Bishop McNamara High School To Think with Christ · Bishop McNamara High School To Think with Christ STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK 2014-2015 6800 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD 20747 (301)

Bishop McNamara High School

To Think with Christ

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

2014-2015

6800 Marlboro Pike

Forestville, MD 20747

(301) 735-8401

Fax (301) 735-0934

http://www.bmhs.org

***This Handbook does not represent an express or implied

contract. The school reserves the right to amend this handbook

at any time. Notice of any changes will be provided to

Parents***

Fall 2014

Dear Bishop McNamara High School Students,

Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year. Whether you are a brand new

freshman, a transfer student from another school or one of our returning

“veterans,” we know that there are rewarding friendships, creative

scheduling that allows you to experience a varied and challenging

curriculum and unlimited personal growth opportunities waiting for you

within this outstanding school community. Whether you are performing in

our four million dollar fine arts center, competing on our state of the art

artificial turf field, or enjoying the over $8 million worth of new additions

and facility renovations, it is all here for you. You will be delighted and

challenged by the tools and resources at your disposal. New age technology

and age old faith and values will be your companions on your journey to

academic and personal achievement.

Our school administration, faculty, staff, coaches and counselors are

pleased to begin your school year by presenting you with this “carry along”

personal agenda and official school handbook. Your Agenda Book includes

a daily assignment section, a planning and resource guide, and much of the

information that you will need to make your way efficiently and

confidently through the school year. We urge you to use your Agenda

Book daily and refer to it often for clarification and explanation of school

policies and procedures.

The road to success is not the belief that it can always be attained, but the

belief that it is always worth pursuing. You and your teachers, counselors,

and coaches make an unbeatable team. It is up to you to begin this year by

distinguishing yourself in your classrooms, in the halls and on the playing

fields as a woman or man of faith, commitment and positive energy. You

have chosen Bishop McNamara and Bishop McNamara has chosen you.

Together we will create a partnership, trust and friendship of mutual

respect that can and will change your life. Welcome to the 2013-2014

school year. Be bold in your visions and daring in your dreams. Be open to

the unlimited possibilities of each new day. It is all up to you. This is your

moment in time. Make each day count.

God Bless You,

Marco J. Clark

President/CEO

The Mission of Bishop McNamara High School Bishop McNamara High School, a college preparatory school in the Holy

Cross tradition, exists to educate and to form young men and women in the

Catholic faith. The school challenges its students to think with Christ: a

thought animated by the Gospel, manifested in service, and informed by

academic excellence.

A Holy Cross School

Educates in the Faith by instilling a life mission consistent with

Gospel values

Celebrates the sanctity and dignity of life

Cultivates the mind, body and spirit

Values diversity as a strength and humility as a virtue

Nurtures a spirit of community

Inspires life-long learning, personal growth and faith development

Bishop McNamara High School Alma Mater

Hail to thee, our McNamara: True Maroon and Gold. What we have in McNamara, Never will grow old. Brotherhood and sisterhood in Christian unity, Mustangs once, we'll always be. We sing our love to thee.

Hail to thee, our McNamara: Faith and strength through thee What we share in McNamara Keeps us family. Education, celebration, life’s great dignity Alma Mater, strong and free, We stand and honor thee.

Maroon and Gold Fight Song

Maroon & Gold go charging through, Fight on you Mustangs brave and true. We conquer all, we never fall, We always fight for one and all. For victory we'll raise our cry, Our spirits strong will never die. Go marching on to VICTORY, For McNamara High!

BISHOP McNAMARA STUDENT MORAL CODE

1. Respect yourself.

2. Be courteous.

3. Respect teachers.

4. Respect students.

5. Be kind.

6. Be honest.

7. Be helpful.

8. Be prayerful.

9. Use civil language.

10. Live like Jesus Christ.

BISHOP McNAMARA HONOR CODE

I will tell the truth.

I will do my own work, without unauthorized assistance.

I will not take what is not mine.

I will abide by the Code and the directions of the

Administration and Honor Council concerning the Code.

The Oath

I have chosen to act honorably, not because someone is watching,

but because I value my character and our community of trust.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BMHS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM AND STAFF…….............................1

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY………………………...………...…...…………1

THE MISSION STATEMENT FOR SCHOOLS OF THE

CONGREGATION OF HOLY CROSS MOREAU PROVINCE……....1-2

SEC. I: ACADEMICS - GENERAL POLICIES/PROCEDURES…….2-16

Admission Policy……….…………………………………...…..2-3

Course Offerings………….……….…………………………..…..3

Honors and Advanced Placement Courses………………………..3

Graduation Requirements……….…………………….………......3

Holy Cross Service Program….....……………………………...3-4

Grading Procedures……..………………………………………4-5

Progress Reports…………………………………………....……..5

Withdrawal from a Course…………………………………...........5

Grading System………………………………….……………...5-7

Honors/Recognition…………………………………………….....7

Semester and Final Exams……………………………...…….…...7

Summer School Policy………………………………………….7-8

Academic Probation………………………………………….…8-9

Dismissal Policy for Academic Deficiency……………………….9

Bishop McNamara High School Honor Code…………...………..9

Honor Council………………………………………………....9-12

Honors Passes………………………………………………...11-12

Senior Privilege………………………………………………12-13

National Honor Society………………………………………13-15

Guidance Department……………………………………...…15-16

Transcripts of Academic Records………………………………..16

SEC. II: CO-CURRICULAR OFFERINGS…………………………..16-20

Athletics.…………………………………….……..………....16-17

Activities/Student Council……………..……..………………17-18

Field Trips………..…………………………………..…….…18-19

Fundraising Events …………………………………………19

Outside Activities/Events at Other Schools…….………………..19

School Dances………………………………………………..19-20

SEC. III: DISCIPLINARY POLICY AND PROCEDURES/

CODE OF CONDUCT…….....................................................20-35

Deans of Students……………………………..….…………..20-21

Statement of Disciplinary Policy………………………….….21-22

The Bishop McNamara Student Moral Code……………….........22

Respectful Behavior……………………………………….....22-23

Disciplinary Process………………………….………………23-31

Discipline Board…….……………………………….23-26

Detention..……………………………………..…….26-28

Infractions for Issuing Detentions……………………….28

Infractions for Issuing Saturday Detentions ………........28

Infractions for Issuing Suspensions or Expulsion…...28-29

Disciplinary Warning……………………………......29-30

Disciplinary Probation……………………….……….…30

Strict Disciplinary Probation…………………..………..30

Forfeiture of Scholarships/Financial Aid……………......30

Review of Disciplinary Status……………………….30-31

Suspension.……………………..…….…………............31

Expulsion...……………………..………………..…..31-32

Non-discrimination and Harassment………..……………………32

Hazing……………………………………………………..……..32

Bullying…………………………………………….………...32-34

Smoking, Alcohol and Illegal Drugs………………………….…34

Telephone/Cell Phone Calls……………………………………..34

Eating and Drinking………………...…………..…………….….35

Gum Chewing……………………………………..………….….35

SEC. IV: ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND REGULATIONS……..35-40

Absences…………………………..………..…………...……35-36

Perfect Attendance……………………………………………….36

Make-Up of Work Missed Because of Absence…………..…..…37

Make-Up Work for Absence Due to School Related Activity…..37

Extended Absence for School Approved/Sponsored Activity.37-38

Extended Absence for Non-School Sponsored Activity…………38

College Fair/College Visit…………………………...….……….38

Tardiness..………………………..……………….…………..38-39

Excessive Absences……………………………….……………..39

Early Dismissal………………………………….……..…….39-40

Request for Early Dismissal Privileges………………………….40

Truancy…………………..………………………………………40

SEC. V: HEALTH POLICIES……………………………...………...40-41

Sickness During the Day…………………………..…………40-41

Emergency Information………………… …….………………...41

Prescription/Nonprescription Medication….……………..……...41

Student Pregnancy……………………………………..………...41

SEC. VI: ATTIRE/DRESS CODE………………..………………….41-45

Men's Dress Code………………….…………………………….42

Men’s Optional Dress Code……….…………………………….42

Women's Dress Code…………………………………………42-43

Women’s Optional Dress Code………………………………….43

Seniors’ Optional Dress Code..………………………………….43

General Dress Regulations…………………………………...43-45

Field Trip Dress Regulations…………………………………….45

Casual Dress Days…………………………………..…………...45

SEC. VII: SPECIFIC CAMPUS AREAS

REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES…………………….45-53

Campus……………………………………..………………45-46

Before School…………………………………………..………...46

Start of School……………………………………………………46

After School……….……………………………………..…..46-47

After-School Study Hall Program………..…………………. 47-48

Cafeteria…………………………………………………….……48

Elevators…………………………………………………...…….48

Halls and Stair Landings…………………………………………48

Library…………………………………..……………………48-49

Library Pass Policy……………………..………………………..49

Lockers and Locks………………………...……………………..49

Searches………………………………………………………….49

Lost and Found…………...…………………………………..49-50

Study Areas/Study Hall.…………………………………….........50

Traffic, Motor Vehicle and Parking Lot Restrictions………...50-52

Student and Vehicle Entrance and Exit………………....50

Parking/Parking Lot………………………………….50-52

Automobile Security Stickers………………………..52-53

SEC. VIII: GENERAL CAMPUS REGULATIONS

AND PROCEDURES……………..……………………....…53-57

Communicating with School Personnel………………..…….…..53

Computer Use/Technology…………………………...………….53

Emergency Preparedness………………….………………….53-54

Fire Alarm System…………………………….……….………...54

ID Cards…………..………………………….…….…….............54

Married Students……..…………………………………………..54

Pass System…………..…………………………………………..55

Personal Property……..………………………………………….55

Signs Posted in School………….………………………………..56

Visitors……………………………………………...………........56

Weather Related Closings……………………………..……..56-57

Weather Related Closings During Exams…………….………….57

SEC. IX: FINANCIAL/SERVICE OBLIGATIONS….……………..57-60

2014-2015 Fees……………………………………….………….57

Tuition Discounts for Siblings…………………………….….57-58

Archdiocesan Employee Tuition Benefit…………...……………58

Delinquency in Financial Obligations…………………...…...58-59

Checks…………………………………………………..………..59

Credit/Debit Cards……………………………………………….59

Refund Policy………………………………………..….………..60

Textbook Policy………………………………………………….60

Parent Service Hours………………………………...…………...60

1

BISHOP McNAMARA

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM President/CEO: Marco J. Clark `85 Principal: Robert W. Van der Waag, Ph.D. Assistant Principal/Dean of Students: Reginald J. Brady Dean of Students: LaSandra M. Hayes

THE PHILOSOPHY OF

BISHOP McNAMARA HIGH

SCHOOL Bishop McNamara High School, a

college preparatory school in the

Holy Cross tradition, exists to

educate and to form young men

and women in and through the

Catholic faith. Through spiritual

and academic guidance and service

to others, the school provides an

opportunity to participate in the

practice of the Catholic faith in an

atmosphere supportive of religious

values. This faith message is

taught not in isolation but is

integrated with learning and living

by relating the Gospel message to

content areas, by the living

example of faculty and staff, by

partnership with families, and by

service to the outside community.

By welcoming students from

diverse backgrounds, the school

exposes its students to a variety of

traditions beyond their own,

instilling a respect for the cultures

and values of others. Bishop

McNamara is committed to

developing in all students a sense

of self-worth and accomplishment.

The school also seeks to instill a

sense of responsibility for one’s

actions and for the well-being of

the local and global community.

Students learn this responsibility

through a range of evolving

curricular, co-curricular, and

institutional programs. The school

serves those within our community

without prejudice, accepting all

persons as they have been created

in God’s infinite goodness.

The school provides a strong,

challenging and diverse curriculum

that allows each student to achieve

success commensurate with ability

and effort. The school helps the

student develop the power to

reason independently and think

creatively. Included in this

program are co-curricular activities

which are provided to cultivate a

student’s interests and skills.

Ultimately, the school challenges

its students to think with Christ - a

thought animated by the Gospel,

manifested in service and informed

by academic excellence.

SPONSORSHIP AND MISSION

STATEMENT

FOR SCHOOLS OF THE

CONGREGATION OF HOLY

CROSS

MOREAU PROVINCE

SPONSORSHIP:

Bishop McNamara High School is

sponsored by the Congregation of

Holy Cross Moreau Province,

2

whose earliest educational

establishment in the United States

is the University of Notre Dame,

South Bend, Indiana. A talented

teaching faculty, administration

and support staff of laypersons

operate Bishop McNamara High

School.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Congregation of Holy Cross

has established schools, as a

continuation of the legacy of the

Blessed Father Basil Anthony

Moreau, to cultivate minds and

hearts and to serve the needs of the

Church and the world.

Educational institutions sponsored

by the Moreau Province of the

Congregation of Holy Cross are

entrusted with the stewardship of

the vision of Father Moreau.

These institutions, their boards and

faculty, employ their resources in

partnership with students, parents,

guardians, and other members of

the wider community.

As effective educators, we assist

others to view all reality through

the eyes of faith. Holy Cross

schools offer educational programs

to a diverse group of students

fostering the gifts of those with

whom and for whom we work.

We teach the Catholic faith; we

encourage the pursuit of academic

excellence; we nurture a

commitment to integral growth by

focusing on Christian values and

the intellectual, creative, social,

and physical development of those

we serve. We spur those whom

we serve to challenge prejudice as

well as unjust networks of power

and privilege.

Holy Cross sponsored schools

exist to promote the legacy and

vision of Father Moreau by

developing leaders among the

People of God for the good of

Church and society.

SECTION I: ACADEMICS

GENERAL POLICIES AND

PROCEDURES

ADMISSION POLICY

Students who qualify academically

and who indicate that they will be

successful at McNamara are

admitted into the school. Entrance

test scores, grade reports, teacher

recommendations and space

availability are considered in

accepting students.

Transfer students are automatically

placed on General Probation upon

acceptance.

For all incoming students, all

previous school transcripts must be

received prior to the start of the

school year. It is the student's

family's responsibility to ensure

transcripts are sent to Bishop

McNamara High School. No

student will be permitted to begin

attending classes if his/her

transcript has not been received.

The school participates in the

Archdiocesan tuition assistance

3

program and also offers other

scholarships funded by the school,

Parents’ Club, and the

Archdiocese. Eligibility is based

upon need and scholarship.

COURSE OFFERINGS

To meet the diverse interests,

background, and talents of

students, Bishop McNamara High

School provides diverse course

offerings designed to individualize

the learning experience and, at the

same time, meet requirements for

college admission or other types of

professional preparation. A

student’s participation in an

academic program is determined

by the background, ability,

interest, and maturity of the

student and the academic

department’s recommendation.

HONORS AND ADVANCED

PLACEMENT COURSES


offers a wide variety of honors and

Advanced Placement courses.

Qualifications for enrollment in

these courses are determined by

each academic department. Bishop

McNamara’s Advanced Placement

program is administered by the

Academic Dean.

GRADUATION

REQUIREMENTS

Theology 4 credits

English 4 credits

Modern and Classical Lang. 2 credits (2 consecutive years of the same language)

Mathematics 4 credits

PE and Health 1.5 credits

Science 3 credits

Social Studies 4 credits

Fine Arts 1 credit

Information Technology 1 credit

Electives 1.5 credits

Total 26 credits

Completion of Christian service

hours as explained in the Holy

Cross Service Program is a

requirement for graduation from

Bishop McNamara High School.

Students are required to earn one

Christian service credit for each

year they attend the school. The

credit is awarded when the year’s

service requirement has been

fulfilled.

Seniors who fail any course

required to fulfill graduation

requirements during their senior

year will not be permitted to

participate in graduation

ceremonies and will not receive a

diploma until the failed course is

completed successfully.

