GATEWOOD DISCIPLINARY CODE

In preschool, a written note or email for early dismissal must be given to the homeroom teacher. Parents must pick up their children in the main office and sign them out.

In the middle and high school, a written note for early dismissal must be approved by the school Directors (MS: Mrs. Amy Camp HS: Mrs. Haley) and given to the homeroom teacher. Middle school students’ parent must sign their child out at the main office. High school students must sign out with Mrs. Haley.

Make-up Work

Students in the Middle School and High School will have 3 days to make-up work missed during an excused absence. For unexcused absences a zero will be given for any graded work given on the day(s) absent. When work is not completed during this period, the grade of zero will be assigned. At the discretion of the administration, extended or hardship absences may justify additional time being given beyond the 3 day make-up standard. Lower school students will receive all make-up work upon returning from absences.

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 positive manner. Thus, all Gatewood Students are expected to abide by the code of conduct outlined herein and uphold the school’s standards of behavior.

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,

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.

Offenses include, but are not limited to: • 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 activities:

These offenses include, but are not limited to: • Cheating (1st offense = 10 demerits; 2nd offense = 15 additional demerits) Any student 25 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.) • Plagiarism • 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, headphones or any other electronic device 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 • Profanity

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) • Tardy to class

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: • Listening and following directions • Controlling excessive talking (classroom, restroom, lunchroom) • Being prepared for class • 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: • One day of silent lunch • Walking at recess • Written notification to parents

Note: Persistent Level 1 offenses may become Level

2 Level 2 Offenses: • Violations include persistent Level 1 behaviors which may include: • Purposeful and inappropriate physical contact with another student (non- fighting) • Fighting • Profanity • Cheating • Disrespect of a teacher or peer to include bullying • Theft (severity considered)