Brother Martin High School

Introduction
The behavior policy of Brother Martin High School fosters the total Christian formation of each student through the nourishment of religious values, self-discipline, personal growth and academic excellence. This goal is best realized through the cooperative effort of students, parents and school.

There are times and places in which the behavior of students affects Brother Martin High School. In all such cases, student behavior is considered within the province of Brother Martin High School. Parents are invited and expected to support Brother Martin High School in the rigorous enforcement of this behavior policy since discipline is necessary to provide for the orderly growth and development of the individual and to assure the health and safety of each student. Conduct

While on campus, at school-related events, and traveling to and from school, students shall conduct themselves as Christian gentlemen and in a manner that supports the good name of Brother Martin High School. Behavior, therefore, shall at all times be respectful, cooperative and conducive to meeting the academic and other needs of individual students and all others in the school community. Should a student become aware of serious wrongdoing he is expected to pass that information on to a responsible adult in an effort to prevent the wrongdoing from taking place or to help protect others.

If a student is present when wrongdoing is evident (such as fighting, smoking, vandalism, use of alcohol or other drugs, and so forth), then that student has the obligation to remove himself immediately from that situation; otherwise, he shares in the consequences related to such misbehavior. These consequences may include detention, suspension or dismissal.

While off campus a student shall conduct himself in a manner consistent with his status as a member of the Brother Martin High School community. Behavior that is contrary to the moral or religious principles of the Roman Catholic Church or the philosophy or policies of Brother Martin High School as indicated in the Student Handbook makes a student subject to disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal.

Behavior prohibited by this regulation includes, but is not limited to, the following:

In addition to the Mall, students may eat in the yard behind the main school building. Eating lunch in restricted areas is not permitted. There is to be no eating or drinking in the school building except in the Mall area. This includes bottled drinks such as Powerade and water. Therefore, students may not have any visible sign of food or drink in the school building except in the mall area or outside. Chewing gum and sunflower seeds are prohibited anywhere on campus.

Yard
During unstructured time students may be in the yard immediately behind the main classroom portion of the building. However, rough games such as tackle football or the like and games involving objects being thrown against the building are not allowed.

Restricted Areas
Students shall not go to parking areas during the school day without permission of the Assistant Principal nor shall they loiter at any time near parked cars, trucks, buses, bikes, outside of classrooms, behind or near the Ridgley Center, near the modular classrooms, on the patio, in the parking lots around the Conlin Gym lobby entrance or in front of school. Students are not permitted in Faculty Rooms at any time. Gathering or loitering in or around all commercial establishments within a three block radius of the school is strictly forbidden. Visiting or loitering in the vicinity of other schools during their academic day is strictly forbidden.

Electronic Equipment, Technology and Information Sources
Students are not allowed to have on their persons radios, video cameras, tape recorders, beepers, cell phones or other electronic or communication equipment of any type during the school day. All school electronic and audiovisual equipment may be used only for school purposes. Student access to school computers and to the Internet is governed by an Acceptable Use Policy posted at access sites and printed in the Student Handbook. Anyone violating these policies is subject to disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal.

Teachers will make discretionary decisions that may impact laptops, computers, written documents, calculators, personal notes, and electronic data in the interest of a viable learning environment or for legitimate pedagogical purposes.

Lockers
All lockers provided for student use by the school are school property; however, use of lockers is gratuitously provided for the convenience of the students. The school will not be liable for any losses that the student may incur.

The combination locks sold in the Student Services Office are required for use on the locker assigned to each student. Each student is responsible for the contents, orderliness and care of this assigned locker.

Book Bags
Only Brother Martin book bags or plain book bags of appropriate quality, size and appearance may be brought to school. Other than a student’s name written neatly, no other writing of any sort or any other defacing is allowed on a student’s book bag. Students are allowed to carry only one book bag throughout the school day. Additional book bags and other student property must be locked in a student’s assigned locker. The school is not liable for any loses that the student may incur.

Search and Seizure Policy
For health or safety reasons, the school reserves the right during the school day, at all school sponsored activities (such as but not limited to extracurricular activities, athletic events, dances, field trips and overnight trips) or while the student or his possessions are on campus, to carry out reasonable search and seizure by school officials of students’ persons, students’ vehicles or other student possessions on campus and all school property for materials or objects, the possession of which is a violation of school policy or Christian values and principles.

Contracted Bus Services
While traveling to and from school on the parentally contracted bus services, students will observe the guidelines set forth by the bus operators as well as the general rules of student behavior outlined in this behavior policy. Because misbehavior on the buses jeopardizes the safety of others, it cannot be tolerated. Misbehavior on the bus may result in suspension from or removal from the bus or other disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal from school.

Automobiles
Students who drive cars to school must operate those cars in a careful and responsible manner. Failure to do so could result in the student not being allowed to drive a car to school.

Parking
Students parking in the area of the school will respect all persons and property in the neighborhood. The school will make reasonable efforts to protect the vehicles and property of students but will not be responsible for any loss or damage to cars or their contents from fire, theft or any other cause.