HOLY CROSS SERVICE

PROGRAM

The Holy Cross Service Program

of Christian Service at Bishop

McNamara High School is

developed by the Campus Minister

for Outreach and the School

Administration.

All students are required to

complete the Holy Cross Service

Program (with a specific focus and

specific number of hours for each

4

grade level) during each year that

they are enrolled. This is a

credited requirement for

graduation. Students will receive

one credit for each year they

complete the service hour

requirement. Students may not

pass into the next grade without

completing the service

requirement.

Students who have not completed

their service requirement by the

designated date each year will not

receive credit until they have

completed the Holy Cross Summer

Service program (a fee must be

paid for participation in the

program). Students who do not

complete the Holy Cross Summer

Service program will not be

allowed to return to Bishop

McNamara in the fall since they

did not earn the required credit.

Seniors may not graduate without

meeting the service hour

requirement.

Students who enter Bishop

McNamara as transfer students are

required to complete the service

requirement only for those years in

which they are enrolled at Bishop

McNamara.

Service opportunities must be

approved by the Campus Minister

for Outreach. A list of approved

service sites is available from the

Campus Ministry office or through

the school’s website. Any service

opportunities that are not pre-

approved must be submitted via

the Approval Request Form and

will be reviewed by the Campus

Minister for Outreach. Students

should take the Christian Service

Contract with them when

volunteering and obtain the

supervisor’s signature on the

contract as verification of service.

Fully completed contracts must be

submitted to the Campus Ministry

Office in order to receive credit.

These contracts must be submitted

by the deadline established for

each grade level in order to meet

the requirement. A reflection

paper based on the service

experience is also required of all

students.

Students may not miss school in

order to complete any of their

service hours.

Detailed descriptions of the Holy

Cross Service Program will be

distributed annually by the

Campus Ministry Office.

GRADING PROCEDURES

Grade reports for each student are

issued to the parents four times a

year, or once every nine weeks.

The purpose of the report is to alert

the parents and present them a

clear picture of their child’s

achievement in his/her academic

studies. It is to be understood that

the quarter grade is an evaluation

of the student’s work to the time

the grade was recorded and should

be used as an index of

achievement. During each quarter

period, the teacher (through

testing, evaluation of assigned

5

work, and where necessary,

personal interview) arrives at an

evaluation concerning the

achievement of each student.

If parents are unable to pick-up

report cards when they are

scheduled for distribution, they

must send a signed note to the

school to allow the student to pick

up the report card the next school

day.

PROGRESS REPORTS

If a student is performing at a

below-average level (C- or below)

at mid-quarter, it is required that

teachers notify parents.

Notification takes place midway

through a grading quarter. The

progress report serves to warn the

student when he/she is not

performing to the satisfaction of

the teacher.

Parents should not interpret an

unsatisfactory progress report as a

prerequisite to a failing or

unsatisfactory grade; a student

may justifiably fail a course

without previous notification to

parents. For example, a student

may fail a course because a major

assignment was not completed by

the end of the quarter, even though

his/her other work was

satisfactory.

Parents may view student progress

through the Parent Portal

accessible through the Bishop

McNamara High School website.

WITHDRAWAL FROM A

COURSE

Withdrawal from a course should

occur only when absolutely

necessary. In the rare case when a

student needs to withdraw from a

course, the policy will be as

follows:

Withdrawals within one week of

Quarter 2 Report Card

Distribution:

The course and grade will

not appear on the student’s

report card

The course and grade are

removed from the

student’s permanent

record.

Withdrawals at any other time:

The student’s report card

will reflect a “W” for

“Withdraw”.

The student’s permanent

record will reflect a “W”

for “Withdraw”.

GRADING SYSTEM

Grading systems, regardless of

their many drawbacks, are the only

practical way teachers and

administrators have found to

effectively evaluate the progress of

a student in school. Grades in a

course are given to reflect the

achievement of a student in that

course during each quarter of the

school year.

The semester grade for a course is

the two quarter grades and the

examination averaged together;

6

exams count no less than 10% or

more than 20% of each semester

grade. The final grade for a full-

year course is the two semester

grades, averaged together.

The numerical equivalents for our

letter grades are as follows. These

numbers are not percentages, but

merely a “translation” of our letter

grades to a numerical system.

GRADE CONVERSIONS

College Prep Honors AP

A = 100- 93 4.0 4.5 5.0

A- = 92- 91 3.67 4.17 4.67

B+ = 90- 88 3.33 3.83 4.33

B = 87- 85 3.0 3.5 4.0

B- = 84- 82 2.67 3.17 3.67

C+ = 81-79 2.33 2.83 3.33

C = 78-75 2.0 2.5 3.0

C- = 74-70 1.67 2.17 2.67

D = 69- 65 1.0 1.0 1.0

F = 64 0.0 0.0 0.0

and below

THE GRADE OF “A”

This is the best grade that any

work can receive. The “A” is a

high honors grade; work that

receives it is rated as excellent in

the subject area, showing

independence, initiative,

resourcefulness, and content that

exceeds the assigned requirements.

THE GRADE OF “B”

The “B” is an honors grade and

means the student’s work is above

average in quality. It indicates that

the student’s scholarship is

accurate and complete, meeting all

the requirements of the instructor

in an above average manner.

THE GRADE OF “C”

This grade indicates average work,

using the scale of poor, average,

better than average, and excellent,

which corresponds closely to the

qualitative interpretations of our

system. “C” is the minimum

college-caliber grade. If a

student’s work consistently merits

“C’s” or below throughout the four

years, the student may have

difficulty receiving a college

recommendation or acceptance.

THE GRADE OF “D”

This is a barely-passing grade.

Ultimately, the purpose of the “D”

in our grading system is to provide

the school with a buffer between

achievement and total failure. The

grade of “D” means that the

student’s work is below average in

quality. The grade indicates that

the student’s work unsatisfactorily

met minimum requirements. In all

cases, a final course grade of “D”

carries with it a recommendation

that the student attend summer

school; in certain courses, students

with a final grade of “D” will be

required to attend summer school.

THE GRADE OF “F”

This is a failing grade. It is

definitive in that there is no lower

7

grade that a student can receive

and a final “F” obliges the student

to attend summer school in order

to redeem the lost credit. The

grade of “F” remains on a

student’s permanent record even if

the course is made up in summer

school. The grade of “F” signifies

that the student’s work has not met

the minimum criteria for passing

the course; often this is the result

of the student’s failure to make the

necessary effort.

THE GRADE OF “I”

An incomplete grade on a report

card is assigned to students who

are unable to complete required

course work because of excused

absence(s) at the end of the

grading quarter. The grade is

revised when the work is

completed.

HONORS/RECOGNITION


seeks to honor each quarter those

students who have completed their

course work with honors. We

identify four levels of honors,

whose qualifications are as

follows:

Dean’s List: Students who

have a quarter average

between 3.250 and 3.499.

Cum Laude: Students who

have a quarter average above

3.500 to 3.749.

Magna cum Laude: Students

who have a quarter average

above 3.750 to 3.899.

Summa cum Laude: Students

who have a quarter average

above 3.900 and above.

All honors designations assume a

load of at least six classes.

Students may not have an

incomplete. Students who are

found to have violated the Honor

Code during a quarter will not be

eligible for honors designation that

quarter.

SEMESTER AND FINAL

EXAMS

Semester and final examinations

are given to all students. All

exams are cumulative in nature

and are designed to last at least one

hour and no more than one and

one-half hours. Exams count no

less than 10% or more than 20% of

each semester grade.

Students must take exams during

their scheduled times. Any

changes must be approved by the

Academic Dean at least two weeks

prior to the start of exams. Written

requests from a parent or guardian

should start this process.

SUMMER SCHOOL POLICY

A student who fails a course

during the regular school year is

required to attend summer school

to make up and receive credit for

the failed course. Summer school

grades do not affect or alter a

student’s grade point average.

However, summer school grades

are included in the student’s

8

permanent record. Students must

attend the Bishop McNamara

summer school unless the required

course is not offered at Bishop

McNamara in the summer; in

which case, the student may attend

an accredited summer school

program approved by the

Principal. Students may take a

select number of courses during

summer school for credit. These

courses must be approved by the

Principal and do affect a student’s

grade point average. Special

directions for implementing

summer school procedures are

published at the end of the school

year.

In addition, students receiving a

“D” in specified math or foreign

language courses must attend

summer school in order to progress

to the next level.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

A student whose grade point

average in all classes drops below

a 2.0 or who earns two failing

grades is placed on Academic

Probation. Academic Probation is

designed to offer the student

assistance in the areas of tutoring,

aligning additional study halls,

and/or placing the student in a

monitored after-school remedial

program to improve academic

performance.

A student placed on Academic

Probation is ineligible to

participate in school-related co-

curricular activities for a period of

four weeks until progress report

grades are submitted. After this

period has passed, the student will

then be eligible for a review to be

removed from Academic

Probation. In order to be

reviewed, the student must request

the review from his/her counselor.

If the student shows significant

improvement during this grading

period, he/she may be removed

from Academic Probation and be

allowed to return to his/her desired

co-curricular activities as long as

his/her grades remain constant.

Should the student’s grades drop

any time after the review, he/she

can still be placed back on

Academic Probation for the

remainder of the quarter. If at the

time of review the student is not

making satisfactory progress

and/or receives any grade of F on

his/her progress report, the student

will be ineligible to return to the

activity for another four weeks

until the report card is issued and

the student has or has not come off

of Academic Probation.

Academic Probation is reviewed

on a quarterly basis and is based

on the previous quarter’s

performance. The final yearly

grade point average is used to

determine those students placed on

Academic Probation at the start of

each new school year. Students on

Academic Probation at the end of

the school year are strongly

encouraged to attend summer

school. Although summer school

grades DO NOT affect the yearly

GPA, success in summer school

9

may qualify a student to be

removed from Academic Probation

and thus placed on a provisional

playing status if that student

participates in a co-curricular

sport. These students will be

reviewed at progress report time

and any failing grades on the

progress report will lead to

ineligibility with regard to sports.

Students will be ineligible to

participate in co-curricular

activities on the first day grades

become finalized by the registrar.

Information will be forwarded to

the appropriate directors and the

information will be disseminated

to coaches and advisors asking

them to suspend the participation

of such students beginning that

day. Fall sports eligibility will

begin on the first day of school.

**Seniors will be placed on

Academic Probation if they have

any failing grades in a core course

(required for graduation) at the end

of the first semester.

Beginning in the 2015-2016

school year, Academic Probation

will change to the following

standard: A student whose

grade point average in all classes

falls below 2.3 and who earns

any failing grades will be placed

on Academic Probation.

Students will also be strongly

encouraged to attend summer

school to remediate any grade

below a C-.

DISMISSAL POLICY FOR

ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY

Upon review of the academic

progress of the student by the

Principal, dismissal may occur at

the end of the school year.

Freshmen, Sophomores, and

Juniors on Academic Probation

will be reviewed at the end of the

year and if no significant progress

is noted, the student may be

dismissed. Students who finish the

year with three or more failing

grades may not return to Bishop

McNamara in the fall.

BISHOP McNAMARA HIGH

SCHOOL HONOR CODE

I will tell the truth.

I will do my own work, without

unauthorized assistance.

I will not take what is not mine.

I will abide by the Code and the

directions of the Administration

and Honor Council concerning

the Code.

The Oath I have chosen to act honorably, not

because someone is watching, but

because I value my character and

our community of trust.

THE HONOR COUNCIL

Violations of the Honor Code will

be referred to the Honor Council.

10

From the Honor Council Charter:

The Honor Council will be

composed of eleven members:

three each from the sophomore,

junior and senior classes, and two

freshmen. The freshmen will be

appointed at the beginning of the

second semester. All

representatives will be elected by

the student body and approved by

the administration. The

administration will appoint the

Chair of the Council from among

the elected junior representatives.

The council will elect their own

Secretary.

All Honor Council members will

take an oath pledging that they will

uphold the highest standards of

honor at the school and will

maintain the confidentiality and

reasoned decision-making

expected of the Honor Council.

Students who break the oath or

have attendance problems on the

Honor Council will be dismissed

from the Council. Procedures

If evidence emerges that a student

has committed an Honor Code

violation, the following will occur:

1. The faculty accuser notifies a

Dean of Students in writing,

presenting all evidence, and

notifies the parents/guardians

of the accused.

a. Notification should take

place as soon as possible

but no later than one week

after the accuser discovers

the possible occurrence of

a dishonorable action.

b. A student may accuse him

or herself, admitting a

dishonorable action. The

student should submit a

statement to a Dean of

Students.

2. Immediately upon receiving an

accusation, the Honor Council

faculty moderator summons

the accused and gives him/her

an opportunity to give a

statement detailing the accused

person’s account of the event.

3. If necessary, the

administration can solicit

witness statements.

4. A meeting of the Honor

Council is convened, at which:

a. The Council reviews all

statements and evidence,

the accused presents his or

her side of the story and

the Council may ask

questions of the accused or

seek additional evidence

through the Honor Council

faculty moderator. After

the accused is excused, the

Honor Council deliberates

and makes a

recommendation, in

writing, to the Deans of

Students. If the Honor

Council cannot decide on

one unanimous

recommendation, the

differing parties will each

present their

recommendations, in

writing, to the Deans of

Students. All

recommendations of the

Honor Council are

confidential.

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b. At this point, the Honor

Council’s involvement in

the matter ends.

c. The faculty moderator of

the Honor Council will be

present during the reading

of the evidence and the

hearing of the accused but

will only participate in the

proceedings in the event of

an emergency. The

faculty moderator will

absence him or herself

from the Council’s

deliberations but will be

available nearby for

consultation.

d. In extreme cases where an

Honor Council member

finds that objectivity is

impossible and

participation in the hearing

will make the case

difficult for the rest of the

Honor Council to evaluate,

a member may recuse him

or herself. A member

must obtain the faculty

moderator’s approval for a

recusal.

e. If the need arises, the

accuser may be asked to

appear before the Honor

Council to clarify his/her

testimony if such is

unclear. The accuser may

also ask to be present to

clarify his/her written

testimony. Goals There are two goals of any Honor

Council meeting. In the event that

there are discrepancies in accounts

of an event, the Honor Council

will strive to gain a clear and

accurate picture of what happened.

If a student has admitted

wrongdoing, this first goal is moot.

The second goal, present and of

highest priority at every Honor

Council meeting, is to come up

with a plan that will help all

members of the McNamara

community involved in an incident

rebuild trust that has been

damaged, either through suspicion

or a dishonorable act. Punishing

offenders is not the goal of the

Council; ensuring we are a

community of people who can

trust each other is.

Consequences

The Honor Council will

recommend and the Deans of

Students will implement

consequences that are in keeping

with the disciplinary structure of

the school, aligned with the Holy

Cross charism, and dedicated to

preserving a community of trust at

the school.

The Honor Council will take the

following guidelines into account

when determining the

consequences.

1. A first offence of the Honor

Code places a student on

Honor Code Probation for a

period of one year. If a student

has no additional Honor Code

violations, he/she may be

removed from Honor Code

Probation.

2. Consequences for a second

offense will in general be more

12

severe than for a first offense

and may result in a failing

quarter grade. The student

will also be placed on Strict

Honor Code Probation.

3. If a student commits a third

offense, there is a presumption

that the student will be

expelled. That presumption is

rebuttable; the Honor Council

can take extenuating factors

into consideration when

making their

recommendations.

4. Consequences should reflect

the student’s grade level, the

seriousness of the offense, and

the presence or absence of

remorse.

