School Handbook
ST. GERARD SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATIONSt. Gerard School is committed to the Christian education of youth. The CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION, which stresses the harmonious development of the whole person, in all basic areas, guides the school: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, aesthetic, and spiritual. This is accomplished in a nurturing environment of the Gospel Spirit of Love, so that the children can become "Good Christians and Honest Citizens." Inspired by the teaching and example of St. Lucy Filippini and St. John Bosco, the patrons of educators and the friends of the youth, we apply these Gospel values, which are based entirely on reason, religious, and above all loving-kindness. Thus a wholesome family atmosphere is created and a feeling of mutual respect and trust reigns between school and students. The school staff also acknowledges the trust given by the students' parents and the parish and believes that only through the constant cooperation of all three forces will the student become a person of true character. Hence the school seeks to promote communication and unity of efforts between itself, the home, and the parish. The message of St. Gerard School is one of vision and preparation of life, it is a message, which has birth and grows within the family, school, and parish communities. The message reaches fulfillment in the gift of one's self through service to God and to others in the imitation of Christ. St. Gerard School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded to make available to students in the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan programs under the applicable regulations of the Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.ST. GERARD SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENTSt. Gerard School through its administration and staff are privileged to assist parents who are the primary educators of their children by providing an education rooted in Gospel values and academic excellence. The administration and staff are committed to serve our God, our Students, our parents, the community and one another.
RE-ACCREDITATIONSt. Gerard School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association and holds membership in the National Catholic Education Association. ATTENDANCEPunctuality and regular attendance play an important part in the moral education and academic success of a student. Regular school hours are from 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM. School doors open at 7:30 AM. Students MUST be in the school Center by 8:00 AM. All students are to remain on the school premises at all times. Only the principal can dismiss a child at any time. Such permission must be requested in written form by the parent.All Pre-K parents must enter the main office to have child released from class. Attendance Procedures: Reporting Absence: Parents or guardians of students who are absent must call the school office before 10AM. In addition, we must have an absence note upon the child's return. No child should be taken from school during the course of the day without the principal's permission. In case of contagious disease, the school should be notified immediately. Doctor and dentist appointments must be made for after school hours. If for some reason the child must be taken out early, a note to that effect must be brought in the day before. Excuses: A dated written excuse signed by the parent or guardian must be brought to the teacher for the first day the student returns to class. Tardiness: From the time he/she is young, a child should be helped to form the good habit of being on time for school. A student who enters the school building after 8:00AM is late. He/She is to report to the school office for an Admit Slip. Three incidents of tardiness will result in the loss of honors for the marking period. Tardiness will not be tolerated since it disrupts our morning prayer and the opening of the school day. School doors will be locked at 8:00 AM daily to begin our day. Parents must wait with child outside until morning assembly is completed. Extracurricular Activities: If a student is absent or unable to participate in Physical Education during the school day, the student may NOT participate in extracurricular activities including any team tryouts on that day. BEHAVIORIt is especially in the area of discipline that home influence is most felt - whether it is helpful or antagonistic to the school's effort. Parents are requested to be well aware of the school's expectations and to cooperate with the effort to instill good behaviors and correct misbehavior: the following are examples of student behavior that violates school policy when they occur at school or during school activities.
BIRTHDAYSBirthday celebrations are limited to cupcakes, cookies or munchkins for the child's classmates. Please provide napkins. No party invitations will be passed out in school.CARE OF PERSONAL PROPERTYStudents are personally responsible for their own property and articles of clothing. To prevent loss, all sweaters, jackets and gym clothing must be identified with the name of the student.CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTYAll students share the responsibility of taking care of school property. Destruction or defacement of school property, whether willful or accidental is to be compensated for by the student who is responsible for the damage.Students are responsible for their class books and library books. Damaged or lost books are to be paid for, and a fine will be charged for overdue library books. All textbooks must be covered and protected from damage. Students are not allowed to mark, in any way copybooks, books, desks, etc. No spiral binders, or Trapper Keepers are permitted. CORPORAL PUNSHMENTNew Jersey State Annotated 18A: 6-1 states that following:
Rules for acceptance and participation in the school and its program are the same for everyone without regard to color, race, sex, or national origin. DETENTIONDetention is possible. Students assigned to detention will be given 24 hours notice. Failure to attend detention session as scheduled will result in the assignment of additional time or may result in suspension. Parents or guardians must sign the detention/suspension slip and return it to the school office.DISCIPLINETo guarantee a Catholic/Christian Education climate, it is important that students understand that acceptable standards of behavior will be expected of them at all times. Discipline will be administered when any individual's action interfere with the right of teachers to teach and students to learn.
