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2007-2008 Student Handbook
This handbook belongs
to:
Name________________________________
Address______________________________
Phone______________ Grade___________
First Period (1st
semester) ________________
First Period (2nd
semester) _______________
ADMINISTRATION/ENROLLMENT 3
GENERAL POLICIES 6
ACADEMICS 28
ATTENDANCE 32
CLASS TIMES Back Cover
DISCIPLINE 38
DRESS CODE 49
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 52
FIELD TRIP POLICIES 54
FINANCES 55-57
STUDENT SERVICES 57-60
PEACE PRAYER OF ST FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to
console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
You are the light of the
world...your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.
--Matthew 5:14
The
mission of the
KNIGHTS VICTORY MARCH
Red and black our colors proudly flying,
We are the knights, we’ll conquer, never fear.
Deep in our hearts our love for Bishop Luers
Makes us feel we want to shout and cheer:
Rah! Rah!
Every time they ask us who the Knights are
We’ll be proud to show our loyalty.
We will sing a fighting song.
We will sing it loud and strong
Bishop Luers march to victory.
ADMINISTRATION
The
administration reserves the right to amend this handbook and its content for
just cause. Parents and students will be
given prompt notification if changes are made.
DIOCESAN ENROLLMENT POLICY
(P4010)
Diocesan
schools shall comply with state laws and regulations regarding school
enrollment and attendance to the extent possible, as
consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and diocesan policy.
Diocesan
schools shall follow and promote an open enrollment policy accepting students
without regard to color, race, gender, or national origin, and reasonably
accommodate the disabled in its educational programs.
A
child can be enrolled only by a person having the legal custody of the child. A certified copy of the student’s birth
certificate or baptismal certificate shall be required for original entrance at
all grade levels. Proof of legal custody
may also be required in cases where a child does not reside with both natural
parents.
If
these required documents are not provided to the school within thirty (30) days
of the student’s enrollment or appear to be inaccurate or fraudulent, the
school shall notify the Indiana Clearing House for Information on Missing
Children (See P4030) and will cooperate with local authorities if the child has
been reported missing.
The
custodial parent or legal guardian shall provide the name and address of the
school the student last attended, if any. The school shall request the records
from the last school the student attended within fourteen (14) days.
Written
proof that the child meets state and county health requirements (immunization
record) for enrollment shall also be required.
For
admission to the freshman class, each student must fulfill the following
conditions: 1) successfully complete the eighth grade; 2) complete the
application and attach a recent report card and ISTEP + testing results; 3)
have the course selection sheet signed by the eighth grade teacher; 4) be
recommended for placement at Bishop Luers by the student’s eighth grade
principal in the areas of academics, attendance, and behavior. For families coming from local Catholic
elementary schools, all financial obligations to the recommending school must
be met before final acceptance.
Upperclassmen
seeking admission to Bishop Luers should contact the Director of Admissions for
specific requirements.
A
student MAY NOT be admitted if
he/she has been expelled from another school during the current school
year. This also includes students who
have withdrawn under the threat of expulsion.
Students who are guilty of violating rules for illegal substances,
weapons, vandalism, tobacco, alcohol, harassment, threats of violence and/or
acts of violence against another, theft, and/or gang involvement MAY NOT be admitted.
Students
who have been expelled from
CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
Children
with exceptional educational needs requiring special class placement are
accepted if their needs can be reasonably accommodated in the school. Initial enrollment should be on a tentative
basis with the understanding that in the event the exceptional needs of the
child cannot be reasonably accommodated by the school, the custodial parents or
guardians will agree to enroll their child in another school system which can
accommodate the special needs of exceptional children.
Ordinarily
when a diocesan school cannot reasonably accommodate the exceptional needs of a
child, a recommendation for special class placement should be made to the
custodial parent or guardian by the principal, after consultation with the
child’s teacher(s). This recommendation can
be for either special class placement within the Catholic school or referral to
a public school for evaluation or placement.
If the custodial parent or guardian does not accept the school’s
recommendation, it is expected that he/she will place the decision in
writing. In some instances the custodial
parent or guardian will be required to withdraw the child if the child’s
continued presence, in the opinion of school personnel, would pose an undue
hardship on the operation of the school or poses a threat of harm to the
student, other students, or school personnel.
STUDENTS OR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WITH COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Catholic
schools shall comply with all applicable state law and all Board of Health
policies regarding school enrollment and attendance in relation to a student or
prospective student having a communicable disease.
