Saint Joseph High School

Philosophy

At Saint Joseph High School student discipline is designed to provide and promote the following:

moral guidance within the framework of teachings of the Catholic Church and the charism of CSJs;
the growth of self-discipline based upon Christian values;
the six pillars of character--trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship;
personal development;
acceptance of legitimately constituted authority;
classroom situations conducive to the learning process; and
a safe and secure campus environment.
This philosophy is the basis for Saint Joseph High School’s expectations for students’ behavior on and off campus, in the classroom, and during any school-related activity including athletics.

Discipline is most effective when there is a reasonable degree of willing acceptance on the part of the student. Discipline is provided to assist the student in understanding that every decision or choice made in regard to personal conduct, not just while a member of the Saint Joseph community but throughout life, will result in some consequence. Hopefully, the student will come to realize that considerable thought must be given to decisions and choices before they are made because of the possible consequences to themselves and others.

Disciplinary expectations are specified in the sections to follow in an attempt to prevent situations from occurring that are counterproductive to SJHS goals. If a student has difficulty meeting these expectations, Saint Joseph High School follows established disciplinary procedures. In following these procedures, the school tries to deal with all issues constructively through policies, deans of students and the Disciplinary Review Board. The school addresses the good of the student and the family, while considering the good of the school community.

At times the school may judge that a student can no longer remain at Saint Joseph High School because the presence of the student is not a positive force contributing to the good of the student or the good of the school. This decision would be made only after fair and impartial procedures had been followed. In the process of helping the student grow to maturity, the student may be asked to participate in counseling, do work for the school community, or enter a period of evaluation. Through the system of discipline, SJHS hopes to reach the underlying goal of helping students master the internal forces of their personalities and encourage self-direction so that they will become responsible and accountable members of the human family.

In addition to achieving the required academic standards, the awarding of a Saint Joseph High School diploma and/or participation in graduation ceremonies is contingent upon the student's achieving and maintaining standards of conduct required by the school.

General Behavior On-and Off-Campus

A student may be asked to withdraw or may be expelled for violations of school rules committed while on school grounds, while going to or from school, or during school or while going to or from a school-sponsored activity. This policy includes activities and behavior on the Internet.

Saint Joseph High School reserves the right to review the conduct and actions of Saint Joseph High School students regardless of when or where such actions take place. The school will review these actions if they are of a nature that brings discredit to the school, or if they conflict with the Catholic values for which Saint Joseph High School stands.

Disciplinary Process

A process is followed in the correction of behavior. The first level of action is to speak with the student. Second, for minor disciplinary matters an infraction will be issued. After (3) infractions, the student must serve a 40 minute detention. After receiving six (6) infractions, the student will be issued a Disciplinary Referral.

For major disciplinary matters requiring a detention to be served, a student will receive a misconduct. After receiving two (2) misconducts, or six (6) infractions, the student will receive a Disciplinary Referral.

In addition, for any disciplinary matter requiring a parent’s signature, a student will receive a disciplinary referral.

A student will be placed on Probation I for chronic rules violations or any serious violations (violations warranting detention) beyond a Disciplinary Referral received for two (2) misconducts or six (6) infractions.

Detention

Detention is scheduled twice a week for:

uniform violations;
students with three or more infraction slips; and
students who have been issued one misconduct report or referral and probation hours.
Detention takes place on Wednesdays at 2:40-3:20pm.

Infractions

Infractions are issued by the teacher, signed by the student, and are accumulated throughout the school year. Infractions are issued for:

uniform and shoe violations (results in automatic detention)
coming to class without supplies
disrupting class
eating/drinking or having food/water/beverages in class
using make-up/nail polish/combing hair in class
no absence note returned to the office
littering
chewing gum on campus
no parent call for absence
form not returned
doing tasks other than those assigned by the teacher in class, i.e. looking at pictures or writing notes, or doing work for another class
leaving personal belongings unattended
failure to comply with and complete business/directives assigned during section
arriving tardy to class (other than late to school at beginning of the day)

Out-of-Uniforms

Out-of-Uniforms are issued by teachers and ASB officers for uniform violations and signed by the student. Out-of-Uniforms result in automatic detention.

