ASBESTOS
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School has complied with the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. (AHERA) 40 CFR 763.93 (e) (101). The inspection results and Management Plan are available for review in the administrative office.
BATTERY AGAINST SCHOOL PERSONNEL
Upon receipt of a written complaint from any school personnel, the Principal will report any incident of battery committed against a teacher, teacher personnel, or administrative staff, to local law enforcement authorities immediately after the occurence of the attack, and to the departement of State Police’s Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Program no later than 3 days after the attack. (105 ILCS 5/10-21.7)
CALENDAR
The school calendar is created by the school Principal and is annually approved by the Diocesan School Office and the state of Illinois. A copy of the calendar is provided to parents. Please check this frequently and carefully so that your child will be provided care on early dismissal days. (See “Extended Care”)
CARE AND CLEANLINESS OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Children are encouraged to take pride in keeping their school and its premises clean and attractive. Desks, cubbies, and lockers should be cleaned out regularly. Books and materials should be kept in an orderly arrangement. Books must be stored in a desk, cubbie or locker. Books or material may not be kept on the floor. Students will be expected to pay for any damage to school property. Lavatories are to be kept orderly at all times. Paper should be put into proper containers.
Any vandalism by students will not be tolerated. Consequence to destroying school property will result in disciplinary action from the Principal. The level in which the punishment is applied will be by a case-by-case basis. Clean-up and up to expulsion can result in penalty of the vandalism.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBERS
It is important that the families of the student provide updated contact information to the school. Phone numbers of employment, relatives, neighbors or friends will be called upon if parents/ guardians cannot be reached. Please notify the school office immediately if you change your address, telephone number, or emergency number during the course of the year.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
All faculty, staff and volunteers who will have contact with children while at school will enroll in the Initial Child Protection class and complete all necessary Child Protection forms. An online Refresher Course must be taken each year following participation in the Initial Training. Contact the school for available training dates and locations. This is a diocesan requirement and must be followed.
CLOSED CAMPUS/SIGN OUTS
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School has a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave the campus after arrival in the mornings until 3:00 p.m. The only exception to this rule is if the parent/designate comes to the office and signs out his/her child. Emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis by the Principal.
COMMUNICATION
Conferences: Teachers are available for conferences before and after school by appointment during the school year. There is a required parent-teacher conference held in the fall of each school year. Mid-quarter reports and report cards are sent home for all grades. In addition, teachers will communicate with emails, phone calls and notes home as needed throughout the school year. If you have a question at any time, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher before or after school by calling 942-4484, via email on Option C, or sending a note with your child. Interruptions are not allowed during class time.
Parental Complaint Procedure: Every attempt should be made to solve problems at the most immediate level of concern, i.e., by the persons most directly involved in the problem. If this contact is made in a fair-minded manner, the majority of complaints should be resolved satisfactorily at this level. If, after consultation with the individual teacher, parents feel the issue has not been settled, they should consult with the Principal. If the Principal does not resolve the issue, the parents should consult with the Pastor.
CONCUSSION POLICY
Any student suspected of suffering a concussion, either at school or at an athletic event, will be sent home from school or removed from the athletic event, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear. The student may not return to school or game play without written medical clearance from a licensed physcian.
CONDUCT / DISCIPLINE
As a school community, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School students are taught to recognize the presence of Jesus in themselves and are expected to act in ways that reflect that Christian community. Acceptance of this responsibility is a sign of maturity. While students may be rewarded with verbal praises, extra privileges, or incentives as the teacher sees fit; it is important that students become intrinsically motivated to treat themselves and others in a respectful manner and not be motivated by rewards received for expected behaviors.
In order to provide an environment that is appropriately well-ordered, peaceful, safe, non-threatening and conducive to learning, the following school-wide rules have been established:
RESPECT SELF
- Students will arrive to school on time.
- Students will come to school rested, fed, and clean.
- Students will have necessary supplies in all classes.
- Students will complete assignments neatly and as scheduled.
- Students will follow all rules and policies in this handbook.
- At no time will tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or weapons be allowed.
