Policies & Regulations

In keeping with its mission statement, Moreau Catholic High School expects its students to demonstrate good taste and modesty in their appearance, as appropriate to an educational environment. School approved apparel fosters the idea that a student’s uniqueness derives from within, not from his or her appearance.  In addition, dress regulations contribute to a positive school learning environment and lend dignity and pride to the school community.  The school administrators, in consultation with the Principal, have ultimate responsibility and authority for all issues pertaining to the appearance code.

Apparel choices for all students:

1. SHIRTS: Approved unaltered polo shirts with the Moreau Catholic High School logo.  Color options include green, black, gray, and cream. Polos must be buttoned to four inches from the top of the shirt collar and fall below the waistband when seated.  Approved unaltered long-sleeve polo shirts with the Moreau Catholic logo are optional. Approved unaltered long-sleeve t-shirts with Moreau Catholic High School logo will be acceptable for all students as well. 
2. PANTS: Cotton twill long or corduroy pants fitted at the waist. Pants that are “sagging” are not acceptable. Shorts must be cotton twill and fitted at the waist and must fall four inches above the middle of the knee or lower. No jeans allowed.  No clothing that has the appearance of jeans (for example: denim and spandex blends) are allowed. Any solid color, pattern, or print is allowed.
3. SKIRTS: Cotton twill skirts fitted at the waist and must fall four inches above the middle of the knee or lower. Leggings and tights under skirts are acceptable if the skirt is four inches above the knee.  Approved polo must be worn with the skirt.
4. OUTERWEAR:  Only approved, unaltered Mariner Wear sweatshirts, and hoodies are allowed in the school building. Jackets and coats are accepted on campus, but not in classrooms. Approved, unaltered Mariner wear, which includes polos or long sleeve t-shirts bought through SportsPacks or BSN, with the Moreau Catholic High School logo, must be worn underneath. This includes gear provided by athletic or co-curricular teams, clubs and classes. 
5. SHOES:  Shoes must have backs or back straps.  No “slides”, slippers, UGG mid slippers, backless shoes or heels above 2 inches allowed. Crocs must be worn in sport mode (meaning strap on back of the ankle). 
6. HAIR must be well groomed and no inappropriate hairstyles will be allowed.  If any question, the  Assistant Principal of Climate and Culture or designee will decide whether a particular style or hair color may be worn.  Male students are allowed neatly trimmed beards and/or goatees.
7. Other Guidelines

• Clothing must be neat and in good repair, with no holes, tears, rips or frayed edges.
• No “jeggings,” leggings, sweats or tights may substitute for pants.  
• No pajamas or sleepwear
• No baggy or tight clothing allowed; avoid pants with spandex in them
• No tank tops, spaghetti straps or sleeveless tops
• No clothing, backpacks, purses or visible tattoos shall contain inappropriate words, graphics or symbols. 
  • Inappropriate means expressing vulgarity, advocacy for or against a political candidate or position, encouraging immoral or illegal conduct, or expressions contrary to the Holy Cross values.
• Hats, bandanas, hoodies, durags and sweatbands are not permitted at any time indoors during the school day.  Sunglasses may not be worn inside school buildings.
• Emergencies, including injuries, which cause students to be out of appearance code must be reported to the Attendance Office and Assistant Principal of Climate and Culture immediately.
• Any appeal of the appearance code for religious reasons must be documented each year by the student and family
• On days of athletic contests, student-athletes are required to be in appearance code. Team members may wear appropriate team tops (jersey, jacket, warm-up or other outerwear) with pants, shorts, or skirts in compliance with the appearance code. Any exception to this rule needs the approval of the Director of Athletics.

CONSEQUENCES

Students who do not comply with the appearance code - at any time during the school day - will receive the following consequences:

• First violation -  All reasonable efforts will be made to rectify the situation prior to the student being allowed to attend class.  
• Second violation - Regular detention and the student will be required to correct the violation. parent/guardian will be notified. 
• Third violation - The student will be required to correct the violation (clothes brought to school or going home to change) and receive a detention.  Students are responsible for any work missed and time they are out of class must be served as a detention.
• Continued Non-compliance - Students will face further disciplinary action including Saturday Detentions, Activity Restriction, Disciplinary Probation and/or Suspension.

To prevent disruption in class, students may not use cellular telephones and other electronic devices during school hours (7:55 AM until end of scheduled day). Cell phones must be out of sight and turned OFF, not on silent or vibrate mode, during the school day. Cell phones or cameras may not be used to photograph or film a student or teacher without his/her express permission. An administrator or campus supervisor may search cell phones when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of illegal or unauthorized materials, or items harmful or detrimental to the school’s climate and culture, without prior notice to the student. Teachers may deem any electronic device as an acceptable education tool during class time. All electronic devices used on campus are also subject to Student Guidelines for acceptable Use of Technology Resources included with this handbook.

