Student Handbook

These guidelines have been developed to provide an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of students in Eastwood College.

Student involvement in the educational process is a basic right. Active involvement includes planning and evaluation in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Students have the opportunity to express their views and to listen to and evaluate the opinions of others at appropriate times.

• You have a right to be an individual at school, free from prejudice and discrimination.
• You have a right to be respected and not be physically or emotionally abused.
• You have a right to express your ideas when appropriate and be part of the development process in the school.
• You have a right to a safe school.
• You have a right to the protection of your personal property.
• You have a right to tell your side of the story at the appropriate time.
• You have a right to know the school rules.

Students have the responsibility for conducting themselves in a manner, which does not violate the rights of other people. They share with administrators and teachers the responsibility of developing a climate within the school that is conductive to productive learning and living.

• You have a responsibility to be thoughtful, respectful and courteous to others.
• You have a responsibility to take care of property.
• You have a responsibility to practice good personal hygiene.
• You have a responsibility to come to school and be on time.
• You have a responsibility to enter the classrooms in an orderly way and to settle down to work immediately.
• You have a responsibility to bring all necessary books, materials and equipment.
• You have a responsibility to complete school work by the due date.
• You have a responsibility to listen with courtesy to the views of others.
• You have a responsibility to allow others to work without being disturbed.
• You have a responsibility to know and obey the school’s rules.
• You have a responsibility for accepting just and appropriate consequences if responsibilities are not fulfilled.

• Free expression – Oral, written, symbolic

  Rights: Students have a right to ask questions and to express ideas. Free expression is not to be restricted unless its exercise interferes with orderly conduct or school operations, or disrupts the school community.
  Responsibilities: Students are responsible for the content of their expression and for assuring that such expression does not interfere with the freedom of others to express themselves. They have a responsibility to avoid libel, slander, obscenity, profanity, known falsehood, or disregard for truth.
  Students also have a responsibility to respect the customs and symbols of all nations and religious sects.

• Personal appearance:

  Rights: Students have the right to voice their opinion to school officials through their Student Council concerning the school dress code.
  Responsibilities: Students have a responsibility for assuring that what they wear meets the school dress code, and does not violate any reasonable requirement for a specific class or activity.

• Student Council and involvement:

  Rights: Students have the right to establish and participate in a Student Council that provides all students a voice in school affairs through a representative system.
  It is the right of students to question and discuss issues relating to the school environment, or to the practices and proposals of the school, or to receive a direct and reasonable response.
  Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of students to be involved in Student Council, to participate in seeking and disseminating information concerning issues they raise, and to be responsible for perusing solutions to issues raised.

• Student Activities:

  Rights: Students have the right to participate in the planning of school activities. The selection of activities should be the result of mutual planning between Student Council and school officials.
  The opportunity to participate in school activities is guaranteed to all eligible students.
  Responsibilities: Students have the responsibility for assuring that school sponsored activities in which they participate are school related and meet the conditions agreed to by student representatives and the school officials.

• School property and use of facilities:

  Rights:Students have the right to the use of school facilities, equipment and services for scheduled school-planned activities.
  Responsibilities:Students have the responsibility for following regulations for use of facilities, equipment and services.

• Off-Campus Events:

  Rights: Students have the right to attend and participate in school-sponsored off-campus events and to participate along with school officials in determining the conditions under which these events take place.
  Responsibilities: Students at school-sponsored off-campus events have the responsibility for following school rules and regulations.

• Nondiscrimination:

  Rights:Students have the right to participate fully in classroom instruction and in school activities. All students have the right to fair and equal opportunities in all educational and school sponsored activities regardless of sex, race, color, national origin or religion.
  Responsibilities: Students have the responsibility for promoting good human relations within the school by practicing courtesy and tolerance in their dealings with each other and members of the school staff.