ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION AND POLICY (2011-2012)
ABSENCES
Parents/Guardians are expected to notify the school division’s administrative assistant prior to 8:30 a.m. when their child will be absent or late. Call the school number at 212-722-4745 and dial Ext. 457 for Lower School; Ext. 414 for Middle School; and Ext. 318 for Upper School. When a student returns to school, a note explaining the absence must be presented to the division head. The nurse should be informed of any absences due to serious illness.
Whenever dentist or doctor appointments are necessary, they should be scheduled after school. In the rare instance when an appointment must be scheduled during school hours, the division head should be notified in advance.
Students will not be excused before the calendar vacation dates, and every student must be in school on the day school reopens. The school does not assume responsibility for work missed.
BOOKS
Textbooks are supplied to students and the cost is included in the tuition. Textbooks must be returned at the end of the school year. Students are responsible for keeping textbooks in good condition. If a Middle or Upper School student loses a book, she will be charged the full cost to replace it. Parents may purchase home copies of textbooks by following this link.
CLOSINGS
In the event of extreme weather (snowstorm or hurricane), Convent of the Sacred Heart may be closed. The Head of School will make that decision no later than 6 a.m. on the morning in question. Parents will be notified of a school closing by the automated Alert Now phone system and/or by email blast. School closings will also be posted on the school website.
CODE OF CONDUCT
A Sacred Heart student is a representative of the entire school community. In this capacity, she is expected to conduct herself as a concerned, respectful, caring individual. Inappropriate behavior, such as rudeness, loudness, unkindness, or behavior such as theft, drinking, smoking, or use of drugs is unacceptable for a Sacred Heart student and will not be tolerated. Each student is responsible to the school community for her actions both within school and within the broader community. Students who fail to comply will be subject to serious action by the administration, up to and including expulsion.
Possession, use or distribution of alcohol or illegal drugs is forbidden in the school buildings or on school grounds at all times and at all school-sponsored activities, whether on or off campus.
DIPLOMA
Seniors who have completed and passed all of their required coursework will be awarded a diploma. A diploma will not be awarded to a student who does not complete the required number of credits for graduation, or if the family’s financial obligations to the school have not been met. A diploma may also be withheld from any student that has engaged in academic dishonesty or for other actions that are inconsistent with the School’s policies, code of conduct, and mission.
DIVORCE
In those cases where parents are divorced or separated, the School may require copies of all relevant divorce and custody documents. School information will be sent to both parents unless prohibited in the divorce decree.
ELEVATORS
Students must obtain an elevator pass from the school nurse before using any of the elevators. Students may never use the cage elevator in No. 1, even if they are accompanied by a parent or any adult.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Each family must make sure that the school has daytime and emergency numbers on file and assume the responsibility of keeping the numbers up to date. Please notify the School’s database manager, Lawson Inman, immediately in writing about changes in address or telephone numbers (linman@cshnyc.org).
EXPULSION
The School reserves the right to expel a student if, in the judgment of the Head of School, the effort, progress, conduct or influence of the student, or of anyone directly associated with the student, including but not limited to her parent or guardian, is not in keeping with the School’s accepted standards. If, for any reason, it is in the best interest of the School, the School also reserves the right to withdraw an offer of enrollment at any time, and to nullify executed enrollment agreements.
FINANCIAL AID
Applications for financial aid for tuition can be obtained through the business office. All requests for financial aid must be processed through the independent service that schools throughout the country use, SSS. Parents’ Financial Statements and signed form 4506-T must be submitted to this service to be considered for aid. If parents are separated, divorced or have never been married, both parents must complete and submit this form.
GIFTS TO TEACHERS
The school does not support the collection of money for group or class gifts for teachers. Cash gifts to individual members of the staff are prohibited.
GRADES
Letter grades in the Middle and Upper School mean:
A+ 97-100 A 93-96 A- 90-92
B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72
D 65-69 F 0-64
GUM
Gum chewing is not permitted anywhere within the school buildings.
