OUR MISSION STATEMENT ^

Our Mother of Consolation School is dedicated to the Catholic Christian education of its youth in a God-loving atmosphere. It is committed to assisting the Archbishop of Philadelphia and parents in fulfilling their roles as teachers of the faith through:

• the building of a strong community of faith among administration, faculty, students, and parents
• the full sharing of the Gospel message
• meaningful worship
• living and spreading the Christian message of service

Our broad goals aim at providing an appropriate atmosphere for excellence in academic training through materials and instruction suited to each child’s optimal development. The curriculum offered reflects the philosophy that envisions the education of the whole child as its goal. In order to achieve these goals, we seek to:

• provide for and ensure the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, moral, and spiritual needs of the students so that they can discover his uniqueness as an individual and function as a member of society.
• instill in our children the importance of moral and spiritual values that foster a social conscience sensitive to the needs of others and contribute to the collective dignity, welfare, and betterment of self and humankind.
• provide a school climate that offers a maximum opportunity for development of self-concept, which enables students to develop meaningful personal objectives and helps them to self-evaluate.
• provide sound instruction and opportunities for growth of our students by offering a multi-faceted curriculum geared to the best advantage of each child wherever possible.
• provide instructional processes that encourage learning through listening, inquiry, and problem-solving.
• offer experiences through which students will learn to use leisure time creatively and well.
• provide an atmosphere where exploration and greater self-determination are encouraged by positive adult instruction and guidance.
• develop a living community of faith by providing opportunities for study, sharing, and growth in the Gospel message.
• to live our commitment by reaching out to our parish, neighborhood, and those less fortunate than ourselves through activities that provide intellectual, cultural, spiritual, and socially-conscious experiences for our students and our faculty.

ADMISSION ^

Our Mother of Consolation School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. Similar policies apply to the school staff. Our school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, its admission policies, or in any school-administered program.

Admission is based on the following criteria:

1. that the Catholic parents desire to raise their child(ren) in the Catholic faith;
2. that the parents agree to cooperate and uphold the rules and regulations of the school;
3. that parents of non-Catholic children permit their children to study the Catholic faith and participate in all liturgical and religious programs according to the school schedule;
4. that the parents agree to support the Home and School Association;
5. that children of parishioners will be given first preference if a waiting list is necessary at any grade level.

Age Regulation

Pupils will be admitted to Kindergarten if they are five years of age by September 1 and to Grade One if they are six years of age by September 1. There can be no exceptions to this regulation.

Official Documents Required:

1. Birth Certificate or passport.
2. Certificate of Baptism if Catholic and if not baptized at Our Mother of Consolation.
3. Official record of immunizations.
4. Documented proof of a complete physical examination.
5. Letter of permission to register from your pastor if Catholic and if not a member of Our Mother of Consolation Parish.
   

Acceptance

All students are accepted at Our Mother of Consolation School based upon acceptance of our philosophy and procedures and on a trial basis for the first year for academics and behavior. During this period at its discretion, the school administration may require withdrawal of a student who exhibits academic and/or behavioral difficulty.

Withdrawl

1. Notifty the Principal.
2. Pay all debts.
3. Submit a written request to the tuition administrator for an overpayment refund.
4. Return all books and materials that belong to the school.
5. Obtain a transfer card at the school office.
6. Sign a release form authorizing us to send records to the new school.

ARRIVAL OF CHILDREN ^

No student is permitted in the schoolyard or on the school grounds before 7:45 AM. There is no school staff supervision for any child prior to 7:45AM. If you bring your child to school prior to 7:45AM, you must remain with your child until school staff are present.

After 7:45 AM, students of all grades are to remain in the schoolyard in the area designated for their particular grade. This is not a time for physical activity, ball-playing, or rough play. At the 8:13 AM bell, children are to form a line in silence. At the second bell, all children will begin entry into the building.

In case of inclement weather, all students will enter the building upon their arrival after 7:45 AM and report to the main level corridor. At 8:00 AM, students will be sent to their homerooms.