RESPECT OTHERS
- Students will walk quietly in all school buildings.
- Students will listen quietly and follow directions.
- Students will keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves.
- Students will refrain from teasing, cursing, and name calling.
- Students will refrain from bullying behavior, including threatening, hitting, spreading rumors, and excluding others on purpose.
RESPECT PROPERTY
- Students will keep personal belongings in order.
- Students will keep textbooks covered and free of marks.
- Students will use all school equipment as intended.
- Students will ask permission when borrowing.
RESPECT SCHOOL PERSONNEL
- Students will respond to all school personnel in a courteous and polite manner.
- Students will recognize that all school personnel may give directions and handle conduct. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School will discipline students for lack of respect for others, lack of respect for property, and lack of respect for school personnel as well as for substance abuse.
Consequences: (depending on severity of infraction):
- Verbal warning
- Time out
- Make necessary apologies
- Practice expected behavior
- Removal from behavior
- Loss of privilege
- Restitution of time or materials
- Send to another room
- Lunch detention/notification of Principal and parents. When a student accumulates several lunch detentions in a semester for the same infraction (i.e., 3 behavioral or 3 academic) the student’s 4th detention will be served after school. Excessive accumulation of detentions will result in loss of privileges such as field trips or other special events. The accumulation of 12 or more written detentions will be considered excessive.
- After school detention: K-5th grades one-half hour after school; 6-8th grades 1 hour after school. After school detentions are service oriented. Failure to serve an after school detention will result in an additional day of after school detention.
Severe Behavior: Disciplinary incidents that are severe in nature will result in immediate action without following preceding steps. If the above consequences have not been effective in correcting the behavior, then the student may have to receive special help provided by the public school district, a community agency or be withdrawn from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School in accordance with Diocesan Policy #5114.
- A student may be suspended by the principal for gross disobedience and misconduct. A suspension may last up to, but will not exceed ten school days.
- Students on suspension will be responsible for contacting the school for homework and books. All completed work must be given to teachers upon return to school. Half credit will be given for all assignments and tests during a suspension.
- Lunch detentions will be tabulated per semester. Students will begin the second semester with a clean slate; however, detentions from the first semester will still count towards the excessive detention rule.
- At no time is corporal punishment allowed.
Code of conduct/off-campus misconduct: The disciplinary code of the school and all penalties may apply to conduct off-school grounds that is contrary to Christian principles and may endanger the health and safety of students enrolled in schools within the Diocese. This also includes engaging in behavior that may adversely affect the educative process. Students may be subject to the full range of disciplinary procedures for off-campus misconduct. These may include, but are not limited to, suspensions, expulsions, and removal from participation in extracurricular activities, as determined by the principal. Examples of off-campus misconduct subject to this policy are, but are not limited to the following: Alcohol use, Arson, Drug Possession/Inappropriate Sharing/Sales, Fighting, Hazing, Illegal Activity, Illegal Firearm Possession, Illegal Drug & Substance Use, Inappropriate Sharing of Prescription Medicine, Inappropriate Internet Usage, Physical or Sexual Harassment, Psychological or Emotional Harassment, Robbery, Sexual Assault, Threats of Violence, Violent Offenses.
COUNSELING: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School has a part-time counselor on staff. Students may be referred by their teacher or parent to meet with the counselor for a variety of support services.
DRILLS
Fire, tornado, and earthquake procedures have been established for the proper exit of students to ensure their safety. Practice drills are conducted during the school year to acquaint students with those procedures. Active shooter drills are conducted annually with the Herrin Police Department and school staff.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Parental Complaint Procedure: Every attempt should be made to solve problems at the most immediate level of concern, i.e., by the persons most directly involved in the problem. If this contact is made in a fair minded manner, the majority of complaints should be resolved satisfactorily at this level. If, after consultation with the individual teacher, parents feel the issue has not been settled, they should consult with the Principal. If the Principal does not resolve the issue, the parents should consult with the Pastor. If the pastor is not able to resolve the issue to the parent’s satisfaction, the complaint should be presented to the Diocesan Office of Education for final resolution.
