The development of self-control and restraint in student interaction and in student-teacher interaction is of great importance to the smooth running of a school. Discipline necessitates value be placed on human dignity.  Most necessary is the knowledge of common sense rules of courtesy and mutual self-respect.  We treat discipline as part of the learning process.  Children, as well as the adults working with them, must know what is expected in terms of behavior.  Rules and consequences in each learning environment (e.g. classroom, cafeteria, recess yard, bus, etc) are clearly stated.  School-wide preferred practices are also in effect such as Stop and Think worksheets and following the teacher's directions the first time given.

All members of the staff will administer discipline on a consistent basis.  The achievement of this result will be the responsibility of the school principal.  If work with pupils on a one-to-one basis and parent involvement by staff is not sufficient in this effort, the problem should be presented to the building administrator and the proper procedures followed.

On March 27, 1984 the Board of School Directors revised the policy on discipline for the Neshaminy Schools.  The policy is intended to give broad, general guidelines in this area.  The administrative regulations were developed at each building level with staff involvement.  One of the more difficult problems facing the implementation of this policy is to give each building staff the freedom to develop the regulations and at the same time have the policy administered on a consistent basis throughout the district.

In areas of specific conflict or doubt, t he principals' professional judgment will be final until such time as the regulation can be clarified.  Parts of Section 505 of the School Board Polices are outlined here for your information.  The Everitt Policy follows it.

SECTION: 505

General

Effective discipline should serve two purposes:  First, it should prevent a recurrence of a particular misbehavior in a student, and, second, it should be a learning experience for the student, permitting him/her to see why certain school rules have been made and why they must be followed.  Discipline is more than making a student do what is right; it should encourage a student to choose to do what is right.

Maintaining appropriate standards of discipline in the Neshaminy School District is essential to the establishment of proper educational environment.  As such, it is imperative that those persons responsible for the maintenance of discipline be made fully aware of the guidelines set up to accomplish these ends, and that all policies jointly developed by administrative and staff personnel be completely in accord with these established guidelines.  It is clearly understood that policies and procedures will vary from school to school and level to leave, but all are to comply with the guidelines as established in this policy.

In working to maintain the standards of discipline, it is further assumed that all the necessary supportive services will be brought into play.  These will include (in addition to teachers) and the use of counselors, parents, administrators, psychologists, physiatrists, social workers, home and school visitors, local authorities and all others who might contribute to solving any discipline problem or to maintaining the approved standards of discipline.

SPECIFIC

Discipline

MINOR BREACHES OF DISCIPLINE

Misbehavior on the part of the student that impedes orderly classroom procedures.  Misbehavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

MAJOR BREACHES OF DISCIPLINE

The major breaches of discipline listed above, because of their serious nature, require prompt disciplinary action, including the involvement of local law enforcement officials, home and school visitor, and social worker, when deemed necessary.

The basic responsibility for maintenance of discipline in the classroom shall rest with the classroom teacher.  In working toward the resolution of classroom discipline problems (including attendance), each teacher will take the following steps in sequence:

Suspension from school shall be the sole prerogative of the building administrator.  Prior to any suspension, the student must be given notice of the reason for the suspension and have an opportunity to respond.

Any regular education pupil who poses such a severe disciplinary problem that his/her presence in the classroom or in the school makes it impossible to conduct normal school activities, and whose behavior does not improve after having been involved with teachers, parents, administrators, and special service personnel to resolve the matter, shall be suspended from school by the building administrator (up to 10 days) until such time as the Direct Superintendent and/or Board of School Directors decide on a course of action to be taken based on the recommendation of the building administrator involved.

Special education students, and those thought to be special education students, who pose a severe discipline threat must be disciplined in a manner that conforms to federal and state statues and regulations.

POLICY

All building administrators shall develop with their staff the individual building code and procedures that will be used to carry out the guidelines established above.  Students may be actively involved in providing input during the development of the building code.

All individual building discipline codes and procedures must be submitted to the District Superintendent for his approval.

The building discipline code and procedures shall be clearly spelled out in the teacher's handbook and pupil's handbook.

Federal and state statutes regarding discipline will take precedence over any individual building's discipline code.

The building administrator is responsible for said compliance with all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.  The Board may make the services of the district solicitor available to all members of the staff who desire them as a result (directly or indirectly) of implementing this policy.