Applicants who make the grade and citizenship requirements are considered inactive members. Although service is not a requirement for eligibility, service is highly recommended and is an additional requirement for consideration as an active member. To meet the service requirement for active membership, the student must provide three hours of tutoring service each semester through the school’s tutoring program. In addition, active members must participate in the organization’s meetings and activities. Applications are accepted during the first three weeks of the semester. Students must re-apply each semester that they are eligible. Four semesters of membership, including one semester using senior grades, are required in order to graduate as a CSF Sealbearer. All Sealbearers will receive certificates of membership and the CSF Chapter Seal will be affixed to their diploma. Sealbearers who have been active members for at least four semesters will wear a gold cord at graduation. National Honor Society The National Honor Society (NHS) is a national organization. The goal of each chapter is to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, service, leadership and character among its members. It is sponsored by the faculty as a means of promoting, in our students, both academic excellence and school and community service. Students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who maintain a 3.30 cumulative GPA are eligible to receive an invitation to seek membership in the NHS. After completing the NHS information form, final selection is determined by the Faculty Selection Committee and is based on the extent of the student’s commitment to service, leadership, and positive character. To be considered for membership, the student must demonstrate a record of service to the school and/or the greater community. Additionally, the student must be a participant in a least one of the following categories: school leadership, athletics, active school club or organization, other school/community group. All applicants must engage in at least one hour of service per week of the semester. Once selected, members are required to maintain a 3.30 cumulative GPA, as well as their community and school involvement. This will be reviewed each semester by the Faculty Selection Committee. Students who fail to maintain the standards which earned their membership or who are put on disciplinary probation will be dismissed and will be unable to seek re-admission. Students who maintain continuous membership for four semesters will graduate as NHS Graduate Members signified by wearing a blue and gold cord at graduation. Students who maintain continuous membership for six semesters will graduate with cords and will have the NHS Seal affixed to their diplomas. Senior students who are members in good standing are also eligible to apply for special NHS scholarships. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION Textbook Purchases Bishop Amat uses an outside company to provide student textbooks. The company, Edtech, uses the website bishopamatbooks.com, which is open 24 hours a day starting at 12:01 a.m. August 2. While families are not required to use Edtech, this is the ONLY guaranteed source to purchase your Bishop Amat textbooks. Edtech will ship your order directly to your home address via UPS or USPS (no P.O. Boxes). Edtech Customer Support is available from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. M-F, MST at 888-228-6292. Bishop Amat does not condone or support parents purchasing teacher editions of text-books for their students to use as an educational resource. As such, any student who is observed using a teacher edition of any textbook on campus will have his/her book confiscated and held indefinitely. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their students have all appropriate course materials, which includes the designated student edition of the required textbook. Student Store The Bishop Amat campus student store is available to purchase school supplies and memorabilia during posted hours.
Controversial Issues Those topics of a religious, moral, social-political or scientific nature which have definite but differing opinions among recognized theologians, moralists, social scientists, and scientists are considered to be controversial. As a Catholic school, we are committed to the teachings of the Church in matters of faith and morals. We are not free to accept or reject these teachings. However, with issues that are not in violation of those principles, teachers will handle controversial matters in a manner suited to the range of knowledge, maturity and competence of the students and will deal with conflict issues as impartially and as objectively as possible. Parents who have concerns about the handling of such issues should discuss those concerns with the teacher. If, after talking with the teacher, the parent continues to be concerned, the review process (pg. 34), Academic Area, should be followed. Field Trips The curriculum may incorporate excursions and field trips. They must be educational in nature and related to the curriculum and content of the course of study. The school has established definite guidelines and systematic procedures for such trips. There must be adequate supervision on trips, and school rules of conduct must be maintained. For trips outside the 100-mile radius of the school, guidelines must include consideration of the ability of the parents to incur costs, the financial impact of the trip on other school fund-raising activities, and class work missed by the students. Overnight trips must have a clear educational purpose and require additional student insurance available from the Archdiocese. The Principal is to consult with the Regional Supervisor prior to any overnight trips (except retreats). (Admin. VI-6, Excursions and Field Trips). Permission, in writing, must be obtained from a parent or guardian before a student can participate. The school reserves the right to prohibit a student from attending a field trip for academic, attendance, disciplinary, or financial reasons. Library The Brutocao Library is a space for students to study, collaborate, conduct electronic research and to receive peer-tutoring. The library is generally open for student use before school and after school. The library is also available for teachers to reserve ahead of time to conduct their classes, if needed. Student Records Parents of currently enrolled or former students have an absolute right of access to any and all student records related to their children which are maintained by school districts or private schools. (Family Rights and Privacy Act, 1974). By definition, “parent” means a natural parent, an adoptive parent, or a legal guardian. Under federal law, this can include an individual acting as a parent of the student in the absence of a natural parent or guardian. “Access” means a personal inspection and review of a record or an accurate copy of a record, receipt of an accurate copy of a record, an oral description or communication of a record, or an accurate copy of a record and a request to release a copy of any record. In cases of a legal separation and/or divorce, California state law gives only the custodial parent the right: a. to consent to the release of records (unless both parents have notified the school in writing of a mutual agreement to permit either parent to authorize release.) b. to challenge the content of records. c. to write responses to information regarding disciplinary action to be included in the record. The non-custodial parent has all the other rights of a parent. Summer School Summer School is open for enrollment to students attending Bishop Amat High School, as well as other Catholic high schools and public high schools. Summer School hours total 60 hours of classroom instruction for each five credit course. If a student enrolls in Summer School, parents should not 12
