High School (continued)
HOMEWORK
Homework is a part of Hobe Sound Christian Academy's scholastic emphasis. It should always be done neatly, accurately, and on time. It will be given at the discretion of the classroom teacher for specific purposes. Students are encouraged to use special assignment books to record each night's work.
EXAMS
All students are required to take semester final examinations in January and May/June. The following would be the only reasons for exemptions:
- Students maintaining all "A" average in any class for the entire semester.
- All graduating seniors in their second semester.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Classes use our own court and ball field and utilize the nearby Reed and South County Parks for tennis, football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer. Other than intramural games, we do not have a sports program.
Uniform shirts are available to be used for these classes. These shirts may be purchased from the school.
TARDINESS
A student is tardy if not in his (her) seat when the bell rings for beginning class. If he (she) is late for first period, a note must be brought from home stating the reason for being late. Reasons for excused tardiness include sickness, doctor or dentist appointments, or excusable emergencies.
Students are allowed two unexcused tardies in a semester. This would include the beginning of a school day or any class period during the day. For each successive tardy, detentions will be served after school. If a student receives more than two tardies in a given week, one demerit will be given for each tardy above the set amount.
For every three unexcused tardies in a class, two points will be reduced from the semester exam grade for that class.
MAKING UP WORK
Students missing school due to excused absences are responsible to make up all tests, homework, or assignments. For each day missed, the student has two school days to make up the work. (Weekends are not included in these days.)
Students should pick up tests in the high school office and take the test in the office area. If too many students are taking makeup tests or the area is too busy, the high school secretary will take the test to the high school library and library personnel will supervise the testing. Once the student starts the test, he (she) should finish it and give the test to the adult supervising the test in the library.
If a student cannot take the test immediately after school, it can be taken after school hours in the library. There is a $1.00 charge paid to the adult in charge for any test which the library must give after school hours. The student must pay the fee before receiving the test. This will insure proper supervision of the test.
DUAL ENROLLMENT
HSCA high school participates in the dual enrollment program. This allows juniors and seniors with 3.00 GPA or higher to take college classes in Martin County or Hobe Sound Bible College and receive high school and college credit. There is no tuition charge for these college classes, but the student is responsible for the cost of the books.
Credit for a 3-hour semester course equals 1/2 credit for high school. These courses are graded on a 5.00 scale for the high school transcript. Students must pass these courses to receive credit.
ATTENDANCE FOR FIELD TRIP OR SPECIAL EVENTS
Attendance to field trips and special events is required. If a student misses either with an unexcused absence, such absences will result in two-hour detentions to be served after school. An assignment will be given by the teacher as deemed best to relate to the missed field trip.
LIBRARY POLICY
The rules generally practiced in libraries will apply including the following:
- Reference books, reference materials, and periodicals must not be removed from the library except as directed by the librarian.
- Damaged or lost books must be paid for by the person who checked out the book.
- A fine will be charged for late returns. Unpaid fines or unreturned materials will result in report cards being withheld and class trips denied.
- Communication in the designated area of the front section of the library is allowed but must be kept at a low level.
PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT AT HSCA
Because our physical bodies are vehicles through which we communicate the gospel and glorify the Lord, principles of careful Christian living concerning our habits, dress, and conduct are very important. Hobe Sound Christian Academy expects conduct in keeping with Scriptural principles. Below are a few general principles.
In order to maximize the blessing of the Lord upon his (her) life, the Christian must avoid all personal habits that would damage his health or jeopardize his relationship with Christ. Students at Hobe Sound Christian Academy are to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco in any form. The use of non-prescriptive drugs is forbidden. Students are to abstain from the use of profanity, swearing, and obscene or suggestive language or gestures.
Students are required to maintain a high standard of modesty in appearance. Any type of clothing that attracts undue attention to the body is not in good taste. Therefore, extreme fashion fads, whether of dress or hairstyle, are to be avoided. Clothing is to be of modest length and style.
The standard of dress for girls is expressed in the words "modesty, simplicity, femininity, neatness, and appropriateness."
