Purpose
Our Lady of Lourdes school is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and faith-filled learning environment where students can grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Discipline is intended not as punishment, but as an opportunity for learning, self-reflection, and growth in character.
Core Principles
Respect for All – Every member of the school community is expected to treat others with kindness, courtesy, and dignity.
Responsibility & Accountability – Students are encouraged to make positive choices and accept responsibility for their actions.
Restoration & Reconciliation – When harm is caused, our focus is on repairing relationships and restoring trust.
Faith in Growth – We believe every child can learn from mistakes and improve with guidance, prayer, and support.
Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to:
Follow directions from all school staff promptly and respectfully.
Use respectful language and behavior at all times.
Care for school property and the property of others.
Maintain honesty and integrity in academic and personal conduct.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves.
Progressive Discipline Steps
While each situation will be handled individually, the following general steps may be taken:
Verbal Warning & Redirection – Gentle reminder and opportunity to correct behavior.
Student Reflection – Written or verbal reflection on the incident and how to make better choices.
Loss of Privileges – Temporary removal from recess, activities, or events. Lowering of behavior grade.
Parent Communication – Teacher or principal contacts family to discuss concerns.
Behavior Contract – Formal plan with clear expectations and consequences.
Detention or In-School Consequence – Time set aside for reflection and completing restorative actions.
Suspension – For serious or repeated infractions; parents are notified immediately.
Expulsion – Considered only for the most severe or dangerous behaviors, in accordance with school policy and diocesan guidelines.
Serious Infractions
Some behaviors may bypass lower steps in the process due to severity. These include:
Bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
Fighting or physical aggression.
Possession of weapons, drugs, or dangerous items.
Serious threats to safety or well-being.
Repeated defiance or disruptive behavior after interventions.
Restorative Practices
Whenever possible, students will be given the opportunity to:
Apologize and make amends to those affected.
Participate in problem-solving discussions.
Engage in service or restitution related to the incident.
Confidentiality
Student discipline matters are private and will be discussed only with the student, their parents/guardians, and relevant staff.
Partnership with Families
We believe discipline works best when parents and school staff partner together to guide the child toward positive choices. Prayer, open communication, and consistent support from home and school are essential to a child’s growth.
Detention Policy
A student who receives any combination of three of the following notices will be assigned a detention: Conduct Referral, Uniform Violation, or Tardy Slips. Once this threshold is reached, detentions will continue to be assigned for any additional infractions through the end of the current trimester. Detention can also be assigned on the first infraction.
Faculty and staff reserve the right to assign an immediate detention based on the severity of a student’s behavior, regardless of prior notices.
Detention Details:
Detention is held from 7:15–7:45 PM on an assigned school day.
A designated teacher will supervise the session.
Attendance is mandatory. Failure to attend will result in an additional detention and a required Parent/Teacher Conference.
Extracurricular activities are not valid excuses for missing detention.
Each student and parent/guardian will be required to sign this policy, and a copy will be kept in the student’s file for future reference. Students who receive a detention will have points deducted from their Behavior Grade.
