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This section contains information of special interest to parents,
including basic rules and regulations. The school also publishes The
Handbook for Students and Parents for quick reference to policies,
procedures, and basic information. To obtain a copy, call the president's
office at 770-394-8177, ext. 211.
Operating under the jurisdiction of the school, the Parents Guild
promotes close cooperation and communication between the school
and parents and assists the school in providing maximum advantages
for the education of the students. All parents are members
of the Parents Guild. Dues are deducted from the student’s
supply account. The dues pay for the school directory, various
functions for parents and students, and mailings to parents.
The Club fosters a sense of identity and community among parents
and promotes an understanding of the school’s philosophy,
objectives, and traditions. Working in close cooperation with
the school’s administration, the Guild plans and supports
a variety of school-wide projects and events, including the
annual giving program. The President of the School along with
his administrative designee serves as an ex-officio member
of all committees. The school must approve all events, activities,
fund raising, and mailings in advance. It is important to emphasize
that the Guild is a participatory and support group. It is
not a sounding board or adversary group. Any concerns, questions
about policies, or individual issues are always to be directed
to the school’s president/headmaster.
Without specific advance approval from the President/Headmaster
of the school, advertising and solicitation from parents or
other groups are not permitted on campus. The school directory
may not be used for commercial or political solicitation. Bulletins,
flyers, posters, or other such items may not be distributed
or posted on campus.
Each fall, the school conducts an annual giving program to provide
additional funds to enhance the educational opportunities made
available to the students. As a not-for-profit independent
school, Brandon Hall is dependent on tuition, individual contributions,
and other gifts from foundations and corporations who believe
in and wish to support the school’s mission. The school
requests that each parent give according to his/her ability
to help meet the annual goal. Those parents affiliated with
foundations and corporations are encouraged to assist the school
in obtaining additional funds. Questions regarding the advancement
of the school should be directed to the President of the school.
Severe weather or utility service interruption can interrupt or
delay the start of the academic day. When necessary, the decision
to cancel classes for the day will be made by 6:00 a.m. and will
be broadcast on the major radio stations. The
school also subscribes to ALERT NOW which will call each parent/guardian
who has an updated phone number in the system to let them know the
status. When possible, the school’s message center
will also indicate closings. Parents should assess the inclement
weather conditions at their homes before undertaking any travel
to school. Faculty members and administrators living on campus will
take care of boarding students by planning activities and meals
for them.
In cases where there is a local, state, or national emergency or
crisis situation, the school has made plans to handle a variety
of situations. The goal will be the maximum safety, health, and
welfare of students as well as the communication to parents as to
the state of the situation and the action taken. The school also subscribes to ALERT NOW which will call each
parent/guardian who has an updated phone number in the system to
let them know the status.
In keeping with its mission and philosophy, the school has established
a standard of conduct and expectations. The handbook, orientation
sessions, assemblies, and school publications keep students and
parents apprised of the standards and concerns as well as any changes
in policies. Students are held accountable for their conduct at
school and school-related activities. The school expects students
and parents to treat each other and the faculty with respect and
to honor individual differences. The school reserves the right
to establish rules and regulations for the general welfare of the
school and its students. The school also expects enrolled students
not to bring any type of ill fame or repute to themselves or the
school beyond the campus. In such situations, the school reserves
the right to review such situations and to determine if continued
enrollment is in the best interest of the school. Brandon Hall
reserves the right to amend any of its policies, rules, procedures,
and regulations in order to uphold the school’s philosophy
and objectives and to provide for the general welfare, financial
security, and safety of its community. Changes or modifications
will be announced via written and oral communication.
General
procedures in the discipline process:
- Students and parents are informed of the school’s
standard of conduct.
- With certain infractions, the administration or
faculty simply gives a reminder or a warning with the offense
recorded.
- Repeated or more serious offenses are referred
to the Dean of Students who reviews the situation and determines
whether or not the Discipline Committee should assist in reviewing
the case. Parents and students should note that in the Handbook
certain violations are considered serious offenses with disciplinary
action up to and including dismissal.
- The Dean of Students or the Discipline Committee
decide the consequence and inform the student and his/her parents.
The offences and consequences are recorded in the student’s
attendance and conduct record that is sent with report cards
and transcripts. The Discipline Committee or the President may
place a student on conduct probation. In such situations, the
student is told the terms of the probation and the consequences
that usually are long-term, out-of-school suspension or dismissal.
- In situations regarding out-of-school suspension
or dismissal, the Discipline Committee makes the recommendation
to the President of the School who reviews the case prior to
the school’s imposing the consequences.
- If a parent wishes to appeal a suspension or dismissal,
s/he may do the following:
a. Notify the President of the School of the desire to appeal.
b. Write a formal letter of appeal that states the following:
his/her understanding of what his/her child’s conduct record
and actions in the particular offense; the reason why s/he feels
the consequence should not be imposed; the consequence which
s/he believes should be imposed.
