Parent Handbook...
Handbook Contents
History and
Philosophy
Purpose and Use of this Handbook
Amendments to
Handbook
School
Hours
School Calendar
and Newsletter
Spiritual Opportunities/Religious Education
Policy on Admission of Students
Absence/Participation in School Activities
Withdrawal for Academic Reasons
Transfer on Grounds of Parental Behavior
Policy on Administration of Epinephrine
Procedures for Suspected Child Abuse
Parental Rights to School Records & Student Pick-up Procedure from School
Additional
Services including:
Bus
Transportation
Supplies
After School Day
Care
Supplemental
Services
After School
Activities
Acknowledgment Form
Acceptable Use
Policy
Our Patroness
Prayer to BVM
About the
school
Mission Statement
Accreditation
History
Parent Handbook
Pre-K Program
After School Care
Registration
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OUR LADY OF
LOURDES SCHOOL
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY
Our Lady of Lourdes School was established in 1942 at what was fondly known as “The Little Red School House” where three Sisters of Mercy had the responsibility of teaching elementary subjects. Since the school’s modest beginning, it has gradually grown in size and needs by 1953. Rev. Francis J. Dwyer, Pastor, inaugurated a fund-raising campaign and on September 15, 1957 our new school was dedicated. In 1973 the Mercy Sisters were recalled and Our Lady of Lourdes School was staffed with the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who continue to serve as principals and members of the faculty.
Our Lady of Lourdes School’s mission is to provide an excellent Catholic education to its students. It is deeply committed to creating a superior academic program that challenges the intellectual prowess of every student, and at the same time to impart a Catholic, Christian education that takes its roots from the Gospel of Christ which challenges his/her spiritual being to conform to the moral and religious principles and values contained therein.
Our religious program is intended to make the students’ faith become living, conscious, and active through instruction. It provides opportunities for students’ participation in the liturgy, sacraments, and various Church activities which will help the development of personal sanctity. It is intended to prepare students to understand changes in American society and the Church, and to be able to respond to them in the future with Christian commitment.
Academic achievement, personal and physical growth, and social interaction are viewed as on-going processes. Students are provided with instruction and opportunities to master the fundamental skills of the academic curriculum. A holistic approach to learning encourages integration of skills across the various disciplines with emphasis on critical and creative thinking. Students are afforded learning experiences that lead to meaningful successes which build their self-esteem and thereby create self-motivated learners.
This focus on the development of the whole person seeks to form interiorly motivated students who can respond to contemporary life with hope, compassion, and integrity. Ultimately, the students of Our Lady of Lourdes School are encouraged to employ their gifts and education toward building the Kingdom of God here and now.
Our Lady of Lourdes School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. Our Lady of Lourdes School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
PURPOSE AND USE OF THIS HANDBOOK
This Handbook is subject to change at any time when determined to be necessary by Our Lady of Lourdes School administration. If changes are made to the Handbook, parents/guardians will be notified promptly.
Daily Schedule:
8:00 – 2:00
(Students are expected to be in school by 7:50 a.m. Click
HERE
for other school times)
Half-Day Schedule: 8:00 – 12:00
After-School Day Care Hours: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
SCHOOL CALENDAR AND NEWSLETTER
A yearly school calendar is sent home at the end of June. This schedule notes vacation days, additional days off, teacher inservice days, early dismissal days and other regularly scheduled yearly activities. In September a yearly calendar which includes HSA activities is sent home with the children. In addition, a monthly REMINDER is sent home.
The GRAPEVINE, OLOL Newsletter and our school website provide information regarding class activities and school functions. Our school website is: www.ololschoolnj.org.
Our Lady of Lourdes School was first approved by the Middle States Association in April of 1995, it was reaccredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools on April 15, 2006. This accreditation is good for 10 years. We are continually updating our goals and expanding our curriculum with new ideas for the future and we hope to instill a love of learning in our students. With your encouragement and support, we endeavor to provide the best education for your child/children.
SPIRITUAL
OPPORTUNITIES/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Our Lady of Lourdes School strives to provide an atmosphere of love and trust in which each student may progress spiritually. The administration and faculty encourage the students to develop Christian values which include love for God, respect for self and others, and a belief in helping those less fortunate. Daily prayer experiences, student planned liturgies, prayer services, sacramental programs, charitable programs and mission assemblies contribute to a full faith experience.
