About Us

The student is responsible for completing all class assignments and homework on time. Failure to do so indicates a lack of serious preparation for class.
Daily performance of students is assessed by the teacher.
Examination of copybooks and worksheets for neatness and completeness of work, as well as class participation, are part of the overall report card grade.
All students must be encouraged to use copybooks properly. Students should not tear pages from copybooks, skip pages, or use his/her copybook as a drawing or scribbling pad.

Class Participation

Students are expected to:

give attention and respect to the teacher at all times
show respect and concern for other students by a willingness to share and to take turns
actively participate in class by responding orally or in writing as circumstances dictate

Homework

Homework refers to an assignment made by a teacher that will positively reinforce a concept presented in class. Homework includes both written and study assignments, and should be done by the student independently. While this does not preclude parental help or interest, the assignments should not require undue parental assistance or supervision. Ample time should be allowed for the completion of out-of-class research assignments or projects.The following time per night is suggested for homework; this includes both written and study assignments:

Grades 1 and 2            30 minutes
Grades 3 and 4            60 minutes
Grades 5 and 6            90 minutes
Grades 7 and 8            120 minutes

The School realizes that teachers, students and subjects vary. The objective is not how much time, but the extension of learning beyond class time.
In the event of absence or suspension, all homework and missed assignments are to be made up.
When a student is absent, parents are asked to make arrangements for a homework partner from their child’s room. If this is not possible, parents may call the main office to pick up homework and books.
Children are responsible for any make-up work or tests missed during absence.

Progress Reports

Progress reports are sent home three weeks prior to the closing of the quarter. Learning not only cultivates intellectual skills, but also responsibility for one’s actions; a progress report may be issued for any of the following reasons:

Neglect of written homework
Student not working to ability
Failure to listen to and follow directions after repeated warnings
Lack of responsibility in handing work in on time or failure to return a test paper signed by parent/guardian
Absence work not made up after a reasonable amount of time
Carelessly completed class work after explicit directions have been given by the teacher
Carelessly written or incomplete homework assignments
Doing homework in class
Neglect of study homework

Student Recognition

Academic achievement, contest winners, honor students, etc., are recognized on the public address system, in the Church Bulletin, display of pictures in the hallways, etc. The honor roll is published in the local paper.

Academic Probation

Our school encourages all students to reach their fullest potential through the academic program. If a child fails in the areas of Mathematics, Reading or Language Arts, they will be required to have a tutor during the summer months. A report from the tutor must be sent to the school when the child returns in September. The tutor’s report should include how many sessions the child attended and the material taught in each session.
If a child has a failing grade average in June, they must repeat the grade.

Academic Responsibilities

Each student is responsible for the satisfactory completion of projects, class work and homework in a timely manner. Grades on tests and quizzes should be commensurate with the student’s ability.
A student who does not fulfill his/her academic responsibilities in an academic quarter will be placed on academic probation for the next quarter. During this time, the student’s progress is monitored, as follows:

The teachers will note the student who is experiencing academic difficulties in either assignments or test scores, and contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to inform them of the possibility of academic probation.
The progress report issued prior to the report card will include a written notification citing the possibility of academic probation.
Written verification that the child will be on probation will be forwarded to the parent/guardian.

Conditions And Consequences Of Academic Probation

The parent(s)/guardian(s) and student will confer with the administration and the classroom teacher. The teacher will outline the student’s program for improvement.

The teacher will inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student’s progress. The process will follow the stated format:
         •  parent contact
         • quarterly progress reports
         • periodic meetings with the student
         • quarterly report card

If a student is successful in meeting his/her academic responsibilities, the student will be removed from academic probation and the parent/guardian will be notified in writing.

If the student is unsuccessful in meeting his/her academic responsibilities, the administration will review the student’s continued enrollment in the School.

Promotion Or Retention

Student progress is monitored throughout the school year. At the November report card period, the parent/guardian is informed of the student’s academic, social and emotional progress. In January, the teacher will contact the parent/guardian of a student who continues to experience difficulty, to discuss the possibility of retention and support services. By the end of May, the teacher(s) will schedule a follow-up meeting with the parent(s)/guardian(s). If retention is indicated, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will receive an official notification which must be signed and returned to the school administration.
Promotion or retention is at the discretion of the administration in consultation with the teacher.

Report Cards

Starting in September, 2002, report cards will be issued three times a year in grades 1 through 8, November, March and June. The grading system for grades 1 through 3 will be in letters and grades 4 through 8 will use the system of averages. Each grade will have a specific report card. When computing the report card grade for Effort and Study skills as well as Personal and Social growth, rubrics will be used to determine the grade.
Each student is responsible for his/her own report card grade by satisfactorily fulfilling the following requirements: major testing (at least five tests in the major subjects. The report card grade will also include:
         • quizzes
         • oral and written reports
         • independent classroom work, homework
         • active participation in classroom lessons and activities
         • class/individual projects

Standardized Testing

The Terra Nova Test is administered each year to students in Grades 2, 4, 6, and 8, and in Grade 3, for Honors Math. The results are communicated to parents and are utilized by the school for curriculum planning.

