St. Joseph Regional Catholic School Salem, New Hampshire
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SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
Admissions
As a diocesan school, St. Joseph Regional Catholic School exists primarily to serve families
deeply committed to their Catholic faith, especially those from the regional sponsor parishes. It
is a school that is proud of its Catholic tradition and identity.
In light of this, the admissions personnel place much importance on a family’s demonstrated
commitment to the Catholic faith. The pastor’s recommendation is a key document in the
admission packet.
Provided all conditions for admission have been met, priority consideration will be given to:
1. Siblings of students presently enrolled
2. Active Catholics from the regional sponsor parishes
3. Catholic children from parish kindergartens (St. Joseph & Holy Angels)
4. Catholic children of alumni/ae
5. New Hampshire Catholics
6. Massachusetts Catholics
7. Non-Catholics
SJRCS adheres to the entrance requirements of the State of New Hampshire regarding age,
inoculations, and physicals. All transferring students are accepted at St. Joseph Regional
Catholic School on a 90-day trial basis.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for academic success.
A. Absence
When a student is not in class for any reason, he/she is considered absent. Any student who is
absent from school may not participate in or attend any extracurricular activity after school (i.e.
sports events, dances, club activities, etc.)
B. Reporting Procedures
If a student is going to be absent or tardy, a parent should notify the school by 8:00 AM. (The
school answering machine is available for early messages.) If for some reason the school is
not notified, a call will be made to the home of every child who is absent. This program is
designed to ensure the safety of our children.
C. Professional Appointments
Except for emergencies, medical and dental appointments should be scheduled outside of
school time. If this is not possible, the student must request missed work upon returning to
school.
D. Family Vacations
School vacations are scheduled to allow students to avail themselves of recreational and
educational opportunities. The school strongly discourages alternative vacation periods for
students. Instruction, discussion, media presentations, hands-on activities, and special
classroom or school-wide events cannot be made up by paperwork alone. Occasionally, a
special family reunion or an exceptional opportunity for a “once in a lifetime” trip may justify an
absence. Such instances are rare and certainly do not occur on a yearly basis. When parents
choose to create alternative vacation times, they assume full responsibility for their child’s
missed instruction. Teachers will not prepare work for the child prior to the alternative vacation.
Work will be collected during the child’s absence and, upon returning, the child will have seven
calendar days to make up all work for full credit. For any work turned in after the seven calendar
days, the highest possible grade will be 75%. Any work not turned in after a reasonable amount
of time will be graded at 0%. All missed work must be made up.
E. Suspensions
When an absence from school or class results from any suspension or disciplinary action, the
highest grade that can be given for make-up work is 75%. As in all other cases of absence, it is
the student’s responsibility to request missed work upon return to school or class. Any work not
turned in after a reasonable amount of time will be graded at 0%. All missed work must be
made up.
F. Illness
It is the student’s responsibility to request missed work when returning to school after an
illness. The student will be allowed two calendar days for each school day missed to complete
the work for full credit. If the work is turned in late, the highest grade possible will be 75%. Any
work not turned in after a reasonable amount of time will be graded at 0%. All missed work
must be made up.
G. Excessive Absenteeism
A pattern of absenteeism places a student in academic jeopardy. A student who has missed
school for several days becomes the concern of his/her teachers and of the administration. In
such cases, the school will communicate with the parent to determine the status of the student.
An accrual of twenty (20) or more absences in a school year may result in retention.
H. Tardiness
A student’s tardiness is disruptive to classmates and teachers and has a negative influence on
a child’s day. Punctuality is a positive trait which we must help our children to cultivate.
Circumstances beyond anyone’s control (late buses, traffic congestion, weather, etc.)
sometimes come into play. Repeated tardiness, however, will not be tolerated. Appropriate
consequences will apply based on the student’s grade level and on the reasons for the frequent
late arrival.
I. Early Dismissal
If a child must be dismissed early, a note should be sent in with the child. The note should be
presented to the teacher and then brought to the office. In addition to the child’s name and the
reason for early dismissal, the note should include the student’s homeroom, the time the
student will be picked up, and the telephone number where the parent can be reached in case
the office must call. No child will be called out of class before the parent arrives. In all cases,
the parent must come into the building and sign the early dismissal log. If someone other than
the parent is picking up the child, this must be stated in the note. A picture identification may be
requested if the person is not known to the reception or office staff.
Communication
A. School/Family Communication
1. A newsletter is published every Thursday to keep the entire school community informed of
current happenings within the school. This publication is sent home with the oldest child in
each family. It is also posted on the SJRCS website on Friday. It is important that parents read
this communication since it often contains information that is time sensitive. Keeping up-to-
date with the newsletter prevents adult frustration and student upsets. It also eliminates many
unnecessary phone calls.
2. The school website (www.sjrcs.com) has been constructed as a source of information
and communication for the school. It contains timely information in the form of the newsletter,
school calendar, monthly activity calendar, lunch menu, etc. Various forms and permission
slips are also posted for parent convenience. Parents are encouraged to check the site often.
B. Parent/Teacher Communication
Many misunderstandings can be avoided when there is good parent/teacher communication.
Specific communication procedures vary at different grade levels. Certain policies, however, are
in effect throughout the school
1. All communication is to be conducted in a mutually respectful manner.
2. Teachers may be reached by calling the school office or by sending a note requesting a
conference or a phone call. Faculty members will make every attempt to respond in a timely
fashion.
3. Teachers should never be interrupted while on duty. It is very distracting to try to
conference with a parent while maintaining a proper level of supervision. The teacher’s first
responsibility at that time is the safety of the students.
4. Parents should also realize that confidentiality is compromised when they try to
conference with a teacher in a public setting, such as at a school function, or at a chance
meeting at the supermarket, the church, the school parking lot or office. A teacher’s apparent
reluctance to conference in such settings may be interpreted as signaling a lack of flexibility, but
in reality is often due to the fact that there are other people in the area who can easily overhear a
conversation.
5. Parents are asked to respect a teacher’s off-duty time. Staff members should never be
called at home unless they specifically request this.
6. Teachers are encouraged to contact parents whenever a misunderstanding or problem
arises. Likewise, parents are encouraged to contact teachers if they have concerns or are
confused about some matter regarding their child. If the parent and/or the teacher are not
satisfied with the results of the conference, the problem should be brought to the
Administration.