Vehicle Registration
All vehicles brought to school must be registered. Registration will take place at orientation and throughout the year in the office of the Assistant Principal. Parking in the student parking areas on campus is strictly limited to registered student vehicles.

Absences
A student who is absent must have a parent or guardian phone the school as early as possible on the day of the absence. Upon returning to school, the student must also bring a note, describing the reason for his absence, signed by a parent or guardian, and must deliver that note to the office of the Assistant Principal before he will be admitted to his first class of the day. On the day of his absence a student may neither attend nor participate in an athletic event, practice or extracurricular school activity without the specific permission of the Assistant Principal.

Absences will be considered as excused or unexcused. An excused absence is one in which the student is absent for a legitimate reason as determined by the Assistant Principal. Students are allowed to make up any work missed during an excused absence. However, parents and students are expected to keep these absences to a minimum. It is the student’s responsibility to see his teachers about missed work within three days of his return to school. Lack of cooperation on the part of the student in making up work or tests in a timely manner will result in a grade of F for the missing work. A student who is absent for a single day prior to or the day of a planned and announced quiz, test or assignment shall make up that work on the day he returns to school.

An unexcused absence is one in which the student is absent without an approved reason. Students shall make up the time and assignments missed during an unexcused absence, but they receive no academic credit for that work. When a student has an unexcused absence from school, further disciplinary action may be taken.

College Visits
In order to prevent absences from school, students and their parents should begin early making college plans and the associated campus visitations. Students should plan college visits for times when Brother Martin High School is not in session. Absences for college visits will be excused only when requested in advance. The Assistant Principal for Discipline and Attendance in consultation with the College Counselor makes the final decision regar-ding excused absences for college visits.

Extended Absences
A student who is absent for five consecutive school days must present a doctor’s certificate to the office of the Assistant Principal before he will be re-admitted to class. The parent(s) and student will meet with the Assistant Principal to discuss these extended absences.

Excessive Absences
Excessive absenteeism is a serious matter. A student who in the judgment of the Assistant Principal has excessive absences, excused or unexcused, or who in his opinion is frequently tardy, may be placed on probation.

Checking Out During the School Day
Students’ checking out during the school day should be kept to an absolute minimum. When it is necessary for a student to leave school during the day, parents should send the student to the office of the Assistant Principal with a note before the beginning of the school day. No student may check out of school without the permission of the Assistant Principal. A student who becomes ill during the school day should report to the office of the Assistant Principal so that a parent or guardian may be contacted for permission for the student to check out of school. Students who check out frequently may have to be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian before being re-admitted to class.

Tardiness
Students shall arrive at school in sufficient time to be present for their first class. Any student tardy for either first or second period is to report to the office of the Assistant Principal before going to class. A student late for class in periods 3 through 8 will be disciplined as deemed necessary by the teacher.

Students shall comply with grooming regulations during the school day and at all school functions. A student’s hair shall be of moderate length and thickness in the front, back, top and sides. Maximum length is to the middle of the ear on the sides, top of the collar in the back, and when combed forward, the top of the eyebrows in the front. It must be clean and neat at all times. Layered hair, braids, wedge or fade haircuts, shaven heads, shaving or carving into the natural hairline, dyed, bleached or tinted hair and the like are not acceptable. Students whose haircuts are deemed inappropriate by the Assistant Principal will not be allowed to attend classes.

The school uniform consists of a white oxford, long or short sleeve dress shirt purchased from Schiro's with the Brother Martin school shield embroidered over the pocket, uncuffed, non-pleated khaki pants worn on the waist, a khaki web belt with Navy type brass buckle, plain black socks and black, Schiro brand shoes with vibram sole. A school issued nametag is worn on the pocket. Only plain white, short sleeve undershirts or T-shirts may be worn under the uniform shirt. During the school day, students are required to wear the complete school uniform when on campus. Students are responsible for maintaining their complete school uniform in a clean and neat condition at all times. Students whose uniforms are not in appropriate condition will not be allowed to attend classes.

Earrings, necklaces and other facial or body jewelry may not be worn with the school uniform or at any school-related function. Religious jewelry such as crosses or medals may be worn but should be tucked inside the uniform shirt. Visible tattoos are a violation of the grooming and uniform rules whether visible when the student is wearing the regular school uniform, the PE uniform, a team uniform or other clothing at school or at a school-related function.

Outerwear: Only outerwear purchased in the Brother Martin bookstore, letterman jackets and approved school team or organization jackets may be worn over the uniform shirt in school. No other jackets, shirts, sweaters or sweatshirts may be worn with the school uniform except for appropriate jackets or coats as needed while traveling to and from school. Starter jackets, jean jackets, army jackets, black leather jackets, ponchos or the like may not be worn to school.

Additionally, any garment that promotes tobacco, alcohol, gambling or promotes or implies behavior contrary to the moral or religious principles of the Roman Catholic Church or the philosophy or policies of Brother Martin High School is inappropriate and may not be worn with the school uniform or at any school-related function. Baseball caps are acceptable outerwear at most extracurricular functions, but they must be worn in the traditional manner with bill forward.

Dishonesty
Dishonesty, including but not necessarily limited to, academic dishonesty, forging parents’ signatures, stealing or willful lying, makes a student subject to disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal. Violation of the integrity of testing situations, plagiarism and the like are considered forms of academic dishonesty.

