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COLEGIO DOMINICO-AMERICANO
PARENT – STUDENT
HANDBOOK
Ave. Abraham Lincoln #21
Distrito Nacional, República Dominicana
Tels. (809) 535-0665 EXT 3302
Fax: (809) 533-8809
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.icda.edu.do/
CDA: www.cda.edu.do
Version 7, July 2010
Translated and modified
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TABLE OF CONTENT
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION p.3
The Mission p.3
The School‘s Philosophy p.3
Objectives of the Colegio Dominico Americano p.4
School Board p.4
School Administration p.4
Administrative Support Personnel p.4
Accreditations and Affiliations p.4
How to contact us p.4
SECTION II – GENERAL INFORMATION p.5
Admissions and Re-Admissions; Loss of Rights to Readmission p.6
Salute to the Flags (Flag Ceremony) p.7
Announcements p.7
Articles not allowed in School p.7
Attendance p.7
Bathrooms for the use of students only p.7
Birthday celebrations p.7
Conferences with Parents p.7
Schedule for Entering and Leaving the School p.8
Office Hours p.8
Questions or Suggestions p.8
Lost and Found p.8
Punctuality p.9
Meetings with Parents / Reception of Parents p.9
Recesses (lunch) p.9
Emergency telephone network (tree) p.10
Silence p.10
Uniform p.10
Use of School Passes p.11
SECTION III – ACADEMIC INFORMATION p.11
Class hours p.11
Elementary School Curriculum p.12
Curriculum for Grades 7 and 8 p.12
High School Curriculum p.12
High School-Baccalaureate Curriculum p.13
Graduation Requirements p.13
Grade Promotion p.14
Evaluation System p.14
Exam Conditions p.15
Examinations: Exemption from Semester Exams p.16
Examinations: Procedure for Reviewing End of Semester Exams p.16
Examinations: Changing the Date of the Semester Exam p.16
Notice of Concern p.16
Report Cards p.16
Academic Probation p.17
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Academics p.17
Academic Merit and the Honor Roll p.17
Student of the Month p.17
End of Year Honors and Awards p.18
Academic Merit Ceremony p.18
Symbolic Exchange Ceremony p.18
Graduation Ceremony p.19
Official High School Transcript p.19
Transferred Students p.19
Independent Studies p.19
Summer School p.19
Enrichment Period p.19
Tutorials p.19
Homework p.20
SECTION IV – STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES p.20
Guidance and Psychology Department p.20
Mentoring Program p.20
Values Program p.20
Clubs p.21
Sports Program p.21
Student Council p.21
Celebration of National Holidays p.21
Educational Trips p.21
Academic Fairs p.22
Courtyard p.22
Library p.22
Computer Lab p.22
Request for School documents p.22
Telephone p.22
Medical Unit p.23
Textbooks p.23
Lockers p.23
Use of the Internet p.23
SECTION V – SECURITY MEASURES p.23
Emergency drills p.23
Entering and Leaving the School p.23
Students who Drive p.24
SECTION VI – DISCIPLINARY CODE p.25
Expected Behavior p.25
Disciplinary Actions p.25
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SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Student Handbook is to provide the necessary information regarding the
procedures, activities, academic requirements, as well as the disciplinary policy that govern the Colegio
Dominico Americano (CDA). It is everybody‘s responsibility to know the procedures and regulations
outlined in this manual, therefore we recommend that parents and children read and study it carefully.
Should you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to consult us. Your collaboration will help
us in our efforts to offer our students the best educational opportunities. Whatever situation may come up
that is not envisaged in this Student manual will be dealt with by the School personnel following the
guidelines established by the philosophy and/or the objectives of the School. May we remind you, that all
students who are admitted to the Colegio Domínico-Americano, accept this Student Handbook as good and
valid upon registering in the school.
Note: Each family should read this Student Handbook and sign the form at the end of the same, under the
premise of having read it, understanding and following the norms and regulations establish by its contents.
The administrative and teaching personnel wish you a successful academic year.
THE ADMINISTRATION
MISSION OF THE COLEGIO DOMINICO-AMERICANO
The mission of the Colegio Domínico-Americano is to foster the development of each student
through a learning process that utilizes a USA-based curriculum and that promotes multiculturalism and the
mastery of English and Spanish, in preparation of being productive citizenship both here and abroad.
THE SCHOOL’S PHILOSOPHY
The Colegio Domínico-Americano believes that each student is a unique individual, capable of:
Satisfying the cognitive, psychological, affective, social, moral, cultural and esthetic dimensions,
depending on his interests and potential;
Developing his/her own opinion and personal characteristics, which can be appreciated in a
nurtured atmosphere, integrated with and supported by his peers, parents, teachers, and the
community;
Having his/her own learning styles, abilities, cultures, and linguistic diversity, which should be
taken in to account and be promoted for the benefit of the individual and of the group;
Constructing humanistic values and linguistic abilities in English and Spanish, academic
knowledge in all the areas of the humanities, arts, science, technology, and social and moral
relations, and generating new learning for his/her own benefit and that of society;
He/she should have the right to a harmonious, complete education, based on a USA-type school
curriculum, that allows the transfer to and from accredited American or Dominican institutions,
and be able to be accepted at American or Dominican universities; and
He/she should have the right and the obligation of using all the above to meet the moral and
scientific challenges of the future
OBJECTIVES OF THE COLEGIO DOMINICO-AMERICANO
To provide a USA based curricular program which allows the acceptance and/or transfer to any
USA accredited institution;
To promote the student‘s complete formation and harmonious development, stimulation the
physical, intellectual, affective, social, ethical, and esthetic dimensions, in order to ensure him/her
success in his/her future professional commitments;
To provide those students who plan to continue their studies at a local university the necessary
competencies in Spanish;
To instill in the students the knowledge and appreciation of the different cultures of international
co-existence;
To create an affective learning atmosphere, marked by mutual respect, discipline, and cooperation
that will allow the students to acquire mastery of the basic abilities;
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To offer a diversified and creative program, that will take into account the preferences and
interests of the student body;
To develop intellectual abilities that stimulate the students to reason, experiment, and apply what
they have learned;
To promote critical thinking that will allow them to analyze and evaluate the events in their
surroundings;
To develop in the students a sense of personal competence and leadership, of self-esteem and self-
consciousness of their strengths and weaknesses;
To form citizens who are conscious of their rights and duties, guided by a deep sense of
responsibility, respect, and human dignity, which will promote the respect and the rights of others.
INSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES – ICDA
EXCELLENCE
RESPECT/JUSTICE/FAIRNESS
TEAMWORK
SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY
INTEGRITY/ETHICS
OPEN AND CONTINUOUS
COMMUNICATION
SCHOOL BOARD
The President of the Board of Directors of the CDA & ICDA
The Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the CDA & ICDA
The Secretary of the Board of Directors of the CDA & ICDA
The President of the Academic Committee of the Board of Directors of the ICDA and Vice
President of the School Board
The Coordinator of the Parents‘ Committee of the CDA
Representative of the Community (Member of the ICDA)
Representative of the US Embassy
Executive Director of the ICDA
Academic Director of the ICDA
Director of the Colegio Domínico-Americano
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Director of the Colegio Domínico-Americano
Elementary School Principal
Junior High / High School Principal
ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
Guidance Counseb3lor
Psychologists
Registrar
Activities Coordinator
Team Leaders
Dominican SEE Liaison Officer
School Secretaries
ACCREDITATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
The Colegio Domínico-Americano is licensed and accredited by the Secretaría de Estado de
Educación de la República Dominicana (Department of Education of the Dominican Republic) under
resolution no. 1538-20-I; it is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of the
United States of America. Besides, it is a member of the Association of American Schools of Central
America, Colombia, Caribbean, and Mexico, the Inter Regional Center, and the Latin American Tri-
Association.
TO CONTACT US
We are always ready to receive you and offer you whatever attention you may require. So please
contact us at the following telephones and extensions, or at our e-mail addresses:
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School Director: Extensions 3301, 3302, and [email protected];
Registrar: Extension 3303 and [email protected]
Junior High/High School Principal: Extensions 3310 y 3311, [email protected] and
Elementary School Principal: Ext. 3320, 3321, [email protected] and
Activities Coordinator: Ext 3330
SECTION II – GENERAL INFORMATION
ADMISSIONS, READMISSIONS AND LOSS OF RIGHTS TO READMISSION
A) ADMISSIONS
1 Requirements: In order to have the right to an entrance exam, the student must meet with the
following requirements:
Have reached the required age for each level on the 31st of October of that year;
Have achieved a satisfactory academic and conduct standing for the two previous years;
Have the necessary mastery of English to be admitted the 7th
, 8th
or High School;
Provide copies of the student record from the transferring school..
2 Procedures:
Request and pay for an entrance exam;
Once the candidate has passed the exam, he/she and his family will be interviewed by the
Psychologist or School Counselor.
*If the student is admitted, he/she must go by the Office of the Registrar and conclude the admission
process within 48 hours, presenting the following documents, which become property of the Colegio:
1. Two 2x2 photographs;
2. A birth certificate (original);
3. An original transcript of the last two grades he/she took, with a minimum average of ―C‖ (75%);
4. A letter of good conduct from the transferring school, showing a general satisfactory conduct;
5. A medical certificate, including an eye exam and a dental certificate and a copy of his/her vaccine
record;
6. A letter of settlement from the transferring school.
The Colegio Domínico-Americano reserves the right to accept or refuse incoming applications.
NOTE: If a student is transferring from abroad or from another accredited school, he must meet the
requirements stipulated in the section ―Transferred Students‖ of this handbook.
B) READMISSIONS:
The student who is promoted should, upon completing the requirements of promotion (see Promotion from
one grade to the next), formalize his/her readmission by passing by the Office of the Registrar and
depositing the following documents, which become property of the Colegio:
A registration form, duly filled out;
Two 2x2 photos;
A medical certificate, including an eye exam and a dental certificate;
Payment authorization form, properly filled out.