Emergency Information
An Emergency Information Form must be completed and returned to the school on opening
day. In the event that a child becomes ill, it is imperative that school personnel be able to reach
a parent/guardian. The school office must be notified of any changes in the information
submitted on the form so that emergency information can be kept current throughout the school
year.
When circumstances arise which may pose a danger to students and faculty (i.e. severe
weather, heat failure, flooding, etc.), the school reserves the right to dismiss the student body.
Appropriate notification of parents will be attempted via radio, TV, or homeroom phone trees.
The Superintendent of Salem schools determines the need for emergency dismissals unless
the emergency is specific to SJRCS.
Finance
A. Diocesan Support Policy
The Catholic School Support Policy of the Diocese of Manchester recognizes that Catholic
schools are an important ministry of the Church. In order to help support this ministry, the
Diocese assesses a portion of each parish’s income and uses these funds to help finance a
Catholic Education for Catholic families who meet the following criteria:
1. Registration in a New Hampshire parish or mission
2. Contributor of record in a New Hampshire parish or mission
3. Active participation in the life of a New Hampshire parish or mission
B. Procedure
During the month of January, the school sends to each pastor a list of families currently
supported. The pastor determines whether or not these families meet the criteria to remain on
the list and returns the list to the school.
New enrollees, as well as current enrollees who do not receive the supported tuition rate, need
to obtain a “Supported Student Form” during registration. Parents must obtain their pastor’s
signature on this form to prove that they meet the criteria. It is then each parent’s responsibility
to return this form to the school by March 15th. Once the budget has been set, it is impossible
to change a family’s status from non-supported to supported. For this reason, new enrollees
who register after March 15th are not eligible for the supported rate during their first year at the
school.
It is important that those families receiving the supported rate continue to maintain active
participation in their parish. If families move to a new parish, they should be diligent about
registering in the new parish and should use parish envelopes for their contributions. They
should also introduce themselves to the new pastor and become active in the parish. Families
who have a change in their financial situations and find themselves unable to contribute to the
parish should speak to their pastor and explain the situation to him. SJRCS has no role in
determining whether a family is supported or non-supported. It is the family’s responsibility to
maintain a good relationship with the pastor so that he will recognize the family as one that
meets the criteria of being an active, registered and contributing parish family.
C. Tuition
As a tuition-based school, SJRCS depends on the timely payment of tuition and fees in order to
maintain its own obligations in a timely fashion.
1. Student tuition and fees are set annually by the principal and advisory board and must be
approved by the Diocesan School Office.
2. Tuition is payable in eleven (11) monthly payments, beginning in July and ending with the
May payment of each school year. This collection is handled by the FACTS Tuition Collection
Program.
3. Tuition may also be paid in full before July 1st. A discount is given with this option. The
percent varies from year to year based on banking interest rates.
4. Families experiencing difficulty in making tuition payments are advised to contact the
Business Office immediately. Every effort will be made to work out a mutually satisfactory
arrangement.
5. Student records will not be released and students will not receive diplomas or final report
cards until all financial obligations have been met. Any costs incurred by the school in the
collection of past due accounts will be added to the delinquent account.
D. Lunch Accounts
Our food service department provides nutritious and affordable hot lunches. Daily lunch
regularly features a homemade main course, fresh fruit and/or vegetables, and specially made
desserts. The cost of lunch is $2.00 per day or $10.00 per week. Milk may be purchased
separately for $0.40. Extra servings of the main course are available for an additional $1.00.
Machine beverages (juice and water) and a wide selection of ice cream treats are also available
to students for separate purchase. Soft drinks may not be purchased from the machines at
lunchtime.
A separate menu featuring subs and salads is available daily to the Junior High students except
on pizza days.
At the beginning of each month, parents should deposit into their child’s account enough money
to cover breakfast and/or lunch for that month. If an account runs out of money, the parent will
be notified and the child will be fed from the regular menu for one week. If the account is not
replenished, the child will be fed peanut butter or cheese sandwiches until the account is
brought up-to-date.
Financial assistance is available for qualified families. To receive this federal assistance, a
Free and Reduced Lunch Assistance Application must be completed. These forms are sent
home at the beginning of the school year and should be returned to the Food Services Director,
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School, 40 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079.
E. Financial Aid
Limited funds are granted each year in the form of financial aid to families who otherwise would
have difficulty meeting their full tuition obligations. Financial aid forms are available in the
school office or will be mailed upon request.
1. No application for financial aid can be considered unless the applicant has completed
enrollment for the school year of application.
2. Applications must be completed in full and must include a current tax form 1040/1040A.
3. All information submitted is maintained in a confidential file.
4. Financial aid allocations are determined by an outside consultant on the basis of need.
5. Financial aid forms must be completed each year.
6. Applications must be received by the school no later than May 1st for each school year.
The disposition of each application will be determined before July 1st.
7. Families receiving financial aid are expected to remain current with their portion of the
financial obligations (tuition, fees, incurred expenses)
8. Families receiving financial aid are encouraged to volunteer their time to help the school
community.
F. Fees and Incurred Expenses
In addition to tuition, families may incur other expenses. These expenses vary from family to
family and may include expenses for Food Service or ECP, for sports and activities, for textbook
or school property damage, for lost/missing sports equipment, etc. Any expense that a student
incurs during the school year must be paid in full before the last day of school.
Health
A. First Aid Office
There is a trained first aid provider in the school from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM to attend to the
medical needs of the students. A nurse maintains records and is available for consultation. The
office is run in accordance with regulations set forth by the State of New Hampshire Department
of Health and Human Services. This Department periodically inspects SJRCS student medical
records to verify that the office is in compliance with state regulations.
B. Illness or Accident
When ill or injured, a student is to notify the classroom teacher or the teacher on duty. With
teacher permission, the student is to report to the First Aid Office for evaluation. Parents will be
called as deemed necessary.
When a child wakes up with a fever or an upset stomach, the child should be kept home. When
symptoms are less clear-cut, it is not always easy to decide whether or not the child should be
sent to school. If the child has been awake a good part of the night, has a hacking cough,
congestion, a bad sore throat, sneezing, etc., the child is probably contagious and should be
kept home. If the child simply has the sniffles, the child should probably be sent to school with
a reminder to frequently wash hands and/or use the Purell.
