Maternity B.V.M. School at 9322 Old Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115 US - PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

II.

 The school day begins with prayers at 8:00 when the Prayer Bell rings.

Morning Schedule: 8:00 to 12:00 all students in grades 1 to 8 report to the Cafeteria beginning at  7:30; at 7:45, safeties take Grades 1 and 2 to their classrooms.

 

Lunch/Recess:           

Grades 1 to 4 & 8                        Bathroom/Recess        12:05 to 12:30

                                                            Cafeteria                  12:30 to 1:00

 

   Grades 5 to 7                                 Cafeteria                         12:05 to 12:30

                                                            Recess/Bathroom         12:30 to 12:45

 

Dismissal begins with the Prayer Bell ringing at 2:40, with dismissal lines called beginning at 2:45.

 

Prayers:           11:40

Dismissal:       11:45

    OR

            Prayers:           12:50

            Dismissal:        1:00

 

School Office                                    215-673-0235
Rectory                                            215-673-8127
Cares                                               215-313-4407
Kindergarten                                     215-673-7773
Pre-K                                               215-673-1422

Maternity B.V.M. School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and the school does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, its admission policies or any school-administered program. 

 

1. Children entering Pre-kindergarten must be four years of age on or before September 1^st.
 
2. Children entering Kindergarten must be five years of age on or before September 1^st.
 

3. Children entering First Grade must be six years of age on or before September 1^st.
 

4. Children entering Grades Six, Seven and Eight are received on a probationary basis until     the end of the first trimester. Then they may be formally accepted if conditions warrant acceptance. 
 

5. Children in Grades Seven and Eight must be transferring from another Catholic school.
 

6.      6.   Non-Catholic children are admitted to Maternity B.V.M. School as space becomes available. 
     

7. These students are required to take classes in all academic areas, including religion, and are required to attend all liturgical celebrations.
 

8. Parents of all new students for Grades 4 to 8 will meet with the principal at the time of 
 registration for a pre-admission interview.

 1.Birth certificate
 

 2. Baptismal certificate if baptized in a parish other than Maternity B.V.M.
 

 3. Immunization records from the doctor 
     

4. Child’s Social Security Card
 

5. A copy of the child’s most recent report card from the school in which the child is currently enrolled
 

6. Any other pertinent information that may relate to the child’s achievement in a school  setting (e.g., psychological, physical, learning disability testing)
 

7. Whenever there is a family situation involving either divorce or separation, a copy of the court order must be presented for the office file.
 

8. The published nonrefundable registration fee and tuition deposit per child.

Re-Registration
Re-registration for the following academic year for students already enrolled in Maternity B.V.M. School takes place in February/March of each year. At this time of re-registration a nonrefundable tuition deposit is required for students from Pre-K and Kindergarten as well as all new in-coming students.

 

 

 

In accordance with the principles of effective education, the school’s policy is to assign homework to all grades each day. Homework takes priority over extracurricular activities. On weekends or over holidays, homework is at the discretion of the teacher. Homework is a necessity because it reinforces skills taught in class, trains the mind through memorization and enhances critical thinking. Homework may take any of the following forms: written assignments, assignments not completed in class, reading assignments, study and review assignments and long or short term projects or reports. The amount of time for homework is based on students with average ability. Some students will need less time while others may need more time. This time schedule includes time for written as well as study assignments.

 

         Grade K - 15 minutes                   Grades 1 & 2 - 30 minutes              Grades 3 & 4 - 60 minutes

         Grades 5 & 6 - 90 minutes            Grades 7 & 8 - 120 minutes

 

Students are recommended for retention only for very serious reasons. It is recommended that intervention take place as soon as possible in the form of private tutoring and/or remediation from CORA services in our school to enhance student skills. A student who has a prolonged absence without sufficient homebound tutoring to ensure mastery of grade level skills would be a candidate for retention

 

Any student in grades 1 to 7 who fails two major subjects in the final column of his/her report card must attend a recognized summer school program or be tutored by a professional educator before he/she is admitted to Maternity B.V.M. School in September of the following academic year. Reports indicating the skills reviewed and student performance must be forwarded to the principal by August 20^th in order for a decision to be made regarding the student’s education at our school. If the reports are acceptable the student will continue in our program.

