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DISCIPLINE

At Crescent City Christian School we believe that a Christian approach to discipline has at its core the goal of molding a child into the image of Christ. We prefer to train a child in the way he should go as opposed to merely punishing him for breaking a rule. Therefore, our discipline system attempts to use logical consequences for actions rather than just punitive measures.

Each teacher is responsible for his/her own classroom management. Therefore, most, if not all, discipline matters will be handled by the teacher in the classroom. Each teacher is committed to treating the children with a loving and respectful attitude. Each teacher will also maintain proper communications with the parents so that they are aware of the situation.

Teachers are encouraged to have a few clearly explained rules, which the students must follow. There also is to be a well-defined list of possible consequences for students who do not abide by the rules. Each teacher is free to select the consequence he/she feels will best serve the student and the class for each offense. Our teachers do an excellent job of controlling their classes in a loving manner.

Because we believe each student is an individual and because we believe that our teachers are professionals who are capable of making appropriate decisions concerning consequences on a case-by-case basis, it is impossible to provide a sequential list of specific consequences.

Our school has an insubordination rule, which states that any student who does not abide by the consequences decided upon by the teacher is not allowed to return to class until he/she has done what the teacher requires.

A parent who has a question concerning the actions of any teacher should set an appointment to discuss the matter with the teacher after school hours. Parents should not expect a teacher to take time out of the school day for this conference, nor should they plan to discuss anything with the teacher while dropping children off in the morning. The administrator may be involved in this meeting at the parent’s or teacher’s request. Parents should not take a matter directly to the administrator or a church staff member without first trying to work it out with the teacher.

Discipline Policy

Since the school desires to honor the name of Jesus Christ, a high standard of conduct is expected of staff and students. Our public conduct should be consistent with our basic concept of life, and since we profess to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves, we should reflect that love in all of our actions as well as in our attitudes toward each other and our work.

The Bible states that parents are responsible for the training and instruction of their children. The Christian school stands ready to assist parents in their God-given responsibilities. CCCS seeks not to assume a task that God gives parents, but rather to serve as the parents’ appointed and authorized representatives in the training process. The school expects the parents to support the administering of disciplinary action. The administration determines compliance with the policy and has the final word in all instances.

Please read carefully the following items:

  • A Crescent City Christian School student is expected to strive for the highest level of Christian behavior both on and off campus. This is manifested in a sense of self-discipline and respect for both themselves and others, while developing positive attitudes of Honesty and Integrity, Courtesy and Respect, Loyalty, and School Spirit.
  • There are times and places in which the behavior of students affects Crescent City Christian School. In all such cases, student behavior is considered within the province of Crescent City Christian School.
  • While off campus, students shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with their status as a member of the Crescent City Christian School community.
  • If a student is present when wrongdoing is evident, then that student has the obligation to remove himself/herself from that situation; otherwise the student shares in the consequences related to such behavior.
  • Behavior that is contrary to the philosophy or policies of Crescent City Christian School makes a student subject to disciplinary action.
  • It is the students’ responsibility to know and follow all the rules and regulations of Crescent City Christian School.
  • Crescent City Christian School reserves the right to drug test and search students’ lockers or personal belongings at any point in time. 
  • Crescent City Christian School reserves the right to rule on anything not included here that the school might deem to be unacceptable behavior or inconsistent with the dress code.
  • Crescent City Christian School reserves the right to change its rules. Any such changes will be made known a week before they go into effect.

Means of Discipline

Teachers:
Teachers for the most part will handle discipline cases in their own way in harmony with school policy. Such discipline may range from a reprimand to punishment(s).

Administration:
The Dean of Students will handle cases (5th-12th grades) and the Elementary Director will handle cases (Pre-K 3 – 4th grades), referred to him/her by the staff as well as cases occurring outside the classroom. In general, and where possible, attempts will be made to fit the discipline to the offense.

Discipline Board:
A Discipline Board may be convened by the Dean of Students or the Administrator to assist in the investigation or review of serious disciplinary cases and/or to recommend disciplinary sanctions, especially when the possible punishment includes expulsion.

