9.      Students must present a note written and signed by the parent(s) stating a request for daily routine to be altered, e.g. appointments, different dismissal lines or bus etc. the day beforethe change is to be made. All changes must be through the Office .

10.  Students are expected to show a Christian attitude toward one another at all times.

Therefore, fighting, abusive and foul language, roughness, excessive taunting, teasing,

sexual harassment or any similar action is forbidden.  The consequences for these actions

are outlined in the code.

11.  Students may not chew gum, eat food, or drink beverages during class time.  No

food is permitted in the schoolyard.

12.  Students must maintain the good condition of the school and its property at all times.

13.  Students are reminded that stairs and hallways may be slippery on days of inclement

weather and extra caution should be taken.

14.  In groups, or alone, students are asked to respect the classrooms they pass. They are to go

directly to the place that they are sent without delay; no stopping in the lavatories or

other areas of the school without the prior permission of the teacher.

Parental Responsibility

1.      All parents should contact the teacher by note to set up an appointment for conferences. 

Teachers cannot leave the classrooms to take telephone calls.

2.      All parents must report to the Main Office when entering the school.  No parent may go

directly to any classroom.  Forgotten lunches and books will be sent to the students class.

3.      Please use the correct protocol when addressing a problem/concern.  The teacher should be

the first to be contacted.  If the concern is not settled satisfactorily, then, and only then

should the Principal be contacted.  Please be courteous and call for an appointment with the Principal. Parents who just drop in at the Office with concerns often infringe upon time set aside for other parents with appointments.

4.      A note from the doctors office should accompany the student if he/she comes to school late

or must leave school early for an appointment.

5.      Change of line/bus notes must be sent in to the Office the day before the change is to be made.  No student will be permitted to change his/her line/bus without this permission.

6.      Notes for absence are due the day the student returns.

7.      Vacations should not be scheduled during the school year.  If time is taken off, it is the

parents responsibility to see that all work/tests that the student has missed is made up as soon as the student returns to school. The school should be notified in advance if the student

is going to miss school because of a vacation.

8.      Parents should make sure that all forms, signed tests/assignments are returned on time.

INFRACTIONS, VIOLATIONS, AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

The following list is not inclusive.  It is a set of examples.  Many of the Level I violations will be handled by the teacher and within the classroom.  It is only when these infractions become persistent that they are referred to the principal.

LEVEL I OFFENSES:*

A late project

Minor lunch infraction

Incomplete homework

Unprepared for class

Dress code violation

Books not covered

Minor classroom disruptions

Minor inappropriate behavior

Disobedience

Eating food during class

Failure to return signed tests, forms, notes

Unexcused lateness (5)

Level I violations may result in one or more of the following:

First Violation: Warning and/or demerit and/or detention(s)

Repeated Violations: Demerits and/or detention, parental contact

*N. B.  If any student receives three detentions during any tri-semester, a parent must set up a conference with the homeroom teacher.  If any student receives six detentions in any one tri-semester, the child will receive an In-School Suspension.  An additional three detentions in the same tri-semester will result in a second conference. If the student receives a total of ten detentions in the same tri-semester, it may result in an Out-of-School Suspension. Some infractions are so serious that they carry an automatic suspension. An In-School Suspension or an Out-of-School Suspension carries an automatic failure in effort or conduct.  This means no class trip(s) throughout the school year.  This includes the Eighth Grade Graduation trip.  

Five demerits for incomplete assignments in a particular subject will result in a detention.

Five demerits for minor conduct infractions will result in a detention.  More serious infractions will result in immediate detentions or more serious consequences.  Please

familiarize yourself and your child with the various levels and infractions.

LEVEL II OFFENSES:*

Disrespect directed toward school personnel

Unacceptable behavior at school-related activities

Insubordination/gross defiance

Major lunch infraction

Leaving school/room without permission

Truancy

Vandalism

Chewing gum

Bus infractions

Non-attendance at detention

Foul/inappropriate language

Cheating/plagiarism

Forgery

Failure to return signed detention the next school day

Stealing

Fighting

Spitting

Repeated disobedience

Misconduct in lavatory

Inappropriate actions

Lying

Threatening another student

Jeopardizing safety of self or others

Copying homework or allowing homework to be copied

Possession of beeper, cell phone, or ANY electronic equipment on school property

Pushing the class panic button

Smoking or possessing smoking materials on school property

Bringing aerosol cans onto school property

Level II violations may result in one or more of the following:

First Violation: Depending on severity, the following consequences may result:

                           Detention and/or In-School Suspension

Repeated Violations:

 Detention and/or In-School Suspension and/or Out-of-

                                      School Suspension

LEVEL III OFFENSES:*

Possession, use, selling or distribution of controlled substances

Causing a risk to the health and safety of others

Setting of or the possession of explosives

Failing to cooperate during In-School suspension

Physical assault on a staff member/fellow student

Obscene speech directed toward school personnel

Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment to staff/other students

Immoral/indecent behavior

Extortion

Arson

Fighting

Theft

Use/possession of alcohol

Possession of weapons or objects used as weapons

Level III violations may result in one or more of the following:

