CELL PHONES and SMART WATCHES

No student in PreK-4th grade is allowed to bring a cell phone or smart watch to school.  Students in 5th-8th grades may bring cell phones or smart watches to school; however, students must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Cell phones and smart watches must be turned off from arrival on campus until they leave campus.

• Cell phones and smart watches  are not to be used during Extended Day or any extracurricular activities, unless the student has been given permission by the supervising adult.

• At the beginning of each school day, students must store their cell phone or smart watch (turned off) in a designated place determined by school administration.

CELL PHONE and SMART WATCH VIOLATIONS

Improper use of a camera phone, including posting pictures or videos taken at school functions on websites, will lead to serious consequences, including by not limited to, suspension and/or expulsion.

• The first violation of the cell phone/smart watch policy will result in a warning.

• The second violation of the cell phone/smart watch policy will result in the phone being confiscated. It must be picked up from the Dean of Students by a parent/guardian, and will have a fine of $25.

• The third violation of the cell phone/smart watch policy will result in the loss of the phone privilege for the school year. The phone will be collected by an adult and held by the Dean of Students; it may be retrieved only by a parent or guardian, and will have a fine of $100.

CHROMEBOOK LOANER POLICY

• If a student’s Chromebook is broken or malfunctioning for any reason, it should be taken to the admin office to secure a loaner. The student needs to clearly explain the problem with the Chromebook.

• If a student forgets to charge his/her Chromebook or leaves it at home, he/she will be allowed to secure a Chromebook loaner (loaner) with no consequences twice per semester. 

• On the third instance in a semester where a student requires a loaner due to forgetting to charge their Chromebook or leaving it at home, the student will be required to have a conversation with Mrs. Buroker, and a phone call will be made to the student’s parents.

• On the fourth and any subsequent instance in a semester where a student requires a loaner due to negligence, the student will be charged a $20 Chromebook fee, assessed through FACTS. Additionally, the student will be required to meet with Mrs. Buroker, and a phone call will be made to the student’s parents. 

• If a student does not return a loaner Chromebook by the end of the day they borrowed it, they will be charged the $20 fee for the additional day they have kept the loaner. 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The school believes that every student has the right to attend school and school-related activities free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment from another student, a school employee, volunteer or visitor. The school treats sexual harassment seriously and considers the full range of disciplinary options up to and including expulsion, according to the nature of the offense. All students are expected to avoid behaviors that are offensive and to stop behaviors when asked or told to stop. All students are prohibited from engaging in offensive verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward another student, school employee, volunteer or visitor. 

A student who believes that he/she has been subjected to sexual harassment must bring the matter to the attention of the principal. If the principal is the subject of the complaint, the student must bring the matter to the attention of the pastor. The student must put the complaint in writing, including the date and the circumstances of the harassment. 

Students may receive assistance from their parents in writing their complaint. Notice of the alleged harassment is not official unless it is put in writing and delivered to the appropriate party for investigation. 

Once a written complaint is received by the principal or pastor, it is investigated immediately. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes harassment, the totality of the circumstances and the context of the alleged incidents are taken into consideration. In addition, the alleged harasser and his/her parents are called for a conference regarding the alleged activity. A prompt determination is rendered by the investigating authority and corrective action or disciplinary measures, if warranted, is imposed promptly. If the complaining student is not satisfied with the findings, then appeal may be made to the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Dallas. Retaliation against the complaining student is not allowed. A student’s complaint and the ensuing investigation remain confidential. 

SEARCHES 

Lockers remain under the jurisdiction of the school even when assigned to an individual student. The school reserves the right to inspect desks and lockers at any time. In addition, the school may inspect the personal possessions of students at any time the following, but not limited to: backpacks, gym bags and purses, and may require students to empty their pockets upon request.