School Policies

Contents

Dress Code

Uniforms

Kindergarten/Preschool: Students wear play clothes

Grades 1-8: Students are in school uniform at all times unless a "free dress" day is authorized by the school administration. The need to be out of uniform should be explained in writing to the classroom teacher and the principal. It is expected that full uniform be worn when traveling to and from school. Shirts, ties, blouses and hair are to be worn neatly in a traditional fashion. Oversized blouses/ shirts are not permitted. If undershirts are worn, they must be solid white with no inscriptions on them. Jewelry, nail polish and makeup are not part of the school dress code and therefore are not to be worn with the uniform. Small post earrings are acceptable with the uniform for girls.

Uniforms are purchased from:

Flynn & O'Hara
Festival Shopping Center
428 West Lincoln Highway
Exton, PA 19341
(610) 594-1970

(Order froms)

Shoes

Only regulation school shoes may be worn. Ankle high, boot type shoes, clogs, and flip-flops are unacceptable at any time. Sneakers are worn on gym day only. Shoes can be purchased at Flocco's in Conshohocken. Flocco’s also schedules a “measuring day” at school during the summer for your convenience.

Uniform for Boys: Grades 1-8

  • Navy blue dress trousers and belt (color and style to match those purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Co. (No elastic at ankles.)
  • White turtleneck with school initials OR white shirt with navy blue tie OR white golf shirt
  • Navy blue vest or sweater (with school logo)
  • Summer: White, knit, short-sleeved shirt and navy blue shorts (purchased only from Flynn & O’Hara) may be worn during August through October and April through June.

Uniform For Girls (Grades 1-6)

  • Plaid jumper
  • White blouse (peter pan collar)
  • Navy blue knee socks or navy blue leotards (NO crew/sport socks)
  • Navy blue vest or sweater with school logo (optional)
  • Skort?  Pants?

Uniform for Girls (Grades 6-8)

  • Plaid skirt (just above the knee)
  • White oxford cloth blouse, white golf shirt, or turtleneck
  • Navy blue knee socks or leotards (NO crew/sport socks)
  • Navy blue vest or sweater with school logo
  • Summer: White, knit, short-sleeved shirt and navy blue shorts (Purchased only from Flynn & O’Hara) may be worn during August through October) and April through June.

Gym

  • Hunter green mesh shorts
  • Gold and green school tee shirt
  • Sneakers with socks

The gym uniform replaces the traditional school uniform and must be worn on gym day. The gym uniform is worn for the entire day.

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Activities

A wide range of co-curricular and extra curricular activities is available for the students at SS. Philip and James School. Opportunities exist for students to participate in leadership roles in Student Council and as Peer Mediators. Students have additional opportunities to participate in Math Counts, Choir, and Forensics. Students of the parish may participate as altar servers and are welcome to join the Youth Ministry Organization. The parish sponsors athletic teams through the Catholic Youth Organizations.

Field Trips

Planned by the classroom teacher in conjunction with the “room parent”. Classes may have two educational field trips each year. Written permission from parents/guardians is required for student participation. A faculty member, assisted by additional adults, if necessary, accompanies the students on the outing. Generally, the school uniform is worn on a field trip.

Student Council

A school program to develop student leadership and school spirit. Sixth through eighth grade students serve as officers and are assisted by classroom commissioners from grades 5-8. Officers are elected to the council by the student body in may, classroom commissioners in September. The student council moderator guides the students in sharing ideas and initiates activities.

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Admissions

Policy

All students whose parents are registered members of the parish of SS. Philip and James may be admitted into the school. Students from other parishes and non-catholic students are welcome if room allows. Students from other parishes must obtain the permission of the pastor. Class size is limited to 30 students per room in Grades 1-8 and to 25 students per room in Kindergarten. There are 3 sections of each grade. Ordinarily registration for new students takes place in January-February. Specific dates for the current year will be published in the parish bulletin after the Christmas holidays.

Requirements

The age for admission of a student is aligned with the admission policy of the West Chester Area School District. A student who has reached his/her fifth birthday before September 1st is eligible for Kindergarten. A student who has reached his/her sixth birthday before September 1st is eligible for first grade.

Registration Procedures

The family must be registered members of SS. Philip and James Parish or obtain permission from the pastor to enroll.

