What You Should Know

Dress Code

Please refer to the complete dress code policy for further details. Carmen High School of Science and Technology maintains a professional dress code for staff and students. While in school or at school-sponsored internships, students will follow the school dress code. This includes when students are waiting on the front steps of the school as well as during the After School Program. On Mondays, the students may wear Carmen Spirit Wear. Any other casual or Spirit Wear days will be announced in advance. 

The Dean of Students or Head of School will make any final decisions in situations when a student’s attire may be inappropriate. If, at any time, the student’s outfit is found to be inappropriate, the student will be required to change the outfit immediately. If the student is unable or unwilling to do so, his/her parents will be contacted and asked to bring clothes or, if necessary, take the student home for the day, which would result in an unexcused absence. Students should keep a backup outfit at school and are expected to bathe at home daily and use deodorant. If students play sports at lunch, they should have a separate change of clothes.

Attendance

Attendance is taken immediately at the beginning of each period, including advisory. Students are not allowed to leave school unless they have received permission from the Dean of Students or Head of School and only when a parent has called in to the office and sent a note. Students that leave school early must stop in the office and be signed out by a parent before leaving.

What should I do if I absolutely must miss school?
  • PLAN AHEAD – Let school know if you will be out as soon as you can
  • Have a parent call to inform the school immediately – by 8:30 at the latest
  • If the student is supposed to be at an internship and must miss school then he/she must call the SIP Director and may need to make up missed days
  • Bring a note signed by a parent the day you come back to school
  • Bring in a note from the doctor if the student was at the doctor’s office
  • Check with teachers immediately to make-up work or tests
What are examples of situations when I can be excused from school?
  • Death in the family
  • Celebration of a religious holiday
  • Illness
  • Family emergency
  • Doctor’s Appointment
What are examples of situations when I can NOT be excused from school?
  • A common cold, sprained ankle, small headache, or small cut
  • Family vacations need to be planned around your school schedule, including summer school
  • Out-of-town guests visiting
  • Babysitting
  • Being tired
What happens when a student misses too much school?
If a student has too many unexcused absences then he/she is considered truant. Students with a truancy problem may face a variety of consequences:
  • Parent conference
  • Possible prosecution by the District Attorney’s office for parents of truant students
  • Grades will drop
  • Internship placements will be taken away
  • Leadership positions or membership in clubs may be lost
  • Possible meeting with the Community Trust Committee

Community Trust

“At Carmen High School of Science and Technology we define ourselves through respect, responsibility, and trust. We give and receive RESPECT by taking care of our school, appreciating ourselves, and interacting with each other and our community with thoughtfulness and compassion. We demonstrate RESPONSIBILITY by taking ownership of our education, immediately acting to right our wrongs, and standing up for justice. We will build and maintain TRUST by being honest, dependable and mature.”

What is the Community Trust?
The Community Trust guides how each of us works to accomplish our goals every day. It describes the way we treat each other. It is the basis for the Disciplinary Policy.

What is the Community Trust Committee?
The Committee is a small group of teachers and students that hears and reviews disciplinary cases and issues recommendations to the Head of School.

When do students need to follow the discipline policy?
  • in or on school property
  • at any school activity
  • traveling to and from school (field trips, city bus)
  • outside of school (with other students and families from the school)
What happens when a student chooses not follow the Community Trust?
The consequence(s) a student receives as a result of poor behavior will depend on the frequency and seriousness of the behavior and may include:
  • removal from an internship
  • conference with Dean of Students and/or Head of School
  • detention or a three hour Saturday detention*
  • disciplinary probation and behavior plan
  • Community Trust Committee hearing
  • in-school suspension (ISS) – a parent must accompany a student on ISS
  • out-of-school suspension
  • expulsion or dismissal
  • referral to police for legal prosecution
* Skipping detention may result in a Saturday detention. Skipping Saturday detention may result in an ISS.

Community Trust Violations

Major Violations of the Community Trust:
  • Insubordination
  • Continuous disruption in class or any school activity
  • Physical or verbal harassment and fighting
  • Lying and dishonesty
  • Theft and vandalism 
  • Plagiarism and cheating
  • Violation of Technology Policy
  • Skipping class and truancy
  • Possession/Use of weapons
  • Possession/Use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol
  • Sexual Misconduct
Minor Violations of the Community Trust:
  • Inappropriate behavior in the classroom, hallways or at assembly
  • Violation of dress code
  • Being late to class, work, or any other required school activity
  • Having or using mobile phones, music players, video game devices, or cameras during normal school hours (includes the lunch hour)
  • Being in areas that are off limits to students
  • Eating food/candy or drinking outside of the cafeteria (water is acceptable during class and gum is not acceptable at any time)
  • Not being prepared for class (no pen/pencil, writing materials, books, etc.