SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
In order to become the “...intellectually prepared men and women who are committed to promoting a just and peaceful world as conscientious and morally courageous leaders in service to others” described in the school Mission Statement, the Bishop Alemany student must adhere to a code of conduct designed to encourage behavior that leads to achieving those ideals.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
● A student must learn to exercise self-discipline.
● A student must strive to make good choices and take personal responsibility for her or his behavior.
● The school will make discipline decisions based on the common good of the whole school community as well as the individual.
● The school will be consistent in applying the discipline process, while considering individual circumstances.
● The school reserves the right to implement discipline procedures off campus outside of school hours, where student
actions are determined to have harmed the good reputation of the school.
● Parents must recognize that the School acts in place of the parents when dealing with student conduct.
● Parents must recognize that by enrolling their student at Bishop Alemany, they have agreed to comply with and help enforce all school rules and regulations.
AGENTS OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
Classroom Teachers
Are responsible for dealing with classroom infractions by implementing the following steps:
1. Correct and admonish the student immediately.
2. If the student misbehaves further: Confer with the student after the class or school and contact the parent by email or phone.
3. If the student misbehaves further: Assign a detention period after school supervised by the Teacher.
4. If the student misbehaves further: Refer the student to the appropriate Dean and the student
will enter the discipline process at the appropriate step of severity.
All major violations of discipline must be reported to the Deans immediately. If a student’s behavior is severely disruptive, uncooperative and/or unruly a Dean or another administrator must be summoned to the classroom to escort the student to the appropriate office.
Teachers are never permitted to simply send a student to the office.
All Faculty and Staff
All administrators, teachers, classified staff (office, maintenance, custodial, gardening and cooking staff) and coaches are responsible for reporting violations of school rules to the Deans of Discipline.
Deans of Discipline
The Deans of Discipline are responsible for the general discipline and Christian conduct of the student body outside of the classroom. Each Dean is responsible for male/female students based on the alphabetical order of their last name (A through L and M through Z), but will deal with any situation that may arise.
Discipline Review Board
The Discipline Review Board acts as an advisory board to the Principal regarding disciplinary matters when the administration of the school feels that a dismissible offence or violation of the terms of their probation merit the convening of a Board. The Board/Deans will make a recommendation to the Principal who has the final decision in all disciplinary matters.
● The Board is composed of five voting faculty members, 4 appointed by School Administration/Principal and 1 appointed by the Student Council, and a designated Dean and/or administrator who chairs the board.
● All Board members will have at least 3 years teaching experience at Bishop Alemany High School.
● The Dean(s) present information concerning the discipline violation and the student discipline record to the Board.
● Only the student and the parents/guardian may be present. They may speak to the Board and offer mitigating information. No legal or other representation is allowed.
● The Decision of the Board will be communicated to the parents by the School Administrator.
The Principal reserves the right to refer extraordinary discipline matters to the Discipline Board.
Disciplinary Review
Student disciplinary records are reviewed each semester. If a student has a poor record and there has been no improvement in behavior, appropriate action will be taken in the subsequent semester. Such action could be probation, strict probation, denial of re- registration or dismissal, depending upon the particular situation.
Dismissal
A student’s attendance at Bishop Alemany may be terminated under these circumstances:
● If, after exhausting the steps of the discipline procedure there is no improvement in a student’s behavior, as determined by the Deans, the Discipline Board may recommend to the Principal that the student be dismissed. Parents will be offered the opportunity to withdraw the student.
● If a student commits a serious violation of school rules the Deans and or Discipline Board may recommend to the Principal that the student be dismissed.
● Bishop Alemany reserves the right to dismiss a student from the school if they are arrested for any violation of civil or criminal law.
Students who have been dismissed or required to withdraw may be ineligible for re-admission. Neither are they allowed to attend school curricular or co-curricular events, or be on campus except as described under DANCES.
The Deans may recommend to the Principal that a student not be permitted to return at the end of the school year based on her or his discipline record.
