St. Francis Xavier Parish

Through the Discipline With Purpose Program, teachers offer students many opportunities to practice their DWP skills throughout the day. Additionally, five generative skills are taught. These skills teach students how to live in a democratic society that is interdependent on people of all nations. They are the five skills on the bottom row of this mini-poster.

Code of Conduct/ Student Work Policies

The complete Code of Conduct appears in St. Francis Xavier School Parent-Student Handbook. Below is a summary of some of the policies important for Middle School students and parents to review.

Grade Level Discipline Plans

Broad rules that affect the daily living of all members of the school community are:

Show respect for self, for others and for your school.

- Use appropriate language and gestures.

- Discuss without arguing.

- Ask permission to use things that belong to others.

Contribute to the learning environment.

- Listen while the teacher is instructing or while others are speaking.

- Complete homework and projects when they are due.

- Work cooperatively on group assignments.

Follow classroom and school procedures.

- Follow uniform regulations.

- Keep electronic devices at home.

- Keep cell phones off and in backpacks.

- Move through the building silently.

- Move from class to class in a single file line.

- Follow the procedures posted in each classroom.

Consequences

If a student chooses to violate one of these rules, teachers will use the following Discipline Cycle during any given class period:
1. Verbal warning or name on board
2. Behavior Notification sent home

The following behaviors are considered to be serious and warrant immediate intervention and will result in a discipline referral to the office setting the School Discipline Cycle in motion.

1.     A student is in physical or psychological danger or puts another in danger.
2.     A student is irrational or unreasonable.
3.     A student pushes beyond the limits of respect in speech or action, including abusiveness in tone,      gesture, or language.
4.     A student is not able or willing to regain self-control despite requests to do so.
5.     A student harasses or bullies another student.

Discipline Cycle

Every attempt will be made to teach skills and offer reminders when students fail to use the skills they've been taught. Minor incidents of inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior will be dealt with in the classroom. Academic or Behavior Notifications will be sent to inform parents about specific concerns.

When a school staff member sends a notification about an incident or situation of concern, it is a request for parents to address the matter with their child. If a parent requires clarification, he or she may contact the teacher who issued the memo. A notification represents a problem-solving opportunity, and it is not placed in a student's permanent school record. Parents are asked to sign the notification and return it to school with their child on the next school day. Students who return without a signed notification will be referred to the school office.

I. LATE/ INCOMPLETE WORK

Each late or incomplete homework or in-class assignment will merit an Academic Notification issued to the student and signed by a parent. Middle school students will also attend a 30-minute help session for each Academic Notification to be served the next day. Failure to return a signed Assignment Notification on the next school day following issue will result in a student referral to the office to call parents.
Three late/incomplete assignments in an academic quarter will merit a documented parent contact via phone/e-mail/note by the homeroom or content area teacher. (A teacher receive confirmation that the contact was received.)
Content area teachers have the responsibility to share documentation re: late/incomplete work with the homeroom teacher.
Five late/incomplete assignments in an academic quarter merits After School Study for a minimum of one week. (If this is an intervention that appears to support work completion for a student, the time for After School Study can be extended.)
The SFX Resource Staff will be consulted for assistance as needed and before suspending a Resource student from athletic participation.
Any additional late/incomplete assignments will merit a one-week suspension from athletics and/or other school activities (i.e. Band, Student Council, Peer Mediation, Peer Tutoring, etc.) and continued enrollment in After School Study. A third one-week suspension will be cause for removal from athletics for the remainder of the season (and a portion of the next season where appropriate).

II. AFTER SCHOOL STUDY

After School Study sessions will be conducted after school to support student work completion.
Teachers in grades 6, 7 and 8 will supervise students in grades 6, 7 and 8 who are referred to After School Study. Teachers will work out a rotation so that responsibilities are shared evenly.
Parent notification via the homeroom teacher is necessary for After School Study.
During After School Study, students are to finish assignments not completed in the classroom, organize materials for doing homework, and begin or complete homework for the evening.
Students may be referred to After School Study for:
- Failing to complete assignments during class time due to off-task behavior
- Having 5 or more assignment notifications in an academic quarter
- Request for additional support from a parent, student or teacher
Supervising teachers are available for assistance as needed during After School Study. (This is not a tutoring session.)
After School Study meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from immediately after school until 3:45pm.

