St Michael’s Prep
Parent/Student Handbook
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Chapter 4: Discipline
1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the policies, rules, and practices which support the wholesome personal development of each student by promoting his harmonious
living with other students. Individuals with good character augment the Christian character of the entire community. Clearly stated expectations and
consequences, presenting the school’s philosophy in the varieties of daily life, support a student in his individual well being and as a member of the
larger society.
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2. CLOSED CAMPUS
St. Michael’s has a closed campus policy. Students are not permitted to leave the campus or receive any individual visitors without the permission of the
headmaster or his delegate. Alumni and associate alumni are encouraged to visit the school and talk with the student body as a whole. All are to
respect the privacy of the students by not entering the student residency. There is no special alumni privilege to visit brothers or relatives.
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3. EXPECTED CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Class begins immediately when the bell rings. All students should be seated in assigned places and silent by the time the bell finishes ringing. Not to do so
is to be tardy. Class begins with prayer.
Students must bring all necessary materials to class every day. Some section for notes is required in every academic class. These, together with all
pertinent notes, constitute a “standing homework assignment” which is checked periodically and for which the student is responsible.
During class one person talks at a time and raises his hand if he would like to speak. Respect for one another and for the teacher is the key rule in every
class. When the teacher or another adult enters the classroom, all stand up politely which is also a sign of respect. Class ends with the teacher dismissing
the students while everyone is still seated and quiet. The bell does not dismiss the class.
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4. SICKNESS AND EXCUSED ABSENCES
It is the parents’ duty to report a sickness which developed over a weekend or vacation. Such a report should be made personally by telephone to either
the headmaster or dean of students. In case of an accident or sickness occurring during the school week, the parents will be phoned and asked to take
their son home. Parents should bring their son back to school as soon as possible upon his recovery. Absence is very disruptive to his academic progress.
A doctor’s certificate is required when returning to school after more than three days’ absence or if not returning on time after long weekends or holiday
breaks. The only excused absences are: college visit, bona fide illness, funeral, court appearance, and quarantine.
For each day a student is away from school with an unexcused absence, he works a weekend. Regular weekend fees are charged. This regulation
applies even when the parents notify the school in advance of the absence itself.
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5. STUDY DETENTION
Students may forfeit their evening free time periods when they have a grade of 73% or less in any class until the next progress report proves the grade to
be satisfactory, or when they fail to complete their homework properly, or when their academic work is unsatisfactory. Teachers may request the
administration to intervene so that the student will complete whatever work is necessary. If academic performance is unsatisfactory, a student may be
required by the administration to stay on Friday afternoon(s) or over the weekend to study. Weekend fees are charged. If academic performance is
chronically unsatisfactory, a student may be required to withdraw.
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6. CONDUCT GRADES
Conduct grades are given each quarter. The formula used to calculate a conduct grade is the following: RoomGrade - Demerit Deduction + V.I.P points.
RoomGrade: The RoomGrade is the average of the “RoomCheck” grade and the “RoomJob” grade. Each
dorm room is inspected daily for order and cleanliness, and the room is then given a weekly “RoomCheck” grade. Each
room is also given a weekly “RoomJob” grade based upon the thoroughness of completing an assigned evening cleaning
job (e.g. vacuuming the dorm hallway). Each occupant in a given room receives the same RoomGrade.
Demerit Deduction: Conduct Demerits and Detentions are described in section 7 below. With regard to the conduct grade, the Dean will determine the exact
deduction to be made for demerits received by a student in a given quarter. Factors considered include the number, gravity and frequency of the
demerits.
V.I.P. Points: (V.I.P.=Virtue Incentive Program). For charitable deeds done for fellow students and for the school, students may be
nominated to receive VIP points. The nomination may be made by teachers, administrators, or student leaders. The determination of
how many VIP points to be awarded will be determined by the Dean of Students. VIP points do not take the place of “school
service hours,” i.e. ordinary labor that each student is expected to contribute each quarter to projects like school thank you
notes, home athletic events, Friday afternoon clean-up, Open House events, etc. [Return to Table of
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7. CONDUCT DEMERITS AND DETENTIONS
When a student’s behavior is at odds with the standards of established and sustained by the school, the student suffers demerits. Demerits may be given
by teachers, administrators, and student leaders. Demerits vary in amounts from 5 to 100 points, with the exact penalty for each offense being
determined by the Dean of Students. If a student receives 100 demerit points in a given week, he must serve a weekend detention at the school. During
the detention time, students contribute their labor to advance an identified goal of the school. Their work must meet the pre-identified standards of the
work supervisor. Detentions must be served within the same quarter relative to the offenses committed. When a detention obligation conflicts with
family plans and/or flight arrangements, a student may request a change of date.