Transgressions will be subject to fine. DISMISSALDismissal is at 2:45 PM Monday through Thursday, 2:00 PM on Fridays.For the safety of all the children, parents must exit their cars and be present to meet their children. Students will be dismissed directly into the parent's care. All children in a family will be dismissed together from the exit designated for the oldest student. Please be prompt in picking up your children. DRESS CODEThe complete school uniform must be worn from the first day of school.
All students may wear a Maroon cardigan sweater. No substitutions allowed
All students are to wear the complete gym uniform and sneakers. Black or White Low tops only! Participation in gym is mandatory except in cases where the gym teacher receives a written note of excuse from parent or physician. Gym shorts must be worn under school gym pants. EMERGENCY DRILLSEmergency drills are required by law and are an important safety precaution. It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys promptly and clears the building by the prescribed route as quickly and quietly as possible. Students are not permitted to return to the building until a signal is given to do so. There is no talking, running or pushing during the emergency drill.A change of clothing is required for all students the first week of school in a bag labeled with the child's name and grade. Any medical issues should be addressed directly to the school nurse. EXTENDED SCHOOL CAREAfter school care is provided for students in grades Pre-K through 5.Exceptions for upper grade students can be made by the Principal. Any student remaining on the school premises after 2:45 PM dismissal (2:00 PM on Fridays) will be included in the after school program at the parents' expense. The school reserves the right not to allow a child to continue in the program due to disruptive or unacceptable behavior. All payments for "extended school care" are due on the Monday of the week that the extended care is given, or payments may be made monthly. Children must be picked up from After School Care by 5:30 PM. A late fee will be charged each time a child is picked up after 5:30 PM. FIELD TRIPSField trips are co-curricular education experiences. Before each trip the teacher will send home a notice stating the nature, the time, and the cost of the field trip. No one will be permitted to participate without a signed parental permission slip. Those students not attending the trip must remain at home and will be marked absent for the day.GRADING SYSTEMThe numerical and letter grade equivalency can be found on the report card. The grading system of each report card includes class work, homework, class participation and tests. Report cards are given in November, February, April and June. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year. It is mandatory that a parent be present at the meeting. We ask the parent or guardian to sign the envelope and return it to the classroom by the specified date. If any parent requests a conference with a teacher, please contact him/her by sending a note to the particular teacher.The administration reserved the right to suspend or remove a student from any extra curricular activity upon failure of academic subject(s). The student will be ineligible to take part until the grade(s) improve. At the end of a reasonable time, the principal will confer with the teacher(s) to determine if the student is eligible to take part in extra curricular activities. Tardiness and behavior prevents the student from any Honors since Morning Prayer assemblies are an integral part of our curriculum. HOMEWORK POLICYHomework is given as a strengthening device and as an extension of the learning experience that has taken place in school. It allows the teacher to determine if reinforcement is needed.Parents can do much to aid the child's progress through proper direction of homework. Parents should provide time, place and an atmosphere conducive to learning. Parents are requested to encourage the child to do the assigned work. The amount of homework will differ depending on the grade level of the child. Homework must be handed in on time for full credit to be received. No student will be permitted to return to the classroom after school hours for forgotten items. HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONThe Home & School Association serves to facilitate the co-operative efforts of parents and teachers on behalf of the student. Each family is expected to hold membership, give its full support to this organization and to attend every scheduled meeting. At least one parent must attend the meetings. Children are not permitted to attend Home & School meetings.The principal who will work together with them on all functions sponsored by the organization shall appoint the officers. ILLNESSA child who becomes ill during the day will be sent to the nurse. The nurse or secretary will contact the parents. For this reason, it is imperative that each family's file be completed with current information. In the event of any changes of phone number, address, or emergency contact, please notify the office immediately.INSURANCEEvery student is covered by a mandatory insurance policy supplied through the diocese. The cost of this policy is covered through the registration fee. Additional coverage may be required when participating in sports activities.LIBRARYThe library plays an important part in the education of the student. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the services it can provide. All library books must be checked through the librarian and returned by the specified date. Should some damage occur to the book while it is in the student's possession, he/she should report this to the librarian. The student must pay for books, which are lost or ruined. If a student fails to return a book on time, a fine issued by the librarian must be paid.LOST AND FOUNDAll articles found in the school should be returned to the school office. The school will not be held responsible for any personal items lost by any student. Every student is held responsible for his/her books.LUNCH PERIODAll students K - 8 will eat lunch in the school cafeteria. Those who wish to participate in the hot lunch program can pay on a weekly or monthly basis.
