St. John Elementary

GUIDLINES/OBJECTIVES

Admission Policy of the Diocese of Lafayette

The Diocese of Lafayette, the Diocesan School Board and the Diocesan Department of Education issue the following policy of non-discrimination in admissions for the Catholic Schools:

There is no discrimination on the basis of race, creed, sex or national origin in accepting applications for student admission as well as in the administration of education policies, of scholarship and loan programs, and of athletic and extracurricular programs. Students are accorded, regardless of race, sex, creed and national origin, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to such persons in each school. This policy applies to all schools under Diocesan auspices. Those private schools which have been traditionally segregated by sex are not in violation of this Diocesan admission policy.

Spiritual Objectives

To make Christianity a living experience by teaching Christian values, doctrine, and by providing opportunities for the awareness of God as the main support of life.

To witness within the school and community an atmosphere of faith, love, and concern for others.

To recognize the dignity of each student and to promote a healthy self-concept.

To assist faculty, children, and parents in understanding the teachings of the Church in the light of continual renewal and growth.

Intellectual Objectives

To provide each child with the necessary basic skills that enable him/her to be productive in the classroom and in society.

To make learning interesting so that the student desires to satisfy his own curiosity.

To make learning relevant so the student is able to use the skills gained by his daily living.

To broaden the interests and experiences of the students by developing an appreciation for the fine arts.

To promote those work habits that enable the student to achieve his/her potential.

To provide opportunities for critical thinking and decision making.

Emotional-Social Objectives

To foster in students an awareness of the needs of others and the desire to offer assistance whenever possible.

To help students understand and accept responsibility for their choices and the resulting consequences.

To guide students to appreciate the value and dignity of all persons regardless of race, creed or culture.

To foster an atmosphere of trust, honesty, respect and reverence for self and others.

Physical-Cultural Objectives

To provide opportunities that foster an appreciation for the development and functioning of his/her body by providing appropriate materials and information.

To foster an atmosphere of safety and well-being so that each child can appropriately express himself.

To develop an appreciation of the various cultures: i.e. Acadian, Black, Vietnamese and Indian in our area.

To aid in the development of each student’s talents and interests by providing appropriate extracurricular activities and field trips.

Attendance & Tardiness Guidelines

1. All students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility. There is a direct relationship between poor attendance and class failure.

2. When sickness or a higher obligation of the student's family necessitates his/her absence from school, this must be explained by a note from the parent or guardian to the teacher on the day the child returns to class. Failure to produce a note will require that the absence be counted as unexcused.

3. Work missed during any absence must be made up. All homework and make-up work are the responsibility of the student, regardless of the reason for missing class.

4. If early dismissal is necessary for a doctor or dental appointment, a note must be sent to the teacher. The note will be turned in to the office and a parent will be expected to sign the child out at the hour stated.

5. If a child is ill or is not going to be present at school, a call must be made to the office between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. to report the situation. This does not replace the note needed when the child returns to school.

6. Illness or injury during school hours:

a. Parents are required to provide emergency information. Current phone numbers and a signed Emergency Card on each child must be on file in the school office on the first day of attendance.

b. If a child becomes sick or is injured during school hours, the parent or guardian will be called from the school office by a member of the school staff. Scratches, scrapes, and other minor injuries will receive first aid treatment in the office.

c. If the student must leave during school hours, a parent or guardian must come into the office to sign the child out. This is for the protection of students.

d. If a student requires the attention of a physician and the parent, guardian or person indicated on the emergency card cannot be reached, the student will be taken for treatment. Permission for this action is granted by the parent/guardian at the beginning of the school year on the student's emergency card for the welfare of the child.

e. A student who has been absent due to a contagious disease must have a doctor's certificate in order to be allowed to return to class.

f. Absentee notices, which must be signed by a parent and kept in each student's file, will be sent from the school office to parents for unexcused absent days, as follows:

_ 1st notice — 7 days absence

_ 2nd notice — 14 days absence; requires parental conference with principal to explain the absences and to produce a doctor's verification, if applicable.

_ 3rd notice — 20-days absence; Parental conference required as child is in danger of failing.

7. Tardiness Policy - Semester Basis

When your child is tardy to school, valuable learning time is lost to him/her. Plus upon his/her arrival at class, there is a disruption in the teaching/learning situation which is unfair to the teacher and the other students. Therefore, it is imperative that all children arrive at school by 8:00 a.m.

When a child is tardy, a parent or adult must sign the student in, in the office . When a student is cited for tardiness three (3) times, parents will be notified by the principal. Parents will be requested to correct this habitual problem.

When a child is cited for tardiness six (6) times, parents will be notified about this and a conference with the principal must be scheduled.

When a child is cited for tardiness (9) times, there will be a one-day suspension. Please see Types of Punishment, Section D, regarding suspension.