The non-Catholic student is welcome at Our Lady of Lourdes School. The non-Catholic student is expected to understand and agree that the school exists to educate in the framework of Catholic values. Non-Catholic students must participate in the Religion classes and liturgical services scheduled for students during the school year.
POLICY ON ADMISSION OF STUDENTS
Our Lady of Lourdes School gives preference to:
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Registered parishioners of OLOL who currently have siblings in the School.
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Registered parishioners of OLOL who have no siblings in the School.
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Catholic students registered in parishes other than OLOL who currently have siblings in the School.
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Catholic students registered in parishes other than OLOL but who currently have no siblings in the School.
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Non-Catholic students.
The policy of Our Lady of Lourdes School regarding admission to certain grade levels is to treat each case of registration as unique and to consider it separately. A decision will be made by the School Principal after consultation with the Pastor.
A birth certificate must be submitted for proof of age. The following guidelines are applicable:
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A Kindergarten child must be five years old on or before October 31.
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A Pre-Kindergarten 3 child must be three years old on or before October 31.
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A Pre-Kindergarten 4 child must be four years old on or before October 31.
Our Lady of Lourdes School is in strict compliance with State regulations regarding immunization records. No child shall be admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes School without proper proof that the child has been immunized as required by the laws of the State of New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 26:1A-9. Proper immunization is a condition of admission to OLOL. No requests for religious exemptions will be considered. The following immunization requirements, as of October 12, 2006, apply for Grades Kindergarten through 8:
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DPT: a minimum of four doses plus a booster on or after 4th birthday (total of 5 doses).
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IPV: a minimum of three doses, plus a booster on or after the fourth birthday (total of 4 doses).
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Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR): one dose administered on or after the first birthday; children who were immunized before the first birthday are to be re-immunized plus a booster on or after the fourth birthday (total of 2 doses).
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Varicella
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Hepatitis B: (total of 3 doses).
Policies and regulations regarding the financial obligation of the parent, including tuition and special school fees, are contained in separate tuition/financial contracts.
It is the obligation of the parents to meet their financial obligations by making their tuition payments on a monthly or semi-annual basis as agreed upon at the time of registration/re-registration.
Students are expected to be in attendance on all the days that Our Lady of Lourdes School is in session. The following reasons are considered excused absences:
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illness of pupil
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serious illness in the family
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death in the family
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quarantine
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Exceptional cases – consult Principal
Absences from school for any reason other than those stated above will be considered unexcused absences. Our Lady of Lourdes School is responsible to provide make-up work and/or exams only in cases of excused absences.
Teachers are not obligated to provide work for students who are taken out of school to go on vacation during regularly scheduled school days. It is strongly suggested that parents do not take their child out of school because of class instruction time which will be missed. Students are responsible for completing missed work and/or tests within two days following their return to school.
Doctor and dentist appointments should be scheduled for after school hours, whenever possible. Students will not be excused early from Our Lady of Lourdes School without a written note from their parents. This note should be shown to their homeroom teacher and then sent to the principal’s office. Parents must come to the office to pick up their child and sign the register.
When your child is absent, please call the nurse’s office at 732-828-1651; press #6 before 9:00 a.m. Give your child’s name and grade and reason for the absence. Additionally, when your child returns to school, please send in a note for the teacher explaining the absence.
Prolonged absence and/or excessive scattered absence for legitimate reasons may not be used as a cause for retention unless the student cannot exhibit satisfactory mastery of the required materials. If prolonged/excessive absence results in poor academic performance, or is the manifestation of a lack of commitment to the educational process, or demonstrates other difficulties as determined by Our Lady of Lourdes School, these can be considered as a basis for such decisions.
A student who deliberately avoids coming to Our Lady of Lourdes School, contrary to the wishes of his/her parent, is considered truant. Habitual truancy will be reported to the appropriate authority. A student who is truant will be subject to disciplinary measures decided upon by the administration.
ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL AND PARTICIPATION IN AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
If a student is absent from Our Lady of Lourdes School because of illness or disciplinary action, he/she will not be permitted to take part in school sponsored extra-curricular activities that afternoon or evening.
If a student is absent from school for a reason other than illness or disciplinary action, the administration reserves the right to make an individual judgment regarding same-day extra-curricular participation.
Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. If a child arrives after 8:00 a.m., he/she must report to the main office.
When inclement weather is severe enough to cause the delay and/or closing of school for the day, announcements of the delayed opening/school closing will be made on WCTC (1450 AM) and on the school website. If it becomes necessary, once school is in session, to close before the regular dismissal time, announcements of the early dismissal will be made on WCTC (1450 AM). DELAYED OPENING IS 9:30 A.M.
At 7:50 a.m. the students should go directly to their classrooms. On days of inclement weather, the students wait in the school auditorium until 7:50 a.m., then go to their classrooms.
First bell…………..7:50 a.m.
Second bell………..7:52 a.m.
Third bell…………8:00 a.m. Beginning of class period.
Kindergarten is
dismissed at 12:00 for the first week of school.
Snack: Grades K – 8 have a snack. (This is provided from home.)
Lunch Period:
Kindergarten…………………10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Grades 1 – 8…………………..11:00 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.
Students will bring their lunch in brown paper bags or soft lunch boxes with their names on them. Lunch boxes and thermos bottles are not permitted.
Students are not allowed to leave the school premises for lunch. With the exception of special personal circumstances, a student will not be allowed to remain in the school building during the recess period without the permission of the school Principal. Permission will be given upon receipt of a note from the parent and only for a good reason, such as illness, a disability of some kind, etc.
DROP-OFF/ARRIVAL
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Parents bringing children to school must have children exit from their cars on BOOREAM AVENUE only, directly next to the school playground entrance.
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Front doors on Cleveland Avenue are locked and cannot be used as a drop-off.
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A crossing guard is stationed on Boorean Avenue for supervision.
PICK-UP/DISMISSAL
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Children are dismissed only from Booream exit.
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Children who walk home unsupervised will leave the school premises through Booream Avenue.
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At no time are cars permitted to park in the playground while school is in session.
At Our Lady of Lourdes School, opportunities are presented for students to act responsibly, to practice good decision making, to use self-control and to develop personal talents. Students are expected to act with courtesy and respect toward one another and toward all members of the faculty and staff. They must take seriously their obligation to develop lifetime habits of self-control and concern for the well being of others. Home and School will work together to help students to learn and live the qualities of responsible behavior and the elements of good citizenship.
A student who chooses to disrupt the good order of the School or to violate a policy or regulation will have to accept the consequences of those irresponsible choices. Appropriate discipline is within the discretion of the Principal. Accountability for uncooperative, disruptive or unsafe behavior may take any of the following forms: misconduct referrals or warnings; punishment assignments; denial of privileges; detention; in-school suspension; out-of-school suspension; or expulsion.
Actions which violate the law, threaten or cause harm to other students or faculty and staff members, disrupt or impede the welfare and progress of the School community, or bring discredit to the School will not be tolerated. Such actions or other severe violations of School rules may result in immediate expulsion. If a student persists in violating basic obligations of courtesy, consideration, respect, cooperation or safety, a Principal/Parent/Student conference will be scheduled. All subsequent discipline, counseling, consultation and corrective action plans will be viewed as positive Home-School efforts to help the student improve behavior. If these cooperative efforts of parents and school staff prove ineffective, the student will be subject to expulsion or may be denied readmittance to the School.
Major discipline problems are identified as, but not limited to, the following:
Fighting
Vandalism
Insubordination
Truancy
Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse/Possession/Trafficking
Use/Possession of a Weapon
Use of Profanity/Inappropriate Language
Students engaging in such behavior, and other behaviors which may be deemed inappropriate by Our Lady of Lourdes School administration, are liable to suspension and/or expulsion. Consequences for such major incidents will be decided on an individual basis, after conferencing amongst administration, students and parents.
Students are not permitted to carry money on their persons during school hours except for school supplies, purchase of hot lunches or snacks or school-related activities. Any money which is brought to school should be placed in an envelope and clearly marked with child’s name, grade and purpose.
WITHDRAWAL FOR ACADEMIC REASONS
Though Our Lady of Lourdes School is committed to providing a comprehensive education to all its students, an occasion may arise where a student may be unable to profit from the curriculum and/or the classroom setting of the school. In these cases, transfer to a more appropriate learning environment may be recommended.
