Every principal should develop a simple guide to discipline for their teachers to follow. This guide simply outlines what offenses should be dealt with in the classroom by the teacher and which offenses should result in a discipline referral. This guide to discipline will eliminate guessing by the teacher and will ultimately make the principal's job easier.
MINOR OFFENSES:
These are offenses by students that can be handled by the teachers themselves. In most cases retraining the students in procedures will be sufficient. A student is not to be sent to the office for these offenses. These offenses are assumed to be of a minor nature. If one of the offenses becomes a serious problem, the teacher would have exhausted many classroom management/discipline techniques including contact of parents, before sending them to the office.
- Possession of gum, candy, toys, radios, etc.
- Failure to follow procedures.
- Failure to bring appropriate materials to class.
- Petty conflicts among students.
- Disruptive behavior in the classroom, which is of a minor nature.
- Missing assigned teacher detention the first scheduled time.
- Not working in class after parent contact.
- Tardiness to class (first two occurrences).
MAJOR OFFENSES:
These are offenses by students that will result being sent automatically to the office for discipline - NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Missing detention twice after parent contact.
- Theft
- Leaving class without permission.
- Obscene language or gesture.
- Fighting
- Obscene pictures or literature.
- Vandalism.
- Smoking and/or possession of smoking materials or tobacco.
- Possession, consumption, sale, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Possession of fireworks, matches, lighter, or other caustic device.
- Possession of electronic telecommunication devices.
- Verbal abuse of adults or students.
- Open defiance/insubordination.
- Threats by word or deed.
Most students never have serious discipline problems. The above list will serve as a guideline for teachers who do have policy violations by students in their classrooms. The teacher should use fair and appropriate judgment in the exercise of any discipline. The goal of any teacher's disciplinary actions should be to prevent the inappropriate behavior from occurring again. In all cases, the administrator will have the flexibility to respond differently to various situations. The frequency, intensity, and duration of the misconduct are factors that influence the possible consequences.
