VISION STATEMENT

As it approaches its 100th anniversary, Villa Augustina, a private, Catholic school, is grounded in the charism of St. Claudine Thevenet.  The Villa offers a faith-inspired education with an innovative curriculum, which prepares students to be leaders in high school and beyond.  We continually strive to be a leader in Catholic education.

We are committed to:

• Welcoming students and their families of all backgrounds.

• Promoting a culture of academic excellence and innovation, and maintaining our NEASC accreditation.

• Providing a safe, welcoming campus where children can learn and play.

• Enrolling a full, thriving student body.

• Employing outstanding faculty and supporting their ongoing professional
   development.

• Fostering a spirit of charitable service.

• Building collaborative relationships with the local and global community.

• Promoting responsible fiscal stewardship.

• Developing an ever-increasing endowment that supports the long-range plan.

The Villa is a destination that provides a foundation for a lifetime!

MISSION STATEMENT

Villa Augustina School is a community embracing Christian values, academic excellence, loving service, consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the charism of St. Claudine Thevenet.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Villa Augustina School is an integrated community, open to children and faculty of all races and religions.

GENERAL POLICIES

Security and Safety

You have taken one of God’s most precious gifts and allowed us to nurture that gift along with you. The security and safety of your children is of primary importance to the Villa. To that end, all parents are expected to adopt and enforce behaviors that are consistent with the safety and security of all students. These behaviors include parking, entering the buildings and insuring that all volunteers are trained to recognize unsafe situations. Parental adherence to these expectations is the first step in teaching our students that rules matter and behavior is a choice.

Parking

Parents are asked to park in the Normand Road parking lot for drop offs and pickups. We ask parents to respect the spots reserved for visitors and teachers in the faculty parking area. Parking in front of the main door or in a fire lane is prohibited at all times.

EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO OBEY FIRE LANE AND NO PARKING ZONES!

School Visits and Identification

All parents/visitors are expected to enter the school by the FRONT DOOR ONLY and SIGN IN before proceeding to a classroom / appointment etc. between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Parents/visitors are expected to wear visitor badges while they are in the building. Parents/visitors needing to access Rosary Hall should also sign in at the Main Office before proceeding to Rosary Hall. Parents/visitors should not request or accept entry into the Villa at any other door than the front door. Teachers are not allowed to open side doors for any entry other than their own.

Volunteer Program

All volunteers, including all parent volunteers, who work directly with students are required to complete a Background Check and attend a “Protecting God’s Children� Workshop sponsored by the Diocese of Manchester. There is no charge for either of these requirements. These must completed before parents volunteer in their child’s classrooms, chaperone field trips, assist in the library, etc. If you have already completed the background check and/or attended the workshop, please notify the Office.

Attendance/Dismissal

Arrival:

Students are expected to enter the school building at 8:12 a.m. after the outside bell is rung. During inclement weather, students will remain in Rosary Hall until 8:12 a.m. at which time they will go directly to their classrooms.

Drop off:

Morning Care: 7:00 to 8:00a.m.

Parents/Guardians are to park in the Normand Road parking lot and walk their children to Rosary Hall entering the left side door nearest the playground.

Morning Supervision on Playground: 8:00 to 8:12a.m.

Parents/Guardians are to park in the Normand Road parking lot. Children may walk alone or be accompanied to the school playground where they will remain until the 8:12 bell. In case of inclement weather, children are to enter Rosary Hall by the door nearest the playground and remain there until 8:12 and then go immediately to their classrooms.

Pick Up:

All grades will be dismissed at 2:30 PM. Classes will be escorted to the Normand Rd. parking lot where children will be individually dismissed to parents. Parents are expected to come from their cars to pick up children and not wait for children to enter the parking lot alone. At 2:45 PM, any children not picked up will be escorted to After Care until parents arrive. There will be a charge for this service. Children in the 3-year old program will be dismissed at the east door of the school. Parents should come to the school to pick up their 3-year old.

Tardiness:

It is important for students to arrive at school on time that is at 8:15AM (8:12 into the building and in classrooms by 8:15). Students who arrive after 8:15 are considered tardy and should enter by the front door. Students arriving late must obtain a pass from the administration office. Excessive tardiness creates a problem for the staff, the teacher, the student who is tardy and all the other students in their class. Excessive tardiness may result in any of the following consequences:

1. Loss of privileges appropriate to grade level

2. Detention

3. Parent-Teacher meeting

4. Parent-Principal meeting

5. Denial of acceptance for the following school year

Absences:

The State mandates 180 days of attendance in school per year. It is very important for students to attend school every day. Important elements of the educational process gained through classroom activities and discussion are missed when students are absent.

