, after informing the parents, will review the matter, will determine the severity of the threat and will take appropriate action which may include any or all of the above.
The pastor and/or the principal is the final recourse in all disciplinary situations and may waive any and all regulations for just cause at his/her discretion.