Academic Opportunities and Educational Programs Recognizing the fact that each child is a unique and precious gift, we strive to structure classes to meet individual needs as much as possible. The curriculum follows the guidelines and directives of the Diocese of Camden. It consists of religion, mathematics, reading and language arts, spelling, social studies, science, computer, art, music and physical education. Junior high students participate in a trimester schedule of art, music, and Spanish. Additional programs offered here at Saint Peter Celestine Catholic School are:
Educational services are also provided to the school through the Camden County Educational Services Commission. These include child study team evaluations, basic skills reinforcement, speech, ESL, and home tutoring (for extended absences). A.C.E. (After Class Enjoyment) provides safe, quality childcare before and after regular school hours on all school days. Daily routine provides time for snacks, relaxation, play and homework. Students must be registered in the program with days scheduled in advance. Arrangements may be made to meet individual needs. During the course of a school year, classes will participate in one or more class trips, which are deemed educationally beneficial to the students. All students participating in the trip must have the proper permission forms completed and signed by parents or guardians. No alterations to these forms will be accepted. The principal reserves the right to deny participation in class trips to students who have a record of misconduct. This privilege can be denied either for a major infraction or for repeated minor infractions. The administration must be reasonably sure that students will respect authority, follow directions, and represent the school well while participating in class trips. If a student has a medical condition or handicap that requires special care, a parent or guardian may be asked to accompany this child if (s)he is to participate. In most cases a limited number of parents are invited to accompany classes on trips. In these cases they are asked to assume the responsibility of supervising a small group of students. Because situations vary on the different class trips, the number of parents invited to accompany each class will be left to the discretion of the teacher and the principal. The selection of parents will be handled in a fair and equitable manner. Based on diocesan guidelines, the Catholic perspective on family life is taught in grades K-8. Parents who wish to assume responsibility for family life instruction may request that their children be removed from these classes. A meeting with the pastor and principal is required in this case. A Family Life Committee, consisting of faculty, parents, and administration is in place to oversee the program. Homework has a definite function, that of enriching and extending what the student has learned in class. It is an opportunity to share with others something she/he has discovered, read, or created. It is also practice in basic skills. The following is the recommended time allotment that has been presented by our teachers for daily assignments Monday through Thursday:
These time allotments apply primarily to daily assignments. It is understood that long-range projects may require additional time commitments outside of school hours. Junior high students may expect to have homework over the weekend. Parents have the responsibility to provide a place of quiet that is conducive to study and to exhibit a real interest in the accomplishment of their children’s assignments. We ask parents to make homework a priority in the family’s daily schedule. When absent, students will be given a reasonable amount of time to make up work upon returning to class. Normally this will be one day for each day absent. Please see the section on attendance for further information concerning absences. The part which liturgy plays in the life of the student is a vital one. At regular intervals, each class will prepare and celebrate the liturgy. Monthly school liturgies, including Mass and prayer services, follow the liturgical calendar and celebrate significant events in the school year. Parents are encouraged to attend. Students preparing for the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation receive special instructions to assure the proper knowledge, appreciation, attitudes and values relative to each of these encounters with Christ. Our parish provides programs which involve the parents in preparing their children for the reception of the sacraments. Gospel values are taught as a way of life for our students in their interactions with one another. Social justice opportunities are provided to develop a care and respect for all human beings. Report cards are issued three times during the school year for grades K through 8. The purpose of these reports is to note the progress that your child is making in academic and social areas. Report cards should be considered carefully in the light of your child’s potential and actual achievement. There are also three interim progress reports issued each year for students in grades 1-8. The curriculum of St. Peter Celestine Catholic School is designed to be academically challenging to students of varying abilities. By the same token it is designed to allow students of differing abilities to meet with success. With reasonable effort students should be able to attain passing grades in all subjects. Students who receive a failure in one or more subjects for a school year will be required to complete work over the summer before being promoted to the following grade. The administration and faculty will develop specific requirements