Student Directives
2007 – 2008
The following student directives flow from the four goals of Trinity High School whose purposes are to promote religious, intellectual, personal and social development of the student. Hence, they are intended to be helpful procedures contributing to the positive Christian atmosphere of Trinity High School as a faith and educational community.
Code of Conduct
1. Assemblies
All school gatherings provide the opportunity for the Trinity community to learn, to celebrate or to enjoy enrichment. It is required that all students be present at all school assemblies and that their behavior be reflective of mature, Christian young women. Students are to sit in their assigned seats in the auditorium or gym. Because of the varying length of assemblies, students may be dismissed a few minutes earlier than the regular dismissal time on these days.
2. Attendance
Trinity places a priority on student attendance and expects the cooperation of parents in ensuring that daughters are in regular attendance.
Policy — A student is allowed 3 excused absences per block without penalty to her academic record. Any student who exceeds 3 absences in a class or classes will meet with her counselor and the Assistant Principal and may be placed on Attendance Probation. While on Attendance Probation, if she has additional absences she must present a note from a doctor, on doctor’s stationery, stating she was under his/her care and the absence was medically necessary. The note must be presented to the Assistant Principal upon her return before period 1 after the absence. The student will then be given a note to show her teachers allowing her to make up work missed. If a note is not presented, make up work is not allowed and points will be lost for assignments. In the case of a test or quiz, a failing grade may be entered into her average and continued absences may result in failure of a course or courses. Continued absences without a note from a doctor will warrent a parent meeting with the counselor and Assistant Principal. Exceptions will be made for extended illnesses and extenuating circumstances.
• Each day of an absence counts as 1 (one) absence, whether these are consecutive or individual days.
• Each day taken for vacation during the school year is 1 (one) day’s absence.
• Each tardy after 8:15 will be figured as an absence from the class in progress.
• Only 2 (two) absences per quarter are allowed for any school-sponsored activity – retreats (except Kairos), field trips, etc. Seniors are allowed 2 (two) college visit days per year. Juniors are allowed 1 (one) college visit day per year. These college visit days may not be taken during the month of May and, to be counted as a college visit day, students need to get forms from the College Counselor prior to the visit.
• Personal free day and college visits will prevent participation in after school events.
• Students must be in attendance at least half a day (8:00 a.m. until 3A, or 3B until dismissal) in order to participate in school events including dances, theatre performances, and athletic and co-curricular events.
Procedures – If something necessitates an absence, we ask that the following be observed:
• Call the Office (708) 771-8383 before 9:00 a.m. explaining the reason for the absence.
• Please call the student’s Guidance Counselor to request homework or special circumstances regarding your daughter.
• Bring a written note to the office when returning if no telephone contact was made or only an answering machine was reached. This is the student’s responsibility. Failure to do so will result in a detention.
Early dismissals are strongly discouraged. However, if a student must have an early dismissal, she must present a note written and signed by a parent explaining the reason and must present the request to the Office at the beginning of the school day. For safety reasons, students will only be released for an early dismissal via phone call in case of an extreme emergency. If a student is to be released via a phone call, the parent must come into the building and sign their daughter out. No early dismissals will be honored on special event days or before end-of-the-day assemblies.
If a student is tardy to school, she must sign in at the Main Office and receive a pass to class. Each tardy to school or a class will result in a detention that is to be served on the first Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday after it is issued. In addition, after the third tardy, the student will be issued a Saturday detention. After six tardies, the student and her parents will be required to meet with the Discipline. A phone call from a parent does not excuse the tardy or detention beyondone time each session.
Truancy – Absence from school or cutting a class or assembly without sufficient reason and parental permission is considered truancy. Since truancy is viewed as a willful withdrawal from Trinity High School, the following procedures will be followed:
• A conference will be held with the student, her parents and the Dean of Students before the student is allowed to return to school.
• Credit may be lost by the student for any work completed in a class that day. This includes tests and quizzes.
• The student will serve 4 Saturday Detentions from 8-11 a.m. in full uniform. Dates of the detentions will be determined by the Dean. Failure to serve the detentions will result in an in-school suspension and a meeting before the Discipline Board. Second truancies will be dealt with by the Dean of Students in consultation with the Discipline Board. Such cases may result in dismissal.
