Students are expected to act in accord with the stated philosophy of Mount Saint Dominic Academy at all times. The following violations are considered serious offenses during school hours, on school grounds, and at all school functions. Commission of these major offenses is subject to disciplinary procedures determined by the Administration.

• Disrespect to anyone and/or disobedience to anyone in authority.
• Wearing of any clothing or jewelry or the posting or displaying of emblems, symbols, signs, graffiti, etc., indicative of membership in an exclusive group.
• Possession, use, purchase, or sale of alcohol or other unauthorized chemical substance or drug paraphernalia.
• Cutting school or classes
• Stealing
• Vandalism
• Smoking
• Plagiarism- Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours.
• Cheating- A student who provides information or materials to another student shares the same responsibility and consequences as the student who use the information or material.
• Use of foul/inappropriate language
• Inappropriate use of Mount Saint Dominic Academy name
• Students are not permitted to have visible body art, tattoos, and body piercings (other than earrings).

Substance Abuse
Bullying
Dismissal
Disciplinary Probation
Suspension
Detention & School Detention Offenses

Substance Abuse

First and foremost, we want our students to be aware that anyone who initiates the need for help from the administration or staff regarding a substance abuse problem will receive assistance from Mount Saint Dominic Academy to obtain the appropriate intervention and/or treatment.

Definitions:

Controlled Dangerous Substances are defined in Section l through V of the NJ Criminal Code as including, but not limited to: marijuana, heroin, and anabolic steroids. The term controlled substance shall also include alcohol.

Under the influence: A student is determined to be under the influence when she exhibits physical or psychological symptoms which are commonly associated with the use of controlled dangerous substances.

Possession is defined as "knowingly or purposely obtaining a controlled dangerous substance or drug paraphernalia."

1. on or off school property
2. on the person
3. in an accessory such as a back pack
4. in a locker or desk
5. in a privately owned or school owned vehicle
6. constructive possession refers to a student who intends or has the capacity to exercise control over the drug even if she does not have the physical possession of the item, such as someone who hides the drug on school property.

Distribution is defined as sharing, selling, or dispersing a controlled dangerous substance.

1. on or off school property
2. with or without payment
3. to students enrolled or not enrolled in the school

Policy

• In order to maintain discipline and to protect the safety and welfare of the student body, Mount Saint Dominic Academy has adopted the following procedures related to substance abuse issues:
• Mount Saint Dominic Academy maintains the right to perform unannounced searches of student lockers, desks, backpacks, and other personal property if there is a reasonable suspicion of possession or use of an illegal substance.
• Mount Saint Dominic Academy maintains the right to request a random drug test if there is a reasonable suspicion of the use of an illegal substance.
• As a member school of the Archdiocese of Newark, Mount Saint Dominic Academy will abide by the laws of the Drug-Free School Zone Agreement.
• A student of Mount Saint Dominic Academy shall be considered in violation of the school substance abuse policy if the following actions occur:
  1. Being under the influence
  2. In possession
  3. Engaged in distribution or selling a controlled dangerous substance

• Any student found to be distributing or selling an controlled dangerous substance shall be immediately expelled with no recourse.
• If any student is identified being “under the influence or in possession” of a controlled dangerous substance, the Head of School may do the following:
  1. notify the appropriate authorities
  2. suspend the student from school until she has been drug-tested and enrolled in an appropriate substance abuse counseling setting
  3. request weekly updates on the student’s compliance and progress with the counseling directives
  4. expel the student from school if she is non-compliant with the above criteria

Bullying

Bullying is defined as “The repeated intimidation of others by the real or threatened infliction of physical, verbal, written, electronically transmitted, or emotional abuse, or through the attack on the property of another. It my include, but not limited to,
Physical aggression, restraining, taking or harming belongings, taunts, name-calling, put-downs, including ethnically-based or gender based put-downs, spreading rumors, malicious secret-telling, shunning or intentional exclusion from a group or pressuring someone to enter into or continue a relationship.

Such conduct is disrespectful of the person and disruptive to the educational process and, therefore, bullying in not acceptable behavior at Mount Saint Dominic Academy, and is prohibited. Students who engage in any act of bullying are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement officials.

Dismissal

The school retains the right to dismiss a student for any serious offense or repeated violation of school philosophy and procedures.

Disciplinary Probation.

• A student is placed on disciplinary action when she commits an infraction that is inconsistent with acceptable student conduct at Mount Saint Dominic Academy.
• Students may be placed on Disciplinary Probation for infractions including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, theft, forgery, bullying, harassment, etc.
• Disciplinary Probation serves as a warning to the student that should she commit another serious infraction, she may be suspended.
• Any student on Disciplinary Probation will not be permitted to participate in any school related activities and will be ineligible to receive honors during the marking period/semester in which they are on probation.
• If a student is placed on Disciplinary Probation, she will sign a Disciplinary Contract stipulating what she needs to do to prove that she can meet the requirements of Mount Saint Dominic Academy

Suspension

• Suspension is the loss of a student’s right to participate in any school-related activities. Any student who has been suspended during a marking period and/or semester is not eligible to receive honors.
• A student suspended during a given academic year will lose the privilege of serving in a school leadership position.
• During the period of suspension, the student will remain after school or report on a holiday for a period of time to be determined by the administration. This period provides the student with an opportunity to prove that she can meet the requirements of the school and continue to grow in the environment provided by Mount Saint Dominic Academy.
• A conference with the parents, Administration, and student may be required before the student is reinstated.

Detention

• Detention will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 7 – 7:45 AM and every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:15 – 4:00 PM. Complete uniform is necessary.
• Students may read or study. No writing is permitted.
• Gum fines must be paid at the time a student sits for detention.
• Failure to appear merits an additional detention.
• Students acquiring 5 detentions in one quarter will be placed on disciplinary probation for a time period determined by the administration.
• Teachers have the right to assign a personal detention to students. This detention must be served with the assigning teacher at a time mutually agreed upon.
• After school jobs and/or sports practice or other school activities do not excuse students from detention.

School Detention Offenses

Disruptive behavior

• Incomplete uniform or uniform not in suitable condition
• No absence note within two days of return
• Gun chewing ( plus $5 fine)
• Lateness ( school or class)
• Presence in off-limits areas
• Use of an unauthorized electronic equipment
• Unlocked locker
• Missing detention
• Failure to meet school deadline