MISCONDUCT/HARM 

Students are responsible for following the school-wide behavior expectations and code of conduct. As further described in “Disciplinary Measures” below, misconduct could result in, among other measures, the expulsion of the student from the school. 

Behaviors that are considered misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• tardiness to any class without permission from the previous teacher, the school nurse or the school office; 

• failing to follow classroom rules or procedures; 

• uniform violations; 

• failing to maintain appropriate decorum in church or at Mass; 

• name-calling, bullying, hazing, harassing or otherwise showing disrespect to other students or to school employees, visitors, volunteers or any other persons; 

• using profane language, signs or symbols; 

• stealing, lying or cheating, which includes forging signatures or grades, plagiarism and sharing or copying school work; 

• making statements, joining in activities or engaging in criminal conduct, whether on or off the school premises, that are perceived by the school administration to be detrimental to the school or its reputation;  

• violating the school’s computer Acceptable Use Policy and/or Chromebook Use Contract; 

• possessing or bringing electronic game devices, such as iPads, laptops and all other devices, that allow electronic communication, such as Apple watches, on the school premises or on field trips unless an exception has been granted; 

• violation of the school’s cell phone policy;

• possessing or bringing pornographic or other inappropriate material on the school premises or at any parish or school function; this includes materials that may be dangerous or harmful to others or promote harm to others; 

• vandalizing school, parish or personal property; 

• possessing, transmitting, using or being under the influence of tobacco, alcohol or any controlled substance while on the school premises or at any parish or school; 

• possessing, transmitting or using a weapon of any kind or other dangerous item while on the school premises or at any parish or school function; 

• physical violence or threats of physical violence directed at another student or a school employee, volunteer, visitor or any other person. This includes hitting, pushing, or any other intentional touching; 

• any other behavior while on the school premises or at any parish or school function that is considered by a school employee or volunteer to be misconduct. 

DISCIPLINARY PHILOSOPHY 

Our expectations first focus on our students’ mental well-being and emotional well-being, then on how that impacts the way students treat others. We rely on the foundation of virtue (holy habits that imitate God) first, then restore relationships damaged by poor decisions. Incidents require different types of responses depending on whether they are low, mid, or high-level harm, and we commit to intervening early and often. 

• Low Level Harm: Parent communication NOT necessary. 

  • • EXAMPLES: First-time events, disruptions that minimally affect others (talking out unintentionally, throwing paper 1st time, laughing at another student 1st time, cursing 1st time depending on student age), minor physical events such as kicking or pushing 1st time not resulting in student injury. 

• Mid Level: Contact parent to inform them of the incident (for both harmed and harmers and witnesses if appropriate). Dean of Student should be informed. 

  • • EXAMPLES: Hurtful name-calling, repeated low-level events, arguing with teacher/insubordination 

• High Level: Contact parent to inform them of the incident (for both harmed and harmers and witnesses if appropriate). Dean of Student will direct this process and teacher may be present. 

  • • EXAMPLES: Injuring another student and repeated serious disturbance. 

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES 

Teachers and administrators use their professional judgment to determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the following: 

• Frequency, intensity, and duration of the behavior; 

• Student’s age/grade/developmental level;  

• Frequency of misconduct; 

• Student response following problematic behavior; and 

• Effect of harm on the school environment. 

When the student’s academic, physical, mental, or emotional well-being is in question, Administration will inform the parents of our concern.  The Administration reserves the right to require outside professional intervention as a condition for continuance at St. Rita Catholic School. The Administration reserves the right to collaborate with teachers and school counselors to ensure a student’s welfare and success at our school. The judgment of the administration will be the final determiner on any disciplinary action. 

Placing utmost importance on student confidentiality, school administrators reserve the right to refrain from sharing behavioral information with parents of other students, even if they were involved in an incident.

THE SPARTAN WAY - VIRTUES EVERY DAY

A two warning system with the third re-direction resulting in a Behavior notice and parent phone call is in place for all students. Students in grades PreK through second will have a Behavior Calendar that goes home each day. Third through eighth grades will utilize a system that incorporates a visible second warning, a  Post-It note placed on a student's desk to remind him/her that Spartans choose virtue and a third re-direction will result in a Behavior notice and parent phone call. 