Parents of eighth grade students will be notified by January 31^st if a student is in danger of failing. However, the school reserves the right to notify parents of grade 8 students at any time during the second or third trimester that a student is experiencing academic difficulty and may fail for the year. If indeed, the student should fail a major subject, a diploma will not be awarded until satisfactory completion of a certified summer school program. Eighth graders are not permitted to repeat 8^th grade at the same school. Maternity B.V.M. School does not provide summer school. Finding an appropriate summer school or tutoring program is a parental responsibility.

 

Parents will be notified in the event of sudden illness or accidents of a serious nature. IT IS OF THE ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE THAT THE OFFICE AND THE HOMEROOM TEACHER HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS.

 

If your child is to progress favorably in school he/she should be in good health and be able to attend school daily. Good sense dictates that it is most inappropriate for your child to come to school when he/she is ill. Your child needs to remain at home during illness so recovery will be quick and other students are not exposed to the illness. We ask you to protect your child and our students by keeping your child at home during the time of his/her illness.

 

·         On the morning of your child’s absence and on each subsequent day of absence, call the school office at 215-673-0235 between 7:15 AM and 8:30 AM to reportabsence and whether or not someone will be picking up any assigned work. If you have registered your child for the CARES Program, please be sure to mention this and a message will be forwarded to the staff member.

·         If you inform us of your intention to pick up your child’s homework or missed class work, it will be available to you in the Main Office between 2 PM and 3 pm.

·         On the day of you child’s return to class after an illness or other absence, he/she must present from the parent/guardian to his/her homeroom teacher a written absence note stating the length of the absence and the reason for the absence. If a student has been absent due to illness on three or more consecutive days, a doctor’s certificate must also be presented with the parental note.

 

Appointments during the school day are discouraged. If an early dismissal is required, a written note must be sent in to the teacher prior to the pick-up time. The note must include the name of the student, the class, the reason for the request and the time and date of the pick-up. If someone other than the parent or guardian is picking up a child, written notification must be sent to the office prior to the pick-up. The principal or designee is responsible to ascertain the identity of the person who calls for the student.

The parent/guardian must report to the office and sign their child out on the log sheet provided. It is imperative that the office knows about each child who leaves the building during school hours. “School hours” includes the lunch/recess period. No parent may go into a classroom to pick up a child.

 

If there is weather related closing, please listen to Radio Station KYW 1060 AM. Our school will be closed if the announcement reads, “All Philadelphia Public and Parochial Schools are closed.” If by any chance the announcement reads, “Philadelphia Public and Parochial Schools are OPEN with NO TRANSPORTATION”, OUR SCHOOL WILL BE OPEN WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. IF THE ANNOUNCEMENT SAYS, “ THERE IS A TWO HOUR DELAY”, OUR DAY WILL BEGIN AT 10:00 AM.

If school is already in session and a message comes in to close school, we will activate the Emergency Chain Call System in each homeroom.

 

If a student oversleeps or is late for some other reason, send him/her to school. It is better to be late than to miss class completely. If a student is late:

·         The parent is to send a note of explanation with the student.

·         Upon arrival in school, the student is to report to the main office to obtain a late slip.

·         Any student arriving after 8:10 in the morning is late. If a student is late 3 times in one month, the student will be given a detention.

 

·         Are to have clean paper covers at all time. Covers may not have drawing, scribbling, or inappropriate writing on them. Contact paper may not be used to cover textbooks.

·         Are to be carried to and from school in a book bag.

·         May not have any pencil or ink marks in them.

·         Are numbered and distributed so that the teacher has a record of each student’s number so as to prevent damage or loss.

·         Must be returned to school in June

·         Are to be covered in clear contact paper.

·         Must be kept neat, legible, in good condition and free from all unnecessary writing.

·         Must be carried to and from school in a book bag.

·         All workbooks, except the Religion Book, must be returned to school in June.

·         Students are responsible for all books and materials assigned to them.

·         Books and/or materials lost or damaged by the students are to be replaced by the student responsible: Cost for textbooks: publisher cost          Workbooks: $10.00 per book.