  • A baptismal certificate is required for the child baptized in a church other than SS. Philip and James
  • A record of the child’s immunizations is necessary
  • A transfer of records from the student’s previous school, for other than Grade 1 students, is required.

Tuition and School Fees, School Year 2006-2007

Tuition for the academic year 2006-2007 for parishioners is:

  • Pre-Kindergarten: $2,230
  • Kindergarten: $2,360
  • Grades 1-8: $1,740 for 1st child; $1,150 for 2nd child; $940 for 3rd child; no charge for 4th or more
  • Tuition for non-parishioners, Pre-K through Grade 8 is $3,100 per student.
  • Technology fee per student: $75
  • Registration/re-registration fee per student: $75 (non-refundable)

Transfers

Parents are requested to notify the principal and homeroom teacher in advance of the date of transfer. A transfer form will be sent to the parents. Transfers may be obtained before the close of school in June and throughout the summer.

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Attendance

Absence

The school laws of Pennsylvania classify all absence as unexcused or illegal, except for the following reasons:

  • Illness of pupil
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Quarantine
  • Exceptional urgent reasons that may affect the child. The principal will determine what is covered by “exceptional reasons”.

Frequent absence impedes a student’s academic progress.

A child absent from school must present, upon return to school, a note signed by the parent/caregiver explaining the absence and indicating the day(s) the child was absent.

Please note the following sample:

June 2, 2005
(Student Name) was absent from school on (date) due to (reason).
Parent Signature

Parents of students in Pre-kindergarten through grade Eight are requested to call the school before 8 am to report a student absent from school. Calls are recorded on an answering machine. Requests for books/homework assignments will be honored and may be retrieved at the main office after 3 pm.

Students should not attend school with a fever or when they are physically unable to participate in class. The principal will question frequent absence from school.

Excuses from Physicians

Pupils present a Permission-to-Return to School form from a physician when their absence falls under any of the three conditions listed below:

  • Following measles or any contagious disease
  • Following five (5) or more days of illness
  • If a child wishes to attend school with a rash or similar condition

Medical Appointments

Dental and optical appointments during class hours are discouraged. If, in case of necessity, such an appointment can be made only during school hours, a note signed by the parent/caregiver is necessary and the child must be called for at the main office. The adult calling for the student must “sign the student out.”

Vacation Trips

Prior to planning vacation trips, it is suggested that parents be aware of the school calendar. In the event of a family trip during school time, the student will, when returning to class, present a note from a parent and will receive make-up work for the day(s) of the absence. Make-up work must be given to the teacher within one week of returning to class. It is the responsibility of the student to request make-up work on the first day that he/she returns to class. Pleas do not request make-up work for your child prior to his/her absence. It is against school policy to assign make-up work early.

Emergency Closing

If for any reason it is necessary to close Ss. Philip & James School, the announcement will be made over the radio. In cases of inclement weather, when West Chester School District is closed, Ss. Philip & James School is also closed.

Follow the Emergency Closing Policy as described here.

Tardiness

A child who arrives after the scheduled beginning time for school will be counted as late. Students must receive a “late slip” before being admitted to class. A note from the parent explaining the reason is appreciated.

Hours

  • School Hours   8:10 am to 3:00 pm
  • Lunch/Recess
    • Grades K-4 — 11:30 am to 12:10 pm
    • Grades 5-8 — 12:15 pm to 12:55 pm

Students may not enter the school building before school, during recess time, or after school without the permission of the teacher responsible for the yard. Students are supervised from the arrival of the first bus (about 7:50 am) until the last bus leaves the school grounds (about 3:15 pm) only. Students may never remain at school unattended for any activity.

Children may arrive as early as 7:50 a.m. and should remain in the yard. Children who arrive after the 8:10 a.m. bell rings will report to the office for a late slip.

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Safety

Supervision: Students are supervised by an adult at all times when in the school building or in the individual classrooms

Rough play, hitting or fighting are always forbidden in the schoolyard.

Drivers

Adults driving children to school should exercise great caution on the parish grounds. Please stop your car on the main play yard to discharge children.

  • Please do not enter or block the entrance to the faculty parking lot while dropping off your child.

