K-8 STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICY

Student Discipline Policy and Responsibilities

As a school we will consistently work to emulate the Holy Family. Christian virtue will be the perpetual behavioral expectation. The rules and responsibilities established for our students are enforced as a means of assisting them in their journey as a child of God and as a soul destined for heaven. Do we expect perfection? No. We strive for perfection, yet realize that we are all human and that children like to know what the real limits are. It is normal for children to keep pushing until they find the limit. Some children push more than others, but it is all part of growing in maturity. It is not so important that children always behave well as it is important to make sure the child knows when and how he has crossed the acceptable limit. The key element is an appropriate consequence for inappropriate behavior. Without this consistent response to bad behavior, all discipline programs are ineffective.

In-School Expectations
Students are expected to follow these rules of behavior, accept responsibility for their actions, correct behavior that does not correspond to the rules, and develop self-control. At a minimum, we expect students to obey these rules from the motivation that they are the rules of Holy Family Academy. Beyond that, we as a community strive to instill in all students the desire to obey these rules because to obey these rules is an extension of the fourth commandment to honor one’s father and mother. Obedience to these rules is a form of obedience to God. Ideally, students will make their behavior correspond to these rules because they desire to please God.


Following are the general rules of behavior:

  • Students are expected to address all adults and visitors respectfully.
  • Gum, candy and food are not allowed in classrooms without permission.
  • All electronic and musical devices and/or accessories such as cell phones, cameras, iPods, or other belongings deemed inappropriate by the administration are not allowed on school grounds during school hours. If you have permission from the principal to have a cell phone at school, it may not be out of one’s backpack after drop-off or before pick-up.
  • Drugs, unaccompanied by the doctor’s prescription or a signed parent letter, and smoking are not allowed on school grounds; possession is grounds for immediate expulsion.
  • The use of impure language, immoral behavior, or even simply having a discussion supporting such behavior or supporting any communication media which is contrary to Christian morals is obviously not allowed.
  • All students must comply with the school uniform code; at the discretion of the teacher, an intentional uniform infraction will result in a Conduct Slip.
  • Any object classified as a weapon or a realistic-looking toy gun is not allowed on school grounds unless written permission is obtained from the principal.
  • Students must do restitution for any form of vandalism, rough-housing, or risky behavior that causes damage to the school grounds or school property.
  • Students are expected to respect the rights of other’s possessions and schoolwork by practicing a high degree of honesty and integrity.
  • Cheating, especially in the form of plagiarism, undermines the philosophy of Holy Family Academy and will result in a “0” for the assignment along with other possible discipline options as listed below. Plagiarism is any attempt to pass off the ideas and/or writings of another as one’s own work.
  • Children should do their best, but being overly competitive in academics, sports or relationships does not fit with being a good sport or the Christian spirit.

Out-of-School Expectations

Students are expected always, whether after school, on the weekend or even during the summer, to strive to act in accord with Catholic morality and good behavior. At a minimum, as long as one is a student at Holy Family Academy, whatever one does and wherever one does it represents our school.
Holy Family Academy exists, first and foremost, to assist parents in forming their children to lead a life of virtue and develop a loving relationship with Christ. We seek to foster an internal appropriation of the Christian life, not merely an external appearance of virtue. There is no virtue or love in behaving only when others are watching. Our goal is that the law of Christ is written on our hearts of flesh; i.e. that we obey because we seek to please Jesus, the love of our life.
Here are just a few examples of what is not consistent with who we are as a school:

  • Using foul language or being a bad sport on a team or at a get-together with friends,
  • Leaving Mass to waste time or visit with friends,
  • Dressing immodestly or in a rebellious manner (including hair styles),
  • Running wild unattended through the halls at an after school event,
  • Misbehaving at a school-sponsored event/party either on or off campus.

Discipline Options

When assigned silent lunch, students will sit at the silent lunch table throughout their lunch and/or lunch and recess period. If it is a homework lunch, students will complete their assignment during this time instead of participating in lunch and/or recess with classmates.