C. Medication
SJRCS complies with state regulations regarding the administration of medication to children.
When possible, a medical regime should be scheduled at home so that the child will not
require medication during school hours.
In accordance with the State of NH (RSA 541-A 1/74), a medical doctor must prescribe all
medications that need to be dispensed during school hours. This includes over-the-counter
drugs (i.e. Tylenol, Motrin, cough syrups, etc.) Medical Release Forms are available at the
school office. These must be signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent. The
form must include the name of the drug, the dosage, and the time of day the medication is to be
taken. The medication must be submitted to the office in the original prescription container and
the first dosage must always be given at home.
D. Stipulations
1. The school must be notified of allergies or medical problems.
2. Any student with an elevated temperature will be sent home.
3. Any student who has vomited will be sent home.
4. Parents will be notified of any injury to the head.
5. Minor foreign bodies in the eye will be washed with isotonic eyewash. If that treatment is
ineffective, parents will be notified.
6. Bug bites and occasional minor rashes will be treated with 1% hydrocortisone cream or
calamine lotion.
7. All cuts will be washed with dial soap and water or an antiseptic wipe. At times, first aid
cream, bactine or peroxide will be used on cuts and abrasions. Antibiotic ointment will be used
if the cut is considered deep or dirty.
8. Any student who is unable to participate in gym class for more than one week must have
a written directive from a physician. When a student is to be excused from a single gym period,
a parent must send a written note.
9. The school should be notified if a student develops a new medical condition during the
school year or if a child is ill with a communicable disease (other than routine colds and flu).
10. Parents should call the First Aid Office if they have any questions about policies or
procedures or if they need special accommodations for their child.
E. Personal Hygiene
Basic personal hygiene (i.e. routine showering, hair shampooing, nail cleaning and clipping) is
expected of all students. As students mature, deodorant should be used as needed, especially
on Physical Education days. Perfume, cologne and scented lotions are not permitted.
Inclement Weather
Salem School District delays and cancellations apply to SJRCS. A notice regarding the delay or
cancellation is posted on the school phone as is information pertaining to the ECP. The
following stations announce Salem School District information:
Television: Salem School District Channel CTV-6
WBZ – 4
WCVB – 5
WHDH – 7
WMUR – 9
Radio: WBZ – 1030AM
WRKO – 680AM
WGIR – 610AM & 101FM
WZID – 95.7FM
Families should use their best judgment in making decisions about school attendance on
inclement weather days. Although SJRCS discourages absence from school, there is no
school obligation that is worth risking anyone’s safety. Consideration needs to be given to the
location of the family home and to the condition of roads in that area. The type and condition of
the vehicle to be driven and the driver’s comfort level in difficult weather situations also need to
be considered. Unless the Salem Superintendent has cancelled school for the day, it is always
a parent’s decision whether or not to send a child to school during inclement weather or when a
major storm is predicted to begin during the school day.
Parents may pick up their children at any time during a storm. We request that the school not be
called in advance. Office personnel will page students when parents arrive. No child will be
allowed to go home with another adult unless there is parental authorization.
Salem Bus Students may be sent home early during a storm. SJRCS has no control over the
Salem buses. If they are sent to the school early, bus students are dismissed accordingly.
Parents will not be called and notified. Children should know what to do in such an event. The
stations listed above announce any changes in the Salem District schedule and post
notifications of Salem early dismissals.
The St. Joseph Bus will always follow the Salem morning schedule. SJRCS reserves the right
to dismiss St. Joseph Bus riders early during inclement weather. In such a case, parents will
be called so that students can be met at drop-off locations. Parents who are not going to be at
their usual numbers on a storm day must notify the school. A note should be sent giving a new
number or giving permission for the child to stay in the ECP or to go home with another parent.
If no note is sent and a parent cannot be reached, the child will be placed in the ECP and must
be picked up by 4:00PM.
The ECP will close at 4:00PM during a storm. Parents of students normally in the program will
be called.
Planning ahead is key to avoiding problems during inclement weather days. All SJRCS
personnel are concerned with the safety of the students and make every effort to assure that
safety. Parents can help by making plans for dealing with problems caused by inclement
weather, by discussing those plans with their children, by notifying the school of those plans
and by sending to the school all needed information.
Unless otherwise stipulated by the Salem School District, students will be credited with a full
school day when inclement weather causes them to be dismissed early.
Parking Lot Procedures/Arrival and Dismissal
A. Morning Arrival Policies (Refer to diagram in Appendix I)
1. Enter the schoolyard using the driveway between the church and the convent (yellow
house).
2. Keep to the right and proceed to the lower parking lot. Drive beyond the gate and make a
U-turn using the cones as your guide. (Pre-School cars turn right and proceed to the rear of
Julie Hall. When exiting, merge into the traffic.)
3. Advance up the hill as far forward as you can to the blue line by the gym entrance. When
cars advance forward in this manner, we are able to allow 12-15 cars to drop off students at the
same time, thus moving traffic more quickly and safely.
· Students may get out of the car once it is stopped in this “drop off zone” which extends from
the blue line to the U-turn curve. Please do not allow your child to disembark in any other area
of this moving traffic circle. If the drop off zone is filled with cars, please wait in line until these
cars leave and the next group of waiting cars can advance.
· Students should be ready to disembark when the vehicle stops. Parents should not get
out of their cars since this delays the line and causes backup.
Stay in the line of traffic until you leave the school grounds. Do not pass around a vehicle that is
stopped in the drop off zone. For the safety of students, please wait until all children in front of
you have disembarked and are safely in the student walkway area.
4. Arriving school buses have the right of way. If a bus is approaching, please stop at the
blue line and let the bus pass to the front of the gym before proceeding forward.
5. If you need to park, please do so carefully. There is very little parking and you must take
care that your parked vehicle is not in the way of moving traffic. You must accompany your child
to the student walkway or the building.
6. Vehicles are not allowed in the bus stop area between 8:15 – 8:45 AM. All cars must exit
to the left of the church or use designated parking and walk into the school.
B. Afternoon Departure Procedures (Refer to diagram in Appendix I)
1. Enter the schoolyard using the driveway between the church and the convent (yellow
house). This driveway is a One Way entrance from 2:30 to 3:00 PM.
2. The gate is opened at 2:20 PM. Normally, if you arrive after 2:20PM, you will be able to
proceed directly to the lower schoolyard and take your place in line. When falling into line, you
should pull as close as possible to the preceding row and to the vehicle ahead of your.