Students who have been withdrawn from the Colegio for academic reasons may be readmitted after one (1)
academic year, if they fulfill the following conditions:
They must have obtained a minimum academic index of 80 for two consecutive semesters;
They must present a letter of good conduct from the last school they attended;
They must pass the school‘s entrance exam;
They will be interviewed by the Principal or Counselor, and
They will be placed on academic probation, with all that entails.
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C) NO READMISSION STATUS:
A student will not be readmitted the following school year if:
He/she was expelled from the Colegio Domínico Americano;
Having agreed upon an academic conditioned contract or a disciplinary conditioned contract,
he/she does not meet with the terms of the agreement by the end of the school year;
Having been notified of the excess of late arrivals and/or absences from the School, he/she does
not comply with the corrections regarding attendance and/or punctuality ;
He fails 9th
to 12th
grade level;
She/he is in High School and fails one (1) summer school subject that is a prerequisite for another
subject (to be covered the following year).
FLAG CEREMONY
Our Flag Ceremony begins every day at 7:35 a.m. in the Colegio courtyard. This is a solemn
ceremony, meant to promote patriotism and respect toward the symbols of our countries. This ceremony
begins with order in the courtyard, announcements thus allowing for five minutes of respect to the flags,
before they are raised. All the students, from Pre-School to 12th
grade, must attend, as well as all the
teachers; the parents who wish to be present may be there, showing respect during the Flag Ceremony.
During said ceremony, the students are to stand in line, show orderly conduct, and sing the National
Anthems of the Dominican Republic and of the United States of America while the flags are raised. The
students‘ behavior counts as part of their grade in Moral y Cívica.
The entrances to the Colegio will close while the flags are being raised, and the students will have
to wait for the Ceremony to be over to pick up their corresponding late passes. The access during these five
minutes is the door between the two buildings of the Dominico on Calle Modesto Díaz.
ANNOUNCEMENTS All advertisements, announcements, stickers, etc. that students may want to publish and that refer
to internal or external activities of the Colegio must be previously handed in to the Director or Principal for
his/her approval. These announcements will be placed on the bulletin boards in building B and E (first
floor E) that are meant for such ends.
ARTICLES NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL
The following personal items are considered as distracters to the school climate therefore
forbidden:
Caps, berets, or hats of any kind;
Excessive jewelry, accessories, and other gaudy adornment;
Electronic devices (Walkman, cameras, radios, electronic pads, tape recorders, CD‘s, CD players,
computer programs and video games);
Pagers and cell phones;
Toys, games, and reading matter (books, magazines, etc.) that is not didactic;
Chewing gum;
Balls (the Colegio balls are available during recess and sports class for use in the assigned area).
Any student who uses one of these articles will be punished according to the Disciplinary Code
(disciplinary action #1 and #3, depending on the seriousness of the offense) and the article will be
confiscated by the teacher, supervision, or by the administration. The School reserves the right, upon
conference, not to return to the parents whatever articles were confiscated from the student.
The following articles are considered dangerous to the school atmosphere; therefore, students may
not bring them to the School:
Objects that may be harmful to the student and/or other persons (knife, guns, or stimulation of.)
Metal and/or glass containers (for example, bottles of malt beer and cans of sausages);
Animals (in the case of the science lab, ask for special permission and the same can be present
only in the lab);
Alcohol and other chemicals;
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Fireworks or firecrackers;
Cigarettes, cigars, pib3pes, etc.;
Medicine that is not approved by the Director (medicine require a medical prescription);
Foul-smelling chemical gases.
Any student who has one of these articles in his possession will be punished according to the
Disciplinary Code (disciplinary action #3 -- #5 depending on the seriousness of the offense), and the
articles will be confiscated by the Administration. The Colegio reserves the right, upon conference, not to
return to the parents whatever articles were confiscated from the student, and the sanctions to be applied in
cases #4 and #5 go before the Disciplinary Committee to determine the appropriate consequences.
ATTENDANCE
Daily attendance and punctuality to class is a fundamental part of the students‘ success. During
the school year (for grades 1 through 8) or one semester (for the High School), a student must have an 80%
of attendance in order to be promoted.
The following are considered justified absences:
Two day absence or more due to Illnesses or accidents need to be duly certified by a
doctor.
The death of a close family member;
Appointments abroad for residence and medical matters.
The parent/legal guardian must notify the corresponding Supervision of the student‘s absence, be
it by telephone or a written note. The day after the absence, the student must get a Readmission Pass
(which will be stapled to the parent‘s or guardian‘s signed note); this in turn must be signed by all the
student‘s teachers, and returned to the Principal‘s office.
The following are considered unjustified absences:
Extended vacations;
Leaving school for social purposes;
Not going to class;
Five (5) late arrivals to the Colegio (important in calculating the 80% class attendances;
Absences, without a signed note from one of the parents or the tutor.
In the case of unjustified absence, the Colegio reserves the right to deny/ allow a student to do
makeup work, homework, or make up quizzes he/she has missed. Unjustified absences count as a zero (0)
in evaluations, homework, and/or work assigned for those days. A student cannot participate in co-
curricular or extra-curricular activities on the day he/she was absent from class. These absences are also
sanctioned with the Disciplinary Code #3 and #4, depending on the frequency of absence.
Any student who for health reasons must be absent from more than two (2) Physical Education
classes must bring a medical certificate specifying the reasons that kept him/her from attending class.
When a student cannot participate in a class, he must bring a note signed by the parent(s) or the tutor
justifying his not participating. Written work will be required in lieu of the participation.
BATHROOMS
The Colegio has bathrooms that are solely for the use of students, located on both the first floor
and the second floor. During class hours, students are to use the bathrooms in Building B or E, on the same
floor and section (East or West wing) as their classrooms, and they must get a pass to go to the bathroom.
During recess, students are to use the bathrooms in the courtyard (locker room area).
There are bathrooms for the exclusive use of adults, and they are located on the third and fourth
floors of Building B, on the first floor west of Building B, next to the Principal‘s Office and on the first
floor of the Administrative Building.
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS
Only students from 1st to 3
rd of elementary school may celebrate their birthdays at the Colegio.
The parent/legal guardian will request permission in writing from the Activities Coordinator, at least 15
days in advance. These celebrations will be on Fridays, during recess, in the assigned area.
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CONFERENCES WITH PARENTS
We have three (3) days on our calendar that are officially assigned for conferences between
parents and teachers. During these conferences, the parents receive their children‘s report cards and can
speak with the teachers about the students‘ academic progress. If the parents attend the conference, they
will be given an appointment. If the parents wish to speak with a teacher, Supervisor, and /or the Principal
during the school year, they can request an appointment through the Principal‘s Office or the School
Director‘s Office.
SCHEDULE FOR ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COLEGIO
At 7:35 a.m. students‘ access to the school grounds is through the parking lot toward the courtyard
or toward the main lobby of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano. (sees the section on Security).
Students are to leave school after class only through the courtyard and the parking lot. This is
done for reasons of supervision and security. Students in 1st and 2
nd will be picked up in their classrooms,
3rd
grade students will be picked up in the covered area and go out through the courtyard with a parent. On
rainy days, students from 1st through 6
th are to be picked up in their respective classrooms.
OFFICE HOURS
The schedule for the School Director‘s Office is from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Principal‘s
schedule is from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For purposes of registration, the cashier, and appointments with
teachers, the Principals or the Director, it is after 8.30 or 9:00 am.
QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS
The parents, guardians, and/or students who may have a question regarding procedures or
decisions taken by the teaching and/or administrative personnel of the Colegio may submit their question as
follows:
Meet with the person or teaching or administrative team, in order to discuss their query and seek a
solution;
If no solution is found, request a meeting with the School Director, for the purpose stated above,
with a copy of their letter to the Principal prior to the interview.
As a last resort, they can present their query in writing to the School Board, with a copy of their
letter to the School Director prior to the interview.
If a positive suggestion is made in order to better aspects of teaching or procedure, the letter should be
addressed to the Director and the writers duly identified; the letter should contain all the details of the
suggestion. We appreciate constructive criticism.
LOST OBJECTS (LOST AND FOUND)
Parents may find whatever their children have lost in the offices of the Elementary School
Principal or the High School Principal. Parents or guardians must withdraw lost objects in person. If
something is lost in another part of the campus than Building B, the Colegio Administration will help
parents obtain access to the Lost and Found box in the Security area of the ICDA. As part of creating in the
student the value of responsibility, the student who misplaces objects repeatedly (from two on) will be
sanctioned with disciplinary actions #2 and #3.
The care of books and school supplies, as well as lunch boxes and thermos bottles, is the student’s
responsibility and his parents’. The Colegio will not replace these objects in case of loss or
mistreatment of the same.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is define as the violation of author copyright when a written material is copied without
author consent and said document is present as an original student‘s work. All students are expected to
respect author copyright when presenting their homework, reviews and reports.
PUNCTUALITY
a) Arriving at School:
Punctuality is necessary for the formation of responsible individuals who are ready for the day‘s
work. Every day, upon arriving at the Colegio, the students will go to the courtyard and, when the bell to
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start the day‘s work rings at 7:35 a.m., all the students will form their ranks in the courtyard to participate
in the Flag Ceremony.
At the end of the Flag Ceremony, the students, accompanied by their home room teacher, will go
straight to the home room. The Colegio does not assume responsibility for the security of students who
are left on campus before 7:15 a.m., or after 3:00 p.m. or 30 minutes after the end of extra-curricular
activities, or left off campus (for example on the sidewalk).
b) Late Arrivals Punctuality in attending class is expected. Any student who arrives at 7:40 a.m. is considered late
and may not enter the ranks of the Flag Ceremony. Students who arrive late must pick up a late arrival slip
at the Colegio, from the professors who are assigned this duty; this late arrival slip will enable him to enter
the classroom. In order to be excused his/her lateness, a student must bring a valid note to the supervisor‘s
Office in order to receive a late pass (arrival with an excuse) that will authorize him/her to enter the
classroom. The student who arrives after 8:00 will have to wait until the second period in the lobby in front
of the Director‘s Office to enter class.