HEALTH
Updated health forms, completed by parents/guardians, are required for all students each year. A physical exam and immunization records, completed by a physician, are required for all students before the start of every school year. Additional forms are required for students with severe allergies and asthma. Please request these forms from the nurse. Students will not be admitted to class without these forms. Health forms must be received by the school no later than August 7. No student will be allowed to participate in the pre-season sports camp without completed health forms.
A registered nurse is on duty at school during the school day. If a child is under treatment for a medical or psychiatric condition or receiving medication, the school nurse must be notified. All medications taken during school hours must be dispensed by the nurse. They must be in the original pharmacy container with directions from the medical provider. If a medical condition necessitates a student being excused from participating in physical education class, a note must be brought in from home stating the reason. All students must report to the health office before going home for reasons of illness. Parents will be contacted prior to the student leaving. It is essential that up-to-date phone numbers for parents/guardians be on file in the health office.
ILLNESS AT SCHOOL
If a student becomes ill at school, she should report to a teacher who will direct her to the school nurse. If necessary, the school nurse will call her parents. No student will be allowed to go home without a parent’s permission.
LIBRARY
The Upper School library for grades 8-12 is open Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Lower/Middle School library for grades Pre-K-7 are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Librarians co-teach and collaborate with faculty at all levels to integrate research methods, reading enrichment and the skillful use of print and web-based information resources in students' work. The library program also offers video borrowing and cable recording services for curriculum use.
All library computers have Internet access. Students frequently visit the Library On-Line. It provides in-school and remote access to the Patrons’ Catalog, thousands of full-text periodical and encyclopedia articles, and a variety of graphic resources.
Students may borrow from either library. They will be billed at intervals for unreturned library items. In addition, Upper School students may have their grades withheld until library items are returned or charges are paid. Please click here to view the library’s collection development policy.
LUNCH
Lunch is provided for all students Grades K through 12. The fee for lunch service is included with tuition billing. A continental breakfast may be purchased in the dining room of the No.1 building. The dining room is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. for students. Parent may also use the dining room for breakfast daily from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GO TO CENTRAL PARK WITHOUT AN ADULT CHAPERONE AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING LUNCHTIME.
MANDATED REPORTING (New York State)
The law requires certain professionals and school officials to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the New York State Central Register ("SCR") of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, also known as the "Child Abuse Hotline". The law also assigns civil and criminal liability to professionals who do not comply with their mandated reporting responsibilities.
School professionals and officials are required to report to SCR when, in their professional capacities, they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or maltreatment. But, of course, anyone can report and must report any suspected abuse or maltreatment at any time.
Reporting is an individual responsibility and no supervisor, division head, or administrator may interfere with the individual reporting responsibility. Nor may a mandated reporter be absolved of responsibility by relying on a supervisor or administrator to meet her or his individual reporting responsibility.
MANDATED REPORTING (Sacred Heart)
All employees, including teachers are required to report the following:
Suicide: If an employee is told by a student that she is contemplating suicide or if an employee comes upon evidence of intent (e.g., a note) to commit suicide, the employee must report this to the division head immediately.
Physical evidence of a crime: If an employee obtains physical evidence that a student has committed or is committing a crime, the employee must turn that evidence in to school officials or to the police within two school days (two calendar days, excluding weekends and holidays, if the evidence is obtained at the time of a vacation or at the end of the school year.) The employee may keep the source of the evidence anonymous.
Intent to Harm: If a student expresses the intent to harm another individual, an employee must inform the head of their division, who will then take appropriate action.
In order to protect the welfare of community members, the school also requires employees to report the following:
Drug and alcohol use: As such use, in or out of school, is illegal, a violation of school policy, and a risk to students' well-being, employees must report suspected cases of use or possession to the division head.
Self-Harm: The school asks that employees report evidence or student reports of self-harming behaviors to the division head.
Student pregnancy: It is in keeping with the philosophy of the school that we help our students to respect and safeguard life at all its stages. If a student tells an employee that she is pregnant, the teacher should inform the Upper School Social Worker and encourage the student to inform her family. The school will assist the family in making plans which will take into account the student's physical and emotional well-being.
