| SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
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| Regulations are made to ensure the smooth operation of the school and an atmosphere conducive to learning. When a student enrolls in the school, he or she thereby agrees to observe its regulations. It is in the best interest of everyone in the Elk County Catholic School Community that we ask all to obey the rules outlined in this handbook. We hope the regulations are observed in this spirit. |
Absence
Prolonged Absences
Assignments
Make-up Work
Tardiness
Appointments
College Interviews
Trips
Hunting
Illness
Medications
Funerals
Field Trips
Senior Class Trip
Search Policy
Attendance-Athletic/Extracurricular
Athletic/Extracurricular Eligibility
Library
Computer Lab Use
Places not to Be
Student Foyer Code
Cafeteria
Telephone
Restrooms
Visitors
Student Property
Change of Address
Cheating
Vandalism
Student Locker Code
Driving to School
Parking Permits
Student Dance Policy
Hall Monitors
Office Rules For Students
Fire Drills
Smoking
Communication/Technology Devices
Library Rules and Regulations
| GENERAL DIRECTIVES |
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| Absence When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parents to call the Main Office before 8:30 AM and inform them of the reason for the absence. The student, on his or her return, must bring a written excuse signed by the parents to the Main Office. This matter must be taken care of before the 7:55 AM bell rings. The excuse must list the date or dates of the absence and the reason for it. Telephone calls or other conversations are not sufficient. When a student is absent from school for part of the day and reports later, he/she must come to the Main Office with his/her excuse and be admitted to school. If a student does not submit a written excuse the day he/she returns after an absence, he/she will receive notification from the Attendance Office. Failure to present an excuse the next day will result in disciplinary action. SPECIAL NOTE: Legal absences include the following: illness, approved vacation, medical appointments, college interviews, and a death in the immediate family. An Excused absence is one where all applicable school policies have been followed by the parent and/or the student. An Unexcused absence is one where the student and/or the family fail to follow the school policy for an absence (examples: unapproved/multiple vacations, fail to arrange hunting absence in advance, being excused for senior portraits), or the student’s reason for absence is not consistent with school policy even though a parent excuse is presented. An Illegal absence (truancy) is being absent from school without permission or leaving school without permission. Back To Top Prolonged Absence If a student is unable to attend school but is able to study at home, parents are asked to call the Main Office for assignments. As a matter of practicality, assignments will be sent home only for absences of more than three (3) days. For absences of three days or less, it is the responsibility of the student to ask teachers for assignments after they return to school. Overall, absenteeism remains a minor issue at Elk County Catholic. However, there is enough cause to detail the protocol and consequences of chronic absence from school.
Back To Top Assignments All assignments are due to the teacher by the designated date. A teacher has two (2) choices if the work is late: 1. The teacher may refuse to accept any past due work and give the student a zero for the assignments. 2. The teacher will follow his/her predetermined procedures which are clearly stated in the Course Syllabus. The only exception to this policy will be the extended illness (3 or more days) of a student. Back To Top Make-up Work When a student has missed class for a legitimate reason, he/she must make up the work. This applies to those excused for athletic events, field trips, etc., as well as for illness. Tests must be made up within six school days after the students return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher and ask when the test may be taken. Teachers have the prerogative of scheduling a student’s make-up test for Tuesday or Thursday after school. Back To Top Tardiness Students who arrive before 9:30 AM will be marked tardy unless they have a medical/dental appointment. Students who arrive after 9:30 AM and students who leave school due to illness, a driver’s test, or an appointment before 11:30 AM and do not return will be marked absent one-half-day. Back To Top Appointments Excuses for business affairs, medical, dental, or driver’s exam appointments must be made at least one day in advance of the appointment. Whenever possible, all such appointments should be made for after school hours, non-school days, or during study hall time. At no time will a student be permitted to accompany another student to any of the above appointments. Back To Top College Interviews A student should limit college visits to a total of three (3) school days in either the junior or senior year. Three (3) days prior to the visit a permission form must be obtained from the