​Code of Behavior

Responsibility of carrying out the code of behavior is shared by parents, students, and faculty. School rules are in effect and are enforced at all school functions, on or off campus.

PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE

School discipline is an important part of the success of CSHM. Discipline in the Catholic school is considered an aspect of moral guidance and not the form of punishment. The purpose of discipline is to provide a school climate that is conducive to learning and that promotes character development and the common good.

Discipline is maintained in a classroom or school when students work cooperatively with administration, teachers, and classmates towards class and school objectives. Its purpose is to promote genuine growth, to increase respect for authority, to foster development of Gospel Values, and to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. However, the legitimate interest of the school extends beyond the school day and hours.

Early in the year the administration schedules times to instruct the students in their responsibilities and privileges in the classroom, on school grounds and at school sponsored functions.

Unacceptable behavior or violation of school policies may result in detention, referral, suspension, appearance before the Discipline Review Board, dismissal, or a request for the student's withdrawal from the school.

POSITIVE VIRTUES

Practicing positive virtues is the best way to avoid problems with disciplinary infractions. The Christian message of "Love one  another" is a solid foundation for human behavior. Students must observe the virtues of respect, honesty, responsibility, acceptance, and integrity: to live the CSHM motto, Age Cum Anima Christi (Act With The Character of Christ).

Discipline Procedure

• Teacher issued detention notice
  
• Dean detention
• Saturday detention 
  
• Suspension 
  
• Disciplinary probation
  
• Referral to the Discipline Board ​and possible Expulsion
  

Definitions In Discipline Procedures

No student shall be required to remain in the classroom during any break or lunchtime; all students shall be required to leave the school rooms at break and lunchtime, unless it would endanger student health. Detention before or after school hours is considered an appropriate means of discipline. A student shall not be detained in school for disciplinary or other reasons for more than one hour after the close of the school day.

The school must give a notice of the detention to the parents/guardians verbally by phone, in writing (hard copy or electronic), or in person during a conference. Under no circumstances shall a student be detained at school without the knowledge and consent of the parents/guardians, who should also be informed of the reason for detention and the exact time the period of detention will begin and end.​

A Detention Notice is a warning of unacceptable behavior and m​ay be given to students by a member of the faculty or staff any time an infraction occurs.

Detention is the established measure for student violation of school regulations. Detention is given on the recommendation of the proper person in authority. Students serve detention after school the day following the issue of the Detention Notice. Students and parents may be asked to sign Detention Notices as a record that they have received the notice. ​

If a student continues unnacceptable behavior, a Dean's Detention will be issued. Dean's Detentions will take place Monday through Thursday, from 2:35 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in classroom 102. If a student has accumulated unserved detentions, they may lose the priviledge of attending/participatiing extracurricular activities.

Students who fail to serve an assigned Dean's Detention without the expressed approval of the Dean of Students will be assigned a Saturday detention which includes a $20 fee. ​​​​​Saturday Detentions will be held once a month at the Dean's discretion.

Failure to attend a Saturday Detention will result in suspension and a student being placed on Disciplinary Probation.​ Students who are on Disciplinary Probation may not attend or participate in any school event or activity.

No student shall be required to remain in the classroom during any break or lunchtime; all students shall be required to leave the school rooms at break and lunchtime, unless it would endanger student health. Detention before or after school hours is considered an appropriate means of discipline. A student shall not be detained in school for disciplinary or other reasons for more than one hour after the close of the school day.

The school must give a notice of the detention to the parents/guardians verbally by phone, in writing (hard copy or electronic), or in person during a conference. Under no circumstances shall a student be detained at school without the knowledge and consent of the parents/guardians, who should also be informed of the reason for detention and the exact time the period of detention will begin and end.

Suspension is the removal of the student from attendance in the school and may be imposed in serious matters, or when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct. Only the principal, or principal's designee may suspend a student from school. The length of the suspension is determined by appropriate school personnel. When a student is suspended from a class or from school, the parents are notified and arrangements for a conference with the appropriate school personnel are made.

The purpose of the Disciplinary Review Board is to furnish Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School with a system of "Christian due process", in which the rights of both the school and the individual student are respected and treated justly when dismissal for disciplinary reasons is a possibility. The Disciplinary Review Board is a standing committee consisting of five members of the faculty. The student may choose a member as his/her representative. The Dean of Students attends as a non-voting member and presents all documentation on the student for the Board to make a recommendation to the Principal regarding the student's continued enrollment at CSHM. Legal council is not allowed to be present at the meeting of the school's Disciplinary Review Board. Only parents or guardians are to accompany students at a Disciplinary Review Board.

Expulsion is the permanent exclusion of a student from the school. In cases which might result in expulsion, the principal or  principal's designee contacts the parents or guardians of the student. A conference is scheduled during which the nature of the offense and the consequences of the offense as well as the school's policies governing student conduct and discipline are reviewed. If a  student is expelled, the Department of Catholic Schools and the local school district are notified.

Students accused of a serious wrong can be placed on home study pending the outcome, adjudication, completion of an investigation, or until a court decision is made and as determined by the Principal.