Sodas are not permitted. Beverages in glass bottles are not permitted. Microwave ovens are not available for students. MEDICATIONSStudents are not permitted to keep medications with them in school. Doctor's prescriptions must be left in the office to be administered by the nurse or school secretary at the proper time.MISSIONSDuring the school year, the children are asked to sacrifice their own money for the missions in the spirit of love and generosity toward Christ.MONEYStudents may only bring in a small amount of money to purchase snacks in the lunchroom but should not carry any large sum in school. No money will be collected for any purpose by any student without the knowledge and consent of the principal. The school is not responsible for lost money.No radios, toys, beepers, cell phones, electronic devices of any kind, headsets, inappropriate magazines, etc., are permitted in school. If any of these items are brought to school they will be confiscated and returned to the parent on request. PARKINGParking in front of the school creates a hazardous and dangerous atmosphere for our children. Please drop off your children, letting them enter the school alone. This will help us to avoid any serious problems. If you are going to enter the building for any reason please use the parking lot that is available at all times for our parents.Please adhere to the rules and regulations, which are enforced by the Paterson Police Department. Tickets will be issued to those who do not comply with these regulations. Our children's safety is first and foremost in importance to St. Gerard. PLAYGROUNDAll students must display utmost respect for one another, avoiding unnecessary touching, fighting and bickering. No one may leave the playground without the principal's knowledge and consent.PROBATIONAny student who exhibits repeated unacceptable behavior will be given a probationary period to rectify this behavior after which a conference will be held with the principal, teacher, parents and student. Should the behavior not be rectified, expulsion is a valid option.PROGRESS REPORTSProgress reports are issued in accordance with the Diocesan calendar at least four weeks prior to each report card. These are evaluation reports, which are meant to help both the students and parents to better understand the reasons for either satisfactory or unsatisfactory achievement, or possible failure on the part of the student.PROMOTIONIn promotion and achievement, the ability of the child is what is attainable for him/her as an individual is recognized. No student will be promoted or passed in any subject if he/she does not make sufficient effort. All questions of promotion will be settled by joint consultation with the principal, teacher, and the parents. Failure in two major academic areas warrants retention. Failure in one major subject requires summer school.REGISTRATION & ADMISSIONA child entering Pre-K must be 4 years old by October 1st.A child entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by October 1st. A child entering 1st Grade must be 6 years old by October 1st.
No transfer will be issued unless all financial obligations are paid in full. When these obligations are met, all necessary transcripts will be forwarded to the school. Re-registration will take place in January. New registration for incoming students takes place in March. REPORT CARDSStudent's academic progress is reported to the parents four times a year according to the school calendar. Pre-K and Kindergarten receive report cards in February and June.RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTSParents are required to set good examples to their children by the practice of Christian life within the family and encouraging their children to the practice of religion through Sunday worship, sacramental life, and living of the gospel values in their everyday life. At least one parent must attend every Home & School meeting so as to be informed concerning the child's academic growth and development. In this way, the home and school will be working together for the child's benefit.SACRAMENTSThe student body attends Mass as a school community on a regular basis. Each class alternates in preparing the liturgies, which are celebrations of faith and community. Students in the Second Grade are prepared for First Holy Communion and students in the Third Grade are prepared for the reception of First Penance. Grades 4 though 8 are given opportunities for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis. We strongly encourage parents to see that their children attend Church every Saturday evening or Sunday.STUDENT RECORDSAcademic records (including test scores) and health records are kept on file for every student. The contents of these records are confidential. Only the parents, the principal, and the teacher working with the child have access to his/her file.SUPPLIESInitial supplies must be purchased from St. Gerard School through the supply fee. They are given on the 1st day of school. Additional supplies will be sold on specified days at the time and in the room designated for that purpose.SUSPENSIONSerious and/or chronic violations of school policy will result in suspension. When a student is suspended, the principal will notify the parent of the student. The number of days of the suspension will be a decision of the administration, depending upon the nature of the incident in question. Students who receive 3 or more suspensions during a given year are liable for expulsion.TELEPHONEAll messages are to be left with the secretary. The office phone may be used for emergencies only with the permission of the principal. No student may be called to the phone during class hours.NO CELL PHONES are permitted in school.TESTINGThe Diocesan Testing Program, "Terra Nova" is administered to all students in Grades 1 through 7 in March.The Co-op exam is administered to Grade 8 students in November. Writing Assessment tests are given to students in Grades 4 and 7. Skills mastery tests are also administered upon completion of academic areas. The level of each student is determined by the testing program and the recommendation of the teacher. Any student who cheats on any test or helps others to do so will receive 0% on the test. Parents or guardians will be notified. Repeated violations will be treated as a serious offense. |