for the completion of such work. Students who fail at least one trimester, but earn a D for the year in one or more courses may also be subject to summer work requirements before being admitted to the following grade. In this case the principal and the teacher, in consultation with the parents, will determine the appropriate action. Parents may expect to be notified of requirements for summer work no later than one month prior to the end of school. An exception to this time frame would be allowed if a lack of effort in the last month of school caused a significant drop in grades. The School Counselor will be available to work with students whose classroom work is being affected by problems of a personal or social nature. She will work with students individually and in small groups as needs arise. She is also available for consultations with parents. If parents do not want their child to be seen individually without their specific consent, a letter should be sent to the principal stating this fact. St. Peter Celestine School is a diocesan center for Special Education. Students in grades 1-8 who are classified as eligible for special education services and who qualify for this program may apply to Ms. Flynn in the diocesan office. Students in the Special Education Program are placed in the appropriate grade’s homeroom. They receive their academic instruction in self-contained special education classrooms. Under certain circumstances, they may be mainstreamed for specific subjects. St. Peter’s Interest Revolve Around Learning is an enrichment program for grades 1-8. Divided into differing curriculum units during the school year, the program is designed to enhance the standard curriculum by stimulating students who are motivated toward the challenge of accelerated learning. Emphasis will be given to developing skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and research methods. In grades 1 and 2, all students will be exposed to enrichment activities in the SPIRAL program. Beginning in grade 3, students will be invited to participate in this program based on classroom performance, standardized test scores, and teach recommendations. Evaluation of program is a daily endeavor. However, annually the students of St. Peter Celestine take a standardized test, the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. The tests measure performance in various curriculum areas. Reports of these test are shared with parents by way of written reports and interpretations. Testing is done during the month of March and the results are usually received in late May. CogATs (Cognitive Ability Tests) are given in grades 4 and 7. Results of these tests may be obtained by scheduling a conference with the principal. Early Prevention of School Failure (E.P.S.F) is a nationally validated kindergarten screening program which helps our teachers to determine the developmental readiness of each child. The information gained in this screening is used to develop a class profile for use in planning the kindergarten curriculum. Screening is normally done in the spring, with make-ups in the fall. The Iowa Tests and E.P.S.F. provide us with valuable feedback both on the individual student and on our curriculum as a whole. These tests coupled with daily assessment using a variety of measures within the classroom provide us with an overall picture of the students’ abilities and achievements.
In placing their children in St. Peter Celestine School, parents are entering into a partnership with the school. If differences in philosophy and/or interpretation of policies should arise, every effort will be made to resolve these differences. It should be recognized that the Administration is responsible for safeguarding the interest and well being of all of the students as well as the individual student involved in the dispute. In the event that these differences can not be satisfactorily resolved, the school reserves the right to require a parent to withdraw from the working partnership. Our athletic programs are run for the physical and emotional growth of our children. With the exception of basketball, athletic activities are available to any children of Saint Peter Celestine Parish. Those not in Saint Peter Celestine School must attend the Religious Education Program. The major emphasis is on instruction and enjoyment. While participating in the athletic programs all children are subject to school policies and to the supervision of the Athletic Director and the Principal.
Regular attendance and punctuality are important to the pupil from the first day of school. Frequent tardiness can affect academic performance. Children who arrive after 8:10 A.M. are considered tardy. A late slip must be obtained from the school office. After a student has been late three times within a marking period, she/he will serve a lunch detention. If the problem continues, a conference with the principal will be necessary. When children are absent, parents are requested to call 667-3034 before 8:45 A.M. If you want homework sent home for your child when he/she is ill, please request this when you call in the absence in the morning. Homework may be taken home by another student or may be picked up at the office after 2:45 P.M> Students who are absent, or who leave early for sickness, may not attend any school functions scheduled for that day or evening. A student who has been absent from school must, upon his/her return, present a written excuse signed by this/her parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence and specifying the exact dates of absence. Extended absence for illness must be explained in writing by a doctor. Prolonged absences: Vacations during school time are