Table of Contents …………………………..….. Board of Trustees ………………………………. Administration, Directors, and Academic Chairs ………………..………… Mission Statement …………………………….. Lasallian Educational Outcomes (LEOS) Philosophy ………………………………………..
Page 2 Page 5
Grade of “I” or Incomplete Grade Page 19 3.6 Course Remediation ……..………..….. Page 20 3.7 Grade Deficiencies and College Preparation …………………………………………………......….. Page 20 3.8 Determining Grade Point Averages, Unweighted and Weighted …………………………..……..….. Page 20
Page 6 Page 7 Page 7 Page 8
Chapter 4: Grading Purpose, Policies, and Reports ……………………………………………………...….. Page 21 4.1 Cumulative Term Grades …….…..….. Page 22 4.2 Progress Reports ………………….…..….. Page 22 4.3 Grade Reports …………………………..….. Page 22 4.4 Grades on Transcripts .……………..….. Page 22 4.5 Grade Appeals …………………………..….. Page 22 4.6 Dates for Official School Communication of Grades …………………………..…………………... Page 23 4.7 PowerSchool …………………………….….. Page 23
Chapter 1: Academic Programs and Policies ………………………………………….………………….. Page 9 1.1 The Trimester Schedule ………………….. Page 9 1.2 Academic Matters …………………….…….. Page 9 1.3 Graduation Requirements ……..……….. Page 9 1.4 College Entrance Requirements …….... Page 10 1.5 Course of Study ……………….…………….. Page 10 Course Catalog ………………..…….. Page 10 1.6 Add/Drop Procedures …………………….. Page 10 1.7 C-Block …………………………………………... Page 10 1.8 Service-Learning Program ……….…….. Page 11 1.9 Enrichment Week and Lasallian Days Page 11 1.10 Senior Graduation Project …………….. Page 12 1.11 The Epistemology Series of Courses Page 12 1.12 Advanced Placement (AP) Program Page 12 1.13 iPad Program Page 14 1.14 Summer School Programs …….…….. Page 14 1.15 College Concurrent Enrollment Programs …………………………………….………………….….. Page 14 Chapter 2: Academic Expectations ….. Page 15 2.1 Course Outlines …………………………..….. Page 15 2.2 Study and Homework …..……………..….. Page 15 2.3 Formal Interdisciplinary Writing .…….. Page 15 2.4 Test and Major Project Calendar ….….. Page 16 2.5 Culminating Assessments and Final Exams …………………………………………………………….. Page 16 2.6 Learning Disability Policies and Procedures ………………………………………………………...….. Page 16 Chapter 3: Grading System……….……..….. 3.1 The Academic Grading System …..….. 3.2 Habits of Scholarship Marks ….... 3.3 Student Narrative Self-Evaluations ….... 3.4 Participation in Special Programs….... 3.5 Deficient Grades ………………………..….. Grade of “F” ………………………..….. Grade of “D” ………………………..…..
Chapter 5: Academic Standing ……………….. 5.1 Enrollment ……………………….…………..….. 5.2 Academic Probation ……………………..….. 5.3 Academic Ineligibility …………….……..….. 5.4 Academic Dismissal ……………….……..….. 5.5 Academic Integrity ………………….…..….. Cheating …………………………………. Plagiarism …………………………………
Page 23 Page 23 Page 23 Page 23 Page 24 Page 24 Page 24 Page 24
Chapter 6: Academic Awards……………..….. 6.1 Honor Roll …………………………………...….. 6.2 Honors at Graduation ………………...….. Valedictorian & Salutatorian …... 6.3 Student Recognition Awards ..……..…..
Page 25 Page 25 Page 25 Page 25 Page 26
Chapter 7: Access to Student Records ..….. Page 26 Chapter 8: Code of Conduct ………..……..….. Page 27 8.1 Saint Mary’s Honor Code ..……………..….. Page 27 8.2 General Behavioral Guidelines………..….. Page 28 8.3 Theft …………………………………………….….. Page 28 8.4 Lunchtime Privileges/Campus Restrictions ……………………………………………………..…..….. Page 28 8.5 Behavior in the Neighborhood of the School ………………………………………………………….….. Page 28 8.6 Student Driving and Parking Responsibilities, and Parking Permits ………………………………..….. Page 28 On-Campus Parking Permit Holders Page 29
Page 17 Page 17 Page 18 Page 18 Page 19 Page 19 Page 19 Page 19
2
Off-Campus Parking Permit Holders Page 29 8.6 DO’S AND DON’TS of Student Drivers …...Page 29 8.7 Dress and Appearance Code (Standard Days) ……………………………………………………...….. Page 29 8.8 Dress-Up Days ………………………….….. Page 30 8.9 Assigned Lockers ……………………..….. Page 30 8.10 Lost and Found …………………………..….. Page 31 8.11 Bicycles, Skates, Scooters, and Skateboards ……………………………………………..…………..….. Page 31 8.12 Communication Devices ….………..….. Page 32 8.13 Musical Devices ………………………..….. Page 32 8.14 Ipad POLICIES …………………………..….. Page 32 8.15 Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Controlled Substances ……………………………………..….. Page 33 8.16 Harassment ……………………..……..….. Page 33 8.16b Sexual Harassment by a Faculty / Staff Member …………………………..………………... Page 35
12.3 Retreat ……………………………………..….. 12.3.1 Faith, Service, Community …...….. 12.3.2 Our History, My Future ………..….. 12.3.3 Choices ………………………………..….. 12.3.4 Journey ……………………………....….. 12.4 Service ………………………….………..….. 12.5 Immersion ……………………………...….. 12.6 Vocation …………………………….…..…..
Page 43 Page 43 Page 43 Page 43 Page 43 Page 44 Page 44 Page 44
Chapter 13: Student Government & Activities ……………………………………………………….….. Page 44 13.1 Student Government …….……....….. Page 44 13.2 Student Activities …………………....….. Page 45 13.3 Clubs and Activities ………………….….. Page 45 13.4 School Sponsored Dances ………..….. Page 46 13.5 Expulsion from Co-Curricular Activities ………………………………………………………...….. Page 46 13.6 Identification Card …………………..….. Page 46
Chapter 9: Disciplinary Actions …..……..….. Page 36 Chapter 10: Attendance Policies and Procedures …………………………………………………………..….. Page 36 10.1 Tardiness …………………………………..….. Page 36 10.2 Excused Absence ………..……………..….. Page 37 10.3 Unexcused Absence …………………..….. Page 37 10.4 Maximum Absences …………………..….. Page 37 10.5 Absences and Activities ……………..….. Page 37 10.6 Anticipated Absences ………………..….. Page 37 10.7 College Visits ……………………..……..….. Page 37 10.8 Make-Up Work during Extended Absences …………………………………………………….…..….. Page 38 10.9 Illness ……………………………………...….. Page 38 10.10 Early Dismissal …………………..…..….. Page 38
Chapter 14: Student Athletes, Sportsmanship, and Integrity ……………………………………..…..….. Page 47 14.1 Program Offerings …………………..….. Page 47 14.2 Student-Athletes and Sportsmanship Page 47 14.3 Eligibility ……………………….………...….. Page 48 14.4 Attendance Requirements ………..….. Page 48 14.5 Uniform and Equipment Requirements Page 49 14.6 Medical Requirements ………………..….. Page 49 14.7 Transportation and Travel …………..….. Page 49 14.8 Outside Competition …………..……..….. Page 49 14.9 General Policies …………………..……..….. Page 49 14.10 Summer Athletics ……………………..….. Page 50 14.11 Spectator Conduct …………….……..….. Page 50 14.12 Student-Athlete, Parent, or Guardian Guidelines Document ………………………..….. Page 50
Chapter 11: Counseling and Guidance .….. Page 38 11.1 Counseling Services ……………..……..….. Page 38 11.2 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).….. Page 39 11.3 College Counseling ………….…………..….. Page 40 11.4 Academic Support & Learning Differences …………………………………………………….……..….. Page 41
Chapter 12: Campus Ministry …………..….. 12.1 Introduction ……………………………..….. 12.2 Liturgy …………………….………………..…..
Chapter 15: Health and Safety ………..….. Page 50 15.1 Physical Examinations, Health/Emergency Forms ……………………………………….……..….. Page 50 15.2 Physical and Mental Wellness …..….. Page 51
Page 41 Page 41 Page 42
15.3 Emergency Procedures ……………..….. Earthquake …………………………….. Fire ………………………………………….
3
Page 51 Page 51 Page 51
Threating Individuals / Situation 15.4 Accident Forms ………………………..….. 15.5 Insurance ………………………………..….. 15.6 Concussions …………………………...….. 15.7 Wireless Telecommunications Facility
Chapter 16: Services …………………………..….. 16.1 Campus Hours ………………………..…..….. 16.2 Main Office and Calling the School .... 16.3 Library ………………………………………..….. 16.4 Office of the Registrar ………………..….. Work Permits ………….…………..….. Transcripts …………………………..…..
Page 51 Page 51 Page 51 Page 51 Page 52
17.9 Returning Student Registration ……….... Page 56 17.10 International Students – Tuitions & Fees …………………………………………………….…..….. Page 56 17.11 Annual Fund …………………………..….. Page 56 Chapter 18: Commuting to School …….. Page 56 18.1 BART ……………………………………....….. Page 57 18.2 AC Transit ……………………………....….. Page 57 18.3 Bicycling ………………………………….….. Page 57 18.4 Automobiles …………………………..….. Page 57 18.5 Parent Commuting, Drop-Off and Pick-Up Responsibilities ………………………….…..….. Page 57
Page 52 Page 52 Page 53 Page 53 Page 53 Page 53 Page 53
Chapter 17: Tuition, Fees, and Re-Enrollment ………………………………………………………....….. Page 54 17.1 Tuition …………………………….………..….. Page 54 17.2 Non-Refundable Fees ………………..….. Page 54 17.3 Other Fees ………………………………..….. Page 54 17.4 Payment Plans …………………………..….. Page 54 17.5 Other Costs ……………………..………..….. Page 55 17.6 Financial Suspension and Related Communication ………………………………..….. Page 55 17.7 Proration of Tuition …………………..….. Page 55 17.8 Tuition Assistance ………………..…..….. Page 56
4
Chapter 19: Parent Partnership ……….….. 19.1 Parent and School Relationship ….….. 19.2 Parent Association ……………………..….. 19.3 Students – Eighteen Years Old .…..….. 19.4 Out-of-Town Parents and Guardians 19.5 Off-Campus Parties ……………….…..….. 19.6 Multimedia Permission and Release
Page 57 Page 58 Page 58 Page 58 Page 58 Page 58 Page 59
Time Schedules …………………………………...
Page 60
SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Board of Trustees 2016-2017 The Board of Trustees governs Saint Mary’s College High School. The San Francisco Province of the Brothers of the Christian Schools formed the Board of Trustees in 1994 and entrusted the Board with the responsibility for ensuring that Saint Mary’s remains vitally and effectively Lasallian. The Board’s sacred trust is the Lasallian mission of the school. The Board operates on a “macro level”; it establishes broad policies and delegates the task of carrying out its policies to the President, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Saint Mary’s College High School. Mr. William Rauch ’79, Board Chairman Attorney at Law, San Francisco Ms. Fiona Doyle, PhD, Board Vice-Chairperson Dean of the Graduate Division and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering University of California, Berkeley Mr. William Boselli Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County Dr. Christina Chavez-Johnson, M.D. ‘00 Family Medicine Physician Brother V. Kenneth, FSC Director, Holy Family Community Mont La Salle, Napa Mrs. Kathy Hill Independent Marketing Consultant Mr. Kenneth Jackson ‘71 Faculty Member, Piedmont Hills High School, San Jose (Retired) Mr. James Jordan ‘89 Associate Director, Alumni Communities Stanford Alumni Association Stanford University Mrs. Rosemary Kim Executive Director, Advancement Operations University of California, Berkeley Father Jayson Landeza ‘79 Pastor, St. Benedict Catholic Church, Oakland Chaplain, Oakland Police and Fire Department Chaplain, San Francisco Division, FBI and ATF
5
President & CEO Brother Edmond Larouche, FSC Finances School Operations Principal Vice Principal Dean of Academics Dean of Students Director of Athletics Director for Counseling & Guidance Director for Campus Ministry Director for Student Activities Director for College Counseling
Dr. Peter Imperial, EdD Cathy Molinelli Jenny Peters Connor Banks Greg Kelly Andrea Panlilio Brother David Caretti, FSC, EdD Mandalyn Williams Sonia Ryan
Admissions Director
Cherisse Payne Advancement Office
Vice President Director of Advancement
Lawrence Puck Chris Good
Buildings & Grounds Department Director Mark Headley Maintenance Supervisor Gonzalo Martinez Academic Department Chairpersons Computer Science English Mathematics Philosophy Physical Education & Health Religious Studies Science Social Studies Visual & Performing Arts World Languages
6
Brother Dan Morgan, FSC Kim Pacatte Joan McManus Craig Sutphin Carla Harkness Joseph Palladino Simon Wesley, Phd Jeff Rogers Antone Olivier Sara Troyani
Mission Statement As a Christ-‐centered community striving to live the mission of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Saint Mary's College High School is a Catholic school where diversity and inclusion are essential, and quality education of the whole person is our active ministry. With community support and faith grounded in love, we teach one another to pursue a life of virtue, scholarship, and service. Lasallian Educational Outcomes (LEOs) A Saint Mary’s College High School graduate… Spiritual: Engages life consciously and acquires a Catholic and Lasallian worldview inspired by the Gospel, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the mission of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Physical: Demonstrates respect for the truth and goodness of God’s universe. Emphasis: Acquiring scientific knowledge and method. Stewarding the environment. Attending to health and fitness. Participating in athletics and the arts. Relating to the materials of artistic expression. Emotional: Responds positively to the creative potential of emotion. Emphasis: Expressing oneself skillfully and authentically. Coping with adversity. Appreciating the blessings of success. Developing empathy. Setting goals and realizing hope. Intellectual: Is academically prepared for college; is curious about the world; and demonstrates disciplined, imaginative thinking. Emphasis: Accessing and analyzing information. Thinking critically, solving problems, and making informed decisions. Communicating effectively orally and in writing. Transferring skills and knowledge to new situations. Using technology effectively. Communal: Actively contributes to communities, ranging from local to global, based on the recognition that we are responsible for each other. Emphasis: Advocating for the poor. Seeking social justice. Building community amid diversity. Serving the community with respect and love. Integral: Becomes an independent, responsible, and reflective person. Emphasis: Developing discernment and sound moral judgment. Developing resiliency in the face of challenge. Connecting academic disciplines. Realizing one’s personal learning style
7
Philosophy To see all things with the eyes of faith… We remember that we are in the holy presence of God. We find God present in the world, in each other, and especially in students entrusted to our care. This life‐‐affirming faith grounded in the teachings of the Gospels and the educational spirituality of Saint John Baptist de La Salle animates our relationships and all aspects of our work as a community. We build a community that reflects diversity. It is in community that we are most effective, and our understanding and practice of community nurtures a sense of openness and safety. We honor the traditions of many cultures, and we work to eliminate barriers that divide people. We learn from each other. Our calling as educators is a shared ministry with parents as primary educators, with collaboration among teachers and staff, and with the support and participation of alumni. Further, we recognize our shared mission within the broader Lasallian communities of the Bay Area, the nation, and the world. We strive for the welfare and fullness of life for all. Those who are most in need academically, economically, socially, and spiritually require special attention. We therefore endeavor to make Saint Mary’s accessible to students from underprivileged living situations, especially the poor and the working classes. We educate to raise awareness of the conditions facing the poor and marginalized locally and worldwide, and we promote service opportunities for the Saint Mary’s community to actively address recognized needs. We affirm the human dignity of all persons. As all people are made in the image of God and called to love each person is worthy of unconditional respect. In part, we demonstrate respect by offering educational and relational experiences that challenge and engage each student with the expectation that students learn to care for themselves and for one another. We seek to educate the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. A person lives in relation to others and the whole of creation. Educating the whole person embraces the spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and communal dimensions of a student’s life and leads us to strive for more than academic excellence. Our Lasallian Educational Outcomes (LEOs) provide an important reference with respect to each of these life dimensions. The LEOs help us measure the effectiveness of our academic, co-‐‐curricular, athletic, student-‐‐support, and campus-‐‐ministry programs. Throughout our programs each student is expected to inquire, contribute, collaborate, reflect, and actively create a meaningful experience that results in personal growth and ownership of the student’s educational journey. Saint Mary’s offers a quality college-‐‐preparatory curriculum designed to surpass university entrance requirements and address additional contemporary needs. The Saint Mary’s faculty engages students to be aware and curious, ask thoughtful questions, learn from failure, access and analyze information, work and communicate with others, and adapt skills to new situations in order to become successful citizens.
