Section 1: Introduction

The goal of discipline is to help a student develop inner controls so that he/she may move toward appropriate social behavior. Our Schools seek to foster acceptable behavior among students, and to help them develop self-control through positive guidance and the application of simple rules that they can easily understand. Our procedures for disciplining students are designed to help them develop safe and satisfying personal relationships and a healthy self-image.

For the development of good disposition and responsible behavior, parents are expected to work closely with their children. It is good to teach them to say Assalamu Alaikum to greet adults and friends. Paying due respect to elders and teachers, keeping one’s area neat and tidy, taking care of textbooks and personal belongings are also important. Students are expected to observe the etiquette of silence and worship during wudu and prayer. Moreover, younger students must practice the proper way to use restroom by sitting down to use the toilet and flush afterwards. Such positive behaviors will be reinforced at School through practice at home.

Section 2: Policies and information: Maxims of Discipline

• Positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior. At Everest Academy, we believe that it is better to congratulate children for doing something well and thus encourage them to repeat the behavior; than to wait for them to error and then punish for doing something wrong.
• Creative Interaction: We seek to avoid potential conflicts by providing variety of interesting activities to our students at suitable intervals to keep them engaged.
• Individual Attention: Our teachers strive to provide care and instruction to each student based on the student’s unique strengths and needs.
• Firm, Quiet Discipline: Children are guided calmly towards desirable behavior.
• Responsibility: From an early age, children can begin to learn responsibility by picking up after themselves and managing their belongings. At our schools, children are encouraged to take pride in simple accomplishments like putting something in the trash or putting their material back on the shelf.
• Redirection: Children with undesirable behavior are calmly redirected towards activities that enable them to engage in more desirable and socially acceptable behavior.
• Positive guidance: We seek to recognize and work with each child’s unique character and physical traits to accomplish immediate and long term social, emotional, and academic goals.
• Modeling: We seek to teach appropriate behavior by good examples.
• Positive phrasing: Our educators strive to put their comments in a positive rather than a negative phrase.

Section 3: Inappropriate Conduct

Any conduct that goes against the basic Islamic ethical codes will be considered inappropriate. Failure to comply with the School dress code, possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any object that threatens to inflict bodily injury will be considered serious offenses. Using profanity, vulgar language or making obscene gestures to fellow students, teachers or staff, committing theft or damaging school property, engaging in name calling, ethnic or social slurs, or using indecent, immoral language are some other examples of serious offenses.

Other undesirable conduct include: fighting; running and/or making excessive noise in the building and/or classroom; refusing to obey the teacher’s instructions; refusing to participate in classroom activities; chewing gum; eating or drinking in non-designated areas; not bringing the required classroom materials and/or assigned work to class; cafeteria misconduct (like misuse of food); cheating and/or copying the work of other students; chronic class tardiness; unauthorized leaving of classroom and/or building; disrespectful or discourteous general behavior or any other misconduct which may interfere with the orderly education process.

Section 4: Corrective Measures

It is our goal to provide a safe and positive educational environment to all our students. Students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner in respecting others rights and respecting school property. School administration, teachers, and parents are responsible for ensuring that their children follow school rules. It is the responsibility of the Principal and teachers to take corrective action for any inappropriate behavior, particularly if it deprives other students of their right to a healthy and safe environment.

Many discipline problems are avoided by the use of developmentally appropriate activities, environments, and teaching methods. Positive re-enforcement of appropriate behavior, redirection, decision-making strategies, and peaceful resolution of conflicts will be practiced.

To counteract undesirable behavior, no use of physical punishment or harsh language that might frighten or humiliate children will be used. Actions that might hurt other people or damage equipment are not allowed. On occasion, it may be necessary for a child to be removed from the group for a short 'quiet time' where the child can regain control, and rejoin the group when the child feels he/she is ready. At no time, however, will a child being disciplined be left unattended by a member of the teaching staff. No punishment will be associated with toileting accidents or failure to sleep or eat.

Everest Academy will make every effort to work with the family and student when there are ongoing or severe behavioral challenges by meeting with the parents and if appropriate, child development specialists. We, as a team, will develop a plan for working with the student at school and at home. In order for any behavior modification plan to be effective, parent cooperation and participation is essential and therefore expected. In some instances we may ask the parent to pick up the child early or come to the school to be with their child for a short time. In the extremely rare case that all efforts have been exhausted; and dangerous, threatening, or extremely disruptive behavior still exists, or cooperation has not been shown on the part of the parent(s), Everest Academy administration reserves the right to remove the child from school either temporarily or permanently, based on their professional judgment.

Section 5: Disciplinary Interventions

Each student is part of the total school community and will be expected to display behaviors respectful of the community. Teachers will instruct and students will learn in an environment free of disruption. Disciplinary interventions will be progressive in nature. The following steps will be utilized to address identified inappropriate behaviors. The severity of the behavior will determine which level of intervention a student will enter. Procedures are designed to promote positive behavior with emphasis on clear expectations. Interventions at Level I and II will generally be handled by the child's teacher. The building principal will generally become involved when a student reaches Level III. However, both teachers and the principal may become involved at any level. Examples of inappropriate behavior are listed under some of the steps below.