Attending Special Event Days – Walk-a-Thon, retreats, special assemblies, Honors Convocation, etc. are scheduled during school hours and are considered significant school days. If a student is absent on one of these days, the above rules apply. We hope parents will encourage their daughters to attend the special events designed for their enrichment or enjoyment.
3. Beepers, Pagers and Cellular Telephones
While we understand the safety need for cellular phones and/or pagers or beepers, we do not allow the use of these electronic devices in the school building during the school day as they can be disruptive to the learning environment. In case of an emergency Parents should contact the main office directly and a message will be relayed to your daughter. Students who are ill or need to contact a parent for an emergency must call from the office. All cell phones, pagers and beepers must be turned off and kept in lockers during the school day. Use of a cell phone, pager or beeper or the presence of these devices outside of a locker will result in confiscation, a $25.00 fine, and may be returned only to parents.
4. Behavior
Since Trinity students are expected to show Christian consideration and concern for all in the school community, the code of conduct is intended to provide for the students, their parents, and the faculty an understanding of the behavior expected of students and the procedures used in maintaining that standard of conduct. In light of this, any misconduct on the part of the student, such as: disrespect or discourtesy towards school personnel, visitors or other students; immature and inappropriate conduct; threats, verbal, written or gestures; vulgarity; forgery; classroom disruptions; leaving the school campus; littering the school building and grounds; inappropriate behavior in the study hall, library, computer centers, cafeteria, washrooms, or corridors; tampering with or destruction of hallway displays or locker decorations; and any other behavior warranting disciplinary action will not be tolerated. Students traveling to and from school, attending/participating in events or activities identified with Trinity are expected to abide by Trinity’s code of Christian, respectful behavior and values. School Officials are not expected to police off-campus, non-school activities unless the violation is brought to public attention and is sufficiently severe to bring discredit to Trinity High School.
5. Book Bags
A book bag is defined as any bag, carried by a student, containing a book (or books) and/or notebook(s). This includes large purses and backpack purses. Students are allowed to carry a purse no larger than 8” x 11” during the school day. Book bags are to be left in the locker prior to the student’s first class of the day. Book bags carried during the school day will be confiscated by a teacher or supervisor and must be picked up in the Dean’s office.
6. Cafeteria
Our cafeteria offers full meals daily. Therefore, no student is permitted to order food into the school at any time. Parents wishing to do so must make previous arrangements with the Assistant Principal. The school cafeteria is a place where students gather to share meals, conversation and friendship. Students are expected to be courteous, thoughtful and orderly toward everyone. Students may choose their tables in the cafeteria. Each student is responsible for cleaning up after herself. All students at a table are responsible for leaving a clean table. Anyone who does not leave a clean table will be responsible for cleaning the cafeteria tables that day after school. No food, drink or water bottles are allowed outside the cafeteria. Food brought into school must be eaten in the cafeteria. Irresponsible behavior in the cafeteria could result in the loss of cafeteriaprivileges.
7. Care of School Property
Since the environment of the school is reflective of the values of the people who inhabit it, it is expected that students take responsibility for maintaining the beauty and orderliness of the school. A student is responsible for any damage she has caused to school or personal property. Vandalism including writing in or on lockers will not be tolerated and may warrent a meeting with the Discipline Board.
8. Computer Labs
The computer labs are available to students and faculty, both in classes scheduled to use the facilities and to individuals when a class is not in progress. Students must follow all rules and guidelines developed by the Technology Coordinator or the supervising teacher. The labs are open during the school day. The Technology Center will be open after school until 4:00, Monday through Thursday. Other times may be arranged by appointment through the Technology Coordinator. Students may not be in the computer labs while they are in a scheduled class without a note from that teacher. Students are not allowed into the computer labs without first presenting their Trinity I.D. card.
9. Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment by any employee of Trinity High School is against policy. Any employee engaging in corporal punishment may be dismissed from his/her contract.
10. Class Truancy
Attendance in every class is essential for instruction and to insure that all material is received by each student. Any student who does not attend a class or classes without permission from either the Administration or her parents is considered truant from that class. Cutting a class is a very serious offense and will result in loss of points for work completed in that class that day, including tests and/or quizzes, as well as a Saturday Detention.
