Student/ParentAcademyHandbook

2020–2021

SaintPeterCatholicAcademy840123rdAvenueBrooklyn,NY11214718-372-0025

www.stpeteracademy-brooklyn.orgwww.optionc.com(school#984)

PRINCIPALMrs.DanielleAlfeo

BOARDOFMEMBERS

SaintMaryMotherofJesusMonsignorAndrewVaccari

SaintFinbarJoseHenriquez

SaintFrancisCabriniFatherGuySbordone

BOARDOFDIRECTORS

SiobhanDeasy-ChairpersonMaryWilkinson-SecretaryGeraldineLippman-MemberKathySamaris-Member

MadeleineMontuori-Member

HOMEACADEMYASSOCIATION(HAA)MichaelDiDio-President

ShanonDimino-Vice-PresidentDawnDelgaizo-TreasurerJoyceMorton-TreasurerToniAnnRuiz–Secretary

CraigParascando–Marketing

FACULTYMs.SamanthaTagliarini–Jr.PreK

Mrs.GiovannaMonetenigro–Jr.Pre-KMs.BriannaVurckio–Kindergarten

Mrs.NicoleDiDio–Grade1Mrs.ChristinaChampagnie–Grade2

Mrs.PaulaDiGiaro–Grade3Ms.FilomenaPiccolo–Grade4Mrs.EstherLatino–Grade5Mrs.DeniseNomikos–Grade6Ms.JoannBadalamenti–Grade7Mrs.DoloresGammone–Grade8

SPECIALCONTENTTEACHERS

SuzanneDeBlasie–Computer/ResourceLoriAnnDaly–PhysicalEducation

SusieOrtis–Italian

SECRETARYMrs.LisaGatto

SCHOOLNURSE

RNNatashaCupidore

SCHOOLCUSTODIANFredyGomez

Section1-LetterfromthePrincipal

September2020

DearMembersoftheSaintPeterCatholicAcademyFamily:

The2020-2021schoolyearwillbe,inmayways,oneofthemostchallengingthatanyofushave

encountered.DuetotheCOVID-19pandemic,weareforcedtomakeanumberofchangestoour

policiesandprocedures,andtoourschedule,inordertomaintainfaithfultoourcommitmentto

providingasafeandsecurelearningenvironment.

Thishandbookismeanttoprovideyouwithanunderstandingofthegoals,policies,andprocedures

ofSaintPeterCatholicAcademy.Itismeanttobeinformativeandhelpfultoyou.Youareaskedto

familiarizeyourselfwithitscontentsandrefertoitasnecessary.Yourfamiliaritywiththishandbook,

alongwiththeregularnoticesandupdatesyouwillreceiveviaemail,noticessenthomewith

students,classDOJO,OptionC,andourwebsite/socialmediaplatforms,willensurequalityand

productivecommunication,resultinginaproductiveandsmoothacademicyear.

Withallofusworkingtogether,andwiththeeducators,students,andfamiliesholdingourselves

accountablefortheroleweplayintheeducationandformationofourstudents,thiswilltrulybean

excellentyear.

Thankyouinadvanceforyourparticipationintheeducationofyourchildren,andforyour

cooperationandsupportthroughouttheschoolyear!

SincerelyinChrist,Danielle Alfeo Mrs.DanielleAlfeoPrincipal

Section2-IntroductionThepurposeofthishandbookistooutlinepoliciesandproceduresforSaintPeterCatholicAcademy.Nohandbookcancoverallcircumstancesandallsituations.Foranyissuethatoccursandisnotcoveredbythishandbook,wewillconsultwithourBoardofDirectors,BoardofMembers,andtheOfficeoftheSuperintendentofSchoolsoftheDioceseofBrooklyntomakefairandreasonabledecisions.BasedontherecommendationoftheprincipalinconsultationwiththeBoardofDirectors,theBoardofMembers,andtheOfficeoftheSuperintendentofSchoolsoftheDioceseofBrooklyn,theprincipalofSaintPeterCatholicAcademyretainstherighttoamendthestudent-familyhandbookforjustcause.Section3-SchoolOverview3.1 BriefHistoryoftheSchool

HistoryofOurAcademySt.PeterCatholicAcademyhasoneofthelongestandmostcomplexhistorieswhenitcomestoCatholiceducationintheBensonhurstandBathBeachareaofBrooklyn—ahistorybeginningwiththelocalparishes.TheneighborhoodishometofiveCatholicparishes.Threeparishescollaboratetoservetheschoolcommunity:St.Finbar,St.FrancesCabrini,andSt.MaryMotherofJesus.

In1913,SaintMaryMotherofJesusparishopenedaschoolunderthedirectionoftheSistersofSt.Joseph.However,almost100yearslater,enrollmentwasdroppingandtheparishknewtheyneededtoinitiateachange.EnrollmentwasalsodecliningatthenearbySaintFrancesCabriniparishschool,whichwasfoundedin1967anddirectedbytheSistersofSt.Dominic.InanefforttostrengthenCatholiceducationwithinthecommunity,thetwoschoolsteamedup.

In2006,St.MaryMotherofJesusparishschoolandSt.FrancesCabriniparishschoolteameduptoclosetheirindividualschoolsandre-opentogetherasanewregionalacademy:St.MaryMotherofJesus-St.FrancesCabriniCatholicAcademy.ThenewacademywashousedinwhatwasoriginallytheSt.MaryMotherofJesusparishschoolbuilding,buttheacademyservedbothparishcommunitiesunderanewgovernancemodel.Ultimately,thepastorisinchargeofaCatholicparishschoolbutpastorsneededmoreleadershipassistancetodirectboththeschoolandtheirparishes.ThenewCatholicacademygovernancemodelisatwo-tieredgovernancemodelcomprisedofaBoardofDirectorsandaBoardofMembers.

ACatholicacademyBoardofDirectorsiscomposedoflaypeoplewhofunctionasthemaingoverningbodyoftheacademy.Theyselecttheprincipalandserveasanimmediatesupervisingbody.TheyarepassionateaboutCatholiceducationandsharetheirexpertiseinareasoffinance,facilitiesmanagement,institutionaladvancement,marketingandpublicrelations.

ACatholicacademyBoardofMembersiscomprisedofpastorsfromtheparishes,thebishopandthediocesansuperintendentofschools.Together,theyfunctionasprimesponsorsoftheacademy.TheyappointtheDirectorsandensuretheoverallCatholicidentityoftheacademyanditsprograms.

OtherCatholicschoolsstillservedtheareaforafewmoreyears.St.Finbarparishschool,foundedin1964,wasdirectedbytheSistersoftheCatholicApostolateorthePallottineSisters.Unfortunately,St.Finbarparishschoolclosedin2008duetolowenrollment.MostPreciousBloodparishschool,whichopenedin1967undertheguidanceoftheSistersofOurLadyofMercy,alsoclosedin2009.

From2009-2013,St.MaryMotherofJesus-St.FrancesCabriniCatholicAcademywasservingalloftheselocalparishcommunities,includingSaintDominicwhichneverhadaschool.TheBoardofMembersnowconsistedofpastorsfromthealignedparishesandtheBoardofDirectorsrealizeditwasappropriatetochangetheacademyimage.

InSeptember2013,thenameSt.MaryMotherofJesus-St.FrancesCabriniCatholicAcademywasofficiallychangedtoSt.PeterCatholicAcademyinordertoberelevanttoalloftheCatholiccommunitiesitserved.Itisalsoalittleeasiertosay!ThenamePeterisknownandesteemedbymany.ItbothrecallsthefoundationoftheCatholicfaithandstandsthetestoftime.

Asof2014,MostPreciousBloodParishisnolongeraffiliatedwithSaintPeterCatholicAcademyandhasbeenalignedwithOurLadyofGraceCatholicSchoolandin2015St.DominicwasalignedtoSt.AthanasiusParish.SaintPeterCatholicAcademyiscurrentlyaffiliatedwiththelocalparishcommunitiesofSt.Finbar,St.FrancesCabrini,andSt.MaryMotherofJesus.

St.PeterCatholicAcademyisstillhousedinwhatwasoriginallytheSt.MaryMotherofJesusparishschoolbuildingandthisyear,enrollmentisincreasing.Acenturyofhistoryandtraditionslater,ourfocustoprovideanexcellentCatholiceducationforstudentsremains.Ourstrongvaluesandtraditionsassistustoteachnewgenerationsofstudentstogrowineachstageofdevelopmentwithapropersenseofself-worthasachildofGodandtomakeresponsibledecisions.Ourmissionistocontinuetoworktowardacademicexcellence,enhancingthesocialandemotionalskillsofourstudentsandrecognizingthateachstudenthasuniqueGod-giventalentsandskills.

3.2 MissionstatementSt.PeterCatholicAcademyisaschoolfirmlyrootedintheCatholicFaithandChrist-centeredlove.Awareofoureverchanging,culturallydiversepopulation,ourbeliefisthateveryindividualstudentshouldbeallowedtogrowintoeachstepofdevelopmentwithapropersenseofself-worthasachildofGod,tomakeresponsibledecisionsfromthechoicesthathe/sheencounters.Werecognizethatteachersandparentsareco-educatorsofchildren;thereforewestrivetocreateasupportiveenvironmentwithopenlinesofcommunicationamongadministrators,parents,teachersandstudents.Weworktowardacademicexcellence,enhancingthesocialandemotionalskillsofourstudentsandrecognizingthateachstudenthasunique,God-giventalentsandskills.WeencouragestudentstosucceedtotheirhighestcognitivelevelinordertomeetthechallengesoflifeintheTwenty-firstCentury.

3.4 ParentalExpectationofAdherencetoSchoolPolicyDisciplineintheschoolsshouldreflectthespiritofVaticanCouncilII,asexpressedinthedocumentsonChristianEducationandReligiousLiberty.Therefore,disciplineshouldbegearedtoassistachilddevelopintheunderstandingofselfasbeingmadeintheimageofGod.

