Section VI - Educational Program

 

CURRICULUM

All Teachers comply with the required Diocesan Course of Study in all academic subject areas.

VIRTUS : Every student will be educated in the aspects of what a safe environment constitutes; therefore the Diocese of Trenton mandates that every student, K-12, is taught these concepts in the following program: Protecting God’s Children- Teaching Touching Safety. It is expected that every student will experience two sessions of this program annually.

Students should realize that studies are the most important part of their life right now. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with this right to a good education. Therefore, REGULAR DAILY ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL!

 

HOMEWORK

Homework is valuable for pupil training, mental discipline, and for absorbing material presented in class. Every assignment has a definite purpose. Parents are to see that the child has a suitable, quiet place in which to study. Children should be encouraged to work independently. Help may be given in further explanation, or in working similar problems, but not in doing the work for the child. Some children work more rapidly than others; some dally and daydream and are easily distracted. Guidance and supervision must be given as needed. An interest on the part of the parents in a child’s assignments and accomplishments is one of the best means of motivation to spur the child to more intensive and exacting work. Parents are asked to check the assignments frequently before they are handed in. Note the neatness, the spelling, the paper, etc. The same interest should be shown in reviewing graded papers. If a child brings home a paper to be checked and signed, there must be a definite reason. Your signature is an indication to the teacher that you have seen the paper and not necessarily that you are satisfied with the work.

The child must feel that there is full cooperation and a good rapport between the parent and the teacher. This will strengthen the work of each. Parents are urged to encourage children to frequent libraries and read good educational books to broaden their outlook. Books read for enjoyment are also a means of enrichment, but these should be checked into as to their nature, their language, and above all, their moral value.

If a long range assignment is given, there is a purpose in it. Do not accept a statement that it can be done the last minute or the last day. The child must realize that his/her responsibility is to his/her school work.

 

TESTING

Testing is an important phase of the educational program. The informal teacher-made tests help to determine class progress.

Standardized Tests – CTB/McGraw-Hill Terra Nova - are administered in the Spring (usually in March) in Grades 2 through Grade 8. These indicate the students Basic Skills in Math, Reading, and Language Arts.

The results of the CTB/McGraw-Hill Terra Nova Achievement Tests are used by the Monmouth Commission to determine eligibility for students into the Title I or Compensatory Education offered through state-funding.

Rainbow Patch Four Year Olds may be given the Dial/R Kindergarten Readiness Test in May.

 

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued three times a year - December, March, and June. These should be carefully examined and analyzed by the parents, with special attention given to Effort and Conduct. These marks usually indicate the child’s cooperation and may often explain the grades received. Report Card marks are obtained by averaging the class work, assignments, and tests of a given period.

A child’s progress is carefully noted by the teacher during the year, and whenever necessary, a conference is arranged with the parents in order to gain their support and indicate the child’s needs. If there is not sufficient progress by January, the pupil’s work is evaluated by all the teachers involved, the Principal and School Social Service personnel. If weakness is denoted in only one area, summer school or private tutoring is recommended. In some cases the pupil will repeat the grade, but ONLY if it is considered profitable for the pupil. Child Study Team testing may be recommended so that a child needing specialized teaching can be placed in the Resource Room or receive state-funding Supplemental Instruction.

Parents should recognize the fact, that intellectual ability is a gift from God given in various degrees at birth. Every person is asked to work according to the best of his/her ability. Individual differences must be recognized and provisions made for the pupil according to his/her needs. The school’s chief concern is the child and what is best for him/her.

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Formal conferences are scheduled each year. During this time, the parents meet with the child’s teachers to discuss his/her progress. It is an occasion to point out the strong points as well as the weak ones; to discuss the good habits as well as the bad; to seek ways to work more closely as a parent-teacher team in order to educate and develop the child while aiding in the training of his/her character. Such cooperation will prepare the pupils to meet their religious, moral, intellectual, social, and physical needs as well as his/her responsibilities to his/her school and to himself/herself; to parish and to God. Additional conferences may be requested by either the parents or the teachers as the need arises.

A phone call to the convent is best made between 6:30PMand 7:30PM. Appointments may be made with any teacher or the Principal. However, parents are asked to settle school-related difficulties with the teacher first. Parents may telephone a teacher at school between 3:30 P.M. and 3:45 P.M. or send in a note requesting that the teacher call at a convenient time.

 

RECORDS

The following is kept in a student’s official school folder: academic transcripts, standardized testing results, health records (in health office), and an emergency sheet.

A parent requesting to view a student’s records is asked to give the school office 24 hours’ notice and is required to make the request in writing.

 

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT

Saint Veronica School abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment with respect to the rights of the non-custodial parent. In the absence of the court order to the contrary, the school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and to other school related information regarding the child. If there is a court order specifying that there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order.

 

HONOR ROLL POLICY

Through the school atmosphere and educational system at Saint Veronica School students are taught to reach their potential and accept themselves as they are, recognizing their individual differences.

As part of the assertive discipline program teachers encourage the students to assume responsibility for their work and actions. Not only do they work with students who are experiencing difficulties, but they try to provide incentives for students who strive for success on a regular basis.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HONORABLE MENTION HONOR ROLL

 

Grades Two through Eight –

Recognizes outstanding effort in cognitive achievement.

1. Student must demonstrate a motivation for personal development during the marking period.
2. Student must demonstrate effort to the best of his/her ability.
3. Student must complete assignments.
4. Student must be prepared for class.
5. Student must stay on task.
6. Student must maintain an (S) in school conduct.
7. The principal/vice-principal reserves the right to approve these recommendations.

Students who have met the requirements of Honorable Mention Honor Roll two out of three times during the preceding year in Grades Six through Eight are eligible to run for Student Council and to become members of the School Safety Patrol. Eighth Grade Students who have not made School Safety Patrol at the beginning of the school year may become eligible after the first marking period.

Student Council and Safety Patrol Members must remain on the Honorable Mention Honor Roll for each marking period, otherwise they forfeit their badges/pins for the next marking period.

** Major subject areas: Religion, Integrated Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies.

* Minor subject areas: Technology, Art, Music, Phys. Ed, Health, Spanish

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRIMARY ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

Grades Two and Three

recognize outstanding cognitive achievement

1. Grade 2 no grade lower than “G” and Grade 3 no grade lower than a “B” in a major subject **
2. Grade 2 & 3 no grade lower than an “2” in minor subject areas*
3. No grade lower than an "S" in Conduct

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GOLD ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

Grades Four through Eight

Recognize superior cognitive achievement

1. Grades 4 & 5 must maintain an "A" in all major subject areas** Grades 6, 7, 8 must maintain a "93" in all major subject areas** Algebra students must maintain a "90" average
2. No grade lower than a “2” in any minor subject areas*
3. Must maintain an "S" in Conduct

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SILVER ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

Grades Four through Eight

Recognize outstanding cognitive achievement

1. Grades 4&5 must maintain at least three (3) "A's" in major subject areas** Grades 6,7,8 must maintain a “93” in at least three major subject areas**
2. Grades 4& 5 must have no grade lower than a "B" in major subject areas** Grades 6,7,8 must have no grade lower than an “85” in major subject areas **
3. No grade lower than a “2” in any minor subject areas*
4. Must maintain an "S" in Conduct

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BRONZE ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

Grades Four through Eight

Recognize cognitive achievement

1. Grades 4 & 5 must have no grade lower than a "B" in all major subject areas** Grade 6, 7, 8 must have no grade lower than 85 in all major subject areas** Algebra students must maintain an 82 average
2. No grade lower than a “3” in any minor subject areas*
3. Must maintain an "S" in Conduct