Letter grades are based on the following scale:

A-Excellent 90-100

B-Above Average 80-89

C-Average 70-79

D-Below Average 60-69

F-Failure Below 60

I-Incomplete

WP/WF Withdrawn Passing/Withdrawn Failing

Report cards, issued after the close of each grading period, should be examined by parents. They will be distributed on dates designated in the parents’ newsletter, Newsline, which is emailed to parents the first week of every month but also available on the web site.

Access to student academic information is provided to all students and parents through Schoology. Your online account should be checked regularly for homework and grade updates.

Recognition is given to students who earn a “B” average (3.0 GPA) with no grade lower than C.

The Dock community values integrity in all aspects of the learning process. Teachers design activities and projects that promote critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and personal investment in learning. Students are expected to demonstrate honesty, respect, and responsibility in all their work. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are considered violations of the Covenant Statement. (See the Academic Integrity Policy in the Curriculum Guide for more detail.)

Acceptable use of technology means technology will be used for academic purposes only within the school’s mission, curriculum, and the letter and intent of board policy as reflected in the Christopher Dock Covenant Statement. Dock implemented a 1:1 iPad program in 2013-14. Contracts for students and parents found on the Dock website provide further detail as to how the Acceptable Use Policy relates to iPad use.

Electronic devices [pagers, cell phones, computer games, etc.] may not be used during school hours unless directed by the teacher.

Cell phones may not be used during class time for calls or texts. Cell phone use is permitted before and after school, between classes and during lunch. Cell phones may not be used during study halls.

Regular school attendance is expected. Students who attend regularly make the most of their educational opportunities. Those who are absent miss classroom activities, which cannot be duplicated.

When a student is absent, an excuse card signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to Detweiler House upon returning to school.

Requests for educational trips, college visits, family trips, mission trips, etc. are to be submitted in writing to Detweiler House five days in advance and must be approved prior to the absence. Leaves shall not exceed five days for the year. In all cases, arrangements for work that will be missed must be made prior to absence. Students with leaves of three or more days are required to submit an educational project.

Pennsylvania law requires Dock to report students with more than three illegal absences to local school authorities. Parents may then be subject to a fine before a magistrate.

Attendance records are maintained at Detweiler House and by each teacher. Students absent from a given course for more than 15% (7.5 classes per quarter) of the class sessions shall not receive credit for the course. Exceptions for illness, when verified by a doctor’s statement, will be reviewed by the Administrative Council upon a written request from parents.

Students arriving late to school must first report to Detweiler House to obtain an admission slip. Students arriving after the close of the first period are recorded as absent for one-half day. Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence.

When a student is tardy for class—is not seated when the tardy bell rings—the teacher will record the tardy. A record of tardies will be maintained at Detweiler House. Over the course of the school year, discipline will be sanctioned as tardies accumulate.

Parents who wish their child to be excused before the regular time must submit a written request at least one day in advance to the office, stating the reason for the dismissal.

It is the responsibility of the student to contact each teacher to receive assignments missed during an absence. If the student knows of an absence coming up, arrangement for make-up work must be made prior to absence.

If tests need to be given apart from the regular testing time because of an unexcused absence, the student needs to take the test after school hours. No opportunities will be given for make-up work after the last day of school, except for absences because of illness or by special arrangement with the teacher and assistant principal.

Students must report to Detweiler House with a pass from their teacher if feeling ill. In case of severe illness, or once the student has missed two consecutive periods, parents will be notified and arrangements made for the student to be sent home. For information on absences due to illness, see Attendance.

Each person must accept responsibility for his/her behavior, attitude, and conduct. Students should sense a direct responsibility to aid each other in upholding standards of behavior and character, in keeping with Christian commitment. It is the responsibility of school, home and church to be supportive of students, seeking clear communication of expectations.

Campus boundaries include the area encircled by buildings on campus and exclude the parking lots. No student may leave the school grounds during the school day without written permission from the office. This policy is in effect from the time the student arrives on campus in the morning until he/she leaves in the afternoon.

