Attendance: The responsibility for school
attendance rests with the parents and students. The school will notify
parents of excessive absences in order that parents may comply with
Florida State Law, Chapter 232.09 which in part, reads: "Parents
Responsible for Attendance of Children - Each parent of a child within the
compulsory attendance age shall be responsible for such a child's school
attendance as required by law".
Attendance Records: All records of enrollment and attendance shall
be kept by the homeroom teacher. A record of all absences shall be sent to
the office by 8:30 a.m. daily. Parents are asked to call the school
before 9:00 a.m. to explain the reason for absence. A (dated) written
excuse must be given to the homeroom teacher upon the return of the child
to school.
Assignments may be requested by parents when calling in the
absenteeism in the morning. Make-up work schedule in general is: one day
out, one day to get work in; two days out- two days, etc. A student will
be required to take a test covering material presented before an absence.
A. After 10 cumulative days of absenteeism, a written warning will
be sent home.
B. After 18 cumulative days of absenteeism, a parent conference
will be held to inform parents of appropriate corrective measures.
C. If absenteeism continues, the decision to request student
withdrawal is the responsibility of the pastor, vice principal and
principal.
EXCUSED/UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Each absence shall be determined as either excused or unexcused. The
following criteria shall be used for defining and dealing with student
absences:
A. "Excused" absence shall be defined as:
1. Illness of the student substantiated by parent, guardian or
physician.
2. Illness in immediate family with necessity of absence
substantiated.
3. Death in family substantiated by parent or guardian.
4. Special exemption: Principal shall have authority to excuse
absence for reasons other than those listed.
B. "Unexcused" absence shall be defined as: All absences for
which the excuse is not satisfactory (excessive travel, baby-sitting for
younger brothers and sisters, staying home because another sibling is ill,
and family activities during the week).
TARDINESS
A. Each student is expected to report to his/her homeroom each
morning. Children may enter the building each morning at 7:30 a.m. No
parent is to accompany a tardy student to his/her classroom. A tardy slip
will be issued in the office if a child arrives later than 8:00a.m.
Prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance begin promptly at 7:50a.m.
B. Excuses for tardiness will be issued upon satisfactory
explanation. Excessive unexcused tardiness (5 or
more mornings a month) will result in a meeting with the child's teacher-
Both the parents and student will be present.
C. Excessive unexcused tardiness shall be defined as:
1. Oversleeping
2. Running late
3. Alarm clock did not go off
D. After 5
(five) tardies the student must attend a Saturday Detention and/or an
After School Detention.
EARLY DISMISSAL
A. Requests for early dismissal or absence must be made in writing
and signed by the Principal. The parent/guardian
must go to the office to pick up the child and sign the child out.
The office receptionist will buzz for the child to come to the office.
B. Doctor and dental appointments should be made outside school hours
when this is possible.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXCUSE A
child to be excused from Physical Education classes must have a note from a parent/guardian. A
prolonged absence is only allowed with a doctor's diagnosis and request.
BEHAVIOR The foundation of Christian
discipline is self-discipline. Respect is the key word in our school's
concept of discipline. Being Christian in a Catholic school means we
respect the rights of others and seek to have our own rights respected.
Therefore, each student:
- Will speak in a respectful manner to teachers, aides, playground
supervisors, classmates and all with whom contact is made.
- Will show proper reverence during daily prayers and in Church. It is
also expected that students will show proper respect for the flag at all
times.
- Will follow all rules as determined by administration, faculty and
staff.
- Will endeavor at all times to use the ordinary social amenities such as
"Thank you", "Please", etc. Will carefully participate in fire drills,
walking quietly and quickly.
- Will obey playground rules in order that students will be as free as
possible from injury.
- Will not gather with others in bathrooms and other areas where the
rights of others may be infringed.
- Will respect books, property and equipment belonging to the school or
other individuals, and leave the desks and lockers of others undisturbed.
- Will dress in uniform, unless otherwise stated.
- Will complete homework as assigned (Grades 1-8).
- Will observe the regulation of not chewing gum in school or on the
premises.
- Will bring books to school in a book bag.
-Will leave
all cell phones in the school office until dismissal if needed for
emergencies after school.
Those students who fail in
any of the above regulations will receive an infraction slip. The
infraction slip always carries with it consequences in accordance with
the inappropriate behavior.
POLICY
ON BULLYING
a. First
Violation: Teacher or adult in charge warns the student (s) about the
consequences if the behavior is repeated.
b. Second
Violation: Student is given an infraction sheet and the parents are
contacted.
c. Third
violation: Student is given an infraction sheet, supervised suspension
and required to begin counseling.
d. Fourth
Violation: Student is given an out of school suspension and/or an
alternate placement w/continued counseling.
Minor
Offense Conduct Referral Form Infractions of the school rules will be
conveyed to the parent in writing by the Minor Infraction Form. A parent
signature is required with the return of the form the following day after
issuance. Parents will be called if forms are not returned on time. If a student receives three
of these forms from the same teacher, a conference will be held with the
student, parents, and teacher. If a student has an additional three forms,
a staff conference with parents will be held.
SUSPENSION/EXPULSION Suspension
shall be used as an alternative for serious or repeated misbehavior by a
student. The Principal, in consultation with the Pastor and Vice
Principal, may suspend a student. Suspension is defined as a period of
time in which the student may not attend class, and they are usually an
in-school suspension.
Major Offense Conduct Referral Form Infractions of the following
rules will be conveyed to the parent in writing via the Major Infraction
Form. A parent signature is required with the return of the form the
following day. A major offense results in IMMEDIATE DETENTION. A
teacher/parent/student/principal conference will be required and may
result in suspension or possible expulsion.
- Deliberate disrespect, defiance or direct disobedience to the principal,
faculty, staff or delegates in authority.
- Causing serious harm or injury to others through fighting.
- Creating situations which may cause potential harm or injury to others.
- Verbal assaults, including the use of profanity.
- Sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated.
- Vandalism to or theft of school property or property of others.
- Cheating on assignments or tests. The use or possession of cigarettes,
alcohol or any controlled substance or any harmful object.
- The possession of inappropriate CD's or tapes containing vulgar language
or messages.
- Truancy or leaving the school grounds during class time or lunch period
without the permission of the parents and principal.
- Dishonesty on Tests- If a student is found cheating on a test, he or she
will receive a zero grade for that test and will not be permitted to make
up the test.
Expulsion
follows the same guidelines of notification of parents as the policy for
suspension. In addition, the principal must report to the Director of
Schools detailing the circumstances which led to the action.
A copy of the student's misconduct record and the warnings of the
consequences given to the student and his parents must be retained in the
school files.
IN CASE OF EXTREMELY SERIOUS SITUATIONS, SUCH AS DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND
VANDALISM, EXPULSION MAY BE THE FIRST ACTION
TAKEN BY THE PRINCIPAL IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PASTOR.
