PHILOSOPHY OF DISCIPLINE

Philosophy of Discipline Code of Conduct: Students, Parents, and Teachers Chemical Irritants Procedures for Chemical Irritants The Defiant, Willfully Disobedient Child Procedures for Dealing with the Defiant/Willfully Disobedient Child Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use Procedures for Alcohol/Other Drug Use Procedures for Tobacco Use Weapons Special Provision for Possession of Firearms Procedures for Firearms Electronic Paging or Two-way Communication Devices Procedures for Electronic Paging or Two-way Communication Devices Harassment of Students Procedures for Harassment of Students

Philosophy of Discipline Although the students of TSL are taught the Word of God daily here at school and at home, our children are not exempt from the temptations of the devil, the world, and their own sinful flesh. At times they fall prey to these temptations. When these times occur it is our duty as a school to point out, admonish, correct, and chastise such errors by applying the truths of God’s Word, the healing of Christian love, and the firmness of discipline. We are bound by Scripture to “preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2). God’s Word tells us the importance of discipline when it says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” (Proverbs 13:24) TSL assumes the role of parent/superior when the students of TSL are under its care. Disregard for God’s Word or rules of the school; disrespect for the pastors, teachers, staff members, or fellow students; or lack of self-control and Christian conduct will make it necessary to discipline the child. In disciplining a child Law and Gospel will be used. The Law is used to show the child the severity of the sin that has been committed and the consequences of unrepented sin. The Gospel is used to show the child God’s love in sending his Son to be our Savior from sin. The Savior’s love for us is the motivation to live lives that give praise and glory to God. Parents are an important part of the disciplinary process and will be notified by their child’s teacher when a serious discipline problem arises. Communication and a cooperative spirit based on God’s Word will be used as disciplinary action is discussed and completed. In more severe discipline cases, the teacher and/or principal will consult with the child, parents, and the child’s pastor for further cooperative action. [Top] Code of Conduct Trinity-St. Luke’s Lutheran School recognizes its responsibility to create, foster, and maintain an orderly and safe school environment, conducive to teaching and learning. Every member of the TSL community is expected to cooperate in this responsibility. All teachers must use their training, experience, and authority to create a school climate and culture where effective learning takes place. TSL has a responsibility to its students, as a group and as individuals, to provide the opportunity to attend school as free as possible from unnecessary and unwarranted distraction and interference from students who are unruly, disruptive, dangerous, or interfere with the educational process in the classroom and the school. [Top] Students have the responsibility to: Demonstrate respect for people, property, and the learning environment as motivated by their Savior’s love. Come to school and every class ready to learn. Follow their Savior’s example and show kindness and courtesy to others by treating them as redeemed children of God. Put forth effort by listening carefully and following instructions. Make a positive contribution to the learning environment of TSL. Follow all school rules. [Top] Parents have the responsibility to: Be aware of their children’s activities, performance, and behavior at TSL. Cooperate and consult with the teachers, principal, and pastors in an evangelical spirit to prevent or address problems. Present to their children the opportunities and blessings they have in receiving a Christ-centered education. [Top] Teachers have the responsibility to: Recognize each child at TSL as a redeemed lamb of the Good Shepherd. Be prepared for classroom instruction. Work with each student in their classroom to help him/her reach their fullest potential. Consult and cooperate with the parents in an evangelical spirit to prevent or address problems. Communicate with each child’s parents as a part of the home-school relationship. [Top] Chemical Irritants Possession, distribution, or use of chemical protection devices, natural or artificial sprays or other irritants on school premises, before, during, or after school or at any school-sponsored activity is prohibited. A pupil found to be in violation of this policy is subject to suspension or other disciplinary action. Chemical protection devices are defined as follows: Articles used, designed, or intended to be used to cause irritation, incapacitation, or trauma to another person. Such devices may be commercially produced, manufactured, or obtained legally in Wisconsin or may be “home-made” or produced by means other than commercially. Articles designed for other purposes, which through intent, are used to inflict pain or discomfort, incapacitation, or trauma to another person. Examples include, but are not limited to, hair spray, paint, lacquer, etc. Substances used in chemical devices include natural or artificial chemicals, derivatives or products including, but not limited to “pepper resins” or similar materials. [Top] Procedures for Chemical Irritants First Step Confiscation of Irritant Notification of parents Second Step Confiscation of irritant Saturday School Notification of parents Third Step Confiscation of irritant Expulsion Notification of parents [Top] This action plan will be used in cases of actual possession of an irritant as well as the threat of use by a student. The Defiant, Willfully Disobedient Child The teachers of TSL will attempt to work with every child within their classrooms. However, when a student chooses to disrupt classroom instruction and learning and not to cooperate with the teacher, action will be taken to protect the students in the classroom and preserve the educational atmosphere. When a child is defiant or willfully disobedient, the teacher will work with the child and the parents of the child to stop the defiance and disobedience. Law and Gospel will be used as well as other management techniques. Should the child be consistently defiant or willingly disobedient, the point will be reached where the teacher will bring in the resources of the principal, the child’s pastor, the Joint Board of Education, and other outside counseling and evaluation. Should the point be reached where the teacher feels that it is in the best interest of the child and the classroom as a whole to have the child removed from the classroom, either for a short period of time or permanently, other disciplinary methods will be used. [Top] Procedures for Dealing with the Defiant/Willfully Disobedient Child First Step Removal of the student from the classroom for the rest of the school day. The child will remain at school. For the child to return to the classroom the next day, the child will offer an apology to the teacher and the child must have the teacher’s permission to return to the classroom. Meeting with the student, parents, student’s teacher, principal and the student’s pastor. Referral to counseling. Second Step Removal of the student from the classroom for the rest of the school day. The