At St. Pius X School, it is believed that discipline is the fostering of respect and self-control in students.  This is a shared responsibility of parents, teachers and students.  Obedience and self-control should be a continuation of the respect for oneself and others as practiced in the home.

 A school is a place where students come to learn.  To promote learning there must be a proper atmosphere in which the student respects the rights of others and accepts each individual as a person of worth, so that all are not only free to achieve to their greatest capacity, but are thus motivated to do so.  This freedom should be extended to all phases of school activity.

Church:  Students should recognize that they are in the house of God and enter and leave quietly and respectfully.  Students should take an active part in the Liturgy, sharing in the prayers and singing in a joyful but reverent manner.

Announcements:  Whenever an announcement is being made, students are to stop whatever they are doing, become silent and attentive, and wait until the announcements are complete before resuming their normal activities.

Care of Property:  Students are required to cover all textbooks and to carry them to and from school in a protective bag.  It is unacceptable to write in, damage, or mar books or any materials, property, or equipment supplied by the school.

Students should care for the building and grounds and willingly pick up any litter and dispose of it in the proper container.  Property includes the premises, building, furniture, books, parked cars, and personal belongings of others.  Any damage to property, whether accidental or on purpose, should be reported to the principal.  Students will be held responsible for any damage they cause and will be required to pay for the replacement or repair of the property.

The following are points of behavior that are to be observed and followed by all students:

• Students should be quiet in the halls, in the restrooms, and in moving to and from classes in consideration of the other students who are studying and working in classrooms.
• Students should walk, not run, in the school building, particularly in the halls and on stairways.  Students are to keep to the right on stairways.
• Concrete walkways are to be used at all times when entering or leaving the building.
• Students may not chew gum on the school premises.
• Students should take ownership of school property and keep areas clean and organized, including desks, restrooms, and lockers.
• The only phone the students may use during the day is the office telephone, and it should only be used in important situations.
• All food is to be eaten in the cafeteria at lunchtime.  No food is permitted on the playground or in classrooms except under the direct supervision or direction of the teacher.  Food and drink are never permitted in the gym.
• Students may not bring electronic devices to school, including cell phones. If a student is found with an electronic device, it will be taken away and the parents will be asked to pick it up from the school office.  Further offenses will result in the devices being kept for an extended period of time.
• Skateboards and scooters are not permitted at school.

• Students are to be respectful of themselves, other students, and administration, faculty and staff at all times.  Talking back will not be tolerated.
• Students may not sign their parents name on any paper, even if the parent gives permission to do so.
• Students may not plagiarize, cheat, or copy another student’s assignments.

• Messages sent home should be delivered promptly.  It is the student’s responsibility to see that parents receive communications sent home from school.
• Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.  Please read the Anti-Bullying Policy set by the St. Pius X Board of Total Catholic Education (BOTCE)  (Appendix C)

Behavior Plan

The discipline plan for St. Pius X School is an organized and systematic program for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. It is based on the idea of mutual respect, and designed to help students understand that they are responsible for their actions.

Think Sheets

A Think Sheet is a tool designed to allow the teacher to remove a child from a difficult situation. It is also used to inform parents of a situation involving their child.  The Think Sheet provides the opportunity for the child to reflect on his/her behavior.

If a student is given a Think Sheet, he/she will immediately take it to the office.  The principal or assistant principal will discuss the situation with the child, and the Think Sheet will be filled out.  The student will return to the classroom and present the Think Sheet to the teacher for a signature.  The teacher will return the Think Sheet to the student at the end of the day and it will be sent home to the parents to sign and return to school the next day. Repeated Think Sheets for similar behaviors may result in a conduct referral. See Appendix D for a copy of a Think Sheet.

Conduct Referrals

Conduct referrals may be issued by any St. Pius X personnel and may be given for, but not limited to, the following:

• Blatant disrespect towards teachers, parents, staff, or other students
• Inappropriate language (written or verbal) or gestures
• Continual disruptive behavior
• Damaging/stealing of school or personal property
• Any action threatening the safety of self and/or others
• Leaving school property without permission
• Cheating or lying
• Hitting another student
• Dress Code Violations
• Gum Chewing

A student will serve a detention for the receipt of each conduct referral. Detention is served on Thursdays from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  A student is expected to serve the detention on the Thursday after it has been issued.  If a student receives repeated conduct referrals, the administration will schedule a meeting with the student and parents to discuss the poor conduct. 

Suspension / Expulsion

The administration may suspend the student from school for one or more days if a particular behavior is deemed severe, or if no improvement is made after poor behavior.  This will usually be in the form of in-school suspension unless it is determined it is in the best interest of the parties involved to have it take place out of school. The student will receive a zero for all class work completed during the suspension. Tests will be administered by the administration and will be counted in the child’s grade.

 Only the school principal or assistant principal may suspend a student from school. This action will be reported to the pastor. At the discretion of the principal, students may be asked to withdraw from school. If the parents do not willingly cooperate, the student will be expelled. The final decision whether or not to expel the offender rests with the pastor and/or principal. Whenever a student is expelled from school, a report must be made to the Diocese.

Disciplinary action of suspension and/or expulsion of a student from St. Pius X School will be employed for serious cause, which will include, but not be limited to:

• Possession or use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco on school grounds
• Possession or use of a weapon on school grounds
• Violence toward students
• Disrespect/insubordination towards teachers and staff
• Use of obscenities
• Bullying
• Vandalism
• Refusal to cooperate with school authorities