General Policies
Appliances: Refrigerators and microwaves (dorm sized) are the only appliances allowed in dorm rooms. Please do not bring coffee pots, toasters/toaster ovens, or other open filament items, as these are fire hazards. Residents need to monitor food cooking in the microwave. If residents set off the fire alarm more than once the appliance will be taken away temporarily.
Cell Phones: Cell Phones are not allowed to be used on campus during the school day (except in the cell zone) and in any worship services. Dorm residents are allowed to use them in the dormitory at any time. Cell phones will be turned off and checked in with the RA during strict study hall and for Sabbath Services. Parents may always contact their child through the front desk or by calling or text messaging the dean.
Computers: Computers are allowed in dorm rooms. However, residents that post poor school grades and choose to play games on their computer during study hall will lose their computer privileges. The CPU will be confiscated. Computers used to show inappropriate movies or pornography will be confiscated. The deans will determine the length of time it is held.
Computer Games: Computer games such as PlayStation, Xbox 360, and other similar types of games are allowed only on privileged basis. They are not allowed for the first quarter. Residents must maintain a C average in school. Units may be brought to the dorm after the first quarter grades are released. They must be checked in with the dean/RA and they may be checked out during the following times:
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Relaxed Study Hall – Sunday through Thursday.
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Saturday evening after sundown worship - equipment must be returned prior to dorm worship on Sunday.
Note: FLA is NOT responsible for loss or damage to your equipment.
Curfew Times: Listed below are the curfew times. Any exceptions must be approved by the deans in advance.
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Week Day Curfew Times
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7:15 pm – to be in the dorm following recreation time
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10:30 pm – Bedtime/Lights Out
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Weekend Curfew Times:
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Saturday Night
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10:30 pm – Freshman & Sophomores
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11:00 pm – Juniors
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12:00 Midnight - Seniors
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Sunday Night: 7:15 pm
Dress Code (General): Appropriate attire is expected at all times. Each dorm will publish the specifics of attire for their residents but the following general guidelines apply.
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Classroom attire (school uniform) is required anytime you are out of the dorm during the school day (7:45 am – 5:20 pm) unless you are working – then you may wear your work uniform. This includes going to the café for breakfast. For a copy of the school dress code Click Here.
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Sabbath/Dress Attire is required for Friday Evening Vespers and Sabbath Services (see below).
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During recreation time students may wear appropriate shorts and t-shirts with sleeves
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In the dorm, residents may be a bit more relaxed, but should always be modest.
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A student is required to change his attire if is deemed inappropriate by any dean or staff member
Dress Code (Boys): Following are specific guidelines for residents of the Boy’s Dorm for the weekends.
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Friday Night Vespers
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Dress slacks (no Dennis khaki’s, cargos, jeans)
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Tucked in shirt (polo or collared)
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Dress Shoes (no athletic shoes or sandals)
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Hair must be groomed, school uniforms are not allowed
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Sabbath Morning Worship Services
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Suit with dress shirt/tie; shirt tucked in
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Dress shirt/tie with dress slacks; shirts tucked in.
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Dress Shoes (no athletic, shoes or sandals)
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Hair must be groomed, school uniforms are not allowed
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At other times during the weekend a more relaxed dress code will be in place. There may be some specific meetings and/or events that require a different dress code. Those exceptions will always be posted and announced.
Dress Code (Girls): We at Forest Lake Academy are well aware of the trends and fashions that come and go with time. We’d like you to remember that modesty is our top priority and want to be a learning tool for young women of God to dress and act. Since the Girls Deans are women too, we know that when wearing clothes we like and look good they make us feel exceptional and therefore we find ourselves more positive throughout the day. Here are a few guidelines that we encourage you to follow:
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Casual Wear: Casual wear can be worn after school hours and weekends (Refer to School Handbook). Again keep modesty in the forefront of your mind:
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Shorts—shorts can be worn around campus during recreation time and weekends. Keep in mind that no short shorts or daisy dukes are encouraged or allowed. Bermuda type shorts are always a better choice.
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Skirts—please don’t bring miniskirts unless you where leggings underneath. Also, keep in mind any slits or cuts in the skirt should cover the body adequately and appropriately.
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Pants/Jeans—you are welcome to wear pants or jeans for casual wear please be aware that your jeans have no holes or rips that expose the body.
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Tank tops—spaghetti strap tank tops are not to be worn outside the dorm for any reason or at any time. They can be worn underneath a shirt or sweater only.
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Tube tops—tube tops are not allowed on campus at anytime unless worn underneath a shirt or sweater.
