BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES

Since teachers and students are brought together so that learning may take place, an environment that permits an orderly and efficient operation of the school must exist. All members of the school community join in creating an atmosphere of respect and trust which is conducive to learning on all levels. Some of the expectations that contribute to this atmosphere are:

1. All members of the ASA community will treat each other with respect. Actions showing disrespect are contrary to the spirit of ASA.

2. All members of the ASA community will build positive relationships with each other.

3. All personal and school property will be respected.

4. The learning environment will be respected. To that end, all rules and regulations will be followed to insure an orderly and safe environment.

5. Striving for excellence - in teaching, learning, and in our relationships - is a value in the ASA community that is to be modeled.

6. All members of the ASA community will carry out their responsibilities with honesty and integrity.

7. All ASA community members are responsible for their actions and will be held accountable for these.

8. All ASA community members must understand and agree to uphold our values of respect, responsibility, and honesty.

Dress Code

Board policy requires that during school hours all ASA students wear official school dress. Given that 2002-2003 school year is the first year of the implementation of this policy, students will be given until Monday, Aug.12th to meet this uniform requirement. ASA's uniform requirements are described below.

Informal Uniforms for Daily Use:

• Bottoms: Dark Blue or Jean pants or Bermuda shorts for boys and girls

Dark Blue or Jean skirt or skort for girls

• Shirts: Red, white, or dark blue polo shirts with no logo or writing

T-Shirts sold by the PTA store or ASA’s gift shop are also permitted.

• The current P.E. uniform is acceptable dress for elementary students

• Closed shoes. Note: Tennis shoes are acceptable.

Formal Uniforms for Special Events:

• Bottoms: Dark blue pants

• Shirts: Light blue button down shirt

• Sweater or Sweater Vest for winter wear: Red

• Dark shoes.

Guidelines for wearing the uniform:

• Skirts and skorts are to be appropriate length, not mini.

• Only Bermuda length shorts are permitted.

• Bare mid-riffs are not permitted

• Shoes must be closed and low heel. Flip-flops, sandals and high heels are not permitted.

• With the exception of that which is sold by the PTA store and ASA’s gift shop, clothing is not to have logo or any writing

Consequence for not meeting ASA’s uniform requirement:

• Students will not be allowed to attend class if they are not in uniform unless prior approval has been given in writing from the principal.


Honor Code

The purpose of the school’s Honor Code is to promote personal and academic honesty. The school firmly believes that all members of the ASA community should deal with each other and the world they encounter in the most understanding and communicative way possible. It is essential that, in order for this communication to be effective, it be honest. This creates trust, a crucial part of any human relationship.

Definition of ASA’s Honor Code

Our school defines dishonesty as engaging in any communication, written, spoken or performed, in which the truth is either knowingly hidden or contradicted. We commonly call these acts lying and cheating. These acts include from copying on work, lying when asked a question, knowingly not telling the entire truth when being questioned about it, forging a signature or document, giving or receiving any unauthorized aid on work presented for evaluation, and plagiarism, among others. Specific actions like talking or looking at another student’s work during an examination are other examples. All of these acts and any others deemed by the school administration to be dishonest will be considered as violations of this Honor Code.

(See pages 31-32 "Violations of the Honor Code and Consequences").

Intimidation, Hazing, Harassment and/or Fighting

Board Policy 5530 states that “Any act that interferes with the student’s mission to learn, the faculty’s mission to teach, or that hinders the creation of an atmosphere conducive to learning, will be viewed with the utmost concern by school administration. Such acts include, but are not limited to physical violence, intimidation, hazing, physical or verbal harassment, and vandalism. Those found guilty of such acts will be subject to sanctions, including expulsion.”

Students must be especially aware that any interaction between an upperclassman and a younger student, be it individual or entire group, that involves violence, intimidation, collusion, compulsion to act, or harassment is considered to fall within the above-mentioned policy. Serious disciplinary actions will be taken against the older party involved, especially if the relationship between the involved is either senior-freshman, high school-middle school, or secondary-elementary.


Behavior Off-Campus

Students must be aware that their behavior, especially when they are identified as members of our school, should always reflect the education and values we support at ASA. Students involved in activities that have a direct consequence on interpersonal relations between school community members, that discredit the school’s reputation, that are illegal, or that are not consistent with our guidelines for behavior may be subject to disciplinary action by the school administration.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Abuse

Smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages, or use of illegal drugs are prohibited on school grounds, buses, or at school sponsored activities. Students found in violation of this rule will be subject to expulsion. (Note: No smoking by anyone is allowed on the school campus.)

Student Drivers

In order for an ASA student to be allowed to drive on the ASA school campus the student must have an Asuncion driver’s license and must present a photocopy of this license to the school administration. The student must also provide the school with the corresponding vehicle registration information and a signed parent authorization to drive the registered vehicle.

Irresponsible driving on the school campus will result in a student driver losing the privilege of driving on the school campus.

Discipline Problems

If discipline by the classroom teacher fails to bring an improvement in the student’s behavior, or if a single incident is serious enough, a student may be referred to the principal for disciplinary action. Repetitive disciplinary infractions may lead to expulsion. There are consequences and procedures for certain common infractions that are handled by each school (see particular section in this manual, elementary or secondary, for more specific information concerning discipline).

Complaints and Grievances

All complaints and grievances should be first discussed with the teacher and then, if necessary, with the area principal. If satisfaction is not obtained, the Director General may then be contacted. If, after speaking with the Director, the issue has still not been satisfactorily resolved then the complaint may be presented in writing to the Board of Directors.