STUDENT DISCIPLINE

DEFINITION

For our purposes, Discipline is measures that one may take to correct student misbehavior, or to establish acceptable patterns of conduct. Discipline may be verbal, an assignment, denial of a privilege, or withholding of some benefit to the student, that does not interfere with or prevent the progression of the student's education.

In extreme or repeated incidents of student misbehavior, as a last resort, a student’s parent or designee will likely be called to come to the school to pick-up the uncooperative, or non response child home for the day. Repeated calls of this nature will result in administration-parent-teacher conference(s) to determine alternative discipline approaches or permanent removal of the student

PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE

1. To arrest the student's attention. To advise, or remind the child that the attitude or action or the omission of some expected action needs to be changed, stopped, or in the case of something omitted, a change is expected.

2. Develop, maintain, or restore order and positive interaction.

3. Promote an environment that is conducive to maximum positive learning.

4. As a last resort or option, to administer Discipline to match offenses to the extent that the student may know how offensive his or her misconduct is, or how harmful his or her actions may have been to someone else.

5. Inform or remind the student that it is beneficial to self and to others when the Golden Rule of the Bible as recorded in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."

PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE

Spanking is currently permitted by Delaware law. However, the law allows absolutely no physical indication that the child was spanked. One becomes an easy mark if one spanks. It has become a dangerous non-option for disciplining a child. Thus, spanking is a form of discipline that may not be administered by any member of the staff, volunteer, or anyone acting on behalf of Faith Elementary and Middle School. Even parents and others caring for their child or children, would be well advised to strongly consider the possible legal consequences of spanking a child in the state of Delaware. To spank makes the spanker a suspect if there is a false charge of abuse, if the investigating officer or official decides they have sufficient “evidence” to prosecute you or any spanker, it may cost you your reputation, a good relationship, disruption of your family, thousands of dollars in legal fees, or worst, jail time, or other indignities, perhaps up to 7 or 8 years in prison, depending on the age of the child. There are considerable opportunities for the use of dishonesty, exaggeration, and negative propaganda during the investigative and litigation processes of alleged inappropriate spanking. Consider the risk.

Time out, or removing a student from the active classroom environment may be used as an acceptable disciplinary or corrective measure for students. No student should be removed from the classroom setting for more time than is required to accomplish the student's change of demeanor, and his or her sincere expressed resolve to return to the classroom or class activity with a sense of cooperation, obedience, and intent to be a good class citizen.