Guidance Office. A parent must sign the form. The form must be returned to Mrs. Schreiber for final approval of absence. Failure to comply with the above rules will lead to disciplinary action. Back To Top Trips Special permission to take an extended or single day trip during the school year must be requested at least two (2) weeks in advance of the trip. Only one (1) extended trip will be permitted each year. A special trip permission form must be secured from the Principal by the parent/guardian. A student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. It is the responsibility of the student to notify all teachers prior to taking an extended trip (two or more days). The student must secure a Vacation Release Form from the Office, which is to be signed by all of his/her teachers one week prior to the actual trip. If this form is not used and/or signatures not obtained from all his/her teachers, the student should NOT expect teachers to assist with any make-up work after his/her return. Any student who misses any regularly scheduled finals is required to take them after he/she returns from vacation – following the predesignated exam schedule. (Please see “Vacation Policy” that appears in the “Forms” section of the handbook.) Back To Top Hunting Since hunting is a widely recognized sport in this area, a parent may request permission to have their son/daughter released for the purpose of going hunting. Such absences will be limited to two (2) days at the following conditions must be met: 1. The student must present a valid PA hunting license and a completed permission form. Forms are available in the Main Office. 2.The request must be made a minimum of two school days prior to the requested date(s) of absence. 3.The student must be academically eligible and not scheduled for detention the date(s) of absence. Absences for the purpose of hunting beyond two days will be treated as extended trips and students/parents will be required to follow those guidelines for hunting releases beyond two days. Please refer to that section of the Handbook for details. It should be noted that arrangements for extended trips must be made two weeks in advance and only one extended trip per year is permitted. Back To Top Illness Students who become ill during the school day must see the nurse, or if necessary, one of the Main Office personnel. Failure to do this will result in the absence being recorded as a class cut and the student will be penalized accordingly. Do not simply stay out of class or remain in a lavatory. If a student is too ill to stay at school, the nurse or the Main Office personnel will call the parents to arrange for transportation home. STUDENTS MAY NOT LEAVE THE SCHOOL UNTIL PARENTS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE STUDENT IS OFFICIALLY SIGNED OUT IN THE MAIN OFFICE. Students who are ill may not drive themselves home. Back To Top Medications Students who are required to take over-the-counter or prescription medications in school must have the medications secured in the Main Office. When scheduled to take the medications, the student should report to the Main Office and it will be dispensed by the school nurse or office personnel. Under no circumstances are students permitted to keep any medications or drugs in their lockers or on themselves. Violation of this policy will result in immediate disciplinary action. Back To Top Funerals Permission will be granted to students to attend funerals. A parental excuse must be presented a day before the funeral. If the deceased is a member of the immediate family, students are not expected to return to school. Students are expected to return to school directly from the funeral services if the deceased is not a member of the immediate family. Field Trips Field trips are privileges to students. Therefore, they must realize that participation in such trips must not interfere with their academic progress. Students may be denied permission to attend a field trip if they fail to meet the academic requirements of two classes. Eligibility will be reviewed by the Guidance Department based on both the eligibility lists submitted by the teachers and teacher discretion in regard to academic requirements. School Policy and Disciplinary Procedures will be enforced on all field trips. Students with unexcused or illegal absences may be ineligible to attend field trips. Back To Top Senior Class Trip The senior trip is a privilege extended to the members of the senior class. Decisions on the destination and activities are made in conjunction with Diocesan policy, the ECCHS School Board, and the administration. The necessary funds for the trip will be raised by the senior class during the course of their junior and senior year. A minimum of $5,000 must have been raised by the end of the first semester for further planning to proceed. The criteria for the trip will also be distributed and discussed with the Seniors during early September. The following eligibility requirements are in place for the senior class trip: 1. Students must be academically eligible. 