Policy
SJA's Policies serve as a code of conduct that is in place to maintain and provide for the educational, physical, spiritual, and emotional well being of all students, staff and visitors to St. Joan of Arc School.
Policies are set and reviewed by the Board of Education.
Policies are set and reviewed by the Board of Education.
SJA Bullying Prevention
Bully behavior is not acceptable at St. Joan of Arc School, where we implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). This comprehensive, research-based bullying prevention program has been proven to prevent or reduce bullying throughout a school setting, and is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels, and partners with parents and community members. The program goals are to reduce bullying problems among students, to prevent the development of new bullying problems, and to achieve better peer relations at school. The bullying prevention coordinating committee has received training from a certified OBPP trainer and will be providing both staff and parents with information to prevent and address bullying behavior. These efforts are designed to build on and support the safe and secure learning environment at SJA School.
All staff will take immediate action whenever bullying behavior is being observed, or there is a suspicion of a child is being bullied.
September class meetings will be devoted to instruction on the definition of bullying, the four bully rules, and the consequences associated with them. This
will be followed by a Bully Prevention Kick-off to support s school-wide effort to prevent bullying. Students should know the 4 anti-bully rules: 1. We will not
bully others. 2. We will help students who are bullied. 3. We will include students who are left out. 4. If we know of someone who is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
All staff will take immediate action whenever bullying behavior is being observed, or there is a suspicion of a child is being bullied.
September class meetings will be devoted to instruction on the definition of bullying, the four bully rules, and the consequences associated with them. This
will be followed by a Bully Prevention Kick-off to support s school-wide effort to prevent bullying. Students should know the 4 anti-bully rules: 1. We will not
bully others. 2. We will help students who are bullied. 3. We will include students who are left out. 4. If we know of someone who is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Discipline
An atmosphere of calm is essential to learning, and nothing so contributes to this atmosphere as QUIET: quiet voices, gentle handling of lockers, books, desks, doors. Cafeteria lines will move with order and efficiency if you are patient and polite in waiting your turn.
During the first week of school, teachers provide contracts clearly outlining expectations for academics and behavior. Parents, students and teachers sign the contracts. It is important that teachers then follow through on the contents of the contracts in order to maintain consistency and fairness. Parent contact is important in maintaining consistency in discipline. Since parents are made aware of expectations of teachers in the contracts, they should be considered active partners in helping teachers resolve difficulties in the classroom.
(Diocesan Policy 5135A)
The Diocese of Harrisburg is committed to providing an educational environment that is free from physical, psychological, sexual, or verbal harassment.
The Diocese prohibits any form of harassment, including bullying or cyber bullying of or by students, on or off the school
campus.
Bullying shall mean unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a student by another students that has the intent of or effect of:
Any student who experiences some form of harassment or bullying should report it to the school administration. Prompt investigation of allegations of harassment or
bullying will be made on a confidential basis by the most immediate administrative authority not accused of or involved with the allegation to ascertain the veracity of complaints. Any student who engages in harassment or bullying is subject to discipline up to and including expulsion, depending on the seriousness of the offensive conduct.
Consequences: At all levels, inform the students, "This is bully behavior."
Bystanders that are seen as encouraging bully behavior are subject to this discipline chart.
During the first week of school, teachers provide contracts clearly outlining expectations for academics and behavior. Parents, students and teachers sign the contracts. It is important that teachers then follow through on the contents of the contracts in order to maintain consistency and fairness. Parent contact is important in maintaining consistency in discipline. Since parents are made aware of expectations of teachers in the contracts, they should be considered active partners in helping teachers resolve difficulties in the classroom.
(Diocesan Policy 5135A)
The Diocese of Harrisburg is committed to providing an educational environment that is free from physical, psychological, sexual, or verbal harassment.
The Diocese prohibits any form of harassment, including bullying or cyber bullying of or by students, on or off the school
campus.
Bullying shall mean unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a student by another students that has the intent of or effect of:
- Physically, emotionally, or mentally harming a student
- Damaging, extorting, or taking a student's personal property
- Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional, or mental harm
- Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property
- Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student's educational opportunities.
