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The 2024-2025 Student-Parent Handbook is available to download below. Please review it at your earliest convenience. You will receive a follow-up email with an acknowledgment form that must be signed online.

Parents and students can read the 2024-2025 Student-Parent Handbook using the dropdown above. Please look for a follow-up email containing a DocuSign Acknowledgment Form for the handbook. This form will need to be signed online to confirm your review of the 2024-2025 Student-Parent Handbook.

Cell Phone Policy Reminder

To maintain a focused and academically rigorous environment, all cell phones must be kept in students' backpacks, stored in their lockers at all times during the academic day. This rule applies from the moment students enter the academic building, including in the commons area in the morning. Cell phones are not to be used during passing periods or at any other time during the school day. Visible phones during passing periods or at lockers will be confiscated.

Adhering to this policy is crucial for promoting the overall well-being and academic success of our students. Minimizing distractions helps create a more engaged and productive learning environment, allowing students to fully benefit from the educational opportunities provided at our school.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Important Technology Policy Update

Nolan Catholic High School is implementing important changes to enhance our academic environment and ensure a focused and productive learning experience for all students.

Starting this school year, streaming movies or videos on personal or school devices will no longer be allowed on campus. This policy aims to minimize distractions during the academic schedule and maintain a school-focused atmosphere on campus at all times.

To support our educational goals, all videos used for academic purposes will be carefully curated and approved by teachers. We believe these changes will contribute to a more effective and engaging learning environment, helping students to stay focused and make the most of their time at school. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to uphold our commitment to academic excellence.

All Nolan Catholic students should report to school each day in uniform (except on published and announced special dress days). Uniforms can be purchased through Dennis Uniform.

Please see below some important reminders to keep in mind as you purchase uniform pieces for the upcoming school year:

Changes to the Uniform Code 2024-2025:

• Blazer Requirement: As was announced last year, all students must now wear a navy or black blazer as part of their Dress Gray uniform during the second and third quarters on Mass Days.

  • Fleece Jacket: A fleece jacket with the school logo is allowed on regular school days but not on Dress Gray days.

• Skirt Length: Skirt length must be no more than 3 inches above the knee.

• Boys' Long-Sleeved Polo: As was announced last year, long-sleeved boys' polos will not be allowed after this school year.

• *New: Leggings for Girls: Solid black leggings are required for girls during cold weather.

• *New: Athletic Shoes: All students may choose to wear New Balance brand all-white or all-black athletic shoes on regular school days. Athletic shoes can be purchased from any vendor but must be New Balance brand and meet the school's specifications. (*see examples below)

  • Dress shoes are required on liturgy days unless there is a medical accommodation on file with the administration. Specific shoe options for dress gray uniforms can be found on the Dennis Uniform website.

Review and download a summary of our uniform code below.

More information can be found in the Student-Parent Handbook beginning on page 35.

Hair Care

General

• All student hairstyles must be moderate, neat, and well groomed. Exaggerated styles are not permitted: two-toned, extremely streaked, partly bleached or colored, multi-colored, decorated, shaved designs and patterns, spiked, Mohawk, faux hawk, extreme bi- level, or long strands hanging from any part of the head. Anything that draws undue attention to the student and/or serves as a distraction is not allowed.

• Natural color hairstyles are required. Students are allowed subtle variations in hair color (e.g. lightening or darkening, highlighting). When hair is colored, the color must be evenly distributed with no roots showing. Unnatural hair colors are not permitted. Two-tone coloring is not permitted. The Administration has the right to determine what hair colors are acceptable and what are not. When in doubt, see the Administration before you color your hair.

• Students may not have shaved shapes, words, or patterns.

• Gentlemen’s hair must not cover the ears, eyes, and eyebrows and must be completely off the shirt collar. Hair cannot go past the bottom of the ear lobe on the sides. Gentlemen may not use hair ties, and head bands are not permitted. No ponytails or buns.

• Gentlemen’s hair may not be more than 4 inches in length and may not stand taller or stick out more than 3 inches.

• Students whose natural hair does not conform with the above guidelines must meet with school administration prior to the school year to determine an appropriate and approved option for that student.

Facial Hair

• Clean shaven at all times - no facial hair

• Sideburns are permitted if not longer than the bottom of the earlobe.

• If there are any concerns regarding extenuating circumstances with facial hair, please contact Administration.

The Administration reserves the right to determine violations of the hair code and to determine

what styles are exaggerated. Students not complying with the hair code will be suspended until

the situation is remedied to the satisfaction of the Administration. Students who repeatedly

violate or refuse to conform to the hair code may be suspended until the situation is remedied

and placed on a behavior contract.

More information can be found in the Student-Parent Handbook beginning on page 35.

Discipline in a Catholic school is to be considered an aspect of moral guidance and not simply a

form of punishment. The purpose of discipline is to promote genuine moral development, to

increase respect for duly constituted authority, to assist in the growth of deeper motives for

self-discipline, and to provide a classroom situation conducive to learning.