8
Chapter 1: Academic Programs and Policies As a college-preparatory institution, Saint Mary’s requires students to take classes that fulfill the admissions requirements of colleges and universities. Foundational classes, taken during the freshman and sophomore years, provide students with knowledge that determines eligibility for upper division elective and selective courses. The Course Catalog, published annually by the Administration, provides a complete list of all courses offered and their prerequisites. 1.1 The Trimester Schedule Saint Mary’s academic program operates in a trimester system. Comprised of three, twelve-week terms, the trimester schedule allows students to earn 75 academic credits per year, or 300 credits over fouryears. The trimester is designed to allow for greater personalization of student-learning needs, reduction of unnecessary or damaging stressors in students’ lives, and the expansion of course opportunities. Students study five courses per term (fifteen total per year); each ten-credit course (akin to a “full-year” course in a semester system) is completed in two twelve-week terms. Our schedule allows for increased class time for each course while providing time for students to receive individual academic support from their teachers. 1.2 Academic Matters Students should address the Vice Principal for the following areas of inquiry: Course changes and add/drop procedures. Academic expectations (coursework, projects, exams, etc.). Academic standing (ineligibility, probation, academic dishonesty, etc.). Suggestions for new courses in the curriculum. Academic planning: graduation and college entrance requirements. 1.3 Graduation Requirements Saint Mary’s vital and comprehensive educational program has been developed in light of the school’s mission and philosophy, student needs, state educational requirements, and college entrance requirements. Each spring, as a part of the registration process, the school guides each student in selecting his or her courses for the next school year. Before selecting coursework for the upcoming academic year, students should review Saint Mary’s graduation and various college entrance requirements. They then can sign up for classes in consultation with their parent or guardian and their counselor. Please refer to the annual Course Catalog for specific information. The following are the course credit requirements for graduation from Saint Mary’s: Academic Department
Credit Requirement
English
40 credits
World Languages
20 credits
Mathematics
30 credits
P.E./Health
10 credits
Religious Studies
40 credits
Science
30 credits
Social Studies
30 credits
Visual & Performing Arts
10 credits
Epistemology Series
15 credits
Senior Project
10 credits
Academic Electives
65 credits*
9
Total
300 credits
* Any course taken beyond the minimum department requirements is considered an elective. Credit Distribution by Year: Freshman Year
75 credits
Sophomore Year
75 credits
Junior Year
75 credits
Senior Year
75 credits
Total
300 credits
1.4 College Entrance Requirements College entrance requirements for the UC and CSU systems may be found in the annual Course Catalog. Students may obtain information about entrance requirements for other colleges and universities from the College Counselor. 1.5 Course of Study Five credits are awarded for the successful completion of each regular term course. Each class meets every school day for approximately sixty minutes. Detailed course descriptions, as well as a schedule of the number of meetings, are contained in the annual Course Catalog, available from the offices of the Vice Principal for Academic Affairs or Registrar. Other policies, such as those regarding Advanced Placement (AP) courses and overall course selection, are found in section 1.13 and in the Course Catalog Students are required to pass core classes in specific subject areas in order to fulfill minimum graduation requirements. Additional courses beyond the required courses are necessary in order to fulfill the credit requirement for graduation. These additional classes are considered elective classes. The program of study for individual students can vary depending upon many factors, including the individual student’s academic and co-curricular talents, interests, attitudes, family values and goals, as well as the time available to the student beyond the regular school day. Students are required to complete 25 credits per term, for a total of 75 credits per year, and 300 credits over four years. Exceptions to this rule may be made on a case-by-case basis and only in unusual circumstances approved by the Administration. Students must take all the courses listed in the core curriculum, unless otherwise advised, plus their choice of electives. Students must take all required courses during the school year. Additional graduation requirements include participation in Enrichment Week and Lasallian Days activities. 1.6 Add/Drop Procedures Student schedule changes generally require a serious reason or new information not considered during the registration process. Schedule changes will be granted only during the add/drop period in June after students receive their course schedule. Any request for course changes after the close of the add/drop period in June will incur a $25 processing fee per course request. 1.7 C-Block The C-Block program supports achievement of the school’s co-curricular LEOs and promotes community. In C-Block, groups of approximately 20 students and their faculty group leaders meet once a week and engage in activities that lead to academic, individual, and social growth within the school community. Geared toward the developmental stages of high school students, the C-Block curriculum covers academic, student, and school issues in a setting that encourages discussion in a style structured
10
differently than that found in a traditional classroom. The program is also a source of communication for school procedures and activities such as course registration, class elections, PSAT administration, and college application procedures. 1.8 Service-Learning Program Service-Learning fulfills the school’s mission in giving special attention to raising an awareness of the poor and oppressed in our society, and to demonstrating this concern and sensitivity to them through Christian service. Because we are a Lasallian Catholic School, Catholic social teachings form the foundation of all Service-Learning projects. It strives to educate each student about the connection between Christian faith and action, as well as to provide students the opportunity to experience active learning in the classroom community. Service-Learning at Saint Mary’s is designed to: Develop an attitude of social responsibility and justice by living out Christ’s message of reaching those in need. Enhance a student’s sense of dignity and self-worth while recognizing the need for respect, justice, and love of others. Empower students to have satisfying experiences in serving others in their neighboring and global communities Enable the entire Saint Mary’s community (faculty, staff, parents, and students) to further the mission of the school by encouraging direct involvement with other students as well as outside service agencies. Students participate in small or large groups and/or class and individual projects depending on courses and grade level. 1.9 Enrichment Week and Lasallian Days As part of the mission of Saint Mary’s to educate the whole person, the Enrichment Week and Lasallian Days programs promote the intellectual, spiritual, and social development of each student, while at the same time creating community. Saint John Baptist de La Salle believed that Lasallian Educators are to be with their students from morning to evening; this meant that the envisioned education would be characterized by a fraternal relationship between teachers and students. The Lasallian Educator is immersed in the life of his or her students and shares their interests, their worries, and their hopes. Lasallian Educators are not so much schoolmasters pounding truths into the heads of the students, as they are an older brother or sister who helps them to discern within themselves the call of the Spirit, to come to a better understanding of what is real, to recognize their abilities and thereby to discover progressively their place in the world (Adapted from The Declaration). Enrichment Week provides an additional means to develop and extend the mission of Saint Mary’s. Enrichment Week occurs each academic year between the second and third terms of the academic year, generally in March, and provides students an opportunity to choose and participate in a course that is of interest to them outside the classroom. The curriculum for Enrichment Week is developed by the faculty and contains a variety of academic, recreational, and service-oriented classes centered around the major categories of College or Career Exploration; Educational or Cultural Experience; Recreation or Physical Wellness; and Service-Learning or Spirituality. Students are expected to explore each type of class over the course of their four years at Saint Mary’s. Upper division students may also choose to design their own course of study, (IIP – Individual Internship Project) for Enrichment Week, subject to administrative approval. Beginning in the fall term, students are notified about travel and overnight course options for Enrichment Week; all other course information is available at the beginning of January.
11
Participation in Enrichment Week is mandatory for all students, but the choice of specific classes is up to the individual student and his or her family; families are responsible for funding their child’s Enrichment Week Course. Since this program is an addition to, rather than a part of the regular curriculum, courses carry fees which cover the cost of any required materials, equipment, or transportation. Lasallian Days occur once in each academic term, thus three times each year. These two days are designed to extend student learning beyond the classroom and to allow them to explore areas of intellectual, career, or personal passion without the immediate pressure of normal academic days. They allow students to explore their spirituality through retreat opportunities, to deepen their intellectual curiosity through such activities as field trips, guest lectures, and career exploration. Participation in Lasallian Days is mandatory. 1.10 Senior Graduation Project The Senior Project is the capstone of a Saint Mary’s student’s college preparatory education. The purpose of the Senior Project is to complete an individual research effort on a topic about which the individual student has passion and curiosity. For the senior student, it includes taking research to a new and deeper level. Joint projects are not allowed. Projects must reflect the integrity of the Saint Mary’s mission. In completing the Senior Project, Saint Mary’s seniors demonstrate curiosity about the world while they exhibit disciplined, yet imaginative thinking. The Saint Mary’s Senior Project is consistent with Saint Mary’s Lasallian Educational Outcomes (LEOs). The Senior Project is a challenging and rewarding intellectual and practical experience, in which the student--not the mentor--becomes the expert. Components of the project include a written project proposal with accompanying documentation, written evidence of extended research, a written synopsis, a presentation to a committee of faculty, and a reflection paper. The Senior Project is a graduation requirement. 1.11 The Epistemology Series of Courses The Epistemology series of courses is offered for three years beginning in freshman year (with Physical, Cultural, and Intellectual Geography) and serves as the conceptual hub of each year’s curriculum. Unlike standard academic disciplines, the Epistemology courses, which are part of the Department of Philosophy, use a process of discovering and sharing students’ views on “knowledge issues” (an umbrella term for “everything that can be approached from a theory of knowledge point-of-view”) in a seminar-style format, so there is no end to the valid questions that may arise. There are many ways to approach Epistemology. Teachers will convey the theoretical foundation of essential concepts and provide an environment in which these concepts can be discussed and debated. The focus of the discussion should not be merely the differentiation between “right” and “wrong” ideas, but rather on the quality of justification and a balanced approach to the knowledge claim in question. 1.12 Advanced Placement (AP) Program Consistent with its mission as a Lasallian Catholic college-preparatory school, Saint Mary’s College High School offers a number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses for its students. An established, nationally recognized program, Advanced Placement courses are available to students who are willing to undertake more complex, challenging coursework. The foundation for the skills and knowledge a student must master to succeed in an AP course is laid in the college-preparatory program beginning in the Saint Mary’s freshman year and built upon during each succeeding year. In general, superior performance in appropriate college-preparatory courses suggests readiness for AP work. While AP courses often emphasize a broad range of topics to study, Saint Mary’s AP teachers may emphasize additional topics and skills deemed necessary for students to succeed at the college level.
12
Expectations and Challenges of Saint Mary’s Students Enrolled in AP Courses Saint Mary’s is committed to the education of the whole person, and the school works in partnership with students and parents to balance the individual student’s spiritual, academic, and co-curricular demands so that they can ably manage the challenges of high-school life. All students who meet the graduation requirements of Saint Mary’s are prepared for college coursework. AP courses are very rigorous, and they accelerate a student’s preparation for college. Each AP course poses its own distinct challenges, and as a result departments have identified specific guidelines and indicators to assist faculty, administrators, students, and parents in determining whether a student is prepared for the challenges of an AP course. These guidelines include minimum GPA requirements, grades of A or A- in (or B+ or B in Honors and Advanced Placement course prerequisites, placement examinations, portfolios of student work, or teacher recommendations and marks of M or E for Habits of Scholarship in all courses in the year preceding.. Refer to the Course Catalog, posted on the Saint Mary’s website in the Academic section, for our Philosophy and Guidelines regarding the Advanced Placement and Honors Program. While Saint Mary’s encourages students to challenge themselves academically, we also counsel prudence in course selection so that academic challenges are beneficial and not detrimental to student development. Once admitted into an AP course, a Saint Mary’s student must be committed to completing the course and any preparatory summer work. Students will not be dropped from an AP course roster without the approval of the Administration. Saint Mary’s requires that students enrolled in an AP course must take the culminating AP exam for that course. There is a College Board fee associated with each AP Test that a student will take. Each family will be billed by the Business Office before the AP exams begin in May. In cases where the school is concerned about a student’s personal overextension by taking an AP course, parents and students may be asked to agree in writing that the student and parent understand the challenges of AP coursework and that the student is committed to completing the course. Diligence, character, and integrity are necessary qualities in every Saint Mary’s student. Students who wish to be admitted to Advanced Placement classes are expected to comply with the school’s Academic Integrity policies in all its aspects. Students must also earn M or E marks for Habits of Scholarship in all coursework in the year preceding. Any student who violates the school’s Academic Integrity policies is liable to be banned from admission to future Advanced Placement courses in addition to other academic and disciplinary sanctions. Interpretation of Individual and School-Wide AP Exam Performance In addition to achieving the Saint Mary’s learning outcomes (LEOs), a key goal for Advanced Placement students is performing successfully on the AP exam(s). Saint Mary’s recognizes that students who successfully complete AP courses and the subsequent AP exams may derive a benefit in gaining admission to the colleges and universities of their choice. While Saint Mary’s is proud of the success of its students on AP exams, “pass rates” alone do not indicate instructional excellence. More significant is the high number of Saint Mary’s students qualified and willing and able to take on the educational challenge of AP courses. AP Courses and Weighted GPAs Section 3.5 gives examples and outlines both weighted and unweighted GPAs. AP Courses are among the courses, which carry an internal, weighted GPA designation. (Please see § 3.5.)
13
1.13 iPad Program Saint Mary’s highly recommends that families purchase the AppleCare+ iPad insurance as this will cover any accidental damage for two (2) years as well as two separate instances of negligent damage. AppleCare provides the following protections: "Every iPad comes with one year of hardware repair coverage and 90 days of telephone technical support. AppleCare+ for iPad gives you two years of repair coverage and technical support from the original purchase date of your iPad. And it adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage due to handling for your iPad, each subject to a $49 service fee plus applicable tax." –Apple Corporation Students are required to: Bring their iPads to school daily. Fully charge the iPad each night to insure sufficient battery power to last throughout the school day. Install new updates as they become available to keep the device’s software and applications upto-date. For iPads equipped with 3G/4G capabilities, student must have the cellular network capabilities turned off while on school grounds. It is the student’s responsibility to keep his or her iPads safe at all times. Saint Mary’s College High School is not responsible for damaged or stolen iPads. Students are required to have all apps and textbooks required by their teachers for each of their classes. A list of apps and textbooks for each class will be made available at the beginning of the school year and will be posted on teachers’ websites. Students are required to hand over their iPads for inspection at the request of any Saint Mary’s teacher or staff member. 1.14 Summer School Programs Summer school classes are acceptable for make-up or enrichment purposes only. Grades earned in Saint Mary’s classes are not erased following the completion of a make-up class. Generally, students cannot accelerate their program sequence with summer school course work. However, the Vice Principal and the Mathematics Department Chairperson may approve a student’s acceleration, only in the mathematics curriculum, and only based on successful completion of an approved course of study in ATDP (Academic Talent Development Program) at the UC Berkeley Department of Education. A 10-credit course must be completed with a grade of B or above. The procedure for seeking approval to attend ATDP is as follows: 1. Prior to working in ATDP, students must first obtain the approval of the Mathematics Department Chairperson and the Vice Principal for Academic Affairs. A written request must be made by the student and parent to the Math Department Chairperson before May 1. 2. The student must obtain an application to ATDP from the Mathematics Department Chairperson. 1.15 College Concurrent Enrollment Programs Saint Mary’s students may enroll in one of the concurrent programs listed below in order to enrich their academic profile or to explore an area not available to them at Saint Mary’s College High School. Students must review their transcripts and the proposed off-campus program with the College Counselor in the term immediately prior to enrollment. Colleges require that the parent or guardian and the high school give written authorization to the college for the student to enroll.
14
Such concurrent enrollment programs are not allowed for remedial work, or in lieu of any class available to students at Saint Mary’s.
Off-campus concurrent enrollment programs available are: • • • • • •
Peralta Community College District: College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College, and Vista College Contra Costa College District: Contra Costa College and Diablo Valley College California State University: A student must have a GPA of 3.0 to enroll in the dual matriculation program in this university system. University of California, Berkeley Extension concurrent enrollment
Courses required by Saint Mary’s must be taken during the school year on campus. In general, students may not take more than one course per term off campus while taking courses at Saint Mary’s. Previous commitments to the regular course of studies, interscholastic athletic teams, visual and performing arts programs, or other student activity responsibilities may preclude a student from entering an off-campus program. Students who opt to take a course off campus must do so outside the Saint Mary’s school day. Students may wish to take classes to get an early start on their college careers, or for their own personal enrichment. With the approval of the Administration, students may take a course for remediation. Students enrolled in off-campus programs must remain fully enrolled in Saint Mary’s courses, in keeping with the school’s academic and graduation requirements. Students will not be allowed to drop courses at Saint Mary’s in the middle of a term in order to enter an off-campus program conducted on a quarterly basis. Saint Mary’s will not grant any reduction in tuition and fees to students who enroll in concurrent off-campus programs. Families are fully responsible for any tuition, fees, book purchases and any other charges associated with off-campus programs.
Chapter 2: Academic Expectations 2.1 Course Outlines At the beginning of each term, each teacher distributes to all students enrolled in the specific class a course overview that explains the expectations of the course, including how the student’s learning will be assessed, the grading policy, and other class procedures. The outline also includes descriptions of the types of regular homework, large projects and papers, class participation, and tests/quizzes that will be expected of students during the term. 2.2 Study and Homework Students are expected to dedicate as much as 30 minutes per school night (Sundays through Thursdays) to study, reading, and homework for each college-preparatory course, for a total of two to two-and-a-half hours of study per school night. Study and homework for an Honors and Advanced Placement course may require as much as 45-60 minutes per school night. Students in any Honors and Advanced Placement course should be expected to average as much as 60 minutes of after-class study and homework per school night. During the school year, there are a number of “homework holidays” during which teachers will not assign required study, homework, or assignments. No homework will be assigned over Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter vacations. In addition, over the Fall, Winter, and Spring Lasallian Days (October 1-2, January 2829, April 28-29, and the weekends attached to those days) teachers will assign no more than one night’s worth of evening study.
15
2.3 Formal Interdisciplinary Writing As a method of self-formulation of one’s own ideas, writing greatly facilitates learning. Writing also affords the opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and for authentic assessment and feedback from their instructors. Saint Mary’s students are taught that good writing is the product of a deliberate and careful process, and courses in all subject areas offer students the opportunity to practice process-based writing. All students are expected to generate ideas, engage in writing-to-learn activities, write outlines, create drafts, seek peer editing, revise their writing, and submit accurate, correct copy in all subject areas. 2.4 Test and Major Project Calendar Assessment of student progress by testing is common aspect of academic classes. In order to facilitate student learning and avoid unnecessary stress, teachers post tests and projects in the daily announcements. Teachers will not schedule a test on a day when that grade level already has three tests or other major assessments posted. 2.5 Culminating Assessments and Final Exams In the final week of each term, teachers of all academic courses administer final culminating assessments. These assessments may take various forms, including papers, projects, presentations, performances, or examinations. Students must complete final exams and culminating assessments on the days in which they are administered. Students will only be allowed to make up final exams due to verifiable emergencies, serious illness, or other unavoidable circumstances, and only with the approval of the Vice Principal for Academic Affairs. Failure to complete a final examination or other culminating assessment will result in an “Incomplete” (I) mark in the course. Failure to submit or complete a culminating assessment will result in a student receiving a final grade of “Incomplete” (I), which will be treated as an F in computing a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA), resulting in no credit for the course, and the student will have to repeat the course independent of Saint Mary’s. 2.6 Learning Disability Policies and Procedures As a Lasallian college preparatory high school, we value relationships with our students and recognize that true learning occurs when students feel connected to their teacher. The main focus of our Academic Support program is to assist students with documented learning needs by empowering each student to advocate for his or her needs within a supportive environment. Students who recognize their learning strengths and embrace their learning challenges have better success throughout their academic career. Saint Mary's College High School follows all guidelines provided by the College Board regarding accommodations and documentation in order to best serve our students with attention and/or learning disabilities. In an effort to educate the whole person by addressing the needs of all types of learners, Saint Mary's College High School provides coordination and support services for students with documented needs ranging from Learning Disabilities to medical health conditions. Students who have a mild to moderate documented learning disability are eligible for support both in and out of the classroom setting. The supports are determined by the recommendations provided in the educational assessment, which must be completed by a licensed evaluator. All documentation should be dated within the past three years, and the Academic Support Specialist reserves the right to request an updated assessment. This confidential assessment will become part of
16
the student’s file and must include the following: (1) a clearly stated diagnosis, (2) relevant educational, developmental, and medical history, (3) test results from both cognitive testing and achievement testing, (4) a description of the functional limitations resulting from the disability, and (5) recommended accommodations and a rationale explaining the need for such accommodations. Documentation (including medical notes) needs to be submitted to our Academic Support Specialist during the application process. Upon a thorough review of the documentation, the Academic Support Specialist will make arrangements to meet with each incoming student and their parent/guardian to create an Educational Support Plan. These meetings take place annually prior to the start of the school year so that the student can review their courses and set goals for the coming year. It is essential that parents provide this information so our community can best serve the student.