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Footwear—flip-flops, sandals, and sneakers are appropriate footwear for after school and weekends.
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Sabbath Wear: This includes Vespers Friday night and Sabbath school and church. Also, this term is used for any formal occasion that may occur during the school year:
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Dresses—dresses that are worn need to cover the shoulder and extend to knee length. They should adequately cover the cleavage and not be see through in any way. Any spaghetti strap or tube top dress must be worn with a cover-up.
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Skirts—skirts need to extend to knee length or longer. Be mindful of slits and cuts, if inappropriate, the student will be asked to change. Skirts should not be see-through, a slip may be necessary for some skirts.
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Shirts and Blouses—all shirts and blouses should have sleeves and not be see-through in any way. They should adequately cover the cleavage area and not show any midriff.
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Slacks—slacks are okay to wear to church. Slacks need to be well fitting and not clingy. NO jeans are allowed as Sabbath wear.
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Footwear—no flip-flops are to be worn to church. Sandals and dress shoes are okay.
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Any outfit that is worn on FLA campus is at the discretion of the deans. If the dean feels any outfit or any part of an outfit is inappropriate they will ask you to change or there maybe consequences.
Dorm-room Decorations: It is required that all dorm décor be within the guidelines of Christian appearance. The resident will be asked to remove any posters or other paraphernalia deemed inappropriate (rock/rap posters, poster involving promotion of alcohol/drugs, risqué or suggestive pictures, etc.). If the items are not immediately removed, they will be confiscated and given to the resident’s parents on their next visit. Do not use tape to hang decorations. Residents will pay for damage caused by hanging décor with tape – poster putty is strongly recommended.
Extension Cords and Other Safety Regulations: Failure to adhere to the following regulations will result in having your extension cord(s)/equipment confiscated.
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Multi-port or additional outlet devices are not allowed unless an automatic or manual reset device is provided.
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Should a multiple port device be used, no other extension cords are allowed (devices must be plugged in directly).
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The only type of cord is a power strip with a rating of 20 amps that is U.L. approved.
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Extension cords may not be daisy chained together to make a longer cord).
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The use of multi-port outlet or additional outlet devices added to a power strip may not be used because of overload protection.
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Christmas tree lights or tube lights are not allowed in student rooms.
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Open coil or open wire appliances such as toasters, toaster ovens, and open type grills are not allowed.
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Candles or tea lights, and any other types of open flame using liquid fuels are not allowed in student rooms.
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Tampering with ceiling smoke detectors is prohibited; connecting any electrical device to the smoke detector is a violation of state law.
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Irons, curling irons/flat irons should not be plugged in or left on when no one is in the room.
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Plug-in room fresheners are not allowed.
Fighting: In accordance with school policy, fighting will not be tolerated. Those involved in this behavior will be subject to suspension or face possible dismissal (See FLA School Bulletin).
Fire Alarms & Drills: The residence halls are required to conduct fire/safety drills. These include fire drills, lock-downs, and a number of weather-related drills. When the drills occur, all residents must follow the published procedure and check in with their Resident Assistant at their area.
Fire Safety Equipment: Fire safety equipment must not be tampered with. This includes fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and fire exit doors. Any misuse of these safety items will result in a fine and possible action from legal authorities.
Fire Suppression Sprinkler System: Sprinkler heads have been installed in each room of the doom. Do NOT touch them at any time, for any reason! Do NOT hang anything from them!!
Food Orders: Food orders will be delivered to the front desk ONLY! The privilege may be revoked by the dean anytime it is being abused.
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Place the order from the phone at the monitor’s desk.
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Completely fill out the food order form.
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Sign food order form
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Leave full payment including gratuity/tip (15 – 20 percent) with the monitor.
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All orders must be delivered before Study Hall begins Sunday-Thursday and 4:00 pm on Friday.
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Saturday evening orders must be delivered to the dorm before 11:00 pm.
Hairstyling/Grooming: Hairstyling and grooming are not allowed in the dorm lobbies or in the areas outside the dorm.
Hazing: In accordance with the school policy, hazing will not be tolerated. Those involved with this behavior will be subject to suspension and/or possible withdrawal. (See FLA Handbook)
Horse-Play: Keep all horse-play out of the dormitory.
Illegal Exiting and Entering: Anyone out of the residence hall without permission after the dorm has been locked for the evening will be subject to discipline. Residents involved may be subject to suspension and/or withdrawal from school. Anyone found in a locked area where they are not authorized to enter will be subject to the same discipline.