                Out-of-School Suspension

                Expulsion Recommendation

                Restitution

                Police Notification

                Principal/Pastors Hearing

                Expulsion

DEMERITS AND DETENTIONS

DEMERITS:

Demerits are given for minor offenses.  Demerits may be given by any faculty member.  In Grades K through 8, four demerits in a particular subject or four demerits in conduct will result in a detention.  More serious infractions may result in an immediate detention or more serious consequences. In Grades 6-8, demerit notification will be sent home every two weeks with the test envelope in the form of a profile sheet.  Please sign the sheet and return it to school along with the signed test papers.  If a student fails to return the signed profile sheet or all of the signed test papers, he/she will receive a detention.  Detentions are sent home the day that they are issued.  Detentions are to be signed and returned to the teacher the next day.  Failure to do so may result in additional detentions.  Failure to show up at detention may result in additional detentions.  Please keep track of all demerits and detentions that you child receives.  Be sure to keep a record of the dates of any detentions that are issued to your child.  Dates for detentions will not be changed except for extreme emergencies.  It is the responsibility of the parent and student to keep track of any detentions that are issued and make sure that the student has transportation home.  Detention is normally from 2:30-3:30 on Thursday afternoon unless it is a short week.  Six detentions in any one marking period will result in a failure in effort or conduct.  This means no class trip throughout the school year.

TEST ENVELOPES:

Tests will be sent home every two weeks along with the profile sheet in a test envelope.  The test envelope will usually be sent home on a Friday and will be due back the next school day. EACH test is to be signed individually.  We ask that you take the time to go over the tests with your child and that you keep a record of your childs test scores so that if you see a problem developing you can take the necessary steps to correct it.  All signed tests will be collected and kept filed in the classroom.  We encourage you to discuss with your child of showing you all the tests, both good and bad, so that you are aware of your childs progress.  If a student removes and tests from the packet and fails to return ALL of the tests signed, he/she will receive a detention.  It is the students responsibility to make sure that you have signed all of the tests, forms, and profile sheet before he/she leaves home.  The student will not be permitted to call you to come to school to sign papers or detentions.

HOMEWORK:

Students in Grades, 6,7, and 8, should have about 90-120 minutes of homework a night.  Homework includes written and study assignments.  On evenings with light assignments, we suggest that the student use the time on their research project. Parents are asked to check that their childs work is neat and complete.  Each child has a homework planner and all assignments are to be written in the planner.  If your child is not writing down the assignments, we ask that you take the necessary steps to make sure that he/she does.  Homework is periodically collected and used as a homework grade.  It provides a student who does not test well with the opportunity of pulling up his/her grade and it demonstrates to the teacher that effort is being put forth.

GRADING:

Students receive three report cards a year.  If your child is not doing well academically in a particular subject, he/she will receive a deficiency notice approximately three weeks before the report card is issued.  This will give the student the necessary time to correct the problem.  The notice is to be signed and returned to school immediately.  If you would like to discuss your childs progress with is teachers, please send in a note requesting a conference. 

Students with 85 or above in all seven and a satisfactory or above in conduct and effort will receive second honors.  Students with 90 or above in all seven subjects and a satisfactory or above in conduct and effort will receive first honors.

N. B. Any student who fails three subjects in the final column on Junes report card will not be promoted.  Any eighth grade student who fails three or more subjects in the final average column will not graduate and will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies.  No eighth grade student may repeat at St. Francis of Assisi School.

DRESS CODE:

Students must be in complete school uniform each day.  Please refer to the uniform handout that was sent home. It is the parents and the students responsibility to see that the dress code is followed.  Demerits will be issued each time a student is in violation of the dress code.  Violations of the dress code include: make-up, artificial nails, colored nail polish, tattoos, dangling earrings or any jewelry other than one pair of small earrings worn in the lobes on girlsboys are not permitted to wear earrings. A watch is permitted provided that alarms do not go off during class.  Girls uniforms are to be no more than two inches above the knee.  Girls uniforms are never to be rolled at the waist.  Boys are to keep their slacks and gym pants at the waist. Belts are to be worn with boys slacks.  Hair is to be kept neat.  Boys hair should not touch the collar of their shirt and should be cut traditionally.

N.B.  Please be sure to order uniforms and gym clothes large enough that they will fit the entire school year.  This includes the eighth grade.  If students are out of dress code at any time during the year, they will receive demerits.

We ask that you check your children each morning before they come to school and make sure that they are adhering to the dress code.  Please be sure make-up, nail polish, jewelry, string

necklaces and bracelets are left at home.

PLEASE DETACH AND RETURN THIS PAGE TO YOUR CHILD            S HOMEROOM TEACHER BY__________.  PLEASE PUT THE REST OF THIS HANDOUT IN A SAFE LOCATION FOR FURTHER REFERENCE.

NAME OF STUDENT:___________________________________________GRADE_______

  I have read the St. Francis of Assisi handout on discipline, demerits and detentions, homework, dress code and grading.  I have discussed these rules with my child and will encourage him/her to abide by them and any necessary modifications as deemed necessary by the Principal.  I understand that the this handbook will replace any present codes and be effective as soon as it is available.

Signature of

Parent/Guardian:______________________________________________Date____________