Respect for one's own property and the property of others is an essential component of a Christian community. Such care and respect increase pride in the school and enhance the reputation of the school.

Attendance

Being on time is expected in the adult world. It demonstrates consideration towards others and promotes personal organization.

Regular school attendance is essential for success and it shows respect for the effective operation of the class. Accountability and reliability are two qualities that result from good attendance.

Prompt, regular attendance is absolutely essential to academic success. The parent/guardian is expected to foster these good habits in the student, both for the benefit of the student's current academic achievement and to encourage mature adult behavior in the future.

Student Absence

A parent/guardian must call the school by no later than 9.00 am to report a student absence. If no call has been received by 9.00 am, the school secretary or nurse will make a reasonable effort to reach a parent/guardian by phone to verify the legitimacy of absence. These procedures represent a mutual effort to account for the presence of the student during school hours.

When a child returns to school, they must present to the teacher a written excuse from a parent/guardian stating the student's name together with the dates and reason for the absence. An absence of three consecutive days requires a doctor's note.

If a student is absent from school because of illness or disciplinary action, they will not be permitted to take part in extracurricular activities that afternoon or evening.

If the student is absent from school for another reason other than illness or disciplinary action, the school reserves the right to make an individual judgment regarding same-day extracurricular participation.

Lateness

Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Late arrival disrupts class and causes loss of instruction time. Any child who arrives at school after 8.05 am is considered late and will be marked late in the Attendance Register.

Supervision

The School's responsibility for supervision begins at 8.00 am and ends at 2.50 pm.

School Calendar

Besides the yearly calendar, a school calendar is distributed each month. This calendar will detail the special events of the month including: class trips, holidays, holydays, early dismissals, parent meetings, school assemblies, liturgical celebrations, lunch menus etc.

School Day

Education School law requires that school be in session for a certain number of days each school year. To meet professional obligations to students and their parents as well as to the State, these regulations are as follows:

• School instructional time will begin at 8.00 am and end at 2.40 pm for grades 1-8.
• Kindergarten and grades 1-3 will begin at 8.00 am and end at 2.30 pm.
• PreK 3 and 4 will begin at 8.30 am and end at 2.20 pm. Half day sessions for Pre K3 end at 11.45 am.

Early Dismissal & Emergency Closing

Students are expected to be in attendance for the complete school day. If for any reason a student leaves school before the regular dismissal time, a parent or a person authorized by the parent must come to the school office to take the student home. All persons must sign the student out.

Early dismissal (12.00 noon) will take place on Faculty Meeting days and first Friday's of the month during the school year. Please refer to the yearly and monthly calendar for more information.

Cancellation of school takes place only during extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather. We are aware of the hardship which can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, school will not be cancelled unless a significant safety risk has been created by the circumstances. Such closings will be communicated to the parents through a phone call from the class mother or a message on this website. Please wait for the phone call. Do not call the school.

Make Up Work

All make up work for days absent is the responsibility of the student. It is up to them to find out from the teacher what material was missed and what must be done regarding assignments.

Pre-assigned work due on the day of absence must be turned in the day the student returns to school.

Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up within a time frame, specific after the student returns to school. Students shall be allowed one day plus the number of days absent to complete the assignments. All incompletes after this time will be recorded as failures.

Students absent for an extended period may be given special consideration.

Dismissal Procedures

Dismissal for Pre K 3 and 4 is 2.20 pm, kindergarten is at 2.30 pm and grades 1 through 8 is at 2.40 pm. To insure a safe dismissal free from accidents, all car pick ups will take place on the chapel side of the school. Pre K 3 and 4 and kindergarten parents are expected to leave the grounds immediately after picking up their child unless they are waiting for a child in the upper grades. Dismissal for Pre K3&4 is 2:20; Kindergarten and grades 1-3 at 2:30 pm & Grades 4-8 at 2:40 pm.

Walkers leave by the main entrance. Any child going to the Fort Lee Library must present a note to the teacher from their parent/guradian every time they have permission to go to the library. A one time note will not be sufficient. Children in the lower grades must have a parent pick them up a dismissal.

There is no after school program at the school. Therefore, please be on time when picking up your child. The police department will be notified of any child left longer than 15 minutes after dismissal.

No child is permitted to be on school grounds after school is dismissed, unless accompanied by a parent.

Textbooks

Textbooks and workbooks are loaned to each student for all major subject areas. All textbooks must be kept covered at all times and all books should be carried in a school bag. These books should be treated as library books and should not be defaced in any way. If a book is lost, mis-used, or damaged beyond reasonable wear, the student must pay for the replacement.