5. All recommendations from the

Honor Council to the Dean of

Students will remain strictly

confidential.

6. The Honor Council is a

recommending body. The

ultimate determination of

consequences rests with the

Deans of Students and the

school administration.

Decisions of Honor Council

regarding the guilt or

innocence of a student are

final and may not be appealed.

Parents/guardians, the

student(s) and the accuser are

always notified in writing of

the results of a case.

More detailed information can be

found in the Charter of the Honor

Council.

HONORS PASSES

Honors passes will be distributed

to students chosen by the

Administration for this privilege.

The criteria for receiving an

honors pass will be announced by

the Administration at the

beginning of the school year. If a

person receives an honors pass,

he/she is not obligated to go to

his/her scheduled study hall. The

student may use the library or

other areas designated by the

Administration to study quietly.

An Honors Pass does not allow a

student to wander about the school

during unscheduled periods.

Students with honors passes during

periods 5 or 6 must go to lunch

during the designated time, and

may not remain in the cafeteria for

more than one lunch period. A

student with an honors pass may

report to his/her assigned study

hall.

SENIOR PRIVILEGE

Members of the senior class are

eligible for this privilege. The

student may use the Senior

Lounge, library, or other areas

designated by the Administration

to study quietly. Senior privilege

does not allow a student to wander

about the school during

unscheduled periods. Students

with Senior Privilege during

periods 5 or 6 must go to lunch

during the designated time, and

may not remain in the cafeteria for

more than one lunch period. A

student with Senior Privilege may

13

report to his/her assigned study

hall.

Students who have received an

Honors Pass or Senior Privilege

are expected to conduct themselves

properly both when using their

pass or privilege and at other

times. Students should expect that

a single incident of misbehavior

during a free period could result in

the revocation of an honors pass

or Senior Privilege. Passes or

Privileges may be revoked at the

discretion of the Administration.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The National Honor Society was

founded in 1921 in an effort to

create an organization that would

recognize and encourage academic

excellence as well as develop other

characteristics considered essential

to citizens of democracy. These

ideals of scholarship, leadership,

character, and service are as

relevant in today’s society as they

were in 1921.

Membership in the National Honor

Society is both an honor and

responsibility. Parents and

students must understand that no

student has a right to be selected

for membership in the National

Honor Society.

The following procedures for the

selection of members in the

National Honor Society are in

compliance with the national

Constitution of the National Honor

Society.

1. Membership in the National

Honor Society is open to all

qualified juniors and seniors.

Transfer students may not

qualify for membership until

they have been at the school a

minimum of one full semester.

2. The academic requirement of

the Bishop McNamara Chapter

of the National Honor Society

is a minimum average of B+ or

above. Students meeting the

scholastic criteria are then

eligible for consideration on the

basis of service, leadership, and

character.

3. Students who are scholastically

eligible will be notified and told

that for further consideration

for selection to the National

Honor Society, they may

complete the Student Activity

Information Form and write the

requested essays. Students

supplying this information

should understand that review

of the information submitted

does not guarantee selection.

4. All faculty members will be

invited to make comments on

National Honor Society

candidates. However, the

actual selection of new

members will be made by a

faculty council comprised of

five (5) faculty members

appointed by the principal. The

Academic Dean is the chair of

the committee.

5. The Student Activity Forms and

any other verifiable information

will be reviewed by the faculty

council. Candidates receiving a

majority vote of the faculty

14

council are selected for

membership.

6. Students chosen for

membership by the faculty

council will receive letters

notifying them of their

selection.

The following guidelines found in

the National Honor Society

Handbook will help candidates and

members of the faculty council in

the definition of leadership,

service, and character.

LEADERSHIP

The student who exercises

leadership:

Is resourceful in proposing new

problems, applying principles,

and making suggestions

Demonstrates initiative in

promoting school activities

Exercises influence on peers in

upholding school ideas

Contributes ideas that improve

the civic life of the school

Is able to delegate

responsibilities

Exemplifies positive attitudes

Inspires positive behavior in

others

Demonstrates academic

initiative

Successfully holds school

offices or positions of

responsibility, conducts

business effectively, and

efficiently, demonstrates

reliability and dependability

Is a leader in the classroom, at

work, and in school or

community activities

Is thoroughly dependable in any

responsibility accepted

Is willing to uphold scholarship

and maintain a loyal school

attitude

SERVICE

The student who serves:

Volunteers and provides

dependable and well organized

assistance, is gladly available,

and is willing to sacrifice to

offer assistance

Works well with others and is

willing to take on difficult or

inconspicuous responsibilities

Cheerfully and enthusiastically

renders any requested service to

the school

Is willing to represent the class

or school in inter-class and

inter-scholastic competition

Participates in some outside

activity: Girl Scouts; Boy

Scouts; church groups;

volunteer services for the

elderly, poor, or disadvantaged

Does committee and staff work

without complaint

Shows courtesy by assisting

visitors, teachers, and students

CHARACTER

The student of character:

Takes criticism willingly and

accepts recommendations

graciously

Consistently exemplifies

desirable qualities of behavior

(cheerfulness, friendliness,

poise, stability)

Upholds principles of morality

and ethics

15

Cooperates by complying with

school regulations concerning

property, programs, office,

halls, etc.

Demonstrates the highest

standards of honesty and

reliability

Regularly shows courtesy,

concern, and respect for others

Observes instructions and rules,

is punctual and faithful both

inside and outside the

classroom

Has powers of concentration,

self-discipline, and sustained

attention as shown by

perseverance and application to

studies

Manifests truthfulness in

acknowledging obedience to

rules, avoiding cheating in

written work, and showing

unwillingness to profit by the

mistakes of others

Actively helps rid the school of

bad influences or environment.

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

The purpose of the Guidance

Department is to help students

make adjustments to school life,

encourage them to be successful in

the areas of study and good

citizenship, assist them in their

educational/career plans, and help

them in their spiritual and personal

growth.

A counselor is assigned to each

grade level. The counselor

reviews the report cards each

quarter, as well as the progress

reports. He/she also reviews

letters from the Discipline Office.

Hopefully, after talks with his/her

counselor on a private basis, the

student will make the necessary

improvement in the area of

academics or behavior.

Oftentimes, students experience

difficulty in their relationship

within the family circle or with

classmates. This may be a

temporary source of anxiety or

discouragement. The counselors

invite students to discuss their

personal conflicts and concerns in

an atmosphere of mutual trust and

confidentiality.

The College Guidance Counselor

is assigned to the senior class to

help the members to implement

their educational/career goals.

Visitations by college

representatives and military

personnel are made to the school

throughout the year. A

computerized system, dealing with

colleges, careers, and financial aid,

is available in the College

Guidance Office. The Preliminary

Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is

administered by this department.

Also, applications for the

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT),

the American College Test (ACT),

and the Financial Aid Form

(FAFSA) are available in the

College Guidance Office.

The Guidance Department issues

and validates work permits for

those students who seek

employment in Maryland during

the school year.

16

Counselors are in school each day

and are available. They have a

wealth of experience and

educational background. They are

able to assist and help. Students

are also encouraged to seek them

out on their own initiative.

Attendance at scheduled

appointments is not optional.

Guidance Department Policies:

1. A student wishing to see a

counselor gets a “Request for

Counselor Appointment” form

from the Guidance Office or

his/her teacher. The student

should drop off the request

form to the receptionist in

guidance.

2. Upon receipt of a guidance

pass, the student checks in with

the guidance receptionist at the

time indicated on the pass.

3. Students are not to be in

guidance when they are

scheduled for a class, except in

emergencies.

4. A student leaving guidance

must get a pass from the

counselor.

5. An Honors Pass or Senior

Privilege does not admit a

student to guidance.

TRANSCRIPTS OF

ACADEMIC RECORDS

There are two types of transcripts:

1. OFFICIAL: these transcripts

are sent directly to a college or

employer. In no case will an

official transcript be sent to a

student.

2. UNOFFICIAL: These

transcripts do not bear the

official seal and can be sent

directly to the student.

A fee is charged for each

transcript. Payment must

accompany the request.

No request will be honored if any

previous fee or tuition is

outstanding.

SECTION II: CO-

CURRICULAR

OFFERINGS/STUDENT

PROGRAMS

The Director of Student Life is

responsible for coordinating co-

curricular activities. All school

activities except WCAC-scheduled

athletic competitions and Campus

Ministry Events are planned

through this office. Moderators of

all school clubs and organizations

must see the Director of Student

Life for approval, scheduling, and

assistance with all aspects of event

planning.

ATHLETICS

The Athletic program consists of

interscholastic sports in most areas

of competition for both boys and

girls including football, basketball,

volleyball, soccer, track and cross

country, baseball, softball, tennis,

golf, lacrosse, swimming,

wrestling, and cheerleading (both

on varsity and junior varsity

levels). Freshmen may participate

17

on both levels or on the Freshman

level. The school is a member of

the Washington Catholic Athletic

Conference.

Students may not participate in an

interscholastic sport activity if they

are absent on the day of the

activity. Any student who arrives

to school after 11:30 a.m. on the

day of an interscholastic sport

activity may not participate in the

activity.

Students on Academic Probation

may not participate in athletic

competitions nor are they

permitted to practice with the

team.

All students are expected to

conduct themselves in an

exemplary manner at all school

activities. Athletics make up a

substantial part of the activities

program at Bishop McNamara.

Athletes and spectators at athletic

events bear exceptional

responsibility because they not

only represent themselves; they

represent their teams, families, and

school. The school is judged by

their behavior. When Bishop

McNamara wins an athletic

competition, the opponent should

be congratulated for a job well

done. When on the losing side, the

opponents are to be congratulated

for their success. Opponents are to

be treated as Bishop McNamara

athletes and spectators would want

to be treated. Poor sportsmanship

of any kind will not be tolerated by

Bishop McNamara High School or

its coaches.

When away at a school athletic

event, the student/athlete must

remember that he/she represents

the school and must act

accordingly. Any breach of

conduct will be reported to a Dean

of Students and will be dealt with

through the normal disciplinary

process.

Spectators should always show an

appreciation for the hard work it

takes to be an athlete or coach.

Good sportsmanship should be

demonstrated by cheering for the

teams. Opposing teams or

officials should never be “booed”

or embarrassed by inappropriate

comments, gestures, or signs.

Outside of school, students and all

members of the Bishop McNamara

school community are judged both

as individuals and as

representatives of Bishop

McNamara High School.

Embarrassing, immature or illegal

actions do not reflect the standards

that the school teaches and

upholds.

ACTIVITIES/STUDENT

COUNCIL

An average of over fifty clubs and

organizations provide

opportunities for students to

participate in a wide variety of co-

curricular activities at McNamara.

Programs including the Band,

Orchestra, Choir, International

18

Thespian Society, Fellowship of

Christian Athletes, Black Cultural

Alliance, F.A.C.E. (Filipino

Americans for Cultural

Enlightenment), Foreign Language

and other Cultural Clubs,

Publications, Campus Ministry

Clubs, It’s Academic Team,

National Honor Society and other

valuable organizations initiate the

student into rewarding aspects of

school life beyond the classroom.

The leadership of the Student

Council of Bishop McNamara is

comprised of the elected officers

of the Council and the elected

officers of each class. Twelve

Cabinet Members are selected by

each class. The Cabinet Members

are expected to attend Student

Council meetings.

Elections for Student Council and

class officers take place in the

spring of each year. In order to

run for office, each candidate must

meet the following criteria:

Be pre-registered for the

upcoming school year

Have at least a C average and

not be on academic probation.

Be in good disciplinary

standing and not on probation

or strict disciplinary probation.

The Student Council of Bishop

McNamara is active in the

following areas:

Christian Action – The Council

assists in upholding a Christian

atmosphere and witness among the

student body.

Rules – The Council is in charge

of the bylaws of the Council and

amendments to the constitution.

School Regulations – The Council

assists in the enforcement of

school policies among the student

body.

Public Relations – The Council

assists in publicizing and

promoting school functions.

Assemblies – The Council assists

with various assemblies

throughout the school year.

Elections – The Council manages

all student elections.

Communications – The Council

acts as a conduit for the

communication of ideas emanating

from the student population to the

administration and faculty.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are school-sponsored

functions and are regulated by the

general code of conduct. Field

Trip Dress code (see SECTION

VI: ATTIRE/DRESS CODE,

FIELD TRIP DRESS CODE

REGULATIONS) will apply for

field trips. When on a school field

trip, the student must remember

he/she represents the school and

must act accordingly. Any breach

of conduct will be reported to a

Dean of Students and will be dealt

19

with through the normal

disciplinary process. A Field Trip

Form and Release must be

completed in order for students to

attend a field trip. NOTE: Only

current Bishop McNamara

students are permitted to go on

field trips or other school-

sponsored trips. Students whose

tuition is not up-to-date will not be

allowed to attend overnight field

trips.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

All fundraising events are

conducted according to the

policies explained in the booklet

entitled Bishop McNamara High

School Fundraising Goals,

Policies, and Procedures. This

publication is available to parents,

faculty, coaches, and club

moderators. Copies may be

obtained from the office of the

Director of Development.

OUTSIDE

ACTIVITIES/EVENTS AT

OTHER SCHOOLS

Students are reminded to act as

ladies and gentlemen at all

activities away from the Bishop

McNamara campus.

Because of our common values,

our shared heritage, and our

educational missions, the Catholic

High Schools of the Archdiocese

of Washington have agreed that

any negative behavior at any

school venue or event shall be

reported to the student’s home

school where he/she will be

accountable as if the behavior took

place at the student’s home school.

SCHOOL DANCES

There are three major student

social events during the school

year:

Back-to-school Dance

Date: Late September

Attire: Casual Dress

Homecoming Dance

Date: Homecoming Saturday

Attire: Semi-Formal

Prom

Date: Mid-May

Attire: Formal

To ensure our students enjoy

themselves in a safe and

wholesome environment, the

following rules are in effect for all


sponsored dances:

1. All dances are from 8 p.m. to

11 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

2. Doors close at 9:00 p.m. There

is no admittance after this time.

Students who leave the building

during the dance will not be

readmitted.

3. All tickets are sold in advance;

there are no refunds.

4. Dances are open to Bishop

McNamara students and guests

only. Students may bring one

guest who must submit a

completed Dance Guest

Permission Form at least 4 days

20

in advance of the dance. All

those attending must have

picture I.D.

5. Former students who wish to

attend as guests must be

approved by a Dean of Students

ahead of time.

6. All students are expected to

dress appropriately and with a

sense of modesty. Students

whose clothing styles are

inappropriate or deemed to be

too bare or immodest will not

be allowed to attend the dance.

The final decision is made by

the administrator or faculty

member on duty.

7. All dancing should be in good

taste. No sexually suggestive

or “freak” style dancing is

permitted. Students whose

dancing is deemed

inappropriate will be asked to

change their dancing style.

Students whose style of dance

continues to be in conflict with

school standards may be asked

to leave the dance.

Music is “D.J.” style unless

otherwise indicated and the school

reserves the right to restrict the

level of sound. Music is chosen

for diversity and appeal to a broad

student body.

Students need to be picked up

within a half an hour after the

dance ends. Failure to do so may

result in the students not being

allowed to attend future dances or

events.

In all things, students and their

guests are expected to behave with

deportment reflective of the

Bishop McNamara community.

Dress Definitions:

Casual: Follow the guidelines

under Casual Dress Days (see

SECTION VI: ATTIRE/DRESS

CODE, CASUAL DRESS DAYS).

Semi-formal: Suits or sport coats

with dress slacks, shirts and ties,

dress shoes are required for men.

Women must wear dresses (length

no shorter than 3” above the floor

when the student is kneeling) or

dress slacks and dress shoes.