Even if a student does not sign an Infraction or Out-of-Uniform that is issued to her, it will still be recorded in the Dean’s Office and she will be held accountable for her actions.

Misconducts

Misconducts are issued by the faculty/staff and signed by students for more serious offenses. Misconducts result in automatic detention and are issued for:

violations of the Electronic Device Policy (in addition to a $25.00 fine)
receiving food, beverages, or communicating via the fence with unauthorized visitor
being out-of-class without a hall pass
loitering in the hallways or bathroom while classes are in session
parking violations on campus
eating or having food or beverages in the locker room, Flynn Center or Media Center (in addition to a $25.00 fine)
repeated or severe disruption of class
persistent violation of the same policy
not following Jester Café regulations (in addition to a $25.00 fine)
walking across the grass/field at any time that it is wet
using profanity
going to the vending machines during class
unexcused absence from detention
failure to return signed report cards or academic probation contracts within specified due date
failure to show up for disciplinary detention

Detention notices are sent home with the student on the Monday prior to the scheduled detention, or on Tuesday if there is no school on Monday. Notices must be signed by a parent/guardian and the student, and notices are to be returned on Tuesday to the appropriate Dean of Students. Failure to return forms will result in an infraction.

If a student cannot go to her assigned Wednesday or Thursday detention, it is her responsibility to notify a Dean of Students prior to the scheduled detention to make arrangements for a make-up detention. Make-up detentions must occur the following week. If a student does not appear at her assigned detention without approval from the Deans, she will receive a Misconduct. The student will be placed on Probation I on the second no-show of the semester.

Note: Habitual rescheduling of detentions will not be tolerated. After a student has rescheduled one detention, a parent note or phone call is required for any additional rescheduling.

N.B.: IF A STUDENT HAS ANY OUTSTANDING DETENTIONS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, HER REPORT CARD WILL BE HELD. SENIORS WHO DO NOT COMPLETE THEIR DETENTIONS BY GRADUATION WILL RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMA AFTER ALL DETENTION HOURS ARE COMPLETED.

Disciplinary Referrals

A student given a disciplinary referral due to behaviors listed, but not limited to these, will meet with her dean and have her parents/guardians contacted concerning the referral. The referral is considered a warning and will have some extended service/detention requirements connected to its issuance. Students who receive a disciplinary referral will be required to serve one 40-minute detention. A student may be referred for the following:

continued and willful disobedience, or disruption of class
open persistent conflict with the authority of the teacher or other authority
persistent loitering
other serious violations or disciplinary behavior

Disciplinary Probation

Probation I

A student placed on Probation I due to behaviors listed will meet with her dean and parents/guardian will be contacted. Probation I carries a term of six weeks and three hours of detention. Student may be barred from participation in co-curricular activities. She is not to be involved in any "minor infractions" of school regulations and policies during the probation period, or a Student Success Team will be called--i.e., accrual of 4 infractions, or 3 infractions and 1 misconduct, or 2 misconducts, or one disciplinary referral. If there are any serious violations of school regulations or she is put on probation for the same offense within a period of one year, the student will advance to Probation II which will lead to more serious consequences. A student may be placed on Probation I under the following circumstances:

continued and willful disobedience, or disruption of class
open and persistent conflict with the authority of the teacher or other authority
persistent violations of the personal appearance code, i.e. uniform
habitual profanity or vulgarity
three detentions during a period of one semester, including detentions served for misconducts, infractions, out-of-uniforms, or disciplinary referrals
chronic rules violation
chronic tardiness
academic dishonesty (may be Probation I or Probation II, depending on severity of circumstance)
forgery (may be Probation I or Probation II, depending on severity of circumstance)
smoking or possession of tobacco products on campus during school activities
false representation of a parent/guardian
truancy, unexcused absence from class, leaving the classroom without permission for any amount of time, unexcused absence for a portion of a class during the day, or unexcused conducting of personal business on campus during classm time. (In addition, a meeting with the Dean, Assistant Principal for Counseling Services, the student, and the parent/guardian may be required, depending on severity of incident.)

