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 Handbook Appendix.doc

Archdiocese of New York

Handbook Summary Statement 

                Once students have met the necessary admission requirements and have been accepted in Sacred Heart School, the school warmly welcomes these students for the coming school year and will strive to provide them with a solid Catholic spiritual and academic education in a supportive learning environment.  Students and parents must always be mindful that attendance at Sacred Heart School is by invitation.  It is not a “right” because this is a private school.  Admission to and continued enrollment in this school include responsibilities regarding conduct, both inside and outside the classroom and school, and students are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to be a credit both to themselves and to their school. 

                In order to protect its standards of scholarship, discipline and character, Sacred Heart School reserves the right, and students and parents or guardians concede to the school the right to require the withdrawal of any student at any time, for any reason deemed sufficient in the sole discretion of the school and its administrators.  By their signatures on the Parent Signature Page contained in this handbook and the student’s attendance at the school, a student and his or her parents or guardians acknowledge the important obligations and restrictions contained in this handbook and agree to be bound by the terms of this handbook. 

                Students attending Sacred Heart School relinquish certain rights they might otherwise be entitled to if they were attending a public school.  For example, a student’s freedom of speech is limited in many important respects here at our school.  Speech, either written or oral, contrary to the Roman Catholic faith, the teachings of the church or the directives of the local Bishop or Ordinary is prohibited, as is any other speech which is contrary or disruptive to the philosophy and purposes of our school.  Another important right all students at Sacred Heart School surrender involves searches and seizures.  School administrators may search a student’s person and belongings if there is a reasonable belief, in the sole opinion of the school administrator, that contraband, illegal substances or inappropriate objects are being concealed.  Any unauthorized items found may be seized.  Additionally, student desks and lockers, which are at all times under the joint control of the school and the student to whom the desk or locker has been assigned, may be searched by school administrators at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all.  Students should have absolutely no expectation of privacy with regard to any item in their desks or lockers. 

                Another important right that a student and his or her parents or guardians give up when they decide to have a student attend this school is the right to sue the school, the parish or the Archdiocese of New York, and/or any individuals acting on behalf of the school, such as the school administrators, teachers, staff or any of their agents for any matter relating to academic or disciplinary decisions or other matters covered within this handbook.  Each student and his or her parents or guardians, by their acceptance of  enrollment at Sacred Heart School, agree to and accept the school’s rule and policy that students, parents and guardians may not bring any civil action in any local, state or federal court or in any administrative agency or body to challenge any school decision on academic or disciplinary matters, including any decision relating to the rules, regulations, procedures or programs covered within this handbook.  Students and parents or guardians agree that any challenge to any school academic or disciplinary action or relating to the rules, regulations, procedures or programs covered in this handbook may only be challenged or appealed within the hierarchy of the school, subject to the limitations contained in this handbook.  This includes any decision relating to a student’s enrollment at the school or termination of that enrollment. 

                While any student and his or her parents or guardians are of course free to consult with legal counsel regarding any school decision taken with respect to a student, the school emphasizes that students and parents or guardians are not permitted to have legal counsel present during any meetings with school administrators.  School administrators are not obligated to meet with legal counsel at any time. 

                There are several grounds for disciplinary action or expulsion set forth in the “Discipline Codes” section of this handbook.  It should be noted, however, that any listing of prohibited conduct is set forth by way of example only and to provide guidance to the student and his or her parents or guardians.  It is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of improper conduct or resultant disciplinary action.

 

This statement was prepared by the Archdiocese of New York for school distribution.

 

Sacred Heart School 

Parent Signature Page 

We have received a copy of the school handbook and have read it.   

 

 

 

___________________________________             ___________________________________

                 (Parent’s signature)                                                    (Parent’s signature)               

  

 

                                                                           ___________________________________             ___________________________________

                                                 (Grade 2 and above Student’s signature)                 (Grade 2 and above Student’s signature)                                                      

 

                                                                    

             

                                                                      ___________________________________             ___________________________________

                                           (Grade 2 and above Student’s signature)                 (Grade 2 and above Student’s signature)                                                         

  

                                                                        ___________________________________             ___________________________________

                                          (Grade 2 and above Student’s signature)                 (Grade 2 and above Student’s signature)                                                         

 

                                                             Signed form due September 12, 2008.

 

Sacred Heart School 

Photo/Video Release Form for 2008-2009 School Year 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

 

I hereby give permission for my son/daughter _________________________________ 

to be photographed or videotaped at __________________School.  I realize that the  

photo may be published in the newspaper, a magazine, or other publication.  The video

may be used for educational or informational purposes regarding the programs or  

curriculum at __________________School. 

 

Signed ________________________________________

 

Date _______________________ 

                                                                   Signed form due September 12, 2008.

Sacred Heart School

Absent Note 

STUDENT’S NAME ________________________________________ 

STUDENT’S GRADE _______________________________________ 

DATE(S) OF ABSENCE __________________________________________________ 

REASON FOR ABSENCE ________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

Parent Signature __________________________________________ 

Doctor’s note is attached.      Yes ____________     No ____________                          

                                                                                                

 Sacred Heart School

Dismissal Change Notification 

STUDENT’S NAME ________________________________________ 

STUDENT’S GRADE _______________________________________ 

DATE(S) OF DISMISAL CHANGE ______________________________ 

 

Please note the following change in dismissal for my child(ren):

(Only students registered to ride the school bus may use the bus service.  A student may

only make changes on busses within the same district.) 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________  

Parent Signature ___________________________________________

Telecommunications Policy

Student Expectations in Use of the Internet 

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use or violation of any of the following standards will result in serious consequences and could result in expulsion from the school. 

