Every learner has the right to education. With this right, the learner must accept the responsibility to know, understand, and follow the rules, laws and policies of the school system. The Discipline Code is that set of rules, policies, and laws by which order is maintained for the benefit of all. Rules and regulations are needed to provide a safe and orderly atmosphere in the school so facilitators can teach and learners can learn. The most important factors in discipline are communication and cooperation among all participants: learners, facilitators, parents, school administrators, and the community.
In today’s world school systems are required to establish a code of acceptable behavior and discipline that is uniformly and fairly applied to all learners. The code shall contain the type of behavior expected from each learner, consequences of failure to obey such standards, and the importance of standards in maintaining an atmosphere where orderly learning is possible and encouraged.
This booklet constitutes the official Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline for British International School-Gaza. The purpose of this publication is to discuss what is meant by discipline, to define the various responsibilities necessary to achieve discipline and to acquaint the reader with the various rules, regulations, policies and laws that govern the behavior of learners. We also ask for your continued support and cooperation in maintaining a school environment which supports the teaching/learning process.

 

 

SECTION I: AUTHORITY TO DISCIPLINE / PROCESS TO DISCIPLINE
Behavior problems are dealt with using procedures and consequences that vary based on the age of the learner, severity of the offense, and the frequency of the offenses. Disciplinary procedures are not limited to those occurring on school campuses, but include all school-related activities and even non-school-related activities if the learner’s behavior is directly linked to school events.

Rights of the Student
The principal or principal’s designee at the building level administers disciplinary actions. Learners referred for a disciplinary violation are entitled to explain their side of the story and to place their conduct in what they consider to be the proper context. This is done in an informal administrative conference prior to administering any disciplinary action (except in an emergency situation).
The School Principal or his/her designee has the authority to suspend a learner for various rule violations. When out of school suspension is used the principal/designee will generally meet with the parent to develop a plan of improvement upon re-entry of the learner. A written plan of improvement will always be developed if the suspension exceeds five school days.

British International School Expectations
British International School has established this handbook as policy and expects that parents and school staff will work in close cooperation to ensure learner success, both academically and behaviorally. In order to achieve this goal, it is anticipated that staff and parents will communicate routinely, and definitely, whenever there is a concern regarding learner progress. By establishing and maintaining close contact, parents and facilitators can prevent or minimize discipline problems as well as maximize learner growth.

Minor Behavior Problems
In the event that minor problems involving learners in a particular class cannot be managed by close contact between the facilitator and the parent, the learner’s school Supervisor may be consulted. If this step does not bring satisfactory results, the Principal or Assistant Principal should be contacted and a conference held with all parties involved.

Frequent or Serious Misbehavior
Learner misbehavior, which occurs frequently or is of a serious or disruptive nature to the classroom or school, may result in detention, suspension or expulsion.

Bullying and other forms of Interpersonal Abuse
All the learners have the right to learn in a safe environment without fear. Bullying can undermine learning and even prevent learners from progressing academically and socially and can have negative consequences, both for the bullied and the bully, for life. We therefore operate a zero tolerance level policy towards bullying. All learners involved in such an action will be disciplined and will receive appropriate attention (counseling, support, negative reinforcement, etc.) from the school. Learners who do not respond positively to the treatment will face in-school class suspension, out-of school suspension and finally if the issue was not resolved expulsion may result.

What is Bullying?
A repetition of oppressive – psychological or physical – behavior by an individual or a group upon another.

SECTION II: LEVELS OF MISBEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS
This section identifies levels of misbehavior, the disciplinary procedure typically used to address a specific category of misbehavior, and the discipline options available to a facilitator and/or principal for the various types of misbehavior. The following levels, procedures, and options are designed to protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their rights and duties.

MISBEHAVIORS: Level I
Level I rule violations are minor misbehavior on the part of the learner which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school, but which can usually be handled by an individual staff member.
Examples (not an exclusive listing):
Classroom disturbances
Classroom tardiness
Cheating and lying
Use of inappropriate language (non-directed, first offense, inadvertent)
Non-defiant failure to do assignments or carry out directions
Teasing of a peer
Possession of unauthorized personal communication devices
Dress code violations
Improper haircuts

Disciplinary Procedures Generally Followed
Immediate intervention by the staff member
Determine what offense was committed and its severity
Determine that the learner understands the nature of the offense and has an opportunity to explain behavior
Employ appropriate disciplinary options
Record of the offense and disciplinary action maintained by staff member
Confiscation of unauthorized electronic device
Refer to the Supervisor

Disciplinary Options Available to Staff
Verbal reprimand
Special assignment
Restricting activities
Assigning work details
Counseling
Withdrawal of privileges
Strict supervised study
Detention and/or In-school suspension

MISBEHAVIORS: Level II
This level includes misbehavior where frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. Included in this level are misbehaviors which do not represent a direct threat to the health and safety of others, but where educational consequences are serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrative personnel.
Examples (not an exclusive listing):
Continuation of unmodified Level I behaviors
Tardy to school
School or class truancy
Using forged notes or excuses
Disruptive classroom behavior
Teasing with intent to embarrass
Possession of unauthorized personal communication devices
Fighting
Skipping class
Inappropriate access of Internet sites, e-mail services or secured files

Disciplinary Procedures Generally Followed
Immediate intervention by staff members
Learner referred to Supervisor/HOD/Principal
Meeting with Principal/designee
Opportunity for learner explanation
Parent notification
Record maintained by principal

Disciplinary Options
Modified probation
Behavior modification
Peer counseling
In-school suspension
Detention
Suspension from school-sponsored activities
Restricting school-related honors/privileges

MISBEHAVIORS: Level III
Acts directly against persons or property but where consequences do not seriously endanger health or safety.
Examples:
Continuation of Level I and II behaviors
Fighting (simple)
Vandalism (minor)
Cheating
Computer misuse
Threats
General harassment
Options:
In-school suspension
Detention
Restitution
Out-of-school suspension (not exceeding 10 days)
Mandatory tutorial

MISBEHAVIORS: Level IV
Acts resulting in violence, serious disruption, or safety threats.
Examples:
Unmodified Level III behaviors
Serious breach of conduct
Trespassing
False accusations about staff
Options:
Out-of-school suspension
Expulsion
Mandatory skill-building program (minimum one week suspension)

SECTION III: Explanation of Staff Roles as Related to Discipline
Form Tutors / Subject Facilitators:
Plan and provide classroom activities
Create positive learning atmosphere
Manage classroom environment
Work closely with parents
Reinforce appropriate behavior
Refer learners for administrative discipline

SECTION IV: Responsibilities of an Individual Learner
Learners are expected to:
Attend school and be on time
Take advantage of learning opportunities
Assume responsibility for personal growth and self-discipline
Take care of personal and school property
Respect rights and property of others
Work cooperatively with school personnel and learners
Know and follow school rules
Respect school staff and authority
Maintain appropriate classroom conduct
Dress and groom according to standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, and safety