Any student who experiences some form of harassment or bullying should report it to the school administration. Prompt investigation of allegations of harassment or
bullying will be made on a confidential basis by the most immediate administrative authority not accused of or involved with the allegation to ascertain the veracity of complaints. Any student who engages in harassment or bullying is subject to discipline up to and including expulsion, depending on the seriousness of the offensive conduct.
Consequences: At all levels, inform the students, "This is bully behavior."
Bystanders that are seen as encouraging bully behavior are subject to this discipline chart.
|
Behavior |
Verbal/Social Exclusion Cyber bullying |
Hitting, Pushing, Shoving |
Severe hitting, Physical threats, Severe Harassment |
|
1st time |
Verbal warning. Form filled out, signed by parent |
||
|
2nd time |
Form filled out, signed by parent. Detention in school w/viewing of video on bully awareness and prevention. |
||
|
3rd time |
Form filled out, signed by parent. After school detention. Student-parent meeting with BPCC committee |
||
|
4th time |
Form filled out, signed by parent. Suspension 1 day. Counseling. SST meeting |
Suspension – out of school Form signed by parent |
|
|
5th time |
Extended suspension |
||
The following are examples of other misbehavior. Unlisted misbehavior does not mean that it is without consequences. MINOR OFFENSE possibly resulting in DETENTION: Foul language, disturbing class, tardiness, failure to have necessary books and materials, loitering in lavatories, littering, lying, etc. MAJOR OFFENSE possibly resulting in DETENTION, PARENT CONFERENCE WITH TEACHER.
Falsification of parent/guardian signatures, failure to report to detention, repeated minor offenses, disrespect, leaving school without permission, invasion of teacher's desk or property, cheating, bullying etc.
GRAVE OFFENSE possibly resulting in SUSPENSION, PARENT CONFERENCE WITH PRINCIPAL.
Truancy, insubordination, theft, vandalism, smoking, alcohol, snuff, drugs
NOTE: 5 behavior detentions may prevent a student from participating in any trip.
In Grades 6-8, a card is used in order to keep parents informed of patterns of misbehavior. A student who receives three teacher signatures for misconduct will have a detention after school.
If a student is unable to report to detention on a specific occasion, the student must present a written verification from the conflicting appointment (dentist, doctor, orthodontist, etc.), signed also by the parent. An unexcused absence will result in a second detention.
According to the seriousness or persistence of the offense, the following steps may be used:
Falsification of parent/guardian signatures, failure to report to detention, repeated minor offenses, disrespect, leaving school without permission, invasion of teacher's desk or property, cheating, bullying etc.
GRAVE OFFENSE possibly resulting in SUSPENSION, PARENT CONFERENCE WITH PRINCIPAL.
Truancy, insubordination, theft, vandalism, smoking, alcohol, snuff, drugs
NOTE: 5 behavior detentions may prevent a student from participating in any trip.
In Grades 6-8, a card is used in order to keep parents informed of patterns of misbehavior. A student who receives three teacher signatures for misconduct will have a detention after school.
If a student is unable to report to detention on a specific occasion, the student must present a written verification from the conflicting appointment (dentist, doctor, orthodontist, etc.), signed also by the parent. An unexcused absence will result in a second detention.
According to the seriousness or persistence of the offense, the following steps may be used:
|
8. Parent-Teacher conference.
9. Parent-Teacher-Principal conference. 10. Conference with St. Joan of Arc and/or Holy Spirit Pastor (or other sending pastor). 11. In-school suspension. 12. Out-of-school suspension. (Student will receive zero in all subject areas for work missed). 13. Expulsion. (The Pastor makes the final decision.) |
Careful documentation must be kept in all major disciplinary proceedings.
PLEASE NOTE It is not required that each step be followed in that order. Depending on the circumstances or incident, the above forms a pattern of steps that may be taken.
When students are given an "indoor lunch recess," parents are not generally notified. If parents want to be contacted about every issue, the teacher should be informed at the beginning of the year.
