Online Handbook 2

CELL PHONE POLICY

Cellular phones and other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited in classroom areas. Lower School students will be allowed to have a cell phone at school either in their book bag or given to their Homeroom teacher. Middle School students will be allowed to have a cell phone at school either in their locker or given to their Homeroom teacher. High School students will be allowed to keep their cell phones on their person, but turned off at all times. High School students only may use their cell phones before school, at break, at lunch, or after school. Any Lower School or Middle School student in possession or using a cellular phone during class, at break, or at any time during the school hours, may be placed in Saturday Detention and have their cellular phone confiscated. Any High School student that is caught using a cellular phone during class time, may be placed in Saturday Detention and have their cellular phone confiscated. Cellular phones confiscated must be retrieved by the student’s parent and are subject to search by school personnel. Any additional offense may result in permanent confiscation of the equipment as well as Out of School Suspension.

BOOKS

Your books are the property of the school. Please take care of them. We expect a certain amount of wear and tear on the books for we want them to be used, but where there is excessive damage, a charge will be made at the end of the year. All lost books must be paid for before another book can be purchased to replace lost books. The replacement cost will be high.

LOCKERS

Each individual student is assigned a locker in school. All students are expected to keep their lockers neat and orderly. Lockers are the property and responsibility of LMA. LOCKERS CAN BE SEARCHED. LMA reserves the right to search any or all lockers at any time without the student’s knowledge and/ or presence.

GENERAL RULES

The usual rules of good behavior and good taste that one finds anywhere also apply at Laurence Manning Academy. We expect courtesy to one’s elders and one’s fellow students, strict attention and behavior in class, and orderly conduct in the halls and on the grounds. Students are expected to conduct themselves as mature young adults capable of functioning with the maximum of self-discipline. The administrative disciplinary policies which follow are to be used as guidelines and will be enforced

emphatically and justly in an instance of childish or immature behavior. Other breaches of discipline or conduct not mentioned in the guidelines which are considered prejudicial to the best interest of the Academy on or off the campus, may result in disciplinary action. Since one of the primary objectives of Laurence Manning is to encourage the development of personal responsibility and self-discipline, regulations are kept at a minimum.

THE ACADEMY’S POLICY REGARDING THE USE OF ALCOHOL & ILLEGAL DRUGS

The Academy has no intention of intruding into the private lives of our board members, employees, or students. Our concern is that these individuals report to work/school in the mental and physical condition necessary to perform their jobs/ school tasks safely and efficiently, posing no danger to themselves or to that of their fellow workers. Students convicted of substance abuse violations, by State statute, will loose any merit based scholarship the student may have earned.

ALCOHOL

The use or possession of alcoholic beverages on Academy property, without the express permission of Academy management, is a dischargeable offense. Furthermore, no board member, employee, or student is permitted to report to work/school while under the influence of alcoholic beverages. An individual will be considered to be “Under the Influence” when consumption of any alcoholic beverage has impaired, or is likely to impair, the individual’s job performance in the judgment of his or her supervisor. Any individual who is perceived to be under the influence of alcohol will be immediately removed from the job/school.

DRUGS

The possession, sale or use of illegal drugs or the improper use of other drugs during working/school hours on Academy premises is a dischargeable/expulsion offense. An individual is not permitted to work while under the influence of any drug that could adversely affect job performance or could jeopardize the safety of him/her, other individuals, or the public. The procedure for handling individuals perceived to be under the influence of illegal drugs or any drug that may adversely affect job performance is the same as the procedure for having perceived to be under the influence of alcohol.

Headmaster should not allow an individual suspected to be impaired to drive himself/herself. Transportation should be provided to the individual by calling a relative, a cab, driving the individual home, or if the individual is totally uncooperative, calling the local law enforcement authorities.

ALCOHOL/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCREENING

It is the policy of Laurence Manning Academy, hereafter referred to as the Academy, to provide its Board, employees and students with a safe work environment that is free from the effects of illegal drugs and alcohol.