Formal: Suits and tuxedos for men

and formal dresses for women.

SECTION III: DISCIPLINARY

POLICY AND PROCEDURES/

CODE OF CONDUCT

DEANS OF STUDENTS

The Deans of Students are

responsible for maintaining

discipline and order in the school

as well as overseeing the general

conduct of the students. With the

approval of the Principal and the

advice of the Discipline Board and

the faculty, they establish general

school disciplinary policies and

procedures. The Deans of

Students also supervise attendance

and disciplinary records; interview

students and parents when a

student is in disciplinary or

attendance difficulty; and sit as

Chairs of the Discipline Board.

The Deans of Students fulfill an

21

integral role in creating a positive

and productive learning

environment.

A Dean is usually available to

meet with students individually to

counsel those regarding matters of

discipline. The Deans work

closely with parents, counselors,

and faculty members to address

particular individual concerns.

STATEMENT OF

DISCIPLINARY POLICY

The purpose of the disciplinary

system at Bishop McNamara High

School is to foster a sense of self-

respect, respect for others, and

respect for others’ property. Each

person at Bishop McNamara—

students, teachers, counselors,

parents, and administrators—has

an obligation to uphold the highest

standards of conduct and respect at

all times. All of us have to follow

rules and regulations established

by those to whom we must be

responsible.

Bishop McNamara High School,

as a Catholic Christian school, is

dedicated to educating human

beings to develop sound values

toward themselves and others,

toward society and the institutions

which serve society, and toward

God. We believe that discipline is

rooted in respect for others and

expresses the Christian spirit.

Consistent with our Catholic

teaching, there is no tolerance at


for behavior or language that is in

any way derogatory or demeaning

of any individual or group.

Education cannot take place in an

undisciplined environment.

Quality education depends on the

ability to maintain effective

learning conditions in the

classroom. Successful and

continued maintenance of these

classroom conditions is dependent

upon good judgment and

compassion by teachers,

understanding and leadership by

administrators, and support of

parent(s)/guardian(s), and students.

Good order and discipline are best

thought of as being positive, not

negative; of helping a student to

adjust, rather than a punishment;

of turning unacceptable conduct

into acceptable conduct. Order

and discipline are largely a matter

of morale, of classroom

atmosphere, and of positive

interpersonal relationships. As a

working definition, discipline is a

process designed to teach, model,

and reinforce the responsible

behaviors that are necessary to

ensure a safe and productive

learning environment by changing

unacceptable behavior to

acceptable behavior. The

Disciplinary Policies of Bishop

McNamara High School are

directed at promoting self-

discipline and are aimed at

creating a safe, productive, and

pleasant learning environment.

Although the Bishop McNamara

High School has no responsibility

in the supervision of private or

22

non-school activities, it reserves

the right to take disciplinary action

when the consequences of a

student’s private or off-campus

behavior (including comments or

actions taken on personal websites,

blogs, or other electronic

communications) materially and

substantially impacts the Bishop

McNamara community and/or

disrupts the educational process

for any of its students.

The Disciplinary Policy is

provided for informational

purposes only. The school

reserves the right to impose more

or less discipline than would

otherwise we called for under the

Disciplinary Policy depending on

the circumstances, specific

behavior, and the student’s

disciplinary record.

THE BISHOP MCNAMARA

STUDENT MORAL CODE

1. Respect Yourself

2. Be Courteous

3. Respect Teachers

4. Respect Students

5. Be Kind

6. Be Honest

7. Be Helpful

8. Be Prayerful

9. Use Civil Language

10. Live like Jesus Christ

RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR

All members of the Bishop

McNamara community, students,

administration, faculty, and staff,

deserve to be treated with respect

at all times. The dignity of each

person is recognized by allowing

that person to be in the halls,

classrooms, or anywhere on

campus without being intentionally

bumped, pushed, or touched in any

way by another person. As an

issue of respect, a policy of

“Hands off”, in all situations, will

be enforced. This includes

hugging, hand holding, or any

other physical displays of

affection.

Maintaining structure and order in

a school community carries with it

a level of responsibility of all

involved and ranges from

maintaining a productive personal

environment to assuring a safe

school environment. Non-

exhaustive examples of this

follow.

Behaviors that are intended to

cause another individual physical

or mental harm are unacceptable at

Bishop McNamara and, in many

cases, are illegal.

Examples are:

Arson

False fire alarms

Weapons (possession or use of)

Theft

Fighting – assault or battery of

any kind

Intimidation/extortion/threats

Gross disrespect

Defiance toward teacher/faculty

Alcohol/drugs (possession, sale,

or use of)

Sexual harassment of any kind

23

Hazing

Explosive devices (possession

or use of)

Inciting others to violence

Shakedown and/or strong arm

Vandalism and/or destruction of

property

Behaviors that occur inside and

outside of the classroom that are

not intended to cause physical

harm to another individual, but do

negatively affect an orderly

environment.

Examples are:

Disruptive behaviors in the

hallway/cafeteria/school

activity

Disruptive behaviors before or

after school

Absence/ skipping/ tardiness/

truancy

Being in the hallway/locker

room/parking lot without a pass

Any card playing, dice games

or gambling

Inappropriate use of a motor

vehicle

Solicitation (selling

unauthorized items at school)

Inappropriate literature

Filing false emergency reports

Destruction or defacement of

property

Tobacco (possession or use of)

Inappropriate display of

affection

Behaviors that occur in the

classroom and interfere with the

learning of others are unacceptable

and are in violation of the Bishop

McNamara Student Moral Code.

Examples are:

Failing to follow the request of

a teacher

Talking out

Horseplay

Being out of seat without

permission

Showing disrespect/defiance

Improper use of equipment

Honor Code violation

Behaviors that occur in the

classroom and affect only the

misbehaving student have a

negative impact on the student’s

academic performance.

Examples are:

Not having proper equipment

and materials

Sleeping

Being off task

Failing to turn in

homework/failing to complete

assignments

Failing to dress for P.E.

DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

DISCIPLINE BOARD

The Discipline Board exists as a

part of the educational process at

Bishop McNamara, assisting the

Deans of Students in formulating

and carrying out disciplinary

policies of the school. The

Discipline Board is composed of a

group of selected faculty members

from various areas of school life

24

including teachers, counselors,

members of the athletic

department, members of the

administration, and the Deans of

Students who serves as the Chair.

The Discipline Board exists to

serve primarily three functions: (1)

As a fact-finding body assisting

the Deans of Students in

determining the scope and context

of a student’s involvement in

disciplinary matters of a more

serious nature; (2) As an end-of-

year review board regarding a

student’s disciplinary status in the

school and suggesting conditions

for his/her return as deemed

appropriate for the common good

of the school population; (3) As an

advisory board in reviewing

general school disciplinary policies

and practices.

As a fact-finding body, the Deans

of Students may convene a

meeting of the Discipline Board at

the Deans’ discretion to review a

student’s case or cases. A student

may be automatically directed to

appear before the Board when

there appears to be no progress

being made in the area of

discipline or when a single

violation of the code of conduct is

serious enough to make an

appearance necessary. In all

instances, the Deans of Students

notify the student and his/her

parents of the scheduled

appearance. Parents/guardians are

given the option to attend the

Board meeting; however, the

absence of a parent at a Board

meeting is seen as waiving the

right to attendance at the meeting

and the meeting will be held with

the student as scheduled. Parents

who are unable to attend a Board

meeting and desire to be present

must contact the Deans of Students

48 hours prior to the meeting to

request a different meeting

time/date. Attorneys are not

permitted to attend Disciplinary

Board meetings. When a student

appears before the Board, the

Board will hear the student’s

account and question the student

regarding the incident(s) being

discussed. Parents/guardians may

also present relevant information

and, if permitted by the Chair, ask

questions of Discipline Board

members. At the time of the

appearance, Board members may

make individual recommendations

to the student regarding his/her

behavior. Following the student’s

appearance, the Board evaluates its

findings and recommends a course

of action that it feels will best meet

the needs of both the individual

and the school community. The

Board’s recommendations are

designed to help solve problems of

inappropriate behavior and may

call for assistance from parents,

teachers, counselors, etc. The

Board also recommends what it

believes are proper consequences

for the unacceptable behavior that

has necessitated the student’s

appearance before the Discipline

Board. The Dean of Students will

present the recommendation

offered by the Discipline Board to

the Principal. The Dean of

Students and Principal will

25

collaboratively determine the final

course of action and may, but need

not, accept the recommendations

of the Board. The final course of

action may include, but is not

limited to, a series of detentions,

Saturday detentions, Disciplinary

Warning, Disciplinary Probation,

Suspension, or Expulsion. Parents

will be notified of this decision by

the Deans of Students within three

(3) school/working days after the

Board appearance. Written

correspondence of the decision

will also follow all Board

appearances.

If a parent feels that the student

has been unjustly treated, the

parent may appeal the Discipline

decision through the following

process:

1. Within five (5) school/working

days after the receipt of the

decision, the parent must

submit in writing to the

Principal the reasons on which

the appeal is based.

2. The Principal, in consultation

with the Deans of Students,

will make a decision regarding

the appeal and will notify the

parent, in writing, within five

(5) school/working days.

3. If the parent remains

dissatisfied with the

Principal’s decision, he/she

may forward his/her appeal to

the President of the school

following the guidelines in #1

above.

4. Following a review of the

appeal, the President will

notify the parent of the final

decision, in writing, within

five (5) school/working days.

The President’s decision is

final.

At the end of each school year, the

Discipline Board, with

consultation from the faculty and

the administration, will review the

disciplinary records of all students,

concentrating specifically on those

students who have numerous

disciplinary infractions, who have

been suspended, who are currently

on Disciplinary Warning,

Disciplinary Probation, or Strict

Disciplinary Probation, or who

have appeared before the Board

during the school year. Specific

consideration is given to recent

behavior. The Board will

determine any necessary

disciplinary action to be taken in

preparation for the next school

year. If little or no progress is

noted in the area of discipline, a

student may not be invited to

return to Bishop McNamara the

next year. Students given the

option to return may be required to

meet with a member of the

administration to discuss the terms

and conditions of his/her return for

the next year. Returning students

should expect, at the very least,

that their behavior must improve if

they are to remain at the school.

Other students, as a condition for

returning, will be placed on either

Disciplinary Probation or Strict

Disciplinary Probation at the start

of the next school year. In such

cases parent(s) and students will be

26

notified by mail of the Board’s

decision.

DETENTION

Teachers will be expected to set

clear rules in the classroom, to

warn students who forget to follow

those rules, to talk to individual

students about meeting

expectations, and, if appropriate, to

call parents about continuing

problems.

Faculty and Staff will issue a

detention for routine infractions of

school rules - such as tardiness to

class, dress code violations, being

at a locker at the wrong time, etc.

They will also issue a school

detention for problems in classes

or study halls--for example, talking

out of turn, not paying attention in

class, failing to follow directions--

in those cases where earlier

attempts to correct misbehavior

have been unsuccessful.

More serious classroom or study

hall infractions such as persistent

disturbance, defiance or disrespect,

offensive language, fighting,

truancy, or throwing objects are to

be reported promptly to a Dean of

Students. In some instances the

teacher will be asked to provide a

written description of the problems

and this report will become a part

of the student’s disciplinary file.

The Deans of Students will

determine the appropriate

sanction(s) for these more serious

infractions and will inform parents

promptly. Students who continue

to cause disturbances in class will

be required to report before the

Discipline Board. Classroom

disturbances such as continuous

talking, disrespect, offensive

language, etc., will not be

tolerated.

When a student receives a

detention from a teacher, the

teacher will give the yellow copy

of the detention to the student and

send the white copy to the Deans

of Students. The detention slip

will have three dates: the date of

the infraction, the date on which

the student received the yellow

copy, and the date on which the

parents were contacted, if

necessary. The student must keep

his/her yellow copy of the

detention slip to present to the

detention prefect at the time the

detention is served. Failure to

present the detention slip may

result in further disciplinary action.

Detention is held every Monday

through Thursday at the end of the

school day, for 60 minutes, from

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Students

serving a detention must arrive

prior to the 3:15 p.m. bell. All

school rules, including the dress

code, are in effect during the

detention hour. Students are

required to sit upright and silently

with their desks cleared. Students

who do not comply with detention

regulations will be asked to leave

and must return on another day to

serve the detention. Detention

rooms are announced each day.

27

Saturday Detention – Certain

infractions warrant the response of

a Saturday Detention. Faculty and

staff will issue a Saturday

detention for infractions which are

more serious in nature. Students

will be charged a $20.00 fee to be

paid in cash on the day of the

detention. The Deans of Students

will post a list of those students

who have a Saturday Detention.

Parents and students will also be

notified directly by a Dean of

Students. All detentions must be

served on the date assigned.

A detention must be served on the

day it is received or the following

day. Any student who fails to

serve a detention within this time

period will be assigned a Saturday

Detention. Saturday Detentions

will be two hours in length lasting

from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Students who fail to attend their

assigned Saturday Detention will

receive a mandatory three-day

suspension. School detentions

take priority over any other

activities that might be scheduled

for a student after school.

The detention prefect has the

absolute authority to determine

whether a detention has been

properly served. If a violation of

detention rules occurs, the prefect

has the authority to indicate on the

detention slip that the student has

not served properly. If this occurs,

it is a serious breach of the

school’s conduct code and the

student will be subject to further

disciplinary sanctions as

determined by the Deans of

Students.

Parents are notified by a Dean of

Students of a student’s detentions.

All students are notified prior to

final exams of outstanding

detention obligations. Students

must contact a Dean of Students to

make arrangements to serve

outstanding detentions.

INFRACTIONS FOR ISSUING

DETENTIONS

Being on the school’s parking

lot, in the corridors, at lockers

or any other location in the

building at unauthorized times

Any card playing, dice games

or gambling; possession of

playing cards, dice, trading

cards (e.g. baseball, football,

basketball)

Use of a CD player, mp3

player, iPod, or electronic

game except in the cafeteria

before 7:30 a.m. or after 3:30

p.m.

Dress code violations

Eating or drinking outside the

cafeteria or other after school

designated areas. (Water is the

exception.)

Excessive noise anywhere in

the building

Failure to check in at the

attendance office when

arriving late to school

Failure to have an ID card

Failure to submit an absentee

note

28

Illegally parked motor vehicles

(including parking in a space

assigned to another vehicle)

Inappropriate display of

affection

Leaving the gym or locker

room before the period ends

Leaving trash in the cafeteria

Loitering in any area of the

school building or anywhere

on school grounds

Possession of glass containers

Running in the corridors

Tardiness to class or study hall

Uncovered book

Violation of the “Hands-Off”

policy

Repeated behavior that may

have a detrimental effect on a

student’s performance

Any other infraction, not

specifically listed, that violates

the rule of common sense and

proper school decorum


SATURDAY DETENTIONS

Causing a disturbance during

class, study hall or in the halls.

Excessive noise anywhere

inside or outside the building

Disregard of another’s rights

Failure to report to a teacher

for a private detention

Forgery of any kind

Honor code violation

Leaving and returning to

campus after school. (Unless

parental permission has been

granted in writing.)

Lying or misrepresentation of

any sort

Misbehavior on the bus

Misconduct during

fire/emergency drills

Misuse or illegal possession of

school forms (passes,

detention, etc.)

Talking or disruptive behavior

in a class or study hall

Tardiness for school more than

10 times

Throwing of any object

Truancy (one period)

Unauthorized use of an

elevator

Use and/or possession of a cell

phone on campus, without

permission, except in

specifically designated places

at specifically designated

times.


