Sacred Heart Catholic School Handbook 2008 -2009
INDEX (Click on these links to read from the school handbook.)
Sacred Heart Catholic School serves the children of:
v Sacred Heart Parish, New Smyrna Beach
v St. Gerard Mission Parish, Edgewater
v Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, New Smyrna Beach
v Church of the Epiphany, Port Orange
v Our Lady of Hope Parish, Port Orange
v Various non-Catholic denominations
Dear Parents and Students:
It is the goal of Sacred Heart School to build a true Christian community that joins parents, the school staff, and the children together in a partnership of love and service. At the same time, this union has a legal dimension governed by the provisions of contract law. The purpose of this handbook of policies and regulations is to make clear what is expected of each party to this contract. To achieve our common goals, it is essential that all of us understand the commitment we have made by joining Sacred Heart Catholic School and that we work together to put these policies into practice.
The mission of Sacred Heart Catholic School is to integrate Catholic faith and values with learning and life, treating each student as a unique child of God in a safe, supportive, and challenging academic environment.
The existence of Sacred Heart Catholic School rests in the belief that God is present in every person and that we are witnesses to that Presence in a loving faith-filled community.
Sacred Heart Catholic School is committed to the four-fold purpose of Catholic Christian education:
· To teach the gospel message revealed by Jesus and proclaimed by the Church.
· To build a community where Christian values are modeled and developed.
· To pray and worship together in order to foster a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.
· To practice the Christian call to service by meeting the direct needs of the global community and by promoting principles of peace and justice.
The purpose of Catholic education is to educate the total person in a vibrant Christian community where each individual is recognized and respected, and where religious values are central. To create such an environment, the faculty and staff promote and proclaim the teachings of Jesus as the basis for the values they teach and uphold. Through emphasis on academic excellence, the school strives to help all students achieve their full potential and become moral leaders committed to the social concerns of the times.
We are pleased to offer students at Sacred Heart School access to the Internet, to our school-wide internal network and intranet to enhance and support instruction, facilitate learning and promote educational excellence. The Internet will provide users with access to a wide range of information, people and institutions from around the world. Because the Internet is completely open and unedited, people from all walks of life place a limitless variety of educational material on it. Just like in the real world, there are knowledgeable people, wise people and helpful people, but there are also people who use the Internet for illicit and/or immoral purposes. For this reason, we employ a number of protections, as well as expectations, to our users:
· A firewall that makes our network invisible to the anonymous outside world and which allows only certain, specified activities to take place across it.
· Screening software that is frequently updated as a first line of defense against undesirable materials and contacts. While this software does an excellent job in screening content, it is not a panacea. Should a student innocently encounter inappropriate material, it is the student’s responsibility to immediately report the incident to a Sacred Heart Faculty or Staff member.
· Users do not have any reasonable expectation of privacy when using the internet or other technology provided by or through Sacred Heart Catholic School/Diocese of Orlando. Sacred Heart Catholic School/Diocese of Orlando maintains the right to monitor any Internet and other technology use derived from or utilized through its computers and network, whether online, downloaded or through printed material. Likewise Sacred Heart/Diocese of Orlando maintains the right to all computer passwords and to access them at any time.
· Students must develop lifelong skills of safe, responsible and appropriate use of the Internet. Users who violate the Acceptable Use Policy or abuse/misuse computer and other technology privileges will have computer privileges limited or suspended and be subject to disciplinary action.
· Students are held responsible for material posted (whether in school or outside of school) or accessed (whether in school or outside of school) that is inappropriate, damaging to others, or harmful to oneself and are required to honor all relevant laws and restrictions.
· Parents should reiterate their own expectations, guidelines, and necessary restrictions for appropriate use of the Internet/technology.