ASSEMBLIES ^

Assemblies are held at various times during the school year for a variety of purposes. Students are expected to act with courtesy and decorum and abide by the following rules:

1. Enter quietly and sit in assigned seats.
2. Sit quietly while waiting.
3. Show appreciation by applauding at appropriate times and in an acceptable manner.
4. Avoid voicing negative remarks or sounds.
5. Leave in a quiet and orderly manner.
   

ATTENDANCE ^

For the safety of students, parents are required to call the school office on the morning of absence before 8:00 AM. On the tape, leave the child’s name, grade, and reason for absence.

Upon a child’s return to school, a note from the parent or guardian must be presented that contains the name, grade, dates of absence, and reason for absence. Please be specific as to the nature of the illness. The note should be on the provided form or on a 3x5 index card.

If a child has been absent three days or more, a physician’s certificate must be presented before admission to school. If an extended absence from school is necessary, the school should be contacted for classwork and homework assignments.

A detention will result after being late, unexcused,three times in one marking period and for each subsequent late arrival in the same marking period. Five or more unexcused, late arrivals in one marking period can lead to a grade of "1" in Personal and Social Growth on the report card. An 'unexcused late arrival' is described as arriving after 8:13AM and not having an excuse beyond your control. Allowances are made for inclement weather. For example on very rainy or snowy mornings, students will be admitted to class without penalty usually until 8:30 AM.

Bus Transportation ^

School bus transportation to Our Mother of Consolation School is provided by the school district of residence with a state funding allotment. The Philadelphia School District provides transportation for grades 1 through 6 only. The school will send a form to parents near the end of the school year for a request for busing for the next school year. These requests are forwarded to the transportation directors for review. The transportation departments make decisions on bus eligibility and set schedules and stops. For reasons of safety and insurance purposes, students are not permitted to ride buses of other school districts.

Students and parents are reminded that good behavior on the bus is of paramount importance to the safety of all. Students who receive 2 written notices by the bus driver will be suspended from bus use for one week. A third notice results in loss of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year.

CARE OF BOOKS ^

All books must be covered and have the child’s name on the inside cover of the book. Please check books periodically and encourage children to take care of the books loaned to them. There is to be no drawing or graffiti on books, book covers, notebooks, or folders. All students must have a book bag by the first full week of school.

CHILD CUSTODY ^

It is extremely important for the protection of students and parents that the terms of legal separation regarding custody of children and visitation privileges be on confidential file in the principal’s office. In the absence of access to these court records, the school must presume that either parent has equal access to the child.

Class Trips/Field Trips ^

Only those trips that are educational are approved by school authorities. A permission slip is sent home in advance for the parents’ signature. This form is to be signed by both parents if possible and returned before a student is permitted to attend a trip. A note of parent permission is not acceptable.

Teachers and the school administration reserve the right to exclude students from class trips for reasons of conduct or incomplete schoolwork.

Students not attending a class trip are required to spend that day at school. It is not a “free day” for that student.

COLLECTION OF MONEY ^

All money that is collected is to be placed in an envelope with the child’s name and grade, and with the date and amount indicated, and sent to the classroom teacher. With the exception of tuition and registration, all monies are collected by the homeroom teacher. Please use separate checks for tuition and Home and School monies.

Milk and Lunch money are collected on a monthly basis.

We discourage children from bringing large amounts of money to school. The children are not permitted to leave money in their desks when they are out of the room. Parents are requested to make all large payments with a check or money order. The school cannot assume responsibility for lost cash. Similarly, students should not bring to school any item of value to avoid potential loss.

INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY ^

With right of access to the school’s computers comes the responsibility to use the computers appropriately. All school computers are equipped with software that block objectionable web sites, however, the possibility remains that some inappropriate material could come up in spite of this precaution.

All students and parents will be required to sign the “Acceptable Use Policy” before students are permitted access to the Internet.

