AAC Discipline Policy

The AAC Discipline Policy is designed to encourage the growth of mature self-discipline within students, while at the same time fostering a positive learning environment at AAC.

The following lists provide examples of offenses and their consequences. The lists are not necessarily all-inclusive and, therefore, teachers and the administration are not limited in application because an item was not on the list.

Repeated occurrence of offenses may result in an escalation in consequences. The teacher, administrator or staff member assigning consequences has the authority to choose the appropriate consequence guided but not limited by the lists below.

*No student shall receive a consequence of suspension or expulsion without a hearing from the Discipline Committee. Parents will be notified in these instances.

Definitions & Explanations:

Discipline Committee – In cases of serious or repeated offenses, the Dean of Students will convene a committee to hear the complaint brought against the offending student. This Discipline Committee shall be composed of members of the teaching staff, administration, and student body, at the discretion of the Dean of Students. A student representative may comment during the proceeding but shall not have decision-making power. The Committee's purpose shall be to review the complaint and thereafter recommend appropriate consequences to the Dean of Students. The AAC school administration reserves the right to make decisions unique to each situation, and they shall have the final say on all student consequences.

Cheating/Plagiarism – Cheating is gaining any unfair advantage in academic work. Plagiarism is presenting any other person's work as your own. Academic honesty is taken very seriously at AAC. All secondary school students will be given instruction on correct ways to cite or credit others work.

Not Informing/Conspiracy – Students who conspire with others to break the school rules may be assigned the same consequences as the offender. Examples of conspiracy are:

• Encouraging another student to break the rules.
• Covering up for someone who has broken the rules.
• Withholding information before or after a violation occurs.

Time Out – When appropriate, students will be removed from the class or activity for a short period of time to allow "cool off" time and contemplation of his/her misbehavior.

Electronic Devices –
Cell phone/prohibited electronic devices – No student may bring to school cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, video games, or similar devices. In certain pre-approved cases, if a student MUST bring such a device to school, they are to remain switched off and stowed in a locker (or book bag if the student does not have a locker).

Educational Technology Policy – Students may bring laptops or other devices that aid in schoolwork-related tasks clearly in keeping with the school’s educational mission. However, these devices must be pre-approved by each classroom teacher for use in his/her classroom. When a student exits a classroom, the electronic device must be switched off and stowed in a book bag or locker.

Confiscation & Liability – If a student is observed using any electronic device outside of the classroom, the device will be confiscated immediately and may only be picked up by a parent. Repeated violations will result in the item being held by AAC for up to six weeks. Each student is responsible for his/her electronic devices; if the owner loans the device to another student, the item is still subject to confiscation. AAC does not bear any liability whatsoever for damage, theft, or loss of any device, laptop, or data thereupon while on school premises or at school functions.

The AAC Community – references herein to "community members" includes students, faculty, staff, administration, and visitors of AAC.

Peer Mediation Program— AAC's Peer Mediation program helps us achieve the goal of fostering a positive school community. Students need a constructive way to deal with conflict, disputes, frustrations, or emotions. By using the assistance of peer mediators, students can resolve their differences before serious conflicts occur. Student mediators, trained in the use of conflict management skills, help their peers find solutions to conflicts that may otherwise escalate.

Informing the parent— As deemed necessary by the Dean of Students, parents will be informed of their child's infractions and any assigned consequences.

Medication—If a student must take medication for illness or otherwise, these medications must be checked in to the school nurse. Medications should only be administered by the parent, the school nurse or the Dean of Students. Students are not allowed to keep medications with them on campus.

Counselor —The administration or staff may refer a student to the school counselor for emotional, social or behavioral concerns; however, any student has the right to request an appointment with the counselor at any time.

Attendance/Tardies Policy—– Students' regular attendance is important to ensure academic achievement. If a student's absence is unavoidable, s/he is responsible for any make-up work covered or assigned during his/her absence. Assignments can be prepared in advance of extended leave, however the teacher must be given one week's prior notice to prepare assignments in advance. Four tardies during one semester will constitute an absence. Whenever a student begins a pattern of being late to/absent from school, his/her parents will be contacted to conference with the student's advisor. Four tardies equal one absence. Ten or more absences in one semester could result in the student becoming ineligible for promotion to the next grade.

Inciting disruption – causing an interruption in the teaching-learning process, or causing disorder or confusion in any school function.

Reflection paper – Students may be assigned a written report or research paper on a topic related to the student's offense or misbehavior.

Special Assignment – A student may be assigned a consequence that is specifically tailored to his/her offence. For instance, if a student damages school property, he/she may be required to work with the maintenance staff to repair the damaged property or some similar property.

Bullying/Hazing – Using intimidation, coercion, or force to control another community member or to incite fear.

In-School Suspension – AAC policy is to keep students in a learning environment when possible. If it becomes necessary to remove a student from the classroom due to major disruptions, he/she may be placed in in-school suspension. The student will be supervised in a solitary environment for the prescribed period of time. The student will be required to complete his/her normal assignments. The student will receive no credit for classroom or participation grades, and the discipline committee may determine if the student will be allowed credit for written work.

