Student Code of Conduct

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Interventions are actions taken when a student violates a rule or policy.


INTRODUCTION

Hampden DuBose Academy views discipline not simply as punishment, but as training in righteousness, with the goal of Godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). The responsibility for discipline lies primarily with the parents, with the school assisting them as they fulfill their God-given obligation (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Ephesians 6:4).


Discipline is primarily a parental responsibility. It is up to the parents to see to it that the students behave properly. Parents do not relinquish their responsibility to the school. Rather, the school is here to support the parents in their discipline. If the school and the home are not working together on discipline, whatever the school does will be ineffective. While we employ various methods, the responsibility for student compliance finally rests with the parents, not with the school.


Attendance at Hampden DuBose Academy is a privilege, not a right. Any student whose conduct or attitude in or out of school shows him to be in opposition to the basic principles and purposes of the school will face dismissal. 


DISCIPLINE SYSTEM AND PHILOSOPHY

It is our earnest desire that parents and the school staff understand and agree upon the same ideas regarding the important matter of discipline. Please consider carefully the ideas below, as together we endeavor to train children from the same standpoint that out of our training will develop mature young adults.


The word discipline comes from a Latin word disco, meaning to learn. Discipline means education. It involves “instruction.....correcting thoughts, morals, and manners.....due subordination to authority, to govern.” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.)


The goal of discipline is to establish within the individual a proper relationship with God and man. Children who learn to be in a right relationship with God and others will be fulfilled and happy individuals. For, what is man’s chief end? It is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. When one understands that he is made by and for God, he understands that his life has a purpose.


Teaching a child Christian self-­‐government will help achieve the goal. Self-­‐government is the ability to control oneself, not by mere human will or out of fear of punishment, but out of love of Christ and submission to him.

The means for reaching this goal is to deal with the heart. Behavior changes when the heart changes. Jesus Christ, in the heart of the child, gives a greater desire to do what is right and to be properly self-­‐ governed  (Galatians  1:20).  Salvation  through  Jesus  Christ  produces  those  who  fulfill  the  law,  not  merely obey (aside  by) the  law  (Romans 8:2)


These are three aspects of discipline which include:


Teaching or training involves instruction in the standards, demonstration of standards, practicing the standards and further explanation if needed (Psalm 119:34).


Good discipline establishes and teaches the rules of government (direction, regulation, control, and restraint). It includes teaching the meaning of internal and external aspects of obedience, establishing  an understanding of the meaning of consenting to be governed, and acknowledging an agreement to be governed. It is not merely telling a child what to do.


There is an aspect of discipline that involves correction, chastisement, or punishment, but instruction comes first. The best instruction comes from the word of God. From the Bible, we learn all that is necessary for an understanding of:


Correction revolves around God’s Word and His authority. Correction helps the child account for his individual responsibility to God. It is intended to bring restoration and move a child back to obedience to God. “Discipline is not punitive but corrective.” It is an expression of love and yields a harvest of righteousness and peace.


It is best to correct internal attitudes before they become actions. These are the first revealed in a child’s posture, mouth, or eyes and can be gently corrected. Correction at this point enables a child to overcome areas of weakness and moves him toward self-­‐government.


Further steps in correction include the following:


Punishment, if needed, is determined and administered. Even though forgiveness has taken place, there is still the consequence of sin. You reap what you sow.


Punishment should fit the offense:


The school staff does not administer a spanking or corporal punishment. Failure to cooperate with the discipline program may lead to suspension or expulsion.


When a consequence is dispensed, the student is reminded of the Biblical authority of parents and the delegated authority of teachers to apply punishment. Children receive correction from parents and teachers because it is the means God has designed for correcting character.


In summary, the adults’ (parents and teachers) responsibilities toward the children they are training are:


Note: Students are encouraged to defend themselves in a case of aggressive behavior and escape to a safe area. Revenge is not tolerated and adults in charge execute justice.


DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES AT A GLANCE

Teach


Correction


Punish


CODE OF CONDUCT

Each student at Hampden DuBose Academy will receive a Code of Student Conduct.  This code is used to govern the conduct and discipline of students at our school.  Each student is expected to obey school rules while on school grounds, while being transported to and / or from school; during school-­‐sponsored events, field trips, athletic functions, and similar activities. Students are also to obey the laws of the state both on and off campus.  Those who violate the law will be dismissed from their current year of school.


DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINARY TERMS

DETENTIONS

A student may be detained for disciplinary reasons for up to one hour during or after school.


REMOVAL FROM CLASS

In extenuating circumstances, a student may be removed from class and sent to administration.


PROBATION

This is an intervention for a period of time in which the student must follow administrative directions in order to retain privileges.  A student placed on probation may be required to attend parent directed outside counseling during the intervention period.


SEARCH AND SEIZURE

If there is reasonable suspicion that a student possesses contraband or stolen property, the school administrator and/or designee may search the student’s belongings and ask the student to remove items that may be on their person (for example, empty their pockets). If the student refuses, the school administrator may call law enforcement and/or the student’s parents.


EXPULSION

The removal of the student from Hampden DuBose Academy.


“ZERO TOLERANCE” POLICY

The school views disruptive and criminal acts, and those which may affect the health, safety, and welfare of those on school property, school sponsored transportation, or during a school sponsored activity, as extremely serious in nature.


Students will be immediately suspended or expelled (Zero Tolerance) for:


CONFISCATED ITEMS

If a teacher or administrator confiscates an item, such as an electronic device, parents will be required to sign out the item from the school office. At this point, students will not be allowed to pick up the item.


STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Cheating and/or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate administrative  interventions and actions including loss of grade or course credit.


STUDENT SPEECH/EXPRESSION


GRADES


PRIVACY AND PROPERTY


USE OF SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY AND PROPERTY


DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM

An administrator may, at his or her discretion, assign an immediate detention or suspend or expel a student if the student’s behavior is warranted.  An example of this would be a student who is physically or verbally defiant to correction.  An administrator may, at his or her discretion, also place a student on immediate behavioral probation if warranted.


BEHAVIORAL PROBATION

A student may be placed on behavioral probation for any instance of behavior, which is dangerous to any other person while under school control, or for a pattern of irresponsible behavior which reflects an attitude of hard heartedness and lack of repentance. The time period of behavioral probation will be up to the discretion of the administration, and will be commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. Further offenses during probation will result in a recommendation for expulsion or encouragement to seek education elsewhere.


At the end of the probation period, the administration, after counsel with the student, his/her teachers, and his/her parents, may take further action including the following options: an additional probationary period if some promising change is evident, expulsion from school, or lifting of probation and restoration to full, responsible membership in the student body.


A student on behavioral probation may not represent the school in any public contact, contests, meetings, activities with other schools or the general public, extracurricular activities, or public events such as sports or drama performances. The student may, however, continue to participate in practice sessions.


INFRACTION LEVEL

LEVEL I INFRACTIONS


LEVEL I INTERVENTIONS


LEVEL II INFRACTIONS (Administrative Level Decisions)


LEVEL II INTERVENTIONS


POLICY FOR ACCRUED DETENTIONS

Level 1 Infractions that lead to detentions will be accrued as follows:


Level 2 Infractions will accrue as follows:


PARENTAL COMPLIANCE

Parents of students are expected to comply with all rules of conduct, academics, and other policies set forth by the school and published within the student handbooks. Parents are also expected to comply with all classroom requirements as set forth through the publishing of class syllabi and other communication methods from the teaching staff. Failure of a parent or parents to comply with the policies established from the school’s administration may result in the administrative withdrawal of the student from school.