SUSPENSIONS OR

EXPULSION

Truancy for an entire day

(automatic suspension)

Selling, possession of, or being

under the influence of drugs

and/or alcohol on school

property or while engaged in a

school-sponsored event is a

violation of state law and

school policy. The school

reserves the right to require

drug testing of any student

Stealing or found in possession

of another’s property without

permission

29

Any student arrested for the

violation of any local, state, or

federal law

Any student engaging in any

sexual activity on campus or at

any school related activity

including field trips, athletic

events, dances, etc.

Other infractions that may result in

suspension or expulsion:

Bullying another person

Damage to school property.

Any student guilty of

damaging school property will

be held financially responsible

for the damage.

Dangerous use of a motor

vehicle

Defacing school property

(writing on desks, walls, etc.)

Defiance of any faculty or

staff member

Disrespect to a faculty or staff

member

Failure to return a signed

Handbook signature form

Fighting

Filing a false emergency report

Hazing

Honor Code violation (more

than one [1] offense)

Leaving campus without

permission during the school

day

Non-compliance with the

Technology Department’s

Technology Use Policy

Possession or use of a

dangerous weapon

Profanity/obscene or indecent

language/signs

Public conduct that is

detrimental to the reputation of

the school

Selling or trading of

collectors’ cards, CD’s,

DVD’s, etc.

Sexual or other harassment

Threatening another student or

teacher

Smoking on campus

Truancy (one period)

Unauthorized use of an

elevator (2nd offense)

Continued infractions while on

probation

Any other offense that is not

specifically listed that is

considered by the Deans of

Students to be serious enough

to warrant Suspension or

Expulsion

The Principal and the Deans of

Students reserve the right to

suspend or expel a student without

convening a meeting of the

Discipline Board.

Profanity or the use of indecent

language is not tolerated at Bishop

McNamara High School. A

student heard using profane or

obscene language anywhere on

school property or as a participant

in a Bishop McNamara sponsored

activity off school property may

receive a one-day suspension for

the offense.

DISCIPLINARY WARNING

A Disciplinary Warning Letter is

the least serious punishment a

30

student who has appeared before

the Discipline Board may receive.

A Disciplinary Warning Letter

indicates to the student and to

his/her parents that repeated

inappropriate behavior will not be

tolerated. Receipt of additional

detentions will result in

Disciplinary Probation and/or

Suspension.

DISCIPLINARY PROBATION

If a student’s behavior results in

additional detentions following the

receipt of a Disciplinary Warning

Letter, or if a serious infraction of

the rules is committed (particularly

an infraction that involves a show

of disrespect toward a teacher,

administrator, or staff member),

that student will be placed on

Disciplinary Probation. When a

student is placed on Disciplinary

Probation, a letter of explanation is

sent to the parents. The letter to

the parents must be signed by the

parents and returned to school

where it is placed in the student’s

file. The signature page of the

letter is kept so that all parties

involved have clear expectations

of the consequences of further

disciplinary action. The Deans of

Students have the authority to

decide whether or not a student on

Disciplinary Probation may


activities.

A student may be placed on

Disciplinary Probation if he/she

accumulates an excessive number

of absences or tardies.

STRICT DISCIPLINARY

PROBATION

Strict Disciplinary Probation is a

more serious form of Disciplinary

Probation in which a student is

given one last opportunity to

display his/her ability to comply

with the school’s expectations for

student behavior. A student on

Strict Disciplinary Probation is

generally given a specific amount

of time, usually one quarter, in

which he/she must prove his/her

ability to remain free from

detentions or any other

disciplinary infractions. Failure to

present this proof is cause for

immediate expulsion. All students

placed on Strict Disciplinary

Probation will be reviewed

quarterly.

FORFEITURE OF

SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL

AID

Being on Disciplinary Probation or

Strict Disciplinary Probation may

result in the forfeiture of

scholarships/financial aid awarded

by Bishop McNamara High

School.

REVIEW OF

DISCIPLINARY STATUS

Students who have received

Disciplinary Warning Letters or

who are on Disciplinary Probation

may have their Disciplinary Files

reviewed at the end of each

quarter. Students who have shown

significant improvement in their

31

behavior may then be removed

from Warning or Probationary

status. Students and their parent(s)

will receive notification of any

such action taken by the Deans of

Students.

SUSPENSION

Suspension is a very serious

measure and indicates that a

student has either committed a

serious infraction of the rules, or

he/she has not acknowledged the

warning that Disciplinary

Probation has provided. Parents

will receive immediate notification

when a student has been

suspended. The length of

suspension is determined by the

Deans of Students or the Principal.

A student will not be allowed on

school premises or allowed to

participate in athletic or co-

curricular activities during the time

that he/she is suspended. A

student who is suspended may not

be allowed to make up homework

or quizzes. However, he/she will

be allowed to make up tests. The

student should be prepared to take

any tests upon his/her return to

school. It is the responsibility of

the student to arrange for the

make-up. A suspended student

must be absent from school a

minimum of one (1) day. In some

cases the Deans of Students may

allow a student to return to school

after one (1) day’s absence if

his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) has

met with the Dean to discuss the

student’s behavior. The Principal

and the Deans of Students are the

only people who have the authority

to suspend a student. A

suspension automatically puts a

student on Disciplinary Probation.

The Principal and the Deans of

Students reserve the right to

suspend a student without


Discipline Board.

Classroom Suspension: Repeated

offenses that continually disrupt a

productive classroom environment

may result in the student being

suspended or permanently

removed from a single class. In

such cases, students may not be

permitted to make up academic

work.

EXPULSION

Expulsion means a permanent

separation from the school

community. It is the severest of

the disciplinary measures and will

be applied either for repeated

offenses of the code of conduct or

for a major breach of the code of

conduct. The Principal and the

Deans of Students are the only

people who have the authority to

expel a student. When notified of

an expulsion, a student is

immediately separated from the

school community. If the

expulsion is appealed, the student

remains separated from the school

community during the appeal

process. A student who has been

expelled may not return to the

school campus or attend any

school-sponsored activities unless

conducting official business and/or

32

having called the school for

permission. The Principal and

Deans of Students reserve the right

to expel a student without


Discipline Board.

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND

HARASSMENT


does not discriminate on the basis

of race, color, gender, national

origin, religion, age, disability or

handicap, or any other protected

classification in its education

program. Sexual or other

harassment is therefore a violation

of school policy.

Harassment means verbal or

physical conduct that denigrates or

shows hostility toward an

individual because of his or her

race, color, gender, national origin,

religion, age, disability or

handicap, or any other protected

classification, that creates hostile

environment or unreasonably

interferes with an individual’s

educational opportunities or

performance.

Sexual harassment includes

“unwanted and unwelcome

behavior of a sexual nature which

interferes with a student’s life, i.e.,

right to learn, study, work,

achieve, or participate in school

activities in a comfortable

supportive atmosphere.”

Allegations must be reported to the

Principal who will review the

matter.

HAZING

Hazing of any kind is strictly

prohibited at Bishop McNamara

High School. Hazing is described

by law as any conduct or method

of initiation into any student

organization, whether on public or

private property, which willfully or

recklessly endangers the physical

or mental health of any student or

other person. Such conduct shall

include any treatment or forced

activity which is likely to

adversely affect the physical health

or safety of any such student or

other person, or which subjects

such student or other person to

extreme mental stress.

A person in violation of this policy

is guilty of a misdemeanor and on

conviction may be subject to

imprisonment not exceeding 6

months or a fine not exceeding

$500.00 or both.

The implied or expressed consent

of a student to hazing is not a

defense.

BULLYING


committed to a safe and orderly

educational environment for all

students, free from harassment,

intimidation or bullying.

“Bullying” means systematically

and chronically inflicting physical

hurt or psychological distress on

one or more students or

employees. It is further defined as:

33

unwanted purposeful written,

verbal, nonverbal, or physical

behavior, including but not limited

to any threatening, insulting, or

dehumanizing gesture, by an adult

or student, that has the potential to

create an intimidating, hostile, or

offensive educational environment

or cause long term damage; cause

discomfort or humiliation; or

unreasonably interfere with the

individual’s school performance or

participation, is carried out

repeatedly and is often

characterized by an imbalance of

power.

Bullying may involve, but is not

limited to:

1. Unwanted teasing

2. Threatening

3. Intimidating

4. Stalking

5. Cyber-stalking

6. Cyber-bullying

7. Physical violence

8. Theft

9. Sexual, religious, or racial

harassment

10. Public humiliation

11. Destruction of school or

personal property

12. Social exclusion, including

incitement and/or coercion

13. Rumor or spreading of

falsehoods

“Cyber-bullying” is defined as

the willful and repeated

harassment and intimidation of a

person through the use of digital

technologies, including, but not

limited to, email, blogs, text

messages, social websites (e.g.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,

Tumblir, etc.), chat rooms,

“sexting”, instant messaging, or

video voyeurism.

Since bystander support of

harassment or bullying can support

these behaviors, Bishop

McNamara prohibits both active

and passive support for acts of

harassment or bullying. The staff

should encourage students to

support students who walk away

from these acts when they see

them, constructively attempt to

stop them, and report them to the

Dean of Students or the Principal.

Bishop McNamara High School,

will not tolerate any form of

bullying or cyber-bullying, nor

will we tolerate retaliation against

any person who reports bullying,

provides information during an

investigation of bullying, or

witnesses or has reliable

information about bullying.

1. Bullying and cyber-bullying are prohibited on school grounds

and at school-sponsored events,

activities, functions, and programs

and trips. Bullying and cyber-

bullying, are not tolerated through

use of technology or an electronic

device owned, leased, or used by

the School.

2. In addition, bullying and cyber-

bullying are prohibited at a

location, activity, function, or

program that is not school-related

or through the use of technology or

an electronic device that is not

34

owned, leased, or used by the

school, if the bullying creates a

hostile environment at school for a

targeted student; infringes on the

rights of a targeted student at

school; or in the estimation of the

School materially and substantially

disrupts the educational process or

the orderly operation of the

School.

SMOKING, ALCOHOL, AND

ILLEGAL DRUGS

Smoking, alcohol, and illegal

drugs are prohibited on the school

campus and at all school-

sponsored activities off campus.

The school reserves the right to

require drug testing of any student.

TELEPHONE/CELL PHONE

CALLS

Students should not be excused

from study halls or classrooms to

make telephone calls. Telephones

in the Main Office are unavailable

to students except for rare

exceptions made by the Main

Office staff. Students’ phone calls

will be limited to three (3)

minutes.

Students may not display or use

a cell phone for any reason, i.e.,

phone calls, text messages, or

photographs, during school

operation. Cell phones must be

turned off and stored in

students’ lockers from 8:00 a.m.

until 2:50 pm. If a student

believes it is absolutely necessary

to use a cell phone other than in

the designated areas and at the

designated times, he/she must ask

permission of a school

administrator/teacher or report to a

Dean’s office. Cell phones may

never be used in bathrooms and

classrooms. The penalty for

unauthorized use of a cell phone

on campus is a Saturday

detention. Students who violate

cell phone policies may have

their cell phones confiscated and

returned to a parent after forty

eight (48) hours.

In the event of an emergency or

unscheduled early dismissal, all

students will be given an

opportunity to use their cell phones

to make calls.

Parents are asked to refrain

from placing cell phone calls to

students during the day except to

leave voice-mail messages that

may be accessed after the school

day has ended. Students are not

permitted to have cell phones

with them during the school day.

Parents are asked to refrain

from calling the school to

request that messages be

delivered to students except in

cases of extreme emergency. The

Office staff cannot be expected to

deliver non-essential messages.

Information such as after school

pick-up times should be clarified

between parents and students

before the student arrives at school

in the morning.

35

EATING AND DRINKING

Eating and drinking are prohibited

outside of the cafeteria during

school hours. This policy excludes

water unless it is prohibited by

specific classroom rules. After

school, students may have food

and drinks in the cafeteria, the

hallway outside of the cafeteria

and in the area just beyond the

back entrance to the school by the

cafeteria on the main building side

of the driveway. Students are

expected to throw trash and drink

containers in the trash receptacles

provided.

Occasionally, the administration

may grant permission for

students/teachers to have food in

classrooms.

Glass containers are never allowed

on school property.

GUM CHEWING

GUM CHEWING IS NOT

ALLOWED ON CAMPUS AT

ANY TIME!

SECTION IV: ATTENDANCE

POLICIES AND

REGULATIONS

ABSENCES

Because attendance at school is

necessary for most students to

achieve academically, Bishop

McNamara High School has set a

maximum number of days which

can be missed. A student may not

be absent from a course more than

a total of ten (10) times excused

and/or unexcused. Five (5)

absences are the limit for a

semester course. When a student

exceeds these limits, a grade of

“I”, or incomplete may be issued

by the teacher. An “I” grade may

be considered for change by the

Principal should the parent submit

acceptable documentation, i.e.,

doctor’s note, notice of family

emergency. Once approved by the

Principal, the grade earned by the

student will be issued. In order for

a student to be eligible to be

reviewed for a grade change due to

absence, that student must not

have any unexcused absences

during the year and must be

presently receiving a passing grade

in the course for which the “I”

grade was assigned. When a

student is absent on the day of a

major quiz, test, or assignment, the

Principal reserves the right to

request additional documentation

to validate the reason for the

absence. Every effort must be

made on the student’s part to turn

in assignments according to the

established deadlines, even in the

event of an absence.

Parents will be notified when the

level of five (5) absences has been

reached. Parents will be notified

by a Dean of Students when the

student reaches his/her tenth day of

absence. Students who accrue ten

(10) absences will be placed on

Disciplinary Probation.

Absences will be considered

excused for the following reasons:

36

illness of the student, death in the

immediate family, quarantine,

court summons, or school

sanctioned off campus activity.

After five (5) days of absences in a

semester, a doctor’s note may be

required if any further absences in

that semester are to be excused. If

a doctor’s note is not submitted,

subsequent absences will be

considered unexcused and the

student will not be allowed to

make up work missed. Only the

Principal and the Deans of

Students can make exceptions to

these policies. A student may

make up work missed during an

excused absence. If a student

misses school for another reason

the absence will be unexcused and

the student may not be allowed to

make up missed work. Should a

student’s absence take place

without his/her parent’s

knowledge, the student will be

considered truant. In that case

he/she will be suspended and may

not be allowed to make up the

work missed. Early Dismissals

from school will be counted as

absences: leaving before 11:30

a.m. will be counted as a full day

absence; leaving after 11:30 a.m.

and before 1:30 p.m. will be

considered a half-day absence.

Students who are absent during the

school day will not be allowed to


activities on the day of their

absence. This applies to clubs,

organizations, and sports activities,

whether practices or games.

Parents/Guardians must call the

school prior to 10:00 a.m. on the

day of the absence to inform the

school of the reason for the

absence. A note explaining the

reason for the absence must be

sent in on the day the student

returns to school. These

procedures must be followed so

that the school can determine

whether the absence will be

considered excused or unexcused.

Notes from parents/guardians must

be worded in such a way as to

request that the school excuse the

student’s absence. Only Bishop

McNamara High School, not a

parent/guardian, may excuse an

absence. Failure to notify the

school, either by telephone call or

note, may lead to the absence

being considered truancy.

Bishop McNamara does not

recognize or condone a “senior

skip day”. Absence for this reason

is considered unexcused and is

dealt with as truancy.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

A student with perfect attendance

has not been absent from or tardy

to school the entire school year for

any reason. Excused absences for

medical reasons or college visits

will be counted against perfect

attendance. Any unusual

circumstances will be reviewed by

the Principal and the Deans of

Students.

