Virtue Discipline Policy

Behavior Check Monitoring System

The Behavior Check Monitoring System is designed to improve student behavior through a structured process that includes clear consequences and opportunities for reflection and growth. The system focuses on minor infractions and aims to guide students in making better choices.

The system comprises a series of escalating consequences based on the number of offenses:

First Offense:

• Action: Verbal warning and reflection time

• Purpose: To provide the student with an opportunity to understand the impact of their actions and encourage self-reflection.

Second Offense:

• Action: Behavior check

• Purpose: To formally document the infraction and remind the student of the importance of following school rules.

Third Offense: Multiple behavior checks within the same class period.

• Action: Immediate intervention meeting with administration.

• Purpose: To ensure the student takes responsibility through a dialogue with an administrator about their behavior or choices.

Additional Interventions and Consequences

After 4 Behavior Checks:

• Action: Intervention meeting with administration

• Purpose: To discuss the student's behavior pattern and develop a plan for improvement. This meeting involves the student and school administration to create a collaborative approach to behavior modification. 

After 6 Behavior Checks:

• Action: Restorative virtue detention

• Purpose: To help the student understand the implications of their actions through a restorative approach. This detention is tailored to the specific infractions and aims to mitigate mistakes and improve behavior. Activities may include:

  • Writing reflective essays on the impact of their behavior

  • Participating in community service within the school

  • Engaging in structured discussions about virtues such as respect, responsibility, and empathy

After 7 or More Behavior Checks Following a Restorative Virtue Detention:

• Action: Individualized Behavior Improvement Plan and parent/guardian conference.

• Purpose: A continued pattern of minor infractions indicates that additional intervention may be necessary. The school will collaborate with the student and family to identify behavioral concerns, establish specific expectations, and develop strategies for improvement.

• The plan may include:

  • Specific behavioral goals

  • Daily or weekly behavior monitoring

  • Check-ins with a teacher, administrator, or designated staff member

  • Additional restorative activities

  • Parent/guardian communication

  • Additional consequences for continued infractions

Continued Behavior Concerns:

If a student continues to accumulate behavior checks despite the interventions above, administration may determine additional disciplinary consequences or supports are necessary. Serious or major infractions may bypass this progressive system and result in immediate administrative consequences.

Implementation and Monitoring

• Documentation: All behavior checks and consequences are documented digitally by the teacher and shared with administration.

• Weekly Progress Report: A progress report will be implemented for students to keep track of their behavior checks, allowing them to monitor their progress and make improvements. Forms will be sent home with the expectation that they are signed by both the parent and student and returned. Failure to return the report will result in an additional check. (A verbal reminder by admin. with 1 additional day to return will be given prior to the additional check.)

• Review Meetings: Regular review meetings are held with teachers and administrators to monitor the student's behavior and make adjustments to the intervention plan as needed.

• Positive Reinforcement: Positive behaviors are also recognized and rewarded to encourage continuous improvement and highlight the benefits of making good choices. Behavior checks will reset periodically throughout the school year/quarter. Students will be notified by teachers/admin. when checks will reset. Out of uniform days and/or special activities for adherence to the virtue discipline behavior check monitoring system will be periodically awarded to students based on a set number of checks as determined by the teachers and administration.

This Behavior Check Monitoring System aims to create a supportive and structured environment where students understand the importance of their actions and are motivated to improve their behavior through reflection, accountability, and restorative practices.

Why a Virtue Based Discipline Policy?

By integrating these principles into our discipline policy, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Middle School aims to help students build a strong moral foundation, which will guide them throughout their lives. We believe that fostering a community rooted in respect, empathy, and responsibility is essential for the moral development of our students. Our educators are dedicated to modeling these values and creating an environment where every child feels valued and supported.

In addition to academic excellence, we prioritize the social and emotional growth of our students. Through various programs and activities, we encourage them to practice kindness, engage in community service, and develop leadership skills. By doing so, we hope to nurture not only knowledgeable scholars but also compassionate individuals who are prepared to make positive contributions to society.

Furthermore, we invite parents and guardians to partner with us in this mission. By working together, we can ensure that the lessons learned at school are reinforced at home, creating a consistent and supportive framework for our students' growth.