Parent-Teacher Conferences and Communication: Teachers are available for conferences before and after school by appointment during the school year. There is a required parent- teacher conference held in the fall of each school year. Mid-quarter reports and report cards are sent home for all grades. If you have a question at any time, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher. Interruptions are not allowed during class time.
CODE OF CONDUCT/OFF-CAMPUS MISCONDUCT
The disciplinary code of the school and all penalties shall apply to conduct off-school grounds that is contrary to Christian principles and may endanger the health and safety of students enrolled in schools within the Diocese. This also includes engaging in behavior that may adversely affect the educative process. Students may be subject to the full range of disciplinary procedures for off-campus misconduct. These may include, but are not limited to, suspensions, expulsions, and removal from participation in extracurricular activities, as determined by the principal. Examples of off-campus misconduct subject to this policy are, but are not limited to, the following: Alcohol use, Arson, Drug possession/inappropriate sharing/sales, Fighting, Hazing, Illegal activity, Illegal firearm possession, Illegal drug & substance use, Inappropriate sharing of prescription medicine, Inappropriate internet usage, Physical or sexual harassment, Psychological or emotional harassment, Robbery, Sexual assaults, Threats of violence, or Violent offenses.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are considered privileges and students may be denied participation if they fail to meet behavioral and/or academic requirements. Parents will be notified in writing prior to a field trip as to specific details of that field trip, including any costs as well as transportation arrangements. A sample field trip form at the end of this handbook.
GRADUATION
We participate in an 8th grade graduation ceremony in which all eligible 8th graders, that meet all the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School, Diocesan and Illinois State Board of Education requirements, will receive diplomas.
HEALTH
Policy: The following is a partial list of diseases and conditions declared by the Illinois Department of Public Health to be contagious, infectious, communicable, and dangerous to the public health.
Procedures for isolation refer to the case (person having a communicable disease) and in this instance refer to the rules and regulations of the Control of Communicable Diseases as set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/HIV – Need for isolation based on physician’s assessment and Diocesan procedures.
Chicken Pox – Isolation required for a minimum of six days after the appearance of eruption and/or until all lesions have crusted over.
Head Lice: When evidence suggests a student has head lice, it is the practice of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School that the principal check this student. The student will not able to return to school until he/she is free of lice.
Hepatitis A, B, Non-A, Non-B – Isolation not required for students.
Measles – Isolation required from diagnosis until four days after appearance of rash.
Meningitis – (all cases) Isolation required during period of fever.
Mumps – Isolation required for nine days after salivary gland involvement.
Rubella (German measles) – Isolation not required until hospitalized. Cases should be isolated from pregnant females.
Streptococcal Infections – Isolation is required but may be terminated after 24 hours of treatment with appropriate antibacterial agent, provided treatment is continuing for a minimum of ten days.
Medication: Students recovering from temporary illness or students on permanent medication who require medication during the school day may bring medication to school following these guidelines:
1). Complete required form – contact school office.
2). A written request and permission from the parent to administer the drug.
3). Medication shall be brought to school in appropriately labeled containers.
The name of the student and the names and phone numbers of the physician and pharmacy shall be indicated on the containers. The nurse, Principal or designee shall administer medication. In all cases, the school retains the discretion to reject a request to administer medication.
OLMC School does not keep Ibuprofen, Tylenol or other pain relievers on hand to give to students. Teachers and other staff members cannot administer any medication to students unless that medication has been brought in by the student with a signed permission slip from the parent and directions to administer.
LOST AND FOUND
All students are responsible for their own belongings. Lost or found articles will be kept in the school office or cafeteria. All items will be dispersed at the end of the school year. Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.
MASS
Mass is usually celebrated two times weekly for each child, depending on the church calendar and the Pastor’s schedule. Participation for classes is on a scheduled basis. Fridays are celebrated as special All School Children’s Masses. Parents are encouraged to attend.
MOVIE – VIDEO
The School recognizes that while certain feature films/videos have educational value when used in the proper context, not all films are appropriate for use in all classrooms. Any film shown will be age appropriate.
