Discipline Policy
Discipline Policy
The purpose of discipline is to teach children how to act in a godly, Christian manner when sin occurs and how to seek forgiveness to return to fellowship.
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 the headmaster. The discipline will be administered in light of the student’s problem and attitude. 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 headmaster.
The goals of discipline at ADCCA are:
- To handle sin and other issues in a godly manner.
- To maintain a highly effective learning environment where students focus on gaining knowledge with as minimal distraction as possible.
- To utilize the need for discipline as a rich opportunity for students to learn about themselves and others, and to provide students with actual character education and lessons.
- To reinforce ADCCA’s commitment to treating all students with fairness, respect, and equality.
Teachers have the authority to implement discipline in their classrooms that is consistent with the ADCCA discipline goals listed above. Teachers will utilize the headmaster to implement discipline whenever appropriate and most especially when disciplinary action by the teacher would take away from maintaining an effective learning environment in the classroom. Disciplinary procedures may also involve the other designated ADCCA staff besides those mentioned.
Teachers may use the following means of discipline:
- Writing student’s name on board
- Asking the student to sit in a different place in the classroom or hall
- Calling parents
- Sending the student to the Headmaster for an office visit
The headmaster’s role in discipline occurs when there are instances where a stronger warning or more severe penalty is needed. There are six basic offenses that will automatically necessitate such action.
They are:
- Disrespect shown to any staff member.
- Dishonesty in any situation while at school, including lying, cheating, and stealing.
- Rebellion, i.e., outright disobedience in response to instructions, including repeated failure to follow teacher directions or complete tasks as assigned.
- Fighting, i.e., striking in anger with the intention to harm another student.
- Unkind, obscene, vulgar, or profane language.
- Gossip, rumor or talk of a personal, sensational or intimate nature. Trivial talk or writing about another individual.
The goal of any meeting between a student and the headmaster is that of a learning opportunity for the student to implement a positive change in thought and behavior. The process will involve a discussion of the Gospel and forgiveness. In most instances, parents will be notified of the student’s visit to the headmaster’s office. The primary goal of the choice of consequence by the headmaster is to require the student to take responsibility for the infraction and reconcile the student to classmates and/or teacher and staff.
If 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 student, his/her parents, headmaster, and teacher if necessary.
- Should the student require a fourth office visit, he/she will be suspended for two days. The student will be required to make up all classroom assignments and tests missed during the suspension period.
- If a fifth office visit is required, the student will be expelled from the school.
The included goals of a parent conference with the headmaster are:
- To exchange accurate information about the student.
- To determine how the parent-school partnership can best work together to lead the student to reform his behavior and heart.
The headmaster will determine the nature of the discipline. The headmaster 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 appropriate. In severe cases where there is no change in the student’s actions or assistance from the parents, the child will be expelled for the remainder of the school year.
Serious Misconduct
Should a student commit an act with such serious consequences that the headmaster deems it necessary, the protocol defined above may be bypassed and suspension or expulsion imposed immediately. Examples of such serious misconduct could include acts endangering the lives of other students or staff members, gross violence/vandalism to the school facilities, violations of civil law, or any act in clear contradiction of scriptural commands. Students may be subject to school discipline for serious misconduct which occurs after school hours.
Suspension
The headmaster will normally follow the protocol below. In cases where change is evident and the student appears repentant, exceptions are possible. These exceptions will be determined by the headmaster. Appeals for exceptions will not be recognized.
- First offense of any of the above-mentioned behaviors and others where the child is clearly disobeying authority – Warning, restitution/apologies, suspension for one school day. Missed work must be turned in when the child returns to school or a grade of zero will be recorded.
- Second offense – Restitution/apologies, suspension for two school days. Missed work must be turned in when the child returns to school or a grade of zero will be recorded.
- Third offense – Restitution/apologies, suspension for five school days. Missed work must be turned in when the child returns to school or a grade of zero will be recorded.
- Fourth offense – Expulsion for the remainder of the school year.
Expulsion
The ADCCA Board realizes that expelling a student from school is a very serious matter and should always be carefully dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Forgiveness and restitution (repairing the damages through work, apologies, etc.) are fundamental to our total discipline policy. However, should a student and his parents not be able to eliminate behavioral problems before a fourth offense occurs, the student will be expelled. The procedure will be as follows:
First Formal Meeting
A meeting will be held to discuss concerns between the headmaster, teacher, and parent.
- Parents will be notified immediately after the decision for expulsion.
- The student will turn in all school texts/materials, clear out his/her desk and/or locker area, and be picked up by his/her parents the same day.
- Transfer of school records will be arranged within a week following expulsion.
- Appeals may be made first to the headmaster and then to the ADCCA School Board.