Parents/Guardians must call the office before 8:00 AM each day a child is absent, and the child must return to school with a written note from the parent/guardian. If the child is absent for three consecutive days, a dated note from the doctor will be required.

For the safety of your children, if the office does not receive a phone call from you, the school will make a phone contact with the parent/guardian. If the school is unable to reach the parent/guardian your local police may be contacted to visit your home. Willful absence from school by a student is considered truancy and the truant officer will be notified.

It is the responsibility of the excused student to obtain all missing class work and homework assignments. It is also the responsibility of the excused student to complete this work in a timely fashion.

Excused Absences:

1. Family Emergency

2. Sickness

3. Death

4. Impassable Roads

5. Religious Observance

6. Approved extended absence (at the discretion of the principal)

Approved extended absences:

Parents are encouraged to schedule family vacations during school vacations. When this is not feasible, the principal’s approval must be sought. If approval is granted, student’s work requirements may be adjusted depending on what is being covered in class. Parents are asked to be sensitive to the child’s loss of invaluable classroom experiences and the additional burden of preparation and curriculum adjustment this places on the teacher.

Unexcused Absences:

1. Any absence with no phone call and/or no note

2. Vacation time taken during school time without principal’s approval.

Consequences of Unexcused Absences:

1. Work must be made up but no credit will be received for the day or days of an unexcused absence.

2. Six unexcused absences in a quarter will result in a “failing grade� for the quarter.

3. If unexcused absences are a recurrence they may result in dismissal from the school or denial of registration for the following school year.

4. Teachers will not give out work for students going on unexcused vacation.

Early Dismissal

If a student is to be dismissed early on a given day, a written, dated request stating the reason for the dismissal and signed by the parent/guardian must be submitted to the office before 8:45. Early dismissals should be a rare occurrence.

All notes must include a telephone number where a parent/guardian may be reached to verify the note. Before the student can be dismissed, parent/guardians must come to the office to sign the student out. School personnel will get the student from the classroom to the office.

Cancellation of Classes

Generally, though not always, when school is cancelled due to inclement weather, Villa Augustina follows the GOFFSTOWN SCHOOL SYSTEM. WMUR-TV (Channel 9), WGIR AM (610) or WZID FM radio (95.7) will specify the status of Villa Augustina as VILLA AUGUSTINA. Please make sure you check for cancellations. Do not drop your child off at school unless you know that school is in session.

Parents may purchase their children's uniform clothing from the vendor of their choice provided that the clothing meets the standards listed below. You may also purchase uniforms from the Lands' End uniform catalog. If ordering from Lands' End, please enter our preferred school number (9000-3854-8). These standards apply to all students from kindergarten through grade eight.

Uniform Dress Code

(as of June 2009)

Standards

These standards apply to all students from kindergarten through grade eight. Pre-K students are expected to follow the dress down code for gym days (see below). Otherwise, Pre-K students are encouraged, not required, to meet dress code standards.

• The Villa requires that all clothing fit properly and be worn appropriately. No holes, tears, or form-fitting clothes will be acceptable.
• No denim of any color except on dress down days.
• All tops must have sleeves.
• No tanks or sleeveless tops.
• Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
• Hooded sweatshirts are allowed only as outerwear.
• Earrings should be age appropriate (no large hoops). Other than earrings, no other body piercings are allowed.
• Jewelry should be minimal and should not interfere with safety or the educational process.
• Make up is not appropriate for children. However, Junior High girls may wear a minimal and reasonable amount provided that it is not offensive to others.
• Hair should be clean, neat, and of appropriate length. Hair color and style that causes attention are not allowed.
• No hats, bandannas, or sunglasses will be worn in the school buildings.

Specific Standards:

Dress slacks, capris and walking shorts (in warm weather):

• Navy blue or khaki in color (Junior High students may also wear black)
• Made of chino, wool, or corduroy material
• No low rise, boot cut, cargo, zip offs, rivets, patch or cargo pockets.

