Lockers and locks are the property of Duchesne Academy.  The school reserves the right to search a student's locker.  Students must use locks rented through the school, and they must keep their lockers locked at all times.  No student is allowed to open another student's locker.  The school is not responsible for personal articles or valuables lost or damaged at school.  Anything of value should always be left with the Dean of Students until dismissal.

P.E. lockers and locks are assigned to all students.  All sports clothing and equipment are to be kept in P.E. lockers.

Medication

The school must be informed in writing if a student is on medication.  This medication is kept in the nurse's office and may be dispensed only by the nurse.

Parking

The Assistant to the Head of the Upper School will assign a specific parking place to Upper School students who drive to school.  The student must give the Upper School office her license number and other required information.  The student will park only in her assigned place and never in the fire lanes.  Since space is very limited, seniors will be given priority

Students who drive to school and park on campus without permission will receive an automatic detention, followed by an in-house suspension if it happens again.   Because we are good neighbors, Duchesne students may not park on the street.  A student who does so risks losing on-campus parking privileges.

All students must be licensed and covered by insurance.  The school is not responsible for the vehicle, its contents, or damages that might be incurred to the vehicle while it is on school property.  The school reserves the right to search a student's car if necessary when it is parked on campus.

Visitors

Students must check with the Dean of Students before inviting a visitor to school.  A twenty-four (24) hour notice is required.  Only one visitor per student per day is allowed.  The hostess must bring her guest to the Upper School office to sign in upon arrival.  Visitors who are legitimately absent from their own school are welcome during Duchesne's lunch period only.  All visitors are required to sign in upon arrival, sign out when leaving and wear a nametag issued by the Dean of Students.

Announcements

Announcements in the Upper School are made daily at the morning assembly.  Announcement sheets are posted on the Upper School bulletin board.  Students who wish to make announcements need to contact the Dean of Students in advance.

Messages to Students

Personal messages to students from parents and friends during the school day are not encouraged.  Delivery of messages cannot be guaranteed unless it is an emergency situation.  It is best to take care of personal business before and after school.  Parents may e-mail their daughters during the day.  In the interest of community, we ask that parents do not bring in group lunches.

Lost and Found

Lost and found items must be given to the Dean of Students.  The lost and found closet will be cleaned quarterly, and all unclaimed items will be given away.  In order to avoid loss of textbooks, each student is required to have her name written on each book and on each notebook.

Emergencies

Emergency procedures are detailed in the Emergency Management Plan booklet posted in each classroom and office.  In case of weather alerts and other emergencies, Duchesne Academy will follow the decision of the Houston Independent School District (H.I.S.D.) regarding closing of school.  Local radio stations KRBE-104 FM, KIKK-96 FM and KTRH-740 AM carry this information, and calls should not be directed to the school or to the White House community.

Fire Drill

Fire drill practices are held regularly during the school year.  Visitors on campus during an emergency procedure are required to follow the emergency drill and remain on campus until the procedure is over.

·         The fire alarm bell signals by one (1) continuous ring.

·         Absolute silence is imperative throughout the drill.

·         All persons leave the building quickly.  The teacher is the last one to leave the room.  Lights are left on and the door closed but left unlocked.

·         Outside, on the playing field, the students line up in alphabetical order by grade.  Upper School moderators and advisors take attendance and report to the designated administrator.  The buildings are checked to make sure no one is left behind (specific staff members are delegated to carry out this task and to report to the Head of  the Upper School.)

·         All exits are used during drills. Occasionally drills will be held simulating conditions when one or more exits cannot be used because of fire or smoke.

Tornado Drill

·         A designated person announces tornado alarms in each classroom.

·         Absolute silence is imperative throughout the procedure.

·         All persons must leave the classroom quickly and proceed to designated tornado shelter areas.  Upon placement of students, designated faculty and staff will call extension 125 to report in. 

Bomb Threat

In response to a bomb threat, fire drill procedures are followed.

The Use of Controlled Substances

The use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol are wrong and harmful.  Such use may result in suspension, expulsion, or referral for prosecution if, while on school property or while attending a school sponsored or school related activity on or off school property, there is a question of:

·         Chemical substance use, possession for consumption, sale or dispensing of illegal drugs and narcotics (hard or soft-drugs, alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, marijuana, or other controlled substances.)

·         Acting under the influence of an illegal drug-alcohol, narcotic, marijuana, or other controlled substance.

·         Medication misuse or overdosing

Students who violate local, state, or federal laws may be referred for prosecution.

In collaboration with other area schools, Duchesne Academy provides each family with A Parent's Guide for the Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drug Use.  It is our hope that the guidelines set forth in this booklet and ongoing communication among parents and the school will help reduce the threat controlled substances pose to the safety and well being of our girls.

Rehabilitation Programs

Students who are found to use or abuse illicit drugs or alcohol may be required to complete an appropriate rehabilitation program.  Information about drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation programs is available in the Upper School office.

