The Bible teaches that discipline is an essential part of growth and maturity in all areas of life (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual). The following Scriptures encourage and admonish those with the responsibility to educate children:

" Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
(Proverbs 22:6)

" No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
(Hebrews 12:11)

In order to provide suitable educational opportunities for all students in the classroom and to enhance the effective moral training of the students, TCS adheres to the following philosophies:

• The responsibility and authority to discipline comes from God (Ephesians 6:1 – 4). A teacher stands in Loco Parentis, that is, in the parent’s stead. He or she has the same God given authority as the parents have.

BCS expects that its students show respect to God, country, family, faculty, fellow students, and school property. Anyone who will not cooperate spiritually, morally, or scholastically will not be allowed to remain in BCS.

Students are the school's actual responsibility for the school day, yet it is our basic philosophy to involve the parent in the process of developing mature behavior patterns.  Consistent parental support of the teachers and administration is of major importance in the joint effort of training children.

In the classrooms of BCS, these four fundamental rules are to be followed:

• Respect God

• Respect Authority

• Respect Others

• Respect Self

The FIVE BASIC BEHAVIORS that are posted for all students are as follows:

                 1.  Follow directions the first time they are given

                 2.  Stay in seat during work time

3.  Raise hand to speak in class, and listen when others are speaking

                 4.  Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself

                 5.  Show courtesy and respect for others

Discipline Policies

The school seeks to instill the following characteristics in our students:

• Cheerful obedience to all in authority

• Responsibility in doing assigned or expected tasks

• Cooperation with others within and outside the classroom

• Courtesy and respect of others

• Cleanliness in person and property

• Truthfulness and honesty in work and life

• Respect for property that belongs to others

• Promptness in attendance and assignments

• Morally good conduct in respect to recreation, social relationships, and language

Discipline Categories and Consequences

Misconduct has been classified and divided into three categories, depending on the severity of the violation. Listings of examples are not intended to be all-inclusive and are not limited to the instances given.

Category I. Any other minor disturbances that prevent classroom order and instruction.

• Examples of, but not limited to, Category I infractions are:

• Excessive talking

• Disruptive behavior

• Rude/discourteous

• Eating candy or gum during class

• Tardiness

• Incomplete/out of BCS uniform

• Incomplete homework

Consequences of Category I – Offences will result in additional work, loss of play time, loss of class privileges, note or phone call home, parent-teacher disciplinary conference, or student/principal conference.

Category II. Activities and attitudes that show a lack of respect for authority. Frequent and repeated violations of Category I rules. Examples of, but not limited to, Category II infractions are:

• Fighting,

• Defiance of school authority

• Cruelty to other students (verbal or physical)

• Willful destruction, defacing of school or church property

• Consistent lack of cooperation both within or outside the classroom

• Profanity, verbal abuse or obscene gestures, language, pictures, or conduct

• Theft

• Cheating

Consequences of Category II – Offenses will result in student-principal conference, parent/principal conference, in-school suspension, detention, or Category III consequences for recurrent offenses.

Category III. Activities that seriously threaten the safety of the student or classmates. Activities that show gross lack of respect for authority or property. Activities that violate Biblical moral codes or conduct. Frequent and repeated violation of Category II rules. Examples of, but not limited to, Category III infractions are:

• Satanic symbols, worship, etc,

• Bringing pocket knives, slingshots, firearms or any type of weapon on school or church grounds

• Leaving campus or designated area without permission

Consequences of Category III – Offences will result in suspension or expulsion/withdrawal.

Explanation of Consequences

• Additional work – work assignments done during playtime, before or after school.

• Loss of Playtime – loss of part or all of recess.

• Loss of Privileges – any class related activity that is a special job within the class or an enjoyable activity beyond class work.

• Note Home – A report of misconduct to be signed by a parent and returned the following day.

• Phone call Home – A formal phone call will be made to the parents to discuss the situation. The teacher will maintain a record of disciplinary phone calls.