….EducationisintegraltothemissionoftheChurchtoproclaimtheGoodNews.FirstandforemosteveryCatholiceducationalinstitutionisaplacetoencounterthelivingGodwhoinJesusChristrevealshistransformingloveandtruth(cf.SpeSalve,4).ThisrelationshipelicitsadesiretogrowintheknowledgeandunderstandingofChristandhisteaching.InthiswaythosewhomeethimaredrawnbytheverypowerofGodtoleadanewlifecharacterizedbyallthatisbeautiful,good,andtrue;alifeofChristianwitnessnurturedandstrengthenedwithinthecommunityofourLord’sdisciples,theChurch….Dearfriends,IwishtoconcludebyfocusingourattentionspecificallyontheparamountimportanceofyourownprofessionalismandwitnesswithinourCatholicuniversitiesandschools.First,letmethankyouforyourdedicationandgenerosity.Iknowfrommyowndaysasaprofessor,andhaveheardfromyourBishopsandofficialsoftheCongregationforCatholicEducation,thatthereputationofCatholicinstitutesoflearninginthiscountryislargelyduetoyourselvesandyourpredecessors.Yourselfless

contributions–fromoutstandingresearchtothededicationofthoseworkingininner-cityschools–serveyourcountryandtheChurch.ForthisIexpressmyprofoundgratitude.AddressofHisHolinessBenedictXVItoCatholiceducatorsattheCatholicUniversityofAmerica,Washington,DC,April17,2008

Evidenceofdisciplineexistsinaschoolcommunitywhenthestudents,teachers,administration,andparents/legalguardiansworkcooperativelytoeducatethewholechild:spiritually,academically,socially,emotionally,andphysically.Section4-CatholicIdentityThemissionofCatholicEducationistoformchildrenintheknowledgeandloveofJesusChristascelebratedintheCatholicChurch,whileprovidingacomprehensiveacademiceducationthatwillhelpthemreachtheirfullhumanpotentialandcontributetothecommongoodofournationandtheworld.Ultimately,themissionofallCatholiceducationistoleadthoseentrustedtoitscaretofindsalvationinJesusChrist.InCatholicSchoolsontheThresholdoftheThirdMillennium(#11)SaintJohnPaulIIwrotethatCatholicschoolsare“…theprivilegedenvironmentinwhichChristianeducationiscarriedout.Catholicschoolsareatonceplacesofevangelization,ofcompleteformation,ofenculturation,ofapprenticeshipinalivelydialoguebetweenyoungpeopleofdifferentreligionsandsocialbackgrounds.”DiocesanacademiesandschoolsstrivetoemulatethewordsofSaintJohnPaulIIby:

• creatinganevangelizingcommunity,wherepeoplecometohaveabetteranddeeperunderstandingofChristandHisChurch

• recognizingtheimportanceofmulti-cultural,multi-faceted,academicallysoundeducationalprogramsthatmeettheneedsofthepoorandtherich,theCatholicandthenon-Catholic,thewiseandthenotsolearned

• welcomingmemberstotheschoolcommunityregardlessofculture,race,orreligionandcelebratingthediversitythatexistswithinourcommunities,churches,andschools

• creatinganenvironmentthatencouragesyoungpeopletogrow,notseparatedfromothers,butaspartofalargercommunity,aspartofthefamilyofGod

• notonlypromotingandencouragingacademicallysoundindividuals,butrejoicingwithchildrenwhoarespiritually,theologically,andliturgicallyenlivenedandfulfilled

Section5-StudentBehavior5.1 ConductThissectionshouldincludeastatementregardingstudentconduct;outliningexpectationsthatfulfillthemissionoftheacademyorparishschoolaswellastheDiocese.5.2 ConductandSchoolRulesBEHAVIORALPOLICY&DISCIPLINE

SaintPeterCatholicAcademystudentsareexpectedtoadheretoahighmoralcode.Studentsareheldresponsiblefortheirwordsandactions.Nostudent’sactionsshouldpreventateacherfromteachingorotherstudentsfromlearning.Disrespectinanyform,eitherdirectedtowardafacultymemberoranotherstudent,willnotbetolerated.Disrespectfulbehaviorwillresultindetention,suspension,orexpulsiondependingontheseverityoftheoffense.ThedegreeofseveritywillbedeterminedbytheprincipalinconsultationwiththeBoardofDirectors.Studentswhoaresuspendedwhethersuspendedfromtheclassroomorsuspendedathomewillnotbepermittedtoparticipateinanycluborextra-curricularactivityincludingclasstripsforeithertheremainderofthetrimesterortheremainderoftheschoolyear.Thiswillbedeterminedbytheprincipalinconjunctionwiththeteacher.Studentsaretoshowrespecttowardacademypropertyandtothepropertyofothers.Vandalismwillbesubjecttoseverediscipline.Parentsofstudentswhoengageinvandalismwillberequiredtomakerestitution.

Appropriatebehavioratlunchtimeisexpected.Goodtablemannersareexpected.Smoking,e-cigaretteuse,

vaping,druguse,andalcoholuseareillegalforschoolagechildren.Inadditiontodisciplinedeterminedbytheacademyprincipalandboardofdirectors,thelocalpoliceprecinctwillbenotified.

Harassmentand/orhazinginanyformisnottolerated.AllstudentsareexpectedtofollowJesus’commandmentto“LoveOneAnother”.Bullyingorbias-basedharassment/intimidationarerepeated,intentional,hurtfulacts(physical,verbal,written)committedbyonepersonormorethanonepersontowardonepersonoragroupofpeople.Itusuallyinvolvesanactualorperceivedimbalanceofpowerwhichcanbephysical,emotional,orverbal.Thebehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedtophysicalviolence,threats,aggressivegestures,exclusionfrompeergroups,taunts,teasing,derogatorylanguage,namecalling,slurs,spreadingrumors,writtenorgraphicmaterialincludingcommentsthatareelectronicallywrittenandtransmitted.Ifachildisavictimofanytypeofharassmentthatoccursduringthecourseoftheacademicday,theprincipalmustbeimmediatelynotified.Theprincipalwillthennotifytheparentsofallinvolvedandaninvestigationwillbegin.StudentswhoareinvolvedininappropriatebehaviorduringthecourseoftheacademicdaywillbesubjecttosuspensionorexpulsionasdeterminedbytheprincipalandBoardofDirectors.Appropriatelawenforcementagencieswillalsobenotified.

Inappropriatebehaviorthatoccursoutsidetheschooldaybetweenstudentsincludingbullyingoranyothertypeofharassmentmustbedealtwithbytheparentsoftheindividualstudentsinvolved.ThisincludesactionsdirectlybetweenthestudentsinpersonandactionsthatplaceviatheInternetorsocialmedia.Theacademycannotdisciplinestudentsforbehaviorthatoccursoutsidetheacademicday.

ThestudentswillberemindedtoTHINKbeforetheyspeak,text,orpost:

T-isittrue?H–isithelpful?I–isitinspiringN–isitnecessary?K–isitkind?

5.3 DiocesanAnti-BullyingPolicyTheschoolcommunitieswithintheBrooklynDiocesebelieveinthesanctityofhumanlifeandtheinherentdignityofthehumanperson.Webelievethatallstudents,schoolemployeesandvolunteershavearighttoasafeandhealthyschoolenvironment.Allmembersoftheschoolcommunity,inturn,haveanobligationtopromotemutualrespect,toleranceandacceptance.Researchshowsthatstudentswholearninasafeandsupportiveenvironmentsucceedacademically.Studentshavearighttolearninanenvironmentfreeofanyharassmentthatsubstantiallyinterfereswiththeireducation.

Bullying,bias-basedharassment/intimidationareintentional,repeated,hurtfulacts(physical,verbal,written)committedbyoneormorepersonstowardsanotherpersonorpersons.Itusuallyinvolvesanactualorperceivedimbalanceofpowerwhichcanbephysical,emotionalorverbal.Ifnotaddressed,bullyingcanleadtothecreationofahostile,offensiveorintimidatingschoolenvironmentandcanaffectastudent’seducationalopportunities.Thebehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedto:

• Physical:physicalviolence,stalking,threats,aggressiveormenacinggestures,exclusionfrompeergroupswhichisintendedtohumiliateorisolatethetarget(relationalbullying).

• Verbal:taunts,teasing,derogatorylanguage,derogatoryjokes,namecalling,slurs,spreadingrumors• Written:writtenorgraphicmaterialincludinggraffiticontainingcommentsorstereotypesthatareelectronicallywrittenandtransmittedviainternet,socialmessagingsites,blogs,instantmessaging,textmessages,cellphone,webcams.Thiswouldalsoincludeforwardingsuchmessagesifreceived.Thisgenerallyconstitutescyber-bullying.

ReportingProcedures:

• Thetargetedstudent,parent/guardianofastudentorotherstudentsintheschool(bystanders),oranyschoolstaffwhobelievethatbullyinghasoccurredshouldreporttheincidenttotheprincipal.

• Theprincipalneedstoconductaninvestigationbyinterviewingallpartiesseparately.• Theparentsofallinvolvedstudentsshouldbenotified.• Ifitisdeterminedthatbullyinghasoccurredthechildwhobulliedistobesubjecttoconsequences

pertheschool’sdisciplinarycode.

• Parentsshouldbeadvisedtocontacttheappropriatelawenforcementagencyifthesituationwarrantssuchareport.

