Choir Academy of Harlem
Office of The Dean 

Mrs. Annette Parker, Dean                                                  Mr. Chester Edwards, Dean

The Mission of the Office of the Dean of the Choir Academy of Harlem is to maintain a safe and secure educational environment where effective teaching and learning can take place.

To that end, The Office of the Dean is strongly committed to its dual purpose:

• To provide necessary services promoting intervention and prevention of incidents of student conflict as well as addressing other conditions that impede the educational process and/or compromise school safety and,
• To implement disciplinary measures in cases where school rules and regulations have been broken.

It is in keeping with this mission that the Office of the Dean provides the following:

The Choir Academy Rule of Thumb

Students' Rights and Responsibilities

Non-Negotiable Behaviors

The Department of Education Policy on Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices

Peer Mediation

The Discipline Code of the New York City Department of Education

The Choir Academy of Harlem “Rule of Thumb”

At Choir Academy of Harlem students are expected to work hard to meet rigorous academic standards. To do this, students are expected to act as responsible young leaders. There is one major rule at Choir Academy of Harlem to guide behavior, show respect for all members of the community and all school property.

Students’ Rights

THE RIGHT TO A FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION

While public schools serve many age groups whose rights may differ according to their levels of maturity, the right to a free public education is a basic “student right” guaranteed to all children.

THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND PERSON

All students are guaranteed the right to express opinions, support causes, organize and assemble to discuss issues and demonstrate peacefully and responsibly in support of them, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the NYC Department of Education.

THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS

Every student has the right to be treated fairly in accordance with the rights set forth in the Discipline Code by the NYC Department of Education.

Source: 2007-2008 NYC DOE Discipline Code

Students’ Responsibilities

• ATTEND SCHOOL REGULARLY
• WEAR PROPER SCHOOL UNIFORM TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY 
• BE PREPARED FOR CLASS
• FOLLOW SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS
• NO WEAPONS, ILLEGAL DRUGS, ALCOHOL
• ALLOW OTHERS TO LEARN FREE FROM DISTRACTION
• WORK WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN A PRODUCTIVE MANNER
• RESPECT THE DIGNITY AND EQUALITY OF OTHERS
• RESPECT SCHOOL PROPERTY AND THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS
• BE POLITE, COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL
• AVOID FIGHTING AND RESOLVE CONFLICTS PEACEFULLY
• CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOL ENVIROMENT THROUGH EFFECTIVE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
• ENGAGE IN ONGOING PLANNING WITH SCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTERESTS OF STUDENTS ARE BEING MET
• NO OBSCENE OR DEFAMATORY LANGUAGE
• BRING TO SCHOOL ONLY POSSESIONS WHICH DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE LEARNING PROCESS
• ABIDE BY SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS
• MENTOR OTHER STUDENTS IN NEED
• KEEP PARENTS INFORMED OF SCHOOL RELATED MATTERS

Source: 2007-2008 NYC DOE Discipline Code

Non-Negotiable Behaviors

The following list of expectations refers to behaviors that will not be tolerated at Choir Academy of Harlem and as such are non-negotiable rules:

• Students are expected to report to school on time.
• Students are expected to wear the proper school ubniform everyday. 
• Students are expected to report to each class on time prepared with their work, writing implements and notebooks.
• Students are expected to complete all classes and home work assignments.
• Students are expected to actively participate in class instruction.
• Students are to refrain from acts of playing in classrooms, halls, rehearsal rooms, cafeteria, and auditorium.
• Students are expected to refrain from acts of physical and verbal abuse towards peers and adults.
• Students are expected to refrain from wearing hats, du-rags, bandanas, scarves or other forms of headgear anywhere inside the building.
• Students are expected to keep cell phones, beepers and other electronic devices concealed. All visible electronic devices will be confiscated and only returned to the parent/guardian.
• Students are expected to have a pass to move about the building while classes are in session.
• Students will not be allowed out of the classroom ten minutes after the start of the period and ten minutes before the end of the period.
• Students are expected to refrain from acts of vandalism and graffiti.
• Students are expected to avoid acts of academic dishonesty.

As Choir Academy of Harlem school follows The Citywide standards of Conduct and Uniform Disciplinary Measures, all students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations outlined therein. Copies of this document are available in all administrative offices and on-line.

Consequences of Infractions:

All infractions are subject to the consequences outlined in the Citywide Standards of Conduct and Uniform Disciplinary Measures. In addition to the mandated consequences students who commit infractions of the school and city discipline codes are subject to removal from class.

Discipline referrals can result in:

• In-House Suspension and face-to-face Parent Conference.
• Principal Suspension and face-to-face Parent Conference.
• Superintendent Suspension and face-to-face Parent Conference.
• Detention

NOTE: Student may also be referred to guidance and other counseling services.

Communication/Electronic Devices

Students are not allowed to have cell phones, or any electronic or communication devices in classrooms, in hallways, cafeteria, or on school property. If a student needs to contact a family member or guardian, they should request to do so from an appropriate staff member, guidance counselor, social worker, teacher, or administrator.

Peer Mediation

Students are strongly encouraged to utilize our Peer Mediation Team in the event that student-to-student disputes or disagreements arise. At no time is physical violence ever an acceptable option for resolving problems nor will it be tolerated at CAH. Significant consequences are in place for students who engage in violence at school, including superintendent suspensions and, in some cases, expulsion from the NYC school system.

Our certified student mediators are on site and available to help you resolve problems.

The Disciple Code of the New York City Department of Education

http://docs.nycenet.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-101/Disc%20Code%202006.pdf