III. BEHAVIOR

Behavior Notifications for minor incidents of misbehavior are sent by classroom teachers per classroom discipline plans.
Three minor incidents of misbehavior per academic quarter merit a documented contact by the homeroom or content area. (A teacher must know that the contact was received.)
The fourth minor incident merits an office referral, an administrator-to-parent contact, and a 30-minute detention.
The fifth minor incident merits a second office referral and a two-week athletic suspension or a two-week detention (for non-athletes or in an off-season).
The homeroom teacher has the responsibility for supervising the detention or arranging for another teacher or an administrator to supervise the detention and for notifying parents of a 30-minute detention.
Homeroom teachers also bear responsibility for communicating with administrators when a student merits an athletic suspension or a two-week detention.
Administrators, in turn, will notify parents, the Athletic Director, and necessary coaches of athletic suspensions or two-week detentions.

IV. ACADEMIC HONESTY

Students are expected to do their own academic work and to contribute their fair share when involved in group assignments. Students are also expected to uphold this code of honesty.
Students are expected to complete homework on their own with only minimal help from parents or other students. Students may not ask another student for help during a test or quiz.
Students need to give proper credit to the author when using words or phrases from a book, magazine, newspaper, Internet, or any other written text.
Students must contribute their fair share on group project work to receive the group's grade.
Students must ask their parents to sign papers and forms at a teacher's request.

Consequences

1st violation: Student receives a failing grade on the assignment, a Behavior Notification, and a detention.
2nd violation: Consequences for 1st violation and a parent-student-teacher conference.
3rd violation: Consequences for 1st violation and a principal-parent-student-teacher conference to develop a plan of action.

Academic Honor Roll

Students accrue points each quarter for each grade earned in all subjects, including Fine Arts:

A in Accel Math = 5; All other subjects: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1

High Honors = 37 to 40 points total

Honors = 33 to 36 points total (or the grade of B in every subject)

Earning a grade of D in any subject will prevent a student from being named to either honor roll.

Commendable Achievement in Discipline with Purpose Skills

A separate honor roll will be created each quarter to recognize students who did not receive any checks in the "Discipline with Purpose Skills" area of the report card.

Homework

A student is expected to spend one to two hours each day doing research or written assignments, clarifying, editing, and studying class notes, reviewing for tests, reading materials, or working on projects. Regular homework is given Monday through Thursday (math is given Monday through Friday.) Studying or long-term assignments may need to be worked on over the weekends. A student needs to be responsible for good use of class time, so in-class assignments do not need to be completed at home. Incomplete or poorly done work will be returned with an Academic Notification to the student to be redone with reduced credit given. It is imperative that homework assignments be completed on time and brought to class because that work is used during the next class period. Valuable learning and class time is lost when the student forgets homework; therefore, late work may NOT be accepted for full credit. Except in special circumstances for which the teacher will give a student an extension, any assignment, quiz, or test not completed by the end of the quarter is recorded as a failing grade. If a student is unable to complete an assignment due to special circumstances, a written excuse from the parent is necessary. Students may NOT call home for missing assignments, lunches, or items.

Absentee Homework

It is the student's responsibility to go to teachers to ask about class work, notes, and assignments missed due to absences, including band, altar service, or any other task that takes a student out of class. Absentee homework is not sent to the office or home with a sibling for Middle School students. After being absent, students have the number of days they were sick plus one to hand in their assignments. These extra days are NOT given for long-term assignments or tests. If students are absent on the day a long-term assignment is due, they are expected to hand it in upon returning to school. If students are aware of a scheduled test and are absent the day before or the day of the test, they are responsible for taking the test on the day of their return. Missed tests must be made up before or after school, and not during lunch or recess. Students need to meet with the teacher after school to arrange the date and time. Best advice: Ask or call another student to write down assignments and bring home for student or place in the student's desk.