• Referraltocounselingshouldbemadeforallpartiesifdeemednecessary.• Theprincipalmustfollowuptoseethattheoffendingconducthasstopped.• Allstudentsshouldbenotifiedthatretaliationagainstanyonewhomakesareportwillnotbe

toleratedandthosethatretaliatewillbesubjecttodisciplinaryactions.5.4 DiocesanCyberBullyingPolicyInaccordancewithNewYorkStateLawonCyber-Bullying,inappropriate,defamatory,orcontentfoundtobeinjurioustoanacademyorparishschoolcommunitymembermayresultindisciplinaryaction,evenifdoneoutsideofacademy/parishschoolpremisesorusingdevicesnotownedorcontrolledbytheacademy/parishschool.Allinstancesofsuchbehaviormustbereportedimmediatelytotheadministration,whowillinvestigatethematterandenforcetheconsequencesdeemedappropriate.Violationofthispolicyinwholeorinpartmayresultinanyorallofthefollowingandwillbeissuedatthediscretionoftheacademyorparishschoolprincipal:

• Lossofuse/privilegesofschool/academytechnology.• Disciplinaryactionincluding,butnotlimitedto,detention,suspension,expulsion,and/orlegal

actionbytheschool/academy,civilauthorities,and/orotherinvolvedparties.• Compensationfordamages,bothphysicalandpunitive,incurredduetoactionsinviolationofthis

policy5.5 DiocesanAcceptableUsePolicyTheuseoftechnologyispermittedonschoolpremisesunderlimitedconditionsasauthorizedbythePrincipalforthesolepurposeofenhancingacademicachievementwhilerespectingthedignityandsafetyofallmembersoftheSt.PeterCatholicAcademycommunity.Inusingtheinformationandtechnologyinsafe,legal,andresponsibleways,thefollowingconditionsofbeingadigitalcitizenwithintheDioceseofBrooklynareexpected:RespectOne’sSelf

• Publicnamesshouldbeappropriate• Bemindfulofanyandallcontentyoupostincludingphotos,personalviews,comments,personal

information,etc.• Avoidseekingoutand/orviewinginappropriatecontent• Donotengageinpotentiallyharmfulactivitiessuchascommunicatingwithpersonsunknowntoyou

orinternetchallengesRespectOthers

• Bemindfulofcomments,posts,photosoranycontentdirectedtowardorincludingothers• Refrainfromengagingininflammatory,harassing,oranyothersuchdisrespectfulbehavior• Donotperpetuateinappropriatecontentbysharingitwithorsendingittoothers• Warnothersofpotentiallydisturbingorharmfulcontentthatshouldbeavoided

ProtectOne’sSelfandOthers• Reportanyandallcyber-abusecommittedagainstyouorotherstoparents,teachersand/or

administrators• Keepgroupswithfriendsprivatetoavoidpotentiallyinappropriateordangerouscontentand

communicationsfromunknownsourcesRespectIntellectualProperty

• CitesourceswhenusinganycontentnotoriginallyauthoredbyyouMembersofParishSchoolandCatholicAcademycommunitiesmustrememberthatwhentelecommunicatingwithindividuals,groups,orinstitutions,youaredoingsoasanindividual.Youshouldnotrepresentyourself,yourviews,ideas,questions,oractionsasrepresentingtheParishSchoolorCatholicAcademyyouareassociatedwithwithouttheexpressedpermissionoftheprincipal.

SecurityofTechnologyTheschoolsandacademiesoftheRomanCatholicDioceseofBrooklynassumenoresponsibilityforthetheft,loss,repairorreplacementofanytechnologydevicesthatarebroughtontoschool/academyproperty,whetheritislost,stolen,damaged,orconfiscated.Securityonanycomputersystemisahighpriority.Ifyoubelieveyoucanidentifyasecurityissue,youmustnotifyasystemadministrator,principal,orteacherandnotdisclosetheproblemtoothersinanyway.Althoughtherearesafeguardsinplacetoprotectallusersfrominappropriatecontent,wearenotresponsibleforfailuresinfilteringthatresultinabypassofourprogramand/oraccesstoobjectionablecontent.Ifanyinappropriatecontentbypassesthesesafeguards,anypartiesinvolvedshouldturnoffthemonitorandreportthesecuritybreachimmediatelytoasystemadministrator,teacherortheprincipal.Additionally,memberoftheschool/academycommunityshallnot:

• Useanother’scredentialsforanyreason• GainorattempttogainunauthorizedaccesstoDiocesanorschool/academycomputersorcomputer

systems.• Downloadorinstallanysoftwareapplicationwithoutpriorauthorization.

AdministrativeRights(Tomonitoruseoftechnology)Theschool/academyreservestherighttomonitorbothstudentandemployeeuseoftechnologyandcomputeraccessedcontent.Duetotheevolvingnatureoftechnology,theCatholicSchoolsandAcademiesoftheRomanCatholicDioceseofBrooklynreservetherighttoamendoraddtothispolicyatanytimewithoutnotice.PersonaluseofSocialMedia(Teachers,Students)Thissectionreferstothepersonaluseofsocialmedia.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedtoFacebook,Twitter,YouTube,Tumblr,Instagram,Google+,LinkedIn,Snapchatoranyothersuchmedium.Allreferencestoschool/academypersonnel,studentsand/oranymemberoftheschool/academycommunityintechnologyrelatedmediumssuchaswebpagesoremailwhichisdeemedtobeconductinjurioustothemoraltoneoftheschooloracademyareviolationsofthispolicy.Anycommunicationwithcurrentstudentsbyfaculty,stafforadministrationisstrictlyforbiddenonanypersonalsocialnetworkingsite.Personalpostsmustuseappropriatelyrespectfulspeech,andrefrainfromharassing,defamatory,abusive,discriminatory,threateningorotherinappropriatecommunications.Representationoftheschool/academyinwholeorpartonanypersonalpostsand/orcommunicationisprohibited.Section6-GeneralProceduralInformation6.1 DressCodeTheRomanCatholicDioceseofBrooklynbelievesthatclothesdonotdefineaperson.Thewearingofauniformallowseveryonetobeseenforwhotheyare,notbywhattheyhave.Thepurposeofauniformisameansofconsistencyinstudentdress,whilekeepingcoststoaminimum.Italsoreducestheproblemofcompetitivedressing.Students,unlessotherwisenotifiedbyAdministration,willweartheschooluniform.Allstudentsareexpectedtokeepthemselveswell-groomedandneatlydressedatalltimes.Acleanandhealthyappearanceisimportant.AnyformofdressorhairstylewhichisconsideredbytheAdministrationstobecontrarytogoodhygieneorwhichisdistractiveordisruptiveinappearanceanddetrimentaltothepurposeorconductoftheschoolwillnotbepermitted.Allclothingmustbeclean,neatlypressed,andingoodrepair.Noripped,torn,ordefaceditemmaybeworn.Inthissection,individualacademiesorparishschoolscanalsoindicateuniformspecificationsforeachgradeandgender.Youshouldalsoconsideraddingthecontactinformationfortheuniformdistributor.6.1a DressDownDays

Theremaybeoccasionsinwhichstudentsareallowedtowearnon-uniformattire.Studentsareremindedtodresswithmodesty.Studentsshouldadheretothefollowingattire:

• Appropriatelengthskirt,shortsordress–noshorterthan3”abovetheknees• Notornortightjeansorpants• Nospaghettistraptanks,midriffs,tubetops,etc.• NologotypeT-shirts• Nohats(unlessspecificallydesignated)• Noloose/baggypantsorshorts• Nomake-upornailpolish(includinggels/Frenchmanicures)• Nohoopearringsorexcessivejewelry• Nojeggings,leggingsorskinnyjeans

6.1b GroomingCodeHairmustbeitsnaturalcolor,clean,neatlycombed,nottotallycoveringtheearsoreyes,orfallingbelowtheshirtcollar.

• Facialhairisnotpermitted• Hairmustbeanaturalcolor.Streaking,highlighting,lowlights,glints,etc.arenotpermitted.

Studentsarenotallowedtowearmake-upatanytime.Thisincludeseyemake-up,nailpolish,andacrylicnails.Onlyappropriatejewelryisallowed.Twobraceletsmaybewornatatime.Onepairofsmallearringsmaybewornbygirlsonly.Necklacesmustbetuckedintotheshirt.Tattoosandbodypiercingsarenotallowed.

6.2 AttendancePolicySt. Peter Catholic Academy has developed our attendance policy in accordance with New York StateEducationLawSection3205tobeimplementedonJuly1,2020.Thiscomprehensiveattendancepolicywillhelptoupholdthephilosophyandmissionstatementofourschool/academy,asstatedinourhandbook.EducationLawoftheStateofNewYorkmandatesschoolattendanceforallchildrenbetweentheagesof6and16,buttheresponsibilityforcompliancerestswiththeparents/legalguardians.Theschoolisrequiredtokeepanaccuraterecordofdailyattendance,absenceandtardinessintheregisterofattendanceinamannerapprovedbytheCommissionerofEducation.

• Whenachildhasbeenabsent,awrittenexcuseisrequiredfromhisorherparents/legalguardians.Ifastudentisabsentwithoutanexcuse,oriftheschoolhasreasontosuspectthevalidityoftheexcuse,theprincipalwillinvestigatethesituation.

• Whenastudenthasbeenabsentforfivedayswithoutasatisfactoryexplanation,areportwillbemadetotheattendanceofficerofthelocalpublicschooldistrict.

• Continuingillegalabsences,totalingfiveormoredays,willalsobereportedtotheattendanceofficeratthelocalpublicschooldistrictoffice.

• Althougheachcaseisdifferent,itshouldbenotedthatat40truancydays,retentionisastrongpossibilityandprincipalswillcontactthelocaldistrictofficetoalertthetruancyofficer.

6.2a LatenessAstudentwhoarrivesafterthetimesetbytheacademyortheparishschoolforthebeginningofthedaywillbemarkedlate.6.3 SchoolCalendarNewYorkStateLawcurrentlyrequiresaschoolcalendartoprovide176daysofinstructionwith4professionaldaysandcitesthefollowingholidayswhenschoolsmaynotbeinsession:

