We realize that one of the reasons families choose Liza Jackson Preparatory School is the small-school atmosphere. Another is our commitment to partnering with parents to work toward success for all students. We also know that families expect and value appropriate standards of discipline.
First, it’s important to say that the overwhelming majority of our students behave wonderfully! Please don’t think we don’t realize that. Actually, the fact that MOST students behave perfectly is what makes the few who misbehave stand out.
However, there are a few students who tend to become, shall we say, too comfortable? Another few tend to push the limits in small ways, but over and over, with no improvement in behavior. An even smaller number have serious behavior issues.
The bottom line is, all students need to understand expectations and consequences. The teachers, staff and administration have worked to develop a consistent plan to help students monitor their behavior and correct it as needed.
We expect students to be on task and demonstrating behaviors that do not interfere with the learning of others. We know that some students are more active than others. We know some have more difficulty paying attention. We appreciate that students are different. HOWEVER, when a student is disturbing others and/or interrupting instruction, changes have to be made. As the famous quote goes, “one person’s rights end where another’s begin.” LJPS is a school where learning is the mission.
Conduct at lunch, in PE, on the buses, during class change, etc. all have an impact on the atmosphere of the school. We want our students to socialize, visit, talk, and enjoy each other. However, it should be done quietly and without roughhousing, pushing, shoving, etc. These behaviors are not acceptable here. Manners and courtesy are the norm at all times.
It is important for families to know that conduct on the bus is subject to the same discipline as within the school building. The driver’s responsibility is to drive the bus safely. He or she cannot, and should not, be watching every move made by the passengers. The students must be responsible for remaining seated and using the manners and courtesy we expect all day.
Teachers and administrators strive to use a variety of informal disciplinary steps prior to formal disciplinary action. Of course, it must be understood that the type of disciplinary action taken depends greatly upon the offense committed.
In general, procedures outlined in this Code of Student Conduct apply to all students. The Code of Student Conduct contains a list of offenses which are grounds for disciplinary actions, which include:
It should be pointed out that this list is not all-inclusive and, as such, a student committing an act of misconduct not listed above will nevertheless be subject to the discretionary authority of the principal or his/her designee. Certain actions may require the involvement of law enforcement agencies.
LJPS reserves the right to terminate enrollment of students with repeated discipline incidents in accordance with the LJPS Enrollment Agreement.
Liza Jackson uses the Code of Conduct of the Okaloosa District Schools.
To be successful, students need to be able to recognize when they are misbehaving and take steps to control themselves.
When a student chooses to disrupt the learning environment, the teacher will remind and redirect the student. The student is expected to correct his/her behavior at that point. If the problem persists, the teacher or the team of teachers may conference with the student. Following that, the teacher may contact a parent or guardian regarding the problem.
In most cases a student's conduct improves dramatically after the teacher makes a call home. In the event that a student continues to misbehave, the next steps may include a conference between the student and an administrator, a parent-teacher conference, detention, a formal office referral, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, suggestion of alternate school placement, and recommendation for expulsion.
Teachers will record conduct marks for each student. Students with less than satisfactory conduct marks will not be eligible for Honor Roll, Principal’s List, or the ROAR Award. In addition, they may be barred from field trips, extracurricular activities, and other privileges.
Students will begin each marking period with a “clean slate” regarding conduct marks.
For information about formal discipline proceedings, please visit Code of Conduct.