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8. BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS
There are occasions when a student’s behavior would merit the writing of an explicit contract. Many of these offenses are listed in the later sections of
suspension, withdrawal, and dismissal. Contracts do vary in length of obligation. There are consequences for being “on contract.” Moreover, a contract
potentially impacts an invitation for returning to the school and, if returning, any student who had begun a contract within one semester of a new
academic year must pay the tuition IN FULL before being permitted to return for the next school year.
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9. HARASSMENT
St. Michael’s maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment, including verbal, physical, visual and sexual. No person shall knowingly or
intentionally by speech, gesture, or writing address another in a way that could be interpreted as intimidating, demeaning, derogatory
or hateful as based upon a person’s age, gender, race, color, religion, or ethnic origin. The school treats allegations of harassment
seriously and will review and investigate such allegations in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner. [Return to
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10. SUPERVISION, SEARCH AND SEIZURE
St. Michael’s Preparatory reserves the right to supervise student behavior in a variety of means which could include searching the rooms and belongings
of any student. This supervision can take place electronically using available technology. The purpose is to assure the safety of those at school and/or the
compliance of the students with the norms of discipline.
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11. SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The use and abuse of tobacco products, alcohol and other drugs are a significant problem among adolescents. In order to help those of good will resist the
temptation to participate in such activities, the school conducts random searches on school grounds which includes dormitories and students’ belongings.
An outside canine service conducts some of these searches. The school conducts random drug testing. Parents are notified as promptly as possible of any
concern that involves their son.
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12. SUSPENSION
The headmaster and/or his delegate has the authority to suspend a student for misbehavior and/or disregard for school regulations. Suspension for
misconduct applies to behavior in the classroom, in or about the school buildings and student residence, on the school grounds, at any school-sponsored
activity, as well as traveling to and from school. The headmaster and/or his delegate will decide on an individual basis whether a suspended student stays
at school while being restricted when not in class or if the suspended student is sent home for a specified length of time. Students suspended from class
and/or school do not receive credit on any work due during the time of suspension. Suspension is not a required step for student dismissal.
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13. WITHDRAWAL
Advice to withdraw comes when all the typical resources that the school uses to support a student have been pursued but there is little
evidence of satisfactory progress. This could be represented academically by a consistent neglect of work and behaviorally by an
on-going disregard for the well-being of the school community.
It is school policy that students who withdraw must not return to St. Michael’s for one year without the prior written approval of the headmaster.
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14. DISMISSAL
Dismissal constitutes permanent, recorded removal of a student from St. Michael’s Prep.
Students may be dismissed for:
- Flagrant violation of the moral norms of the school.
- Persistent defiance of authority.
- Possession of pornographic materials; passing such to others.
- Actions gravely detrimental to the physical, moral and spiritual welfare of others.
- Harassment in any form, including verbal, physical, and visual.
- Stealing (theft in any form is always a serious offense).
- Vandalism of any kind, including graffiti and “practical jokes”.
- Crossing the designated boundary lines.
- Leaving the student residence without permission after lights out.
- Possession or consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances in any form.
- Possession of paraphernalia which is typically used for consuming alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances.
- Possession of firearms or other weapons.
- Being associated with persons who were involved in one of the above mentioned activities either at school or at any school sponsored /sanctioned activity.
- Any activity, on or off campus, injurious to the good name and reputation of St. Michael’s Prep.
- Any other offense deemed sufficiently serious by the administration.
It is school policy that students who are dismissed must not return to St. Michael’s for one year without the prior written approval of the headmaster.