Drugs and Alcohol
Student use, sale, possession or distribution of alcohol and/or drugs during the school day, on or off school premises, or at any school-related activity is a serious offense. This policy on the use of drugs or alcohol applies to a student suspected to be or observed to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at school or at a school-related event, on or off school premises. In all cases, the school has the right to request an immediate physical/psychological evaluation by a medical doctor. The student may be suspended from school until the evaluation is shared with an agent of the school and the family will be required to meet with the division head. Depending on the circumstances of the infraction and the evaluation results, the student may return to school and be placed on social probation, could face suspension, or the student may be expelled from school. Ongoing testing and counseling may also be required. In all cases, the students and family must follow all guidelines established by the administration. Subsequent offenses may result in expulsion.
Serving and consuming alcohol at student-focused events, whether on or off campus, is prohibited for all adults employed by the school and is discouraged for parents and other guests.
Self-Destructive Behavior
If a student is suspected of endangering her physical and/or psychological well-being in any way, the school has the right to require that the student receive a physical/psychological evaluation immediately. The student will return to school after the evaluation has been shared with a designated agent of the school and the family meets with the division head. Upon returning to school the student will be placed on a social contract that prohibits future self-injurious behavior or disruption to the community.
The school will provide the family with referrals of clinicians based on their area of expertise. If the family decides to seek a clinician outside of the school's referral list, they may do so. But please note that if the school has any questions about the clinician's evaluation, it has the right to ask the parents to seek an evaluation from a third-party. In this case, the third party will be determined by consultation between the school's recommended clinician and the clinician that the family used for the evaluation.
MONEY/VALUABLES
Students SHOULD NOT bring substantial amounts of money or very valuable jewelry to school. If, under special circumstances, a student must bring money or valuables to school, she should give it to the division head for safekeeping. The school is not responsible for any money or valuables that have not been turned in for safekeeping.
PARENTS ASSOCIATION
The Parents Association, composed of officers, school representatives and class representatives, provides many valuable volunteer services to the school. Meetings take place several times during the year. There is an office at the school and a representative is available most weekdays.
PHONE MESSAGES
Students MAY NOT be called to the phone during the day. The school cannot accept telephone messages for students except in case of SERIOUS EMERGENCY. Please note that teachers are not available to come to the telephone during class hours. Parents may contact the appropriate school office and ask that the faculty member return their call during a free period. Calls will be returned within 24 hours. Cell phones may not be used in the building at any time.
MEDIA POLICY
While most reporters and news agencies are respectful of our community, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between those that will understand our mission from those who want to depict the independent school community, its families and schools in a sensational and unflattering light. There are also security risks when schools and students are named. For these reasons we request that our parents, students, faculty and staff direct any media inquires that concern our community to the school’s Director of Advancement, Craig MacPherson (ext. 107), and refrain from making any statements to the press or otherwise participating in any media coverage. For violations of any of the above, the School reserves the right to expel a student if, in the judgment of the Head of School, the effort, progress, conduct or influence of the student, or of anyone directly associated with the student, including but not limited to her parent or guardian, is not in keeping with the School’s accepted standards or mission. The School also reserves the right to withdraw an offer of enrollment at any time, and to nullify executed enrollment agreements
SCHOOL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Acceptable Use Policy
The Convent of the Sacred Heart is committed to providing technological resources to support the education of its students. The school is also committed to providing a technical environment that is both secure and accessible. In maintaining the standards established in the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart schools, this policy seeks to promote a deeper awareness and understanding of ethical and community issues in the use of these shared resources. The following acceptable use policy outlines the expectations of all students and parents when using the technology resources provided by the school, either onsite or remotely, and when using personal technology resources while referencing any member or element of the Sacred Heart community.
Users must:
Be responsible users of digital technology as demonstrated by:
- Use of polite and appropriate language in daily communication.
