Discipline Plan
Learning cannot occur in a chaotic environment. Students must
have a structured, orderly and disciplined space in which to learn. Cornerstone
Preparatory School is such a school.
Cornerstone Prep students are not expected
to exist in silence but to always remain respectful of themselves, their
teachers, the school, and their learning environment. There have been multiple
studies that address the correlation between a structured learning environment
and academic achievement. According to Barton, Coley, and Weglinski (1998),
test scores in math, reading, social studies, and science all declined when
discipline problems were present[1].
Further, Cornerstone Prep’s rigorous academic program requires this type of
setting. In addition to creating a
structured, disciplined environment conducive to learning, Cornerstone
Preparatory School leaders understand that many students’ home lives and
neighborhoods may be chaotic and the time spent at school may be part of the
only tranquility in their day[2].
Cornerstone Prep will maintain a safe, respectful environment for students and
staff[3].
Cornerstone Prep will “sweat the small stuff”[4]
by immediately responding to and correcting inappropriate behavior, even minor
infractions, thereby heading off more serious offenses[5]. As noted by
Harter (1987), a students’ sense of self worth, as reflected by the state of
their surroundings, affects his or her ability to learn[6].
In light of
this and the aforementioned needs, Cornerstone Prep establishes high standards
for appropriate behavior. Students and staff receive a clear picture of
behavior expectations and consequences for those who choose to engage in
unacceptable behavior. These standards are made clear in the Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct
The Cornerstone Preparatory School Code of Conduct outlines the
expected behavior for Cornerstone Prep students. This document is also included
in the family handbook so each Cornerstone Prep family has access to it.
Information contained in this document is discussed with families during the
home visits made prior to the beginning of the academic year. The Cornerstone
Prep Code of Conduct includes possible student infractions that violate
expected behavior and the subsequent consequences for these choices. The Code
of Conduct explains the Cornerstone Prep reward system for students who exceed
behavior expectations.
Behavioral Consequences
The Lower School
Cornerstone Preparatory School uses a reward system for
students who exceed behavior expectations. Parents of students in the Lower
School receive a daily behavior report that provides information about the
child’s behavior that day[7].
This Daily Report includes academic information and any discipline action the
child received.
Students who are on-task and uphold the behavioral expectations
of Cornerstone Prep Students earn the opportunity to visit the White House to select items as a reward
for their continued excellent behavior.
Cornerstone Prep students have the
ability to earn at least 6 LEADER points. Only students who have not received a
Re-focus or greater disciplinary action for the week are eligible to make
selections from the White House.
Students who exceed 30 LEADER points per week are eligible for other special
privileges that include leadership opportunities within the school. Students
can exchange their LEADER points for age appropriate items in the White House.
Earning a trip to the White House requires a high level of
achievement. However, this model creates teachable moments for students with
excellent behavior to model this behavior for their peers who may not have made
the best choices.
Cornerstone Prep facilitates the process of teaching students
to become personally responsible for their behavior and learning to control
themselves. Administration, teachers, and staff emphasize making good choices
and use teachable moments for students to model good behavior. Items to be distributed
via the White House will be
determined by the Principal and classroom teachers.
A typical progression of consequences in response to
inappropriate behavior would follow this sequence[8]:
1.
Warning
or verbal redirection
2.
Re-focus
(similar to a “Time Out” or “Time Away” where the child would be placed in a
part of the classroom to re-set and regain control of his or her behavior)
3.
Loss
of privilege
4.
Sent
to Principal and Caregiver Contacted
5.
In-School
Suspension (ISS)
6.
Out-of-School
Suspension (OSS)
7.
Expulsion
Students begin each day with a “clean slate.” Behavior
challenges from the prior day are counted against the student the next day.
However, students who continue to exhibit behavior that is contrary to
Cornerstone Prep’s culture may face enhanced consequences up to and including
removal from the school. The Principal will make this decision in concurrence
with the Executive Director.
Behavioral Consequences
The Upper School
Merit/Demerit System
A merit/reward and demerit/detention system is used beginning
in grade 3. Students do not receive a merit for engaging in appropriate
behavior but instead receive a merit for going above and beyond expected
behavior.
Demerits are given to students who have made poor choices and engaged
in behavior that is inappropriate and violates the Cornerstone Prep culture.
Teachers receive a Code list with demerits and receive training on giving,
monitoring, and tallying demerits.
A typical progression of consequences for
inappropriate behavior would follow this sequence:
1.
Warning
or verbal redirection
2.
Demerit & Consequences
3.
In-School
Suspension (ISS)
4.
Out-of-School
Suspension (OSS)
5.
Expulsion
Students begin each week with a “clean slate” where prior
behaviors are not counted against them. However, students who continue to
exhibit behavior that is contrary to Cornerstone Prep’s culture may face
enhanced consequences up to and including removal from the school. The
Principal will make this decision in concurrence with the Executive Director.
Classroom Management
Cornerstone Prep teachers effectively manage classroom behavior
but if a child is making poor choices that are affecting the learning
environment for others, he or she will be removed from the classroom and will
report to the Principal’s office.
Caregivers of students who are removed from
class will be contacted and a conference scheduled. If caregivers do not attend
the conference, the student may not return to school until the conference has
been held.
In-School Suspension
Students whose behavior has not improved after being addressed
by the Princiapl or those who have earned six or more demerits in one week will
face an automatic In-School Suspension (ISS).