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15. DISCIPLINE REVIEW BOARD
A Discipline Review Board is called for consultation when those student offenses could conclude with a decision for dismissal. The Board
is composed of an odd number of persons (ideally 5) who called together on an ad hoc basis and would typically include the dean,
assistant dean, and several faculty members. Any appeal of the Board’s decision must be written and submitted within a
two-week time frame to the headmaster whose decision will be final. [Return to Table of Contents]
16. BORROWING, LENDING, ETC. AMONG STUDENTS
Students are strongly discouraged to sell, lend, buy or borrow anything without the written permission of their parents and the expressed consent of the
dean. St. Michael’s is in no way responsible for the loss or damage to any student’s personal belongings which he loans to or borrows from another
student, leaves unattended on school property, or loses on a school outing. Individual items of value which students bring to the school (such as personal
computers) must be insured under the parents’ policy.
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17. ITEMS STUDENTS MAY NOT HAVE AT ANY TIME
In addition to those things for which students could be dismissed, students may not have the following items at any time on campus:
chewing gum, fireworks, refrigerators, ovens, televisions, video iPods™ (or any similar video machines), replica or toy weapons,
and cabalistic symbols. The headmaster is the final interpreter of what students may or may have at any time on campus. [Return to Table of Contents]
18. USE OF THE SCIENCE LAB
- Be mature. Lab time is serious time. No horseplay.
- Report any accident, spill or breakage to the teacher, no matter how minor.
- Learn the location and operation of the safety equipment.
- If any chemical gets into your eye, immediately wash it for ten minutes in running water.
- Do not go into the back room unless instructed to do so.
- Never randomly mix chemicals; most of them give off extremely toxic gases.
- Be especially careful when handling any strong acid or base.
- Keep all flammable substances away from open flame.
- Treat all chemicals as poisonous. Be careful about getting them on your hands or clothes.
- No eating or drinking in the lab.
- Never taste or directly smell a chemical. Never put your nose or mouth on a container. If instructed to smell something, you may waft some vapor
towards your nose with your hand.
- Point test tubes away from yourself and others when heating.
- Never use cracked glassware.
- Never do unauthorized experiments.
- Leave alone any equipment that is not currently being used.
- Be observant - watch for others (both their needs and mistakes).
- Be safety conscious.
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19. USE OF THE LIBRARY
St. Michael’s maintains a growing library of books and periodicals for the use of the students and faculty. Those using the library must always have
consideration and respect for books and fellow occupants alike. The following regulations must be observed:
- Students are permitted in the library only during posted library hours.
- Students must be in uniform (with the exception of the tie).
- No food or drink is allowed.
- Conversations must be kept in low tones.
- No reference or reserved books may be checked out.
- All returned library materials must be placed on the library return cart.
- Do not lend to anyone book(s) checked out in your name.
- Students who loose books/videos pay a replacement cost which includes time and labor for item’s purchase and cataloguing.
- The computers are available for the use of all the members of the school. They are primarily for academic work and/or college application processes.
Photocopying: All students pay an annual fee to offset the expense of this service. [Return to Table of Contents]
20. USE OF THE SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool is for recreation. Those using it should be gentlemen so that it is safe for all present. In order to prevent injury, the following
regulations must be observed:
- On the deck there is no running, wrestling, horseplay, etc.
- In the pool there is no pushing, dunking, splashing, etc.
- No diving either from the wall or roof or in the shallow end of the pool.
- No food, drinks, containers, fins, masks, radios, etc.
- No playing with any of the pool safety or maintenance equipment.
- Swim only when an upperclassman roomleader acts as “lifeguard.”
Breaking any one of these rules may result in dismissal from the pool and/or detention. The pool is closed during the winter months and
inclement weather. The only students who may open the pool are upperclassmen who are roomleaders certified in CPR and First Aid
training. He acts as the lifeguard. The same person who opened the pool is responsible for all actions of the others and he must clean
up the pool area afterwards. If a class wishes to reserve the pool for its own use, it must be arranged with the administration.
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21. SKATEBOARDING
Skateboarding is a sought-after recreational sport that blends wholesome exercise and physical dexterity in an urban setting. Students
may skateboard at school during the afternoon recreation period. Parents sign a waiver annually which details the area on school
campus in which skateboarding is permitted, necessary protective gear, proof of insurance, standards for recreational clothing, and
release of the school from harm. Any student not abiding by the rules and regulations established by St. Michael’s will lose his
skateboarding privilege for the length of one semester. [Return to Table of Contents]
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