Regardless of rating, teachers must use their professional and prudent judgment in showing videos in their entirety or in part. Films with a rating of G may be shown without a permission slip. PG films may be shown in grades (K-5) with parental permission. PG films may be shown in grades (6-8) without a permission slip. PG-13 films may only be shown in grades (6-8) with a parental permission. If a permission slip is necessary, the parental permission slip must contain a brief summary of the film/video, the reason why it is rates a certain way, and why the film is being shown in the classroom.
The Principal will monitor the implementation of these guidelines. If the teacher has any doubt about any of the content of a proposed film/video, the Principal will be consulted and will have the final authority to make the decisions regarding the appropriateness of showing said film/ video.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
In keeping with the Diocesan Policy #5111.1, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School.
The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, local programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
PEST CONTROL
In accordance with Diocesan Policy 2502, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has a monthly contract with Enviro-tech Pest Control of Carbondale for prevention/maintenance of pests. Application of pesticides occurs on the fourth Monday of the month in Cabrini Hall and the lower gym.
PREGNANT STUDENTS
The Principal and Pastor, in consultation with the Office of Education, shall made final judgements as to whether or not a pregnant student should be enrolled or retained in school. Each case shall be considered individually.
PUBLICITY CONSENT
The School would like permission to use and publish the likeness of your student(s). Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School may use such media electronically on its website, over the Internet, in newsletters, directories, promotional materials, press releases and similar publications without limitation or compensation to the parents/guardians or the student. The parents/guardians would release and discharge the school from all claims that could arise from or in connection with the use of such media, including claims of libel and invasion of privacy.
RACIAL/SEXUAL HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING
A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards; harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment and is, therefore, not acceptable behavior. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any gesture or written, verbal or physical act that takes place at school, on school property, at any school sponsored function or on a school bus and that:
1. Is motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or a mental, physical or sensory disability; or, by any other distinguishing characteristic; and a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his person or damage to his property; or has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.
Not all acts of bullying, however, are motivated by characteristics such as targets race, color, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Some acts of bullying are simply one child exercising power and control over another in isolated incidents (e.g., intimidation, harassment) or patterns of harassing or intimidating behavior (e.g., bullying).
Students are expected to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of development and maturity. Students are to show proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and equipment. (Policy 5142.2)
The best discipline is self-imposed, and it is the responsibility of staff to use disciplinary situations as opportunities to help students learn to assume and accept responsibility for their behavior and the consequences of their behavior. Staff members who interact with students shall apply best practices designed to prevent discipline problems and encourage students’ abilities to grow in self-discipline. Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for students who commit an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion. In addition, school administrators shall make resources (e.g., counseling) available to both the person doing the bullying and the individual victims of harassment, intimidation and bullying and respond in a manner that does not stigmatize victims.
Reporting of Harrassment, Intimidation or Bullying:
Any student who believes that she/he has been or is the victim of harassment, intimidation or bullying should immediately report concerns to a teacher or counselor who will be responsible for notifying the Principal. Every student is encouraged to report any situation that he/she believes to be harassment, intimidation or bullying behavior directed toward a student. Reports may be made verbally or in writing. All such reports, whether verbal or in writing, will be taken seriously and a clear account of the incident is to be documented. A written record of the report, including all pertinent details, will be made by the recipient of the report. All complaints of shall be investigated promptly by the Principal or his/her designee. The Principal or designee shall determine, as an initial step in the investigation, whether a reported act of harassment, intimidation or bullying is within the permissible scope of the school’s jurisdiction. Although certain cases may require additional time, the Principal or designee will attempt to complete an investigation into the allegations of harassment within ten (10) school days of receiving the formal complaint. The investigation will include:
A. interviews with the complainant;
B. interviews with the respondent;
C. interviews with any other witnesses who may reasonably be expected to have any information relevant to the allegations;
D. consideration of any other informationthat is necessary to determine the facts and seriousness of the report, including any documentation or other evidence presented by the complainant, respondent, or any other witness which is reasonably believed to be relevant to the allegations;
E. meeting with the parents/guardians of the students to discuss the results of the investigation and any actions taken to address the incident.
