Discipline

Overview

Proverbs 25:28 (NLT): A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

Proverbs 10:17 (NLT): People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.

The purpose of discipline is to encourage students to develop biblical self-discipline in their lives and to aid them in the development of godly character.

Valorous Academy wants to help students understand their responsibilities, learn how to accept the consequences of their actions whether positive or negative, and learn self-control in a variety of circumstances.

Discipline of a student is the joint responsibility of the family, teachers, and administration. We believe that parents and school personnel must cooperate fully with one another. Anything that breaks down respect and confidence for either may harm the student.

The Bible gives several principles regarding discipline. Thus, at Valorous Academy, consistent discipline is maintained while tempered with love. Teachers maintain standards of behavior in the classroom through kindness, love, and a genuine concern for the students. Likewise, misbehavior is dealt with firmly and consistently.

Disciplinary Responsibility and Chain of Command

The teacher is responsible for most discipline issues in the classroom. If the teacher has to correct the student for multiple infractions, they may contact the parents of the student to inform them of the recurring issue and seek parental correction of the issue. If parental involvement with the situation proves to be an ineffective remedy, the issues may be referred to the administration, who will counsel and impose further discipline if deemed necessary.

If a parent has a concern or question regarding student discipline, or a discipline-related situation occurs that is not understood, the parent should discuss it first with the teacher who implemented the discipline. If the situation remains unresolved, the parent may then consult the administration. Please note that administrators will work in partnership with the teacher to address the concern and determine next steps.

Discipline Policy

Some behaviors requiring disciplinary action are character development issues while others are issues of the heart. Character development issues tend to be accidental, minor, and indicate the student’s need for self-discipline. On the other hand, more severe disciplinary issues tend to be deliberate actions and indicate a heart issue.

All disciplinary actions given are Valorous Academy’s effort to encourage students toward self-discipline while providing consequences for deliberate behaviors of insubordination. The school reserves the right to refrain from disciplining a student when it is deemed appropriate to do so.

Examples of behavior that may result in disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, the following: unexcused or repeated tardiness, unexcused or repeated absence, unpreparedness, dress code violations, disruptive behavior, failing to turn in work, turning in work late, disobedience, disrespectfulness, deceitfulness, destruction of property, inappropriate physical contact (including Public Displays of Affection), stealing, cheating or plagiarism, profanity or obscene gestures, forgery, fighting or violence, vandalism, skipping school, leaving campus without permission, harassment, bullying, making threats, forcible or unauthorized entry into any school building, sexual misconduct of any kind, the use of illegal or prohibited substances, bringing or using vape pens/cartridges or similar/related items, (such as unauthorized medication, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or bringing or using weapon or statements regarding a weapon, either found or pretending, by a student or possession on the school campus.)

The teacher will be the primary decision-maker regarding discipline. The administration may be brought in to assist with repeated or serious disciplinary issues. 

School personnel will decide upon the most appropriate course of action based on the specific student and the specific misbehavior. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following: a lowered grade, phone call or message to parents, loss of extracurricular or other privileges, work duty, extra assignments or projects, lunch detention, before or after school detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, temporary expulsion, or withdrawal from the school. The school reserves the right to apply any of the above disciplinary actions which it deems appropriate.

In the event of an incident between two or more students, Valorous Academy understands a parent’s desire to know what disciplinary actions will be taken toward other students involved. However, Valorous Academy does not discuss disciplinary matters with anyone outside of the student involved, their parents, and staff. Valorous Academy requests that parents trust the school to do appropriate investigations into all incidents that occur at school, and to make the best decisions for all students involved in a particular incident.

Bullying: Definition and School Policy

Valorous Academy does not permit bullying of any type. For a behavior to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include both of the following:

1. An Imbalance of Power

People who bully use their power–such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity–to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and situations, even if the same people are involved.

2. Repetition

Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

There are several different types of bullying:

Verbal bullying includes saying or writing mean things. Examples include teasing, name-calling, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, or threats of physical violence.

Social bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships by purposefully excluding someone, telling others not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors about someone, or embarrassing someone in public.

Physical bullying is harming a person’s body or possessions, such as by hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, or taking or damaging someone’s possessions.

Cyberbullying is the act of sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, or mean content about another person that causes embarrassment or humiliation through digital devices including cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can happen day or night by taunting, harassing, threatening, or humiliating someone. Examples of cyberbullying include sending vicious text messages, email, or instant messages; spreading rumors or gossip by posting it on social media; taking, sending, or posting embarrassing pictures or videos without permission; or creating a fake profile and pretending to be someone else.

Disciplinary Probation

If it is found necessary to put students on disciplinary probation, it will be as the last resort before dismissal from Valorous Academy. The administration will review probation situations periodically. Students who have long-term behavioral probations will be asked to withdraw from the school.

Readmission After Disciplinary Withdrawal

To be considered for re-enrollment after being dismissed from the school (or for enrollment after dismissal from any other school), the student and parents/guardian must meet with the school administration to determine if the discipline has accomplished the desired development in spiritual maturity. Normally, the school’s administration will only consider a student for re-enrollment after at least one semester has elapsed.

Corporal Punishment

Valorous Academy does not employ the use of corporal punishment on any student at any time.