Restoration and Resilience Program - Grades 3-8:

The Restoration and Resilience Program (R & R) is focused on restoring relationships and building resilience through the core virtues of The Spartan Way, particularly in grades 3 - 8: If a student breaks  a virtue or causes  harm to a member of the community, that  student may be required to attend early morning R & R Class, Thursdays 7:10 AM-7:45 AM.

R & R Class will be required following four mid- or high-level  Behavior Flip entries in one semester,  or at the discretion of the Administration for students in grades 5 - 8. Students in grades 3 and 4 will be required to attend R&R Class after earning five Behavior Flip entries in one semester. 

Parents will be notified and the situation explained prior to a student being required to attend R & R Class.  R & R Class for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be handled during the day, either in class or during a special.  A R & R Class for a student in K - 2nd grade will be lead by the teacher, aide,  Dean of Students or Vice Principal.

Students attending Thursday morning R & R Class will be required to pay a fee of $20, as this is outside the contracted working hours for teachers who will supervise the R & R Class. Students attending R & R Class will participate in restorative opportunities, including a Penance and Restoration Reflection Paper.  An apology note(s), may also be required for any student attending R & R Class, this will be at the discretion of the Administration.

Subsequent misconduct or harm to the community may result in additional R & R Class attendance and a Behavior Conference.  Behavior Conferences will  include the student,  parents, all grade level teachers, and an administrator. These conferences have the purpose of helping all stakeholders understand the situation and determine a plan of action that will result in success for the student.

In-School Suspension:

In-School Suspension: a period of time in school, but away from the classroom and other students for a day or more. In addition, the student is prohibited from participating in any extracurricular activities and from attending any school-sponsored activities during the suspension. See Appendix B “Eligibility Schedule.” Only the President, Principal, Vice Principal, or Dean of Students may give a student a suspension. A student may receive an in-school suspension without previously receiving a Behavior Flip. During an in-school suspension the student must take all assigned exams and tests. The student must turn in all school assignments before the student is readmitted to class. A student who receives an in-school suspension may earn a conduct grade no higher than "S" in all classes for the grading period during which the suspension occurs. If the student has subsequent behavior issues resulting in "Behavior Flips" in specific classes, he/she may have a conduct grade lower than "S" in those classes.

At-Home Suspension:

At-Home Suspension: a serious disciplinary measure that requires a student to remain apart from school for a period of one or more days. Only the President, Principal, Vice Principal, or Dean of Students may place a student on at-home suspension. At-home suspension demonstrates that the student, because of his/her behavior, must be separated from the school community. A student may receive an at-home suspension without previously receiving a Behavior Flip. During the at-home suspension, the student is prohibited from attending any school-sponsored activities, this includes and but is not limited to sports team practices or games. A student who receives an at-home suspension will also be assigned a Restoration and Penance Reflection Paper to complete and return to the Dean of Students upon return to school. The student must turn in all school assignments before being readmitted to school. Grades of "Zero" on daily, minor, assignments may be assigned to a student on at-home suspension. A student who receives an at-home suspension may earn a conduct grade no higher than "S" in all classes for the grading period during which the suspension occurs. If the student has subsequent behavior issues resulting in "Behavior Flips" in specific classes, he/she may have a conduct grade lower than "S" in those classes. A student who receives an at-home suspension may be rendered ineligible for all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year. 

Probation

At the sole discretion of the chief administrator, a student may be placed on probation for conduct that, in the chief administrator’s judgment, merits probation. Such conduct may take place on campus or off campus and may include, but is not limited to, relatively serious violations of school rules and continued misconduct after a warning. Neither a student nor a parent may request probation in place of or before a more severe disciplinary action is taken, up to and including separation from the school. When a student is placed on probation and when the chief administrator deems it appropriate, the following procedure will be implemented by the chief administrator or designee: 

a) A formal probation must be approved by the chief administrator or designee. 

b) A conference with parents, student, and school administrator shall be held. 

c) When a student has been placed on probation, the parents or guardians shall be informed in writing of the reason for the probation, the length of the probationary period, and the conditions under which the probation will be lifted. 

d) A written record of student probation shall be kept for reference should more serious action becomes necessary at a later time. Effort should be made to assist the student through constructive counseling in order to forestall further sanctions. 

Expulsion

Please see the section on expulsion here.