ADDITIONAL SCHOOL POLICES AND GUIDELINES

ACCEPTABLE USE

Espirito Santo School provides technology equipment and systems for educational purposes by authorized users only.

Espirito Santo School resources, including computer, communication equipment and associated services provided by these same resources (ex: Internet, electronic mail, facsimile, voice mail, hard copy) are to be used for Espirito Santo School educational purposes only. Espirito Santo reserves the right to monitor usage of these resources for control purposes and when such action is deemed necessary due to financial circumstances. Anyone using these systems expressly consents to such monitoring. All students will be required to sign an acceptable use policy.

CARE OF SCHOOL MATERIALS AND PROPERTY

Students are expected to use textbooks/workbooks and other school materials with care. Textbooks are to be covered at all times. Do not use the “stick-on” book covers; they leave a residue when removed. Students who lose their books will be charged for the lost text.

School property is to be treated with respect. If property is defaced or damaged, the student(s) responsible will be required to do clean-up work and be charged for the repairs.

CORI

The Diocese of Fall River requires all employees and volunteers to submit to criminal offender record information (CORI) and attend a diocesan workshop on abuse prevention. CORI forms are available in the school office.

Each year, any parent who plans to volunteer in the school or to chaperone a field trip during the school year must submit to a CORI and attend this workshop.

DISCIPLINE

At Espirito Santo School, our standards of behavior are base on the teachings of Jesus Christ. We expect all students to treat others with respect both in words and actions.

Each classroom has grade appropriate rules posted. Children learn that their actions may merit either rewards for positive behavior or consequences when rules are not followed.

Students may be detained at the close of the regular school day for academic or disciplinary reasons. Teachers have the right and the responsibility to do so. Students will normally be given 24 hours notice prior to reporting after school for detention. It is their responsibility to make provisions for transportation.

The principal is the final recourse for all disciplinary situations. Suspension (temporary removal of a student from class) may be either in-school or out of school and may be imposed by the principal for a serious offense. Fist-fighting may automatically result in three days of out-of-school suspension. Expulsion (permanent transfer of the student to another school) may be imposed by the principal for very serious offenses as outlined by the Diocese of Fall River Policies and Regulations.

The guiding principle in any discussion of discipline should be the desire to act in a Christian manner characterized by fairness and compassion. The principal is committed to listening to the student’s side of the story as well as the teacher’s report.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Parents may call the school at any time to relay important messages to their children. Students are allowed to use the office phone in the event of an emergency or other urgent matter. Therefore, it is not necessary for students to bring electronic devices to school. These devices become disruptive to the educational process; therefore, these and other devices such as laser key chains, virtual pets, etc. are not allowed in school. In addition, any electronic device brought to school will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school year.

MP3 players, CD players, hand-held electronic games and the like are expensive items that are easily broken. The use of these devices with a headset discourages socialization among students, which is an important part of the maturation process. They should not be brought to school. The school assumes no responsibility for lost, broken or missing audio equipment or other electronic devices.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Emergency forms are sent home at the beginning of the school year. It is essential that parents or guardians return the form with the correct, updated information, so that we will know whom to contact in case of an emergency. Any health related information or problem must also be included on this card.

Please inform the school if your information changes at any time during the year.

FIELD TRIPS

To provide the students with opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom, occasional trips of an educational nature may be sponsored by Espirito Santo School.

Students will be properly supervised on field trips. Adult chaperones including at least one faculty member must accompany students at all times.

Prior to the trip each student will be given a form requesting written permission from a parent or guardian. No student will be allowed on a school field trip without the proper permission slip. Permission must be in writing; phone calls are not acceptable. Permission must be granted by a parent or guardian; other extended family members may not grant permission.

For the safety of all and in order that maximum benefit be attained by each participant, any student whose conduct is contrary to school regulations or who creates an atmosphere disruptive to learning may be prevented from taking part in this educational experience.

Parent must have a current CORI on file with the school in order to chaperon a school field trip.

