Code of Conduct

The Department of Christian Education encourages church schools to have behavioral expectations to fit the needs of your church school.  The following is a sample code of conduct from a large church school. 

You may download a PDF printable copy here.

You may download an MS Word Version here to customize for your use.

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“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example

in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Introduction:

Saint George Orthodox Cathedral and its
Church 
School is a place where learning about God, His Disciples and all His good works occurs everywhere and at all times.  Many children and adults come together here and spend many hours together.  Our Parish presents these rules of behavior so that everyone can be free of distraction or discomfort, so that learning can take place.  Since we have so many young people in one small place, the challenge is how to create and preserve an environment that promotes this learning and growth.

In order for us to accomplish this, we must first recognize God as our Father.  In addition, we must realize that, within each of us, the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19).  Once we accept this, we MUST treat every person accordingly.  Keeping all of this in mind, we believe that each student and each teacher is entitled to the following:

·        To work in pleasant and orderly surroundings.

·        To be free from insulting or abusive treatment from others.

·        To have an atmosphere that encourages learning and personal growth.

Therefore, The Youth Of Saint George Cathedral Are Expected To:

·        Assume responsibility for their learning and act respectfully both in, and outside, the classroom setting.

·        Respect and not break, damage or deface Cathedral property, building, grounds, materials and furnishings.

·        Be responsible at all times for books and school materials.

·        Respect the personal property and school materials of others.

·        Respect the rights of fellow students without teasing or name calling.

·        Use language that is free from vulgarity, disrespect and profanity.

·        Be honest in their words and deeds.

·        Act in a manner that does not disrupt learning.

Prior To Opening Prayer:

·        The students, and their parents, are responsible for being on time for the beginning of
Church 
School.

·        The students, and their parents, agree that the students will come to
Church 
School every Sunday, prepared to pray and to learn.

·        The students, and their parents, agree that the students will come to
Church 
School dressed in modest, clean, neat and respectful attire, keeping in mind that they are coming to “God’s House.”

·        All students from Grade 2 and up are expected to fast for Holy Communion.

During
Church 
School:

 

·        The students will respect their teachers, each other and all Church property.

·        The students will not bring toys or electronic games or equipment from home into the classroom or the Cathedral.

·        There will be no gum chewing or eating candy in the classroom or during the Divine Liturgy.

During Divine Liturgy:

·        The students will attend Divine Liturgy with humility and reverence as is due the House of God.

·        The students will not speak excessively during Divine Liturgy, nor will there be any “fooling around” allowed.

·        Students are not allowed to “come and go” during Divine Liturgy.  This is especially the case during the reading of the Scriptures and the sermon, all Entrances, during the recitation of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer, during the Anaphora and the Consecration and during Communion.

·        No student is to leave the Divine Liturgy after Communion unless a note is received from the parents prior to Opening Prayer.

·        Holy Bread (Prosphora) has that name for a reason.  Each student will take one piece only, both after Communion and after venerating the Cross.  At no time, will playing with, or crumbling the Prospohra, be tolerated.

·        Parents are expected to, at all times, be an example to their children.

After Divine Liturgy:

·        Following the Dismissal and the veneration of the Cross, the students are the responsibility of their parents, not the
Church 
School staff.

·        No student is allowed in any of the classrooms, unless accompanied by the Superintendent, their teacher, or their parent(s).

·        No student is allowed to use the property of
St. George Nursery School under any circumstances.

Administration Of The Code Of Conduct

Enforcement of the Code of Conduct is expected to help every child learn the importance of proper behavior to maintain the respectful community and the sanctity of the Cathedral that is valued so much here.  Attention to the conditions described here is the responsibility of all staff members.  All students, and their parents, agree to abide by this Code and any deviation from it will result in appropriate consequences.  These consequences will be administered in a fair, firm and consistent manner, keeping in mind that Christian behavior is expected of all members of St. George Cathedral.

Level Of Consequences For Inappropriate Behavior

·        1^st Occurance:                    Teacher/student Conversation

·        2^nd Occurance:                   Superintendent Notification ^*

·        3^rd Occurance:                    Notification of the Pastor ⁺

^*           May result in parent notification, at the discretion of the Superintendent

⁺           Will result in parent notification in addition to loss of privileges in all extra-curricular activities, i.e., serving in the Altar, participating in Teen Soyo, etc.  The length of time that the student will not be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities will be at the discretion of the Pastor, after consultation with the Superintendent.