Community Resources

Texas Department of Protective and         Family Service Center

Regulatory Services (DPRS)                     4625 Lillian

Children's Protective Services (CPS)          (713) 861-4849

24 Hour Hotline (800) 252-5400                Counseling services to families

To report cases of physical or sexual         based on ability to pay.

child abuse                                           Many locations

2525 Murworth (713) 394-4000

                                                          Parents Anonymous

Children's Assessment Center                  (713) 861-4849

2500 Bolsover                                       or (713) 861-HUGS

(713) 986-3300                                     Hotline and support groups

Assessment and counseling for                 for parents under stress

Childhood sexual abuse

                                                          Mental Health Association of

Child Abuse Hotline                                 Houston and Harris County

(800) 252-5400                                     2211 Norfolk, Suite 810

                                                          (713) 523-8963

Survivors of Incest Anonymous                (Resources and referrals)

(713) 684-6747

Anonymous support for incest victims       Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, Ala-Tot

                                                         10120 NW Freeway

Chimney Rock Center (CRC)                    (713) 683-7227

24 Hour hotline and services to               

troubled or runaway youths                    Houston Council on Alcoholism

6425 Chimney Rock                               303 Jackson Hill

(713) 664-5701                                    (713) 942-4100 or

DePelchin Children's Center                     Covenant House

Main Offices and Information                   1111 Lovett Blvd.

3214 Austin (713) 802-3888                   (713) 523-2231                 

100 Sandman (713) 730-2335                  Free shelter, services and   

Assistance to families in crisis;                 counseling for runaway youths

Runaway shelters                                 

Runaway Hotline                                    Crisis Hotline

1-888-580-4357                                    (713) 228-1505

                                                          24 Hour telephone crisis

Teen Line                                             intervention and suicide      

(713) 529-8336 or                                 prevention              

(713) 529-TEEN                                    

24 Hour telephone intervention for           

depression, abuse, suicide, pregnancy,     

rape, drugs, etc.  All calls are

confidential (anonymous)

Health

Records of immunizations required by the Health Department must be on file at the school by the first day of classes each year.  A student whose records are not on file will not be allowed to attend school until the records are received.

In an emergency, the school will try to reach a student's parents.  If they cannot be reached, the school will contact the student's physician.  If neither parent nor physician can be contacted, the student will be taken to Memorial City Hospital or the nearest hospital if the student is away from the campus at a school event.

Clinic Procedures

If a student does not feel well, she is to go to the school nurse, who will decide whether the student should rest, return to class, or go home.  If the nurse is not in her office the student should go to the Upper School Assistant, who will make the decision in the nurse's absence.  If the student is to be sent home, the nurse will call the student's parents to come and pick her up at school.  Students may not phone their parents requesting to be picked up without the permission of  the Dean of Students.

Human Sexuality

Freshmen attend Human Sexuality class one day a week during the first  semester; sophomores attend one day a week second semester.  In this forum-type course, students develop an understanding of human sexuality in the context of Christian love and marriage.  An emphasis on personal responsibility and decision making are integral parts of this course.  The freshman and sophomore sessions cover self-esteem, decision making, peer pressure, and adolescent changes.  Students review pregnancy, childbirth, caretaking issues, adoption and abortion.  Drug awareness, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual abuse are all covered using Catholic teachings as the ideal moral code.  Human Sexuality fulfills partial curriculum units for the Health course.

Policy on Communicable Diseases

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart has a responsibility to care for and safeguard the health and well being of all students, faculty, employees, parents of students, and members of the community at-large.  Students and employees of Duchesne Academy shall not be discriminated against on the basis of AIDS unless the nature and extent of the illness reasonably precludes the performance of such employment or impairs any operation of the school.

It is the responsibility of any person in the school community (including faculty, staff and students) to report immediately to the Headmistress any health condition that may call for separation, isolation or other special measures to protect the health of other persons.  Any case of HTLV-III/LAX (AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), or known positive AIDS antibody (carrier), or other communicable diseases must be reported.

Policy on Harassment

In view of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart's mission of modeling appropriate Gospel values as well as of providing a viable learning and working environment for the students, administration, and staff of the school, Duchesne Academy unequivocally opposes any and all forms of intimidation and/or harassment.  Harassment is a form of misconduct, which undermines the integrity of Duchesne's employment and academic relationships.

Thus, the work and learning environment requisite to Duchesne Academy's mission, must be one in which all individuals are free to develop relationships, work and learn without fear of intimidation, humiliation and degradation from the unwanted and unacceptable behavior of another which is intended to, or has the effect of harassing, denigrating, or intimidating the listener on the basis of religion or on the basis of personal, immutable characteristics including, but not limited to, racist behavior, sexual harassment, physical and/or verbal abuse, and professionally and/or personally damaging statements made about others.  Therefore, strong disciplinary steps, up to and including discharge, will be taken against any member of Duchesne Academy's educational community who engages in any type of harassment.

Policy on Pregnancy

In the case of pregnancy, the student's welfare will be of utmost concern.  Each situation will be considered individually and confidentially.  The student and her family will confer with the Head of the Upper School to discuss how that student might  best continue her studies.  Duchesne's enrollment contract does not require that a student who becomes pregnant withdraw from school.