The Academy believes the use of drugs and alcohol presents a danger not only to the individual who uses drugs and alcohol, but to the entire Academy. Therefore, the Academy is committed to taking necessary steps to eliminate drugs and alcohol from the campus.

TESTING OF CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS

Alcohol/drug testing of current board members, employees and students will be performed when there is a reasonable cause to believe that an employee or student on duty may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Determination of cause is within management’s exclusive and sole discretion, but may include the following: unusual observed behavioral pattern, declining work performance, reasonable suspicion of drugs, personal or vehicle on-the-job accidents, etc.

Alcohol/drug testing for reasonable cause will be performed in conjunction with Clarendon Behavioral Health Services and the individual will sign the release form (Exhibit B). Individuals refusing to cooperate in the investigation, refusing to sign the release form, or undergo the required testing will be advised that they are in violation of Academy policy and subject to discharge/expulsion.

RANDOM SCREENING

Board members, employees and students will be subject to random screening. The method will be determined by management in cooperation with Clarendon Behavioral Services.

NEGATIVE RESULTS

Any board member, employee or student who undergoes alcohol/drug testing for reasonable cause with negative results will be allowed to return to his/her assigned duties.

POSITIVE RESULTS

Any board member, employee or student who undergoes alcohol/drug testing for reasonable cause with positive results will be referred to the EAP for counseling or treatment. Refusal to participate in the EAP or to seek treatment for drug/alcohol abuse from a recognized professional or institution will be viewed as insubordination and the individual will be discharged/expelled. Documentation will be made in the individual’s file. Although treatment through the EAP is confidential, the Headmaster or board chair will be informed as to the continuance and completion of treatment. Upon completion of the recommended treatment, the board member, employee or student will again undergo screening for alcohol/drug use. If results are positive, termination/expulsion will result. If the second test is negative, the employee will be allowed to return to his/her assigned duties. A positive result for the twelve (12) month period following the positive screen will result in termination/expulsion. In the event a for cause test is requested – a positive test result will cause immediate termination/expulsion. If, in the opinion of the personnel manager, the individual is determined to be able to function safely in his/her assigned duties, he/she may continue to do so while receiving treatment or counseling for the alcohol/drug problem.

If it is deemed the board member, employee or student would place himself/herself or others in danger to continue in their duties, the board member, employee or student will be granted a leave during treatment in accordance with the Academy’s leave of absence policy.

SEARCHES

The Academy reserves the right to conduct searches by authorized personnel of individual’s property on Academy premises, such as handbags, lunch boxes, automobiles, etc., as well as Academy property, facilities or equipment.

MINOR OFFENSES

Minor offenses which are not covered under “Major Offenses” include anything which necessitates a student’s being sent or taken to the office. Violation of the following rules will be considered minor offenses:

1.All students are expected to be on time to all obligations.

2.No chewing gum allowed at school. Food or drinks are not allowed in the classrooms. All eating will be done in the canteen area. All containers and litter will be placed in the trash receptacles upon completion of eating.

3.The following areas are off limits to students:

a.Faculty work room

b.Canteen area (except at lunch and break)

c.Parking lot while school is in session

d.Cars while school is in session

4.When moving to and from classes, keep to the RIGHT of the hall.

5.Always keep your voice low in the halls and lunchroom.

6.Put trash in trash cans.

7.Canteen stops between classes are prohibited.

8.Permission slips for leaving class in grades 7-12 are required.

9.No one may leave campus during school hours without permission through the office.

10.Written permission from parents is required for students to leave school for any special class outings or trips.

11.No student use of the office phone will be allowed unless it is an EMERGENCY.

12.Any person wishing to contact a student during classes must receive prior permission from the administration.

13.Students are not to bring visitors without prior permission from the administration.

*Minor offenses will generally result in after school detention.