Probation II

Depending on the seriousness of the situation, a student may be expelled or placed on Probation II for any rule violation. Before being placed on Probation II, a Student Success Team (SST) process will be initiated to discuss the student’s case and determine appropriate interventions and disciplinary actions and consequences. In the case of truancy, however, a SST will only be called when academic difficulties are also present; otherwise, a truancy will require a meeting with the Dean, the Assistant Principal for Counseling Services, the student, and the parent/guardian.

A student placed on Probation II due to behaviors listed below, will meet with her dean and her parents/guardians. Probation II carries a term of ten weeks. During the probationary period, the student will be required to:

Serve three detentions;
Complete ten hours of community service during the ten-week period, to be assigned and monitored by the Dean of Students;

Write and submit a typed, double-spaced essay which includes the following:

student’s perspective of the actions taken or choices made that resulted in the probation, including any thought regarding how those decisions violated school policies, SJHS ESLRs, Gospel values, or the six pillars of character--trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship;
student’s description of the community service experience; and
student’s concluding remarks regarding what other actions, decisions or choices could have been made that might have been more reflective of (a) the SJHS ESLRs, (b) the Gospel values, and (c) the six pillars of character--trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship.

During the probationary period, the student may also be barred from extra-curricular activities. In some cases, organizations in which the student is involved may have policies in place that restrict her from participation during the probationary period, or as a result of the probation. Students may also be required to serve a one-day in-house suspension. Violation of the terms of the probation contract and/or failure to complete the detentions, service hours, or essay in the required time will result in convening of a Discipline Review Board. In addition, a Discipline Board will convene should a student on Probation II violate her probationary status by committing additional offenses during the probationary period-- accrual of 4 infractions, or 3 infractions and 1 misconduct, or 2 misconducts, or one disciplinary referral—or by committing any act that would result in Probation status.

A student will be placed on Probation II under the following circumstances:

being placed on probation for a second time within a period of one year or an excessive number of probations over the total number of semesters in attendance at Saint Joseph High School
repeat of a Probation I offense within one year
truancy, unexcused absence from school or from more than one class period during the day
academic dishonesty (may be Probation I or Probation II, depending on severity of circumstance)
forgery (may be Probation I or Probation II, depending on severity of circumstance)
theft
any activity which brings discredit to Saint Joseph High School
inappropriate public displays of affection
violations of the harassment policy (see Harassment Policy in the General Policies section of this handbook).
any actions warranting Probation III, but mitigating circumstances exist

Probation III

A student may be placed on Probation III if any of the conditions of a Probation II contract are violated, if a student commits additional violations of school policy warranting probation after being placed on Probation II during the same school year, or for actions that warrant expulsion with mitigating circumstances. A Disciplinary Board will determine if Probation III is appropriate for the student.

Probation III carries a term of 10 weeks and restriction from extra-curricular activities for the full ten week period.

During the probationary period, the student will be required to:

Serve three detentions;
Complete ten hours of community service during the ten-week period, to be assigned and monitored by the Dean of Students;

During the probationary period, student may also be barred from extra-curricular activities. In some cases, organizations in which the student is involved may have policies in place that restrict her from participation during the probationary period, or as a result of the probation. Students may also be required to serve a one-day in-house suspension.

Violation of the terms of the probation contract, failure to complete the detentions or service hours in the required time, or violations of any school policies will result in convening of a second Discipline Review Board, comprised of the same members of the original board, will convene to determine the enrollment status of the student.