Sacred Heart Catholic School/Diocese of Orlando employees provide guidance to students and allow for access to quality educational material. The levels of access to the Internet provided to users will vary according to the educational purpose and grade level. Internet, intranet and network access is a privilege, not a right and it is expected that all users will take responsibility for their behavior and honor the expectations outlined in this Acceptable Use Policy. The entire Diocese of Orlando Network Acceptable Use Policy can be accessed at http://www.orlandodiocese.org/news/communications/internet_policy.html.
Sacred Heart Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national or ethnic origin, or handicapping condition in the admission of students, employment of personnel, administration of educational policies, athletics, or other school programs.
· To enter Kindergarten, a child must be five years old by September 1.
· To enter First Grade, a child must have successfully completed Kindergarten and be six years old by September 1.
· A birth certificate and baptismal certificate (for Catholic students) must be presented at the time of registration.
· Transfer students must present a transcript of test scores and the most recent report card from the previous school.
· All incoming students must present proof that they have fully complied with Florida immunization laws and have up-to-date medical records.
· In determining the acceptance of new students into the school, preference will be given to brothers and sisters of children attending Sacred Heart Catholic School, to members of Sacred Heart or other Catholic parishes, and to those coming from other Catholic schools.
· To be eligible for tuition subsidies, all Catholic parents must be registered, active members of their respective parishes.
· All new students are admitted for a nine-week probationary period.
Asbestos Law
In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), 40 CFR 763.93 (g), the Management Plan for Asbestos Containing materials as developed by Law Engineering is available without restriction for your inspection at the school's administrative office. Updates of the Management Plans as defined by AHERA are also on file at the school administrative office. We ask that you make an appointment if you wish to review the plan.
1. Florida law requires 180 student days annually, exclusive of holidays.
2. All students are expected to come to school on time every day. Students who are not in their classrooms when the 8:00 bell rings must receive an admission slip from the office. Tardy Kindergarten students report directly to their classroom.
3. Absence from school is detrimental to the student's progress, no matter what the reason. For very serious reasons, students may be excused from classes at the written request of their parents or guardians.
4. Parents are encouraged to schedule medical appointments so they do not interfere with the school day.
5. Anyone picking up a child from school for appointments or illness must report to the office to sign a release for the child's dismissal. Kindergarten students may be signed out in the kindergarten classroom.
6. School law requires that students present a written excuse on the first day they return to class after an absence. This excuse should include the date(s) of absence and the reason for the absence. Tardiness and/or absences not explained in this written form will be marked "unexcused" in the attendance record.
7. State law requires that students absent 15 or more days in a school year must provide a doctor’s verification for subsequent absences.
8. Parents will be contacted when a pattern of tardiness occurs. Five to nine incidences of tardiness will result in a loss of recess for each incident; ten or more incidences of tardiness will result in an after school detention for each incident.
9. Family vacations which do not coincide with the school calendar are strongly discouraged. Teacher(s) will not provide make-up work in advance to a student leaving on a vacation. This work may be obtained from the teacher(s) when the child returns to school and must be completed within seven (7) days.
10. Parents of a student who will miss more than three (3) days because of a family outing must sign a release form available from the office before the child leaves.
To provide positive motivation, the following award system is used:
JC Award - given annually to the one student in each class best exemplifying truly Christian behavior and attitude. (Grades 1 - 8)
Principal's Award - given annually to most improved student. (Grades 1 - 8)
Honor Roll - announced each quarter for academic achievement and adherence to school rules. (Grades 3 - 8)
BUG (Bring Up Grades) – given to students who improve their grade point average by .3 or more points between successive quarters. (Grades 3 – 8)
STAR (STraight A Report card) Award – given to students who receive First Honors all four quarters.
Perfect Attendance Award - given for no absences and no more than two tardies for the year. (Grades K-8)
Good Attendance Award - given for no more than two days absence or two tardies for the year. (Grades K - 8)
Subject Awards - given annually to top students in a particular subject area.
Participation Awards - examples; Safety Patrol, Student Council, etc.
