8. DISCIPLINE REVIEW BOARD
The Discipline Review Board normally consists of at least 5 voting faculty members and/or administrators. A student who must appear before the Board is immediately suspended and sent home pending the Board meeting (at which at least one parent or guardian must be present). Before the Board takes place, the Dean of Character & Discipline will make every effort to contact the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) involved and explain the procedures of the Board. Only parents and/or legal guardians may be present before the board. The Board is convened as soon as possible after the infraction at the convenience of the school. This board will recommend what action is to be taken by the school (in serious cases where culpability is clear, this usually means strict probation or immediate expulsion).
During the process of the Board, the school reserves the right to question any students who are involved in or who have knowledge of the specific case under review and the students may be asked to write a statement. Such questioning and/or the writing of a statement can take place without the presence of the student’s parents. Only students who are charged with an infraction of school rules have the right to have a parent/guardian present during the discipline board.
Routes to the Discipline Board:
Route 1.Parent appeals decision of Dean of Character & Discipline and/or Principal to the Board. Parent has forty-eight (48) hours after notification to request appeal.
Route 2. The Dean and/or Principal send a student and case to the Board to consider serious discipline infraction. Board makes a recommendation to Principal.
Only expulsions of the Board may be appealed to the Principal who should not be contacted until the Board has made its decision. Parents appealing a Board decision must present concrete, objective reasons for their appeal.
The Discipline Board is composed of the following members:
1. Assistant Principal (Permanent voting member and Chairperson)
2. Dean of Character & Discipline (Permanent non-voting member)
3. Two Faculty Members with votes (chosen by the faculty each year)
4. One Faculty Member with vote (appointed by the Principal)
5. One Faculty Member with vote (elected by the Student Council for the academic year)
Discipline Board Format:
1. Overview of Case - by Dean (5 minutes)
2. Questions by Parent(s) (15 minutes)
3. Questions by Committee Members (10 minutes)
4. Parent(s) and student are excused from the room.
5. Members consult and vote.
6. Decision: parents will be called next day.
Points to be considered when a decision is appealed:
1. Was the decision or action in accord with the Parent/Student Handbook?
2. Was the decision or action fraudulent?
3. Did the Principal and Dean or Discipline Board act arbitrarily?
a. Did the Principal and Dean or Discipline Board have rules and criteria by which it reached its decision?
b. Did the Principal and Dean or Discipline Board follow its own rules and criteria?
c. Does the action or decision have a basis in reason, or in other words, a reasonable basis? The test to be employed in the application of this criterion is whether responsible people, acting in a thoughtful manner, could reasonably have reached the same decision and not whether others might personally believe the decision.
9. SCHOOL’S RIGHT TO SUSPEND OR EXPEL
PMA’s failure to invoke its right of suspension or expulsion on one occasion for the occurrence of a matter constituting a basis for discharge shall not affect the right of PMA to invoke discharge when the same or a different basis for suspension or expulsion arises at a later date.
F. ACTIONS/ATTITUDES OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS OR OTHERS
The son or daughter of any parent, guardian, or other person who upbraids, insults, or abuses any student, teacher, staff member or administrator of the school is eligible for withdrawal from the school. If the person is insulted or abused by any person on school premises, in public ways adjacent to the school or at another place where the person is assigned, the abuser’s son or daughter is eligible for withdrawal. Under normal circumstances a student is not to be deprived of a Catholic education on grounds relating to the actions/attitudes of parents; it is recognized, however, that a situation could arise in which the uncooperative or disruptive attitude of parents might so diminish the effectiveness of the education process that continuation of the student in the school may be impossible. Parents whose behavior at school activities (especially athletic activities) is not consistent with the Catholic Christian philosophy of the school may be asked by the principal or another administrator to refrain from such behavior. Repeated refusal to comply with such requests may result in removal of student from school. (See Code of Christian Conduct for Students and Parents)
G. HARASSMENT
In accord with the Catholic Church’s respect for the dignity of each individual, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy is committed to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment that respects Christian values and is free from harassment, bullying or hazing in any form. Harassment, bullying or hazing of any student by any other student, lay employee, religious, clergy, or school volunteer is prohibited. The school will treat allegations of any such conduct seriously and will review and investigate such allegations in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner. This policy shall be communicated clearly to faculty, staff, volunteers, parents or guardians, and students.