DISCIPLINE ^

The system of discipline at Our Mother of Consolation School exists to maintain an orderly learning environment that is conducive to learning. The child’s self-discipline is our goal.

Students are expected to conduct themselves according to the school Code of Courtesy, and to work to achieve the following:

• Abide by all school regulations and policies.
• Be appreciative of the sacrifices made on their behalf by using their God-given talents to the best of their ability.
• Respect all faculty, staff, and other adults who work at the school.
• Be considerate and respectful of other students.
• Be attentive and prepared for class.
• Adhere to the school’s dress code.
• Respect school property.
• Be on time for school.
• Complete daily class and home assignments.
• Be truthful and appropriate in speech.
• Avoid any contact with or use of drugs or alcohol.
• Be considerate of the school bus driver and other students on the bus.
• Refrain from littering and from damaging school property.

Detention

Detention is punishment for the student’s failure to observe school rules or policies. Teachers may detain any student who disregards class or school rules. General detention will be held from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. At least one day’s notice will be given to parents before a detention is held. Typically, a detention slip will be given to the child stating the reason for detention, name of teacher assigning the detention, and the date and length of time for the detention. This slip should be signed and returned to the issuing teacher. Failure to return the detention slip will result in the child calling the parent and remaining for the detention on the day scheduled without further written communication. Detention is a school-imposed punishment and does not require parental permission, and is not held at the student’s convenience. A parent is expected to pick up the child at 4:00 PM or specify in writing what the student is to do at that time.

Suspension

When deemed necessary for the morale and good order of the school, the Principal may suspend pupils from class. Suspension is a major step toward possible expulsion. This means that the student may not be in school. There are no in-school suspensions. The student is required to complete all school and homework assignments which can be obtained through the school office.

In order for a suspended child to be reinstated, parents must report for a school conference, the date and time of which to be determined by the school principal. Students may not resume classes until this conference has been held.

Expulsion

A minimum of two suspensions during the academic year can lead to student expulsion. In certain incidents, the seriousness of the offense can warrant immediate expulsion. The pastor alone has the authority to expel a student from school.

Major disciplinary infractions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• immorality
• gross defiance
• truancy
• unauthorized leaving of school grounds or school sponsored events
• theft
• vandalism
• cheating
• forgery
• conduct failures
• possession and/or use of weapons
• possession and/or use of illegal substances
• verbal, physical, or sexual harassment
• verbal or written threats
• profanity or disrespect in word or action directed to school employees or other adults

In some of the above circumstances, the seriousness of the offense may incur immediate expulsion.

Dismissal of Children ^

Students in Kindergarten through Grade Two are dismissed at 2:45 PM. Students in Grades Three through Eight are dismissed at 3:00 PM.

Lines are called over the P.A. system. Students participating in after-school activities will be called after other dismissal lines have been called. Students participating in after-school activities may not be in the hallway until their lines are called.

Dismissal is to occur in silence. Students must form straight, orderly lines during dismissal and follow the directions of the teacher responsible for their particular dismissal line.

Students picked up by car can not be picked up on Chestnut Hill or Norwood Avenues. This is for the safety of the child(ren). If for some special reason you need to pick up your child in the front of the school, you MUST come into school and personally escort your child to your car.

EARLY DEPARTURE^

A child may leave early upon the written request of the parent or guardian, and with the principal’s permission. No student will be permitted to leave school early without a written note signed by the parent submitted to the school administrator 24 hours in advance. A parent or legal guardian must be the one to pick up the child unless otherwise stated in the note. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is designated to pick up the child, identification may be requested.

In picking up your child from school, please report to the main office. The school administrator will contact the classroom teacher and your child will come to the main office. If there is an emergency at home which requires your child to leave school, please contact the school administrator prior to arriving. If there is an early dismissal from school due to snow or any other emergency situation, the school phone chain will be initiated and you will be notified.

