COMMONWEALTH HIGH SCHOOL

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STUDENT
HANDBOOK
" A noble and stable institution where learners bloom with knowledge and wisdom

COMMONWEALTH HIGH SCHOOL

SY 2022-2023
 Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of Students

2.1 The school recognizes that students have their own duties to perform to contribute to the
betterment of their education. The following norms of conduct are expected from students Students
must be respectful of another's opinions, status of any sort,

ethnicity, and religion; Must comply with the school's regulations, as long as they are congruent to
their best interests; Must participate in and contribute to an adequate school environment;

Express themselves appropriately at att umes Must participate in school activities,

Must respect moral and physical integrity of everyone at all Must ensure school facilities are clean and
preserved, as well as any school articles, other devices, furniture or landscape, and to use them

properly

Must respect property rights of any goods or objects belonging to anyone,

Must know and follow the rules and procedures of school services,
Students must refrain from:

22. • Discriminating, or leading a group of students to discriminate another. with regards to one's physical
appearance, gender or sexual orientation, disability, economic status, religious beliefs or affiliation and status of
any sort
Behaving physically in a manner that is inappropriate or sexually provocative
Participating in behavior of other students that is illegal, unsafe and/or abusive,
Abusing and over-asserting their rights on manner that would evade the school administration from
protecting them;
Marking or damaging school property and equipment, including books, in any way
Being aggressive or engaging in a fight. Inviting visitors or guests inside the school without passing through
the
Security Guard on duty.

Section 3. Policy and Absences, Tardiness and Cutting Classes

3.1 The school gate is temporarily closed from 7:00-11:45 am and 1:00-6:00 pm to ensure student's safety inside
the campus.

32. • Attendance shall be checked by the subject teachers.

33. • A student who incurs absences of more than twenty percent (20%) of the prescribed number of class or
laboratory periods during the school year should be given a failing grade and given no credit for the course or
subject (DECS Service Manual, 2000)
34. A student who has been absent is required to present to the Class Adviser a written explanation stating the
valid reason of absence signed by the parents immediately after the day the student was absent. Failure to do so
will result to truancy. Truancy is an unexcused absence from school without the
knowledge and permission both of the student's parents/guardian and of the

3.5
teacher. Extended absence of at least five days caused by illness must be certified with a written statement from a doctor
(Medical Certificate).

3.6
Students who are absent for any reason will be required to make up work missed in each class. It is the student's
responsibility to make all necessary arrangement for missed assignments, lessons and projects with the teacher upon return
to school.

3.7
Students are expected to report to class on time. A student is considered tardy if he comes to class 10 minutes after the bell
has rung.

3.8 The individual teacher will handle class tardiness. An accumulation of three such tardiness will equal one absence.

3.9 A student cut classes if he/she willfully does not attend in one or more subjects but present in some subjects.

3.10 Habitual unexcused absence, tardiness and cutting classes shall be recorded in the Anecdotal Logbook and warrants
immediate classroom intervention of the Class Adviser. Subject Teachers must likewise report to the Class Adviser any
cases of tardiness and cutting classes incurred in their subject.

Section 4. Norm of Conduct during Class Hours

4.1
Regular and punctual attendance is absolutely necessary. Students are expected to be in school before or at exactly 6:00
a.m. for the flag ceremony. The school gate is closed from 6:30-11:45 am and 1:00-6:00 pm to ensure student's safety
inside the campus.

(Deped Order no. 50 s. 2015 for Flag Raising and Lowering)

4.2 Students should stand at attention during flag ceremony and announcements.

4.3 Loitering in corridors and lingering inside the comfort rooms and canteens should be avoided at all times.

4.4 Students should wait quietly for their teachers. If a teacher is late for 15 minutes, the class president or its proxy, in
case of the latter's absence, should notify the concerned teacher or the principal.

4.5 Students should be careful not to leave their things like books, bags, etc. They should refrain from bringing expensive
gadgets and school supplies to prevent losses and accidents. Students are responsible for their personal belongings. The
school assumes no responsibility for any lost articles.

46 Inside the campus, students should respect signage (e.g. off limits, danger,

warning, silence, no entry, no loitering, this way, no littering, etc.) They are for
safety and consideration for others. Students should keep their classrooms clean, green and orderly to
make it conducive for learning. They should abide by the set of rules and follow their leaders in the
spirit of teamwork and team building.

