Student Conduct

Student Conduct

Behavior

Stoneybrooke insists on an appropriate level of manners and etiquette. As part of the character-building emphasis, the school attempts to teach children proper respect for authority and mutual respect for each other.

The school makes a concerted attempt to allow the students to grow and develop in a wholesome atmosphere. Accordingly, their language and behavior are monitored. Inappropriate language, handholding, pairing off and the like are not permitted on campus or at school activities.

All school rules apply on all field trips and on school-sponsored events on the school campus and away from it.

Students are held accountable for behavior outside of school that negatively impacts the student body and the godly atmosphere the school seeks to maintain. Additionally, each Junior High student will sign a behavioral contract with the administration each year.

Discipline

Our school teaches respect for authority, property and the rights and privileges of others. Discipline basically is the responsibility of the teacher in charge. Serious discipline problems are sent to an administrator who will administer necessary corrective measures. Disobedience and disrespect are dealt with promptly and firmly.

We want to promote and secure the development of positive, healthy self-esteem. The teachers demonstrate kind and loving reinforcement techniques. Our desire is to correct attitudes and stimulate good behavior, not to punish the student. The discipline system, however, contains some negative consequences as well as positive: time outs, after-school detentions, extra writing assignments, etc., are regularly utilized to assist with the desired change in behavior.

In some cases of serious behavior problems, the student may be suspended from school for one or more days. If suspended, the student will receive a “zero” on all homework due and quizzes on the day(s) he or she is absent. All homework must be made up and turned in within one day after the suspension so the teacher will be assured the student is continuing to keep up with the class assignments. If a test falls on the suspension day, a grade no higher than a “F” (50%) will be given when the student takes a test. All regular school days on suspension will count as absences.

Suspension MAY be given for the following reasons:

• Repeated disrespect for authority (teacher, teacher’s aide, etc.)
• Repeated failure to turn in homework/assignments
• Repeated failure to come prepared for class
• Physical aggression, violence, threat of violence or physical intimidation
• Gambling
• Lying to a staff member
• Cheating
• Bringing any type of weapon or explosive to school
• Harassment (sexual or physical)
• Inappropriate touching or signs of affection
• Drug, alcohol or tobacco use
• Bullying

Suspensions may be given in one of two ways: in-house or out of school. For an in-house suspension the student will be required to stay at school in a designated area (not in their own classroom) and complete all assigned work. He/she will be given time for restroom breaks and lunch, but they will not be allowed to join other students until after the regular school day is completed. For an out-of-school suspension, the parent will be called and will be expected to come and pick up the student from the office immediately. In-house and out-of-school suspensions are viewed as equal in regard to a decision to expel the student.

In some circumstances, where repeated discipline has been given and the behavior for which the student has been disciplined has not changed, an expulsion may be the last option. If expelled, the student will be dismissed from school immediately and all outstanding fees, tuition, etc., are to be paid in full. All textbooks and school materials shall be returned immediately, or an invoice will be sent to the parent to cover the missing material.

If, in the opinion of the administration, a student’s continued presence is undermining the mission, purpose or philosophy of the school, the parents may be asked to withdraw the student in lieu of expulsion.

Stoneybrooke Christian School Junior High Student Commitment

I recognize that it is a privilege to attend Stoneybrooke Christian School, and agree:

• To have a cooperative and respectful attitude at all times (Eph. 4:28-32)
• To abide by the school’s dress code
• To be respectful of and participate in the spiritual life on campus (Heb. 13:7, 1 Thes. 5:12-13)
• All school rules apply on all field trips and on all school-sponsored events on the school campus and away from it

I will refrain (on and off campus) from:

• Damage against the physical property of the school
• Smoking, drinking, gambling, drugs
• Inappropriate boy/girl relationships
• Physical violence
• Profanity/Inappropriate language
• Bullying of any kind
• Sexual harassment

I understand that the privilege of attending Stoneybrooke Christian School can be removed should any of the above items be violated or if in the opinion of the administration my continued presence is considered not to be in the best interests of the school.

The 432 Plan

Rooted in Ephesians 4:32 which says to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” lies the kind of atmosphere that Stoneybrooke Christian School strives to maintain. Stoneybrooke believes that all students have a right to a safe and healthy school environment and works hard to create an atmosphere of respect and mutual kindness towards one another.

Definition of Bullying: Bullying is a pattern of unwanted, unfair aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves real or perceived power imbalance. This is the behavior that is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time. Stoneybrooke recognizes that not all inappropriate behavior is bullying.

