Agenda

Students Rights and Responsibilities

~PART I~NSA Code of Conduct

Each student at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct:
I will be truthful in word and deed.
I will not use profane, offensive or inappropriate language.
I will respect the rights, beliefs and property of others.
I will abide by school rules.
I will strive to be helpful and beneficial to all concerned.

~PART II~Student Rights

Although subject to modification or limitation at the sole discretion of the Headmaster. The following listing is illustrative of the rights students enjoy:

  1. Student Expression - Students are entitled to present their personal opinions. However, students who publish and/or distribute handwritten, printed, or pictorial material on the school premises are responsible for its content. The distribution of material should not conflict or interfere with school functions. Arrangements for distribution must meet with the approval of the Headmaster.
  2. Assembly - Students have the right of peaceful assembly in school facilities at times that do not conflict with school functions. Arrangements must meet with the approval of the Headmaster and conform with existing policy regarding supervision.
  3. Authority to Conduct a Search - Students have the right to privacy. There must be reasonable suspicion to conclude that dangerous, prohibited, illegal, or stolen articles are contained in a student's locker, their motor vehicle, or personal property before a search is authorized by the Headmaster or his/her designee. When such conditions exist, the Headmaster may conduct a search at any time. The student may not object to such a search.
  4. Freedom from Discrimination - Students shall be free from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, physical disability, ethnic or national origin.
  5. School Records - Students, parents and legal guardians are entitled to have access to the student's official school record. Arrangements for the presentation of this material will be handled by the Guidance Department.
  6. Sexual Harassment Policy - Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated by NSA and will be considered a disciplinary violation. Sexual harassment is also a violation of laws against discrimination (state law and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). Nansemond-Suffolk Academy supports the NAIS Policy on Sexual Harassment.

~PART III~Student Responsibilities

Each student at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is required to accept responsibility for his own conduct and, in so doing, accepts the responsibility for the consequences of his choices.

~PART IV~Disciplinary Rules and Regulations

The following rules and regulations shall be enforced, unless otherwise specifically stated, on the school grounds during and immediately before and after school hours; on the school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off the school grounds at a school activity, function or event; or when students are traveling to or from school, or to or from a school activity. Disciplinary action, including suspension and/or permanent expulsion, may result from any violation of the law and/or NSA's rules, policies, and/or Honor Code.

Rule 1
Policy on Illegal Drugs - Students who are determined by the Headmaster or his designee to be knowingly and willfully in possession of or under the influence of illegal drugs, anabolic steroids, controlled substances as defined by State Law, or drug paraphernalia at school sponsored functions, whether on or off school premises, or in vehicles parked at school or at school sponsored functions, shall be expelled. Law enforcement officials or other appropriate authorities shall be notified in the event any illegal substances or paraphernalia are found on school property or at school sponsored functions.

Rule 2
Policy on Alcoholic Beverages - Students who are determined by the Headmaster or his designee to be knowingly and willfully in possession of or under the influence of alcoholic beverages at school sponsored functions, whether on or off school premises, or in vehicles parked at school or at school-sponsored functions, shall be subject to expulsion. A student who has illegally consumed alcoholic beverages prior to attending school, or prior to attending functions sponsored or supervised by Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, is considered to be in violation of this policy.

Rule 3
Firearms or Weapons - Firearms or weapons of any description are not permitted on school property or at school sponsored functions at any time.

Rule 4
Damage, Theft or Destruction of School Property - A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to school property or steal or attempt to steal school property.

Rule 5
Damage, Theft or Destruction of Private Property - A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to private property or steal or attempt to steal private property .

Rule 6
Disruption of School - A student shall not, by use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, passive resistance or any other conduct cause the disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission, process or function of the school.

Rule 7
Policy on Tobacco Products - The use of or possession of all tobacco products is prohibited.

Rule 8
Other School Violations - A student shall not fail to comply with the lawful directions of teachers, substitute teachers, or other authorized school personnel during any period of time when he/she is properly under the authority of the school.

Rule 9
Misrepresentation - A student shall not misrepresent to any teacher or other authorized person any fact; nor shall any student change or alter any school records or other official documents.

