We are a faith community in which our students can experience spiritual and academic growth. This is best achieved in a climate marked by Christian self-discipline and a system of rules based on consistency and fairness (i.e., equal treatment for all). The teachers need the liberty to discern the needs of the individual student, but at no time is corporal punishment used. The parents need to support the school policies and take an active part in all school/home interactions to maintain a positive learning environment.

Discipline Procedures for Inappropriate Behavior
Grades 3-8 will follow consequence schedules consistent with the social development that can be expected at their age. The first warning a a verbal warning to the student. The second is a written warning or demerit. Some behaviors could result in an automatic detention. Behavior demerits accumulate for each quarter in grades 3-5; demerits carry over in each quarter in grades 6-8. In grades 3-5, if a student accumulates six demerits, he/she serves a detention. In grade 6, a student serves a detention after four demerits. In grades 7-8, a student serves a detention after three demerits.

1st detention Detention served
2nd detention Detention served and a parent contact made
3rd detention Detention served and have a student/asst. principal/parent conference, loss of privilege, removal from a school-sponsored activity, or a suspension will be decided. The Asst. Principal will then monitor the student to help improve behavior.

The Principal will resolve the situation of a student who accumulates an excessive number of behavior detentions. Every student is a St. Mary's student at all times and may be disciplined if he/she engages in conduct, whether inside or outside the school, that is detrimental to the school's reputation.Any serious situation (weapon, drugs, act of violence, etc.) will be handed by the Principal and Pastor. This may result in an immediate detention, suspension, or explusion from school.

Dress code violations are part of the behavior discipline policy, except in P.E. where they are academic notices.

Discipline Procedures for Academic Problems
Students are expected to do homework and projects for the day assigned. In addition, teachers in gr. 3-8 send tests and assignments home to be signed and returned so parents are informed of their child's progress. Academic warnings accumulate for each quarter in gr. 3-8; detentions carry over in gr. 6-8 and follow the schedule explained under Inappropriate Behavior.
The following consequences are used to advise parents of a student's failure to assume academic responsibility.
Procedure for Missing/Late Assignments: 1. academic notice or verbal warning following teacher's policy, 2. parent phone call or email from teacher.
Procedure for Unsigned Papers: 1. verbal warning to get signature, 2. academic notice, 3. parent phone call or email from teacher.
Consequence for students with D or F when Progress Reports are issued: student reports to Administration to set up schedule to monitor academic progress.

Harassment
The environment of a Catholic school is one where respect for individuals prevails. Acts of violence, threats, harassment, and bullying should be reported; all reports will be taken seriously. Every effort shall be made to provide help for both the student being mistreated and the one alleged doing the mistreating. The principal and the pastor retain local decision-making responsibility for the remedy and its implementation.

Cheating
Cheating is a form of stealing, an act of injustice. Students may not copy homework, use notes during a test, receive answers from another student, or copy information verbatim from the Internet. These situations will be handled in a manner deemed appropriate to the administration.

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities / Athletic Program
If a student does not participate in a P.E. class or is absent due to illness, he or she will not be able to participate in any extra curricular or sport activity after school or that evening, Monday through Friday. In case of a doctor's order, the student will not be allowed to participate in a sport until a doctor's release is issued. (This will include weekends.)

A student participating in an extracurricular activity or a sport who has a D when progress reports are issued will be given a written warning to caution him/her about the need to maintain good grades. A copy of this warning will be given to the student's parents.

A student who has an F at progress report time will be placed on probation. A notice will go to the student's parents and coach. The student will have two weeks to improve the grade to passing. If a passing grade is attained, the student will be removed from probation. If not, the student will not be allowed to participate in the activity until report cards are issued. If the student does not pass each academic subject with a D or better and have an overall average of a C when report cards are issued, the student will be removed from the team or activity until the next progress reports are issued.

The third time a student is removed from a team or activity for academic reasons, the removal from the activity or team will be permanent.