NewYear'sDay FirstDayinJanuary Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.Day ThirdMondayinJanuary MemorialDay LastMondayinMay ColumbusDay SecondMondayinOctober VeteransDay EleventhDayinNovember ThanksgivingDay FourthThursdayinNovember ChristmasDay Twenty-fifthdayinDecemberOntheFeastoftheImmaculateConception,thefeastofthepatronessoftheDioceseofBrooklyn,theacademyorparishschoolwillbeclosed.AcademiesandparishschoolsmayalsochoosetoobserveotherHolyDays.Alladvancedschoolclosingswillbeindicatedintheschoolcalendar.6.3a) SchoolHours: 8:00am-3:00pm6.3b) BeforeCare&AfterCare: 3:00pm-6:00pm6.3c) SchoolOfficeHours: 9:00am-2:30pm6.4 ReleasingofStudentsStudentsareexpectedtobeinattendanceforthecompletesessioneachschoolday.Ifforanyreasonastudentmustleavetheacademyorparishschoolbeforetheregulardismissalhour,aparent/legalguardianorapersonauthorizedbytheparent/legalguardianmustcometotheacademyorparishschoolofficetopickthestudentupandescortthestudentoutofthebuilding.Parents/legalguardiansmustprovideauthorizationfortheirchildtobereleasedtoanindividualotherthanaparent/legalguardian.ThepersonpickingupthechildmustbenamedontheEmergencycard.ParentsmustalsonotifytheteacherviaDojoandalerttheschoolthatyourchildwillbeleavingearly,andprovidethenameandrelationshipofthepersonwhowillbepickingupandthetimethechildwillbeleaving.6.4a Custody,GuardianshipOrdersParentsmustprovideaccuratecustodialinformationtobekeptonfileattheacademyorparishschool.Non-custodialparentsdohaverights.Thelawprotectsnon-custodialparentsandmaintainsthatparentsdonotceasetobeparentswhentheynolongerhavecustodyoftheirchildren.TheDioceseofBrooklynabidesbytheprovisionsoftheBuckleyAmendmentwithrespecttotherightsofnon-custodialparents.Intheabsenceofacourtordertothecontrary,aschoolorparishacademywillprovidethenon-custodialparentswithaccesstoacademicrecordsandotherschoolinformationregardinghisorherchild.Ifthereisacourtorderspecifyingthatthereistobenoinformationgiven,itisthecustodialparent’sresponsibilitytoprovidetheschoolwithacourtcertifiedcopyofthecourtorder.6.5 FieldTripsWrittenpermissionmustbeobtainedfromparents/legalguardiansofstudentswhowishtogoonscheduledtrips.Informationtotheparents/legalguardianswillincludethedate,purposeanddestinationofthetrip,theexpense,themeansoftransportation,andprobabletimeofreturn.AdultswhowishtochaperonemustcompleteVirtustrainingandbackgroundcheckspriortoaccompanyingstudents.Pleaseseesection9.4forfurtherinformationaboutthisprocess.6.6 BirthdayPolicyandCelebrationsThroughouttheacademicyeartherearemanyoccasionstocelebratevariousevents.Someoftheseeventsareschoolwide,someareforaparticularclassorclasses,andsomeareforanindividualchildsuchasabirthday.Allcelebrationsareatthediscretionoftheclassroomteacher.EachteacherwillexplainherpolicyforcelebrationsattheBacktoSchoolParentMeetinginthefall.Parentsareexpectedtoabidebytheteacher’spolicyaseachteacherknowswhatwillbebestforherparticularclass.Celebrationsaremeanttoenhancethesocialaspectofschoolandbeameansforallparents(nomattertheirincomelevelorworkschedule)tobeapartoftheseevents.

DuetoCOVID-19,studentsmaynotbringfoodintotheclassroomtobesharedwithotherstudents.Topromotehealthandsafety,studentsshouldconsumeonlythefoodsthattheyhavebroughttoschoolorhavebeenprovidedbytheschool.6.7 LostandFound

Itemslostatschoolwillbeheldinthemainofficefor10daysthentheywillbediscarded.6.8 ResponsibilityforValuablesTheacademiesandparishschoolswithintheDioceseofBrooklynarenotresponsibleforvaluablesthatarelostordamaged.Itisstronglyadvisedthatstudentsdonotbringvaluablesintotheschoolbuildingincludingelectronicdevicessuchastablets,phones,etc.Section6-Transportation6.1 BusproceduresWhilestudentsarebeingtransportingtoandfromtheiracademy/parishschool,itisexpectedthattheywillupholdthebehaviorexpectationsoftheacademy/parishschoolaswellasrulessetforthbythebusdriverorbuscompany.Studentswhocontinuouslydisregardbusproceduresandrulesareatriskoflosingtheiraccesstobustransportation.Eachbuscompanymustholdanevacuationdrillatleastonceayear.Studentsareexpectedtofollowallinstructionsasgivenbythebusdriverorotheradultfacilitatingthedrill.6.2 UseofOtherVehiclesOnlyalicensedpubliccarrierthatisfullyinsuredshouldbeusedtotransportstudents.Teachersoradministratorsshouldnottransportstudentsintheirpersonalvehicles.Parents/legalguardiansmustprovideauthorizationfortheirchildtobetransportedbysomeoneelse.Thisincludestransportationfordismissalaswellasextracurricularactivities.Section7-StudentRecords7.1 ChangeofAddress/PhoneNumberForstudentsafety,itisimperativethatparents/legalguardiansalerttheacademyorparishschooltoanychangesinaddressorphonenumber.Parents/legalguardiansmustalsoprovidetheacademyorparishschoolwithanadequatenumberofemergencycontacts(withuptodateinformation).7.2 EducationalRecordsRequestsIntheeventofastudenttransferringtoadifferentacademy,parishschool,orpublicschool,theschoolwillprovidestudentrecordstotheschooloftransfer.Requestscanbemadeinwritingbytheparent/legalguardianorbytheschoolthatthestudentwillbetransferringto.Theschoolofficeisresponsibleforsendingstudentrecordsdirectlytotheschooloftransfer.Ifrecordsarenotprovidedinatimelyfashion,parentsorlegalguardiansmaycontacttheOfficeoftheSuperintendenttoreceivefurtherassistanceinthismatter.7.3 AuthorizationtoReleaseRecordsAcademiesandparishschoolsmaynotreleasetherecordsofstudentswithoutthewrittenconsentoftheparents/legalguardianstoanyindividual,agencyororganizationotherthanthefollowing:

• Otheracademyorparishschoolofficialswhohavelegitimateeducationalinterests.• Officialsofotheracademiesorparishschoolsinwhichthestudentintendstoenroll.• Officialsofthecourtswithlawfullyissuedjudicialprocess,i.e.,subpoena,courtorder,etc.• PleasenotehealthrecordsarethepropertyoftheDepartmentofHealth.

7.4 ReviewofaChild’sOfficialRecordsParents/legalguardianshavetherighttoinspectanyandallmaterial,whichispartoftheirchild’spermanentrecord.Academiesandparishschoolsrequireparents/legalguardianstoprovideawrittenrequestpriortowhentheywishtoexaminetheirchild’spermanentrecord.Atthetimeofinspection,theacademyorparishschooladministrator,orqualifieddelegate,willbepresent.Section8-HealthandNutrition8.1 MedicalRequirementsTheNewYorkCityDepartmentofHealthrequiresthatallnewstudentsenteringnurserythroughgrade12showproofofhavingreceivedacompletemedicalevaluation.ChildrenwhotransferfromoneschooltoanotherinNewYorkCityarenotconsiderednewstudents.Theserequirementsmaychangefromyeartoyear.NewYorkStateLawstatesthatallstudentsinGradesNurserythrough12mustbeimmunizedasdirectedbytheNewYorkStateandNewYorkCityDepartmentsofHealth.Newstudentsmayenterschoolprovisionallywithdocumentationofaninitialseriesofimmunizations.Onceadmittedprovisionally,astudenthasacertainamountoftimetocontinueandcompletethemedicalrequirements.Studentswhofailtocompletethenecessaryrequirementswithintheappropriatetimeframemustbeexcludedfromschool.ParentsmustproviderecordsofimmunizationtobekeptonfileattheAcademyorparishschool.AnyexemptionstotheimmunizationrequirementsmustbeapprovedbytheAcademyorparishschoolwithdocumentationbeingkeptinthestudent’shealthrecords.OnlymedicalexemptionsarepermittedperNewYorkStateLaw.Religiousexemptionsarenolongerpermissible.

• Fornursery,pre-k,andUPKPrograms--BetweenJuly1andDecember31ofeachyear,allchildrenbetweentheagesof6monthsand59monthsandattendingagroupchildcareorschool-basedchild-careprogrammustreceiveonedoseofinfluenzavaccine.

8.2 AdministeringMedicationsatSchoolSchoolnursesmayadministerover-thecounter-prescriptiondrugstostudentswithwrittenconsentandmedicalauthorizationfromaparentorlegalguardian.Schoolnursesmayadministerprescriptionmedicationthathasbeenprescribedbyaphysicianbutmustbeprovidedwith

• Medicalauthorizationfromtheparentorlegalguardianconsentingtoadministeringthemedication• Amedicalplandevelopedbythechild’sparentsandhealthcareproviderdetailingtheproper

administrationofthemedication,detailsregardingthechild’smedicalconcerns,andotherpertinentdetails.

8.2a AdministeringEpinephrineParentsorguardianswillsupplytheirownepinephrineauto-injectorandmustprovidewrittenconsentandmedicalauthorizationforitsuse.Theacademyorparishschoolmusthaveanup-to-datemedicalstatementonfileforeachchildincare.Forachildwithidentifiedallergiesorwithspecialhealthcareneeds,theacademyorparishschoolmusthaveacopyofanindividualhealthcareplandevelopedbythechild’sparentsandhealthcareprovider.Parentsmustmakeprogramstaffawareoftheindividualhealthcareplanontheirchild’sfirstdayattheprogram.Itistheresponsibilityoftheparent/guardianofthestudentwhoisatriskofanaphylaxis:

• tonotifytheschoolthatthechild/studentisatriskofanaphylaxisandisinneedofthepresenceofepinephrineonschoolpremises

• to indicate to the school if the child/student is capable of self-administration of the epinephrinedevice

• to supply the school with the epinephrine device* in its original packaging as received from thepharmacist

• toreplacetheepinephrinedevicewhenitexpires,discolorsorhasbeenused*Itisrecommendedthattwoepinephrinedevicesbesupplied,thesecondfunctioningasaback-upincaseofmalfunctionorifanextradoseisnecessaryinaccordancewithmedicaldocumentation.8.2b AdministeringEpinephrineonFieldTrips

Intheeventofaschooltriporschooleventconductedoutsideoftheschoolpremises,itistheresponsibilityoftheparent(oradesignatedpersonwhoappearsonthechild’semergencycontactlist)toattendwiththechild/studentforthepurposeofepinephrineadministration,ifnecessary.8.3 City&StateHealthServicesTheEducationLawofNewYorkStatemandatesthatstudentsattendingnonpublicschoolsreceivethesamehealthservicesprovidedtostudentsattendingpublicschools8.4 LimitationsofPhysicalActivities

Parentsmustprovidepaperworkfromadoctorwithmedicalreasonsforlimitationsofphysicalactivities.