Rule 10
Dress Code - Students at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy are expected to present a neat, attractive appearance in school and for all school functions. Due to the frequent changes in fashion, it is impossible to specifically describe all clothing styles that might be considered unacceptable. The administration reserves the right to prohibit any clothing found to be inappropriate for school and to issue demerits to students who persist in wearing prohibited clothing.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE

The Academy asks its students to dress in a manner that is in good taste and appropriate for the school setting. Cleanliness and neatness help to develop pride in one's appearance and a positive self-image. We ask that each student dress for his or her own sense of self-respect, as well as for the consideration of others. For this reason we have specific requirements for standards of dress. Hallmarks of our dress code are being neat, clean, and well groomed. NSA reserves the right to determine whether clothing conforms to the "spirit" as well as the "letter" of the dress code. A violation of the dress code will result in three demerits. A second violation will be regarded as a five demerit offense.

Appropriate Dress For Boys

  • Collared shirts or turtle necks must be worn at all times, including under sweatshirts, crew neck sweaters, v-neck sweaters or sport jackets.
  • Sweatshirts are acceptable, provided a shirt with a collar is worn underneath. Hooded sweatshirts, zippered hooded sweatshirts, and hooded sweaters are not permitted.
  • Pants should be belted at the waist and be the appropriate size. No denim material of any color may be worn.
  • Hems should be neat/not frayed or cut-off.
  • All shirttails must be tucked in.
  • Young men should be clean shaven with no earrings, no tattoos, no body piercing, no fingernail polish etc.
  • Hats and scarves must be removed while in the school buildings.
  • Shoes must be safe and appropriate for school. Flip-flops, shower shoes or sandals designed with a divider between the toes are not acceptable during the academic day.
  • Hair should be out of eyes and not to exceed the collar in length, with no ponytails or radical hairstyles.
  • Bermuda/walking shorts (no denim material) with belt loops and a belt may be worn during the following dates - May 1 - September 30.

Appropriate Dress For Girls

  • Slacks - no denim material
  • Skirts or dresses, skorts - denim material may be worn. Skirt and skort lengths must be no shorter than 4 inches above the top of the kneecap.
  • Shorts are not permitted at any time during the academic day.
  • Shirts must be worn tucked in unless designed to be worn outside; shirts that are not tucked in, must at all times pass the waistband of slacks, skirts, or skorts; no t-shirts may be worn as blouses.
  • Shoes must be safe and appropriate for school. Flip-flops, shower shoes or sandals designed with a divider between the toes are not acceptable during the academic day.
  • Hats must be removed while in the school building.
  • No body piercing (other than earrings), no tattoos, etc.
  • No bare shoulders, bare backs or low cut neck lines.
  • Hems should be neat/not frayed or cutoff.
  • Sweatshirts are acceptable. Hooded sweatshirts, zippered hooded sweatshirts, and hooded sweaters are not permitted.

PROHIBITED FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
Denim pants, slacks, or jeans, overalls, t-shirts, "inappropriate messages" on shirts, hooded sweatshirts/sweaters, sweatpants, athletic jerseys, military fatigues, camouflage, surfer or beach apparel, business uniforms, flip-flops/shower shoes, backless/and or strapless dresses, halter tops, tank tops, bare midriffs, or spaghetti straps.

~PART V~DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Violations of school rules and regulations other than Honor Code violations will be reported to the Headmaster on a demerit notice form--one copy to the student & parent, one copy to office and one copy to the detention monitor.

DEMERIT SYSTEM

Disciplinary infractions will receive demerits as follows:

TWO DEMERIT INFRACTIONS:
1. EATING OR DRINKING IN UNDESIGNATED AREAS (Food or drink is only allowed in the cafetorium or outside of the school building before, during or after school.)
2. CHEWING GUM ON SCHOOL PREMISES
3. LITTERING
4. PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
5. FAILURE TO MEET SCHOOL DEADLINES
6. HAIR LENGTH VIOLATION/PONYTAIL

THREE DEMERIT INFRACTION:
1. TARDINESS
2. FAILURE TO COOPERATE/FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
3. VIOLATION OF DRESS CODE (FIRST OFFENSE)
4. FAILURE TO ATTEND BREAK/LUNCH DUTY

FIVE DEMERIT INFRACTIONS:
1. DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
2. PROFANE, OFFENSIVE, OR INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE
3. IN RESTRICTED AREA WITHOUT PERMISSION
4. DEFACING SCHOOL PROPERTY
5. VIOLATION OF DRESS CODE (SECOND OFFENSE)
6. CELL PHONE USE DURING THE ACADEMIC DAY

TEN DEMERIT INFRACTIONS:
1. SKIPPING CLASS
2. FIGHTING OR THREATENING BEHAVIOR
3. DESTRUCTION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
4. RECKLESS DRIVING
5. GOING TO CAR DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

FIFTEEN DEMERIT INFRACTIONS:
1. DISRESPECT FOR AUTHORITY FIGURE

PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

DEMERIT ASSIGNMENT: Upon violation of any of the above school rules, students will be given a DEMERIT NOTICE that must be signed by a parent and returned the following day to the teacher who issued it. Demerits are cumulative throughout the trimester.