Prospective students who otherwise meet all entrance requirements may not be denied admission solely on the basis of a diagnosis of a communicable disease unless required by applicable state law or board of health policy; similarly, students may not be excluded merely on the basis of a diagnosis of a communicable disease.
However,
as with any prospective student who is diagnosed as having or is suspected of
having a communicable disease, a child with a communicable disease may be
excluded, if after an individualized assessment of the child’s condition, in
accordance with the school’s communicable disease policy/procedure, it is
determined that the child’s presence in the classroom would expose others to
significant health and safety risks.
Upon
being informed that a child is diagnosed as having or is suspected of having a
communicable disease, a review team consisting of the student, his/her
parent/guardian, his/her physician, a physician representing the school,
parish, or diocese, and school or parish administrators will be established to
determine whether the child’s admission or continued presence in the school
would expose others to significant health and safety risks. In making its determination the review team,
will conduct an assessment of the child’s individual condition. The review team’s inquiry will include
findings of fact, based on reasonable medical judgments given the state of
medical knowledge about:
A. The nature of the risk - how the disease is transmitted;
B. The duration of the risk - how long the carrier is infectious;
C. The severity of the risk - the potential harm to third parties;
D. The probabilities the disease will be transmitted and will cause varying degrees of harm; and
E. Whether a reasonable accommodation exists and/or is required.
The
review team must also take into consideration the scope of the problem,
education-related civil rights, and the student’s right to confidentiality.
The
recommendation of the review team and the decision of the school administrators
shall be considered confidential and will be submitted for review only to the
Superintendent of Schools, Vicar of Education, and diocesan attorney.
In
the event it is determined that a child is unable to attend regular Catholic
day school, the parish, school, and diocese will assist the parent or guardian
in locating alternative educational services and obtaining religious and
catechetical instruction.
GENERAL POLICIES
Students
are responsible for their own books and personal property. Electronic devices such as mp3 players,
radios, headsets, pagers, electronic
games, etc. are forbidden unless their use is directly connected to a school
activity. The administration may choose
to confiscate any such devices. Return
of a device to a student will occur at the discretion of the administration. Calculators
used to play games will be considered as inappropriate electronic devices and
will be confiscated.
Due to safety
reasons, backpacks or other items used to carry books and other classroom
materials must remain in lockers and may not be carried to class.
CELL
PHONES
Cell phones must be
kept in the lockers (power off) during the school day. They may be used before
Students
are permitted in the school building at
Students
are to vacate the building by
Students
who do not adhere to this policy risk the chance of disciplinary action being
taken.
CAFETERIA
The cafeteria uses a cash free computer system. Students are
required to take money to the front office to be put on their account. The
money should be placed in an envelope. The envelope should have the student’s
name on it and be handed to front office personnel. Common sense should
prevail, and the amount of money brought each week should be enough to cover
more than one or two day’s lunches.
Students are to
remove all materials they have placed on tables before leaving the lunch
room. Trays are to be taken to the
window at the end of the lunch room. All
food must be eaten in the cafeteria.
Because of health regulations, cafeteria food is not permitted in
classrooms or hallways.
Students
may go outside only during their lunch period.
Students are allowed only in the grassy area immediately outside the
cafeteria. Students are not allowed beyond the east side gym porch or in cars
without permission. No food or drink may
be taken outside during lunch periods.
The Chapel is open daily.
Students and staff are invited to Morning Prayer at 7:30a.m. in the
chapel and to stop in for prayer though out the school day. Weekday morning Masses are celebrated as
announced at 7:30a.m. in the Chapel. The
Sacrament of Reconciliation is available during the school day as announced and
by student made appointment. All-school
Masses, Prayer Services, and Eucharistic Adoration are held as announced. Pastoral Care for students and staff is
available from the Pastoral Minister and Priest Chaplains daily upon request or
by appointment.
DIOCESAN INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (for complete policy refer to P4620)
Acceptable Use
The
use of the Internet and related technologies must be in support of education
and research and consistent with the educational objectives, purposes, and
mission of Catholic schools. Use of other organization’s networks or computing
resources must comply with the rules appropriate for these networks.
Individual
users of the computer networks are responsible for their behavior and
communications over those networks. It
is imperative that users comply with the school’s standards and honor the
agreements they have signed.
Network
storage areas may be treated like school lockers. School administrators may review files and
communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that students are using
the system responsibly and consistently with the acceptable uses outlined
herein. Users should expect that files
stored on school servers will not be private.
Defined
network etiquette is followed.