This tactic is used in an effort
to not disrupt the students’ instructional time but to reinforce the culture
and Code of Conduct of Cornerstone Preparatory School. Students on ISS remain
in the classroom but are only allowed to communicate with teachers and focus on
his or her school-work.
If the student’s behavior has improved at the end of
the ISS time period, the student will be welcomed back into the classroom
community. ISS will not exceed 3 days.
Out-of-School Suspension
Students whose behavior continues to be egregious and contrary
to the Cornerstone Prep Code of Conduct may face an Out-of-School Suspension
(OSS). Out-of-School Suspension can be 3 or more days and will be determined by
the Principal. Students may face an OSS for a number of behaviors.
Some sample
behavior is listed below:
·
Physical
assault of a Cornerstone Prep student, teacher, or staff member
·
Use
of profane or obscene language to Cornerstone Prep students, teachers, and
staff members
·
Continued
and willful disobedience and open defiance to any authority figure employed at
the school
·
The
unauthorized taking of another student’s or staff member’s personal property
whether by theft, force, or intimidation
·
Behavior
that puts the safety of others in danger
·
Intentional
damage to school property
·
Other
behaviors as deemed inappropriate.
This is not an exhaustive list but merely an example of some
behaviors that may warrant
Out-of-School Suspensions
Expulsion
Cornerstone Preparatory School complies with state and federal
laws that protect students and school personnel. In accordance with these laws,
Cornerstone Preparatory School has a zero tolerance for certain behaviors or
items brought onto school grounds. The Principal will make the determination if
a student’s actions or behavior warrant an expulsion.
The following behaviors,
however, warrant automatic expulsion in accordance with state and federal law.
Any student who has or brings the following items onto school grounds will be
subject to a one year to permanent expulsion:
·
Ammunition[9]
·
Weapons
of any sort[10]
·
Explosives[11]
·
Violence[12]
·
Alcohol[13]
·
Physical
assault against peers or school personnel[14]
·
Other
items or behaviors deemed dangerous but statute, regulation, or Principal’s
discretion
Students who are expelled are directed to the local school
systems for possible enrollment and are directed to alternative school options
as well. Families wishing to appeal the expulsion may make request an appeal
hearing with the school’s Executive Director. The decision of the Executive
Director is final.
Policy for Infractions which Constitute a Violation of Criminal Law
Infractions that violate the state or federal criminal code
(such as unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon on school
grounds, assaults, theft of property, and unlawful possession of controlled
substances) are reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies (e.g.
Memphis Police Department or Shelby County Sheriff’s Department).
Providing Instruction During Removal
In order to facilitate continued academic progress, students
who have been removed from class for an Out-of-School suspension for 1-3 days
receive the assignments missed due to disciplinary action but are marked down
one letter grade for all assignments or tests. These assignments are prepared
and a parent or caregiver contacted to retrieve the assignments. Alternative
assignments are due immediately upon the students’ return to school. Late
assignments are not accepted and are not graded. Students suspended for 10 or
more days or those who are expelled do not receive any make-up work or
replacement assignments. The Principal may grant exceptions in special
circumstances.
Disenrollment Policy
While Cornerstone Prep prefers all students to remain enrolled,
there may be a need to disenroll some students. Students who transfer, require
special services that Cornerstone Prep is unable to provide, and students who
have been expelled or asked to leave for disciplinary reasons will be
disenrolled from the school.
If a student is disenrolled from Cornerstone Prep,
the following takes palce:
1. The parent/caregiver is
notified in writing of the disenrollment. Parents/caregivers receive a letter
explaining the date of and reason for the disenrollment.
2. Memphis City Schools Pupil
Services Center is notified that the student no longer attends Cornerstone
Preparatory School as school-age children (6 – 17 years) are required to be in
attendance at a school[15].
Pupil Services Center
205 N. Claybrook
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Phone 416-4420 Fax 416-4401
3. Changes are made to the
USDA Free/Reduced Lunch Application and information and will be maintained for
3 years as mandated by the federal government.
4. Students’ records will be
maintained by Cornerstone Prep for 3 years after the disenrollment. This record
will include demographic information, free/reduced lunch application and
information, academic grade level and grades up to the point of disenrollment.
[1] Barton,
P.E., Coley, R.J., and Wenglinsky, H. (1998), Order in the Classroom: Violence, Discipline, and Student Achievement.
[2] Weinstein,
C. (Producer). (1996). 60 Minutes
[Television Broadcast]. Los Angeles: CBS Studios.
[3] This
approach has been validated by both visits to high performing schools such as
North Star Elementary, Roxbury Prep, and Excel Academy who all have very
structured, disciplined environment, in a warm atmosphere, and incredible
student achievement.
[4] From Sweating the small stuff: Inner-city Schools
and the New Paternalism (2008) by
David Whitman.
[5] Wilson,
James, Q. and Kelling, George E., (1982) “Broken Windows: The police and
neighborhood safety,” Atlantic Monthly.
[6] Harter, S.
(1987). “The determinants and mediation role of global self-worth in children”
in N. Eisenberg (Ed.), Contemporary
topics in developmental psychology, Wiley.
[7] See Appendix
XX (Behavior Report)
[8] Teachers
progress students through the list of consequences as needed.
[9] TCA
39-17-1309 (Carrying Weapons on School Property)
[10] Ibid.
[11] TCA
49-6-4011 (Tennessee's Student and Employee Safe Environment Act of 1996)
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] TCA
§49-6-3001 (School age – Entrance- Attendance – Withdrawal)