INFRACTIONS OF SCHOOL RULES
Classroom Infractions
These are dealt with by the individual teacher:
● Minor classroom disturbance, such as being out of an assigned seat, excessive talking, impertinence (rudeness), grooming, etc.
● Failure to follow classroom procedural rules set by the teacher
● Failure to do homework or class work
● Failure to have necessary books and materials in class
● Inappropriate use of electronics including, but not limited to cell phones and iPads. Cell phones and iPads should be off and not used during class time, unless permitted by the teacher
● Failure to remove sunglasses
● Failure to remove hood or head covering in class
● Food or drink in the classroom
● Sleeping or other non-attentiveness in class
● Gum chewing
● Tardy to class. The teacher enters the tardy on the attendance report. The student is automatically assigned one hour Saturday detention for each tardy.
● All Dress Code Violations are to be reported to the Dean's office by the teacher. The student will be assigned 1 hour Saturday detention for each infraction.
School Infractions and Consequences for Violations
These must be reported to and dealt with by the Deans. The school authorities acting in the place of the parents or guardians (in loco parentis) reserve the right to question students regarding infractions without the parents or guardians present. If the infraction is serious the parents or guardians will be contacted in a timely manner. (Repeated offenses will result in the Progressive Steps of Discipline.)
1. Riding a skateboard, roller blades or bicycle, hoverboards, etc. on school grounds.
2. Repeated or inappropriate use of electronic devices on or off campus (Defiance).
• Cell phones and other devices may not be disruptive during school hours (cell phones should not be seen or heard during class time).
• The item may be confiscated and may only be picked up by a parent or guardian.
• All confiscated cell phones, iPads and digital cameras are subject to search by Deans & Administration.
• Any use of blocked sites or apps during school hours is prohibited.
• Any derogative, inappropriate or unauthorized use or posting pictures of students or faculty/staff is strictly prohibited.
• Anything posted that is determined to do detrimental to Bishop Alemany High School.
• Any pictures or texts of drug use, drugs or drug paraphernalia or any other pictures or texts of inappropriate or immoral
actions found on phones, laptops or any other electronic device is against school policy. Any violation-parents of parties involved will be called and possible referral to a counselor.
Detention, Probation (regular or strict) and/or Suspension, & Dismissal are possible actions to the above infractions. Action will be taken according to the circumstances.
Bishop Alemany High School is not responsible for theft of or damage to personal property, including texbooks and any kind of electronic device.
3. Posting or distributing unauthorized flyers or suchlike materials.
4. Possessing or using matches or lighters on school grounds.
• Action will be taken according to the circumstances. This will include confiscation of the items and possible detention, probation, parent conference and/or dismissal.
5. Using faculty restrooms – 1 hour Saturday detention.
6. Tardy to School
• 1-hour Saturday detention beginning with the fourth tardy each semester.
• 1-hour each subsequent tardy throughout each semester.
• All tardies are counted, including those due to traffic.
7. Tardy to Class.
• 1-hour each subsequent tardy throughout each semester.
• Excessive tardies (refer to Progressive Steps of Discipline).
8. Out of Dress Code.
• Students out of Dress Code are assigned a minimum of 1 hour of detention for each infraction. The student must be in dress code or be subject to suspension until the requirements of dress code are met.
• Clothing/items confiscated by the school must be picked up by a parent or guardian.
• Repeated offenses (refer to Progressive Steps of Discipline).
9. Parking out of bounds.
• Students must park in the student parking lot on San Fernando Mission Blvd. only (this includes students in morning classes &
team or group practices). No other parking is allowed unless assigned by Administration. Violation –vehicle may be towed, $25
fine and detention. All school rules, policies, searches and discipline apply to cars parked off campus
• Students who drive to school are required to park on campus and to purchase a parking permit. Parking permits must be current and
visible.
• Continual violations – parking permit revoked and probation.
10. Failure to report to an assigned detention.
• 1st violation – Time in detention doubled
• 2nd violation – Step Three Probation (detention will be made up as part of probation.)
