Discipline in the Catholic school is considered an aspect of moral guidance and not a form of punishment. The purpose of discipline is to provide a school climate that is conducive to learning and promotes character development and the common good.
Discipline is maintained in a classroom or school when students work cooperatively with the principal, the teachers, and their classmates towards class and school objectives. However, the ligitimate interest of the school extends beyond the school day and school hours.
Discipline Plan
GOAL: The philosophy behind the discipline at St. Jude is to give the student the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and to adjust their behavior.
RULES:
1. Listen and follow directions the first time.
2. Be prepared for class each day.
3. Stay in your seat at all times unless you have permission to get up.
4. Respect teachers and fellow students; treat all persons, places and things with respect.
5. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
6. Raise your hand and wait until you are called upon before you speak.
CONSEQUENCES:
K – 2nd : Color changes result in clip movement up or down throughout the day. Consequences result in suspension from rewards recess.
3rd – 4th: Color changes result in no rewards recess, or after school detention.
5th – 8th: Point system.
- Any infraction will result in the student receiving a point which is logged into Jupiter Grades.
- If a student should receive two points in one week the student will receive an after-school detention the following week, and the detention will be logged into Jupiter Grades.
- Two (2) detentions in one trimester can result in removal/suspension from any St. Jude extracurricular activities such as sports teams, academic teams, drama, wood shop, guitar, etc.
- Three (3) detentions in one trimester will result in removal from activities, ineligibility for any Honors, and possible suspension from school.
RARE ACTIONS SUCH AS FIGHTING, STEALING, CHEATING, LYING AND CURSING WILL RESULT IN MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AND WILL BE REFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATION AS THEY OCCUR.
Playground / Classroom Behavior Expectations
• Follow the rules in games in class and during recess/lunch
• Share with others and never ask for more than you need
• Be a good listener
• Know all the facts before judging someone
• Be courteous to others in word and deed
• Follow directions of teachers/staff
• Accept differences and be tolerant of others
• Always look out for the safety of others
• Assist those in need
• Be generous with your time and material goods
• Be accepting of others
• Be kind and forgiving
• Follow all rules and regulations
• Be on time for school/classes and other activities
• Always be prepared with proper materials
• Be accountable for your actions
• Demonstrate respect during prayer and the pledge
• Actively participate in liturgies (Mass) and prayer services
• Demonstrate care and respect for all property
• Follow directions of teachers/staff
Detention/Suspension/Expulsion
Detention
Detention is held after school from 3:00 PM to 4:00PM in one of the 5th – 8th grade classrooms, and the day will be consistent throughout the year (i.e. every Tuesday). If a student misses a detention, the student will need to make up that detention plus serve an added detention. If a student is removed from detention by the teacher proctoring the detention, the student will be assigned another detention the following week. A detention can be given directly for infractions that warrant it.
Suspension
Suspensions are rare. However, there are two types: In-house and Home suspension.
In-house Suspension: The student spends the day in the office completing school work, but not participating in any class activities or during/after school activities.
Home Suspension: The student stays at home for the day, receives no class credit for the day and may not attend any school activities for that day.
The type of suspension given is up to the administration and the severity of the infraction. All suspensions are grounds for ineligibility of Honors.
Expulsion
If the administration feels that it is in the best interest of the student or the safety of the school population, that a student needs to be removed from the school, expulsion will be executed.
Harassment Policy
Students are required to be supportive and respectful towards each other at all times. Any type of harassment (e.g. threatening, intimidating behavior or verbal abuse, humiliation or ridicule, etc.) is strictly forbidden and will not be tolerated. In case of alleged harassment, the Archdiocesan harassment policy and procedures will be implemented.
Bullying
St. Jude the Apostle (SJS) believes that all students have a right to a safe and healthy school environment. The school and parish community have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance.
SJS will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student. A student shall not intimidate or harass another student through words or actions. Such behaviors include: direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling; and social isolation or manipulation.
SJS expects students and/or staff to immediately report incidents of bullying to the principal or designee. Staff members are expected to immediately intervene when they see a bullying incident occur. Each complaint of bullying should be promptly investigated. This policy applies to student on school grounds, while traveling to and from school or at a school-sponsored activity, during the lunch period and during a school-sponsored activity.
To ensure bullying does not occur on the school campus, St. Jude's will provide staff development training in bullying prevention and cultivate acceptance and understanding in all students and staff to build the school's capacity to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.
Teachers will discuss this policy with their students in age-appropriate ways and should assure them that they not need endure any form of bullying. Students who bully in violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
A strong basis for prevention is abiding by the school's Discipline Plan and Playground/Classroom Behavior Expectations listed in this handbook.
This is the link to additional information on Harassment and Bullying in the L.A. Archdiocese's Administrative Handbook: http://handbook.la-archdiocese.org/chapter-13/section-13-10
We encourage all to "not suffer in silence."
Disruption/Disorder by Parents/Guardians
Any parent/guardian or other person, whose conduct in a place where a school employee is required to be in the course of his/her duties, materially disrupts classwork or extracurricular activities or involves substantial disorder is guilty of a misdemeanor. This statement does not apply to any otherwise lawful employee concerted activity, including but not limited to, picketing and the distribution of handbills/flyers.
Any parent/guardian, or other family member who upbraids, insults, or abuses the principal or any teacher of the school is risking the continuation of their child(ren) in the school.
All incidents of disruption/disorder will be documented by the school and kept on file. When needed, copies of the documentation will be forwarded to the pastor.
Any parent/guardian, or other person who insults or abuses the principal or any teacher in the presence of other school personnel, students or parents and at a place which is on school premises or public sidewalks, streets, or other public ways adjacent to school premises or at some other place if the principal or teacher is required to be at such other place in connection with assigned school activities, risks the continuation of their child(ren) in the school.