Accelerated Reader Program Awards – given quarterly to students who meet the grade level criteria for silver and gold levels; also awarded to students who attain the highest number of points in each grade level.
Other Awards - as made available by civic and parish organizations.
The school's philosophy of discipline aims to motivate students to develop positive attitudes towards self-discipline and responsible behavior so that students may attain their fullest potential. To help create a Christian school environment, attention must be given to:
- Practicing truths learned in religion.
- Showing respect for authority and for all persons.
- Playing and working well with others.
- Showing initiative and being dependable.
- Taking pride in appearance by being well-groomed and in complete uniform.
- Working neatly and accurately.
- Completing home and class assignments.
- Taking pride in the school by caring for books and school property.
- Cooperating with school policies and regulations.
Parents are expected to help their children understand and follow school rules and to cooperate with the school when a child's behavior needs to be changed.
The following types of behavior are totally unacceptable:
1. Serious lack of respect for an adult or fellow student in words or actions.
2. Use of abusive, profane or indecent language, gestures, or materials.
3. Acts of bullying or mistreating other students.
4. Persistent lack of cooperation in class.
5. Disregard of rules at school and/or school-sponsored activities.
6. Stealing or damaging of another's property.
7. Defacing or destroying of school property.
8. Use or possession in school of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, weapons or weapon-like materials. The school administration reserves the right to search the person or the belongings of students when a reasonable cause exists that poses a threat to the general welfare of the school.
9. Sexual harassment by any student on any other student by word or act, either subtle or overt.
When these unacceptable behaviors occur, one or several of the following procedures may be followed:
· Conference with the student
· Notification of parents or guardians
· Loss of privileges
· Detention session or other appropriate action
· In-school or out-of-school suspension
· Permanent dismissal from this school
Children who frequently exemplify unchristian conduct and do not seem to benefit from the corrective measures employed will be excluded from attendance at this school. Final decisions regarding what disciplinary measures are taken are the decision of the school principal and her advisors.
· On the occasion of a child's birthday, parents may send a small treat for distribution at lunchtime. The treat should be individually portioned and should not include gum, candy or perishable foods such as ice cream.
· Once a month, there is a dress-up day for all students having a birthday that month. The date is indicated on the monthly calendar. Students with summer birthdays will be included at the beginning or end of the school year.
· Donations for library books may be donated in honor of a child's birthday. A special nameplate will appear in the front of the book purchased.
To help keep their books and other school materials in good condition, all students are required to have and to use some type of carrying case. Textbooks and workbooks are to be kept covered and clearly identified. Children are financially responsible for the loss or damage of any books, equipment, or furniture. The same rule applies to damage caused to another student's property or clothing.
Bullying behavior is defined as:
- Name calling, teasing, taunting, ridiculing, racial or ethnic slurs, threatening and putting others down
- Contacting others inappropriately with hands, feet, spit or other objects
- Taking food, personal belongings, etc. without permission
- Non-physical behavior such as isolating students from peers, dirty looks, glares, etc.
- Disregard for school rules or instructions from supervisor
- Behavior deemed inappropriate by staff or administration
1. Students reported for engaging in bullying behavior will be given age-appropriate consequences and an opportunity to improve.
2. Students reported a second time will be referred to the principal for a conference and parents will be notified. Appropriate consequences will be administered.
3. Repeated bullying behavior will result in a student, parent, principal (or designee) conference to assess the pattern of behavior and implement a stricter plan for corrective intervention.
4. Subsequent incidences will be evaluated based on the effort and cooperation of the student and parents.
Refusal by students or parents to cooperate with the disciplinary process and/or recommendations will result in automatic suspension and/or expulsion. The administration reserves the right to override the steps above and request a student to seek an alternate educational environment immediately.
Bus transportation is available for most areas served by the school at the expense of the parents. Contact the office for specific information.
