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CODEGATEWOOD DISCIPLINARY HS/MS : Pg 22 LS: Pg 25 PS: Pg 26
Gatewood Disciplinary Code
Honor Code
Gatewood expects its students to maintain high standards of behavior both in and out of school. Gatewood endeavors to instill in its students healthy habits of mind and body, a clear sense of values, and good moral judgment. Certain behaviors must be exhibited in order to achieve these objectives. Students are expected to be:
TRUSTWORTHY RESPECTFUL (of faculty, other students, and all personal and school property) APPROPRIATE (in dress and attitude) COURTEOUS KIND (in the classroom and during athletic events and school-related events)
Gatewood believes that honor and integrity are paramount in the educational process. Therefore, all Gatewood students must sign a pledge prior to the start of school each year to adhere to the following code: “I will neither lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate any of these type acts. I will be academically honest in all of my work and will not tolerate academic dishonesty of others.”
Definitions: · Lying – falsifying the truth · Cheating - giving or receiving unauthorized information on graded material. · Stealing – taking another person’s property without their consent · Academic Honesty – performing all academic work without plagiarism, cheating, lying, stealing, altering or receiving unauthorized or illegitimate assistance from another.
The Honor Code is an integral part of the school. Students, faculty, and staff members are expected to strictly enforce its provisions. All honor code violations will be referred to the Disciplinary Council.
Disciplinary System for Grades 6-12
The Gatewood Discipline Code for middle and high school is developed with careful consideration for the welfare of the individual student, the school community, and its employees. The purpose of this code is to foster a safe, Christian environment for all and to ensure a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Accordingly, the purpose of this code is designed to curb adverse behavior and be able to move forward in a 22 positive
Gatewood’s Disciplinary Council consists of the Assistant Headmaster, High School Director, Middle School Director, School Guidance Counselor, Athletic Director, and staff or faculty appointed by Headmaster. A minimum of five members must be present for such a hearing. Reports of misconduct or code violations may be reported by any faculty or staff member via the RenWeb Behavior Management System to the Assistant Headmaster. The Assistant Headmaster alone or his designee determines whether demerits or other disciplinary measures are warranted. The accumulation of 15 demerits in a year MAY trigger the need for a formal meeting between parent(s)/guardian(s), students and the Disciplinary Council. This meeting is designed to alert all concerned that behavior must be adjusted and the potential consequences of not correcting behavior. In rare situations in which a student reaches the 30 demerit mark, the Disciplinary Council will convene to address consequences. Note:
demerits in high school and middle school are cumulative.
Any student with a discipline infraction(s) on or off campus that is Gatewood affiliated, following Gatewood school guidelines and expectations, will be handled by the Disciplinary Committee. A high school or middle school student whose behavior continually warrants hearings before the Disciplinary Council may be evaluated for continuance as a Gatewood Student. Documentation from prior hearings may be used to determine consequences for future misconduct. The Disciplinary Council may dismiss a student for an infraction that is, or is judged to be, particularly damaging to the individual, members of the school community, or the school’s reputation regardless of the individual’s accumulation of demerits.
The list of infractions or consequences is not intended to be exhaustive. Because it is not possible or feasible to anticipate all infractions that may occur, the Disciplinary Council shall have authority to impose penalties for any infraction not specifically listed or stated. Multiple infractions may also carry a stiffer penalty than those listed in this code. Consequences for adverse behavior are solely at the discretion of the Disciplinary Council and are final. The Headmaster will oversee the Council to ensure they continuously operate in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with this code.
Major infractions:
These are among the most serious offenses and may be grounds for dismissal from Gatewood Schools regardless of prior disciplinary record. A hearing before the Disciplinary Council is required in these cases. Severity may prevent there being more than one hearing before the Council. The Council may choose to dismiss or allow voluntary withdrawal, or at its discretion choose an alternative punishment which may include but not be limited to disciplinary probation. 23
Violation of the alcohol policy Violation of the drug policy Bullying, bullying via electronic devices, harassment, sexual harassment (see Bullying Policy page 35) Possession of weapon(s) on campus or at school sponsored events Sending, soliciting, or relaying inappropriate or sexually related material to/from another student Any terroristic threat made toward a student or staff member Sexual misconduct
Level 3 Offenses may carry a punishment of 10-15 demerits, Out-of-School Suspension (OSS), or In-School-Suspension (ISS) and may affect extra-curricular activies:
These offenses include, but are not limited to: • Cheating (1st offense = 10 demerits; 2nd offense = 15 additional demerits) Any student caught cheating on classwork or test will receive a grade of zero (0) for that classwork or test. (Note: cheating will impact standing within honor societies in accordance with their by-laws, i.e. - National Honor Society, etc.)