 

 

Maternity B.V.M. offers an after school program (Children Are Receiving Extended Services). Information is available in the school office regarding registration and fees for this program.

 

It is necessary for parents/guardians to notify the homeroom teacher and the school office concerning any change in address and/or telephone number, whether it is a change at home or place of employment. This should be done as soon as changes are made. This is very important both in case of emergency and in keeping our records up-to-date.

 

Effective communication is the single most important factor that assures a positive relationship between the home and the school. Several forms of communication exist at our school to keep parents informed of policies, activities, upcoming events, and student progress. Regular forms of communication include this handbook, a monthly calendar of events, a weekly Note from the principal, communication envelopes, and parent-teacher conferences.

Each week the communication envelope containing tests from the previous week and the child’s conduct folder are sent home. Each child receives an envelope. Information from the office is sent home in the envelope with the youngest/only child. Parents are asked to sign the envelope, the tests and the conduct chart of each child and return it the next day. These envelopes will go home every Wednesday.

 

Conferences between teachers and parents are necessary in the educative process. The parents of each student will meet with their teacher on a scheduled date for report card conferences. Additional conferences may be held upon the request of either the parent or the teacher. This can be done by scheduling an appointment either by note, e-mail or phone. These conferences must be either before or after school.

The following communication policy is to be maintained:

1.            The teacher is the first contact.

2.            The principal is the second contact.

3.            The pastor is third to be contacted, only if a resolution has not been made.

Please make a note of this chain of command. You must first contact the classroom teacher.

Counseling or Referral Assistance is a nonprofit, multi-funded Child and Family Resource Center. CORA helps the school in maximizing the services available to non-public school children under Pennsylvania Act 89 funding. The services available under Act 89 include Counseling and Guidance, Corrective Reading and Math, Psychological Evaluations and Speech and Language remediation. These services may also be available to students upon parental or teacher request.

Maternity B.V.M. School has a Crisis Management Plan in place. If, for any reason, the school must be evacuated, our plan calls for us to walk the students to the Upper Church at 9200 Old Bustleton Avenue, where parents/guardians may come to pick up students. In case of emergency where evacuation is necessary, DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OR THE RECTORY OR THE CHURCH. Our plan is to leave the building immediately and meet parents/guardians at the Church. In this type of emergency evacuation, there will not be time or personnel to answer telephones; instead, go immediately to the Church and follow the directions provided.

Maternity B.V.M. School has a Shelter in Place Plan. “Shelter in Place” means that our school will be called either by the Police Department, Fire Department or the Office of Catholic Education to alert us to begin a Shelter in Place plan. This plan means that our school will be in a lock down mode – no one in, no one out. The Police Department will be onsite to enforce this regulation. This plan is not meant to last more than three hours, at which time the Police Department will have buses on site to remove our students to a safe location which would be announced through the media and the emergency alert system to the community at large. This means that parents must go to the designated evacuation site, not to the school, to pick up their children.

 

All persons without legal custody of a child have no right to educational participation (including receipt of school materials), and this includes “step-parents,” friends, and family members. In cases where parents disagree on the educational decisions to be made concerning the child, the school will take no action if an agreement cannot be reached between the parents. Maternity B.V.M. School will only send one set of educational reports home to the parents, and will provide two sets of calendars and Weekly Communication Envelopes. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to keep the lines of communication open in the best interest of the child. Parents are asked to inform school personnel regarding custody of their children. This information will help school officials make effective decisions if the need arises. If there is a court order specifying that there is a specific custody arrangement, the school MUST have a copy of this document. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order, which will be kept on file.

 

Discipline is essential for effective management of any institution. It is a necessary reflection of the Catholic School Philosophy. This philosophy attempts to develop children who are fully committed to the observance of just rules and regulations that will assist them in responding to the responsibilities and obligations they have to themselves and to others. 

The code of conduct of Maternity B.V.M. School has several objectives. The first is the safety and well being of the entire school community. Secondly, the school attempts to create an environment conducive to learning. The third objective is to form students who are mature, responsible, self-disciplined individuals who live the Gospel message of Christ.