child’s parents will be contacted and the child will be sent home. For the child to return to the classroom the next day, the child will offer an apology to the teacher, and the child must have the teacher’s permission to return to the classroom. Meeting with the student, parents, student’s teacher, principal, student’s pastor, and the Joint Board chairman. An in-school suspension will be served the next day. Discussion with the student’s counselor. Third Step Removal of the student from the classroom for the rest of the school day. The child’s parents will be contacted and the child will be sent home. For the child to return to the classroom the next day, the child will offer an apology to the teacher and the child must have the teacher’s permission to return to the classroom. Meeting with the student, parents, student’s teacher, principal, student’s pastor, and the Joint Board chairman. Saturday school. Discussion with the student’s counselor. Fourth Step Removal of the student from the classroom. Expulsion Meeting with the Joint Board of Education. Discussion with the student’s counselor. [Top] Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drug Use Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, TSL students are taught the importance of taking care of their bodies and the health the Lord has given them. Therefore students at TSL using, consuming, selling, dispensing, possessing, or having ingested or inhaled alcohol or other drugs, or in possession of related drug paraphernalia at any time on school premises or at a school-related activity will be immediately suspended from school. The student’s parents will be notified and the student will also be referred to appropriate legal authorities for further action. Repeated use of the dispensing of alcohol or other drugs on school premises or at school-related activities shall result in expulsion. Students using, consuming, selling, dispensing, or possessing tobacco and/or tobacco products at any time on school premises or at a school-related activity will be immediately suspended from school. The student’s parents will be notified. Continued violation of the policy on tobacco use will result in continued suspension or expulsion. [Top] Procedures for Alcohol/Other Drug Use First Step Saturday School Notification of parents Referral to legal authorities Referral to counseling Second Step Expulsion Notification of parents Referral to legal authorities Referral to counseling The requirements of local and state laws need to be fulfilled. [Top] Procedures for Tobacco Use First Offense Immediate suspension Notification of parents Confiscation of materials Second Offense Immediate suspension or expulsion Notification of parents Confiscation of materials Third Offense Expulsion Notification of parents Confiscation of materials The requirements of local, state, and federal laws need to be fulfilled. [Top] Weapons Possession or use of a weapon (as defined below) in TSL facilities, on TSL school grounds, on buses or in other vehicles transporting TSL students, or at any TSL sponsored function or event at any time before, after, or during school is prohibited. TSL students found to be in possession of a weapon under the circumstances described above are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school and/or legal action, in accordance with Wisconsin and federal laws. The student’s parent/guardian will also be notified. Weapons are defined in two categories: Articles commonly used or designed to inflict bodily harm/and or intimidate other persons. Examples include but are not limited to firearms (loaded or unloaded), BB guns, look-alike weapons, razors, switchblade/butterfly knives, chains, clubs, etc. Articles designed for other purposes but which through intent are used to inflict bodily harm and/or intimidate. Examples include but are not limited to belts, combs, pencils/pens, files, compasses, aerosol sprays, scissors, etc. [Top] Procedure for Weapons First Step Saturday School Meeting with the student, parents, and principal Confiscation of weapon. Second Step Expulsion Meeting with the student, parents, and principal Confiscation of weapon. [Top] Special Provision for Possession of Firearms Pupils found to be in possession of firearms (as defined by the Gun Free Schools Act of 1994) in any TSL facility, on TSL school grounds, on buses or other vehicles transporting TSL students, or at any school-sponsored function or event at any time before, during, or after school will be expelled from school for a period of not less than one year. The Joint Board of TSL maintains authority to modify the one-year expulsion requirement of this policy on a case-by-case basis. Students facing discipline under this policy retain the right to due process proceedings. In addition, students found to be in possession of firearms under this policy will be referred to the criminal justice system of Wisconsin. [Top] Procedure for Firearms Expulsion Notification of parents Referral to legal authorities The requirements of local, state, and federal laws need to be fulfilled. [Top] Electronic Paging or Two-way Communication Devices Possession or use of electronic paging or two-way communication devices by students of TSL on the school premises or at school sponsored activities is allowed under the following conditions: Communication devices will be kept in the student’s backpack. TSL is not responsible for loss or damage of devices while they are at school. Communication devices can be used only before or after school hours. They may be used during the school day (with the permission of the principal or classroom teacher). Permission to use these communication devices will be denied if they are used inappropriately while on the school premises or at school sponsored activities. In such cases the parent or guardian will be informed by the principal that permission has been denied. [Top] Procedures for Electronic Paging or Two-way Communication Devices First/Second/Third Steps Removal of the privilege to use the device Notification of parents Confiscation of device [Top] Harassment of Students God’s Word teaches that the Savior’s followers are to be kind to one another. Therefore at TSL no type of harassment or bullying will be tolerated or allowed. Those who harass and bully will be disciplined. Incidents of harassment may include:  Verbal Harassment: Unnecessary and unchristian comments, jokes, slurs, rumors or questionable remarks that refer to another person’s physical appearance, conduct, or of a sexual nature.  Physical Harassment: Unnecessary and/or offensive touching, hitting, kicking, or other actions of a physical nature.  Visual Harassment: Derogatory, inappropriate, or offensive pictures, posters, cards, cartoons, graffiti, drawings or gestures. Students who believe that they have been a victim of any type of harassment or bullying should report the alleged acts to a teacher or the principal immediately. [Top] Procedures for Harassment/Bullying First Step Meeting with the student, student’s parents, teacher and the principal In-school suspension for a designated period of time Second Step Meeting with the student, student’s parents, teacher, principal, and the student’s pastor Saturday School Third Step Meeting with the student, student’s parents, teacher, principal, student’s pastor, and the chairman of the Joint Board of TSL Expulsion [Top]

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