8.5 Breakfast/LunchProgramTheAcademydoesnotprovideBreakfastoflunchtostudents.Parentsmustpackalunchfortheirchildeveryday.

Section9-ParentalObligations9.1 ParentalInvolvementHomeisthefirstplacewhereachildlearnsloveandrespectforGodandneighbor.Parents/legalguardians,inchoosingaCatholicschooltocontinuetheeducationbegunathome;haveresponsibilitiesaswellasopportunitiestoshareinthecontinuanceoftheirchildren'seducation.Parentalinvolvementconsistsofparents/legalguardiansandstaffmeetingtogetherbecauseofcommoninterestinthechild.Itisexpressedinmanywayssuchassharinginstudentsupervisioninthelunchroomorplaygroundorservingaslibraryorteacheraide.Insomeinstances,parents/legalguardiansmaybeaskedtoassistinadvocacyinallareasthatwouldbenefittheschools,includingprogramsthatrequestgovernmentassistance,inconsultationwiththeOfficeoftheSuperintendent.Theinvolvementofthetotalfamilyisalsoameansofcommunicatingtheacademy’sandparishschool’sperformancetothetotalparishcommunity.Parentalsupportfortheeducationoftheirchildrenisoftheupmostimportance.Parentsandlegalguardiansarealsoexpectedtoupholdthebehavioralexpectationssetforthforstudentsandstaffwithintheacademyorparishschoolcommunity.Failureofparentstoactinamannercompatiblewiththevaluesoftheacademyorparishschoolmayresultinstudentdismissal.9.2 FundraisingFundraisingplaysanintegralroleinhelpingtheacademymeetitsfinancialobligationseachyear.Itdoesnotprovide“Extra”income.Rather,itisessentialinhelpingcoverbudgetedexpenses.Therefore,allfamiliesareencouragedtoparticipateinallofourfundraisingactivities.9.3 ParentTeacherAssociation(PTA)-HomeAcademyAssociation(HAA)EveryacademyorparishschoolisencouragedtoestablishaHomeSchoolAssociation.Itspurposeistheeducationalenrichmentofparents/legalguardiansandteachers.ThegoaloftheHomeSchoolAssociationistofosteraclearerunderstandingofthemutualresponsibilitiesofparents/legalguardiansandteachersregardingtheeducationofthestudents.AnaddedresponsibilityoftheHomeSchoolAssociationwillbetoassistinthefundraisingeffortsoftheacademyorparishschool.Intheschool,thisisdoneincoordinationwiththeadministration.Inanacademy,itisdoneincoordinationwiththeboardofdirectorsoftheacademy.Noorganizationmayholdtitletoaccountsnorhaveaccesstofundsraisedfortheacademyorparishschool.Allfinancialtransactionsmustbeapprovedbythepastor/academyboardofdirectors.9.4 Volunteering,Chaperoning&VirtusTrainingParentvolunteersandchaperonesareanintegralpartoftheschoolcommunity.Allparents/legalguardians/otheradults,mustcompleteVIRTUStraining,signaCodeofConduct,andcompleteabackgroundcheck.

• TheVIRTUSprogramforadultsisathree-hourliveawarenesssessionthatinstructsadultsoftheChurchthattoprotectchildrenyoumusthavecontinuousawarenessandvigilance.Thisawarenesssessionhelpstraineesunderstandsignsofchildsexualabuse,themethodsandmeansbywhichoffenderscommitabuse,andfiveempowermentstepstopreventchildsexualabuse.

• TheCodeofConductisadocumentthatacknowledgestheimportanceoflegal,professionalandresponsibleconductofallwhoworkwithchildrenandyoungpeople.Allclergy,employeesandvolunteersarerequiredtoreadtheCodeofConductandtosignaStatementofAcknowledgementForm.TheCodeofConductisdistributedatallVIRTUSsessions.

• Allemployeesandvolunteersarealsorequiredtohaveacriminalbackgroundscreeningcompletedbeforetheystarttheiremploymentorservice.TheseformsarealsodistributedatallVIRTUSsessions.AsofMay2010,allbackgroundscreenings(employeesandvolunteers)willbedonethroughtheSafeEnvironmentOffice.ThesearchesaredonethroughLexisNexis(volunteers)orHireRight(employees).Allinformationiskeptconfidentialandifapositiveresultisreturned,thepastor/administratorwillbenotifiedandappropriatestepswillbetaken.Backgroundsearcheswillbererunevery3yearsforemployeesand5yearsforvolunteers

Section10-Safety10.1 EmergencyDrillsPerNewYorkStatelaws,academiesandparishschoolsarerequiredtoconducttwelveemergencydrillsoverthecourseoftheschoolyear.Fourofthesedrillsmustbelockdowndrills.Studentsareexpectedtofollowalldirectivesprovidedtothembyschoolteachersandstaff.Failuretocomplyoractappropriatelyduringemergencydrillswillresultindisciplinaryaction.10.2 SchoolClosingsTheDioceseofBrooklynwillbasetheirclosingsontheNewYorkCityPublicSchoolSystem.IftheNewYorkCityschoolsystemclosesduetoinclementweather,theschoolswithintheDioceseofBrooklynareclosed.Localacademiesandparishschoolsmayalsomakedecisionstoclosetheirindividualschoolsbasedoninclementweatherorotherhazardousconditions(infrastructureissues,flooding,propertydamage,etc.).Parentswillbenotifiedassoonaspossible.Intheeventofaclosureduringtheschoolday,properprovisionswillbemadeforstudentstoreturnhomeortobecaredforinotherpremisesuntilusualdismissaltime.10.3 ProceduresforVisitorsAllvisitorsmustbeadmittedtothebuildingbyschoolstaff.Visitorsshouldproceedtothemainofficetosigninandreceiveavisitordesignation(lanyard,sticker,etc.)ifavailable.Visitorstotheschoolareaskedtoremainintheofficeuntiltheyhaveconfirmedtheirdestinationwithintheschool.Forthesafetyofstaffandstudents,visitorsshouldnotwalkabouttheschoolbutshouldtraveltotheirintendeddestinationwithintheschool.Priortoleavingtheschool,visitorsshouldreturntothemainoffice,signout,andleavethroughthemaindoors.Visitorsshouldnotexitthroughsidedoorstoensurethatbuildingsecurityismaintained.DuringCOVID-19,weaskallparentsandlegalguardianstovisittheacademyorparishschoolonlywhennecessaryaswellastokeepanyvisitsasbriefaspossible. 10.4 VideoSurveillanceCamerasAcademiesandparishschoolswithintheDioceseofBrooklynareauthorizedtousevideocamerasurveillanceonacademy/parishschoolpropertytomonitorthehealth,welfare,andsafetyofallstaff,students,andvisitorstotheproperty,andtosafeguardfacilitiesandequipment.Videocamerasmaybeplacedinlocationsasdeemedappropriatebythedesignatedschooladministrators.ViolationsofDiocesanpolicies,administrativeregulations,buildingrules,orlawsthatimages,videoandaudiocapturethroughsurveillancemaybeusedasevidencethatmaysubjectstudents,staff,andvisitorstoappropriatedisciplinaryandlegalaction,including,butnotlimitedto,disclosuretolawenforcement.

Datafromvideosurveillanceistypicallyretainedforayear.Datarelatedtoaknownincidentwhichinvolvesinjurytostudents,stafformembersofthepublicorproperty,orwhichinvolvesanypotentialviolationofthelaworDiocesanpolicieswillbekeptwithreportsoftheincidentuntiltheincidenthasbeenappropriatelyresolved.Section11-Instruction11.1 GradingPolicyStudentswillberegularlyprovidedwithassignments,aswellasformativeandsummativeassessmentsthatwillbegraded.Inaddition,participation,preparation,andeffortwillbefactorsindeterminingstudentgrades.11.2 HomeworkPolicy

Grades1-4Inanefforttoreinforceconceptslearnedinclassand/orpreparestudentsformaterialtobelearned,aswellastoimpartresponsibilityandastrongworkethic,andtodeveloptime-managementskills,studentsatSaintPeterCatholicAcademywillreceivehomeworkforeachoftheirclassesonaregularbasis.Itisthefirmandunwaveringexpectationoftheprincipalandfacultythatallhomeworkiscompletedontimeandtothebestofeachstudent’sability.Assuch,thefollowingpolicywillbuilduponproceduresalreadyinplaceandwillservetoensurethatstudentsareawareofandcompletetheirhomework: 1.Allhomeworkassignmentswillbebothannouncedanddisplayedintheclassroom. 2.Studentsmustwritetheirhomeworkassignmentsintheiragendabooksdaily.-Inthebeginningof theyear,firstgradestudentswillhavehomeworksheetsstapledintheiragendaseachweek.First gradeparentswillbenotifiedwhentheirchildrenstartwritingtheirassignmentsintheiragendas. 3.Allhomeworkassignmentswillbepostedontheacademy’swebsite, www.stpeteracademy-brooklyn.orgPleasenotethatthewebsiteservesasasecondarymeansof communicationtostudentsofhomeworkassignments.Whilethewebsiteisaprimarytoolof communicationofhomeworkforparents,theagendabookisprimaryforstudents. 4.Forgrades3and4:Ifastudentfailstocompleteahomeworkassignment,he/shewillbeissueda homeworkdemerit.Ifastudentreceivesthreehomeworkdemeritsforasubject,he/shewillbe issuedadetention.Forgrades1and2:5pointswillbedeductedfromastudent’shomeworkgradein agivenclassforeachhomeworkmissed.Pleasenotethatanincompletehomeworkwillbe consideredasa“nohomework.” 5.Parents/guardianswillbenotifiedinwritingwhentheirchildhasbeenissuedademeritand/ora detention.Typically,thedetentionwillbeservedafterschoolonthefollowingday. 6.Shouldastudentreceivethreehomeworkdetentionsinatrimester,he/shemaybesubjecttoan in-schoolsuspension. 7.Aseachnewtrimesterbegins,studentswillhavea“cleanslate.”Thatis,anymissedhomework fromtheprevioustrimesterwillnotbefactoredintothecurrenttrimester.