A student is allowed only four (4) late arrivals per evaluation period. At the end of the fourth (4th
)
lateness, the parents will be notified in writing. Upon the fifth (5th
) late arrival, the student will have to
attend school the following Saturday, and will be under the direct supervision of the Director of the School
or of the person in charge of discipline. When a student is repeatedly late, a conference with the parents
and the student will be requested. The student will be sanctioned with actions #3 and #4, and will be
placed on probation and the status is that of no-readmission, conditional for the following year, depending
on the success of the corrective measures taken. It is to be noted that this will be reflected in the report
card, for all practical purposes.
We hereby remind the reader that one aspect of punctuality is self-discipline. Therefore, it is
important for a student to arrive on time to enhance his performance.
c) Lateness to Class Punctuality is expected. If a student is late to class, he/she must obtain a late pass at the
Principal‘s Office. This pass will allow him/her to enter class, but his/her participation grade may be
affected. If the student accumulates three (3) late arrivals in class, he/she will be sanctioned with
Discipline Actions #2, #3, and #4 of the Disciplinary Code, depending on the frequency of his lateness to
class. A student who arrives more than 15 minutes after the beginning of class is considered absent, and in
this case he/she will need a readmission pass to class because of his/her absence.
d) Readmission to Class When a student has been absent from one or more classes, he/she must get a Readmission Pass at
the Principal‘s Office to justify his/her absence. The student will not be allowed to go back to class unless
he/she has this pass, duly signed. This pass will be sent to the Office at the end of the last class and kept in
the student‘s file.
RECEPTION OF PARENTS
All parents and other persons who visit the Colegio must enter through the direction / reception of
the Colegio, where they will be provided with a visitor‘s pass. Students are not allowed visitors at the
School and this includes the Lobby and the Cafeteria.
Parent delegates may visit classes, with the authorization of the corresponding Principal, during
homeroom hour or during the last 15 minutes of the day.
RECESSES
All students will go out to the courtyard/cafeteria area for recess. Only students who are
sanctioned with a detention or accompanied by a teacher may stay in classrooms.
The recess schedule is as follows: 2nd through 4th :10:20 -10:50 Colegio Courtyard and Cafeteria
1st :11:10 - 11:40 Pre-School Courtyard
5th through 8vth: 11:10 – 11:40 Colegio Patio and Cafeteria
9no a 12mo : 12:00 - 12:30 Colegio Patio and Cafeteria
To go to recess, students from 1st through 5
th grades will go in line and accompanied by the teacher
of the previous class period; they will be picked up in the courtyard by the teacher of the following class
10
period. On rainy days, students from 1st and 2
nd grade are to stay in their home rooms with the home room
teacher; the teacher‘s aides will accompany students to the cafeteria and back to the home room. The exit
of 5th
, 8th
, and 9th
will use the lobby and the cafeteria, and the patio ―duty‖ positions will be relocated within
the lobby.
Each student must bring his/her own snack or money to buy it with at the Cafeteria meant for those
ends. Parents may not pass food or other objects students through holes in the fence. If something must be
brought to a student, the person who is going to bring it must deposit it at the Colegio reception before 8:15
a.m.; the personnel will take care of handing it to the student.
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE TREE
If for some reason classes must be suspended, or there is the need for a quick rapid
communication, the Colegio will use the following telephone tree:
SCHOOL DIRECTOR
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
TEACHERS
CLASS DELEGATES
PARENTS AND/OR GUARDIANS
JUNIOR HIGH/HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
TEACHERS
CLASS DELEGATES
PARENTS AND/OR GUARDIANS
SILENCE
Movement in halls and staircases must be carried out without noise, walking and using the right
hand side of the area. We must all try to keep silence as we go up and down stairs, in the classrooms, and
in the administrative offices.
UNIFORM
LEVEL
ELEMENTARY
(1st –6th )
SHIRT
White polo
shirt, with
collar, and the
school logo
PANTS Boys and girls: Long traditional
cut pants ,navy blue tergal
•Skirt pant, to the knee, navy blue
tergal;
•Black belt
SHOES
•Black shoes or
tennis shoes
(sneakers)
•White socks
SWEATER
Solid navy blue,
with the school
logo
7TH, 8TH AND Y
SECONDARY
•Long traditional cut navy blue
pants;
•Black belt
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
(1ST – 6TH)
White T-shirt,
with the school
logo
•Navy blue tergal Bermuda shorts
•black or white
tennis shoes
(sneakers);
•White socks
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION *
(7TH – 12TH)
•Navy blue tergal Bermuda shorts
•Long sports pants
GALA UNIFORM
9TH
– 12TH
White, with
long sleeves
Red tie / boys
Black jacket Matching jacket black shoes Red bandeau /
girls
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*Students from 7th
to 12th
grades may only wear the sports uniform during sports period.
In order to encourage an appropriate atmosphere, the Colegio has made it mandatory for all
students to wear the uniform during the school day and other school activities. A student who attends
classes or a specific activity that requires wearing the uniform and does not comply with the dress code will
be detained in the Office until he receives his uniform from home or returns to class wearing the uniform.
Let us remind ourselves that the uniform is a reflection of self-discipline, and it must be worn with
distinction and elegance. That is to say, clean and the right size, with the polo shirt inside the pants or skirt.
For field trip where the uniform may not be appropriate, the Principal will determine the clothes to
be worn.
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT TO BE WORN: Sweaters other than the regulation uniform sweater;
clothes that are very tight-fitting, very short or too loose, sweatshirts, exaggerated makeup or jewelry,
tattoos, extravagant haircuts, hair color, beards, moustaches; boys are not allowed to wear earrings. The
Colegio Administration reserves the right to
1. Send home any student,
2. Confiscate inappropriate articles or clothes.
3. Request that he remove the object in question, such as tattoos, haircuts or hair color, beards or
moustaches
If the student persistently does not comply with the dress code, he will be sanctioned according to the
policy established in the Disciplinary Code.
USE OF PASSES
Students who for any reason whatsoever must leave the classroom must be the bearer of a School
Pass. These passes will be given out by the teachers and/or authorized personnel. Students found without a
pass will be considered as skipping class, with the consequences of the Code regarding absences.
SECTION III – ACADEMIC INFORMATION
In keeping with our philosophy, the goal of the Colegio Dominico-Americano is to offer a
complete college preparatory curriculum, which meets with the requirements and criteria for admission and
educational standards of universities in both the United States and the Dominican Republic.
CLASS SCHEDULE
ELEMENTARY
(1st)
ELEMENTARY
(2nd through 4th)
EELEMENTARY
(5th through 9th)
HIGH SCHOOL
(9th through 12th)
Arrival 7:30 – 7:40 7:30 – 7:40 7:30 – 7:40 7:30 – 7:40
Home
Room
7:45 - 7:50 7:45 - 7:50 7:45 - 7:50 7:45 - 7:50
1st Period 7:55 - 8:40 7:55 - 8:40 7:55 - 8:40 7:55 - 8:40
2nd Period 8:45 - 9:30 8:45 - 9:30 8:45 - 9:30 8:45 - 9:30
3rd Period 9:35 - 10:20 9:35 - 10:20 9:35 - 10:20 9:35 - 10:20
4th Period 10:25 - 11:10 10:25 - 11:10 10:25 - 11:10
Recess 11:15 – 11:45 10:25 - 10:55 11:15 – 11:45
4th Period 11:00 - 11:45
5th Period 11:50 - 12:35 11:50 - 12:35 11:50 - 12:35 11:15 – 12:00
Recess 12:05 – 12:35
6th Period 12:40 -1:25 12:40 -1:25 12:40 -1:25 12:40 -1:25
7th Period 1:30 – 2:10 1:30 – 2:10 1:30 – 2:15 1:30 – 2:15
After
School
2:20 – 3:00 / 3:30 /
4:00
2:20 – 3:00 / 3:30 /
4:00
2:20 – 3:00 / 3:30
/ 4:00
CURRICULUM
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The English Program develops the basic skills and knowledge in the following areas:
mathematics, reading, writing, natural sciences and social sciences, health, computers, art, physical
education and musical education; thus, the student enjoys the educational activities that allow us to develop
his individual abilities. There is also an ESL program for bringing up to par the English of students who
speak another language as their first language. The Spanish Program follows the requirements established
by the Secretaría de Estado de Educación (Department of Education), upon offering Spanish and Social
Studies core subjects. A Spanish as a Second Language Program is also offered.
1st through 3
rd GRADE
Language/ESOL
Reading/ESOL /lLibrary
Spelling/ESOL
Mathematics
Science/Science lab
Social Studies
Lengua Española/SSL
Moral y Cívica
Ciencias Sociales
Health
Computer Science
Physical Education
Art
Music
4th
and 5th
GRADES
Language
Reading
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Lengua Española/SSL
Moral y Cívica
Ciencias Sociales
Health
Computer Science
Physical Education
Art
Music
6th
GRADE
Language
Introduction to Literature
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Lengua Española/SSL
Moral y Cívica
Ciencias Sociales
Health
Computer Science
Physical Education
Art
Music
2) JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (7th
& 8th
) The Junior High School (7
th and 8
th grades) curriculum prepares the students with the knowledge
and abilities that will be necessary for an advanced academic instruction in High School. The curriculum is
made up of six basic fields, two of which belong to the Spanish Program (Spanish Language and the Social
Sciences of the Dominican Republic). For those students who do not have the necessary knowledge of
Spanish, or whose written mastery of the tongue is deficient, there is an alternate method of teaching
Spanish, that is, as a second or foreign language (SSL). Students interested in this program must see the
High School Principal or the School Guidance Counselor about it.