Test Grades

In order for parents to be aware of the academic progress their child is making with regard to weekly tests, tests are to be signed by parents and returned promptly.

Graduation

Eighth grade students who have completed the prescribed course of study and maintained a suitable discipline record are eligible for graduation if all financial obligations have been met. Procedures for graduation are determined by the Administration and the eighth grade teachers.

Closing Exercises

Participation in closing exercises is a privilege, not a right. The School has the right to deny any student from participating in closing exercises if, in the view of the School, the student’s conduct or academic or disciplinary record indicates that the privilege should not be extended.

____________________________

CODE OF CONDUCT

Discipline Code

We believe that discipline is fundamental to life. Discipline is a necessary reflection of the Philosophy of a Catholic School, which attempts to develop a fully committed Christian – a Christian committed to the observance of just rules and regulations, which will assist the individual in responding to his/her responsibilities and obligations to himself/herself and others.
Correct training in discipline means that a child learns to accept rules and regulations presented by lawful authority. Students are expected to act in such fashion that their behavior will reflect favorably on themselves and the school. They are expected to show consideration and respect for their fellow students and teachers, thus creating a harmonious atmosphere within the school. All students must recognize their individual responsibilities and obligations and discharge them in accordance with school regulations. Children who fail to comply with school policies and regulations must accept the consequences.

The discipline code applies to students and parents/guardians both in school and at school-sponsored events, as well as in the school/parish community and outside the school/parish community where the behavior is contrary to Catholic teachings or could bring disrepute or embarrassment to the School.

Disciplinary Procedure for PRE-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 to 3 usually will be handled individually by the classroom teacher.

Disciplinary Procedure For Grades 4 To 8

Serious infractions of the rule may result in an immediate suspension or dismissal and apply when students are on school grounds, on a bus, or at a school-sponsored function. They will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Harassment

The School follows the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Policy prohibiting harassment, including sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual Harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated.

Any student or parent/guardian who is determined to have violated this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal of the student. A complete copy of the policy is maintained by the Principal and is available upon request.

Violent/Threatening/Harassing And Inappropriate Conduct

It is the intent of the school to provide an educational environment free from all forms of improper threats, intimidation, hostility and offensive and inappropriate behavior. Such improper conduct may take the form of unwanted verbal or physical conduct, verbal or written derogatory or discriminatory statements, and behavior not otherwise conducive to the educational and religious mission of the school.

Unacceptable conduct – either by a student or a parent/guardian - includes, but is not limited to, the following:

disrespectful behavior of any kind toward or about any staff, student, volunteer or parent
insubordination
fighting
bomb scares or triggering other false alarms
cheating or plagiarism
use or possession of drugs or alcohol
smoking
stealing
intimidation, harassment or threats of any kind
possession of any weapon.

These categories do not cover every possible situation. The school will determine which behavior is inappropriate

This policy applies both in and out of the classroom, in the school community generally and outside the school community, where the behavior is contrary to Catholic teachings or could bring disrepute or embarrassment to the School.

Conduct by students or parents/guardians, or anyone acting on their behalf, incompatible with the religious and educational mission of the school is grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to the immediate dismissal of the student, as well as reporting the incident to the appropriate legal authorities where appropriate.

In addition, in the case of threats of violence or harassment, in any form, including oral, written or electronic, by a student against any member of the school community, the student, if suspended but not dismissed, may be required to have psychological or psychiatric clearance before returning to school.

Suspensions

Formal suspension is a serious disciplinary action taken against a student whose actions constitute a major infraction. The suspension will be in school or out of school at the discretion of the administration. The parents of the student will be informed of the seriousness of the situation and the school will seek the immediate cooperation of the parents to resolve the problem. During the suspension period, the student may not participate in any school activities. Students will be required to complete all school assignments given during the suspension.

A student is liable for an immediate suspension as a result of, but not limited to, the following:

physical and/or verbal abuse
presence or use of any tobacco product, smoking, drugs or alcohol
blatant disrespect for authority or school rules
vandalism, destruction or theft of property
truancy

Reinstatement

Following suspension, students may return to the classroom after parents have met with the appropriate school official. At this time, parents will sign an agreement assuming responsibility for the future behavior of the student.

Expulsion

Three suspensions make a student liable for expulsion. Expulsion from school becomes formalized after a period of time has elapsed to allow for discussion, investigation and evaluation by the Principal and Pastor who make the final determination of the status of a student.

Immediate expulsion, due to extraordinary serious circumstances, can result from, but are not limited to, the following types of infractions:

major theft
alcohol, drugs (presence or use)
immorality
carrying a weapon such as a gun, knife or any instrument intended to cause harm to another or violent, abusive behavior
serious vandalism.