As a student of the HKIS community, it is expected that all students:
- Respect themselves, each other, teachers, staff and guests by showing honesty, integrity, and compassion.
- Be at school, in every assigned class, on time, every day (see Attendance Policy).
- Dress appropriately according to the school’s dress code.
- Take responsibility for their belongings and respect the property of others.
- Stay within the designated areas of the High School campus at all times, including after school unless directed by a faculty member or Athletics Coach.
- Manage difficult issues with peers, teachers, or other members of the community in a responsible manner (see 'Handling Difficult Issues'.)
Pranks are not permitted, and skateboards, water pistols, bikes, pellet guns or anything that could potentially cause harm to others or reasonably be considered a weapon are not permitted on the school campus.
Handling Difficult Issues
As a community that is built on mutual respect, we strive to maintain supportive relationships with each other. There are times however, when we disagree or have a different perspective concerning decisions made. It is during these times that it is important to follow a few key steps whether you are in school, on a school bus, or participating in a school sponsored activity:
- Assume good intent of others.
- Ask questions of the individual involved in order to acquire factual information concerning the issue.
- Speak face-to-face with the individual in a respectful manner in an attempt to gain deeper clarity concerning the issue.
- Discuss possible solutions to the issue that might be mutually beneficial.
- Be willing to ask for forgiveness of the individual if need be to move forward and/or be willing to offer words of forgiveness to the other person if appropriate.
- ALWAYS begin to resolve issues by going directly to the person involved in the issue.
In most cases, the above process will help resolve difficult situations. However, AFTER you have made every attempt to work directly with the other person, AND if you cannot come to a resolution, then it may be necessary to ask a third party to assist you in further discussion and problem solving.
Procedures For Any Disciplinary Incident
It is important for students, parents, and faculty to be aware of school policies, consequences, and procedures. When a student violates community expectations, students are expected to take responsibility for their behavior, accept the natural consequence, and then take time to demonstrate a positive change in behavior.
Members of the community, students, teachers, counselors, or administrators may report students who have not demonstrated responsible behavior. After a discussion with the student, incidents will be documented on the school's digital systems for reference.
Depending on the severity of the incident, a conference may be required to help the student understand the community expectations and plan for increasing his/her responsibility. The counselors or a High School administrator may also hold a conference with the student and parents. Consequences as a result of a disciplinary incident may include, but are not limited to, loss of privilieges including social lunches and self directed study periods, removal from any positions of leadership, including sports, reduction or removal of interim choices, in school suspension and out of school suspension. Decisions about consequences are never made in isolation but are a collaborative conversation with High School Administrators, taking into account everything that is known about the student.
Examples of not meeting behavior expectations may Include:
- Bus misbehavior.
- Computer/HKIS digital network offenses.
- Dishonesty, including lying or misleading teachers and academic dishonesty.
- Dress code violations.
- Eating and drinking in non-designated areas, such as the library, bathrooms or classrooms, without explicit permission from a faculty member.
- Forgery (typically parental excuse notes).
- Inappropriate behavior.
- Rudeness or inappropriate language.
- Misuse of electronic equipment (cell phones) during instructional time.
- Leaving campus without permission.
- Off-limits (typically in car park, Scenic View Apartments, Middle School, under art room, in stairway by the Community Office).
- Not attending a scheduled class.
Additionally, a High School administrator may assign consequences and/or remove student privileges for the above situations and any not covered including:
- Choosing to remain present while others are in violation of the Substance Abuse Policy (during school hours or on a school sponsored activity).
- Coming to school or any school sponsored event under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Physical altercations
- Acting in such a way that discredits the school – behavior that is detrimental to the best interests of the school, or it is incompatible with the common goals and standards of the school community.
In addition to other disciplinary consequences, G11 and G12 students may also lose the privilege of participating in Prom and, for G12 stuents, festivities leading up to the Commencement Ceremony.
School Bus Behavior
The bus operator and bus supervisor (on MS/HS shared buses) are in charge of the
bus and the passengers. They are responsible for the safety of the students and for their conduct on the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be denied temporarily or permanently if the student’s behavior warrants it. There will be no refunds as a result of a disciplinary removal from the bus. In addition, regular school discipline procedures and consequences apply. The following are expectations for all bus riders, in addition to other High School behavior expectations:
- Stay seated.
- Respect each other’s personal space.
- Call the bus supervisor by name.
- Be cooperative, polite, and respectful at all times.
- Use a soft voice.
Bus supervisors will sit at a designated seat on the bus in order to supervise all students. Smoking, vandalism, “horseplay”, bullying, disrespect to the operator or bus supervisor or any acts endangering the safety of the passengers or passers-by may result in immediate denial of bus services for the remainder of the year.
Off-Campus and Off-Limits Areas
The school boundary ends at the front gate- Wellcome is not considered to be 'on campus.' Areas such as the Middle School, the faculty apartments, the car park, the “overhang” and the side stairs at the back of the Art Department, under the 100 rooms, the guard offices, the stairway by the Community Office, and places which are not public areas are out-of-bounds to students at all times.
The elevator is also off-limits for general student use. Students with medical conditions that require elevator use are to come to the High School main office for an elevator pass. Students who use the elevator without permission from the main office will be considered off-limits.
Students are NOT to be dropped off in the car park between 7am and 8:30 am. unless the High School Principal gives special permission in advance. Students who disregard this expectation will be considered “off limits’’.
Public Displays of Affection
It is important that students demonstrate an attitude and behavior regarding interpersonal relationships that is socially acceptable to a community comprised of people of various cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Genuine feelings of affection may exist between students; however, public display of such affection on campus is not acceptable. Students must refrain from inappropriate behavior such as intimate and prolonged embraces, kissing, and similar actions that may be offensive to the general public on campus, on school transportation, and at school-sponsored events.
Disciplinary Probation
If a student has recurring disciplinary issues, they could be placed on Disciplinary Probation. Parents will be informed and the student’s counselor will begin a series of mandatory check-ins with the student. In addition:
- The student may be expected to attend assigned study during all free periods, and Senior Privileges (if applicable) revoked for a period of time to be determined by the Associate Principal for Student Life.
- The administration has the right to revoke overseas travel privileges.
- The student may lose any student leadership position, including Senate, Class Officer, NHS, Ambassador Board membership clubs, athletics and activities for the remainder of the school year, and the year following.
- If appropriate, on-going counseling with the student’s counselor.
- Possible suspension from school.
- Conference, following the suspension, with parents, counselors, and principal to determine how the student can remain at HKIS.
- Loss of other privileges as deemed appropriate.
Digital Technologies
Digital technologies represent an essential part of our everyday lives and when used appropriately, responsibly and intentionally, have the potential to be transformative tools for learning and engagement. In High School, we believe that technology should be used when it can enhance and transform experiences and put away when it’s not.
All students should familiarise themselves with the following policies related to the digital learning at HKIS.