Student Success Team

A Student Success Team (SST) convenes when a student violates a Probation I status (see Probation I) or commits an offense that warrants a Probation II. A Student Success Team may also be required when a Probation II-type truancy is reported. The purpose of the SST is to determine the appropriate consequences for the student’s behavior, and to develop a plan with the student and her parent/guardian to assist the student with making positive changes. Legal counsel is not allowed at this meeting. The SST, under the direction of the Assistant Principal for Counseling Services, serves as a proactive intervention process that assists any student who is struggling behaviorally, academically, and/or emotionally, so that the school and the family can work together toward positive changes in that young person’s life.

Present at a SST meeting are the Assistant Principal for Counseling Services, the Assistant Principal for Staff and Student Services, the academic advisor (if the issue involves academics), the dean of students (if the issue involves discipline/behavior), along with the student and her parent/guardian. If the focus of the SST is academic challenges, the assistant principal for academics also attends. The student and her family are given an overview of the student’s academic record and behavioral performance and attendance history. The assistant principal defines concerns and the team looks for ways to assist the student in making some positive changes, i.e. improve attendance; work on following rules; organize tutoring, seek counseling support or outside community services, if warranted.

Discipline Board

The Discipline Board convenes when a student commits a serious violation of the Discipline Code or accumulates violations against the code, in spite of prior disciplinary actions administered according to the steps of severity. The student, with her parents/guardians, will appear before the Discipline Board. This Board shall consist of the Assistant Principal for Counseling Services, the Assistant Principal for Staff and Student Services, a faculty member chosen by the student, a Liaison for Mission Effectiveness, and the Dean of Students who coordinates the meeting. The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to the administration concerning a student's status with the school. The student's status will be decided by the principal and/or with her/his administrative team based upon the recommendations of the Discipline Board. Legal counsel is not allowed to be present at the meeting of the school's Discipline Board.

Note: For Student Success Teams, Disciplinary Boards, or disciplinary conferences of any kind, only one student’s case will be considered at a time in order to preserve the dignity and privacy of the student and her family.

The process the Discipline Board will follow is:

The Dean shares past discipline record of student with the Board
The Dean apprises Parents/Guardians and student of the process and of the offense that brought the student before the Discipline Board
Parents/guardians are asked to leave and the student remains in the Discipline Board to share her story and answer questions from the Discipline Board
Parents/guardians are then asked to rejoin their daughter, and the Dean reports what the daughter has shared.
Parents/guardians are invited to speak on behalf of their daughter
The Dean informs the family that they may leave, and that they will be notified in 48 hours of the status of the discipline decision
The Discipline Board discusses the student’s case and makes recommendations for discipline, presenting them to the principal
The principal and/or the administrative team review the Discipline Board’s recommendation and either accepts, revises, or rejects the recommendations.

Suspension

Procedure for Suspension--when a student has violated a rule or a series of rules, which warrants any type of suspension, the following will be done by the student's Dean of Students:

a parent/guardian is called to the school in order to have the student reinstated;
an explanation of the offense is made, and the cooperation of the parents/guardians is sought by the Discipline Board;
parents/guardians will be reminded of the school rule of which they were informed when they registered their child;
conditions for probation will be clearly explained to the parent/guardian and child as well as the consequences for violation of these conditions; and
if a student is placed on probation, as a condition for re-admittance after suspension, the parent may be requested to express in writing his/her intention to withdraw his/her child from school upon the next violation.

For a serious offense, the school administrator, the Discipline Board, or Student Success Team may place a student on a one-day only suspension. During this time the student is excluded from classes and does her class work supervised by a faculty/staff member. The student may not have contact with other students during the school day until the suspension is terminated.

A student may be placed on suspension by the administration or the Discipline of Board for a serious offense of school policies or rules. During this time, she may not attend school or any school activity and must remain at home until a meeting between the student, her parent(s)/guardian(s) and her Dean and/or an administrator takes place. The student is responsible for following up on any school work missed during the suspension.

