Fair, firm, consistent, and prompt disciplinary practices are needed to maintain safety and focus on educational goals. Discipline must be justifiable, enforce consequences for inappropriate behaviors, and apply similar responses to similar infractions in a timely manner according to published policies. While disciplinary decisions are not hasty, they also do not emulate Supreme Court proceedings. Problem behaviors of a few students will be addressed so as not to disrupt the learning environment of most students.

1. Fair, Firm, Consistent & Prompt Disciplinary Philosophy and Practice René M. Lafayette, M.Ed.

2. Why Discipline? Rules are needed to keep everyone focused on our purpose, i.e., to educate students. Violation of the rules leads to distraction from this goal by everyone. Discipline helps keep everyone safe and on task.

3. Fair Just, not arbitrary or capricious. Defendible beyond the passion of the moment. The disciplinary infraction and resulting consequence must “make sense” to a third party.

4. Firm Students must take responsibility for what they do. They must not be empowered by peers or adults to continue inappropriate or bad behaviors. Such behaviors will not be tolerated.

5. Consistent Similar infractions deserve similar responses and reactions. There should be a detectible pattern and recognizable trends. Data will be collected for future analysis.

6. Prompt Timely; not a snap decision but neither is this the Supreme Court.

7. The Few v. the Many The few students who insist on engaging in bad behavior cannot, will not spoil it for the overwhelming majority of good students.

8. Student Handbook The student handbook lists disciplinary policies, infractions and resulting actions. The information is clearly presented. Any questions should be addressed to an administrator.