Assertive Discipline

  Newport Grammar School uses the assertive discipline philosophy.  “Teachers have the right to establish a classroom structure and routine that provides the optimal learning environment.  Teachers have a right to determine and request appropriate behavior from the students that meets teacher needs and encourages the students’ positive social and educational development.  Teachers have a right to teach and students have a right to learn without interference from student disruptions.”

  Consequences ranging from classroom warning, lunch detentions, in-school and out-of school suspensions, alternative placements, corporal punishment, and/or expulsion are used if needed.  Individual teachers determine rewards to encourage good behavior.

Office Referrals/General Rules

  Offenses such as fighting, theft, insubordination, threatening and/or verbal abuse, using vulgar language, defacing or destroying public property, and repeated violation of school rules may be referred to the administration.  Administrators may suspend students, assign alternative school, administer corporal punishment, or assign detention.

  Students are expected to obey the rules and directions that have been set forth by the Board of Education and the administration of NGS.  Corporal punishment, detention, suspension, or expulsion may result from persistent and willful violation of the school rules.  Corporal punishment administered by either a teacher or an administrator will be done in the presence of another staff member. Any parent who requests that his/her child not receive corporal punishment must sign a written form and come to the school to discuss alternative punishment.

  In general, students should (1) follow directions, (2) respect the right, privacy, and property of other, (3) use appropriate language, and (4) stay on task and complete assignments.

Zero Tolerance

  Zero Tolerance must be a serious expression of intent to harm or assault by a “reasonable person” who should have foreseen that actions were harmful.  Age, surrounding circumstances, teacher input, severity of the act, and intent of the action will be considered.  Students shall not make verbal threats, nor shall they commit battery (assault), bully, or commit any violent or sexual act against other students or school staff.  Students may not possess or handle drugs, nor shall they possess, handle, use, or attempt to use any dangerous weapon in school buildings or on school grounds at any time, on any school-sponsored trip, or at any school event.  Students must not use any instruments such as pencils, scissors, razors, or compasses in such a way as to threaten or actually cause harm.

  Such acts may result in assignment to alternative school or suspension by the administration.  Parents and law officials will be notified as required by the legal system.  If a student is found to be guilty after an investigation, appropriate action, such as a one-year expulsion, may be taken.  A student who brings a firearm to school will be referred to the juvenile delinquency system.

Alternative School

  Alternative School is for students who exhibit serious discipline problems.  It is also an option for students who do not conform to the regular classroom setting.  Eligible students are those who engage in disruptive, aggressive behavior in a regular school setting—behavior that occurs frequently and exhibits serious violations of code of conduct and/or other indications of troubling behavior.

Sexual Harassment

  Any form of sexual harassment will not be tolerated.  Sexual harassment is defined as “conduct, advances, gestures, or words of a sexual nature that interfere with a student’s learning environment, or imply that submission to or rejection of such conduct will affect a student’s grades or opportunity to participate in a school activity.”  Such behavior should be reported to the principal who will conduct a thorough and confidential investigation will be made.  The principal will provide information concerning complaint procedures.  If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student may appeal the matter to the Director of Schools and/or the School Board.