Our school exists to promote the development of a faith community in an academic environment. A partnership exists between parents and staff in building this unique community that stresses the value of sound academic learning in a Catholic atmosphere. All of our actions and attitudes must give testimony to this belief, and must be grounded in a strong sense of individual responsibility. The discipline program at Bishop Montgomery High School seeks to promote students' moral development, self-discipline, and growth towards maturity and adulthood. Students must learn to make decisions as individuals and to accept the responsibility of their actions as members of the school community. All parents and students will cooperate fully during any investigation.
Students are expected to model a code of conduct reflecting the school philosophy of Bishop Montgomery at all times; this includes all school events and activities, and extends beyond the physical boundaries of the school.
At Bishop Montgomery High School state law, the Department of Catholic Schools, and the administration and faculty have prescribed certain regulations. Additional regulations may be decided upon by the administration during the school year as situations arise. Additional regulations will be clearly announced to the student body.
PROCEDURES
TEACHER ASSIGNED DETENTIONS: Individual teachers may detain students for their own detention with 24 hours notice.
CAUSES FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION: The following actions may be cause for referral, probation, suspension, or expulsion:
- disrespect, disobedience, or lying to any properly designated adult serving in a position of authority in school or at school related activities
- profanity
- throwing food items
- leaving campus without permission (ie. leaving campus on 50% day when students is required to remain at school)
- unexcused absence from school/class when the parent/teacher is unaware of the student's location
- violations of Academic Integrity
- encouragement of demonstrations not authorized by the school
- flagrant disregard for dress code
- submitting any item for a school publication deemed inappropriate by school officials
- possession, circulation or distribution on the school premises or at a school related activity of the following: any advertisement, announcement, invitation, bulletin, literature, petition, pornography, or any other publications not approved by the school.
- use or display of any political affiliation/stance/propaganda
- unauthorized presence in restricted areas of the school campus or areas off campus designated by the school
- being in the parking lot without authorized permission during school hours
- misconduct on buses (students being transported to and from school or school related events on buses are subject to the authority of the bus driver, chaperone, or school personnel. Misconduct or refusal to obey the driver may be cause for disciplinary action.)
- violation of CAA, CIF or school guidelines for behavior at athletic events
- trespassing on the campus outside of school hours
- use or display of cellular phones or smartwatches etc., during school hours
- failure to present current school ID to any school official upon request at school or school related functions
- littering
- being out of class without permission
- inappropriate or disrespectful conduct at assemblies and/or school related events
- excessive noise coming from motor vehicle
- unsafe driving on campus or in the vicinity of the school, including speeding, unsafe transporting of students, and uncooperative driving. Students are not allowed to have unrestrained passengers in the back of a truck.
- excessive tardiness
- accumulation of 3 violations at any point during the school year
- disregard for assigned detentions
- possession and/or use of laser pointers
- violation of computer user contract (modifying existing program, adding new programs, copying programs, violating posted lab regulations)
- gambling on school grounds or within the vicinity of the school
- student/Parents will be held responsible for inappropriate internet postings about the BMHS community
- students/Parents engaging in inappropriate text messaging or emails to any individual in the BMHS community will be subject to disciplinary action
- student/Parents will be held responsible for inappropriate use of chromebooks.
- students will be held responsible for taking pictures of teachers/students without permission.
CELL PHONES/SMARTPHONES/SMARTWATCHES/EAR BUDS/AIR PODS: Students must keep cell phones/smartphones/smartwatches/ear buds/air pods in lockers or backpacks during school hours in the off position from the first bell of the day to the last bell of the day. Students may not use cell phones/smartphones/smartwatches during the school day unless it is in a classroom under the direction of the classroom teacher in a directed lesson. Cell phones/smartphones/smartwatches should be kept in the off position. Cell phone/smartphone/smartwatch use is prohibited in all buildings and classrooms during school hours, from the first bell of the day to the last bell of the day. Any confiscated cell phones/smartphones/smartwatches is subject to having its contents reviewed by an administrator. Cell phones/smartphones/smartwatches used throughout the school day will be confiscated and not returned until the end of the school day, after the bell has rung. In cases where a cell phone/smartphone/smartwatch is confiscated the student will be issued a referral. It is the student's responsibility to see the Deans to pick up the cell phone/smartphone/smartwatch & referral at the end of the day. The Deans will NOT call out a student to pick up the cell phone/smartphone/smartwatch.