SEPTIMO GRADO
English 7
Math 7
Life Science
Global Studies
Español 7/SSL
Moral y Cívica
Sociales 7/Dominican Culture
French 7
Health 7
Computer 7
Physical Education 7
Art 7
OCTAVO GRADO
English 8
Pre-Algebra
Physical Science
U.S. History 8
Español 8/SSL
Moral y Cívica
Sociales 8/Dominican Culture
French 8
Health 8
Computer 8
Physical Education 8
Music 8
HIGH SCHOOL (9th
through 12th
)
The High School offers two curriculums: the High School Program, and the High School –
Bachillerato (Baccalaureate) Program. Parents must choose one of the two, once the student enters High
School.
a) HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM: This program allows students to transfer to and from schools
in the United States, and to continue their higher education in American universities and/or institutions.
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b) HIGH SCHOOL-BACHILLERATO (BACCALAUREATE) PROGRAM: Besides the
abovementioned program, this program complies with the requirement of the Secretaría de Estado de
Educación (SEEC—Department of Education) of the Dominican Republic, and allows students to attend
local universities. Because of these requirements (Department of Education), 12th
-grade students
participate in the Pruebas Nacionales (National Examinations) required by the SEEC (Department of
Education). Entering the High School-Bachillerato Program in 10th
grade may mean a student may have to
attend summer school, and it is not guaranteed that the student will complete the graduation requirements
with his group. You cannot enter or change into this program in 11th
or 12th
grade, unless the student is
willing to comply with all the requirements he has to meet in order to graduate from said program in the
required time.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
SUBJECTS CREDITS
English/Literature 4.0
Mathematics (Mandatory Subjects: Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus) 4.0
Science (Mandatory Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Physiology) 3.5
Social Studies (Mandatory Subjects: W. Geography, W. History, U.S. History,
U.S. Government) 3.5
One foreign language (besides Spanish) 1.0
Spanish Language and Dominican Social Studies 1.5
Physical Education 1.0
Computer Science 1.0
Health 1.0
Fine Arts 0.5
Electives 6.0
TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED CREDITS 27.0
The possible electives for the High School Program are: French III, Earth Science, Calculus, Office
Assistant and Teacher‘s Aide.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL-BACHILLERATO PROGRAM
SUBJECTS CREDITS
English/Literature 4.0
Mathematics (Mandatory Subjects: Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus) 4.0
Science (Mandatory Subjects: Physical or Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
and Physiology) 4.5
Social Studies (Mandatory Subjects: World Geography, World History, U.S. History,
U.S. Government, and Economics) 4.0
Spanish Language (Mandatory b3subjects: Spanish 9 & 10, Spanish Literature, and
Latin-American Literature) 4.0
Social Sciences (Mandatory Subjects: History and geography of America,
Dominican History, and Dominican Republic Today) 2.5
Health 1.0
French 1.5
Physical Education 1.0
Computer Science 1.0
Fine Arts 0.5
TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED CREDITS 28.0
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS The requirements to graduate from the Colegio Domínico-Americano are:
To pass all the subjects of the High School curriculum;
To carry out the Student Social Service, by which the students participate in community
work;
In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, the student must maintain a record of
overall satisfactory behavior. In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, the
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student must maintain a record of overall satisfactory behavior, that is to say, without any
sanctions of the Disciplinary Code #4 or #5. If he has received disciplinary actions #4,
his participation in the graduation will be at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.
In order to obtain the Dominican baccalaureate, he/she must have passed all the Pruebas
Nacionales (National Examinations) in 12th
grade and have completed all the subjects in
the High School- Bachillerato program.
PROMOTION FROM ONE GRADE TO THE NEXT
In order to pass from one grade to the next, the following will be taken into account: How good a
student is in each his subjects, his/her conduct, and his/her attendance to class.
Elementary School (grades 1-6), 7th
& 8th grades
: The student with a final grade of equal to or higher than 65% in all his/her subjects, whose overall
behavior is satisfactory, and has attended class 80% of the time, will be put in the next grade. If a student
has failed subjects in the English Program, he/she can make them up in Summer School (see this section).
If the subject he/she has failed belongs to the Spanish Program, s/he will take the makeup complementary
exam(s). The student whose Summer School grade is less than 65% or whose complementary exam grade
is less than 70% in as many as one (1) subject will have to repeat the year.
High School: The student whose end of semester grade is equal to or higher than 70% in all his/her subjects,
whose overall conduct is satisfactory, and who has been in class 80% of the time or more, will be promoted
to the next grade.
If a student gets a grade of fewer than 70 points in the English program, he should see the chapter
about Summer School. The student who fails more than two credits or does not pass the Summer School
subjects, or does not fulfill the requirements for the level, will not be admitted the following school year.
Should a student fail a subject from the Spanish Program, he will take the complementary and
extraordinary examinations. Any student whose grade on the extraordinary examinations is lower than70
in even one of the subjects he is passing by exam in the Spanish Program will repeat the grade in another
school.
EVALUATION SYSTEM
Evaluating students is a continuous process. The purpose of evaluation is to allow us to
systematically improve the quality of education. The value of learning shows itself through the academic
grade and the social adjustment, and is performed using different techniques and instruments depending on
the purposes of the different grades and academic areas.
a) Academic Grade:
The academic grade expresses the level of integral development reached by the student in the
learning process, and is expressed on a numerical scale of 0 to 100 points. This scale has a letter grade
which is shown below.
1st through 8th High School
A = 90 – 100 A = 90 - 100
B = 80 – 89 B = 80 - 89
C = 70 – 79 C = 74 - 79
D = 65 – 69 D = 70 - 73
F=64 or less F = 69 or less
The school year is divided into four evaluative grading periods and two semesters. There are three
kinds of grades: Partial grades (also called quarter grades), end-of-semester grades, and/or end-of-year
grades. The quarter grades are those given at the end of an evaluation period of approximately eight to
nine weeks. These grades are given on a basis of the average of the grades assigned to activities, to
individual and group projects, class participation, homework, quizzes, and the evaluation at the end of the
grading period.
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The semester grade (or end-of-semester grade)is the result of the sum of all the quarter grades
plus the percentage assigned to the semester exam. For grades 2 through 6, the semester exam is worth
14%; for grades 7 and 8 and High School, this grade is worth 20% of the semester average.
The end of year grade is the average of the semester grades.
b) Grade for Behavior and Social Adjustment:
The attitudes toward work and the skills for it can be observed as part of the aspects of
responsibility, respect, self-esteem, and camaraderie, which make up a letter grade called ―behavior‖ (or
conduct) or social adjustment. This evaluation is expressed as follows for all grades:
E = Excellent
S = Satisfactory
NI = Needs Improvement
R = Referred to the Supervisor
The attitudes and skills are further broken down in their diverse aspects in the attached flyer to the
report cards.
c) Evaluation in the Spanish program of High School:
The evaluation system of the Spanish Program is regulated by an evaluation statute (ordenanza) of
the Secretaría de Educación de la República Dominicana (Department of Education of the Dominican
Republic (SEEC)). There are two kinds of grades: within Normal Grading: Quarter grades, and Semester
grades, or Make-Up (when student fails the semester) called a Complementary grade.
The quarter grades are the result of the academic evaluation during an evaluation period. There
are two (2) quarter grades in each semester, and one that is the equivalent of a test at the end of the
semester. The end of semester grade is the average of the quarter grades (worth 70%) and the grade
obtained on the retake of the semester exam, which is worth 30%. The student will pass all the subjects in
which he has the equivalent of or more than 70 points.
If a student has an end of semester grade is 69 or less in any subject, he must take the
complementary exam. The complementary exams are worth 50%, and the average of the quarter grades
obtained during the semester will be worth the other 50%. These exams are pre-scheduled on calendars by
SEE.
All subjects a student cannot pass in the Complementary Exams will be subject to the
Extraordinary Exams, which are worth 70%, the remaining 30% being the average of the quarter grades
obtained during the semester in that same subject. The passing grade is 70 points minimum. The Colegio
gives students the Pruebas Extraordinarias, but cannot guarantee them re-admission into the High School-
Bachillerato Program for the following year.
1) 8th
Grade Pruebas Nacionales (National Examinations): The MEE ( Education Ministry)
requires that all eighth-grade students participate in the Pruebas Nacionales as a requirement of the end of
the Elementary 1st – 8th and their passing into the High School 9th
– 12th
(baccalaureate program). The
Colegio Domínico Americano prepares all its students for these tests, and exhorts them to participate in
said Examinations. If a student takes the exams, his report card will show that the end of year grades for
the fields Spanish Language, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences accord 70% to the grades
obtained during the school year, and 30% to the grades obtained at the Pruebas Nacionales. Passing these
exams will allow the student to register in the High School-Bachillerato Program. The parents of the
students at this Institution who do not wish to participate in the Pruebas Nacionales will discharge the
Colegio of all legal responsibility and sign a document toward that end. These students will register in the
High School Program (see the section about the High School Program).
2) 12th
Grade Pruebas Nacionales: In the areas of Spanish Language, Mathematics, Social
Sciences, and Natural Sciences, these exams are worth 30% of the grade, the other 70% being accorded to
the final averages for the last school year.
TAKING EXAMS – CONDITIONS
Students must show appropriate behavior:
1) Have all the materials for the exam before beginning the instructions;
2) Listen to and follow the instructions for the exam;
3) Plan any exit from the classroom for before the exam (i.e. going to the bathroom);
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4) Ask questions before the exam, if there is any doubt;
5) Observe silence during the exam;
6) Work responsibly using their own knowledge;
7) The use of calculators, information software, cell phones or computers will only after
teachers consent and revision of said article.
8) Hand in the exam following the teacher‘s instructions and in the allotted time.
Each student caught violating exam conditions 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be subject to the following consequences,
depending on the gravity of the violation:
1) Loss of 20 points;
2) Zero on the exam (Ex., having a cheat sheet or crib sheet carries this sanction);
3) Disciplinary Code #3 (Ex., having a cheat sheet or crib sheet carries this sanction);
4) Repeated violations lead to disciplinary committee and possible expulsion.