47. Students are required to take good care of the school properties like chairs and tables. They should
report damages done on a school property to school authorities as a sign of concern.

4.8 School Curfew: Students should not stay within the school campus after 6:00 pm on class days,
except during officially sanctioned school activities with sanctions from parents or guardian. On
weekends (Saturdays & Sundays), office permit and waivers of parents/guardians are required for
school related activities. (The school gate is always expected to be close during weekends and only
authorized personnel and students are allowed to get in).

4.9 School activities sponsored by any student organization requiring collection of money or raising of
funds from the students like sale of tickets, solicitation, etc. affecting the school directly or indirectly
is strictly prohibited under the "No Collection Policy".

4.10 Parent/guardian's informed consent/waiver is required for official seminars or activities requiring
the participation of the students. Students who are allowed by their parents or guardians to join these
activities are required to be in the prescribed vicinity, as stated by school authorities.

4.11 Announcements/posters/letters circularized which are to be posted on the bulletin boards must be
approved by the principal or any of his/her authorized representatives for posting

4.12 Students should deliver immediately circulars or letter to parents as soon as they arrive home.
Return slips, if any, should be brought back to school the following day.

4.13 Students are prohibited from going to computer cafes and other recreational facilities and the
likes during class hours. (D.0. 83, s.2000)

4.14 No student may leave the campus during school hours unless there are valid reasons such as
emergencies, etc. In this case, the student must secure Gate Pass from the Adviser/Subject Teacher.
The student must sign in and out of the guard's logbook. Failure to follow the above procedures
regarding signing in and signing out may result in disciplinary actions.

4.15 No group actions like boycotting of classes or demonstrations against any issue which leads to
stoppage of classes shall be allowed. Student grievances shall be in a written form and will entertained
in a proper avenue and in a diplomatic process.
 Section 5. Prescribed School
Uniform & School ID
5.1 Wearing of complete and prescribed uniform, although voluntary, is strongly encouraged for the purpose of
identification and safety of the students Students shall wear complete uniform on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Fridays except during special occasions such as sports events. (depends on school)

5.2 The prescribed uniform for Junior High School is white blouse and maroon pleated skirt, black closed shoes,
and white socks (girls) and white polo and •Navy Blue slacks/pants, black shoes, and white socks (boys).

5.3 The prescribed uniform for Senior High Students is illustrated in Page 51.

5.4 The school ID card is provided by the school to all students (Grade 7 to 12) at no cost to them. The students
then are expected to wear their I.D. before entering and while inside the campus, at all times.

5.5 The school ID should be presented to the Registrar and validated every year upon enrolment. However, in
case of lost ID card the student will shoulder the cost of the replacement.

5.6 For transfer to another school or graduating students, the school ID must be surrendered to school.

Section 6. Dress Code and Grooming

6.1 Female students are not allowed to wear shorts, ripped jeans, tight pedals, mini-skirts, sleeveless and see-
through blouses, backless and "spaghetti" tops, multiple earrings, and heavy makeup.

6.2 Male students are not allowed to wear ripped jeans, shorts sando, and T-shirts with offensive printed words.
They are also discouraged to wear earrings and eyeliners.

6.3 Athletic uniforms shall only be allowed during sports activities or PE subject.

6.4 The acceptable haircut for boys shall be at least one (1) inch above the ear and three (3) inches above the
collar line (DECS Manual 2000). Fancy haircuts, highlighted or dyed hair, tattoos, long/colored nails are
discouraged for both male and female students.

Section 7. Regulation on the Use of Electronic Gadgets in School

7.1 DepEd strictly imposes a ban on the use of cell phones by students during class hours. Students are directed
to turn off their cell phones during class hours and switch them back on after class. Wearing headset earphones
or playing loud music inside the classroom is also prohibited unless allowed by the teacher for academic
purposes. This cell phone ban is ordered so
students will remain focused in their lessons and learning distractions are minimized. Students repeatedly
caught violating this provision shall be subjected to disciplinary actions.

7.2 No student may charge his/her gadgets on the outlet on their classroom or anywhere within campus
unless permitted by their class advisers due to some requirement that they need to accomplish like project,
term papers, research projects etc.

