St. Perpetua community fosters a peaceful, cooperative learning environment. Students are expected to conduct themselves according to principles of Christian values and behavior. This implies that students show respect and obey all teachers, parents, volunteers, as well as personnel of St. Perpetua Parish and School. It also implies attitudes of respect for the learning environment, fellow students and property, as well as self. Students are expected to demonstrate these attitudes by their conduct in school, on the playground, and when they are representing St. Perpetua School.

Students experience school success when they demonstrate a positive attitude toward their deportment, attendance and academics. The support of their parents and teachers is of added benefit. Students who demonstrate less than satisfactory progress in these areas will be placed on probation.

It is the responsibility of all students at St. Perpetua School

• to obey all school and classroom rules
• to follow the prescribed course of study
• to respond with respect to all persons of authority
• to be courteous to all
• to respect the rights and property of others

Christian Discipline

Discipline in the Catholic school is to be considered an aspect of moral guidance and not a form of punishment. The purpose of discipline is:

• to provide an environment conducive to learning.
• to educate students to an appreciation of the importance of
developing responsibility and self-control.
• to build a sense of community. (D.H. 5610)

The classroom teacher is the primary disciplinarian. The teacher will call to the attention of the parents and principal those problems that may warrant disciplinary attention.

Parents are asked to study and discuss classroom rules as well as school rules with their children. Families are expected to cooperate with the St. Perpetua discipline policy.

Disciplinary Measures

Conduct, whether inside or outside of school, can result in discipline. When disciplinary measures are required they will be addressed first by the classroom teacher. The teacher will communicate with the student’s parents. Serious and/or persistent infractions of school and/or playground rules will require referral to the principal and may result in probation, suspension, transfer or expulsion. Students may not be permitted to return the following year.

• Detention

Detention is an acceptable disciplinary measure. Parents are informed of the detention at least one day in advance if a student is to be detained after school hours. Detention may include Saturday time. No one is excused from serving detention.

• Recommended Transfer

The school may recommend transferring a student for grounds other than disciplinary. The principal determines a transfer recommendation when continued attendance will not profit the student or places upon the school demands that cannot be met. A transfer terminates attendance, but does not leave the stigma of expulsion.

• Suspension/Expulsion

The school shall follow the guidelines set in the Diocesan Handbook and California Educational Code regarding suspension and expulsion. The following disciplinary situations may lead to suspension or expulsion:

• Continued willful disobedience/consistent violation of school rules.
• Open, persistent defiance of the authority of any school employee.
• Habitual profanity or vulgarity.
• Smoking or having tobacco.
• Use, sale, or possession of habit-forming substances.
• Vandalism to school property.
• Use, sale, distribution or possession of any alcohol for beverage
purposes on or near school premises.
• Habitual truancy.
• Assault or battery, or any threat of force or violence directed towards any school personnel or students.
• Possession and/or assault with a deadly weapon and/or any object
that can be used to cause harm to another.
• Theft.
• Harassment (D.H. 5615)

Books and Property

Students are responsible for the care of all books, property, and equipment, including recess and physical education equipment. To prevent loss and damage of textbooks, each student is required to have a backpack and books are to be covered. Cost of repair and/or replacement of damaged or lost items is the responsibility of pupils and their families.

Other items, toys, electronic equipment, etc., unless appropriate or necessary for a classroom lesson or presentation, may not be brought to school.
The use of cell phones is not allowed by students during school hours.

Harassment

The schools of the Diocese of Oakland prohibit any form of sexual harassment of students whether verbal, physical, or environmental. It is a violation of this policy for any employee or agent of the Diocese to harass a student or for a student to harass another student in a sexual manner as defined below.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as including but not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual conduct or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward a student under any of the following conditions:

1. Submission to, or toleration of, sexual harassment is an explicit or implicit term or condition of any services, benefits, or programs sponsored by the Diocese;

2. Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct is used as a basis for an academic evaluation affecting a student;

3. The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment;

4. Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is used as the basis for any decision affecting the individual regarding benefits and services, sponsored by the Diocese.

Employee to Student Sexual Harassment

1. Employee to student harassment is prohibited at all times whether or not the conduct occurs on school property or at school sponsored events.

2. To prevent sexual harassment, amorous relationships between a student and agent or employee of the Diocese are strictly prohibited.

3. Any employee or agent of the Diocese who participates in the sexual harassment of a student is subject to disciplinary action including termination of employment.

Retaliation

The Diocese forbids retaliation against anyone who reports sexual harassment or who participates in the investigation of such a report.

Complaint Procedure

The Diocese has adopted administrative procedures for filing sexual harassment complaints. A copy of the formal complaint procedure is contained in the Diocese of Oakland School Department’s Administrative Handbook. Complaints may be reported to a school counselor, the principal, or assistant/vice principal. Written complaints may also be filed at the office of the principal or designee. Complaints should be presented in written form to the principal.

Diocesan Procedure Statement

The schools of the Diocese of Oakland prohibit any form of unlawful harassment of students or employees; whether verbal, physical or environmental. It is a violation of this policy for any employee, agent, student, volunteer, or third party at a school site to harass a student or employee.

Complaints may be reported to a school counselor, the principal or assistant principal. Formal written complaints may also be filed at the office of the principal or designee.

A complaint does not have to be written to be investigated.

Vandalism

Students and their parents/legal guardians will be liable for all damage to equipment or school property caused by the student.
It is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to pay for property damages not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) due to willful conduct by the child. Grades, transcripts or diploma will be withheld until damages are paid.

St. Perpetua School Procedure

At St. Perpetua School the following consequences will result when investigation determines the presence of harassment:

1st offense	3 hours of school service
2nd offense	in school suspension
3rd offense	out of school (3 day) suspension
4th offense	requested to find another school

Zero Tolerance for Violence

St. Perpetua School has a zero tolerance for violence in word, action or pictorial depiction. Even pictures of guns, daggers, bombs, etc. will not be tolerated. Covers on books, in notebooks, doodles are not permissible. Hands, feet and all body parts are to be kept to yourself. Only appropriate words are to be spoken (even quietly). Only appropriate pictures are to be used at school.

Investigation:
• Contact parents
• Conduct grade lowered
• Detention
• Suspension
• Expulsion
• Police intervention if necessary at any point

Non-renewal of Student Enrollment

If the school determines that the school cannot serve the child, the child cannot benefit from its programs, or due to the repeated uncooperative or destructive attitude of the student or parent/legal guardian, the school maintains the right not to accept the child for continued enrollment.

Procedures for Recommended Transfer

Students clearly unable to profit from the school by reason of ability, serious emotional instability, repeated uncooperative or destructive behavior, or the repeated uncooperative or destructive attitude of parent /legal guardian will be asked to transfer when:

1. The school has explored means to meet the needs of the child
2. There has been sufficient discussion with the parent/legal guardian concerning the child’s condition or the parent/legal guardian’s attitude
3. The transfer is to take place at the end of a grading period; preferably at the end of an academic year.
4. The Principal, in consultation with the Pastor and Superintendent, makes the final decision.

Complaint/Issue Resolution – Parents

Concerns regarding individual school staff members should first be directed to that staff member. If the issue is not resolved, the parent should then address it with the Principal. Finally, if the concern is still unresolved, the Pastor should be contacted.

Family Cooperation/Removal of Students Resulting from Parental Attitude

Under normal circumstances a student should not be deprived of a Catholic education on grounds relating to the attitude of the parents. Nevertheless, a situation may arise in which the uncooperative or destructive attitude of parents so diminishes the effectiveness of the school that the family may be asked to withdraw from the school.