Visitors to the School

Please enter school by way of the main entrance located near the gym. Ring the buzzer and announce who you are why you need to enter. You will then hear a “beep” indicating that the door is unlocked and you may enter. Please report to the main office on the first floor of the school. There is a “Sign-In/Sign-Out” book located outside the office door. You must sign this book each time you enter and/or leave the school. When bringing articles of clothing, lunch, etc. please leave them at the office. The student’s name and room number should appear on the article.

  • No parent is permitted to go directly to the classrooms at any time.

Personal Articles

Everything should be marked with the student’s name, including coats, sweaters, gloves, etc. Articles unclaimed after two weeks in the “Lost and Found” will be donated to a charitable organization.

Health Room

Care given at school is limited to first aid for accidents and illnesses incurred at school until the parent/caregiver calls for the child. Emergency cards are kept on each child. These cards provide information to assist in locating parents or an emergency contact when necessary.  It is important that this information be kept current.

The school nurses are not permitted to diagnose injuries or illnesses. Decisions regarding the need for medical care rests finally with the parent/caregiver. Parents are always contacted to take the child home or to the doctor as the need arises.

Disabilities should be made known to the school. Note these on the new emergency card each year.

Medication

  • Dispensing of any medication is not permitted without a note from the doctor including the date, time for dosing the medication, and the dosage.
  • A pharmacy label does not meet the requirements of a written doctor’s signature. A note from the parent is also required explaining the reason for administering the medication.
  • All prescription medications must be sent in to the Health Office in the original or most current container from the pharmacy with the prescription orders clearly labeled. This label must include the student’s name, medication, dosage, instructions for administration, and Health Care Provider’s name. No medication will be administered unless these requirements are met. Medications given less than four times a day should be administered at home, unless otherwise ordered by the Health Care Provider.

Guardians

Changes in the legal status of the guardian of a student should be made know to the principal in writing.

Bus

Once students have been assigned to a particular bus, they may not ride another bus in their “home” school district without a note fromtheir parent requesting the adjustment. The note must then be signed by the principal and presented to the bus driver when boarding the bus. Students are not permitted to ride a school bus that is outside of their “home” school district.

Regulations on the bus must be obeyed at all times. Parents should be aware that students can lose busing privileges for behavior resulting in disciplinary infractions while riding the bus. Disrespect, disorderly conduct, screaming, standing, changing seats, eating, or chewing gum on the bus are forbidden.

Phones

Phone messages are forwarded to students only in extreme emergencies. Messages will not be accepted after 2:30 pm.

Use of the telephone by students requires the permission from the main office.

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Discipline

The goal of education is self-discipline. Parents and students are instructed in school regulations and should refer to the school handbook. Discipline issues of a serious nature are brought to the school administration and to the attention of parents.

Individual teachers handle daily discipline situations. Unusual occurrences are brought to the attention of the principal and are discussed with her.

Students who violate school regulations may be penalized with detention, suspension, or expulsion depending on the gravity of the offense. Repeated offenses will not be tolerated.

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Academics

Transcripts of student’s marks are issued only following the first semester. Parents are encouraged to photocopy a student’s report card in the event that a transcript is necessary prior to the first semester.

Promotion and Retention

Students are promoted if they have achieved a proper balance of academic, social, physical, and emotional development. A child is retained by a joint decision between the principal and the classroom teacher. Parents are notified in writing of this decision at the end of the third quarter.

Students in Grades 4-8 who receive an “F” on the final report card in a major subject must be tutored or attend summer school and present a written confirmation of this before beginning class in September.

A failure in three major subjects will result in dismissal.

Honor Roll: Grades 5-8

  • Distinguished Honors: 95 or above in each subject: 4 in both effort and behavior
  • First Honors: General Average of 95 or above with all morks 90 or above: 3 or 4 in effort, behavior and all special area grades.
  • Second Honors: General average of 90 or above with all marks 85 or aove: 3 or 4 in effort, behavior and all special area grades.
  • Extra Effort: Five (5) point increas in General Average with all marks 75 or above: 3 or 4 in effort, behavior and all special area grades.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Scheduled toward the end of the first trimester at which time the student’s academic achievement may be reviewed. If a parent wishes to consult with any faculty member or with the principal at any time, a call or note of request for an appointment will be honored as soon as possible.

This direct communication is highly recommended and encouraged. If a parent wishes to initiate a conference, please make an appointment by writing or by phoning between 9 am and 2:30 pm. The secretary will forward the message to the respective teacher. No appointments will be permitted during teaching hours, nor may anyone go to the classroom during these hours, or before or after school without an appointment.

