The administration and faculty of Rice High School believe in the Latin interpretation of the word DISCIPLINE, which is "TO TEACH." Discipline, in and of itself, has no purpose unless it teaches a lesson that helps lead to self-descipline.

One of the best ways to teach these lessons is through a proactive system of accountability. Students will be given a set of expectations and then judged on how they achieve them. Each student is reminded that he is "responsible for his own words, and actions." No one can make a student do anything he does not want to do.

POLICY ON ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE

Daily attendance is essential for a student to be successful not only in school but also in later life. All students are expected to be in school each day unless they are ill or there is a major family emergency.

When a student is absent a phone call is to be made to the school by the students's parent/guardian by 8:30 a.m. A note, written and signed by the parent/guardian is to be brought to school when the student returns. If a student is absent more than three (3) consecutive days, a doctor's note is expected.

If the school does not hear from a students parent/guardian by 9:00 a.m. the school will call the parent at home or work. Parent/guardians are required to have on file in the school office a phone number of a relative, neighbor or friend in case the school is unable to contact the parent/guardian. This is also important in the event of an emergency at school.

A student who does not submit an absent note when he returns to school will receive a five (5) day detention. The detention is lifted when the student brings in the absent note.
Students who are truant will receive a "Zero" for all class work and homework missed. This is an infraction of both school regulations and NYS School Attendance Laws. Truancy will result in a parental conference and appropriate punishment. Multiple truancies could result in dismissal from Rice High School.

TARDINESS

All students are late at 8:10 AM. Students will receive a late pass from the Dean before going to class. Students have 3 minutes to change classes. The first period begins at 8:10 AM.

Students who are late must serve a detention the next day unless an agreement is made with the Dean. Failure to do so will results in a one-day suspension from school.

A student absent/or late a combination of (30) days during the school term could be asked to withdraw from Rice High School. There will be an Attendance Conference with the student, his parent/guardian and the Dean or Assistant Head to determine the reasons for the excessive absenteeism/tardiness on his attendance record.

Special mention must be made to Senior classmen that their attendance and punctuality will be monitored throughout the school term. Graduation will be placed in jeopardy if absences/ tardiness increase as we get closer to the end of the school term.

DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Students entering the school are expected to be properly dressed. Parents will be notified and students will be sent home to change for violating dress code. Students are required to return to school as soon as possible and will serve detention the next day. Any quiz or test missed will result in a grade of ZERO. Students will not be able to make up the missed work. Failure to return to school to serve the detention will result in suspension. Continued infraction of dress code (two times being sent home) will place a student on disciplinary probation.

Proper dress for Rice High School:

Winter Dress Code:

Sweater/Vest: All students are required to wear the official sweater or vest to school every day.
Shirt: A solid light color dress shirt with collar and tie. All buttons (including top) are to be buttoned. Tie is to be pulled over the top button of shirt. Shirt tails must be in pants. If a short sleave shirt is worn, no protruding sleeves from thermal undershirts, turtlenecks or illegal sweaters can be worn in the building.
Pants: Dress pants with loops and a belt. No army pants, jeans, cargo pants or carpenter pants are allowed. Pants are to be pulled up to the waist. Pants can not be belted on the buttock.
Shoes: Black or brown dress shoes with or without rubber soles. No sneakers (including black sneakers) or sketchers are allowed. No boots will be worn in school. *****Boots can be worn in inclement weather.
Hair: Well groomed beards and sideburns are allowed. No designs engraved in hair are permitted. All hair must be brushed, combed, or braided. Braided hair is to be neat. No fancy hairstyles are allowed. No hats or headgear are allowed to be worn in the building. Hair not braided will result in student being sent home.

No excessive jewlery is to be worn to or in school. This includes earrings. *See Handbook.

Spring Dress Code

Shirt: The Rice High School official polo shirt is the ONLY polo shirt that can be worn when we are in Spring Dress Code. Tails of the polo shirt must be in the pants. No protruding sleeves from long sleeved undershirts, turtlenecks or illegal sweaters can be worn with the polo shirt.
Pants: Dress pants with loops and a belt. No army pants, jeans, cargo pants or carpenter pants are allowed. Pants are to be pulled up to the waist. Pants can not be belted on the buttock.
Shoes: Black or brown dress shoes with or without rubber soles. No sneakers (including black sneakers) or sketchers are allowed. No boots will be worn in school. *****Boots can be worn in inclement weather.
Hair: Well groomed beards and sideburns are allowed. No designs engraved in hair are permitted. All hair must be brushed, combed, or braided. Braided hair is to be neat. No fancy hairstyles are allowed. No hats or headgear are allowed to be worn in the building. Hair not braided will result in student being sent home.

No excessive jewlery is to be worn to or in school. This includes earrings. *See Handbook.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Students are expected to abide by all school rules each day. Students will not be permitted to leave the school building at anytime during school day without permission. All students will eat lunch in school.

* For all student conduct information please read the Rice Student Handbook.