SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Emotional Concerns Students with a substance abuse problem, eating disorder, or any other emotional problem will be required to successfully participate in a treatment program if they wish to remain at Ursuline Academy. Withdrawal from or nonperformance in such a program may result in a student’s dismissal from Ursuline at the school’s sole discretion. The school will make decisions about a student’s future at Ursuline after a review of the particular circumstances affecting the student and concerns affecting the entire Ursuline community, including the safety of the community. A meeting will be held with the parent/guardian, student, administration, and Ursuline counselor to discuss appropriate treatment options and communication about that treatment. In cases where the student has been hospitalized or has participated in a long-term treatment center, a re-entry meeting of the administration and the medical personnel who treated the student is required before the student can return to class. The school may also require an evaluation by a medical professional in order for the student to return to Ursuline. Pregnancy As a school faithful to Catholic tradition, Ursuline holds that “human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception” (CCC 2270). We recognize the challenges a pregnant teenager faces, and we are committed to working with any student encountering an unplanned pregnancy to ensure that she can continue her Ursuline education in the way that is most appropriate to her situation. Pregnancy is not a cause for expulsion and will be handled in a sensitive and Christian manner. In the case of an unplanned pregnancy, the student, parents, personal counselor, and principal partner together to determine how best to support the young woman in choosing life. If you are pregnant and need help, there are pregnancy resource centers in Dallas which can provide you with further support and resources. You can call these numbers for free and confidential counseling from trained advocates. • • • •
Birthright International: 1-800-550-4900 www.birthright.org (Anonymous 24-hour hotline with counselors available) Birth Choice Dallas: 214-631-2402 www.birthchoicedallas.org (Free counseling and pregnancy testing) White Rose Women’s Center: 972-222-9383 or 214-821-6292 (Anonymous 24-hour hotline with counselors available, free pregnancy testing) www.whiterosewomenscenter.org Catholic Charities Dallas 1-800-222-9383
After an abortion, a woman typically experiences deep emotional and spiritual pain. If you have undergone an abortion, please contact Project Rachel’s confidential helpline at (214) 544-2273 or email healing@racheldallas.org. Harassment and Bullying No member of the Ursuline community is permitted to harass, intimidate, humiliate, bully, name-call, sexually harass, slander, or put-down any other person. Threats of violence are not acceptable and will be dealt with accordingly. Ursuline is committed to ensuring that our school is physically and emotionally safe for all, a place where students, faculty, and staff can be assured that they will be 65