Prohibited Devices: Smart Glasses and Wearable Recording Technology

To protect the privacy, safety, and academic integrity of the school community, students may not use, wear, or activate, smart glasses or similar wearable technology devices capable of recording audio, video, photographs, livestreaming, internet access, artificial intelligence assistance, or communication functions during the school day or at any school-sponsored activity without prior administrative approval.

This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, devices such as smart glasses, augmented reality (AR) glasses, AI-enabled eyewear, or other wearable recording devices.

Students found using or possessing prohibited wearable technology may be subject to confiscation of the device and disciplinary consequences in accordance with the school’s technology and student conduct policies.

Any student found in possession of unapproved electronic devices during a quiz or test will be subject to discipline based on Moreau Catholic High School’s Academic Integrity Policy, Section 5.1.

Cell phones can be used as personal listening devices, with one ear bud, during lunch periods inside the Ivaldi Student Center and outside in school lunch areas.  Headphones and earbuds must be removed when not at lunch. 

Electronic devices of any type may be confiscated by school personnel and kept until a parent contact has been made and may require a parent meeting. Repeat offenders may be required to leave electronic devices in their car or at home.

• 1st and 2nd offense in a year receives a detention.
• 3rd + detentions in a year receive Saturday detentions.
• 5th + detentions in a year will require the student to leave their electronic device in the Campus Supervisors’ office during the school day.

Tardy

A tardy at the start of the school day is defined as arriving at the attendance office between 8:31 AM and 8:45 AM. Late arrivals are defined as arriving at the attendance office between 8:46 AM and 9:15 AM. Absences are defined as arriving at the attendance office later than 9:15 AM on regular school days or after 50% of class time has passed on special scheduled days.

1. Late carpools, vehicle problems, traffic difficulties or other transportation problems will only be accepted as reasons for excused tardies if cleared by a parent phone call or note.
2. Students who are tardy to school must report to the attendance office to sign in (and be issued an Admit Slip) for class.  Failure to do so will result in a detention.
3. Students who are in line at the attendance office when the first period of the day bell rings are considered tardy.
4. The seventh time a student is tardy to the first period of the day (and each time following), a detention will be issued from the attendance office. After the 10th tardy, students will receive a Saturday detention. After the 12th tardy, students will be placed on Activity Restriction Level 1. If further tardies occur after this, students will be placed on Activity Restriction Level 2. 
5. Any student who arrives between 8:46 AM and 9:15 AM on regular school days must have the late arrival cleared with the Attendance Office with a parent phone call or signed note. Late students will report to the attendance office upon arrival to check in and to be issued an Admit Slip for class. Students will be given a verbal reminder to provide a parent note or phone call, followed by a written reminder the next day (if still not provided). If after 48 hours the late arrival has still not been cleared, the student will be issued a detention. If after 72 hours the late arrival has not been cleared, the student’s absence will be marked as a “cut” and the student issued a Saturday detention. Being cleared does not remove the tardy from the student’s attendance record and will still count towards their total of tardies.
6. Students who arrive after attendance has been taken for any class are expected to visit the attendance office first, receive a tardy slip, and then return to the class. 
7. Students who arrive late to any class, including Advisory or Office Hours, other than the first periods of the day, will be issued a detention by the teacher.
8. Tardiness to a zero period class is subject to the same tardy policies outlined above.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCE

Attending class is essential for student success. Making up assignments at home cannot replace the in-class experience of participating in discussion and other experiential learning activities.

In order to receive credit in a class, a student may not miss more than seven days of any one class in a semester, excluding absences at retreats, school sponsored events and for medical reasons accompanied by appropriate medical notes for each absence. If a student accrues eight or more absences in a semester, either excused or unexcused, an Excessive Absence Letter and Appeal for Academic Credit form will be issued to the student by the Assistant Principal of Instruction. Then the student’s grade for the course, or courses, will be changed to “NG” (No Grade) and appear on the student’s Powerschool report and report cards. 

At this point, in order to restore the grade and credit for the course, the student must file an Appeal for Academic Credit form with the Assistant Principal of Instruction no later than ten (10) school days prior to the end of the semester. Upon receiving the form, the Assistant Principal will contact the student’s teachers to ascertain whether the student’s work and effort that semester deserves to receive academic credit despite missing eight or more days of class. Students who continue to be chronically absent despite interventions may be asked to withdraw. 