Chapter 3: Grading System Saint Mary’s teachers assign letter grades to communicate the level of student’s academic achievement in a course. Grades are communications about a student’s academic achievement and are not intended to communicate a student’s effort, conduct, ability, or potential. While diligent study and effort are expected from each student, it is the quality of the student’s performances on assessments that determines the grades the student achieves. 3.1 The Academic Grading System The academic grading system at Saint Mary’s is as follows:
Grade
Achievement Level
A 90-98%
Outstanding Achievement
B 80-89%
Proficient Achievement
C 70-79%
Satisfactory Achievement
Grade
A AB+ B BC+ C C-
Grades below this level are not college recommending D Unsatisfactory Achievement D+ 60-69% D DF Failure F 50-59% Incomplete/No Evidence of I I Learning 50% P Passing Credit P
Transcript Regular Unweighted (GPA) 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7
1.3 1.0 0.7 0.0
Internal Weighted (GPA) * 5.0 4.7 4.3 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7
1.3 1.0 0.7 0.0
0.0
0.0
* Grades of “C” or better in courses designated “honors,” including AP courses, are given extra weight according to the internal weighted grade column in the table above. Weighted grades are ONLY used
17
internally to distinguish school honors and awards and are NOT reported on student transcripts or other reports of school statistics. 3.2 Habits of Scholarship Marks Every student receives a separate “Habits of Scholarship” mark (E = Excellent, M = Meets Expectations U = Does Not Meet Expectations) for each class, which is a report of academic behaviors and orientations that contribute to but are not products of academic achievement (i.e., Process- and Progress-oriented Criteria). Habits of Scholarship marks are not included on transcripts; they provide important information regarding the processes by which students learn, giving students, parents, and school officials more specific, discrete information to guide student learning. Students earning U makes for their Habits of Scholarship can affect their future course placements. (Please see Chapter 4.) Elements Considered in Reporting Habits of Scholarship Marks:
Effort -- Does the student exhibit consistent, adequate effort in pursuit of academic achievement? Attendance/ Punctuality – Is the student on time and in class when he/she should be (independent of factors like illness or emergency)? Responsibility – Does the student submit schoolwork and other assessments on time? Does the student communicate with the teacher when issues arise? Does the student come to A Block when he/she needs help? Engagement – Is the student attentive in class and an active participant in class learning activities? Improvement – Has the student shown improvement* over time (independent of his/her academic achievement)? *This means an A student could show little improvement, or a struggling student could show significant improvement. Behavior – Is the student’s conduct in class good? Is he/she respectful of teacher and peers? Does he/she follow instructions? Is he/she distracted by electronic devices? Is the student distracting others?
Students will receive a U (Unsatisfactory) mark in a grading period for the following behaviors:
Any form of cheating Repeated failure to submit work (formative or summative) Failure to submit any major assessment Repeated instances of submitting work late Repeated failure to bring materials (iPad, notes, reading material, etc) to class Excessive absences for reasons other than verified health issues Repeated off-task behavior or misbehavior requiring teacher intervention Disengagement from class activities
3.3 Student Narrative Self-Evaluations At the mid-point of every term students are expected to write a narrative self-evaluation of their performance in each class; these paragraph-long narratives will be available through PowerSchool for students, parents, administrators, counselors, and teachers to review in order to assist students. Thoughtful self-evaluations are important elements of Saint Mary’s academic program; their contents are taken seriously. They are used in the selection of students’ courses when other data is not definitive. Students will be asked periodically--after certain major assessments, for example--to reflect in writing on their academic performance and their habits of scholarship in order for the student and the teacher to assist students in enhancing their learning.
18
3.4 Participation in Special Programs Graduation from Saint Mary’s requires all students’ active participation in the following programs: • C-Block • Enrichment Week • Lasallian Days • Senior Graduation Project 3.5 Deficient Grades Grade of “F” Students who earn a final grade of “F” in any subject will not be promoted and/or allowed to continue at Saint Mary’s. The course in which a final “F” was earned must be made up prior to a student’s return in the fall and in a summer school or concurrent-enrollment equivalent course recognized by Saint Mary’s. A grade of “C-“ or better must be earned before continuation at Saint Mary’s is allowed. If students fail both terms of a 10-credit course, they will be required to make up both terms. For students who fail both terms of a 10-credit course, retaking only the second half of a course during the summer will not eliminate the requirements for repeating the prior term as well. A senior who earns an “F” will not receive a diploma. Other considerations concerning an “F” grade are: • In 5-credit or 10-credit English, religious studies, social studies, P.E./health, and visual and performing arts courses, a grade of “F” earned for a term must be repeated in summer school or in a concurrent enrollment equivalent course recognized by Saint Mary’s. • Students who earn a grade of “F” in a subject not obtainable in summer school are required to meet with the Vice Principal for Academic Affairs as well as their counselor to determine how they will make up the grade. • In order to be eligible for graduation, the student’s transcript(s) must show that all core courses have been successfully completed. No diploma will be awarded until all term “F” grades have been made up. Grade of “D” Since most colleges, including CSU and UC, do not accept students with transcript grades lower than “C”, students with “D” grades are strongly encouraged to attend summer school to repeat the course. (See Transcripts, §4.4 and §17.3, for information about transcripts.) Grade of “I” or Incomplete Grade A final summative grade of “I” will be assigned at the end of the term when a student does not complete the requirements for the course. Under normal circumstances, this grade of “I” is a permanent grade. Business trips, outings, vacations, and inability or failure to complete major assessments are NOT sufficient reasons to qualify for a grade of “I.” The “I” grade is the equivalent of an “F” grade and is calculated in the student’s GPA. When an “I” is assigned, the value of credits attempted and credits completed equals zero. For students who are unable to complete the course requirements due to unusual circumstances, such as verifiable extended illness, accident, or some other debilitating contingency, the grade of “I” is a temporary grade. Students in such situations are required to make up the incomplete within four weeks of the last day of the relevant grading period. When the required work is completed by a due date approved by the administration, the “I” is removed and the appropriate letter grade is assigned. If the work is not finished by the administratively approved due date, the “I” grade becomes permanent and students must repeat the course.
19
The mark of “I” may be reported for any assessment when a student does not submit the assessment. In such cases, the “I” mark indicates that the student has not provided evidence of learning, thus preventing the teacher from making a determination of the student’s level of achievement of the course outcomes being assessed. In such cases, the mark of “I” is the equivalent of an “F” mark. 3.6 Course Remediation Students at Saint Mary’s College High School are required to remediate any D or F grade. Grades of D+ and lower are considered “subject omissions” and are not accepted by four-year colleges and universities. All courses in need of remediation (see §3.3) should be made up outside of the regular school year and outside of the school day in order for students to take advantage of the full array of Saint Mary’s course offerings. In special cases, determined by the administration, a student who has earned a D or F in a required course may be allowed to repeat ten credits at Saint Mary’s during the regular school year. A fee of $400 for each five-credit course remediated at Saint Mary’s will be assessed in such cases. The opportunities for repeating courses at Saint Mary’s during the regular school year are limited by space availability and each student’s existing course schedule. Such repeated course grades will not be included in the student’s GPA. 3.7 Grade Deficiencies and College Preparation When reviewing applications, the University of California and the California State University systems look upon term grades of “D” or “F” in required courses as subject deficiencies. A grade of “D,” “F” or “I” earned in any term in a required college-preparatory course must be made up in order for the student to be eligible to apply to one of those systems. However, in 10-credit courses in mathematics, international language, and chemistry, a grade of “D,” “F” or “I” earned the first term may be validated by a grade of C or higher earned in the second term and need not be made up. Students must make up deficiencies at another institution during the summer or after school during the school year in order to maintain eligibility to apply to public higher education in California. Consult the Course Catalog for minimum college admission requirements. 3.8 Determining Grade Point Averages, Unweighted and Weighted To determine a term Grade Point Average (GPA), the points allocated to each grade are multiplied by the number of term units of credit allotted to the class. The cumulative GPA at term’s end is calculated by dividing the total number of credits attempted into the total number of grade points earned. The highest possible reported GPA at Saint Mary’s, both term and cumulative, is 4.0 (either weighted or unweighted). Saint Mary’s students’ GPAs as published on official transcripts are unweighted. Students’ grades in AP and Honors courses at Saint Mary’s do carry an additional grade point value, which is only used internally to determine academic honors and recognition. This weighted GPA is not published on an individual student’s official record or transcript. It is important to note that colleges and universities determine for themselves how much added value an AP or Honors course should carry during their own admissions process. Please consult the Saint Mary’s Course Catalog for information regarding courses that carry additional grade point value as a weighted grade. The tables that follow present a comparison of unweighted and weighted grades for a hypothetical student at the end of a term.
20
UNWEIGHTED GRADES Class Name Algebra 3-4 Philosophy AP U.S. History Chemistry Spanish 5-6
Letter Grade AB
5.0 5.0
Grade Points 3.7 3.0
B+
5.0
3.3
5.0 x 3.3 =
16.5
C+ A Total
5.0 5.0 25.0
2.3 4.0
5.0 x 2.3 = 5.0 x 4.0 = Total
11.5 20.0 81.5
Credits
Final GPA Calculation
Calculation
Points
5.0 x 3.7 = 5.0 x 3.0 =
18.5 15.0
81.5 pts. /25.0 credits = 3.26
WEIGHTED GRADES (in BOLD) Class Name Algebra 3-4 Philosophy AP U.S. History Chemistry Spanish 5-6
Letter Grade AB
5.0 5.0
Grade Points 3.7 3.0
B+
5.0
4.3
5.0 x 4.3 =
21.5
C+ A Total
5.0 5.0 25.0
2.3 4.0
5.0 x 2.3 = 5.0 x 4.0 = Total
11.5 20.0 86.5
Credits
Final GPA Calculation
Calculation
Points
5.0 x 3.7 = 5.0 x 3.0 =
18.5 15.0
86.5 pts. /25.0 credits = 3.46
Chapter 4: Grading Purpose, Policies, and Reports Saint Mary’s teachers assign letter grades (A, B, C, D, F, I) to communicate the level of a student’s academic achievement in a course. Grades are communications about a student’s academic achievement alone and are not intended to communicate a student’s effort, conduct, ability, or potential. While diligent study and effort are expected from each student, it is the quality of the student’s performances on assessments that determines the grades the student achieves. These grades are included on official transcripts and are reported to colleges and universities. Students’ effort, conduct, behavior—the processes by which a student learns—and progress are reported in a separate “Habits of Scholarship” mark (E, M, U). While the Habits of Scholarship marks are not included on transcripts, they provide critical information regarding the processes by which students learn. They give students, parents, and school officials specific, discrete information to guide student learning. To that end, Habits of Scholarship marks may affect a student’s future course placement. For example, any student wishing to take an Honors or Advanced Placement course must receive marks of M (“Meets Standards”) or E (“Exceeds Standards”) in all courses. Students with two U marks (Does Not Meet Standards) in any grading period will meet with their counselor or an administrator in order to eliminate the behaviors that contributed to receiving Unsatisfactory marks. Students with three or more U marks are liable to be placed on academic or disciplinary probation. Grading is a professional judgment of student performance measured against course criteria (as expressed in course outlines/syllabi). Teachers develop their own grading practices. While mathematical
21
computation may help inform a teacher’s judgment, grading is more than a process of mathematical computation. It is a professional judgment of student performance. Saint Mary’s uses PowerSchool, a school information system that allows students and parents to access the student’s grades in real time. For that reason, Saint Mary’s teachers update their grades twice a month so that grades are current (see “Reporting Student Performance”). Each grading period is six weeks long. Students’ grades on those dates are official and are communicated to parents and students via PowerSchool. A summative (i.e., final) grade encompassing the entire body of student performance is reported at the end of each term. At the end of each grading period, these grades figure in the calculation of a student’s grade-point average (GPA). 4.1 Cumulative Term Grades For all courses, the term grade is cumulative of all work. For grade reporting, the academic year is divided into grading periods of approximately six weeks each. Each twelve-week term has a midterm progress report and a final grade report. 4.2 Progress Reports Progress reports are available on PowerSchool at the end of the midterm grading period at about six weeks within the term. These reports show non-permanent grades that indicate a student’s progress at that point in the term, and they determine a student’s eligibility in co-curricular programs. 4.3 Grade Reports Grade reports are official at the end of each term. These reports are available for viewing in PowerSchool and show the permanent grades recorded on a student’s transcript. These grades determine academic probation, eligibility, and honors status. The grades included in the Grade Report include all work evaluated during the entire term. While students are expected to retain and use material learned in the first term of a two-term course, the second term’s progress reports and report card do not include grades or assessments from the first term. 4.4 Grades on Transcripts Term grades are the only grades recorded on the student’s permanent transcript. Grades recorded on the transcript cannot be removed or replaced by supplementary course work. Grades received in summer school or in concurrent enrollment courses are listed at the bottom of the transcript in the “comment box.” These grades are NOT calculated into the Saint Mary’s GPA. The students are responsible for requesting that the school where summer classes take place send grade reports to Saint Mary’s. 4.5 Grade Appeals Students who wish to appeal a final grade for any reporting period must submit a request in writing to the Registrar. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Registrar no later than ten working days after report cards are posted. No appeals will be considered unless they are submitted formally to the Registrar within the time allotted. The Administration will review the request in consultation with the teacher. Late work will not be accepted for term grade appeals. Deadlines for submission of all assignments are set by each teacher, in concert with school-wide academic policies.
22
4.6 Dates for Official School Communication of Grades Fall Term Begins Midterm Progress Report Period Ends (P1) Final Grades Posted for P1 Fall Term Ends Final Grades Posted for Fall Term (T1)
Monday, August 29, 2016 Friday, October 7, 2016 Friday, October 14, 2016 Friday, November 18, 2016 Friday, December 2, 2016
Winter Term Begins Midterm Progress Report Period Ends (P2) Final Grades Posted for P2 Winter Term Ends Final Grades Posted for Winter Term (T2)
Monday, November 28, 2016 Friday, January 20, 2017 Friday, January 27, 2017 Thursday, March 2, 2017 Friday, March 17, 2016
Spring Term Begins Midterm Progress Report Period Ends (P3) Final Grades Posted for P3 Spring Term Ends Final Grades Posted for Spring Term (T3)
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Friday, April 28, 2017 Friday, May 5, 2017 Thursday, June 8, 2017 Wednesday, June 15, 2017
4.7 PowerSchool Saint Mary’s College High School uses PowerSchool, a web-based school information program, as a major means of communication among the school, teacher, student, and family. A student and his or her parents can see the daily attendance record for the student as well as current and historical grades. As a general rule, teachers update the students’ current term grades every two weeks. At the end of the term, access to PowerSchool is closed to allow teachers to calculate and submit final grades. On the Saint Mary’s College High School website is a link to PowerSchool. Access is made through an individual password, specific to each student and parent or guardian; these are distributed at different events at the beginning of the school year. Password inquiries may be made to the Office of the Registrar.
Chapter 5: Academic Standing 5.1 Enrollment The normal attendance requirement is the equivalent of twelve trimester terms. Students must take all required courses in the curriculum published in the annual Course Catalog. Only the Principal may waive curriculum requirements. Such waivers would only be considered in most unusual situations, such as student medical emergencies. 5.2 Academic Probation Students will be placed on academic probation (1) if they earn a GPA of below 2.0 in a single grading period, or (2) if they earn two U marks for their Habits of Scholarship in a single grading period. Students who earn an “F” grade may have their co-curricular eligibility suspended pending the student demonstrating improved academic performance in the class in which the “F’ was earned. The school may dismiss a student with a record of repeated academic probation based either on their grade-point average or their Habits of Scholarship marks.
5.3 Academic Ineligibility Habits of Scholarship Marks It is the school’s and parents’ expectation that students will exhibit satisfactory habits of scholarship in all courses. If a student earns three or more U marks for Habits of Scholarship in any one grading period the student will be placed on Academic Ineligibility. The student will not be able to participate in interscholastic athletic events or in school co-curricular performances for the
23
duration of the subsequent grading period. During that grading period, should the student’s Habits of Scholarship meet and sustain satisfactory habits of scholarship (designated by the mark “M") in all courses, the student’s ineligibility may be conditionally lifted. The lifting of ineligibility will be determined by the administration in consultation with the student’s counselor and teachers. Academic Achievement (GPA) Grades If a student earns below a 2.0 GPA for consecutive grading periods the student will be placed on Academic Ineligibility. A student will not be able to participate in interscholastic athletic events or in school co- curricular performances for the duration of the subsequent grading period. Eligibility can only be re-established if the student earns a GPA of at least 2.0 in the subsequent grading period. During the term of Ineligibility, a student may be conditionally approved to participate in co-curricular activities (excluding performances) or athletic team practices once a written study plan is developed by the student’s counselor working with the student’s teachers, coaches or moderators, and the student’s parents. The study plan must be approved by the administration. The essential condition of continued participation is both compliance with the terms of the study plan and satisfactory academic performance.