Students who wish to ride the bus must observe these rules:
1. Be on time for the bus.
2. Refrain from misbehaving while waiting for the bus or boarding it.
3. Remain seated on the bus until their stop.
4. Keep hands, arms, and head inside bus at all times and are not to yell out the windows.
5. Refrain from eating, drinking, or chewing gum on the bus.
6. Refrain from throwing things in the bus or from the bus windows.
7. Speak and behave respectfully toward the bus driver, other passengers, and people outside the bus.
8. Be respectful of other people’s property within the bus and the bus itself.
9. Refrain from having excessively large items, items which could jeopardize the safety of others, or music/electronic/communication devises.
The school principal may suspend a student from the bus for a short time or permanently, as circumstances demand.
*Students who wish to ride the bus on an occasional basis must have the written permission of their parents and purchase a one-time-use bus pass from the office for $3.00. These passes are available as space permits. Bus students who need to get off somewhere other than their usual stop must have written permission from their parent(s) and from the office each time this occurs.
Students are required to be respectful of supervisors, volunteers and other students, maintain self-control and an appropriate noise level in the cafeteria. Students are required to sit with their own class, stay seated during lunch, and throw away their trash/clean up their area before being released for recess. (See also section titled “Lunch”).
Calendar/Newsletter
A calendar of events for the year is distributed to parents and available on the school website. Detailed information about activities appears on the school website and in the weekly school newsletter sent home in the family envelope. The family envelope is sent home on Wednesdays and should return to school in a timely manner with the youngest child unless the family requests a different arrangement. Reading the newsletter and monitoring the school website are the best way to keep informed about school activities and opportunities for completing the service hour requirements.
Criteria for Attendance at Sacred Heart School
1. Catholic parents are registered in a Catholic Parish and are recommended by their pastor.
2. Catholic parents support their parish community by attending Mass regularly and by financially supporting the church through the use of the envelope system.
3. The family will attend at least four parent meetings and support special activities sponsored by the school or Parent Teacher Organization.
4. The family will give a minimum of twenty (20) hours of service to Sacred Heart Catholic School or Church. At least ten (10) of these hours must consist of direct support of the projects sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization by serving as a volunteer worker (see section titled “Parent-Teacher Organization”). The family will pay $20.00 for each service hour not completed. This fee per hour will enable the Parent Teacher Organization to meet the fundraising goal required to support the school.
5. The family will read and support all the regulations specified in the Parent/Student Handbook.
6. The family will pay tuition, fees, and fundraising obligations as described in the Sacred Heart Family Contract or tuition amounts agreed upon through consultation with the parish Finance Committee.
Sacred Heart Catholic School bases its curriculum on the guidelines of the Orlando Diocese within a framework of Christian principles. Time allotments for the secular subjects follow the standards recommended by the Florida Catholic Conference, which is the accrediting agency for our school. To remain accredited, the school annually verifies its compliance with the required standards.
Sacred Heart Catholic School expects parents and students to cooperate in supporting all dress code requirements throughout the entire school year.
- Blue and/or white knit shirt with SHS monogram purchased from Fontaine Apparel and tucked in at all times.
- Navy blue cotton twill slacks purchased from Fontaine Apparel. No other style or color may be worn.
- Navy blue walking shorts worn no shorter than three inches above the knees or navy blue slacks purchased from Fontaine Apparel.
- Solid navy or white socks (no logos).
- Sacred Heart sweatshirt or solid navy blue v-neck pullover sweater or v-neck cardigan sweater purchased from the uniform company. No other sweater or sweatshirt may be worn in school.
- Boys in grades 5-8 are required to wear a solid-colored black or navy belt with pants and shorts.
- Jumper worn with blue or white Peter Pan blouse with SHS monogram or skort and knit polo shirt with SHS monogram purchased from Fontaine Apparel (Grades K - 4).
- Pleated skirt or skort worn with blue or white Oxford collar blouse or polo shirt with SHS monogram purchased from Fontaine Apparel. The skirt length may be no more than three inches above the knees (Grades 5 - 8).