- The President of the School will review the appeal
along with the Discipline Committee and make a final decision.
The decision of the President is final.
- Once the school dismisses a student, the student
may not come on to the campus or attend any school functions
without the express permission of the President of the school.
From the time of arrival until the time of departure from school
or school-sponsored activities, students are under the jurisdiction
of the school. While under the jurisdiction of the school, students
are expected to adhere to all rules and regulations, to obey faculty
and staff members, and to conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen.
When students are at school-sponsored activities and parents are
present, the school expects to uphold the school’s policies
and standards of conduct.
"You are free to choose, but you are not free to determine the consequences
of your choice."
The Dean of Students and the Discipline Committee are responsible
for overseeing students’ conduct and for determining consequences
that are appropriate for the offenses. The Dean’s office maintains
conduct records, which are summarized and become part of the student’s
official grade reports and transcripts. Depending on the severity
and repetition of the infractions and the conduct record of the
student, the school may impose one or more of the following consequences:
- Verbal and written warnings,
- Written assignments,
- Research projects,
- School and community service,
- Before school and after-school detentions
and work details,
- Weekend work-details,
- In-school suspension,
- Out-of-school suspension,
- Dismissal.
For infractions that occur in the classroom, individual
teachers may also impose consequences for conduct violations such
as remaining after school, cleaning the rooms and boards, doing
written exercises or letters of apology. The goals are is for the
student to change negative habits, to learn from the infractions,
and not to repeat the same offenses. Students should remember that
infractions in the classroom might also affect their academic grades
since class participation and interaction are graded as part of
the student’s overall evaluation. Brandon Hall retains the
right to report violations of the criminal law to law enforcement
officials.
The President reviews and approves all suspensions
and dismissals.
To instill personal and academic honesty and integrity, the school
insists that students tell the truth, refrain from taking the possessions
and work of others, turn in work that is of their own creation,
and learn and apply the academic standards that prevent plagiarism.
Lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarizing are considered serious
offenses. Students caught cheating or plagiarizing may also receive
an "F" on the work or grading period as well as other
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
The school expects each student to treat others with respect and
courtesy in the classroom, in social activities, and in the dormitory.
The school attempts to instill in each student the respect for
the unique qualities and personalities of each individual; therefore,
abusing or coercing others with browbeating words or force and
harassing or ridiculing other students are offenses normally dealt
with consequences of suspension or dismissal. Racial, sexual, or
other types of language judged by the administration to be offensive,
intimidating, or harassing will be dealt with seriously. Students
are reminded that there are laws that also address such types of
behavior. The topic of honoring the differences and respecting
each person is addressed in various individual and group sessions.
If a student feels that in any way s/he has been harassed, s/he
should confide in a trusted administrator who will discuss the
situation, advise the student of the process for documenting and
substantiating allegations, and explain the process of investigating
the situation or incident. Students are cautioned that any type
of name-calling or humor may be perceived as harassment even if
such remarks are done in jest. Such behavior, therefore, should
be avoided.
Rough or boisterous play, even when done in jest or good humor,
can often lead to serious injuries as well as hurt feelings; therefore,
students are not to engage in horseplay or other physical interactions
that could cause intentional or unintentional personal injury or
damage to property. Students are not to engage in any type of hitting,
pushing, punching, or fighting with others. In situations where
a student accosts another student, the accosted student is to report
the incident immediately to a faculty member who can take immediate
action. The accosted student should refrain from retaliating or
trying to "get even." In such situations when both students
engage in fighting, both students will receive punishment. Costs
relating to any intentional or unintentional damage to property
caused by horseplay or fighting will be billed to the involved
students’ supply accounts.
Vandalism, the intentional defacing of an individual’s or
the school’s property, and the destruction of property are
considered serious offenses with the student subject to immediate
suspension or dismissal. The student and his/her parents will be
responsible for all damages at the replacement cost value. Any
vandalism or destruction of property in the Rivergate Neighborhood
attributed to a Brandon Hall student will result in a hearing before
the Discipline Committee with disciplinary action up to and including
dismissal. Students are reminded of the legal consequences involved
in the destruction of property.
Students are expected to behave as young ladies and gentlemen and
to monitor their language to the occasion and audience; therefore,
students using profane, vulgar, or abusive language as determined
by the administration to other students and the faculty/staff on
campus or at school-sponsored events will be subject to immediate
disciplinary consequences. Any repetitious behavior may lead to
immediate suspension or dismissal.
