Discipline Procedure

The word discipline comes from the word disciple. Christ told us how to look and recognize his followers. St. Jerome School this is a place where

• Every person is respected regardless of age
• Students, staff, teachers and administration work to help each other
• All exhibit the love and concern in Christ Himself, for Christ is very present in our school today

In short, our school community should be a community of faith, whose bond of unity is shared by the presence of God in each one of us present here today. In order to create the atmosphere where such values and attitudes can grow, it is necessary that all students fulfill their responsibilities also. Children must have respect for themselves first, one another, and for the adult members of this school community.

Student Expectations

Give a good example to fellow students

• Practicing self-discipline and developing a sense of responsibility
• Obey rules established by the school and the classroom teacher
• Treating others and property in a respectful manner

Parent Expectations

• Support the faculty and reinforce the ideals and goals of the school in your home and by encouraging your children in their efforts to achieve them
• Take a conscientious role in your child's development by being aware of his or her academic or social needs

Faculty Expectations

• Implement rules and policies fairly and consistently
• Communicate to parents any significant changes in their child's behavior, academic or social being. Meeting with parents need to be done privately.

Student Behavior

• Discipline and Achievement There is close connection between discipline and academic achievement. This achievement demands self-control on the part of the student, mutual respect and cooperation on part of the teachers and students and creating a learning environment that is orderly, peaceful and purposeful.
• Behavior Improvement Process Self-control is a learned process and it takes time and effort to develop. Much unacceptable behavior occurs because children make mistakes in their journey of becoming young adults. This usually means that the school needs to be that environment that will help the student develop a sense of self-control. The teacher, the principal or a phone call can do this through a talk to the parents, isolation from their peers, detention, suspension and even expulsion if necessary.

If ordinary disciplinary means fail to convert a student to the point of unreasonable behavior, and then extraordinary means must be employed. This would include the following

• Conferences with student, parent, teacher and principal
• In-school suspension Parents will be required to pay a $60.00 fee
• Out of School Suspension
• Revocation of Privileges and denial of class activities
• Alternative placement, following an exit conference with student, parent, teacher and principal

Unacceptable Behavior

Some examples of behavior in a Christian educational community and requiring the use of extraordinary discipline measures are

• Chronic lack of effort and work
• Disregard of school and classroom regulations
• Defacement/Destruction of School Property
• Frequent Disruption of Classes
• Frequent Violations of Dress Code
• Stealing
• Verbal Disrespect
• Insubordination toward any staff member of the school community
• Frequently hurting students feelings, bullying them or calling them names
• Fighting or Verbal abuse of students
• Frequent tardiness
• Truancy

Some behaviors merit SUSPENSION from school. Among these are

• Smoking, drinking and drug use in school or on parish grounds
• Leave school without permission
• Grave disrespect of a staff member
• Serious vandalism or theft
• Causing harm or injury to another through fighting or carelessness
• Possession or use of a weapon
• Doing anything which threatens the health, safety or welfare of the school community
• Any other serious misconducts

The Principal is the final recourse in all disciplinary situations and may waive any disciplinary rules or procedures for just cause at his or her discretion.

Bullying

Verbal and non-verbal behavior that occurs repeatedly over time and causes physical or emotional harm to another. Such behavior may include, but limited to teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting, stealing or destroying personal property.

Staff will be responsible for preventing bullying in the following manner

• Supervise students closely in all areas of the school and playground
• Watch for signs of bullying and stop it when it happens
• Respond quickly and sensitively to bully reports
• Take parents concerns about bullying seriously
• Investigate all reports of bullying
• Assign consequences for bullying based on the St. Jerome Disciplinary Procedures
• Provide immediate consequences for retaliation against students who report bullying
• Support St. Jerome Bully Policies

Students will be responsible for preventing bullying in the following manner

• Treat others with respect
• Refuse to bully others
• Refuse to let others be bullied
• Refuse to watch; laugh or join in when someone is bullied
• Report bullying to staff
• Practice the 4 R's respect of self, respect for others, respect for the environment, and respect for learning

Procedures for bullying and disciplinary action

1. Immediately report any bully incident to staff
2. The bully incident will be investigated by teachers and principals with the goal of stopping the bullying
3. In case of serious bullying, staff will record the incident and both parents will be notified. A meeting will be set up for both parties to discuss the issues.
4. An attempt will be made to help to help the student change their behavior through counseling and corrective discipline.
5. Disciplinary action will include

• 1st Incident Investigate all allegations and a verbal warning.
• 2nd Incident Further investigation, including meetings with parents, witnesses, teachers and students. May result in possible school suspension with mandatory probation period. Please note that parents will be required to pay a $60.00 fee for in-school suspension.
• 3rd Incident If it is deemed that a student continues to exhibit bullying behavior, it may result in expulsion from school.