For girls:

• Navy blue or khaki
• Jumpers, skirts and skorts (pleated or plain
• Length must fall within an inch and a half of the knee

Shirts:

• Navy blue, light blue, or white (Junior High students may also wear hunter green)
• dress shirt (with buttoned-down, peter pan, or plain collar), polo shirts, and turtlenecks
• No crewnecks, or hooded tops (including sweatshirts).
• Hooded sweatshirts are allowed to be worn only as outerwear. Hoods may not be worn on students’ heads in the school building.

Sweaters:

• Navy blue or white (Junior High students may also wear hunter green)
• V-neck, crewneck, or cardigan sweaters (without hoods).
• Dress code shirt collar must be visible.

Footwear:

• Properly fitting shoes or sneakers. Stockings or socks must be worn at all times.
• Footwear must have a closed toe and full back (no back strap).
• Heel height is limited to an inch and a half.
• No boots, clogs, sandals, or Crocs are permitted.
• Rolling devices on shoes cannot be activated on school property.

Gym days:

Students participating in gym class on their assigned gym days may wear:

• PANTS - sweat pants, running pants, wind pants; navy blue, or black with or without white stripe
• SHORTS - navy blue or black with or without a white stripe; basketball length
• SHIRTS - Villa T-shirts (Physical education or another approved Villa Sport T-shirts), a plain white long or short sleeved T-shirt may be worn under the Villa T-shirt.
• SWEATSHIRT - non-hooded Villa or all navy or black sweatshirt
• SOCKS - white athletic socks
• REQUIRED SHOES - must be snug fitting fully laced or velcroed only - no slip-ons of any type - must be an athletic sneaker such as basketball, running, indoor soccer, etc. - no skate shoes of any type - no heelies.
• JACKET -(optional) windbreaker matching the student's running pants (good for all athletic teams)

Dress down days:

Using the standards listed in the above dress code policy, students may wear casual shirts, shorts, or pants on dress down days. These clothing items may not display any inappropriate saying or pictures.

Dress up days:

Using the standards listed in the above dress code policy, students may wear their "Sunday best," provided that the clothing is age appropriate.

Students who fail to abide by the Dress Code will be sent to the Principal who will call the parents to bring Dress Code clothing to school. Numerous violations will result in appropriate disciplinary action, and continued violations may result in dismissal from school.

Respect for Teachers and Administrators

Parents are held to the same standard as students with regard to respect for teachers and administrators. Enrollment of your child in the Villa Augustina School implies a partnership between the school and the parents/child. Parents with concerns should bring those to the attention of the Principal. If the partnership breaks down, parents can be required to withdraw their child from school.

Distribution of Materials

All notices MUST be approved by the principal prior to distribution.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as:

Deliberate, unwelcome and/or unsolicited verbal comments, gestures or physical contact of a sexual nature.

All members of the school community including staff, teachers, parents, and students are permitted to file a complaint to the school principal. The complaint needs to be filed in writing and should include the date, time, place, behavior, names and witnesses.

A five-member committee comprised of three Board members and two Faculty/Staff members will review the complaint and determine the proper course of action. All reported complaints would remain confidential until a thorough investigation has been made and a decision reached.

All individuals who file a complaint are entitled to legal redress through the court system via Title IX, Title VII, and state law if applicable. This policy is in accordance with New Hampshire and Diocesan policies.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES

EMERGENCIES

In the event of an actual emergency (not a drill), your child’s safety is of the utmost importance. All faculty members have received training in the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) training for Incident Command Systems. You should NOT come to the school building. Instead you should wait at home or in the Normand Rd. parking lot for your child to be released to you in a secure and accountable manner. Trespassing during an emergency may impede first responders and put children at risk. Unauthorized involvement may be considered trespassing.

Emergency Drills

Emergency drills are required by law as a safety precaution. Students are expected to know and demonstrate the following safe evacuation procedures. For evacuation (fire) drills:

1. At the sound of the alarm, pupils and teachers are to leave the building by the nearest exit according to instructions posted in each room.
   

2. Students are to pass quickly and in an orderly manner, without running.
   

3. Students will refrain from talking during the fire drill so that emergency instructions can be heard and clearly understood.
   

4. Students will line up in their designated area on the playground or in front of the building at which time attendance will be taken.
   

5. The return to classes is to be carried out in silence.

There will be other drills that are practiced to meet natural and man-made emergencies (See Other Safety Drills).

