BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

Students will receive specific classroom guidelines for behavior and disciplinary actions from their teachers.  An overview of Union Academy’s official policy is as follows:

Union Academy believes in a proactive approach to behavior management that demonstrates a commitment to the value of each student.  That approach begins with the formal UA Character Education Program and is defined in our original Behavior Management Plan.  The UA Character Education Program identifies eight positive character traits that guide us into appropriate actions and interactions.  It is our firm belief that all inappropriate behavior can be related back to one or more of these formal Character Traits.  The traits may be used as a frame of reference for reflection and to determine alternate, more positive actions and attitudes.  Students, teachers, and parents are asked to learn these traits and to live by our motto: At Union Academy, we do the right thing even when no one is looking.   Students are recognized on an ongoing basis and at monthly assemblies for displaying one or more of these traits.  Our approach is designed to give all stakeholders in the school community a solid and common frame of reference from which to operate.

The Character Code at Union Academy requires that all students and their parents, as a requirement for continuing enrollment at Union Academy, agree to abide by the formal character traits, the school motto, and the policies as outlined in this document.

Union Academy abides by all State policies and laws as they apply to the rights of minors and the rights of minors to have access to education in a public school.  In addition, Union Academy abides by all state policies and laws with respect to students who qualify for Exceptional Children’s services in an inclusion classroom model.    

At Union Academy, we expect our students:

• To be in school and in class on time with the appropriate materials, and with all assignments completed for class.  (Anytime a child is absent or tardy from class, he or she misses something valuable.  It is not possible to re-create the classroom or learning environment from a given day.)
• To demonstrate responsible and respectful behavior at all times toward all people, as defined by UA’s eight character traits.  (Only in an environment of respect and trust can learning be maximized.)
• To be positive and participating members in each and every classroom.  (In fact, we expect each student, with his own presence and behavior, to make the classroom environment a better place for learning.)

Our expectations are high at Union Academy because that is part of our original charter mission and because such an environment promotes a greater sense of accomplishment.  Our general rule is that any behavior contrary to our three basic expectations for positive behavior is unacceptable.  Thus, such a contrary behavior would result in a consequence or punishment.  These consequences include but are not limited to time outs, silent lunch, removal of the student from recess and play time, after-school detention, Saturday morning work sessions, separation from the classroom environment, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspension.  Of course, the consequences for misbehavior will vary from our Lower School to our Middle/High School in conjunction with the age and developmental stage of the child.  Administrators shall use their discretion in dealing with all specific behavior that violates the principles set forth in this policy.

Some of the behaviors that are prohibited and carry specific consequences are listed below in this policy.

1^st violation:  On the first violation, the teacher or school employee will warn the student.  

2^nd violation:  In the case of a second violation, the teacher will take specific action, to include separating the child, if necessary, from the classroom setting under the supervision of an adult employee.  The teacher, an administrator, or the counselor will discuss the appropriate character trait with the student and counsel the student toward alternate behaviors -- generally this discussion will occur in private.  An age-appropriate consequence will follow, and the parent(s) will be contacted.  Appropriate consequences in Lower School include time outs, silent lunch, and the removal of the child from recess and play time.  Appropriate consequences in Upper School include silent lunches, after-school detention, Saturday morning work session, and separation from the classroom environment.  In all cases, the appropriate consequence will be decided by the teacher.

3^rd violation:  A third violation will result in a period of in-school suspension at the Lower School and either Saturday morning work session or in-school suspension in the Upper School.  A parent conference will be required.  A plan or strategy of correction will be developed.  Out-of-school suspension will be at the discretion of the Headmaster or the administrator in charge.

1^st violation:  A single incident of swearing or the use of obscene or vulgar language, derogatory comments, racial slurs, aggressive physical contact, or threats and intimidation will be considered as grounds for in-school or out-of-school suspension.  As a minimum, the student will be removed from class, parents will be contacted, and an appropriate consequence will be assigned, with consideration to the age or grade level of the child.  Either in-school or out–of-school suspension may be recommended.