Grades5-8Inanefforttoreinforceconceptslearnedinclassand/orpreparestudentsformaterialtobelearned,aswellastoimpartresponsibilityandastrongworkethic,andtodeveloptime-managementskills,studentsatSaintPeterCatholicAcademywillreceivehomeworkforeachoftheirclassesonaregularbasis.Itisthefirmandunwaveringexpectationoftheprincipalandfacultythatallhomeworkiscompletedontimeandtothebestofeachstudent’sability.Assuch,thefollowingpolicywillbuilduponproceduresalreadyinplaceandwillservetoensurethatstudentsareawareofandcompletetheirhomework: 1.Allhomeworkassignmentswillbebothannouncedanddisplayedintheclassroom. 2.Studentsmustwritetheirhomeworkassignmentsintheiragendabooksdaily. 3.Allhomeworkassignmentswillbepostedontheacademy’swebsite,

www.stpeteracademy-brooklyn.org Pleasenotethatthewebsiteservesasasecondarymeansofcommunicationtostudentsof homeworkassignments.Whilethewebsiteisaprimarytoolofcommunicationofhomeworkfor parents,theagendabookisprimaryforstudents. 4.Ifastudentfailstocompletethreehomeworkassignmentsforaclass,he/shewillbeissued detention.Further,foreveryassignmentmissedafterthethird,anadditionaldetentionwillbe issued.Pleasenotethatanincompletehomeworkwillbeconsideredasa“nohomework.” 5.Parents/guardianswillbenotifiedinwritingwhentheirchildhasbeenissueddetention.Typically, thedetentionwillbeservedafterschoolonthefollowingday. 6.Shouldastudentreceivethreehomeworkdetentionsinatrimester,he/shemaybesubjecttoan in-schoolsuspension. 7.Aseachnewtrimesterbegins,studentswillhavea“cleanslate.”Thatis,anymissedhomework fromtheprevioustrimesterwillnotbefactoredintothecurrenttrimester.11.3 ProtectingInstructionalTimeMaintainingschoolscheduleandstructureisoftheupmostimportanceduringtheschoolyear.Asacademiesandparishschoolsmaketheircalendarandschedules,theirgoalistoprotectinstructionaltimeasmuchaspossible.Inprotectinginstructionaltime,parentsareaskedtorefrainfromremovingtheirchildduringtheschooldayforunnecessaryactivities.Appointmentsshouldbescheduled,whenpossible,beforeoraftertheschooldayinordertoavoiddisruptingstudentlearning.Vacationsandfamilytripsshouldalsobeplanned,whenpossible,forexistingschoolvacationweeks.Intheeventofanecessaryabsence,parentsshouldalerttheschoolandclassroomteacherassoonaspossible.Ifanextendedabsenceisknown,parentsshouldcommunicatewiththeirchild’steachertocreateaplanformakingupmissedwork.11.4 ReportingStudentProgress11.4a ProgressReports&ReportCardScheduleParents/legalguardianswillreceivereportcardsthreetimesayear,attheendofeachtrimester.Parents/legalguardianswillalsoreceiveprogressreportsduringeachtrimesterpriortoreceivingthereportcards.Itisvitaltoastudent’sprogressthatanopencommunicationexistsbetweenparents/legalguardiansandtheirchild’steacher.Anyconcernsregardingachild’sprogressshouldbeaddressedfirsttothechild’steacher.11.4b ParentTeacherConferencesParents/legalguardianswillhavetheopportunitytoattendparentteacherconferencesattheendofthefirstandsecondtrimesterfollowingreceiptofstudentreportcards.Whiletheseareformallyscheduledconferences,parentsarealsoencouragedtoschedulemeetingswithteachersorotherstaff,whennecessary,todiscusstheirchild’sprogressandlearninggoals.11.4c NYSTestingStudentsingrades4,6,7,and8willparticipateinNewYorkStateTesting.ParentsreceiveanIndividualStudentReport(ISR),whichincludesabreakdownofastudent’sperformanceindifferentskillareaswithinELA,MathandScience.Thishelpsparentsunderstandwheretheirchildisdoingwellandinwhatareasheorshemayneedadditionalpractice.Parentscanusetheseresultstoguideadiscussionwiththeirchild’steacheraboutadditionalsupportsorchallengesthatmaybeneededintheclassroom,aswellaswaystosupportlearningathome.Therearenonegativeconsequenceswhentakingstatetestsasthetestsareconsidereddiagnostic.TheELAandmathtestresultsarenotrecordedonstudentpermanentrecordcardsorreportcards.NewYorkStatelawforbidstheuseofstatetestresultsasthedeterminingfactorinpromotion.11.4d TerraNovaTestingStudentsingrades3-8willparticipateinTerraNovaTestinginthefall.TerraNovatestingisanationally-normed,standardizedtestingprogram.Thisseriesoftestsisissuedtodiagnosestudentperformanceanddevelopstudent-learninggoals.

Section12-InternetUse12.1 OptionCTheOptionCParentPortalallowsparentstobeinvolvedintheirchild’sacademiclifeontheirscheduleandmoreefficiently.Ratherthanwritinganotetoateachertoseehowtheirchildisdoingonassignments,theycanaccesstheportalandseeitinrealtime.TheycancommunicatewithteachersdirectlythroughOptionCremovingtheissuesoflostorblockedemailmessages.Itallowsteacherstocontactparentsdirectlyandkeepsarecordoftheinteractionshoulditbenecessary.Asgradesarerecordedforstudentwork,theycanbesharedwithparents,givinganytimeup-to-dateprogressreports.OptionC'sParentAlertSystemisaflexiblenotificationsystemthatletsitsaudiences-parents,principals,andschoolstaff-communicatequicklyandreliably.Academiesandparishschoolsmayalsocreatealertstosendtoparentsregardingfundraisers,events,drills,communityaffairs,schoolclosingsandanyinformationtheywouldliketocommunicatequickly.Userscandecidehowtheywanttobereached,eitherbyvoice,textoremail,oranycombination.ParentsshouldchecktheirsettingsonOptionCtoensurethatallcontactinformationisuptodateandalloptionsaresetcorrectly.12.2 CommunicationswithTeachersStudentsbenefittremendouslywhenanopenlineofcommunicationexistsbetweenfamiliesandteachers.Itisrecommendedthatparents/legalguardianscommunicateanyconcernsregardingtheirchild.Parents/legalguardiansaswellasteachersshouldalwaysuseOptionC,schoolcommunicationplatforms(I.e.Googleclassroom),oranotesentdirectlytotheteacher/family.Ifneeded,theparent/legalguardianorteachercanscheduleafollow-upmeetingtoaddressanyfurtherissue.Itisalsorecommendedthataparentcommunicatewithateacherregardingtheirconcernspriortoinvolvingtheadministration.Initiatinganopencommunicationwiththeteacherfirstcontinuesapositiverelationshipbetweenfamiliesandteachers.Itisstronglyadvisedthatparentsandteachersdonotusepersonalsocialmediaaccountsorpersonalcellphones(texting)asameansofcommunicationinregardstoschoolrelatedconcerns.Section13-Finances13.1 SchoolTuitionPoliciesThesuccessofourAcademyreliesonthecommitmentofourfamiliestomakeCatholiceducationafinancialpriority.TheAcademyhasfull-yearcontractualandfinancialobligationsthatmustbemet,suchasteachersalaries,utilitybills,buildingmaintenanceandimprovements,andotherexpenses.Familiesthatseekenrollmentarerequiredtosatisfytheannualtuitionbyspecifiedduedates.ThesepoliciesarenotintendedtodepriveanyoneofaCatholiceducation.Itisourdesiretomaintainafairapproachtocollectionoftuitionandtoprovideasoundfinancialpolicyfortheoverallwelfareofourfamilies.Weencourageallresponsiblepartiestomaintainopencommunicationwiththebusinessofficetoensureacompleteunderstandingofeachfamily’sfinancialobligations.ThegoalofouracademyistoprovideaCatholiceducationtoeverystudentwhodesiresone,butonlybymutualcooperationcanwemakecertainthatthisgoalismet.Parentalnon-paymentordelinquencyinmeetingfinancialobligationscreatesanadditionalburdenfortheAcademy.

• Tuitioncontractsspecifyingapaymentschedulewillbepublishedandsharedwithfamilies.Allfamiliesmustsignanenrollmentcontractthatguaranteesthefamilywillberesponsibleforthefullpaymentoftuitionfortheacademicyear.

• AcademieswillarrangeforalltuitionandfeestobecollectedthroughFACTSTuitionManagement.• Tuitionpaymentschedulewillfollowthemostappropriateschedulefortheacademyandparents:

monthly,onepayment,orthreeinstallments.• ATuitionAssistanceCommitteewillbeinplaceateveryschool/academy

13.2 TuitionandotherfeeschedulesTheacademyorparishschoolwillcollecttuitionandfeesoveratenmonthperiod.ThistenmonthperiodwilltypicallyextendfromJunetoMarch.Tuitioncollectionwillbeginpriortothestartoftheschoolyear.Academiesandparishschoolsreservetherighttoplaceseverelydelinquentaccountsinthehandsofacollectionagencyoritsattorneysforcollection.Itisnotourdesirethatanyfamilyshouldincurunnecessarylegalfeesorsufferfurtherembarrassmentorinconvenienceinthisregard.Again,weencouragepromptcommunicationwiththeacademyinanefforttoavoidlitigation.Inordertowithdrawastudent,theparentmustsubmitwrittennoticetotheprincipalinadvanceofthewithdrawdate.Thisenablestheacademytopreparenecessaryinformationandsettleaccounts.Nostudentrecordswillbeforwardedtoanotheracademyorschooluntilallaccountshavebeensettled.Followingthetermsoftheenrollmentcontract,refundswillbemadeonlyinaccordancewiththestatedguidelinesand/oratthediscretionoftheadministration.Therefundmustberequestedpriortothestartoftheperiodforwhichpaymentwouldbemade.13.3 ResourcesforTuitionassistanceCatholiceducationismeanttobeavailabletoeveryCatholicfamily.EveryfamilydesiringaCatholiceducationfortheirchild(ren)willparticipatetotheextentcapableinthecostofprovidingthateducation.EachfamilyinneedoftuitionassistancemustcompleteascholarshipapplicationthroughFuturesinEducation,whichmaycurrentlybefoundat:www.futuresineducation.org/scholarships.TheoneexceptionisfamiliesreturningtotheTeddyForstmannprogramcoordinatedbyChildren’sScholarshipFund.Ifthefamilyrequestsadditionalassistancebeyondtheawardedamount,therequestwillbeforwardedtotheTuitionAssistanceCommittee.Thereviewwillbecompletedasearlyaspossible.13.4 TuitionAssistanceCommitteeTheTuitionAssistanceCommittee isanessentialadvisorybodytothepastor/boardchairandprincipal. Ithasatwo-foldpurpose.