7.3. On cases where a class may be distracted because of the persistent use of gadgets by the certain
student in spite or having been warned by the teacher, the said gadget must be turned over to the
concerned teachers who would eventually return the said gadget to the student/owner at the end of the
same class or period.

Section 8. Cheating, Stealing, Forging of Signature, Falsification of School Documents and other Forms
of Grave Dishonesty

8.1 The school adheres to "Honesty is the Best Policy" Therefore, cheating in examinations and quizzes is
not tolerated. This includes copying of answers or allowing others to copy one's answer/opening of
notes/unauthorized use of codes and signals during tests, possession of "kodigo" and changing answers
and scores while checking.

8.2 A student who has been suspended for serious disciplinary infractions, including cheating and stealing,
shall be disqualified for honors for the curriculum grade during which the suspension is imposed (DO 6, s.
2005).

8.3 Forging of signature of the school personnel and other documents are not allowed and subject for
serious disciplinary action.

Section 9. Gambling in School Premises

9.1 All forms of gambling which involves betting of money such as in spider fights, basketball games,
"taksi" inside the school campus are not allowed. Any personnel who personally witnessed the incident
shall confiscate the money and report to the Class Advisers. The confiscated money must be forwarded to
Supreme Student Government (SSG) as fund.

Section 10. Vandalism and Deliberate

Destruction of School Property
10.1 At all times, students should not write anything on the board without the permission from the teacher.
The teacher's desk is exclusively for teacher's use only. Any deliberate damage or loss of school properties
such as the chairs, jalousies, electric bulb, doors, athletic equipment, etc. is the responsibility of the
students and shall be fixed and replaced by them.
 Section 11. Immoral Conduct and Indecency
Public display of affections inside the campus is not tolerated. Students caught involved in sexual misconduct and
immoral behavior will be dealt with accordingly and instantaneously.

immoral behavior is a behavior that conscientiously goes against accepted morals or not conforming to the patterns of
conduct usually accepted or established as consistent with principles of personal and social ethics.

Section 12. Risky Social Media Behavior

12.1 Students must be responsible in the use of social media and the internet. Online risky behaviors such as
disrespecting fellow students and/or school personnel using media/ ICT tools (internet, cellphones, etc.) to injure
one's character or reputation (e.g. publicly posting slanderous comments or images/pictures with lewd or obscene
graphics or funny illustrations will be dealt with accordingly.

13.2 Any grievances should be addressed to the proper authority

Section 13. Fist Fights, Riots and Other Destructive Behavior

13.1 Students who engage in fist fight or injure another student shall be brought to the prefect of discipline for
mediation to patch up misunderstanding. School personnel who personally witnessed the squabble should
immediately pacify the situation or call the Security Guard. The class adviser will send invitation letter to the parent/s
or guardian/s of conflicting students. The parents should be informed to the sensitivity of the case.

13.2 In case of grave injury, the parents of the offending students will be liable for the medical expenses. Case is
advised to be forwarded to CPP.

Section 14. Fraternities, Sororities and Gangs DO. 6, s. 1945, D.O 20, s.
1991; RA 8049-Anti Hazing Act
14.1 DepEd prohibits the operation of fraternities and sororities in public secondary schools. Conduct of hazing and
other initiation rites may result to expulsion.

Section 15. Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Use

15.1 The use of tobacco substances is not permitted to students, teachers, staff, parents, and visitors within vicinity of
the school campus.

15.2 Students who are intoxicated are not allowed to enter the school campus to prevent aggressions due to
drunkenness. Any student who is caught intoxicated will be dealt with accordingly.

15.3 Possession and use of prohibited drugs is a criminal offense. Any student
caught in possession of illegal drugs will be referred to the Municipal Police Station
 Section 16. Possession and Deadly Weapons
16.1 Students are not allowed to bring deadly weapons such as knives, icepicks, other sharp bladed
instruments, guns, matches/lighters, firecrackers, and other explosives.