HARASSMENT/BULLYING

All students have the right to be free from actions or communications that cause physical, emotional, or psychological distress. Any intentional action or communication that is unwelcome, unwanted, or uninvited will not be tolerated. The person inflicting such distress shall be subject to discipline, including but not limited to, suspension, or expulsion.

HOMEWORK

Homework is an essential part of the educational program. The purpose of homework is to reinforce classroom instruction and provide practice of skills. A student’s performance on homework provides the teacher with information about the student’s understanding of lessons that have been taught. Homework may include both short and long term assignments. It may be in the form of written work or study assignments.

Students in grades 3 through 8 should record homework assignments in the required agendas. Parents should check his/her child’s homework each night and quiz them on material studied. Study time is the most important part of homework. Teachers plan home work assignments to meet the suggested time allotments.

Grade K ……….. 10–20 minutes

Grades 1-2 ……. 30–40 minutes

Grades 3–4 …… 50–60 minutes

Grades 5–8 …… 60–120 minutes

This time should be spent in a designated study area away from distractions such as television, music, or telephone use.

Long term assignments should not be left until the last minute. Organization and planning are important study skills for students to learn.

If your child is not doing his/her homework, or spending too much time on assignments, something is wrong. Please contact the teacher so that the problem may be addressed.

Students who miss assignments due to absence are personally responsible for their make-up work and tests.

Late or missing assignments should and will affect report card grades.

MEDICATION AND EMERGENCIES

It is requested that pupils who require medication have the medicine administered by a parent before coming to school in the morning and upon arriving home in the afternoon.

EXCEPTION – When the use of a medication is absolutely necessary during school hours, the parent shall furnish the medication in the original prescription container with the student’s name, doctor’s name and directions for dispensing the medication. The parent must also obtain a complete a form requesting the school to administer the medicine. These diocesan forms are available at the school office and must be signed by a physician.

*PARENTS, NOTE WELL: There are many medications that we are not allowed by law to administer. Please call the school and check before bringing anything to school. All medications must be delivered to school by a parent/guardian. Students may not carry medication.

If a student needs to take any over the counter medication (i.e. Tylenol, Tums, cough drops, etc.) during the school day, a permission form is available at the school office. A release form must be signed each time a request for medication is made.

In any emergency medical situation where repeated attempts to contact the parents have failed, the emergency will be handled by the school personnel (nurse, principal, secretary, teacher) by calling the rescue service. We will continue every effort to reach the parents to notify them of the measures taken to insure the welfare of the ill or disabled child. It is most important that the office has current emergency contact information for each student.

PARENT – TEACHER COMMUNICATION

Open communication is essential between home (parents and students) and teachers. Communication must be respectful and all parties will conduct themselves in a courteous manner. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher when questions or problems arise. Teachers are responsible for informing parents about academic or behavioral concerns. A conference should be scheduled for the purpose of discussion and resolution of problems. When appropriate, the student may be present at the conference. Conferences should take place before or after school hours.

PHOTO RELEASE

Throughout the school year students may be photographed while participation in various school activities. Photos may be published in newspapers, brochures, etc. Student’s names may sometimes be required. Parents must give permission for their child’s picture and to be used. Please see the last page to the handbook and sign in the designated area if you agree to your child being photographed.

PROMOTION / RETENTION

If a student is performing unsuccessfully at his present grade level, it may prove beneficial for him/her to repeat the grade. Retention provides some students with the time to grow socially and intellectually, enabling them to succeed in the following grades.

In grades K – 8, promotion of a student to the next grade will be determined by a students’ performance as indicated by report card grades. In K – 3 this is based primarily on the child’s reading level. In 4 – 8 all major subjects are of prime importance. A second consideration in retention is the teacher’s professional judgment of a student’s class participation, ability to demonstrate understanding of subject matter and social interaction with peers. It is important that a child fee confident of his/her own ability to succeed in the grade to which he/she is assigned.

Parents of all students will be notified through a parent conference by the end of the second trimester if there is a possibility of their child’s repeating.