ELWYN SUPPORT SERVICES ^

Elwyn supplies an Educational Psychologist, a Reading Specialist, a Guidance Counselor and a Speech Specialist to our school on a limited basis. Therefore, these services are focused on Grades K through 3. We have no IEP or Wrap-around services.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION ^

It is essential that an emergency information card be kept current in the school office for each child. Parents should complete the card and return it to school at the beginning of each school year. If changes are made to that information during the course of the school year, parents should inform the school office in writing of such changes.

Emergency Situation Drills ^

Fire Drills are generally held monthly in accordance with state law. Students must not run or talk for the duration of the drill.

Shelter-in-Place drills are practiced periodically in case there is ever a need for students to be sheltered at school. The school’s Shelter-in-Place Plan is distributed to parents in a separate document.

Late Pickup of Children^

Children being picked up by car will remain in the school yard with a teacher, weather permitting, until 3:15 PM. In the case of inclement weather, the children will be brought into the building and can be picked up by contacting the main office. We ask that all children be picked up promptly at 3:00 PM. If a situation arises where a parent or legal guardian cannot arrive by 3:15 PM, the parent is to call the main office to advise us of the situation... After 3:15 PM the children will be brought into a school classroom with a teacher to wait. After 2 such incidents in a trimester, parents will be charged $10.00 per incident per half hour. Children not picked up will not be admitted to the CARES program.

Dress Code^

All students are expected to arrive at school every day wearing the School Uniform.

Warm Weather Uniform (can be worn from the opening of school to October 14th and then from April 15th to the end of the school year).

Boys (K-8):

Navy blue uniform shorts worn with white uniform golf shirt (with school logo) tucked in. Brown or black loafer, oxford or dockside shoe worn with navy, black or white socks extending above the ankle.

OR

Regular School Uniform (* see below)

Girls (K-8):

Same as the boy's uniform. Girls also have the option of wearing the school skirt with the golf shirt (with school logo) tucked in. Socks may be worn which cover the ankle - no anklets.

OR

Regular School Uniform (* see below)

Regular School Uniform (worn from October 14th to April 15th)

Boys (K- 8)

Grey, dress pants worn with a belt (not below the waist) and white dress shirt (long or short sleeve tucked in) with navy, school tie displaying school logo. Brown or black loafer, oxford or dockside shoe worn with navy, black or white socks extending above the ankle. No athletic shoe of any kind may be worn.

A white turtleneck may be worn tucked in accompanied by a uniform sweater. Uniform sweaters include:

• Navy blue sleeveless sweater with school logo
• Navy blue long sleeve V-neck with school logo
• Navy blue long sleeve button-down with school logo

Girls (K-4):

Blue plaid jumper with white short or long sleeve blouse (Peter Pan rounded collar). Brown, navy or black loafers, oxfords or dockside shoes are worn with navy blue knee-highs or navy or white tights.

A white turtleneck may be worn with the uniform sweater as stated previously. A sweater may also be worn with the blouse and jumper. Note: The sleeveless sweater is not an option for girls.

Girls (5-8)

The same as above except that in place of the jumper a navy blue plaid skirt is worn with an oxford collared shirt. Shirts must be tucked in.

The following are not permissible:

Decisions regarding excesses and extravagances remain at the discretion of the school administration. Students in violation of the school uniform policies will receive a Uniform Violation notice. A detention is assigned if a student accumulates three Uniform Violations and for each subsequent violation thereafter. Five uniform violations within a trimester can result in a grade of "I" in the area of Personal and Social growth on the student's report card. For extenuating circumstances that prevent the student from being in the proper uniform, parents should send a note to the homeroom teacher. We ask that all parents and students cooperate with the school dress code fully as it helps to maintain a more formal and focused learning environment.

HEALTH INFORMATION ^

If new information becomes available concerning your child’s health, parents should put that information in writing to the principal who will communicate it to the school nurse. This information will be considered confidential.

