Student Conduct

Post Oak students agree to follow the student code of conduct.

The Post Oak School aims to:

Balance the freedom and responsibility of the individual with the need for cooperation, order, restraint, and goodwill within the group;
Provide an environment where the young person will experience encouragement, affirmation, and community, as well as personal responsibility;
Work to ensure each student’s physical and psychological safety;
Enable each student to develop a high standard of moral integrity, gained through growth in self-discipline and personal responsibility;
Help students grow into mature, responsible adults;
Maintain a high standard for student behavior that reflects positively on self, family, school, and community;
Treat each student with respect and fairness.

The Post Oak School expects each student to:

Treat others with dignity and respect;
Treat one's self with that same respect;
Respect both the work and the property of others, and to bring only necessary materials to school;
Have consistent attendance and punctual arrival.

At the Museum District Campus, each student also commits to:

Support all other students as partners in the school community;
Work to get to know every other student through the principle of human heartedness that calls each person to embrace the best qualities of every other person;
Do the work that they have agreed to do for successful completion of the program of study;
Take responsibility for their actions; and
Follow the policies in this handbook.

MDC Public Conduct

Given the special opportunities in which students participate in the Houston Museum District, The Post Oak School and its students are quite visible in the community. Therefore, the deportment of all Post Oak community members must always be a credit to the school. It is expected that students on the premises of partner institutions will at all times maintain courteous behavior. Disrespectful or disruptive behavior at any partner institution constitutes a major offense and may result in the individual’s loss of access to partner institutions and, in certain cases, suspension or expulsion from school; in each case, at the sole discretion of the school.

Each year, students will review these principles and their commitment to them for the following year. Additionally, students will participate with the faculty in creating a more specific code of civility for the MDC community.

Misbehavior

In the event that a student fails to meet the expectations above, the following notes describe the usual approach and procedures for working with the student. The school reserves the right to modify these procedures as it sees fit:

In the event of minor misbehavior, the student and teacher discuss and work cooperatively to resolve the problem. If the life of the classroom is affected by an individual’s minor misbehavior, a discussion may be held in the context of a community meeting.
Chronic misbehavior is reported to parents by the teacher, with copies of reports sent to the division director.
Major misbehavior, especially that involving injurious behavior, is taken to the head of school. The head and the parents, along with the teacher(s), division director, and student, as appropriate, meet to resolve the issue.

In the event of major or chronic misbehavior, a student may be excluded from school, suspended, or expelled.

The school expects full parental cooperation in all aspects of the student’s life at Post Oak. All rules apply before, during, and after school, and at all times on school outings.

Major Misbehavior

The school considers the following to be major misbehavior:

Interference with the rights of others, including physically hurtful behavior (such as hitting, punching, kicking, or biting), verbally hurtful behavior (such as teasing, taunts, threats, or intimidation), and bullying, which may occur as either of these types of behavior (see note at end of this section);
Damage to, abuse of, or stealing any school or personal property;
Possession, use, or sale of drugs in the current Federal Controlled Substances Act;
Possession, use, or sale of alcohol, tobacco substances, or inhalants;
Possession, use, or sale of weapons or explosives;
Truancy from school or school activity;
Use of obscene, profane, suggestive, or intimidating written or verbal language;
Repeated disruptive or uncooperative behavior;
Conduct committed off-campus and outside school hours that is illegal or reflects negatively on the school or conduct that adversely affects the classroom community;
Misuse of computer/Internet/local area network/email privileges.

The school is committed to working together with the student and the family on issues of conduct. At the same time, The Post Oak School reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time if, in its sole judgment, the student’s continued presence at the school is detrimental to themselves, to others, or to the community as a whole.

Bullying

Given the heightened awareness in the popular press about bullying, The Post Oak School clarifies its stance regarding such misbehavior with the following addition to its student conduct policy.

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional, is repeated over time, and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Bullying can take on various forms, including:

Physical bullying—when one engages in physical force against another, such as by hitting, punching, pushing, kicking, pinching, or restraining another.
Verbal bullying—when someone uses his or her words to hurt another, such as by belittling or calling another hurtful names.
Nonverbal or relational bullying—when one person manipulates a relationship or desired relationship to harm another person. This includes social exclusion, friendship manipulation, gossip, or intimidating another by using gestures.
Cyberbullying—the intentional and overt act of aggression toward another person by way of any technological tool, such as email, instant messaging, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs). Cyberbullying can involve:
- Sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images;
- Posting sensitive, private information about another person;
- Pretending to be someone else in order to make that person look bad; and
- Intentionally excluding someone from an online group.
- Hazing—an activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers that person regardless of that person’s willingness to participate.
- Sexualized bullying—when bullying involves behaviors that are sexual in nature. Examples of sexualized bullying behaviors include sexting, bullying that involves exposures of private body parts, and verbal bullying involving sexualized language or innuendos.

Anyone who sees an act of bullying, and who then encourages it, is engaging in bullying. This policy applies to all students, school employees, school volunteers, and school visitors.