37

MAKE–UP OF WORK MISSED

BECAUSE OF ABSENCE

Students are responsible to

complete all work that was missed

during their absence; such as class

work, assignments, tests and

quizzes. Therefore, students are

expected to contact their teachers

prior to or upon returning to

school, either in person or by way

of email. Individual teacher

syllabi clarify policies for each

course and students should be

familiar with those expectations.

Teachers are not responsible to

seek out students to inform them

of the work they need to complete.


not responsible for make-up of

work missed related to a student's

absence due to financial

delinquency.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR MAKING UP CLASS

WORK FOR ABSENCE DUE TO

SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITY

AT LEAST ONE DAY IN

ADVANCE of a day or class

period in which a student will be

absent due to his/her participation

in a school related event, i.e.,

athletic early dismissals, field

trips, retreats, etc. the student

MUST inform the teacher that

he/she will be absent from class.

If the student fails to notify the

teacher, the teacher may consider

the absence an unexcused one and

may not allow the student to make

up any missed work. Once the

student has notified the teacher in

advance, the student remains

responsible for any work missed

during that class time. If a student

will be missing a quiz or test,

arrangements must be made in

advance to schedule a time to

make up the missed quiz/test.

When a student arrives at school

prior to leaving on a field trip,

he/she is expected to turn in work

due on that day to all his/her

teachers.

EXTENDED ABSENCE FOR

SCHOOL

APPROVED/SPONSORED

ACTIVITIES

A student who plans to participate

in a school-approved/sponsored

co-curricular activity that will

require his/her absence from

classes for two (2) or more

consecutive days, must secure

signatures from his/her teachers

granting permission for him/her to

miss class. If a teacher does not

feel that the student should miss

class and refuses to sign, the

student will not be allowed to

participate in the activity. A

Request for Extended Absence,

available from the Main Office,

will be used for this purpose.

Students may present a completed

Request for Extended Absence to

the Attendance Office prior to any

absence for a school

approved/sponsored activity. The

presentation of this completed

form may result in the student

38

being marked present for the time

missed. Students must limit

extended absences for school-

sponsored activities to no more

than 5 days per semester.

EXTENDED ABSENCE FOR

NON-SCHOOL SPONSORED

ACTIVITIES

Parents (not students) must request

permission for an extended

absence (excused or unexcused)

for non-school sponsored

activities, in writing, at least one

week in advance (for both regular

school days and exam days) to the

attendance office. A Request for

Extended Absence must be filled

out and returned to the attendance

office with the signatures of

approval of each of the student’s

teachers. The completed form will

then be submitted to the principal

for his approval. STUDENTS

WILL NOT BE EXCUSED

FROM CLASSES OR GIVEN

EXAMS EARLY UNTIL THE

EXTENDED ABSENCE HAS

RECEIVED THE PRINCIPAL’S

APPROVAL.

COLLEGE FAIR/COLLEGE

VISIT

College fairs are held during the

evenings on school days and

during the day on weekends.

Students are encouraged to attend

these sessions so that time from

school will not be missed.

Students will not be allowed an

excused absence for college fair

attendance during regular school

time. If a student must visit a

college during regular school time,

parents must inform the school

immediately when the visit will

take place and follow up with a

letter requesting permission for

absence prior to the college visit.

The visit will be counted as an

excused absence. Students are

limited to 3 days of excused

absences for college visits.

TARDINESS

Tardiness is defined as arriving

after the designated time for school

or for class. Students who are

tardy to class must serve a

detention for each instance of

tardiness. A Dean of Students is

the final arbiter of whether

tardiness to school will be

considered excused or unexcused.

Tardiness to class: Any student

who is not seated when the bell

rings to mark the beginning of the

class period will be considered late

to that class. A student who

arrives late to class must present a

tardy slip to that teacher upon

arrival if the tardiness is to be

excused. This means that a student

who knows he/she will not be on

time has the responsibility of

obtaining a tardy slip from the

teacher, counselor, or

administrator with whom he/she

has been talking. The student

should obtain this tardy slip before

proceeding to his/her next class.

Teachers will issue late detentions

when students arrive late for class

and have no valid tardy slip. A

39

student may not come to the office

staff for a tardy slip unless he/she

had been detained on office

business.

Tardiness to school: When the

bell starts to ring at 8:00 a.m., a

student must be seated in the

classroom and ready for the period

to begin. This means that the

student must already have visited

his/her locker to drop off his/her

jacket or coat and to pick up the

books he/she will need for

morning classes.

All students arriving late to school

after the start of school bell MUST

report to the Attendance Office for

a tardy slip regardless of whether it

is a class change time or the

student has study hall or lunch. A

tardy slip must be obtained from

the Attendance Office in order for

a student to be admitted to the

building or allowed to attend any

class. If the Attendance Office is

closed, students should report to

the Main Office for a tardy slip.

If a student arrives after 10:00

a.m., his/her late arrival will be

considered a half-day absence

from school. If he/she arrives after

11:30 a.m., it will be considered a

full-day absence, and the student

will not be eligible to participate in

any co-curricular activities that

day.

Tardiness to school will not be

excused except when

circumstances are extraordinary as

determined by a Dean of Students.

A student is tardy if he/she is not

present in his/her first period class

when the 8:00 bell rings. On the

sixth (6) unexcused tardy, the

student will be assessed a tardy fee

of $10.00. On the eleventh (11)

unexcused tardy, the student will

be assessed a tardy fee of $15.00

and will receive a call from the

Dean of Students. On the

sixteenth (16) unexcused tardy, the

student will serve a Saturday

Detention which carries a $20.00

fee. In addition, any student who

accrues sixteen unexcused tardies

will be removed from all extra-

curricular activities.

Generally, traffic is not considered

a legitimate excuse for tardiness.

It is the student’s and parent’s

responsibility to ensure that

sufficient time is allowed for

traffic issues.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES

A student will be placed on

Disciplinary Probation if he/she

accumulates ten (10) absences in a

school year.

EARLY DISMISSAL

All early dismissal requests must

be made in writing by means of a

note from a parent or guardian

presented to the Attendance Office

before the start of the day of the

early dismissal. Early dismissal

may not be requested by phone.

Only early dismissals requests for

medical or dental appointments or

40

for emergencies will be honored.

Early dismissals will be counted as

absences: leaving school before

11:30 a.m. will count as a full day

absence; leaving after 11:30 a.m.

and before 1:30 p.m. will be

considered a half-day absence.

These absences will apply toward

the ten (10) day absence

maximum.

Students who have received early

dismissals and are returning to

school after appointments must

check into the Attendance Office

for a pass.

REQUEST FOR EARLY

DISMISSAL PRIVILEGES

The normal school day begins at

8:00 a.m. and ends with dismissal

at 2:58 p.m. Juniors and seniors

who have an overall C+ average

may request dismissal after their

regular classes have ended if they

are scheduled for study hall(s) at

the end of the day. This early

dismissal may occur only if the

student’s parent(s) have authorized

this privilege and can provide

transportation for the student at the

time of his/her dismissal. A

Request for Early Dismissal

Privileges form can be obtained in

the Main Office at the school.

Students will not be approved for

early dismissal if they have a

scheduled class or if they do not

have transportation away from the

school. Students remaining on

school property must report to a

study hall. Students who have

approval for early dismissal are not

permitted to loiter around the

school building or campus.

Students remaining on campus 10

minutes after early dismissal may

have their early dismissal privilege

revoked.

TRUANCY

After arriving on Bishop

McNamara’s campus, no student is

allowed to leave school property

during the school day unless

he/she has received an early

dismissal. Being absent from

school, class, or supervised study

without authorization is defined as

truancy. Truancy for an entire day

will result in Suspension and a

parent conference. On the first

unauthorized absence from class or

supervised study, the student will

receive a Saturday detention and

the parents will be notified

immediately. Subsequent

unauthorized absences from class

or supervised study will result in

further disciplinary action.

SECTION V: HEALTH

POLICIES

SICKNESS DURING THE DAY

Any student becoming ill during

the school day should request a

pass from his/her teacher or prefect

and then report directly to the

Attendance Office. Students will

not be admitted to the Office

without a pass. The Office

personnel will notify a parent if the

student is too ill to remain in

41

school. Students may not call a

parent to request a dismissal for

illness; the Office personnel are

responsible for obtaining parental

permission for an illness dismissal.

A student cannot leave school

property unless the Office staff has

made proper arrangements with

his/her parent(s) or guardian(s).


require that a parent or guardian

pick up a sick student. Any student

who fails to follow these

procedures and who leaves school

without permission will be

considered truant.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

An Emergency Information form

will be sent home the first week of

the school year. A student may

not be allowed to attend classes if

his/her emergency form is not

completed and returned on the due

date. In case a student is ill or

needs to leave early, he/she will

only be released to the person

designated on the Emergency

Information form. Emergency

information should be updated

whenever changes occur by

contacting the Main Office of the

school at 301-735-8401, ext. 132.

PRESCRIPTION/

NONPRESCRIPTION

MEDICATIONS

Students are asked not to bring any

sort of medication to school. If it

is absolutely necessary for a

student to take a prescription or

non-prescription drug during the

school day, he/she must have a

Physician’s Medication

Authorization form on file in the

Main Office. The form can be

found at www.bmhs.org. The

medication should be kept in the

Main Office and will be dispensed

by the Medication Technician as

prescribed by the doctor.

STUDENT PREGNANCY


respects and values all life,

especially that of the unborn. A

student who becomes pregnant

will be treated with dignity and

compassion as she deals with the

very stressful life event. A referral

to the student’s counselor should

be made as soon as possible so an

adult trained to help the student

can provide the necessary support

and counsel. In addition to the

emotional and practical support for

the student, the school will also

facilitate the continuing education

of the student including the

completion of course work and

achieving of a high school

diploma.

SECTION VI: ATTIRE/DRESS

CODE

The two official uniform suppliers

for BMHS are:

Flynn & O’Hara, Lanham, MD

1-800-441-4122

The Carousel, Waldorf, MD

301-843-8884 or 301-645-4660

42

DRESS CODE

MEN’S DRESS CODE

1. White or blue Oxford cloth

button down dress shirt (long

or short sleeves with Cross and

Anchor embroidery) with

school tie. No “blousing” of

shirts will be allowed. Shirts

must be completely tucked

into pants. Shirt sleeves may

not be rolled. The tie may not

extend below the student’s

waist or be excessively short.

2. Khaki dress pleated slacks

with Bishop McNamara

monogram. (Uniform

companies will not order

slacks more than one size

larger than the student’s

current measurement).

3. Navy blue blazer with the

Bishop McNamara patch on

the front chest pocket.*

4. Students must wear brown or

tan boat style shoes such as the

Sperry Top-Sider A/O 2 Eye

(Sahara) or Eastland Solstice

(tan) with navy blue, black or

brown socks. All shoelaces

must be worn laced and tied.

All shoes must be non-scuff.

Athletic shoes of any type may

not be worn.

5. Buckled belts (plain leather,

black or brown with

conservative buckles).

*Mandatory only during the

second and third quarters for 9th-

11th graders.

MEN’S OPTIONAL DRESS

CODE

1. The maroon sleeveless sweater

vest, long sleeve V-neck

sweater, or cardigan sweater

with a school logo (available

at the Mustang Shop) may be

worn with the school blazer

during the second and third

quarters or as an optional

accessory during the first and

fourth quarters.

WOMEN’S DRESS CODE

1. White Oxford cloth shirt (long

or short sleeves with Cross and

Anchor embroidery). No

“blousing” of shirts will be

allowed. Shirts must be

completely tucked into skirt or

slacks. Shirt sleeves may not

be rolled.

2. Students in the Classes of

2014-2015 must wear the

khaki pleated slacks with a

Bishop McNamara monogram,

Khaki kilt, or Khaki skort.

(The hemline of a kneeling

student’s skirt should measure

no more than three [3] inches

above the ground). Students

in the Class of 2016-2017

must wear the khaki slacks

or the khaki skort (the khaki

kilt is not an option). 3. Maroon school blazer with the

Bishop McNamara patch on

the front chest pocket.*

4. Maroon knee socks or tights

(plain, opaque maroon, black,

or maroon acrylic cable-knit)

purchased from an official

43

uniform supplier. No ankle

socks are allowed. White

socks may not be worn at any

time.

5. Students must wear brown or

tan boat style shoes such as the

Sperry Top-Sider A/O 2 Eye

(Sahara) or Eastland Solstice

(tan). No multi-toned shoes,

moccasins or mules are

allowed. Athletic shoes of any

type may not be worn.

6. Students must wear buckled

belts (plain leather, black or

brown with conservative

buckles) with the khaki pleated

slacks.

*Mandatory only during the

second and third quarters for 9th-

11th graders.

WOMEN’S OPTIONAL DRESS

CODE

1. The maroon sleeveless sweater

vest, long sleeve V-neck

sweater, or cardigan with a

Bishop McNamara logo

(available at the Mustang

Shop) may be worn with the

school blazer during the

second and third quarters or

without the blazer, during the

first and fourth quarters.

2. White oxford cloth shirt (long

or short sleeves) with Cross

and Anchor embroidery.

SENIORS’ OPTIONAL DRESS

CODE

Eligible senior students have the

option of purchasing a pre-selected

polo shirt to be worn in place of

the blazer, shirt/blouse and tie.

The shirt, with a Bishop

McNamara/senior class logo may

be worn year round by both male

and female students. Polo shirts

must be completely tucked into

skirt or pants. Shirt sleeves may

not be rolled. Eligible senior

students have the option of

purchasing a pre-selected cardigan

sweater/sweatshirt to been worn

over their polo shirt or oxford shirt

(available at the Mustang Shop).

GENERAL DRESS

REGULATIONS

No exemptions from the dress

code will be allowed, unless

student provides a doctor’s note

indicating a medical need for

departing from the dress code.

Only a Dean of Students can

approve such an exemption. A

Dean of Students and the Principal

have the authority to amend the

dress code for the entire student

body if the weather conditions

make changes necessary.

A Dean of Students makes the

final decision on questions about

the dress code. However, several

common sense requirements apply

during the school day:

1. While on campus, students

should be in complete uniform

unless participating in an

extracurricular activity.

2. High top shoes or boots are

unacceptable. Shoes must be

kept tied at all times.

44

3. Hair must be kept well-

groomed and at a reasonable

length. For both male and

female students only basic hair

ornaments, such as simple

barrettes and small dark rubber

bands, may be worn. Shells,

beads, butterfly clips, similar

ornaments or scarves are not

consistent with the Bishop

McNamara dress code and are

not permitted. Mohawks or

faux hawks are not permitted.

4. Sunglasses may not be worn in

the building.

5. No headgear is allowed in the

building. Only hats may be

worn outdoors on school

grounds. Other head

coverings, such as bandannas,

skullcaps, and scarves, are not

allowed.

6. Boots and outdoor

garments/jackets are to be left

in the student’s locker and

may not be worn or carried.

7. For both male and female

students only small post

earrings are the only earrings

allowed. Hoop and/or dangling

earrings are not acceptable.

Earrings should be silver, gold,

or a single pearl.

8. Trousers and skirts are to be

worn appropriately, at the

waist. The waistbands of

skirts may not be rolled. Pant

legs should not be cuffed or

rolled.

9. All shirts and blouses are to be

worn tucked into trousers or

skirts. Women’s blouses must

be worn with no more than one

button unbuttoned at the neck.

10. Colored T-shirts or T-shirts

with designs or writing that

can be seen under the

regulation school uniform may

not be worn.

11. Excessive jewelry or

accessories are inappropriate.

12. Sweaters may not be worn tied

around students’ waists.

13. Frayed and/or torn uniform

items (trousers, skirts,

sweaters, shirts, etc.) are

unacceptable and must be

mended or replaced.

