Infant Jesus School

Attendance

Students in grades 1-6 are required by law to be present at school on every official school day.  Anyone in grades 1-6 who attends school for less than three hours on a given day is considered absent for the day.

Consistent attendance in all grades is essential for your child to obtain the maximum benefit from our program.

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Behavior

Infant Jesus School’s concept of discipline is built on the Christian principles of self-discipline, respect, and community. As members of a Catholic school we respect ourselves, the rights of others, and seek to have our own rights respected. Therefore, each student:

Disciplinary procedures to be used will depend on the age of the child, the frequency of the unacceptable behavior, and the seriousness of the offense.

Prohibited Behavior

Certain behaviors are totally unacceptable and are strictly forbidden. When unacceptable behaviors occur that are disruptive or potentially dangerous, the parents of the offending student will be notified, and the school will take action to rectify the behavior.

The following behavior, whether inside or outside school, while traveling to or from school, or at a school-sponsored activity, shall be considered grounds for disciplinary action.  Behavior may include but not be limited to:

• using or writing profane or obscene language; making an obscene gesture; drawing any obscene picture or representation; possessing, distributing, or having for sale any obscene publication or material
   
• stealing
   
• fighting
   
• defiance of authority; repeated failure to respond or carry out reasonable requests by a staff member
   
• deliberate or willful conduct detrimental to normal functions of the program or activity under school sponsorship
   
• threats to the staff members or to other students
   
• vandalism: willfully defacing, damaging or destroying school property or property belonging to other students or staff members
   
• verbal harassment such as excessive teasing and name calling
   
• smoking
   
• possession of controlled or illegal substances
   
• possession of weapons or any other dangerous objects.
   

Demerit / Detention

Students will not be allowed to deprive themselves or others of the opportunity to learn in an orderly environment that is conducive to learning.  A demerit and detention policy, therefore, has been established for fight and sixth grade students only.  Further information will be shared with parents of fifth and sixth graders at open House in September.
 

Discipline

Effective discipline is necessary for quality education.  In order to guarantee your child and all students in the school the excellent learning environment they deserve, it is essential for the home and school to work closely together in promoting self-discipline, responsibility and an appreciation for the rights of others.

Minor classroom offenses are the responsibility and obligation of the classroom teacher.  When serious or persistent problems arise, discipline will become the joint responsibility of the principal and teacher.

It is the teacher’s role to guide and direct the classroom.  This includes teaching children about appropriate behavior.  Parents are notified when their child is having a difficult time adjusting to school rules and behavior expectations.  In order to establish a consistent discipline program at school it is expected that parents and teachers will communicate regularly and openly with each other.  Parent cooperation and support is vital to the process.
 

Bullying

Definition:  Bullying and harassment are defined as unwelcome, harmful behavior towards another student.  They can take the form of, but not limited to, verbal and/or written remarks, ensures, innuendoes, gossip, symbols, or physical contact.  A student who feels he/she is a victim of harassment or bullying should bring the matter to the attention of a teacher or principal.

Procedure:  The teachers, who will inform the Principal, will deal with all initial cases of bullying.  An interview will be conducted to ascertain the specific nature of the bullying and its effect on the victim, in an attempt to develop mutual empathy.  Decisions will be made as to the level of severity of the incident.  The parents (of both parties) will be informed.  The interview will focus on appropriate strategies to assist both the victim and the bully.

The interview will also include a clear statement on the consequences if the bullying continues, or if there are any reprisals as a result of the reporting of the incident.  The consequences will be communicated to the parents.

Repeated acts of bullying may result in suspension or expulsion.

Bullying outside school property is not the responsibility of the school.
 

Respect for Teachers

Students are responsible for showing respect for teachers, staff members, volunteers, and visitors.  Any teacher or staff member has the authority to correct a student.  Students must conduct themselves in an acceptable and courteous manner at all times.

Parents are held to the same standard as students with regard to respect for teachers.  Enrollment of the child in the school implies a partnership between the school and the parents/child:  If the partnership breaks down, parents can be required to withdraw the child from school.

Expulsion

Expulsion is defined as the termination of a student’s enrollment at the school.  Infant Jesus School reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable in attitude and general conduct or whose continuation in the school is detrimental to him/herself or to his/her fellow students or teacher(s).

Suspension  

In-school suspension is defined as the temporary exclusion of a student from one or more classes.  Out-of-school suspension is defined as the temporary exclusion of a student from school attendance.

Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of Infant Jesus School to provide a learning and working atmosphere for students, employees, and visitors, which is free from sexual harassment.  The Catholic Diocese of Manchester has very specific and strict guidelines governing any type of sexual harassment, which we enforce on a local level.  These guidelines, which include a recourse/complaint procedure, are available in the Principal’s office.

Students or employees of the school who are sexually harassed should bring their complaint to one of the school’s Sexual Harassment Complaint Officers.  The designated Complaint Officers are the principal and/or member of the faculty.  All complaints will be investigated using the specific procedures issued by the diocese for handling all such complaints.  Because of their sensitive nature, complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated with special care and will remain, to the extent possible, strictly confidential.

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Cafeteria (K-6)

Students are expected to use proper table manners while in the cafeteria. When finished eating, each student is expected to clean up the table before leaving. This includes disposing of papers and containers, wiping off the tables, picking up items on the floor, and pushing the chairs under the tables. Good order and cleanliness of the cafeteria is each student’s responsibility.

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Care of School Property

Students are responsible for the proper care of all supplies and books. Books must be taken to and from school in a backpack.  Students will be required to pay for the loss or damage of books and workbooks supplied by the school.

Deliberate damage to school property (vandalism) and/or defacing any school property is contrary to a sense of community responsibility. Students who damage or deface school property will be required to make restitution for the damages.

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Conflict Resolution

Effective communication is necessary in attempting to solve a problem. The first step in the process is for the child to meet with the teacher.  If further resolution is needed, the next step would be for parent to meet with the child’s teacher to discuss the matter. If, after meeting with the teacher, the parent is not satisfied, the parent should arrange to meet with the principal.

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Dress Code

Good dress habits are prerequisites for good work habits.  We take pride in the appearance of our students.  Their dress reflects the quality of the school, their conduct, and their schoolwork.

Girls

Boys

Warm Weather Uniform Weather Uniform for Girls/Boys

During the warm weather months, students are allowed to wear navy twill shorts.  The warm weather uniform is optional.  All shorts must be purchased through Harvey Uniform Company.  Students must wear their regular uniforms if they do not wish to purchase the shorts.

The warm weather uniform may be worn from the first day of school through October 31^st, and then again when we return from our Spring Break through the end of the school year.
 

Other Guidelines

Boys Hairstyles

Hair is to be cut neatly and kept above the collar line.  Extreme hairstyles are not allowed (shaved rows, railroad tracks, dyed, bleached etc.)  Colored hairpieces are not allowed.
 

Scout Uniforms

Students may wear their full scout uniform in place of their school uniform on a meeting day regardless of meeting location.
 

Violations

The following procedures will be used with anyone in violation of the school dresscode:

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Drills

In addition to fire drills, we will be conducting crisis response drills to prepare both staff and students for any possible crisis.  Drills will vary depending on the crisis scenario.  As with fire drills, students will be expected to be silent and attentive to the instructions of the teachers.

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Educational Trips

Field trips are taken at the discretion of the principal and/or teacher. All permission slips (walking or other transportation) are to be sent home and signed by the parent(s) and returned to the teacher. It is mandatory that permission slips be signed and returned before a child can participate.  Field trips are privileges given to students; no student has an absolute right to a field trip.  Students can be denied participation if they fail to meet academic and/or behavioral requirements.  Children represent Infant Jesus School while on a school-sponsored field trip.  School rules remain in effect even while away from the building.  Therefore, students should dress in appropriate attire and should behave in a way that demonstrates pride in themselves and their school.

If private cars are used, parents providing transportation for the field trip must have a current proof of insurance policy on file in the school office.  Parents should refrain from using cell phones for personal use while providing transportation for a field trip. Parents can only chaperone if they have completed the Protecting God’s Children workshop and paperwork.

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Extra-Curricular Activities

Infant Jesus School offers a full range of extra-curricular activities for students.  The principal makes the final determination of activities offered each year.

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Homework (Grades 1-6)

Homework is an enriching supplement to the child’s daily schoolwork.  Policies will vary depending on the age and grade of the student. Teachers will provide a written homework policy at the beginning of the school year.

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Internet Use Policy

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that enables global communication and collaboration.  Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to the preparation of citizens and future employees in the technologically based era in which we live.  The goal of Infant Jesus School in providing Internet access to the students is to:

• Instruct the students in responsible and effective use of this resource by integrating it into the existing curriculum
• Teach the students ethical and safety issues related to Internet use

Staff will be expected to integrate thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and to provide guidance and instruction to students.  The network is provided for research and communication.  Access to the network will be provided to students who agree to act in a legal, ethical, considerate, and responsible manner.  Student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will be permitted upon receipt of a permission form signed by the parent/guardian and an agreement that is signed by the student. (Is it necessary to get a separate signed release form or will the handbook be good enough)

The Internet is a fluid environment where content is continually changing, and where the authenticity and validity of information at times can be questionable.  Some material on the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people.  Infant Jesus School has taken precautions to restrict access to objectionable materials, but it is impossible to filter all Internet access.  Specifically, Infant Jesus School has installed a web filter system from eSoft.  Students may find ways to access controversial materials and they are responsible for not pursuing these. 