2. Students may not have more than 10 days absent. Documentation from a doctor is required for any days absent beyond 10 days. 3. Students may not have more than 10 late arrivals (prior to 9:30am), students with more than 10 late arrivals will not be permitted to attend. 4. Students must be in good standing in terms of discipline infractions. Students on disciplinary probation at the time of the trip, regardless of reason will not be permitted to attend the trip. Students who have been on probation more than 30 days during the course of the year will not be eligible. 5. Students must accumulate a minimum of 12 service hours to the class (time spent in class fundraising activities) to attend the trip free of charge. Six hours must be completed by the end of the first semester. The other six must be completed by May 1. 6. Students must accumulate a minimum of six service hours to the class to be eligible to attend. The remaining amount of hours must be purchased in order for the student to attend. Back To Top Search Policy Any property, brought onto Elk County Catholic High School property by a student shall by subjected to search by school officials for illegal items and substances, including drugs and alcohol. This includes school sponsored events that are held off of school grounds. The bringing of the property to school events/onto school grounds and buildings shall be viewed as implied consent to search. If the Administration deems it necessary to search a student’s property, the student will be asked permission to search the property. If a student refuses permission, the student shall be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion and parents will be notified. The school reserves the right to search without such consent. Students are advised that if the school becomes aware of any violations of the law, the appropriate legal authorities will be notified by the school. Back To Top Attendance - Athletic/Extracurricular A student must be in school a minimum of one half of a day in order to be eligible to participate in an athletic event or extracurricular activity that afternoon or evening. A student who comes to school late due to illness will not be eligible unless they are in school by 11:30 AM. A student who leaves school after 11:30 AM. due to illness will be ineligible to participate in an athletic event or extracurricular activity that afternoon or evening unless they have express consent from the parent, coach, athletic department/advisor, and Principal. A student who is out of school with an excused absence will be permitted to participate in an athletic event or extracurricular activity that afternoon or evening. Excused absences include, but are not limited to, the following: doctors, dentists, or orthodontist appointment; funeral or family emergencies; college visits, school field trips; excused family trips, and excused hunting absences. A student who is absent and unexcused may not participate in an athletic event or extracurricular activity. Back To Top Athletic/Extracurricular Eligibility Students who are involved in any athletic program or extracurricular activity must recognize that this participation must not interfere with their academic progress. Therefore, participants may not have more than two (2) failures. Eligibility will be reviewed on a weekly basis as required by the PIAA. A student ruled ineligible will remain such until that student’s grades permit participation. Back To Top Library The library is to be used for reading and reference work but not for routine study and assignments. A quiet atmosphere is to be maintained. A library pass from a subject teacher is necessary for admission to the library. Each student must have his/her own pass. No one will be admitted with two names on a single pass. Students are to remain in the library for the entire period. Back To Top Computer Lab Use 1. A pass signed by BOTH the classroom teacher and the lab teacher is required for a student to be admitted to the lab. 2. Students should be working on an assignment when using the lab. Students cannot use the lab for playing games during their study hall. 3. Absolutely no gum, food, or drinks are permitted in the labs. 4. Students must be supervised by a staff person regardless of the time of day. Back To Top Places Not To Be Students are not permitted in the following areas without supervision: the Coaches’ Room, the Weight Room, or beyond the Cafeteria Service Line. Students are not permitted in the Faculty Room. Loitering is not permitted in the stairwells at any time. Back To Top Student Foyer Code – Lunch Period Students are not permitted beyond the following areas: the auditorium doors, the front entrance, or the foyer. No student is permitted to go beyond those areas unless he/she has a written pass from a staff member. Back To Top Cafeteria The cafeteria must be kept clean at all times. Students must stand in an orderly line while waiting to be served. Tables must be cleaned and all refuse, trays, etc. must be deposited in the proper places. Do not go to the cafeteria except for the one period that you are scheduled for lunch. No food will be permitted outside of the cafeteria. In addition to the regular daily menu, a variety of alternative items are available for