Everyone’s cooperation will allow for the placement of more cars and help to prevent backup.
3. No vehicle should park further back than the blue line on the pavement. When you arrive,
if the vehicle in front of you is parked at or on the blue line, begin a new line on the right side of
the existing line of parked vehicles.
4. Turn off your vehicle. Exhaust fumes travel into the school and create an unhealthy and
unpleasant atmosphere for students and staff.
5. Wait in the open space by the yard entrance so that your children can see you as they
leave the building and so that you can escort them safely back to your vehicle.
6. The teacher on duty will start dismissing traffic as soon as all students are safely in the
waiting vehicles. Remain in line and proceed around the school building. Exit between the
church and the funeral home. As you approach the church, fall into the correct line for either a
right or a left turn onto Main Street.
7. Buses have the right of way as they exit.
8. A “second pickup line will be formed by vehicles arriving after traffic has started to leave
the school yard. These vehicles should proceed along the student walkway area down to the
outside gym stairs and wait until they are given the sign to advance into the lower yard.
9. No student may be dismissed from the waiting area once vehicles have begun to exit the
yard. Once the “second pickup” line of vehicles has been allowed to enter the lower yard,
waiting students will be dismissed by the attending teacher.
B. Important Considerations
1. Arrive for dismissal between 2:20-2:40. The early arrival of vehicles before we can open
the entire schoolyard for parking can make a difficult situation worse. Eliminating the
congestion of early arrivals can eliminate many existing problems and calm frayed nerves.
Please do not arrive before 2:20.
2. We all share a deep concern for the safety of the children. The only way to insure this
safety is to have everyone follow a defined set of guidelines. At dismissal time, students need
to exercise one of four options:
· Proceed to the schoolyard for parent pickup
· Take the St. Joseph bus or one of the Salem buses
· Go to the After School Program (ECP)
· Wait in the gym until the bus duty teacher is free to escort walkers to the crossing guard.
3. Parents jeopardize student safety when they:
· Park beyond the blue line and exit through the bus loading area or the One Way lane.
· Park across or down the street to avoid dismissal procedures.
· Park in the funeral home parking lot and have their children meet them there.
While all of these options may be convenient on an individual basis, they show poor community
spirit, they teach children that rules can be ignored when they are not to our liking, they create
problems for those who follow the policies, and they jeopardize the safety of the students. If, on
a particular day, there is a real time conflict, please dismiss your child at the main office before
2:30.
School Security
All school entrances are kept locked during the school day. Anyone wishing to gain admittance
at any time must do so at the main entrance. Upon entering the school, everyone must sign in
at the reception desk and must be issued a pass that is to be worn in a visible manner.
There are times when an entrance may be unlocked for a specific reason (i.e. the gym doors
are unlocked in the morning to allow students to enter for breakfast). An unlocked entrance is
always monitored by a staff member and should not be used to gain entry into the school.
Students are never allowed in hallways and classrooms before or after school unless they have
been specifically directed to see a teacher or to meet with a staff member. Students who are
attending an after-school activity or sports practice/event are not allowed in any part of the
building except the gym or activity room.
All of these precautions are taken to maintain the safety of our students and to provide for the
accountability of persons within the building during fire drills or unforeseen emergency
situations.
A. Emergency Drills
In case of an emergency during school hours, it is imperative that staff and students know how
to respond. In order to ensure a state of preparedness, practice drills are held throughout the
year in compliance with state and local laws and guidelines.
Emergency exit routes are posted in every classroom and a Crisis Plan is in place. All
emergency drills are held under the supervision of the Administration. Some emergency drills,
especially fire drills, are carried out in the presence and at the direction of the Salem Fire
Department.
The following guidelines will prevail for all emergency drills:
1. Everyone within the building (including visitors, parish staff, volunteers, etc.) must take
part in the drill. There can be no exceptions to this directive.
2. All must remain silent and attentive to directives.
3. Teachers and staff must be familiar with and must adhere to Emergency and Crisis Plan
procedures.
4. An emergency drill is not ended until a signal is given by an Administrator. Only then may
normal activity be resumed.
B. Parent Guide to Emergency Procedures
If an emergency situation were to occur in the area, or specifically at SJRCS, local safety officials
would quickly take over and would direct whatever actions had to be taken to respond to the
uniqueness of the situation. In such an event, it would be important for parents to follow the
guidelines listed below so that they could be safely reunited with their children. Parents are
reminded that information on each student’s emergency card could be crucial and that it should
be complete and up-to-date.
1. Parents should remain calm and they should not call the school.
2. The same radio and television stations used for reporting school closings during
inclement weather would carry news of the event and would offer directives for parents to follow.
3. In the event of an evacuation, parents would be told where to pick up their children. It
would be important to bring a picture ID and to follow directions of local officials at the pick-up
spot.
4. In the event of a lockdown or sheltering in place, parents would not be allowed to pick up
their children until the incident is resolved. In such an emergency, nobody would be allowed to
enter or leave the building. Faculty and staff would do everything possible to keep students safe
and comfortable. Once the emergency situation has been terminated or brought under control,
safety officials would direct the reunion of parents and students. A picture ID may be needed.
5. In any emergency event, local safety officials will be in charge and the Administration will
follow their directives.
Special Education Services
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School does not have the personnel or the financial resources to
provide services for students with Special Education needs. The Salem School District is
responsible for testing children and for determining the scope of their learning disabilities.
SJRCS personnel will guide and assist parents throughout this evaluation process and will
work closely with the Special Education Team. In some cases, a child needs only minor
accommodations that the staff at SJRCS is able to provide. In other cases, it is in the child’s
best interest to transfer to a school that can provide needed services. The child’s best interest
is always our main concern and always takes priority over all other considerations.
Arrival & Dismissal Procedure Diagram
Click here to see a diagram of the SJRCS Arrival & Dismissal Procedure.
Admissions
As a diocesan school, St. Joseph Regional Catholic School exists primarily to serve families
deeply committed to their Catholic faith, especially those from the regional sponsor parishes. It
is a school that is proud of its Catholic tradition and identity.
In light of this, the admissions personnel place much importance on a family’s demonstrated
commitment to the Catholic faith. The pastor’s recommendation is a key document in the
admission packet.