11. Dances
Trinity has adopted the following policies in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment at student dances:
1. Students must be in attendance at least half a day, (8:00 a.m. until 3A, or 3B until dismissal) in order to participate in school events including dances.
2. Only students with a valid Catholic high school I.D. will be admitted at the door on the night of any school mixer.
3. All students attending the dance must be in the dance no later than 1/2 hour after the dance begins and must stay until 1/2 hour before the dance ends.
4. Boys wearing an excess of jewelry and students wearing gang symbols or colors will not be admitted.
5. All hats and team jackets must be checked at the door.
6. Dancing which we determine to be inappropriate will not be tolerated.
7. Students who engage in such dancing will be asked to leave the dance.
8. Any Trinity student who is asked to leave the dance will make a phone call to her parents to inform them that she is leaving.
9. Students who leave the dance for the night and those who are not admitted may not loiter on Trinity’s property or around the school.
12. Detention
Detentions can be issued to students by any faculty or staff member for violation to policies in the Student Handbook and infractions of school directives. Detention is held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:15-4:00. Students are expected to serve their detention on the first available date after the detention is issued. Students are to report to detention in full uniform and may not bring book bags or coats. Failure to serve detention on the first Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday after it is issued will result in a Saturday Detention to be served in addition to the original detention. Students are required to turn in their original detention form to the monitor in order to receive credit for detentions served. Students with outstanding detentions will not be allowed to participate in co-curricular events including dances, Kairos and school sponsored field trips.
Saturday Detention is held on assigned Saturdays from 8:00-11:00 a.m. in full uniform and students must pay a fee of $20. Failure to serve a Saturday Detention will result in an additional Saturday Detention in addition to the original and may result in a student/parent conference with the Discipline Board.
Any student who receives 5 detentions may be required to attend a meeting with her parents and the Discipline Board and may warrant further disciplinary action.
All disciplinary issues, including all detentions, must be served before Block 4 exams are given and grades are released.
13. Dress Code and Uniform Violation
Trinity students are expected to be neat, clean and well-groomed as a sign of their self respect and esteem. Trinity’s uniform consists of a uniform skirt and matching uniform sweater or uniform fleece worn with a white long or short sleeved Trinity polo shirt bought through Schoolbelles. In case of emergency, uniform items may be rented from the office for $5.00 per day per item. If a student needs to rent a uniform after one incident, she may be sent home to retreive her uniform. Students are expected to come to and from school in their uniforms. During the winter months, pants may be worn to school for warmth, but students must change into their skirts as soon as they enter the building.
Uniform Skirts - Uniform skirts must be hemmed to a length no shorter than one inch above the knee and are not to be rolled at the waist at any time. Parents of students whose skirts are deemed too short will be contacted and arrangements must be made to adjust the length of the skirt.
Shoes - Due to safety concerns, no shoes may be worn if the soles/heels exceed one inch. Students must wear enclosed black, brown, or dark blue dress shoes. Athletic or athletic looking shoes, moccasins, slippers, sandals, canvas, multicolor, backless shoes and boots are never permitted
Socks - Solid color blue, black, gray or white knee socks or tights are to be worn at all times. No other leg coverings are permitted.
Shorts - Shorts worn under the uniform may not be visible. Students will be asked to remove visible shorts.
Shirts - All students may only wear the Trinity High School polo shirt purchased from Schoolbelles. Plain white shirts or blouses are considered out of uniform. Students are permitted to wear a solid white short sleeve tee-shirt under their uniform polo, provided the tee-shirt does not hang out from under the banded bottom or can be seen at the collar. Tee-shirts should be tucked into the skirt and the polo should be completely buttoned at the neck. During the winter months students may wear a solid color dark blue, black or white turtleneck with uniform shirt and sweater/fleece. The uniform shirt must be worn at all times.
Accessories/Hair - Hats or head scarves may not be worn at any time in the school building. Inappropriate jewelry may not be worn. Extreme, severe or bizarre hairstyles and/or colors are unacceptable. Any students with unacceptable hair color may be sent home after a conference with her parents.
