Our Discipline Philosophy
Discipline is the key to good conduct and respecting the rights of others; and it is essential to learning. Classroom standards and expectations for students’ behavior vary according to the student’s age and are determined by the child’s teacher(s). Should unacceptable behavior warrant action, any member of the faculty may issue a student detention. Depending on the grade level of the students this detention may be served either during recess or before school hours (See Discipline Policy in addendum).
In the event of a serious act of misbehavior or repeated acts of misbehavior, a student may serve either an in-school or out-of-school suspension. If the misconduct continues, a student may be asked to leave the school. These decisions rest with the administration and may be necessary for the benefit of the total program.
St. Thomas More School operates on a progressive discipline program that recognizes good behavior, emphasizes student responsibility and institutes immediate consequences for improper behavior. The policy focuses on consistency, fairness, and progressive consequences. It was developed to ensure a productive educational environment for students of St. Thomas More School and protect student rights. Implementation of the policy is aimed at creating an atmosphere of credibility and mutual understanding among students, parents and school staff.
The policy is operational on two levels: for Grades 1 through 4 and for Grades 5 through 8. The classroom teacher manages kindergarten student discipline.
Discipline Policy Grades 1 - 4
The policy is implemented in Grades 1 through 4 using a "Broken Rule" warning system followed by a lunch/recess detention program for frequent misbehavior.
A student will receive a Broken Rule Warning Slip and/or detention for violation of any of the following rules or procedures:
• Failure to follow posted classroom rules
• Being unprepared for class, including incomplete homework and tardiness
• Inappropriate behavior and/or speech
• Disrespect toward adults or students
• Damaging, defacing or stealing property
• Dress code violations, including change of clothes on gym days
Step 1: Student will receive a Green* Broken Rule Warning Slip.
Step 2: On the occurrence of the second violation, the student will receive a
Yellow* Broken Rule Warning Slip.
Step 3: On the occurrence of the third violation, the student will receive a
Red* Broken Rule Warning Slip AND be given notice of the date that he/she
must report to lunch/recess detention.
Step 4: Any additional violations during the same nine-week period will result in an
immediate Red* Broken Rule Warning Slip and a lunch/recess detention.
* All Broken Rule Warning slips are sent home to parents at the end of the school day. Warning slips must be signed and returned to the homeroom teacher the following day. Failure to return the warning slip will result in a phone call to the student's home.
Students will begin each nine-week grading period with a clean slate.
Progression of Consequences: Grades 1 - 4
I. When a child has received 3 or 4 detentions the following steps will be taken:
1. All inner and extra curricular activities are suspended until a meeting is held
with the principal, detention administrator, and student.
2. A letter outlining the reason for detentions, current classroom situation, and
misbehaviors will be mailed home to parents.
II. If a child receives his/her 5th detention the following steps will be taken:
1. A meeting will be held with the student's parents, principal, and a
representative of the faculty.
2. All inner and extra curricular activities are suspended until after the meeting
takes place.
3. An action plan for improvement will be established.
III. Once a student receives his/her 8th detention the following steps will be taken:
1. A meeting will be held with the student, student's parents, detention administrator,
principal and/or pastor.
2. All inner and extra curricular activities will be suspended until the issues
are resolved.
3. Further consequences are at the discretion of the administration.
Discipline Policy Grades 5 - 8
This policy is implemented in Grades 5 - 8 through an "I have been warned" system and a morning detention. On a first offense, a student will receive an "I have been warned" notice. On the occasion of another violation the student will attend a 45-minute detention held on Tuesdays & Fridays from 7:30 to 8:15 am.
Warnings/detentions will be issued for any/all of the following violations:
• Failure to be prepared for class
• Disrespect toward teacher, student, staff member
• Three "tardy" arrivals in one nine week grading period
• Chewing gum; eating in the classroom and instructional areas
• Failure to complete homework assignments
• Disruption of class or other instructional activities
• Failure to be responsible for personal belongings
• Failure to adhere to the daily schedule
• Failure to attend an assigned detention
• Failure to act responsibly in a liturgical or para-liturgical service
Procedure 1: The student will receive one warning before a detention is given.
The student will receive an "I have been warned" slip so that he/she
cannot be warned or given detention on the same offense from two different
teachers in the same day.
**The term "dress code violation" can mean several things. For example, a student may be warned for not wearing a belt on Monday (1st violation), and then given a detention on Tuesday for wearing an unacceptable shirt (2nd violation).
Procedure 2: A missed homework assignment will result in a zero for the
assignment. After a third missed assignment in one class during any one
nine-week period, the studetn will receive a detention. Each missed
assignment after that will result in a detention.
The following behaviors are not covered in the detention plan:
(The severity of the behaviors is such that the consequences should be established
by the school administration)
• Fighting
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Cheating/plagiarism
• Leaving school property without permission
• Physical aggression
• Detention Rules
The following rules define morning detention:
• Each session will begin exactly at 7:30 AM. At 7:30 AM the door will be closed
and late students will not be permitted to enter until roll is taken
• If a student is not present at roll call, credit will not be given for the detention
• A missed detention will automatically result in another detention
• Only one infraction will be "removed" during one session. If a student owes two
detentions, then he/she must attend two detention sessions.
• Each studetn will complete a detention card, that card will be returned to the
issuing teacher to inform him/her that the student has completed the detention;
• Guidelines for student behavior during detention will be determined by the
detention proctor;
• Detention students will be dismissed at 8:15 AM to go to homeroom.
Progression of Consequences Grades 5 - 8
I. The follwing steps will be taken if a student has three or four detentions:
1. All inter and extra curricular activities are suspended until all three or four
detentions are served.
2. The student must meet with the principal and detention administrator.
3. A letter detailing the issues of the student's behavior will be sent to parents.
II. If a student receives his/her 5th detention the following steps will be taken:
1. A meeting will take place with the student, the student's parents, the principal and
a faculty representative.
2. All inter- and extra-curricular activities are suspended until the meeting takes place.
3. An action plan for improvement of behavior will be established at the meeting.
III. Once a student receives his/her 8th detention the following steps will be taken:
1. A meeting with the student, the student's parents, a faculty representative and the
principal and/or the pastor will be scheduled.
2. All inter- & extra-curricular activities suspended until after the meeting takes place.
3. Further actions and consequences will be established at the time of the meeting
at the discretion of the school or parish administration.
Inter- and Extra-Curricular activities include:
• Official STM sports programs (grades 3-8)
• After school bowling (grades 4-8)
• After school volleyball (grades 7-8)
• Student Council meetings and functions (grades 4-8)
• All dances and social events (grades 4-8)
• Competitive club activities (grades 5-8)
• School ski trip (all school)
St. Thomas More School does not condone nor participate in any form of corporal punishment.