Provided all conditions for admission have been met, priority consideration will be given to:
1. Siblings of students presently enrolled
2. Active Catholics from the regional sponsor parishes
3. Catholic children from parish kindergartens (St. Joseph & Holy Angels)
4. Catholic children of alumni/ae
5. New Hampshire Catholics
6. Massachusetts Catholics
7. Non-Catholics
SJRCS adheres to the entrance requirements of the State of New Hampshire regarding age,
inoculations, and physicals. All transferring students are accepted at St. Joseph Regional
Catholic School on a 90-day trial basis.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for academic success.
A. Absence
When a student is not in class for any reason, he/she is considered absent. Any student who is
absent from school may not participate in or attend any extracurricular activity after school (i.e.
sports events, dances, club activities, etc.)
B. Reporting Procedures
If a student is going to be absent or tardy, a parent should notify the school by 8:00 AM. (The
school answering machine is available for early messages.) If for some reason the school is
not notified, a call will be made to the home of every child who is absent. This program is
designed to ensure the safety of our children.
C. Professional Appointments
Except for emergencies, medical and dental appointments should be scheduled outside of
school time. If this is not possible, the student must request missed work upon returning to
school.
D. Family Vacations
School vacations are scheduled to allow students to avail themselves of recreational and
educational opportunities. The school strongly discourages alternative vacation periods for
students. Instruction, discussion, media presentations, hands-on activities, and special
classroom or school-wide events cannot be made up by paperwork alone. Occasionally, a
special family reunion or an exceptional opportunity for a “once in a lifetime” trip may justify an
absence. Such instances are rare and certainly do not occur on a yearly basis. When parents
choose to create alternative vacation times, they assume full responsibility for their child’s
missed instruction. Teachers will not prepare work for the child prior to the alternative vacation.
Work will be collected during the child’s absence and, upon returning, the child will have seven
calendar days to make up all work for full credit. For any work turned in after the seven calendar
days, the highest possible grade will be 75%. Any work not turned in after a reasonable amount
of time will be graded at 0%. All missed work must be made up.
E. Suspensions
When an absence from school or class results from any suspension or disciplinary action, the
highest grade that can be given for make-up work is 75%. As in all other cases of absence, it is
the student’s responsibility to request missed work upon return to school or class. Any work not
turned in after a reasonable amount of time will be graded at 0%. All missed work must be
made up.
F. Illness
It is the student’s responsibility to request missed work when returning to school after an
illness. The student will be allowed two calendar days for each school day missed to complete
the work for full credit. If the work is turned in late, the highest grade possible will be 75%. Any
work not turned in after a reasonable amount of time will be graded at 0%. All missed work
must be made up.
G. Excessive Absenteeism
A pattern of absenteeism places a student in academic jeopardy. A student who has missed
school for several days becomes the concern of his/her teachers and of the administration. In
such cases, the school will communicate with the parent to determine the status of the student.
An accrual of twenty (20) or more absences in a school year may result in retention.
H. Tardiness
A student’s tardiness is disruptive to classmates and teachers and has a negative influence on
a child’s day. Punctuality is a positive trait which we must help our children to cultivate.
Circumstances beyond anyone’s control (late buses, traffic congestion, weather, etc.)
sometimes come into play. Repeated tardiness, however, will not be tolerated. Appropriate
consequences will apply based on the student’s grade level and on the reasons for the frequent
late arrival.
I. Early Dismissal
If a child must be dismissed early, a note should be sent in with the child. The note should be
presented to the teacher and then brought to the office. In addition to the child’s name and the
reason for early dismissal, the note should include the student’s homeroom, the time the
student will be picked up, and the telephone number where the parent can be reached in case
the office must call. No child will be called out of class before the parent arrives. In all cases,
the parent must come into the building and sign the early dismissal log. If someone other than
the parent is picking up the child, this must be stated in the note. A picture identification may be
requested if the person is not known to the reception or office staff.
Communication
A. School/Family Communication
1. A newsletter is published every Thursday to keep the entire school community informed of
current happenings within the school. This publication is sent home with the oldest child in
each family. It is also posted on the SJRCS website on Friday. It is important that parents read
this communication since it often contains information that is time sensitive. Keeping up-to-
date with the newsletter prevents adult frustration and student upsets. It also eliminates many
unnecessary phone calls.
2. The school website (www.sjrcs.com) has been constructed as a source of information
and communication for the school. It contains timely information in the form of the newsletter,
school calendar, monthly activity calendar, lunch menu, etc. Various forms and permission
slips are also posted for parent convenience. Parents are encouraged to check the site often.
B. Parent/Teacher Communication
Many misunderstandings can be avoided when there is good parent/teacher communication.
Specific communication procedures vary at different grade levels. Certain policies, however, are
in effect throughout the school
1. All communication is to be conducted in a mutually respectful manner.
2. Teachers may be reached by calling the school office or by sending a note requesting a
conference or a phone call. Faculty members will make every attempt to respond in a timely
fashion.
3. Teachers should never be interrupted while on duty. It is very distracting to try to
conference with a parent while maintaining a proper level of supervision. The teacher’s first
responsibility at that time is the safety of the students.
4. Parents should also realize that confidentiality is compromised when they try to
conference with a teacher in a public setting, such as at a school function, or at a chance
meeting at the supermarket, the church, the school parking lot or office. A teacher’s apparent
reluctance to conference in such settings may be interpreted as signaling a lack of flexibility, but
in reality is often due to the fact that there are other people in the area who can easily overhear a
conversation.
5. Parents are asked to respect a teacher’s off-duty time. Staff members should never be
called at home unless they specifically request this.
6. Teachers are encouraged to contact parents whenever a misunderstanding or problem
arises. Likewise, parents are encouraged to contact teachers if they have concerns or are
confused about some matter regarding their child. If the parent and/or the teacher are not
satisfied with the results of the conference, the problem should be brought to the
Administration.
Emergency Information
An Emergency Information Form must be completed and returned to the school on opening
day. In the event that a child becomes ill, it is imperative that school personnel be able to reach
a parent/guardian. The school office must be notified of any changes in the information
submitted on the form so that emergency information can be kept current throughout the school
year.
When circumstances arise which may pose a danger to students and faculty (i.e. severe
weather, heat failure, flooding, etc.), the school reserves the right to dismiss the student body.