TRANSFER ON GROUNDS OF PARENTAL BEHAVIOR
Normally a child is not to be deprived of a Catholic education or otherwise penalized for actions of parents/guardians. However, the administration of Our Lady of Lourdes School may recommend the transfer of a student when parents have been persistently and overly uncooperative regarding school policies, regulations and/or programs.
A transfer may also be recommended when parents have interfered in matters of Our Lady of Lourdes School administration or discipline to the detriment of the school’s ability to serve their own or other children.
Uniforms for the students can be obtained from:
Flynn & O’Hara
Uniforms
1-800-441-4122
FAX: 215-637-6392
The uniform company makes a trip to the school in the spring of the school year to measure and to take uniform orders. If you wish to purchase anything during the year, you may call them directly. Uniforms are to be worn by students from Grades K thru 8 - no variation in the school uniform is acceptable.
REGULATION FOR GIRLS:
Grades K – 5
Plaid jumper, light blue short or long sleeve blouse, TV tie, navy blue
socks or tights, navy blue uniform sweater, school sweatsuit, gym shirt
and gym shorts.
Grades 6 – 8 Plaid skirt and navy blue vest, light blue short or
long sleeve blouse, and knit-ss-blue short sleeve shirt (to be worn
from May 1 to Nov. 1 only) TV tie, navy blue socks/tights, navy blue
sweater, school sweatsuit, gym shirt and gym shorts.
REGULATION FOR BOYS:
Grades K – 8 Navy blue slacks (no blue jeans), light blue short or long sleeve dress shirt and knit-ss-blue short sleeve shirt (to be worn from May 1 to Nov. 1), OLOL navy blue tie, navy blue (or any dark color socks), navy blue uniform sweater, school sweatsuit, gym shirt and gym shorts.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DAYS:
Grades K – 8 Regulation gym sweatsuit (available only through the uniform company), white socks (mid-calf or longer) and sneakers. During the hot weather, students may wear the regulation OLOL gold T-shirt/blue gym shorts. Sweatsuits and sneakers are worn ONLY on physical education days.
OPTIONAL:
Walking shorts for boys and girls Grades K – 8 (worn from 5/1 – 10/31)
Long sleeve polo shirts for boys Grades K – 8 (worn from 11/1 – 5/1)
Long sleeve polo shirts for girls Grades 6 –8 (worn from 11/1 – 5/1)
The following clothing and/or accessories are not permitted at OLOL School:
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Make-up, colored nail polish
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Hanging earrings for girls, any earrings for boys
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Except for a small religious medal on a chain or religious pin, no other jewelry is permitted.
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Except for gym class and Tag Day, no sneakers may be worn
The following rules apply to dress-down days at OLOL School:
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Students may not wear cut-off shorts, ripped clothing, half-shirts, mini skirts, sleeveless shirts or clothing with objectionable words and/or pictures.
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Any clothing deemed inappropriate by the school will not be allowed to be worn in school.
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If necessary, parents/guardians will be contacted to bring in a new set of clothing for their child.
Hairstyles are expected to be neat and clean. Boys’ hair must be trimmed to the collar, Hairstyles considered extreme by school are inappropriate and unacceptable at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
The school nurse is currently available from 10:00 am – 1:00 p.m. The phone number for the nurse’s office is 732-828-1651, press #6. The following examinations are offered yearly to students:
Vision screening
Hearing screening
Annual height & weight assessment
Scoliosis screening
Our Lady of Lourdes School strongly discourages the administration of either prescription or non-prescription medication in school or on school-sponsored activities. However, if it is absolutely essential that a student receive medication while under school supervision, the following procedures apply:
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A parent/guardian should come to the school and personally administer the medication.
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If this arrangement is not possible, the School Nurse/Principal (or his/her designee) will administer the medication under the following conditions:
The medication must be given to the School Nurse or Administration by the parent/guardian.
The medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled container.
The parent/guardian and the student's physician must complete and sign an "Authorization to Administer Medication in School" form. These forms are available from the school.
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Students will be permitted to self-administer medication only for life-threatening illnesses or conditions. The parent/guardian must schedule a conference with the school nurse to discuss in detail the need for medication. The parent/guardian and the student's physician must complete and sign an "Authorization for Self-Administration of Medication in School" form. This form is available from the school.
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Pupils requiring aspirin and/or over-the-counter medication must have a Doctor and parent note before the medication will be administered by the nurse. Under no circumstances is the student allowed to take medication by himself/herself or have medication in their possession.
