Rooted in our
Catholic Tradition,
GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES
We, the
teaching staff of
principles:
¨ We recognize each student as an individual loved
by God,
blessed with gifts, talents, and abilities
which
will enable him/her to develop to greater
potential.
¨ We seek to form in each student a concern for each other and for all God's people as brothers
and sisters in the Lord.
¨ We recognize the need for
discipline, especially until the time when each student has grown to
self-awareness, self-discipline and self-direction.
¨ We seek to maintain consistently and continuously
a high
quality of education in every area and thus will make every effort to motivate all students to develop
the
highest educational standards.
¨ We teach our students Catholic values for this life
and for
eternity as we seek to develop their talents to
the
fullest.
ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCESS
of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and follows its
educational policies and procedures.
ROLE OF THE
PASTOR
The
pastor of Sacred Heart Parish is the spiritual leader of the school; by his
ministry and example, the students are led to Christ and His Church. While the principal is responsible for the
general direction of the religious and educational program, the pastor is kept
fully informed of all important happenings and no major step is taken without
his knowledge.
ROLE OF THE
PRINCIPAL
The
principal of
ROLE OF THE
TEACHER
The
role of the teacher in Sacred Heart School is not exclusively that of educator,
but is multifaceted including that of leader, organizer, instructor, motivator,
counselor, and evaluator within the environment of his/her own classroom.
He/she has the unique privilege of developing in his/her students a love
for learning. Each teacher accepts the
responsibility to use his/her personal endowments to the best advantage of the
students. Thus the students are exposed
to a variety of teaching styles, strategies, methodologies, and classroom
activities chosen by each teacher to promote optimum learning experiences.
The teacher willingly cooperates with the principal
in
carrying out the religious and academic goals of the
school, and in a spirit of generosity, accepts additional responsibili-
ties that affect the school community and programs.
ROLE OF THE
PARENT
The
important role of the parents in the catechizing and education of their
children is acknowledged by the Church through the pronouncement of the
National Catechetical Directory, Norm 212:
"Parents are the primary teachers of their children. They catechize informally but powerfully by
example and instruction. They
communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and His Church and
for each other, by reverently receiving the Eucharist and living in its spirit
and by fostering justice and love in all their relationships..."
Parents
contribute to policy making through the Home and School association.
Parents
should see that their child is physically and mentally ready for school each
day. Proper rest, exercise,
diet, and study will provide a good framework for
learning.
Promoting
a positive image of self, home, school and others supplies a healthy attitude
for wholesome relation-
ships. Being
an example of proper moral development in decision making, prayer, and worship
will assure the child's
moral development.
By
actively supporting school activities, attending Parent/Teacher conferences,
joining the Home and School Association, and participating in school and parish
celebra-
tions, parents show to their children, parish, and
school personnel their support as co-educators.
ROLE OF THE
STUDENT
While
the foundation stone of a school is the faculty, the shape of the structure is
designed around those who are there to learn--the students.
The
systematic formal learning of intellectual skills, cultural heritage, and
religious knowledge validates the
Christian educational system by permeating the whole
learning environment with Christian values.
An
adaptable educational program will enable the student to become a competent
citizen who will do his/her
share of work well.
His/her work in the family and school units will be solidified. He/she will learn the profitable use of
leisure time and develop a physical, mental, and moral well being that will
characterize his/her best self. At the
same time, the student may acquire a loving respect and a sincere appreciation
for others.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ABSENCE
Excused: Illness, quarantine, death
in the immediate family, or exceptionally urgent reasons
constitute
legal absence.
Unexcused: Truancy, parental neglect,
or personal choice, oversleeping, missing the bus,
etc.
are
not valid excuses for absence.
Phone: Please call the school
office between 7:00
AM
and 8:00 AM to report your child's
absence. Leave a message on the answering machine stating your child's name, grade,
and
reason for absence.
Notes: The student is required to
give the home-
room
teacher a note containing the reason
and
dates of absence signed by a parent or
guardian.
ADMISSIONS
Registration Requirements
Grade 1 - six by September 1
Kindergarten
- five by September 1
Pre-school - four by
September 1
Baptismal
Certificate if not baptized at Sacred Heart
Birth
Certificate, Social Security Number of child
Immunization
Records
Registration
Fee
APPOINTMENTS
If at
all possible, every effort must be made to arrange medical and dental
appointments for non-school hours.
Students may not be excused early from school
without a written request from parents, which is to be forwarded to the
principal. In an emergency, a call to
the principal will
suffice.
Parents are to sign out the student at the main office. State law forbids us to dismiss a student
during school hours unless an adult accompanies the student.
