All discipline policies of the Diocese of Harrisburg and of St. Joseph School will be followed. Additions to these policies will be in effect as soon as they are announced. Students in the elementary schools of the Diocese of Harrisburg are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects favorably on themselves, their families, and their schools. Students are expected to have respect and to show consideration to other students, administration, faculty and staff. They are to cooperate to create a harmonious school atmosphere. Students are to recognize their individual responsibilities as a condition of their acceptance into the school and their fulfillment of these responsibilities as a condition for remaining enrolled in the school. Students are expected to conduct themselves inside and outside of school hours and at school sponsored events in a manner that reflects the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, including expulsion, at the discretion of the school principal.
Corporal punishment, defined as punishment inflicted on the body, is strictly forbidden at St. Joseph School.

Role of the Pupil

In order for a student to develop his/her individual capabilities to his/her fullest potential, he/she should:

1. Make a sincere effort to do his/her best work;
2. Develop personal standards of conduct that are reflected in socially acceptable behavior;
3. Accept responsibility for his/her own actions;
4. Respect the rights of others;
5. Obey school regulations;
6. Be regular and punctual in attending school and classes;
7. Observe the Dress Code of St. Joseph School;
8. Help maintain school property and keep the school free from damage and defacement;
9. Protect books and workbooks from damage;
10. Recognize that the teacher takes the place of the parent at school.

Other rules:

• GUM CHEWING is not permitted in the classroom or on the school grounds on regularly scheduled school days, and may warrant a detention.
• FIGHTING may warrant a detention.
• DISRESPECT will not be tolerated, and may warrant a detention.
• DAMAGING SCHOOL PROPERTY in any way is subject to detention, and a fine and/or restitution as determined by the Principal.
• Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during school hours without except with a written request from a parent of guardian, with the direct approval of the Principal, and while under the supervision of an adult. If the child is to be taken from the school grounds for a field trip or special individual or group programs, the parent will be notified in advance and written permission will be secured.

Harassment

All students are required to adhere to the Diocesan policies on Harassment and Sexual Harassment which are quoted here:

The Diocese of Harrisburg affirms the inherent value of every individual and upholds the respect due to each because of his or her uniqueness as a child of God; therefore, the diocese is committed for providing for its employers, employees, students and volunteers a working and educational environment which is free from physical, psychological, sexual or verbal harassment.

 

The Diocese prohibits any form of harassment of or by employers, employees, students or volunteers. Any student who experiences some form of harassment should report to the school administration. Prompt investigation of allegations of harassment will be made on a confidential basis by the most immediate administrative authority not involved with the allegation to ascertain the veracity of complaints. Any student who engages in harassment is subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion, depending on the seriousness of the offensive conduct. (Diocesan Policy # 5136A)

The Diocese of Harrisburg prohibits any form of sexual harassment of or by employers, employees, or students. Sexual harassment is defined as: 1) threatening to impose adverse employment, academic, disciplinary, or other sanctions on a person unless sexual favors are given; 2.) promising favorable benefits for sexual favors; 3) conduct or suggestion of a sexual nature which would be offensive to a reasonable person.

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

1. Derogatory verbal comments such as epithets, jokes, slurs or unwanted sexual advances
2. Displaying lewd visuals such as posters, photographs, cartoons, drawings, or gestures including derogatory and/or sexually oriented materials.
3. Unwanted physical contact or sexual overtures which unreasonably interfere with an individual's work or academic performance or which create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
4. Threats or demands to submit either to sexual requests as a condition of continued employment, grades, other benefits, etc., or to avoid some other loss and offer of benefits in return to sexual favors.
5. Retaliation for having reported or threatened to report sexual harassment.
6. Any student who experiences some form of sexual harassment should report it to the school administration.

Any student who engages in sexual harassment is subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion, depending on the seriousness of the offensive conduct. Any student who engages in sexual harassment may also be subject to legal proceedings. (Diocesan Policy # 5136B)

Notice: It is the policy of our school to notify the school to which students transfer if a student is expelled, or withdraws from school, and is involved with any of the following infractions:

1. An act or offense involving weapons.
2. Sale or possession of controlled substances.
3. Willful infliction of injury to another person, or an act of violence committed on school property, or while in the custody of the school.

(This policy reflects our commitment to the Safe Schools Act of 1997)

Detention and Notification to Parents

Students will receive a notification of detention for parents to sign. Thursday, from 3:00pm - 4:00pm is the usual time and day for detention.

Suspension

Students may be suspended from school for serious offenses. Parents will be notified immediately by telephone and by mail of the suspension and will be required to meet with school authorities before the child will be readmitted to class. The suspension will be for a definite period of time.
The following infractions will warrant a conference with parents and may result in suspension:

1. Causing danger to the physical and spiritual health of other children.
2. Continued and willful defiance of authority.
3. Continued and willful disobedience.
4. Defacement or destruction of school property.
5. Repeated violation of school rules by:
   • fighting
   • smoking
   • use of profanity
   • leaving school without permission
   • truancy
   • use of drugs and/or alcohol.
6. Weapons or threats of Violence
   The possession of any weapon on school property or at any school-related activity, and/or a threat to inflict violence on another person are actions which may be reported immediately to law enforcement officials at the principal's discretion. Any student in possession of a weapon or threatening violence to another person may be immediately suspended from the school at the principal's discretion. If, in the principal's judgment, there are no extenuating circumstances, the student shall be expelled from the school. The principal reserves the right to define "weapon" in the case of objects other than obvious guns and knives. Unloaded guns, replicas, and objects used in a threatening manner may all fall into this category. The principal may inform the Superintendent of Schools if anyone is accused of possessing a firearm or of threatening to inflict violence on another individual.

Expulsion

After two suspensions in a single year a student may be expelled for any further serious violation of the rules. Students may be expelled for the following reasons:

1. Proven moral delinquency, which has a bad influence on other students.
2. Chronic and incorrigible misbehavior, which undermines classroom discipline.
3. Persistent truancy.
4. Deliberate violation of a school rule for which the obvious penalty is expulsion. Expulsion requires written notification to the pupil and to the parents.

Click here to go to Transportation.