Disciplinary Causes for Expulsion

The following are disciplinary causes for expulsion if mitigating circumstances are not present:

serious immoral conduct;
hazing, engaging in hazing or committing any act that tends to injure, degrade or disgrace any fellow student,
teacher, or person (See “Harassment Policy” in “Other School Policies”;
intoxication as well as the use, sale or possession of any alcoholic beverage;
use, sale or possession of narcotics, dangerous drugs or other harmful substances, including marijuana;
serious violations of the law;
extreme insubordination;
theft;
willfully cutting, or defacing (graffiti, carving, etc.) or otherwise injuring in any way, any property, real or personal, on or off campus--restitution will be required;
possession of tobacco products on campus or during school activities (Archdiocesan Handbook)
harassment (see Harassment Policy in the General Policies section of this handbook)
assault or battery, or any threat of force or violence directed toward anyone;
possession of harmful weapons or material that can be used as weapons;
encouragement of illegal demonstrations;
affiliation or any behavior associated with gang or satanic activity;
distribution or posting of unauthorized materials and/or inappropriate materials;
bringing materials to school that are sexually offensive and degrading;
disrespect toward religious teachings and practices of the school.

Students who are asked to withdraw may not participate in school functions without the written permission of the SJHS Principal or Assistant Principal or as stated on the withdrawal letter.

Non-Disciplinary Causes for Suspension, Expulsion, Recommended Transfer

The following are non-disciplinary causes for suspension, expulsion or recommended transfer:
academic requirements published by the school;
severe emotional challenges (emotional handicaps);
uncooperative or destructive attitude of parent: Any parent, guardian or other person who upbraids, insults or abuses a teacher or administrator of the school, in the presence or hearing of a pupil, is guilty of a misdemeanor. [Education Code:13559] If the teacher is insulted or abused by any person in the presence of other school personnel on school premises, on public ways adjacent to the school or at another place where the teacher is assigned, that person is also guilty of a misdemeanor. [Education Code: 13559, 13560]

Although there may not always be agreement on school policies, it is expected that parents/guardians cooperate fully with the school in all its policies. By choosing to send their daughter to Saint Joseph High School, parents have chosen to entrust her to the care of professionals who have her best interest as a primary concern. If at any time parents feel that they can no longer support school policies, then they are encouraged to withdraw their daughter, for it would be to her detriment to keep her in a school where the parents, the primary educators, cannot be freely supportive of her school.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty of any kind is directly contrary to the philosophy and aims of Saint Joseph High School. The faculty interprets cheating as loaning or copying homework and other assignments, whether in class or out of class, as well as giving or receiving or allowing to be given the answers to quizzes, test and examinations. Doing another person's work deprives that person of the opportunity for learning and is, therefore, a form of dishonesty.

Cheating

Cheating is:

copying from others during an examination/homework;
communicating exam answers with another student during an exam;
offering another person's work as one's own;
taking an exam for another student or having someone take an exam for oneself;
sharing answers for a take-home exam unless specifically authorized by the instructor;
tampering with an exam after it has been corrected, then returning it for more credit;
using unauthorized materials, prepared answers, Cliffs Notes, Spark Notes, written notes or information
concealed in a blue book or elsewhere during an exam; and allowing others to do the research and writing of an assigned paper including use of the services of a commercial term paper company or material available on the Internet;
Communicating the material on a test between classes.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is intellectual theft. It means use of the intellectual creations of another without proper attribution. Plagiarism may take two main forms, which are clearly related:

to steal or pass off as one's own the ideas or words of another;
to use a creative production without crediting the source.

Collusion

Any student who knowingly or intentionally helps another student perform any of the above acts of cheating or plagiarism is subject to discipline for academic dishonesty. (Guidelines of UCI).

SEARCHES

To ensure that the school campus remains safe for all students, searches for drugs and weapons can be conducted without warrants. In the process of teaching and training students, the school administration has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of pupils and to maintain order on the school premises and in school activities. In discharging this duty it may be necessary for a Dean with a school administrator to conduct searches. (See Lockers in this section.)

WEAPONS

It is against the law for students to carry any type of weapon for their protection either on campus, or in their cars. Students found with weapons will be immediately dismissed from SJHS, and the school will contact authorities.