discouraged. However, at times families find them necessary. Before leaving parents are asked to inform the principal and to contact each teacher to arrange for make-up work upon return. It is school policy not to give out assignments ahead of time. If a student has extended absence due to illness, parents should contact the principal to arrange for homebound instruction. School policy normally allows a student one-day to make up work for each day of absence. Every change of address or phone number should be reported to the school office immediately. Up to date records are essential in handling emergency situations. Communication between home and school should be ongoing. Calendars highlighting important events are sent home monthly. Newsletters to keep parents updated on school news are sent home each Monday. Blue envelopes containing other school information are sent home each Wednesday with the messenger in each family. They are to be returned by Friday each week. Conferences are schedules with each family during the first marking period. All families are expected to schedule a conference at this time. Additional conferences are scheduled at the request of either parent or teacher as n3eeded. Parents wanting to speak with a teacher may write a note or call the office and leave a message. At St. Peter Celestine Catholic School our goal is to develop in each student a sense of self-discipline which grows out of a respect for oneself and a respect for others. Thus our code of conduct is designed to help each student take responsibility for his/her actions. The word discipline is linked to the word disciple, which means "pupil" or "one who is learning". We strive for an increasing sense of self-discipline as students grow and mature through our school. They are taught to weigh choices and consider consequences. At all levels they are held responsible for their actions. Academic problems, while usually handled separately, may be behavior concerns as well if they involve a poor attitude. We ask our students to help maintain a spirit-filled atmosphere where the dignity of each person is respected. We further ask them to take responsibility when mistakes are made and to grow from the experience. We ask our parents to support and encourage their children as they grow into responsible Christians. Allowing them to grow means allowing them to be responsible for mistakes. At all times St. Peter Celestine students will be expected to respect themselves, respect others, respect property, and obey authority. Further expectations include the following: Cafeteria:
Playground:
Bus:
Hallways:
At all levels students will be expected to state the behavior, own the behavior, and accept responsibility for their choices. Part of accepting responsibility is accepting consequences that result from our choices. In disciplinary cases consequences will include:
More serious offenses, such as the following, may warrant suspension (school or bus), expulsion, and, in some cases, civil prosecution:
The principal reserves the right to determine the seriousness of any school infraction and to determine the appropriate course of action to be followed. If the principal is unavailable, the teacher will handle the immediate decisions until a meeting between the principal and the parents can take place. Students are expected to maintain a neat and clean appearance at all times. This principal reserves the right to determine if the Dress Code is being properly followed. School uniforms are worn from the first day of school in September to the closing of school in June. They are purchased from Flynn & O'Hara. Uniform shoes are purchased at DiGuilio’s shoes in Maple Shade. There are no uniforms for preschool. Kindergarten wears the gym uniform which is purchased thru the PTA.
Note:
Hair is to be styled conservatively and must be neat and well groomed at all times. No fad hair styles are allowed. Boys hair should be short on the sides and above the shirt collar in the back. Hair should be cut short enough on the top and in the front so that it will not touch the eyebrows. Students are asked to refrain from wearing jewelry to school. Religious pendants are an exception to this. Girls are allowed to wear small, discreet pierced earrings. Boys may not wear earrings to school at any time.
St. Peter Celestine School will follow the same procedures as the Cherry Hill Public Schools regarding emergency school closings. Camden and Philadelphia radio stations will announce school closings starting at 6:30 am. Code Number – 551. n Cherry Hill, T.V. Channel 19 also announces public school closings. In case it is necessary for St. Peter Celestine School to close when the Cherry Hill schools remain open or when they are already closed, we have our own school emergency code. Our Code Number – 637. Mt. Laurel buses follow the same procedures as the Lenape High School district; the Pennsauken bus follows the procedures of the Pennsauken Public School District. If these districts close and the cherry Hill schools are open, it will be the responsibility of these parents to provide their own transportation to and from school. When school is closed or the opening delayed, room mothers will call families as soon as possible. If it is necessary to close school early due to weather conditions or another emergency, the school will make every effort to contact parents. If parents are not reached, the school will follow the directions of the parents as indicated on the emergency form filled our at the beginning of school. The Cherry Hill School District may in cases of poor weather conditions use the
following announcement on radio and TV: This means that school will open two hours later than usual.