AFTERNOON DETENTION: When a student accumulates five or more demerits, or any multiple of five demerits, a conduct referral will be issued by the Detention Monitor. The referral informs the student and parents that a detention must be served either the day the referral is given or the next day. Students should report to detention in school dress.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy will follow the following procedures based upon accumulated demerit infractions and/or number of detentions:

ACCUMULATION OF FIVE DEMERITS will result in one after-school detention and parent notification via conduct referral.

Students committing two or more five demerit infractions or a single ten demerit infraction may go before the Discipline Committee. Two and three demerit infractions may be worked off through attendance in detention hall.

Students receiving excessive demerits in the two and three demerit category may be required to go before the Discipline Committee.

SATURDAY MORNING DETENTION:
Students whose behavior results in their being assigned three detentions in a one-week period (Friday through Thursday) will be assigned Saturday morning detention. Saturday morning detention will run from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and students will be assigned tasks by the Dean of Students. Failure to attend Saturday detention will result in suspension and students may be subject to a status review.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE: The Discipline Committee is composed of five faculty members who meet with students to discuss the consequences of more serious demerit infractions. The committee makes suggestions to students for improving their behavior. In addition, they make recommendations to the Dean of Students for further disciplinary action.
The Dean of Students may use his discretion in determining the severity of an offense and recommend an appropriate consequence to the Headmaster. Consequences are outlined below.

  1. Detention - Detention will be served the day of or the day after from 3:15-4:00. Failure to report to detention may result in the student being suspended from school.
  2. Suspension - The length of suspension will be determined by the Dean of Students in accordance with the violation of school policy.
  3. Expulsion - Expulsion means dismissal from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. This dismissal must be approved by the President.

The Headmaster may recommend expulsion for the following offenses.

  1. violation of the Policy on alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco or firearms
  2. the second conviction of an Honor Code offense
  3. the third suspension
  4. other occurrences not specifically mentioned above which, in the opinion of the Headmaster, are sufficiently serious to warrant expulsion.

~PART VI~ ATHLETICS

Athletics are an integral part of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. NSA believes that an educational curriculum should create sound bodies as well as sound minds. Through the athletic program and physical education classes, NSA develops students who are prepared for healthy competition and academic performance. The correlation between a physically fit body and outstanding academic performance has been proven in many studies. We hope NSA can provide both opportunities.

Students at NSA have many athletic choices during the academic year. Students may participate on athletic teams during each of three seasons. Twenty different interscholastic athletic programs are available with a total of 40 teams.

Athletics at NSA also serve to unify the student body. NSA students come from such a widespread area of Hampton Roads and from such diverse backgrounds that it is often difficult for students to find many things in common. Our athletic teams provide that unity, with students, parents and faculty joining together in support of our teams.

A. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND GOALS

The interscholastic athletic program of NSA is designed to aid in the ultimate goal of the school to "develop each student academically, physically, emotionally, socially, morally and creatively." The program helps students identify the best in themselves and others and experience the team concepts of competition, cooperation and fellowship. Through the athletic program we hope to develop within each student-athlete a sense of self-esteem, self-reliance, responsibility, leadership and a desire to compete and do one's best. In doing so, we hope that our student-athletes learn that trying to achieve a goal and working together, not always winning, is what brings about success.

Consistent with the foregoing statement of purpose, the NSA athletic program will strive to accomplish the following goals:

  1. The athletic program shall instill and promote a sense of honor, respect for self and others, and an appreciation for discipline, teamwork and hard work.
  2. The athletic program shall build and reinforce positive mental attitudes and employ positive motivational approaches.
  3. The athletic program shall provide developmentally appropriate instruction based on sound principles of conditioning and athletic techniques.
  4. The athletic program shall promote the love of sport, and after all the sweat, agony and hard work, strive to be an enjoyable experience for the athletes.

B. SPORTSMANSHIP

One of the most important aspects of athletics is fostering a sense of sportsmanship among the entire school community. Athletics offer the unique opportunity to pit oneself against others in an effort to win and yet do so in an atmosphere of respect, friendship, trust and enjoyment shared with competitors and spectators. NSA strives to establish a "sense of winning" but within the framework of winning correctly through effort and playing within the rules. This is expected of our coaches, players and spectators.