14. Uniforms are intended to

appear “uniform”. Customized

and/or personalized uniforms

are not allowed.

15. Jewelry may not be visible on

any pierced body parts except

the ears.

16. All uniform items should be

identified with the student’s

name.

17. General neatness is standard.

Club polo shirts may only be

worn on the LAST day of the

week or other days approved

by the Deans.

The Bishop McNamara High

School Dress Code is conservative.

It is not designed to accommodate

individual tastes or current style

and fashion trends.

Extremes in make-up and hair are

not acceptable. Hair may not be

dyed or painted in bright,

unnatural colors. Make-up

(including fingernail polish)

should be applied neatly and

conservatively. Unnatural make-

up colors (green, black, blue, etc.)

are not appropriate.

45

Jewelry must be conservative.

Items not normally worn as

jewelry (safety pins, nails, etc.)

may not be adapted as such.

Studded collars and heavy chains

do not comply with the intent of

the Bishop McNamara dress code.

Tattoos may not be visible when a

student is dressed in the Bishop

McNamara school uniform.

Judgments regarding whether a

student’s appearance is in

compliance with the school’s dress

code are made by the Dean of

Students and the school’s

administration.

FIELD TRIP DRESS

REGULATIONS

School uniforms will be worn for

all field trips.

Students participating in casual,

“outdoor” field trips involving

activities such as canoeing, hiking,

etc. will be expected to wear

appropriate clothing such as T-

shirts and jeans. Such dress

exceptions may be requested by

the teacher sponsoring the field

trip.

Improperly dressed students will

not be allowed to participate in

field trips and may lose the right to

a refund for the cost of the trip.

CASUAL DRESS DAYS

A Casual Dress Day is an occasion

to wear appropriate casual

clothing. Casual Dress Day

guidelines may require specific

clothing styles to be worn on

Casual Dress Days. The following

dress is always considered

inappropriate and is never allowed

on these days: T-shirts with

obscene or questionable designs or

writing, hats, sunglasses, short

shorts, short skirts, Spandex or

tight pants or jeans, torn jeans,

styles with bare midriffs, low

necklines, or any clothing judged

to be immodest. All pants must

be worn with belts or suspenders.

Skirt lengths should comply with

dress code standards.

A Bishop McNamara school

uniform may be worn on Casual

Dress Days.

Students who are improperly

dressed on Casual Dress Days will

receive detentions and will have to

change into appropriate clothing or

be sent home from school.

SECTION VII: SPECIFIC

CAMPUS AREAS

REGULATIONS AND

PROCEDURES

CAMPUS

Students are not just students

during class time and in

classrooms. Their responsibility as

learners and their potential for

growth remain active throughout

the day, everywhere on campus

and beyond.

46

Thus students are expected to

behave not only as responsible

young men and women but as

scholars everywhere on campus.

During study halls, students are

expected to pursue their assigned

study or written assignments. In

the halls, locker rooms, offices,

fields, and outdoor areas of

campus, it is understood that

students will be about the business

of obtaining the education they are

here to receive. In the way they

conduct matters such as getting

passes to meet with a teacher for

extra help or with a guidance

counselor, students should remain

aware of the need for their

responsible behavior and the

benefits it provides to both the

school community and themselves.


maintains a closed campus. The

campus is described as Bishop

McNamara’s buildings and

property.

Students are reminded that school

rules may be enforced anytime a

student is on the school campus.

An electronic gate secures the

parking lot behind Bishop

McNamara High School when

school is in session. A security

guard is present on campus from

10:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The

security guard has the authority to

take any action necessary to ensure

safety on campus including the

control of traffic flow on the

parking lot. Additional security is

provided, as needed, for evening

and weekend events.

BEFORE SCHOOL

Students arriving before 7:30 a.m.

must go directly to the cafeteria.

No students should be in the halls,

the concourse, or at their lockers

before 7:30 a.m.

START OF SCHOOL

Each student must be in his/her 1st

block class and seated by the time

the bell rings. Students arriving

after the bell must report to the

Attendance Office for a late pass.

Any student not seated at this time

will be issued a detention. Quiet

conversation is allowed before the

morning announcements begin.

However, students must be silent

and should listen attentively to the

announcements.

AFTER SCHOOL

When classes end at 2:58 p.m.,

students are expected to exit the

buildings quickly and leave

campus. No students are permitted

to loiter in the halls, lavatories, etc.

or other indoor or outdoor areas of

the campus after their classes have

been dismissed for the day. Any

students remaining on campus

after dismissal must be under the

direct supervision of a member of

the faculty or staff.

Parents are encouraged to provide

transportation for students as soon

47

as possible after the school day has

ended.

After school, students may not

leave and return to campus unless

a parent/guardian has granted

permission, in writing.

School rules and regulations

remain in effect as long as students

remain on the school campus.

At times when school is not in

session, evenings, weekends,

holidays, etc., no student is

allowed in the school building or

on school property unless under

the direct supervision of a faculty

member or coach.

AFTER-SCHOOL STUDY HALL

PROGRAM

All students who are picked up

after 3:30 p.m. must wait for their

rides following the procedures for

the After-School Study Hall.

Under no circumstances, may

these students leave campus

between dismissal time at 2:58

p.m. and the time they are picked

up by a parent/guardian to be

transported home.

All students not picked up by 3:30

p.m. and not under the direct

supervision of a coach, club

moderator or teacher are

considered to be under the

supervision of the After-School

Study Hall. These students must

report to the After-School Study

Hall location and will be charged

$5.00 for the day starting at 4:00

p.m. This is a flat fee, and will be

charged regardless of the amount

of time the student remains in the

study hall location. Families

planning to use this service on a

regular basis may pre-pay a $500

yearly fee or a $300 semester fee.

Yearly and first semester payments

are due on or before September 5,

2014 for the first semester. Second

semester fees are due by January

15, 2015.

Students and families making use

of this after school service must

follow these procedures:

1. The study hall location will be

open from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00

p.m. to provide for an After-

School Study Hall for students

who are waiting for

transportation home. This

service is provided by the

school at the end of the normal

school day and adult

supervision will be provided.

2. School rules and regulations

will be enforced by the

adult(s) supervising the After-

School Study Hall.

3. Students in the After-School

Study Hall may be given

assigned seats and attendance

is recorded. No one may leave

the study hall room without

the permission of the adult

supervisor.

4. All students will be

responsible for the cleanliness

of the area around their

assigned seats.

5. Parents must come into the

school and report to the

48

study hall room to pick up

their child. Students will not

be allowed to stand in the

halls outside the cafeteria or

wait in the rear parking lots

for rides. Students who are

in violation of this rule will

first receive a Saturday

detention, and a phone call

will be made to the student’s

parents. The next violation

will result in a suspension.

Students remaining in the After-

School Study Hall after 6:00

p.m. will be assessed an

additional $2.00 per minute until

the student is picked-up.

The right to attend the After-

School Study Hall may be revoked

for students who continue to

remain on campus after 5:30 p.m.

CAFETERIA

Each student has the responsibility

for keeping the cafeteria clean.

Tables are to be cleared of papers,

cans, and unused food before

leaving the cafeteria. Beverages

and food spills should be cleaned

up by the person(s) concerned.

Students must remain in the

cafeteria for the entire lunch

period. Students are not to go to

their lockers or into the classroom

wing until the bell sounds for the

end of lunch, nor are they to

congregate at the cafeteria doors

before the bell.

Students may not order carryout

food delivered to the school at any

time or bring glass containers into

the school.

ELEVATORS


has elevators for students who are

physically unable to use the

school’s stairways. The elevator

in the main building operates by

use of a key, which may be

borrowed from the Main Office.

HALLS AND STAIR LANDINGS

Students are not permitted to

congregate in the halls or on stair

landings.

LIBRARY

The St. Joseph Library Media

Center Staff welcomes every

occasion to offer assistance to our

school community with research,

reference and computer

needs. The Library is open

Monday through Friday from 7:30

a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Librarian is available to assist

students in gaining competency in

Library research skills and assist in

individualized instruction and

learning opportunities. New book

displays are featured to encourage

reading enjoyment for all students.

Book materials circulate for two

week periods and can be renewed

for an additional two weeks or

longer with Librarian’s

permission. Reference materials

do not circulate.

The Library has 24 computer

workstations for student use.

Students are encouraged to use the

49

Library’s computer lab for

searching OPAC, research, class

assignments and special school-

related projects.

Teachers frequently reserve class

time to facilitate access to library

and computer resources.

LIBRARY PASS POLICY

All students are welcomed and

encouraged to visit the Library,

before, during and after school

hours. Students are not allowed in

the library after the warning bell.

All students are required to have

permission to enter the Library

during school hours. Passes are to

be written in student agenda books

and may be issued by members of

the Library Staff, Study Hall

Prefects, Faculty and Staff. All

students entering the Library must

sign in and show passes to the

Librarian or Friend of the Library

Parent Volunteer.

LOCKERS AND LOCKS

Students are to go to their lockers

only before school, at lunchtime,

and prior to leaving school for the

day. Classes are in session most of

the day and banging lockers is

disturbing to those in the

classrooms. Lockers can and

should be closed quietly.

All hall lockers are equipped with

built-in combination locks. It is

the responsibility of the student to

be sure his/her lock is securely

locked at all times. A locker is

intended for use solely by the

student to whom it is assigned.

Under no circumstances should

lock combinations or lockers be

shared.

The school is not responsible for

the contents in school lockers and

is not responsible for recovering

lost or stolen items.

SEARCHES

Lockers are school property and

the school reserves the right to

open and inspect student lockers at

any time.

The school also reserves the right

to search a student’s belongings,

car, or other areas under a

student’s control in order to

enforce school policies, rules and

regulations, and/or to preserve a

safe and orderly learning

environment.

Failure to cooperate with a search

may result in immediate

suspension and/or expulsion.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and Found items are located

in three different areas, depending

on the article lost.

1. If books or notebooks are left

in the classroom, they may be

kept there a couple of days to

enable the students to come

back for them. After that time,

notebooks should be given to

the bookstore manager in the

bookstore. The bookstore

manager determines the owner

50

of the textbooks and posts a

list on the cafeteria message

board as well as the bulletin

board in the concourse. Lost

books and notebooks may be

retrieved from the bookstore

for a fee of $.50.

2. Lost clothing items should be

taken to the Mustang Shop.

After being held for a

minimum of thirty (30) days,

the items will be given to

charity. To ensure the return

of items to their proper

owners, all uniform items

must be identified with the

student’s name.

3. Valuables such as purses,

jewelry, watches, keys, etc.

should be brought immediately

to the Main Office and given

to one of the administrative

assistants.

All Bishop McNamara students are

expected to respect and care for

their own personal belongings as

well as those of others. All found

items should be taken promptly to

the appropriate location.

STUDY AREAS/STUDY HALL

The library and any supervised

study rooms are designated study

areas. A quiet atmosphere is to be

maintained. Respect for others is

the key principle to follow.

In supervised study halls, silence is

to be maintained; talking disrupts

others who want to study.

Students should make certain that

they have an ample amount of

work to keep themselves busy.

All students not having Senior

Privilege/Honors Passes will be

assigned to supervised study. The

Senior Privilege/Honors Pass does

not mean that the honor student

can go from one place to another at

will. He/she has the choice to go

to a designated place, but once

there he/she must remain for the

time period indicated on his/her

schedule. Passes will be required

by students in supervised study to

go the library. Passes will not be

given out indiscriminately.

TRAFFIC, MOTOR VEHICLE

AND PARKING LOT

RESTRICTIONS

STUDENT AND VEHICLE

ENTRANCE AND EXIT

All vehicles must obey all posted

traffic signs on campus. All

students and their vehicles must

enter the campus from Marlboro

Pike at the front entrance of the

school. All vehicles must exit

through the rear parking lot onto

Whitney Place and continue to

Marlboro Pike. This policy will be

in effect throughout the entire

school year. Please remember to

obey all posted One-Way signs.

PARKING/PARKING LOT

Student parking on the Bishop

McNamara campus, Mt. Calvary

parking lot and the Union Building

lot is severely limited; thus all

51

student drivers parking on campus

must purchase and display a valid

Parking Permit/Decal in their

vehicles at all times. The permit is

to be displayed on the front

windshield (or dash) on the

driver’s side. The parking fee is

one hundred dollars ($100.00) for

the school year. In the event the

$100.00 parking fee is invalidated,

the Parking Permit will be

revoked. The Permit will be

reinstated when the invalidation is

corrected. Parking spaces will be

assigned first to carpool drivers,

students driving an exceptionally

long distance and then, on a first

come basis. When applying for a

Parking Permit/Decal, a student

must submit a copy of his/her valid

driver’s license with the

application. Parking

Permits/Decals will not be issued

to students who do not possess a

valid driver’s license. Sophomores

and freshmen may not park

vehicles on the school campus

unless extreme necessity can be

demonstrated.

Students will be assigned a

specific parking space and may

only park in that space. Students

violating a Bishop McNamara

parking regulation will be fined

twenty dollars ($20.00) to be paid

within three (3) days of the

violation. Unpaid fines will lead

to a student’s on-campus parking

privileges being revoked. Any

vehicle parked on the campus and

not displaying a valid Parking

Permit/Decal and/or parked

illegally is subject to being towed

at the owner’s expense.

If a student will be driving

different vehicles to school on

different days, he/she will be

required to purchase only one

permit. However, he/she must

display the permit in the proper

place on the vehicle he/she has

driven that particular day. If a

vehicle will no longer be driven to

school (for example, because it has

been sold), the student must

contact a Dean of Students to

provide information about the new

vehicle to be used. If a Dean of

Students so determines, a new

permit may be issued without

charge.

Should an emergency arise making

it necessary to park a vehicle on

campus without a valid permit, the

student should contact a Dean of

Students as soon as he/she arrives

on campus and be prepared to

provide information about the

make, model, year, color, and

license number of the vehicle.

Vehicles must be parked between

the white lines; no diagonal

parking or taking up two spaces

will be allowed. Students may not

park in the following areas: the

front circle, the lot beside Holy

Cross Hall, or the spaces marked

as reserved for the Cafeteria staff

and Athletic Department. In

addition, cars may not be parked in

the areas marked with yellow

diagonal lines at either end of the

main lot or along the driving lanes

52

where they will interfere with

traffic flow.

Limited parking spaces for Bishop

McNamara students’ vehicles will

be assigned in the Mt. Calvary

parking lot and in the Union

Building parking lot. The school

recommends against parking on

Whitney Place.

During the day no student should

be in any parking lot used for

student vehicles or in any of the

student cars that are parked there.

If a student has an early dismissal

and drives to school, he/she should

get in his/her car and leave

promptly. Students with early

dismissals may not loiter in the

parking lot or in their cars.

Common sense and good judgment

must be exercised by any student

driving to school. Speeding,

spinning of tires or any other

action that endangers persons or

property will not be tolerated.

Students may not pull out to pass

other vehicles in the main

driveway as they enter or exit from

the school grounds; there is to be

only a single lane of traffic moving

in any direction.

Failure to comply with the

school’s vehicle regulations will

lead to loss of parking privileges

on campus.

Cars not displaying the proper

automobile security stickers which

allow entry onto the property to

drop off and pick up students will

not be allowed on the school

property. Parents may obtain these

stickers from the Attendance

Office. Students should not

invite friends or students from

another school to pick them up

in the afternoon unless given

permission by their parents and

approved by the administration.

Bishop McNamara students

found not in compliance with

this request will be subject to

disciplinary action.