Health Service

A complete physical examination is required within one year prior to the first day that a student attends the Villa Augustina School and again when the students enters 6^th grade. Students who do not have a physical on file in their school records will be conditionally enrolled and documentation of a physical will be required for the child to remain in school. Also, New Hampshire State law requires that schools have proof of immunization prior to admittance to school. It is the responsibility of the parents to acquire forms from their family physician and give them to our nurse if you believe your child is ADD or ADHD. Our nurse will distribute forms to appropriate teachers. When forms are completed the nurse will return them to the physician.

Medications

School personnel will not make non-prescribed medication available to students.

This medication must be purchased by the parent/guardian and sent to school in its original container with a signed permission form.

Prescription medications can be given in school when it is necessary to achieve a medical regime (e.g. when it is not advisable for the child to wait until arrival home to take a second dose of medication.) In this case, the prescription must be sent to school in the original pharmacy container accompanied by a form signed by the parent/guardian and the prescribing physician. Pharmacies can provide a second labeled container for division of medications for school dosage. Required forms are in the Health Office and the School Office.

If a student needs to take medication during school hours, a responsible adult must bring the medication in to the School Nurse. Also, all medications must be picked up at the end of the school year. This includes all daily scheduled medications, emergency medications such as EpiPens and inhalers, and over the counter medications such as Tylenol.

Food Allergy Policy

Since food allergies can be life threatening, the Villa Augustina School will work with the students, parents, and physicians to minimize the risks and provide a safe environment for allergic students. The responsibility for reducing the risk of accidental exposure rests, not only with the school, but also with the students, parents, and physicians. Below is a list of responsibilities we expect of the school, family, student, and physician:

It will be the parent’s responsibility to:

1. Notify the school of child’s allergy;

2. Provide labeled emergency medication with a Physician’s Order Form signed by the physician;

3. Educate their child in self-management of his/her food allergy;

4. Train another adult of their choosing (other than the teacher) to go on field trips with their child to administer an Epipen (emergency medication) as required (School Health Resource Manuel, NH State Department of Education, Chapter 3, p. 400).

5. Ensure that all faculty members who teach the student are aware of the student’s allergy, the symptoms associated with it, and the appropriate follow-up care.

The following will be the school’s responsibility:

• A food allergy free table (for example, a peanut free table) will be available in the lunchroom. The table will be washed separately.

• A food allergy free area will be provided in the classroom for the food allergic students to eat his/her snack.

• School faculty will be alert for any bullying issues with students who have food allergies and these issues will be treated seriously.

• The students with the food allergy will be allowed to wash his/her hands prior to snack or lunch. The student will not be allowed to trade food with other students who have foods allergies. The student needs to notify an adult immediately if the student thinks that he/she ate a food to which they are allergic.

• Students with food allergies may be included in all school activities that are not an obvious threat to the student’s well being.

• All emergency medication will be kept in the Nurse’s Office with the Physician’s Order form unless otherwise directed by the parent and Physician NH House Bill 92) The teacher who has a student with an allergy may have a volunteer student “buddyâ€� who will alert an adult if a reaction occurs, ensuring faster treatment.

• Peer education – a food allergy video will be shown to the grade which has potentially life threatening food allergy; a discussion group will follow the video.

Medical Emergencies

In case of a medical emergency:

1. First Aid will be administered on site

2. After further evaluation, 911 may be called

3. Every effort will be made to contact the parent/guardian.

4. If a child needs to be transported to the hospital, every effort will be made to have a staff person present. Parents are responsible for the ambulance fee.

Other Safety Drills

Because of the world in which we live, it has become necessary to conduct other drills besides fire drills. Teachers have been trained to respond to various life threatening situations and your children are being taught how to respond to the following:

1. Evacuation drills in case of fire, hazmat spill or leak, nearby fire, explosion, or bomb threat.

2. Reverse Evacuation Drill which means entering the building because of: severe weather, gun fire, rabid animal, hazmat spill, nearby fire, car accident, etc.

3. Secure Building/Lock Down in case of: intruder in building, angry parent, threatening behavior from any individual, severe medical emergency in the building.

4. Drop Drill: severe weather such as tornado or earthquake, intruder, explosion, guns, plane crash.

5. Shelter in Place Drill: hazmat situation outside, toxic smoke

 ACADEMIC POLICIES

Classroom Placement

In order to ensure optimal educational outcomes, placement of students for the following school year is determined by the administration in conjunction with grade level teachers. When there are two teachers/classrooms for one grade level, the process for student assignment to the next grade occurs as follows:

The present classroom teachers’ initial task is to separate students into two heterogeneous grouped ‘mirror image’ classrooms for the following year. Objectives in creating the two groups include:

• Maintaining a balance of male and female students.

