Disciplinary Options

This is the first step for the teachers and grade-level leaders to take when dealing with students who have committed minor misconduct. This kind of warning will assist students to self-analyze their behavior and rectify it for the better. In some cases, students are instructed to take counseling sessions to work on their behavior. This helps teachers find the root cause of the behavior, and the counselor could help them improve themselves.

In cases of minor misconduct, written warnings may be issued without counseling. This warning letter can be issued by the homeroom teacher or the grade level leader and is saved in the student’s file and considered when such behavior happens again.

During or after the investigation of a student's major infraction, the disciplinary committee, such as the homeroom teachers, grade-level leader, or the principal, may call the student's parent for a conference. In most cases, if it is a minor misconduct, a phone call to inform the parents about the incident would suffice. 

A suspension means a student is temporarily prohibited from attending regular classes and/or school. The school principal has the authority to suspend students from school for up to three (3) days or long-term suspension. Students are issued suspension letters with supporting evidence after scrutinizing the gravity of the misbehavior committed. Any student suspended more than three times during a school year shall be advised to withdraw from school. The principal may reconsider and readmit the student based on a mutual agreement/contract with parents and students.

Suspension Process

A suspension can happen immediately, and the principal decides how long the suspension will be, depending on the infraction level. When students are suspended, the teachers shall be notified immediately concerning the date and duration of the suspension.

 In-School Suspension

In-school suspension is another disciplinary action in which a student is isolated or removed from a regular classroom and extracurricular activities for up to (3) days but is not dismissed from the school setting nor counted absent. The student will be in the designated area monitored by staff to complete the school assignments and shall be graded accordingly. 

• Suspended students cannot receive points for recitation, oral reports, and in-class group work. 

• Students are also suspended from athletic participation and extracurricular activities.

• Taking away privileges, such as using the elevator, computers, phones, etc., may also be applied.

Out of School Suspension

Once students are suspended, they will not be allowed to enter the school premises for a particular period the school decides. It is one of the severe corrective measures to make other students realize the consequences of their unacceptable actions. Students are expected to learn from their mistakes and behave accordingly after the suspension period. If students continue their unruly behavior after suspension, they might have to undergo further disciplinary actions like expulsion. 

Immediate removal of the students from school premises is justified only when their presence endangers the school property or seriously disrupts the order of the school. Parents or guardians will be notified immediately.

• During the out-of-school suspension, he/she may not attend school functions or enter school property. 

• Students are considered absent, and teachers shall not give make-up work or any special online classes. 

Expulsion is when a student is permanently removed from a school system. After a thorough investigation, a student guilty of a serious violation (Class A Violation) or repeated offenses below Class A shall be expelled or forced to withdraw from the school.

The school administration may expel a student if a serious violation or illegal conduct is proven to be committed. The procedure is applied during the process:

• When expulsion is being considered, the principal will hold an investigation, and a hearing shall be held. The student will be allowed to present their facts concerning the charge/s.

• The principal will send an email/ have a conference with the parents/guardian to discuss the investigation's result.

Students shall be treated fairly in all disciplinary matters and undergo due process when disciplinary action is applied.

Detention is a form of disciplinary punishment given to students who don’t abide by the school’s rules. The consequence will depend on the level of the infraction.

Lunch Detention: Students with lunch detentions may not eat at the cafeteria and will be denied cafeteria privileges until the detention is properly served. The student must eat in the designated place.

In-School Detention: The detention begins at 7:25 a.m. and ends at 2:20 p.m. Students must bring appropriate schoolwork (homework, school projects, school reading, etc.) with them. Students will receive appropriate instruction; the entire day must be spent on school-related work only.

After-school Detention: This detention will be served from the end of classes (2:30 p.m.) until 3:30 p.m. in the room assigned for detentions. Students will be expected to work on school projects throughout the afternoon without food, beverage, or socializing. Students who fail to serve after-school detention as assigned will receive progressively more severe punishment.

Reflection sheet during detention:

In some cases, the student will complete a Reflection sheet during detention. Students will have parents sign a reflection sheet and return it to their teacher and Section Principal.

Other than detaining students for reflection, productive disciplinary actions can be done, such as:

• Elevator Assistant: Help monitor and assist elevator users.

• Dishwasher: Wash the dishes in the cafeteria during lunch breaks.

• Greeter: Morning greeter at the gate

• Cleaner: Help arrange the chairs, clean the classroom, or pick up trash in the building.

• Other types of community services with the discretion of the section principal.

The school will take a precautionary measure of involving the police when any serious violation that involves arson, firearms, alcohol, drugs, or any threats that pose safety risk to staff and students arise.