It can also be true for actions that are unrelated to school events and occur off campus. Cathedral does not monitor the private, off-campus actions of our students. There are occasions, however, when off-campus behavior (such as the inappropriate use of social media) undermines school relationships, compromises the health or safety of a Cathedral student, or is at odds with the values of the School. Typically, when such actions come to our attention, we will notify the parents of the boy or boys involved. It is our expectation that our parents will work with their sons, the school, and other parents to deal appropriately in responding to the behavior. However, there may be occasions when off-campus actions do necessitate a disciplinary response from the school, and we reserve the right to act on such occasions. Finally, a healthy partnership between the School and parents is essential in helping our boys grow and develop. This partnership begins with open and honest communication, as well as the assumption of goodwill of all parties. It is important for our students to see the School, parents, and faculty all working together for the good of our students and our school. Disciplinary Procedure In order to uphold Cathedral School’s expectations by clearly articulating all that we stand for, it is also helpful to outline certain behaviors that the School finds particularly serious. These behaviors include: bullying, verbal abuse, harassment, physical abuse, vilification or retaliation, dishonesty, possession of weapons, possession of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs (and knowingly being in the presence of those who possess these items), and unsafe or reckless behavior. While we recognize that all situations are unique and thus necessitate different responses from the School, we believe that discipline starts with the classroom teachers. If a pattern of behavior develops with a student and requires additional attention, the School will contact the parents or guardians to outline the School’s response. Our response is often developed with input from the teachers, the student’s advisor, the Division Director, and if necessary, the school counselor and/or the Headmaster. The School’s response may include the loss of privileges (recess, athletic participation, computer privileges, trips, after-care), in-school or out-of-school suspension, the creation of a behavior contract, counseling, outside professional evaluation, behavioral probation, and/or expulsion. In the Lower School, most disciplinary issues are handled directly by the classroom teacher. If patterns of behavior develop, teachers will communicate directly with parents and guardians to problem-solve ways in which they can support the student in improving his conduct. There may be an occasion when a student needs to meet with the Division Director. The Division Director will contact parents and guard- ians if the visit is the result of repeated behavior, if the action is severe in nature, or if he/she deems it necessary to involve families. The Upper School uses a process of disciplinary slips that are designed to communicate behavioral shortcomings to students, parents, and faculty advisors. Typically, disciplinary slips are issued on the day of the infraction, but no more than 24 hours after the infraction occurs. The faculty member issuing the slip will meet with the boy to discuss the infraction and the consequences outlined in the disci- plinary slip. If a boy receives a disciplinary slip, the boy’s parents will be notified and asked to acknowl- edge the disciplinary slip by either e- mailing the Division Director or by signing the slip and returning it to the Division Director the following day.
CSB 2017–2018 handbook | 15
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