Code of Conduct

Standards of Behavior

The school is committed to a physically and emotionally safe and secure learning environment. Discipline is the training that develops character, self-control, efficiency, and orderliness. It is the key to good conduct, consideration, and respect for the rights of others. The school places emphasis upon teaching and reinforcing appropriate behavior in order to establish and maintain a positive learning environment.

Specific goals of the discipline policy are the following:

Establish a safe productive learning environment free of hate speech that ensures the safety of all students, teachers and staff.
Promote self-direction, motivation, and a sense of responsibility among students.
Cultivate mutual respect among students, teachers, administration, and parents.

Standards of Conduct

Classroom rules are developed by the teacher with the administration. Students are also expected to adhere to the following school wide rules:

On the Playground

Finish eating, and dispose of trash properly before playing
Keep our school clean
Play safely
Be a good sport
Stop playing when the bell rings
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated

In the Lunchroom

Enter and exit in an orderly manner
Use good table manners while eating
Keep your eating area clean
Wait at your table to be dismissed before leaving the lunchroom
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated

At Assemblies

Be quiet and attentive
Ask permission before leaving your seat
Follow instructions given by faculty and administration at all times
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated

Consequences for Violation of Standards

Tardiness

Besides being punctual and arriving on time in the mornings, students must be in their classrooms on time as well. School begins at 8:15 a.m. Any students arriving to school after the second bell (8:20 a.m.) will receive a morning tardy from the school office unless he/she has a valid excuse. During the school day any student arriving to class after the second bell will receive a class tardy, unless he/she has a pass from a teacher or from the office. Students with two or less morning and class tardies each month will receive a free dress pass. Students with more than three morning tardies will stay in the office for the first period, and will not receive a free dress pass for that month. For middle school students, class tardies will be recorded in the report card.

Homework Policy

Teachers will determine their homework policy following the guidelines set by the administration.
All homework policies will be reviewed by the administration.
Teachers will communicate their homework policy to the students and parents.
Failure by a student to meet homework expectations will result in parent-teacher conferences, and/or parent-teacher and administration conferences.

Behavior Referral

Teachers have the prerogative to resolve issues with students and parents before referral to the administration.
Referral slips may be issued at the discretion of the teacher for repeated offenses such as disrespect and disruptive behavior, as well as some severe violations (listed below) both in the classroom and on the playground.
Subsequent to a referral slip, the administration and teacher will decide on further action pertaining to the student. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:
- Student, parent, teacher and administration conference, by telephone or in person
- Community service by the student, followed by the completion of a reflective assignment
If inappropriate behavior continues further measures may be taken. Such measures may include, but are not limited to:
- After school detention
- Suspension
- Expulsion

To insure safety and to control student movement, red cards will be issued for the following infractions:

Not staying within appropriate boundaries
Running in courtyard, hall or stairs at any time
Disrupting other classes (unnecessary noise or physical or visual distraction when going to other locations, bathroom, lockers, etc.)

If a student has 3 red cards in a month he or she will lose the free dress privilege for that month. Any teacher or staff member can issue a red card.

Severe Violations and Their Consequences

Ignoring or talking back to adults
Fighting and/or causing bodily harm
Carrying, bringing, using or possessing dangerous device and their look-alikes
Using abusive language and/or profanity
Bullying
Abusing school property or the property of others/vandalism
Engaging in any form of plagiarism, the use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own work
Cheating
Stealing

The principal may suspend a student for one or more days depending on the severity of the violation. Parents will be notified by the principal prior to the suspension date. In addition to the above, the school adheres to the Discipline Policy of the Board of Regents of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.