Student handbook for 1996-1997 - Southwestern Academy

PRIVILEGES AND PENALTIESStudents who contribute to the schoolcommunity, who behave and help the group,receive special privileges and rewards.Students who disturb, disrupt, and keep othersfrom learning must put something back to replacewhat they hurt. This is the basis of our systemof commendations and penalties.You are expected to care for others as well asyourself, to be on time, neatly dressed, andinterested in learning. Our system of remindersis to help you develop the strength to disciplineyourself.Faculty, staff, and proctors will assign penaltiesfor breaking rules, and will explain the reasonsfor any penalties. These same people will giveplus points for the good things you do.There are three levels to our discipline system -the first level is points, the second level isdetentions, and the third level is suspensionsor expulsions.LEVEL ONE - POINTSTo handle matters of a minor nature, the pointsystem gives rewards for good behavior andpunishments for such things as lateness,untidiness, and minor misconduct.Positive points are awarded for behavior abovethat which is expected, personal bests, kindnessto others, and any behavior which showsinitiative in helping build a better schoolcommunity.Negative points are given by teachers or proctorsfor such actions as being tardy (one point foreach five minutes), coming to class without booksor materials, being untidy or leaving a mess (oneor two), spitting, chewing gum or eating in class(two), disturbing a class (one or two), minordress code violations such as outdoor wear inclass (two), and “public display of affection”(anything beyond hand-holding that callsattention to itself, one or two points).Negative points will be worked off at the rate offour per hour, unless the job is extremelyunpleasant, when more credit may be awardedby the supervisor. Points are worked off afterschool hours and the work is supervised.Negative points remaining at the end of the weekbecome detentions.LEVEL TWO - DETENTIONSA detention is given by staff members (but notProctors) for more serious issues. Eachdetention means one hour of writing or copyingmaterials related to the offense, or one hour ofphysical work, at the discretion of the supervisor.Detention will be served after P. E. class, startingat 4:30. Detentions are also served onweekends. On receiving a detention, a studentmust surrender the blue card. All privileges suchas weekend trips will be forfeited until thedetention is served.Detention hours are given for such things asbeing with a smoker, dress code violations,cutting a class (two penalties); cutting anappointment or meal (one penalty), being upafter curfew, being out of the area*, hazing, orexcess points at the end of the week.*Being out of the area means being in placeswhere students do not belong. Classrooms,study halls, rest rooms, play fields, and picnictable areas are acceptable areas during thenormal class day. Being behind the gym, chapel,storage buildings; in dorms other than your own,or in classrooms after hours without permission,is not acceptable and out of the area.In San Marino, being east of the outdoorbasketball court, around the gardens or drivewayof Veronda Place, or on the south side ofFounders’ Hall dorms, is considered being out ofthe area and is punishable with detentions.At Beaver Creek, being outside the circle ofbuildings is generally considered out of the area.See page 25 for rules on where you cannot go atour campuses.Notification of detentions earned will becommunicated to parents, and also kept onpermanent student records.LEVEL THREE - SUSPENSIONSOther more serious offenses such as vandalism,fighting, smoking, major cheating or hazing,theft, opposite sex in dorms or bathrooms, offcampus without permission, or having illegalsubstances or materials, will result in suspensionor expulsion from Southwestern at therecommendation of the disciplinary committeeand review of the committee’s recommendationsby the headmaster. Detection canines visitcampus to search for any illegal drugs, weapons,or alcohol, in order to safeguard our learningenvironment.18