If a student violates the code of conduct, they must realize that there will be consequences for his/her action. As individuals gifted by God’s grace, they must realize that their choices are their own responsibility. If they make poor choices, they must accept the consequences of their actions. While possibly painful, they will ultimately grow from this experience.

In order to accomplish this goal, a demerit system is implemented.

Minor Discipline Offenses; included but not limited to… (Refer to addendum #1 ). This form is sent home on Wednesday afternoon in the Communication Envelope. It is the responsibility of the parent to check this on a weekly basis. If 4 demerits are issued a warning phone call should be made by the homeroom teacher, because when a 5^th demerit is issued, a detention is given. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to see that the student gets home safely after the detention is served.

It is the intent of Maternity B.V.M. 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 otherwise not conducive to the educational and religious mission of our school. These include, but are not limited to:

·   Disrespectful behavior of any kind toward or about any staff, student or other parent of students

·   Insubordination

·   Fighting

·   Bomb scares or triggering other false alarms

·   Cheating or plagiarism

·   Use or possession of drugs or alcohol

·   Smoking

·   Stealing                                           

·   Weapons possession of any kind

·   Intimidation, harassment, or threats of any kind

These categories do not cover every possible situation. The school is responsible for determining what is appropriate or inappropriate behavior both in and out of the classroom, in the school community generally as well as outside the school community where such improper behavior affects the community. Conduct by students or parents/guardians, or anyone acting on their behalf, incompatible with the educational and religious vision of the school is grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to 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. The student may also be put on a Behavior Contract at the discrimination of the administration.

 

·   White or yellow long or short sleeve blouse (undergarment must be PLAIN WHITE)

·   Navy blue V-neck long sleeve or sleeveless sweater (Grades 6 to 8) from November through March

·   Navy blue knee socks or leotards

·   Regulation navy blue oxford shoe (Docksiders and loafers are not permitted) must be tied

·   Summer Uniform is optional: Short sleeve regulation polo shirt (with Logo)

·   Make-up, nail polish and artificial nails are not permitted; only clear nail polish is permitted

·   Fad style haircuts or coloring are not permitted

·   Only one pair of post earrings is permitted. One earring in each ear.

·   One ring on each hand is permitted

·   One thin bracelet and a watch are permitted.

·   A religious medal on a thin chain is certainly permitted and encouraged.

·   No other jewelry is permitted, such as thick gold or silver chains, leather or rope necklaces.

·   Only one Rubber bracelet advertising a cause of one kind or another may be worn

·                     Navy blue skort

·                     Short sleeve regulation polo shirt – yellow with Maternity B.V.M. logo

·                     White sneakers with white quarter length or crew socks

B. Boys: Grades K to 8

·   Navy blue trousers (no corduroys)

·   Navy blue tie

·   White or yellow long or short sleeve shirt (with plain white T-shirt underneath)

·   Navy blue V-neck long sleeve or sleeveless sweater (November through March)

·   Short sleeve regulation polo shirt (Fall and Spring) with Logo

·   Regulation black, oxford shoes (docksiders are not permitted), which must be tied at all times

·   A BELT (black or blue)

·   Hairstyles, including cultural or ethnic variations, are to be worn in a conservative style: not touching the collar, above the eyebrows and off the ears. No tracks, tails or fad styles are permitted. Spiked, colored or excessive use of gel will NOT be allowed. Sideburns must be above the earlobe. Upper grade students must be clean-shaven (no beards, mustaches, or other facial hair).

·   EARRINGS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

·               Navy blue walking shorts

·               Short sleeve polo shirt: yellow with Maternity B.V.M. logo

·               White sneakers with white quarter length or crew socks

·   To be worn only on Gym Days or when otherwise directed

·   Light blue regulation T-shirt

·   Navy blue regulation sweat pants with Logo

·   Navy blue regulation sweat shirt with Logo

·   Navy blue regulation shorts with Logo

·   All students MUST wear sneakers in order to participate in a Physical Education (can be any color).