School Nurse

The Philadelphia School District provides the service of a school nurse on a part time basis. The nurse is also on call in emergency situations.

Medical Appointments

Parents are asked to make appointments for children outside of school hours wherever possible. The principal must approve appointments scheduled during the school day.

Medication Policy

It is recommended that prescription and other medications be given to the student before or after school. In those instances when it is absolutely necessary that medications be administered by school personnel, permission must be obtained from the student's physician and submitted to the school to be maintained on file. ANY medication for a child must be brought to school by the child's parent along with written directions for administration. Medication and instructions must be handed to the school administrator by the parent- NOT THE CHILD. Medication must be in the original, labeled pharmacy container.

HOMEWORK ^

Homework, both written and studied, shall aim at deepening and broadening the knowledge already acquired and is not given in the place of instruction. It is expected that parents/guardians supervise student homework in all grades. Television should be turned off or at the very least limited during the school week and the emphasis placed on school and home work. The approximate amount of time to be spent on written and studied homework is as follows:

• Grades 1 and 2………………30 minutes
• Grades 3 and 4………………60 minutes
• Grades 5 and 6………………90 minutes
• Grades 7 and 8………………120 minutes
  

LIBRARY ^

A library period is scheduled for each class each week. Students are encouraged to become members of their local public library. Students with overdue books from the school library will be billed five cents per day that the book is overdue. If a student has been absent, no charge will incur if the book is returned on the day the child returns to school. Lost or damaged books will result in the parents being billed for the current cost of the book.

LUNCH ^

Parents are requested to provide two paper napkins and other necessary products such as utensils for their child. Beverages in glass containers are not permitted. Parents are encouraged to provide a nutritious lunch for the child that should be brought to school by the child. Lunch deliveries are strongly discouraged. Children are expected to observe the good table manners they are taught at home.

LUNCH RECESS ^

Students are permitted outside play activities during their scheduled lunch recess. Appropriate conduct is expected of all students during lunch recess, as enforced by school staff and parent volunteers on yard duty.

No child is to leave the school grounds without the expressed permission of the principal.

A child is not allowed in the school building during the lunch recess without permission from a faculty member.

Procedures for the end of Lunch Recess

Grades K-4: First bell – Stop all activity
Second bell – Walk to the line
Third bell – Become silent

Grades 5-8: First bell – Stop activity and walk to the line
Second bell - Become silent

No candy, food, or drink is permitted in the schoolyard at any time.

MAKE-UP WORK ^

Students in grades 4-8 should consult their teacher(s) for assignments missed during the period of absence. Students in upper grades should find a reliable “homework buddy” who will get assignments for that student. The student is responsible to:

1. Make up any work s(he) missed during the time of absence by the following Monday.
2. See that projects are submitted on the day assigned. Students should expect a lower grade for projects submitted after the due date.
3. Take all tests that are missed on the day/time assigned by the teacher.
4. See that all homework is completed on the day it is required for class. Late homework assignments must be completed, however, a lower grade may result.

If a student does not adhere to the above, the student should expect that his or her grades will be averaged according to the number of tests/assignments administered to the entire class.

The student, not the teacher, is responsible for seeing that all make-up assignments are completed.

Taking children out of school for vacations and extended holidays is strongly discouraged. Teachers are not required to supply assignments in advance for anticipated absences.

MEMOS ^

Parent bulletins are distributed to the youngest child via the communication envelope. Please follow the guidelines below to ensure cooperation and mutual understanding between the school and home:

1. Emphasize to the child the importance of delivering to the parent any school communication.
2. Read all communications in the envelope.
3. Please sign and return the envelope promptly the next school day.

MESSENGERS ^

Students are never sent off the school grounds for messages or errands without the permission of the parent or guardian and the principal.