Bullying and harassment:

Students are expected to demonstrate grace toward each other. In all instances, students are required to be respectful and recognize that each person is an Image Bearer of God.  BCS believes that every student has the right to attend school and school-related activities free from all forms of discrimination including racial, sexual, verbal, and physical harassment.  The administration considers harassment of students to be serious and will consider the full range of disciplinary options, up to and including expulsion, according to the nature of the offense.  All students are expected to treat one another courteously, with respect for the other person's feelings; to avoid any behaviors known to be offensive; and to stop these behaviors when asked or told to stop.  All students are prohibited from engaging in offensive verbal or physical conduct.  This prohibition applies whether the conduct is by word, gesture, or any other intimidating conduct. An act of disrespect, school-related, on or off the campus, verbal or non-verbal, including a computer, is a serious breach of conduct standards.

Any student behaving in a harassing manner is considered in violation of the standards at BCS and at this level students are subject to appropriate disciplinary action

Bus Behavior

Brockton students in grades 1—8 that reside outside the walking district set by Brockton Public Schools may be transported by First Student buses.  Violation of any item listed below may result in the immediate suspension of the bus privilege and/or suspension from school by the principal.

Since riding the school bus is a privilege and not a right, the following is expected:

• The students shall remain back from the roadway and behave in an orderly manner while waiting for the bus.

• Upon entering the bus, students must go directly to a seat and remain seated until told to leave. They shall obey the directions of the bus driver at all times. Disorderly conduct, shouting or throwing things on the bus will not be tolerated.

• The students shall keep their arms, heads, hands, and legs inside the bus. They shall not throw anything out of the window. They shall not litter or deface the bus. They must keep aisles clear. If seat belts are available, they must be worn.

• The emergency door is to be used for emergencies only.

• The students shall not ride any bus other than the one to which they have been assigned.

• After a series of warnings, the student can be permanently suspended from bus privileges.

Behaviors Meriting Corrective Action which May Result in a Detention, or a One to Ten Day Suspension. 

Students are subject to the Code of Discipline in school, on school property, on the way to or from school, on field trips, at athletic events, at  school-sponsored events, and on school provided transportation.

Behaviors which are Unacceptable are included in, but are not limited to the following:

1. Use of alcohol and/or a controlled substance

2. Possession or use of tobacco products

3. Fighting, both verbal or physical

4. Endangering the physical safety of another by the use of force or threat of force

5. Acting in a way that endangers the health and safety of students or other members of the school community, including verbal or written threats

6. Assault of a student

7. Assault of a staff member

8. Verbal, physical or sexual harassment of any kind against another individual

9. Stealing or damaging another’s property

10. Stealing or damaging school property

11. Forcing another to surrender his/her belongings

12. Wanton and malicious vandalism

13. Endangering others by unauthorized use of lighters, matches, fireworks, flammables, extinguishers

14. Arson on school property

15. Possession or use of a dangerous weapon (real or simulated)

16. Abusive language to staff or students

17. Accessing, possessing, or distributing inappropriate material (print, graphic, audio, visual)

18. Wearing clothing which could be disruptive or distracting to the educational process, or which could affect student safety

19. Wearing or displaying clothing which has explicitly violent, obscene or sexually suggestive language or designs, which advertises alcohol or illegal substances, or which identifies students as members in a gang

20. Cursing, swearing, making obscene remarks or gestures

21. Disrespect to staff

22. Unauthorized selling of materials

23. Rough playing

24. Interfering with the teaching/learning process

25. Pulling a false fire alarm

26. Causing a false fire alarm

27. Wearing roller blade sneakers

28. Entering or leaving the building or classroom without permission (except in emergency or a threatened emergency)

29. Being anywhere in the building or on school property without authorization

30. Using racial slurs

31. Using or throwing objects as a means of physical abuse

It is unnecessary to specify a particular penalty for each offense because under Normal Progressive Disciplinary Procedures, the principal has the discretion to choose among a variety of procedures listed according to varying circumstances.

Circumstances will determine the particular order and selection of procedures as noted:

A.   Teacher - The teacher handles most misbehavior that occurs in the classroom.  Typical methods of managing classroom misconduct include:
  

• Employ classroom behavior management techniques with appropriate consequences/rewards.

• Correction of pupil by teacher

• Informal teacher-pupil conference — privately with student at the earliest opportunity

• Sending the student out of class

• Loss of privileges

• Telephone contact or written note from the teacher to the parents.