Vacations

We urge parents to consider the stress that taking students out of school places on them upon their return since they must make up missing assignments, project work, quizzes, and tests. We cannot provide them with the hands-on activities, group work, fruitful class discussions, lectures, or labs that enhance meaning of the material covered in a text. Teachers cannot be expected to do one-on-one instruction upon a student's return. Adolescents, just as adults, become tired and stressed when they return and attempt to play catch up while they are being held responsible for current work as well. Whenever possible, please schedule vacations using the school calendar as a guide. Teachers do not provide assignments prior to scheduled absences. Please do not request exceptions to this procedure. Students are not permitted to make up Terra Nova tests for absences due to vacation.

Shadow Days (This privilege is reserved for 8th grade students only.)

Eighth grade students may use two shadow opportunities as excused absences. If students shadow when St. Francis has a 1/2 day of school, that day would count as a full "shadow" day. Lyons Township High School arranges two special shadow days for St. Francis students, usually one in December & one-half day in May. Those days would use both excused absence days. Class work, tests, and homework must be made up by the end of the second day back to school. It is recommended that parents call Catholic high schools as soon as possible to arrange for students to shadow when SFX is out of school, but high schools are in session.

Grading

Teachers will inform students as to how various assignments are assessed. Student grades are based on homework assignments, projects, notebooks, participation, class work, group work, quizzes, tests, and exams.

All 7^th grade math classes:

A+ 100 - 97                       B+ 89 - 87                        C+ 79 - 77                        D+ 69 - 67
A     96 - 93                       B    86 - 83                        C    76 - 73                        D    66 - 63
A-    92 - 90                       B-   82 - 80                        C-   72 - 70                        D-   62 - 60
U < 60

All 8^th grade math classes:

A 100 - 90 B 89 - 80 C 79 - 70 D 69-60
U < 60

All other subjects:

A 100-99 A 98-96 A 95-93 B+ 92-90 B 89-87 B- 86-85 C+ 84-82 C 81-78 C- 77-75 D+ 74-72 D 71-69 D- 68-66
U < 66

Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, middle school parents will be able to view their child's grades on Edline. The school office will provide parents with login information. Grades will be updated at least every two weeks. At Biweekly time, a summary report will be available online. Parents will receive a paper copy of their child's grades at mid-quarter. The parent must sign the form and the whole form should be returned to school.

Biweekly Folders

Folders containing the students' work will be sent home every two weeks with a parent-teacher correspondence sheet. Parents are requested to review the papers with the student, sign the correspondence sheet, and return only the correspondence sheet back to school in the folder. Parents are requested to impress upon the student the importance of honesty in showing ALL papers.

Uniform Regulations

Middle school students wear the school uniform detailed in the St. Francis Xavier handbook so that parents need not worry about purchasing a variety of clothes, and so students do not compete in dressing in the latest fads. Parents and teachers working together can assure that students are neat and clean. Special note should be made of the following school rules:

No graffiti on uniforms or bodies

Shirts must be tucked in at all times; no rolling of shirts.

No make-up, hair lightening or dying is ever allowed. Only light colored, natural nail polish is allowed. Boys' hair must be neat and above the collar in length.
No dangling earrings, chokers, or necklaces may be worn. Only one wristband (i.e., "Livestrong" type) may be worn.
Shorts and skirts are worn slightly above the knee. If a skirt will not button and zip, a larger size should be purchased or picked up at the uniform exchange. No rolling of skirts is allowed.
Only white T-shirts or camisoles with no logos or lettering may be worn under uniform shirts/blouses, except on gym days, when the gray SFX gym shirt must be worn. Undershirts and camisoles must be tucked in at all times.
Only Middle School sweatshirts can be worn.
Black or brown dress shoes with backs and soles that do not mar the tile must be worn.
No open-back shoes or sandals may be worn, even when students are out of uniform.
No cargo shorts or pants; girls' winter slacks must be dress type, not fitted and not the jeans style with 5 pockets!
In winter, girls may wear navy blue tights/leggings (not slacks) under skirts.
With winter uniforms, shirts must be tucked in.

Out of uniform days

Students must dress modestly & appropriately and follow the guidelines of the day.
No spaghetti straps, low cut tops, backless shoes, or shirts with inappropriate sayings may be worn.

