Admission of Students

Our school welcomes the children of all parishioners. It is staffed by dedicated lay people. At present we have 23 classrooms ranging from Pre-K through Grade 8. Registration is limited to registered members of our parish and is always open to siblings of our school community first.

At the time of registration the following must be presented:

• birth and baptismal certificate
• health/immunization records
• transfer slip from previous school
• non-refundable registration fee

Questions concerning registration should be directed to the school office
at (610) 696-1000.

Safe Environment Program

The Safe Environment Program is comprehensive, not only educating and guiding adults, but also providing young people with an age-appropriate, personal safety curriculum. The Archdiocese provides this education to almost 120,000 young people every year in our schools and parish religious education programs. For more information, please click here.

Attendance/Lateness

Lateness and/or irregular attendance interferes greatly with students’ academic progress. Repeated absence is a serious problem and will result in a parent conference with the principal where conditions for remaining in our school will be advised. Parents are asked to be very attentive regarding this and allow students to remain home only for illness or urgent reasons. Parents are required to call the office at (610) 696-1000 between 7:30-8:30am to report their child absent each day. Verification calls will be made from school if not reported by parents.

A student who reports to school after the last bus arrives at 8:10 bell is considered “late” for school. The student must report to the Main Office to receive a late admittance notice. This notice must be signed by his/her parent that evening and returned to your child’s homeroom teacher. Repeated lateness is considered a serious concern to be addressed by the teacher and administration.

A student who has been absent must present a written excuse, signed by a parent, stating the exact dates of and specific reasons for the absence. After a three (3) day absence, a doctor’s note is required. When an extended absence of more than three (3) days is expected, parents are requested to contact the teacher. Homework assignments will be given upon return to class.
(Policies & Procedures S308.3)

Vacations: Diocesan policy indicates that vacation be scheduled so as not to interrupt the continuity of learning. A vacation absence will be indicated on the attendance record. Assignments will not be given in advance, only upon return to class with specific due dates.

Students who are absent without parent’s knowledge are considered truant.

Bus Transportation

Students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner both while waiting for the bus and while riding. They are to remain in their seats at all times, show respect to the driver, and observe all safety regulations. Violations will be handled by the District Transportation Director with the support of the school. Students may ride only assigned buses at all times. Transportation request forms must be completed by parents. We ask that students consistently ride the bus to provide safety at dismissal. A written note to the teacher is requested if a change in dismissal pattern is necessary. Transportation is provided by the West Chester School District for those living within the District’s boundaries. Schedules are issued by the District in August of each year. Transportation is provided for Grades K-8.

Communications

All communications are sent home with the oldest child in the family on Thursdays in the “Communications” envelope. Parents are asked to sign the envelope and return it to school with the child on Friday morning. All school newsletters will be sent home on the last Thursday of each month.

Health Services

A school nurse is assigned from the West Chester School District. He/she is responsible for maintenance of health records, Pennsylvania mandated screenings, and assessment of pupils’ health records.

Medication: Teachers, and other staff members except a certified school nurse, shall not be required to administer medication. Parents are responsible for the administration of medication to their children during the school hours. Unless the medication is necessary for the critical health and well-being of the student, administering medication is discouraged. Over the counter medication may not be carried by a student. A fully detailed listing of the procedure for the emergency distribution of medication will be sent home in September with each child.
(PP S328)

Homework

The value of homework depends upon the student’s interest in continuing his/her learning experience. The student gains values when he/she understands these concepts:

1. Homework has a definite function in enriching and extending what the student has learned in class.
   
2. It is a preparation for sharing with others something the student has discovered, read, or created.
   
3. It is practice to improve basic skills.

Parents have the responsibility to provide a scheduled time and a quiet place conducive to study, to exhibit a real interest in their child’s accomplishments. The recommended time allotment for assignments suggested by the Office of Catholic Education is:

• Grades 1 & 2 20-30 minutes
  
• Grades 3 & 4 40-60 minutes
  
• Grades 5 & 6 60-90 minutes
  
• Grades 7 & 8 80-120 minutes

Homework is not just written assignments. Reading and study assignments are just as important. All assignments are written in a notebook or distributed on a homework sheet each day. Parents are required to sign all homework each night. Failure to complete assignments are incorporated into the subjects’ mark at the end of each report period. Repeated missing homework will result in parent conference and referred to the administration.

When a student is absent, homework will be assigned as make-up work following the student’s return to class. Appropriate time will be given before the make-up work is due for completion. (PP/ CIA 602)

Library / Media

The school library/media center is available to all students. Students will visit the center once a week with their Reading class. The school librarian will conduct a class and discuss new books with the students. Students are responsible for the care of books and must reimburse the school if a book is

Make a Donation to the Library

Parents may donate $25 to purchase a new book in their child’s honor for birthdays or special occasions. To make a donation, please contact Mrs. Dorothy Conway at (610) 696-1000.