Behavior Code — GRCHS

Personal/Student Dignity Policy

Harassment, hazing, and bullying of individual students violates fundamental Christian principles. Therefore, the GRCS Board of Trustees has established a dignity policy. GRCHS responds to conduct, whether intentional or unintentional, which subjects another person to unwanted comments or unwanted actions because of race, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical characteristics or disability; or other harassment or bullying activity which robs the person of self-esteem, negatively impacts the learning environment or poses a threat to the person. 

If harassment, hazing, or bullying takes place, the student should report it to a teacher, counselor, or administrator so that an official report can be filed and an investigation can be conducted. Findings of the investigation are shared with the parties involved and appropriate discipline will be implemented if needed. Harassment, hazing, or bullying, including verbal abuse, oral or written or online, will result in corrective action and penalties, which may include suspension or expulsion. Threats against the welfare of students or school personnel are grounds for expulsion. 

The dignity policy is available here. 

Bathrooms/Locker Rooms

• Bathrooms and locker rooms are not to be used for social gatherings. 

• Students found congregating in these areas are subject to school discipline. 

• The boys’ and girls’ locker rooms are off-limits for everyone except during the hour a student has physical education class or during the time a student’s sports team has a practice or a game. 

• Students found in the locker room outside of those times are subject to school discipline.  

• In order to protect students’ privacy in the locker rooms and bathrooms, cell phones and other personal communication devices may not be used in those locations. See PERSONAL DIGNITY POLICY.

Lockers and Personal Property

• Lockers are available to all students. However, the lockers remain the property of the school. 

• Although the locker is for the personal use of the individual student, the school administration may periodically check lockers and contents as needed. School property is subject to search at any time by school officials. Those searches can take place for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent. 

• A student’s person and/or personal items may be searched whenever a school official has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of illegal or unauthorized materials. 

• If a properly conducted search yields materials that are illegal or violate school policy, such findings will result in school discipline and may be turned over to proper legal authorities.

• Each student is responsible for the locker to which they are assigned. Any problems with the locker must be reported to the office at once. 

• Defacing or other abuse of the locker is the financial responsibility of the offender for repair or replacement. 

• While students are not allowed to access another student’s locker, the school cannot guarantee the security of the lockers. 

• Students are encouraged to use school-issued locks to secure their assigned lockers.

Locks

• Students are expected to take care of their personal property by locking up valuables. 

• Students are expected to use locks in the locker rooms and are encouraged to use locks on hallway lockers. 

• Only school-issued locks may be used on hallway and locker room lockers, in order to provide school officials access to locker contents. 

• Personal locks are not allowed and will be removed. 

• Locks for hallway lockers are available in the office and can be checked out for the student’s time at GRCHS. 

Messaging/Signage in School

In order to promote a positive learning environment, students must receive approval from a building administrator before posting any signs or messages on school property. This includes but is not limited to anything posted to lockers, walls, bulletin boards, morning announcements, yearbooks, and school-affiliated social media pages. Posted signs and messages should relate to school-sponsored events and themes only. Any signs or messages that include inappropriate content or symbols that are potentially divisive will not be permitted.

Valuables

Students are strongly encouraged NOT to bring items of value to school. Items such as jewelry, expensive clothing, electronic devices, and the like, are unfortunately tempting targets for theft. Any valuables brought to school for any purpose are the sole responsibility of the student. School cannot be held responsible for their safekeeping and will not be liable for loss or damage to personal valuables. School personnel may not be able to investigate and/or recover lost or stolen valuables. Students bring valuables to school at their own risk.

Classroom and/or Hallway Discipline Follow-Up

In instances where a student is disruptive or disrespectful in class or in the hallway, a teacher may choose to send that student to the office or refer the student to the office to meet with an administrator. When that becomes necessary, administration will work with teachers and these steps may be followed:

1. First time to the office: issues are discussed, expectations clarified, a restorative meeting between the teacher, student and dean of students will take place before the student returns to class. The student is held during lunch for a time of reflection and parent communication is issued as needed.

