By Chris Agnone ’18
THE ROUNDUP
The new school year did not come with any new rules, but students are still getting Justice Under God for rules that they were not aware of, such as haircut policy and carpool rules.
Dean of Students Mr. Patrick Higgins emphasized some rules during orientation as a refresher for students.
“A couple points of emphasis that I mentioned during orientation were that students may not wear hats in buildings,” Mr. Higgins said. “We do allow for a small, studded earring (defined by the size of a pencil eraser).”
Faculty and staff are trying to be fair and consistent in the handbook policies and can confiscate things like hats and long, dangling keychains and lanyards.
The Dean’s Office is on campus for many reasons. One of these is to help students interpret and satisfy the rules on the handbook.
“I would just like to extend to the students that we are here to help, not just to enforce and confiscate,” Mr. Higgins said. “We have natural and fair consequences, but we would also like to help, so students who arrive at the Dean’s Office before school can receive help.”
The Dean’s Office has loaner belts, socks and other articles of clothing that students can borrow. As long as students come before school, there is no consequence for borrowing any item.
Bennett Houck ’18 has taken advantage of the loaner clothing articles in the past and has not had any repercussions.
“I have used loaner socks once and a loaner belt on many occasions,” Houck said. “It is really easy to forget those in the early morning and I think that the Dean’s Office understands that.”
There is a time limit to when a student can ask for help.
“We would love to help students before school, but after the school day starts we ask teachers to enforce school policies,” Mr. Higgins said.
Students can also help eachother out by donating to the Dean’s Office.
“If any students have any clean or gently used socks that they would like to donate to the school, we keep a stash for students to be able to wear in a time of need,” Mr. Higgins said.