STANDARDS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT

CODE OF CONDUCT

With the cooperation of students, teachers, parents, and administrators, Roanoke Catholic School fosters positive behavior in a Christian setting. Order and self-discipline are essential elements of an atmosphere conducive to learning. Moreover, the safety and well-being of all members of the school community must be the first consideration in establishing discipline policies. The students should show respect for the needs, rights, and property of others through Christian caring, cooperation, sharing, and sacrifice.

As a Catholic school which holds Jesus Christ as the ideal for human behavior, Roanoke Catholic sets before its students as their code of conduct the teachings of Jesus contained in the Gospel. All students at Roanoke Catholic are expected to exercise self-control and conduct themselves as Christian young men and women at all times. The behavior of students should reflect the standard of good citizenship and the Christian way of life.

Students must respect the authority and the rights of others. High personal standards of courtesy, decency, morality, clean language, honesty, and wholesome relationships with others must be maintained.

Roanoke Catholic students are taught that their behavior has consequences and they must accept responsibility for their behavior. Consequences for inappropriate behavior are issued as a teaching method; the system of discipline seeks to be educational, not punitive.

BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE

If necessary, final interpretation of these guidelines will be at the discretion of the administration.

Unacceptable Behavior

While Roanoke Catholic School enjoys a safe and respectful atmosphere, the school wants all students to be aware of specific behaviors considered inappropriate. Any inappropriate behavior will be subject to disciplinary action. "School grounds" is defined as any diocesan property on the Hill bounded by Gainsboro Road, Celtic Way, 2nd Street, and Patton Avenue. “School-sponsored activities” include, but are not limited to, sports events, on or off campus, dances, play productions, and field trips.

The following behaviors are examples, but not considered all inclusive of, considered serious offenses against the philosophy of the school and may have legal ramifications:

• Insubordination
• Disrupting the school
• Gambling
• Possessing any firearm, other weapon, explosive, or their facsimiles on school grounds including parking areas
• Possessing or using drugs, alcohol or tobacco products on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities
• Possessing electronic paging devices and/or using cell phones during school time.
• Entering school buildings without permission
• Destroying or defacing school property
• Harassment/Bullying*
• Fighting or appearing to fight
• Gang activity
• Being in an unsupervised area
• Throwing snowballs or ice sliding on school grounds
• Cheating – copying homework, using notes during testing, giving or receiving answers, copying information verbatim from the Internet or printed sources.
• Leaving supervised areas without permission
• Not reporting to an assigned activity or class-sponsored activities including, but are not limited to, sports events, dances, play productions, and field trips
• Possessing a cell phone with power turned on during school hours (7:15 AM – 2:55 P.M.)

Our school community defines harassment/bullying as repeated acts of physical, emotional or social behavior that are intentional and hurtful. Bullying is characterized as direct or indirect. Direct bullying involves carrying out these negative actions through physical contact or with words. Indirect bullying involves more subtle methods such as exclusion from a group or spreading rumors. The concept of bullying is in direct opposition to our school philosophy. It is inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

Disciplinary Procedures

Unacceptable behavior may be addressed in one or more of the following ways:

Demerits

One or several demerits may be assigned for unacceptable behavior. Demerits are accrued on a cumulative basis throughout a single semester.

The student may receive a minimum of one (1) demerit for the following behaviors:

• Failing to comply with uniform and dress codes
• Arriving tardy to class
• Chewing gum
• Consuming food/drinks in other than designated areas
• Failing to return designated school correspondence as required
• Failing to have books covered
• Failing to report to cafeteria duty

The student may receive a minimum of two (2) demerits for the following behaviors:

• Arriving tardy to school (Excused tardies must have a written note from parent/doctor/dentist within two days)

The student may receive a minimum of three (3) demerits for the following behaviors:

• Using electronic devices inappropriately
• Displaying affection beyond handholding
• Disturbing class

The student may receive a minimum of seven (7) demerits for the following behaviors:

• Being dishonest or disrespectful
• Failing to follow school policy on computer and Internet use
• Using profanity, obscenity or other inappropriate language

Multiple offenses may result in the assignment of additional demerits.

Within individual classes, teachers may assign demerits, or other corrective measures, to address unacceptable behavior.

• The accumulation of seven (7) demerits results in the assignment of a one-hour detention that is served at the school.
• The accumulation of fourteen (14) demerits results in the assignment of a one-hour detention that is served after school. Parents will receive a phone call regarding the accumulation of 14 demerits.

After-school Detention

Mandatory sessions are held at the end of the academic day. Students are expected to serve the detention on the assigned day. Parents will be informed that a detention has been assigned to their son or daughter. Parental signature is required on detention forms that are to be submitted to the teacher supervising the session. Students are to serve detention on the assigned date unless a doctor’s appointment was previously scheduled or an illness occurs (and has been verified). Students may not reschedule a detention because of a sport’s obligation. Failure to submit a signed detention form will result in three additional demerits. Failure to report to after school detention will result in Saturday detention and the after-school detention will be reassigned.

• The accumulation of twenty-one (21) demerits results in the assignment of a Saturday detention.
• The accumulation of twenty-eight (28) demerits results in the assignment of an additional Saturday detention.

Saturday Detention

These detention sessions are held on Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:00 a.m. will not be admitted. Students are expected to report to the school in their uniforms when serving detention. Parents will be notified in advance, if such a detention has been assigned to their son or daughter. Parents and student may be required to attend a meeting with the administration prior to the Saturday detention. The student will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities for three days, beginning on the day of notification, Monday through Saturday. Failure to report to Saturday detention will result in In-School Suspension and the Saturday detention will be reassigned.

In-School Suspension (ISS)

More serious misbehavior or the accumulation of thirty five (35) demerits results in the assignment of an In-School Suspension (ISS). This suspension is served on school grounds under the supervision of school personnel. Parents will be required to attend a meeting with the administration and the student is responsible for completing all assigned academic work. The student will not be allowed to participate in or attend any extra-curricular activities for one week. (Monday through Saturday)

Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)

Dismissal from school. Most serious misbehavior results in the assignment of an Out-of-School Suspension (OSS). Parents and student will be required to attend a meeting with the administration and the student is responsible for completing all assigned academic work. The student will not be allowed to participate in or attend any extra-curricula activities for two weeks, Monday through Saturday. This disciplinary action will appear in their permanent high school record file.

Expulsion

Removal from school. Expulsion is a very serious matter and is used only when required by law or when the student has repeatedly failed to correct an unacceptable behavior.

The Administration will make disciplinary decisions when circumstances dictate other courses of action.