Detentions

When a student receives a detention, the student must get their parent to sign and return it to school the next day. The cost for the detention will be $15.00 per detention. Detentions will be on Monday-Friday from 230-400. Detentions can be given to any student from grades Kg-8th. Detentions will be located in the parish hall and your child will be given a written assignment to complete. Failure to return the detention the next school day will result in another detention and additional fee of $15.00. Detentions can be given from any teacher or staff. The premise is that if you follow the rules, you won't get a detention.

Drug Free Policy

All students have a right to attend school in an environment conducive to learning. The use of alcohol and drugs are illegal and interfere with an effective learning climate and healthy development of children. St. Jerome School has a legal and moral obligation to maintain a drug free and smoke free educational environment. Schools must provide drug education that is integrated within the curriculum at all grade levels, to prepare students for decision-making against drug and alcohol use. At St. Jerome School the students are not allowed to smoke in school, on school grounds or at any school sponsored events. Furthermore, no alcohol beverages may be served if students are present at any school event. If a student is found in possession of any type of drug, they will immediately be suspended until further notice. Parents will be called and a meeting between the parents and principal will take place. The principal will give parents a variety of resources that they can use to help their child. After parent meeting, counselor meeting with both student and parents; then the student might be readmitted based on a meeting with the parents and counselor.

Search and Seizure

The Archdiocese of Chicago and the Office of Catholic Education mandated that school personnel are in charge of protecting the health and safety of all students. Fulfillment of these duties may conflict with a student right for the need for privacy. There needs to be a balance between the students' rights and protection of society.

While lockers, desks, and other storage areas are provided by the school, the school retains the control and access to all lockers, desks and storage areas. These areas are assigned to students based on the premise that they will be used for school use. School personnel at anytime can inspect these areas with or without the student.

Searches of School Property

All property of the school including students' desks and lockers as well as content may be searched and/or inspected at any time without any notice. Authorized school personnel have an unrestricted right to search these structures as well as containers, book bags, purses, or articles of clothing that are left unattended on school property.

Searches of Students' Person and Personnel Property The search of a student or personal property currently being carried is permissible when there is any suspicion that a student may be carrying contraband.

Conducting the Search

• When conducting a search at least one other authorized school personnel must be present. Where possible on person must be of the same gender of the student.
• The principal must always have another school authority present when a search is conducted.
• If a weapon or other substance is suspected, the school will call the Chicago Police Department immediately.
• If the weapon or illegal drug is seized, the principal will call the police and report the incident to the police, diocese and rectory and then hand over contraband when the police arrive.
• Appropriate parent/guardian must be informed of the situation as soon as possible.
• If a student refuses to voluntarily empty his or her pockets, open a school bag or purse, the student will be detained under supervision until the parents arrive.

School Rule and Regulation

1. Punctuality Come to school on time
2. School Uniform Wear appropriate uniform at all times.
3. School Hallway Quiet in the halls, your body to yourself, dispose of litter in the appropriate places and walk in the halls.
4. Lunchroom Keep your feet, hands, and objects to yourself, follow directions, clean up after yourself, and stay at assigned tables.
5. Playground Respect property, keep feet, hands and objects to yourself, stay in assigned area, follow directions, no name calling, and use playground equipment properly. Fighting with a student is an automatic school suspension for both parties. St. Jerome School has a Zero Tolerance Policy for fighting.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual harassment by one employee of another or by a student is unacceptable. Employees or students engaged in any type of harassment will be subject to appropriate discipline, including suspension and/or dismissal. Meeting with the counselor will be a requirement.

Retaliation in any form against an employee or student exercises their right to make a complaint under this policy and strictly prohibited and will itself be cause for appropriate disciplinary action.

Any employee or student who knowingly make false charges against an employee or student in an attempt to demean, harass, abuse or embarrass that individual shall be subject to sanctions for misconduct set forth above.

St. Jerome School will gather all the facts regarding any allegations and appropriate action will take place.

Typical Consequences in dealing with Behavior

• Verbal Warning
• Conferences with Teacher and/or Principal
• Detention
• Parent Conference
• In-School Suspension
• Out of School Suspension
• Expulsion from School

Note These are suggested guidelines, but at any time a student can move down the list depending on the rule violated.