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Code of Conduct

Conduct Information

Students are expected to follow the guidelines established by the school. These policies are created in order for the student to have the best opportunity at success. Repeated failure to adhere to school policy will eventually have a negative effect on a student’s academics. When this occurs a student will most likely have to explain the reasons for his/her poor behavior, along with a pledge to correct said behavior in a meeting with the Administration and parents.

 

Conduct in General

All rules and regulations apply not just during school hours but at any school sponsored activity, event and trip. Any conduct which causes or which creates a reasonable likelihood that it will cause a substantial disruption or interference with any school function, activity, or purpose, or that interferes with or creates a reasonable likelihood that it will interfere with the health, safety or well-being, or the rights of themselves or others is prohibited.


The preceding is a general standard that should be used as a guide by all students. Not all acts of misconduct can be itemized. The following list is not meant to be totally inclusive, but will serve as an indication of the level of seriousness which St. Edmund Preparatory High  School views the act and which may result in disciplinary actions such as confiscation of material, revocation of privileges, probation, suspension and expulsion at the sole discretion of the administration.


For any behavior which can be determined as damaging to the school's reputation, or which brings dishonor to the school community, the school reserves the right to suspend or expel a student for actions against our code of conduct.

  1. Use of abuse, violence, force, coercion, intimidation, fear, insubordination or other similar conduct in a manner that constitutes an interference with school purposes or violates another student's human rights.
  2. The willful cause or attempting to cause damage to private or school property.
  3. Causing or attempting to cause physical injury to oneself or others including the throwing of objects or materials which could cause physical injury.
  4. Threatening or intimidating any person for the purpose of, or with the intent of
  5. obtaining money or anything of value from such a person.
  6. Repetition of any acts of misconduct which signals an unwillingness or inability to follow general acceptable standards of behavior.
  7. Card playing or gambling of any sort is strictly forbidden. Any money found in anyone's possession as a result of gambling will be confiscated and added to the School Scholarship Fund.
  8. Students are not allowed to congregate on the corners near school.
  9. In order for St. Edmund Prep to continue to be a good neighbor within the community, students may not loiter on or in front of private property.
 

Consequences For Serious Violations

  1. Disrespect - As a reflection of the school philosophy, we ought to treat all persons with courtesy and respect. Flagrant disrespect of any individual will not be tolerated. Challenging the authority of a teacher or staff member using language, which by school standards is considered vulgar, obscene, sarcastic, demeaning, threatening or intimidating is unacceptable. The consequences of disrespect will be immediate suspension from class, and a meeting with the offended party at the teacher or staff member's convenience. Further action may be taken as deemed appropriate by the Assistant Principal.
  2. Fighting - The consequences of fighting are immediate suspension for a minimum of two days, and a conference with parents/guardians before readmission to class.
  3. Stealing - Any student involved in stealing will be subject to immediate dismissal. Selling or receiving questionable property shall be deemed the same as stealing.
  4. Smoking - Since this building is smoke free, smoking is strictly forbidden and a serious violation. Since minors are not permitted to purchase tobacco any matches, lighters or other tobacco items will be confiscated. Any student caught smoking will be suspended from school and must return with a parent on the following day. Students caught smoking outside the building will be issued several detentions and a parent will be notified.
  5. Truancy - Since truancy is an illegal absence, and as such is a serious interruption in the student's education. Before being re-admitted to school a student and parents/guardians must meet with the Assistant Principal. The School Administration reserves the right to dismiss a student on any subsequent truancy.
  6. Weapons - Possessing, handling or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily considered to be a weapon will result in immediate dismissal.
  7. Drugs and Alcohol - Selling, using, giving, transmitting to another person, or possessing either on one's person or in one's locker, any illegal substance will result in immediate dismissal.
  8. Cheating – Cheating is very broadly defined at St. Edmund Prep because honesty is required of all teachers and students in order for each student to achieve academic success. Cheating is defined as either giving or receiving information to another student on an exam OR class assignment OR homework. Talking during an exam can be assumed to be for the purposes of cheating since it is not possible for the teacher to know the content of the conversation. A student should always assume that every assignment, lab report, take home tests, etc. is to be done individually, without consultation, unless specifically given directions to assist one another by the teacher. Students who are struggling to master an assignment should seek the advice of the teacher.


