SPN Handbook

Admission Policy

As part of the Archdiocesan of Philadelphia, St. Philip Neri School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at our school. Similar policies apply to the school staff. Our school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its education policies, or in any school-administered programs.

Age of Admission Policy

Generally, a child must be 5 years of age on or before September 15 for admission to Kindergarten. A child must be 6 years of age on or before September 15 for admission to Grade 1. The age requirement may be taken under advisement in some cases. The Principal makes the final determination.

Attendance

Regular attendance is an important part of a student’s progress in school. If a student is sick, parents are asked to call the school office to report the absence between 7:45 and 9:30 a.m.

After the absence, the child should bring in a note with days and dates of the absence, the reasons and the parent’s signature. Prolonged absence – three days or more – requires a doctor’s certification. Pennsylvania School Law requires this certification. Without a note the attendance roll slip is marked ‘unexcused absence’ or ‘parent neglect.’

Special attention is given to excessive absence in relation to academic progress. After a child has been absent for a total of ten days in the current school year, an administrative review of the child’s attendance records will take place. Actions may include but is not limited to the request for doctor certification for all future absences. Students who miss an excessive number of school days without a physician’s note or known valid reason are considered truant and subject to dismissal.

Due to the Catholic nature of the school certain religious and seasonal celebrations are special and require the student’s attendance. These events include the Christmas Pageant held in the Social Hall as well as both practices and retreat held in preparation for reception of the sacraments of Penance and Confirmation.

Before students receive the Sacraments of Penance, First Communion and Confirmation, parents are required to attend Parent Meetings at which time the administrators offer catechesis and program information. These meetings include:

1. Reconciliation Meeting
2. Reconciliation Celebration for Students & Families
3. Communion Meeting
4. Confirmation Meeting

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Communication

School and home both share the responsibility for communication with each other. The goal of any school and home communication is to help both parties aid the student in his/her growth and development. The written word and spoken word are important means to keeping channels open and information flowing accurately and helpfully.

1. The principal communicates in writing to the school community often, sharing information about policies, instructional methods, events, and Catholic education.
2. Teachers communicate with parents through assignment books, notes and reports, and via phone.
3. The Home and School Association publishes the Gazette newsletter for parents to disseminate information about its activities and goals.

· Weekly Communication

Every Wednesday students receive an envelope to take home. The oldest or only child in the family will receive the major school communications for the family. Parents should review the material and sign and return any tests included in the envelope by the teachers. The envelope must be returned the next school day.

· Parent-Teacher Conferences

Our focus as parents and educators in a Catholic school is to promote a Christ-like atmosphere for the children, the school and our entire faith community. We bring Christ into our school when we base our relationships on mutual respect, courtesy, and deference to knowledgeable expertise. We urge parents to contact the teachers or the principal directly to get accurate information about the school and its policies and its curriculum. In all cases, if you feel your child’s needs or your concerns are not being met, please contact the principal.

Parents and teachers need to share their insights about the students in order to foster growth in the students. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled in the fall. However, conferences may be arranged at other times at the discretion of the teacher, parent or principal.

Normally, conferences are held between parents and teachers. On occasion, the student may be required to be present. When the need arises, other concerned parties – the principal, speech therapist, psychologist, remedial teacher, etc. may also be present. The school has developed an Educational Support Team to assist teachers and families in helping children succeed.

If parents have urgent information for a teacher in the morning, the parent should call the school office or stop by the school office. Parents are asked not to delay a teacher from beginning her class day or afternoon sessions by stopping by the classroom for an impromptu meeting. NO conference is permitted during a teacher’s instructional day. The students need the teacher’s full attention and instruction. Call for appointments with the principal or teachers or leave a message with the school secretary or on voice mail.

All visitors including parents must first register in the school office. No one may go directly to any classrooms or faculty room.

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· Records

Unless a court or custody agreement otherwise specifies, each parent/guardian is legally entitled to access to all school records of their child or children. Only the parent or guardian having “legal custody” of the child has the legal right to make religious and educational decisions. If there is joint custody, then both parents must agree on life decisions. Religion and education are life decisions.

Parents are requested to send a copy of the court order or legally enforceable agreement adjudicating the determination of custody to the principal. The court order or agreement will be placed in the child’s personal file in the school office.

Non-custodial parents or guardians who have legal custody and are therefore entitled to copies of the child’s report cards, newsletters, and the like should request this information from the school office.

· Telephone Calls & Written Correspondence

The parent, the teacher or the principal can initiate communication. All parties share responsibility for that communication. We advocate the use of a sealed envelope for notes related to any problem, questions or misunderstandings.

