WITNESS TO CHRIST/ANTI BULLYING CONTRACT
 
Every student deserves to be respected regardless of their appearance, behavior, status or other factors. A bully is a person who demonstrates an imbalance of power over another.  They show power and get pleasure from their actions through repeated acts.  Bullying occurs in many forms:
 
•           Verbal or Written: insults, taunts, or gossip
•           Emotional or Relational: acts of intimidation, withdrawing, rumors, or rejecting in order to                 assert control
•           Physical: pushing, shoving, tripping, or any physical harm
•           Sexual: verbal comments or unwanted touching
•           Cyber: the use of technology to intimidate or taunt  
 
Because I am a Witness to Christ I will not bully or allow it to take place without reporting.  Bullying has been explained to me; I understand what bullying is and the form it takes.
 
I, __________________________________________________________________
will not bully and will be a responsible reporter if I witness it. [Student Signature]
 
 
We/I,________________________________, ________________________________ have read this contract with our child. [Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Signature(s)]
 
 
I have read and discussed both sides of this contract. I pledge to be a Witness to Christ in my everyday life.
 
Student Signature: ___________________________________________ Graduation yr. _________
 
 
Classroom teachers will discuss the Witness to Christ contract and ways to report bullying at an age appropriate level.
 
 
  
Living Witnesses to Christ
 
I know that Jesus is present in each of my classmates and all of my teachers; therefore, all my actions will show my respect for Jesus.
 
I pledge to be a Witness to Christ in all I do. In order to become more Christ like I will make a conscious effort to see goodness and show it in my everyday decisions.
 
Give Witness through Faithfulness and Compassion:
I Will:

• love others as Jesus did:
• be kind and charitable, putting other’s first without expecting anything in return.
• be an active participant in Mass.
• Include classmates and be open hearted
• Show consideration and share
• Greet others kindly

• Cooperate with others
• Accept other’s differences; be welcoming
• Use nice tones when speaking
• Take care of my things and school property
• Show good manners, use please and thank you
• Show appreciation
• Trust others, be trustworthy and honest
• Honor the opinions and feelings of my classmates

• Do my own work and take time to study
• Do all homework and hand it in on time
• Make decisions to ensure safety
• Follow rules and show leadership
• Play safely
• Be on time for school, classes and sports
• Listen to teachers and take direction with grace
• Accept consequences for my actions
• Have courage to stand up for what I know is right

• Embrace and love life
• Believe in myself and make good choices
• Encourage others to do their best
• Be proud of others and myself
• Be happy to offer help to classmates
• Show spirit, help and serve others
• Smile

The goal of our Discipline policy is always to redirect misbehavior. Changed behavior is the desired outcome with parent, teacher and student committment. Classroom discipline is handled by the individual teachers. Some consequences for students’ failing to follow school policies and procedures include: notations in OptionC which can result in an after school detention. Some infractions include: violation of dress code, failure to complete homework and/or assignments/ projects, lateness, invading the privacy of another’s desk, failure to return tests and/or have them signed, excessive talking, foul language or misbehavior in class. Students who receive (-5) points will receive a detention. 

Misbehaviors involving disrespect of adult authority figures or other students, and ridiculing, consistent foul language or harassing others will warrant an immediate referral to the Principal or Vice Principal. These will be handled accordingly. Misbehaviors will also affect the conduct grade on the report card. Consistent misbehaviors may result in suspension or a Discipline Review Board meeting.

Major infractions including, but not limited to disrespect, irreverance in church, consistent minor infractions, defacing property, bullying, fighting, hitting, stealing, forgery/plagiarism, and misuse of technology may result in immediate suspension and referral to the discipline review board.

Sometimes our efforts to redirect misbehaviors have not been met with the desired outcomes. Any major infractions or multiple minor infractions may result in a request from the Discipline Review Board for dismissal from school.

SUSPENSION

Just, appropriate disciplinary policies are essential educational processes and procedures which are more remedial than punitive, yet include the necessary provisions that protect the common good of the school community.