The speed limit on school

property is 10mph.


inspect, tow, or impound any

vehicle that is parked on school

property.


regrets that it cannot assume

liability for personal possessions

lost or damaged on its property,

including vehicles or items within

vehicles. The school will assist

parents in providing information

and reports to enable them to file

claims with their own insurance

companies.

AUTOMOBILE SECURITY

STICKERS

All cars parked on Bishop

McNamara property during the

school day or arriving at the school

at dismissal time must display a

Bishop McNamara Security

Sticker permanently affixed to the

car windshield or bumper on the

driver’s side of the vehicle. This

53

sticker is different from and should

not be confused with a Parking

Permit/ Decal. Security guards

will be posted at the parking lot

entrance and exit and will not

permit cars without valid stickers

on school property. Families may

request the stickers needed for cars

that will be arriving at the school

at dismissal time by completing

the Application for Automobile

Security Stickers.

SECTION VIII: GENERAL

CAMPUS REGULATIONS

AND PROCEDURES

COMMUNICATING WITH

SCHOOL PERSONNEL

To communicate with school

administrators or request a

telephone call from a faculty

member or guidance counselor,

parents may call the main school

number at 301-735-8401 and

follow the voice mail prompts.

Administrators, teachers, and

guidance counselors may also be

reached via e-mail. Unannounced

visits by parents or guardians to

meet with school personnel are not

acceptable. Scheduled

appointments should be made. An

e-mail directory appears on our

website, www.bmhs.org.

COMPUTER

USE/TECHNOLOGY

Student use of school computers

must be in accordance with the

Technology Use Policy as

established by the Technology

Department of Bishop McNamara

High School. Students may not

use school computers until the

Technology Use Agreement is

signed by the student and a

parent/guardian. Students and

parents are advised that student use

of the Internet is monitored by the

school: students found to be in

violation of the Technology Use

Policy will be subject to serious

disciplinary action.

EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS

Hurricanes, tornadoes,

earthquakes, floods, blizzards, fire,

and explosions are all threats to be

reckoned with throughout Prince

George’s County. All school

personnel and students should be

prepared to take appropriate action

in the event of an imminent or

actual disaster. Bishop McNamara

High School will implement the

following plan if such action is

necessary:

1. If possible, an announcement

will be made over the public

address system by the

principal explaining the

present emergency. If the

public address system is not

functional, the administrative

team will deliver information

to classroom teachers.

2. The Principal will instruct

faculty and staff members to

follow the instructions of the

PLANNING GUIDELINES

FOR SPECIFIC HAZARDS

(Chapter 3) issued by the State

of Maryland, “Emergency

54

Preparedness Planning Guide

for Maryland Schools.” Each

faculty and staff member will

have this plan. This plan

should be kept in all offices

and classrooms.

3. If the emergency involves the

entire Prince George’s County

area, parents should listen to

the radio and television

stations for information. If the

emergency involves the

immediate school community,

the school will attempt to

notify parents.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Students who observe a fire in the

building must report this to the

Main Office immediately and have

the fire alarm sounded.

During an actual fire or a fire drill,

students are expected to remain

quiet and orderly. No talking is

permitted during a fire drill.

Pulling a fire alarm is a serious

violation of safety regulations and

endangers the lives of others. Any

student caught pulling a false fire

alarm will be immediately

expelled. Likewise, any student

caught setting a fire in the school

will be immediately expelled.

Students are also reminded that

turning in a false alarm is a crime

and that the person is liable for

prosecution.

ID CARDS

Each student will be issued an ID

card provided the student has

submitted the required signatures

on the Technology Use

Agreement. Students are required

to carry their ID card with them at

all times, and they must produce

the ID card upon request by any

faculty or staff member. Failure to

have an ID card when requested

may result in a detention. If a

student loses his/her ID card,

he/she must immediately report

this to the office and arrangements

will be made to replace it. A fee

of $5.00 will be charged for

replacement ID cards.

ID cards are required for

admittance to a variety of school-

sponsored activities and must be

presented to the Librarian in order

to check out any Library materials

or to use a computer.

MARRIED STUDENTS

Married students may be allowed

to continue at Bishop McNamara.

A conference must be held with

the principal. All information will

be kept confidential. The student

must report to the business

manager to up-date records (make

financial arrangements for the

distribution of student’s records).

55

PASS SYSTEM

No student is to be outside his/her

designated area during any of the

class periods unless he/she has a

valid pass signed by a teacher or

prefect. If a person needs to use a

lavatory during a class period or a

study hall, he/she must carry with

him/her a valid pass signed by the

teacher in charge of his/her area.

Study areas for Senior

Privilege/Honors Pass students are

clearly designated and they need

not obtain a study hall pass.

However, an Honors Pass student

must carry his/her Honors Pass. If

a student desires to see a teacher

for extra help or for some other

valid reason during a study hall,

the student must obtain a pass

from the teacher beforehand (the

day before or the morning before)

and present the pass to the study

hall prefect who will then sign the

pass and record the name of the

student who is leaving. The

student will then use the signed

pass to go to the specified location.

No student is to be in the corridors

during a period without a valid

pass; this also applies to Senior

Privilege/Honor Pass students.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Security for personal property

remains primarily the

responsibility of the student. The

school cannot take responsibility

for a student’s personal

belongings. A student’s locker is a

secure place of storage for most

items if the student always checks

to make certain that the locker is

properly closed and locked. Items

that are being carried to class

should not be left unattended even

for a short time. Further, students

are requested not to bring valuable

items with them to school, or if

they must, to exercise great care

with them. Students are

discouraged from bringing CD

players, MP3 players, electronic

games, trading cards, etc. into the

school building. For the protection

and identification of belongings, it

is crucial that the student have

his/her name written on

possessions; this labeling applies

especially to school uniforms,

books, jackets, gym clothing, and

book bags. Respect for the

property of other students is also

essential. Items that have been

found are to be taken to the

cafeteria, where their owners may

claim them from the Lost and

Found. If a student accidentally

leaves his/her locker open, another

student should close it for him/her.

However, nothing is to be removed

from another student’s locker. The

school will consider unauthorized

possession of another student’s

property to be a form of theft; such

illegal possession will be dealt

with severely.

If property has been stolen, the

student should report the theft as

soon as possible to a Dean of

Students. Students caught stealing

will be expelled.

56

SIGNS POSTED IN SCHOOL

Written approval from the Director

of Student Life must be obtained

before posting any signs. The

Director of Student Life will sign

or stamp the poster(s) prior to their

being displayed in the building and

will provide the tape to be used in

posting them. SIGNS AND

POSTERS SHOULD BE

ATTACHED TO TILE OR

GLASS SURFACES ONLY—

NOT TO PAINTED SURFACES.

Signs and posters must be removed

within 24 hours of the completion

of the activities to which they

refer.

VISITORS

Visitors arriving at Bishop

McNamara High School during

school hours should report directly

to the main office to pick-up a

visitor’s pass. All alumni, guests,

or visitors to the school must

check in to explain the purpose of

their visit and to obtain permission

before entering other areas of the

school or classrooms. Those

visitors who are approved must

follow school regulations. Those

persons who are denied permission

but remain, or who do not comply

with school regulations, will be

dealt with as trespassers.

Recruitment visits are limited to 8th

grade students.

Friends and family members are

not permitted to arrive at

McNamara unannounced with the

intention of speaking with

students. In the event of an

emergency, family members

should contact the school by phone

prior to their arrival.

Occasionally, items or gifts are

brought or delivered to McNamara

for members of the school

community. In all cases, school

personnel in the Main Office will

oversee the process of ensuring

that these items are given to the

intended recipients. Security

concerns and respect for the

normal school routine prohibit

deliveries that disrupt the school

day.

WEATHER RELATED

CLOSINGS

In the event of inclement weather,

Bishop McNamara generally

follows the schedule for Prince

George's County public schools in

regard to the cancellation, late

opening and early dismissal of

students. Families should,

however, access local media, the

school website or call the school to

check for special information

regarding Bishop McNamara High

School in the event that the school

schedule differs from the decision

made by Prince George’s County.

An evaluation of weather

conditions by the Bishop

McNamara High School

administration will determine

whether or not after

school/evening events will take

57

place in the event of an early

dismissal.

Announcements for county schools

will be made on local radio and

television stations. If possible,

they will be posted on the school’s

website at www.bmhs.org

WEATHER RELATED

CLOSINGS DURING EXAMS

If there is a delayed opening or

school closing on an exam day,

McNamara will adapt its exam

schedule to accommodate the

change. If school opens one or two

hours late, students and teachers

should report to school

accordingly. Exams will begin

one or two hours later than

originally scheduled, and dismissal

will be at a later time also.

Exams will occur as follows:

1 HOUR DELAY: 1st exam - 9:00 - 10:30

2nd exam - 10:45 - 12:15

2 HOUR DELAY:

1st exam - 10:00 - 11:30

2nd exam - 11:45 - 1:15

If school is canceled, the exams

scheduled on the day that was

missed will be given on the first

day that school reopens.

SECTION IX:

FINANCIAL/SERVICE

OBLIGATIONS

2014-2015 FEES

Tuition: $13,250.00

Book Rental Fee: $350.00

Technology Fee: $100.00

Graduation Fee (Seniors): $200.00

Monthly payments must be made

through the FACTS Tuition

Management Company.

Annual tuition may be discounted

$250 if the tuition and book fee are

paid in full on or before July 1,

2014. Semester payments may be

discounted $50 if the payment is

received on or before July 1, 2014

and on or before January 15, 2015.

Only those families whose final

obligation following the awarding

of financial aid and grants exceeds

half of the tuition and fees for the

school year are eligible for the

$250 discount. Tuition and fees for

the 2015-2016 school year will be

announced in the spring of 2015 in

McNews.

TUITION DISCOUNTS

FOR SIBLINGS

The Sibling Discount Policy at

Bishop McNamara is designed to

provide assistance to families who

have two or more siblings

concurrently enrolled in Bishop

McNamara High School. Siblings

are defined as brothers and sisters

residing in the same family home,

and whose tuition is paid from the

same family source.

58

Sibling discounts are not in effect

when one of the students is a full

Moreau scholar. Full tuition is

expected for the second student.

Additional siblings from the same

family will be accorded a tuition

discount.

Please note the following formula

which is used when assessing

sibling discount rates:

Two-student family: younger

student pays full tuition; older

student receives $500.00 discount.

Families who have more than two

siblings concurrently enrolled at


may contact the President’s Office

for additional consideration.

ARCHDIOCESAN EMPLOYEE

TUITION BENEFIT


one of the few high schools that

choose to participate. The

guidelines for eligibility for the

Archdiocesan Employee Tuition

Benefit Program are that a

parent/guardian who is an

employee of an Archdiocesan

school, agency, or office and who

has been employed two or more

years full-time may request from

their employer a tuition benefit

employment verification form.

This form is signed by the

employer (principal, pastor, etc.)

and then sent to Bishop McNamara

High School. The Bishop

McNamara High School total

employee benefit is $150.00 per

student per school year for as long

as the parent remains in full-time

employment within the

Archdiocese of Washington.

However, benefit applications

must be submitted to the school

each year. This benefit is not

automatically renewed without

ongoing employment verification.

Employee tuition benefits must be

applied for by July 1 of each

enrollment year.

DELIQUENCY IN

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Students may not begin first

semester classes unless all prior

year financial obligations are

satisfied and July and August

tuition and fees are paid.

A student may be prohibited from

attending class if his/her tuition

account is more than 30 days in

arrears. Any absences incurred

because of financial obligations

are considered unexcused

absences. Should a student miss

five consecutive days of class due

to financial delinquency, he/she

will be removed from the

school's enrollment rolls and the

withdrawal process will be

initiated. Neither report cards nor

records will be released until all

financial obligations are fulfilled.

It is the policy of the school to

withhold distribution of the report

cards of students whose

tuition/fees are not up-to-date.

Students with outstanding financial

obligations to Bishop McNamara

will not be permitted to take final

examinations. Students may not

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take more than 2 exams per day.

After a grace period of five

working days (from the date of the

last normally scheduled exam) the

student will receive a failing grade

for any exam not completed.

Neither report cards, grade

transcripts, diplomas nor any other

official school records will be

released until these obligations are

met.

Payments made after April 30

must be in certified funds (cash,

cashier’s check, money order or

credit card: VISA or MasterCard,

Discover or American Express).


revoke the 2015-2016 registration

of a student whose tuition account

is not current. The school is not

obligated to hold spaces for the

upcoming school year for students

whose financial obligations have

not been satisfied.

Students will not be allowed to

participate in the following

activities if tuition is not up-to-

date: overnight field trips and

graduation ceremonies. Students

may also be precluded from

participating in athletics or other

co-curricular activities.

Payment must be in cash or by

cashier’s check or money order if

requesting records (report cards,

transcripts) on the day of payment.

CHECKS

All checks for any Bishop

McNamara High School sponsored

activity must be written payable to:

Bishop McNamara High School.

No checks should be written

payable to a teacher, moderator,

coach, or company.

No personal checks will be

accepted after April 30.

A fee of $35.00 will be charged for

all checks returned to Bishop

McNamara as uncollectable.

Returned checks will not be re-

deposited.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS


accepts Visa, MasterCard,

American Express and Discover.

Student credit/debit card purchases

may be verified by a

parent/guardian prior to

processing.

Effective September 1, 2014

(except for donations, application

fees and registration fees), the

school will charge a 2.5% service

fee on all credit card transactions

and a 1% service fee for all debit

card transactions. Banks and

credit card companies assess

processing fees for all transactions.

This expense is paid from the

school’s tuition revenue and

therefore reduces the tuition

dollars available for academic

programs and services. This

service fee will help to offset the

processing fee.

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REFUND POLICY

Application and registration fees

are non-refundable. Tuition, book

rental, technology and graduation

fees for the full academic year are

non-refundable (with the exception

of a documented military transfer)

after July 15, 2014. Families must

notify the school in writing of a

student’s withdrawal by close of

business on July 15, 2014. After

this date, no portion of the fees

paid or outstanding will be

refunded or cancelled in the event

of the student’s absence or

withdrawal.

TEXTBOOK POLICY

Every student pays a book rental

fee. Students requiring a second

set of books may be required to

pay an additional rental fee.

The school is not responsible for

books lost or stolen. Missing

textbooks should be reported

immediately to a Dean of Students.

Students retrieving lost textbooks

from the bookstore will be charged

a re-shelving fee.

All textbooks must be covered and

kept in the best possible condition.

Nothing is to be written in or on

any textbooks except the student’s

name in the appropriate place

inside the front cover. Textbooks

which are badly damaged or

disfigured by graffiti, or otherwise

rendered unserviceable will not be

accepted for return and must be

paid for by the student. Fines will

be charged for serviceable books

that have been damaged.

Book covers are the responsibility

of the student. Book covers must

be in good taste. Students are not

to apply contact paper covers, and,

if tape is used on covers, it should

not come in contact with the book.

PARENT SERVICE HOURS

All families are required to

perform 10 hours of volunteer

service to Bishop McNamara High

School. Parent service hours for

the school year begin on May 1st

and end on April 30th. The ten

hours of service must be

completed by April 30th or the

parent/guardian will be required to

pay a $30 fee for each service hour

not completed. This is considered

a financial obligation to the school.

Service hours do not carry over

from one year to the next.

Volunteers at Bishop McNamara

High School are not provided

Workers’ Compensation benefits

for injuries they may incur while

performing services for the school.

Questions concerning the Parent

Service Hours Program should be

directed to the Service Hour

Coordinator, Mrs. Alice Case, at

301-735-8401 (x122) or

[email protected].

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Documents

Bishop McNamara High School To Think with Christ · Bishop McNamara High School To Think with Christ STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK 2014-2015 6800 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD 20747 (301)