Miscellaneous - Any other apparel, accessories, and body decorations (i.e. tattoos, tongue piercing, brow piercing, body piercing, etc.) which are worn are considered a violation of the uniform policy. Band-aids or other coverings may not be worn over piercings. Any student coming to school with visible body piercing, other than ONE EARING WORN IN EACH EAR will be asked to remove the jewelry and the jewelry will be confiscated by the Dean. Any student with a visible tattoo will be required to cover it during the school day and at school functions. Failure to follow this policy will result in suspension and the student will not be permitted to return to school until the object is removed or the tattoo is covered.
Dress Up Days - On special occasions students may be allowed to dress up for school. On these days students are to dress appropriately and are not allowed to wear low cut, strapless or tank tops. Skirts should be a modest length and no bare midriffs will be allowed. Any student deemed dressed inappropriately will be rented a uniform skirt and shirt for the day and will not be allowed to participate in future dress up days. Gym shoes, sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Hats may never be worn in the building.
Dress Down Days - Occasionally students are allowed to dress down as incentives for fundraising and other occasions. Students are allowed to wear Trinity wear on those days and should be dressed appropriately. Bare midriffs and low cut revealing tops, strapless and tanks are never allowed in school. Sandals and flip flops are never allowed.
14. Drugs and Alcohol
The selling or distribution of illegal drugs is grounds for immediate dismissal. Any student in possession or under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the school day or at school-sponsored activities on or off campus, will be suspended and subject to the provisions of the substance abuse policy of the school. The Administration reserves the right to require drug testing at any time if deemed necessary.
15. Elevator
Elevator use is limited to faculty and handicapped students. Students who need to use the elevator because of an injury must obtain a temporary pass from the Office. The elevator may not be used during a fire drill.
16. Fees
All fees are charged to the tuition account. Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors pay a fee of $90.00 which covers the cost of the yearbook, student handbook, an annual retreat and standardized testing program. The Senior fee is $135.00 which includes all of the above and a graduation fee. This fee does not include any fees associated with the International Baccalaureate program or class fees.
17. Fighting
Fighting, both physical and verbal, is a threat to everyone’s right to a safe environment. It is not allowed and will result in immediate suspension from school. All students having any involvement in any fight will be sent home until a meeting can be arranged with the Discipline Board and the Administration. Any student harrassing, threatening, or brandishing any object as a weapon will face disciplinary action as outlined on page 15. Students will not be allowed to return to school until a meeting with the Administration and/or the Discipline Board is arranged. Fighting will result in conflict management counseling and may result in dismissal from Trinity High School.
18. Fire Drills
Directions for exiting the buildings are posted in each classroom. Students are asked to take notice of them. If the fire alarm rings, students are expected to follow the directions and move quickly and silently.
19. Fund-Raising
Each year two fund-raising activities, the walkathon in the fall and the raffle in winter, are held for the benefit of Trinity High School. Student participation in these events is mandatory and monies raised help to balance the actual cost of educating each student. Students may not take block or session exams unless all monies and materials are returned to the Institutional Advancement Office.
20. Gum
Gum chewing is not allowed anywhere in the school building. Chewing gum at any time will result in a detention.
21. Halls
Students may not be in the halls during classes without a hall pass. Running is not permitted.
22. Illness
A student who is ill should report to the main office. In the case of fever or vomiting, students must make arrangements to go home.
23. Injury
Students who are injured will be assessed by the Dean of Students who will also contact parents. Following an injury, a student should complete an injury report in the main office.
24. Leaving the Building
A student may leave the building during school hours only if she has permission from the main office and has signed out. Either a note from parents or, in the case of an emergency, a phone contact with parents is required and the parent must come in and sign the student out.
25. Library
The library is open each day at 7:15 a.m. On Thursday and Friday, the library closes at 3:30 p.m. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the hours are extended to 4:00 p.m. Students may also use the library resources during study hall periods and are expected to follow the rules and regulations promulgated by the library staff. Students will not be allowed into the library without an ID.
26. Lockers
Each student is assigned a locker which she retains throughout her four years at Trinity. All lockers are to be kept in order with the door closed and locked. Leaving the locker open or sharing the combination negates the security of the locker. Detentions will be issued to any student who leaves her locker open or unlocked. All items will be removed from any unlocked locker. Trinity High School does not assume responsibility for the recovery of replacement of lost, stolen or damaged property. A student who steals from another member of the Trinity community may be expelled. Students must keep assigned lockers, and only locks purchased at the Trinity bookstore may be used. Under special circumstances, school authorities reserve the right to inspect a student’s locker. Sitting on the floor while gathering in front of lockers is not permitted.