NOTEBOOKS ^

Work placed in notebooks should be purposeful. Doodling and graffiti on or inside notebooks is not permitted.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ^

State law requires children to participate in a physical education program. Children are excused on the following conditions:

1. Physician’s excuse
2. Parent’s note with approval by the principal

Physical Education (Gym) Uniform

• Our Mother of Consolation School logo sweat shirt
• Navy blue sweat pants with School logo/Navy blue shorts with School logo
• Our Mother of Consolation School logo T-shirt or School Spirit T-Shirt
• Tied sneakers and athletic socks extending above the ankle

Substitutions for the Gym Uniform are not permitted for any reason. If, for any reason, the Gym Uniform is not available for Gym Day, the student is expected to be in the school uniform and may bring sneakers and athletic socks for the Gym period.

Note: CYO Sports shirts are not permitted.

REPORT CARDS ^

The Report Card (Grades 1-8) used is approved by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education. It is distributed on a trimester basis and is to be signed and returned to the homeroom teacher promptly after review by the parent or guardian.Tuition payments must be up-to-date for a child to receive his or her report card.

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences are scheduled for each parent or guardian after the First Trimester report card. Parents or teachers may request a conference at any time during the school year.

Interim Progress Reports

Interim Progress Reports are issued as needed at the mid-point of each trimester. These indicate the possibility of failure for the trimester.

RESTRICTED AREAS FOR CHILDREN ^

Students are not permitted near the teacher’s desk when s(he) is out of the room.

The Faculty Room is for the exclusive use of the teachers and school staff. Students are not permitted in the Faculty Room or faculty lavatories.

Students are not permitted beyond the reception area in the Main Office.

Restricted Items ^

Restricted items include, but are not limited to, the following:

• No gum, food, candy, or drink is permitted in the schoolyard.
• No gum is permitted in the school building.
• No candy is permitted in the school building unless distributed by the teacher.

RETENTION ^

Students completing a grade’s work to the extent of their ability are generally to be promoted to the next grade. Parents will be kept informed about the inability of a child to progress. The decision to retain or promote a student is made by the principal in consultation with the teacher(s), support personnel, and parents.

SEXUAL/VERBAL HARASSMENT ^

Sexual Harassment,bullying and name calling are not tolerated. All employees and students of this school are responsible for ensuring that it remains free of sexual harassment. The principal will respond to questions about this policy, investigate complaints, and take appropriate action including possible dismissal where it is determined that a violation of this policy has occurred.

STATIONERY ^

Teachers will provide a list of student’s stationery needs for the coming school year. Some stationery items are available for purchase at school.

Sports ^

Sports activities are provided through the CYO Program or through school intramural programs. Academics, however, remain the school’s priority. In order to participate in sports activities, students must maintain passing grades on report cards, including a grade of at least “2” in Special classes.

Tag days ^

Periodically throughout the year, students are permitted to come to school out-of-uniform if they have contributed a specified amount (usually one dollar) to a fundraiser. These days are commonly referred to as “tag days”. Tag Days will typically follow a particular theme, and students are expected to wear appropriate casual clothes that follow the theme of the day. Parents are notified with a flyer about upcoming Tag Days. The teachers and principal reserve the right to prohibit a student from participating in a tag day if a student has not followed the theme of a previous tag day or has been in violation of the school uniform.

TEACHERS’ AUTHORITY ^

A teacher’s authority is not confined to the classroom. All teachers and school personnel have the responsibility for any student not conforming to school regulations anywhere in the school building or on the school grounds.

Telephone Calls ^

Students may make telephone calls only in an emergency and from the telephone in the Main Office. Calling home for permission to visit a friend or bring a friend home, to have a parent sign a test paper or bring forgotten homework or books are not examples of emergencies.

Students are not permitted to have cell phones on the school grounds. If, for some reason, you find it absolutely necessary for your child to carry a cell phone, a letter to this effect must be presented to your child's teacher at the beginning of the school year. The phone MUST be kept turned off and in your child's school bag AT ALL TIMES. Phones found in the posession of a student and not in the school bag will be taken and stored in the school office. Parents will need to come to school to retrieve the phones.