BICYCLES
Bicycles
are to be placed in the bicycle racks in the
school yard and should be locked. Student riding bicycles
to and from school should know and practice bicycle
safety.
BOOKS
School
books, with the exception of religion books,
are funded by the State of
All
books must be covered at all times and carried in a school bag. Any student who defaces a book in any way
or loses a book will be required to pay for the
book.
BUS
The school district in which the student resides is
responsible for providing bus service for our
students. In
compliance with state and diocesan laws, the
students are to be seated at all times during their ride, speak in moderate tones,
and obey the directions of the bus driver.
Parents will be notified if the rules are not obeyed.
CALENDAR
A school calendar is published annually according to
the guidelines of the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia.
A
monthly calendar is given to the youngest/only child in the family. Dates and events of importance are noted for
the convenience of parents.
CAR RIDERS
Children
should be dropped off outside the school gates in the morning. Please do not block the crossing lane or the
yard gate when dropping off students.
Children
can be picked up in the schoolyard at dismissal. Vehicles should enter on West Chester Pike
and exit on
Vehicles
are not permitted in the schoolyard during school hours from 8:00 AM to 3:00
PM. Caution is especially important in
inclement weather.
Cell
phones are not permitted in
school. Any contact that needs to be
made during the school day will be done through the Main Office. If there are extenuating circumstances that
warrant a student bringing a cell phone to school, the cell phone must be
registered in the school office and the cell phone is to remain in the
student’s school bag during school hours.
CHANGE OF
ADDRESS / PHONE
Change
of address or telephone number (home or work) must be sent to the homeroom
teacher and forwarded to the principal immediately so as to keep all records up
to
date. It is
important to have current information in the event of an emergency.
CO-CURRICULUM
PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES
Altar
Servers Prayer
Partners Band Service
Club
Children's
Choir Forensics
Heartlight
(newspaper) Sports Program (CYO)
Student
Council Music Lessons Yearbook
COMMUNICATION
Communication
is vitally important. Teacher-
Parent conferences are scheduled, requested, and/or
arranged at a time and place that is mutually
agreeable.
If a
faculty member sends notes concerning your child's progress or lack of it, would
you please respond
with a sealed note or phone call so that the teacher
may be assured that you received the note?
If you
have any questions or concerns about your child, the teacher is your first
contact.
COMMUNICATION
FOLDER
Most communications from school administration and
organizations are sent home via the youngest or only child on Thursdays. Parents may utilize the folder also to convey
messages to the school. Please remove
and read the contents of the folder.
Parent signature and date are required to indicate that the contents of
the folder have been read. Folders must
be returned on Fridays.
COMPUTER
The
computer lab is available to all students on a regularly scheduled basis.
CURRICULUM
Sacred Heart offers ten years of continuous
curriculum development with Religion as the core. Our school follows the course of study
established by the School Law of Pennsylvania along with the curriculum
Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
It includes the content areas of elementary education, but is not
limited by them. The student benefits
spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically both within and outside
the classroom. Since parents are the
primary educators, parental involvement is encouraged in the spiritual and academic
growth of the children.
DISCIPLINE
"Discipline is a necessary reflection of the
philosophy of a Catholic school, which attempts to develop fully committed
Christians to the observance of just rules and regulations which will assist
students in responding to their responsibilities and obligations to self and
others."
(Policy Manual - Elementary Schools, Archdiocese of
The
children of
They are encouraged to recognize that rules and
guidelines are for order and their safety and that of others.
Teachers
work with children at various developmental stages requiring individualized
methods of discipline.
Serious difficulties would be brought to the
attention of the principal and parents in conferences.
The
principal or teachers will issue Conduct Violations when necessary as a means
to alert parents of improper behavior.
Each Conduct Violation is worth a minimum of one (1) demerit. An accumulation of five (5) demerits will
result in a Saturday detention.
Conduct
Violations are given for, but not limited to the following:
Incomplete
or lack of homework
Continuous
lack of home preparation
Dress
code violation for school / gym
Unexcused
lateness
Chewing
gum
Disrespect
Misbehavior
- Classroom, Computer Lab, Library
Gym,
Cafeteria, Lines, Bus, School Corridors,
School
Yard, Lavatories
Lying
Cheating
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Conduct Violations are worth a minimum of one (1)
demerit. An accumulation of five (5)
demerits results in Saturday detention.
SUSPENSIONS
An
In-School suspension is given by the principal after consultation with the
teacher and the parents of the student.
The terms of an "In-School" suspension will be determined by
the principal and teacher.
Formal
suspension (removal from school community) is a serious disciplinary action
taken by school authorities against a student whose actions constitute a major
disciplinary infraction and are contrary to the good order of the entire school
community.
