The demerit system is a guide for discipline in the sixth through eighth grades at Tabernacle School. The positive side of discipline is stressed through our Character Counts program. In order to maintain the highest standards of character and academic excellence at all times, the administration expects students to abide by standards of respectfulness and responsibility. Failure to abide by the rules and regulations set forth in the Tabernacle Parent/Student Handbook will result in the issuing of demerits or other disciplinary actions.
The goal of our discipline policy is to keep students accountable for their behavior and to promote an environment of cooperation and learning. A student will receive a demerit for any disrespectful, defiant, or irresponsible behavior. Demerits accrue each school year from the start of August until the end of the school year. If a student receives a demerit then the teacher or administrator issuing the demerit will fill out a behavior report in FACTS and the parents will be notified of the infraction and the number of demerits issued.
Demerits serve as a record of a student’s behavior and a communication tool for parents to aid in the character development of their child. Students will be given various amounts of demerits based on the type and severity of the behavior. Demerits may be given at the discretion of the administration for irregular disciplinary scenarios not covered by the list below. Students can be held responsible for their actions away from campus, and may be asked to withdraw from Tabernacle School at the administration’s request. Demerits may be doubled or otherwise increased for successive violations or when the offense is deliberate and/or defiant.
| Demerits | Punishment |
|---|---|
| 10 | One lunch detention for each 10 demerits earned, served the following school day. |
| 20 | One hour after school Thursday detention (3:00 – 4:00). One week extracurricular suspension. |
| 40 | One day out of school suspension. Parent teacher conference with administration, and will be ineligible to participate in Tabernacle extracurricular activities for the remainder of the season. The student will be ineligible to participate in field trips, including the 6th grade Wolf Mountain trip. |
| 60 | Two day out of school suspension. Immediate disqualification from Tabernacle extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year. Students who reach 60 or more demerits may not be able to re-enroll for the upcoming school year at the discretion of the administration. |
| 80 | Expulsion from school for the remainder of the school year at the discretion of the administration, possible alternative schooling options. |
| Infraction | Demerits |
|---|---|
| Unexcused tardy | 1 |
| Unprepared for class | 1 |
| Leaving books/cinch bags/supplies outside the locker | 1 |
| Dress code violation (double after 2nd offense) | 1 |
| Eating in class | 2 |
| Chewing gum at school | 2 |
| Excessive talking | 2 |
| Passing notes in class or chapel | 2 |
| Running/disruptive behavior in halls | 2 |
| Loitering/wandering | 2 |
| Distruptive behavior | 2 |
| Disrepectful behavior | 3 |
| Defiance of authority | 3 |
| Dishonesty | 3 |
| Leaving class without permission | 3 |
| Cell phone usage | 3 |
| Violation of electronic use policy | 3 |
| Public display of affection | 3 |
| Violation of locker contract | 3 |
| Cheating or appearance of cheating | 3-10 |
| Plagiariasm/forgery | 5-10 |
| Innapropriate language | 5-10 |
| Taunting/teasing | 5-10 |
| Slander/gossip | 5-10 |
| Obscene jokes | 5-10 |
| Hurting another student | 5-20 |
| Vandalism | 10 |
| Sharing passwords | 10 |
| Stealing | 20 |
| Fighting (initiation or participating) | 20-40 |
| Sexual harassment | 20-40 |
| Verbal harassment | 20-40 |
| Possession of firework, matches, lighters, pocket knife | 20-40 |
| Possession of pornography | 40 |
| Possession of weapon on campus | Expulsion |
| Possession or distribution of drugs or paraphenalia | Expulsion |