• Behave in a responsible and respectful manner

• Demonstrate courtesy and respect for others, especially other students and School personnel

• Attend classes and required School activities and events regularly and on time

• Prepare for each class and complete assignments on time

• Respect the rights and privileges of other students and school personnel in person and online

• Respect and care for School property and facilities

• Students may not use cell phones, earbuds or other electronic media during instructional time and otherwise follow policies related to use of technology

• Follow school Acceptable Use Policy as expectations for safe and respectful use of social media and technology

• Cooperate with School personnel in maintaining safety, order and discipline

• Dress appropriately in accordance with the School’s dress code

• Review and comply with the Student/Family Handbook and other School and campus rules

• Obey classroom rules and classroom expectations for behavior as indicated on individual teacher syllabus

• Refrain from verbal or written acts of bullying whether in person or online, both on and off campus

• Avoid violations of this Code

Parent cooperation is essential to achieving the School’s mission and ensuring that students

learn in a safe, secure, and positive environment. Parental involvement and cooperation is vital

in the discipline process. Parents should understand and be familiar with the Code, ensure that

his or her child understands and seeks to comply with this Code, and assist the school in

counseling students regarding appropriate behavior.

More information can be found in the Student-Parent Handbook beginning on page 40.

Demerits

Character education and formation are essential to the mission of NCHS. As such, NCHS administration, faculty, and staff will attempt to correct problematic behavior through instruction and application of appropriate, formative consequences. In other cases, however, the Head of School may determine separation from the school as the appropriate sanction for misconduct that has not previously resulted in detention, probation, suspension, or other disciplinary intervention. Any especially severe instance or course of misconduct may, at the sole discretion of the Head of School and Dean of Student Formation, be sufficient grounds for withdrawal or expulsion.

Substantial accumulation of demerits suggests an inability or refusal to meet the expectations of a Nolan Catholic High School student. After a student has accumulated several demerits, the Dean of Student Formation will determine appropriate consequences.

The following schedule of interventions may be applied as a general guideline regarding demerit accumulation:

• 6 demerits→ Collegium detention (30 minutes)

• 8 demerits→ Weekday detention (50 minutes)

• 10 demerits→ Saturday detention+fine OR suspension+behavior contract

• 20 demerits→Suspension+parent conference+behavior contract OR withdrawal/expulsion

Level I Infractions: Personal Responsibility

• Behaviors warranting one (1) demerit include, but are not limited to:

• Tardiness to class

• Being out of uniform and/or wearing uniform improperly (rental fee may also apply)

• Failure to store personal belongings in lockers or designated areas

• Wearing inappropriate attire at a school function (may include additional sanctions)

• Failure to wear student ID on an approved lanyard (includes fee for replacement)

• Cell phone disruption during class (includes confiscation–see Electronic Device Policy)

• Wearing earbuds/headphones in the halls or at an inappropriate time (includes confiscation–see Electronic Device Policy)

• Leaving trash or food anywhere on campus

• Failure to turn in borrowed devices in a timely manner

• Failure to follow Attendance notification policies in the event of an absence, late arrival, or early dismissal

• Failure to submit required forms/documentation to the office

• Having inappropriate decor (stickers, buttons, patches, pins) on laptops, lanyards, or other belongings

• Parking violation

Level II Infractions: Citizenship, Respect

Level II Infractions result in earning four (4) demerits and an automatic weekday/collegium detention. Behaviors warranting Level II Infractions include, but are not limited to:

• Disrupting class after teacher’s/coach’s redirection

• Cheating (academic penalty included)

• Using inappropriate language directed at another student

• Failure to report directly to the Nurse in the incidence of illness during class

• Blatant disrespect towards another student

• Refusal to comply with a teacher’s directive

• Disorderly conduct at lunch

• Skipping class or any portion of class

• Cell phone/smart watch use during class (includes confiscation–see Electronic Device Policy)

• Arriving late or missing a scheduled detention

• Failure to stop and address a teacher when addressed

• Violation of restroom visit policy

• Using a laptop for non-academic purposes

• Driving recklessly on campus

• Accessing inappropriate content from the internet

• Misusing school property

• Forcible entry into a building

• Rude or disrespectful comportment with any NCHS faculty or staff member

• Posting or sharing inappropriate social media content

• Entering an unauthorized and/or unsupervised area of campus

• Failure to turn in borrowed devices after several reminders

• Occupying a single bathroom stall with another person

Level III Infractions: Dignity, Safety

Level III Infractions result in earning eight (8) demerits and either a Saturday detention+fine, a suspension and behavior contract, probation, request for withdrawal from the school, and/or expulsion at the sole discretion of the administration.

• A Level III Infraction may also result in removal from any campus organization or team.

• These severe infractions include, but are not limited to:

• Vandalism

• Fighting

• Using racial/ethnic slurs, regardless of intent

• Theft, including use of any ID not one’s own

• Leaving campus without authorization

• Taking photographs or making videos or audio recordings of students, employees, or other persons without the consent of the other person

• Possession, use, distribution, or promotion of drugs or alcohol at any school or school-sponsored event

• Threatening or harassing any member of the NCHS community verbally, physically, electronically

• Sexual Harassment

• Forgery

• Establishing a pattern of inappropriate conduct on social media

• Bringing any sort of weapon onto campus

• Smoking, vaping, or other use of tobacco products on campus