What section of the Parent Manual are any form of searches mentioned? I couldn't find any mention (200-2002), just this letter sent July 2001.
July 2001
As our school continues to expand and improve, we are constantly revisiting policy in order to ensure that the safety of our students, and the security of our campus are never compromised. Our policy regarding student?s traveling off campus has therefore been reassessed and we have adopted new measures to reduce the number of scenarios that have caused parents concern in the past.
Effective immediately, students will be required to leave and return to campus wearing HLA uniform only for all scheduled and approved visits and breaks. Further, they will not be allowed to take any luggage with them, nor return with luggage. To date, students have been allowed to wear other casual or dressy attire and pack the necessary clothing and personal hygiene items they may require for the duration of the break or visit. The ongoing difficulties that we have experienced as a result have been numerous. Students at times would return with inadequate and inappropriate luggage, such as shopping bags or shoulder bags that did not properly close, resulting in lost items. More often, students would often return to campus wearing or having packed new clothing items that were either not needed or were not approved. Similarly, they at times returned with the clothes they left with or they often chose to leave some of these items at home. The effort to keep an accurate record of the student?s personal belonging and clothing inventory on campus has therefore become increasingly more difficult. Further, too often numerous clothing or other personal items have had to be returned to the parents at their expense as a result of the student having too many clothing items, or items that were not in agreement with school policy. On future breaks, students will be allowed to carry a small bag that will be provided by HLA, to carry their travel information, identification and reading materials.
Of obvious concern to all is the increased risk of a student returning with contraband when they are able to bring back in luggage or other newly acquired items. Currently, staff members are required to search a student?s luggage and belongings upon return to campus to ensure that items, which may jeopardize the safety and security of campus, are located. Students are required to wait until a thorough search of their belongings has been completed. Students will now no longer have to wait for their belongings, as all they require will be in their dorm rooms upon return. Most importantly however, the chance that any contraband might be returned to campus will be significantly reduced.
This new policy will offer other benefits as well. Parents will no longer be required to provide the student with a soft, collapsible piece of luggage. For those students who currently have luggage on campus, they will be asked to take such home with them on their next visit or break. Parents and students will not have to worry about luggage or its contents being lost or damaged, as is sometimes the case when traveling through major airports and over long distances. For those students who are picked up at the airport by HLA staff, they will find that upon returning to campus, they will be searched in a much more timely fashion, then allowed to join their peers at supper or activity.
Please be aware that students will need clothing and personal items at home for each visit or break. While we do understand and deeply regret this may result for some in additional expense to parents, we feel we must take the steps necessary in the best interest of all of our students and parents. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to provide a safe and secure place for your child to work towards a successful future.