·   No cut offs or sweats are permitted

Cellular telephones, iPods, handheld electronic games or personal music players or games of any kind that may be distracting or disruptive to the learning environment are not permitted. In a situation where a cell phone is necessary, the student must hand it in to the homeroom teacher, who either sends them to the Main Office or locks them in a classroom closet. No student may use a cell phone during the day. If a parent/guardian feels that it is necessary for their child to carry a phone before or after school, they must fill out a form (Addendum #2) giving the student permission to carry the phone and acknowledge that the phone may not be used on school property for any reason, including after school activities, CARES, or detention.

 

Periodically, students are taken on field trips as part of their educational experience. Such trips are made only with the permission of their parents/guardians. Since field trips are educational in nature, all students should participate unless they are ill. When such trips are planned, permission slips will be sent home to be signed and returned to the teacher. If a permission slip is not signed and returned to the teacher, the student will not be permitted to go on the trip. Telephone calls will not be accepted in lieu of the proper form. A faculty member, assisted by parent volunteers, will accompany the children on the field trip. Any parent/guardian chaperoning a trip must have completed the Safe Environment Training through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as well as have a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Clearance on file.

Participation in any field trip is a privilege. Misconduct as well as delinquent tuition payments may prevent a child from attending these special events. Children, who are not permitted to attend a school trip, by either parent or school request, must report to school. Field trips are considered school days. Appropriate dress (school uniform or Gym uniform) and conduct are always expected on a field trip.

 

Fire drills are conducted on a periodic basis as directed by the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Directions are posted in each classroom for the proper procedure to exit the building. The children must exit quickly and in silence for the safety of all concerned. In addition, each school is to practice a shelter-in-place drill annually.

 

Any eighth grade student who fails two of the three basic skills (Reading, Language Arts or Math) or who has a failing composite average, is required to attend an Archdiocesan summer school if they wish to attend an Archdiocesan High School in the Fall. If a student fails to achieve the basic academic performance necessary for graduation, that student will be excluded from the graduation ceremonies. If a student receives more than two failures (2 or below) in Conduct and Effort, they will also be prohibited from participating in these events. Finally, should any student’s tuition be unpaid, he or she will be excluded from participating in graduation ceremonies and any eighth-grade school-closing activities. Participation in closing exercises is a privilege, not a right. The school reserves the right to deny a student from participating in the closing exercises if, in the view of the School, the student’s academic or disciplinary record indicates that this privilege should be rescinded. The Graduation for Eighth Grade is always scheduled for the Wednesday prior to the closing of school.

 

A healthy child responds better to instruction. Help your child to practice proper health habits,      which we teach in school. Among these are:

·   Proper sleep – a bedtime for your child should be established, and effort made to be consistent with this time.

·   Proper diet – your child should eat a healthy breakfast and bring a proper lunch to school, (any child who comes to school without a lunch should go to the Office and ask for crackers and milk).

·   Proper clothing - your child should be sent to school with clothing that prepares him/her for the weather.

·   Proper bathing – your child should be taught respect for his/her body by parental guidance in cleanliness of body and clothes.

 

Although a school nurse is present three days a week, she is not permitted to diagnose or treat    illnesses. If a child is sick in the morning, please do not send the child to school. The school nurse’s duties are to: maintain health records for each child; screen each child for vision, hearing, height and weight; check immunization records; inform parents when necessary of the need for Physical Examinations (Grades K and Six).

 

Unauthorized and inappropriate use of the Internet on school is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Inappropriate student Internet use at home that in any way associates his/her wrongful conduct with the school, students of the school and any teacher or staff member, may be cause for disciplinary and legal action if the use affects the administration of the school generally, or the relationship of the school to the student specifically. Thus, for example, the posting of an Internet site from home containing threatening and/or derogatory comments about a teacher, student or school official may be grounds for dismissal. This is particularly applicable where the site creates an atmosphere of fear or otherwise adversely affects the educational and religious mission of the school. See the Acceptable User Policy for Technology for Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the conclusion of this handbook.

 

Students have access to materials in the school library. The classroom teacher is responsible for following the Guidelines when teaching library skills. Books may be taken out on a weekly basis. Overdue books have a fine attached. Replacement charges will be made for lost or damaged books. In respect for others’ needs, quiet is expected in the library. Students may be denied access to the library when their behavior is a disturbance to others, or if refusal to return books is consistent.

