General School Policies

SCHOOL HOURS

Each day starts at 8:00 A.M. and ends at 3:00 P.M. The first bell rings at 8:00 A.M. for homeroom preparation. This includes flag ceremony, morning prayer, roll call, announcements, and daily preparation (sharpening of pencils, etc.)

The first class starts at 8:15 A.M. There is a 30-minute break in the morning.

1. A. 9:30 A.M. - Preparatory Levels
2. B. 10:00 A.M. - Elementary and Middle Grade Levels

Lunchtime for the preparatory levels is at 11:00 A.M. followed by naptime. After nap, the children will engage in supervised activities up to dismissal at 3:00 P.M.

Lunch for elementary and middle grade levels will be at 12:00 noon. Classes resume at 1:00 P.M. Dismissal time is at 3:00 P.M.

Parents/Guardians are requested to pick-up their children promptly by 3:00 P.M. A student not yet picked up by 3:30 p.m. will be brought to the Extended Care Program and will be charged a late pick-up fee. Parents are requested to inform the administration office of the other persons who may pick up their child/children.

After 3:00 p.m. parents/students must not come to the office to request that the classroom be opened to retrieve belongings.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is vitally important to the academic progress of the student. All students are held to regular and punctual attendance requirements. All student's absences must be excused in writing by the parent/guardian and the nature of the absence stated to be re-admitted in his/her class. Parents/Guardians are requested to notify the school by telephone between the hours of 8:00 - 8:30 on the day if the child will be absent. Teachers have no authority to excuse a student.

In order for a student to qualify for excused absences such as:

• Absences due to emergency reasons (if student needs to be off-island)
  1. The parents/guardians must notify the Office of the Principal and seek permission to do so.
  2. It is the student's responsibility to obtain make-up work for his/her absences.
• Absences due to illness
  1. The parents/guardians must inform the Office of the Principal about the child's illness.
  2. If the absence lasts for more than two days, a doctor's certificate has to be presented.
  3. It is the student's responsibility to coordinate with the teacher to make-up for the missed lessons.

***A student may only incur 15% of total school days for the whole school year or 7 absences (excused or unexcused) per quarter. If one exceeds the maximum allowable number of days, such will be dealt accordingly.

TARDINESS

A student who arrives at the school after the roll call is considered tardy and he/she must report to the office and get a tardy slip before going to class. A total of three (3) tardies per marking period will be converted to one (1) day absent. Please note that we feel that persistent tardiness and absences are harmful to the child's academic achievement for many reasons:

1. It is a poor training.
2. It starts the students day out with an embarrassing beginning of the school day.
3. He/She misses the beginning of the school day.
4. It distracts the other students in his/her classroom.

ILLNESS

A student who becomes ill during school hours is sent to the office. The parents are contacted immediately and requested to take the child home.

Diagnosed communicable diseases should be made known to the Principal by parents/guardians.

Students are required to bring a written note informing the office of medical/dental appointments. Indicate on the note the time student will be picked-up.

SPECIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to inform the school and the teacher of a student who has special health problems. If a medication is required on a regular basis during the school day, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the school. A medication consent form is to be completed stating the name of medication and why, and time to be given. All prescribed medication will be administered by the school nurse/personnel.

FIRST AID

First Aid will be provided at the school for minor injuries (cuts, scratches, bruises, etc.) requiring immediate attention. No medication for headache or other discomforts will be administered to a student unless consented to in writing by parents or guardians