5.4 Academic Dismissal Habits of Scholarship Marks It is the school’s expectation that students will exhibit satisfactory habits of scholarship in all courses throughout the student’s high-school career. For that reason, the reporting of any U mark is a cause of concern. Any student who earns two or more U marks for Habits of Scholarship in multiple grading periods in the course of the student’s career at Saint Mary’s is liable for dismissal from Saint Mary’s. Academic Achievement (GPA) Grades If the student’s term GPA is below 2.0 at the end of any term during the school year, the student may be dismissed from Saint Mary’s College High School. Students must pass all courses in order to progress toward graduation. D and F grades prevent a student from moving into the next sequence of required courses. Students who do not remediate all D and F grades will be liable for dismissal from Saint Mary’s. 5.5 Academic Integrity As a community that affirms the traditions and values of Christianity, Saint Mary’s College High School demands academic integrity and ethical conduct in all areas of school life. Cheating and plagiarism are forms of academic dishonesty that are not accepted by the Saint Mary’s community. Students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators must work together to maintain and enforce an atmosphere of honesty and respect for each other’s work and ideas in all areas of campus life. Cheating Cheating is defined as using unauthorized notes, materials, and/or resources of any type (e.g. smartphones, iPads, cell phones, digital handheld devices, MP3’s, calculators, the inappropriate help of another student, looking at another paper, cheat/crib sheets, translation services) on any exam, quiz, paper, major project, or class assignment. Providing access to another student to such resources is cheating. Allowing another student to copy from one’s own exam, paper, and/or homework is considered cheating, as is using an outside source such as Cliff Notes or Sparknotes in place of completing a reading assignment. Disclosure of information about tests or quizzes with students who have not yet completed the assignment or assessment or sharing materials with students who have not yet completed the assignment, assessment, or class is also cheating.
24
Plagiarism Plagiarism is defined as the theft of another’s ideas or writings and use of them as one’s own, regardless of intent, with or without the knowledge of the other person. This includes insufficient citation of sources within a written work, as well as material taken from the Internet and/or other electronic resources. Students are clearly instructed on how to cite sources of information/ideas that they use. It is expected that students use these skills appropriately as they complete all of their written work. Cheating and plagiarism are serious infractions subject to penalties including academic failure, probation, and expulsion. All faculty and staff are required to report and document any breach of academic integrity to the Dean of Academics. Incidents of academic dishonesty will be handled according to the following procedure: • • •
•
•
The teacher must address the student involved and discuss the matter. The teacher must invoke the school policy and assign a failing grade for the assignment. The teacher must complete an “Academic Integrity Infraction Report” and submit it to the Dean of Academics after the teacher’s discovery of the infraction. Copies of the documents in question should be attached, when appropriate. The teacher, with the support of the Administration, will further investigate the matter and issue an appropriate consequence (see below). In all cases, the teacher will inform the student’s parent or guardian of the incident and the applied consequences and will forward a copy of the report to the Administration and the student’s counselor. The report will be placed in the student’s confidential school file. Students who are found guilty of cheating or plagiarism will receive a Habits of Scholarship mark of U for the grading period for the class in which they cheated or plagiarized.
The following consequences may be applied to any student who violates the Academic Integrity policy and can include any of the following: • Disqualification from membership in CSF, NHS, or any school service organization, • Disqualification from the school’s honor roll, • Suspension from an elected student office, • Disqualification of eligibility from consideration for Salutatorian and Valedictorian. Should any student be found to have cheated, plagiarized, or otherwise violated the Academic Integrity Code more than once, consequences could result in that student: • Being removed from the class and receiving no credit, • Being suspended from school, • Being dismissed or expelled from school. Academic Integrity violations are also considered violations of the school’s Code of Conduct. All incidents of academic dishonesty are considered major offenses and will be dealt with in accordance with school guidelines and policies.
Chapter 6: Academic Awards 6.1 Honor Roll Honor roll status is determined each term by the student’s weighted academic GPA. Honor Roll Cumulative GPA First Honors 3.75 and above Second Honors 3.50 - 3.74 GPA Commendation 3.20 - 3.49 GPA
25
6.2 Honors at Graduation The student’s cumulative weighted academic GPA determines academic honors granted to seniors at graduation after eleven terms or their equivalent. Grades received for the spring term of the senior year are NOT included in the determination of these awards. Graduation Award Summa cum Laude Magna cum Laude Cum Laude
Cumulative GPA 3.75 and above 3.50 – 3.74 3.20 – 3.49
Valedictorian & Salutatorian Saint Mary’s selects two seniors to represent their class at graduation as Valedictorian and Salutatorian. A senior is chosen to deliver the Salutatorian address which salutes the class and reminds them of their shared experiences of high school. This speech is presented at the Baccalaureate Liturgy. A senior is also chosen to deliver the Valedictory address which is meant to challenge the graduating class as they turn toward the future, to reach for higher ideals, and put what they have learned at Saint Mary¹s into action.
Selection Process The selection process requires seniors to apply for the Valedictorian or Salutatorian speech. Any senior in good standing may apply for either/or both categories. Seniors interested in applying for either or both speeches must submit an application to the vice principal. A meeting will follow with all the applicants who have filed an application to review and clarify the process. A committee, comprised of senior students and faculty representatives, will determine which applicants qualify as finalists. The finalists will be asked to deliver their speeches in person before the committee. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Principal, who will make the final decision. The criteria for selecting Valedictorian and Salutatorian are rooted in the school’s Lasallian Educational Outcomes, which define explicitly the qualities a Saint Mary’s graduate should possess. More specifically, these qualities are manifested in four areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Citizenship and behavior that has consistently exemplified Lasallian virtues Active, positive participation in the daily life of the school, evidenced by involvement in many cocurricular activities (spiritual, athletic, and artistic) Regular, active, and creative engagement in intellectual inquiry evidenced by outstanding academic performance Composition and effective delivery of an original, engaging speech appropriate to the occasion. Each of these four areas is essential, and each is equally important. The Selection Committee is charged with evaluating the candidates holistically; that is, while excellence in a particular area is advantageous, so is overall excellence.
6.3 Student Recognition Awards During the spring term of the academic year, faculty members are asked to nominate freshman, sophomore, and junior students from their classes for a Student Recognition Award. The number of students given awards by each faculty member is based upon the number of sections of a certain course taught by the faculty member. The Student Recognition Award is given to the student who has demonstrated passion for the subject through their contribution to the classroom learning community. High academic performance is not a necessary qualification for a Recognition Award.
26
Chapter 7: Access to Student Records Although Saint Mary’s College High School is not a covered entity under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Saint Mary’s College High School generally follows certain guidelines of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act to protect the confidentiality of student records. The law provides for the following: 1. Parents or an eligible student may review and inspect the student’s educational records by making an appointment with the Registrar. 2. Educational records generally mean those records that are directly related to a student and that are maintained by the school. Personal notes and records made by teachers and other school officials, including instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel and educational personnel ancillary thereto, that are not shared with others, except for a temporary substitute for the maker of the record, are not considered educational records. 3. Parents or an eligible student may seek amendment of the student’s educational records that the parent or eligible student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights by submitting to the Registrar a written request clearly articulating the proposed amendment and the reasons for the amendment. The Principal will review the request, meet with the parents or eligible student if necessary, and make a determination on the request. 4. The school will obtain written permission from the parents or an eligible student before disclosing educational records to other persons except for the following: other officials of the school, including teachers, for educational purposes; officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll; certain federal, state and local authorities performing functions authorized by law; individuals or organizations concerning a student’s application for financial aid; organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school or other educational agencies; accrediting organizations; parents of a dependent student over 18; court or law enforcement officials to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; other persons in connection with a health or safety emergency; and to other persons and institutions in the event of specified disciplinary proceedings or legal violations
CHAPTER 8: CODE OF CONDUCT 8.1 Saint Mary’s Honor Code As members of a Lasallian Catholic institution, students are expected to be respectful, considerate, and supportive of fellow students, teachers, and staff. Saint Mary’s students are expected to conduct themselves with honor and integrity at all times. Students enrolled at Saint Mary’s College High School assume personal responsibility for their behavior. Violations of the Saint Mary’s Honor Code may result in disciplinary sanctions including loss of co-curricular eligibility, suspension from school honor and service organizations, and suspension or expulsion from school. • • • •
Students are to follow the directives of the administration, faculty, coaches, moderators, and staff at all times. Students’ behavior in the classroom must contribute to and not hinder the learning process. Students should behave appropriately at all times on campus and in the neighborhood. If students are told to leave the classroom for disciplinary reasons, they are to report immediately to the Main Office, fill out an incident report, and remain there until dismissed by the Dean of Students or designate.
27
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The following infractions are especially serious and will generate disciplinary consequences up to and including expulsion: Any act of violence against another person, or the threat of such violence. Disrespect, dishonesty, and/or disobedience. This includes any act of lying or misrepresentation of information to school personnel. Theft. Possession of pornographic or similarly inappropriate material. Creating, sharing, or displaying of pornographic material including, personal nude or suggestive photos, text messages, online postings, or emails. Vulgar language or conduct. Possession of alcohol and other controlled or illegal substances. Possession or use of any weapons, which include, but are not limited to guns, knives, bats, sticks, Taser guns, mace, or pepper spray. Graffiti or vandalism. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of school documents or records of identification. Any on-campus or off-campus activity that is detrimental to the reputation of Saint Mary’s College High School. Violation of school behavioral policies during co-curricular activities. Use of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled or illegal substances on campus or during school sponsored activities or going to and returning from school sponsored events. Hazing or harassment, or persecution of another person in any manner. Hacking or any unauthorized accessing of the school’s computer network or the school’s informational system. Students are expected to demonstrate respect and courtesy while in the neighborhood and must adhere to the policies regarding parking, traffic, and the neighborhood. If a student is involved in illegal activity, the school will notify law enforcement.
8.2 General Behavioral Guidelines The following rules govern basic student behavioral expectations: • Except for specific and special occasions, food and drink are not to be consumed in any school building, including the Gym and Auditorium. • Saint Mary’s maintains a closed campus policy during normal school hours. All student and adult visitors must report to the Main Office to obtain an authorized pass. • Students are responsible for the care of their personal property. The school does not assume responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage to personal student property. Personal property items should be clearly marked and secured by the student. • Gum chewing in school buildings and on school grounds is prohibited. • Toy weapons (including, but not limited to, plastic knives, cap guns, disc or rubber pellet guns, water guns) are not allowed on campus or at any school function. 8.3 Theft Theft violates the core principles of community. Students who steal personal or intellectual property are subject to disciplinary actions up to and including expulsion from school. The school requires parents and students to report students observed engaging in such activities. Incidents of theft must be reported to the Dean of Students or other administrators immediately. All reasonable efforts will be made to recover lost or stolen property. The school does not assume responsibility for lost or stolen property, whether on school property before, during, or after the school day, or at school sponsored events. 8.4 Lunchtime Privileges/Campus Restrictions Off-campus lunch is a privilege accorded to seniors and juniors only. Any student who is late to class immediately following lunch for any reason may have this privilege revoked in addition to other disciplinary measures as deemed appropriate by the Dean of Students.
28
Freshmen and sophomores are restricted to leaving the school premises during lunch without written permission from the Dean of Students. Freshmen and sophomores who leave campus during lunch without permission from the Dean of Students will face disciplinary consequences. The following areas are out-of-bounds: • The road to the Brothers Residence and the maintenance area. • Walkway and stairs between the auditorium and athletic field. • The lower campus area near Vellesian Hall. • Cordonices Creek. 8.5 Behavior in the Neighborhood of the School It is expected that students will respect the privacy as well as the property of neighbors in the area of the school. Congregating on neighborhood streets, littering, defacing property, driving unsafely, playing music loudly, and showing disrespect toward neighbors and their property are behaviors that injure a student’s personal reputation and that of Saint Mary’s College High School. Students are expected to act respectfully and see themselves as ambassadors of Saint Mary’s College High School on and off campus. Students found to be violating these policies will be dealt with seriously, up to and including expulsion. 8.6 Student Driving and Parking Responsibilities, and Parking Permits Driving on or near school grounds is a privilege afforded to Saint Mary’s College High School students. The Dean of Students can revoke this privilege if a student’s driving is in any way reckless, obtrusive, or detrimental to the reputation of the school. Any faculty, staff member, or Traffic Monitor who witnesses unsafe driving (e.g., racing, speeding, peeling out, etc.) on or near the Saint Mary’s campus will immediately report the student-driver to the Dean of Students. The only students who may drive to the school and park at the school are students who have applied for and received a parking permit from the Dean of Students. Students may not park in front of any residence on Posen Avenue and are not allowed to park on Albina Avenue, Hopkins Court, Hopkins Street, Monterey Avenue, Beverly Place, Ventura Avenue, West Place, Ordway Street, and Peralta Avenue. Applications for parking permits are made available online in August to download and must be submitted on time in order to be considered for a permit. Parking permit fees will be determined on a graduated scale based upon the number of students in a carpool. The purpose of the graduated scale is to reward those who carpool, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts. Carpools will be monitored throughout the year. Students who have applied for and received a parking permit based on the number of individuals they indicated on their carpool application may lose their permits if they are found in violation of the agreement. Students must display the Saint Mary’s parking permit at all times while they are parked at Saint Mary’s. Students who park on- or off-campus do so at their own risk. Saint Mary’s is not responsible for theft or damage to anyone’s car or belongings. On-Campus Parking Permit Holders On-campus parking places will be reserved for students who have an on-campus parking permit; entry to and exit from the front of the school is permitted via Albina Avenue only. Students must park in studentdesignated spots only. Students are not allowed to park in visitor or employee parking. Off-Campus Parking Permit Holders Off-campus parking permits will first go to carpoolers, then to seniors, and then to juniors. Students with off-campus parking permits must park on the south side of Posen Street and never in front of the property of any neighbor. 8.6 Do's and Don'ts of Student Drivers Any Saint Mary’s College High School student-driver agrees to the following conditions:
29
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Students who apply for a parking permit must have a valid California Driver’s License. Students must always drive the speed limit. Students must always drive safely and respectfully to and from school. All students who drive on campus must turn their music devices off. Music must remain low as students drive in the neighborhood surrounding the campus. Students must not honk their horns unless there is an emergency. Any Saint Mary’s student understands that excessive speed, donuts, peeling out, and/or other unsafe driving (as determined by any Saint Mary’s employee) is not allowed. As sophomores receive their driver licenses, they must report to the Dean of Students before driving to school. Students should never litter.
Failure to comply with these driving and parking regulations will result in consequences including detention, loss of privileges inclusive of off-campus lunch, loss of athletic eligibility, suspension, and expulsion. 8.7 Dress and Appearance Code (Standard Days) Saint Mary’s College High School expects that its students demonstrate modesty and good taste in their appearance, as is appropriate for a Lasallian Catholic school community. The Administration, faculty, and staff collaboratively enforce the Dress and Appearance Code. If a student is not in conformity with the Dress and Appearance Code, he or she will be sent to the Main Office and be expected to conform to the code before returning to classes, and will be required to come the next school day in Dress-up Day attire (reference dress-up days section 8.8). More serious consequences will result if a student is habitually out of the Dress and Appearance Code. Consequences may include a suspension from school. Chronic noncompliance may result in dismissal or expulsion from school. The administration reserves the right to make final decisions regarding student grooming and appearance. This dress code is in full effect from the time students arrive on campus until the end of the day both inside and outside of class. The following are to be observed by all: 1. Shoes must be worn; the absence of shoes will be allowed only for a demonstrated medical necessity. 2. Clothing which allows undergarments to be visible is not permitted. Sports bras are undergarments and must be covered. 3. Bare midriffs are not permitted. 4. Student shirts must be one of the following: • T-shirt with a crew neck (no v-neck, square neck, scooped neck or plunging neck line shirts are not allowed), and must include sleeves. • Saint Mary's or Collegial Sweatshirts (long or short sleeve), • Polo shirt (long or short sleeve), • Collared shirt or blouse that is buttoned close to the neckline. 1. Lycra and spandex tights may not be worn unless under clothing that meets other school guidelines. Skirts worn with leggings, spandex, or other like materials must be the appropriate length (two inches above the knee-cap). “Jeggings”, denim leggings, and other like apparel are not allowed. 2. Sweats, athletic pants, swishy pants, velour pants, athletic shorts, and board shorts are not permitted during the school day. 3. Dresses and skirts, including slits, may not be more than two inches above the top of the kneecap. 4. Shorts may not be more than two inches above the top of the knee. 5. Tattered, ripped, or clothing with holes is not permitted. 6. Dyed hair may be black, brown, red, or blonde, but colors must be those that naturally occur. Hair colors that appear extreme or unnatural are not permitted. Outlandish or excessive hairstyles such as Mohawks, etching lines and designs or other styles—as determined by the
30
7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12. 13.
Administration—are prohibited. If dyed hair or an excessive hairstyle is a part of special school activity or performance, the student must adhere to the school's policy on dyed hair and hairstyle within a day after the event or performance concludes. If a male student chooses to wear his hair long, the hair must be clean, neatly groomed, and out of his face and not obstructing the view from students sitting behind them. Male students may wear neatly trimmed beards and moustaches. Pierced ears are allowed. One small, studded nose piercing is allowed. Piercings must be tasteful, not distracting to the learning environment and deemed appropriate by the Administration. No other body piercing is allowed. Inappropriate writing, logos, or graphics – as determined by the Administration – are not permitted on any apparel. Hats or headgear may not be worn in classrooms and offices or during school functions. Sunglasses may not be worn inside any school building. No sagging is permitted. Excessively baggy clothing including oversized T-shirts is not permitted. Pants must be worn at the waist with no exposed undergarments. The length of T-shirts may not extend past the student’s fingers when the student’s arms are at his or her side.