• Maintaining a balance of students based on their educational, social, and emotional skills.

• Separating students, if necessary, when “personalityâ€� issues exist that interfere with student learning.

The principal balances teachers’ recommendations for classroom placement with the needs of new students. Again, the goal is to create classes that are ‘mirror images’ of each other.

Parents may submit their written recommendation to the principal. Recommendations must be submitted by June 1^st. The principal will make final decision in student assignment.

Grade System and Report Cards

Eligibility for the Honor Roll is determined by the following criteria for grades 6-7-8.

Principal’s List         95 or better in all subjects
High Honors            90 or better in all subjects
Honors                    85 or better in all subjects
Passing                    in all Pass/Fail subjects

It is expected that Honor Students score 1 and/or 2 for conduct and effort.

A+     97-100
A       93-96
B       85-92
C       76-84
D       70-75
F        69 and below

Report cards are issued quarterly and should be returned to the student’s homeroom teacher within 3 days.

Progress reports are issued about 5 weeks before report cards to inform parents of the student’s interim progress or behavioral or academic problems. These reports must be signed and returned to the issuing teacher within 3 days.

Parents are encouraged to make arrangements with any teacher they wish to conference with concerning either the progress reports or the report cards. Junior High teachers will schedule formal Parent/Teacher conferences twice a year, after the first and third quarter report cards.

Homework

Homework is an extremely good tool to help the student and teacher know if a lesson was understood.

Homework assignments take many forms including regular practice and reinforcement of previously taught skills, independent assignments that enrich the school curriculum, reading to prepare for subsequent class discussion, the review and study of notes, and student writing. Assignments must be completed neatly and handed in on time. Homework is assigned nightly with the following suggested time allotments:

Grades 1 and 2 15 to 20 min.
Grades 3-4-5 30 to 50 min.
Grades 6-7-8 60 to 90 min.

When students have multiple teachers, the instructors will coordinate a schedule that remains within the aforementioned time frame for the average pupil. When students spend more than the allotted time, parents should notify teachers. Teachers will then work with students and parents to address the problem.

At the junior high level, teachers have developed a daily schedule during student lunchtime where they are available for student assistance.

Internet and Electronic Use Policy

Villa Augustina School makes computers and Internet access available to students to further the educational goals and objectives of the Villa. We believe that the benefits to the students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages. Students are responsible for good behavior on school computers and the Internet just as they are in a classroom. Students are expected to follow Villa guidelines for behavior and communications. The Villa reserves the right to exclude internet use for any student that abuses its policies. The Villa also reserves the right to install filters as it deems appropriate.

The Internet is provided for students to conduct research. Access to Internet services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Access is a privilege – not a right. Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain systems integrity and insure the users are utilizing the system responsibly.

As a general guideline the following and similar activities are not permitted:

• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures

• Plagiarism

• Unauthorized Access to Chat Room/News Groups/ “My Spaceâ€�

• Accessing/Transmitting Inappropriate Materials

• Using obscene language

• Harassing, insulting or attacking others

• Damaging computers, computer systems or computer software

• Violating copyright laws

• Using another person’s password

• Trespassing in another’s folders, work or files

Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary action.

Lockers

At the beginning of each year, homeroom teachers issue lockers to students in grades 1 to 8. All students are responsible for keeping the assigned lockers clean both inside and out. No stickers or other decorative items are allowed on lockers. Students are cautioned not to keep money or other valuables in their lockers. The principal reserves the right to search school lockers at any time.

Textbooks

The textbooks used at the Villa are strictly on loan. Students are expected to be considerate and responsible in returning books in good condition. The family must pay for books which are lost or damaged. All textbooks must be covered at all times.

Lost and Found

Articles found in and around school will be placed in the Villa Store area. Students and parents/guardians should check periodically for missing items. Items not claimed are cleaned and given to the needy or are discarded.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Direct communication between parents and teachers is encouraged. If during the year, there are questions or concerns about a child, his/her teacher, or any school policy, parents are urged to use the following procedures:

1. Arrange to meet with the teacher; make an appointment and discuss your concerns. It is sometimes helpful to have the child present for clarification purposes.

