The accent on discipline at Good Shepherd School is on the positive. Students are praised and rewarded for good behavior. We expect all students to follow rules and to behave appropriately. Unfortunately, students do not always choose to do so. When students choose inappropriate behavior, we believe that they also choose the consequences that go with that behavior.

All generally accepted forms of discipline can be expected, namely oral reprimands, deprivation of pupil privileges, constructive written assignments, demerits, detentions, parental consultation, suspension, and in extreme cases expulsion. It is the responsibility of the parents not only to be acquainted with the Discipline Policy of Good Shepherd School and support it, but to encourage their children to conform to acceptable behavior patterns.

Discipline is a cooperative effort between parents, teachers, teacher aides, and the school administration. Parental involvement is imperative in maintaining appropriate behavior. Parent support of school policies and actions is vital.

If parents have a problem we ask that they please contact the teacher involved and make an appointment to discuss the matter. This is always the best way to handle the problem. If after this discussion, satisfaction is not obtained, then, and only then, should the principal be contacted for further discussion. Should this meeting also prove unsatisfactory, the School Board President may be contacted. However, this should serve as a "last resort."

 

It is a consistent pattern of disrespect of one or more students by another. It is an abuse of power which can take many forms:

• Physical (hitting, kciking, shoving, spitting)
• Verbal (taunting, teasing, degrading social or sexual comments, rumor spreading)
• Non-verbal (threatening gestures, exclusion, Internet, text messagingvis cell phones, Instant Message)

 Bullying may constitute grounds for detention, suspension, or explusion.

Our school embtraces the following as school rules against bullying:

• We will not bully others.
• We will help students who are bullied.
• We will include students who are easily left out.

• Each teacher has the right to determine the regulations (consistent with school policy) to be followed in his/her classroom.
  
  

• The consequences for violations of classroom and/or school rules may vary according to the seriousness of the behavior, grade level of the student, repetition of the behavior, and attitude of the student.  Possible consequences may include, but not limited to, the following.
  
  1)   Verbal warning
  2)   Written assignment dealing with the infraction
  3)    Job assignment
  4)   Loss of recess
  5)   Lunch period restrictions
  6)   Behavior/academic notice
  7)   Detention
  
• A behavior notice, academic notice, or detention is a communication to the parents that a student has acted inappropriately.
  
• The principal and/or staff have the right to opt for a lesser punishment.
  
• The principal and/or staff have the right to pass over one punishment for a more severe one, such as a behavior/academic notice or detention.
  
• The principal and/or staff may write a behavior notice or detention to and student in any grade during school or any school function.
  

Academic Notice

• failure to come prepared for class (books, etc.)
• missed assignment
• failure to have a "parent sign"
• failure to bring gym clothes
• any other infraction related to academics

Behavior Notices only accumulate in a single grading period

• rudeness/disrespect/defiance
• excessive talking/disruptive behavior
• damaging or defacing school property, materials, equipment
• stealing
• cheating
• use of inappropriate language or gestures
• gum/candy on school grounds without permission
• uniform violation (3)
• other behaviors judged inappropriate by school personnel
  
  

It is the responsibility of the student in grades 6-8 to return signed notices to the Dean's office by 10:00 a.m. on the day following the issuance of the notice

• After 3 Academic Notices in a single grading period, an Academic Detention will be issued and served at the next scheduled detention session.

• After 3 Behavior Notices in a single grading period, a Behavior Detention will be issued and served at the next scheduled detention session.
  
• After the 5th Tardy in a single grading period, a Detention will be issued and served at the next scheduled detention session.  (Please refer to the New Tardy Policy.

• If an infraction is serious, a detention may be issued immediately without 3 notices.

• Detention should be served from 2:40 to 3:30 p.m. on the Thursday following the issued detention.

• Absolute silence must be observed in detention.

• The student serving detention will not be allowed bathroom or drink privileges.

• During every served detention, a Positive Growth Form must be written and completed containing:

• All events that led to detention.