Consequences for uniform violations

Three uniform Behavior Notifications in Aug., Sept., May, or June result in the loss of the summer uniform privilege for that season and/or a detention. Three uniform Behavior Notifications from Oct. through April will result in a detention.

Electronic Devices

Students may not bring electronic devices to school that are not related to their schoolwork. Examples include beepers, video games, radios, iPods, MP3 players, tape, or CD players.

Cellular phones are permitted with parent permission. Phones are to be turned off during school hours. Cell phones may not be used to take pictures, send or receive calls or text messages, or as a recording device.

Cameras are permitted, with teacher permission, for educational purposes only. A student is not permitted, however, to take a photo of anyone without that person's permission. Likewise, a student is not permitted to publish a photo on the web or in print or to show a photo to a third party without written permission of the individual(s) in the photo and the parent(s) of the individual(s) in the photo. Electronic devices, including cell phones used at school, will be confiscated, and parents will be asked to pick them up at school. Repeated violation of this policy on electronic devices will warrant a referral to the school office.

Service Requirements

Parental involvement is central to the undertaking and success of student service. Coordination between scheduling service and family commitments is imperative to meeting the serious responsibilities connected with offering oneself in God's service. Saint Francis Xavier School and Parish Communities are sincere in their commitment to service to all of God's people.

To better understand the importance of service and to provide the experience of service to others, Middle School students are expected to perform 10 hours of community service. This requirement is a wonderful opportunity for students to practice a balanced variety of service for their family, school, church, village and global communities. More information about the service requirement will be provided in Religion class.

Lockers

Each student has his/her own assigned locker in the 3^rd floor hallway. Students receive a combination lock at the beginning of the school year; combination codes should not be shared with other students. Students are to store all books, supplies, and coats in the assigned locker. No lunches or food should be placed in the lockers, but instead be placed in the lunch tubs in homeroom.

Students have three opportunities to go to the lockers during the school day: (1) At morning arrival time (8:10 AM) to pack for the morning classes - students must be in homeroom by 8:20 AM or tardy slips will be issued; (2) Before lunch or recess (11:06 AM) to pack for the afternoon classes; and (3) At the end of the school day (2:58 PM) to pack up for dismissal. Because of congestion in the hallways at passing periods, students may not go to their lockers during passing periods. Students are allowed one "free pass" to go to the lockers for a forgotten item during the school day. To utilize this pass, a student should present the assignment notebook to the teacher to initial.

As school property, lockers are subject to inspection at any time. Teachers have a master key to all lockers. Students should not use tape or anything else that would damage the surface or structure of the lockers. Any decorative items inside the lockers must be school appropriate. No decorative items should be placed on the outside of the lockers.

Daily Procedures

Beginning the Day
1. If you would like to come to school early, you must arrange this ahead of time with a teacher. You must present a pass from a teacher to the office at 7:45, no earlier. If you arrive early without a pass or on Monday mornings, you will be asked to go outside.

2.     School doors will open at 8:10 AM. Please arrive no earlier than this time for the safety of all students on the playground. Enter the school quietly and go first to greet your homeroom teacher.
3.     Put your coat or any other items into your locker.
4.     Check your morning schedule. Pack your backpack with the books needed for your morning classes.
5.     Hand in any items you have for the office or for the teacher (for example, tuition, field trip money, O/O envelope, notes from home, etc.)
6.     Sharpen your pencils and check your notebook paper supply.
7.     Adjust your uniform and tuck in your shirt/blouse.
8.     Take your seat and begin bell work, work on homework, or read silently.
9.     You need to be in your own desk at 8:20 or you will be marked tardy on your attendance sheet. Three tardies will result in a Behavior Notification and a 30 minute detention.
10. At the 8:20 bell, direct your attention to the teacher for attendance, classroom announcements, prayer, and pledge.

Moving Through the Hall on the Third Floor
1. As your teacher escorts you to your next class, you should remain in line in single file and then wait quietly at the door.
2. You may not get a drink or use the washroom at this time.

