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Chapter 9: Weekenders
1. INTRODUCTION
Weekends at St. Michael’s serve to relax the students as they support their spiritual, mental and physical morale. While recreation is ample, adequate time for spiritual and academic growth is also provided. Outings are organized regularly by teachers of the abbey community to meet one or more purposes: participate in wholesome recreation, expand cultural experiences, explore sites of natural beauty, meet ordinary needs for school supplies and snacks, and take advantage of the many recreational points of interest in Southern California. [Return to Table of Contents]
2. WEEKENDER RULES
The policies and practices which give structure and direction to the student body during the weekdays are likewise observed during the weekends. The consequences which result from violating these standards are also the same.When the uniform is not worn, student wear casual clothes of their own choosing. All the casual inner and outer clothing a student brings to the school should be appropriate for this setting and be logo free.
Students staying for the weekend must check out any money desired for the weekend from the school treasurer on Friday afternoon. The money room will not be open on Sunday.
A coin-operated washer and dryer are provided for the use of the students. Clothes which need special care (such as ties, blazers, letterman jackets, dress pants) should be sent to the cleaners regularly.
Students on Study Detention do not participate in weekend outings. Nor do they have Honor Roll privileges even if they are on the Honor Roll.
At the weekly meeting on Sunday, students sign up who intend to stay the following weekend. [Return to Table of Contents]
3. WEEKEND INVITATIONS
Weekenders may be invited to spend a weekend with their fellow students. This invitation must be in writing, signed by the inviting parent, and must state all of the following:
This letter is to be received by the headmaster no later than Sunday night prior to the weekend of the invitation. In addition, the parents of the weekender must have on file at the school a general or particular permission in writing before their son may accept a weekend invitation. [Return to Table of Contents]
- The inviting parents will be at home that weekend.
- The entire weekend will be spent with the inviting family, and not at someone else’s house, or away from the inviting parents care.
- There will be no riding in a car driven by a minor (under 21 years of age) unless the parents of the weekender sign a statement waiving all responsibility of the school in case of accident.
- The inviting family will take all responsibility for the behavior, associations, curfew observance, etc. of the invited student.
- The student’s Sunday obligation will be guaranteed by the parents taking the students to Mass, not just sending them off to church.
4. AIRLINE RESERVATIONS
Each family handles the plane reservations for trips home during the school year. In order to facilitate this, it is important to know several things. Earliest reasonable departure time for flights from Orange County (John Wayne/Santa Ana) Airport is 3:00 pm. Returning flights should land at Orange County Airport around 5:30 pm and thus allowing sufficient time to arrive at school by the 7:30 pm requirement. The school will coordinate the airport transportation with a private ground carrier. The cost of each trip is divided by the number of students on that particular coach. There are occasions when students are welcome to leave earlier (e.g. Thanksgiving Weekend) or are required to stay later (e.g. Good Friday). For these occasions departure and return times need special attention. All such special events are clearly listed in the calendar of the school. [Return to Table of Contents]
5. SCHOOL CLOSINGS
In addition to the summer months, the school is closed to all students several times throughout the academic year. The more significant of these times include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. It is the responsibility of the family to arrange for these holidays. Moreover, several extended weekends fall within the academic year and are marked on the calendar. Families should also use these opportunities to have their sons return home or visit families in the area. [Return to Table of Contents]