Conduct

 

Good discipline and respect are necessary for learning to take place.  It is important that all students recognize the importance in adhering to school rules and policies.  If a student disrupts the education process or breaks an established classroom or school rules, we have created opportunities  for behavioral improvement at all grade levels.

 

Serious Behavior Offenses

Serious behavior problems may lead to immediate consequences which may include a Major Discipline Form, detention, parent conference, etc.  Serious behavior issues which endanger the safety of others such as fighting, continual harassment, etc. may result in further action as described in the following sections.
 

Probation

A student may be placed on academic or behavioral probation by means of a contract.  Probation is a conditional enrollment in the school or in a school activity for a trial period.  The contract will be signed by the teacher, student, parent and principal.  It will specify the reasons for probation, the period of time the probation will be in force and the conditions of the probation.

Suspension

A student may be suspended from the school or within the school for up to five days if that student's behavior endangers the health, safety, moral well being or learning environment of the other students, or if there is non-compliance of a probationary contract.

Parents will be notified before the suspension goes into effect by letter and/or telephone.  A conference with the teacher, student, parent and principal will be mandatory before the student may return to class.  The student must demonstrate an understanding  of the consequences of further misbehavior before being allowed to return to class.  Further conditions may be imposed by the principal.  In case of suspension, missing work or tests may be made up only at the discretion of the teacher/s.

Expulsion

According to the Diocesan Handbook two general situations may lead to expulsion:

• When the moral or physical well being of those in the school is endangered.
• When there is prolonged and/or open disregard for school authority.

Every effort will be made to enlist the cooperation of the parents/guardians in order to avoid this extreme consequence.

Exclusion

If a student is awaiting trial on a legal matter, we can required that they be home schooled at the parent's expense until the legal matter is resolved. 
 

Bullying

Bullying occurs when a student is repeatedly harmed, psychologically and/or physically, by another student or group of students.  We at St. Isidore are constantly working toward a bully-free environment.  This requires diligence, patience and awareness on the part of the faculty, students and parents.  It is imperative that if a student becomes aware of a situation that may be bullying, a faculty member must be informed.  We have provisions in place to deal with the matter depending on the particular incident.
 

Incidents or Threats of Violence

The atmosphere of a Catholic School should be one where respect for all individuals prevails.  If student behavior consists of acts of violence, harassment and bullying, it should be reported to the classroom teacher of the principal.  All reports will be taken seriously.  Consultation is advised.  However, the principal along with the pastor, retains local decision-making responsibility for the remedy of the situation.  Every effor will be made to provide help for both the person being mistreated and those alleged to be mistreating someone.

Any student, faculty member or administrator who becomes aware of an actual or perceived threat of harm by a student to themselves or another will report the incident to the principal as soon as possible.  The principal will intervene with, at minimum, an interview of each person involved.  The Catholic Schools Office may be consulted and in rare occasions a local authority may be informed.

It is possible that the alleged offending party will be removed from the school or be requested to obtain an evaluation by a certified therapist.  If an evaluation were required, the offending party would not be allowed to reenter the school until it is determined, in consultation with the therapist, the pastor and the CSO, that the offending party is not a threat to his/herself or others within the school.

During the intervention process:

• The pastor/school principal, in consultation with the CSO, has local decision-making authority
• The school principal is responsible for overall coordination of services.
• The principal, with CSO consultation, has responsibility for providing appropriate information to the staff, school board, pastor, students, parents and parish community.
• Counseling assistance to staff and students will be made available if the circumstances warrant.

The administration reservers the right to discipline students for off-campus conduct that is detrimental to the school in any way.  This includes, but is not limited to online behavior.

Eligibility

Sports, Yearbook, After School Clubs, Service Council Activities, Field Trips, Spring
Musical, Junior High Dances, etc.
It is our philosophy that students attend St. Isidore School for religious formation, academic excellence and the family atmosphere we offer.  It is our goal to provide a variety of extra-curricular activities to help build a well-rounded student.  Occasionally a student may experience difficulties in the classroom, but is able to use their God-given talents in other ways.  Therefore, we try to provide opportunities for a wide range of extra-curricular activities. However, participation in these activities is a privilege, not a right.  Students must remember that academic achievement and proper behavior are prerequisites to participation in an extra-curricular activity.  Students represent the school, the student body and the St. Isidore community when they participate in these activities.  A violation of school rules or a drop in academic standing can lead to the suspension from extra-curricular activities.

