DISCIPLINE POLICY

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

● Cheating is defined as looking at another ’ s work without the teacher ’ s permission, talking during an examination, or working together on an assignment that was intended to be completed individually. ● Plagiarism is defined as using another ’ s work without thanking them for the use. ● If either cheating or plagiarism is noticed, the assignment or exam will immediately receive a 0. Parents will be notified. A second cheating or plagiarism infraction will result in an Education Council review. 14. Staff and Student Interaction: Staff may not initiate friend requests to students nor accept friend requests from students. Staff may not initiate or facilitate any private or isolated types of communication with students that might be interpreted as unprofessional. The Terra Nova School has zero tolerance for inappropriate interactions between staff and students.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The Terra Nova School seeks to provide an environment where the students are encouraged and challenged to exemplify Christian behavior in all aspects of the school day. It is imperative that our school be a haven of safety for all children. Actions that jeopardize the safety of others are dealt with promptly. The kind and amount of discipline will be determined by the teachers, and if necessary, the Head of School. The discipline will be administered in light of the student's problem and attitude. All discipline will be based on biblical principles, e.g. restitution, apologies (public and private), swift and appropriate punishment to bring about restoration of fellowship without lingering attitudes, etc. As part of our belief in the authority of the family, parents will be made aware of concerns or warnings given to a student by a teacher, or the Head of School, as well as of any disciplinary action taken as soon as possible after each incident.

The purpose of our discipline policy is to foster a beautiful and rich culture that serves the Lord. We understand that there are children with behavior difficulties due to various diagnoses or traumas of varying sorts. This policy is not intended to dissuade these children from attending The Terra Nova School. This is instead a guide for the culture we seek. We are happy to meet with parents of children who might need a varied plan and we will individualize for specific circumstances pending our Education Council approval.

The vast majority of discipline will be handled at the classroom level. Love and forgiveness will be an integral part of the discipline of a student. Office Visits:

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

There are instances where a stronger warning or more severe penalty is needed. Such cases will be dealt with by the Head of School. There are five basic offenses that will automatically necessitate such action. They are: 1. Disrespect shown to any staff member or any adult. The staff member or adult will be the judge of whether or not disrespect was shown. 2. Dishonesty in any situation while at school, including lying, cheating, and stealing. 3. Rebellion, i.e., outright disobedience in response to instructions, including repeated failure to follow teacher directions or to complete tasks as assigned. 4. Fighting, i.e., striking or kicking in anger with the intention to harm another student. 5. Unkind, obscene, vulgar, or profane language, as well as taking the name of the Lord in vain.

The Head of School will determine the nature of the discipline. The Head of School may require immediate suspension for the remainder of the day, restitution, janitorial work, parental attendance during the school day with their child, or other measures deemed appropriateIf a student receives an office visit, the following accounting will be observed within the school year:

● The first two times a student has an office visit the student's parents will be contacted afterward and given the details. Their assistance and support in averting further problems will be sought. ● The third office visit will be followed by a meeting with the parents and Head of School. ● Should the student require a fourth office visit, he will be suspended for two days (special situations will be taken into consideration with prior behavior plans). ● If a fifth office visit is required, a discipline hearing with the Education Council will be required to determine the next steps needed from the school, which at this point could include expulsion.

Serious Misconduct:

If the Head of School deems it necessary, the office-visit process may be by-passed and suspension imposed immediately. ● Examples of such misconduct include, but are not limited to: acts endangering the lives of others, gross violence, theft, vandalism, violations of civil law, or drug abuse, whether it happens on campus or off, during school hours or outside of the school day. ● If the Head of School desires to pursue expulsion, they will meet with the Education Council who will make the final decision.