8.8 Dress-Up Days On certain days that the school celebrates special events such as liturgies, academic assemblies, and other designated assemblies, students are required to wear the following for the entire school day: • Male students are required to wear a white, collared dress shirt (tucked-in), a necktie, dress slacks or khaki-style pants with a belt, and dress shoes that are in good condition. Sweatshirts may not be worn to the assembly, liturgy, or special event. No hats may be worn on dress-up days. • Female students are required to wear a white, collared blouse (tucked-in or un-tucked); appropriatelength dress skirt, dress pants, or khaki-style pants, and dress shoes. Flat dress shoes are appropriate. Boots, flip-flops, and similar footwear are not acceptable. Jean skirts and any type of shorts are not permitted. Capri-length pants may be worn if they extend past the knees. Corduroy pants, black jeans, or any other type of denim trousers are not considered dress pants. The following are scheduled dress-up days:
Mass of the Holy Spirit — Friday, September 9, 2016 All Saint’s Day — Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Immaculate Conception — Thursday, December 8, 2016 Martin Luther King Memorial — Friday, January 13, 2017 Holy Week Prayer Service — Thursday, April 13, 2017 Founder’s Day — Friday, May 12, 2017 Senior Presentation, which is set for June 2, 2017.
Additional dress-up days may be added by the Administration and students will be required to adhere to the Dress-Up Day Policies. 8.9 Assigned Lockers Each student is assigned a locker and a lock at the beginning of the academic year. All lockers, including athletic lockers, are the property of Saint Mary’s College High School. Saint Mary’s reserves the right to inspect the contents of any locker at any time. Neither this locker nor its lock combination should be shared with anyone, nor may a student change his or her locker without the permission of the Dean of Students. Students may not use their own locks on school lockers. Each student is expected to keep his or her locker neat, clean, free of any controversial materials, (e.g., contraband, pictures, etc.), and securely locked at all times.
31
Students must clear their lockers at the end of the school year or at any time designated by the school administration. Any items left in the lockers at the end of the academic year by students will be discarded or given to charity. The school is not responsible for any losses, theft, or damage to any books or other personal property kept in lockers. Large amounts of money or items of exceptional value should never be brought to school or kept in lockers. 8.10 Lost and Found Lost and found items may be turned in to and/or retrieved from the Main Office before and after school or during lunch. Students may be charged a fine to claim lost items. Unclaimed property will be sold and/or given to charity. Collected money will be donated to charity. 8.11 Bicycles, Skates, Scooters, and Skateboards Students, other than use for commuting to or from school, are not to ride bikes, skateboards, scooters, or roller blades on campus at any time. Saint Mary’s College High School is not responsible for any lost or stolen bicycles, skates, scooters, or skateboards. These items are subject to confiscation. Students are encouraged to lock their bikes onto the campus bicycle racks. Bicycles or any other items left for an extended period of time may be confiscated. Bicycles may not be secured to objects or structures other than the campus bike racks.
8.12 Communication Devices We recognize that cell phones and other communication devices are necessary tools for families to keep in contact with their children. Additionally, these electronic devices can serve as valuable means to enhance learning. However, the desire to stay “connected” and these devices can create distractions to the educational environment when used at the wrong times or in an inappropriate manner. Examples include, but are not limited to, texting, taking pictures, audible sounds, etc. Determination of inappropriate use is at the teacher’s discretion. Therefore, in these cases, a student’s mobile device will be confiscated and given to the Dean of Students. The school may examine the contents of the device (texts, images, video and audio files, etc.) if deemed necessary. Students will receive detention and a fine with additional consequences resulting if the problem becomes excessive. Collected fines will be donated to charity. 8.13 Musical Devices Musical devices including iPods, iPads, Phones, and MP3 players may only be used before school, during lunch, and after school. Outside of these prescribed times, visible or audible musical devices will be confiscated and given to the Dean of Students. The school may examine the contents of the music player if deemed necessary. Any of the following constitutes violation of this policy: • Visible earphones outside of aforementioned time periods • Use during study hall, art class, or in the library. • Use during class time. Teachers are not authorized to allow students to use such devices. The school reserves the right to revoke the lunchtime iPod policy if violations are persistent and prove to be a distraction to the faculty and administration. Portable sound systems are not permitted on campus and will be confiscated. 8.14 Ipad Policies Prohibited Use of iPads While on Campus • Illegal installation or transmission of copyrighted materials.
32
• • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • •
Any action that violates existing school rules or public law. Creating, sending, accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing offensive, profane, threatening, pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material is strictly prohibited. Use of social networks not authorized by the teacher for academic use. Sites selling term papers, book reports, and other forms of student work. Texting during instructional time. Spamming: sending mass or inappropriate emails. Gaining access to other students’ accounts, files, and/or data. Use of the school’s internet/E-mail accounts for financial or commercial gain or for any illegal activity. Bypassing the Saint Mary’s web filter through a web proxy. Photographing or video recording on campus without the permission of a teacher for academic purposes or in support of a school program. Student sharing of their passwords, addresses, or other personal information on the Internet without the authorization of a parent or school representative. Copying Internet materials or reproducing materials without the permission of the author or other right-holder and any other action that violates copyright, unless allowed by educational fair use. Plagiarizing academic materials. Using or possessing hacking software. Unauthorized access to classroom equipment, like the Apple TVs, which allow syncing with the iPad. Individual teachers may impose addition policies for their individual classes. Violation of any of these policies will result in disciplinary sanctions, including loss of co-curricular eligibility, suspension from school honor and service organizations, and suspension or expulsion from school.
8.15 Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Controlled Substances. Students found either to be selling drugs or possessing drugs with the intent to sell will be expelled from Saint Mary’s College High School. Students who consume drugs or alcohol on campus during school hours will be suspended from school with the possibility of expulsion. The problem of alcohol and drug abuse is a serious one. Saint Mary’s makes every effort to work with the family in assisting students who are motivated and interested in working to solve this problem. Efforts are made to enable students who are actively seeking help for themselves or others to continue their education at Saint Mary’s College High School. Any student is subject to investigation, who: a. Shows evidence of having consumed alcohol and/or drugs, b. Is suspected to be in possession of alcohol and/or drugs, c. Is involved in the sale or exchange of alcohol and/or drugs, d. Is under the influence of controlled or illegal substances. Students suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be suspended. During the suspension the following must happen: 1. 2. 3.
The student will be required to undergo a drug/alcohol assessment from one of the programs approved by Saint Mary’s College High School. The parent or guardian consents to release all information from the assessment to Saint Mary’s College High School. Following the assessment, a meeting will be scheduled with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s) and administrator(s) of Saint Mary’s.
Possible consequences may include, but are not limited to, drug/alcohol testing and assessment, education, counseling, in-patient or out-patient treatment, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. Failure to comply with the assessed consequences will result in further disciplinary actions or
33
expulsion. Failure of the parent or guardian to cooperate and support the conditions for the student’s continuing enrollment at Saint Mary’s College High School may result in the school’s request that the parents withdraw the student. Saint Mary’s contracts with Kontraband Interdiction Detection Services, Inc. (KIDS), in order to ensure a campus that is safe and free of illegal substances. KIDS provides trained canines which detect the odor of contraband items such as drugs, alcohol, and explosive materials. Inspections will randomly take place throughout the school year. Although some students may be 18 years old, no student is allowed to use tobacco on campus or in the school neighborhood. 8.16 Harassment Saint Mary’s is a school community that aspires to live by Christian principles. To that end, harassment of any individual by any person is prohibited. The school will treat the allegations of harassment seriously and will review and investigate such allegations in a prompt, confidential, and thorough manner. A charge of harassment shall not, in and of itself, create the presumption of wrongdoing. However, substantial acts of harassment will result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Students found to have filed false or frivolous charges will also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Harassment occurs when an individual is subjected to mistreatment that is hostile or intimidating to the individual’s race, creed, color, national origin, physical appearance, physical disabilities, sexual orientation, or gender. Harassment can occur at any time. It includes, but is not limited to, any or all of the following: • • • • • • • • • • •
Verbal Harassment Derogatory comments, jokes, and/or threatening words spoken or written to or about another person, including malicious rumors, gossip, and other forms of social aggression. Internet Harassment (Cyber bullying) Derogatory or vulgar comments, jokes, and/or threatening words written and/or posted on chat rooms, message boards, emails, text messages, or any other form of digital communication. Physical Harassment Unwanted physical contact (e.g. touching, assault, deliberate impeding or blocking movements, or any intimidating interference with normal work or movement). Visual Harassment Derogatory, demeaning, or inflammatory posters, cartoons, written words, drawings, or gestures. Taking pictures or videos or sharing pictures or videos of an individual or groups for the purpose of and/or leads to ridicule, exploitation, defamation, etc. Sexual Harassment Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature.
• Specific examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to: ▫ Making unsolicited sexual advances and propositions, ▫ Using sexually degrading words to describe an individual or individual’s body, ▫ Displaying sexually suggestive and/or obscene objects, pictures and videos, ▫ Telling inappropriate or sexually related jokes or stories, ▫ Making reprisals, threats of reprisals, or implied threats of reprisals, following a rejection or a negative response to sexual advances.
34
Students are asked to follow these procedures when filing a claim of harassment: 1. Students may or may not choose to tell the individual causing the harassment that the conduct is offensive and must stop. If the objectionable behavior does not cease immediately, students must report the harassment to a faculty member, counselor, staff member, or administrator, who will report it to the Principal. 2. In the case of sexual harassment allegations, students may raise the issue with any administrator or faculty member, or staff member. 3. Students alleging harassment will be asked to complete a written report. All claims, written or unwritten, will be investigated thoroughly, involving only the necessary parties. Confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible. 4. The investigation will include a meeting with the person alleged to be harassing, sharing with that person the nature of the allegations as well as the name of the person bringing the allegations. If appropriate, the person will be placed on leave or suspended during the course of the investigation. A follow-up meeting will be held with the complainant. 5. Once the facts of the case have been gathered, the Principal, in consultation with the President, will decide what, if any, disciplinary action is warranted. The disciplinary action can include all disciplinary actions up to and including immediate termination or expulsion.
8.16b Sexual Harassment by a Faculty / Staff Member Includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexual or inappropriate text messages, emails, and postings on social media, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any or all of the following occur: ▫ Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s academic status or progress. ▫ Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis of academic decisions affecting that student. ▫ Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonable interference with a student’s academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. It is the responsibility of Saint Mary’s to: Implement this policy through regular meetings with all faculty and staff, ensuring that they understand the policy and its importance. Make all faculty, staff, students, and parents or guardians aware of this policy and the commitment of the school to its strict enforcement. Remain watchful for conditions that create or may lead to a hostile and/or offensive school environment. Establish practices to create a school environment free from discrimination, intimidation, or harassment. Students are responsible for: • Conducting themselves in a manner that contributes to a positive safe school environment. • Avoiding any activity that may be considered discriminatory, intimidating, or harassing. • Immediately informing the student that the behavior is offensive and unwelcome. • Reporting all incidents of harassment witnessed or experienced to a teacher, counselor, staff member, or administrator. • Discontinuing conduct immediately if they have been told that their behavior is perceived to be discriminatory, harassing, or unwelcome. Students are asked to follow these procedures when filing a claim of harassment: 1. Students may or may not choose to tell the individual causing the harassment that the conduct is offensive and must stop. If the objectionable behavior does not cease immediately, students must report the harassment to a faculty member, counselor, staff member, or administrator, who will report it to the Principal.
35
2. 3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
If the Principal is the subject of the allegations, the student must report the harassment to any school official. In the case of sexual harassment allegations, students may raise the issue with any administrator, faculty member, or staff member. Students alleging harassment will be asked to complete a written report. All claims, written or unwritten, will be investigated thoroughly, involving only the necessary parties. Confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible. The investigation will include a meeting with the person alleged to be harassing, sharing with that person the nature of the allegations as well as the name of the person bringing the allegations. If appropriate, the person will be placed on administrative leave or suspended during the course of the investigation. A follow-up meeting will be held with the complainant. Once the facts of the case have been gathered, the Principal, in consultation with the President, will decide what, if any, disciplinary action is warranted. The disciplinary action can include all disciplinary actions up to and including immediate termination. If the complaint is against a non-employee or non-student, such as a parent, volunteer, or vendor, the school will take appropriate steps, within its power, to investigate and eliminate the problem, including contacting local law enforcement.
Chapter 9: Disciplinary Actions There is neither a particular sequence of disciplinary actions, nor should it be assumed that the following disciplinary actions are applied in a progressive manner. Saint Mary’s College High School employs a number of different disciplinary actions, dependent upon the gravity of the incident, which include the following: • DETENTION - Students held in violation of school regulations may be assigned to detention. Disciplinary detention takes precedence over prior commitments in personal schedules (e.g., a job, meetings with teachers, student activities, club meetings, class meetings, drama or athletic practices, or athletic events). •WARNING - Students are notified that continuing a specific conduct may be cause for other disciplinary action. There may be times when students are asked to remain at home while the Dean of Students investigates an offense. •SUSPENSION - A period of suspension can be required for more serious violations of school policies. Students are ineligible to participate in or attend any school activities while on suspension. Ineligibility may extend beyond the suspension. In all cases of suspension, parents will be notified before the student leaves the school campus. Before any student is re-admitted after a period of suspension, a meeting with the Principal, Dean of Students , parent, and student may be required. •DISCIPLINARY PROBATION - The Dean of Students and/or the Principal communicate(s) probation officially to the student and parent or guardian with a written notice. Students who are placed on disciplinary probation may be excluded from participation in privileges, activities, and/or from the campus for a specified period of time. Re-instatement is dependent upon the observance of the terms of the probation and the decision of the Dean of Students. While a student is on disciplinary probation, involvement in any other serious disciplinary problems could result in expulsion from Saint Mary’s. •EXPULSION - Expulsion signifies the permanent and immediate termination of the student’s status without the possibility of re-admission to Saint Mary’s.
Chapter 10: Attendance Policies and Procedures Saint Mary’s students are expected to attend the full duration of all classes and other required school programs unless excused by the Dean of Students. Students will be subject to disciplinary action for
36
unexcused absences and tardiness. A phone call to the Attendance Voicemail Line at 510-559-6211 or to the Main Office at 510-526-9242 will excuse a student’s tardiness or absence. Please do not leave a voicemail on the Main Office voicemail. 10.1 Tardiness Students are allocated five passes for tardiness per term. These passes will allow a student to arrive to school up to 15 minutes late. No phone call from a parent or guardian is required for students to use one of their passes. Students who arrive later than 15 minutes to school must have their parents or guardians phone the Attendance Voicemail Line or the Main Office and a pass will be deducted from the student’s total. A student who arrives more than 15 minutes into a class period may be issued multiple detentions as a late arrival. A student will be suspended from school after five morning tardies. Following the suspension, a mandatory meeting with the student’s parent or guardian must take place upon the student’s return to school. Further disciplinary action may occur for chronic tardiness. Tardiness of over 20 minutes counts as one absence for the class.
10.2 Excused Absence If a student is to be absent for any reason, a parent must telephone the school Attendance Voicemail Line at (510) 559-6211 before 9:00 a.m. each morning of the absence. The voicemail should clearly provide the following: • Student’s name, • Date(s) of absence, • Date of return, • Reason for the absence, The school has the right to challenge the absence from classes. Parents are strongly encouraged to schedule legal and medical appointments at the end of the school day or during vacations. Students are allowed to make up all assignments, examinations, tests, or quizzes when they return from an excused absence. Make-up test and other assignments must be arranged with the teacher(s) within two days of their return. Students are required to turn in assignments for any classes they miss before any planned absence that is the result of a school function (e.g. athletic event, field trip, campus ministry event, fine arts event, student government event). Students must be prepared for class in case the school event is cancelled. 10.3 Unexcused Absence Absences not excused by a student’s parent or guardian are unexcused. In the case of an unexcused absence, credit will be withheld for class work or tests missed. For unexcused absences, students will not be allowed to make up any assignments or assessments given during their absence. 10.4 Maximum Absences Barring extraordinary circumstances, students who miss eight or more days in any term, (including excused absences) may receive no credit for course(s). School activities, (e.g., student government, field trips, athletic and fine arts events) may count toward days missed. Students who miss eight or more days in a term are liable to be dismissed from school.
37
10.5 Absences and Activities At the discretion of the Dean of Students, students absent for more than half the scheduled class periods of any day are not eligible for athletic participation (practice or competition), or student activities that day or evening. Legitimate appointments are the exception to this rule. 10.6 Anticipated Absences While not advised, there may be an occasion when a student will know in advance that he/she will be absent. In such cases, the student should present a parent’s note to the Main Office at least two weeks prior to the anticipated absence and before notifying teachers. Students are expected to communicate with teachers regarding an anticipated absence. Students have the responsibility to obtain from their teachers all class and homework assignments missed because of the excused absence. All work must be made up within a reasonable amount of time as agreed upon by the teacher and student. 10.7 College Visits Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to use non-school days, Lasallian Days, and Enrichment Week for college visitations, orientations, or activities designed to enhance the student’s opportunity to attend college. In the event that missing class time is unavoidable, parents and guardians must follow these procedures: 1. Parents/Guardians must submit a written request for the student’s educational leave at least 5 days prior to the expected absence. This request should be addressed to the Attendance Office and must outline the purpose and itinerary of the visit. 2. Parents/Guardians are to obtain the authorization of the Dean of Students for the absence. 3. Parents/Guardians and students assume personal responsibility for arranging with all teachers before the period of leave to make up any missed academic work. 4. The student’s total absences will not exceed the maximum allowed for the semester. 10.8 Make-Up Work during Extended Absences Extended absences due to surgery, illness, or other circumstances are sometimes inevitable. Such absences can be a substantial disruption to a student’s progress, especially when the amount of work missed becomes overwhelming upon return to school. Whenever possible, a student should make prior arrangements with all of his or her teachers. If this is not possible, following the steps below should make the experience less disruptive: 1. 2.