Under New Jersey State Law, any students exhibiting the following conditions will not be allowed to attend OLOL School until the condition has remedied itself:
A temperature over 100 degrees
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Pink eye
Rashes
Suspicion of earache
Please keep your child/children at home if he/she is exhibiting these conditions. Parents/Guardians will be notified by school officials if a student is suffering from these ailments. It will be necessary for the parents to pick up their child immediately from school if these medical conditions are present.
A doctor’s note regarding health issues will not supersede New Jersey State Law. Any student with an absence over 72 hours due to illness, requires a doctor’s note upon re-entry to Our Lady of Lourdes School.
An accident report will be completed and parents/guardians will be notified by school officials if their child has been involved in an accident on school premises.
POLICY ON
ADMINISTRATION OF
EPINEPHRINE
As permitted by New Jersey law, Our Lady of Lourdes School shall follow the orders of a physician or advanced practice nurse for emergency administration of epinephrine via epi-pen for anaphylaxis. Written authorization for administration of the epi-pen must be received from the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian of the student shall be notified that upon administration of the epi-pen in accordance with the procedure provided by law, the School and its employees or agents shall have no liability for any injury arising from administration of the epi-pen to the student. The parent/guardian of the student shall indemnify and hold harmless Our Lady of Lourdes and its employees or agents for any such injury, as provided by law. The school nurse shall have primary responsibility for administration of the epi-pen. In the absence of the school nurse, another school employee -- designated and trained in administration of the epi-pen by the school nurse pursuant to New Jersey law – may administer the epi-pen.
SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
New Jersey State law requires that any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child may have been subjected to abuse or neglect, must make a report to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.
Our Lady of Lourdes School provides limited basic accident insurance coverage for all students. There is no cost to parents for this service. Optional extended coverage is available through the insurance company.
Our Lady of Lourdes School Asbestos Management Plan is on file in the school office, as required by the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This document is available for examination upon request.
We strongly encourage parents/guardians to be active participants in the education of their children. Open, clear and honest communication is essential to this process. In order effectively and efficiently to enable such communication, Our Lady of Lourdes School asks that the following procedures be observed:
Parents/Guardians who wish to meet with the Principal and/or teacher must contact the person through a written note or a phone call to the school office to arrange a mutually convenient meeting time. For the sake of the good order of our school, and so that all personnel may continue to fulfill their responsibilities of the school day, parents/guardians may not approach school personnel during the school day without arranging an appointment beforehand.
Administrators and/or teachers who wish to speak to parents/guardians will make contact through a written note home and/or a phone call. At that time, both parties can arrange a mutually convenient meeting time to discuss the matter through other means.
Open communication is maintained through Home and School Association meetings, a school newsletter, parent/guardian conferences (formally held twice a year) and social activities. Students are aware of and influenced by parent/guardian/teacher relationships.
When children enter school, they are merely continuing their education and are still in need of the help of their parents. Therefore, the attitude that parents have toward the school and the teachers is most important and it will reflect in the attitude of the child. Parents are asked to maintain a united authority between themselves and the school. Children should view the classroom teacher as an extension of parental authority. Parents are reminded that criticism, complaints, and gossip are absorbed by the child and become a part of their education. Obedience cannot be learned in school if it is not taught and fostered at home.
All parents and faculty are members of the Home School Association. The purpose of the HSA is to foster communication between home and school. The Association conducts four regular meetings annually. The meeting topics are normally of general interest to all parents and your attendance is strongly encouraged. In addition, the activities of the HSA are a major source of funds for the school and their success depends on your support.
In addition to the Home School Association, Our Lady of Lourdes School has, under the advisement of Bishop Bootkoski and the Diocese of Metuchen formed Our Lady of Lourdes School Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC is an advisory board which works with the pastor and the principal in making recommendations to the Pastor for his approval in the areas of planning and development, finance, budgetary and personnel matters and the formulation of school policy. We are committed to ensuring that Our Lady of Lourdes School continues to be a vital and viable source of education for our children. SAC is comprised of five committees with others to be added in the future as necessary: The Finance Committee, the Development/Enrollment Committee, the Nominating Committee, the By-Laws Committee, and the Facilities Committee. All parents and interested members of the parish are invited to consider joining one of these committees. Parents will be informed throughout the year as to the activities and efforts of SAC.