16.2 Reported and suspected student who bring possession of deadly weapons is subject for inspection/
frisking)

Section 17. Threats and Assault on School Personnel

17.1 Students who, without provocation, would physically or verbally disrespect or assault a teacher or any
of the school authorities or bringing of "barkadas"/gangs/outsiders for the purpose of retaliating against
school personnel is an offense subject to disciplinary action.Section 18. Norm of Conduct after Class Hours

18.1 The student is bringing the name of the school even after class hours. It is therefore right that the
student should behave consistently in a manner which upholds the moral integrity of the school.

18.2 Students should bear in mind that in all places, they are responsible for their conduct, especially when
in school uniform; thus, their conduct should be dignified and proper. Students who are in their uniform
should not go to disco pubs, beer houses, videoke establishment, billiard halls, internet café, and the like.
The name of the school should not be used for an activity or function unless approved by the principal.

18.3 Students who are requested to stay in school or outside the school beyond class hours and during
weekends and holidays for academic and valid reasons should ask written permission of the latter's parents
or guardians and approve by the school head. They should likewise be supervised by the concerned teacher
to avoid any untoward incidents.

Section 19. Disciplinary Procedure for Minor Offenses

19.1 The following are considered minor offenses:

Deliberate disturbance and/or improper behavior within school premises;

Littering and loitering:
Disregard of signs and markers;
Use of vulgar languages/unacceptable words (written or oral);
Improper use of classroom/school facility & supplies;
Unnecessary absences and/or cutting classes;
Habitual tardiness (5x and above);
Possession/use of cigarette (smoking inside school premises);
Possession/reading or passing of pornographic materials;
Possession of gambling paraphernalia in any form within the school premises or its immediate vicinity:
Using cell phones, iPod, mp3, game cards, video games, computer games during class hours or
charging of cell phones inside the classroom/ within the campus;

Cheating (copying of answers or allowing others to copy one's answer/opening of notes/unauthorized

use of codes and signals during tests, possession of "kodigo" during quizzes and other examinations)
and dishonesty (changing answers and scores while checking); Writing and/or drawing obscenities;

19.2 The disciplinary procedure for committing minor offenses is explained below:

19.2.1 First Offense: After hearing the side of the student, the Class Adviser shall give an oral
reprimand or warning to the offending student. He/she will document the misconduct in his/her
Anecdotal Record logbook, indicating the date, time and the detailed description of the incident, the
agreement to stop the misbehavior. If the witnessing personnel is subject teacher or a non-teaching
staff, the incident shall be made known to the Class Adviser/s of the offending student/s. This accounts
for the classroom-based intervention.

19.2.2 Second Offense: If succeeding misbehavior occurs even after the reprimand, the Class Adviser
shall communicate with the parents or guardians about the case during the quarterly Recognition
Program or parent's meetings and come up with a solution to the

19.2.3 Student's misbehavior. If parents or guardians don't respond to the invitation, the Class Adviser
shall conduct Home Visitation as another form of intervention in strengthening school-family
connection. The student shall then write a written apology in the presence of the parent or guardian.

19.2.4 Third Offense: If all initial interventions are already exhausted and the student commits the
same misconduct, the teacher shall refer the case to the Prefect of Discipline by filling up the Referral
for Discipline Intervention Form. The parent/guardian shall be summoned by the Prefect of Discipline
through the Class Adviser for the treatment of sanction. The students and parents/guardian shall come
up with a mutual contract or written apology duly stated in the Student-School Agreement which the
offending student shall accomplish and will render special tasks as agreed upon by the student. parents
and Prefect of Discipline to the committed offense. The Class Adviser will bring the student to the
Guidance Office for counseling intervention.

19.2.5. Repeated offenses will be elevated to major offense.

Section 20. Disciplinary Procedure for Major Offenses

21.1 Committing a major offense shall not be used to curtail the student's basic rights and due process shall be followed. The following
cases are considered as major offenses:

Bullying acts;
Possession/use of deadly weapon or harmful objects (bladed objects of any kind, guns and/or ammunitions of any kind, explosives of
any kind, biological or chemical weapons of any kind, etc.);

Instigating, leading or participating in concerted activities leading to stoppage of classes;

Truancy (Staying away/not entering the campus or classes for the purpose of gallivanting, playing, etc.);

Fighting/inciting fights or acts of violence resulting to injury on oneself or other students;

Assaulting teacher or any other school authority or his agents or students;

Possession/use of alcohol; beverages/drunkenness/disorderly behavior caused by liquor or drugs;