TAKING EXAMS – EXEMPTION FROM SEMESTER EXAM
Only the High School students can be exempted from taking the semester exam in the subjects
taught in English, following these guidelines:
The teacher must agree to free the student of taking the exam (written authorization the day before said
exam;
A student must obtain an average of 94 or more for two consecutive quarters in the subject he wishes
to be exempted from.
His average will then be the grade given to his exam.
A student who wishes to do so can take the exam from which he was exempted if he wishes to opt for
a higher average.
In the case of multiple exemptions, the student will not be exempted from all the subjects in English,
and must take (the exam in) at least one subject, thus keeping the study and testing skills.
TAKING EXAMS – PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING THE SEMESTER EXAM
The parents/guardians of a student can request to review the semester exam, through a written
communication to the Administration of the Colegio, within a time lapse of not more than fifteen (15) days
after receiving the grade in question. The Principal, the teacher, the parents, and the student will come
together to review the exam in a period of time of not more than five (5) working days after the receipt of
the request.
TAKING EXAMS – CHANGING THE DATE OF THE SEMESTER EXAM
The parents/guardians can request that a semester exam be postponed o set forward for a duly
justified reason by means of a written communication to the School Administration, at least thirty (30) days
before the original date of the exam. The Colegio authorities reserve the right to approve or deny said
request. If it is approved, RD$200 will be charged for each exam that is postponed or given beforehand,
and must be especially elaborated by the corresponding teacher. If the student is sick, the parent/legal
guardian must send the written communication and annex a medical certificate; he will then not have to pay
the extra fee.
NOTICE OF CONCERN
The Notice of Concern lets the parents know that the student‘s academic progress and/or behavior
are not satisfactory (see the Appendix). The student will receive a copy of the report, which he must give
to his parents to be signed, and return to the teacher the next day. All parents who receive a Notice of
Concern are requested to get in touch with the teacher who sends it.
REPORT CARDS
A report card is issued for each of the four evaluative periods. The report card contains the
following information:
An academic grade for each subject (see Evaluation System);
A grade for conduct (behavior) for each subject;
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The weighted average for each evaluative period. This is calculated taking into account only the
academic subjects that are relevant to the average. The final academic index will be determined
when choosing the students who will win certificates, medals, and trophies at the end of the school
year;
The academic position for each evaluative period (academic standing), which is obtained with the
academic index, and is expressed with the following letters:
H Honor Roll (cuadro de honor)
ACM Academic Merit (Reconocimiento Académico)
P Probation (Probatoria Académico)
Number of days absent and late
At the end of each semester or end of school year, ‗PG‘ will indicate passing grade while ‗SS‘
indicates failure in the subject and must attend Summer School. An ‗INC‖ incomplete indicates a
lack of sufficient criteria at the closing of the marking period for a grade. Incompletes grades have
are time sensitive and must be clear before the next marking period.
PROBATION
Students from grades 1 through 8 must maintain a minimum of 69 points, and those in High
School, 73 points, in their academic average at the end of each evaluative period. The Colegio will only
allow a student to be on Probation for one school year. At the beginning of the next school year, the
student will be placed on academic conditionally for one semester. Should the situation continue, the
student will be withdrawn from the Colegio at the end of that school year. The Domínico-Americano
cannot guarantee him enrollment in another school.
A student who is on probation loses the rights and privileges of participating in all the activities
offered by the Colegio until he improves his academic status. It is the responsibility of the parents/legal
guardians to meet with the Principal or the Guidance Counselor to help the student cope with his present
deficiency.
ACADEMIC CONDITIONALLY
A student can be put on Academic Conditionally in the following cases:
If he stays on probation for more than one school year (see the previous paragraph);
If he is admitted into the Colegio with deficiencies in even one of the academic areas, or if
during the first evaluative period areas of difficulty, where he may need special attention, are
detected;
If a student has to repeat subjects in Summer School for two consecutive years.
In all these cases, academic conditionally is formalized through a written document, handed over during a
conference with the student, his parents, and the Principal. At the end of the school year, an evaluation of
the academic conditionally will be carried out.
ACADEMIC MERIT AND HONOR ROLL
At the end of each evaluation period, students are chosen who will obtain Academic Merit or who
will be on the Honor Roll.
Academic Merit: Only the academic aspect will be taken into account.
a) Elementary school, 7th
, and 8th
: The student must have 80 or more in all his/her subjects,
with a grade point average of 85 or higher;
b) High School: The student must have 80 or more in all his/her subjects, with an academic
index of 90 or more.
Honor Roll: The school takes into account the academic aspect and the student‘s
behavior. The students who have obtained Academic Merit with satisfactory behavior in all the subjects
will make the Honor Roll at the end of each evaluation period. Only students who are on the Honor Roll all
four quarters are eligible for the Honor Certificate or Medal of Excellence at the end of the year.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Every month, a prize is given to the Student of the Month for each grade from 1st through 12
th, in a
formal ceremony. The teachers make the choice based on the moral values of the students with whom they
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work each month, and the academic effort. At the end of the year, the Student of the Year is chosen from
those chosen as Student of the Month.
END OF YEAR HONORS AND AWARDS
The Colegio Domínico-Americano encourages its students to obtain the highest academic and
behavioral achievements, which are handed out at the end of the school year in the Recognition Ceremony.
a) 1st through 8
th grade:
Student of the Year Medal: This goes to the student in his grade from 1st through 6
th who has been
Student of the Month and has continuously been outstanding during the whole year for his/her moral
values and academic effort;
Certificate of Honor: You need to have a final weighted average of 85 or more points, a final
grade of 80 points or more in all your subjects, and overall satisfactory behavior;
Certificate of Academic Recognition: This goes to students who have maintained the required
academic index for four consecutive evaluation periods;
Perfect Attendance Certificate: This goes to students who have never missed class or arrived at
school late.
b) High School:
Medal of Excellence: In each of the basic academic areas (Language Arts, mathematics, Science,
Social Studies, Lengua Española, and Ciencias Sociales), the student with the highest final average
in each grade and overall satisfactory conduct will receive this prize.
Certificate of Honor: This prize will go to the students who for four evaluation periods have
maintained the required academic average and overall satisfactory conduct;
Certificate of Academic Recognition: This award goes to the students who for four evaluation
periods have maintained the required academic average;
Certificate of Perfect Attendance: This award goes to students who have never missed class or
arrived at school late.
c) High School Graduating Class
Besides the honors and awards already enumerated for the High School, the students in the
graduating class of the Bachillerato can opt for the following honors:
Valedictorian: A trophy will be awarded to the student with the highest academic index this final
school year;
Salutatorian: A plaque will be awarded to the student with the second highest academic index this
final school year;
Domínico-Americano Student: The Dominico-Americano Student Par Excellence will also be
awarded. The student or students (2) must have been at the Colegio for at least four (4) years,
have a final academic average of at least 90, and have had excellent behavior during the last four
years of his schooling; his condition as a leader and his school spirit will also be taken in to
account. These students will be selected by the teaching and administrative personnel of the High
School (staff having taught these students at least one semester) and must assure they have met the
condition mentioned above. They will vote through a ballot and the student winning this honor
must accumulate at least 50% + 1 vote of the votes allowed in the scrutiny.
AWARDS CEREMONY
The Colegio will bestow awards on deserving students during an Awards and Recognition
Ceremony at the end of the school year (see Section on Awards and Honors).
CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY/SYMBOLIC EXCHANGE CEREMONY
The students of the eleventh and twelfth grades take part in this ceremony. During the ceremony,
students exchange symbolically a candle and a flower; the lighted candle stands for the light of knowledge
and responsibility as a model student of the Colegio Domínico-Americano, and the flower stands for the
friendship and brotherhood that they will share forever.
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GRADUATION CEREMONY
The twelfth-grade graduation ceremony is a solemn ceremony that takes place upon completing
High School, with the participation of members of the Colegio Domínico-Americano community. During
this ceremony, students who have completed the requirements for graduation are given their diplomas as
graduates of the Colegio Domínico-Americano, as well as all the awards and honors for merit. In order to
participate in the graduation ceremony, a student must maintain a satisfactory grade in general behavior,
that is to say, no sanctions type #4 or #5. Should he be sanctioned with Disciplinary Code #4, his
participation would be at the discretion of the disciplinary committee.
OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
This is the High School‘s official transcript of the student and this transcript can be requested from
the High School Principal, two weeks in advance, the first time and 3 working days any time after this.
Students are allowed 4 sets of transcripts free of charge, paying RD500.00 for any additional transcript.
There is an additional cost for regular mail RD150.0 and FEDEX RD$1500.00 paid at the general cashier.
If the person requesting it is no longer a Colegio student, he/she must pay RD$500.00 per
transcript, at the cashier‘s window; upon making his/her request and allow 10 working days from the date
of the request.
TRANSFERRED STUDENTS
Besides meeting the requirements for admission, the student must comply with the following:
According to the guidelines stipulated by the Department of Education, students who come from
educational centers abroad and who apply for admission for grades 7 and higher must from now on validate
the grades they obtained in their previous grades at the Department of Validations of the Department of
Education (Departamento de Convalidaciones, Departamento de Estado de Educación).
The Colegio grants transferred student‘s credit for all the subjects they have passed in an
accredited school. If a student has not taken and/or passed some subject that is a pre-requisite for another
subject, OR when there is no information to sustain the credits being transferred or whether the student
comes from a school that is not accredited, the Colegio will determine which credits are necessary for the
student to complete the requirements for graduation and can ask this student to take Summer School
classes, an additional subject during the school year, or can give him/her validation exam(s) . Should the
student not complete or pass the subjects required of him the first year, the Colegio reserves the right not to
readmit him the following school year.
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
A student who is in 7th
, 8th
grade, or high school and who has to take a subject that is not offered
by the Colegio Domínico-Americano, or that is taught on a schedule when the student has another activity,
can ask at the Principal‘s Office about the possibility of taking this subject independently, but under the
supervision of a teacher. It is the Director who authorizes the subject, taking into account the student‘s
needs and academic development.