purchase each day. For this reason students are not permitted to carry their lunches to school. The only exception is if a student has a medical condition that requires a special diet that cannot be provided in the cafeteria. In such cases documentation (a doctor’s excuse stating the medical condition necessitating a special diet), must be provided prior to a student being permitted to carry his/her lunch. Back To Top Telephone Students are permitted to use the telephone in the school office at the discretion of the office personnel. A pay phone is also provided in the foyer for student use. It may be used before and after school and during the student’s lunch period. The pay phone is NOT to be used during class time. The pay phone near the auxiliary gym may not be used anytime during school hours. Back To Top Restrooms Students may use the restrooms before and after school, between class periods, and at the beginning or the end of the lunch period. You are expected to keep these rooms clean. Do not loiter there. Smoking is absolutely prohibited here or anywhere on school grounds. Do not write on the walls or damage the facilities in any way. Back To Top Visitors Visits must be arranged through the permission of the Principal. Persons not directly connected with the school are not permitted in the school building or on grounds without permission. All visitors must use the intercom system to notify the main office personnel in order to enter the building. Visitors must also sign in upon entering the main office. Back To Top Student Property Any student property, including vehicles, brought onto school grounds is subject to search. The bringing of such items onto school grounds constitutes implied permission to search. Students should make sure that all personal property brought onto school grounds is secured/not left unattended. The school is not responsible for damage to or loss of personal property. Back To Top Change of Address Inform both the Main Office and the Guidance Office immediately if there is a change in address or telephone number. Back To Top Cheating Cheating is defined as intentionally attempting to deceive the teacher into believing that the work submitted by the student is his/her own work when in reality it is not. Enabling or helping others to cheat is also cheating, such as providing someone with completed work (or a completed file) for the purpose of copying. Each teacher will outline the consequences of cheating in their course syllabus. Use of technology devices to access and/or share information without permission is cheating and may also constitute a violation of the school discipline policy. A student who is found guilty of cheating in any subject will automatically fail for that quarter and will automatically be disqualified from receiving any future honors at the discretion of the administration. Even if the student’s GPA falls within the range for First or Second Honors, the student forfeits the right to his/her honor card. Back To Top Vandalism Vandalism of school property is wasteful, expensive, and shows a lack of personal pride. Students will be held financially accountable for any damage they do and will be subject to the Discipline Code. Back To Top Student Locker Code There is to be no writing on the inside or outside of the locker. Students who elect to decorate the interior of their locker are reminded that such decorating should be in good taste. Neatness must be maintained at all times. Food and drinks are not permitted in a student’s locker at any time. Scheduled locker inspections will take place at the end of each quarter. Unscheduled locker inspections will occur throughout the school year. Students are reminded that their lockers are the property of Elk County Catholic High School. Lockers can be searched at any time. Lockers MUST be locked at all times. Each student is issued a school lock on the first day of school. This is the only lock that is permitted. The student is responsible for this lock. If the lock is lost/stolen, the student must get a replacement lock from the Main Office. The fee for a replacement lock is $5.00 Back To Top Driving to School Students are permitted to drive to school. Driving is a privilege and this privilege can be revoked if safe driving habits are not followed. Students must obey posted speed limit signs and direction arrows. Back To Top Parking Permits Students who are driving to school on a regular basis and wish to park in the main lot must obtain a parking permit from the Vice Principal. Students will be required to park in their designated parking spot. Students without a parking permit must park down along the fence in the parking spaces provided. These spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you do not have an assigned parking spot/parking permit, and if there are not spaces available along the fence, you will not be permitted to park in the school lot. Students are not permitted to park in the first row of the lot. This area is reserved for school personnel and visitors. Back To Top Student Dance Policy 1. Dances are held from 7:30 PM until 10:30 PM (The Prom runs from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM) 2. Dances must be chaperoned by the activity moderator, two (2) teachers, and two (2) sets of parents. The names of the chaperones are to be submitted in writing to the Vice Principal at least four (4) days before the dance. 