  1. Use of the computer at school is limited to school related activities.  Internet users are expected to behave responsibly in accessing and viewing information that is pertinent to the mission of the school.

  2. Vandalism and other infractions of school policy while using the Internet will result in immediate cancellation of privileges along with disciplinary action.

  3. After School/Home Access requires students to follow the same student expectations as stated in the “Discipline Code for Student Conduct” and “Harassment Policies” in the student handbook.

4.      Students must abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette both inside and outside school. 

5.      Students are responsible for their explorations on the Internet and are subject to the consequences of the school’s discipline policy.

6.      Students must sign a contract indicating their understanding and acceptance of the school’s guidelines (see parent/student handbook).

7.      Parents must give their permission for their child to use the Internet for educational purposes as an individual by signing the Contract Form once conditions are clearly understood.  Parents also have the option of denying permission for their child to use the Internet independently at school

 

Standards of Behavior 

    • Be courteous and respectful in your messages to others.

    • Use appropriate language.  Do not use vulgar, harassing, obscene, threatening, bullying, abusive, or sexually offensive language, or make any statements that are slanderous or disparaging of any students or adults.

    • Never visit inappropriate or offensive websites.

    • Never download materials from inappropriate or offensive websites.

    • Never expose yourself in an inappropriate, vulgar, or sexually offensive manner on any website or via e-mail, either in pictures or videos.

    • Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.

    • Do not reveal your home address or phone number, or that of other students or staff.

    • Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.  People who operate the system do have access to all mail.  Messages related to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

    • Proofread your message before you send it.

    • Never agree to get together with someone you “meet” on-line.

    • Only public domain software (“shareware”) can be downloaded.

    • Copyright laws must be respected.  Do not make-unauthorized copies of software and do not give, lend, or sell copies of software to others.

    • Do not use the Network/Internet for illegal activities.

    • Software applications, games, or CD-ROMS from home may not be used on school equipment without proof of licensure and prior approval of appropriate school personnel.

    • Do not reveal personal passwords, use or try to learn others’ passwords.  Do not copy, change, read or use another user’s files without prior permission from that user.  Do not attempt to gain unauthorized access to system programs for computer equipment.

    • Do not post personal messages on bulletin boards or “list servers.”  Send personal messages directly to the person to whom you want to write.

    • Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network for other users.

    • Do not waste or take supplies such as paper, printer cartridges, and diskettes that are provided by the school.

    • Talk softly and work in ways that will not disturb other users.  Keep computer work areas clean and do not eat or drink in the computer lab.

    • If students encounter material on a network/bulletin board that is not appropriate (vulgar jokes, statements of belief that some might consider immoral, etc.,) the student is responsible for not pursuing this material and reporting the matter to appropriate school personnel.

    • The use of cell phones, camera phones or other digital media is prohibited during the school day.  Cell phones, camera phones, or other personal electronic devices will be confiscated if students use them during the school day without permission.  In addition, any student who uses a camera, camera phone or other personal electronic devices in school or in the classroom for any reason will be suspended.  Further disciplinary measures including expulsion, will be considered depending on the nature of the camera, camera phone, or personal electronic device use.

    • Technology Use outside normal academic hours and/or off school grounds (including but not limited to cell phones, e-mail, text messages, camera-phones, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDA’s), chat lines, bulletin boards, etc., are subject to the same guidelines as previously cited in the “Discipline Code for Student Conduct,” “Harassment Policies,” and the “Summary Statement.

    • The school reserves the right to seek financial restitution for any damage caused by a student or other user.  The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use, and their decision is final.  The administration, faculty, and staff of the school may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific privileges.  Violation of the rules and code of ethics described above will be dealt with seriously.

    • Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to:  copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.  The use of school computers and networking resources for commercial activities is not permitted.  Their use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

 

AFTER PARENT AND STUDENT HAVE READ THIS POLICY, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE AGREEMENT FORM

 

Technology Use/Telecommunications Policy

Agreement for 2008-2009 School Year

for Sacred Heart School  

                                    adapted from NCEA’s From the Chalkboard to the Chatroom . . . 1997

 

Please read the statement before signing and returning this form to school

User 

I understand and agree to abide by the Telecommunications Policy/Student Expectations in the Use of the Internet agreement.  I further understand that any violation of these regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. 

Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, school

disciplinary action may be taken, and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. 

 

User’s name (please print): ________________________________________________ 

User Signature: ______________________________  Date: _____________________ 

 

Parent/Guardian

 

As the parent of this student, I have read the technology use agreement.  I understand

that this access is designed for educational purposes.  I am aware that it is impossible

for the school to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them

responsible for materials acquired in use.  Further, I accept full responsibility for

supervision if and when my child’s use of school’s technology resources is not in a 

school setting.  I hereby give permission for my child to use the school’s technology

resources and certify that I have reviewed this information with my child.  

 

Parent’s or guardian’s name (please print): ___________________________________ 

 

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________ Date:____________  

 

                                      Signed Form due September 12, 2008.