All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the division director. All other members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers and visitors are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy to the division director or head of school. Retaliation against individuals who report such alleged violations is expressly prohibited.

The school will accept and review all reports of bullying. The school will consider the ages and maturity of the students involved, the type of behaviors, the frequency and/or pattern of behaviors, the context in which the incident occurred, and other relevant circumstances. Consequences may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension, expulsion, and/or reports to law enforcement officials.

Harassment and Threats

All members of the Post Oak community have a right to work, learn, study, and play in a safe and caring environment. Students, parents, and staff members have a responsibility for creating and maintaining such an environment. Every member of the Post Oak community is expected to model respectful behavior and work to eliminate disrespectful behavior from the community either by confrontation or reporting. Individuals in the community further agree to share in the role of the protection of each person in the community from harm and to engage in the vital work to create a community of safety and trust.

Any action, whether verbal or physical, that either intentionally or unintentionally causes a feeling of intimidation, abuse, or threat is considered harassment and is not permitted at Post Oak. Harassment includes: hazing, bullying, sexual innuendo, offensive jokes, or degrading comments about a person’s religious beliefs, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment is harassment related to a person’s gender, gender identity, sexual identity, or sexual orientation. Students are prohibited from possessing, using, or selling weapons on campus. Making threats or suggestions about having weapons on campus, even in jest, may result in immediate expulsion.

Any student who feels threatened or harassed, or witnesses harassment or a threat should report it immediately to a faculty member. The faculty member will work with other faculty members and the head of school to clearly identify the issue and to facilitate a swift, safe, and appropriate resolution. In the case of more egregious offenses, the school reserves the right to initiate a more formal investigative and/or disciplinary process. In some instances, this will include using resources beyond the school. When possible, faculty will respect the privacy of all individuals involved in claims of threat or harassment, but acknowledges that it is not possible in all situations.

Harassment Policy

In compliance with federal, state and local laws, The Post Oak School prohibits harassment of any student or employee whether based on a person’s race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, and students in the school and in other school-related settings such as school outings or school-related social events. Anyone found to have violated the school’s policy against harassment will be subject to prompt student or adult disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal.

Any retaliation against an individual who has complained about harassment or retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a harassment complaint will not be tolerated. The Post Oak School will take all steps necessary to prevent and eliminate unlawful harassment.

All complaints will be investigated promptly and, to the extent possible, with regard for confidentiality. In all cases, except if the complaint is directed toward the head of school, the head of school will be notified. When a complaint is directed toward the head of school, the Head Support and Evaluation Committee chairperson will be notified.

If the investigation confirms conduct contrary to this policy has occurred, The Post Oak School will take immediate, appropriate, corrective action, including discipline, up to and including immediate termination or expulsion.

Academic Honesty and Intellectual Property

As at all levels of The Post Oak School, it is expected that all work submitted by students will be their own, original work, completed specifically for the class in question, and that students will be honest and truthful about the origin of and sources for their work. Plagiarism, as a deliberate act, is considered fraud, i.e., theft of someone else’s work and lying about it. (www.plagiarism.org)

Plagiarism will be discussed during fall orientation with students. Students will be made aware of what constitutes plagiarism, how to avoid it, and the potential consequences of acts of plagiarism. In the era of technology that allows rapid composition of documents that give the appearance of considered work and the Internet that allows access to virtually unlimited resources with little effort, it is even more important that each student submit work that is original in nature and reflects their own best work.

If a student is uncertain about whether a particular use would constitute plagiarism, they should consult with the appropriate teacher or advisor before the work is submitted.

Consequences for academic dishonesty are at the discretion of the teacher, division director, and head of school, but will include no credit for the submission in question. Other consequences may include disciplinary measures, up to and including expulsion.

Explicit Material

Written material, music, images, or lyrics that are racist, sexist, sexually provocative or explicit, or otherwise inconsistent with Post Oak principles of propriety and respect, are not permitted, and may be confiscated by staff. This includes digital material that has been shared via student devices (phones, laptops, iPads, etc.). Disciplinary action may also be warranted and is at the discretion of the staff.

Sexual Intimacy

The Post Oak School understands that adolescents, as young adults, are in a period of life that is filled with great personal maturation accompanied by physical development. Along with the physical development, adolescents must learn how to have healthy, responsible, and mutually respectful relationships. The exploration of romantic and sexual interest is a normal part of adolescent development. Though the school supports the age-appropriate development of intimacy in relationships, sexual activity of any kind during the school day, at school events, or while representing the school at non-school events, including public displays of affection, is not permitted. The school’s primary concerns are for the overall health and safety of students individually and of the community as a whole.