Responsibilities of network users are:

• To understand the rules and regulations of the Internet policy.
• To ask for assistance with any rules they do not understand.
• To realize that if the rules are violated, their Internet access may be canceled.
• To display school-appropriate conduct when using the computer equipment and/or network.
• To seek staff supervision before accessing the Internet at any time.

It is the policy of the Infant Jesus School to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all online network activities by staff and students.  It is a violation of this policy for any user to engage in any activity that does not conform to established purpose or violates those guidelines described in this document.  This policy does not attempt to articulate all required or proscribed behavior.  The following lists are intended to be guidelines and are not all-inclusive.

Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to the following:

• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.
• Using obscene language.
• Harassing, insulting, or attacking others.
• Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks.
• Violating copyright laws.
• Using another user's password (IJS does not have a password system at this time).
• Trespassing in another user's folders, work or files.
• Intentionally wasting limited resources.
• Employing the network for commercial purposes.
• Using the Internet for any illegal purpose.
• Spreading or creating computer viruses.
• Misrepresenting oneself.
• Using the school's Internet connection for non-educational use.
• Posting any items produced by a student to the Internet without proper administrative review and parental permission.
• Purchasing products or services.
• Subscribing to "LISTSRVS".

Students are responsible for NOT pursuing objectionable/inappropriate material.  The use of the Internet is a privilege and not a right:  inappropriate or unacceptable use may result in any of the following disciplinary actions:

• Verbal warning.
• Written warning.
• Restriction or revocation of access privileges.
• Detention, suspension or expulsion.
• Reporting the incident to the appropriate legal authorities for possible criminal prosecution.
• Financial restitution in the case of unacceptable uses.

NB Users should not expect that files stored on school servers will always be private.  School administrators and staff may review files and communications to maintain system integrity, and to ensure that users are utilizing the system responsibly.

Sources:

Presentation of Mary Academy Internet Use Agreement (2004); Manchester School District intranet/internet Acceptable Use Policy; Villa Augustina Internet Use Agreement (2004)

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Library

Library services are available to all students in the school.  Students will be charged for late, lost, or damaged books.  Children attending Infant Jesus School are eligible for a library card at the Nashua Public Library.

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Lost and Found

Lost and Found is located in the secretary’s office.  Clothing and personal belongings of students should be marked with the child’s name. Any unclaimed items will be forwarded to a local charity at the end of each quarter, Christmas vacation, and the end of the school year.

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Marking System

Progress Reports (Grades K-6)
The Progress Report is issued 3 times a year for grades K and grades three through six and gives a general evaluation of the student’s performance. This report is to be signed by the parent and returned to the school within one week after being issued. Grades 1 and 2 receive weekly progress reports.

Report Cards
Report cards are issued to Grades 1-6 four times a year. The report card envelope is to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to school within one week after being issued. Students are promoted from one grade to the next at the end of each academic year. Promotion is based upon the student’s mastery of the subject matter. If the student is recommended for retention in the same grade, the parents may appeal that recommendation to the principal, whose decision is final. For grades 1-6, a letter marking system is used.

Promotion Policy

Advancement to the next grade at Infant Jesus School is based on a student's ability to complete work successfully on a more advanced level. 

Promotion to the next grade depends on successful completion of all subject areas.  The principal may recommend the repetition of a grade, tutoring, or summer school classes as a requirement for promotion, when after conferences with teachers and parents, it is believed that such action will better prepare the student academically or emotionally for the next grade. 

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Physical Education/Gym

Physical education is required of all students. No dispensation is granted except for serious reasons, and these must be in writing.  Students must wear their PE uniforms and sneakers.  Jewelry of any kind should not be worn during physical education.

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Prohibited Electronics (IPOD/MP3 PLAYERS./CELL PHONES)

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Spiritual Life

All students are required to participate in all liturgies, classroom prayer, and other aspects of the spiritual life of the school. The teaching of “Religion” is a content subject in which all students must participate. We remain respectful of students’ diverse religious backgrounds. However, all students, regardless of their religious affiliation, must meet the religion requirements endorsed by the school.

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