- Navy blue walking shorts, worn no more than three inches above the knees, purchased from Fontaine Apparel.
- Girls in grades 5-8 are required to wear a solid-colored black or navy belt with pants and shorts.
- Solid navy or white socks (no logos). In cooler months, solid navy or white leotards or knee-highs may be worn.
- Sacred Heart sweatshirt or solid navy v-neck pullover sweater or v-neck cardigan sweater purchased from the uniform company. No other sweatshirt or sweater may be worn in school.
- On cold days from December to February, girls have the option of wearing navy blue slacks purchased from Fontaine Apparel. However, girls are required to wear the uniform skirt/skort/jumper on days when Mass is celebrated and days designated by the principal.
SHOES: Both boys and girls wear solid white, solid black, or black and white leather athletic shoes no higher than the child's ankle. A small-embroidered logo is the only color permitted. Fad styles, as determined by the administration (i.e. platform sneakers, shoes that light up, etc.), are not permitted. Shoes with lace eyelets are required to have solid black or solid white shoe laces (the same color in both shoes).
- Uniforms should be clean, neat, and in good repair.
- Shirts and blouses are to be tucked in at all times in all grades; the only exception is at recess.
- Students may wear a watch and a single chain with a cross or religious medal. Chokers are not permitted. No other medallions or necklaces may be worn. Bracelets, hair bands and sweatbands may not be worn on the wrist or ankle. One band such as the LiveStrong bands which promotes awareness of a social concern may be worn with the approval of the principal. No more than one ring on each hand is permitted. Boys may not wear earrings in school or at any school-sponsored activity. Girls may wear one pair of post earrings in the earlobes.
- Neat haircuts in good taste are required. No extreme hairstyles are acceptable. Boys' hair may not extend beyond the top of the collar, cover the ears, or be worn in a ponytail. Neither boys nor girls may wear bangs that extend beyond the eyebrows.
- Hair spray is not to be brought to school.
- Only clear nail polish may be worn in school. The nails are to be kept clean and neatly trimmed so that their length does not prevent full and safe participation in all school activities. No artificial nails may be worn.
- Girls in grades 7 and 8 may wear moderate make-up.
- Skirts and shorts must be no more than 3 inches above the knee.
- Socks or nylon hose are required
- Backless, toeless, platform, or high-heeled shoes may not be worn
- Hats and scarves may not be worn
- Tank tops, bare-shouldered garments, tops/shirts that are excessively short, too small or excessively large are not permitted
- Make-up and jewelry rules stated above apply on non-uniform days
- On designated dress-up days, no blue jeans or blue jean shorts are permitted
- On designated dress-down days, blue jeans and blue-jean shorts are permitted
- Students are not permitted to wear extreme styles of clothing (Goth, grunge, etc.)
If the clothing students wear is deemed inappropriate, parents will be required to bring other clothing; students dressed inappropriately may be denied non-uniform day privileges. The principal makes the final judgment regarding all dress code matters.
Emergency Closings
When dangerous weather conditions affect the entire area, the school will follow the directions of the Volusia County agencies responsible for public safety. Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations for information regarding school closings. When Volusia County Public Schools are closed for weather emergencies, Sacred Heart Catholic School is closed. Sacred Heart may, however, re-open before the public schools are able to open. While TV news programs may be contacted, they do not always make announcements as requested, so if Sacred Heart reopens earlier than Volusia County Schools, messages will be placed on the school’s answering machine, the Sacred Heart website (sacredheartcatholic.com), and/or the Diocesan Schools website (doschool.org) as soon as power, phone and Internet service are restored. Please do not call the Church office, rectory or convent. Please make sure your updated phone numbers have been submitted to the School office in case we need to contact you.