Fighting
Disregard for the dignity, rights, and/or safety of fellow students or faculty
Viewing inappropriate material during school hours
Vandalism of personal property or school property
Theft
Violation of the Tobacco policy
Level 2 Offenses may carry a punishment of 5-10 demerits
These offenses include, but are not limited to: • Unauthorized use or possession of cell phone, smart watch or headphones during school hours (Includes the school’s retention of device for a minimum of 48 hours or $50 fine with device returned by the end of the day.) • Misuse of electronic devices or laptop computer during class (video games, Netflix, YouTube, etc.) • Insubordination or disrespect toward a teacher or substitute teacher • Skipping class • Purposely not in the proper scheduled location during school hours • Repeated or “chronic” violations of Level 1 offenses • Unacceptable behavior for a Gatewood student 24
Level 1 Offenses may carry a punishment of 1-5 demerits
These offenses include, but are not limited to: • Class disruption (repeated disruptions may incur level 2 consequences) • Excessive tardies • Chewing gum • Dress code violations (see “Uniform Dress Code”) • Eating or drinking in classroom (water is approved)
Suspension (ISS or OSS)
Suspension is a consequence of all Level 3 offenses and major infractions, but may also be assigned for multiple infractions of lesser offenses. Any suspension incurs automatic ineligibility from all extracurricular activities on the day or days that ISS or OSS is served. Suspensions will be served the first school day after it is determined the offense occurred.
Graded work on the day(s) ISS or OSS is served receives a grade of zero (0).
Disciplinary System for Grades 1-5
The below described disciplinary measures are designed to accommodate a broad list of behaviors not conducive to the learning environment or the climate of our school. The system has been devised to cover any behavioral issues which might occur within the lower grades, but is certainly not all inclusive. Actions to address behaviors not listed will be considered on a case-by-case basis:
Level 1 Offenses: • Violations of posted classroom rules and expectations include: o Listening and following directions o Controlling excessive talking (classroom, restroom, lunchroom) o Being prepared for class o Being respectful of others and their property
Penalty: Level 1 Offenses will be managed by classroom teachers. If Level 1 behaviors are persistent as documented by the teacher, consequences require one or more of the following: o One day of silent lunch o Walking at recess 25
Level 2 Offenses: • Violations include persistent Level 1 behaviors which may include: o Purposeful and inappropriate physical contact with another student (non- fighting) o Fighting o Profanity o Cheating o Disrespect of a teacher or peer to include bullying o Theft (severity considered) Penalty: Level 2 offenses require one or more of the following consequences: o Three days of silent lunch o Run or walk the track during recess o Loss of special activities o Consequences will include more than one from the list if behavior continues
Note: Repeated Level 2 offenses become Level 3 offenses that result in referral to the Headmaster.
Level 3 Offenses may require the following actions: • Parent conference with teacher, director and Headmaster • Imposition of punishment as deemed appropriate by the Headmaster
Social education is of the greatest value during pre-school. Therefore, many of the skills documented by teachers involve the children’s behavior toward others. In most situations, simple reminders and behavior management tools used in the classroom help to curb adverse behavior. However, when behaviors that cause danger to a student or others is repeated numerous times, consequences have been documented for use as a guide for teachers. The following actions may require actions as listed below:
Biting
Teachers will provide immediate notification to parent(s) since this behavior is serious.
that was bitten. The incident will be documented via the “Bite Report” for the child that was biting. Copies of reports will be provided to respective parents. 2nd Offense – Parent(s) must pick up the child immediately, as the child will be suspended from school for the remainder of the day and the following day. Parents of the student who was biting and the student who was bitten will be provided copies of Bite & Incident Reports. 3rd Offense – Parents will be required to meet with the Preschool Director and Headmaster to determine appropriate punishment for future violations.
Spitting/Kicking/Bodily Harm
1st Offense – Incident will be documented in the student’s Behavior ChoiceCard. 2nd Offense – Parent(s) must pick up the child immediately, as the child will be suspended from school for the remainder of the day and the following day. 3rd Offense – Parents will be required to meet with the Preschool Director and Headmaster to determine appropriate punishment for future violations.
Inappropriate Language
1st Offense – Incident will be documented in student’s Behavior ChoiceCard. 2nd Offense – Parent(s) must pick up the child immediately, as the child will be suspended from school for the remainder of the day and the following day. 3rd Offense - Parents will be required to meet with the Preschool Director and Headmaster to determine appropriate punishment for future violations.
Inappropriate Touching (purposeful and inappropriate touching or grabbing self or another child, usually in the genital area)
All inappropriate touching that is observed by school personnel must be reported to the Preschool Director. Parents will be required to meet with the Preschool Director and the Headmaster.