• TheCommitteewillhavetheresponsibilityofdirectinvolvementinthemonitoringandcollectionoftuitionarrearsfromthefamiliesofitsrespectiveschooloracademy.

• TheCommitteewill be empowered to recommendwhenneeded a partial deferment of tuition forfamiliesthathavedemonstratedtruefinancialneedorfaceunforeseenextraordinarycircumstances.Suchadefermentwillestablishafairandjusttuitionratethatwillallowstudentstoremainenrolledwhenevenscholarshipassistanceisnotenough. Thisdiscernmentmustbeguidedbyanapprovedprocess that is fair, transparent and reasonable. Any recommendation made by the TuitionAssistanceCommitteemustbeapprovedbytherespectivepastorofaparochialschoolandtheBoardofDirectorsforanacademy.

Should there be a concern regarding the tuition assistance process or if an appeal for discernment isrequested, parents/guardians shouldpresent their concerns inwriting. In the case of a parish school, thelettershouldbeaddressedtothepastoroftheparish.InthecaseofaCatholicacademy,thelettershouldbeaddressedtothechairpersonoftheBoardofDirectors.Theresponsefromthepastororchairpersonwouldbefinal.13.5 FACTSFACTSisatuitionmanagementcompanydesignedtomaketuitioncollectionsimplerforfamiliesaswellasacademiesandparishschools.TherewillbeoneFACTSrecordperfamily,andeachstudentmustbelistedseparately.Thisprovidesvaluabledetailaboutthechargesanddiscountseachstudentisreceiving.Inturn,thisprovidestheacademybetterreporting.AmajorbenefitofFACTSistheabilitytoprocessautomaticdraftsofthepayer’sbankaccountorcreditcard.Thereisa2.85%conveniencefeeoncreditcardtransactions.FACTSdoesofferaninvoicingoptionaswell.Withthisoption,FACTSwillsendaninvoicetothepayer(viaemailorpostalmail)20calendardayspriortothepaymentduedate.Thepayermusttheninitiatepaymenteitherbyusingacreditcardorbankaccountonline,overthephone,orbymailingacheckdirectlytoFACTS.Familiesareencouragedtopayviaautomaticdraft.FACTSalsoallowsforflexiblepaymentoptions.Commonoptionsaremonthlypayments,threetrimesterpayments,andapaymentinfull.

13.6 TuitionDelinquency• Bystandardpractice,FACTSwillsendpaymentreminderspriortoanyduedate,returnedpayment

noticesinthecaseofafailedpayment,andwillmakeautomatedphonecallstodelinquentpayers.Payerswhofailtocommunicatewiththeacademyandresolvethedelinquencythroughapaymentscheduleapprovedbytheacademywillresultinsuspensionofservicesforthestudent.

• Studentswillnotbepermittedtoattendclassatthestartofthetrimestershouldanybalancebepastdue.

• Nostudentwillbepermittedtobeginanacademicyearunlessallregistrationandotherrequiredfeesarecurrent.RegistrationandotherrequiredfeesarepaidthroughFACTSTuitionManagementatenrollment.EnrollmentforstudentswhosefamiliesarenotcurrentintheregistrationorotherrequiredfeesbyJune30maybecancelledatthediscretionoftheacademy.Innoeventwillstudentsbepermittedtoattendclassatthecommencementoftheacademicyearunlessthedelinquencyispaidinfull.

• Inordertoparticipateingraduationactivities,alldebtsforeighthgradestudentsmustbeclearedbythefirstMondayofMay.Eighthgradetranscriptswillnotbereleasedtothehighschoolsifthefinancialobligationshavenotbeenmet.

• Allfeesmustbepaidinfullbeforerecordsorprogressreportswillbeprocessed.Itisthesolediscretionoftheacademytowithholdtrimesterexams,reportcards,transcripts,records,anddiplomasuntilallfinancialobligationsaresatisfiedinfull.

Section14-SafeEnvironment14.1 ReportingInappropriateBehaviorwithChildrentoPrincipalTheChildLures/TeenLuresPreventionprogramsarepresentedtothechildrenandyouthwhoattendeachacademyorparishschool.Thisprogramistailoredtodifferentagegroupsandcoverstopicssuchasstayinghealthyandsafe,kindnessandrespect,trustedadults,mybodybelongstome,childluring,choosinggrown-upstohelp,childrenarespecial,andabuseisneverachild’sfault(topicswillvarybasedonagelevelappropriateness).Forolderstudents,topicsincludesexualassault,harassment,datingviolence,bullying/cyberbullying,sexting,identitytheft,onlineluring,suicideandhumantraffickingwiththegoaloffacilitatingauthenticconversationstobringawarenesstothetopics.Eachprogramprovidesteacherswiththeresourcestofacilitateappropriateconversations.Parents/legalguardianswillalsobeprovidedwithalinktoaccessparentguidesdigitallytocontinuetheconversationswithintheirhomes.14.2 ChildrenreportingtotheirparentsTheNewYorkCityTobaccoProductsRegulationsActof1994curtailsexposuretotobaccouseonschoolgrounds.Forthepurposeofthislegislation“schoolgrounds”meansthe“buildings,groundsorfacilities,oranypartthereof,ownedoroccupiedbypublicorprivateinstitutionsfortheprimarypurposeofprovidingeducationalinstructionstostudentsatorbelowthetwelfthgradelevel.”Tobaccouseisnotpermittedonschoolgroundsatanytime.A“tobaccoproduct”isanysubstance,whichcontainstobaccoincludingbutnotlimitedtocigarettes,cigars,pipetobacco,andchewingtobacco.NewYorkCityregulationsarefarmorestringentthantheregulationspromulgatedbyNewYorkState.However,schoolssubjecttotherulesofthismunicipality,asaretheschoolsoftheDioceseofBrooklyn,mustfollowthelocallaws.Thus,smokingisprohibitedonALLSCHOOLPREMISESATANYTIME.Forthesafetyofourstudents,alcoholisalsoprohibitedfrombeingconsumedonschoolpremisesatanytime.14.3 ChildLuresPreventionProgramTheChildLures/TeenLuresPreventionprogramsarepresentedtothechildrenandyouthwhoattendeachacademyorparishschool.Thisprogramistailoredtodifferentagegroupsandcoverstopicssuchasstayinghealthyandsafe,kindnessandrespect,trustedadults,mybodybelongstome,childluring,choosinggrown-upstohelp,childrenarespecial,andabuseisneverachild’sfault(topicswillvarybasedonagelevelappropriateness).Forolderstudents,topicsincludesexualassault,harassment,datingviolence,

bullying/cyberbullying,sexting,identitytheft,onlineluring,suicideandhumantraffickingwiththegoaloffacilitatingauthenticconversationstobringawarenesstothetopics.Eachprogramprovidesteacherswiththeresourcestofacilitateappropriateconversations.Parents/legalguardianswillalsobeprovidedwithalinktoaccessparentguidesdigitallytocontinuetheconversationswithintheirhomes.14.4 AlcoholandDrugFreeZonePolicyTheNewYorkCityTobaccoProductsRegulationsActof1994curtailsexposuretotobaccouseonschoolgrounds.Forthepurposeofthislegislation“schoolgrounds”meansthe“buildings,groundsorfacilities,oranypartthereof,ownedoroccupiedbypublicorprivateinstitutionsfortheprimarypurposeofprovidingeducationalinstructionstostudentsatorbelowthetwelfthgradelevel.”Tobaccouseisnotpermittedonschoolgroundsatanytime.A“tobaccoproduct”isanysubstance,whichcontainstobaccoincludingbutnotlimitedtocigarettes,cigars,pipetobacco,andchewingtobacco.NewYorkCityregulationsarefarmorestringentthantheregulationspromulgatedbyNewYorkState.However,schoolssubjecttotherulesofthismunicipality,asaretheschoolsoftheDioceseofBrooklyn,mustfollowthelocallaws.Thus,smokingisprohibitedonALLSCHOOLPREMISESATANYTIME.Forthesafetyofourstudents,alcoholisalsoprohibitedfrombeingconsumedonschoolpremisesatanytime.14.5 SignsofSuicide(SOS)PreventionProgramSOSSignsofSuicide(SOS)isauniversal,school-basedpreventionprogramdesignedformiddleschool(ages11-13)andhighschool(ages13-17)students.Thegoalsofthisprogramare:

• Decreasesuicideandsuicideattemptsbyincreasingstudentknowledgeandadaptiveattitudesaboutdepression

• Encouragepersonalhelp-seekingand/orhelp-seekingonbehalfofafriend• Reducethestigmaofmentalillnessandacknowledgetheimportanceofseekinghelportreatment• Engageparentsandschoolstaffaspartnersinpreventionthrough“gatekeeper”education• Encourageschoolstodevelopcommunity-basedpartnershipstosupportstudentmentalhealth

Throughavideoandguideddiscussion,studentslearntoidentifywarningsignsofsuicideanddepression.Attheendofthesession,studentscompleteaseven-questionscreeningfordepression(anonymousorsigned–theschoolcandecide)tofurtherencouragehelp-seekingandconnectstudentsatriskwithtrustedadults.ThecurriculumraisesawarenessaboutbehavioralhealthandencouragesstudentstoACT(Acknowledge,Care,Tell)whenworriedaboutthemselvesortheirpeers.

Section15-COVID-19*AllhealthrelatedpoliciesandprocedureshavebeenadoptedfromtheregulationspublishedbytheNYCDepartmentofEducationinpartnershipwiththeNYCBoardofHealth.15.1 HygieneandHealthRequirements15.1a FaceCoveringsStudentsarerequiredtowearfacecoveringswhenintheschoolbuildingandmaintainappropriatesocial/physicaldistancing.Studentsshouldbringanappropriatefacecoveringfromhome.Theschoolwillhavesurgicalmasksavailableforstudentsasneeded.Students’clothfacecoveringsshouldbeclearlyidentifiedwiththeirnamesorinitials,toavoidconfusionorswapping.Students’facecoveringsmayalsobelabeledtoindicatetop/bottomandfront/back.Non-disposablemaskshouldbewasheddaily.