1. Form a single-file line at one of the two food distribution locations.

2. Permit faculty members to move to the head of the line as soon as they arrive.

3. Students are encouraged to give thanks before eating.

4. Avoid boisterous conduct.

5. On leaving, clear off all dishes, trays, and trash.

6. Do not take food or drink from cafeteria. Note: Significant fines will be assessed for throwing food.

To provide an environment suitable for worship, students are asked to:

1. Enter the auditorium in a spirit of reverence, avoiding loud or boisterous behavior.

2. Cease talking and take your assigned seat before the bell rings to begin chapel.

3. Avoid sitting or standing in the rear of the auditorium or in the aisle.

4. In case of late arrival, take your seat at an appropriate time, i.e. end of song, following prayer, etc.

5. Be attentive. No sleeping, studying, or other distracting activities.

6. Whenever possible, avoid bringing books or papers to chapel. School materials shall be placed under the pew.

Study Hall Regulations

Students shall take their assigned seat on arriving at their designated classroom for study hall. School work or reading material shall be in hand. Studying shall be done individually, with conversation permitted only when granted by the teacher in charge. Permission for small group study may be granted sparingly. Passes to the library are for work that cannot be done in the study hall, or for checking out books.

Open Study Hall

Open Study Hall is an earned privilege that provides an option for juniors and seniors to spend study time outdoors. A list of eligible students is sent to study hall teachers.

After reporting to study hall, those who earned grades of “C” or higher on their most recent report card and have missed fewer than five days of school the preceding quarter may sign out for one of three designated Open Study areas: the pond patio, Longacre Commons, or the Longacre Center patio (lower level). Students must report back to study hall before the end of the period.

Privileges of Open Study Hall may be immediately suspended for: not staying in designated areas, poor classwork, disturbing other classes, receipt of a detention, class suspension, or absences of five days or more (regardless of reason). In addition, withdrawal from a class will remove the student from Open Study Hall for the following quarter.

The school encourages students to ride school buses. When use of a car is necessary, carpooling is encouraged to reduce the number of cars on campus and to promote fuel conservation. The following regulations apply to student drivers:

1. Park in the parking lots beside the auditorium.

2. Avoid returning to or moving cars during the school day (see campus boundaries).

3. Observe speed limits of 15 mph in the area between parking lots and 25 mph in lanes.

Violators of the driving code will normally be warned after a first offense, although a significant fine may immediately be assessed for flagrant violations. If necessary, driving privileges will be revoked.

Reports/Disciplinary Probations

Parents will be notified when a student’s behavior is unacceptable. Flagrant or repeated offenses will lead to various in-school sanctions, including disciplinary probation. Unsatisfactory behavior while on probation may lead to suspension, which may be in or out of school. Suspension will continue until a satisfactory parent-student conference is held with administration. Students will then continue on disciplinary probation for a period of nine weeks, at which time behavior will be reviewed. Failure to make satisfactory progress may lead to expulsion.

Suspension and Expulsion

The following conduct may lead to immediate suspension or expulsion. Fines noted where they apply:

1. Possession or use of weapons, fireworks, tobacco products, alcohol, or illegal drugs.

2. Defacement of school property. Fine assessed.

3. Tampering with fire extinguisher or pulling fire alarms. $50 minimum fine.

4. Physical violence.

Searches and seizures related to weapons, fireworks, tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs may occur when there is suspicion of student possession or use. Areas of search include a student’s vehicle, locker, personal effects, and person. An administrator and/or his/her designee will be with the student when a search or seizure occurs. Effort will be made to communicate with the student’s parents. Failure to cooperate is cause for immediate referral to local police and expulsion.

Locker decorations must be in good taste, not permanent, not in conflict with school values, and limited to the interior of the locker. Offensive decorations will be removed. Damage to lockers must be paid for by the student responsible or by the person to whom the locker was assigned.

Students are expected to speak truthfully and kindly, and avoid profane language.

When the office announces that the ice is safe, students may skate before and after school and during lunchtime. Plans to skate in the evening (until 10 p.m.) must be arranged with the assistant principal before 5 p.m. Student groups have first priority. Approved chaperones are required.

Fishing privileges apply to daylight hours only and are extended to students, teachers, and other members of the campus community. Persons 16 and older must have a state fishing license. Swimming is not permitted. The school cannot assume responsibility for pond-related accidents.

Students are to return in good condition all textbooks issued to them.

Throwing of objects in buildings or across sidewalks is not permitted.

Throwing snowballs on campus is restricted to athletic fields.

Public displays of affection are inconsistent with campus expectations.

Food may not be consumed in the classroom buildings except by special arrangement.

Students are asked to use the sidewalks and to refrain from cutting across lawns.