Members of the administration, faculty and staff are charged with
supervising, teaching, and correcting students as they work towards
individual academic and personal goals. Students are expected to
be cordial and respectful, to follow directions, to demonstrate
respect and common courtesy through their verbal and body language
and actions, and to complete tasks requested of them. Proper responses
are "Yes or No sir or ma’am" or "Yes or No" in
a civil and respectful manner. The school will not tolerate disrespect,
sullenness, bad attitudes, talking back, or the ignoring of requests
and instructions. Students not demonstrating proper respect in
the opinion of the administration will be subject to immediate
suspension or dismissal.
Time on task is extremely important; therefore, students are expected
to be in attendance and on time at school or at school-sponsored
events. Parents are reminded that even though their negligence
may cause the student to be late, it is the student, unfortunately,
who is late for the occasion and receives the consequences. Day
students should be dropped off at the "circle" between
7:30 and 7:45 a.m. so that students can be in their classrooms
at the appointed time. To avoid holding up other parents dropping
of their children, students should have book bags and items ready
for immediate egression from the vehicle.
Day students who drive to school should report between
7:30 and 7:40 a.m. and park in their assigned spaces. Students
should not linger in parking lots or the front of the campus. They
should report to their classrooms via the archway between the Great
Hall and Corley Hall no later than 7:55 a.m. Any students reporting
after 8:00 a.m. should go immediately to the Dean of Students’ office
in the Huff Center for a late slip. Parents can only request, not
excuse students for late arrivals. Only the school can determine
if the arrival is excused or unexcused. Consequences for late arrivals
include the lowering of grades in the class affected, making up
missed work after school or on Saturday morning, or being subject
to other penalties as deemed appropriate by the Dean and Director
of Academics.
A student may not possess, sell, use, abuse, transport, or be under
the influence of any alcoholic beverages, unauthorized drugs, or
other illegal, mind-altering substances while enrolled at Brandon
Hall. Such substances include, but are not limited to: narcotics,
depressants, stimulants, caffeine tablets, hallucinogenic drugs,
marijuana, hashish, anabolic steroids, golden seal, and alcoholic
beverages. The intentional abuse of inhalants, concentrated vapors
or propellants, and the intentional misuse of prescription or non-prescription
drugs are all considered to be serious violations of school policy.
The school reserves the right to search students
and their possessions and to perform random drug testing of its
students at the parent’s expense. The school also reserves
the right to bring in authorities or agencies, including those
with drug sniffing dogs, to ascertain if there are illegal substances
on campus. The violation of this policy is a serious offense since
Brandon Hall desires a "drug free" campus. Whenever a
student is suspected of violating the drug/alcohol policies, the
school, when possible, calls in the student and contacts the parents
to alert them that there is a "concern or suspicion." At
that time, the student is reminded of the policies and possible
consequences. In cases where a student has brought or used an illegal
substance on campus or at a school-sponsored event, the student
is confronted and the parents are notified. There is then an immediate
review of the situation and circumstances and the student’s
previous record in terms of conduct and use/involvement with illegal
substances. The Discipline Committee then convenes for its final
decision. Students and parents should understand clearly that in
most situations, the consequence is immediate dismissal, which
involves the loss of tuition and fees as well as credits. In certain
situations at the sole discretion of the school, the school may
find the consequence to be a long-term suspension at a drug/alcohol
rehabilitation treatment facility. In these situations, the Discipline
Committee has reviewed the student’s conduct history, degree
of involvement in drugs or alcohol, past parental cooperation,
and desire to change habits and comply with policies. Possession
of illegal substances is a crime, and Brandon Hall reserves the
right to report violations of the criminal law to law enforcement
officials.
To help maintain a drug-free community, the school reserves the
right to require drug screening by testing urine, blood or hair,
as needed at the parent’s expense. The school also reserves
the right to bring in outside recourses to help detect or determine
the presence of illegal substances on campus.
In the interest of the continuing welfare of the school community,
Brandon Hall reserves the right to search any student, his/her
locker, dormitory room, vehicle parked on campus or possessions,
without notice, if the administration deems such searches to be
warranted.
Under no circumstances may a student have on his person, in his/her
vehicle or in his dormitory room, a firearm, fireworks, knife,
sharp instrument, or other dangerous object, especially those
prohibited on school campuses by local and state laws. Students
and parents are reminded that it is their responsibility to be
aware of all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to the
possession of prohibited items on a school’s campus or at
a school-sponsored activity. The violation of this policy has
serious consequences up to and including suspension and dismissal.
Brandon Hall is a smoke-free school community.
Smoking and using cigarettes and other tobacco products (lighters,
matches, pipes, bongs, etc.) while on campus or at school-sponsored
activities are forbidden. Violations of this rule are major offenses
and may result in suspension or dismissal. Students who feel they
have a problem in this area are encouraged to approach the administration
to discuss their habits and to seek with their parents’ permission
a program to cease smoking or using tobacco products.