2. Second time to the office: a possible suspension from the class and parent/guardian communication prior to re-entering class. A restorative meeting with the teacher and student and dean of students will take place before the student returns to class. Additional loss of school privileges. 

3. Third time to the office: the student may be held from the class for the rest of week. A meeting with the parents, student, teacher and dean of students is scheduled before the student returns to class. A behavior intervention plan is created in partnership with the student, parents and teacher. 

4. Fourth time to the office: the student may be at risk of losing credit from the class and is placed in a skills class for the remainder of the semester. 

Chapel Expectations

• Students are expected to be respectful of what is offered during assemblies and chapels. 

• Food, drink, personal communication devices, study materials and book bags are not permitted in the auditorium. 

• Caps and hats are not to be worn during prayer 

• Students are expected to maintain a posture of worship, which includes but is not limited to having feet on the floor, limiting side conversations, removing hoods, and sitting up.

Social Media

• Students may not create social media pages or other media (posters, podcasts, newspapers...) that use the school's name without permission of a school administrator. Violations may result in loss of school privileges, social probation, or suspension up to expulsion.

• The school does not monitor students’ interactions on any social media sites. 

• However, if negative behavior on those sites creates a situation that threatens or damages the learning environment, the administrators will respond to the disruption. 

• The administrator will follow up with the students involved and their parents/guardians. 

• Consequences for creating that disruption may include social probation and/or suspension.

Alcohol, Marijuana, and Narcotics

GRCHS is a drug- and alcohol-free campus. Therefore, use or possession of alcohol (any level of alcohol content), marijuana or narcotics, imitations portrayed as drugs, or any form of drug paraphernalia, during the school day, on school property, or at school functions is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in:

1. First offense: a five-day suspension, indefinite social probation, loss of school privileges, and parental contact. The school will provide drug prevention and mental health resources and possibly require intervention and treatment plans. If a student comes to school, on school property, or to a school function having used any of these substances, the same discipline will be imposed.

2. Second offense; in addition to the above consequences, it will result in an indefinite suspension, and possible termination of enrollment or expulsion. Professional assessment and treatment intervention plan may be required as a condition of remaining in school.

The distribution, sale, or receipt of alcohol (any level of alcohol content), marijuana, or narcotics, or imitations portrayed as drugs, at school, on school property, or at school functions is prohibited and could result in:

1. Expulsion or indefinite suspension and social probation.

2. If the student is not expelled, the student will receive an indefinite suspension with required referral for professional assessment and treatment. Following all recommendations for further assistance from the assessment is a necessary condition to be allowed back into classes. 

3. Civil authorities may be contacted in cases of distribution, sale, receipt, possession, or use of those substances.

Tobacco and Vaping

GRCHS is a smoke, vape and tobacco-free campus. Therefore, the possession or use of tobacco in any form includes but is not limited to cigarettes, cigars, spit tobacco, snus, tobacco strips and sticks, dissolvable tobacco products, hookah, e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery devices and any new and emerging tobacco products on campus, in the near-vicinity of the school property or at school functions is prohibited. Offenses involving possession or use of those products will be handled as follows:

1. First offense: parent/guardian communication, one day in-school suspension. During suspension the student completes a web-based tobacco education program. 

2. Second offense: parent/guardian communication, indefinite suspension as well as indefinite social probation. Referral for mental health resources and treatment intervention plan. Following all recommendations for further assistance from the assessment is a necessary condition to be allowed back into classes. 

Student Treatment Plan

GRCHS may require students in violation of the substance use policy to have a professional assessment by a service provider approved by the school. The intent of the referral is to provide professional assistance to the student and family as soon as a potential problem has come to the attention of the school. Payment for services is the responsibility of the family.

In order to monitor conformance to school policy, some information must be shared with the school, including whether or not the assessment has been completed and any recommendations for further intervention. Detailed information regarding the student obtained by the professional assessment is confidential and is not requested by the school.

If, following an assessment, further services are recommended, families may choose to follow up on recommendations with any professional service provider approved by the administration. Regardless of service provider, the school must be informed about whether the student is following through with those recommendations and when services are completed.