All students stay for lunch during the school year. The 45-minute lunch period is divided into 30 minutes for lunch and 15 minutes for Recess.

·   Please include in your child’s lunchbox, 2 napkins, one for the table and one for the lap.

·   Students bring their lunch to school each day except when they order special lunches in advance. Chocolate milk, white milk, and iced tea are available for the students to purchase at the lunch period each day. Students eat in the school cafeteria unless otherwise specified (in unusual circumstances).

·   Students are expected and required to eat with appropriate table manners.

·   Students are to speak in conversational tones to those students at their assigned table.

·   Students may not leave their seat without permission.

·   Inappropriate behavior such as throwing food or fighting will require disciplinary action. It is expected that the students will follow the directives of the lunch monitor when cleaning up their place, disposing of trash and moving to the recess area or classroom after lunch.

·   Pre-K and Kindergarten students eat lunch in their classrooms.

Two or three days a week the school offers a hot lunch in the cafeteria. Forms are sent home and orders are placed a month in advance. If there are extras on Hot Lunch Day, the children may purchase one at that time. Hoagies are offered once or twice a month, and on the other days the additional choices range from steak sandwiches to chicken nuggets, pizzas or burgers.

 

All Catholic parents, in choosing to send their children to our parish school, are also accepting the serious responsibility to train their children in the ways of the Catholic faith. Among the many duties that this entails, one of the most serious is their family attendance at Holy Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Catholic parents strive to give their children the best in every way, including the complete practice of the Catholic faith.

Parents of children from other religious traditions, while respecting the parameters of Catholic education in our school for their children, should strive seriously to follow the dictates of their own religious traditions. Any inquiries into the Catholic faith can be made to the principal or the pastor.

 

·   The City of Philadelphia provides a school nurse to Maternity B.V.M. School three days per week. 

·   The school encourages all children on medication to take their medication, where appropriate, before coming to school. In rare cases where medications must be administered during school, those children who are old enough to take the medication should do so by themselves in the presence of the school nurse or in the presence of a staff member when the nurse is not present.

·   Medication may not be taken in a classroom or carried on the person of a student. 

·   For children who are not able, due to their age or for other reasons, to take their medication when required during school hours, the school encourages parents, where and when possible, to assist the children in taking the medication. 

·   Only as a last resort may the school assist children in taking medications. If so, appropriate instructions, signed by the parent or guardian, must be provided to the school, where a record of the dates and times the medicine is to be given is recorded in the Main Office. 

·   All medications MUST be properly labeled and brought to school by a parent/guardian. Children my not carry medication to or from school. 

·   All medication will be kept locked in the nurse’s office.

 

     Use the following procedure for turning in all money:

·   Put money in an envelope.

·   Mark the envelope clearly with student’s name, grade, room number, amount of money and the purpose for the money.

 

Phys Ed classes are held each week for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Instruction is provided in various physical disciplines. Children learn how to properly perform certain exercises and the rules of various sports. Students also learn skills such as good sportsmanship and fair play. All activities are based on the Guidelines provided by the Office of Catholic Education. Students in grades 6, 7, & 8 sign a Behavior Contract at the beginning of the year; failure to comply will result in a dismissal from the class for the remainder of the trimester. See Dress Code for the proper gym uniform.

 

A good system of reporting student progress is one which helps build the student’s self-respect and knowledge, social and emotional behavior, and spiritual and physical development. Maternity B.V.M. School treats the reporting of student progress by use of four methods: personal conferences (in person or by phone), interim progress reports, report cards, and achievement assessment.

These reports are distributed to the students at the mid trimester point. After reviewing the progress report, parents/guardians must sign it and return it to the homeroom teacher.

Report cards provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are issued to students three times during the academic year so that parents are informed of their child’s strengths and weaknesses in maintaining grade level skills. Parents should review the report card carefully and note any particular weakness so that they may guide the child in improving this particular curriculum area. Grades are based on total participation of the student: oral and written work, assessment projects homework, etc. If a report card indicates that a student’s work is not satisfactory, parents should confer with the teacher as soon as possible. The report cards are distributed at the end of each

trimester. Please see calendar for dates. Report cards should be kept clean, signed in ink and returned the next school day after issuance.