Evaluation of Student Progress
A variety of methods are used to assess student progress:
- Classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, oral or written projects/presentations, and alternative forms of assessment
- Participation, effort, conduct
- Standardized tests include:
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) – Grades 3, 5, 7 (Fall testing)
- Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) – Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Fall testing for grades 3-8; Spring testing for grade 2)
- Iowa Writing Assessment (IWA) – Grades 5, 7 (Spring testing)
- Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) - Grades 5, 8 (Spring testing)
- Individualized assessment may be arranged when specifically requested by parents and teachers. Psychological testing is available through Volusia County Public Schools or private professionals.
Also see “Report Card Codes” and “Reports to Parents”.
Educational field trips are used to enhance classroom instruction. Parents are expected to pay fees associated with field trips. To participate, a child must have the written permission of the parent, using only the form provided by the school. Telephone calls will not be accepted in lieu of proper forms. Because field trips are privileges afforded to students, participation may be denied to those students who fail to meet academic or behavioral requirements.
Fingerprinting of Diocesan Personnel and Volunteers
The Diocese of Orlando is committed to doing everything in its power to ensure the safety of the youth entrusted to its care. In accord with this policy, all prospective and existing employees of the diocese and all volunteers who work with children are required to have a criminal background check and undergo a fingerprint screening through the Diocese of Orlando. Fingerprinting must be arranged at the school office. Assistance with covering all or part of the cost of fingerprinting is appreciated but not a requirement to volunteer at Sacred Heart. All volunteers are also required to complete the "Safe Environment for Children" training on-line and take the on-line quiz.
Homework
Beginning in Kindergarten, children may be expected to do some homework each weekday night. Homework is posted on the school website (sacredheartcatholic.com) by 3:30 p.m. daily. The type and length of assignments will vary as the child advances grades. In general, the time devoted to written work, study, reading, research, or projects should be:
- Grades K-2 - 15-30 minutes daily
- Grades 3-5 - 30-60 minutes daily
- Grades 6-8 - 60-90 minutes daily
Written homework in grades 1-5 will generally not be given on weekends or over holidays and vacations. There are times, however, when work may need to be assigned for various reasons. Occasionally projects may also be assigned over a period of several days, which may include a weekend or holiday. When homework passes are given to students, they may not be used on long-term assignments/projects or certain assignments restricted by a teacher. A succession of missed homework assignments may result in a detention and in lowered grades. While parental interest in and assistance with homework is desirable, children must learn to assume responsibility for their own work as early as possible. If a parent feels that the child cannot cope with the work assigned, please discuss this matter with the child's teacher(s) so that adjustments can be made.
1. Students in grades three through eight are eligible for honors according to the following guidelines:
- First Honors: All "A's"
- Second Honors: "A's" and "B's"
- Third Honors: "B" average
2. Major subjects used to determine the point average include: Religion, Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading/Literature, English/Language Arts
3. Other requirements:
- No grades below "C" or "Satisfactory" in any other subject areas
- No grade below "Average" or "Satisfactory" in effort in any subject for which a grade is given.
- Satisfactory conduct grades: no more then two marks in "Christian Citizenship"
4. Students who are frequently tardy or who ignore the dress code or other school rules will be ineligible for the honor roll
Illness
- Children who show signs of illness in the morning should be kept home, as should those having bad colds or coughs.
- The school should be notified by 8:30 A.M. each day a student will be absent.
- Parents or the person listed on the emergency form will be called if a child becomes ill at school or is injured. It is imperative that we have an up-to-date emergency form from every family no later than the first week of school. Parents are asked to notify the school immediately of changes of address or of home or work phone numbers that occur during the school year.
- Whoever arrives to take a sick or injured child home should first report to the office.
- Please call the office if your child contracts a contagious disease and consult with a doctor as to when he/she may return to school.
- For short-term illnesses, please do not call the school to request work for your child. A reasonable time period will be given to make up missing work when the child returns to school.
· Special arrangements will be made in the case of a prolonged absence resulting from illness or accident.