Substantiated acts of harassment, bullying or hazing by a student will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal of the student. Students found to have filed false or frivolous charges will also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Harassment occurs when an individual is subjected to treatment or a school environment that is hostile or intimidating. It includes, but is not limited to, any or all of the following:
Verbal harassment Derogatory comments and jokes; threatening words spoken to another person
Physical harassment Unwanted physical touching, contact, assault, deliberate impeding or blocking movements, or any intimidating interference with normal work or movement
Visual harassment Derogatory, demeaning or inflammatory posters, cartoons, written words, drawings, and gestures
Sexual harassment Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct
of a sexual nature.
Bullying/Cyber-bullying
Bullying is the habitual harassing, intimidating, tormenting, browbeating, humiliating, terrorizing, oppressing and/or threatening of another person. Bullying typically consists of direct behaviors, such as teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting, shoving, and stealing that are initiated by one or more students against a victim or victims. In addition to direct attacks, bullying may also be indirect, such as spreading rumors that cause victims to be socially isolated through intentional exclusion. Whether the bullying is direct or indirect, the key component of bullying is physical or psychological intimidation that occurs repeatedly over time to create an ongoing pattern of harassment and abuse.
Students also may be involved in cyberbullying, which occurs when they bully each other using the Internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology. This can include, but is not limited to:
● Sending inappropriate text, e-mail, or instant messages
● Posting inappropriate pictures or messages about others in blogs or on websites
● Using someone else’s username to spread rumors or lies about someone
Hazing
Hazing is any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to these organizations which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any student or other person.
Responsibilities of the School and Students
It is the responsibility of the school to:
1. Establish practices and provide staff development training and age-appropriate information for students, designed to create a school environment free from discrimination, intimidation or harassment
2. Make all faculty, staff, students, parents or guardians, and volunteers aware of this policy and the commitment of the school toward its strict enforcement
3. Remain watchful for conditions that create or may lead to a hostile offensive school environment
It is the student’s responsibility to:
1. Conduct himself or herself in a manner that contributes to a positive school environment
2. Avoid any activity that may be considered discriminatory, intimidating, harassing, bullying or hazing
3. If possible, inform the other person(s) that the behavior is offensive and unwelcome
4. Report all incidents of discrimination, harassment, bullying or hazing to the Principal, Dean of Character & Discipline or teacher
5. As appropriate, the students involved may be asked to complete a formal, written complaint which will be investigated thoroughly and will involve only the necessary parties; confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible
H. ASSAULT, BATTERY OR THREAT
The school will take all student threats seriously, including those from students that threaten to inflict serious harm to themselves or others or to destroy property. Whoever hears or becomes aware of any threat made by a student should immediately report it to the pastor, the principal, or a teacher. The principal should notify the police and the Department of Catholic Schools immediately.
The student who has made the threat will be kept in the school office under supervision until the police arrive. The parents/guardians of the student who has made the threat will be notified by the school. Any student or adult who has been identified as a potential victim, or mentioned in writing as a potential victim, should be notified immediately.
The student who has made the threat shall be suspended until the police and school investigation has been completed, and at that time the student may face other disciplinary sanctions, up to and including removal from school.
The school will take all actions of a threatening nature seriously, including practical jokes or offhand comments, and the school will investigate them. The school may suspend or remove a student from school while the investigation is pending.
On a case-by-case basis, the principal will make any decision to re-admit a student who has made a threat after a review and recommendation of the disciplinary review board. This student threat policy shall be communicated clearly to students, parents/guardians, faculty, staff, and volunteers.
All threats by students to inflict serious harm to self or others, or to destroy property, will be taken seriously. Whoever hears or becomes aware of any threat made by a student should immediately report 1it to the pastor, principal, or a teacher.
