As a Christian institution for the education of children, every attempt is made to maintain Christian discipline at all times. Teachers make every effort to treat all children justly in accordance with God’s Word. Teachers are the parent’s representatives in the school and should be respected as outlined in the fourth commandment.

At Zion Lutheran School, we do not think of discipline as being a form of punishment but rather as the teaching of self-control, Christian attitudes, orderliness, and efficient management of time and abilities so that maximum learning may take place. The students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will give glory to God and create an atmosphere of harmony with others. The staff will ensure that discipline and guidance are consistently based on an understanding of individual needs and development, and promote self-discipline and acceptable behavior.

A pupil is considered as having a discipline problem when his/her actions are detrimental to the routine management of the classroom and school and to the educational process. These student actions shall be reported to the parents and the principal so that home and school can work together to correct the pupil’s misconduct.

The discipline in the classroom is based on Assertive Discipline by Lee Canter. Assertive discipline is a behavior management model that is based on consistency, follow through, and positive relationship building. Teachers and students must work together in order to prevent behavior problems from occurring and to teach children to make responsible decisions regarding their behavior,

Procedures are routine actions that occur within the school. They are directed at accomplishing tasks and provide for order within the school. Classroom teachers will establish procedures appropriate for their rooms. In addition, some procedures apply to all students within the school and are listed within this handbook or are posted in the school.

The classroom rules define the specific behavior expected while carrying out the procedures. Classroom teachers establish rules specific to procedures within their classrooms. The rules are on display in the classroom. Copies of the classroom rules are also sent home with a letter of explanation. In addition, a copy of the classroom rules is on file in the principal’s office.

Some school-wide rules are:

Bullying

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Typically, it is repeated over time. An individual who is being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. 

Bullying can take many forms:

      • Physical bullying (such as hitting or punching)

      • Verbal bullying (such as teasing or name calling)

      • Nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying (such as intimidation using gestures or social exclusion)

      • Cyber-bullying or bullying through note writing (such as sending insulting messages by e-mail or

        sending insulting notes to others in the classroom)

Zion Lutheran Church and School faculty and staff will work toward the goal of acceptance by and for all persons on the campus, with no tolerance for bullying behavior.  Teachers will actively and consistently teach and model positive behavior(s), and address immediately any aggressive or harassing behavior(s).

Students demonstrating bullying behaviors will be subject to the discipline process as briefly summarized below.*

      A. Address the situation with appropriate apologies given

      B. Loss of privileges: (recess, free time, etc.) or time out

      C. Inform parents

      D. Visit to the principal’s office for a student visit

      E. Parent/ Teacher/ Principal/ Student conference

      F. Referral: counseling as recommended by the principal and teacher  (Refusal to seek counseling     may result in suspension from school.)

      G. Dismissal- to an alternative education program that is better suited to meet the student’s individual needs.

       H. Proper authorities will be notified if criminal intent is obvious or when the situation warrants such action.

 *  If the situation is deemed to be of a severe nature, the principal may omit one or more steps in the process. 

Staff members demonstrating bullying behaviors will be subject to a conference and review with the principal with an action plan given to address needed behavior changes. Follow up review(s) will take place at intervals determined by the principal and board of education. Severe instances of staff bullying action may result in immediate dismissal.

Cell Phones

Students may have cell phones in their book bags provided the cell phones a)  are turned off during the school day,  b)  are kept in the students’ book bags, and  c)  are used only with expressed permission of a faculty or staff person.  Any cell phone that is taken from the book bag by any student without permission will be confiscated and kept by the faculty/staff person until picked up by a parent/guardian.

Matters of everyday classroom and playground management will be handled immediately by the staff member in charge.

If the child’s inappropriate behavior persists, the teacher and/or principal will make an appointment with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to discuss the matter. This meeting will be documented using the parent/teacher conference/visitation form. (This will be completed, signed, and returned to the teacher within three days. If not returned additional contact will be required.)

After this meeting, if the situation does not improve, the parent, child, teacher, and principal will meet to review the situation as well as establish another plan of corrective action. This meeting will be documented using the parent/teacher conference/visitation form. (This will be completed, signed, and returned to the teacher within three days. If not returned additional contact will be required.)

Suspension from school will be imposed on any student for any of the following reasons:

All work or assignments missed during the suspension must be completed but a grade of zero will be given. Before a suspended student may return to school or the classroom, this work must be completed and the student will be required to attend a conference with the parent(s) or guardian and the principal and teacher to discuss the behavioral problem and ways to correct the behavior. This meeting will be documented using the parent/teacher conference form. (This will be completed, signed, and returned to the teacher within three days.)

• First Offense: A minimum of one-day suspension

• Second Offense: A minimum of three-day suspension

• Third Offense: A minimum of five-day suspension

• Fourth Offense: An automatic expulsion

Zion Lutheran School is not equipped to serve children having specialized educational problems, nor is it an institution for disciplinary cases. The following procedures will be used in dismissal of a pupil:

In extreme cases of misbehavior, #1 procedure will be applied.

The Board of Christian Education reserves the right to dismiss any pupil for persistent and unacceptable behavior, continued lack of progress or lack of home support. It should likewise be noted that situations involving inappropriate language or disrespectful behavior would warrant sending the child home during the school day. Persistent or repeated misbehavior would warrant dismissal of the child from Zion Lutheran School.

Weapons are not permitted at or near the school. "Weapons" include any object, material or substance which in the manner it is used, designed to be used, or intended to be used, is capable of producing death or serous bodily injury. This also includes any object which is generally used for non-violent or non-dangerous purposes but which can be a considered a weapon under this policy as a result of its use or intended use. A replica or facsimile of a weapon is also considered under this policy.

Examples of objects that can be considered a weapon under this policy are:

• Firearms rocks ball bats cigarette lighters

• Knives bottles ropes brass knuckles

• Sling shots cans water pistols chains

• Cap guns

The possession or use of any "weapon" as defined, on or near the school grounds or at a school-sanctioned event, will result in immediate suspension and/or expulsion of the student involved. This will be initiated by the principal with final disposition decided by the Board of Christian Education.

The following policy for possession or use of any illegal drug will be used:

If parents have questions concerning the education of their child, a classroom procedure of a discipline matter they should contact the child’s teacher. If an unsatisfactory situation continues, parents are to make an appointment to meet with the teacher and the principal. If the problem continues to exist, parents should ask the pastor or chairperson of the Board of Christian Education to be present at a conference including the teacher and the principal.

Lastly, an unresolved situation may be brought to the Board of Christian Education using the following procedure:

Due Process

Students may be suspended not to exceed six school days in a semester if the principal determines either:

Before suspending a student, the principal will consider reasonable alternatives, including appropriate discipline management techniques, which may include detention an /or phone call to the parents. If the principal determines a suspension is the most appropriate alternative, no other disciplinary action need precede the suspension. The principal shall determine the length of suspension.

Before suspending a student, the principal shall conduct an informal hearing at which:

A student’s parent shall be notified of the suspension immediately via telephone. A written summary will also be sent to the parent and the student. Parents of a student who has been suspended will be advised that it is their responsibility to provide adequate supervision for the student during the period of suspension.

A student may be expelled for repeated violations of the rules, breaking a civil law, and/or/ after other avenues of discipline have been tried. When a student is expelled the parent has the right to a full and fair hearing before the Board of Christian Education.

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