The following sets forth the nature, dynamics and character of the relationship between the School and its students and their parents. This summary will allow both students and parents to clearly understand their rights and obligations while attending the School, and it will minimize any potential misunderstanding in this regard. It is understood that by seeking enrollment in and attending the School, the applicants, students and their parents understand and agree to this statement of rights and obligations. It is part of your agreement with the School.
 
The School warmly welcomes all of the students accepted for the coming school year and will work hard to provide them with a Catholic and academic education in a supportive learning environment. It is understood and agreed by the School’s students, and their parents that students shall obey the School’s Code of Conduct, observe the rules and regulations of the School and perform the academic work required so as to result in sufficient academic success while attending the School. It is also understood and agreed that the School’s students attend the School at the School’s invitation, and not pursuant to any right that a student or parent may possess. The admission to, and continued attendance at the School require students to behave consistent with the Code of Conduct, all other rules and regulations of the School and in a manner befitting a student of a Catholic institution. These responsibilities exist both inside and outside of the classroom and during all school functions, whether on campus or located elsewhere.
 
In order to protect its standards of academics, discipline and character, the School reserves the right to require the withdrawal of any student at any time, for any reason deemed sufficient in the sole discretion of the School and its administrators. Through their application enrollment into the School, all students and their parents and/or legal guardians, concede and acknowledge that the School has this right. By a student’s attendance at the School, he or she, and his or her parents or guardians, acknowledge the further important obligations and restrictions contained in the Student Handbook, and agree to be bound by its terms.
 
Students attending the School understand that they do not possess the same rights they might possess if attending a public school For example, a student’s freedom of speech is limited in many important respects at the School. Any speech, written or oral, that is contrary to the Roman Catholic faith, the teachings of the Church, the directives of the Bishop or Ordinary of the Diocese of Syracuse or contrary to the School’s code of Conduct are prohibited. Likewise, speech that is contrary or disruptive to the philosophy and purpose of the School is prohibited. Participating in prohibited speech at the School may be the basis for disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion.
 
Likewise, while students may have a constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches or seizures while attending a public school, they understand and agree that the School has the right to search their person or property, if the School’s instructors or staff reasonably believe that the search will produce evidence of a violation of a School rule, the School’s Code of Conduct or the law. The School’s students and their parents understand and agree that it is within the sole discretion of the School’s administrators to determine whether such a reasonable belief exists. They further understand and agree that the School has the unfettered right to examine, search or inventory a student’s desk, locker, or other space provided to the student for use at School. It is further understood and agreed that these areas may be searched by the School at any time and for any reason. Moreover, if the School permits on-campus parking, students and their parents understand and agree that the School has the unfettered right to search any automobile parked upon its premises. Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy relative to any of these areas (e.g., desks, hallway lockers, locker room lockers, automobiles parked on School grounds, etc.)
 
Additionally, it is understood and agreed by students, and/or their parents or guardians, that they waive and relinquish any right they may have to sue the School, any parish, the Diocese of Syracuse, and/or any individual acting on the half of the School, a parish or the Diocese, such as administrators, teachers, staff, volunteers or any of their agents relative to any matter directly or indirectly concerning academic or disciplinary decisions or matters covered within the Student Handbook.
 
Each student and his or her parents or guardian, by their acceptance of enrollment at the School, agree they may not bring any civil action in any local, state or federal court or in any administrative agency or body to challenge any school decision relative to academics or disciplinary matters, including any decision relating to the rules, regulations, procedures or programs covered within this handbook. Students and their parents or guardians agree that any challenge to any school academic or disciplinary action, any enrollment decision, any suspension or expulsion, or any decision relating to the rules, regulations, procedures or programs covered in the Student Handbook may only be challenged or appealed within the hierarchy of the School and/or Diocese, subject to the limitations and processes contained within the Student Handbook.
 
While any students or parent or guardian of a student may consult with legal counsel relative to any decision made by the School or Diocese concerning the student, the School emphasizes and reiterates that students and parents or guardians are not permitted to have legal counsel present during any meetings or hearing or to otherwise participate in any disciplinary process or any other proceeding or process administered by the School or Diocese. It is understood and agreed that school administrators are not obligated to meet with attorneys or advocates or any sort, at any time.
 
The Student Handbook contains the School’s Code of Conduct and the parameters of student discipline. However, it should be noted that any listing of prohibited conduct in the Handbook is only by way of illustration and example, and it is not intended or expected to be an exhaustive or exclusive list of prohibited conduct or conduct that may result in disciplinary action.