Assault, battery or any threat of force or violence directed toward any school personnel or student is one of the offenses for which a student may face expulsion or suspension. When we become aware of any threat of force or violence directed toward any school personnel or student, the following steps are observed:
1. Student is removed from the classroom
2. Student’s backpack, personal belongings, locker, and vehicle (if applicable) are searched
3. Parent is notified
4. Police are notified
5. Student suspended from school until an investigation is conducted
6. Investigation ensues
7. Disciplinary Review board convenes and makes a recommendation to the principal.
8. Decision is reached
Procedures are followed to insure the safety and welfare of all students and staff. Careless speech in society can be harmful and have significant effects on the speaker and on the listener. All cases of indiscriminate speech involving threats will be treated in a responsible Christian manner with compassionate and just decisions which insure a safe learning environment.
The ramifications of using indiscriminate speech involving threats should be discussed in the home. Threatening to bring a weapon to school can be treated no differently than when anyone uses the word “bomb” in an airport. All threats are taken seriously in the context of our society and to provide safety within that society.
I. STUDENT LOCKERS & FACILITY USE
At the beginning of the school year, a locker is assigned to each student. Lockers are the property of the school and their use is a privilege granted to the student by the school. It is the proper function of school authorities to inspect lockers at their own discretion. Students may not change lockers or use another student’s locker without expressed permission of the Dean of Character & Discipline. Lockers must always be neat and in a usable condition. Stickers and decals are not permitted on or in the lockers. Students are held responsible for all damages and defacing of their assigned lockers. No unauthorized locks are permitted on school lockers. School locks must also be used on PE lockers. All other locks will be removed. Lock lockers securely. Do not leave locks in set positions. The school is not responsible for any items that are missing, damaged, or stolen from PMA lockers.
Chaste behavior and modesty in dress and deportment is expected at all times on school property and at school events. All students, staff, faculty, and visitors are to observe modesty when
using changing facilities, locker rooms, showers, and restrooms and may only use facilities that conform to the individual’s biological sex. The latter policy applies in any state of undress in front of others.
J. SCHOOL SEARCHES
To ensure that school campuses remain safe for students searches for drugs and weapons are conducted by necessity without warrants. In the process of teaching and training students, school administrators have a responsibility of protecting the health and safety of pupils and maintaining order on the school premises and at school activities. In discharging this duty it may be necessary for the administrator to conduct searches. The perimeters of the campus extend to student automobiles for search purposes.
The possessions of students in a given classroom or area may be searched when the theft of another student’s belongings are reported before the end of a class period.
Students' legitimate expectation of privacy in their person and in the personal effects they bring to school must be balanced against the school's obligation to maintain discipline and provide a safe environment for the school community. School officials may conduct a search of a student's person and personal effects only upon a reasonable suspicion that the search will disclose evidence that the student is violating or has violated the law or a school rule.
If school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated or is violating the law or a school rule, school officials do not need a warrant or permission from parents/guardians to conduct the search.
A "reasonable suspicion" may be established in many ways, including but not limited to personal observations, information provided by third parties or other students, or tips provided by law enforcement. An alert from a trained and certified detection dog is sufficient to establish a reasonable suspicion and serve as the basis for a warrantless search of the student's person, locker, car, or personal property and effects.
Whenever a school official conducts a search of a student's person or personal effects, an adult witness should be present. The school should notify the student's parents/guardians of any search of a student's person or personal effects.
Expectations of Privacy
A student does not own a locker or other school property. The school makes lockers available to the student. The student does have some expectation of privacy in his or her locker from other students. However, a student does not have a high expectation of privacy in his or her locker from the school and may not prevent school officials from searching the locker if the school official has a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated or is violating a law or school rule.
A student has a greater expectation of privacy regarding his or her person and personal effects. A school official who conducts a search of a student's backpack, purse, clothing, footwear, cell phone, or other personal effects must have a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated or is violating a law or school rule. Strip searches or searches that include a student's underwear may only be conducted by law enforcement and may not be conducted by a school official.
Every student is subject to the Acceptable Use and Responsibility Policy for Electronic Communications ("Archdiocesan AUP") and Archdiocese of Los Angeles Privacy Policy of the archdiocese and school; these types of policies concern cell phones and other electronic devices, whether the devices belong to the student or the school.