27. Money
Students may not collect money or sell any item on school property without permission from the Administration. Trinity does not permit fundraising to support individual students or outside organizations for trips, sports, enrichment or service projects.
28. Parking Lot/Cars
We ask that both parents and students cooperate with parking lot rules. Parents, especially, are asked to follow the drop-off pattern on page 14. Students being picked up at the end of the school day are to be picked up on Jackson Avenue or Berkshire Street. No student is to be picked up on either side of Division or Lathrop streets. Cars parked along Lathrop will be ticketed by the police. No parking is permitted on the either side of Jackson south of the field. Parking on Berkshire is allowed only on the south side. Parking in front of homes is not permitted at any time.
Students must register their license plates at the Main Office and pay a $25 parking fee in order to receive a Trinity parking space with a corresponding, numbered tag. Parking spaces will be arranged on a first come /first serve basis to seniors and juniors during booksales. One spot per carpool will be arranged. Tags must be displayed on the rearview mirror at all times. Failure to do so, or parking in a non-designated area will result in a Saturday Detention.
Please drop students off while you are still in line and do not wait until each car is at the sidewalk. Students may walk through the lot to enter through either back door or the door just south of the auditorium on Lathrop.
Parking lot guidlines and the drop-off/pick-up pattern may change during the course of the year. Any changes will be sent home to parents as soon as possible.
29. Residency
Students in attendance at Trinity High School must be unmarried and reside with parent(s) or a legal guardian. Trinity has the right and responsibility to know where and with whom a student resides. If residence or phone number changes during the school year, it is the responsibility of the student or parent to notify the main office immediately.
30. School-Sponsored Trips
Students participating in school-sponsored trips are subject to all of Trinity’s rules of conduct and the rules pertaining to the specific trip. Tuition must be paid up to date before deposits will be accepted for expensive trips.
31. Shadow Days / Visitors
Shadow Days are an opportunity for 7th or 8th grade girls to visit Trinity. All arrangements are made in advance through the Recruiter. Approval for Shadow Days for transfer students must go through the Dean. Other visitors or younger children are not permitted during the school day.
32. Signs, Posters and Printed Materials
Signs and posters must be approved by the Dean or the Activities Moderator, and posted only on the cork strips throughout the school. Printed material from students or from organizations outside of Trinity must be approved by the Dean.
33. Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on Trinity property and within a 6 block radius of the school, both within and outside of vehicles. This no smoking rule will be considered violated when a student is in possession of or is in the vicinity of a lit or unlit cigarette, throws a cigarette away, is in a lavatory with smoke coming from it or if there is a suspicion of a violation of this rule. A student who violates the no smoking rule exhibits serious disregard for the safety of all others and will be fined $50, and receive one Saturday Detention. Further infractions of this policy will result in a meeting with the student’s parents and the Discipline Board.
34. Student I.D.’s
Students are required to wear their current I.D. around their neck on the lanyard provided by the school. Failure to wear a student I.D. will warrant a Detention. Students are required to surrender their I.D. to a teacher when asked. Replacement cost of I.D. is $5 and lanyard $3.
35. Tape/CD Players, Recorders and Radios
Tape/CD players, recorders, IPod, MP3 players and radios may not be used during the school day. If they are brought to school, they are to be kept in lockers.
36. Theft
Theft is not tolerated and may result in dismissal from school.
37. Tornado Instructions
Remain calm. Exit the classroom into the hallway, staying clear of windows and doorways. Kneel facing the lockers with your hands over your head and maintain in silence. Wait for the all-clear signal either via PA or bells to return to the classroom.
38. Vacations
Parents are provided with Trinity calendars and are strongly discouraged from planning vacations on school days. This is particularly true of days before and after Christmas and Easter breaks. Teachers are not obligated to provide makeup work or tests. It is the student’s responsibility to speak to each teacher regarding makeup work. Each day of vacation counts as a day of absence and is subject to the absence policy. The Office and Teachers BOTH must be notified by a parentin writing prior to the absence.
39. Visitors
All visitors to Trinity must report immediately to the main office and sign in. If a student from another high school wishes to visit Trinity, permission must be obtained from the Dean at least two days prior to the event.
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