GENERAL CONDUCT

Students of SCHOLA DE VITA should act and behave in ways that speak of a worthy member of the S.D.V. family. Whether inside or outside the campus, their conduct should reflect an appropriate behavior that truly speaks of a person who lives a good moral life, cooperative and service oriented and who lends himself/herself for imitation because of his/her good manners.

CONDUCT GRADE

The conduct grade is the average grade of the student (taken from the grades) given by his/her respective subject teachers.

RULES ON SUSPENSION OF CLASSES
Department of Education Order No. 28, s 2005

Classes as indicated below shall be automatically suspended with or without prior announcement in the following situations:

• When signal No. 1 is raised by PAG-ASA, classes at the Preschool level shall be automatically suspended.
• When Signal No. 2 is raised by PAG-ASA, classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels shall be automatically suspended.
• If the suspension of classes is made when classes are already in progress, only the intermediate and high school students will be sent home. The pupils in the primary level will be allowed to go home only when fetched by their parents, guardians or elder brother or sister.
• If the suspension of classes falls on examination days, e.g. on the first day, the second day exam schedule shall be followed on the resumption of classes and so on and so forth. The first day schedule of exam will be administered as rescheduled. This system will also be followed if suspension of classes happens on the second day.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

• Verbal and Written Warning: The attention of the student will be called due to some minor offenses or transgression of school rules.
• Conference/Detention: The Academic Coordinator/Guidance Counselor will conduct a conference and pull out the student from his/her class for counseling.
• Suspension: The student will not be allowed to join classes for specified days.
• Dismissal: the final exclusion of the student from the school. It is the ultimate sanction and is only resorted to in very extreme cases of disciplinary problems.

PARENTS AS NECESSARY PARTNERS

• The parent as school partner is required to:
  
  • Check the Google classroom for requirements in every subject.
  • Read and submit reply slips of bulletin.
  • Inform the teacher if the student will be late or absent.
  • Seek for appointment with the teacher or Academic Coordinator when such a need arises. Teachers are not allowed to confront the teacher during class hours.
• B. The School on the other hand will:
  
  • Deliver quality education
  • Treat the child/student with love and respect.
  • Communicate with parents as often as possible.

PERSONS IN AUTHORITY

All School Officials, Teachers and other employees are persons in authority who are to enforce the school’s policies and rules of discipline.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY OF SCHOLA DE VITA

Prefatory Statement

The school values a healthy and peaceful educational environment. All members of the Schola de Vita community, which includes students, parents and guardians, and the community members should be made aware of the negative effects that bullying can have on victims and the school in general, and should work towards ensuring that students can work in an environment without fear. The school will do whatever is reasonably necessary and possible within its authority to eradicate bullying in all its forms. The school takes a strong stance against bullying. Bullying is unacceptable in our school and will not be tolerated.

Be informed that cases that will be addressed must be formally reported to the school authorities such as the child’s adviser, the Elementary or High School Coordinator, the Academic Coordinator, and the Directress / President. This Disciplinary Committee must be given ample time for investigation and this involves the participation of the school’s legal department. We request for parents’ cooperation, since the school and the parents are on the same page in making sure that the school environment is safe and healthy for all students. Please be informed of the following:

I. Preliminary Provisions

Section 1. Legal Basis.

This policy is adopted in compliance with Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the “Anti-Bullying Act of 2013”.

Section 2. Scope and Coverage.

This policy applies to the Kindergarten, Elementary, and High School programs at the SCHOLA DE VITA hereafter referred to as the “School”.

Section 3. The following shall be the parties and/or stakeholders in bullying incidents:

• Bully – refers to a student who commits any of the acts of bullying as defined in R.A. No. 10627, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and this Policy. This term also includes a student who participates in any of the acts of bullying by supporting or aiding the commission thereof.
• Bystander – refers to any student who witnesses or has personal knowledge of any actual or perceived acts or incidents of bullying or retaliation as defined by R.A. No. 10627, its IRR, and this Policy. Bystanders include the silent majority of students who witness bullying but are unable to do something because of fear; and those who try to stop bullying by defending the victim or reporting the incident.
• Bullied or Victim – refers to any student who experiences the acts of bullying or retaliation as defined by R.A. No. 10627, its IRR, and this Policy.
• Parent or Guardian – refers to the parent or guardian, of either the bully or victim, or other students involved in the bullying incident, on record with the School.
• School – refers to SCHOLA DE VITA
• School Personnel – refers to all staff and employees of the School; regardless of rank or status; whether classified as academic, academic-support, or non- academic; and whether full-time or part-time; and whether probationary, contractual, or regular.
• Service Providers – refers to outsourced personnel of the school, which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, maintenance and security, coaches, trainors, and drivers and staff of accredited transport or bus services.

II. Prohibition on Bullying

Section 4. Statement of Policy.

The School as a matter of policy prohibits bullying in all its forms, regardless of the means, place and time of its commission.

Section 5. Definition of Bullying.

The School adheres to the definition of bullying including the different forms, as provided in the IRR of R.A. No. 10627, which provides:

“Bullying” refers to any severe, or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of another student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school; such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Any unwanted physical contact between the bully and the victim like punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting and the use of available objects as weapons;
• Any act that causes damage to a victim’s psyche and/or emotional wellbeing;
• Any slanderous statement or accusation that causes the victim undue emotional distress like directing foul language or profanity at the target, name-calling, tormenting and commenting negatively on victim’s looks, clothes and body;
• “Cyber- bullying” or any bullying done through the use of technology or any electronic means. The term shall also include any conduct resulting to harassment, intimidation, or humiliation, through the use of other forms of technology, such as, but not limited to texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social media, online games, or other platforms or formats as defined in DepED Order No. 40, s. 2012.

Section 6. Other Forms of Bullying.

The term “bullying” shall also include:
• “Social bullying” – refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt others or to belittle another individual or group;
• “Gender-based bullying” – refers to any act that humiliates or excludes a person on the basis of perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI);
• Retaliation against a student who reports bullying, who provides information during an investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying; and
• All other forms of bullying analogous to those provided under the Anti-Bullying Law and its IRR.

Section 7. Common Forms of Bullying.

The common forms of bullying shall include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:
• Calling names with the express purpose of humiliating, embarrassing a student, or otherwise cause trouble.
• Rudeness and Intimidation. These may be done through unwanted physical acts but may also be carried through non-verbal means. A mean look or stare is an example of a non-verbal bullying.
• Threats and extortion. Creating fear and extorting money, food or possessions from other students. Threatening texts or messages in chat rooms and social media sites are included in this form.
• Malicious gossip and exclusion from the group. Circulating gossip or damaging stories that tends to discriminate, exclude, and hate another student.

Section 8. Fair and equal treatment of bullying incidents.

The School shall address each and every bullying incident fairly and equally. All forms of bullying should be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.

Section 9. Status of Bullying.

The School has the authority to impose school discipline to its students including this Policy. This authority of the School is not confined within the School premises. The School particularly undertakes to prevent and address bullying committed at the following:
• On Campus. School Grounds including classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, canteen, faculty rooms, auditorium, gymnasium, computer rooms, laboratories, and all places and facilities within the campus.
  
  • properties immediately adjacent to School grounds including places or establishments frequented by our students;
  • any other place where school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs are conducted;
  • School bus stops;
  • School service, buses, or transport used by the School in an activity off-campus; and
  • School buses or School services operated or accredited by the School to transport students to and from the campus.
• Off-Campus which covers:
• On Cyberspace. Text messages, emails, chat rooms, and other social media and web sites regardless of the web site administrator’s permission to use foul or explicit language or content, or absence of any particular standard of use.