SUMMER SCHOOL
In grades 1 through 8, students are allowed to take only two (2) basic subjects and one co-
curricular subject of the English program in summer school, during one six-week period (100 hours per
subject in 1st to 5
th grade and 120 hrs for 6
th – 8
th grade), and they must get a minimum average of 65 in
each subject.
In High School, the total number of credits that can be taken during the summer is 2.0, for a
minimum of 135 hours of class per credit unit, respectively and they must get a minimum average of 65 in
7th
and 8th
, and 70 in High School in order to pass the subjects in which the student did not get the
necessary number of points during the school year.
ENRICHMENT PERIOD
Most of the teachers stay on campus until 3:00 p.m. to offer individualized help to students who
may need it. Specially designed enrichment programs for ESL students or Math are taught between 2:30
and 3:00 in the computer lab two days a week. (check schedule)
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TUTORIALS
Private tutoring sessions are recommended by the Principals for the different areas in which the
student is weak, and/or as a requirement for admission (academic probation) by decision of the Academic
Team. The Colegio does not offer private tutoring sessions to students. It is the parents‘ responsibility to
look for qualified persons for those ends. A teacher must get written authorization to offer his services as a
tutor to a Colegio student, and teachers are not authorized to give tutorials to their own students.
Academic credit is not given to a student for taking individual sessions or private tutorials.
HOMEWORK
Homework helps reinforce the contents of the class. Therefore, it is important that homework be
done and handed in on time. Students will be sanctioned for copying homework and/or other work from
their classmates, breach of copyright, or for allowing another person (parents, legal guardian) to do his/her
homework or assigned class project.
Absence from class does not justify not handing in school work. If a student is absent for one day,
it is his/her responsibility to find out what the assignments were for that day. In order to make up
homework and work for two days‘ absence, the parents must ask the Principal over the phone what the
assigned homework was before 9:00 a.m., so that the teacher can have the homework sheet ready at the end
of the day.
As the Colegio enlarges its website, said homework will be available on the teacher‘s page on the
Web: www.icda.edu.do, enter at Colegio.
SECTION IV – ACTIVITIES AND STUDENT SERVICES
Students are given the opportunity to participate in different educational, social, cultural, and competitive
activities in order to develop their interests, abilities, and leadership. See the activities page on the website:
www.icda.edu.do, entering through the Colegio. Students‘ participation in activities can be grouped in
three categories:
Curricular: Having to do with the activities in the classroom;
Co-Curricular: Related to the activities that are an extension to the classroom. For example,
chorale, Math Olympics, science fair…
Extra-Curricular: Related to activities that have nothing to do with academics during a regular
class day. For example, sports, clubs…
Only students who are not on probation are allowed to continue participating in activities and/or culture
tours.
GUIDANCE AND PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
The Colegio has a Guidance and Psychology Department, which the students can use for their
personal and academic development. Students, parents, and teachers may request appointments in the
Psychology Department. The Psychologist and the Guidance Counselor give the admission tests, limited
intellectual or emotional evaluations, and career counseling as part of their student services.
MENTORING PROGRAM
The Mentoring Program has as its goal to encourage and foster interpersonal relationships,
leadership, and service of our fellow man. The Program consists of assigning student mentors to the new
students and to other students who need academic help. The mentors, who are volunteers, work with the
students, helping them become integrated into the Colegio and get used to it, a primary need of the new
students. This goes on during the school year, and the Elementary and High School psychologists meet
with the mentors every month, the first Tuesday of each month. Student mentors can carry out this work as
part of their civic work.
VALUES PROGRAM
The Colegio has a yearly values program set up, and each month a different aspect or value is
worked on to enrich integral and human formation. This program is a complement to the part of the
curriculum of Skills for Growing and Skills for Adolescents, created by Quest International and
implemented at the Colegio at all grade levels through the subjects Health and Civics, or as a theme in
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other subjects. As a complement in the school community, this is reinforced through workshops for
parents, given by the Guidance and Psychology Department.
CLUBS
All students are given the opportunity of belonging to a student club, as long as they meet the
requirements for admissions established by each club. The clubs may meet from 2:25 to 3:30 p.m. or
during recess, as established by each club‘s coordinator and the members of said club. In order to belong to
a club, a student must obtain his parents‘ or legal guardian‘s permission. The kinds of student clubs may
vary from one year to another, depending on the students‘ interests and the availability of the teaching staff.
SPORTS PROGRAM
The Colegio has a number of sports activities, among which you will find several team sports, for
both boys and for girls. Each of these is meant to promote cooperation, interdependence, confidence, and
pride in achieving goals. The program includes both intramural competitions and competitions among
schools in sports such as basketball and volleyball. For security reasons, when a sports team participates in
tournament outside the school, the team will leave and return to the Colegio in one means of school
transportation, ICDA school bus or other means of transportation. Members of the team are also subject to
the disciplinary regulations (see code) and good behavior.
In order to promote the sports spirit, during the school year there will be on set days Sports Day,
the Marathon, and the sports tournaments in the different disciplines.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The entire Student Council is made up of the class grade council (Four officers for each grade
from 6th
through 12th
) and by the Student Council (the four officers elected by the High School Students).
All the Student Council officers are elected at the beginning of the year, and it is a great honor to be elected
because that means you are popular among you classmates, and trusted by them. In order to be elected to
the Student Council, students must meet the following requirements:
Have been at the Colegio for at least one (1) year for the Grade Council, and four years for the
Student Council;
Have a GPA of at least 2.5 (85%);
Have taken a course in leadership (certification).
Candidates to the Student Council may not, at any moment, have been on academic or
disciplinary probation during the previous school year.
Besides, Student Council officers must maintain an index of 80 while they occupy their positions,
and their behavior is expected to be appropriate to that of a chosen leader. The latter is subject to
loss of the office.
The Student Council is responsible for organizing student activities, representing the student body with its
questions and problems, and helping maintain the highest academic and behavioral standards. Two to four
members of the Main Student Council are chosen to represent the student body in the committee for
school improvement as delegates and assistant delegates.
CELEBRATION OF IMPORTANT DATES AND HOLIDAYS
It is customary for the Colegio to celebrate and/or commemorate important dates and national
holidays, both American and Dominican, praising the cultural richness and the patriotic values of both
countries. As part of the activities, the students usually visit local museums and expositions, hear talks
given by national personalities, and organize presentations during the Flag Ceremony, in the auditorium, or
in the classroom.
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS During the school year, the teachers organize excursions that are considered as complementary to
the classes. For this, the parents or legal guardians must sign a permission slip, which is to be given to the
Director‘s/Principal‘s Office before the scheduled educational trip. Students are not allowed to participate
without the corresponding authorization. Parents‘ delegates and sub delegates are requested to accompany
the students and if other parents or guardians would like to accompany the group, they are to contact the
Assistant Director.
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ACADEMIC FAIRS (Reading Books, Multi-Cultural and Science Fairs)
From time to time, the different academic areas of the Colegio promote academic fairs for the
educational community. These fairs usually include exhibiting projects and oral presentations related to
concepts and ideas that have been seen in class. These fairs can be as simple as an arts and crafts exhibition
or as extensive as the Science Fair and the Multicultural Fair.
RECESS AREA
The recess area is in the courtyard and the cafeteria. Students may buy their snacks only during
recess. They are not allowed to buy anything outside of those hours. Students are expected to keep this
area clean and orderly when they use it. The cafeteria services are rendered in order of the students‘ arrival,
and in the case of inappropriate use by a student, the Colegio reserves the right to sanction this student with
the loss of this privilege.
LIBRARY
The Lincoln Library is the library of the Instituto Cultural Domínico-Americano, and is situated in
the buildings of the cultural complex of the Institute. Students may go to the Library during their grades‘
library hours, accompanied by a teacher. Middle school and high school students (grades 6 through 12) can
go to the Library between 2:30 and 4:00 with a pass from the High School office and permission from their
parents. The students may also gob3 to the Library after class, that is to say, after 4:00, accompanied by
their parents or legal guardians. The library has its own internal regulations, which must be respected by all
the users of the Library. Not complying with these regulations results in the loss of this privilege.
The Lincoln Library schedule is as follows: Mondays through Fridays: 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:15a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Children‘s Library (Lincoln Library Extension) Mondays through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
All the books must be returned before the end of each evaluation period, in order for the student to
receive his/her report card. The report card will be withheld until the last Library book is handed in.
Students who lose Library materials must pay for the materials before they can receive their report cards.
REQUEST OF DOCUMENTS
The Colegio Administrative office, reception area, receives and hands out any request for school
documents. In order to speed up this request, please fill out the appropriate application and indicate which
of the following you are requesting:
A certificate of good conduct;
A registration certificate for visa purposes or documentation about tuition in the United States (the
document is in English)
Certificate of previous registration (documents the years) for purposes of transfer;
Official transcript (for graduates) for university purposes;
Official transcript via the district for purposes of transfer to local or foreign schools;
Eight grade certificate or twelfth grade certificate/Pruebas Nacionales.
These documents can be ready in three days (certificate of good conduct) to ten working days (official
transcript 1st request or alumni). Should you need the documents from door to door (FedEx or EPS),
the requesting party will pay the price of the same. If the students have been away from the Colegio
for one year or longer, all requests or official transcripts will cost RD500.00 (five hundred Dominican
pesos) each.
COMPUTER LAB
The Colegio has a computer lab for the use of its student body. Students may go to the computer
lab during the class periods assigned to their grade, and also during recess, with the corresponding pass, or
after regular class hours (2:15 to 3:15 p.m.), with their parents‘ or legal guardians‘ permission. This
permission slip must be handed in to the professor in charge, early in the morning
TELEPHONE
The student who needs to make an emergency phone call may do so from the Office of the
corresponding Principal, with the appropriate pass. This use is limited, and it is from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Students are not allowed to use the public telephones located in the ICDA lobby. The use of the phone in
the Colegio Administration is limited to after 2:45 p.m. The use of mobile units is forbidden on Colegio
grounds and need to be off during class time. Cell phones used in class will be confiscated and turned in to
the school administration.