Unacceptable Use
The use of the Internet connection in the school is a privilege not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The Catholic school administrators will deem what is appropriate and inappropriate, and their decision is final. The following are not permitted:
A. Accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing immoral, pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit materials.
B. Sending or displaying unchristian, immoral, offensive, violent, pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit messages or pictures.
C. Using violent, abusive, obscene or sexually explicit language.
D. Harassing, insulting, or attacking others.
E. Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks or attempting to harm or destroy data of another.
F. Violating copyright laws.
G. Unauthorized use of another’s password.
H. Trespassing on others’ folders, work, or files.
I. Intentionally wasting resources.
J. Employing the network for commercial purposes.
Transmission of any material in violation of any
federal, state, or local law, regulation, rule, or
ordinance.
Additionally,
malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or
infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damages the software
components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.
Consequences for Violations of
Privileges
The
faculty, staff, of parents/guardians may request the administrator or designee
to deny, revoke, or suspend a specific student user’s access to the Internet
and related technologies due to unacceptable use. The internet policy is stated in the school
handbook. Additional disciplinary action
may be taken at the school in accordance with existing disciplinary practice as
stated in the school handbook and/or Diocesan policy. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may
be involved.
Parent’s / Guardian’s
Responsibility
During
the school year, teachers will guide students in accessing appropriate
materials. Outside of school, families
must bear responsibility for such guidance, as they also must with information
sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio, and other potentially
offensive media.
It is the family’s
right to decide whether or not to apply for the student’s independent access to
an Internet account. The school
administration and teachers believe that the benefits to students from access
in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed
the disadvantages. Parents/guardians
accept responsibility for guidance of
Internet use, setting and conveying standards for the child to follow when
selecting, sharing or exploring information and media. Parents/guardians will be responsible for any
financial obligation incurred through the use of Internet and related
technologies that are not specifically and previously approved and included as
part of the school’s budget.
Parents/guardians
are required to sign a Permission Form and an Acceptable Use Policy with their
child. Students may not access networked
computer services such as the Internet without this express permission. Individuals and families may be held liable
for violations.
COMPUTER USAGE AT BISHOP LUERS H.S.
The following rules have been established in
order to protect the computer equipment as well as to make sure that all staff
and students have access to the computers as needed.
1. Students using computers in the library,
computer labs, tutoring room, keyboarding room, and journalism room must be
supervised at all times by a Luers staff member.
2. Students may only use the computer for class
assignments and research for class work.
3. Students may only use individual classroom
computers with permission of the staff member assigned to that room.
4. Students are not permitted to play games on
the computer.
5.
Students must respect passwords, codes, etc., which have been entered in order
to protect and secure the computers. Students who make attempts or are successful
in bypassing these devices will lose all privileges of using computers for the
remainder of their stay at
Consequences:
1. Students who are in violation of the above
rules will lose the privilege of using the computers for a determined amount of
time unless otherwise stated above.
2. Any student who causes damage to the external
or internal workings of the computer will be liable for expenses in order to
repair or replace the computer. In
addition, the student may be suspended or expelled depending on the severity of
the damage.
GAINING COMPUTER/INTERNET
PRIVILEGES
In order to use the computers and
Internet service provided by
1.
Have a signed Permission Form and an Acceptable Use Policy on file in the
school office (must be signed by both student and parent/guardian - these are
available in the student planner),
2. Be directly supervised by a Luers staff
member, and
3.
Log in with the supervising staff member when beginning the use and log out
when completed.
Consequences
Failure
to comply with the above Internet use requirements will result in the loss of
Internet privileges for the remainder of the school year.
Inappropriate
use of the Internet as described in the Diocesan policy will result in options
listed within the Disciplinary System. This would include but not be limited to
loss of computer use for the remainder of the student’s stay at
DANCES
All
students and their dates (defined as members of the opposite sex) are required
to observe all school policies (including dress code; parking and driving
regulations; alcohol, drug, and tobacco rules; and all discipline policies)
regarding behavior at dances. All
persons who attend school dances are expected to act as mature and responsible
young adults. Dancing must be acceptable. The definition of acceptable will be
determined by the adults/administration in charge of the dance. All students
are to be in the dance within 1 hour of the start time or they will not be
allowed to enter. Once a student leaves
he/she will not be allowed to return.
Anyone who does not conform to this standard of behavior will be asked to
leave school property/function and may be subject to further consequences at
the discretion of the supervisor or administration.
Students with dates
who are not
EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Each
student must have on file in the school office an emergency/general information
form completed by parents/guardians.
