Please use this form to communicate with teachers anything regarding social and mental wellness. We want to make sure your voice is heard and that there is follow-up with any concerns you may have. We also want to know who is making a difference in a Christ-like way!
Discipline Policy
The privilege of attending St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School carries with it the responsibility to maintain standards designed to ensure acceptable student behavior at all times. The following set of general behavior expectations for students will help maintain a Christian environment in which there can be quality teaching and learning.
STA HONOR CODE
S - Stewardship- Students will thank God for their many blessings by practicing the virtues and modeling their behavior after the Saints.
T - True Sense of Belonging- Students will help build a welcoming community by being a reflection of Jesus Christ with their words and actions.
A - Academics- Each student will work to their fullest potential while being provided the support and resources needed to be successful in school.
School Discipline System
School discipline refers to the rules and procedures applied in school to manage student behavior. Students are encouraged to practice self-discipline by taking ownership for their behaviors and practicing restoration for any harm caused. It is imperative to have parental support when teaching our students the value of practicing the virtues of obedience and respect.
Positive Rewards and Meaningful Consequences
Positive rewards and meaningful consequences are systematically awarded at each grade level with consistency in verbiage and behavior expectations. In addition to intrinsic rewards and motivators, positive rewards may include recognition, compliments, a note or phone call from the teacher or principal, earning Virtue VIPs, perks, stickers, candy on occasion, helper privileges, and occasional extra recess or class parties. Students in 5th through 8th grades will be rewarded at least once per quarter for having no demerits on their cards.
Other meaningful consequences will be administered based on a student’s grade level and the severity of the behavior to be addressed. The behaviors and actions listed below under Demerit Incidents, Detention Behaviors and Major Violations generally are for the 5th-8th grades, but students of all ages have similar behavior expectations. Any Detention Behavior may result in an automatic detention, regardless of grade level. Any Major Violation may result in a detention, suspension or expulsion, regardless of grade level. The Administration reserves the right to adjust the consequences of any behavior based on the needs of the student(s) involved and the best interests of the school overall.
PK-4th Grade
Teachers in PK-4th grade classrooms will have primarily a positive based system for classroom behavior. Each classroom will have age-appropriate rules and expectations. Consequences for misbehaviors in the lower grades may include walking during recess, parent notification, think sheets, and writing notes of apology. Please consult with the teacher for specific classroom expectations.
5-8th Grade
The demerit card is introduced during the 5th grade transitional year and utilized throughout middle school. This plan increases student responsibility for behavior. Demerits accumulate by the quarter for the 5th through 7th grades and by the semester for 8th grade.
Emergency Restraint and Seclusion
The Catholic Diocese of Wichita is committed to limiting the use of Emergency Safety Interventions (“ESI”), such as seclusion and restraint, with all students. Seclusion and restraint shall be used only when a student's conduct necessitates the use of an emergency safety intervention as defined below. The CSO encourages all employees to utilize other behavioral management tools, including prevention techniques, de-escalation techniques, and positive behavioral intervention strategies. To read the CSO's full policy, please click here.