Suspension From Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic
Upon the issuance of a midterm or report card, any student with an achievement grade of less than D (a D- or an F) in any subject will be suspended from all extracurricular activities (including practices) for two weeks.  The suspension will begin immediately after the report has been issued.  The eligibility will be reevaluated at the end of the two-week period.  If there has not been adequate improvement, the suspension will continue.

Behavior
As stated in the St. Isidore Discipline Code, a suspension from extra-curricular activities will occur when a student has received four detentions.  A conference will be scheduled at this time with the student, teacher, parents and principal.  A contract may be drawn up at this time to help the student to change behavior in order to regain privileges.  In the rare occasion of a student receiving a fifth detention for a behavioral offense, the extra-curricular privileges will be suspended for the remainder of the semester/sport season.

Health/Attendance
If a student is absent from school for health or other reasons he/she may not participate in any extra-curricular activity after school or that evening.

In Summary

Parental support regarding respect for authority, support for school rules and policies and appreciation for the efforts of the school staff are essential to create a Christian learning environment at St. Isidore School.  We expect that all parents will be supportive of school rules and policies.  We are in partnership – church, school and home – working together to build a Christ-centered environment where all students can grow spiritually, academically, physically and emotionally.

Student Absence/Tardiness

It is extremely important for both the student and the class as a whole that every effort is made for all students to arrive on time.  The school day begins at 7:50. At this time all students should be lined up outside of the Ministry Center.  The first bell rings at this time and all students walk into the building.  At 8:00 the second bell rings.  At this time all students should be in their seats ready to begin the school day.  When a student is not in the building at 8:00, they are considered tardy.  If a student is tardy five times, a detention will be issued.  This may be a recess detention or an after school detention depending on the grade level of the student.

If a student will not be in school, it is important that a parent/guardian call the school office to report the absence.  You may call the school office between 7:30 and 8:00am on the day of the absence.  You may leave a message on the school answering machine.  Please tell us the student’s name, grade and the reason for the illness.  A written note signed by the parent/guardian is also necessary upon the student’s return to school.  This note must be given to the homeroom teacher on the day the student returns to school.  It is important that a student’s temperature be normal (98.6) for 24 hours before returning to school.  Please do not send your child to school if he/she is not feeling well.  There will be no Perfect Attendance award distributed.

Absent Work Makeup
When a student is absent, it is important that their missed schoolwork is made up. Our
practice regarding missed work is as follows:

•  Primary Grades (1-3).  The focus at this grade level is the classroom experience.  Some of the work missed will be presented in the classroom and therefore, is difficult to send home to be made up.  Each individual classroom teacher will set their own policy and it will be presented to the parents at the beginning of the school year.
• Intermediate and Junior High (4-8)The learning process at these grade levels is more independent.  Most students will feel the need to keep up with the daily work.  Upon your request at the time you report the absence, we will prepare assignments to be ready for you to pick up at the end of the school day (2:40).  You may also identify a student with whom you would like us to send the work.  Please do not request the work if you have no way to pick it up.
• The policy is that if you are absent 1 day, the student has 2 days to complete the absent work.  If a student is absent multiple days it is our expectation that
  he/she will use the next weekend to complete the absent work.  When a student misses a class that does not have an assignment that is easily sent home, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher(s) to find out how that work can be best made up.ward distributed.

 

Vacations

• Although we recognize the importance of family vacations, we ask parents to avoid scheduling them during school time.  It is especially important for students to be in attendance when standardized tests are given.  We have tried hard to plan vacations and long weekends to offer opportunities to travel without missing school.  If it is absolutely necessary to travel at this time, assignments will be given upon the student’s return. 
• Please do not ask for assignments ahead.  Students will have a maximum of one week to complete missed assignments.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher/s about missed work.

 

Early Dismissal

No student is permitted to leave the school property during the school day without the permission of the principal.  For an early dismissal, a student must have a NOTE signed by a parent/guardian stating the day, time and reason for the early dismissal.  The note should be presented to the homeroom teacher who will send it to the office for approval.  Parents must report to the office to sign the student out before the student may leave the building.  The student will be called down to the office upon the parent’s arrival.  NO STUDENT MAY LEAVE THE BUILDING UNACCOMPANIED.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, parents will be contacted by phone.

A student will not be released from school to anyone other than a parent or an authorized adult whose name appears on the student’s emergency card.  Other than a parent, the person picking up a student must have written parental permission and must report to the school office.  He/she may be asked for identification to assure student safety.  Parents should send permission ahead of time.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter of safety.

Returning to School After Dismissal

Students are not permitted to return to the school building after the 2:40 PM dismissal unless accompanied by a teacher.   Parents may not go to a classroom unless an appointment has been scheduled or they have signed in at the office.