A
suspension will automatically result in the student receiving a “1” in Personal
and Social Growth for that trimester marking period.
Major
infractions include, but are not limited to the
following:
Disrespect Use of Inappropriate Language
Fighting Destruction of Property
Forgery Missed Detention
EXPULSION
After
two formal suspensions, ordinarily a student is liable for dismissal.
Infractions
that may warrant immediate dismissal include, but are not limited to the
following:
Alcohol Immorality
Drugs Theft
Weapons
No student may use, possess, sell or
distribute alcohol or other substances, nor use or possess paraphernalia for
the purpose of illicit / inappropriate
drug use on school grounds or at school sponsored events. The term "alcohol,
drugs, and
other substances" shall be construed throughout this policy to refer to
the use of all substances including, but not limited to: alcohol, all forms of tobacco,
inhalable
substances, marijuana, depressant drugs, stimulants, hallucinogenic drugs, and
steroids. The inappropriate or illegal
use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs shall also be prohibited. Prescription medication for personal use
shall be allowed only under supervision of school medical personnel and/or
school
authorities designated by the school principal, with written orders from a
physician.
DISMISSAL (END
OF SCHOOL DAY)
Kindergarten 2:40
PM
Grades
1-8 2:45
PM
Lines
are formed in each hall and the students are led from the building in good
order by members of the faculty and the Safety Patrol. Quiet in the classrooms, halls, and stairways
facilitates an orderly and quick dismissal.
Parents
are requested to remain outside the school building when they are picking up
their children at dismissal and in
the event of inclement weather.
DRESS CODE
Students
must be in complete uniform each day beginning with the first day of school.
BOYS AND
GIRLS (ALL
GRADES)
Optional
Spring/Fall Uniform
KHAKI SHORTS (must be purchased from Flynn
& O’Hara) worn with brown or black belt, white knit
shirt
(shirt must be
tucked in),
white quarter crew socks -NO
LOGOS ON SOCKS
Bucs - tan, brown, or black with non-scuff sole
May be worn from opening of school to October 31 and
April to closing of school
BOYS
Gray dress trousers (No casual styles of any kind
pants
must be worn properly with
belt
at waist level)
Belt - brown or black (NOT OPTIONAL)
No
chains, ornaments etc. may be worn attached to
belt or
trousers
White shirt (long or short sleeve)
Regulation tie Grades
K-6 Plaid, Gr. 7-8
Striped
White knit shirt
(shirt must be tucked in)
Opening
of school to October 31
April 1
to closing of school
Kindergarten - option-wear knit shirt all year
Rubber soled oxford shoe (tie) -brown or black
Optional choice - Grades 6-8 only - cordovan
penny loafer
Not permitted:
Boots, Sneakers, Athletic Shoes
Prescott Red V-neck pullover sweater or
V-neck pullover
sweater vest
HAIR Boys hair must be trimmed to
the top of the
collar
and must be above the eyebrows.
No
fad hairstyles are permitted: No
tails,
shaved
heads, lines, designs, spikes or bleached
hair.
NO
EARRINGS
GIRLS
Grades K-5
Tartan plaid jumper (knee-high length)
White perma blouse - Peter Pan collar
Prescott Red V-neck pullover sweater or Prescott Red
cardigan
Prescott Red knee socks, black tights
Rubber soled oxford shoe (tie) - brown or black
Not permitted:
Boots, Sneakers, Athletic Shoes, Dress
Pumps, Clogs, Buckled Shoes)
Grades 6-8
Tartan plaid kilt (knee-high length)
White oxford button down blouse
White knit shirt
(shirt must be tucked in)
Opening of school to October 31
April 1
to closing of school
Prescott Red V-neck pullover sweater or
V-neck pullover sweater vest
Prescott Red knee socks, black tights
Rubber soled oxford shoe (tie) - brown or black
Not permitted:
Boots, Sneakers, Athletic Shoes, Dress Pumps, Clogs, Buckled Shoes
Optional choice - Grades 6-8 only - cordovan
penny loafers
HAIR Must be neat, simple, and
not exaggerated.
Bleached, highlighted or tipped hair is not
permitted.
Hairbands
- plain, simple without ornaments
No
large hair bows.
NO
COSMETICS of any kind, nail polish or
costume
jewelry of any kind may be worn.
If
ears are pierced, ONE PAIR OF SMALL POST EARRINGS MAY BE WORN ON THE
EAR
LOBE.
No
dangling or hoop earrings are permitted.
GYM SUIT
Maroon Sacred Heart T-shirt
Gray gym shorts - Opening of school to October 31
April 1 to closing of school
Maroon and Gray Sacred Heart Sweat Suit (November
1 to March 31)
If for some serious reason a student can not be in
full school uniform, a written
note must be sent to the teacher
and forwarded to the principal.