If a student is to be absent one or two days, it is best for him/her to contact a classmate or check the teacher’s webpage to obtain the homework and assignments to be missed. When a student needs to be absent for more than three days, the parent or guardian should contact the student’s guidance counselor and student’s teachers by email and request that teachers provide any assignments or study materials via email or the teacher’s website. Any complications should be addressed to the guidance counselor for intervention.
10.9 Illness During the school day, a student who is too ill to remain in class is to report to the Main Office. A call will be made to the parent or guardian to pick up the student from the Main Office. Students are not allowed to use their cell phones and obtain permission outside the Main Office. Students may not leave school without authorization from the Main Office. Students will not be allowed to rest in the Main Office. 10.10 Early Dismissal Should it be necessary for a student to leave before the end of the school day, an off-campus permit must be obtained from the Main Office. Students should submit a signed and dated written request from their parent or guardian to the Main Office and should be sure it includes the reason for the early dismissal.
38
This needs to be submitted before the start of the school day. Upon returning to campus, the student must report to the Main Office. No faxes, phone calls, or emails will be accepted. Only the Principal or the Dean of Students can approve a student leaving the school campus during regular school hours with the prior knowledge of the student’s parents. No teacher or other school employee may give a student permission to leave the school premises. Leaving school grounds without an off-campus permit will result in an unexcused absence.
Chapter 11: Counseling and Guidance 11.1 Counseling Services The Guidance & Counseling Department at Saint Mary’s College High School is a team of five members: three Guidance Counselors, a College Counselor, and an Academic Support Specialist. Our Counseling services are designed to support and enhance student development in the realms of academic, social, emotional, and spiritual areas of adolescent development.
In order to best serve the students, we firmly believe in providing a road map for each student with the guidelines and benchmarks necessary for him or her to navigate a successful high school career. Along this path, the counselor may mediate and advise the student as he or she makes decisions and choices. Crisis interventions with school and outside supports may provide the resources needed for a student and their family in times of need. Finally, educational and behavioral scaffolding is provided, through direct instruction, to help the student gain an understanding of his or her learning and/or behavioral sensitivities and develop those skills necessary to address these challenges. Students are assigned a guidance counselor by the first initial of their last name across all grade levels. The student remains with the assigned counselor throughout high school. The counselor is responsible for monitoring the student’s academic progress and will coordinate the course selection process during the four years of high school. Four year course planning takes place annually and is revised, as needed. Additionally, the counselor will be the initial contact person for the parent or guardian, teachers, and the Dean of Students when problems arise. The framework for the delivery of counseling services is provided at three levels, and is characterized by the frequency of contacts and focus of action needed. The first level applies to all students: All students are scheduled to meet with their guidance counselor two times a year at minimum. During these meetings benchmark standards for academic progress are discussed. Course selection, grade point average, and standardized test scores are the initial topics of discussion. The focus of these meetings is determined by those tasks or concerns, which are age/grade appropriate. If the student wishes more contact with his or her counselor, the student is encouraged to initiate this process through e-mail, phone message, or a knock on the door. The second level is characterized by a pending situational challenge in which a counseling meeting takes place to focus on a specific concern or incident. The counselor may determine that additional contact is needed, for a short time, to help the student cope effectively with the situation. If more long-term counseling is needed, an outside referral will be made and a release of information between the outside agency and the counselor may be established to help facilitate student growth. The third level is characterized by an ongoing, or historical, struggle in the area of academics and or social personal development. All students who arrive at Saint Mary’s College High School with a Psychoeducational Evaluation, or a history of academic struggles, will meet with the Academic Support Specialist to determine what appropriate accommodations are needed to support student learning.
39
This level of counseling requires frequent contact early in the student’s high school career with the desired outcome being fewer necessary direct contacts as the student comes to understand how he or she learns, what accommodations he or she needs to achieve academic success, and how to advocate for appropriate support. Please see Section 11.4 for more information. The rationale for the structure and implementation process of our counseling services is based upon our belief that students benefit from a relationship with a significant adult on an ongoing scheduled basis. The foundation of the counseling role is to provide time and space for a student to pause, reflect, and share in order to develop a secure sense of self. Additionally, the student is encouraged and supported to hone decision-making skills that are so necessary for them to navigate their fast paced, and ever-changing global community.
11.2 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) involves the processes through which students and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL programming is based on the understanding that the best learning emerges in the context of supportive relationships that make learning challenging, engaging and meaningful. Social and emotional skills are critical to being a good student, citizen and worker; and many risky behaviors can be prevented or reduced when multiyear, integrated efforts are used to develop students' social and emotional skills. This is best done through effective classroom instruction; student engagement in positive activities both inside and outside of the classroom; and broad parent and community involvement in program planning, implementation and evaluation. SEL will occur twice a month in our C-block format. Teachers remain with the same group of students for all four years with the purpose of creating the most supportive, trusting, and engaging group as possible. Teachers are trained yearly in the skills necessary to fully develop and implement our SEL program. In addition to the SEL program, the counselors lead Lasallian Days activities twice a year for freshmen and sophomores. The activities are an extension of SEL program and provide the students an opportunity to practice the skills learned in C-Block. The Lasallian Days activities reinforce self-awareness and selfmanagement, other awareness, and community building through communication and collaboration. 11.3 College Counseling In keeping with its college-preparatory focus, Saint Mary’s College High School offers a full range of college counseling services to its students. The College Counselor maintains and makes available to students the resources necessary to research colleges, take the necessary college admissions tests, apply for financial aid, and seek scholarships. The College Counselor is available during lunch, after school, and by appointment during class hours. During the lower-division years, the important part within the college counseling process emphasizes good study skills and careful high school course planning. It fosters the selection of activities that develop leadership, special talents, and dedication to service. In the fall, all freshmen will complete an academic 4-year plan preparing for college eligibility and all sophomores take the PSAT test as an introduction to the standardized testing required of college preparatory students. The College Counseling office also maintains information about summer programs that are suitable for lower-division students. Sophomores will be invited to register for Family Connection used to help plan, research and familiarize themselves with the career/college planning process.
40
During the upper-division years, both individually and in groups, juniors and seniors are guided and supported through the many steps involved in applying to colleges and in discerning eventually which institution to attend. A-Block continues to play a key role in the college advising process throughout the junior and senior years. A-Block assists in helping students understand the process of preparing and following through with the college selection and application process. During the fall term, all juniors take the PSAT (on a date determined nationally) and spend at least one ABlock session learning how to understand their scores. In the spring term they spend several of their ABlock and Lasallian Day sessions gathering information on choosing and visiting colleges, reviewing college entrance requirements, and learning about standardized test requirements. They are invited to meet with the College Counselor each semester. A college information night is scheduled late in the winter term for juniors and their parents. Juniors are encouraged to attend college fairs and other college-related information nights scheduled at the beginning of winter term. During the year, but especially in the fall term, a number of college admissions representatives visit Saint Mary’s campus to speak with interested students. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend some of these presentations which typically take place during the school day. Seniors are encouraged to attend the information sessions and must sign up via Family Connection; juniors are welcome to attend if room is available. In order to attend, students must obtain the teacher’s permission in advance of the presentation, and all missed assignments must be made up. Students are also encouraged to visit colleges as they prepare to apply to them. (See §10.7 for information about College Visitation.) 11.4 Academic Support & Learning Differences As a Lasallian college preparatory high school, we value relationships with our students and recognize that true learning occurs when students feel connected to their teacher. The main focus of our Academic Support program is to assist students with documented learning needs by empowering each student to advocate for his or her needs within a supportive environment. Students who recognize their learning strengths and embrace their learning challenges have better success throughout their academic career. Saint Mary's College High School follows all guidelines provided by the College Board regarding accommodations and documentation in order to best serve our students with attentional and/or learning disabilities. In an effort to educate the whole person by addressing the needs of all types of learners, Saint Mary's College High School provides coordination and support services for students with documented needs ranging from learning disabilities to medical health conditions. Students who have a mild to moderate documented learning disability are eligible for support both in and out of the classroom setting. The supports are determined by the recommendations provided in the educational assessment which must be completed by a licensed evaluator. All documentation should be dated within the past three years, and the Academic Support Specialist reserves the right to request an updated assessment. This confidential assessment will become part of the student’s file and must include the following: (1) a clearly stated diagnosis, (2) relevant educational, developmental, and medical history, (3) test results from both cognitive testing and achievement testing, (4) a description of the functional limitations resulting from the disability, and (5) recommended accommodations and a rationale explaining the need for such accommodations.
41
Documentation (including medical notes) needs to be submitted to our Academic Support Specialist during the application process. Upon a thorough review of the documentation, the Academic Support Specialist will make arrangements to meet with each incoming student and their parent/guardian to create an Educational Support Plan. These meetings take place annually prior to the start of the school year so that the student can review their courses and set goals for the coming year. It is essential that parents provide this information so our community can best serve the student.
Chapter 12: Campus Ministry 12.1 Introduction The Lasallian Catholic tradition and mission of Saint Mary’s College High School is the origin of the Campus Ministry Program where the student’s spiritual development and maturation is at the center of our activities. In a unique way, Campus Ministry attends to the spiritual environment of the school community so as to support our community members’ individual and communal growth towards an engaged life of faith, service, and community. Inspired by the message of Jesus Christ as found within the Gospels, our programs are developed with our diverse community in mind, and all members of the Saint Mary’s community are invited to deepen their relationship with God and journey further in faith from whatever spiritual point of origin they find themselves. Five major areas comprise the scope of the Campus Ministry program: Liturgy – Communal prayer gathers Saint Mary’s together in celebration Retreat – Reflecting upon the journey of life. Service – Developing habits of altruism Immersion – Finding God on the margins of society Vocation – Called to discern God’s call for the future 12.2 Liturgy In the Roman Catholic tradition, liturgical prayer has a significant place within the life of the faith community. Perhaps there is no greater command that Catholics take more literally from Jesus himself than, “Do this in remembrance of me”, when we gather for Eucharist, giving thanks and offering our thoughts, feelings, and lives to a God who loves us. Members of our community are continually welcomed into liturgical celebrations and offered the opportunity to insert themselves into the prayers and movements of the liturgy without coercion. At Saint Mary’s, we have our own form of Lasallian prayer, and liturgy takes many different forms within the life of our community: – A moment of prayer and reflection begins each class period of our school day; – A school-wide prayer begins our daily announcements; – Eucharistic Liturgies or Mass is celebrated with the entire school community on holy days or other school celebrations; – Non-Eucharistic Liturgies are other chances to celebrate or memorialize other observances with our entire school community; – Opportunities for students to participate in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent. Saint Mary’s students are involved in all aspects of our community’s liturgies, beginning with preparation and planning and continuing through their observance. Liturgy is not something reserved to our Catholic students, but instead all students are welcome to learn and participate in ways that they feel appropriate
42
to them, for liturgy itself is a significant way in which we balance the personal/spiritual with the communal/religious relationship to God. All-school liturgical celebrations for the coming year include the following: – Mass of the Holy Spirit — Friday, September 9, 2016 — Eucharistic – All Saint’s Day — Tuesday, November 1, 2016 — Eucharistic – Immaculate Conception — Thursday, December 8, 2016 — Eucharistic – Martin Luther King Memorial — Friday, January 13, 2017 — Non-Eucharistic – Holy Week Prayer Service — Thursday, April 13, 2017 — Non-Eucharistic – Founder’s Day — Friday, May 12, 2017 — Eucharistic Because Ash Wednesday falls on the first day of Final Exams for the Winter Term, an opportunity will be offered to the community as an optional prayer service.
12.3 Retreat As a Lasallian Catholic school, the retreat program holds an important place in the development of the spiritual life of our students at Saint Mary’s College High School. It is in spending time away from the normal routine of things where students have the opportunity to reflect deeply upon the many facets of their lives. Being on retreat offers the individual student a chance to consider the role of relationships, community, God, service, spirituality, and many more areas and topics essential to growth as a person intending to reach his or her full potential. Central to this program is the belief that a person cannot spiritually give of himself or herself if he or she has not taken the time to develop the inner spirit of faith by reflecting not only upon the experiences of life, but also how God’s loving guidance has been present in those events and experiences. The retreat program has a full scope and sequence that builds upon itself, and also is designed to be developmentally appropriate for students at each of the four years in high school as they develop their spirit of faith along with their skills of reasoning. 12.3.1 - Faith, Service, Community - Faith, Service, Community is the freshman retreat experience at Saint Mary’s College High School, and is part of the Freshman Experience program. Since the Freshman Experience program in its entirety, is about what it means to be a student at Saint Mary’s, the freshman retreat holds a key place in the program as the primary way in which the new freshmen reflect upon this new venture at Saint Mary’s. All the activities are focused on the three major topics of Faith, Service, and Community, and throughout the day the freshmen, both individually and collectively, find just some of the new relationships that will support them throughout their years at Saint Mary’s. The retreat is a required one-day retreat experience for all freshmen students at Saint Mary’s; the retreat takes place during the days of orientation, which happen in August of the new academic year, and is required of all incoming freshmen students. 12.3.2 - Our History, My Future - Our History, My Future is the sophomore retreat experience at Saint Mary’s College High School, and is part of the Lasallian Days program. As a celebration of our Lasallian Tradition, our history and connection to Saint Mary’s College of California, and as a beginning of the college discernment process, sophomores at Saint Mary’s spend a day in reflection on their being engaged in a Lasallian college-preparatory education. The sophomore retreat is a required one-day retreat experience for all sophomore students at Saint Mary’s; all information, permission slips, and other necessary business is completed in conjunction with the Lasallian Days Program. 12.3.3 - Choices - Choices is the junior retreat experience at Saint Mary’s College High School. The topic has been chosen to give the retreatants a chance to reflect upon the way in which they make decisions in their life. Many important choices will be coming up during the coming year, and this retreat allows the individual junior retreatant a supportive environment to examine the role of choices within his or her
43
life. Three sessions of Choices have been scheduled for the 2015-16 academic year. The Choices retreat is an optional, two-day and one-night retreat experience for junior students at Saint Mary’s, and takes place at Redwood Glen Conference Center in Scotts Valley, California. Applications are made available at the beginning of the academic year and are due to the Director of Campus Ministry prior to the first Choices retreat of the year. Retreat sessions take place on the scheduled Lasallian Days during the academic year. Students are asked to choose the one that best fits their schedule. 12.3.4 - Journey - Journey is the senior retreat experience at Saint Mary’s College High School. Many of the current members of the senior class choose to attend the Journey retreat at some point in their senior year. The first Journey retreat, Journey 1, took place in April of 2009, and Journey 28, Journey 29, Journey 30, and Journey 31, are scheduled for the 2016-17 academic year. The Journey retreat is an optional, three-day and two-night retreat experience for senior students at Saint Mary’s. Journey retreatants are invited to consider how their entire life, past, present, and future, is itself a journey that includes the need for self-awareness, the loving support of others, and the presence of God in their lives. The Journey retreat takes place at Saint Joseph’s Camp at the Russian River. Applications are made available at the beginning of the academic year and are due to the Director of Campus Ministry prior to the first Journey retreat of the year. Retreat sessions are held on the Lasallian Days of the academic year, as a part of that specific program, with the exception of the final session in May 2017. Students are asked to choose the retreat session that best fits their schedule. 12.4 Service The Christian call to service is intimately related to Jesus’ call to love. Throughout the gospels, we are called to serve others, yet the reason for which is most poignantly noted in the scripture passage above. When we serve one another, especially the poor and the forgotten, we are serving God in those people. Saint Mary’s Lasallian tradition is itself an expression of this call to love, for education is a sharing of God’s Truth with the world. At Saint Mary’s College High School, our service program has many different elements ranging from outreach activities such as assisting at local races or marathons, the Walk for Life, and service at the Alameda County Food Bank. We also engage in different drives over the course of the year to collect necessary items for different community constituencies. 12.5 Immersion The Immersion Program of Saint Mary’s College High School is inspired by the call of Jesus to the first disciples, “Come and see.” (John 1.39) This was an invitation to these individuals to step out of their normal lives and to encounter God in a new way. Saint Mary’s Immersion Program provides opportunities for students to do the same, for they leave the life of a Bay Area teenager and encounter God in the people on the margins of our society, global or local. Saint Mary’s Immersions are not tourist experiences, but instead, are community-based experiences, witnessing real-life situations. Participants develop a deep respect for the people, history, and cultures of places that they visit. They come to recognize anew God’s presence in the lives and cultures of the people encountered, yet this can only occur with a willingness to be personally challenged by the stories, experiences, and human connections within the immersion experience. The Immersion Program takes place in conjunction with the Enrichment Week program. 12.6 Vocation Saint Mary’s College High School supports the vocational discernment of individual students throughout their years at SMCHS. Students are encouraged throughout the retreat, immersion, and service programs, religious studies curriculum, and in various other program offerings in collaboration with De La Salle Institute, to discover God’s call for them. Particular focus of the Saint Mary’s Vocation Program is given to the vocation of the De La Salle Brother as a lay religious dedicated to the apostolate of education.