O         Consistently produces work of high quality                           Numerical grades from 70 to 100;

VG      Regularly produces work of high quality                               69 or below is recorded as an F

G         Frequently produces quality work                                          on the report card.

S          Produces work of satisfactory quality

I           Produces work of inconsistent quality

U         Produces work of unsatisfactory quality

 

4 – Exceeding 3 – Achieving              2 - Growing                 1 - Emerging

4 – Exceeding                         3 – Developing appropriately           

2 - Needs improvement                       1 – Unsatisfactory

 

At Maternity B.V.M. School, Student Council is open to any student in the sixth through eighth grades. Students must have a conduct grade of 3 or better for each trimester and maintain an average of 85 in all subject areas.

Eighth grade students serve as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Seventh grade students are nominated and elections are held for these positions in the spring. The elected students are responsible for all duties of their position. They are responsible for reporting to the principal after each meeting to get approval for the items discussed.

Every sixth, seventh and eighth grade homeroom has two representatives elected by their peers. Homeroom representative elections are held in September and each candidate is required to give a speech to his/her homeroom. The elected representatives are responsible for attending meetings and keeping the homeroom up-to-date as to what is going on in the school.

If for any reason, an officer or representative breaks a school policy, they are put on probation. If another infraction occurs, they will be relieved of their position.

 

Technology is a valuable educational vehicle. Our schools are committed to teach its faculty, staff, students and school community to work and to learn effectively with technology and to ensure responsible use of the equipment. The policy outlined below applies to all technology use including Internet use. The Acceptable User Policy for Technology applies to all students, faculty, staff, volunteers or community members allowed access to school technology equipment.

The school’s goal is to prepare its members for life in an electronic global community. To this end, the school will:

· Provide a variety of technology-based tools

· Teach technology skills

· Integrate technology with curriculum

· Encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills

· Facilitate evaluation and synthesis of information

· Encourage ethical practices

            Our schools will make every effort to provide a safe environment for learning with technology, including Internet safeguards. The faculty, staff, students and school community are granted the privilege of using the computer hardware and software, peripheral and electronic communication tools, including the Internet. With this privilege comes the responsibility to use the equipment correctly, respect the name and intellectual property of others and follow the policies outlined below.

 

TECHNOLOGY USE GUIDELINES

·              Educational Purpose/Appropriate use: All technology use and Internet access at schools for all faculty, staff and students is provided solely for educational purposes. Educational sites and teacher-created assignments are to be used to enhance student learning. Students must not access entertainment sites, e.g., social networking sites or gaming sites, except for educational purposes under teacher supervision. Expressed permission to use the Internet and hardware/software in any area of the school must always be obtained.

·              Copyright/Intellectual Property: All sources obtained for teacher and student work should be properly cited. Users are to respect the rights of and the intellectual property of others in accordance with Federal Copyright Law. Transferring copyrighted material to or from a school without expressed permission of the owner is a violation of Federal Law.

o               Users must not use equipment to harass, threaten, deceive, intimidate, offend, embarrass or annoy any individual

o               Users must not post, publish or display any defamatory, inaccurate, violent, abusive, profane or sexually oriented material. Obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude or threatening language is strictly prohibited. Do not knowingly or recklessly post false information about any persons, students, employees or parishioner without the express permission of that individual and of the principal. Users must not use school equipment to create any site, post any photo, image, or video of another except with the expressed permission of that individual and the principal. Maintaining or posting material to a Web site or blog that threatens a likelihood of substantial disruption in school, including harming or interfering with the rights of other students to participate fully in school or extracurricular activities, is a violation of the Acceptable User Policy and subject to the disciplinary measures detailed below.

o               Users must not attempt to circumvent system security, guess passwords, or in any way gain access to secured resources, another person’s files or another person’s password.

o               Users must not install, move, delete, download, upload, reconfigure, or modify any software or files on school equipment without permission.

o               Users must not move, repair, reconfigure, modify or attach external devices to the systems without permission.

o               Users must not deliberately visit a site known for unacceptable material or any material that is not in support of educational objectives. Students must not access entertainment sites, e.g., MySpace.com, Facebook.com, or gaming sites.

o               Users are not to plagiarize content and may not present the work of another as their own without properly citing that work.

o               Users must not violate license agreements, copy disks, CD-ROMs, or other protected media. Users must not use technology for any illegal activity.