• Suspension from all activities (games, dances, etc.) if excessive detention hours are owed
11. Defacing school property.
• 1st violation – Step Three Probation or Step 4 Strict Probation and a minimum fine of $100.
Depending on severity of the violation, the students may be required to make complete restitution of all costs incurred by the school and/or be subject to dismissal.
12. Gambling on campus.
• 1st violation – Step Three Probation or Step 4 Strict Probation (Action will be taken according to the circumstances).
13. Possession or use of a laser pointer
* 1st violation – Step Three Probation or Step 4 Strict Probation (Action will be taken according to the circumstances).
14. Violation of Academic Integrity Policy
Plagiarize: 1.to steal and pass off as one’s own the ideas or words of another. 2. to commit literary theft. 3. to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
Source: Webster’s Third New International Dictionary
If a student copies work from another student or assists another student with copying:
• The teacher will confiscate the material from both parties involved.
• Both students will receive a zero for the assignment.
• The teacher will write up an academic integrity report and turn in materials and report to the appropriate disciplinary Dean.
1st offense: one hour Saturday detention
2nd offense: two hours on each of the two consecutive Saturdays
3rd offense: Step Three Probation
If a student cheats on an exam or quiz, or aids another student during an exam without expressed permission from the teacher, or uses any unauthorized aid:
• The teacher will confiscate any material
• Student will receive a zero on the exam or quiz.
• The teacher will contact the parent.
• The teacher will write up an academic integrity report and turn in materials and report to the appropriate disciplinary Dean.
1st offense: Step Three Probation (Quiz); Possible Step Four Strict Probation (Test/Final Exam)
2nd offense: Step Four Strict Probation (Quiz); Possible Dismissal (Test/Final Exam)
3rd offense: Subject to dismissal regardless of the number of semesters between the 1st and 3rd incident
If a student uses, purchases, or blatantly plagiarized the work of any other person with or without the expressed permission of the owner of the work (using another person’s words, images, or ideas without giving that person credit):
• The teacher will confiscate any necessary material
• Student will receive a zero on the assignment.
• The teacher will contact the parent.
• The teacher will write up an academic integrity report and turn it in with the materials to the appropriate disciplinary Dean.
1st offense:
Step Three Probation
Step Four Strict Probation (action taken depends on the severity of the offence and is at the discretion of the Dean or administrator).
2nd offense:
The student will be subject to dismissal regardless of the number
of semesters from the 1st to the 2nd incident; the Studies office will denote plagiarism on the official school transcript of the student
Note: The Bishop Alemany High School Academic Integrity Policy will view violations on a case-by-case review, with disciplinary consequences up to and including expulsion with a permanent note on the student’s transcript.
If a student has a combination of violations of academic integrity for an academic year, the student may appear before the Discipline Board and face dismissal from Bishop Alemany High School.
15. Unauthorized absence from class or Leaving campus without permission (Partial Truancy)
• 1st violation – Step Three Probation
• 2nd violation – Step Four Strict probation
• 3rd violation – recommendation for dismissal
16. Truancy
Truancy is defined as absence from school with neither school nor parent consent.
• 1st violation – Step Four Strict Probation
• 2nd violation – Recommendation for dismissal
Students who are truant are to receive an "F" in their classes for that day and are not allowed to make up any assignments.
17. Possessing or using tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, on campus.
• 1st violation – Step Four Strict Probation
• 2nd violation – Recommendation for dismissal
18. Possession, under the influence, or use of drugs or alcohol
• Where students seek help for a drug or alcohol related problem from administration or faculty, the school may work with families and support the student as they deal with the problem.
• Any violation – subject to dismissal (Discipline Board)
• Reasonable suspicion: BAHS has the right to drug test students at school prior to parent notification.
