Discipline Policies

Statement of Conduct

Dalhart Christian Academy sets high standards of Christian conduct. Obvious immoral behavior such as profanity, disrespect, cheating, stealing, use of harmful and intoxicating substances, and sexual immorality are grounds for dismissal from the school. Students found behaving in such a manner will be brought into a parent-administrative conference designed for counsel and prayer and the setting of new goals and direction. Should improper behavior continue, students will be dismissed from the school.

Discipline

Good discipline means that the classroom is free from confusion, disorder, and antisocial behavior. It means that each child and the group as a whole operate freely within a structured framework which they understand, accept, and incorporate into their behavior without constant reminder or punishment. Discipline is more than outward pressure. It involves inner understanding and acceptance.

Dalhart Christian Academy will be using the Honorable Character Program to promote Christlike behavior and self-discipline at school and in other areas of the student’s life.

The preschool and kindergarten ages will emphasize six honorable character traits, while first through eighth grades will emphasize fourteen character traits.

These character traits each coincide with a Bible verse. It teaches the students to become more Christlike in their behavior, which is what we are all striving for as Christians. Students will receive honorable character marks for the good character traits they exhibit throughout the day. If a child exhibits a negative character trait, the child will have their name written on the board with that character mark. This is known as a defining character mark. If they do not exhibit any other defining character marks for the rest of the day, their name is erased because all of our sins have been erased through Jesus Christ. If they continue to receive defining character marks, then they will be asked to write Bible verses, walk at recess, or some other consequence. Parents will be notified using the Honorable Character card, a homework sheet, and/or a phone call. Through the progression of correction, an administrator may be involved at any time. Should a student choose not to correct his or her behavior, the administrator will contact the parents for a conference to discuss the child’s situation. Further disciplinary action will be taken should a child not correct behavior after these interventions.

Disciplinary Action

We never assume students know proper behavior until we have explained it to them.

When a student’s behavior is unsatisfactory, the school will employ the appropriate action for correction. The following methods may be used at the discretion of the teacher and/or administration to achieve appropriate behavior and attitudes:

• Verbal warning to students regarding actions.
• Correspondence with parents.
• Parent/Teacher/Administrator Conference.
• Suspension.
• Expulsion.

Suspension:

A policy of 1-3 day suspension will be followed. Excessive suspensions may result in a recommendation of dismissal from the school. Suspension is treated as an unexcused absence in reference to class work. Any student guilty of the following while on school property or during school field trips or school activities may expect immediate suspension:

• Fighting
• Possession or use of tobacco in any form including but not limited to smoking or vaping
• Possession or use or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Any type of solicitation to use or purchase drugs or alcohol
• Obscene, profane, or vulgar language that is written, spoken, or expressed by symbols or gestures.
• Misuse and/or damage of school property
• Possession of a firearm, knife, or any other weapon on school grounds or at any school event or trip
• Terroristic threat including but not limited to hurting another student, staff member, etc.
• Any behavior, display, or attitude in opposition to the basic principles and purposes of Dalhart Christian Academy on which restrict the spiritual or academic atmosphere of the school as determined by the administration.

This discipline results from self-discipline rather than external regulation or compulsion. Dalhart Christian Academy’s policy is based on scriptural principles and strives to be both firm and fair. It is expected that good behavior will be the norm and discipline problems the exception.

Bullying Awareness and Procedures

It is the policy of Dalhart Christian Academy to maintain a safe learning and work environment that is free from bullying. Students, staff, and the school community are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, Christian manner, and demonstrate a level of respect and dignity towards others. We prohibit all forms of bullying.

Definition: Bullying is intentional harmful behavior initiated by one or more students and directed toward another student. For our purposes, it takes place in the school, on school property, or on school field trips.

Examples of bullying are as follows:

• Verbal: name calling, put downs, racist remarks, teasing, threats, or spreading rumors.
• Physical: pushing, hitting, shoving, biting, hair pulling, scratching, spitting, tripping, damaging or stealing the victim’s property, locking a person in a room, making mean faces or rude gestures, initiating or forcing inappropriate touching, etc.
• Social: ostracism or exclusion, ignoring, being unfriendly, alienating, etc.
• Psychological: acts that instill a sense of fear or anxiety, etc.
• Any act that insults or demeans an individual in such a way as to cause distress, reluctance to attend school, a decline in work standards or problem behaviors.

Awareness:

Annually, as part of the required in-service training all school staff, the administrator or designee shall arrange for Bullying Awareness and Response Training. Because adults must take the initiative in combating bullying, they must be watchful for bullying warning signs, closely supervising children on the playground, in the classrooms, hallways, restrooms, gym, etc.

Teachers will conduct class discussions, role-playing, and activities to educate the students in seeking help from an adult, reporting incidents, speaking up and supporting the victim, expressing disapproval of bullying behavior, responding assertively to the bully, walking away from bullying behavior, etc. This information may be presented in Bible, Social Studies, or other subjects.

The administrator or designee shall notify the parent/guardian that our Bullying Awareness and Procedures are listed in the Student Handbook.

Reporting:

Any member of the school staff receiving a suspected bullying report (verbal or written) shall address the matter as soon as possible, prior to the end of the school day. The staff member shall evaluate the situation to determine if the behavior meets the criteria for bullying or if the behavior is an isolated incident that can be resolved within the classroom. (Not all conflict constitutes bullying.)

If the behavior meets the criteria for bullying, the staff member must report this to the school administrator or designee immediately in order to protect the alleged victim. The staff member is to immediately forward a Bullying Incident Report to the administrator for investigation. The staff member shall remind the victim/witness that “No one deserves to be bullied and we are going to do everything we can to stop it.” The staff member is to commend the victim/witness for bringing the matter to the attention of school staff, and they are to begin intervention strategies for the victim.

The administrator or designee will promptly and thoroughly address suspected reports of bullying. They will individually meet with the victim/witness and bully privately. If the administrator or designee determines that bullying has occurred, they will act appropriately within the discipline codes of the Board and will take reasonable action to end the bullying. The message for the child who bullies will be, “Your behavior is unacceptable and must be stopped.” The administrator will inform the student that he/she will be closely monitored, and the student’s movements outside the classroom will require adult supervision at all times until trust has been built and all bullying behaviors cease. The administrator will also ensure the careful monitoring of the victim during this time, by enlisting the help of a class buddy. They will ensure that prior to the end of the school day, notification of the incident has been given to the parent/guardian of both the victim and the offender, and that steps have been initiated to address and resolve the issue. An intervention plan will be developed in cooperation with the parents of the bully. Parental notification and intervention plan shall be documented on the Bullying Incident Report. If necessary and appropriate, the police will be contacted.

Copies of the Bullying Incident Report shall be given to the victim’s and offender’s teachers, be placed in the victim’s and offender’s files in the school office, and be sent home to their parents. The report will serve as a reference for the school staff in determining whether or not a pattern of bullying behavior or abuse exists in regards to the offender or the victim.

Courting

Physical contact between students is not permitted on campus. Improper conduct of this nature will subject students involved to disciplinary action by the administration.