Beginning Class
1. When admitted to the classroom, go directly to your seat. Take out your materials for class, such as your textbook, your spiral, pen / pencil, assignment notebook, and homework.
2. Place your backpack under your chair or on the back of your chair.
3. Begin work on bell work, if applicable. Sharpen your pencil, if necessary.
4. Because questions to the teacher delay the beginning of instruction, do not call out questions to the teacher as you enter the room (For example, "What are we doing today?" "Are we getting our tests back?") The teacher will designate a time for questions after the bell work begins.
5. The teacher will begin class promptly at the bell. If you are not in your desk when the bell rings, a tardy slip will be issued.

During Class
1. Pay attention in class listening carefully to directions and class instruction.
2. Raise your hand to comment or ask and answer questions. Please don't blurt out.
3. Be respectful of other students who are trying to pay attention to the lesson.
4. During independent work, even project work, quiet is expected.
5. During cooperative group work, use inside voices. Remain on task and with your own group. Be sure to contribute your fair share to the project.
6. Do not pack up materials until you are directed to do so by the teacher. Remain in your seat until the teacher dismisses you.
7. Write all assignments in your assignment notebook. During the last few minutes of class, time will be provided for students to ask questions about the lesson and/or homework assignments.
8. When leaving the classroom, go directly to your next class.

Before Lunch
1. You will return to your homeroom at 11:06 A.M.
2. Quickly pack your backpack for afternoon classes. Leave your backpack on your desk.
3. Make sure your lunch is in lunch tub (when recess is first) or in your hands (when lunch is first). Put on your jacket and line up silently at the door in one line.
4. The teacher will escort you to recess/lunch when everyone is in line. Stay in line silently with the teacher all the way to the playground.

Recess
1. When going outside for recess, please walk quietly all the way to the playground.
2. When you hear the supervisor's whistle to signal the end of recess, it's important to stop playing, return equipment, and move into your line.
3. Each homeroom will form one line.
4. Stay in your line all the way to Joyce Hall or back up to your classroom.
5. Enter the building silently until you reach Joyce Hall or the 3^rd floor.

Moving Through the Building
1. Use the Church stairs to go to Integrated Arts classes. Walk on the right side of the stairs, keeping the middle of the stairs clear.
2. It's important to remain silent to respect the other children at work in the school building. Also, respect others' personal space while walking by keeping your hands to yourself and not pushing, shoving, or pulling on another student's backpack or clothing.
3. Do not stop to socialize on the stairs. Go promptly and directly to your class.
4. Tardy slips will be issued for late arrivals to and from Integrated Arts classes.

Dismissal at the End of the School Day
1. Return to your homeroom at 2:58 PM.
2. Check your assignment notebook to decide which books and items you need to complete your homework assignments and pack your backpack for home.
3. Clean up the floor around your desk. Pick up water bottles, paper, pens, pen caps, etc.
4. Get your jacket, lunch box, band instrument, etc. and bring these items to your desk.
5. With your jacket and backpack on, put up your chair. Wait quietly at your desk for prayer.
6. After prayer, line up quietly at the door in one line. The teacher will escort you outside the building when everyone is in line.
7. You must remain in line with the teacher all the way outside. If you need to meet with a teacher after school, you should walk with that teacher as she dismisses her students, and then return with her to the classroom. No students may remain in a classroom unattended.

Snacks

Snacks are not necessary with the 11:09 lunchtime. No eating in class! Water bottles are allowed in warm weather. Gum is NEVER allowed in school OR on the playground before, during, or after school time.

Heading

Papers with missing headings, cross outs, or incorrect pen color earn reduced credit. Torn or illegible papers will be returned with an Academic Notification with instructions to redo the assignment.

Water Fountain and Rest Rooms

Each student has 2 opportunities daily to leave a class to use the water fountain and restroom. Students should present the assignment notebook to the teacher, who will initial it. Students should then sign out on the classroom logbook and take the hall pass. Upon returning, students should sign back in on the logbook and return the pass. Only ONE student may sign out at a given time because the classroom's hall pass must be carried there and back. Students must ask a teacher for permission to use these facilities in between classes also. Teachers are responsible for students' welfare; therefore, teachers absolutely and at all times need to know where students are. Behavior Notifications are issued to students who do not sign out properly or are not in the right place at the right time.

For health reasons, students may not share gym clothes, gym shoes, water bottles, or lip balm. Hand sanitizers are available in each classroom.