A new demerit system has changed punishments for students this year. The new system assigns demerits not only for being late to school, like in the past, but also includes inappropriate bus behavior, propping exterior doors, HIB violation, getting or violating  hall restriction, failure to serve teacher detention, cell phone use in class,wearing hats and hoods, headphones, not signing in properly when late, dress code violations, and parking offenses. All of these consequences range from receiving 1-10 demerits.

Vice Principal Mrs. Raimondo said the system change idea isn’t new, and that the idea has been bouncing around for a while now. Students may get more demerits now but they have more opportunities to reduce their number of demerits with the new system. 

According to the 2022-2023 MTHS student handbook:

Students will be issued demerits in conjunction with disciplinary consequences.  In addition to the consequence (CD, 2HR CD, ISS, OSS) the student will be assigned demerits.  If a student acquires a certain number of demerits, they will be subject to the loss of privileges, including but not limited to sports, activities, social events, dances, proms, parking, loss of school bus transportation and participation in the graduation ceremony. Students who have repeat offenses of the same infraction will receive an increased number of demerits. Demerits can be reduced through a variety of means (listed below).  However, demerit points associated with gross misconduct, as determined by the administration, will NOT be eligible for reduction. Please note, the administration reserves the right to deny any student extracurricular participation for misconduct if deemed necessary.

Issue of Demerits

Demerits are issued for the following infractions according to the handbook:

• 1-hour CD: 1 demerit
• 2-hour CD: 2 demerits
• ½ Day ISS: 3 demerits
• 1 Day ISS: 5 demerits
• 2 Days ISS: 7 demerits
• 3 Days ISS: 9 demerits
• 1 Day OSS: 9 demerits
• 2 Day OSS: 12 Demerits
• 3 Days OSS: 15 Demerits
• 5 Days OSS: 20 Demerits
• 10 Days OSS: 30 Demerits
• Failure to serve teacher detention: 2 Demerits
• Cell Phone use in class: 1-3 demerits
• Hats/Headphones/Cell phones (in hallway): 1-3 Demerit (progressive)
• Late to school (lates 1-9): 1 Demerit
• Late to school (10+ lates): 2 Hour CD and  2 Demerits
• Not signing in properly in when late: 1 Demerit
• Dress Code Violation: 1-3 Demerits
• Parking Offense: 3 Demerits
• Inappropriate Bus Behavior: 3 Demerits
• Failure to Serve Central Detention: 5 Demerits
• Cutting Class: 10 Demerits
• Propping Open Exterior Doors: 10 demerits (1st offense)
• HIB Violation: 10-30 Demerits (depending upon severity)
• Hall Restriction: 5 Demerits

Demerit Accumulation and Loss of Privileges

The new system can also lead to loss of privileges for students who accumulate too many demerits. According to the handbook:

• Students who accumulate more than 9 Bus Behavior Demerits will be temporarily suspended off the bus.
• Students with 15 or more demerits at the time exam exemption paperwork is due will not be eligible for exam exceptions. 
• Students with 25 demerits will receive a letter home to parents and have to have a meeting with guidance. Students will also not be allowed to participate in any school activities (sports, clubs, field trips, social events) as a participant or spectator (see Manchester Township School District Board Policy 5850). 
• Students who have 35 Demerits must meet with their parents and administration. They cannot participate in any school activities (sports, clubs, field trips, social events) as a participant or spectator (see Manchester Township School District Board Policy 5850) and their parking privileges will be suspended. Students will be subject to an intervention plan with community service opportunities to reduce demerits, which is the only way to reduce demerits at this level.
• Students who accumulate 40-60+ Demerits may be subject to change their educational placement after being viewed by administration and The Child Study Team with loss of all activities. 

Demerit Reduction

However,  students can work off the demerits they have received in the following ways:

• No new discipline referrals or new demerits for one month: – 5 demerits
• Attend Central Detention (not assigned by administration): – 1 Demerit
• Attend 2HR CD (not assigned by administration): – 2 Demerits
• High Honor Roll in ALL classes at end of the MP (All ‘A’s): – 5 Demerits
• Honor Roll in ALL classes at the end of the MP (All ‘A’s and ‘B’s): – 3 Demerits
• Being chosen as Student of the Month or Hawk of the Month: – 5 Demerits
• Community Service (if approved by the administration): -3 to – 5 Demerits
• Restorative Practice Circle (Administration assigned): – 3 Demerits
• Catch a Hawk With Pride Award: – 3 Demerits
• Receiving an Award at the Academic Pep Rally: – 3 Demerits

Students can see their demerits on the Parent portal and should meet with their grade-level administrator for help or for more information.