REFERRALS: A referral is a serious formal reprimand and is used to correct disruptive/non-compliant behavior in and out of the classroom. Referrals must be signed by a parent and returned to the Discipline Office within three school days. A student must serve four detentions for each referral. Three violations result in a Disciplinary Referral. Three referrals result in disciplinary probation.
PROBATION: Probation is a warning to a student that his/her behavior and/or attitude do not comport with the Code of Christian Conduct and standard expected of a Bishop Montgomery student. While on probation, a student must abide by the terms agreed to and must satisfy the conditions set forth by the Discipline Office. Failure to do so may result in a student being placed on strict probation, the student being expelled, or in another action deemed appropriate by the school. Parents and students must sign all probation agreements.
STRICT PROBATION: Strict probation is the most serious formal reprimand a student can receive that his/her conduct and/or attitude are unacceptable. Violation of the terms of strict probation can result in the student being expelled. When a student is placed on strict probation, a conference with the student, the parents and the deans is required. The parents and the student must sign all probation agreements.
If a student is on probation twice during a school year, the student's enrollment status for the next school year may be denied regardless of whether or not the terms of probation are violated. A senior on probation must complete all terms of probation prior to receiving a diploma.
HALL PASSES: Students may not be out of class without an official BMHS hall pass.
WEEKDAY DETENTIONS: Detentions are scheduled daily from 2:15 p.m. until 3:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday in a specified classroom. Detention provides the student with an opportunity for personal reflection. No other activity is permitted during detention.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY: BMHS has a zero tolerance policy regarding any use, possession or association with alcohol, tobacco, vaping, a controlled substance, or paraphernalia. Students violating the BMHS Zero Tolerance Policy will be subject to severe disciplinary action including expulsion or withdrawal from school.
SUSPENSION: Suspension is imposed by the school when there is a serious infraction of rules that necessitates an investigation which can best be carried out with the student not present on campus, or when it is deemed that the student's presence is detrimental to the functioning of school. Suspended students receive a written statement explaining the nature of the infraction/investigation. Suspended students must forfeit their school ID and may not be on campus for any reason or attend school activities or classes until the issue is officially resolved. Days missed during suspension are considered excused absences. No student shall be suspended from school for more than two consecutive weeks, unless there is an ongoing archdiocesan investigation or a police investigation of a possible crime, in which case the student may be suspended during the entire investigation. When a student is involved in a suspension from a class or from school, the parents are notified and arrangements are made for a conference with them and the appropriate school personnel. On the day a student is suspended he/she will be kept on campus during school hours or until the student leaves with his/her parent or legal guardian or other designated adult. The suspended student shall be responsible for all academic assignments while on suspension.
BOARD OF DISCIPLINE: If a student is expelled from school by the Discipline Office, the parents may appeal the decision of the Discipline Office to the Board of Discipline within 48 hours of the request to withdraw. If the request is not made by the end of the 48 hours the student will be withdrawn from school. If a parent declines the appeal process within the 48 hours or thereafter then that decision will stand. The Board of Discipline is comprised of: the vice principal or principal's designee(who serves as the chairperson), the deans, and five faculty members (one chosen by ASB officers, one chosen by the principal, one chosen by the faculty, an academic counselor, and one of the student's current teachers). The advisory members of the board will review the case and make a recommendation to the principal whether or not to uphold the decision of the Discipline Office. The parent or legal guardian (with court documentation) and student are the only individuals allowed to enter the Discipline Board. A student is only entitled to one Discipline Review Board during his/her four years at BMHS. It is understood that any violation of the terms set forth for the student to return to BMHS will result in the immediate voluntary withdrawal of the student by the parent. The parent and student understand that the Principal's decision is final and further appeals cannot be granted.
