Discipline

CULTURE OF THE SCHOOL

St. Thomas is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ. The mission statement clearly directs the school to be a just, tolerant, and caring community. In such a community there is no place for intolerance, bigotry, prejudice, harassment, hazing, violence, or hatred. Consequently, neither any symbols, gestures, language or actions that injure, perpetuate or encourage intolerance, prejudice, bigotry, hate and/or violence, nor any act of violence (including fighting) will be tolerated. Students who violate these standards will incur severe consequences, as appropriate, including suspension, referral to the local police, and expulsion.

ABUSE, BULLYING, HAZING, STALKING, HARASSMENT

St. Thomas complies with all applicable state and federal laws concerned with bullying, hazing, stalking, harassment or other forms of abusive behavior involving students or staff. All complaints will be investigated fully and persons responsible will be subject to appropriately serious consequences including extra-curricular sanctions, suspension, expulsion, and/or referral to local and state authorities. The Dean of Students and the Director of Guidance have been designated as complaint managers and any person with a complaint or question regarding these issues should contact one of those managers to obtain assistance. In addition, if anyone suspects abuse by a priest, deacon, member of a religious institution, or an employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Manchester, he or she is asked to contact the NH Division of Children, Youth and Families at 1-800-894-5533 and the Delegate of the Bishop of Manchester at 603-669-3100. Counseling services are available through NH Catholic Charities at 1-800-475-5585.

CHEATING

Cheating, including plagiarism, is contrary to the mission and philosophy of St. Thomas. Cheating, whether on an assignment, a test, a quiz or in a project or paper, violates the academic and spiritual ideals of our school community. Efforts to assist a fellow student, while sometimes kindly motivated, are in fact equally objectionable and are also treated as cheating. Disciplinary action will be appropriately serious. Cheating will usually involve no credit for the work in question and additional disciplinary action including detention or suspension and parent notification. Repeat offenders will face possible expulsion.

CRIMINAL CONDUCT

St. Thomas has a legal obligation to report criminal conduct to the local police. St. Thomas exists in a safe school zone and all state laws apply on campus and its environs. The school policy is to cooperate with local law enforcement in the investigation of criminal activity. School consequences for criminal conduct will supplement any legal action taken by the authorities. Parents will be notified if their student is involved in an investigation of criminal activity by local law enforcement.

DETENTION

Detention is viewed as a serious matter and takes precedence over any other school commitment. Detentions are given for flagrant or consistent violation of school rules. Detention is normally served on the day after it is issued unless arrangements are made between the parent and the Dean of Students. Detention begins at 2:30 pm (or the end of the school day) and lasts for one hour. A student who fails to stay for an assigned detention may be suspended. Parents will be notified after four detentions are issued. Detention will normally take place in a detention location under the supervision of an assigned school official. Students are expected to present their detention notice to the proctor. Students are to remain in dress code for detention period. Homework will not be allowed during this time. Students must obey the direction of the detention proctor.

DISCIPLINARY CODE

St. Thomas operates with a philosophy of mutual respect for all individuals. It is necessary that order and discipline be maintained for the smooth operation of the school and because it is the standard of Christian living. Rules of conduct are based on two premises: First, that every student has the right to a protected environment of personal safety, a properly maintained facility, and an atmosphere conducive to personal growth. Second, that every student has the duty and responsibility to protect these rights for all others. The Principal is ultimately responsible for student conduct in the school.

All rules and regulations will be enforced in any and all locations that are or become the jurisdiction of the school, or affect the reputation of St. Thomas. Students are required to act in accordance with the mission of the school at all times. Students are instructed to comply to the regulations established by St. Thomas teachers, proctors, staff, and administration. Failure to comply will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

Possible disciplinary action that may be taken at the Administration’s discretion is as follows:

  1. Warning (verbal or written, e.g., dress code demerit).
  2. Teacher detention.
  3. Office detention (parents will be notified after fourth). Any unexcused absences from an office detention will result in an additional detention being issued or in-school suspension. Note: 3 demerits result in a detention.
  4. In-school suspension (parents will be notified).
  5. Out-of-school suspension (parents will be notified).
  6. Expulsion (parents will be notified).

Procedures for discipline involving probation, suspension, or expulsion will follow principles of fundamental fairness and will include:

  1. Notice to student of alleged misconduct.
  2. Opportunity for student to explain his or her action.
  3. Notice to student of disciplinary action taken.
  4. Parental notification of proceedings and action.


Consultation by the Administration with parents or other appropriate parties will be done at the discretion of the school. The Dean of Students has the authority to suspend or expel a student from St. Thomas. He shall consult other administrators on discipline involving a suspension or expulsion. Because the Principal is ultimately responsible for discipline, a suspension or expulsion may be appealed in writing to the Principal within three school days. The Principal may consult the Administrative Team at his discretion. The decision of the Principal may be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools of the Diocese of Manchester. The school reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable in attitude and general conduct or whose continuation in the school is detrimental to him/herself or to his/her fellow students.


DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Definition: A drug is any substance (other than food) that, when taken into the body or applied to its surface, alters the mood, perception, or consciousness of a person or otherwise affects the function of a person’s body or mind. Alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, and prescription medications are included in this definition. As a Christian institution, the school has a duty to assist students in meeting their problems, to educate them to the hazardous nature of drug use, to maintain the safety and well-being of all students, and to discourage illegal activity in the school setting.

The sale, distribution, use, or possession of drugs will result in parent notification and the student will be subject to immediate expulsion or other disciplinary action. When a student is found in possession of drugs, or if a student is suspected by school personnel of being a drug user, parents will be notified immediately. If the circumstances warrant, the school may require a professional evaluation (at the family’s expense) to interpret the need for medical or psychological treatment. If the family refuses to schedule a professional evaluation (with an agency approved by the school), the school may suspend the student indefinitely until arrangements are made for suitable evaluation.

LEAVING SCHOOL

Students who leave school grounds during the school hours without permission of the Dean of Students will be suspended.

OFF-CAMPUS BEHAVIOR (see Student Life)

REMOVAL FROM SCHOOL COMMUNITY

St. Thomas reserves the right to remove or dismiss from the school community at any time a student who, in the school’s judgment, is undesirable in attitude and general conduct or whose continuation in the school is detrimental to him/herself, to his/her fellow students, or to the reputation of the school.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The school maintains a firm policy prohibiting all forms of discrimination based on sex. It is the policy of this school to maintain a learning and working environment based on respect and dignity. Sexual violence, sexual advances or other forms of personal harassment by any person, male or female, verbal or nonverbal, which create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

SUSPENSION

Suspension is a serious consequence reserved for serious or repeated infractions of school rules and expectations. A suspension involves two different sanctions. First, the student is separated from the school community for one or more days. Second, the student incurs an academic penalty based upon the number of days suspended.

The Dean of Students may suspend a student either In School or Out of School. The student is afforded an opportunity to explain his/her actions. The student is informed of the suspension and parents are notified immediately by phone and officially by mail. The notification includes the type of suspension, the date(s) of the suspension, the reason for the suspension, and any conditions set by the Dean of Students for the student’s re-entry into the school community.

Students suspended in school are sequestered in an office where they may have contact only with teachers and office personnel. The student is expected to do school work during the suspension. The student is provided breaks for lunch and bathroom. At the end of the school day, the student is required to leave school grounds promptly and is not eligible for any extra-curricular activity or event during the term of the suspension, on or off school grounds, including weekends and evenings.

Students who are suspended out of school are not allowed to be on campus, nor are they allowed to attend any school function off campus during the suspension period. This includes weekend and evening events.

Students who have been suspended are to report to the Dean of Students upon return to school. Conditions of readmission are as follows:

  • Students and parents must schedule a conference with the Dean of Students prior to readmission.
  • Students must make an appointment with their Guidance Counselor on the day of their return to school.
  • Assignments due during the suspension must be completed in quality fashion and turned in on the day of return. Students may consult their assignment sheets for the homework or contact other students in their classes for assignments. The school will not be responsible for gathering assignments. Students must be prepared to take regularly scheduled exams upon return to school.
  • Projects or papers due during the suspension period must be turned in on time or risk a consequence for being late. This work may be delivered to the school by parents or other messengers including the US Mail (postmarked).
  • Suspended students must meet with teachers on the day of return to make-up any missed tests or quizzes. Make-up of test/quizzes will only be allowed if all homework assigned during the suspension period is turned in immediately upon return to school (see above). Test make-up will only be allowed on the day of return.
  • It is the policy of the school that missed tests and quizzes will receive a grade of zero unless proper make-up is completed. Teachers have the prerogative to assign another type of project as an alternative to a make-up test/quiz.
  • A student who is suspended will receive a reduction of the quarter average of two (2) numerical points for each day of suspension. This reduction applies to each class in which the student is enrolled at the time of the suspension. The maximum deduction per class per suspension is five (5) points.

THEFT

Any student found guilty of theft is subject to expulsion or other disciplinary action.

TOBACCO

It is unlawful for students under 18 years of age to possess or use tobacco products. All students are forbidden the use of tobacco on school grounds. This includes the use of all forms of smokeless tobacco. Violations will result in suspension.

VANDALISM (see Damage To Property in Policies and Regulations section)

Deliberate damage to school property (vandalism) is treated as a serious matter. Damage to school property will be paid by the parents of the responsible student(s). A student responsible for vandalism is subject to suspension, expulsion, and/or referral to law enforcement officials.

WEAPONS POLICY

Students are prohibited from possessing weapons of any kind on school grounds or at any school related functions. Weapons are broadly defined as any objects that are designed for or can be used to inflict bodily harm. This includes objects that may be altered to inflict harm. Students in violation of this policy will be expelled. Police will be notified.