The principal will inform the parents/guardians of the seriousness of suspension and seek their immediate cooperation. 

SOME GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE Dismissal

1. Verbal or physical abuse toward authority (administration, faculty, lunch room monitors, parent volunteers).
2. Possession and/or use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, inhalants, cigarettes
3. Theft
4. Leaving the school grounds without permission, or leaving the school prior to dismissal
5. Harassment or Bullying of students (verbal, physical, sexual)
6. Destruction/vandalism of school/student property
7. Violent/threatening/harassing actions
8. Cell phone/Internet –unacceptable use of cell phones or the internet (including email and text messaging and social media) both on and off school property and outside of school hours.

Athletics: To be a member of St. Dorothy's Athletic Program is a privilege and represents a long-standing parish tradition. Students are expected to represent the parish in a Christian manner both on and off the playing field, honor the school code of conduct and comply with CYO and St. Dorothy guidelines.

A student who is suspended from his/her school will be suspended from participating in an Athletic Association activity for the period of time they are suspended from school. In the event the suspension runs from Friday to Monday, the student will be suspended from all weekend activities and service including, but not limited to, games, practices, tryouts, and All-Star games.

A student who is dismissed from St. Dorothy School will not be eligible to participate in St. Dorothy's Athletic Association Sports Program for that school year. The student must apply to the St. Dorothy Athletic Association Board prior to the start of the following school year in order to regain his/her playing status. The Board reserves the right to decline this application.
 

DISMISSAL

Grounds for Dismissal

After two (2) suspensions it may be recommended a student be dismissed. 

In certain instances the infraction may warrant immediate dismissal. The school reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time where the school considers the conduct of the student or parent/guardian to be inconsistent with school policy, the good of the school community, or Catholic teachings. Parents/Guardians of the student will be informed in writing of the dismissal as soon as practicable.
 

PROTOCOL FOR HANDLING STUDENTS WHO EXHIBIT VIOLENT AND/OR THREATENING BEHAVIOR
Violent and/or threatening behavior (verbal and/or physical) will not be tolerated and the following protocol will be followed:

1. Student will be immediately removed from the site where behavior (verbal and/or physical) occurred.
2. Parents will be notified.
3. Police will be contacted.
4. An investigation by school personnel will take place, and students or adults who were present during incident will be questioned.
5. Disciplinary action, ranging from suspension to expulsion from school, will occur depending on severity of incident. If student is suspended, counseling to determine if student is a threat to himself/herself or others will be required before student is re- admitted to school.
6. If guns, knives, or any type of weapon was involved in the incident, and/or infliction of serious physical harm resulted, police will be contacted and the student will be expelled immediately.

Harassment

The School follows the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Policy prohibiting harassment, including sexual harassment. Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. Any student or parent/guardian who is determined to have violated this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal of the student.

Cell phones/ Electronic Devices/ Handheld Electronic Games

The school does not take responsibility for electronic items in the event they are damaged, lost, or stolen.
No Smart watches may be worn to school.

While we do not encourage carrying cell phones, we do respect the right of each parent to provide one for emergency use only. This is indeed a privilege and any abuse will not be taken lightly. A child who comes to school with a cell phone must keep it in his/her school bag and in the off mode, not silenced. Any phone in view and/or in use for calling, text messaging, or gaming during the course of the day, will be confiscated. The parent of the child will be required to come to the school office to retrieve the phone. More than one offense will result in a private plan for that child. All students who wish to carry a phone must have a parent signed permission form to in their file.

Please note: The school reserves the right to search anything brought on school premises. 

Archdiocesan Discipline Policy: Section 319

Occasionally parent(s)/guardian(s) disgruntled with the school will direct that the student not be spoken to by the administrator or any other school official regarding conduct unless the parent(s)/guardians are present or given prior notice. The school should advise the parents that the school cannot teach the student under such circumstances and, therefore, the student should be removed if the parent(s)/guardians insist on such conditions. 

St. Dorothy views educating students as a partnership that relies on support from home and school. It is our hope that together we are able to redirect misbehavior and move forward.