- Effective management of files on their fileserver and e-mail account.
- Demonstrate care in the handling and use of the technology resources provided, recognizing them as shared resources of the community, such as, but not limited to computers, cameras, SmartBoards and e-mail.
- Use these technology resources primarily for academic purposes.
- Not access websites that can be construed as offensive or containing inappropriate or disparaging content.
- Not access, receive or post information on social network websites, such as, but not limited to MySpace or Facebook, while using the technology resources of the school.
- Not make public by any electronic means school information or personal information of any member of our community, or information that would identify an individual as a member of the school community, including students, staff, faculty and parents.
- Not defame or disparage the school or any member of our community by electronic means or send messages that would offend someone on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other status protected by law.
- Inform the Division Head, Director of Technology and/or a trusted adult of the community of any attempt by an individual making unsolicited contact with you by school e-mail, private e-mail or any other electronic means.
- Keep all passwords private to maintain the integrity of their information and that of others.
- Not access the e-mail or server account of another member of the school community.
- Not post to the Internet or publish by any electronic means any picture, video or audio recording of another without their written permission.
- Cite location of electronic resources such as video, images, text and audio files when downloaded off the Internet.
- Not plagiarize from electronic sources.
- Not copy any software from school computers or install software to any school computers.
School Property
The School's computers, voicemail, e-mail, Internet access and any other communication or information system that may be available to students as a result of their attendance ("Information Systems") are the property of the School and should be used for School purposes only. Occasional use of Information Systems other than the Internet for appropriate non-School purposes is permissible, provided that it does not interfere or conflict with the School's affairs and is conducted on non-class time. Because of the high volume of Internet traffic and other business reasons, Internet use is subject to further restrictions. Specifically, students may use the School's computer systems to access the Internet primarily for legitimate School purposes. In addition, as with other Information Systems, a student’s use of the Internet must comply with all of the School's policies, including the School's policies against harassment and discrimination. Students should be aware that the School is notified by its Internet Service Provider of the websites accessed by its students.
No Expectation of Privacy
Sacred Heart may access information maintained on any Information System at any time. The School may (but will not necessarily) ask for a student’s assistance in accessing Information Systems information that the student read or created. Moreover, students should be aware that voicemail and e-mail messages that are sent or received may remain on the system and may be accessible even if a student has deleted them. Therefore, students should not prepare, receive, or maintain personal or private information on any Information System that the student does not want accessed by the School. Students should have no expectation of privacy with respect to their use of any of the Information Systems or of any of the information contained therein.
SCHOOL DAY
Pre-K 8:15 - 12:15 (M-F)
Jr. K 8:15 - 2:00 (M-Th) and 8:15 - 12:15 (F)
Kindergarten 8:00 - 2:30 (M-Th), 8:00 - 12:15 (F for 1st Sem.) and 3:00 (F for 2nd Sem.)*
Grades 1-4 8:00 - 3:15 (M-F)
Grades 5-8 8:00 - 3:15 (M-F)
Grades 9-12 8:05 - 2:45 (M-F)
TUITION PAYMENTS
Tuition is payable either in full by June 1st, or 60% by June 1st and the balance by December 1st. Once an enrollment or re-enrollment contract has been signed, the obligation to pay the balance of the tuition and fees for the full academic year becomes unconditional on June 1st of the preceding academic year. A tuition refund plan offered by A.W. G. Dewar, Inc. is made available as an optional charge on the first bill. Arrangements can be made with Tuition Management Systems, Boston, MA, for monthly and extended payment plans. For an application or more information, call the Business Office (ext. 132). If a family has not fulfilled its contractual responsibility and their tuition account goes into arrears, the school reserves the right to refuse the student admission to classes and exams until the account is brought up to date. Diplomas are not awarded to graduating seniors until outstanding accounts are cleared. In addition, a late payment fee of $150 per semester and an interest charge of 1.5 percent per month are assessed on the unpaid balance.
In addition to the above all-school information and policies, each division will distribute its individual information and policy book.