2. Meet with the principal: if you feel the situation was not resolved with the teacher, make an appointment to meet with the principal.

3. It is the policy of the St. Claudine Villa Academy School Board not to be involved in the operation of the school, however should there be a serious issue that you feel has not been addressed even though you have met with teachers and principal, you could bring your case to either the Villa School Board Chairperson or Co-Chairperson.

Telephone / Electronic Devices

The office telephone is for school business only. However, in the case of an emergency permission may be granted. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off and stored during school hours.

Termination Policy

Academic Termination:

The Villa Augustina curriculum offers students a strong basic foundation in catechetics, language arts, literature, math, social studies, science, technology, Spanish, physical education, music and art. The Villa is committed to helping all students achieve their academic potential, but it does not have a Special Education department or an established program to service students with special learning needs or behavioral disabilities.

To ensure adequate progress on the part of each student, the following procedures apply to academic problems regarding failing grades and difficulties with completion of regular assignments:

1. Teachers issue progress reports requiring parents’ signatures

2. Should the problem persist, teachers and parents will meet in an effort to alleviate the problem.

3. If there is no improvement in the student’s performance, a second meeting will take place with the student, parents, teacher and principal.

4. If a student’s performance does not improve sufficiently during an agreed upon time frame, parents will be asked to transfer their child to a school that might better help her/him with the learning difficulty.

5. Students will be withdrawn by a date agreed upon by parents and principal.

Social/Emotional/Behavioral Issues Termination:

The Villa adheres to the principle that every child has the right to be educated in an atmosphere of mutual respect and discipline. It is the responsibility of the principal and faculty to maintain a learning atmosphere in the school and a safe environment on school property.

Misbehaviors, harassment, bullying and a lack of cooperation, which hamper the learning process, will be handled according to the Discipline Policy. When a student’s behavior has not improved sufficiently despite disciplinary sanctions, parents will be asked to withdraw the student. In such situations a withdrawal indicates that the school does not offer the help that meets the student’s needs. The student will be transferred by the date set by the principal.

ACTIVITY POLICIES

Assemblies / Liturgies

At school assemblies, students represent their school community. Whether or not there are guests present, students are expected to behave courteously at all times. Unacceptable conduct includes whistling, boisterous behavior, and talking during programs. Behavior at school liturgies should be respectful and reverent.

Athletic/Extra Curricular Policy

Villa Augustina School encourages extracurricular activities for all students. Many activities may be offered, such as: basketball, soccer, cross country, track, cheerleading, volleyball, skiing, golf, Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts, music ministry, band, guitar, instrumental, Service Club and various academic clubs such as math, poetry and drama. Specific offerings may vary from year to year.

Maintaining an acceptable level of academic achievement is required for the student to participate in the Villa’s extracurricular activities. Involvements in athletic and academic programs require that students exercise both responsibility and accountability. With the cooperation of the student, extracurricular supervisors, and parents, the student will be challenged to become the best he/she can be in an extracurricular activity while maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Any form of inappropriate or unacceptable behavior will be dealt with by the responsible adult on an individual basis.

1. Physician Certification Required: No student athlete shall be eligible to try out, practice or represent their school in interscholastic athletics unless there is on file in the school a physician’s statement (prior to and after the sixth grade), certifying that the student has no physical or other defect that would cause them to be at risk in athletic activities. We recommend a physical every year.

2. Extracurricular Eligibility: Extracurricular participants must maintain a C average, pass all classes and not receive two unacceptable conduct grades.

The athletic director will be informed about any students who fail to meet these criteria. The following steps will be taken:

2 Fs – no extracurricular activities for the quarter

Other – students who fail to meet the aforementioned criteria will be placed on Probation for a four-week period. During that time, teachers will complete weekly progress reports to be given to the athletic director with a recommendation that student can or cannot participate in extracurricular activity. If the progress report is a good one, students can participate in extracurricular activities. After four-week period of acceptable progress reports, student will return to a good student standing status.

1. School Attendance: In order to participate in any school activity, school attendance is mandatory. Students must be in school for at least ½ day in order to participate in that day’s activities. Exceptions include a family emergency or approved medical appointment.

2. Behavior: Students who have been assigned detention or in-school suspension will not be allowed to participate in any practice, game or performance that takes place on the same day as the detention/suspension.