Bringing of "barkadas"/gangs/outsiders for the purpose of harassing any student or school personnel;

Organizing/recruiting/hazing of any form of unauthorized groups whether in or out of school premises;

Trespassing in off-limits/restricted areas/other classrooms;

Forging/defacing/tampering school records and documents (ID cards, report card, letters, quizzes, etc.);

Unauthorized use of school name and seal for public function;

Sexual harassment/acts of lasciviousness;

Vandalism (destroying or writing on school property like chairs, table, windows, books, laboratory equipment and others/deliberate
destruction of other people's property);

Embezzlement of student funds;

Theft/stealing

Collection/soliciting money for any activity or outside project not duly sanctioned by school authorities;

Possession/use/pushing of prohibited drugs;

Discrediting/ disrespecting fellow student's/school personnel using media/ ICT tools (internet, cellphones, etc.) to injure one's
character or reputation (e.g. publicly posting slanderous comments or images/pictures with lewd or obscene graphics or funny
illustrations, cyber bullying, etc.);

Other similar offenses. (Division Memo 177, S. 2016)

21.2 The disciplinary procedure for committing major offenses is explained below:

2. The school personnel present during the incident shall immediately intervene with the situation and conduct an on-
the-spot intervention. In cases of violence or there is imminent and present danger, the witnessing school personnel
shall call the Security Guard or the Police Personnel depending on the gravity of the situation. If the witnessing
personnel is a subject teacher or a non-teaching staff, the incident shall be made known to the Class Adviser of the
offending student/s. Class Advisers must coordinate with each other if the incident involves students from different
sections or year levels, The Class Adviser/s shall document this misconduct in the Anecdotal Record logbook,
indicating the date and time and the detailed description of the incident and the agreement to stop the misbehavior as
a result of the interview. This accounts for the classroom-based intervention.

3. Consequently, the Class Adviser shall communicate with the student/s' parents or guardians about the incident and
shall arrange a case conference through writing regarding their child's misconduct together with the Prefect of
Discipline and the Child Protection Committee. If parents or guardians do not respond to the invitation, the Class
Adviser shall conduct Home Visitation to ensure that they are present during the conference.

4. The Class Adviser shall accomplish the Referral Form for Discipline Intervention together with the incident report
reflected in the Anecdotal Record. The Prefect of Discipline with the Child Protection Committee shall assess the
situation and determine, sometimes with input from the offending student, what will help fix the problem for the
purpose of amending the misconduct. Non-punitive form of discipline is encouraged to help the offending student
correct his/her mistakes. Likewise, logical consequences of his/her action shall also serve as a form of discipline (e.g.
a student who destroys a school property shall be directed to replace or repair the damage, a student who is caught
smoking or intoxicated will be referred to the School Nurse to undergo a lecture on the ill effects of smoking and
alcohol). The disciplinary sanctions shall be determined by the Child Protection Committee through the Prefect of
Discipline.

5.The penalty of in-school suspension for not more than one (1) week maybe imposed by the School Head through
the Prefect of Discipline, depending on the gravity of the offense as determined by the CPC. The offending student
shall visit the Guidance Counselor to assess the outcome of the intervention. The Guidance Counselor shall then
prepare a counseling note for future reference.

6. In case of repeated offender, the school has the prerogative to not issue a Good Moral Certification to the student.

7. Other acts of violence or abuse committed by a student to another student in school which is not remedied using
mediation and non-punitive intervention shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344
and DepEd Order No. 18, series of 2015 or the Guidelines and Procedures on the Management of Children at-risk
(CAR) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).
In case of repeated offender, the school has the prerogative to not issue a Good Moral Certification to the student.

Other acts of violence or abuse committed by a student to another student in school which is not remedied using
mediation and non-punitive intervention shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act
9344 and DepEd Order No. 18, series of 2015 or the Guidelines and Procedures on the Management of Children
at-risk (CAR) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

PRESCRIBED SCHOOL UNIFORM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

COMMONWEALTH HIGH SCHOOL

BOYS

White polo with patch and

White plain undershirt
Navy Blue slacks/pants
Black school shoes & white socks

GIRLS

White blouse with patch

Maroon Checkered pleated skirt 2 inch above the knee
Black school shoes & white socks