Any student caught cheating in any form may receive a “zero” for the assignment. A meeting will be requested between the Academic Dean or Assistant Principal and the student’s parents, at which time additional penalties may be assessed at the discretion of the Dean or the Assistant Principal. The school reserves the right to fail any student caught cheating a second time. The school reserves the right to  fail any student caught cheating a second time. Students caught cheating on a Midterm, Final, or Regents Examination will be dealt with at the discretion of the Administration.

 

Expulsion

Any student who has been expelled from St. Edmund Prep will not be allowed in the building while classes are in session or to attend any extra-curricular events held in the school. Students must obtain permission from the Principal or Vice Principal before being allowed in the building. 

 

Internet

Any communication sent over the internet that threatens and/or causes harm or potential damage to a student and/or the school's reputation is viewed by the school as a public matter and will be subject to disciplinary action by the school. 

 

Detention

Detention is 45 minutes long and begins when the student signs the detention book. The proctor may keep a student longer at his/her discretion. Detention is held in the afternoon at 2:30 and the following morning at 7:30. A student who is given detention MUST serve it that afternoon. Students are only allowed to go in the morning if the Assistant Principal grants them permission. If students are excused in theafternoon, they must go the following morning. Students who miss a scheduled detention will have to serve detention until 4:00 PM. Repeated cutting of detention will most likely result in suspension from classes until a parent conference is held with the Assistant Principal.

 

Detention Rules

  1. Lateness to detention is not tolerated. Students who arrive at detention ten minutes late will be turned away and will have to serve their next detention until 4:30 pm.
  2. All students must be in full uniform. No gym uniform allowed.
  3. Electronic devices, food, beverages or games are not allowed.
  4. All students must sit in assigned places. Talking is never permitted.
  5. Students utilization of the time in the detention room shall be determined by the Dean of Students and Assistant Principal.
 

Cell Phones and Audio/Visual Equipment

Cell phones can prove to be disruptive in our educational setting. While the school appreciates the need for cell phones for parents to get in touch with their child, the phone simply has no purpose while the student is in school. Therefore, cell phones, as well as beepers, are not to be worn or carried around the building. When students enter the building, cell phones are to be turned off and stored either in their bookbag or locker.

 

Cell phones will be confiscated from an individual if that student is using the phone or carrying the phone visibly between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm. Multiple detentions will be issued to students in these situations. Parents must make an appointment to pick up the cell phone from the Dean of students. Under no circumstances will the phone be returned the day it is confiscated - Including Fridays. parents who need to get in touch with their child should call the switchboard between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm and a member of the office staff will get the urgent message to the student.

 

If a cell phone is confiscated for the second time, the Assistant Principal will determine penalties and the student's privilege to carry an electronic device into the school building will be suspended.

 

Possession of cell phones and any type of electronic device is prohibited during school and state exams. Therefore, all electronic devices will be collected and stored by the proctor durin the administration of all midterm, final and regents examinations. If electronic devices and/or cell phones are seen or used during a school exam or state regent exam the student will be viewed as cheating, the test will be immediately invalidated, the device will be confiscated and the student and parent will have to meet with the Assistant Principal.

 

CD players, Walkmans, iPods, MP3 players, and hand held video games are not permitted in the building. If seen, even when not being used, the item will be confiscated. Students are not permitted to use recording devices of any kind without the permission of the Assistant Principal.

 

After School Hours

SEP students are encouraged to participate in as many extracurricular activities as they choose. Any student in the building after 3:45 pm any afternoon must be in the presence of a teacher, coach, or club moderator. Any student in violation of this policy will be referred to the Dean of Students or Assistant Principal.