Discipline is maintained in a classroom or school when students work cooperatively with the Principal, the teachers and their classmates towards the attainment of the class and school objectives.  However, it should be noted that the legitimate interest of the school extends beyond the school day and the school hours.  Students should live their Christian life at all times.

The faculty and staff of Saint Brendan Catholic Elementary School believe that discipline is fundamental to life and that the most worthwhile discipline is self-discipline.  Discipline in the Catholic school is to be considered as an aspect of moral guidance and not a form of punishment.  A parent or child chooses one behavior over another and takes upon himself the consequence of the chosen behavior.

Children must accept the controls presented by lawful authority.  Children who fail to comply with school regulations will receive consequences according to the judgment of the teachers and administrators.  Permissiveness and severity are extremes we hope to avoid.

The following disciplinary guidelines are deemed as necessary for the orderly operation of the school, personal safety, for establishing an atmosphere conductive to learning and for the accomplishment of the purpose of the school.

DETENTIONS, SUSPENSIONS, AND EXPULSIONS
The discipline of students is to reflect a respect for authority.  It is never to be penal for the sake of punishment.  However, there are circumstances that necessitate stronger forms of discipline because of disruption of school order.

Continued disruption of class after warnings is unacceptable behavior on the part of students.  When a conduct referral is issued it must be signed by a parent and returned, for acknowledgment reasons, the next day to school.  After three (3) conduct referrals have been sent to the parents, the student will be subject to detention.  If a student misses a detention, he/she will not be able to return to school until the detention is served.  Detentions will be scheduled the second Saturday of every month.

The following are reasons for suspension:

1. Continued misbehavior in the classroom.  This is determined by three Saturday detentions.  The student will be suspended for one day.
2. Use of abusive or offensive language at any time.
3. Fighting or involved in a fight.

The following are grounds for automatic expulsion:

1. Possession of materials such as drugs, matches, firearms, cigarettes, sharp-edged instruments or knives.
2. Skipping school or leaving school property without permission.

The policy to be in effect for suspension is to protect the rights of the student, teacher, and the duty of the school to provide an education to its students.  The students have a right to an education and to be treated fairly, both by faculty, staff and peers.  All persons have a right to a good education.  These rights have corresponding duties to others.

No student will be denied an education at Saint Brendan Catholic Elementary School because of unfair discipline.  As a result, the following steps will be taken in the event of suspension and/or expulsion:

First Time Suspension:
A student suspended for the first time will be suspended for two (2) school days.  A letter will be sent to the parents stating the effective dates and the reason for the suspension.  This letter must be returned to the school office signed by the parents acknowledging that they have read the letter.