Administrative Rights: The school administration or the Office of Catholic Education at any time may add additional rules and restrictions. The school has the right to monitor both student and employee use of school computers.

Violations of the above rules will be dealt with by the administration of the school. 

Violation of these rules may result in any or all of the following:

·              Loss of use of the school network, computers and software, including Internet access. The student will be expected to complete work on a non-networked, stand-alone computer system.

·              Issuance of demerits/detentions if applicable.

·              Disciplinary action including, but not limited to, dismissal and/or legal action by the school, civil authorities or other involved parties.           

Each student will receive a copy of this policy with a contract for him/her and his/her parents/guardians to sign at the time of registration. No student will be permitted use of technology equipment until this contract is signed and returned to the technology teacher.

A parent or guardian of a student who transfers from Maternity B.V.M. School to another school must complete a transfer request in the main office. A transfer form for the new school will be presented to parents at this time if all fees and tuition have been paid in full. When the parent or guardian presents the transfer to the receiving school and registers his/her child, the receiving school will request student records from our school. These records will be mailed to the receiving school. Due to the integrity of student records, all records are mailed to receiving schools. It is a school policy that records are not given to parents/guardians for hand delivery to the receiving school.

In the beginning of the school year parents/guardians are asked how their children will arrive at and leave school. Any change in transportation arrangements must be made in writing, even if it is a change for only one day. Transportation changes will not be made over the phone. Dismissal lines include Bus riders, Car Riders and Walkers.

 

Buses in the afternoon follow two trips. After first trip is dismissed, the remaining bus riders report to the cafeteria. Car riders and walkers are then dismissed.

·   Disrespect and disorderly conduct will prevent a student from riding the bus. Screaming, standing, fighting, name-calling, changing seats, eating, chewing gum, defacing property, throwing things, etc. are all violations of good conduct and will lead to disciplinary action.

·   If the bus driver issues a written complaint, the student will meet with the principal that day.

·    After receiving two bus reports the student will lose busing privileges for a week. Should there be a third violation, the student will lose privileges for the rest of the year. Parent must provide transportation during the suspension.

 

·   All car riders are dismissed from the church parking lot.

·   We request that you not have your child picked up at alternate spots on Welsh Road as we have no way of knowing if they are picked up by you.

·   No parent should drive down the hill between the convent and church at dismissal. This is not safe for our Pre-K and Kindergarten children. Pre-K and Kindergarten parents may NOT park or drive in the driveway between the convent and the church.

·    Parking is also prohibited in the lot behind Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. Everyone must park in the church parking lot or on Bustleton Avenue.

 

·   Students are walked to the corner of Welsh Road and Old Bustleton Avenue and are crossed at the intersection.

·   Students may not go into the 7/Eleven on the corner. Parents must not pick up their children in this parking lot, either. This is a safety issue and a traffic nightmare.

All tuition and related school fees must be paid by all families of students attending Maternity B.V.M. School according to the timetables communicated at the time of Registration and accepted via Contract by each family. As a matter of justice, failure to pay tuition without the communication to the Rectory of any extreme exempting circumstances may result in the dismissal from school of the children of those families involved.

 

·   Vacations while school is in session are strongly discouraged.

·   Teachers also have no obligation to assign work ahead of time and/or re-teach missed lessons due to vacations. Teachers have no obligation to assign ‘make-up’ work.

·   If vacations take place during assessment, a student must take that assessment immediately upon returning to school with the time and place of the assessment at the discretion of the teacher. Credit will be lost for oral and written class work, assignments, projects, reports, tests, etc. that are not completed due to absences for vacation.

 

     For the safety of the students and faculty:

·   All visitors to the school must check in at the main office. 

·   No visitor may go to any area of the school without first signing in at the office and receiving a “Visitor’s Pass”.

        This pass must be worn while you are in the building and be returned when you leave.