What to Do if Your Child Has Been Expelled: Greens Farms Academy
by
Joseph C. Maya on Apr. 01, 2024
Summary: If your child is facing discipline, suspension, or expulsion from Greens Farms Academy, and/or you have any questions regarding discipline, suspension, or expulsion procedures at Greens Farms Academy, it may be beneficial to speak to an attorney. The attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. have extensive experience handling Connecticut education law matters, including school discipline, suspension, expulsion, and readmission, and are well-equipped to assist you in these proceedings.
Lower School
“In the Lower School, the classroom and homeroom teachers work with students to help them learn to apply the Code of Conduct to all aspects of behavior. Occasionally, behavior problems may be referred to the Head of Lower School. In such instances, and following a thorough discussion with the student in question, the teacher and the Head of Lower School will plan measures appropriate to the age of the student, the student’s needs, and the nature of the offense. In the event that a child continues to make choices that violate our school rules and/or disrupt the harmony of our school community, the Head of Lower School will work with the student in question, the student’s parents and the student’s teachers to devise and implement a school/home program.
GFA views certain types of offenses as most serious. A parent conference with the Head of School and/or the Head of Lower School will be scheduled immediately should a student become involved in an incident of stealing, academic dishonesty, leaving the campus without permission, or the possession or use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol. Penalties for such offenses could range from in-school suspension to dismissal. Because the tone as well as moral climate of our school is so important to us, incidents of bullying, extreme incivility, or repeated incivility will receive an equally swift and severe response.”
Middle School
"Repeated or blatant infractions of community values will generally result in a before-school intervention meeting with (in some combination): the grade dean, division head, advisor, and/or parent(s). Blatant infractions of expectations typically include, but are not limited to: malicious physical contact, digital harassment, vandalism, stealing, insensitive or hateful language, and academic dishonesty. Generally, intervention meetings will generally take place from 7:00-8:00 AM, and parents will be given 24-hour notice of all intervention meetings. In-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsion may also occur for repeated or flagrant infractions.
While students are expected to read, understand, and abide by the Code of Conduct stated in this publication, some rules are considered serious enough to warrant immediate disciplinary action by GFA.
A Middle School student who is suspended may be subject to removal from an elected or appointed office by the administration.
If a student is suspended from GFA, he/she and the parents will meet with the Head of Middle School and a Grade Dean; this meeting is generally followed by a letter to the parents, a copy of which will be placed in the student’s file. A student who repeats an offense for which he/she has already been suspended may be expelled from GFA. In the case of an expulsion, the students and parents will meet with the Head of School and the Head of Middle School, and this meeting will be followed by a letter from the Head of School."
High School
“Minor disciplinary infractions typically result in the student earning detention and/or on-campus restriction (OCR). This may be due to an accumulation of warnings (in the case of multiple class tardies, for example) or earning a detention/OCR immediately such as after an unexcused absence from class or for failing to sign out properly. Students are notified of the detention/OCR by email. Detentions are served during cycle 9. Students may do homework during detention but may not use a computer or other electronic device. Students serve OCR by attending a study hall during a free period. If a student misses a detention or OCR period due to an excused school absence, they must serve it at the following opportunity.
More serious violations of community expectations may result in a student earning on-campus separation (OCS). A student serving OCS will be required to be on campus during the academic day and will not attend class, other community events, or any after-school activities. The student will engage in a variety of activities including quiet reflection/writing, service, and meeting with various community members including the student’s advisor and dean. On-campus separation is not part of a student’s official school record and is not reported when applying to college or university.”
Judicial Council
"Process: prior to a judicial hearing, the student and their dean meet to review details of the rule violation. During the hearing, the student is accompanied by the student’s dean and, if the student chooses, the student’s advisor or another faculty advocate. The Dean presents the details of the case, and the student’s advisor or faculty advocate may speak on the student’s behalf. The student also addresses the Council and answers questions posed by council members. The student, dean, and advisor are not present during Council deliberations. The student’s family members and/or lawyers are not permitted to attend the Judicial Council hearing.
Once the Judicial Council agrees on an appropriate disciplinary response, they make a recommendation to the Head of School. The Head of School has the final authority in all decisions. In some cases, the Head of School may decide to bypass the judicial council process.”
Read more about the code of conduct and student discipline in the handbook (from the 2022-2023 school year) here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1660576054/greenfarms/cdfjjidcn2uxhd2zvfkj/GFA-TheHandbook2022-2023.pdf
Contact Us
If your child is facing suspension, discipline or expulsion from a private or public school in Connecticut, your child has rights. You should protect those rights by hiring an experienced education law attorney. Often, but not always, disciplinary charges may be accompanied by an arrest or criminal investigation. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better off your child will be in terms of ensuring the protection of rights, and the ultimate outcome. Your child will achieve the best outcome with an experienced Connecticut Expulsion Attorney, who can try to reduce the expulsion to a stipulated agreement or dismissal of charges altogether. The experienced Connecticut Expulsion Law attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. can help you and your child navigate the difficult and emotional process of an expulsion proceeding.
When a child violates a school policy - even if off school grounds - the violation can sometimes rise to the level of an expulsion from private or public school. An expulsion can negatively impact a child’s educational and emotional success. It can also sometimes affect college admissions if not handled by an experienced Connecticut Education lawyer familiar with handling expulsions and suspensions.
At Maya Murphy, P.C. we only represent students and families, we never represent school districts against students. We are available 7 days a week to answer questions; if it is important to you, it is equally important to us. We can assist your child with any education related needs including special education, suspension, discipline, expulsion, and criminal or juvenile criminal charges. You can contact one of our experienced Education Law Attorneys in Connecticut directly by calling (203) 221-3100 in Connecticut, or (212) 682-5700 in New York. You can also email Joseph Maya, the Managing Partner directly at JMaya@mayalaw.com.
Maya Murphy P.C. has proudly been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked among the top firms in the nation. In addition, Managing Partner Joseph C. Maya has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Employment Law and Education Law in Connecticut. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is awarded to firms and attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the industry and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.
Our firm in Westport, Connecticut serves clients with legal assistance all over the state, including the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law matters in New York as well.
If you have any questions about education law in Connecticut or would like to speak to an attorney about a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the other experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or JMaya@Mayalaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.