3. Dress requirements will be determined by the committee responsible for hosting the dance and must be approved by Student Council and the Vice Principal. 4. Any student who leaves the building during the dance must also leave the premises and may not return. 5. Smoking or use of tobacco products is forbidden. The use or possession of alcoholic drinks or unlawful drugs is cause for probation or expulsion, disciplinary action, and police referral. 6. Students bringing guests from other schools must register their guest prior to the dance as announced by the Vice Principal. Each Elk Catholic student is permitted to bring one guest to each dance. This includes the Prom. Guests must be at least a freshman in high school and not older than 20. Photo ID must be provided by all guests. 7. All dances must have a Police Officer present. 8. No student will be admitted to a dance after 8:45 PM. There is NO exception to this rule (Prom 9:15 PM). Back To Top Hall Monitors 1. Hall Monitors will be selected at the beginning of each school year. 2. Two (2) monitors will be selected for each class period. 3. Monitors are to report directly to the Main Office and not their study hall. 4. Monitors are responsible for making classroom deliveries and assisting office personnel when necessary. 5. Monitors are “stationed” outside the Main Office when they are not making deliveries. Monitors should not roam the hallways. 6. If a monitor has a pass to take a test or work on a project, a pass from the classroom teacher MUST be given to someone in the Main Office. Office personnel will determine if a substitute monitor is needed. 7. Monitors must remain academically eligible. 8. Monitors are asked to knock on the classroom door when making a delivery unless the teacher has asked you not to do so. 9. Specific duties will be assigned when monitors are selected. Back To Top Office Rules for Students 1. Students should not be in the Main Office unless they have business to take care of. 2. Students are not permitted to use the office phones without permission. 3. Students are not permitted in the back offices without a pass from an administrator or office personnel. 4. Students taking medications must wait in front of the office counter. *The exception to these rules is the Student Council President who has specific duties to perform. Back To Top Fire Drills Fire drills are held at irregular intervals throughout the school year. Students should become familiar with the directives posted in each classroom. During a drill there should be no talking as students move to the designated areas. Back To Top Smoking Smoking on the school premise during the school day is against both Pennsylvania School Law and the fire regulations of St. Marys. Back To Top Communication/Technology Devices Use of communication/technology devices such as beepers, pagers, and laser pointers are not permitted. Students may be in possession of cell phones, however the phone must be turned off during regular school hours and cannot be used to place calls, send text messages, take pictures, play music or games, access the internet or for any other purpose. Phones should be left in the student’s backpack during regular school hours. Back To Top Students are to conduct themselves in a courteous, orderly manner at all times whether they are studying, reading, or doing research. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the library for a determined time or detention. Each student will receive one verbal warning personally addressed. The next action will be referred to the Vice-Principal. 1. A library pass is necessary to be admitted to the library. Passes may be obtained from a subject teacher or librarian. 2. No passes written on torn loose-leaf, scrap paper, etc. will be accepted. 3. Students must sign the roster when they come into the library. 4. A quiet atmosphere is to be maintained. There will be no socializing or visiting from table to table. 5. Each person will work alone. 6. Everyone must be occupied by either reading or studying. 7. Everyone must remain in the library for the entire period. 8. All books are to be returned on or before the due date. Books may be returned to be renewed if necessary. 9. Only Library Staff and aides are permitted to get magazines from the upper level periodical section. This area is reserved for Library Staff and teachers. 10. Absolutely no gum, food, or drinks will be permitted in the library. 11. No more than 12 students will be permitted in the library. 12. Magazines and books can be checked out for two weeks from the library. 13. Books and magazines not returned on time will get one notice that the books or magazines are overdue, and if not returned on that day, they are subject to a five cent fine for each day overdue. 14. Reference Books or Materials and the SIRS Articles may not be checked out from the library. 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