Friendly gestures between students are acceptable as long as they are not sexual in nature nor have sexual undertones. Public, non-romantic, non-sexual, physical expressions of friendship, e.g., hugging, are acceptable. Behaviors that suggest close physical intimacy are not appropriate for school and can create an uncomfortable community atmosphere and feelings of exclusion. Adolescents must understand that their behavior is powerful and can create feelings of discomfort rather than egalitarian community support. (This includes even friendly relationships that become exclusive and create an uncomfortable community atmosphere and feelings of exclusion.)

Students will be held responsible for sexually compromising situations of which the staff becomes aware, whether or not staff observes them directly. This will also be the case when the extent of the physical intimacy cannot be clearly established. In some circumstances, couples alone together may constitute a sexually compromising situation that is in violation of this policy.

School Response to Adolescent Misconduct

The Post Oak School is engaged in serving students on their path to adulthood. The period of adolescence represents the end of childhood and beginning of adult roles, freedoms, and responsibilities. It is the period of life when adult frameworks and adult identity begin to be formed. When students of this age cross social, moral, or institutional boundaries, it is an important moment and the authoritative figures involved must act diligently on behalf of any victims and on behalf of the future of the transgressor.

Post Oak faculty and administration work to address misconduct issues swiftly and fairly with the best interests of all parties in mind. Simply put, the school looks at each case individually with a clear sense of the particular circumstances surrounding the event. Typically, the first step is a conversation involving the student, parents, and faculty member. The determination of consequences is made collectively by the faculty members and approved by the division director.

Minor transgressions of the school rules disrupt the flow of the orderly and peaceful educational setting of school. These include disrespectful behavior toward students or staff members and a disregard for the community life such as consistently being absent or tardy or violations of the school appearance policy.

Consequences for minor misbehavior range from receiving a reminder of appropriate decorum to limitations on the student’s freedom or, as appropriate, access in the community as specific to the circumstances. When possible, consequences for minor infractions will match the offense, such as additional cleaning responsibilities when failing to do those that have been assigned. Minor offenses are reported to parents in the course of standard progress reports and/or conferences or, if it is of particular concern to the faculty, parents will be informed by phone call or in writing. When a student repeatedly commits minor offenses, it is a signal that there is a chronic disregard for the standards of the community or that the student is unable to meet the basic expectations of the school. This is a serious situation that can erode the culture of the school and will be treated as a major offense.

Major offenses represent a threat to the safety, security, or mission of the school community. Such actions cause or have the potential to cause physical or emotional harm to oneself, others, or property. Examples include theft, harassment, bullying, chronic failure to complete academic work, and possession or use of illegal chemicals including tobacco and alcohol. Serious misbehavior also includes inappropriate behavior, rudeness, or disruption of work at any partner institutions during or outside of the school day.

Violations of a major school rule will result in more involved procedures, possibly including suspension or expulsion depending on the circumstances. In the event of an incident that constitutes a major offense, staff members will intervene immediately, document the behavior, and inform the division director, who will contact the student’s parents. Any event that results in physical harm to a student or property (including vandalism) will result in a meeting involving the student, the student’s parents, the division director, and any appropriate faculty members. Possible consequences depending on the level of severity include: activity or transportation restrictions (including ineligibility for student travel opportunities), campus restrictions, loss of Museum District partner institution access, entering into a behavior contract, suspension, and expulsion. Repeatedly committing major offenses is viewed as a symptom of the student’s failure to accept the culture and standards of the school community and will result in expulsion. Threats of violence, even in jest, without actually committing the act being referred to, such as those regarding acts of physical harm (e.g., shootings or bombings), may result in immediate expulsion.

Disclosure Policy for Student Misconduct

Student’s Responsibility

Post Oak encourages students to lead with truthfulness and authenticity in all interactions. If a student is asked on a college application whether or not they have been involved in a disciplinary process that resulted in probation, suspension, or dismissal, that student should respond to the question honestly and accurately with a brief, written explanation. We encourage students to have their explanation reviewed by their parents and college counselor prior to submission. If a student has been involved in a disciplinary process that resulted in probation, suspension, or dismissal after the student has submitted an application or been admitted to a college or university, the student is responsible for informing the institution about any new violations when asked.

High School’s Responsibility

If a student has been involved in a disciplinary process that resulted in a probation or suspension, the school will not report this disciplinary violation to colleges or universities. In the case that a college or university contacts the High School and directly asks for more information about the misconduct, Post Oak staff will inform the family before sharing any further details. Post Oak maintains an obligation to report to colleges and universities in the case of any criminal offense, physical or sexual assault, student conduct which rises to the level of dangerous or threatening, and in the case of a student’s dismissal from the school (i.e. student is no longer attending Post Oak) and will do so at the school’s discretion.

Expulsion

Any student who commits offenses against the community of the school sufficient to warrant expulsion, will be removed from the school. The student and the family will be informed of the offenses in writing. The parents or student may appeal the decision in writing to the head of school within 10 days of the school’s decision for expulsion. The student has the right to rebut statements of others. The school, in its sole judgment, will reach a decision in a reasonable amount of time and inform the family in writing. The family may engage the appellate function of the school following the procedure as outlined in this portal.