St. Peter Cathedral School
Code of Conduct

Students at St. Peter Cathedral School are to conduct themselves as Christian boys and girls at all times, whether in or out of school.

The essence of Christian discipline is self-discipline. A child will accept the rewards/ consequences of his/her chosen behavior.

Consequences:

Minor Offenses: include but are not limited to:

• Disruptive behavior: interruption of classroom activity, teasing or bothering another student

• Common discourtesy: talking back, use of profanity, tone of voice, name calling, body language – eye rolling, shoulder shrugging, sighing, walking away.

• Irresponsibility: coming to class unprepared, not caring for your desk and/or cubby area, not following directions, chronic and willful tardiness (late for class or late for school)

• Academic deficiency: failing grades which are the result of not working to the best of the student’s ability.

Teachers will do everything possible to prevent problems from happening in the first place. When problems do occur, teachers will use all means at their disposal to handle the problem in the classroom.

Detention will be held when deemed necessary for minor offenses. Students on detention for disruptive behavior, common discourtesy or irresponsibility will do appropriate manual work that needs to be done in the school. Students on detention for academic deficiency will work on academics and will be supervised by a teacher. Students and parents will be given a twenty-four hour notice for detention. No student will be excused from detention.

No student will be excused from detention. If, for a very serious reason, a student cannot come to detention on the assigned day, the principal will decide when this time will be made up.

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Major Offenses:

Students will be sent to the principal for a major offense. Students will receive one of the following consequences for a major offense (example: willful destruction of property, unbecoming conduct anywhere, fighting, consistent disrespect for persons and property, or consistent disruption of class, etc.)

1st offense:

1. Principal-teacher-pupil - parent conference or
2. Detention and written notice, or
3. In-school suspension: ISS takes place in the nurse’s office or the conference room. Students will receive credit for work completed by the end of the day, as well as for tests or quizzes taken during ISS.

2nd offense:
Automatic detention and

1. Principal- teacher-parent-pupil conference and written notice, or
2. In-School suspension and written notice or
3. Principal-pupil conference and written notice

3rd offense:
Automatic detention or in-school suspension

• Principal-parent-teacher-pastor conference to discuss the student's future at the school.

4th offense:

1. Conference and *out-of-school suspension (no more than three days)

* Suspension may lead to expulsion.

All written notices must be signed by the parent and returned to the principal before the student will be admitted to the classroom.

Student suspension will be for a period not to exceed three (3) days. During this time, the student must be confined to his/her home in accordance with state law. Upon readmission the student will be placed on probation for a period determined by the principal. Work must be made up at the convenience of his teacher. The student will be given no credit for assignments or work during the period he/she is absent

The parents of the student are to be granted a conference with the pastor, principal and teacher in the hope that a solution to the problem will be found which will forestall the necessity of expulsion.

The expulsion of a student from a Catholic school is such a serious punishment that it should be invoked rarely and then only as a last resort. The fact that a child presents serious problems to a school is not in itself sufficient reason for expelling him. The principal will use every means available to discover the cause for the problems and should exhaust all appropriate remedies, such as referral to a guidance clinic, physician or the parish priest. Nevertheless, there may be situations which demand removal of a student from the school.

In general, such situations can be reduced to two: (1) Delinquency and immorality which warrant commitment to a correctional institution or which constitute a definite menace to other pupils. (2) Chronic and incorrigible misbehavior, which undermines classroom discipline and impedes the academic progress of the entire class. It is inconceivable that expulsion will be the first punishment invoked against a pupil. His record will show that at one time or another he has been on probation or has been suspended so that he is fully aware of the consequence of subsequent misdemeanors.

Bus Riders, Walkers, and Riders

Rules for Bus Riders

A. Previous to Loading (from home)

• Be on time at the designated school bus stop—keep the bus on schedule.

• Stand on the side of the highway or sidewalk and in no way interfere with traffic. Bus riders must conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting.

• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter the bus. Enter in an orderly manner.

• Be careful in approaching bus stops.

• Respect the property rights of people who reside at or near the bus stop.

B. While on the Bus

• Throwing any object is prohibited. No student will throw or otherwise impel any paper, metal or other substance, or shoot squirt guns in or around the school bus.

• Loud or profane language, in or around the school bus, is prohibited.

• Pushing, fighting, or other unruly behavior, in or around the school bus, is prohibited

• Students will obey bus rules of their home district.

• The deliberate marring, defacing, or tampering with any part of the vehicle is prohibited. Damage will be paid by THE OFFENDER.

• Littering from the vehicle, or in the vehicle, is prohibited.

• The driver has similar authority in the vehicle as the teacher has in the classroom.

C. After Leaving the Bus

• When necessary, cross the road at least ten feet in front of the bus, but only after looking to be sure that no traffic is approaching from either direction.

• Help look after the safety and comfort of small children.

• Be alert to the danger signal from the driver.

• Students should exit the bus in a quiet, orderly manner and proceed directly to their homes or to the assigned area at school

Consequences:

If a particular student is causing a problem, his/her parents will be notified by the bus authority and/or the principal.

For any serious or recurring difficulties, the student will have their riding privileges suspended. In such cases, the parents of the student involved become responsible for seeing that their children get to and from school safely.

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Rules for Walkers and Riders:

• K–8 “walkers” will be dismissed via the Sassafras Street door.

• Students “riders” in grades 4 – 8, and their younger siblings, will be dismissed via the Sassafras Street door. K – 3 riders (without older siblings) will be dismissed via the playground.

• At all times students are to respect the rights and property of others. Students are to walk on the sidewalk. NO trespassing on lawns, knocking on doors, ringing doorbells, or other such extraordinary conduct while going to and from school will be tolerated.

• Children are to cross West 11th Street at the 11th & Sassafras Street light. Children are NEVER to cross in the middle of the street. Please do not jeopardize your child's safety to save a few steps.

• NEVER TALK TO OR GET INTO THE CAR OF A STRANGER. No student will be permitted to leave school during the day unless the parent comes to the office and the secretary calls for the student.

• If the school receives any complaints from downtown merchants regarding the behavior of a student, parents will be called immediately.

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