Behavior Guidelines

Beltsville Adventist School is a Christ-centered learning community that welcomes all whose behavior and lifestyle are consistent with the teachings of Scripture as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Students can remain in good standing provided they conduct themselves consistently with the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on sexual conduct, sexual orientation and gender expression.  BAS upholds Biblical principles which include, but are not limited to, behaviors related to sexual matters. Human sexuality is a gift from God, and it is to be respected within the confines of a marital union between a man and a woman. The BAS administration and school board will uphold these Biblical principles. Students' gender expression is expected to align with their biological gender at birth. BAS will only accept and retain students whose gender expression aligns with their biological gender at birth (See references below)

As a Seventh-day Adventist educational facility, one of our responsibilities is to promote and expect Christian values to be displayed by our students. The majority of discipline takes place at the classroom teacher level, although the classroom teacher may involve the administration whenever he/she finds it necessary.

BAS students are expected to display behavior that follows the “Three B’s” at all times; Be respectful, Be kind, Be safe. BAS faculty recognizes their responsibility to manage, to a degree, student interactions. This is facilitated by adequately supervising students throughout the day. Faculty and staff will intervene whenever acts of bullying or harassment are noted and give clear messages to students that these acts are unacceptable. If an undesirable behavior persists, the teacher will contact the parent and discuss the situation with the goal that together they can guide the student to change his/her behavior. 

If classroom consequences and consultation with a parent do not bring about the needed behavior change, the teacher may send the student to administration or refer the student to the BAS Discipline Committee. Some behaviors automatically constitute a referral to administration (Refer to the Tier Offenses document.) 

If a student is referred to Discipline Committee, the parents will be notified in advance of the Discipline Committee meeting. The protocol that is followed is:  1. The student explains the situation that occurred.  2. The committee members ask clarifying questions.  3. The committee discusses an appropriate consequence.  4. The consequence(s) are communicated to the parents and student.

The student's parents may attend Discipline Committee, but they are requested to remain silent through the initial proceedings. They will be allowed to speak with the committee once the student has been excused from the room.  If a parent is not in attendance at the meeting, they will be notified of any actions taken by the committee. 

Discipline Committee is comprised of the administration and three staff members.  Although any student can be referred, in most circumstances it is reserved for students in grades 5-8. Behaviors involving the possession of tobacco products, drugs, alcohol, hazardous items and/or weapons will result in an immediate suspension and possible expulsion.  BAS has an obligation to inform law enforcement officials of any incidence of drugs, alcohol or weapon possession. 

The Columbia Union Education Code states that the following steps must be followed when suspending a student: COLUMBIA UNION CODE, JULY 1, 2021 

a. The student must be given the opportunity to explain his/her version of the facts concerning the misbehavior before the decision to suspend is made. 

b. The student’s parent must be notified of the suspension as soon as possible. 

c. Within 72 hours, a written statement will be given to the student and the parent explaining the circumstances causing the suspension, its duration, and expectations for future behavior. 

d. If the suspension exceeds three school days, the student and parent may request and receive a hearing before the local school board, or its designee, to determine if the behavior warrants the longer suspension.

References:

Biblical references - Gen 1:27; Gen 2:22-24; Gen 3:6-19; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:9; 7:14-23; 8:20-23; Gal 5:17; Rom 12:2; Prov 14:12; Prov 16:25; 2 Tim 3:16; Gen 2:7; Jer 13:17; 52:28-30; Ezek 18:4; Acts 2:41; 1 Cor 15:45; Eph 5:28; Rom 12:1-2; Rev 18:13; 1 Pet 1:24; 2 Tim 4:22; 1 John 4:1-3; 1 Tim 6:14-16; 1 Cor 15:51-54; Gen 1:27; 5:1-2; Ps 139:13-14; Mark 10:6; Matt 5:28, 31-32; 1 Tim 1:8-11; Heb 13:4; Rom 1:21-28; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Mark 12:31; Matt 12:20; 1 Cor 6:9-11; 1 Cor 6:19

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s official statement on transgenderism: 

(https://www.adventist.org/official-statements/statement-on-transgenderism/)

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s website on human sexuality: humansexuality.org