MAJOR OFFENSES

Under certain conditions, it can be in the best interest of a pupil or other pupils of L.M.A. to be denied the privilege of attending school. The Board of Trustees has established procedures whereby pupils can be denied the privilege of attending school for any of the following reasons:

1.DRUGS: Any student who becomes involved in the unlawful possession or distribution of drugs at any time will be permanently suspended from Laurence Manning Academy. Law enforcement K-9 drug dogs will visit the school occasionally to patrol the parking lot, locker areas and classrooms

2.ALCOHOL: Drinking or having in one’s possession, including lockers and cars, alcoholic beverages at any school function at the L.M.A. campus or any S.C.I.S.A. sponsored program on other campuses. Any person with individuals breaking the alcohol rule will be subject to the same punishment.

3.TOBACCO: The use of tobacco, smokeless as well as smoking tobacco, is strictly prohibited at L.M.A. and at all South Carolina Independent School Association sponsored events.

4.OBSCENITY: The act of using obscene language by pupils in verbal or written form or in pictures or caricature in or on school property.

5.STEALING: The act of dishonestly acquiring the property of the school or property of other students.

6.FORGERY: The act of fraudulently using in writing the name of another person or falsifying times, data, grades, addresses, or other data on school forms.

7. FIGHTING: The act of quarreling involving bodily contact in or on school property or going to or

from school, including any activity under school sponsorship (dances, athletic events, bus, etc.).

7.DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY: The failure to respond or carry out a reasonable request by a staff member. Failure to comply with school policy after being previously warned of an infraction.

8.GROSS MISBEHAVIOR: The act of deliberate or willful conduct detrimental to normal functions of the program or activity under school sponsorship or the act of threats or bullying to the staff members or to other pupils.

9.SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Any unwelcome physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature, such as touching or grabbing or sexual comments, directed at a person because of his or her sex, which interferes with the ability of a student or students to receive an education.

10.VANDALISM: The act of willful destruction of school property or property belonging to other students.

11.INDECENCY: The act of offending against commonly recognized standards of good taste, including the use of vulgar language.

12.TRUANCY: The repeated skipping or tardiness to class.

13.CHEATING: The act of obtaining or giving information that is not your own.

14.LYING: The act of not telling the truth.

15.GAMBLING: The act of being involved in any game or chance (cards, pitching pennies, dice, etc.) where money is won or lost.

16.FIREARMS: The possession of any firearms (hand guns, rifles, shot guns, etc.) on the school grounds is strictly prohibited.

17.Anyone in possession of a firearm either on or about his/her person, book bag, or locker in any school building or facility will be subject to expulsion from L.M.A.

Violation of Major Offenses will result in Saturday detention, suspension or expulsion.

OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.Doctor and dental appointments should be made after school hours,

2.All other non-school activities, music lessons, court appearances, etc. are to be scheduled after school.

3.All students will eat lunch at school.

4.Students are not to remain in the building after school hours unless they are under the direct suspension of a teacher.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE

LMA conducts an instructional program for the benefit of the pupils enrolled in grades K-12. Students are expected to be reasonably diligent in carrying out their school obligations. Failure to be diligent in study or in adhering to school regulations means that a student is guilty of misconduct and may lose the privilege of attending LMA.

SUSPENSION:

Any student who is suspended from school will not be allowed to make up the work missed nor will the student be able to attend or take part in any school activity. This means a student will receive an “F” on all work missed.

Any student suspended more than one time faces possible permanent expulsion from LMA.

DETENTION HALL:

Detention Hall is an acceptable method of punishment at LMA.

Detention Hall will be held from 2:40 until 3:40 on any day.

A one day notice will be given so that students can make arrangements for rides home.

Failure to attend Detention Hall can result in Saturday Detention or possible suspension.

It is the parents’ responsibility to make arrangements for their children to have rides home; therefore,

failure to have a ride home will not excuse a person from Detention Hall.

Excessive detention time (three) will result in a Saturday detention.

SATURDAY DETENTION:

Saturday Detention will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 on designated Saturdays and will carry a twenty dollar fine ($20.00) to be used to pay the staff person who supervises the Saturday detention. Failure to show for Saturday detention and/or to pay the fine will result in suspension. Students with 2 or more Saturday Detentions in one semester will loose exam exemption privileges.

Handbook Part 2

(Cell Phone Policy, Alcohol/Illegal Drugs Policy, Discipline)