Curriculum

Organized to meet the basic needs of the students. The goal of our curriculum is to provide learning situations by which children grow and develop their potential spiritual, mental, and social values. The Archdiocesan Guidelines determine the content of the curriculum. The Guidelines outline the specific skills to be mastered in the major subject areas: Religion, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Pre-school through Grade 8 follow these guidelines.

An Integrated Language Arts program including reading, writing, thinking, listening, and speaking has been adopted. Portfolio assessment is utilized for reporting ILA progress.

The school is a member of the Archdiocesan Math Honors Program in Grades 5-8.

Grades 5-8 follow a departmental organizational model.

Instruction in Art, Music, Physical Education, Computer, and Library Science enhances the basic curriculum.

Library

An integral part of the school’s program. It serves as a central resource for students and teachers. The library’s card catalog and its circulation system are automated. Allowing students quicker access to materials and information. Students also gain experience in electronic searching techniques through the use of the library-s computer-based periodical index. All print and non-print materials are stored in the library.

The library is open daily under the direction of a professional librarian and the assistance of adult and student aides.

Books are borrowed for a one-week period, renewable for another week. A late fee of five (5) cents per day is charged on overdue books. Books may be reserved. Reference books are for use in the library only.

Computer Education

An important asset to the student’s class schedule. A fully equipped computer lab is available to the students during computer class time and for special projects. There are wireless laptops available to use in the classrooms.

Report Cards

An indication of a child’s overall performance. Numerical grades are earned in all major subjects in Grades 4-8 and letter grades are used in Grades 1-3. A progress report is issued in Kindergarten and Pre-school. Progress reports are issued for all students in Grades 1-8 approximately 6 weeks prior to the end of each trimester.

Homework

Teachers assign appropriate homework to reinforce and supplement the lessons presented in class. Parents are expected to see that homework is completed.

Be interested in your child’s homework. Encourage your child to see it as a personal responsibility. Check the work for neatness and accuracy and never permit a child to turn in homework that is incomplete or carelessly done. A written note of explanation is appreciated if for any reason an assignment cannot be completed. Students in the upper grades are often given long-range assignments.

The suggested Archdiocesan Homework Policy is:

  • Grades 1-2 — 30 minutes
  • Grades 3-4 — 60 minutes
  • Grades 5-6 — 90 minutes
  • Grades 7-8 — 120 minutes

Homework refers to written assignments and more importantly to study assignments.

Make-up Assignments

Except in cases of prolonged illnesses, the student is responsible for making up the work missed due to absence. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what he/she missed while ill or absent. The student should ask to take any tests or quizzes missed. This is arranged at the teacher’s discretion. The teachers in the upper grades should not be expected to approach the student in this regard. In the case of dental, medical, or optical appointments, the same responsibility as described above must be assumed by the student. Make up work must be given to the teacher within one week of returning to class.

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Services

Health Services

Provided by the Commonwealth of PA through the West Chester School District including:

  • Physical Exam: Grades K, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7
  • Hearing Screening: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7
  • Scoliosis Screening: Grades 6 and 7
  • TB Test: Grades K or 1 and every third year
  • Vision, Ht., Wt.: Annually
  • Nursing Services: Four days per week

Cafeteria

Students may purchase lunch daily. Lunch tickets may be purchased for $1.00 at the school office. Students may carry their lunch from home. Milk and juice are available for purchase. A menu is sent home monthly. Prices are posted annually. Food and/or beverages may not be taken out of the cafeteria to be eaten on the recess yard.

Government Programs:

Acts 90 and 195: Textbooks, workbooks, and qualified instructional materials are available to the parents and students through these acts of the PA Commonwealth.

Act 372: Provides bus transportation to student residents of the Commonwealth of PA. The public school district in which the student resides is responsible for busing.

Act 89: Administered by the Chester County Intermediate Unit #24, a state funded program providing students with the services of:

  • Speech Therapist: Students in need of this service receive individual instruction.
  • Guidance Counselor: Students are recommended to the counselor by a teacher, a parent, or often times, the student request the assistance of the counselor.
  • Remedial Mathematics and Reading Teachers: Provides small group instructions for students as the need arises.

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Copyright 2006 SS Philip & James School.

SCHOOL → POLICIES