· State law requires that students present a written excuse (including the date(s) and reason for absence) on the first day they return to class.
· State law requires students absent from school 15 or more days to provide a doctor’s verification for subsequent absences.
- All articles including lunchboxes, book bags, band instruments and uniforms, should be clearly marked with the owner's name
- Lost and found items are kept in a specified place and may be claimed there by the owner
- Lunches and other forgotten items should be brought to the office rather than delivered to the child's classroom, except for Kindergarten students
- Students are not permitted to call home for forgotten homework, band instruments, or lunches (see also section titled “Lunch” and “Use of Phones”)
Parents are asked to provide a nutritious lunch daily for their children; soda, candy, glass containers and fast food lunches are not permitted. Hot lunches are provided daily through SLA Management. Menus are provided monthly. Lunch tickets must be purchased in advance (on Fridays) through the school office. Please make checks payable to SLA Management. Parents are requested to purchase lunch tickets at the beginning of the school year to have some on hand for emergencies when their child forgets his or her lunch. Students who forget a packed lunch are not permitted to call a parent, however, they are requested to notify their teacher or the office as soon as possible so a lunch can be provided for the child. Parents are responsible to pay for lunches provided to children without lunch tickets. (See also section titled “Cafeteria Rules”).
- Any type of medication (prescription or non-prescription) brought to school must be accompanied by the required authorization form obtained from the school and signed by a parent or guardian and the child's physician. This includes lozenges, cough drops, aspirin, ointments, etc. No medications will be dispensed by school personnel unless the authorization forms have been submitted.
- All prescribed medication should be sent to school in original containers with pharmacy labels.
- No form of medication is to be kept on the child's person or among his/her belongings. However, medications for specific life-threatening illnesses such as asthma should be carried by the child after the proper authorization form has been submitted.
· Children should be clearly instructed by the parents as to when they are to go to the office to take their prescribed medicine under the supervision of school personnel.
Middle School Handbook/Fourth & Fifth Grade Expectations Handbook
Procedures specific to middle school (gr. 6 – 8) are outlined in the Middle School Handbook provided to students and parents at the beginning of each school year. Expectations and procedures are also outlined in a handbook for the fourth and fifth grades. Compliance with these procedures is expected of students and parents.
Non-Discriminatory Policy of Hiring and Admission
No student (on the grounds of race, color, sex, or country of origin) is discriminated against in admission or in receiving services of Sacred Heart Catholic School nor does Sacred Heart Catholic School discriminate in hiring or assigning staff on the basis of race, color, sex or national origin.
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), Service Hours, and Fundraising Obligation
All parents of children attending Sacred Heart Catholic School are members of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and are encouraged to actively support the PTO which serves as a vehicle of parent involvement in the School, fundraising and community-building. Attendance at the four (4) scheduled PTO parent meetings is required for all parents; parents are requested to participate in and support the various events sponsored by the PTO by volunteering their service. Parent are required to serve at least twenty (20) service hours to support the fundraising obligation of the PTO on behalf of the School. At least ten (10) of the required parent service hours must be volunteered for PTO sponsored events. Parents are also required to keep track of their own service hours and submit a copy to the PTO Treasurer who records hours each family has served. Parents are required to sign in with the chairperson of the activity when volunteering for any service activity so there is an accurate record to verify service activities. Families not fulfilling the twenty (20) service hour requirement are responsible to submit payment of $20 per un-served hour by the last day of school. Families are also required to support the Heart of an Angel Celebration (HOAAC) Dinner Auction by procuring $250 in new items or gift certificates from area businesses, sell advertisements, and/or make a personal donation by the January deadline.