INFIRMARY - MEDICAL UNIT
Accidents: In case of accident, do not move the injured student until the medical personnel tells
you to. Then, take the student to the health unit, where the appropriate measures will be recommended, and
the parents or legal guardians will be called. In extreme cases or as a precaution, the Colegio will transport
the student to the closest emergency room.
Medicines: If a student has to take some kind of medicine during class hours, the parents or the
legal guardian must give it to the Health Unit and authorize its administration (preferably with a doctor‘s
prescription), specifying at what time and what dose is to be given. If a student is allergic to some
medicine, such as aspirin, penicillin, etc., the School must be notified in writing.
The only persons who can telephone the parents or legal guardian in case of an accident or of
illness are the nurse, the doctor, the Principals of each level, and the School Director, who will consult with
the Medical Unit and decide if a student should go home or receive specialized medical services outside of
the School. Students are NOT allowed to call the parents directly.
It is extremely important that the Colegio have up-to-date telephone numbers, where the parents or
legal guardians can be reached in case of an emergency.
TEXTBOOKS/WORKBOOKS
The Colegio has a system of renting/buying via the book store the textbooks and workbooks that
are edited in the United States, reserved upon registration. The reservation document includes the Contract
for the Rental of Textbooks for the hardcover textbooks and the order of the workbooks.
Upon the students‘ registration, the parents automatically reserve the rented textbooks and
workbooks. The order of delivery follows the same registration procedure and will be made upon
appointment as of August 1st. The payment of the delivery order of these texts and purchase of the
workbooks will be effectuated when the books are withdrawn from the bookstore. The return of the rented
books will be carried out on the established day or before June 30th
.
The care of books and school supplies, as well as lunch boxes and thermos bottles, is the
responsibility of the student and his parents. The Colegio will not replace these articles in case of
their loss or mistreatment.
LOCKERS
Students from 3rd
to 12th
will be assigned lockers. Each student must provide a padlock for his
locker. Students are not allowed to exchange lockers, padlocks, or make inappropriate use of the same.
The lockers are to remain always clean and orderly. Neither valuables nor money are to be kept in the
lockers, and students shall not give their classmates or other friends the combination to their padlocks. The
Colegio does not assume responsibility for objects that are lost or stolen from the lockers.
The Colegio reserves the right to inspect the lockers without previous authorization, when this is
necessary. Lockers must be emptied during the December vacations and at the end of the school year for
purposes of painting and repairs, as well as for security reasons.
USE OF THE INTERNET
Students have access to the Internet in the computer lab and in the Lincoln Library. This is a
service that we offer only for educational purposes, so the access to e-mail will be limited. All consultation
of information that is against morals and good customs will be sanctioned following our Disciplinary Code
(Disciplinary Action No. 3 – 5, depending on the gravity of the offense). All computers are monitored
electronically in their use; time, machine,
These regulations are meant for the physical and emotional protection and well-being of the
student body.
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SECTION V – SECURITY MEASURES
EMERGENCY DRILLS
The Colegio carries out emergency drills for the students‘ safety. During these exercise, which
will be indicated by the intermittent ringing of bells or by a megaphone, the students will follow the
instructions their teacher will give them, in order and in absolute silence. In case of an emergency
evacuation of Building B or any other building, please go to the designated area in the courtyard or in the
area designated bby administration (see Map of Emergency Exits in the Appendix).
SPECIAL SITUATION
In all the cases described below, the School Administration respect parents‘ decisions of not sending their
children to school in times of questionable danger due to their location, distance or personal conditions.
The school remains open until by government decree (see above) we are to close or when by instructions of
the school board / school board president / ICDA CEO, the ICDA is to limit its services. If the latter should
be the case, parents will be contacted by way of the phone tree.
CIVIL UNREST: The President of the Nation or the Secretary of Education will announce precautionary
measures with instruction to close schools, through a decree.
RIOTING DURING CLASS NEAR THE COLEGIO: We will proceed to withdraw all students from the
classrooms with windows near the street, moving them down the internal Colegio hallway and to other
more sheltered classrooms. All access to the Dominico will be closed until the emergency is over.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION: Likewise, parents will have precise instructions to follow in case of a real
emergency: telephone call, and/or electronic mail. See the diagram for telephone calls using the Tree to
call in case of emergency (the tree will have the telephone numbers and numbers of cell phones), or they
will be contacted with a written communication to their e-mails, and we will publish on the Web, under
News, last-minute communications, but only if this is prudent. At all moment, it is important that
instructions be followed in order for parents to have easy access to information regarding the situation and
their children.
Example: Different pick-up zone for students may change to the rear parking area close to Jose Contreras
or between the two main buildings on Modesto Diaz or another location.
Emergency telephone numbers: Please dial 535-0665
Ext. 3301 - 3302 Director‘s Office Ext. 3310 - 3311 – High School
Ext. 3320 – 3321 Elementary School Ext. 2520 – 2521 (ICDA Security)
EXT 2580-81-82 Call Centers Cell phone (809) 440 – 7322 Director
Unit of the ICDA Fleet assigned to the Registrar‘s office or to a group outside the Grounds on a school
outing (809)
FIRE: Students and their teachers will go on to emergency evacuation in Building B or another building,
heading towards the assigned area in the courtyard or nearby, adequately indicated (see Map of Emergency
Exits in the Appendix). If classes cannot be resumed, parents will be requested to pick up their children at
the most prudent location, indicated in the instructions given when they were contacted. Should you call,
please use Ext. 353, the ICDA information center, as they will have the pertinent information.
HURRICANES: The President of the Republic or the Secretary of Education will announce the imminent
danger of winds with the hurricane intensity and give instructions as to remaining at home, suspending
teaching, or closing all schools. The COE alerts indicate the instructions to follow regarding floods,
tempest winds, and the level of danger and its localization such as provinces, rivers and dams, etc. These
alerts will be reinforced by a cautionary call from the Colegio or information of the closing of schools.
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EARTHQUAKES: During the quake, the students will take the shelter drop position for this purpose. After
the quake passes, we will proceed to emergency evacuation should it be necessary. If the quake is vey
intense, the evacuation and the mobilization will be towards higher ground.
ENTRANCE TO AND EXIT FROM THE COLEGIO
The School has taken security measures to facilitate access to the parking lot. At all times, you
must be calm and patient, taking the necessary precautions in the parking lot, and holding minors by the
hand in the courtyard area, and back to the vehicles. The entrances and exits have been established bearing
in mind your safety and that of your children (direction of the traffic, supervision, protected areas, etc.), and
you are requested to pick up your children inside the parking lot at all times. Parents of Pre-Kinder through
First will be given a different vehicle pass for the parking lot in the courtyard area between 7:15 a.m. and
7:50 a.m. only, and they will enter through the corresponding gate. The normal pass gives access to this
area on report card days.
PLEASE HELP US KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE
AND MAINTAIN SECURITY WITHIN THE COLEGIO.
Entrance: The entrance to the school grounds for the students is as of 7:15 a.m., through the
parking lot toward the courtyard or toward the main lobby of the ICDA. This means that all students must
be dropped off inside the parking lot or ICDA grounds. Visitors may not enter areas like classrooms and
offices bearing firearms, blades, or any kind of weapon.
The entrance to the school grounds for parents and visitors is through the main lobby of the
Instituto Cultural Domínico-Americano, toward the office of the School Administration. Visitors who have
to go to the restricted areas such as classrooms or offices must go first to the receptionist‘s office of the
School, where they will be given an ID badge with which they will be able to circulate freely.
Exit: Dismissal will be at 2.10 p.m. for 1st through 6
th, and 2:15 for grades 7 through 12. ( Direct
supervision by teachers is until 2:45 p.m.) For security reasons, exit from school after class is only
allowed through the courtyard, toward the parking lot. Students must be picked up as follows:
1st and 2
nd grades: These students will be picked up in their classrooms, and the teachers will only
allow them to leave with persons who are authorized to pick them up. Upon leaving with the
student, both must go out via the patio toward the parking lot where the vehicle is parked and be
careful upon moving within the area.
3rd
grade: These students will be picked up in the covered area of the courtyard, and the teachers
will hand them over only to persons who are authorized to pick them up. Upon leaving with the
student, both must go out via the patio toward the parking lot where the vehicle is parked and be
careful upon moving within the area.
4th
through 12th
grades: All these students will be picked up in the courtyard area. No student may
leave the school grounds alone, that is to say, all students must be picked up in the parking lot and
by the person authorized / designated to pick him/her up.
In case of rain: The parents of Elementary School children will pick up the students in their respective
classrooms. Students in grades 7 through 12 will go to the ICDA Lobby, where they will wait to be
picked up through the covered area of the parking lot.
Authorization to pick up a child: Upon registration, each student will leave a blue card at the
Administration, with personal information and also information regarding the person(s) who is/are
authorized to pick him/her up. Those persons other than parents, who pick up children in grades 1
through 3 must bring a special identification tag (with a picture), which will be made during the first
two weeks of August. The cost of replacing this tag will be the responsibility of the parents.
Flow of Traffic in the Parking Lot: In order to keep order and facilitate the flow, the vehicles that enter
the ICDA must circulate following an ―S‖, and in one direction only. No vehicle can stop mid
circulation, and the owners must abstain from blowing the horn. Students will be picked up in front of
the gate to the patio and this cannot be done in any other area. AT ALL MOMENTS, parents and legal
26
guardians are reminded to go with their minor children with the necessary precaution and at all times
facing moving traffic.
Early Exit: Students are only allowed to leave early in cases of family emergencies or for medical
reasons, and the student is to be leave with a member of the administrative or other personnel from the
rear of the medical unit with the father/mother‘s identification (legal guardian?)In the first of these
cases, the parent or legal guardian must notify the corresponding Principal in writing, and obtain an
authorization form for the early dismissal (Early Dismissal Form), duly signed by the Principal and the
parent in question. The original authorization form must be handed in to Security on the way out, copy
to student‘s file.