Appropriate notification of parents will be attempted via radio, TV, or homeroom phone trees.
The Superintendent of Salem schools determines the need for emergency dismissals unless
the emergency is specific to SJRCS.
Finance
A. Diocesan Support Policy
The Catholic School Support Policy of the Diocese of Manchester recognizes that Catholic
schools are an important ministry of the Church. In order to help support this ministry, the
Diocese assesses a portion of each parish’s income and uses these funds to help finance a
Catholic Education for Catholic families who meet the following criteria:
1. Registration in a New Hampshire parish or mission
2. Contributor of record in a New Hampshire parish or mission
3. Active participation in the life of a New Hampshire parish or mission
B. Procedure
During the month of January, the school sends to each pastor a list of families currently
supported. The pastor determines whether or not these families meet the criteria to remain on
the list and returns the list to the school.
New enrollees, as well as current enrollees who do not receive the supported tuition rate, need
to obtain a “Supported Student Form” during registration. Parents must obtain their pastor’s
signature on this form to prove that they meet the criteria. It is then each parent’s responsibility
to return this form to the school by March 15th. Once the budget has been set, it is impossible
to change a family’s status from non-supported to supported. For this reason, new enrollees
who register after March 15th are not eligible for the supported rate during their first year at the
school.
It is important that those families receiving the supported rate continue to maintain active
participation in their parish. If families move to a new parish, they should be diligent about
registering in the new parish and should use parish envelopes for their contributions. They
should also introduce themselves to the new pastor and become active in the parish. Families
who have a change in their financial situations and find themselves unable to contribute to the
parish should speak to their pastor and explain the situation to him. SJRCS has no role in
determining whether a family is supported or non-supported. It is the family’s responsibility to
maintain a good relationship with the pastor so that he will recognize the family as one that
meets the criteria of being an active, registered and contributing parish family.
C. Tuition
As a tuition-based school, SJRCS depends on the timely payment of tuition and fees in order to
maintain its own obligations in a timely fashion.
1. Student tuition and fees are set annually by the principal and advisory board and must be
approved by the Diocesan School Office.
2. Tuition is payable in eleven (11) monthly payments, beginning in July and ending with the
May payment of each school year. This collection is handled by the FACTS Tuition Collection
Program.
3. Tuition may also be paid in full before July 1st. A discount is given with this option. The
percent varies from year to year based on banking interest rates.
4. Families experiencing difficulty in making tuition payments are advised to contact the
Business Office immediately. Every effort will be made to work out a mutually satisfactory
arrangement.
5. Student records will not be released and students will not receive diplomas or final report
cards until all financial obligations have been met. Any costs incurred by the school in the
collection of past due accounts will be added to the delinquent account.
D. Lunch Accounts
Our food service department provides nutritious and affordable hot lunches. Daily lunch
regularly features a homemade main course, fresh fruit and/or vegetables, and specially made
desserts. The cost of lunch is $2.00 per day or $10.00 per week. Milk may be purchased
separately for $0.40. Extra servings of the main course are available for an additional $1.00.
Machine beverages (juice and water) and a wide selection of ice cream treats are also available
to students for separate purchase. Soft drinks may not be purchased from the machines at
lunchtime.
A separate menu featuring subs and salads is available daily to the Junior High students except
on pizza days.
At the beginning of each month, parents should deposit into their child’s account enough money
to cover breakfast and/or lunch for that month. If an account runs out of money, the parent will
be notified and the child will be fed from the regular menu for one week. If the account is not
replenished, the child will be fed peanut butter or cheese sandwiches until the account is
brought up-to-date.
Financial assistance is available for qualified families. To receive this federal assistance, a
Free and Reduced Lunch Assistance Application must be completed. These forms are sent
home at the beginning of the school year and should be returned to the Food Services Director,
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School, 40 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079.
E. Financial Aid
Limited funds are granted each year in the form of financial aid to families who otherwise would
have difficulty meeting their full tuition obligations. Financial aid forms are available in the
school office or will be mailed upon request.
1. No application for financial aid can be considered unless the applicant has completed
enrollment for the school year of application.
2. Applications must be completed in full and must include a current tax form 1040/1040A.
3. All information submitted is maintained in a confidential file.
4. Financial aid allocations are determined by an outside consultant on the basis of need.
5. Financial aid forms must be completed each year.
6. Applications must be received by the school no later than May 1st for each school year.
The disposition of each application will be determined before July 1st.
7. Families receiving financial aid are expected to remain current with their portion of the
financial obligations (tuition, fees, incurred expenses)
8. Families receiving financial aid are encouraged to volunteer their time to help the school
community.
F. Fees and Incurred Expenses
In addition to tuition, families may incur other expenses. These expenses vary from family to
family and may include expenses for Food Service or ECP, for sports and activities, for textbook
or school property damage, for lost/missing sports equipment, etc. Any expense that a student
incurs during the school year must be paid in full before the last day of school.
Health
A. First Aid Office
There is a trained first aid provider in the school from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM to attend to the
medical needs of the students. A nurse maintains records and is available for consultation. The
office is run in accordance with regulations set forth by the State of New Hampshire Department
of Health and Human Services. This Department periodically inspects SJRCS student medical
records to verify that the office is in compliance with state regulations.
B. Illness or Accident
When ill or injured, a student is to notify the classroom teacher or the teacher on duty. With
teacher permission, the student is to report to the First Aid Office for evaluation. Parents will be
called as deemed necessary.
When a child wakes up with a fever or an upset stomach, the child should be kept home. When
symptoms are less clear-cut, it is not always easy to decide whether or not the child should be
sent to school. If the child has been awake a good part of the night, has a hacking cough,
congestion, a bad sore throat, sneezing, etc., the child is probably contagious and should be
kept home. If the child simply has the sniffles, the child should probably be sent to school with
a reminder to frequently wash hands and/or use the Purell.
C. Medication
SJRCS complies with state regulations regarding the administration of medication to children.
When possible, a medical regime should be scheduled at home so that the child will not
require medication during school hours.
In accordance with the State of NH (RSA 541-A 1/74), a medical doctor must prescribe all
medications that need to be dispensed during school hours. This includes over-the-counter
drugs (i.e. Tylenol, Motrin, cough syrups, etc.) Medical Release Forms are available at the
school office. These must be signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent. The
form must include the name of the drug, the dosage, and the time of day the medication is to be
taken. The medication must be submitted to the office in the original prescription container and
the first dosage must always be given at home.
