Handbook
Priority: Policy Consistency
Resulting Project: Review of the School Handbook
Team: Group 1 - Laureen, Gloria, Sharon
Period: June 27 - July 27, 2022
Highlighted text are new additions to the handbook
Handbook needs more clarity (looked at policy items that impact the classroom) and more specific consequences and mitigation procedures.
Some important items are missing such as attendance policy, or need immediate fixes such as placement testing and admission process.
A handbook committee needs to be convened to continue this work and especially to identify improvements that can be made ASAP.
Here is the actual document the group worked on.
Here are specific examples of some of the items that the group identified and worked on.
Issue Random deliveries of lunch to classrooms disrupts the class.
Policy Fix Add an item to the "Students must be prepared to come to school ...":
- With snack and lunch (If parents will deliver lunch, lunch may be delivered to the Principal/Vice Principal office).
Issue Integration of Catholic Values
Policy Fix Add an item to "Program of Study - Complementary Components"
- Daily Rosary – 3rd to 8th grades
Issue Noncompliance with Policy Item
Policy Fix In Program of Study, Science & Health is a Core Subject
- Health is not taught. Modify the policy or teach the required courses.
Issue Uniform Policy needs updating to match the times
Policy Fix Add items to provide keep up with the times
- Students may also wear any CSW t-shirts during PE time and field trips only. No tight and short-short parnts. Shorts must be loose and on or below the knees..
- Students come to school wearing their PE uniforms on designated PE day with sport shoes.
- All students must wear proper school uniforms during school mass..
Issue Lack of consistency in how infractions are handled.
Policy Fix Add a clearly defined escalation process, eg., the one below is for uniform policy.
- Consequence: 3 warnings by teacher; after three warnings, refer to Principal/Vice Principal for further action.
Issue Policy items more clarity and relevance.
Policy Fix Add detail and relevance to a policy item (Other Policies -> Prayer Day).
- 8th Grade – 1 day of prayer in August and 1 retreat in May
Issue Missing Policy.
Policy Fix Justify and add a missing policy.
A major missing policy, evidenced by teachers' issues with and confusion by, is how to handle student absences from and lateness to class. Below is a sample attendance policy.
Other areas require policy coverage such as donations, student retention, reporting deadlines. Further below are samples of these policies.
Attendance
- Being present and punctual in all classes and in any related school activities. Homeroom teachers are required to hand in their classes’ attendance to the office every Friday.
- On-Line Attendance: effective only during pandemic or upon the declaration of the Principal/Vice Principal.
- A student is considered in attendance or is present:
- If he/she logs – in to their zoom or google meet links for each class.
- If he/she submits assignments in all classes according to the pacing guide of each class.
- If he/she attends or present in all required live lessons and small group instructions.
- If the student is able to demonstrate that he/she is able to do own school work.
- The student should maintain weekly telephone contact with his/her homeroom teacher.
- The student is considered not in attendance or is absent:
- If he/she does not log-in to their zoom or google meet link for each class.
- If he/she does not submit assignments in all classes according to the pacing guide of each class.
- If he/she does not attend or present in all required live lessons and small group instructions.
- If the student is unable to demonstrate that he/she is able to do own school work.
- If the student does not maintain weekly telephone contact with his/her homeroom teacher.
- Absent - not physically present in all classes and school related activities, such as school Mass and church activities.
- If a student is a absent, parents/guardians must contact the school administration via phone, no later than 9 AM on that day. Upon returning to school, student must bring a written note from home or hospital to the Principal/Vice Principal office and get an excuse slip before entering classroom.
- TYPES OF ABSENCES
- Excused:
- Personal illness
- Illness or death in the family
- Medical/Dental appointment
- Impassable road or weather
- Unexpected emergencies
- Community Cultural Affairs
- Any student who will participate in any community affairs must bring a written note to the school administration 2 days before the event.
- Any student who will be participating in any community affairs with an authorization by the administration will be considered present for that school day(s).
- Excused:
- Explained:
- An absence in which a parent/guardian takes the student out of school with the Principal/Vice Principal’s prior knowledge and approval. Student will be required to obtain assignments for classes to be missed. A “Leaving School” form must be completed before leaving the school. The assignment will be due on the day the student return to school. Failure to follow the policy will result in the absence being recorded as unexcused.
- Truancy:
- A student who leaves school without parental/guardian’s consent or is absent from school on regular basis without school authorization, or has a high rate of absenteeism.
- Unexcused:
- Absence in which a student is out of school that does not qualify as excused or explained.
- EXCESSIVE ABSENCES:
- A letter will be sent home informing the parents/guardian when their child has 5 total excused absences in a quarter. This letter is meant to serve as a warning that attendance may be becoming an issue.
- A letter will be sent home informing the parents/guardian when their child has 3 total unexcused absences in a quarter. This letter is meant to serve as a warning that attendance is becoming an issue.
- A total of 10 excused absences in a quarter, refer the student to Principal/Vice Principal.
- A total of 5 unexcused absences in a quarter, refer the student to Principal/Vice Principal.
- A total of 15 absences in a quarter, whether excused or unexcused, with failure to complete most assignments, is considered INCOMPLETE grade.
- Late – comes into classroom after the 2nd bell ( 8:00 A.M. )
- A letter is sent home informing the parents/guardians when their child has a total of 5 lates in a quarter. This letter is meant to serve as a warning that tardy is becoming an issue.
- When a student has a 10 total tardy in a quarter, refer him/her to Principal/Vice Principal/Vice Principal. Principal.
- Skipping Classes – student is not attending one or more classes and any school activities after attendance has been taken. Repetition of skipping classes, teacher should refer the student to the
- Excuses: an official approval for students to enter classroom.
- For being late and skipping classes and absent, student is required to get an excuse slip from office before entering classroom.
Retention Policy:
- Any student who fails 2 academic core subjects for the entirety of the school year, shall be retained in the current grade level.
- Any student having more than 12 unexcused absences or total of 20 absences for the entirety of the school year, will be automatically retained in the current grade level regardless of academic performance.
Progress Report and Report Card Policy:
- Progress report shall be given to students on the designated date, as indicated on school calendar. Teachers must keep a copy of the progress report.
- Report card shall be given to parents/guardians on designated date as indicated on school calendar.
- Report card shall be returned to school after 1 week of receipt. ( electronic report card??? )
Donation Policy:
- Should be addressed by the School Board Members; there are many kinds of donations to the school, such as monetary, books, equipment, school supplies, and etc., from clubs, groups, associations, business companies, alumni, & etc.
- In the meantime, any teacher who receives any kind of donation for her/his class, please refer the donor(s) to the Principal/Vice Principal.