"Neatness, cleanliness, simplicity, modesty, and appropriateness" should characterize the general dress standard of Hobe Sound Christian Academy men. Young men are to wear conservative haircuts and be clean-shaven. No beards, long sideburns, or mustaches are permitted.
The school recognizes the need for recreation and encourages students to participate in activities which are truly "re-creative" and minister to the needs of the entire man. Recreational activities which are in harmony with biblical standards will contribute to the overall development of the person.
Students arc not permitted to possess firearms on the campus.
A critical and cynical attitude is generally destructive to Christian growth and Christian fellowship. Therefore, criticizing and complaining are not allowed. Constructive suggestions and justifiable complaints should be carried to the proper administration.
DRESS CODE
Hobe Sound Christian Academy believes it is necessary to dress appropriately and modestly. It is the school's firm belief that Christian young people must dress and act in a manner different from young people who are not Christians.
The way a student dresses strongly influences his (her) behavior, self image, and the effort exerted in school. Students are expected to abide by school dress code while at school, while on school grounds, and during school-sponsored functions and activities. These activities include such functions as Intramural events, after-school activities and classes, concerts, the awards ceremony, etc. The following standards are to be met:
No jewelry or makeup may be worn. (Watches may be worn.) Clothing should be appropriate and of modest fit and style for both boys and girls.
There will be no ear/body piercing during the school year, and students are not permitted to have tattoos of any kind.
Uniforms must be purchased from Day Dreams Uniforms in Stuart. The company has the uniform guideline on file (khaki pants/skirts and long-sleeve blue striped shirts/blouses).
Uniform shirts for P.E. and activity must be purchased from the school. These shirts are for both girls and boys.
Girls:
The skirt length is to be below the knee, whether sitting or standing. Sleeves must be below the elbow at all times.
Shoes for the school day are to be black, blue, white, or brown, and either an oxford-style or a loafer-style school shoe with heels no higher than two inches. Canvas-type shoes may be worn as long as they meet school color restrictions and do not have the appearance of being tennis shoes. Sandals, boots, tennis shoes (except for P.E.), high heels, and extreme styles are not permitted, nor are open-heel or open-toe shoes to be worn. Hose are to be worn.
Appropriate cool weather apparel includes sweaters, jackets, or vests styled to open down the front when worn with the uniform. Sweatshirts, pullover and baggy sweaters, and jean or denim jackets are not acceptable. Cool weather apparel shall be in keeping with the neat uniform appearance. Girls shall be permitted to wear "footies" when the temperature is cool (e.g. 40° to 60°), but shall remove them as warmer temperatures prevail during the day.
Uniform for physical education class includes skirts below the knee, whether sitting or standing (culottes are not permitted). "Footies" may be worn with gym shoes. Girls are encouraged to wear full skirts to P. E. and activities.
We ask that I Corinthians 11:14,15 be followed with respect to long hair for girls. Young ladies with short hair shall let their hair grow. Dying of hair is not permitted nor are hairpieces of any type to be used with the natural hair.
Boys:
Boys should wear their sleeves below the elbow. A brown or black oxford-style or loafer-style school shoe should be worn with socks as part of the uniform dress. Canvas-type shoes may be worn as long as they meet school color restrictions and do not have the appearance of tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are not to be worn to school (except for P.E. class). Boots are not considered acceptable for school uniform wear.
For physical education classes, boys may not wear tight, form-fitting sweat pants.
Appropriate cool weather apparel includes sweaters, jackets, or vests styled to open down the front when worn with the uniform. Sweatshirts, pullovers, and jean or denim jackets are not acceptable. Cool weather apparel shall be in keeping with the neat uniform appearance.
Hair should be off the collar and ears. Sideburns are to be no lower than the lower opening of the inner ear. No extreme hair cuts will be permitted. Changing the natural color of the hair by any means is not permitted nor are hairpieces of any type to be used with the natural hair.
UNIFORM VIOLATIONS
If a student has a uniform infraction for the day, he should go to the High School Office and present his reason to the secretary before the first period. If the reason is acceptable and the student has not had a recurring problem with uniform infractions, the infraction will be excused. However, if the student has had a recurring problem with uniform infractions and does not have a good reason for the infraction, or if a teacher sends the student to the office for a uniform infraction that had not been taken care of earlier, that student must serve a 45-minute detention for the infraction.
