In order to address this, the School provides a very structured and regimented environment. Students are expected to obey instructions, use good manners, respect others, stand at attention, and walk or march single file to class or activities. As you can imagine, most students initially neither like nor appreciate this structure and regiment, but the structure and rules help the students to begin developing order in their lives. It also becomes the catalysts for students to learn discipline and incorporate new habits that will help them to succeed in life.

As students learn effectively to follow the rules, the structure and the rules are gradually and systematically relaxed. This transitional phase prepares the students to return home and succeed. The whole learning process is enhanced greatly as students participate in seminars and daily character building courses. Students, while learning to operate within rules and boundaries, are given the opportunity to gain essential life skills, insights, and motivation that are necessary for their long-term personal and academic success.

Most students will initially resist the new, structured environment, and will typically go through several phases as they adjust to it. No two students are ever the same, but they will usually go through some or all of the following stages:

The agenda in each of these phases is to work on your emotions in the hope that you will take your child out of the School. If you do so, your child will not have to go through the long, hard process of making real and lasting changes. We can certainly all understand why students would try any or all of these approaches first. This is a tough school; the food isn't as good as the "home cooked" meals you provided for them and the accommodations aren't nearly as comfortable as your home. These are precisely some of the very reasons why the School is so effective. We have found that when parents and the School work together as a team and remain strong in their resolve that students must make changes, the students will finally reach the Acceptance Phase.

During this phase, the student finally realizes and accepts that he or she is here until he or she makes the changes that are necessary. It is only at this stage that the School will begin to be effective for them. Let us work together to achieve that that goal!!

Action Items for Chapter 2

Please fax or email us one or more paragraphs on the following

Code of Conduct

Appropriate Behavior
Students are to:

Behave in an appropriate manner.

Refrain from rude behaviors, swearing, and being loud or boisterous.

Required to say "Please," "thank you," and "excuse me."

Respect for School Personnel
Students are required to:

Respond appropriately to guidance and direction from youth supervisors, teacher, and other staff.

Should not communicate a lack of cooperation or respect through actions, words, gestures, or facial expressions.

Grievances involving staff
Students may:

Discuss with staff (in private) concerns about staff directions or interactions.

Also request a conference with an individual staff member and his or her supervisor to resolve any issues.

Grievances involving other students
Students:

Are always to be kind to each other.

Should not degrade other students by unking words, actions, or gestures.

May request a conference with the student and staff member to work out any problems or potential problems.

Communications
Students are:

Not to talk about drinking, drugs, or sex.

Not to make negative statements about the School, the staff, the country, or other student.

Not to tell about "war stories" or brag about inappropriate experiences.

Are to talk respectfully about parents, authority figures and other staff.

Should not interrupt a conversation when someone else is talking.

Should not involve themselves in other people's business.

Should never interfere with the staff's correction of another student.

Schooling

Students are to be on time, whether it is for class or an activity, or completing a job or personal responsibilities.

Students are to obey classroom rules.

All of the preceding are to be accomplished in a timely manner.

Self
Students are to:

Avoid extremes in their dress and grooming

Take proper care of their bodies through regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, obtaining adequate rest, etc.

To complete jobs and assignments ina timely and cheerful manner

Not tattoo, injure, stress, or mark their bodies.

Property
Students are to:

Be respectful or peroperty, whether it belongs to them, others, or the School.

Not deface, mar, misuse or destroy property or personal belongings.These rules not only apply to intentional actions, but also to actions stemming from neglect or thoughtlessness.

Not borrow belongings of others without permission.

Not to manipulate or use others for their own benefit. Manipulation includes lying, cheating, deceiving or playing people off of each other. Students should ot ask a staff for a more favorable answer when one staff member has already told them "no." Students should nto say, "Staff _____ let me do it, so why won't you?"

Participation in School Life
Students should make an honest effort to participate fully in each of their daily activities and to cooperate with every aspect of School life.

CHAPTER 2