No student may have pagers, beepers, cell phones, or other means of communication in school, at school events, or on school district transportation to and from school.

· Written notes are required for the following:

1. Absences – Include in the note the days and dates of the absences and the reason(s). This is to be signed by the parent or guardian and is to be presented to the classroom teacher on the first day back to school from the absence. This is a requirement for all absences. Any absence for which there is no written communication is considered “Unexcused,” “Parental Neglect” or “Truancy.”
2. Not wearing the regulation uniform.
3. Going to a destination other than the usual one at dismissal. Going home by another means of transportation than by the usual means.
4. Not going outside for recess due to a physical ailment. We discourage this because we do not have sufficient personnel to supervise individuals remaining inside.
5. Arriving late or requesting early dismissal for appointments, etc. These notes must be sent in to the school office in advance of the appointment. PLEASE NOTE: Students who miss school time for appointments will not have fulfilled the requirements for perfect attendance. The student must have been present for morning and afternoon attendance roll. We strongly urge you to make arrangements for appointments outside of school time.
6. Inability to participate in gym class.
7. Requesting permission for the students to vacation with their family. This request must addressed to the principal in advance of the dates. We strongly urge you to arrange vacations during our usual holidays. That is the purpose for the tentative calendar mailed in June. Please note that if it is necessary for students to be absent from school for a family vacation, students will be given makeup work upon return to school – not in advance. (Refer to homework section of this handbook.)

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· Phone calls:

1. If your child is absent, please call the school by 9:30 a.m. to report such absence. NO homework will be prepared for the absent child for pick up during the instructional day. Homework may be picked up after 2:00 p.m.
2. Please call the school secretary at school during office hours (8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and leave a message for the school staff member to return your call. Teachers and children may not be called from their classes to receive calls. In case of an emergency, a message may be left which the secretary will act upon with appropriate discretion.

· Home & School Association Meetings

The Home and School Association serves the school community by engaging parents in the education of their children in a variety of ways. Parents are encouraged to serve on the board of the association and thereby participate in planning programs for the school community. The board serves in a leadership capacity under the guidance of the pastor and principal. The board responds to the needs of the school community by holding general meetings, conducting family events, and supporting the school. The association provides material support for the school as well as volunteer assistance in school activities. General meetings are held four to five times a year as opportunities for parents to learn more about the education of their children and about issues facing parents, teachers, and children today. All families are encouraged to participate in the association and to attend the general meetings.

Visitors to the School

All visitors must stop at the office before entering school. Parents and volunteers must conform to this request as well. Lunches and other items that are brought to the school must be dropped off at the office. The school secretary or other designee of the school office will see that the children get their forgotten items. This procedure avoids any unnecessary interruptions and provides for greater safety. No visitors may approach classroom teachers or students without the knowledge and permission of the principal.

All volunteers must sign in and out in the secretary’s office. Children leaving school for an excused reason will meet their parents at the office. Parents or designated adults must come into the office to have a student paged. Students will remain in class until they are paged.

Parents are asked to make appointments for meetings and to not detain teachers at the beginning of the class day. If there is a pressing issue as to the health and well being of the child for the day, parents should stop at the office and speak to the principal or school secretary.

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Christian Behavior

The Essence of Christian discipline is self-discipline within the growth process. Students need to realize that the observance of reasonable rules brings happiness to themselves and others. They must be aware that the policies of the school aim at safeguarding their liberties rather than curbing them. What our school means by discipline is "freedom controlled by responsibility."

The key to forming a happy faith community at St. Philip Neri School is found in the words respect and cooperation. When a child acts out of respect for others and works in a responsible way with school personnel, maximum teaching and learning can take place. Respect and cooperation will create a school environment where children are free to learn and are learning to exercise freedom within the framework of responsibility. A spirit of peace and justice will be able to thrive in such an environment.

· Crisis/Violence

Our parish school abides by the safe school policies of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

· Dangerous Weapon Policy

It is unlawful for a student to have in his/her possession any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, firearm, or other implement capable of inflicting bodily harm while on school grounds, in a school building, or using school transportation. The principal will verify the offense, confer with faculty and/or staff involved and meet with the student. Parents will be notified and the student will be removed from the learning environment. School officials will contact the local police authorities as warranted by the offense. Disciplinary action may range from a warning and confiscation of the weapon to suspension or expulsion.

Other dangerous instruments such as lighters, matches, pointed objects, etc. are also banned from the school environment. Corrective measures similar to those stated above will be enforced.