Fighting
Any hostile physical altercation on the school grounds, at a school-related function or at a prearranged location is strictly forbidden. Any talk or other behavior which may arouse suspicion of participating in or encouraging others to participate in a fight on or off campus is prohibited. Any student violating these regulations is subject to dismissal.

Major Disruptions
Disruptions to the orderly environment of the school are not tolerated. Any conduct by a student whether it be vandalism, malicious mischief, harassment, serious or chronic misbehavior or the like, which disrupts the orderly atmosphere of the academic day or any school-related activity or damages the good name and reputation of Brother Martin High School could result in dismissal.

Inappropriate Language
The use of any language that is impolite, lewd, indecent or contrary to the moral or religious principles of the Roman Catholic Church or the goals and principles of Brother Martin High School is prohibited and will be handled as a violation of respect for others.

Graduation
Appropriate, respectful behavior throughout the entire commencement exercise is a graduation requirement at Brother Martin High School. Any student violating this expectation may forfeit the privilege of receiving a Brother Martin High School diploma. The Principal makes the final decision concerning the appropriateness of behavior at commencement.

Disrespect
Disrespectful behavior, including but not limited to words, actions or the like that demean another person, whether student or adult, is not tolerated and could result in dismissal.

Harrassment
Every person has a right to his or her own dignity and individuality. Thus, harassment, which includes but is not limited to repeated behavior that is detrimental to the rights, dignity, welfare or peace of mind of another person, will not be tolerated. Anyone who harasses another person will be subject to serious disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal.

Narcotics and Alcohol
The sale, purchase, possession or consumption of drugs including alcohol either before or during a student’s academic day or at any school-related function is strictly prohibited. Further, students are prohibited from engaging in the consumption, possession (under the influence will be deemed possession) or sale of any drugs except for appropriately prescribed drugs for medical treatment. Any talk or other behavior which may arouse suspicion of the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of narcotics, such as but not limited to the possession of drug paraphernalia, is forbidden. Anyone violating this regulation is subject to dismissal. As a condition of continued enrollment at Brother Martin, a student must submit to testing for the abuse or misuse of legal or illegal substances if there is some reasonable suspicion, as determined by the Principal, of possible abuse or misuse of legal or illegal substances. Any student who tests positive for the use of illegal substances is subject to disciplinary action including possible dismissal.

Tobacco
The use of any tobacco product is not allowed on campus or at any school-related activity. The use of tobacco is also not allowed within two blocks of the campus or at nearby neighborhood business establishments. Further, a student may not have any tobacco product, cigarette lighter or matches on his person or in the school locker at any time. Repeated offenses subject the student to serious disciplinary action including possible dismissal.

Off-Campus
Students are required to be on campus at all times during their academic day unless they are given permission to leave by the Principal or the Assistant Principal. The academic day begins with a student’s arrival at school and runs through the completion of his last scheduled period. Anyone violating this regulation is subject to dismissal.

The sale or purchase of any property at school is not allowed. Such sale or purchase of property or any other talk or behavior which may arouse suspicion of theft or wrongdoing is a serious violation that makes the student subject to suspension or dismissal.

Vandalism
Vandalism, intentional damage or damage as a result of misuse of any sort to school property, including but not limited to computers or to the property of its students or employees, is strictly forbidden and could result in dismissal.

Weapons
A weapon is defined as any instrument (including but not limited to firearms, knives, clubs, any gas, liquid or other object or substance) that in the manner used could or may cause bodily harm. No student is permitted to possess or pass on to others any such instrument or ammunition while on the school grounds or at any school-related function. Anyone violating this regulation is subject to suspension or dismissal.

Use or possession of any medication while a student is on campus must be reported to the Assistant Principal for Discipline and Attendance.

Possession of a weapon by anyone (student, non-student or adult) on school property, on a school bus, within one thousand feet of school property or at a school-sponsored functions, is a violation of the Louisiana Criminal Code.

A student accused or suspected of serious wrongdoing may be placed on a study program in or out of school pending the outcome of a judicial proceeding or internal investigation.

Major Disciplinary Actions
Serious disciplinary problems, which lead to a consideration of dismissal of the student or students involved, are discussed and review-ed by the Committee on Discipline which is appointed by the Principal. After its deliberations this group makes a recommen-dation to the Principal. The Principal then decides what action is to be taken.

Probation
This disciplinary action places a student in jeopardy of being dismissed from Brother Martin High School. During the stated length of time the student is on probation, no serious behavior difficulties are tolerated. If during the probationary period a misbehavior problem arises, the Committee on Discipline will review the situation and make a recommendation to the Principal. At the end of the probationary period, the Committee on Discipline evaluates the student’s attitude and performance to determine whether to remove him from probation or to take additional action.

Suspension
This disciplinary action places a student in jeopardy of being dismissed from Brother Martin High School. It requires that a student not attend class for a stated period of time. Suspension from school requires that a student not return to school until told to do so by the Assistant Principal. Suspension from class or classes requires that the student report to school to be disciplined under the direction of the Assistant Principal.