Consequences to Unacceptable Behaviour
All of us, children and students alike, make choices about how to react to any set of circumstances. Children make positive and negative choices as they interact with others. This is a “normal” part of growing and learning. Negative choices can be opportunities to learn and grow in social skills.
The first line of discipline is to have the students identify the unacceptable behaviour, discuss why the behaviour was not acceptable, and determine what choices are open to them the next time they find themselves in similar circumstances. We want children to be clearly aware of expectations. Classroom teachers begin the year by sharing classroom and school expectations with students. These expectations are reviewed throughout the year both in the classroom and at assemblies. In each classroom teachers design a system that establishes the consequences for students who make inappropriate choices in behaviour. These consequences are designed to help students realize that they are choosing behaviours that do not meet our school’s expectations with regard to the learning environment, safety, or consideration of feelings. The consequences might include writing a reflection paper, serving a detention, or completing missed work at recess or lunch.
Students are given a limited number of opportunities to make acceptable choices. Teachers will implement an alternative set of consequences to help students realize that changes are necessary in their chosen reaction to classroom expectations. When there are indications that poor behaviour or work habits are limiting the student’s progress, parents will be informed. No predetermined number of chances will exist before moving to the next level of discipline. Instead, the nature of the unacceptable behaviour and the student’s attitude will be taken into consideration at the time.
When regular classroom consequences and teacher-parent discussions do not seem to be effective in curbing the inappropriate behaviour, the principal will conference with the student. At this stage, parents will be informed at the discretion of the principal. Frequently a Plan of Action will be created involving the student, parents, teachers, and administration. The principal will document each discipline referral from a teacher.
When the actions of a student demonstrate a serious disregard for the expectations of our school, even though the student has been afforded opportunities to make appropriate choices, the student might receive an “in-school” suspension. The length of the suspension will vary according to the nature of the inappropriate behaviour. Longer suspensions or “out-of-school” suspensions will be considered in serious situations where other student’s safety is a concern. For incidents involving serious aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, counselling might be required before the student returns to school.
If a student repeatedly chooses to disregard John Paul II Catholic School’s Code of Respectful Behaviour, he/she might be asked to withdraw from the school permanently. (CISDV Policy and Regulations Manual, Policy #507)
Behavioural Expectations
Inside the school building, students are expected to:
- Follow the directions of teachers and supervisors
- Show respect for others and their belongings
- Move quietly between classes
- Walk in classrooms, hallways, and on stairways
- Work conscientiously and complete all assigned work
- Be responsible for cleaning up
Outside the school building, students are expected to:
- Remain within sight of the duty supervisors
- Remain on school property and in designated areas
- Participate only in safe and non-contact activities
- Restrict play to areas where there is no danger of injury or damage to property
- Line up promptly as soon as the buzzer rings in preparation for entering the school building.
Unacceptable Behaviours
The following behaviours are unacceptable and will generally be handled internally by teachers and/or school administration. Parents may or may not be contacted depending on the frequency and severity of the behaviour.
- Running in classrooms, hallways, on stairways, or on walkways
- Throwing objects like rocks or snowballs
- Climbing trees, fences, or the school building
- Chewing gum
- Being out of uniform (including inappropriate jewelry or make-up)
- Defying authority
- Defacing school or personal property
- Swearing or using inappropriate language
- Play-fighting and rough play
The following behaviours are unacceptable and will involve school administration. Parents will be contacted and suspension from school or expulsion of the student may result, depending on the frequency and severity of the offence.
- Fighting
- Bullying through intimidating actions or harassment of others
- Stealing
- Possession and/or use of any weapon (weapon is defined as any instrument designed, or used, to injure or intimidate another person)
- Possession and/or use of alcohol and restricted or illicit drugs
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