Physical Altercation or Fighting

Fighting of any kind is prohibited on school grounds (this includes rough play fighting). Engaging in this behavior at school can result in:

1. Loss of school privileges

2. A restorative meeting with all parties involved 

3. A behavior contract may be implemented

4. An indefinite suspension up to expulsion 

5. Parent communication

6. 30-day social probation

Theft

Taking, receiving, or being in possession of another person’s property without permission of the owner, regardless of monetary value, is theft. Theft creates unhealthy relationships between peers.

• Person(s) involved in theft are expected to make restitution to the owner and will receive an indefinite suspension. 

• Civil authorities may be called 

• Any additional offense of this nature during the student’s tenure at GRCHS will result in further consequences up to expulsion. 

Fire Alarms

Activating or playing with the school fire alarm system in any way is forbidden and results in suspension. Because the school fire alarm system is tied directly to the Grand Rapids Fire Department, violators of this policy are subject to the city’s fines and consequences.

Gambling

Gambling includes casual betting, betting pools, organized-sports betting, and any other form of wagering. Students who bet on an activity in which they are involved may also be banned from that activity. All forms of gambling and exchanges of money are prohibited at school. Violations of this rule may result in suspension, loss of school privileges or expulsion.

Incendiary Devices

Use of any incendiary or explosive devices (including lighters, matches, and firecrackers) at school or school functions is strictly forbidden and may result in suspension or expulsion. 

Threats

Threats of any kind against school or the welfare of students or school personnel are grounds for expulsion. Civil authorities may be called.

Trespassing

GRCHS wishes to be a good neighbor. Therefore, the school demands that the students refrain from trespassing, loitering on the property surrounding the school, or driving recklessly through the neighborhoods around the school. 

• A student who violates this policy may be suspended from school and a meeting with an administrator is necessary prior to the student’s return.  

• Students and others on the school premises without administrative permission while the school is closed are trespassing. 

• The school will respond to such trespassing whether for pranks, vandalism, or hanging out, with school discipline and/or filing charges with civil authorities. 

Unauthorized Sales

Students may not buy or sell products in school. Participating in this activity may result in suspension and loss of school privileges.

Vandalism

Vandalism to property of the school, its personnel, students, or neighbors, is prohibited and results in school discipline. 

• If after an investigation vandalism is deemed to be harassment or bullying, there will be additional consequences up to expulsion. 

• School discipline may include restitution, suspension, or expulsion. 

• Civil authorities may be called in to impose public law.

Weapons

Possession of any weapon, including but not limited to guns or knives, is not allowed in or around the school or at any school function. 

• Any object,including facsimiles (look-alikes) of weapons, used to threaten or otherwise create concern in the school community is treated as if the object were a weapon. 

• Symbols that may represent or promote violence are prohibited 

• Violation of this rule will result in suspension and is grounds for expulsion

• Additionally, civil authorities may be called in

Citizenship and Community Responsibility

Student conduct outside of regular school hours and activities may be the concern of the school. Student conduct which is disruptive to the school community may warrant school involvement and disciplinary action even though such conduct may have been outside the regular school day or away from the school premises. In instances where students have committed legal infractions, the school reserves the right to impose school penalties including social probation, suspension, or expulsion.

Social Probation, Suspension, Termination of Enrollment, and Expulsion

• The school reserves the right to withhold educational services in those cases where a student refuses to follow school regulations or where the presence of a particular student is judged to be a danger or a disruptive force. 

• Suspension may take place in school or at home as deemed appropriate by the school administration. 

• Parent/guardian is  informed of all suspensions. 

• Although students may work independently on their course work, teachers’ obligations to forward class work during suspensions are limited. 

• Students who are suspended from classes may not participate in or attend extra-curricular activities or be on campus during that time. 

• The school may impose social probation as a means of discipline. 

• Social probation limits the student’s attendance at or participation in school-related functions outside the classroom or the regular school day. 

• The terms and length of time for such probation is determined on an individual basis. 

• If the administration recommends termination of enrollment or expulsion to the board, the student and their parent/gaurdian are formally informed in writing of the reasons for that action.