Communication

Communication between teacher and parent is extremely important for the welfare and development of the student. Ongoing communication is a must throughout the entire year.

Parents have the right to be kept informed of their child's academic and social growth.

Parents must also cooperate with the teacher in regard to the reports and assessments presented about the child.

If a problem arises, the line of communication should begin between the parent and teacher. If it is not resolved on that level, then the Principal should be called into the matter.

Christ the Teacher School will communicate weekly with all parents/guardians by newsletter which will be hand delivered to the students and placed on this web site every Wednesday. Notices will also be posted on the website.

Christ the Teacher has a Home School Association which meets several times a year. Parents are required to take an active part in this organization.

Any money that is sent to school should be placed in a sealed envelope and identified with the child's name, grade, the amount enclosed and its purpose.

The teachers and administration cannot be responsible for valuables which students bring to school. It is recommended that students leave all valuables at home. If something is brought to school even without the knowledge of the parent, the school is in no way liable for such items of value.

Appointments with Teachers

Appointments with your child's teacher can be arranged by sending a note to the teacher you wish to see, or calling the school office to arrange for an appointment.

Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

New Jersey State Law requires that any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child may have been subjected to abuse or neglect, must make a report to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.

Asbestos Management Plan

The School's Asbestos Management Plan is on file in the school office, as required by the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This document is available for examination upon request.

Custodial and Non-Custodial Parents

Christ The Teacher School abides by the provision of applicable law with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary and upon request, the school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the student's essential academic records.

If there is a court order specifying the rights and responsibilities of individual parents, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order. The custodial parent may wish to supply the Principal with the "custody section" of the divorce decree if it contains information which may be useful to the school in fulfilling its obligation.

Policy on Field Trips

On occasion, Christ the Teacher School will sponsor and conduct field trips for the educational enrichment of the students. Participation in field trips is a privilege and must be earned. The school may refuse a student to participate in a field trip if they do not abide by the school rules. No student may participate in a field trip unless a signed parent/guardian permission slip for the specific event is submitted to the school. The permission slip is provided by the school.

Cell phones or any electronic devices are not permitted on field trips. Guidelines for each class trip will be distributed prior to the trip.

General Discipline Policy

A spirit of Christ-like charity, respect for authority and mutual cooperation are essential elements of the learning environment at Christ the Teacher School. Students are expected to act with courtesy and respect toward one another and toward all members of the staff. They must take seriously their obligation to develop lifetime habits of self-control and concern for the well-being of others. Home and school will work together to help students to learn and live the qualities of responsible behavior and the elements of good citizenship.

Society expects that conflict will be resolved by peaceful means. This practice protects the physical and mental well-being of each individual and promotes a positive school atmosphere.

A student who chooses to disrupt the good order of the school or to violate a school policy or regulation will have to accept the consequences of those choices. Appropriate discipline is within the discretion of the Principal. Accountability for uncooperative, disruptive or unsafe behavior may take any of the following forms: misconduct referrals or warnings, punishment assignments, denial of privileges, detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension or expulsion.

Actions which violate the law, threaten or cause harm to other students or staff members, disrupt or impede the welfare and progress of the school community, or bring discredit to the school will not be tolerated. Such actions or other severe violations of the school rules may result in immediate expulsion. If a student persists in violating basic obligations of courtesy, consideration, respect, cooperation or safety, a Principal/parent/student conference will be scheduled. All subsequent discipline, counseling, consultation and corrective action plans will be viewed as positive home-school efforts to help the student improve behavior. If these cooperative efforts of parents and school staff prove ineffective, the student will be subject to expulsion or may be denied admittance to the school.

Smoking is not permitted on the school grounds. Any child having cigarettes on their person will be disciplined accordingly.

Use of any type of cell phone, laser penlights, and handheld computer games are prohibited.

Use, Possession and Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances

Definitions

Controlled Dangerous Substances are defined in sections I through V of the NJ Criminal Code. They include but are not limited to marijuana, heroin and anabolic steroids. The term controlled dangerous substances shall also include alcohol.

Under the Influence -- A student judged to be under the influence whenever they exhibit physical or physiological symptoms (including but not limited to unsteady walk, dilated pupils, slurred speech, erratic or uncharacteristic emotional reactions) which are commonly associated with the use of controlled dangerous substances.

