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School Policies

DISCIPLINE AND POLICIES

Student Handbook
 
It is the intent of Mt. Carmel High School that School and District discipline policies and regulations be enforced consistently and fairly without regard to race, creed, color, or gender. Discipline based on faith in the worth and dignity of each individual is a positive form of guidance rather than a punitive device. This basic code of conduct is designed to support, not stifle, students. We hope it will help provide students with a school they are proud to attend and an atmosphere where they have freedom to learn.

RULES OF STUDENT DISCIPLINE IN THE POWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Students of the Poway Unified School District will be disciplined in accordance with Statutes of the State of California. A student will be subject to disciplinary action for designated acts if the acts are related to school activity or attendance and which occur at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
  • The student is on school grounds.
  • The student is going to or coming from school.
  • The student is on breaks or lunch periods whether on or off campus.
  • The student is going to, coming from, or attending a school or district-sponsored activity.

The prohibited acts are:
  1.  Causing, attempting to cause, threatening to cause, or assisting in the cause or threat of physical injury to another person; including, but not limited to fighting, assault or battery.
  2. Possessing, selling, or otherwise furnishing to others any firearm, any knife, explosive, or other dangerous objects such as, but not limited to, brass knuckles, razor blades, any pellet or pellet-type guns, paintball guns, lasers, or pepper spray.
  3. Possessing, using, having consumed, or being under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, dangerous drugs, unauthorized prescription medications (e.g., Soma or Ritalin), or other controlled substances or intoxicants of any kind; (including over-the-counter medications which create an intoxicating effect).
  4. Transferring, selling, distributing, offering, arranging, or negotiating to sell, or possessing quantities sufficient to suggest the intent to provide, give, or sell to other students substances which are, or are purported to be, alcohol, narcotics, dangerous drugs, unauthorized prescription medications (e.g., Soma, Ritalin), other controlled substances, (i.e., marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, or anabolic steroids) or intoxicants of any kind; (including over-the-counter medications which create an intoxicating effect).
  5. Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.
  6. Causing or attempting to cause damage to school or private property.
  7. Committing or attempting to commit theft of school or private property.
  8. Possessing or using tobacco or any products containing tobacco or nicotine on school premises.
  9. Commission of obscene act or engaging in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
  10. Unlawfully possessing, offering, arranging, or negotiating to sell any drug paraphernalia as defined in Section 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
  11. Disruption of school activities or willful defiance of school authority, including violations of academic honesty.
  12. Knowingly receiving stolen school or private property.
  13. Possessing an imitation firearm.
  14. Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault or sexual battery.
  15. Threatening or intimidating a witness or a complaining witness in a school disciplinary proceeding.
  16. Sexual harassment (Grades 4-12).
  17. Hate behavior/Violence (Grades 4-12).
  18. Violating technology-use policies and inappropriate use of electronic signaling devices (e.g., cell phones, pagers, laser pointers, computers).
  19. Causing or attempting to cause an assault or battery, intimidation, harassment, or threats on any school employee or school property.
  20. Causing or attempting to cause acts of intimidation, harassment, or hazing on any student (e.g., initiations into clubs, sport teams, or student body associations).
  21. Terrorist threats against school officials, school property, or both.
  22. Violating individual school rules, or violating bus rules. Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to, advice and counsel, warnings, campus work details, detention, In-School Suspension (ISS), Friday School, bus suspension, home suspension, behavior or rehabilitation contracts, transfer to another school/program, and/or expulsion from the Poway Unified School District.

GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION AND/OR EXPULSION
The Board of Education authorizes the school principal to suspend or to recommend to the Board for consideration of expulsion any student who violates the Rules of Student Discipline. Restitution may also be required in cases of damage or destruction of property. At any time, if the principal determines that the student’s presence causes a danger to persons or property or threatens to disrupt the instructional process, the student may be suspended and/or expelled.

DRESS CODE

The responsibility of proper attire should be monitored first in the home. The intent of the dress code is to create a safe, positive environment that is conducive to the learning and safety of students. While it is not possible to list every item that is considered inappropriate or that might pose a danger to students, the following will provide general guidelines for appropriate student dress per PUSD Board Policy 5.6.2 and 5.25.1.  
  • Tops completely cover chest, abdomen and back.  
  • Undergarments or lack of undergarments must not be visible on any student while sitting or standing.
  • Clothing must not contain promote or imply illegal substances (tobacco, alcohol, drugs), violence, profanity,  sexual behavior or nudity, including clothing using double entendre to the same effect.
  • Clothing must not make discriminatory comments. 
  • Clothing must not endanger other students, staff or self (including but not limited to clothing and accessories that have sharp points, pocket/wallet chains, bullet belts, etc.).
  • For health and safety reasons, students are expected to wear shoes at all times.
  • For safety purposes clothing may not promote, imply, or resemble gang attire.
Exceptions to the dress code may be made for participants in athletics or for performing groups at the discretion of administration. Such attire designed for competition, performance, or practice will not be permitted as part of daily school attire.

Procedures:
Students violating the Dress Code are subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to:
  • Students bring dress "up to code"
  • Student conference
  • Parent contact
  • Students repeatedly violating the Dress Code are subject to suspension (See: Defiance of Authority in the Student Handbook)
ID Cards:
The image of the student must reflect the students authentic look. Any attempt to alter the students authentic look is prohibited. (Including but not limited to : wigs, face paint, stick on facial hair and/or making a face to purposefully distort the students appearance.)

CELL PHONES

Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight (in a pocket, backpack, purse, etc.) during class.  Cell phones that are in sight, used, or go off during class will be confiscated and student will be subject to disciplinary action.  A parent or custodial guardian must pick up the confiscated cell phone from the office. Cell phone use is permitted before and after school and at snack and lunch only.  The school assumes no responsibility for lost, damaged, or stolen cell phones.

DANCE POLICIES

The following regulations will be enforced at MCHS dances:
  1. Students must show an MCHS ID card to purchase tickets and to enter the activity.
  2. Approved guests must show a driver’s license or photo identification and an approved guest pass.
  3. Students may not transfer or sell tickets to any other student.
  4. Dance tickets are non- refundable.
  5. MCHS students are responsible for both their own behavior and demeanor and that of their guests.
  6. Students must be at the dance by 10:00pm or they will not be admitted. Students may not exit and re-enter the dance.
  7. Sexually explicit dancing and dancing that may result in disruption or injury are prohibited.
  8. Absolutely no use or possession of alcohol or drugs is allowed at any MCHS dance. PUSD's discipline policy will be enforced.
  9. Guests over twenty years of age are not allowed at the dance.
  10. Middle school students regardless of age are not permitted to attend any dance/event.
  11. Students need to make arrangements to be picked up immediately after the dance(s).
  12. Students on tier two must meet criteria to remove themselves from the tier two list(s) in order to purchase tickets and attend the dance.

OFF CAMPUS LUNCH

Only Juniors and Seniors on Tier 1 are eligible for off-campus lunch passes.  The student’s parent or custodial guardian must come into the office, show ID, and complete a Lunch Pass Application. A lunch pass sticker will be applied to the student’s ID card, which must be shown to a campus supervisor when leaving campus at lunch.   If a student is placed on Tier 2, his/her lunch pass will be revoked.  See the description of the “Tiered Privilege System” in the Student Handbook.

ID CARD STICKERS

Students that are not enrolled in a class during the school day can get a sticker on their ID cards from Ms. Adelman in the Campus Safety office.