Dances

Villa Augustina School periodically sponsors dances for students in Grades 6-7-8. Students from other local schools are permitted to attend, but they will be required to be registered as guests of a Villa student prior to the dance. It is expected that they will follow the Villa’s policies regarding appropriate behavior. At the conclusion of a Villa dance, parents/guardians should enter Rosary Hall to meet their children or charges.

Field Trips/Class Trips

All field trips should be related to curricular activities and are, therefore mandatory. Students participating in field trips must have a signed permission slip returned to the teacher prior to the day of the trip. Students without permission slips will not be allowed to participate. Students attending school field trips will travel to and from the trip destination using transportation provided by the school. As representatives of the Villa, students who attend field trips are expected, at all times, to behave in a manner which is courteous and respectful of those around them. Clothing must be in compliance with the dress code. Parents/guardians should make all the arrangements for medications with the school nurse prior to the day of the trip.

All adult chaperones are required to complete a Background Check and attend a “Protecting God’s Children� workshop sponsored by the Diocese of Manchester. There is no charge for either of these requirements, which must be completed before a volunteer may chaperone field trips.

As a general rule, only currently enrolled Villa students are eligible to participate in school sponsored class trips.

Any specific regulations and/or agreements regarding these trips will be formulated by the principal.

DISCIPLINE POLICIES

Bus Regulations

Villa Augustina students who use bus transportation to and from school must conform to the regulations of the bus company. Any discipline problems occurring while riding the bus will be handled by the principal.

Classroom Behavioral Expectations

The Villa Augustina School adheres to the principle that children learn best in an atmosphere of respect and discipline. In order to maintain that balance, assertive discipline is used. When a problem arises, the goal is to modify student behavior to an acceptable level.

Expectations for classroom behavior are established by individual teachers while keeping the following principle in mind:

1. All students have the right to be safe and secure in their person and property.

2. Disturbances that interfere with the efforts of other students to learn are unacceptable.

The classroom teacher will handle most misbehavior. However, the following will be reported to the principal:

1. Cheating

2. Bullying

3. Inappropriate words or gestures that are offensive

4. Disrespect to teachers and supervisors

5. Fighting

6. Profanity

7. Vandalism

8. Stealing

9. Serious playground infraction

10. Leaving school grounds without prior approval

In disciplining a student for these offenses, the principal may use one or more of the following:

1. A warning

2. Parental contact or conference

3. In-school detention

4. In-school suspension

5. Out-of-school suspension

6. Dismissal from Villa Augustina

In-School Detention: Students will be assigned to detention when they fail to adhere to the discipline policy of the school. Detention takes place on a designated afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30. The teacher assigning the detention will give the student a reading or writing assignment. Homework may not be completed during this time period.

In-School Suspension: When a student is suspended he/she will not attend classes or be permitted to participate in any athletic or extracurricular activity. However, a suspended student is expected to meet with his/her teachers to find out what has been covered in classes. The student is responsible for all assigned class work during the suspension period. Continued misbehavior on the part of a student may result in an immediate in-school suspension. Examples of such continued misbehavior are:

1. Multiple detentions

2. Defacing school property

3. Continued disregard for school rules

4. Failure to attend assigned detention sessions

Out-Of-School Suspension: Since we believe that the best atmosphere for our students to learn and to modify behavior is within a positive and affirming school environment, out of school suspension and expulsion will rarely occur, and only when it seems that this is the best and last approach for the individual child and the good of the larger Villa community. However, some behavior may result in an immediate suspension from school, with notification to parents of cause. Examples are:

• The use or possession of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, drugs, narcotics, hallucinatory agents, look-alikes, tobacco products or weapons.

Re-entry from out-of-school suspensions will require a mutually agreed upon plan between the parents, student and the school.

Playground

Students should come to school dressed adequately for daily outside activities. Students are expected to use all equipment safely so as not to endanger themselves or other students by improper conduct on the playground. The following guidelines are used for playground supervision:

1. Students should be in areas visible to the teacher on duty at all times.

2. Rocks, sticks, hardballs, snowballs, and other harmful objects are not to be picked up or thrown.

3. The “Big Rock� if off limits before, during, and after school time.

4. Proper footwear must be worn during the winter on snow-covered areas. Students without proper footwear will need to play on the blacktop area only.

5. Younger children must wear ski pants in order to play in the snow.