We must remember that, in the end, it is only a high school athletic contest.

Therefore, coaches, players and spectators are expected to act in such a way that reflects a sense of pride in themselves and is deserving of respect from their opponents. NSA follows the sportsmanship codes of the Virginia High School League, Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools.

Violation of the principles of sportsmanship is considered undesirable by the NSA administration and the TCIS. As a result the following policy will be observed.

  1. Any coach ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended from coaching his team in the following game (subject to review by the President, Headmaster and Athletic Director on a case-by-case basis).
  2. Any athlete ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended from participating in the following game (subject to review by the President, Headmaster and Athletic Director on a case-by-case basis).
  3. Any athlete suspended for a second time against a TCIS school in a season, (fall, winter, spring) for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended by the conference for the remainder of that season.

TIDEWATER CONFERENCE OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is a member of the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS). The league is comprised of 10 schools that have agreed to certain standards for the benefit of all its members. The league offers championships in 10 boys' sports, nine girls' sports, one coed sport (golf), and the Headmasters' Cup for overall excellence. The league also presents a sportsmanship trophy each year. More information is available on the league in the TCIS Constitution and Bylaws at the end of this manual.

C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENT-ATHLETES

  1. Strive to perform in the classroom as well as on the playing field.
  2. Make a commitment to be a part of a team effort and practice and play to your ability each day.
  3. Abide by the rules established by the coaches and attend every practice and game.
  4. Exhibit the highest level of sportsmanship and refrain from any action that would reflect poorly on oneself, the team and the school.
  5. Maintain all uniforms and equipment issued to the student.
  6. Maintain and take pride in all facilities used by the team.
  7. Dress appropriately on all away trips.
  8. Refrain from using substances that are harmful to one's health. Students and parents will be required to sign a contract prior to participating in interscholastic competition stating that they agree with this expectation.
  9. Represent oneself and family in a manner that will bring honor to each.
  10. All athletes travel to away games as a team and return as a team unless a note is provided stating the student may return with an adult. Any deviation from this policy must be approved by the Headmaster.
  11. All initiations and/or hazing by student organizations at NSA are in violation of Virginia law and will not be permitted.
  12. A student-athlete may not quit a team and join another team once the first athletic contest of any sport has been played in the fall, winter or spring season. A student-athlete may leave one team and join another team during the preseason with the consent of both coaches and the athletic director.
  13. Student-athletes, drama, band, etc. must be at school by 9:00 a.m. to participate in practice or a game on that day. Students who are not at school by 9:00 a.m. due to illness must have a note from their doctor in order to practice or play that day. Students with a medical note must attend a minimum of two classes in order to practice or play on that day. Chronic tardiness will be addressed by the administration.
  14. Each student-athlete is responsible for obtaining a physical and turning in the completed form to the head coach by the first practice.
  15. Student-athletes must adhere to school detention policies. Student-athletes may not use practice or games as an excuse to avoid detention or participation in physical education.
  16. Individual awards for student-athletes are to be determined by criteria established by the coach of each team prior to the beginning of the season.
  17. Students will be required to adhere to the following dress code. Students will required to wear the following to school on game days:
    Boys - Khaki pants (no shorts)
    White oxford dress shirt
    School tie - available in The Spirit Shop
    Girls - Khaki pants or skirt
    School shirt - available in The Spirit Shop

~PART VI~ HONOR SYSTEM

All aspects of everyday life at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy are governed by an Honor Code that fosters an environment of trust for students, faculty, and staff alike. The school's Honor System, is described in a separate pamphlet that is provided to every student at the beginning of the school year.

IMPORTANT DATES

A detailed calendar of events is mailed to patrons every two months.
August
22 Teachers Report
29 Students Report
September
2 Noon Dismissal
5 Labor Day - School Closed
23 Teacher Work Day for Self-Study - No Students
October
10 Columbus Day - School Closed
November
23 Grandparents' Day
24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday
December
16 Winter Holiday Begins - Noon Dismissal
January
2 Classes Resume
16 Martin Luther King Day - School Closed
February
20 Presidents Day - School Closed
March
6-10 Spring Break
April
14. Holiday - School Closed
May
29 Senior Day
29 Memorial Day - School Closed
June
7 Last Day of Classes for Upper School
9 Baccalaureate - 7:00 p.m.
10 Graduation - 9:00 a.m.