Parents are requested to mark all of their children’s belongings very carefully to prevent loss. Any articles that are found are kept in a box in the front foyer for a suitable period of time. It would be a good idea for parents to check this collection periodically to look for lost clothing, lunch boxes, etc. When possible, we ask that medication schedules be arranged to avoid school hours. When this is not possible, we ask that a family member come to school to administer the medication. If parents wish school personnel to administer medication, the following conditions must be present:
If there is any question about medication, it will be necessary for the parent to come to school to administer it. First Aid may be given. In event of an emergency of a serious nature, illness or otherwise, the parent is notified immediately. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we have a number where you can be reached. Notification of treatment or a visit to the nurse is sent home. Physical examinations are given by the school doctor to grades 2 $ 5. Eye and hearing examinations are given to every child annually. Any child entering school must have all immunizations at ages 5-6 and show proof of same. Please notify the school if your child has any physical condition which might require immediate attention such as heart trouble, severe allergic reaction, diabetes, etc. Scoliosis screening takes place in grades 5-8. No student may leave the school grounds without the explicit permission of the principal. We ask you to arrange medical and dental appointments outside of school hours. However, if this is impossible, the parent is asked to send a written request. This note is first presented to the homeroom teacher and then forwarded to the principal for her signature and approval. Arrangements should be made to meet your child in the foyer at the designated time. to avoid interruption of class, we ask that you make your child aware of the time to meet you. A sign out book is at the secretary’s desk. Please give the requested information. Students must be supervised at all times during the school day and at after-school activities. Older brothers and sisters staying for after-school activities may not babysit siblings during these activities, nor may students be left to sit in the foyer unsupervised. It is the parents’ responsibility to pick students up promptly at the end of an activity. Unsupervised students will be placed in the ACE program. A fee will be charged for this service. Please call the school if a change in plans is necessary. It is the responsibility of parents to supervise their children at evening and week-end activities, such as sporting events, Ice Cream Nights, skating parties, etc. Stationery supplies, such as copy books, theme tablets, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers and folders may be purchased at the school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. BOOK BAGS MUST BE USED TO CARRY ITEMS TO AND FROM SCHOOL BY STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES. Textbooks and workbooks are provided for students. It is each student’s responsibility to keep these books covered and in good condition. Students will be asked to pay for damage to books. Supermarket Certificates to Acme, Pathmark, Super G and Shop Rite stores are sold Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in school, and after all week-end Masses. Individuals purchase certificates which are then used as cash in the respective stores. Money raised through this program directly benefits the school. At the beginning of the school year, parents are asked to commit to the purchase of certificates each month. It is expected that they will honor this commitment. Directors are as follows: The Principal issues a transfer to any student who leaves our school to be registered in another school. A meeting between the parent(s) and the principal is a part of this process. School records are forwarded by mail to the school of transfer by the principal upon the request of the transfer school. No records are given to the parent. No records will be forwarded unless tuition and fee payments are up to date. The state of New Jersey requires that public school districts provide transportation to students in non-public schools or that the school districts reimburse parents for transportation costs when conditions are met and the school district will not provide bus transportation. This applies to students in grades K-8. Bus applications are submitted in the spring to the school districts who in turn establish bus routes. Children may not ride a but other than the one to which they have been assigned. Insurance covers only the children who are assigned to that bus. Requests for bus changes must be made in writing to the transportation department in advance. In order to provide safe transportation to and from school, the bus companies require a code of conduct that is conducive to safety. All students are required to follow directives that are given for their safety while on the school bus. Bus transportation is provided by the Townships of cherry Hill, Mt. Laurel, and Pennsauken. If you have any questions regarding transportation, please contact the following: Cherry
Hill……………………………………Mr.
Countryman (489-5851) Safety patrol members are assigned to all buses. Any constant violation of good order aboard the buses (such as standing, talking too loudly, etc.) or at the bus stop (such as destroying property, using unkind language, etc.) will bring about forfeiture of riding privileges for a period of time to be determined by the principal and/or the transportation department. Mt. Laurel students are reminded that violation of school bus regulations will result in bus privileges being revoked for the remainder of the school year. If buses do not stop for children, it is the responsibility of the parents to transport the students to school. No transportation is provided for preschool children. Students for the car line are dismissed out the door next to the first grade classroom. Cars form a double line around the back of the school (the left hand land turns left onto Kings Highway and the right hand lane turns right onto Kings Highway). In extreme weather conditions, students are held in the building until their car pulls up o the door. On these days drivers are asked to display a sign with the family name written in large bold letters. This greatly facilitates dismissal in adverse weather conditions. Car riders will not be dismissed to cars parked in the neighboring parking lot. Parents who choose to meet their children in the foyer or to park in front of the school, must wait until all buses have departed. For safety reasons, students will not be dismissed to the front parking lot while buses are loading. Students who live behind the school are allowed to walk home. No student is allowed to cross Kings Highway or to walk along Kings Highway in either direction. NOTE: Parents are asked to notify the teacher in writing if the student is changing his/her normal method of transportation home. We have adopted a stewardship plan for tuition. See our stewardship schedule here. Fees:
Please Note: The Msgr. George Sharkey Tuition Assistance Fund is available for families who need financial assistance. Applications are made to the School Advisory Board in the spring of each year for the following school year.
Visits to the School During School Hours Anyone visiting our school is asked to come to the office first. We ask parents bringing items for students to leave them with the secretary. No one is permitted to go to any classroom without the permission of the principal. |