The school understands the need for parents to have communication
with their children while driving to and from school; however,
at school parents may leave messages or students may use non-pay
phones to call home whenever there is an urgent need. Cellular
phones and pagers must be left in a student’s car or must
be turned in to the Dean’s office during school hours. The
phone must have the student’s name and phone number printed
clearly on the phone. The school reserves the right to confiscate
and hold a phone until the end of the academic session if a student
fails to turn in his/her phone.
To avoid conflicts and to help them take proper care of their possessions,
students are not to borrow or lend money, property, clothing, or
other items. A student should have his/her name indicated on clothing,
books, or other property. The school cannot be held responsible
for the loss, theft, or damage to a student’s property. Gambling
is also forbidden.
Chewing gum is strictly forbidden on campus or at school-related
functions. Consequences for chewing gum may include removing gum
and food from desks, serving Saturday work details, etc. Food and
drinks are limited to the dining hall certain approved functions.
The athletic office staff also sells drinks to students after school
which may be consumed only in the designated
areas.
With parental permission and the approval of the school, licensed
drivers may operate motor vehicles on campus. Only vehicles registered
with the school and bearing the school decal may be driven on
campus. Decals must be displayed in the lower right section of
the front windshield. The school disclaims any responsibility
for any vehicle parked on campus and is not liable for any damages
or losses that may occur. Cars should be locked, and any valuable
items should be placed in the trunk of the car.
A parental permission form is required to be on file before a student
may operate a vehicle on campus. This form must be updated each
year, or whenever a change in vehicle or insurance carrier takes
place.
Students may not transport each other on or off campus without
written consent from the passenger’s parents on file. Students
may not ride in the vehicles of faculty or staff members unless
special administrative approval is given.
The all-campus speed limit is 15 M.P.H. Any students
who violate this speed limit or who drives in a reckless manner
will face revocation of campus driving privileges. Posted speed
limits with the neighboring subdivision must be observed.
All students must park in the spaces assigned for
them. Other than for arrival to or departure from school, the parking
lot is off limits.
Students may not loan or borrow vehicles that are operated on campus.
No one may park or ride a motorcycle or any other vehicle on campus
as determined by the administration which causes excessive noise
or is deemed unsightly or inappropriate. Any such vehicle left
on campus will be towed at the owner’s expense.
The school provides nutritious hot meals for all students. At lunch
and dinner, there are also salad and sandwich bars. All students
are required to eat their respective meals in the dining hall at
which time announcements are also made. Unless a day student has
a written explanation from a physician, s/he may not bring his/her
lunch to school since there are a variety of items from which to
select. Meals are included in the fee structure, and there are
no refunds or credits when a student chooses not to eat a meal.
Students may either be assigned to tables or permitted to sit with
friends, depending on the overall conduct and manners of students
as determined by the administration. Faculty members supervise
the lunch period. Students are expected to use good table manners,
to take only the amount of food that they can eat, to speak in
moderate tones only to those people at their table, to clean up
their area at their table, and to return their trays to the appropriate
place. If a faculty member corrects or addresses a student, the
student is expected to respond appropriately.
Entry into the dining room is to be done promptly
and silently. Students are to get directly into the serving line
and patiently wait to be served. Once the student has gotten his/her
food, s/he is expected to immediately sit at his/her assigned table.
Students should leave the table only to get more food, clear the
table, or to leave the dining hall at the end of the meal when
dismissed by the faculty.
"Skipping" lunch and being in an area not
designated and not displaying common courtesy and table manners
are considered a serious disciplinary offense.
All students and parents must sign the Brandon Hall Technology
and Internet Policy at the beginning of the school year. Breaking
any portion of this policy will result in disciplinary action up
to and including dismissal.
The Dean of Students assigns each student a locker in which to
store books and materials with the student purchasing a lock from
the campus store. Students are encouraged to use their lockers
before school, at lunch, and after school so that they will not
have to carry heavy book bags and backpacks throughout the entire
day. Students are responsible for keeping their lockers clean and
neat and free from any internal or external decorations. The
lockers in the gymnasium are available for student athletes and
students in physical education. The Athletic Director assigns gym
lockers only.
Restrooms are located in each building for the comfort and use
of students, faculty, and visitors. Students are encouraged to
use the restrooms before school, between the changing of classes,
at lunch, or after school. In cases where a student needs to
use the restroom during a class period or other activity, s/he
must obtain a written pass from a faculty member. In such situations,
the students must report directly to the closest restroom and
return immediately afterwards without stopping by any other classrooms
or talking with other students. Any student found smoking, littering,
defacing or destroying property in a restroom will be subject
to serious disciplinary action. Students are to assume responsibility
for helping keep the campus restrooms clean and sanitary. Faculty
members monitor the restrooms. In cases where students are abusing
restroom privileges in a particular restroom, the school reserves
the right to close the restroom and send students to designated
restrooms in the academic office where there is administrative
supervision.
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