19. Fighting on or off campus at any time or encouraging a fight.
• Any violation –subject to immediate dismissal (Discipline Board)
20. Unauthorized Internet Web Sites & Use of Social Media.
• It is unacceptable to use the Bishop Alemany High School name, initials, logos or pictures of staff, students, the school or school activities with anything that is degrading, lewd, threatening or violent. Deliberate publication or harassment on the Internet or anywhere else, may result in serious disciplinary action including expulsion. Any violation – subject to dismissal.
21. Sexting
• Sexting is defined as the act of sending or receiving sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between cell phones.
• Any violation – Parents will be called and counselor notified;
• Action will be taken according to the circumstances; students may be subject to dismissal and law enforcement may be notified.
22. Formal Dress
• 1st violation – up to 3 hours of detention depending on extent of violation
• 2nd violation – Probation (refer to Progressive Steps of Discipline
• Students out of uniform are subject to suspension
23. Failure to Follow COVID Protocols
Improper use of mask and not wearing face mask properly
● 1st Violation- warning by teacher
● 2nd violation- detention
● 3rd violation- probation
* students who fail to follow COVID protocols are subject to suspension
Students who have committed a serious violation of rules will be suspended from school and placed on strict probation. In each case, the Adminstration reserves the right to invoke a more severe penalty up to and including requiring counseling or expulsion if it judges that the nature of the action or the circumstances warrant it.
While all on-campus rules and regulations are to be observed on and off campus, a student is a Bishop Alemany Catholic Student at all times. Any student who engages in conduct, whether inside or outside of the school, that is detrimental to the reputation of the school, may be disciplined by school officials.
Infractions that are Grounds for Dismissal (Discipline Board and/or Termination of Enrollment)
1. A pattern of disruptive behavior in the classroom
2. A pattern of defiance or non-compliance with school rules.
3. Violation of terms of probation or strict probation.
4. A major violation of school rules that may result in immediate dismissal, including but not limited to:
a. Destroying or defacing school property; vandalism on school grounds, including tampering with locks or
locked doors, computer hacking and pranks of any kind.
b. Disrespect or extreme impertinence towards any faculty or staff member or anything that manifests contempt for school authority.
c. Serious misconduct in speech, writing or action including cheating or dishonesty and forging school or legal documents.
d. Being in possession of, under the influence of or using drugs or alcohol on campus, in the immediate vicinity of the campus, at school activities or at school functions. Being in possession of drug paraphernalia. The appropriate authorities will be contacted
e. Selling or giving drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcohol to another member of the Bishop Alemany student body. The appropriate authorities will be contacted
f. Theft of any school or personal property.
g. Setting a fire. Tampering with fire alarms or fire extinguishing equipment.
h. Scandalous, illegal or immoral conduct on or off campus at any time while the student is enrolled in the school.
i. Fighting, encouraging a fight on or off campus at any time.
j. Assault, extortion, threatening behavior or endangering the well being of any person (for example, setting off a firecracker, throwing objects in class or on campus, possession of flammable or explosive materials.)
k. Bring any kind of weapon on campus or to a school function. The appropriate authorities will be contacted.
l. Harassment, including verbal, physical or written intimidation; including, but not limited to, using electronic communications to victimize, degrade or libel other persons; using ethnic slurs; name calling; prejudicial behavior; employing actions that victimize and make life miserable for other persons.
m. Gang or crew involvement, including any behavior, dress, mannerism or action interpreted by the Administration to signify gang or crew affiliation, for example, the wearing of gang colors, the writing of gang graffiti; association with known gang members, dance crews, party crews, etc.
n. Association with any person or group that poses any kind of threat to Bishop Alemany High School or its students.
o. Graffiti: possession of any object (for example books, notebooks, clothing, etc.) that is marked with tags or
graffiti or possession of items used to produce graffiti (for example, spray paint can, markers, etc.)
p. Hazing or any act that injures, degrades or disgraces a fellow student or person attending the school.
q. Establishing, maintaining, participating in or posting on unauthorized Internet web sites.
In addition to the above criteria, the Administration reserves the right to dismiss a student from Bishop Alemany High School for what it considers due cause.