• Description of how his/her actions are inappropriate to a positive learning environment.

• The measures he/she will take to improve his/her current behavior.

• This document should be signed by the parents and returned the next day.

Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in another detention.

Any student not picked up after detention will automatically be sent to After School Day Care.

All detention affect eligibility status.

**The ELIGIBILITY POLICY (p. 15-16), states that, "For every two (2) detention received during an extra-curricular season, one game/event will be missed (the first game/event following the date the detention is issued; this does NOT include practices)."

Any student accumulating two (2) detentions during the school year will have a conference with the teacher(s) and/or teacher assistant(s) who has/have issued the detention notice(s), the Dean of Students and the principal.

Any student accumulating three (3) detentions during the school year will have a conference with the teacher(s), the Dean of Students, the principal, and the student’s parents.

In-School Suspension

For the fourth detention served during the school year, the student will be subject to "in-school" suspension at the discretion of the principal.  The student will receive credit for assignments and tests completed while serving an "in-school" suspension.

For the fifth detention served during the school year, the student will serve an "out-of-school" suspension at the discretion of the principal. On the day the student is "out," he/she will receive an "F" for any school work missed and will not be allowed to make up the work.

**The ELIGIBILITY POLICY (p. 17-18), states that, "A student who serves an in-school suspension or an out-of-school suspension is ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities for a three-week period."

If a student receives an "in-school" or "out-of-school" suspension at any time during the school year, that student will then be on probation for the remainder of the year. Some behaviors may warrant immediate suspension or expulsion; this will be left to the discretion of the principal and the Dean of Students.

Decisions concerning suspension and expulsion will be made through a consultation of teachers, the Dean of Students, and the principal. The following types of student behavior MAY constitute grounds for IMMEDIATE suspension or expulsion:

• Using violence, force, coercion, threats, intimidation or other similar conduct and thereby interfering with school purposes. (The school liaison officer will be called if a student threatens anyone; even if the student says he is kidding.)

• Doing or threatening physical harm to any person in authority or a fellow student.

• Knowingly possessing, using, transmitting or being under the influence of mind-altering drugs and/or tobacco products.

• Knowingly possessing, handling or transmitting any weapon or object that can be considered dangerous or harmful to another. (Indiana law makes it illegal for students to possess alcohol, tobacco, and handguns. We need to do everything we can to make sure our young people make the right decisions so they do not limit their futures.)

• Engaging in any unlawful activity (e.g. stealing, defacing property, gang activity).

• Repeatedly defying or disobeying anyone in authority.

• Sexual harassment.

• Violating the diocesan Code of Christian Conduct.

The principal makes the final decision in all serious disciplinary situations. Such decisions will be made in accordance with due process procedures.

 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY

Electronic devices including but not limited to TVs, radios, CD players, iPods, MP3 players, recorders, computer/electronic games, cameras, and laser lights are not to be brought to school. Cellular phones must be “off” and remain in the backpack, purse, or locker.
 

Cellular phones must be "off" and remain in the backpack, purse, or locker.
These devices should not be used on school property unless in a case of extreme emergency or with permission of a supervising adult. Good Shepherd School is not responsible for any lost or broken items.

A teacher may give special permission for a student to read and listen to audio books. Permission to listen to an audio book in one class does not guarantee the same privilege in every class.

GIFT EXCHANGES

Gift exchanges among individual students should be done outside of the school setting.  Some classes may choose to do a name exchange or Secret Santa at Christmas when all students in that homeroom are included.  

 Invitations to individual parties may only be passed out a school if everyone in the class is being invited. If a select group is being invited, the invitations should be mailed from home.

Interagency Agreement

Pursuant to existing binding agreements between the Evansville Catholic Schools and various law enforcement and judicial agencies, the school is obligated, as part of the discipline process, to report to law enforcement ANY offense involving possession or use of ANY illegal substance or alcoholic beverage by ANY student which occurs at ANY school function or ANYWHERE on school property.