March 2019

Dear Parents of Junior and Senior Students:

The season of junior proms and senior balls is fast approaching. The Saint Francis Junior Prom is being held on Saturday, April 13, in the Burns Family Pavilion here on the Saint Francis campus. The Senior Ball follows on Saturday, May 18, at the Monterey Beach House. More details about the senior ball will be sent in a special letter to all senior parents at the end of March. The class officers have worked very hard in preparing for these events, and they are very eager that all of their classmates have a positive experience, filled with lasting memories and positive choices. It is for this reason that we want to review with you the Saint Francis expectations for our students, as set forth in the Saint Francis High School Student-Parent Handbook, and to share with you some relevant laws regarding minors and the use of alcohol and drugs.

As a Catholic, Holy Cross high school, we encourage behavior that promotes the dignity and worth of each human being. It is for this reason that we find the use, involvement, or possession of alcohol or drugs incompatible with our mission and philosophy. The school’s position on these nights is very clear: we want each student to have a wonderful experience in an alcohol and drug-free environment. If a student is involved in a substance abuse incident before, during or after the dance, he or she will be subject to the disciplinary rules of the school which range from suspension from all school activities for 30 to 60 school days to dismissal from school. For juniors or other underclassmen, this suspension would extend into the next school year and affect their eligibility for extracurricular activities and athletics. For seniors, this penalty will include the loss of all senior activities, including the privilege of the graduation ceremony.

While all of our students are very aware of the expectations of the school, sometimes in the excitement of the Prom and Ball, it is easy to forget or ignore some of the potential dangers of any celebration. In our continuing efforts to partner with parents in a community of support, it is our hope that we can work together to encourage our students to act responsibly and safely during these celebratory events. At school we do all we can to encourage our students to make wise decisions and to inform them of the consequences of their actions. In religious studies classes we talk to students about self-respect and making ethical choices. And each year, the Dean and Assistant Dean of Students visit the junior and senior classes to talk about the prom and senior ball, appropriate behavior and appropriate dress, and consequences of unwise choices.

We ask that parents share in this responsibility of helping students make good decisions. Specifically, we hope that all parents talk to their students openly and honestly about alcohol and other drug use as well as respectful behavior on dates, and state clearly their expectations for their children. We encourage you to take the initiative to talk to other parents who may be hosting pre or post dance gatherings to reassure yourself that the party will be supervised and alcohol/drug- free.

We hope that all parents know their student’s plans for before and after the dance. Specifically, we hope that you will help us discourage students from renting hotel rooms on the night of the Prom or Ball or taking trips to the beach. Parties in hotel rooms and beach houses are usually unchaperoned and often a source for alcohol and illegal drugs. Please make yourself aware of not only the school’s position on these activities, but also on the laws that impact minors who are involved in alcohol or drug-related incidents and those that impact adults who support or sponsor such events. The accompanying list of laws has been provided by the counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo. Please review them with your student.

Additionally, in keeping with our mission and philosophy, we give specific guidelines for appropriate dress for the proms. Some of the fashions popular today are inappropriate for school events. Dress guidelines and photos are posted in the Dean's Office, student portal and the Activities Office. Please review our website for further clarification of these guidelines. Note that guests from other schools are also held to the same standards of dress. If students arrive at the Prom or the Ball inappropriately dressed, they will be sent home. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either the Dean or Assistant Dean of Students at 650-968-1213 extension 475.

Before a student will be allowed to purchase his or her bid for the Junior Prom or Senior Ball or attend the dance, the student must return the enclosed agreement signed by both you and your student. Your signatures indicate that you have read the substance abuse philosophy and policies in the Student-Parent Handbook and have reviewed the dress guidelines for the dances. Students must turn in their signed agreement form when purchasing a Prom or Senior Ball Bid.

Sincerely,

Katie Teekell ‘00, Principal Margaret Miller, Dean of Students Ray Hisatake, Assistant Dean of Students Meighan Friedsam, Dean of Faculty Maggi Knochenhauer, Director of Academics Todd Meulman, Director of Activities Simon Raines, Director of Admissions Michael Pilawski, Director of Athletics Fr. Steve Kim, Director of Campus Ministry Hector Camacho, Director of Guidance and College Counseling

JUNIOR PROM and SENIOR BALL AGREEMENT March 2019

This form must be completed in order for this student to be eligible to purchase a bid for the Junior Prom or Senior Ball and/or to attend the dances (the form must be turned in when your student purchases a Junior Prom or Senior Ball Bid).

We, the parents or guardians of:

______Student’s Name (please print) Grade have read and understand the substance abuse philosophy and policies as stated in the Saint Francis Student-Parent Handbook as well as the Principal’s letter and have taken the time to discuss these statements with our son or daughter. We understand that dances are viewed as an opportunity for students to socialize in a supervised and safe environment. The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is incompatible with our Mission and Philosophy. In order to provide a safe environment, any student attending this Saint Francis activity may be subject to a breathalyzer test.

We have also reviewed and understand the dress guidelines for the dance. We understand that Saint Francis High School reserves the right to refuse admission to the dance to any student who is in violation of the dress guidelines. In addition, Saint Francis High School reserves the right to suspend or expel any student who is in violation of a major school rule or who exemplifies behavioral problems inconsistent with the values and philosophy of the school.

If a senior is in violation of the substance abuse policies or behavior expectations of the school, we are aware that the right to participate in senior activities, including the graduation ceremony and exercises, will be forfeited.

______Father/Guardian Signature Mother/Guardian Signature

______Date Date

______Student Signature

______Date Students must turn in their signed agreement form when purchasing a Junior Prom or Senior Ball Bid. Please DO NOT mail.