D. Stipulations
1. The school must be notified of allergies or medical problems.
2. Any student with an elevated temperature will be sent home.
3. Any student who has vomited will be sent home.
4. Parents will be notified of any injury to the head.
5. Minor foreign bodies in the eye will be washed with isotonic eyewash. If that treatment is
ineffective, parents will be notified.
6. Bug bites and occasional minor rashes will be treated with 1% hydrocortisone cream or
calamine lotion.
7. All cuts will be washed with dial soap and water or an antiseptic wipe. At times, first aid
cream, bactine or peroxide will be used on cuts and abrasions. Antibiotic ointment will be used
if the cut is considered deep or dirty.
8. Any student who is unable to participate in gym class for more than one week must have
a written directive from a physician. When a student is to be excused from a single gym period,
a parent must send a written note.
9. The school should be notified if a student develops a new medical condition during the
school year or if a child is ill with a communicable disease (other than routine colds and flu).
10. Parents should call the First Aid Office if they have any questions about policies or
procedures or if they need special accommodations for their child.
E. Personal Hygiene
Basic personal hygiene (i.e. routine showering, hair shampooing, nail cleaning and clipping) is
expected of all students. As students mature, deodorant should be used as needed, especially
on Physical Education days. Perfume, cologne and scented lotions are not permitted.
Inclement Weather
Salem School District delays and cancellations apply to SJRCS. A notice regarding the delay or
cancellation is posted on the school phone as is information pertaining to the ECP. The
following stations announce Salem School District information:
Television: Salem School District Channel CTV-6
WBZ – 4
WCVB – 5
WHDH – 7
WMUR – 9
Radio: WBZ – 1030AM
WRKO – 680AM
WGIR – 610AM & 101FM
WZID – 95.7FM
Families should use their best judgment in making decisions about school attendance on
inclement weather days. Although SJRCS discourages absence from school, there is no
school obligation that is worth risking anyone’s safety. Consideration needs to be given to the
location of the family home and to the condition of roads in that area. The type and condition of
the vehicle to be driven and the driver’s comfort level in difficult weather situations also need to
be considered. Unless the Salem Superintendent has cancelled school for the day, it is always
a parent’s decision whether or not to send a child to school during inclement weather or when a
major storm is predicted to begin during the school day.
Parents may pick up their children at any time during a storm. We request that the school not be
called in advance. Office personnel will page students when parents arrive. No child will be
allowed to go home with another adult unless there is parental authorization.
Salem Bus Students may be sent home early during a storm. SJRCS has no control over the
Salem buses. If they are sent to the school early, bus students are dismissed accordingly.
Parents will not be called and notified. Children should know what to do in such an event. The
stations listed above announce any changes in the Salem District schedule and post
notifications of Salem early dismissals.
The St. Joseph Bus will always follow the Salem morning schedule. SJRCS reserves the right
to dismiss St. Joseph Bus riders early during inclement weather. In such a case, parents will
be called so that students can be met at drop-off locations. Parents who are not going to be at
their usual numbers on a storm day must notify the school. A note should be sent giving a new
number or giving permission for the child to stay in the ECP or to go home with another parent.
If no note is sent and a parent cannot be reached, the child will be placed in the ECP and must
be picked up by 4:00PM.
The ECP will close at 4:00PM during a storm. Parents of students normally in the program will
be called.
Planning ahead is key to avoiding problems during inclement weather days. All SJRCS
personnel are concerned with the safety of the students and make every effort to assure that
safety. Parents can help by making plans for dealing with problems caused by inclement
weather, by discussing those plans with their children, by notifying the school of those plans
and by sending to the school all needed information.
Unless otherwise stipulated by the Salem School District, students will be credited with a full
school day when inclement weather causes them to be dismissed early.
Parking Lot Procedures/Arrival and Dismissal
A. Morning Arrival Policies (Refer to diagram in Appendix I)
1. Enter the schoolyard using the driveway between the church and the convent (yellow
house).
2. Keep to the right and proceed to the lower parking lot. Drive beyond the gate and make a
U-turn using the cones as your guide. (Pre-School cars turn right and proceed to the rear of
Julie Hall. When exiting, merge into the traffic.)
3. Advance up the hill as far forward as you can to the blue line by the gym entrance. When
cars advance forward in this manner, we are able to allow 12-15 cars to drop off students at the
same time, thus moving traffic more quickly and safely.
· Students may get out of the car once it is stopped in this “drop off zone” which extends from
the blue line to the U-turn curve. Please do not allow your child to disembark in any other area
of this moving traffic circle. If the drop off zone is filled with cars, please wait in line until these
cars leave and the next group of waiting cars can advance.
· Students should be ready to disembark when the vehicle stops. Parents should not get
out of their cars since this delays the line and causes backup.
Stay in the line of traffic until you leave the school grounds. Do not pass around a vehicle that is
stopped in the drop off zone. For the safety of students, please wait until all children in front of
you have disembarked and are safely in the student walkway area.
4. Arriving school buses have the right of way. If a bus is approaching, please stop at the
blue line and let the bus pass to the front of the gym before proceeding forward.
5. If you need to park, please do so carefully. There is very little parking and you must take
care that your parked vehicle is not in the way of moving traffic. You must accompany your child
to the student walkway or the building.
6. Vehicles are not allowed in the bus stop area between 8:15 – 8:45 AM. All cars must exit
to the left of the church or use designated parking and walk into the school.
B. Afternoon Departure Procedures (Refer to diagram in Appendix I)
1. Enter the schoolyard using the driveway between the church and the convent (yellow
house). This driveway is a One Way entrance from 2:30 to 3:00 PM.
2. The gate is opened at 2:20 PM. Normally, if you arrive after 2:20PM, you will be able to
proceed directly to the lower schoolyard and take your place in line. When falling into line, you
should pull as close as possible to the preceding row and to the vehicle ahead of your.
Everyone’s cooperation will allow for the placement of more cars and help to prevent backup.
3. No vehicle should park further back than the blue line on the pavement. When you arrive,
if the vehicle in front of you is parked at or on the blue line, begin a new line on the right side of
the existing line of parked vehicles.
4. Turn off your vehicle. Exhaust fumes travel into the school and create an unhealthy and
unpleasant atmosphere for students and staff.
