​​Detention

Detentions are served after school on Wednesdays. Students are required to serve detentions at that time except when excused due to absence from school or a valid medical excuse. Students are expected to quietly copy from the Handbook for the duration of the detention time. In some cases and at the discretion of the Principal or Vice Principal, detentions may be served at recess and/or lunch as yard clean-up. Students who fail to show for an assigned detention without a valid excuse will receive a second detention. 

The following are general guidelines whereby teachers seek to instill self-discipline and responsibility within students.  Each teacher at Our Lady of Grace has developed his/her own classroom discipline policy and procedures, which will be shared with parents at Back-to-School Night.

Grades K – 5 

Each class in the primary grades has a behavior management plan in place that takes students through a series of warnings and consequences for misbehavior.  These plans, as well as the protocol for informing parents, are explained to parents at Back-to-School Night. 

The teacher will use a variety of positive reinforcement strategies within the classroom.  When a student does not respond, the teacher may do any of the following:

• Counsel the student during or after school
• Involve the Vice Principal or Principal in this counseling
• Conference with the parent by phone or in person
• Send home a written note regarding the situation
• Assign a conduct referral or detention
  

Grades 6 – 8 

Each middle school teacher in grades 6 – 8 develops its own set of classroom rules.  Each middle school teacher will discuss these rules at Back-to-School Night. Each teacher will use a variety of positive reinforcement strategies within the classroom.  When a student does not respond, the teacher may do any of the following:

• Counsel the student during or after school
  
• Involve the Vice Principal or Principal in this counseling
• Conference with the parent by phone or in person
• Send home a written note regarding the situation
• Assign a conduct referral or detention
  

Detentions may be assigned for repeated infractions and deliberate disregard of direction.  A detention notice from the teacher will indicate the reason for the detention and the assigned date and time it is to be given.  The slip must be signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the teacher the next day.  

Detention Service

Grades 1 - 5

A detention will be assigned to a student for each set of three conduct referrals whether they are related or not by the school office. Detentions will also be issued for persistent behavior challenges. A detention notice from the teacher will indicate the reason for the detention and the assigned date and time it is to be given.  The slip must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the teacher the next day.  Detentions must be served on the following Wednesday from the date of issue from 3:15 - 4pm after school. Exceptions for games or other extra-curricular conflicts will not be made.

Grade 6 - 8

Detentions may be given for the following reasons. In some instances, the degree of misbehavior described below or not reflected here may be egregious enough to warrant immediate suspension, withdrawal, or expulsion of a student. 

• Offensive language
• Disrespectful behavior in word, tone, or manner
• Excessive and disruptive talking in classes
• Rowdy behavior indoors and in hallways (for example: pushing, shoving, banging lockers, or throwing objects in the hallway)
• Consistent misuse of iPads 
• Unauthorized use of a cell phone during the school day
• Rude, discourteous behavior
• Defacing school property or the property of others

• Misbehavior in church, on the playground, or in the school building
• Inappropriate pushing, bullying, or harassing of others
• Inappropriate language
• Inappropriate conduct in the Morning or After-School Care programs 
• Misuse of internet, computer/iPad, or school network
• Cheating on homework or classwork by copying, giving answers, plagiarism, etc.
• Any other failure to meet classroom or school standards

Failure to serve a detention on the assigned date and time without a prior excuse from the principal or vice principal may result in the issuing of a second detention.

The following list indicates behaviors that warrant immediate suspension, withdrawal, or expulsion of a student. This list is not exhaustive, and student behaviors that are not listed here, but that are deemed by the school Principal and/or Pastor to be egregious enough and/or negate the school's Catholic-Christian values and identity will also be grounds for immediate suspension, withdrawal, or expulsion of a student.  

• Destruction of school property
• Fighting, bullying, or harassing
• Possession of any item which could be used as a weapon
• Cheating on an assessment
• Stealing
• Forging of signatures
• Any other action deemed serious by the principal, asst. principals, and/or pastor

Failure to serve a detention on the assigned date and time without a prior excuse from the principal or vice principal may result in the issuing of a second detention.

Progression of Disciplinary Action

In rare occasions, a student may exhibit a flagrant disregard for school rules and earn multiple detentions in a trimester or school year. The following policy applies to each school year for students in grades 3 - 8. Detention tracking will not necessarily transfer from school year to school year except where indicated in a disciplinary contract for a specific student.