Allvisitorstotheschoolforanyreasonwillalwaysberequiredtowearafacecoveringwhileonschoolgroundsorintheschoolbuilding.FacultyandStaffarealsorequiredtowearmasksAllmasksforfaculty,staff,andstudentsaresubjecttoapprovalbytheprincipalandOfficeoftheSuperintendentofSchools.Masksshouldbeplainandfreeofanyobjectionablestatementsorsupportforanygroup,product,politicalview,andsoon,otherthanthenameoftheirParishSchoolorCatholicAcademy.Studentswillbeprovidedopportunitiesforshortbreakstoremovemasksthroughouttheday,whilesocialdistancing,inadditiontoremovingthemduringoutdoortimesandwhileeating.

15.1b SocialDistancingClassroomsandotherschoolareaswillbesetuptoensuresocialdistancingbetweenstudents.Studentswillalsoberequiredtomaintainsocialdistancewhentheyarenotattheirdesk.Thisisparticularlyimportantwhenstudentsarenotwearingfacecoveringssuchaswhileeatingorduringmaskbreaks.15.2 HealthPoliciesIfastudentorstaffmembersdisplayssymptomsofCOVID-19duringtheschoolday,thefollowingprocedureswillbefollowed:

• EachbuildingwillhaveadesignatedIsolationRoomforstudentsorstaffwhodisplaysymptoms• AstudentshowingsymptomsofCOVID-19willbeescortedtotheIsolationRoombyastaffmember

wearingappropriatepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE).• Theareawherethestudentwasshowingsymptomswillbeimmediatelycleanedanddisinfected.• Thestudentwillbeevaluatedbythenurse/healthprofessionalintheIsolationRoom.• Afamilymemberorguardianwillbecontactedbyastaffmemberandaskedtopickupthestudent.• Uponpickup,thenurse/healthprofessionalandschoolstaffwillstronglyadvisethefamilytovisita

doctorandgetthestudenttestedforCOVID-19• AnystudentplacedintheIsolationRoomwillbeadequatelysupervisedbyastaffmemberduring

thistimeuntiltheillstudentcanbepickedup.

15.2a HealthScreeningsParents/legalguardianswillbeaskedtocheckstudenttemperaturesandscreenstudentsforsymptomspriortotheirarrivaltoschoolgrounds.Intheeventthatparents/legalguardiansareunabletodoso,schoolstaffmemberswillbedesignatedtocompletehealthscreenings.Itisaskedthatallparents/legalguardiansarevigilantintemperatureandsymptomscreeningsfortheirchildrenforthesafetyofotherstudentsaswellasstaffmembers.Schoolstaffwillalsoperformrandomtemperaturescreeningsforbothstudentsandstaffmembersusingno-touchthermometers.SymptomsofCOVID-19are:

• Feverof100.0°Forhigherorchills• Cough,shortnessofbreathordifficultybreathing,• Fatigue,• Muscleorbodyaches,• Headache,• Lossoftasteorsmell,• Sorethroat,congestionorrunnynose,• Nauseaorvomiting,• Diarrhea.

15.3b StudentsExcludedfromIn-PersonLearningSchool-basedstaffandstudentscannotreporttoschooliftheyhave:

• Beenknowinglyincloseorproximatecontactinthepast14dayswithanyonewhohastestedpositivethroughadiagnostictestforCOVID-19orwhohasorhadsymptomsofCOVID-19.

• TestedpositivethroughadiagnostictestforCOVID-19inthepast14days.• ExperiencedanysymptomsofCOVID-19,includingatemperatureofgreaterthan100.0°F,inthepast

14days.• TraveledinternationallyorfromastatewithwidespreadcommunitytransmissionofCOVID-19per

theNewYorkStateTravelAdvisoryinthepast14days.

15.4 ReturningtoSchoolafterShowingSymptomsAnyindividual(studentorstaffmember)showingsignsofCOVID-19canonlyreturntoschoolwhenthefollowingconditionsaremet:• ReceivedapositiveCOVID-19testAND• Isolatedfor10daysAND• PresentsclearancefromahealthcareproviderAND• Theindividualhasbeensymptomfreefor24hourswithouttheuseofmedication.

OR• ReceivedanegativeCOVID-19testAND• PresentsclearancefromahealthcareproviderAND• Theindividualhasbeensymptomfreefor24hourswithouttheuseofmedication.

OR• NevergotaCOVID-19testAND• Atleast10dayshavepassedsincesymptomsstartedAND• PresentsclearancefromahealthcareproviderAND• Theindividualhasbeensymptomfreefor24hourswithouttheuseofmedication.

IfDOHMHorNYCTest&TraceCorpsdeterminetheindividualisconsideredaclosecontactofapositivecase,theindividualcanonlyreturntoschoolwhenallthefollowingaremet:• Theindividualhascompleteda14-dayquarantineregardlessofsymptomsorCOVID-19testresults

sincetheirlastexposuretothatcaseAND• PresentsclearancefromahealthcareproviderevaluationAND• Thestudenthasbeensymptomfreefor24hourswithouttheuseofmedication.• Studentsinquarantineshouldparticipateinremotelearningiffeelingwellenough.

15.3 SchoolClosuresAcademiesandparishschoolswithintheDioceseofBrooklynwillcontinuetoworktoprovidein-personlearningaslongasitissafetodoso.AcademiesandparishschoolswillfollowguidancefromlocalBoardofHealthofficialsaswellasdirectivesfromtheCityofNewYorktoensurestudentsafety.PertheNewYorkCityDepartmentofEducation,“Inorderforschoolstoreopenandstayopen,thepercentageofpositivetestsinNewYorkCitymustbelessthan3%usinga7-dayrollingaverage.SchoolswillneedtocloseifthepercentagesofpositivetestsinNewYorkCityareequaltoormorethan3%usinga7-dayrollingaverage.Itisimportanttonotethattheabovethresholdisjustonetriggerforclosingschoolsbutmaynotbetheonlytrigger.Forexample,adecisiontocloseschoolswouldbemadewheretherewererecurrent,uncontrolledoutbreaksofCOVID-19inschools,eveniftheoverallcaseratesacrossNewYorkCityweretoremainlow.”Intheeventofpositivecasesreportedwithintheschoolcommunity,thefollowingprocedureswillbefollowedperNYCTest&TraceCorpsandDOHMHInvestigations:

NumberofCases DuringInvestigation(atleast24hrs)

AfterInvestigation

Oneconfirmedcaseinaclassroom

Closeclassroomwithpositivecase,transitiontoremotelearning

Classroomremainsclosedfor14days;Studentsandstaffinclosecontactwithpositivecasequarantinefor14days

Atleasttwocaseslinked Closeclassroomwithpositive Classroomremainsclosedfor14

togetherinschool,sameclassroom

cases,transitiontoremotelearning

days;Studentsandstaffinclosecontactwithpositivecasesquarantinefor14days

Atleasttwocaseslinkedtogetherinschool,differentclassrooms

Closeschoolbuilding,transitiontoremotelearning

Classroomoreachcaseremainsclosedfor14days;Studentsandstaffinclosecontactwithpositivecasesquarantinefor14days.Additionalschoolmembersarequarantinedbasedonwheretheexposurewasintheschool(e.g.,thelockerroom)

Atleasttwocaseslinkedtogetherbycircumstancesoutsideofschool(e.g.,acquiredinfectionbydifferentsettingandsource)

Closeschoolbuilding,transitiontoremotelearning

Schoolopensafterinvestigation;Classroomsremainclosedfor14days

Atleasttwocases,notlinkedbutexposureconfirmedforeachoutsideofschoolsetting

Closeschoolbuilding,transitiontoremotelearning

Schoolopensafterinvestigation;Classroomsremainclosedfor14days

Linkunabletobedetermined

Closeschoolbuilding,transitiontoremotelearning

Closeschoolfor14days

15.4 DistanceLearningDistancelearningthatisfacilitatedbyaCatholicAcademyorParishSchoolwithintheDioceseofBrooklynisboundbyallpartsoftheAcceptableUsePolicy.Asdistancelearningrequirestheuseofothermediumssuchasteleconferencingplatforms,virtualclassrooms,digitalfiletransferandonlinework,thereareotherfactorsthatneedtobeaddressed.

• DeviceUsage–Theuseofschool/academyorpersonaldevicesfordistancelearningisallowed.Itisrecommendedthatallschool/academyissuedaccountsonlybeusedforschoolworkpurposesandthatthoseaccountsaresignedoutofafterworkiscompleted.Allusageisgovernedbythispolicy.

• Video/AudioConferencing–Videooraudio-conferencingplatformsmaybeusedtofacilitateclassmeetingsandcommunicationbetweenteachersandstudentsforteachingandgroupwork.Whenusingtheseplatforms,participantsmustremembertoconductthemselvesinaprofessionalmannercommensuratewithbehaviorexpectedinaphysicalclassroom.Enteringmeetingsotherthanthoseyouareexplicitlyinvitedtobythecoordinator(teacher,principal,etc.)isstrictlyprohibited.Tryingtocircumventthesecurityofameeting,“hijacking”apresentationordisplayinganyobjectionablecontentduringameetingisadirectviolationofthispolicyandsubjecttothedisciplinaryactionscontainedwithin.Recordingofvideo/audioconferencesisalsoprohibited.

• FileTransfer/Submission–Thetransmittaloffilesmayberequiredattimesforteacherstoprovideandstudentstosubmitwork.Thewillfultransferofobjectionablematerial,maliciouscontentoranyothersuchtransmissionsisaviolationofthispolicy.

• LearningPlatforms–TheuseoflearningplatformssuchasThinkCentral,Learn360,Mathletics,Microsoft365,GoogleClassroomandothersisforthesolepurposeofsupportingandfurtheringtheeducationofstudents.Anyuseoftheseplatformsforanyotherreasonmaybeconsideredaviolationofthispolicy.

• Anyuseormisuseofthetechnologyprovidedfordistancelearningthatinterfereswiththeeducationofstudentsortheoperationsoftheschool/academyisaviolationofthispolicy.