Sewickley Academy Code of Conduct
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SEWICKLEY ACADEMY CODE OF CONDUCT At Sewickley Academy we expect students to follow the rules outlined in this document and in separate publications in print or on the school website. Our rules are straightforward. We insist on honesty, integrity and respect for others and their property. We hold students to a higher standard than the community at large. When rules are violated, it is not only the perpetrator and the victim who are hurt, but the entire Academy community is diminished. We want Sewickley Academy to be a place where every student, parent, visitor, and employee feels safe, secure, and respected. If something is taken, or someone is dishonest, or one student is cruel to another, we lose some of our sense of community and we lose some of the trust that makes us such a distinctive school. Sewickley Academy is a caring and supportive community. We realize that students will make mistakes as they grow to adulthood, and we try to insure that valuable lessons are learned from these mistakes. We are a forgiving institution and do all we can to help students to succeed in this environment. We will continue to work with a child so long as the child and his/her parents demonstrate real progress towards conforming to Sewickley Academy’s standards of behavior. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface…3 Section I - Academics…4 Advisors, Grade Coordinators and Academic Review Committee…4 Assignments…5 Colleges…5 Community Service Program…6 Computer Use -Terms and Conditions…7 Course Selection, Planning and Changes…9 Dissection…12 Examinations and Tests…11 Grading System and Academic Warning and Probation…12 The Hansen Library…16 The Honor Roll…16 Requirements for Graduation from the Senior School…17 Special Study Opportunities…19 Student Records Policy… 20 Study Halls…21 Section II - Activities, Events and Special Assemblies…21 Assemblies…21 Awards and Cum Laude Society…21 Class Sponsored Activities…22 Clubs and Publications…22 Dances…24 Edgeworth Club…25 Peer Counselors…25 School Trips…26 Special Programs…26 Student Council and Class Officers…27 Section III - Emergency Procedures and Important Phone Numbers…34 Emergencies, Illness and Accidents…34 Emergency Phone Numbers…34 Fire drills…34 Hear to Help Committee…34 School Counselor…35 Support Services…35 Snow days…35 Suicide Intervention Emergency Numbers…36 1 Section IV - Rules, Regulations and Disciplinary Procedures…36 Alcohol and Controlled Substance Statement…36 Attendance…39 Disciplinary Offences, Procedures and Detention…43 Dress Code…46 Driving and Parking…48 Faculty Room…50 Guests…50 Harassment and Hateful Speech…50 Honor Code…51 Honor Council…53 Lockers…56 Lunch Periods…56 Message Board…57 Office Equipment…57 Outdoor Behavior…57 Photography Darkroom…57 Prohibited Articles…58 Schoonmaker Commons…58 Sign-Out Privileges…58 Smoking…59 Telephones…60 Emergency Phone Numbers… 60 2 THE STUDENT HANDBOOK September 2009 The following guidelines serve to support the mission and core values of SA. Our unique atmosphere that centers on the bonds of this trust between all members of our community can only be sustained with clear expectations of performance and behavior. While the handbook provides a good deal of specificity, one needs only to act as a responsible, considerate, and ethical citizen to create an atmosphere of respect and trust. Bruce Houghtaling Senior School Division Head A Community of Respect All members of the Sewickley Academy community; students, parents, faculty and staff, are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, the following basic guidelines of behavior at school. The most essential standard of appropriate behavior is that all members of the community will treat one another with kindness, honor and respect in all situations. In everything we do, we will: Demonstrate Self-Respect by: Striving to reach our potential in all areas including academics, extracurricular activities, and citizenship. Taking pride in our behavior and appearance. Focusing on our health and safety when making choices. Respect Others by: Helping to create an environment of encouragement and support within the school community. Listening with consideration to the opinions and ideas of others in the community even when they are different from our own. Respecting the privacy and property of others in the community. Respect Sewickley Academy by: Adhering to the rules of the Academy at all times. Maintaining the grounds and facilities by cleaning up after others and ourselves when necessary. Being a positive, honorable representative for the Academy in all endeavors and at all times. 