44
Chapter 13: Student Government & Activities 13.1 Student Government Lasallian Student Leaders Saint Mary’s College High School is committed to the principle of student government and acknowledges the value of granting students autonomy in the governance of their affairs as a means of creating a community based on shared purpose, trust, and tradition. Being a part of student government is a privilege, not a right, and involvement teaches students important lessons regarding the proper balance of freedom and responsibility. The Saint Mary’s College High School student council is known as Lasallian Student Leaders (LSL). The goals of LSL include: a. Give students the power to meaningfully lead the school and create a positive school culture; b. Put some fun and pride into Peralta Park; and c. Teach the skills required to be a successful leader. Governance Structure LSL is a deliberative assembly that consists of the Executive Council and its Cabinet. The Executive Council consists of eight elected representatives: one Community President, one Community Vice President, two Communication of Directors, two Rally Commissioners and two Directors of Wellness. The Cabinet consists of 12-16 elected and appointed class representatives, three to four from each grade level. In addition, directors and committees are formed under each Executive Council member to help with development, planning, and execution of projects and activities. Meetings The LSL Executive Council meets one to three times per week at lunch for leadership training and general planning and once per week during A-Block to implement plans for activities and events. Elections Any student may run for an LSL office, provided he or she is in good standing with the Saint Mary’s community, as determined by the Dean of Students, the student’s guidance counselor, and the LSL Advisors. Candidates must complete a personal declaration of candidacy and a personal leadership statement. Elections are held in April. For freshmen, the election process will take place during the first six weeks of the first term, as determined by the LSL advisors. 13.2 Student Activities The Student Activities Program is coordinated through the Office of Student Activities with the assistance of the Lasallian Student Leaders (LSL). At their best, student activities are educational and curricular, similar to a traditional classroom experience. With committed participation from students, the LSL team continues to develop a successful program focusing on Faith, Service, and Community. All students are encouraged to participate in student activities so as to optimize their education. Participation in Student Activities, including clubs, student government, and performing arts, is a privilege and not a right. Students are expected to act with integrity at all times. Any student who violates the school’s Honor Code or Academic Integrity policies is liable to be suspended from all student activities. 13.3 Clubs and Activities Our Mission Statement and Lasallian Educational Outcomes are witness to our commitment to diversity. We believe that our school must be an example of men and women of various cultures, identities, and backgrounds working together to create one, united community. With this goal in mind, Saint Mary’s
45
does not allow or support clubs or organizations that divide the community by ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or economics. There are opportunities offered throughout the year when we learn from and celebrate the many cultural and social differences that make Saint Mary’s a dynamic and vibrant community. Through our curriculum and programs, we are committed to continually exploring the best ways to integrate various perspectives through literature, the arts, history, and religious studies. The following guidelines have been established for student organizations and activities: • All clubs must be approved by the Administration. • Membership is open to all Saint Mary’s students, with the exception of honor societies and Circle SM, which have specific membership requirements. • The club or activity has an Administration-approved faculty sponsor who attends all meetings and functions. • The club or activity deposits its funds in school accounts and follows established financial procedures. • The club or activity may use the school’s name for public, social, or commercial activities with the permission of the Vice Principal. • All activities are approved by the Vice Principal. Extensive changes or unusual activities must be approved by the Principal. • All activities must be supervised by a member of the faculty, staff or Administration. Actions in which may incur the penalty of suspension or expulsion incur the same penalties whether the infraction happens on campus or off campus. • Students absent for more than half the scheduled class periods may not be eligible for athletic participation (practice or competition), or co-curricular student activity that day or evening. If the absence occurs on a Friday the student may not attend or participate in weekend cocurricular activities. Legitimate appointments are the exception to this rule. • At the conclusion of all activities, students must arrive at and depart from the event in a timely manner or they will not be allowed to attend the next activity. • Individuals who have been dismissed from Saint Mary’s may not attend any school functions. 13.4 School Sponsored Dances Saint Mary’s College High School sponsors several dances during the school year. The following conditions apply: • Dances held on campus are from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Students will be admitted to the dance until 8:00 p.m. and will not be able to leave before 9pm. Drop-off and pick-up areas are at the Posen Street entrance only. Students are expected to have a ride from the dance immediately after the dance. • Saint Mary’s students must present their student body ID cards to be admitted to the dance. • Saint Mary’s students may apply to bring one guest to selected dances. They must obtain a guest pass from the Director of Student Activities or the school website as instructed in the school announcements. All guests must be approved by the Director of Student Activities in consultation with the Dean of Students. Only ninth grade students or older may be invited as guests to Saint Mary’s dances, and all guests must be current high school students (Prom is an exception; no guest over the age of 19 may attend prom). All guests must have a current school identification card with photo. • Students on academic or disciplinary probation or co-curricular ineligibility may not be allowed to attend. • Offensive language, obscene gestures, and sexually explicit or unsafe dancing are not permitted. • No outside food or beverages are permitted. • All bags and purses carried into the dance must be left at the coat check and/or searched upon entry. • For all Saint Mary's dances, students are not allowed to leave early from a dance unless a parent comes to pick them up.
46
13.5 Expulsion from Co-Curricular Activities In the event that Saint Mary’s students or guests do not comply with school behavioral policies (e.g. use of drugs or alcohol, violent or disruptive behavior), they will be asked by the Administrator in charge to leave the school activity. Under these circumstances the procedure will be as follows: 1. Parents of the student will be called by the school administrator to inform them of the situation. 2. The student will remain under the supervision of the school administrator or campus supervisor until the situation has been dealt with completely. 3. Parents will either pick-up their child and meet with school officials, or the Administrator may designate another time for the meeting. 13.6 Identification Card Students are issued an identification (ID) card at the beginning of each school year. Students must carry the ID card at all times during the school day and at school events. It must also be carried at school events off-campus. Admission to school activities is free to Saint Mary’s students who show their ID cards. This ID must be presented upon request by any school faculty or staff member. Students without a school ID card may be denied admission to school events. If the ID card is lost, students should report the loss to the Main Office and purchase a replacement.
Chapter 14: Student Athletes, Sportsmanship, and Integrity 14.1 Program Offerings The interscholastic athletic program is an integral part of Saint Mary’s College High School. It holds many educational advantages for those students who elect to participate. The self-discipline required of the students participating in interscholastic competition provides a unique training opportunity not ordinarily available elsewhere in the school community. Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege and not a right. All interscholastic activities of the school’s athletic department will maintain the ideals and standards inherent in Saint Mary’s College High School mission and philosophy, the North Coast Section (NCS), the Tri-County Athletic League (TCAL), and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Sports offered are: Fall Sports: (August – November)
Cross Country (Boys & Girls) Football Girls Volleyball Girls Tennis Girls Golf Cheerleading
Winter Sports: (November– February)
Basketball (Boys & Girls) Soccer (Boys & Girls) Cheerleading
Spring Sports: (February – May)
Boys Baseball Boys Golf Boys Tennis Boys Volleyball Girls Softball
47
Swimming & Diving (Boys & Girls) Track & Field (Boys & Girls) 14.2 Student-Athletes and Sportsmanship The essential elements of character building and ethics in Saint Mary’s sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and the following six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.” It is the duty of school administrators, coaches, parents, and student athletes to promote sportsmanship and foster good character. To promote sportsmanship and foster the development of good character, school sports programs must be conducted in a manner that embraces the academic, social, spiritual, intellectual, and physical development of student-athletes. Saint Mary’s programs are intended to teach positive life skills, instill Christian virtues, and help students become personally successful and socially responsible. Participation in school sports programs is a privilege, not a right. To earn that privilege, student-athletes must abide by the rules and must conduct themselves, on and off the field, as positive role models who exemplify good character. The importance of character, ethics, and sportsmanship must be emphasized in all communications directed to coaches, student-athletes, and their parents. Saint Mary’s believes that education and character development responsibilities must not be compromised to achieve sports performance goals. The school ensures that the academic, social, spiritual, and physical well being of student-athletes are always placed above desires and pressures to win. Everyone involved in competition, including parents, spectators, and LSL student-leaders, has a duty to honor the traditions of the sport and to treat all participants with respect. Coaches have a special responsibility to model respectful behavior. They have a duty to demand that their student-athletes refrain from disrespectful conduct. Verbal abuse of opponents or officials, through the use of profane or belligerent language, taunting, and inappropriate celebration are unacceptable in any sports venue and will not be tolerated at Saint Mary’s. Student-Athletes are expected to act with integrity on and off the field of competition. Any studentathlete who violates the school’s Honor Code or Academic Integrity policies is liable to be suspended from interscholastic athletic activity. 14.3 Eligibility Only students regularly enrolled in CIF member schools, grade 9-12, shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic competition. Students shall neither participate nor practice on any team if they attain their nineteenth birthday before June 15th of the preceding spring. A student who first enters the ninth grade of any school following his or her completion of the eighth grade in any school, may be eligible for athletic competition during a maximum period of time not to exceed eight semesters. This eligibility must be used during the first eight semesters of attendance at that school or any school. Enrollment and/or attendance for 15 days or more, or participation in one or more inter-school contests, shall count as one of the eight semesters. A student who transfers from one school to another without a change of address from parents or legal guardians must complete NCS transfer form(s) to request eligibility. This rule also applies to students 18 years of age or older, even though they are adults by law. It does not apply to students who have been promoted from elementary or junior high schools at the end of the preceding semester. Questions regarding eligibility should be referred to the Athletic Director. International students of Saint Mary’s
48
interested in participating in athletics should contact the Athletic Director regarding their possible eligibility. 14.4 Attendance Requirements Students absent for more than half the scheduled class periods of any day are not eligible for interscholastic participation or student activities that day or evening. If the absence occurs on a Friday, the student’s absence must be reported by the student’s parent and be due to illness or another legitimate personal reason, or the student may not attend or participate in weekend athletic (practice or competition), or other co-curricular activities. 14.5 Uniform and Equipment Requirements Any student-athlete who is issued equipment or uniforms is fully accountable for returning the issued items in good condition. All uniforms must be returned within one week of a student-athlete’s last game. Students and parents will be held financially accountable for any items lost, stolen, or damaged. 14.6 Medical Requirements Each student who participates in any sport must provide evidence of a physical examination by a medical practitioner in order to satisfy CIF, NCS, and Saint Mary’s College High School athletic regulations. Physical examinations are valid for one calendar year. After an injury that requires medical attention, a release in writing must be obtained from a medical doctor before a player may resume participation. This is for the safety and protection of the studentathlete, coach, and school. Football Insurance: Competition in interscholastic football requires additional insurance for the student to be allowed to compete. If a student-athlete’s current insurance policy does not exclude interscholastic football, that student may not be required to carry additional insurance. Saint Mary’s College High School purchases additional insurance for each student who plays football. 14.7 Transportation and Travel Travel to and from athletic contests other than by school bus, school van, charter bus, or rented vans, requires parental permission. Permission slips are provided for such occasions. The transportation of student-athletes from their homes to game sites is the responsibility of the parent or guardians. Studentathletes may not travel to or from athletic contests with anyone other than school officials unless their parents provide a signed note explicitly permitting them to go home with a particular person. Students on overnight trips must follow all behavioral codes of Saint Mary’s as well as all directives of coaches. Violations of such policies and directives will result in appropriate disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. 14.8 Outside Competition According to CIF rules, no student may compete on an outside team while also on a school team in the same sport during the same season. Student-athletes are not obligated to attend any meeting when the sport is not in season or when the student is still a member of another school team. Student-athletes shall request their coaches’ permission to attend organizational meetings of another Saint Mary’s sport, especially if it involves missing a practice time. 14.9 General Policies Student-athletes who need to try out late due to overlapping seasons will be given an equal opportunity to make the team. Any student cut from a team will be given an explanation from the head coach involved.
49
After joining a team, a student-athlete must finish that season before going out for another sport. Any student-athlete who quits a team may not participate in another team’s practice until the season is over for the team that he/she has quit. Whenever a question arises in a student-athlete’s mind about his or her sport, the player should go to the respective head coach for an answer. If that does not solve the problem or answer the question, the player should then go to the Athletic Director. Student-athletes and their parents are expected to be familiar with and abide by the policies and regulations of the Saint Mary’s College High School Athletic Department. Students who have prohibited hairstyles or hair colors are ineligible for athletic events and other cocurricular activities. 14.10 Summer Athletics Saint Mary’s College High School does not sponsor any summer athletic teams, nor do such teams receive sanction for these activities from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), North Coast Section (NCS), or the Bay Shore Athletic League (BSAL). Participation on summer athletic teams is voluntary and private. It is not a requirement for participation on the school’s athletic teams during the regular school year. The school is not responsible for the supervision, transportation, or conduct of these summer athletic activities. The school is not responsible for injuries that occur during summer athletics. Occasionally a Saint Mary’s employee will coach a summer athletic team not affiliated with the school. A Saint Mary’s employee who coaches a summer athletic team does so as his or her own private undertaking and/or as an employee of some agency other than Saint Mary’s College High School. 14.11 Spectator Conduct Spectators must sit in the bleachers/stands or designated area of the field or gym. Students are asked to participate in the cheering section and cooperate with the Saint Mary’s Cheerleaders. Only the Head Cheerleader or other cheerleaders approved by the Athletic Director may lead any cheers among Saint Mary’s spectators. The following guidelines must be followed by all Saint Mary’s students, parents/guardians, coaches, and guests at interscholastic athletic events: • Cheers shall be positive and supportive of individual and team play. • Spectators shall not heckle, deride, or verbally abuse a player or coach from any athletic team. • Spectators shall not enter onto the field or court for any reason. • Artificial noisemakers of any kind are not allowed at athletic competitions. • Spectators shall respect the decisions and judgment of the coaches at all times. • Spectators are not allowed to confront an official, coach, or player before, during, or after an athletic contest. • Spectators are not to throw anything onto the playing surface. 14.12 Student-Athlete, Parent, or Guardian Guidelines Document All parents/guardians and student-athletes will receive a Parent or Guardian Guidelines document that must be signed by both the parent or guardian and student-athlete before they start their season. The contract is good for the current academic year and needs only to be signed for that particular sport.
50
Chapter 15: Health and Safety 15.1 Physical Examinations, Health/Emergency Forms Every academic school year, all students must have a current Health/Emergency Form on file with the Office of the Registrar. Physicians must complete and sign the Saint Mary’s Health/Emergency Form only; no substitutions may be made. No facsimiles of physical exams will be accepted. NOTE: Health/Emergency Forms for students are considered valid for one year. Students who do not have a completed Health/Emergency Form that is signed and dated by a physician on file with the Office of the Registrar by the first day of school will be sent home until a current and complete Health/Emergency Form is received. 15.2 PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLNESS In order to maintain the health and safety of all our students, the school reserves the right to send a student home due to illness (physical or mental). The school may require the family to provide proof of wellness from a qualified physician or mental health professional. 15.3 Emergency Procedures Earthquake (American Red Cross & FEMA) 1. Follow the directions of the faculty and administration at all times. 2. Stay inside, move away from windows, shelves, heavy objects, or furniture. 3. Take cover under a table or desk. If there is not a table or desk nearby, sit against an interior wall away from heavy furniture or other objects that may fall. 4. DUCK-COVER-HOLD. 5. If outdoors, move to an open space away from buildings and overhead power lines. Lie down or crouch low to the ground. 6. Be aware of dangers that may require repositioning or relocation. 7. Once the earthquake stops, fire alarms may sound. If this is the case, follow the evacuation routes and procedures for a fire. Fire 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Follow the directions of the faculty and administration at all times. Leave all personal belongings in the classroom. Close all windows and turn off the lights. Leave the classroom in a quiet and orderly fashion. The faculty member is the last person out of the classroom, and must lock the door behind him/herself. Go to the designated gathering area. Wait for further instructions from the assigned administrator.
Threatening Individuals/Situations 1. Follow the direction of the faculty and administration at all times. 2. The administration will make the announcement, “This is a lock down. Please secure all windows and doors”. 3. Any student outside is to go directly into a classroom. 4. If unable to do so, the student is to lie down on the ground and cover his or her head. 5. Remain in the classroom until an administrator notifies the teacher that it is safe to come out.
15.4 Accident Forms Accident report forms are available in the Main Office. A report must be completed and filed in the Main Office for every accident that occurs on campus or during a school sponsored event.
51
15.5 Insurance The school insurance plan generally provides some coverage, usually secondary coverage, for students. Details of the coverage are issued to families annually. Insurance forms are available from the attendance office. Additional 24-hour insurance protection is available to students at minimal cost. A special insurance is required of football participants in interscholastic athletics. 15.6 Concussions A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious. The effects of a concussion are not always immediately observable and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up upon injury or can even take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away. All students participating on a school athletic team must have a signed concussion information form on file. 15.7 Wireless Telecommunications Facility A wireless telecommunications facility, comprised of cellular towers, is located on the roof of the school gymnasium. Appropriate local governmental approvals have been obtained, and each tower fully complies with applicable federal and state requirements relating to electromagnetic field (EMF) and radioactive field (RF) emissions. Careful consideration was given to the location of the facility, including an assessment of other schools with on-campus wireless telecommunications facilities, and the school believes that the facility poses no health or safety risks to students. Current research on cellular facilities, while not conclusive, shows that tower-mounted cellular antennae do not present a health or safety risk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has jurisdiction in this area, states that measurements made near typical cellular and Personal Communications Services (PCS) installations, especially those with tower-mounted antennae, have shown that ground-level power densities are thousands of times less than the FCC’s limits for safe exposure. See the following websites for further information: • http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html#Q16 • http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html#Q17 The California Department of Education has acknowledged an investigation conducted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates privately-owned telecommunications companies (California Department of Education Wireless Cellular Memorandum, December 1998). This EMF investigation considered the CPUC’s role in mitigating health effects, if any, of RF radiation generated by cellular utilities, and found that scientific studies have not indicated any obvious relationship between prolonged low-level RF radiation exposure to mortality or morbidity (PUC D.95-11-017). Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Federal Communications Commission at (888) CALL-FCC; the California Public Utilities Commission, Telecommunications Division, (415) 703-2782; or via the Internet, at the following websites: • http://www.wireless.fcc.gov/siting • http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/industry/environment/index.htm
52
Chapter 16: Services 16.1 Campus Hours Campus hours are 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Any student on campus outside of these hours must be part of an approved and supervised activity. The Business Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Questions regarding tuition, fees, or tuition assistance should be directed to the Business Office. 16.2 Main Office and Calling the School The Main Office is open from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on school days and from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on non-school workdays. Telephone messages for students can be accepted only on an emergency basis and only from a parent or guardian or other person listed on the student’s emergency card. The telephone number for the Main Office is (510) 526-9242. 16.3 Library The library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The Saint Mary’s College High School Library provides access to onsite and online information to support the educational, cultural, and informational needs of both the faculty and the student body as a whole. The library media specialist maintains and expands a collection of resources that serves as the campus archive, special collection of materials about Saint John Baptist de La Salle and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, and an efficient school library that serves the student body. The collection supports and enhances the curriculum as defined by the faculty and administration with a special emphasis on respect for all persons, inclusive community, quality education, faith in the presence of God, and concern for the poor and social justice. Non-reference materials may be checked out for a two-week period and may be renewed as long as there are no holds on the material. A fine of twenty-five cents per school day will be charged for overdue materials and twenty-five cents per class period for overdue reserve-materials. Students are responsible for lost materials and will be charged the current replacement price for each item. Students who abuse library materials may have their library privileges suspended. Students are expected to maintain a quiet study environment in the library at all times. Students who are disruptive will be given a warning. If they continue to be disruptive they will be asked to leave the library and report to the Dean of Students. Students must not have food or drink in the library unless a special event is being held. If a student is found with food or drink in the library they will be asked to leave the library. 16.4 Office of the Registrar Work Permits California state law stipulates that no minor under 18 years of age who is required to attend school shall be allowed to work without a work permit. Students needing work permits should request the necessary form from the Office of the Registrar. Students who have graduated do not need a work permit. Transcripts The registrar will issue only unofficial transcripts to students, parents and, with a parental release on file with the Registrar, to coaches. Transcripts will be official only when sent directly to the agency requiring an official transcript, such as college admissions offices, summer or other enrichment programs, employers, and scholarship programs. If an official transcript is required to be sent to a scholarship program along with additional information, the student must bring the completed packet of information in an envelope, with the appropriate postage, to the Registrar’s Office for mailing directly from the school.