The Assistant Principal of Instruction may also have a conference with the student and ask the student to explain their absences and explain why he or she should receive credit. At the conclusion of the process, a decision will be rendered. If the decision is a positive one, credit will be given for the class in question. Any student who does not appeal a mark of “NG” will have that grade replaced with an “F” grade.

ABSENCE

An absence is considered to be missing more than 45 minutes of an 85-minute class or 50% of class time on a special scheduled day. This would include time missed for non-school related activities at the start of a period or at the end of a period.

If a student is to be absent for any reason a parent must telephone the school before 9:30 AM on each morning of the absence. Please call the attendance office at 510-881-4340 and speak to a clerk or leave a message. E-mails and/or faxes are not acceptable substitutes for a call. Students returning to school without parent contact will be admitted to school and may be issued a detention; parent contact will still be necessary.

ABSENCE AND ACTIVITIES

A student who misses any part of the school day for reasons other than medical or dental appointments (as verified by a doctor’s note) will not be allowed to participate in or attend cocurricular activities, (which includes but isn’t limited to: athletic competitions, VAPA performances, club events and extracurricular activities) on that day. In addition, if the absence occurs on a Friday, the student may not attend or participate in weekend cocurricular activities. Any exceptions must be cleared by the school administration.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact teachers about assignments and work missed due to absence.

ANTICIPATED ABSENCE

While not advised, there may be an occasion when a student will be absent for a reason planned in advance. In such cases, the student shall present a parent’s note to the attendance office a minimum of one week prior to the anticipated absence. The attendance office will give the student a form to be completed by his or her teachers, counselor, Assistant Principal of Instruction, and the attendance clerk. If a student will be absent due to a retreat or field trip, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the teachers of the anticipated absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCE

An absence is considered excused ONLY for the following reasons: medical or dental appointments, personal family matters, court appearance, illness of the student, serious illness or death in the family, or Department of Motor Vehicles license appointments. Medical or dental appointments should be scheduled during vacations or after school whenever possible. A doctor or dentist slip must be submitted when the student returns to school from a medical or dental appointment.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

Absences which have the consent of a parent, but are for other than the above reasons, are considered “unexcused.” Credit may be withheld for class work or tests missed during the period of an unexcused absence. It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed for ANY absence.

TRUANCY/CUTTING

Truancy is defined as any absence from school without the prior knowledge and consent of parents/guardians and/or the school for part or all of the day. Cutting includes, but is not limited to: failure to attend any scheduled class without approval, leaving class without permission and/or being somewhere else on campus and not in their required class/activity. Truancy and cutting may result in no academic credit being given for work missed plus, appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include Saturday detention, parent conference, probation and/or expulsion.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Chronic Absenteeism is defined as a student who is absent on 10 percent or more of the school days in the school year when the total number of days a pupil is absent is divided by the total number of days the pupil is enrolled and the total of instructional school days. Chronic absenteeism includes excused and unexcused absences and may result in a student being withdrawn from Moreau Catholic High School.

ILLNESS AT SCHOOL

A student who is too ill to remain in class is to report to the attendance office. If, after 15 minutes, the student is not well enough to return to class, a call will be made to the parent/guardian to pick up the student or to grant permission for the student to drive him/herself home.  Any student leaving class and staying in a restroom without approval may be issued a detention.

EARLY DISMISSAL

A student must bring a note signed by a parent/guardian or a parent phone contact must be made stating the reason and the time it will be necessary to leave school. This information should be presented to the attendance office by 9:30 am and an early dismissal slip will be issued. This slip should be presented to the teacher from whose class the student will be leaving and then presented to the Attendance Office for dismissal. Leaving school grounds without permission or without informing the attendance office will result in a “cut” and a Saturday detention being issued. 

ABSENCES DURING FINAL EXAM WEEK

Any student who is absent during final exam week, other than those students who do not have final exams due to an exemption form on file with the Attendance office, must have their absence verified by a doctor’s note. Students are not allowed to miss final exams for any reason other than a medical illness or an extreme extenuating circumstance. Any student who anticipates that they may miss school during final exam week must contact the Assistant Principal of Instruction at least one month prior to the final exam week.

Moreau Catholic considers preparation for all matters of emergency of paramount importance in ensuring the safety and security of all faculty, staff and students. Each year, the school community engages in a review of the plan and has specific dates to practice evacuation procedures. The school has developed plans for a variety of school emergencies, including but not limited to fire, earthquake, and an intruder. Should you have any further questions, please contact our Assistant Principal of Climate & Culture, Steven Mathis.

In the case of a campus-wide emergency, we will utilize our automated phone/email message system, along with our school’s website, to communicate information to parents and guardians.