3 SECTION I - ACADEMICS ADVISORS, GRADE COORDINATORS AND ACADEMIC REVIEW COMMITTEE Advisors Each student selects a faculty advisor. First and foremost, the advisor is an advocate for his/her advisees. Students report to their advisor for attendance at the start of each school day. The advisor helps the students with course selection, managing workload and other academic issues. The advisor also encourages the student to become involved in extracurricular activities and special school programs. Parents should regard the advisor as the first person to telephone for information about the student. The advisor receives copies of all of the student's report cards and comments and helps the student who is in difficulty become a more effective learner. Advisors are also involved in any special personal or academic issues concerning the student. Grade Coordinators Each grade has a grade coordinator who works with the team of advisors for that grade to insure that each student has a successful and satisfying experience in the Senior School. The grade coordinator remains at the same grade level each year, becoming an expert on the needs of the students in that grade. On the other hand, the advising team moves from Grade 9 through the Senior School with the students in that class. Students may wish to remain with the same advisor for four years, but, if they wish, they may switch to another member of the team at the start of the academic year. The grade coordinator and advising team members share their resources, helping students make a good adjustment to the demands of the Senior School and working together planning class meetings and class activities. Academic Review Committee The respective Grade Teams, (Grade Coordinator and Academic Advisors) review each student's academic, citizenship and effort grades at the end of each semester. At the team's request, certain students are then referred for discussion to the Academic Review Committee, which is composed of the Grade Coordinators, the Head of Senior School, Director of College Guidance and the Registrar. The Academic Review Committee may then issue statements of commendation, concern, and academic warning or academic probation. The Academic Review Committee may also take other action to ensure a student’s academic success such as placement in study halls, mandatory tutoring or course changes. Please note that students may be placed in study halls at the end of quarter or at the end of the academic semester. The Academy feels that student achievement is, in part, measured by the motivation, effort and determination a student demonstrates in daily class work. It values effort as an indicator of a positive attitude and a generator of self-confidence within the school community. The daily 4 preparation of assigned work, participation in class discussion, attendance and the desire to acquire knowledge through inquiry, problem-solving and critical analysis are indicators of high effort in class. As such, the Academy prizes and awards high effort with privileges and honors. Students who have difficulty in taking academic responsibility will be asked to consult with their advisor or teacher in scheduled advisor/teacher meetings and will be assigned to Academic Warning or Probation. ASSIGNMENTS Students are responsible for knowing their daily assignments in each class. Students who miss a class for any reason are responsible for the assignments given in that class and should contact a classmate or the teacher as soon as possible to obtain any missed assignment. At the beginning of each semester, teachers will explain to their classes how such assignments may be obtained. In most cases assignments may be found on the teacher’s website. For extended absences, please contact the Senior School Office for assistance. COLLEGES College Advising Students are assigned a college advisor after Grade 10. During the junior year, the advisors will meet with their advisees during the college seminar class held spring semester and individually. The advisors also meet with the parents to explain procedures, deadlines, etc. Parents should plan to have this meeting after the January college evening presentation. More information about college advising can be found on the College Guidance website on the Senior School homepage. College Visits The school permits juniors three days and seniors five days to visit colleges during the school year, but urges families to plan carefully so there is a minimum number of class days missed. The Dean of Students and the student's College Advisor should be notified well in advance, and the student is expected to obtain an excuse slip and check with each of his teachers before the student leaves. Students who exceed the maximum allowable days for college visits will be marked as UNEXCUSED. Seniors may ask for written permission for extra days from their college guidance counselor. Seniors may not schedule college visits that conflict with Senior Teacher Day. The student is responsible for making up all work missed during such absences. If a student abuses this privilege or is in academic difficulty, the Dean of Students or the student's College Advisor will revoke this privilege. College Tests and Applications It is the student's responsibility to register for all necessary college entrance examinations with the exception of the PSAT/NMSQT, which the school administers to juniors in October.