Discipline Philosophy

HKIS Middle School is a community that encourages self-discipline, respect for oneself and the rights of others, and taking responsibility for one’s actions and behaviors. It is the goal of the Middle School to nurture and educate students so that they make thoughtful decisions and reflect on the possible consequences of their actions. Our aim is to work with students and parents to support personal and social development.

The aim of the discipline policy is to facilitate a positive school climate where each student feels safe and secure and effective learning can take place. The discipline policy provides a framework of progressive discipline. Our discipline policy has been inspired by the work of Alfie Kohn and our goal is for students to reason through their actions, take ownership for what they have done, and then work towards restorative justice. Therefore, when students break rules, we take them through a process that involves them articulating how their actions violated our core values, and they then create a reflection and (possibly) a Values Learning Plan explaining how they will make amends and may engage in the restorative justice process as appropriate. The student will complete the Values Learning Plan with the help and supervision of some or all of the following people: the Associate Principal or Principal, the counselor, and the student’s PCG teacher.

Category 1
These are the day-to-day reminders or warnings to students to be safe or to act respectfully in accordance with our Middle School Common Agreements. This category represents the vast majority of disciplinary incidents.
Examples (not limited) of incidentsPossible Actions

Disrespectful/Disruptive/Unsafe behaviors

  • Dress code violation
  • Tardiness
  • Classroom misbehavior
  • Disrespect towards an individual
  • Inappropriate language
  • Inappropriate elevator use
  • Participation in an unsafe act (ex; throwing an object)
  • Inappropriate use of an electronic device
  • Use of an inappropriate website during school hours
  • Usage of a mobile phone during school hours

Reflective conversations and documentation

  • Verbal reminder
  • Student Behavior Reflection

Partnerships

  • Inclusion of PCG teacher
  • Inclusion of Counselor
  • Parent contact (email/phone)

Loss of privilege

  • Removal from class or activity
  • Mobile phones sent to MS Office
Category 2
This category represents repeated or severe Category 1 incidents or those affecting student learning. These incidents will be referred to the Middle School Leadership Team.
Examples (not limited) of incidentsPossible Actions

Repeated or extreme incidents of Category 1

Disrespectful/Disruptive/Unsafe behaviors

  • Skipping class or hiding during school hours
  • Accessing another student’s locker, belongings, or bagwithout permission
  • Vandalism
  • Bullying and cyberbullying
  • Inappropriate physical contact or rough housing
  • Harassment (physical, sexual, digital, verbal)
  • Identity harming language use

Reflective conversations and documentation

  • Student Behavior Reflection
  • PowerSchool discipline log entry
  • Values Learning Plan completion

Partnerships

  • Referral to administrator
  • Inclusion of Counselor
  • Parent contact and/or meeting

Loss of privilege

  • Removal from class or activity
  • In-school suspension
  • Out-of-school suspension
  • Removal from Athletics and Activities
  • Removal from school leadership positions
Category 3
This category represents the most serious discipline cases. These cases are those that threaten the safety of self or others, violations of Honor and Integrity Codes, and repeated Category 2 Incidents.
Examples of incidentsPossible Actions

Repeated or extreme incidents of Category 2

Disrespectful/Disruptive/Unsafe Behavior

  • Physical violence
  • Academic Integrity
  • Weapons
  • Leaving campus during school hours
  • Theft
  • Smoking, vaping, using nicotine-delivering devices, using drugs or alcohol
  • Sexting: sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs or images on a digital device
  • Technology infractions such as hacking, identity theft, and using illegal websites

Reflective conversations and documentation

  • PowerSchool discipline log entry
  • Values Learning Plan completion

Partnerships

  • Referral to administrator
  • Inclusion of counselors
  • Parent contact
  • Faculty communication
  • Outside referrals

Loss of privilege

  • Removal from class or activity
  • In-school suspension
  • Out-of-school suspension
  • Academic/Behavior probation
  • Conditional enrolment status
  • Removal from Athletics and Activities
  • Removal from school leadership positions

Note:

Given repeated offenses or in an extreme case that threatens the safety of self or others, a student may be removed or asked to withdraw from the HKIS program.