Student Cooperation
If a student refuses to cooperate in a reasonable search of school or student property (including electronic devices), the school may call the student's parents/guardians and/or the police for assistance or referral.
K. CONFISCATION OF STUDENT PROPERTY
Teachers have the right to confiscate and destroy notes and other papers of the student if such papers are interfering with the learning process of the classroom. Teachers may confiscate books and other materials from a student if the student is using them in a way which distracts from the learning process.
All electronic devices, including but not limited to: IPods, tablets, video cameras, radios, musical devices, earphones, cell phones, caps, book bags or notebooks with gang-like writing on them, all communication devices, text message units, and clothing items in violation of dress code will be confiscated by the dean and held for the remainder of the year. Students may retrieve these items during the last week of school. Any item not retrieved at that time will be given away to charity.
The following items will be confiscated by the dean and disposed of: matches, markers, water guns, dice, pornography, firecrackers, alcohol, fake weapons, laser scopes, and illegal substances and weapons. (The latter three may be given to the police.)
If any of the student's items are confiscated, the person in charge should document the confiscation and when possible, take a photograph of the place where the confiscated object was found and of the object itself. It is also recommended that the school obtain a signature from the student acknowledging that the item was in his or her possession at the time it was found.
L. COMMUNICATION DEVICE/CELL PHONE POLICY
All communication devices, text message units, cell phones, electronic tablets and laptop computers are on the list of student property that can be confiscated by the dean and not returned until the last week of school. Cell phones and laptop computers etc. can be returned sooner to parents who come to the office to pick them up, pay a $25 fine for the first offense. The second offense will result in a $50 fine. Three or more offenses will result in no return until June.
Cell phones may be brought to a school class or activity under the following conditions:
1. Phones must be kept in the OFF position and out of public view from when school begins until the end of the school day.
2. No cell phones may be used for picture taking, unless specific permission is granted by teacher or facilitator.
3. No harassment or threatening of persons via the cellphone is permitted.
4. Cell phones may not be used for game playing, gambling or making purchases of any kind.
5. Cell phones may not be used in any of the buildings or on campus during school hours at any time without specific granted permission from a faculty or staff member.
6. When these devices disrupt classroom instruction time and the culprit does not admit guilt or is not detected by the teacher, the dean can confiscate the cell phones of all students in the vicinity of the disruption even though their phones may have been hidden and turned off.
7. Those who violate any of the rules regarding cell phones may forfeit their privileges of bringing them to school.
8. Cell phones are not to be used for academic work on campus.
9. Headphone/Earbuds Policy
Students are to abstain from using headphones/earbuds in communal areas on campus in an effort to improve school culture and community engagement. Students are not to have headphones/earbuds in or on ears unless they are attached to a computer for learning purposes within classrooms.
M. SCHOOL-WIDE ANTI-SMOKING/VAPING POLICY
PMA is a smoke-free/tobacco-free campus. No smoking/vaping etc. is allowed.
PMA recognizes that the use of tobacco products is a health, safety, and environmental hazard for students, employees, visitors, and school facilities. The administration believes that the use of tobacco products on school grounds, in school buildings and facilities, on school property or at school-related or school-sponsored events is detrimental to the health and safety of students, staff and visitors.
No student shall be permitted to possess a tobacco product while in any school building; while on school grounds or property; or at any school-sponsored or school–related event, or at any other time that students are under the authority of school personnel.
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions have the following meanings:
1) “Electronic Smoking Device” means any electronic device, the use of which may resemble smoking, which can be used to deliver an inhaled dose of nicotine or other substances to the user.“Electronic Smoking Device” includes any such electronic smoking device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, electronic hookah, vape pen or any other product name or descriptor.
2) “Smoke or Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar,cigarette, or pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs and marijuana, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form.“Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic smoking device which creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form.
3) “Tobacco Product” means:
(a) Any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff;
(b) Any electronic smoking device that delivers nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah;
(c) “tobacco product” includes any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product.
4) “Tobacco use” means smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other use of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices.
Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action.
N. PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION (PDA)
The school community must be inclusive of ALL people. Public displays of affection (hugging, kissing, cuddling, sitting on laps, etc.) prohibits others from being included in a deeper relationship with God through you. Public displays of affection lets others know that you are only interested in your own feelings with another person and not interested in growing with Christ through them. All students are asked to respect and honor each other as brothers and sisters in Christ by abstaining from such displays of affection.
O. BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Birthday parties on campus are permitted. Any gifts, balloons, flowers, edibles, etc. that are delivered to the school for a student or presented to a student while the student is entering campus will be held in the main office until the end of the school day at which time the student may claim his/her items and take them home. Birthday locker decorations may be in place for 2 days during the week of the student’s birthday.
P. EXTENDED SCHOOL DAY
PMA reserves the right to extend the school day for necessary reasons. Examples may be an emergency situation, certain disciplinary reasons, an unclean campus, etc. With student cooperation, such extensions of the school day should be minimal.
Q. STOLEN PROPERTY
PMA is not responsible for stolen or lost property.
R. AFTER SCHOOL AND OFF CAMPUS
PMA does not and cannot supervise students after school off campus (local parks, etc.). On-campus supervision ends at 3:30pm.
While we cannot supervise off campus after school non-official activities, students are still held accountable for any misbehavior that may occur (e.g. drinking, fighting, smoking, sex, etc.).
PMA cannot be responsible for students arriving before and after the regularly scheduled classes. Students who loiter on campus outside the usual hours may be subject to disciplinary action, including being asked to withdraw from school.
S. INSURANCE
The Student Accident Insurance Program is provided for all students in Archdiocesan and parish high schools.
This program assists only with medical expenses incurred because of accidental bodily injury sustained by students while attending school, while traveling to or from school, or while participating in a solely school-sponsored and supervised activity.
T. TRANSPORTATION
Students driving to school must park on campus in the student parking lot. Students are to observe all city posted signs regarding parking. Students are not to park in the staff parking lot.
Students are to observe all driving laws and any reckless or careless driving of vehicles observed in the immediate vicinity of the school will be subject to disciplinary action. Out of respect for those living on or near the campus, students are asked not to play their car radios/stereos loudly in the parking lot or while parked anywhere near the boundaries of the campus. Students are not permitted to go to their cars during the day unless they have permission from an administrator.
The use of open-bed trucks to transport student is forbidden to all students and staff of the school. Serious consequences will follow for anyone involved.
Speeding in the vicinity of the school constitutes dangerous driving and makes a student liable for disciplinary action.
Rollerblades and skateboards are not to be ridden on the school premises, walkways, blacktop, and lunch areas or in the school buildings. Bicycles are to be parked in designated areas.
PMA wishes it to be understood that transportation of students to and from practices off the school grounds is the sole responsibility of the parents. It is also the sole responsibility of the parents to allow their sons/daughters to be driven to practice by another parent or student of the school. This transportation is done on a totally voluntary basis and is in no way connected with the program of the school. The school is not responsible for the behavior of students providing rides to school. Parents of students who drive other students are highly encouraged by the school to make sure that:
1. The car is properly insured
2. The car is properly serviced and in good running condition
3. All safety and driving laws are followed to the letter.
Parents who drop off their child at school are asked to follow all posted safety signs and the published drop-off instructions accordingly.
U. SENIOR PRIVILEGES
Privileges are earned not by age or status but by leadership and exemplary behavior. Privileges may be taken away from individuals because of disciplinary infractions. A class “ditch day” will result in the loss of some or most privileges for the whole class. Examples of Senior privileges that may be withheld follows but is not limited to:
1. Senior line in the cafeteria
2. Special dress on approved days.
3. Birthday celebrations during lunch. Food, gifts, flowers, balloons, etc. stored in main office before and after lunch. Seniors are responsible for clean up.
4. Attendance at Grad Nite is a privilege that can be taken away on the Citizenship Contract for Seniors. Seniors who do not submit copies of all college acceptance letters and college scholarship letters to the senior counselor by the second Friday of May also lose the privilege of Grad Nite.