2^nd violation:  A second violation will result in immediate removal of the child from class, parental contact, and a period of one to three days of in-school or out-of-school suspension.  Alternate consequences may be considered for younger children.  Apologies will be required for any action of disrespect.  A parent conference will be required.  A plan or strategy of correction will be developed.

3^rd violation:  A third violation will result in out-of-school suspension of up to ten days and a parent conference.  Expulsion may be recommended. 

1^st violation:  In the Middle or High School, a single incident of cheating, stealing, or dishonesty will be grounds for in-school suspension of one to three days.  The teacher or an administrator will discuss the inappropriate behavior with the student and counsel the student toward alternate behaviors - generally this discussion will occur in private.  Parents will be contacted.  In all cases, an appropriate consequence, in line with the child’s age and grade level, will result.

2^nd violation:  A second violation will result in in-school or out-of-school suspension of up to ten days.  A parent conference will be required.  A strategy of correction will be developed.  (Alternate consequences may be considered for younger children.)

3^rd violation:  A third violation will result in three to ten days of out-of-school suspension or a recommendation for expulsion.  (Alternate consequences may be considered for younger children.)

Cheating is defined as using outside assistance from other people or sources on any evaluated work (unless approved in advance by the teacher), whether that work is an assignment, test, project, or quiz.  Cheating involves also the misrepresentation of work that is not one’s own, in part or in full.  In the Middle/High School, cheating will result in a grade of “0” on the evaluated material. 

Stealing includes taking or being in possession of any item without the permission of the owner of that item.  Restitution will be required in cases of theft or stealing. 

Dishonesty includes any misrepresentation of the truth or failure to tell the whole truth.   

• Vandalism, Defacement, and Destruction of Property

1^st violation:  A single incident of destruction of property, whether that property belongs to the school or to other individuals, may result in a period of in-school or out of school suspension of one to three days or a Saturday morning work detail, dependent upon the circumstances.  (Alternate consequences will be considered for younger children.)  Clean up and restitution will be required in all cases.

Second violation:  A second violation will result in a period of three to ten days of out-of-school suspension.  (Alternate consequences will be considered for younger children.)  Clean up and restitution will be required in all cases.

Third violation:  A third violation will result in three to ten days of out-of-school suspension or a recommendation for expulsion.  Clean up and restitution will be required in all cases.

In all cases of vandalism, defacement, and destruction of property, criminal charges may also result.

Suspension and Expulsion from School

When a student is suspended from school, whether in-school or out-of-school suspension, that student will lose credit for any work due during that time, with no right to make up work.  Out-of-school suspension is at the discretion of the Headmaster.

The following behaviors are grounds for expulsion or long term suspension from Union Academy:

• Possession of a weapon or weapons on school grounds or at any school event:  School grounds include parking lots; possession is defined as having the weapon on the person or inside a bag, auto, or other possession of the student.
• Possession or being under the influence of illicit, illegal, or counterfeit drugs on school grounds or at any school event:  school grounds include parking lots; possession is defined as having the substance on the person or inside a bag, auto, or other possession of the student.
• Bomb threats or other threats (including physical actions) to kill or seriously harm other individuals or groups of individuals.
• Any behavior that presents a threat of danger to the safety of the school, its students, its staff, or visitors.

Parent and Student Rights to Hearings in Cases of Expulsion/Dismissals

A hearing with the Headmaster, parents, and other representatives of the Academy will occur in the case of an expulsion or long-term suspension of more than ten days.  Following that meeting, parents may request a formal Union Academy Board hearing.  That request should be in writing and directed to the Headmaster, and should include reasons why the child should not be expelled from the Academy.  All hearings are closed, confidential sessions.

DETAILS OF EACH BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

RESPONSE ARE CONFIDENTIAL