• A penalty assigned to the student

• Assigning a worksheet designed to cause reflection and change.

• Lowering the student’s conduct grade

• Detention (prior notification to parent)

• Conference with the teacher, parent, student

• Referral to the principal

Teachers use discretion when handling discipline issues.  If misconduct is serious or habitual in nature, the student may be referred to an administrator.

B. Principal

• Meeting with student and administrator—warning to student of possible subsequent actions

• Conference with student and teacher

• Telephone call to the parent/guardian

• Letter home

• Loss of privileges such as field trips, play time, recreational assembly, holiday festivities, etc.

• Principal-parent conference

• Restitution of damaged or stolen items in money or time

• In-house suspension

• Out-of-school suspension

• The principal may suspend a child up to ten (10) days for each incident. The parent will be informed in writing concerning the reasons and the length of time.  The parent will accompany the child back to school at the end of the designated time.

• Recommendation for expulsion after discussion with appropriate personnel

Other typical consequences for misbehavior include work projects related to the offense or  special assignments.

Detention

The purpose of detention is to encourage students to make better choices in the future.  It is not primarily meant to be punitive, but rather a time to reflect. 

Detentions may be given by teachers for infractions of classroom and/or school rules.  Students will serve detention the Thursday after it has been assigned.  The parents must arrange for pick-up.  Students may not participate in any after-school activities on the day of serving a detention.   Detentions take priority over any after school activities.

Detention will be held for Grades 4-8, Thursday, after school from 2:00—3:00.  This will be a silent sit-still time. If the student fails to be on time, an additional detention hall will be automatic. Detention Hall will be served on the Thursday following the day the student receives the Infraction form. The teacher will send the student to the office (with the Infraction Form), and a copy will be retained in the school office.  If for some legitimate reason such as a scheduled appointment, a student cannot report for detention hall, a parental note will be required by Thursday morning. The principal will assign an alternate date. Failure to serve the detention on the assigned date will result in a detention the following Thursday plus an additional day.

Detention guidelines are as follows:

• Detention will begin 5 minutes after school has been dismissed.   It will be in session for one hour.

• Students serving detention must be on time.  Students late to detention will not be allowed to serve.  That detention will be reassigned and an additional detention will also be scheduled.

• Detention is not a study hall.  Students are not to bring their books or homework.

• There is to be no talking to other students during detention.

• During detention, students may be given assignments to help them redirect their behavior.  Typical assignments include writing letters of apology, writing essays about how to better conduct oneself, writing out applicable Bible verses, or reflecting on and writing about related Scripture.

• Truancy from detention or being dismissed from detention due to violating detention guidelines will result in the detention being reassigned and an additional detention scheduled.

• A student absent from detention due to illness will have the detention reassigned.

• Detention may be during lunch or after school and is determined solely by the administrator.

• Parents are expected to be available to pick up students from detention at 3:00 PM, or students will be sent to the AfterCare program.  Parents will be charged the AfterCare rate, which is $4.00 per hour or any part of an hour.

If a student is assigned four (4) detentions in a semester the principal will assign an in-house suspension and require a parent conference.   After four (4) additional detentions, an out-of school suspension will result.  (see page 23 for readmission procedures)

Suspension

The principal will contact the parents when a suspension is issued and, if necessary, a conference will be set up.  Work missed during the time of suspension must be completed.

In-school suspension – Removal of a student from the classroom. Work assignments must be completed. While under adult supervision, the student will be in isolation for the entire school day.  Student will be allowed to complete daily assignments, tests, or other required homework during the day. Parents will be notified by phone or letter. Student will be allowed to make up tests or other assigned work. Academic penalty will be three points deducted from the 9-week grade point average for each subject.

Out of School Suspension – A student may be suspended from school, only after a parent-principal disciplinary conference. The offending student will be dismissed for the entire day of school from one to five days as assigned by the principal. Parents will be notified by a phone call or a letter.  Very specific changes in attitudes and actions will be expected prior to re-admission. A readmission parent-principal conference will be necessary for the student to return to school. Student will be allowed to make up tests or other assigned work. Academic penalty will be five points deducted from the 9-week grade point average for each subject.