PARENTAL RIGHTS TO SCHOOL RECORDS AND STUDENT PICK-UP FROM SCHOOL
Our Lady of Lourdes School abides by the provisions of applicable law with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, and upon request, the school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the student’s essential academic records.
Our Lady of Lourdes will permit only the custodial parent or his/her designee (assigned in writing), to pick up the child during or at the end of the school day. The non-custodial parent will not be permitted to remove the child from school during or at the end of the school day, unless there is written authorization from the custodial parent.
COURT ORDERS AFFECTING PARENTS
If there is a court order specifying the rights and responsibilities of individual parents, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order. The custodial parent may wish to supply the Principal with the “custody section” of the divorce decree if it contains information which may be useful to the school in fulfilling its obligations.
CURRICULUM OFFERINGS
Our Lady of Lourdes School presents a strong academic program which seeks to develop the intellect of each student. A spiral approach, emphasizing basic skills, builds a strong foundation in the major academic disciplines. Students are exposed to problem solving strategies and higher-level thinking skills which further enhance academic growth.
Grade levels 1 – 8 cover the following subjects: Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Reading and Spelling. Additionally, Phonics is presented as part of their curriculum in grades 1 - 4.
Grades K – 8 also participate in the following special classes: Physical Education, Music, Computers, Spanish and Art.
The Kindergarten program is a comprehensive language arts program designed to help pupils make the transition from readiness to developmental reading.
Curriculum programs are developed to assist students in building a broad base of knowledge while contributing to their moral, emotional and physical growth. When necessary, the curriculum is altered to meet the needs of Our Lady of Lourdes School students and to respond to new, relevant trends in education.
Promotion of pupils is normally expected. In grades Pre-K thru 8, promotion will be based primarily on the student’s ability to do the work with consideration of maturity and social development.
Trial promotion within the school (giving a child a period of time in the next grade and then demoting the child within the same school if he/she is unsuccessful) is not permitted.
Decisions departing from the norm will be made by the administration in the student’s best interest and after consultation with the student and parents/guardians.
Normally a child may
be retained only once in the elementary grades (K – 6), preferably in
the primary unit.
Retention in the primary grades is normally dependent upon the development of Reading and Language Arts skills.
Retention is dependent upon student’s ability to meet the lowest of acceptable achievement criteria in basic skills in any one of the major subject areas (Reading, Mathematics and Language Arts in Grades K – 8 and, additionally, Science and Social Studies in Grades 6 – 8).
If a child is to be retained, report cards and daily papers must consistently show marks which indicate failure.
Neither conduct nor attendance should be considered solely as the basis for retention, but they may be considered as contributing factors.
Consultation regarding retention between teachers and administration should take place as early as possible.
A conference with parents to advise them of the possibility of retention and to discuss possible remedial actions should be held no later than the end of the first semester.
Follow-up teacher/parent conferences to evaluate academic progress of the child should be held.
The administration, after consultation with appropriate staff members and parents, shall make the decision as to whether a pupil is retained.
For a classified student, the Child Study Team must be consulted.
CLASSROOM/HOMEWORK REQUIREMENTS
The teachers of Our Lady of Lourdes School are selected based on appropriate educational background and their commitment to Catholic-Christian education. The teacher has full responsibility for his/her classroom environment. Teachers strive to provide a secure, loving and comfortable atmosphere that encourages students to learn and participate in age and curriculum appropriate activities. Weekly plans are required. Instructional methods and materials are chosen according to criteria set by curriculum guidelines, students’ grade levels, subject matter, students’ needs and abilities, and teacher preference.
The value of homework to a child depends upon his/her interest in continuing his/her learning experiences. Children profit by homework when they understand these facts:
It has a definite function in enriching and extending what is learned in class.
It has a definite purpose.
It is a preparation for sharing with others something that has been discovered, read or created.
It is practice to improve basic skills.
Any student who comes to school with incomplete homework will be required to remain after school until assignments are completed to the satisfaction of the teacher. In such instances, parents will be notified by their child during the school day.
In order to insure independent mastery of subject matter taught during the school day, it is the policy of Our Lady of Lourdes School to assign work to be done at home. Time allotment should be approximately:
Primary
Grades……………..1/2 – 1 hr.