5. Wait in the open space by the yard entrance so that your children can see you as they
leave the building and so that you can escort them safely back to your vehicle.
6. The teacher on duty will start dismissing traffic as soon as all students are safely in the
waiting vehicles. Remain in line and proceed around the school building. Exit between the
church and the funeral home. As you approach the church, fall into the correct line for either a
right or a left turn onto Main Street.
7. Buses have the right of way as they exit.
8. A “second pickup line will be formed by vehicles arriving after traffic has started to leave
the school yard. These vehicles should proceed along the student walkway area down to the
outside gym stairs and wait until they are given the sign to advance into the lower yard.
9. No student may be dismissed from the waiting area once vehicles have begun to exit the
yard. Once the “second pickup” line of vehicles has been allowed to enter the lower yard,
waiting students will be dismissed by the attending teacher.
B. Important Considerations
1. Arrive for dismissal between 2:20-2:40. The early arrival of vehicles before we can open
the entire schoolyard for parking can make a difficult situation worse. Eliminating the
congestion of early arrivals can eliminate many existing problems and calm frayed nerves.
Please do not arrive before 2:20.
2. We all share a deep concern for the safety of the children. The only way to insure this
safety is to have everyone follow a defined set of guidelines. At dismissal time, students need
to exercise one of four options:
· Proceed to the schoolyard for parent pickup
· Take the St. Joseph bus or one of the Salem buses
· Go to the After School Program (ECP)
· Wait in the gym until the bus duty teacher is free to escort walkers to the crossing guard.
3. Parents jeopardize student safety when they:
· Park beyond the blue line and exit through the bus loading area or the One Way lane.
· Park across or down the street to avoid dismissal procedures.
· Park in the funeral home parking lot and have their children meet them there.
While all of these options may be convenient on an individual basis, they show poor community
spirit, they teach children that rules can be ignored when they are not to our liking, they create
problems for those who follow the policies, and they jeopardize the safety of the students. If, on
a particular day, there is a real time conflict, please dismiss your child at the main office before
2:30.
School Security
All school entrances are kept locked during the school day. Anyone wishing to gain admittance
at any time must do so at the main entrance. Upon entering the school, everyone must sign in
at the reception desk and must be issued a pass that is to be worn in a visible manner.
There are times when an entrance may be unlocked for a specific reason (i.e. the gym doors
are unlocked in the morning to allow students to enter for breakfast). An unlocked entrance is
always monitored by a staff member and should not be used to gain entry into the school.
Students are never allowed in hallways and classrooms before or after school unless they have
been specifically directed to see a teacher or to meet with a staff member. Students who are
attending an after-school activity or sports practice/event are not allowed in any part of the
building except the gym or activity room.
All of these precautions are taken to maintain the safety of our students and to provide for the
accountability of persons within the building during fire drills or unforeseen emergency
situations.
A. Emergency Drills
In case of an emergency during school hours, it is imperative that staff and students know how
to respond. In order to ensure a state of preparedness, practice drills are held throughout the
year in compliance with state and local laws and guidelines.
Emergency exit routes are posted in every classroom and a Crisis Plan is in place. All
emergency drills are held under the supervision of the Administration. Some emergency drills,
especially fire drills, are carried out in the presence and at the direction of the Salem Fire
Department.
The following guidelines will prevail for all emergency drills:
1. Everyone within the building (including visitors, parish staff, volunteers, etc.) must take
part in the drill. There can be no exceptions to this directive.
2. All must remain silent and attentive to directives.
3. Teachers and staff must be familiar with and must adhere to Emergency and Crisis Plan
procedures.
4. An emergency drill is not ended until a signal is given by an Administrator. Only then may
normal activity be resumed.
B. Parent Guide to Emergency Procedures
If an emergency situation were to occur in the area, or specifically at SJRCS, local safety officials
would quickly take over and would direct whatever actions had to be taken to respond to the
uniqueness of the situation. In such an event, it would be important for parents to follow the
guidelines listed below so that they could be safely reunited with their children. Parents are
reminded that information on each student’s emergency card could be crucial and that it should
be complete and up-to-date.
1. Parents should remain calm and they should not call the school.
2. The same radio and television stations used for reporting school closings during
inclement weather would carry news of the event and would offer directives for parents to follow.
3. In the event of an evacuation, parents would be told where to pick up their children. It
would be important to bring a picture ID and to follow directions of local officials at the pick-up
spot.
4. In the event of a lockdown or sheltering in place, parents would not be allowed to pick up
their children until the incident is resolved. In such an emergency, nobody would be allowed to
enter or leave the building. Faculty and staff would do everything possible to keep students safe
and comfortable. Once the emergency situation has been terminated or brought under control,
safety officials would direct the reunion of parents and students. A picture ID may be needed.
5. In any emergency event, local safety officials will be in charge and the Administration will
follow their directives.
Special Education Services
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School does not have the personnel or the financial resources to
provide services for students with Special Education needs. The Salem School District is
responsible for testing children and for determining the scope of their learning disabilities.
SJRCS personnel will guide and assist parents throughout this evaluation process and will
work closely with the Special Education Team. In some cases, a child needs only minor
accommodations that the staff at SJRCS is able to provide. In other cases, it is in the child’s
best interest to transfer to a school that can provide needed services. The child’s best interest
is always our main concern and always takes priority over all other considerations.
Arrival & Dismissal Procedure Diagram
Click here to see a diagram of the SJRCS Arrival & Dismissal Procedure.
Section I
General Information:
General Information:
- Affiliation & Catholic Nature
- Staff & Faculty Ministry
Statement - Parental Commitment
- Non-Discrimatory Policy
- Annual Asbestos Information
Section II
School Policies & Guidelines
School Policies & Guidelines
- Admissions
- Attendance
- Communication
- Emergency Information
- Finance
- Health
- Inclement Weather
- School Security
- Special Education Services
- Arrival & Dismissal of Students
Section III
Academic Life
Academic Life
- Books
- Curriculum
- Field Studies
- Grading
- Homework
- Student Responsibility
Section IV
Student Life
Student Life
- Behavior & Discipline
- Cafeteria/Lunchroom
- Gum, Candy, Food & Drinks
- Lockers
- Personal Property
- School Store
- Uniform & Dress Codes
Student Handbook Section Two
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