The following areas will result in an immediate suspension:

1. Use of obscenities (swear words), racial slurs or profanities (taking the Lord's name in vain - (Exodus 20:7)
2. Physical abuse (fighting) with another student
3. Theft, vandalism, or destruction of personal or school property
4. Defiance of authority

In addition, if a student displays chronic misbehavior or cheats, a suspension may be imposed at the principal's discretion.  Parents will be notified should this type of a problem exist.

Readmission to School: Policies and Procedures

Students suspended from school have the right to be readmitted unless their case is referred to the School Committee for possible expulsion.

A. Conditions for readmission

1) Mandatory meeting between parents and school administration before readmission

2) There should be evidence that the student and family have taken steps to seek solutions for the problems that were the basis for the suspension.

3) The terms of the student's readmission should be evaluated with regard to continued treatment, counseling, medical care, and other rehabilitative efforts.

4) The school staff has an obligation to work closely with medical and/or psychiatric personnel, social workers, probation officers, and any other agencies that have been working with the student.

5) Readmissions should be predicated primarily on the basis that:

(a) readmission constitutes a positive benefit to the student.

(b) readmission will not adversely affect the school population.

(c) In serious cases of abuse, students will be readmitted to school only after proof of medical and/or psychiatric clearance.

B. Parental Involvement

Where medical or psychiatric treatment of the pupil is indicated, the primary responsibility for making such arrangements and carrying them out shall lie with the parents. However, the school is ready to assist the parent, at any stage, in securing whatever care is indicated.

Behavioral Probation

Probation – Brockton Christian School is a ministry and will try to meet the needs of any student.  However, it is not necessarily a school for every student. Continued student incompatibility such as disruptive behavior, persistent disobedience to rules, and/or failure to exert an effort to achieve will result in specific student evaluations by each teacher. Based on these evaluations, the principal may place the student on a 3-week probation. Prior to this probation, the principal will have a conference with the parents. If marked improvement by the student indicated on successive teacher evaluations is not noted, the student will be dismissed from the school system. The administration of Brockton Christian School reserves the right to expel a student who is unable to adapt to the Christian school environment.

A student on probation will be assigned a specific period of time in which to demonstrate his/her ability to perform satisfactorily at BCS.  If the student does not perform satisfactorily during that period, he/she may be asked to withdraw from the school or not be allowed to re-enroll the following year.

Students may be placed on behavioral probation for unsatisfactory behavior or a serious violation of the school’s standards of conduct.  Any student placed on behavior probation may be ineligible to participate in trips, sports, and leadership groups.

Expulsion

Students may be expelled (withdrawn from enrollment in the school) for continued violations of school standards.  They may also be expelled if a single offense is very serious.  Administrators retain the right of discretion when disciplining students.  More severe matters may be managed with more severe measures.

Expulsion will be recommended if it becomes apparent the school will not be able to meet the needs of a student, or that student’s behavior is preventing classroom instruction.  Expulsion may also be recommended for unresolved academic or disciplinary probation, or failure to correct the deficiencies specified in probationary admissions.  When expulsion is recommended, a date of withdrawal from school will be set and the withdrawal procedure followed. The expulsion date may be immediate. Any expelled student will be dismissed from the school system for the remainder of that current school year. Parents will be notified by a phone call or a letter. Student will be considered for re-enrollment following an expulsion, if a satisfactory student evaluation is received from another school system, mental health provider, or a family social worker.  This will be determined by recommendation of school administration and the School Board.

Upon the recommendation of the Principal, the School Committee may move to dismiss a student.  Expulsion may be the result of:

• Excessive detentions or two out of school suspensions
• Negative Attitude: a consistently negative attitude and/or behavior pattern detrimental to the goals of the school and/or disruptive to the educational process.
• Drugs/Alcohol: possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs (I Peter 5:8)
• Weapons:  possession of a gun, knife or any other weapon, or threatening use of same (Matthew 26:32)
• Serious physical threats or attack of any nature that would jeopardize the safety of students and/or staff

This may involve a conference with the School Committee, Principal, parent, and where appropriate, the student.  Any action for dismissal would be duly noted in the student's permanent file.

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