Bullying behaviors include the following:

• Attacking someone physically or verbally
• Stealing or damaging another person’s things
• Ganging up on someone
• Teasing someone in a hurtful way
• Spreading rumors or untruths about someone
• Leaving someone out on purpose, or trying to get other kids not to play with someone
• Sexual harassment (refer to Sexual Harassment Policy)

Definition of Cyber-Bullying: Cyber-bullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets, as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.

Students and Stoneybrooke will do the following things to promote kindness and prevent bullying:

• Treat each other with kindness and compassion
• Refuse to bully others
• Refuse to let others be bullied
• Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied
• Try to include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out
• Report bullying immediately to an adult

Administration, teachers and staff at Stoneybrooke will do the following to prevent bullying and help children feel safe at school:

• Closely supervise students in all areas of the school and playground
• Watch for signs of bullying and stop it when it happens
• Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports
• Investigate all reported bullying incidents
• Educate their students on bully prevention

Intervention Steps: The following steps will be taken when dealing with incidents:

• Following the report of an incident, a clear and precise account of the incident will be investigated and recorded by interviewing all concerned parties involved
• Parents of both the victim of the bully behavior and the student accused of bully behavior will be kept informed during the entire process
• Every effort will be made to restore relationships that are kind and respectful, based on Biblical principles

Students who have been a target of bullying behavior will be supported by:

• Making every effort to put an end to the bullying behavior
• Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with a staff member of their choice
• Reassuring the student that being bullied is not their fault
• Offering continuous support
• Restoring self-esteem and confidence

Students who have bullied will be helped by:

• Discussing what happened
• Discovering why the student is behaving this way
• Establishing the wrongdoing and the need to change
• Informing the parents to help change the attitude and behavior of the student

Depending on the severity and the frequency of the offense, the following disciplinary steps can be taken: Official warning to cease offending, detention, exclusion from certain areas/activities on school premises, suspension, and expulsion.

Summary: As long as a man has a sinful nature, sin will continue to manifest itself into school life. Stoneybrooke is no exception to this and recognizes that conflict can and will take place between students over the course of the year. Students are taught and encouraged to make every effort to resolve conflicts between each other peacefully and with kindness. Forgiveness and restoration should take place based on Biblical principles. Not every conflict between students needs the attention of an adult nor should be considered bullying. However, when this process fails or becomes repetitive in nature, Stoneybrooke has set in place this 432 Plan to make it clear that bullying/cyber-bullying is never okay nor will it be tolerated at Stoneybrooke. Stoneybrooke expects students to be kind and respectful.

Student Sexual Harassment Policy

This school is committed to maintaining an academic environment in which all individuals treat each other with dignity and respect and which is free from all forms of intimidation, exploitation, and harassments, including sexual harassment. This school is prepared to take action to prevent and correct any violations of this policy. Anyone who violates this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination or expulsion.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

“Sexual harassment” means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, digital or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the work or educational setting, under any of the following conditions:

• Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition of an individual’s academic status or progress
• Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as the basis of academic decisions affecting the individual
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment
• Visual conduct such as leering, making sexual gestures, displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters; including all forms of digital sexual harassment
• Verbal conduct such as making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs and jokes
• Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, suggestive or obscene letters, notes or invitations
• Physical conduct such as touching, assaulting, impeding or blocking movements

Employee-Student Sexual Harassment

Employee-student sexual harassment is prohibited.

What to Do If You Experience or Observe Sexual Harassment

Students who feel that they have been subjected to conduct of a harassing nature are encouraged to promptly report the matter to one of the school officials designated below.

Students who observe conduct of a sexually harassing nature are also encouraged to report the matter to one of the school officials below. All complaints will be promptly investigated.

Where to Report Sexual Harassment

The following individuals are specifically authorized to receive complaints and to respond to questions regarding sexual harassment:

Confidentiality

Every effort will be made to protect the privacy of the parties involved in any complaint. However, the school reserves the right to fully investigate every complaint, and to notify a student’s parent/guardian and appropriate government officials as the circumstances warrant.

Protection Against Retaliation

It is against the school’s policy to discriminate or retaliate against any person who has filed a complaint concerning sexual harassment or has testified, assisted or participated in any manner in any investigation proceeding or hearing concerning sexual harassment.

Procedure for Investigation of the Complaint and for Taking Corrective Action

When one of the designated school officials receives a complaint, he or she shall immediately inform the principal. The principal will direct an investigation. If the investigation confirms the allegations, prompt correction actions shall be taken. The individual who suffered the harassing conduct shall be informed of the corrective action taken. In addition, any employee or student found to be responsible for sexual harassment in violation of this policy will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action up to and including expulsion or termination. The severity of the disciplinary action will be based upon the circumstances of the infraction.