Retaliation or Reprisal
There shall be no reprisal or retaliation against anyone who reports an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying and any student who retaliates against a reporter shall be subject to discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion from school. Likewise, any student who is found to have falsely accused another of bullying shall be subject to appropriate discipline including possible suspension or expulsion from school.
RECORDS
Each pupil has a Permanent Record folder in the local school file. These Permanent Record forms are obtained from the Office of Education. Information contained in the Permanent Record form shall be treated as confidential matter and shall be accessible only to the professional staff of the school or the parents of the child. The Permanent Record folder contains only:
1. Student's name, birth date and place, parent's names and addresses;
2. Academic record, intelligence, aptitude test scores, achievement test score labels, and grade
level achieved;
3. Attendance record;
4. Health records and accident reports;
5. Record of release of permanent record information.
Flagging of Records: If a current or former student has been reported as a missing person by the ISP, a notation will be made on the outside of the student’s permanent file, and will also be recorded in the student’s electronic Option C file.
Release of Records: School records or information contained therein may not be released or disclosed to unauthorized persons. They may be released to the following:
1. Parents, students, or representatives designated by a written consent of the parents.
2. Office of Education
3. Any person as specifically required by law, provided the person presents appropriate
identification and a copy of the statute authorizing such access.
4. Appropriate persons, in case of emergency, if the information is necessary to protect the
health and/or the safety of the student or other persons provided that the parents are notified
as soon as possible of such releases.
5. The courts, in response to a court order.
6. Official representatives of a school to which the student is transferring, on request of either the
student or the parent. Parents may examine and challenge content prior to release.
*Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, a school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and to other school-rated 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.
When a student transfers from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School to another Catholic or public school and has an outstanding balance, an unofficial record of student grades must be sent to the requesting school. An “Unofficial Record of Student Grades” means written information relative to the grade levels and subjects in which a student was enrolled and the record of academic grades achieved by that student. Such records shall also include the name and address of the school, the name of the student to whom the records pertain, the name and title of the school official transmitting the records, and the date of transmittal. Health records cannot be withheld and must be forwarded upon receipt of a written request.
RECYCLING POLICY
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School is dedicated to conserving resources and helping to save the environment that God has given us. Therefore, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School students and staff are required to reduce, reuse and recycle aluminum, glass, plastic and paper products whenever possible. If soda in cans is consumed at school, students and staff are required to place empty cans in the recycle bin.
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
Illinois law has made it mandatory for building principals, faculty and staff to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services. The staff of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School will comply with and follow the procedures outlined by this law. All school employees are mandated reporters.
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
The Administration of the school is free to enter a student’s locker, desk, or school bag any time to search for questionable items. Students shall not have any expectation of privacy as it relates to school lockers, school bags or desks. The School is owner of all lockers and desks and shall retain full control of their use and content. Therefore, the School reserves the right to search them at any time without notice.
Searches may also be selective and carried out even if there are no reports of wrongdoing. If illegal or improper items are found in a student’s locker, desk or school bag (e.g. non-prescription drugs, weapons, stolen property), they will be turned over to law enforcement authorities. Any items (personal possessions) that violate school rules will be kept by school administration and returned to parents.
When a situation arises that requires a search of a student, the student will be asked to empty his/her pockets or purse. If a student complies, this will not be considered an invasion of the person. Body searches will not take place. If a student does not comply, the student’s parent will be called and expected to come to the school and conduct the search in the presence of the school administrator. A parent’s refusal to comply with the request is grounds for immediate expulsion. (Diocesan Policy 5115)
TELEPHONE USE
Students may use the school telephone for necessary or emergency calls only, but permission must be obtained from the Principal, teacher or school staff first. Students may not use the phone for forgotten assignments.
Cell phones must be turned off when a student arrives at school and may not be turned on until dismissal. Students are to follow the classroom guidelines for storage of phones during the school day.
VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers must sign-in and be given a volunteer pass. All volunteers who will have substantial contact with children shall enroll in the Initial Child Protection Class and complete all necessary Child Protection forms. Volunteer drivers must fill out the Volunteer Driver Form.