Consequences:
Discipline should be supported with timely and appropriate consequences from the Dean of Students/Elementary Director. Some examples of disciplinary action which can/will be taken are:

    Sequential Levels of Consequences:
        • 3 Character Slips = Detention 
        • 6 Character Slips = Saturday School and possible Behavioral Accountability 
        • 9 Character Slips = Suspension and possible Behavioral Probation 

    Behavioral Accountability: Ideally the goal of discipline is to change/redirect behavior, therefore, advisors (staff members) will be assigned to mentor and teach students in regards to their behavior and possible modifications.

    Behavioral Probation: Weekly evaluation of a student’s behavior by a committee of faculty members who are in relation with the student.

Detentions:
Detentions are used as a means of disciplining students. No student may be excused from serving a detention or work assignment for the sake of an extra-curricular activity or job. Detentions will be assigned at the discretion of the Dean of Students. The student bears the responsibility for the punishment. Detentions will be served before school from (6:30-7:30 a.m.) and monitored by a faculty or staff member.

Saturday School:
Saturday School will be served on Saturday beginning at 7:00 am. The length of the detention will be between 1 and 4 hours as assigned by the Dean of Students. At detention, students will be required to wear their school uniform and must bring paper and pen or pencil. If a student is late, he/she will receive another Saturday detention. Students who skip detention will receive additional disciplinary action, which could include suspension or expulsion. Students who act inappropriately in detention will receive additional disciplinary action.

The only acceptable excuses for missing a detention are a doctor’s verification of illness, or a death in the family. NO OTHER EXCUSES ARE ALLOWED.  Excessive detentions will lead to a suspension.

Behavioral Probation:
Probation is a period of time in which the student may not incur any other infractions of the discipline code without incurring further consequences. During this time the student must demonstrate appropriate behavior and growth. Probation may include not attending extracurricular activities for a specified time.

Parent Conferences:
Conferences may be called by the staff, administration, or parents to discuss a student’s conduct.

Suspension:
The Dean of Students may suspend any student for violating the discipline policy set forth below and for neglecting to comply with previously imposed discipline. Suspension is the school’s most serious form of warning, and may well be the final warning before expulsion.

        In general, suspensions are of two types:

  • In school: Suspended students will be assigned to a room in the school for the term of the suspension.
  • At home: Such suspension shall be made only when either (or both) parent(s) are home to continuously monitor the suspended student and when it is in the best interest of the school to have the student off campus.

During the period of suspension, the student may not attend classes and may not participate in or attend any school-related activities.

        The consequence for both in-school and at-home suspensions:

  • The suspended student is required to complete and submit all the work assigned during the period of suspension, but will not receive credit toward his/her grade. The student will receive a zero on any tests, quizzes or other graded assignments that were given when the student was suspended.
  • The suspended student will be placed on probation. A repeated similar offense or other major misconduct while on probation following a suspension is very likely to result in expulsion. Suspension may be given for first time or repeated offenses.
  • Three suspensions are grounds for expulsion.

Expulsion:
Expulsion is the permanent removal of a student from Crescent City Christian School. Expulsion may result after a single major offense or a series of misbehaviors. Crescent City Christian School reserves the right to dismiss at any time, any student whose influence is found to be harmful or who shows by his/her conduct that he/she is not amenable to the rules and regulations or who fails to uphold the standards of the school at any time.

Examples of actions that are grounds for expulsion:

  • Third suspension 
  • Vandalism/defacing school property, teachers’ property, other students’ property 
  • Violation of drug/alcohol policy 
  • Harm (verbal or physical) toward a student or member of the school or church staff
  • Violence of any kind
  • Possession of a weapon
  • Stealing or possession of stolen materials
  • Failure to pass any period of Behavioral Probation

Student Rights in the Discipline Process:  A student's disciplinary record is privileged information, open only to his parents and school personnel. Inherent in the discipline process at CCCS is the following:

  • Christians are to follow the format laid down in Matthew 18:15-17 to resolve complaints or problems.
  • Attendance at CCCS is a privilege, not a right.
  • The staff and administration are pledged to follow Scriptural principles of love and compassion in their dealings with students and parents.

If a problem occurs between the student and the teacher, the following steps must be taken:

  • The student should bring the problem or question directly to the teacher before anyone else is involved. This should be done at break, lunch time or after school.
  • If the problem is not resolved at the above level, the student’s parent(s) should bring it to the teacher.
  • If the problem is not resolved at the above level, the student or the student’s parent(s) should bring it to the administration.