In the
event of inclement weather:
Listen
to radio announcements for our school
closing
number 540. Our school decision
is in
conjunction
with
District. A Phone chain call will also be made
by
the Homeroom Mothers. If there is a need
to
close
after school has started for the day, our
number
will be announced on the radio and the
chain
call will be activated immediately.
School emergency:
If
the students are already in school and a situation arises which makes it advisable
to
close,
the decision will be made by the school.
A chain call by the homeroom
mothers will
indicate
the procedure.
ENTERTAINMENT
DEVICES
Electronic and hand-held video and audio devices (GameBoys, iPods, CD players, etc.) are not permitted in school.
FIELD TRIPS
The use
of field trips to supplement instruction is
worthwhile and permissible. Each class is permitted two
field trips a year to an educational environment. Class
trips are not a right but a privilege. This
privilege will be denied to any student whose school fees (tuition, lunch and
registration) are not up-to-date.
FIRE DRILLS
Fire drills are required by law and are a most
important safety measure for all in the school building. They are held monthly at the principal's
discretion.
Students
should follow the directions posted in the front of each classroom and leave the room and school building in silence and good order. It is essential that everyone leave the
building by the prescribed route. Doors
and windows should be closed.
Students
who are not in a classroom at the time of a fire signal must leave by the
nearest exit and report directly to their teacher.
GRADING
Class participation, home study, and test averages,
as well as credit for projects in various subjects are combined in order to
obtain a report card average. This
average shows children and their parent what steps are necessary for further
progress.
If parents are not receiving test papers or
other academic communications during the marking period, it is the
responsibility of the parent to contact the teacher.
Parents
will be notified approximately one month before report cards are issued if the
student is failing in any subject. Parents are also encouraged to contact
the teacher
concerning the conduct, progress, and effort of
their child.
Report
cards are issued three times a year. Parents are requested to sign the report
card and return it to school
as soon as possible.
HALLS
An
atmosphere of quiet must permeate the school halls at all times so that
teachers and students are not disturbed.
No
unauthorized persons, including parents, are permitted in halls or in
classrooms without consent obtained from
the school office.
HEALTH CARE
Children
who are ill are sent to the school nurse by the subject teacher. Emergency health cards are kept on file in the nurse's office for each student, providing
information to assist in locating parents, family physician, or an emergency
contact person. Please notify us of any
changes.
Care given
in the school is limited to first aid.
In the event of an accident or illness, the parents will be notified in
order to determine if the child needs further medical evaluation.
A
pathogen kit is provided for every classroom, Pre-school through eight. A kit is also available for recess time in
the school yard.
HEALTH - STATE
REQUIREMENTS
When medication, either prescription or
non-prescription, is to be administered in school by the school nurse or other
school personnel designated by the principal, written permission must be
obtained from the student's licensed physician.
Parental or guardian request and authorization to give each specific
medication MUST
ACCOMPANY the physician's
approval/written request.
Medicine must be in the original labeled pharmacy
container with the student's name, medication dose, and time interval written
on the label with physician's name and date of prescription, and name and
telephone number of the pharmacy.
HOME AND
SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
The Home and School Association is an active
organization which works directly with the principal and the faculty. They provide programs on behalf of the
membership.
There
are three general meetings of the Home and School Association during the school
year. Parents' presence at these meets
along with their support of the School Policies and Procedures, is sincerely
appreciated.
HOMEWORK
To develop habits of independent and useful study, homework is a must. Homework not only supplements the daily
classroom work, but some assignments may be routine practice and review,
depending on the needs of the student.
Homework is not limited to written assignments – daily study and review
of completed classwork is essential for a student to successfully and
thoroughly gain knowledge of the subject matter.
The
Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sets a standard
of suggested time allotments for both written and studied assignments:
Grades
1-2 30 minutes
Grades
3-4 60 minutes
Grades
5-6 90 minutes
Grades
7-8 120 minutes
Homework
procedures will vary and will be determined by the individual classroom
teachers. These procedures will be
communicated at Back to School night.
Homework completion is a component in our school discipline policy. Assignments that are not done or that are
incomplete will result in a conduct violation worth a minimum of one (1)
demerit. An accumulation of five (5)
demerits will result in a Saturday detention.
Please refer to the Discipline Policy.
Parents are requested to:
1. Provide a place and time for study.
2. Verify that work is completed.
3. Assist but do not do the work for the student.
4. Oversee the neatness of the written
assignments.
5. Contact the teacher if a question arises
concerning
any assignment.
HOURS OF
SCHOOL
Grades 1-8
School