Illegal Substances: In accordance with school policy, illegal substances will not be tolerated. Residents involved in this behavior will be subject to suspension or possible withdrawal or expulsion. (See FLA Handbook)
Incident Reports: Incident Reports will be utilized by the deans when documenting resident behavior that is obstinate, disrespectful, argumentative, or otherwise negative toward their peers or to the deans. Each incident will be recorded separately and the parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible.
Insubordination: Not following through on a request made by the dean is considered insubordination and will result in house-administered discipline. Depending on the severity, school suspension, possible withdrawal or expulsion may result.
Insurance for Your Personal Belongings: Forest Lake Academy is not responsible for any damaged, lost or stolen items from dorm rooms, other dorm areas, the FLA Campus, or while on any school trip. Student’s personal belongings (computers, clothing, cell phones, etc.) are not covered by school insurance. If a resident wishes for his/her personal belongings to be covered by insurance in case of theft or damage he/she needs to secure this insurance. This insurance is often available as a rider to the home-owners or renter insurance carried on the student’s homes. Personal belongings are not covered by Forest Lake Academy’s insurance and no policy is available through the school.
Jewelry: Jewelry is not to be worn on the campus of Forest Lake Academy or on any school sponsored trips (including town trips) – this includes the residence halls. If a dean sees a resident wearing jewelry, the resident will be asked to remove it. The jewelry will be collected and given to the resident’s parents at their next visit to the dorm.
Music: Music labeled “Parental Advisory Lyrics” or music heard with inappropriate lyrics will be confiscated and a cash fine will be applied. The CD/DVD or playing/listening device will be confiscated and given to the residents’ parents on their next visit.
Pest Control: Spraying is done on a regular basis. Please do not bring your own RAID or other bug killing agents, as these will counteract what is being done. To minimize pests in your room please keep any food in sealed containers.
Pets: Pets (other than the dean’s) are not allowed in the residence hall.
Overnight Visitors: Visitors are allowed to stay overnight only on special weekends (Parent Weekend, Alumni Weekend, Senior Presentation, and Graduation) or by special arrangements with the dean. Any visitors wishing to stay must receive permission at least one week in advance. The deans reserve the right to deny the request regardless of parental permission or approval and without cause. There may be a fee charged.
Residence Hall Staff: All dormitory staff work for the deans to ensure order and safety. They apply rules developed by the deans in conjunction with the school leadership. Please see a dean if you have a problem with a rule.
Right of Entry: The deans have the right to search your room upon reasonable suspicion of the presence of illegal or illegally obtained items. [Florida State Statute 232.26 (1) (b)].
Room Check: Rooms are expected to be kept clean and will be checked periodically each week.
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Grades will be given for each room check.
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The room can be checked at any time of the day.
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Room Check Grades affect overall privileges granted throughout the year.
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Students who receive a D or an F on Room Check will be room bound until the room is cleaned to the dean’s satisfaction in addition to serving the assigned Dorm Improvement Hours.
Social Policy: Any residents found in the following areas with members of the opposite sex will automatically be put on social.
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The chapel breezeway
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The south side of the dormitory
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The dormitory parking lot
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In any unsupervised area
Additional discipline may be applied depending on the conduct/activities the student is engaged in. All socializing should be done on front campus or, in front of the residence halls, or in the residence hall lobbies and only at the dean’s discretion. Physical displays of affection must be limited to hand holding. Any other displays of affection may lead to being placed on social for a week or more.
Stereo Systems: All stereo equipment is to be used with headphones. This includes iPod’s, cell phones, and computer. Failure to uphold this policy will result in the item being confiscated and sent home with at the next home leave.
Vandalism: Vandalism will not be tolerated. Those involved in this behavior will be subject to a fine, possible suspension, and/or possible withdrawal or expulsion. (See FLA Handbook)
Village Students: Village students are not encouraged to hang out in the dorm. On the occasions when they are allowed to visit:
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They will be required to sign in.
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While in the residence hall they are subject to and must abide by all dormitory rules.
Visitation Hours: Each dean (boys and girls) will set their own lobby visitation hours for the opposite sex. General visitation guidelines are as follows:
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Visitors must remain in the lobby.
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Visitors of the opposite sex are not allowed in the dormitory unless a dean is physically in their office or in the lobby area.
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Any resident, male or female, in violation of this policy will be disciplined according to the social policy of FLA. (See FLA Handbook)
Weekday Curfew Times:
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To be in the dorm following recreation time: 7:15 pm
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Bedtime/Lights Out: 10:30 pm
Weekend Curfew Times:
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Saturday Night
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10:30 pm – Freshman & Sophomores
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11:00 pm – Juniors
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12:00 Midnight - Seniors
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Sunday Night: 7:15 pm