Any
student moving to a new address or having a change in general information (i.e.
phone number, address, contact person, emergency information, etc.) must report
these changes to the school office.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE
As
per Diocesan Policy P5430, all facilities (buildings which are enclosed) where
kindergarten, elementary, and/or secondary education or library services are
being provided to children shall be smoke free. No one, whether an
administrator, an employee, a student, or a visitor is allowed to smoke in
these buildings while such services are being provided to children.
PARENT/LEAGAL GUARDIAN CONCERNS PROCEDURE
To facilitate and promote the orderly and efficient
resolution of concerns, parents/legal guardians wishing to address and/or
question an academic area or situation regarding a specific teacher or
classroom procedure must follow the grievance procedure below:
Step 1: Address the issues with the classroom teacher
(or the person with whom he/she has the problem)
Step 2: Address the
issue with the Principal
Step 3: Address the
issue with the Pastor (elementary
schools only)
Step 4: If the issue
is not satisfactorily resolved, then the
parent / guardian should place
his/her concerns in
writing to the person involved
and his/her supervisors
(e.g. pastor and principal)
Parents/legal guardians should follow the steps set forth
in this policy, except where a situation is specifically covered under another
school or Diocesan policy which provides for a different reporting procedure
(e.g. harassment).
FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT
NOTIFICATION-DIOCESAN POLICY P4150
Student Permanent File
Each
school shall maintain an accurate daily record of attendance of each child from
either the time the child officially enrolls in a school, or the beginning of
the fall term when the student turns seven (7) years old, until:
A. The date on which the child graduates,
B. Reaches the age of seventeen (17) years old, or
C. Reaches the age of sixteen (16) years old and a parent or guardian provides written consent for the child to withdraw from school. The withdrawal date is the last day the student is scheduled to be in attendance at the school.
These
records shall be kept solely to verify the enrollment and attendance of any
particular child upon the request of the State Superintendent of Public
Instruction or the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.
Each
principal or school administrator of any diocesan school shall furnish, on
request of the state superintendent of public instruction, the number of
children by grade level attending the school.
When a pupil withdraws from school, and no public or other private
school has requested the pupil’s educational records within fifteen (15) days
after the date the pupil withdrew from school, then the school shall report to
the state superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent of the
diocesan schools the name and address of the pupil and the date he/she withdrew
from school.
Student Attendance Records
An
adequate and comprehensive record of attendance shall be maintained for each
student.
Each
teacher is responsible for reporting students’ daily attendance in his/her
classroom during the current school year.
Absentee reports shall show exact dates.
Attendance
is recorded in the student’s official record and kept on file indefinitely.
Transfer of Student Records
Schools
shall follow current diocesan procedure in transferring official records:
A. The official student record files shall include cumulative grade report, cumulative attendance form(s), and standardized test summary reports. Health cards may be sent separately or with the student record files. If the student has had psychometric testing, those reports must be requested, in writing, by the parent from the testing organization.
B. In the event of a student transfer to another diocesan school, the original student record files shall be forwarded to the new school. In event of a student transfer to a non-diocesan school, copies of the official file shall be forwarded to the new school upon receipt of signed request with the official copy remaining at the last diocesan school of enrollment.
C. If a student transfers during a grading period, a report of the student’s work up to the date of transfer should also be included in materials sent to the receiving school providing all financial obligations have been met.
P 4170 ACCESS TO STUDENT
RECORDS
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1975 any natural parent, guardian, or individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or guardian of a student has a right “to inspect and review” his/her minor student’s education records, unless the school has been provided with a court order, State statue, or legally-binding document that specifically precludes such inspection and review. In addition, a student who has reached eighteen (18) years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education will have all access rights that his/her parents or guardian would have had prior to that time. Absent such court order or legally-binding document, a non-custodial parent has the same right to inspect and review as a custodial parent.
I. All schools shall follow the diocesan policy and procedure regarding requests for access to student educational records, in accordance with FERPA.
A. A “parent” means a parent of a student and
includes a natural parent, a guardian or an
individual acting as a parent in the absence
of a parent or a guardian.
B. An “eligible student” means a student who
has reached eighteen (18) years of age or is
attending an institute of post-secondary
education.
C. All student records are confidential and may
be accessed only by those authorized to do
so. (See I.G.) This includes health records,
psychometric testing, and student academic
records but does not include counseling
reports/files protected by statute.
D. The following list includes the information available on all student records. Such personally identifiable information will not be released without the prior written consent of the parents or eligible student unless such information is required by judicial order or subpoena and the parents are notified of such orders or subpoenas in advance of disclosure.
Name Grades
Address