Discipline Policy

THE DGS DISCIPLINE POLICY: 

Discipline is the way we conduct ourselves in all situations. The discipline of any school is a joint effort across the school, involving all adults and covers all situations. A discipline policy informs all, young and old alike, what is acceptable behavior and when we don’t conform to the Schools discipline policy – the consequences thereof.

A Discipline Policy ensures a peaceful and non-disruptive environment which allows the School community to pursue their goal of teaching and learning to the maximum.

BEYOND CLASSROOM & BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Students are normally well behaved and conform to the instructions that are given to them from time to time. However, there are times when their behaviour exceeds the normal pattern and everyday methods do not work. Staff use a variety of classroom and behaviour management strategies to overcome these difficulties. Sometimes, it becomes necessary for additional action to be taken.

In a School with a large number of students and teachers, there are many individual instances of disciplinary action being taken and it is therefore essential that with so many adults involved, it is necessary to develop a broad framework so that everybody is on the same page. The Schools Discipline Policy must put everybody on the same page and the salient features of such a policy must be as follows:

1. It must be practiced right across the School by every adult on campus.
2. There must be consistency in approach.
3. There must be fairness of consequences.
4. It must be graded and escalation only where necessary.
5. The benefit of doubt must be given to the student every time.
6. It must conform to the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, ratified by Govt. of India.
7. It must conform to the Juvenile Justice Act.
8. It must be within the framework/recommendations of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme under the aegis of the State Commission for Protection of Childs Rights – Uttarakhand

These disciplinary actions would depend on individual situations so that the Schools response to the student is appropriate. The possible consequences could be:

1. Counselling of the student, by Subject/Class teacher.
2. Removal of the student from the situation, or removal from location.
3. Verbal warning.
4. Student being referred to the Section Head/Principal, as the case may be.
5. Parent being notified and organising a meeting with the parent and the teachers.
6. Loss of certain privileges if the student is a Boarder.
7. Issuing of a Yellow Card.
8. Fines or making good the loss.
9. Letter of apology from student(s).
10. Letter of apology from Parent, depending upon circumstances.
11. In School suspension or Out of School suspension.
12. Temporary or Permanent Expulsion.

DESCRIPTION OF EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR AND ACCEPTABLE CONDUCT

1. GENERAL
a. Students are expected not to carry cash with them irrespective of whether
they are Day Scholars or Boarders. Day Scholars who commute by
themselves are permitted to carry cash by way of the bus/rickshaw etc.
fare.
b. Further, no Credit/Debit cards are permitted to be carried in School. We do understand that some of our Boarders come from far and have long journeys to and from School. As such, and due to other logistical reasons, they might need such instruments, to enable them procure certain services during their journeys. In such cases, Boarders must deposit all such Cards with the Administration Department and take a receipt for the same. Cash may be deposited in their Imprest Accounts.
c. Students are permitted to bring permitted eatables to School for their personal consumption. These eatables are to be consumed only in the Recess. All junk food like wafers, kurkure, etc. are not permitted.

2. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOUR
Students are expected to listen and follow all teacher directions with reference to Classwork, Homework, Class decorum, Discipline within the class.

3. BEHAVIOUR IN THE CORRIDORS
Students must walk quietly in an orderly fashion through the corridors. This norm will be respected during the normal school day and with consideration for other students who may be working in their respective classes.

4. BEHAVIOUR IN THE WASHROOMS Male students must use the Boys washroom/toilets, and Female students must only use the Girls washroom/toilets. Students are expected to respect the rights of others and act responsibly in Washrooms/Toilets. Any misuse of water, soap, defacing of washroom walls, and the like, constitutes destruction of property. Class text and exercise books or any study material is not to be kept in the
washroom.

5. BEHAVIOUR IN THE ANNAPURNA DINING HALL
The Annapurna Dining Hall should be a safe, comfortable, and clean environment where all interactions between students and adults are respectful. Students are expected to follow directions the first time they are given. They must keep voices low while enjoying their meals, keep their eating space clean, practice good eating etiquette/manners and put away their plates and spoons as per established practice. Wastage of food should be consciously avoided. Matters pertaining to the menu/food served may be taken up in the Dining Hall Committee.

6. BEHAVIOUR IN THE BOARDING HOUSE
The Boarding House is a home away from home and all students are expected to behave cordially and in a supporting manner with each other. Students must
follow the Boarding schedule in practice. The Safety, Health and Hygiene of all students is paramount and bathing and regular laundry are daily habits. Students are expected to welcome and take care of all newcomers and make them feel at home. Boarders will adhere to the ‘What to bring List’ and all materials found to this exclusion will be confiscated, reported to Parents and action taken as appropriate.

7. RULES AND REGULATIONS WHILE USING SCHOOL TRANSPORT
a. Students are required to adhere to the school transportation rules and regulations strictly. They must conduct themselves in a proper fashion for the smooth and safe transportation for each and every student.
b. They should abide by the following rules:
c. Students should keep seated at their designated seats during the entire trip and should not get up while the vehicle is in motion.
d. Students should refrain from any aggressive behaviour which leads to fighting or use of abusive language during transportation. They can register their complaints to the Staff on the bus which will be addressed in a just manner by the School.
e. During transportation instructions by Staff have to be followed without fail

f. No littering of any kind is allowed in the bus.
g. Vandalism of all kinds are strictly prohibited in the bus.
h. Students are not permitted to extend any part of their body outside the bus.
i. Students are not permitted to shout, gesticulate or be rude with anybody outside the bus – on ground, or in a vehicle of any type.
j. Bullying of any kind is strictly prohibited on the School bus or at the pickup and drop locations

8. BEHAVIOUR DURING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES/FIELD TRIPS/ANY MOVEMENT OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner during school activities, programmes, field trips or on medical visits. They must remember that they represent their School and their families.

9. STUDENTS USING THEIR OWN CONVEYANCE
Students using their own conveyance must ensure that they follow the law strictly in terms of having a valid driving licence where necessary and always wearing a helmet where mandated.

10.LATE COMING, LOITERING & LEAVING SCHOOL
a. Students must be on time for school and in their classrooms as per the timetable in force. Students are to remain in their Classrooms/ Labs/Activity Rooms as per their timetable and should not be found loitering without permission. Those using School transport must reach their buses on time. Some students who have permission to leave early must have a signed Gate Pass which is to be handed over to the Security guard at the Main gate. The authorized signatory on the Gate Pass will be the Class Teacher and in the absence of the Class Teacher it will be the Principal/Vice Principal.
b. Students will only be permitted to enter the School 30 minutes before the start of School.