Procedures

The Westwood Board of Trustees leaves discipline up to the Headmaster's discretion. Various methods of discipline are used at Westwood, not excluding corporal punishment. Each teacher maintains an assertive discipline plan that includes rules and consequences. The Headmaster and/or the teacher discipline committee handle all severe disruptions. Discipline records are cumulative per semester. After a child receives 15 discipline referrals, that student will be placed on a behavioral contract between the student and the school. The terms of this contract are at the discretion of the Headmaster. With every report card, a discipline report will be issued for each student that has been referred during that grading period. The parents of that child must sign the report and return it with the report card.

Major Discipline Offenses

Major discipline offenses are not limited to those listed in this section. Discipline procedures are left to the discretion of the Headmaster and the teacher discipline committee. Referral for these offenses can result in the loss of Senior privileges and removal from the National Honor Society.

Disrespectful / Defiant Behavior / Profanity

Action taken for this offense is up to the discretion of the teacher based on the level of the offense. Teachers may choose lunch detention, or a self-implemented step. If the teacher deems it necessary the student will be referred to the Headmaster.

The second time a teacher refers a student who is a member of the National Honor Society to the office for disrespectful/ defiant behavior or for profanity, he/she will be removed from the National Honor Society, and if a senior, the senior privileges will be lost.

Fighting

Any student who is reported for fighting must report directly to the Headmaster They are given a 1 day suspension with 2 points deducted form each 9 or 10 week average. The student/ students are required to report to the school counselor for evaluation. For any additional fighting, the student will receive automatic one day suspension with 2 points deducted from each 9 or 10 week average.

Bullying / Hazing

Any verbal, physical, or mental intimidation of an student by another student is not acceptable at Westwood School. Students who intimidate, belittle, degrade, or inflict physical or mental harm to another student will be disciplined at the discretion of the Headmaster. Students guilty of this behavior will be assigned a conference with the school counselor. Repeat offenders will be placed on a behavioral contract between the student and the school. Violation of this contract could lead to suspension or dismissal from Westwood.

Destruction of Property

For any destruction of school property, whether willful or accidental, the student will be responsible for paying for the damage. For willful destruction, the student must complete supervised work on the school campus. The number of hours worked will be determined by the school discipline committee and contingent upon damage done to the school. Entering the building without a key will be considered destruction of school property.

Skipping School / Class

Westwood does not allow an individual or group of students to skip school. "Skip days" are not permitted. The school discipline committee will determine whether or not an individual or group is skipping school. Skipping may result in a 2 point deduction from the final grading period average in the class/ classes skipped. Cases will be reviewed by the committee on an individual basis.

Minor Discipline Offenses

Minor discipline offenses include, but are not limited to those in this section.

The following discipline ladder will handle minor classroom management offenses:

1st offense - Written Warning

2nd offense - Break Detention (1 day)

3rd Offense - Break Detention (3 days)

4th Offense - Lunch Detention (1 day)

5th Offense - Lunch Detention (3 days)

6th Offense - Home suspension with 2 points deducted from each course average for the grading period for every day of suspension.

Tardy to Class/ Tardy to School

The warning bell for grades 6-12 will ring at 7:55. 1st period class begins promptly at 8:00. Any student arriving after 8:00 will be considered tardy to class.

Tardies will be handled through the above discipline ladder. After the 6th offense, the steps will repeat beginning with the first step of the ladder. Seniors will lose their senior privileges on the 4th offense.

Classroom Misbehavior

Classroom misbehavior includes, but is not limited to, talking, being inattentive, not staying on task, not coming to class with the proper materials. Violators will be placed on the discipline ladder.

Interrupting a Class

Students are not allowed to interrupt instruction in any manner. Those who under classroom instruction will be placed on the discipline ladder or removed from the classroom.

Misbehavior during Assembly Programs

All Students are expected to behave properly at all school assemblies. Proper respect is to be shown for those conducting the assembly. Pep rallies are considered to be school assemblies.

Chewing Gum

Chewing gum is not allowed on the school campus during normal hours of operation. There is no warning for chewing gum. Students will automatically go to break detention for chewing gum.

Dress Code Violations

Students must abide by the school dress code. There is no warning given to students who break the dress code. Students will automatically go to break detention. If a student has on inappropriate clothing, he/she will be required to cover this clothing for the remainder of the school day.

Permissible Areas and Times

Once a student arrives in the school building, they must stay out of the parking lot. Students are not allowed to go to their cars for any reason. Students are not allowed in the building during break or during lunch. Students arriving early from PE, Lab or Science must quietly wait outside the building until the bell rings.

During lunch and break, middle an high school students who are outside must remain in the area behind the high school building or in the courtyard. No student is allowed past the right field fence line on the baseball field during lunch or break. No student is allowed in front of the building during lunch or break.

Reprinted from 2002-2003 Student Handbook

What we expect from our students: