GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING DISCIPLINE

We believe that God has delegated authority to parents, pastors, and teachers to “train the child in the way he should go”, and that the child should render proper respect and obedience to God-given leadership.

When parents enroll their children in Fellowship Christian Academy, they give permission to the school to discipline their child, when and if it is deemed necessary. This discipline is always administered with firmness, but tempered with love, according to God’s instructions as recorded in His word.*

• “Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope; if you don’t you will ruin him.” Proverbs 19:18
  
• “You children must always obey your mothers and fathers, for that pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20
  
• “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
  
• “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those whom He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” Hebrews 12:5,6

When imposing discipline, FCA personnel shall adhere to the following general guidelines:

• Discipline shall be administered when necessary to protect students, school employees or property or to maintain order and discipline.
  
• Students shall be treated fairly and equitably.
• Discipline shall be based on a careful assessment of the circumstances of each case.

PRESCHOOL CHILDREN (five years and under): Each teacher shall be responsible for the complete discipline in the classroom. Mild forms of discipline shall be used such as simply calling the child’s name, and/or separating the child briefly from the group.

KINDERGARTEN AND UP: Each teacher shall be responsible for the complete discipline in the classroom. In the event stronger disciplinary action must be taken, the following guidelines shall apply:

• Withdrawal of privileges.
  
• Counseling by principal.
  
• Parent/Teacher conferences by telephone or in person.
  
• Expulsion of student.
  

It is not FCA policy to permit any physical or corporal punishment. If such a serious action must be taken, an immediate conference will be called with a parent, the teacher, and the Director of the school. Any physical punishment will be at the discretion of the parent.