53
To request a transcript, students must fill out a transcript request form, available from the Office of the Registrar. When applying to colleges and universities, students should first consult with the college counselor before requesting a transcript for their applications. The Registrar’s Office will normally process transcript requests within 5 days; transcript requests requiring other accompanying paperwork will take slightly longer. Students should time their transcript requests accordingly. There is no processing fee for transcripts requested by students currently enrolled in Saint Mary’s College High School or those who have graduated within one year. There is a $5.00 processing fee for all other transcripts.
Chapter 17: Tuition, Fees, and Re-Enrollment Saint Mary’s is an independent, private Catholic school and receives no funding from federal, state, or local governments, or the Diocese of Oakland. 17.1 Tuition Tuition per student U.S. Resident
$17,760
17.2 Non-Refundable Fees Registration Fee – Freshman or Transfer Student Continuing Student Registration Fee (Due April 24, 2017 at 5:00 PM)* Late Registration Fee* (If spaces are still available after April 24) Capital Improvement Fee (paid over tuition plan) Graduation Fee (Class of 2017 only – paid over tuition plan) P.E. & Health Uniform and Lock Fee
$700 $650
$750 $500 $230 $40
* Each student must have paid the registration fee and have submitted a signed tuition contract to the Business Office by 5:00 p.m., April 24, 2017 (March 25 for incoming freshmen). If either is outstanding after 5:00 p.m., April 22, 2016, the student will be dropped from enrollment and will need to reapply for entrance. If the student reapplies, the registration fee will increase to $750. It is imperative for families to register their children on time not to lose their seat at Saint Mary's. 17.3 Other Fees Returned Check or NSF Fee
$25
Late Payment Fee - (Applied every month when there is a past-due balance on tuition account after the payment due date.)
$25
Non-Electric Fund Transfer Payment Plan - (Applies to payment plans utilizing checks or money orders. Payment Plans.)
$100
Change in Payment Plan Fee - (A change in tuition payment plan after it has been processed by the Business Office will result in a $50 charge to make changes to the plan. This fee must be received in advance of processing the changes.)
$50
54
17.4 Payment Plans Annual Payment Plan Annual tuition is due June 15, 2016, and is paid directly to Saint Mary’s College High School. The $200 discount is forfeited if payment in full is not received by June 15, 2016. The $200 discount is not available to families receiving financial aid. Semi-annual Payment Plan Payments are due in July 2016 and January 2017. Families will be billed when the payments are due. The payments will be due on the first or the sixteenth depending upon the dates. 10-Month Payment Plan Payments are due monthly beginning July 2016 through April 2017, and are paid by coupon book or automatic deduction. The due date is selected on front page of the tuition contract. Note: An additional $100 fee is assessed with the 10-month payment plan, if using the coupon book, and is due upon submission of the tuition contract. 12-Month Payment Plan – (by automatic deduction only, “electronic fund transfer”) Payments are due monthly beginning July 2016 through June 2017. The due date is selected on the front page of the tuition contract. If no due date and/or payment plan is selected, the default will be a 10-Month Payment Plan and/or due date of the first of each month. Please refer to the 2016 -2017 Tuition and Fees Schedule mailed with the tuition contract for additional information and monthly payments. The school does not accept post-dated checks. All checks that are received will be processed by the bank when received regardless of the date on the check. 17.5 Other Costs Other costs not included in tuition and fees include the cost of iPads, books, personal school supplies, upper division retreats, college entrance examinations, athletic sports packs and travel costs, Enrichment Week costs, special events and activity fees, charges for equipment or books that were not returned on time, and the other fees discussed in section 18.2. In most situations, these costs are paid directly by parents/guardians or by the student. In addition, library fines are paid directly to the librarian. In other situations, costs or charges are posted to the tuition account and invoiced directly by Saint Mary’s to the parent or guardian for payment. For example, Enrichment Week is directly invoiced by the Business Office. All fees are invoiced at the beginning of the month and are due by the last day of the month. Late fees are outlined in section 18.3. 17.6 Financial Suspension and Related Communication Parents/guardians are expected to maintain current financial accounts as a condition of their son or daughter’s continuing enrollment. Students with past-due tuition accounts are subject to suspension until the account is paid in full and/or until written financial arrangements have been made with the Business Office. Parents or guardians are encouraged to contact the Business Office directly at (510)559-6223 to make payment arrangements should their account become past-due. After an account has become past-due and written arrangements have not been made with the Business Office, a letter or e-mail will be sent to the physical or e-mail address provided on the tuition contract/registration form, which will require a prompt response. In the event there is still no resolution, the student will be contacted directly by the Business Office and notified of impending suspension. The
55
purpose of this student contact is to confirm that parents have received the correspondence from the Business Office (the student will be given a copy to take home) and to avoid suspension if at all possible. 17.7 Proration of Tuition The 2016 -2017 Tuition Contract applies to the academic school year. No portion of fees or tuition, paid or outstanding, will be refunded or canceled due to student absences and/or withdrawal or dismissal from school. 17.8 Tuition Assistance The tuition assistance program is intended to help qualified students who, for financial reasons, would not otherwise be able to attend Saint Mary’s. Tuition assistance is given in the form of a grant that reduces the amount of tuition. This grant is only available to reduce tuition and cannot be used to pay for the registration fee, capital improvement fee, graduation fee, or any other fees or charges. An annual application is required for the tuition assistance program. Families on tuition assistance must reapply each year for assistance by completing a Private School Aid Service (PSAS) form in a timely manner. If you wish to apply for financial aid, but did not receive an award in the current school year please request a financial aid form from the Business Office. PSAS forms must be submitted by February 3, 2017 directly to PSAS. Failure to file a complete PSAS form on time could jeopardize assistance for the family for upcoming year. 17.9 Returning Student Registration Returning students are required to re-register annually. A completed registration form, signed tuition contract, and a non-refundable registration fee secure a space for returning students. Due to our enrollment limitations set by the City of Albany, it may be necessary to close the online registration portal earlier than the posted deadline of April 24, 2017 at 5:00 PM once the school has reached its maximum enrollment. A late fee is automatically assessed if the registration fee has not been made by the date printed on the tuition contract. The school considers a student withdrawn at the end of the current school year if payment arrangements have not been made or the registration fee is delinquent. For the 2015–2016 academic year, students whose registration fee remains unpaid and/or whose tuition contract is incomplete or has not been received by April 22, 2016 will be dropped from the class roster. The registration fee is intended to encourage families to meet the specified registration deadline so that families on the waiting list can be given timely consideration. 17.10 International Students – Tuitions & Fees The tuition and fees for International students must be paid either annually or semiannually. Aforementioned payment plans are not available to international students. Tuition $24,000 Non-Refundable Registration Fee – Freshman $700 Non-Refundable Registration Fee – Sophomore, Junior, $650 Senior Capital Improvement Fee $500 Graduation Fee (Class of 2015 only – paid over tuition plan) $230 Late Fee (per month) $40 17.11 Annual Fund Every Saint Mary’s family is expected to make a gift to the school’s Annual Fund according to each family’s capability. While tuition provides the primary means by which the school’s operating expenses are funded, it does not cover the true cost of educating the whole child.
56
Chapter 18: Commuting to School One of the attractive features of Saint Mary’s College High School is its location in a clean, safe, and pleasant residential neighborhood. Saint Mary’s wants to maintain a beautiful neighborhood environment we all can enjoy. Saint Mary’s strongly encourages using public transportation, forming carpools, bicycling, and walking to and from school. Parents and students can visit www.511.org to plan the most efficient route to school using public transportation. All Saint Mary's Families must read, submit an electronic signature confirming that the student and parents have read the Traffic and Parking Handbook and will adhere to the rule and guidelines. The Saint Mary's Traffic and Parking is located on the school's website in the Parent Section.
18.1 BART Half-price BART tickets are available for students in the Business Office. The North Berkeley BART station is a short walk from campus. 18.2 AC Transit There are bus stops very close to campus. On school days, AC Transit Bus Route #688 serves Saint Mary’s. The route originates at Grand Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard and ends at the corner of Monterey and Hopkins. For more information about the bus routes please go to www.actransit.org. 18.3 Bicycling Students are encouraged to ride bicycles to and from school. Saint Mary’s has bicycle racks for students to park bikes on campus located near Vellesian Hall, behind Frates Hall, and in the Posen Ave. parking lot. Students must provide their own bicycle lock. Bicycle routes and information can be found at www.511.org. 18.4 Automobiles Parents and students who drive to school must always respect speed limits and practice safe driving for the sake of our students and our neighborhood. Only students with valid parking permits may park at school. 18.5 Parent Commuting, Drop-Off and Pick-Up Responsibilities Parents who drop off or pick up students are expected to drive safely at all times. Moreover, parents are encouraged to consider alternative drop-off locations for students other than at the Posen Street or Albina Avenue entrances. Alternative locations include Hopkins Street (near Monterey Market), California Street, or Monterey Avenue. Using an alternate drop-off/pick-up spot greatly reduces the amount of traffic on Posen Street and Albina Avenue. Drop-off Via Albina Avenue Parents and students who use Albina Avenue are requested to keep in mind that it is a narrow street and therefore practice caution and prudence at all times. Parents and students may not drive on Hopkins Court. Drop-off Via Posen Street Parents and students may not enter the Posen Street parking lot for morning drop-off or during the first 20 minutes of school. Parents who drop off students on Posen Street must pull forward, into the drop-off zone. Students who are dropped off in the drop-off zone should use swiftness when exiting the car to keep traffic flowing smoothly. No U-turns are allowed near the drop-off zone.
57
Drop-off Via Monterey Avenue (All Freshmen) All freshmen must be dropped off at the Monterey Avenue gate. Parents must pull off of the street into either the drop-off zone in front of the Monterey Avenue gate entrance or into the bus stop. Students who are dropped off in the drop-off zone should be swift when exiting the car to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Please be sure to keep your music off.
Chapter 19: Parent Partnership 19.1 Parent and School Relationship Parents are expected to uphold the mission, philosophy, learning outcomes, and policies of Saint Mary’s College High School. As the primary educators of their children, parents are integral, welcome members of the Saint Mary’s community. Education is a joint effort between parents and school. At times parents and the school may disagree over policies, procedures, or decisions, yet at all times the tenor of such disagreements must remain respectful and consistent with Catholic principles. Should a situation arise in which a parent’s behavior is acutely or chronically uncooperative, abusive, disrespectful, or disruptive, the school reserves the right to suspend or expel the parent’s child. Any parent, or other person, who upbraids, insults, abuses, or threatens any teacher, administrator, or staff member of the school or who otherwise disrupts the educational environment may have the incident reported to law enforcement officials. 19.2 Parent Association The Parent Association is comprised of all parents and guardians of students attending Saint Mary’s College High School. The purpose of the Association and its Board is to: • Partner with the Saint Mary’s staff to ensure the intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical wellbeing of all students, • Partner for clear, consistent means of communication between families and the school, and • Further the mission of Saint Mary’s in the community at large. 19.3 Students – Eighteen Years Old All school procedures, policies, and regulations continue to apply to students who are 18 years of age or older as long as they are enrolled at Saint Mary’s College High School. Accordingly, after a student becomes 18 years of age, the school will continue to send all official correspondence regarding the student to his or her parents or guardians. 19.4 Out-of-Town Parents and Guardians Parents and guardians who leave town during the school week must notify the Main Office and designate an adult who in their absence is responsible for the welfare of their student in case of an emergency. 19.5 Off-Campus Parties The staff of Saint Mary’s College High School is concerned about alcohol and other drug use by students. With this concern in mind, some guidelines are offered to parents for consideration: • All parties should be chaperoned. • Parents of party attendees should contact host parents. • Parents should have the phone number and address of where the party is being held. • Parents should assure students that, in case of unexpected circumstances, they can call for a ride home. • Parents are advised to instruct teenagers not to have parties when parents are not at home. • Drinking by minors is illegal. • Drugs are illegal substances. • Adults are criminally responsible if they knowingly allow minors to consume alcohol or use other drugs.
58
•
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is unacceptable and potentially dangerous behavior at any age.
While the school is not interested in monitoring the off-campus activities of its students, too often unhealthy behavior at such events has a direct effect on the lives of students at school. For that reason, Saint Mary’s will work in partnership with parents to support their efforts in raising and guiding their children. This partnership may include disciplinary consequences if students are found to be putting themselves or their school peers at risk. 19.6 Multimedia Permission and Release Saint Mary’s College High School takes digital images and video of its students for use in official school publications. Parents understand that the digital images or video may be used in print or multiple forms of electronic media. Parents also acknowledge that the digital images or video may be displayed on the school’s website and other school related informational sites. By signing and submitting the handbook agreement at the head of this handbook, students, parents, and guardians give Saint Mary’s permission to use any and all multimedia images, video, or sound bytes taken of students, as described above. By granting permission, parents or guardians release any and all claims for damages for libel, slander, or invasion of right of privacy.
59
Start-of-the-Week - 50-min classes 8:00 – 8:55 Faculty Collaboration 9:00 – 9:50 Period 1 9:55 –10:05 10 Minutes of Announcements 10:05 –10:55 Period 2 10:55 – 11:10 Break 11:15 – 12:05 Period 3 12:05 – 12:45 Lunch 12:50 – 1:40 Period 4 1:45 – 2:35 Period 5 2:45 – 3:30 A Block Tuesday & Thursday 60-min classes 8:00 – 9:00 Period 1 9:05 – 9:20 15 Minutes of Announcements 9:20 – 10:20 Period 2 10:20 –10:35 Break 10:40 – 11:40 Period 5 11:40 – 12:20 Lunch 12:25 – 1:25 Period 3 1:30 – 2:30 Period 4 2:40 – 3:30 A Block
Fourth Wednesday 9 am start 50-min classes 8:00 – 8:55 Faculty Collaboration 9:00 – 9:50 Period 1 9:55 –10:05 10 Minutes of Announcements 10:05 –10:55 Period 2 10:55 – 11:10 Break 11:15 – 12:05 Period 4 12:05 – 12:45 Lunch 12:50 – 1:40 Period 5 1:45 – 2:35 Period 3 2:45 – 3:30 A Block Friday SEL/C-Block, 50-Min Classes 8:00 – 8:55 Faculty Collaboration 9:00 – 9:50 Period 1 9:55 – 10:00 5 Minutes of Announcements 10:00 – 10:50 Period 2 10:50 – 11:05 Break 11:10 – 11:40 SEL/C-Block/Short Assembly 11:45– 12:35 Period 3 12:35– 1:15 Lunch 1:20 – 2:10 Period 4 2:15 – 3:05 Period 5
Wednesday 60-minute classes 8:00 – 9:00 Period 1 9:05 – 9:20 15 Minutes of Announcements 9:20 – 10:20 Period 2 10:20 –10:35 Break 10:40 – 11:40 Period 4 11:40 – 12:20 Lunch 12:25 – 1:25 Period 5 1:30 – 2:30 Period 3 2:40 – 3:30 A Block
Friday Rally Schedule 45-minute classes 8:00 – 8:55 Faculty Collaboration 9:00 – 9:45 Period 1 9:50 – 10:00 10 Minutes of Announcements 10:00 – 10:45 Period 2 10:45 – 11:00 Break 11:05– 11:50 Period 3 11:50 – 12:30 Lunch 12:35 – 1:20 Period 4 1:25 – 2:10 Period 5 2:15 – 3:00 Rally
60
Peace & Justice Assembly 50-Min Classes 8:00 – 8:50 Period 1 8:55 – 9:10 15 Minutes of Announcements 9:10 – 10:00 Period 2 10:00 – 10:15 Break 10:20 – 11:05 Assembly (45 minutes) 11:10- 12:00 Period 3 12:00– 12:40 Lunch 12:45 – 1:35 Period 4 1:40 – 2:30 Period 5
Liturgy Schedule 45-Min Classes 8:00 – 8:30 Liturgy Prep Period 8:35 – 9:20 Period 1 9:25 – 9:35 10 Minutes of Announcements 9:35 –10:20 Period 2 10:25 – 11:35 Liturgy (45 minutes) 11:35 – 11:50 Break 11:55 – 12:40 Period X 12:40 – 1:20 Lunch 1:25 – 2:10 Period X 2:15 – 3:00 Period X
Note: There are five (5) unique schedules not posted: Friday, December 16—Christmas Celebration Thursday, March 30—Musical Preview Friday, April 28—Class Elections; Grad Practice Friday, May 1--Founder’s Day Friday, June 2-- Senior Presentation
61