DISCIPLINE
Disciplinary action will be taken for infraction of school policy and rules. This may include tallies, demerits, after-school detention, profitable extra assignments, work hours, suspension, or expulsion.
Parents are notified when demerits are given. When a student receives fifteen demerits he is on probationary status. The student will serve a two day suspension (one in school and one out).
If twenty demerits accumulate, the student is suspended from classes for one week without the privilege of making up work.
Twenty-five demerits will result in expulsion for the remainder of the year.
The student will need to furnish proper evidences of change of attitude and spiritual intentions before being readmitted to school.
Some examples of offenses which receive a standard number of demerits are: one demerit for chewing gum or eating in class and five demerits for skipping a class, for an unexcused absence, leaving school without the permission of the office, or use of profanity or vulgar language.
Students bringing any type of weapon (guns, knives, explosives of any kind) to school will be subject to suspension or expulsion.
Students receiving demerits for disciplinary action may have those demerits reduced and/or removed after a period of good behavior and subsequent evaluation by the administration. Students may also work off demerits at the discretion of the administration.
Any infraction of a serious nature may be considered sufficient reason for an immediate dismissal.
If it is apparent that parents or students are not in harmony with the basic principles, values, discipline, and rules of the school, it is better for the student to withdraw.
Students may be dismissed who consistently make very low grades because of lack of effort.
SUSPENSION
Suspension is a disciplinary action taken in an attempt to help the student involved. Suspension may be counted as an unexcused absence and, consequently, can seriously affect the student's grades. A suspended student automatically is on probation for the remainder of the year. If probation is broken, the student may be dismissed or asked to withdraw.
TALLY SYSTEM
The issuing of tallies will fall into two categories: (1) out-of-order and (2) intentional. The first area will include any disruptive behavior during the school day (talking, passing notes, horseplay, throwing objects, etc.). The second will be open defiance, disobedience, disrespect or destruction of school property. One tally will be given for each out-of-order and five for an intentional.
The tally system will work on a 1-3-5 progression during a class. A first warning yields 1 tally. A second warning (during the same class) equals 3 tallies. A third warning and the student will receive 5 tallies and be required to leave the class and report to the office.
The teacher will give the student a tally paper at the time of the infraction (in or out of the classroom) which indicates the purpose of the tally. The student must sign it and return it to the teacher at the close of the class period. Failure to do so will result in another tally. Tallies are accumulated on a weekly basis. Students with ten or more tallies in a week will receive a demerit for that week. Each successive week often or more tallies results in two demerits, three demerits for the third week, etc. After the week is over each student will start the new week with a clean slate as far as tallies are concerned. Any student receiving too many tallies will be subject to detentions (after school and not optional), disciplinary probation, parent-teacher conferences, parent-principal conferences and suspensions.
Behaviors that will merit tallies include:
- Classroom disturbances (talking without permission, out-of-seat, unprepared for class, distracting noises, etc.)
- Tardiness (1 tally for not being in seat when bell rings; 5 for excessive tardiness of more than 5 minutes). Note: This does not change the previous tardy policy but is in addition to existing penalties.
- Late work (1 tally, at the teacher's discretion if student is repeatedly late or missing work).
- Students should walk on the sidewalks, not on the grass (3 tallies).
- Lack of courtesy (1 tally). Students should show courtesy to visitors, fellow students, and teachers. 6. Parking in non-designated areas (5 tallies).
- Students must keep lockers and desk area neat (3 tallies).
- Proper girl-boy relationships. Students should not display romantic affection (5 tallies).
- No writing on desks (5 tallies).
- Students should wear proper uniform. No jewelry or makeup is allowed. Excused uniform violations do not count. (5 tallies for unexcused infractions.)
- Cell phones may be brought, but must be turned off and put away at all times. If the phone rings or is used for any reason during the school day, it will be confiscated and taken to the office and five tallies will be issued. Repeat violations will result in a phone call to the parents, and the student will no longer be allowed to bring the cell phone to school.
- Damage to school textbooks (5 tallies).
Repeat violation of any of the above may result in increased tallies / demerits.