Behaviors and Consequences

Behaviors and student expectations stated  are classified as Minor, Serious, or Very Serious. 

 1: MINOR BEHAVIORS 

Such behaviors include but are not limited to: 

1. Tardiness to school or individual classes during the school day; 

2. Failure to submit or comply with assigned work or deadlines; 

3. Inappropriate classroom behavior that blocks classroom instruction; 

4. Disrespect in word, action or deed towards others; 

5. Using hurtful comments and/or inappropriate language; 

6. Inappropriate and/or unwanted public display of affection; 

7. Not adhering to ISU Dress Code – see section further below; 

8. Committing an act of academic integrity for the first time in a minor classroom assignment. 

Consequences - Minor Behaviors: 

Step 1: Teacher will discuss the issue respectfully with the student in order to help the student learn and then make appropriate changes. 

Step 2: The teacher will impose appropriate consequences for the behavior should they deem it necessary, based upon the actual infraction, the age of student, and repetition of the behavior. 

Step 3: If the behavior continues, the student will be referred in writing to the Head of Secondary (HOS) or Head of Primary (HOP) as appropriate who will discuss the issue with the student and teacher, and decide upon the next step on a case by case basis. 

2: SERIOUS BEHAVIORS

ISU faculty or other staff will refer these behaviors immediately to the HOP/HOS as appropriate. Such behaviors include but are not limited to: 

1. Culturally and/or personally offensive verbal or written expressions or gestures; 

2. Threatening or intimidating (bullying/sexual harassment) other students by word or gesture; 

3. Aggressive physical contact/fighting; 

4. Repeated disruption of the classroom environment; 

5. Lying to teachers, administrators, or other ISU staff; 

6. Committing an act of academic misconduct (See Academic Integrity policy); 

7. Falsification of parent/guardian’s signature on permission slips, progress reports, report cards or any school communication; 

8. Truancy - not attending regularly scheduled classes/events, or leaving the school/events  without parental permission; 

9. Abuse of ISU technology (including but not limited to damage or inappropriate use as detailed in the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement – see related section below); 

10. Vandalism (deliberately causing harm or destroying school or other people’s property, including defacing walls, doors, buildings, teaching equipment, and vehicles). 

Consequences - Serious Behaviors: 

Step 1: After a thorough investigation {including teacher, student, and involved persons input and the HOS/HOP as appropriate}, a meeting will be held between the teacher, the student and HOS/HOP. The parents will be notified by HOS/HOP and possibly called in for the meeting. Disciplinary action will be taken at the discretion of the HOS/HOP, based upon prior incidents and repetition of behaviors. In some situations, disciplinary action may be taken immediately. 

Step 2: Written documentation of both the behavior and the resulting action will be kept by HOS/HOP in the student’s file. 

Step 3: If a second serious behavior occurs, a meeting with the student, parent, teacher, and HOS/HOP, possibly including the Director, will take place and the student and parent will sign a Behavior Improvement Plan. Written documentation of both the behavior and the resulting action will be included in the student’s file. 

Step 4: If a third serious behavior is committed, or the Behavior Improvement Plan is violated, the student may be suspended from attendance at ISU by the Director. A decision may need to be taken about the student’s future at ISU. Written documentation of both the behavior and the resulting action will be included in the student’s file. 

 3: VERY SERIOUS BEHAVIORS: 

Very serious behaviors are immediately reported to the HOS/HOP and written documentation is provided immediately from the discovering teacher. Very serious behaviors will be worked through the administrative level. Such behaviors include but are not limited to: 

1. Possession of anything dangerous that poses a threat to the well being of the people at school or school activities; 

2. Threats of violence or acts of terror; 

3. Physical fighting in which a weapon or object is used to injure or attempt to injure another; 

4. Use or possession of alcohol, tobacco/vape or any other illegal substance at school or school activities; 

5. Possession or theft of any exam, test, or teacher material; 

6. Theft or attempted theft; 

7.  Academic Integrity concern on Externally Moderated work (DP)*

8.  Alteration of any official school documents, exams, report cards, or transcripts; 

9.  Sexual harassment (unsolicited and unwelcome sexual attention or conduct that may be verbal, physical, written, or visual); 

10. Behaving in a way that gravely offends the prestige of the school, whether at school or in the community; 

11. Possession of or viewing of pornography at school or school activities. 

Consequences - Very Serious Behaviors: 

Step 1: The student will be immediately suspended by the Director until a conference can be arranged with the student, parents, HOS/HOP and the Director. A Behavior Improvement Contract may be issued if the student is permitted to remain at ISU. This contract will be signed by the school, student and parents. Written documentation of both the behavior and the resulting action will be included in the student’s file. *An Academic Integrity concern on an externally moderated piece of work may result in a non-submission of that work  and the loss of the IB Diploma.

Step 2: If the very serious behavior is committed again or the Behavior Improvement Contract is violated, the student will be suspended again until the Director determines whether the student is expelled or given another opportunity to behave appropriately. The Director will write a document explaining the behavior and the disciplinary action taken and it will become a permanent part of the student’s file. 

Appeal of Disciplinary Action 

If a student feels that he/she/they is not at fault for the behavior or that the discipline was too severe, the student may appeal the decision. 

1. A student maintains the right to present his/her/their side of the issue. This includes the right to challenge the evidence, the right to present witnesses, the right to have a translator, the right to have a support person's presence. 

2. The process of appeals is outlined below: 

a. For Minor Behaviors with disciplinary consequences given by the teacher, only after the student has discussed the matter with the teacher, may the student then appeal that matter to the HOS/HOP. 

b. Disciplinary consequences imposed by the HOS/HOP or decisions by the HOS/HOP regarding student appeals may be appealed to the Director after discussion with the HOP or HOS as appropriate. 

If appealing to the Director, the student must request a meeting with the Director within one school day of the HOP/HOS-imposed discipline. 

The Director will meet the student and all other parties involved and give a written decision as soon as possible.