As members of the PTO, all families are requested to volunteer to assist with the two biggest community-building and fundraising activities the PTO sponsors: Family Fun Fest and Heart of an Angel Celebration Dinner Auction. Other activities sponsored by the PTO which parent volunteers may count toward their “PTO service hours” include being on the PTO Executive Committee, assisting with the lunch program, building the Christmas float, working the Sacred Heart concession booths at the Daytona Speedway, rummage sales, room parent activities, Harvest Dance, Pasta dinners, Fish Frys, and working as a committee member to coordinate other fundraising activities for the school such as the annual Magazine Drive, Uniform Exchange, Christmas Wreath sale, Original Artwork sale, etc. “Non-PTO service hours” may count toward the required 10 hours. “Non PTO service hours” include serving as a member of the Sacred Heart School Board or a School Board Committee (Development, Finance, Facilities, Mission Effectiveness), volunteering in the School clinic, office, library or classrooms, working the Book Fair, coaching a team, selling tickets at athletic events, chaperoning fieldtrips, chaperoning middle school dances and other activities, and Church or Religious Education activities and committees. Service hours are not awarded for attending the four annual PTO Meetings, donating items for rummage sales, donating desserts for dinners or bake sales, bringing in Campbell Soup Labels, Box Tops, used print cartridges, or used uniforms, etc.
According to the age of the child, physical education classes are conducted two or three times weekly by a fully certified instructor. Because physical education classes are a mandatory part of the school program, all students are expected to fully participate in each class. A written note from the parent is required for each time a child is to be excused from participating. A doctor's excuse is required for more than three consecutive classes of non-participation. Students in grades 3-8 are expected to be in regulation PE attire for class. Athletic shoes must be worn for these classes.
Playground Rules
To make the playground enjoyable and safe for everyone and to protect school property, all students are to:
- Respect and obey adult supervisors promptly
- Speak and treat others with kindness
- Share playground equipment
- Avoid play that involves too much roughness, tackling, play fighting, jumping on one another, damaging clothing or equipment, etc.
- Refrain from throwing or kicking sand, stones, or other potentially harmful objects
- Refrain from using profane, obscene, or inappropriate language
- Play in the areas specified
- Take proper care of the play area and equipment.
- Use equipment in a responsible and safe manner, including refraining from hanging upside down from or jumping off equipment
For violations of these rules, one or more of the following actions will occur:
1. The child will receive a verbal reminder.
2. The child will lose playground privileges for a specific time.
3. The child will be sent to principal and parents will be notified.
4. The child or his/her parents will be held financially responsible for deliberate damage caused or for that which results from behavior contrary to the school's code of conduct.
Prohibited Items
Possession or use of the following items by students is prohibited on school property and at school-sponsored events:
- Laser pointers, radios, iPods, CD/DVD/MP3 players, hand-held computers, personal electronic games and communication devices
- Spray cans/bottles with hairspray, deodorant, perfume, etc.
- Skateboards, rollerblades
- Printed materials and clothing referring to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, the occult, containing violence, profanity or obscene language/pictures
- Tobacco of any kind, lighters, matches, drugs, drug paraphernalia and unauthorized medications
- Caps, firecrackers, guns (including water guns and toy guns), gun cartridges, bullets and B.B’s
· Knives (including pocketknives), blades, or other sharp or potentially harmful objects
Prayer and religious instruction or participation in liturgical activities is offered daily. A minimum of a half-hour daily is devoted to religious instruction or to participation in a variety of liturgical or paraliturgical activities. Religious opportunities include daily classroom prayers, attendance at Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, seasonal and Marian devotions, and prayer services. Service projects are also essential to the school's program. A special emphasis is placed on Christian behavior and living gospel values.
The religion program of the school is effective only to the extent that it is reinforced by parental example in the home and by a parent's close supervision of the child's leisure time activities. Family prayer, regular attendance at Sunday Mass or worship services, genuine Christian concern and support for the needy, and service to the church and school are all integral parts of the religious formation of the child.
1. To make report card grades as objective as possible, the following criteria are considered:
- the quality and quantity of class work, both oral and written
- scores on quizzes and tests
- the quality and quantity of homework assignments
- classroom work and study habits
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