Possession is defined as knowingly or purposely obtaining or possessing, actively or constructively, a controlled dangerous substance or drug paraphernalia:

• on or off school property;
• on the person;
• in an accessory (including but not limited to purse, book bag, gym bag or knapsack);
• in a desk and
• in a privately or school owned vehicle.

Constructive possession refers to a student who intends or has the capacity to exercise control over the drug/paraphernalia even if they do not have physical possession of the item. For example, a student who hides drugs on the school property or asks a classmate to hold drugs for them, constructively, possesses the drugs.

Distribution is defined as sharing, selling or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance

• on or off school property;
• with or without receiving payment; and
• to individuals enrolled or not enrolled in the school.

Possession with the intent to distribute applies regardless of whether or not a student intended

• to receive payment;
• to distribute the controlled dangerous substance to an individual;
• enrolled or not enrolled in the school; and
• to distribute the controlled dangerous substance on or off school property.

A student is considered in violation of school policy if they are observed

• to be under the influence;
• in possession, or
• have possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Such student shall be subject to the following provisions and to the general discipline policy stated herein.

When a student is identified as being "under the influence" or "in possession" of a controlled substance, the Principal may refer the matter to the local law enforcement officials.

When a student is identified as "distributing" or "in possession with intent to distribute" a controlled dangerous substance, the Principal must refer the matter to local law enforcement officials.

A student suspected of violating the policy governing controlled dangerous substances will immediately be placed under suspension for an indefinite period. The student and parents/guardians shall be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegation as quickly as possible.

If the Principal determines that there

• was no violation of policy, the student will be permitted to return to school.
• was a violation of policy, the Principal may discipline the student according to the general discipline policy stated herein up to and including expulsion.

The Principal may require the student to participate in an appropriate treatment or counseling program as a condition of the student's eventual return to the school.

When violation of this policy involves "distribution" or "possession with the intent to distribute", the discipline imposed will be expulsion.

Policy on Administration of Medicine

Christ the Teacher School strongly discourages the administration of either prescription or non-prescription medication in school or on field trips. However, if it is absolutely essential that a student receive medication while under school supervision, the following procedures apply:

A parent/guardian should come to the school and personally administer the medication.

If this arrangement is not possible, the school nurse will administer the medication under the following conditions:

• the medication must be given to the school nurse by the parent or guardian;
• the medication must be in the original pharmacy-labeled container and
• the parent/guardian and the student's physician must complete and sign an "Authorization to Administer Medication in School" form. This form is available from the school.

Most medications can be administered at home before school, after school and at bedtime.

It is the policy of the school that only the school nurse administer any medication. No nurse is available on Thursdays. Therefore, no medication will be administered on this day unless the parent administers the medication.

Communicable Disease

State regulations require the exclusion of a child from school if they have certain diseases, including measles, whooping cough, respiratory streptococcal infections, scarlet fever, chicken pox, mumps, impetigo, pink eye, lice, or scabies. Please call the school if your child has one of these diseases and submit a doctor's note before permitting your child in return.

Parents should not send their children to school with communicable diseases. You are urged to keep your child home from school when they show signs of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Coughing
• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Skin Eruptions
• Red or discharging eye

A child must have no fever for 24 hours, without using a fever reducing medication, such as, Tylenol, Motrin or Advil, before returning to school.

If any of these symptoms are found in a child at school, parents are asked upon notification to come and take the child home. Please be certain that your child's emergency card is up to date.

Health Services

To provide for our students physical and mental well being, the following services are available:

Uniforms

Parents are asked to insure that your child is in complete uniform every day. Failure to comply is a violation of school rules. If a child is partially out of uniform, they must have a note of explanation from a parent.

All transactions concerning uniforms are to be conducted with:

Lobel's
5819 Bergenline Ave
West New York, NJ 07093
201-864-1700

Pre K

Starting 2008 school year, the Pre K will have a uniform consisting of navy blue sweats or slacks and a yellow knit top.

Girls

Boys

Sweaters for both girls and boys are to be navy. Children are not permitted to substitute any other clothing for the sweater.

* School shoes are to be black or navy blue. No type of shoe boot is permitted.

• Hair must be properly cut and groomed.
• No hair color or makeup is allowed.
• Hats may not be worn in the building or classroom.
• Boys are not permitted to come in with any pierced jewelry or other jewelry.
• Girls are permitted to wear small earrings only.
• Only clear nail polish is permitted.
• Uniforms must be neat and clean. Shoes must be polished.