responsibility for providing appropriate instruction to help the student achieve the prescribed goals. If the student successfully achieves the program’s objectives, the student progresses to the next level. Testing, diagnosis, and actual performance, however, may indicate that some students cannot follow the school’s complete course of study. The principal and school faculty develop for each of these students a special program, based on the school’s regular program, which follows the New York State Standards and Archdiocesan Essential Learnings. A copy of the student’s modified program is retained in the student’s file. Conferences must be held with the parents periodically to inform them of the specific demands of this program and on-going progress. Therefore, the decision to retain a student presupposes that the school has done everything to help the student achieve success, and the student still has not made satisfactory progress. If a student is being considered for retention, teachers must begin discussing this possibility early in the school year with the principal. Parent conferences must be held periodically, and notification of the possibility of retention must be made no later than mid-January, with written notation having been made on the report card. Although the teacher consults with the principal, the final decision for retaining a student rests with the principal. The following are specific criteria that will assist teachers as they consider a recommendation for retention. The student has failed to pass the major subjects on each grade level. The following table indicates the specific failures by grade level that might result in retention at that grade level: LEVEL ACADEMIC PROGRESS Kindergarten Evidence that the child is not meeting academic expectations of the program. Grade 1 Evidence of insufficient developmental progress and a failure in English Language Arts (ELA) Grade 2 Failure in ELA Grade 3 Failures in ELA and Mathematics Grade 4, 5, 6 Failures in ELA and Mathematics, or Failures in ELA or Mathematics and failures in two of the following subjects: Religion, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts Grade 7, 8 Failures in ELA and Mathematics or Failure in ELA or Failures in ELA or Mathematics and failure in one of the following
The religious educators of our schools are committed to teaching the fullness of revelation as it is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and as the life and doctrine are set forth in the Religious Education Guidelines of the Archdiocese of New York. While our teachers value ecumenical education, and respect the traditions of other ecclesiastical communities, they always teach within the context of fidelity to the doctrine and traditions of our teaching church. Harassment/Bullying Policies (E.17, E.18) Harassment/bullying regulations need to be grounded in the belief that all persons have a right to be treated with dignity. In a Catholic Christian environment, all demeaning behavior is unacceptable. The school provides a safe environment for all. Schools within the Archdiocese participate in the ADAPP anti-bullying curriculum annually. Verbal, internet, telephone, or written threats made against the physical or emotional well-being of any individual are taken seriously. Students making such threats, even in jest, face appropriate disciplinary action including detention, suspension, or expulsion. The principal investigates all complaints of harassment/bullying. Students involved in harassing/bullying behavior are subject to detention, suspension, or expulsion and, where appropriate, will be referred for counseling services and/or to the local authorities. If you believe that your child is being harassed/bullied, please notify the principal immediately. HIV/AIDS Curriculum (E.24) The Archdiocese of New York and the NYS Education Department mandate that all schools within the Archdiocese are to give age-appropriate instruction on HIV and AIDS to all students in Grades K –12. The schools within the Archdiocese use an HIV/AIDS Handbook developed and approved by the Catholic Bishops of the State of New York. Schools under the authority of the Office of the Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese of New York do not discriminate on the basis of HIV or AIDS. Students with HIV or AIDS shall not be excluded from school by reason of infection with HIV unless the following conditions are evident as determined by the student’s physician and parents (or legal guardian), together with the school administration: The student is not toilet-trained or is incontinent, or unable to control drooling. The student is physically aggressive, with a documented history of biting or harming others.