Mel Cooke, Star Writer
Damoy Eastman first saw the Penwood High School handbook last year as a fourth former when the comprehensive guide to conduct, based on a template provided by Peace and Love in Society (PALS), was introduced at the St Andrew school. Then, he was struck by what he was just learning about his school.
That included how it got its name, how old it is and the names of some of the outstanding graduates.
Disciplinary Matter
A year later, the Students' Council president is struck by just how much many of Penwood's students do not know about what is in the handbook, which is required reading and is utilised in many a disciplinary matter.
Still, he says, it has made a difference and Eastman says as a peer counsellor, he utilises the handbook in his one-on-one sessions with his colleagues. And the teaching student, who at times finds himself facing a classroom of students, tells The WEEKeND STAR that he speaks about the handbook when delivering social studies and guidance lessons.
"They abide by some of the rules, but not others," he said.
Penwood is one of several high schools, Donald Quarrie High on the other side of the city also among them, to have utilised the PALS handbook templates to develop their own document. PALS General Manager, Janilee Abrikian, told The WEEKeND STAR that "PALS decided to develop a handbook upon recognising that many schools did not have one, or what they had was inadequate, such as a two-pager. Where those two-pagers did exist, they were also very old and parents and students did not have a copy".
Penwood's principal, Austin Burrell, told The WEEKeND STAR that parents and students are required to read the institution's 42-page handbook thoroughly and sign a declaration that they have done so. The declaration reads in part: "I declare my unreserved willingness to abide by the rules and regulations governing Penwood High School as they are outlined in the handbook."
Donald Quarrie's principal, Reford Hines, confirms that while the school rules were written down previously, using the PALS template provided the school with a comprehensive code of conduct. Hines adds that the template was further localised with pictures, the school's vision and mission statements, the school creed, and information regarding the school's valedictory service and awards ceremony being included. And at Donald Quarrie High School, the rules are laid out not only for students, but teachers as well.
Eastman does not swallow the reasons students give for not reading the Penwood handbook, among them that it is too big to carry around ("It is the right size for a book," he says). Among the rules which Eastman sees as being especially relevant to Penwood are those on smoking and carrying weapons to school. He said just on Wednesday the handbook was referred to in an incident involving a female student.
And there are items in the Penwood handbook that he would like to see much more attention paid to, chief among them the security policy.
Policies
Although it is clearly stated that the handbook cannot cover every single incident which may arise over an academic year, the templates are detailed and comprehensive. The format includes an introductory section, followed by general information. The policies, regulations and procedures section addresses issues such as cellphone use, sexual conduct, vandalism, health safety and security, visitors and substance abuse. Stakeholder roles - parents, staff, the dean of discipline, the principal - are defined.
The student conduct code and discipline plan include disciplinary action levels and disciplinary options. Outlined is a range of preventive strategies in which the student can be engaged. Where these are not effective, and the student needs additional help with self-management, other measures, such as contracts, special assignments and teacher-parent conferences are suggested. Measures for dealing with more serious and recurring inappropriate student behaviours are also included.
Damoy Eastman, who had a copy of the Penwood High handbook close to hand when he spoke to The WEEKeND STAR yesterday, is happy with its content.
"I think the handbook is quite fine as it is. It has all the relevant details," Eastman said.
Damoy Eastman first saw the Penwood High School handbook last year as a fourth former when the comprehensive guide to conduct, based on a template provided by Peace and Love in Society (PALS), was introduced at the St Andrew school. Then, he was struck by what he was just learning about his school.
That included how it got its name, how old it is and the names of some of the outstanding graduates.
Disciplinary Matter
A year later, the Students' Council president is struck by just how much many of Penwood's students do not know about what is in the handbook, which is required reading and is utilised in many a disciplinary matter.
Still, he says, it has made a difference and Eastman says as a peer counsellor, he utilises the handbook in his one-on-one sessions with his colleagues. And the teaching student, who at times finds himself facing a classroom of students, tells The WEEKeND STAR that he speaks about the handbook when delivering social studies and guidance lessons.
"They abide by some of the rules, but not others," he said.
Penwood is one of several high schools, Donald Quarrie High on the other side of the city also among them, to have utilised the PALS handbook templates to develop their own document. PALS General Manager, Janilee Abrikian, told The WEEKeND STAR that "PALS decided to develop a handbook upon recognising that many schools did not have one, or what they had was inadequate, such as a two-pager. Where those two-pagers did exist, they were also very old and parents and students did not have a copy".
Penwood's principal, Austin Burrell, told The WEEKeND STAR that parents and students are required to read the institution's 42-page handbook thoroughly and sign a declaration that they have done so. The declaration reads in part: "I declare my unreserved willingness to abide by the rules and regulations governing Penwood High School as they are outlined in the handbook."
Donald Quarrie's principal, Reford Hines, confirms that while the school rules were written down previously, using the PALS template provided the school with a comprehensive code of conduct. Hines adds that the template was further localised with pictures, the school's vision and mission statements, the school creed, and information regarding the school's valedictory service and awards ceremony being included. And at Donald Quarrie High School, the rules are laid out not only for students, but teachers as well.
Eastman does not swallow the reasons students give for not reading the Penwood handbook, among them that it is too big to carry around ("It is the right size for a book," he says). Among the rules which Eastman sees as being especially relevant to Penwood are those on smoking and carrying weapons to school. He said just on Wednesday the handbook was referred to in an incident involving a female student.
And there are items in the Penwood handbook that he would like to see much more attention paid to, chief among them the security policy.
Policies
Although it is clearly stated that the handbook cannot cover every single incident which may arise over an academic year, the templates are detailed and comprehensive. The format includes an introductory section, followed by general information. The policies, regulations and procedures section addresses issues such as cellphone use, sexual conduct, vandalism, health safety and security, visitors and substance abuse. Stakeholder roles - parents, staff, the dean of discipline, the principal - are defined.
The student conduct code and discipline plan include disciplinary action levels and disciplinary options. Outlined is a range of preventive strategies in which the student can be engaged. Where these are not effective, and the student needs additional help with self-management, other measures, such as contracts, special assignments and teacher-parent conferences are suggested. Measures for dealing with more serious and recurring inappropriate student behaviours are also included.
Damoy Eastman, who had a copy of the Penwood High handbook close to hand when he spoke to The WEEKeND STAR yesterday, is happy with its content.
"I think the handbook is quite fine as it is. It has all the relevant details," Eastman said.
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