Specific Discipline Policies and Regulations

Drugs/Alcohol:
The school’s alcohol and drug policy is based on a “zero tolerance/no use” philosophy. Any student, who possesses, furnishes, uses, or sells alcohol; narcotics or any other illegal drugs or intoxicants shall be subject to severe disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion.

The school reserves the right to search both persons and belongings (e.g., schoolbags, contents of lockers, vehicles, etc.) if it has reason to believe that a student is carrying or using alcohol or illegal substances.

Crescent City Christian School may require a drug test if a student’s observed behavior or actions indicate the possibility of use. A positive test will result in serious disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion. A student’s refusal to take a test will result in serious disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion.

Each month a random urine test will be administered to five to ten (5-10) students. This testing is done to insure that our students are following the drug and alcohol policies and to give the students a low pressure way out of potentially harmful situations.

Tobacco:
No student is allowed to possess, smoke, or use any kind of tobacco product. Smoking or use of tobacco or possession of tobacco is grounds for suspension.

Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty is a serious matter that will result in a failing grade for the assignment as well as serious disciplinary action, such as suspension or, in the case of extreme or repeated academic dishonesty, expulsion.

The following are examples of behavior considered to be dishonest:

  • Entering an academic testing situation with an unfair advantage, such as stealing materials or receiving stolen materials from another individual 
  • Forgery 
  • Giving or receiving answers to quizzes, tests, and examinations
  • Lending or copying a written assignment, in or out of class
  • Plagiarism (copying the work from another source without appropriate citations)
  • Violating testing procedures as defined by a teacher in an individual classroom

Theft:
Theft of another student’s property or of school property is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Theft will almost always be punished by suspension from school and police notification. Continued violations will result in expulsion.

Sexual Harassment/Hazing/Harassment:
The school will not tolerate the sexual harassment of any student, school employee, or volunteer worker by any student. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The conduct must be considered to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the student’s or school employee’s performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

Other types of conduct which are prohibited in the school and which may constitute sexual harassment include:

  • Unwelcome sexual flirtations or propositions
  • Verbal abuse of a sexual nature
  • Graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body
  • Sexually degrading words used to describe an individual
  • Display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures in the educational environment

Hazing:
Hazing shall be defined as any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization or team, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person.

Any student who is found guilty of sexual harassment/hazing, or is guilty of any act of retaliation against an individual who reports a violation of the sexual harassment/hazing policy or who participates in the investigation of a sexual harassment/hazing complaint, shall be subject to a minimum of suspension, up to expulsion.

Defacing or Damaging School or Staff Property:
Malicious or careless acts which result in damage to or destruction of school property or another school, student or staff members’ personal property will result in both appropriate disciplinary action and the replacement or repair of such property by the student and his or her parent(s) or guardian(s). In the case of accidental damage, the student should make a report to the Dean of Students as soon as possible. Students are to report to the Dean of Students any damage that they see.

Fighting:
Fighting among students is absolutely prohibited and will be treated as a major disciplinary offense. Students who engage in fighting either at school or at school-sponsored events are likely to be suspended or expelled.

Disrespectful, Disruptive Actions, Conduct, Language or Attitude:
Disruptions in class, unruly behavior, and defiant conduct, such as talking back to school employees, or disrespectful language or gestures, will not be tolerated at any time. Respect for authority is biblical and basic to the lifestyle and conduct of any Christian. Respect for authority is expected of each student for any staff member at all times. Any student who is disrespectful to a staff member will be subject to disciplinary action that may include probation, suspension, or in extreme cases, expulsion.

Hazardous Items Prohibited:
Matches, lighters, fireworks, firearms, knives and other such items that expose students, school personnel or property to real or perceived danger (e.g., toy weapons in class) are forbidden. Anyone possessing or using such items in school, on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities is subject to suspension or expulsion depending on the circumstances and materials involved.

Cursing/Swearing/Inappropriate Language:
Students are to refrain from using the Lord’s name in vain. Racial or ethnic insults, cursing, lewd, offensive, or vulgar language or gestures, whether physical, written or spoken, are not permitted and are grounds for disciplinary action that may include suspension or expulsion.