It is apparent that many things, which occur during the day, require the teacher's appraisal of the situation. It will always be true that everyone will not evaluate everything in the same way. In many cases we find the student will defend behavior by saying that other students were involved as well. This is a typical defense reaction. It does NOT excuse the student's behavior. The school is attempting to be FAIR and CONSISTENT in the administration of discipline. Not everyone will see incidents the same way each time. If a student has done wrong, she/he must be corrected for the misbehavior. Even if the other student gets away with it, the student who has been disciplined must accept responsibility for his/her own correction. Two students doing wrong do not make it right if only one gets caught. The principal or pastor is the final recourse in all disciplinary situations, and may waive any disciplinary rule for just cause at his/her discretion.
Parent-Teacher cooperation is beneficial toward the behavioral development of the student. If you have any questions, deal directly with the teacher. If any mistake is made, the teacher will attempt to correct the problem.
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
Very serious breaches of discipline make a student liable to suspension or eventual expulsion:
In order to safeguard students, we do not permit students to use white-out or rubber cement, or to bring scissors to school. \
A parent of any student who damages school property shall be liable for damages in the amount of the injury. This includes textbooks. According to Diocesan Policy #5131, "Should a student be accused of a serious or criminal violation apart from school, the student may be placed on home study until the matter has been resolved, or another determination has been made by the administration.
According to the Safe Schools Act of 1997, "It is the policy of our school to notify the school to which a student transfers if a student is expelled, or withdraws from school, and is involved with any of the following infractions: An act or offense involving weapons; sale or possession of controlled substances; willful infliction of injury to another person, or act of violence committed on school property, or while in the custody of the school."
PLEASE NOTE It is not required that each step be followed in that order. Depending on the circumstances or incident, the above forms a pattern of steps that may be taken.
When students are given an "indoor lunch recess," parents are not generally notified. If parents want to be contacted about every issue, the teacher should be informed at the beginning of the year.
It is apparent that many things, which occur during the day, require the teacher's appraisal of the situation. It will always be true that everyone will not evaluate everything in the same way. In many cases we find the student will defend behavior by saying that other students were involved as well. This is a typical defense reaction. It does NOT excuse the student's behavior. The school is attempting to be FAIR and CONSISTENT in the administration of discipline. Not everyone will see incidents the same way each time. If a student has done wrong, she/he must be corrected for the misbehavior. Even if the other student gets away with it, the student who has been disciplined must accept responsibility for his/her own correction. Two students doing wrong do not make it right if only one gets caught. The principal or pastor is the final recourse in all disciplinary situations, and may waive any disciplinary rule for just cause at his/her discretion.
Parent-Teacher cooperation is beneficial toward the behavioral development of the student. If you have any questions, deal directly with the teacher. If any mistake is made, the teacher will attempt to correct the problem.
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
Very serious breaches of discipline make a student liable to suspension or eventual expulsion:
- Continued misconduct after repeated detentions have failed to bring about a change in behavior.
- Willful disobedience or open defiance of teacher's authority.
- Willful damage to school or student property.
- Stealing.
- Obscenity, pornography, profanity, or vulgarity in word or act.
- Fighting in school, on the bus, on school property, or at a school sponsored activity
- Use of or possession of drugs or alcohol, tobacco, matches, knives, weapons, or drug paraphernalia.
- Continued Harassment
- Immediate reporting of possession of any weapon and/or threats to inflict violence to law enforcement officials
- Immediate suspension with the possibility of expulsion if there are extenuating circumstances
- Informing the Superintendent of anyone so accused.
In order to safeguard students, we do not permit students to use white-out or rubber cement, or to bring scissors to school. \
A parent of any student who damages school property shall be liable for damages in the amount of the injury. This includes textbooks. According to Diocesan Policy #5131, "Should a student be accused of a serious or criminal violation apart from school, the student may be placed on home study until the matter has been resolved, or another determination has been made by the administration.
According to the Safe Schools Act of 1997, "It is the policy of our school to notify the school to which a student transfers if a student is expelled, or withdraws from school, and is involved with any of the following infractions: An act or offense involving weapons; sale or possession of controlled substances; willful infliction of injury to another person, or act of violence committed on school property, or while in the custody of the school."