Intermediate Grades………..3/4 – 1 ½ hrs.
Upper Grades………………..1 – 2 hrs.
Parents are asked to supervise and check study as well as written homework. It is expected by administration and faculty that student homework will be completed as instructed and on time. Parents/Guardians will be informed of possible student homework difficulties through quarterly progress reports, notes home and/or phone calls.
To inform parents of a child’s success or failure to maintain grade level, report cards are distributed four times during the year. Please note the report cards for Kindergarten are not distributed for the first marking period.
Progress Reports will be sent home in the middle of each marking period for students in grades 1 through 8.
In order to qualify for the honor roll, a student (Grades 3 – 8) must maintain B’s and at least three A’s in major subject areas with an outstanding or satisfactory in Computer Literacy, Music, Art, Handwriting and Physical Education. He/she may not have more than two checks in Personal Development and/or Conduct.
A cumulative record is maintained for each student from his/her entrance into school through eighth grade. A parent/guardian has the right to view his/her student’s academic record, academic standardized test results, health records and emergency sheet. These records can be made available upon request.
Government Records: Records attached to publicly funded services provided through the local Board of Education such as Child Study Team Reviews, Comp. Ed, Speech, ESL, etc. are the property of the Board. A parent/guardian who wishes to examine these records or to procure additional copies for his/her own use must apply to the Board. Our Lady of Lourdes School is not permitted to distribute this information to anyone, not even to a parent/guardian.
Transcripts of academic and health records may not be given directly to the parent/guardian in the event of a transfer. A request for transfer must be submitted in written form by a parent/guardian . Transcripts will be sent directly from school to school when the sending school receives an official written request from the receiving school. If the parent/guardian does not submit a request for transfer that includes an authorization to send a transcript, the receiving school must secure permission from the parent/guarding to request the transcripts from the sending school.
The Diocese of Metuchen requires completion of an emergency notification form for each student in the family. This form must be completed each year. It will contain information about the student’s physician/dentist, home, cell and work numbers of parents and any other person(s) to contact should an emergency arise during school hours. Person to contact must be someone in the local area. All changes of address and/or phone number must be reported to the school office immediately.
On occasion, Our Lady of Lourdes School will sponsor and conduct field trips for the educational enrichment of the students. Participation in field trips is a privilege. No student may participate in a field trip unless a signed parent/guardian permission slip for the specific event is submitted to Our Lady of Lourdes School. The permission slip form is provided by school.
The purpose of the school-provided technology, including Internet access, is to facilitate legitimate educational endeavors. Such resources are used to enrich and enhance the learning experience and environment for students. Use of these resources must always be in conformity with law and the religious mission of Our Lady of Lourdes School. No student is permitted to use technology to access or send inappropriate information or materials.
A permission form signed by the student, parent/guardian, and teacher is required before any student is provided with internet access privileges. This document can be found at the end of the handbook contents above.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS
BUS TRANSPORTATION/APPLICATION
Application for bus transportation is supplied to parents of Our Lady of Lourdes School children by the school office. If you live 2.0 miles or more from the school, you will be eligible for a school bus transportation. If you are in an area where there are not enough children to fill a bus, you will receive a check in January and again in June of the school year to reimburse you for transporting your child(ren) to OLOL School. Be sure to fill out this application and return it to the school office for processing and forwarding to the proper district. Each Board of Education works differently. Because Milltown is not a bussing district, parents are NOT entitled to bussing or reimbursement.
Students may ride only on the bus assigned to and from school. Under no circumstance may a student ride another bus to and from school.
Bus schedules will be forthcoming from your local Board of Education before the school year starts. In the event you have heard nothing, contact your Board of Education.
The school Supply Closet is open before school Monday thru Friday. Parents are encouraged to purchase the required supplies through the school as we stock all necessary supplies.
Information is available on the day of Registration or may be obtained from the school office. Please CLICK HERE for general information.
Speech Therapy, Compensatory Education (Remedial Reading and Math) and English as a Second Language are provided if indicated. In the case of an extended absence, e.g. an accident, home instruction is available.
Our Lady of Lourdes School has many sports activities for our students: girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ softball, boys’ baseball and girls’ cheerleading.
Participating in any extra-curricular activity is contingent upon the student maintaining a passing grade in all subject areas and proper conduct.