· Discipline

Discipline is necessary to develop fully committed Christian students who respond respectfully and cooperatively to the just rules and regulations in their school environment and the world.

A child's growth in learning responsible freedom and commitment is directly related to his/her choices of considerate, cooperative behavior. Those students who choose to violate school policy or who act in an inconsiderate or uncooperative way incur on themselves the consequence of their behavior. Unacceptable behavior would include:

1. Continual disturbance of another's right to learn or to teach.
2. Reacting with defiance, backtalk, offensive or abusive language.
3. Incomplete homework or classwork.
4. Violations of the uniform code.
5. Tests, papers, report cards, etc. not signed and returned promptly.
6. Regular lateness or absence without reason.
7. Lack of preparation for class.
8. Misuse of lunch and recess privileges.

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Students violating any of the above will be corrected by the teacher or principal. Teachers will send parents a Discipline Report about the unacceptable behavior. The appropriate consequences will be administered. These may include but will not be limited to loss of recess, after school time, restitution, repair, etc. Chronic disregard for school policies will result in a parent-teacher conference and consequences, which may include in school suspension, restitution, etc. Two in school suspensions may result in suspension from school.

Major infractions contrary to the good order of our school community and warranting suspension or dismissal from school and school-related activities include:

1. Immorality
2. Gross defiance
3. Truancy
4. Unauthorized leaving of school grounds or school sponsored events
5. Vandalism
6. Theft
7. Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment
8. Threats against the faculty, staff, volunteers, students, or administration
9. Actions threatening the safety of the faculty, staff, volunteers, students, or administration
10. Possession and/or distribution of illegal substances
11. Possession and/or use of weapons
12. Other infractions performed habitually

When prior preventive measures have had little effect in instances of major infractions, a problem exists for the student, the school and the parents. The principal will arrange a conference so that all parties must work together to eliminate the problem and to restore peace and harmony with the student, the family and the school.

Please note that a Discipline Report is one method by which the school communicates with the parents. Parents should contact the student's teacher if they have any questions or concerns regarding a disciplinary action. Rules and consequences are posted in each classroom.

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· Drug & Alcohol Policy

Our parish school community in an effort to protect and promote the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of students has developed a policy and procedures to safeguard the school community's right to a drug-free environment. It is vitally important that all members of the school community cooperate with these policies and procedures on alcohol, narcotics, and drug abuse. The provisions of the policy are not primarily punitive but remedial. All suspicions and concerns should be reported to the principal and be handeled in confidence to protect the name and rights of all involved. In addition, it should be noted that drug and alcohol prevention education is part of the school's curriculum.

A student within school jurisdiction who is under the influence of drugs, or who possesses, uses, or distributes such shall be in violation of the school policy. Distribution or possession of any drug paraphernalia and/or drug look alikes is prohibited.

Suspicion/reasonable belief: Students suspected or believed to be possessing, using, or under the influence of drugs/alcohol or endangering the health, safety and welfare of the school community will be reported. The reporter should notify the principal or principal designee who will investigate the situation, notify the student's parents or guardians, and take appropriate action, which may include a search by the principal with a witness as defined by the policy. If founded, appropriate disciplinary action will be enforced.

The principal should be notified immediately if a student or non-student is caught distributing drugs. The principal will decide the disciplinary action to be enforced. The action may include suspension or recommendation for expulsion. Parents will be involved whenever possible. The school administration can choose not to involve parents and the then students will be referred to an outside agency for investigation, remediation and treatment. The Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act (1972), Section 12, protects the rights of the school to refer students for treatment without parental knowledge or consent. Students seeking drug or alcohol related help for themselves or others should be praised for their initiative and concern. Information will be handled in confidence to secure qualified and confidential help for the student.

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· Gum Chewing

Gum chewing is not permitted in St. Philip Neri School for sanitary reasons and the resulting cleaning difficulties. This rule applies to the school building, school buses, school grounds and property belonging to the parish. The rule applies to students, faculty and staff.

· Search of Student Personal Property

The school has the right to search desks, lockers, and coat closets, which are property of the school. The pastor and principal are the responsible school officials for conducting student searches.

· Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. All employees and students are responsible for ensuring that this school is free from all forms of sexual harassment. A more definitive description of this policy is in the Policies and Procedures of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, available in the school office.

· Violent/Threatening/Harassing Acts

Threatening, harassing, or violent acts by children or parents and guardians constitute grounds for immediate dismissal of the child. If the acts involve a weapon, the incident may be reported to the police depending on the nature of the incident involving a weapon. Items that are not by their nature weapons may become weapons depending how they are used. Where physical harm results, police will be informed.

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