​​​​

DISCIPLINE and PROCEDURES

General Student Expectations For Success ​

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.

Students at Visitation School are expected to:

1. show respect for God, others, self, and property,

2. use appropriate language and voice control,

3. be responsible and prepared with work and materials,

4. keep hands, feet, and objects where they belong, and

5. follow directions and specific school rules as stated below.

Specific School Rules:

1. Arrival and Departure: 

1. Arrive on the school grounds no earlier than 7:30 am.

2. Follow end of the school day procedures:

1. In the afternoon, students should wait for parents inside the  playground, and report to Day Care if a delay in pick-up exceeds ten minutes. 

2. Students, whose parents have not arrived by 3:00 pm (Mon. - Thurs.) or by 12:30 pm Friday will be sent to Day Care and parents may be charged a fee. 

3. Students who have permission to walk home after school are to go directly to their after-school destination as directed by their parents/guardians.

4. If involved in after-school activities/sports, remain on campus until the end of the activity, or proceed directly to designated practice/games. Non-participants must go to Day Care.

2. On the playground: 

1. Follow all safety protocols while on the yard, especially for pick up.

2. Eat and remain in designated areas during recess and lunch; eating in classrooms is generally prohibited.

3. Be responsible for maintaining a clean playground.

4. Stop all activities when the bell rings, and then walk quietly in line to classrooms without disrupting other classes.

5. Remain outside of school buildings at recess, lunch or after school hours, unless permission is given to enter the school buildings.

6. Refrain from climbing walls, fences and tables.

3. In the classrooms:

1. Be responsible for upholding classroom rules.

2. Refrain from running or making loud noises in hallways.

3. Obtain permission to bring toys, games, radios, electronic devices or sports equipment to school.

4. Dress Code: 

1. Follow the Uniform Dress Code.

5. At all times/places: 

1. Refrain from chewing gum on school grounds.

2. Refrain from passive, defiant, disrespectful speech and/or behaviors which includes being discourteous to a student or an adult  (e.g. eye-rolling, etc).

3. Refrain from skipping or ditching class.

Discipline and Procedures

Discipline in the Catholic school is an essential aspect of Christian development. Its purpose is to:

1. encourage students to come to school ready to learn, develop and reflect on their own moral development, and recognize choices have consequences

2. provide a classroom environment conducive to learning

3. help build a sense of community

All students have the right to learn in a distraction-free environment, and no student has the right to cause unnecessary disruptions in the classroom. Students are encouraged by the faculty to grow in virtue and will be acknowledged for this growth through various forms of recognition. The teachers will develop a set of expectations for student conduct, will make those expectations known to the students and available to parents/guardians, and will establish a system of positive rewards which may include:

1. verbal and/or written praise and recognition

2. Brave Bulldog Awards

3. special rewards or privileges

When students fall short of these expectations, a variety of consequences may be assigned according to the severity and type of the infraction. Disciplinary actions may vary according to the age of the student and the circumstances at hand. 

Parents/guardians are asked to support the entire school discipline plan by directing their children to respect it so that the learning environment may remain pleasant and free from disruption for all students. Since the teacher represents the parent in the classroom, there must be a genuine unity of purpose and practice between them. Should a matter arise that concerns a parent, contact the appropriate teacher or school office for an appointment.

Examples of approved disciplinary measures that may be assigned to students by the teacher or administration, include, but are not limited to:

1. reminder/warning/in-class redirection

2. reflection time/calming center

3. classroom specific consequence

4. conversation with the teacher

5. conversation with a Vice Principal 

6. conversation with the Dean of Students

7. conversation with the Principal

8. note/email home

9. recommendation for counseling

10. conference with parent/guardian

11. conference with the Discipline Board

12. assignment of special age-appropriate tasks

13. writing a letter of apology 

14. losing specific privileges

15. paying for damaged item

16. grading consequence for academic infractions (such as cheating or plagiarism)

17. grading consequence for repeated behavior infractions (Behavior grade)

18. Behavior Form 

19. Restriction

20. Detention

21. Suspension

22. Probation

23. Dismissal/expulsion