The ICDA Security Department helps us at the entrance and at the exit gates of the parking area of
the Colegio. Therefore, all parents and students must respect them and accept their disposals in their
work to watch out for the security of all.
Access to the Institution is as of 7:00 a.m. for ICDA personnel, and as of 7:15 for students. The
Colegio does not assume responsibility for the safety of students who are left on the school
grounds before 7:15 a.m., after 3:00 p.m., or outside the school grounds and at the school
activities 15 minutes after the end of the same.
STUDENTS WHO DRIVE OR OTHERS
Only students in eleventh and twelfth grades are allowed to drive cars or motorcycles, or to come
to school on a bicycle. This is a privilege granted to students in these grades, as long as they observe
the following regulations:
Motor vehicles:
Fill out the appropriate form at the High School Office;
Sign a document discharging the Instituto Cultural Domínico-Americano and the Colegio
Domínico-Americano from all responsibility;
Hand in a copy of the driver‘s license and car insurance, both valid in the Dominican
Republic;
Put on the car the sticker that says CDA student / authorized parking;
Park in the assigned parking space for students, leaving the vehicle as soon as he/she arrives
at the Colegio;
Not return to the car until the last class of the day. The student cannot leave school grounds
without previous authorization;
If the student is driving the car in a way that may be considered unsafe and irresponsible, the
permission granted to him will be revoked, and he will no longer drive to the Colegio.
Students who wish to come on a motorcycle or bicycle must follow these instructions:
Fill out the appropriate form at the High School Office;
Sign a document discharging the Instituto Cultural Domínico-Americano and the Colegio
Domínico-Americano from all responsibility;
Hand in a photocopy of the driver‘s license for motorcycle and insurance, valid in the
Dominican Republic;
Use the regulation protective helmet;
Park the bicycle or motorcycle in the area exclusively assigned to that end;
They are not to return to the bicycle or motorcycle until their last class of the day.
Students who wish to return in a taxi or motoconcho must follow these instructions:
Fill out the appropriate form at the High School Office;
Sign a document discharging the Instituto Cultural Domínico-Americano and the Colegio
Domínico-Americano from all responsibility;
27
Sign out at reception or security in the lobby; they will thus be allowed to exit through a side
door.
Should a student be involved in an emergency, please call 535-0665, extensions 245, 246, 250, or 238
(Security), and we will help them contact the help they need.
NOTE: The Colegio Domínico-Americano, as well as the Instituto Cultural Domínico-Americano, DOES
NOT HOLD ITSELF RESPONSIBLE in case of theft, vandalism, or accidents that may happen within
or near the school grounds.
SECTION VI – DISCIPLINARY CODE
It is our wish to establish and maintain a secure, orderly, and positive school atmosphere, which is
conducive to the teaching-learning process.
In order to obtain the abovementioned goal, all students must accept the following norms:
Respect the rights of others;
Respect and take care of school property, and the property of other students;
Behave in an orderly and disciplined manner both within the Colegio and in school activities;
Go to the school and to the classroom punctually and in correct uniform;
Not leave the School /Institution‘s grounds without signed authorization from the parents and the
office (administrative) personnel;
Obey and respect the teachers, supervisors, concierges, and security personnel;
Cooperate with the teaching-learning process in the classroom.
Any violation of these rules will be considered unacceptable behavior, and the consequences detailed
below will be applied. Each case of lack of discipline will be studied by the persons in charge (teacher, and
Principal, Director, and/or the Discipline Council), and any attenuating and aggravating circumstances will
be carefully considered.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST WITH THEIR
RESPECTIVE PROCEDURES
1. CONFERENCE WITH THE TEACHER: This is the first of the actions, and has as its purpose to
verbally orient, so as to prevent the student‘s incurring anew in inappropriate conduct. Should it be
necessary, the student, with the teacher‘s help, will elaborate a written plan to foster responsibility in the
desired area.
2. DETENTION: This is the second step in the disciplinary actions, and there are two kinds of detentions:
a) DURING RECESS: This detention is applied during recess hours, in a classroom set aside for
such ends, under the supervision of the teacher or the personnel he/she may designate. Only a maximum of
four (4) detentions of this kind are allowed; the fifth (5h) will take place at the end of the day.
b) AT THE END OF THE DAY: This sanction is applied only in 7th
grade and upwards, on a
schedule of 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the parents having been previously notified, and under the supervision
of a teacher or administrator. The detention is assigned for the following school day, and the student must
keep absolute silence and complete a detention assignment during that time. Only a maximum of four (4)
detentions at the end of the day are allowed; the fifth (5th
) one entails a suspension.
3. SUSPENSION AT THE COLEGIO (1 or 2 days): This is the third step within the disciplinary actions.
After a minute evaluation of the discipline problem, the student may be suspended for one or two days,
depending on the misconduct presented. The suspended student will be unable to leave the assigned area
within the school grounds, or participate in Colegio activities, while the suspension lasts. He/she will
receive a zero for all classes, quizzes, and/or exams he is absent from during his suspension. A suspension
off school grounds implies the loss ob3f all the exams where he has been absent and results in a zero. A
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student who has been suspended will be placed on disciplinary conditioned. The suspension will be applied
during a conference held with the parents/legal guardians and the Supervisor/Assistant Director/Principal.
4. DISCIPLINARY CONDICIONED: After a scrupulous review of the student‘s behavioral
development, it is specified that for a specific time, there will be a contract of conditionality, in order to
help the student re-evaluate his/her behavior and social adjustment. The terms of the conditionality
contract will be discussed with the student and his/her parents or legal guardian. This action may lead to a
conditional readmission or no readmission at all the following school year.
5. EXPULSION: This is the last and most severe among the disciplinary actions. This action requires the
Discipline Committee to convene. (ICDA CEO, School Director, HR Teacher, respective Principal and
Counselor) A student who has been expelled from the Colegio will not be able to return to the same, nor
participate in any activity that is supported by the institution and the local educational authority will be
notified. If he/she is in the last year of High School, he/she will be unable to participate in the Graduation
Ceremony.
Immediate expulsion can be applied in the following cases:
The student commits for a second time one of the misdemeanors that lead to suspension, or if
the degree of the violation is judged particularly serious by the Administration;
She/he shows behavior that may prejudice the physical integrity of the rest of the students
and/or personnel of the Colegio;
Being in possession or under the influence of stupefying drugs, either on or off school
grounds;
Having committed criminal acts, in violation of Dominican laws
NOTE – THESE LISTS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS DO NOT INCLUDE ALL THOSE
THAT MAY COME UP. THE ADMINISTRATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONSIDER
WHETHER OR NOT THE BEHAVIOR SHOWN BY THE STUDENT IS APPROPRIATE, AND IF
IT IS AGAINST THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE COLEGIO AND ITS MISSION, AS WELL AS THE
CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL CODE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, FOR ALL PURPOSES.
EXAMPLES OF ACTIONS AND THEIR DIRECT CONSEQUENCES
FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCES (see description on Page 7)
The student who uses one or more of the forbidden substances will be sanctioned by Disciplinary
Action #1 - -33 depending on the seriousness, and the articles will be confiscated by the teacher, Principal,
or Director‘s Office. The Colegio reserves the right, upon conference, to return or not to return to the
parents what has been confiscated from the student.
The student who has in his possession any of these forbidden substances will be sanctioned with
Disciplinary Action ·3 - ·5 depending on the seriousness of the action, and the articles will be confiscated
by the Director‘s Office. The Colegio reserves the right, upon conference, to return or not to return to the
parents what has been confiscated from the student, and the sanctions to be applied in cases #4 and #5 go to
the Disciplinary Committee for the establishment of the appropriate consequences.
ATTENDANCE (see description on page 8)
In case of an unjustified absence, the student will be sanctioned with Disciplinary Action #·3, ·#4,
and #5 depending on how often this is repeated, and the degree of the absence. Leaving the Institution
without a signed authorization from the parents and the office personnel carries the sanction of unjustified
absence.
GRADUATION CEREMONY (see description on page 19)
In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, the student must maintain a satisfactory record
of general behavior, that is to say, with sanctions of the Disciplinary Code paragraphs #4 and #5. Should
he/she be sanctioned with #4, his/her participation would be up to the discretion of the disciplinary
committee.
PUNCTUALITY (see description on page 9)
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a) Lateness to School
If a student repeatedly comes to school late, a conference will be requested with the parents (or legal
guardian?) and the student. The student will be sanctioned with disciplinary actions #3 and #4, and be
placed on disciplinary probation, and the status of no-readmission, conditional for the following year
depending on the applicable punishments.
b) Lateness to class If a student accumulates three (3) late arrivals in class, he will be sanctioned with Disciplinary Action
#2, #3, and #4 depending on his /her recidivism.
TAKING EXAMS – CONDITIONS (see description on p. 16) All students violating the conditions of exam will be subject to the consequences depending on the
seriousness of the violation, including 20% f the points, relinquishing electronic instrument of said
violation, a zero on the exam, disciplinary action #3, and if he is a recidivist it carries disciplinary action #3
and #5.
UNIFORM
If the student assiduously fails to comply with the regulation uniform, he/she will be sanctioned
according to the policies set forth in the Disciplinary Code. (Sanctions varying from actions #1 - #4)
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COLEGIO DOMINICO-AMERICANO
To whom this may concern:
After having read the STUDENTS‘ HANDBOOK we accept its norms and
dispositions as good and valid, and promise to comply with the procedures and
requirements presented in the same. This is singed below and clearly understood at the
time the student or students have been registered in the School.
STUDENT
1._____________________________
2._____________________________
3._____________________________
4._____________________________
5._____________________________
GRADE
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
MOTHER‘S SIGNATURE__________________________________DATE_______________________
FATHER‘S SIGNATURE __________________________________DATE_______________________
GUARDIAN‘S SIGNATURE________________________________DATE_____________________ _