Long Term Suspension – If a student becomes so disruptive that his/her presence on AAC campus is a detriment to the school climate, he/she may be given the consequence of Long Term out-of-school suspension. When suspended in this manner, a student may not attend ANY educational, recreational, or social activities on the AAC campus. The student may not make up assignments or homework missed during the suspension and will receive no credit.

All students assigned suspension require a parent conference prior to reentry into the normal classroom schedule.

Expulsion – A student whose attitude and conduct demonstrate an unwillingness to follow the principles governing the school, as determined by school officials, may be dismissed from the community.

AAC Uniform/Dress Code

The purpose of AAC's Dress Code is to support a positive learning environment. AAC wants to establish an environment that will be comfortable for students, conducive to learning and respectful of our host culture. In addition we want students to take responsibility for dressing for school while maintaining autonomy.

AAC students are expected to be appropriately groomed and dressed throughout the school day. The school expects students to be neat, clean, and modest in their appearance and to present a good image of the school within the community. If, in the opinion of the faculty and/or administration, a student's appearance detracts from the decorum of the school, disciplinary action will be taken.

Enrollment at AAC presumes that parents agree to and students will comply with the following Student Dress Code:

General Appearance

Excessive makeup on girls is considered inappropriate.

All layers of clothing must be AAC uniform pieces or must meet all dress code requirements for non-uniform days.

Underclothes should not be visible.

All clothing and personal items must be free of impolite or improper messages.

Hair should be clean and neat. Hairstyles that may disrupt or distract from the educational process are not allowed at school.

Dress

We require our students to dress neatly and respectfully. Approved garments must be of a length and fit that are suitable to the build and stature of the student. Clothing excessively large or small is unacceptable. Students who come to school in improper clothing will be asked to change.

Uniform

The American Academy uniform will be worn properly and with pride at all times, both on campus and off. Except for designated "No-Uniform Days," the school uniform is compulsory. Uniform pieces should be neat and free of worn hems, large stains, or other decoration.

Shirts

The uniform shirts are polo-style light blue or white with short or long sleeves.

Pants

Pants must fit properly. They must not be excessively tight or baggy. The waist of the pant must be worn at the student's waist. The shirt and pants must have constant overlap with normal posture and movement; midriff should not be visible.

Shorts & Skirts:

Hemlines must be conservative; length of shorts or skirts, when kneeling, should be no higher than 10 cm from the ground.

To ensure consistency, all uniform items must be purchased through the official school supplier. In the event that inventory is depleted, students may present a receipt for items ordered to school administration and may wear a white polo-style shirt, and blue or black pants of similar fabric and style to the official AAC uniform until the ordered uniform is delivered. When in uniform, students must follow the AAC Dress code regardless of the time of day, or where they are, since they will be seen as representing American Academy.

N0-Uniform Days

AAC will plan several "No-Uniform Days" throughout the year.

Shirts
All shirts must have sleeves and must cover the chest, shoulders, back, and midriff.

Pants
Pants must fit properly. They must not be excessively tight or baggy. The waist of the pant must be worn at the student's waist. The shirt and pants must have constant overlap with normal posture and movement; midriff should not be visible. Jeans are allowable, but they must be neat.

Shorts & skirts
Hemlines must be conservative; length of shorts or skirts, when kneeling, should be no higher than 10 cm from the ground. Cutoffs are prohibited. Slits in the skirt are to be no higher than 2 inches above the hem. Slits on long skirts/dresses may not extend above the knee.

PE/GYM CLASS

Students should wear AAC sweat pants on days when they have PE class or wear the AAC PE shorts under their uniform pants. The clothing must meet the standard of this dress code, and the student must change back into regular uniform immediately following dismissal of the PE class (even if the class is held during the last period of the school day). As we do not have a grass field for sports, students should not wear sport cleat shoes. Flat bottom, athletic shoes are required.

Miscellaneous / Other

Footwear
Shoes must always be worn. Students are expected to wear clean socks and shoes. Footwear should generally be comfortable, safe, and appropriate for the school environment. Examples of prohibited footwear include high heels, platform shoes, roller shoes, and sports cleats.

Headwear
Caps or hats may not be worn in school buildings. They are acceptable only for play, during P.E., and other specified occasions.

Accessories
Excessive jewelry or accessories worn by girls or boys is unsuitable in the school setting. Expensive jewelry and watches should not be worn to school since they could be lost or stolen and could be a source of danger for students traveling home on their own.

All of the above requirements apply to all school-sponsored or school-related activities including field trips

Principals, faculty, and staff members will enforce the dress code. If students are judged out of code, they may be asked to wear a school provided alternative, or parents may be contacted to bring alternative clothing items to the school before the student will be allowed into class. Final judgment on dress code compliance rests with school administration.