Back to Handbook Index
When needed, we believe discipline should be redemptive rather than punitive. Since self-discipline is the ultimate goal for each student, the faculty will seek to assist the student in recognizing the mistake made and lead the student to correct the mistake. The faculty believes that close cooperation is necessary between the school, the home and the student if proper conduct is to be maintained and self-discipline is to be developed. The faculty will always advise parents when disciplinary action is necessary.
Certain actions or practices are inappropriate in a Seventh-day Adventist school, and those who choose to engage in them place themselves in a position that may call for withdrawal from school.
Among these actions are:
- Willfully undermining the religious ideals of the school.
- Engaging in any form of deception, such as cheating, lying or stealing.
- Failure to observe the proper moral attitude toward others.
- Using profane and obscene language or possessing obscene literature.
- Using or possessing drugs, including tobacco and alcohol.
- Gambling or possessing gambling devices.
- Bringing firearms, knives or other potentially lethal or harmful instruments onto the campus. **FELONY: STATE LAW PRESCRIBES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SIX (6) YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE NOT TO EXCEED THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000) FOR CARRYING WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY**
- Being insubordinate by continual, willful disrespect or disobedience to any member of the school staff or by persistent violation of any regulation.
- Meeting persons of the opposite sex in a deliberately secret manner or place.
- Picking or breaking locks, doors or windows to enter locked places; possession of any unauthorized keys; tampering with school lights, wiring, bells or alarms.
- Entering or leaving the dormitories or any other building or room by any means other than the regular entrances, except in case of fire drill or by the direction of the administration.
- Leaving the dormitories without proper permission during the evening or night or for an extended absence at any time.
- Conspiracy or participating in any act that injures, degrades or disgraces any person.
- Shoplifting: If a student is caught shoplifting, the school will not intervene to prevent prosecution. If a student is not caught by the store and it comes to the attention of the school, restitution and further discipline from the school will ensue. IF A SECOND OFFENSE COMES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL WILL TAKE THE STUDENT TO THE STORE AND INSIST THAT THE STUDENT BE PROSECUTED.
- Being involved with any type of spiritualism such as: Dungeons and Dragons or any version thereof, fantasy role-playing or ouija boards.
ONCE A STUDENT IS EXPELLED OR ASKED TO WITHDRAW FROM SCHOOL, HE/SHE IS NOT TO RETURN TO THE CAMPUS UNLESS HE/SHE WRITES FOR AND IS GRANTED PERMISSION FROM THE PRINCIPAL. THIS ALSO INCLUDES GRADUATION WEEKEND.
top
VANDALISM POLICY
Vandalism – willful or malicious destruction of public or private property. When a student is involved in an act of vandalism the following will apply:
- They must write and sign a contract regarding their future treatment of school property and indicate their knowledge of the consequences of future vandalism.
- The student will pay for the cost of materials and labor to restore the vandalized property to its rightful condition.
Example of charges:
- Solid core door - $180.00
- Hollow core door - $155.00
- Damage to carpet - $100.00 minimum
- All labor charges will be assessed at $20 per hour.
- In addition to the above charges, a fine of $50.00 will be assessed as well.
- If it seems impossible to determine who has vandalized property, the accrued fine monies may be used to induce witnesses to come forward with information!?!?
- If a student is involved in a second act of vandalism, they will be suspended to home.
- It will be at the discretion of the dean or staff member as to whether a particular act was one of vandalism or an accident.
top
DRUG TESTING POLICY
Highland Academy, by action of the Highland Academy Board of Trustees, reserves the right for Ad Council to ask any student who is suspected of drug or alcohol use to submit to a blood, urine or hair analysis test. If the student refuses to take the test, it would be probable cause for expulsion. If the test is negative, the school will pay the bill. If the test is positive, the parent is responsible for the payment of the charges.
top
SOCIAL POLICY
Students are expected to cooperate with Highland's hands-off policy. If individuals find themselves unable to do so, they will be put on "social" for a specified time decided upon by Ad Council. Other situations, such as being in the wrong place with the opposite sex without permission, may warrant being put on "social" and possibly additional discipline. The staff member observing the problem will put the individuals on "social" at the time the incident takes place and will also convey to them the decision from Ad Council as to the length of time.
Students on "social" will refrain from:
- Being together.
- Communicating with each other (telephone, note or otherwise).
- Being in close proximity to one another so as not to appear in questionable circumstances.
top
HARASSMENT POLICY
Highland Academy advocates a harassment-free environment whether it be physical, verbal or sexual. Incidents should be reported to a staff member or the principal immediately.
Highland Academy reserves the right to search any student locker at any time deemed necessary.
top
Back to Handbook Index
|