Philosophy

One of the aims of education at Duchesne is "personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom."  A high standard of integrity is presented as a value to be obtained through growth in self-discipline. This growth in self-discipline include the following qualities:

·   Genuine concern for each member of the school community.

·   Courtesy and consideration for others as a sign of mutual respect.

·    A sense of responsibility and of accountability; each student makes decisions and

   accepts the consequences of her decisions.

Expectations are specified to ensure safety and to promote the general welfare of all.  Caring faculty members strive to assist students in becoming self-disciplined and in learning to consider others.

Rules and consequences for infractions of rules are made known to all students.  Thus, when a student chooses to break a rule, she simultaneously chooses the consequences.  An essential aspect of the discipline program is the process of self-evaluation.  Each student must learn to face herself honestly, to judge her behavior and to take responsibility for her actions.  This process is not left to the student alone.  The faculty and administration are present to support her to assure the growth needed.  Parents and/or students have the right to appeal a disciplinary decision to the Headmistress.

Expectations

·        Students will be on time to assembly and to class.  Failure to attend class is considered skipping.

·        Students will not chew gum anywhere on campus at any time.

·        Students will not eat in the classrooms or in the hallways except during inclement weather or during lunch meetings.  They will be careful to clean up after themselves.

·        Students will always show respect for their teachers and their peers.

·        Students will behave appropriately on all occasions.  Overt expressions of affection on campus or at school functions are considered inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

·        Students will always be in the prescribed uniform from the time they are on campus until they leave.

·        Students who are not in dress uniform for designated programs must attend the activity but may not formally participate.

·        Students must receive permission from the Head of the Upper School, the Dean of Students, or the Assistant to the Upper School Head before going to the parking lot.

·        Students who arrive late or leave early must sign in and sign out in the Upper School office.  An adult picking up a student for early dismissal must come to the office and sign the student out.

·        Students are not allowed to use beepers or cellular phones on campus during school hours.  If a student's beeper or cell phone is picked up on campus, the student will be subject to disciplinary action.

Marks are given for infractions of the above.

Serious Offenses

 The following behaviors are wrong and harmful to community.  They will not be tolerated in any form (including electronic) at any time and may result in suspension or expulsion and/or referral for prosecution:

·        Disrespect or defiance

·        Stealing or plagiarism

·        Cheating or lying

·        Vandalism

·        Vulgar or obscene language

·        Absenting oneself from school and/or class without permission

·        The use, possession of, or distribution of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of tobacco products and/or alcohol

Disciplinary Actions

Detention - A student will receive a one-hour or more detention for an accumulation of three or more marks in a week.  A Student having more than three marks in a week will be required to stay an additional fifteen (15) minutes for each additional mark.  Detention will be doubled for students who skip detention on the day assigned.  A student who plays a sport and receives a detention that must be served on the day of a game, must serve the detention instead of playing the game.  If the student skips detention and plays in the game, she will not be allowed to play in the next scheduled competition.  The skipped detention will also double.

The marking period is from Monday through Friday.  In order to give advance notice of detention, a list of those receiving detention will be posted Monday of the following week for detention that will be served on Wednesday.

When serving detention the student is assigned to a work-detail or a silent detention.  If she receives more than two detentions in a quarter, the third and subsequent detentions are served as silent detentions.  A student who receives three (3) detentions in a quarter will receive an in-house suspension.  Seniors may not exercise off-campus privileges until all detention time is cleared. 

Suspension - The school reserves the right to suspend a student when necessary.  Ordinarily, an interview with the parents and the Administration will precede the suspension.  All work missed while on suspension must be made up in accordance with the directives of the teachers.  No credit will be given for daily work missed during suspension; however, make-up tests must be taken.  A student who is suspended may be placed on disciplinary probation until the Administration notifies the student otherwise.

Expulsion - The school reserves the right to dismiss a student for blatant disregard for school regulations and/or for poor academic performance. 

Duchesne's immediate goal is to stop the offending behavior. Any incident of any form of harassment should be reported immediately to the Upper School Head or to another Administrator. She/he will not be penalized in any way for reporting a harassment problem. All complaints which are reported to Duchesne will be handled promptly, and special efforts will be made to protect the privacy of all parties involved