School Handbook
Teacher, the Craftsman |
School Philosophy
Letter from Principal | Faculty/Staff List
Cell Phones/Electronic Devices
Emergency Closing & Dismissal Weather
Health Services/Emergency Medical Information
Regular attendance is a key component of your child's success. Absences, tardiness, and early dismissals need to be kept to a minimum.
Absence for Illness
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When your child is going to be absent, please call the school office (610-866-2231) by 8:45 AM to report your child absent. Also include instructions for where homework is to be sent. Students will be expected to complete missed assignments and make-up work when they return. |
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State requirement demands that a written note of excuse stating reasons and dates of absence, signed by a parent or guardian, be presented to the teacher the day the student returns to school. Access Absentee Form. |
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Students absent for three days or more because of illness must have a doctor's note. |
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If an absent note has not been received after 3 days of returning to school, demerits may be issued. |
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Absences above seven per quarter will be reviewed by the administration to determine if a parent conference is needed to explore concerns. |
Absence for Vacation
Notre Dame of Bethlehem School acknowledges that a family or individual students may choose to go on an "extended vacation" (one week or longer) during the school year, while regular classes are in session. While we acknowledge the value of family, the faculty and administration of Notre Dame of Bethlehem School would recommend that families and/or individual students who plan to take an extended vacation do so while school is not in session. It is strongly recommended that vacations not be scheduled during the weeks of Midterm Exams, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, COGAT/Cognitive Tests, or Final Exams because of the time sensitive nature of the tests.
Should a Notre Dame of Bethlehem student be away from school for vacation while school is in session, the following policy applies:
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It is the responsibility of the student's parent/guardian to inform the school of the dates that their child will be away from school on vacation. He/she is responsible for completing and signing the Vacation Permission form at least one week prior to the student departing for vacation. Access Vacation Permission Form. |
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Prior to the student's departure, there is no requirement or expectation that a teacher will provide the work which will be covered in a course during the student's absence. However, if the school is notified in advance of a trip, every effort will be made to prepare a general list of assignments for the child to do while he/she is absent. |
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Parents must not expect any work missed by their child to be re-taught by a teacher upon return from vacation. It is solely the student's responsibility to catch up on material missed while school was in session. |
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All make-up work will be due within a reasonable amount of time to be determined by the teacher. Students will be given ample notification by the teacher(s) as to dates to make-up any quizzes or tests missed during the vacation period. |
Lateness
Students are expected to be on time for each school day. Arrival after 8:15 a.m. will be considered tardy. The student must come to the office with a parent or with a note signed by the parent explaining the reason for the lateness to receive a late slip. Every five unexcused tardies will result in a detention. Repeated lateness will be reviewed by administration to determine if a parent conference is needed to explore concerns.
Reasons for excused tardiness include:
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student illness
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medical appointment (doctor's note is required for proof)
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death in family
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previously approved school-sponsored event
- other individual student tardiness beyond the control of the parent or student as determined and approved by the administration.
Reasons for unexcused tardiness include any tardiness that does not fall into one of the previous excused tardiness categories.
Medical/Dental
Appointments Before or During School Hours
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As much as possible, appointments should be made outside of school hours. |
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A note from the parents must be given to the teacher prior to the appointment indicating the time of the appointment. |
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Parents are required to sign students in and out using the logbook located in the school office. |
Take Your Child to Work Day
The Diocese of Allentown recognizes this day as an excused absence. If you decide that your child will participate in this program, please be aware that any missed work is your child's responsibility. Any student sharing this day with their parent is required to complete a written worksheet detailing the events of the day. Access Take Your Child to Work Form.
Celebrations of holidays and birthdays are a time for all children to feel special. To ensure this goal we have put together a few guidelines.
Birthdays
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Please contact your child's teacher in advance for appropriate guidelines if you are planning on celebrating a birthday at school. |
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Providing lunch for the students is not allowed as a birthday celebration. |
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Invitations to student birthday parties should not be distributed at school unless each child in the class is receiving an invitation. |
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Due to food allergies, goody bags should not contain food items. (This policy is for holiday parties also.) |
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The school will not permit bouquets of balloons, flowers, or other celebratory decorations to be sent to the classroom. |
Holiday Parties
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Class parties are scheduled near the end of the school day and are limited to a maximum duration of one hour, which includes time for cleaning up the classroom. |
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All plans and details for the classroom parties must be reviewed and approved by the classroom teacher before being finalized by parent party planners. |
Buddy Gifts
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In an effort to make sure that all no student feels left out, there will NOT be individual gifts between grade buddies. |
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We appreciate your cooperation regarding celebrations as it should be a fun, happy time for your child as well as the other students in the classroom. |
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Students and parents are responsible for all books issued to the student. |
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All books are to have protective book covers. It is suggested that workbooks be covered with contact paper. |
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Students are not to write on the cover or on the pages of the textbooks. |
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All students must use a school bag. No books may be carried to or from school without the use of a book bag. |
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All lost and damaged books must be paid for prior to receiving your report card. |
Notre Dame of Bethlehem School follows the calendar of the Diocese of Allentown.
A yearly calendar will be distributed to all families in August. Any changes/corrections will be made on the monthly calendars. A detailed monthly calendar will be printed for the parents and sent home with the students. Access Current Yearly Calendar.
Students are not permitted to use cell phones/electronic devices in school.
In the event that a situation requires a student to have cell phone/electronic devices, it must remain in the book bag and be turned off.
Notre Dame is not responsible for lost cell phones/electronic devices.
If a cell phone is taken away from a student it will be sent to the office and a parent will be called to pick it up.
School
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Each family receives a weekly communication envelope marked with the name and homeroom of the youngest or only child in that family. |
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All communication from the school office, the Home and School Association or various outside groups will be sent home in our Office Communication envelopes on Wednesday of each week. |
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Parents are asked to return the envelope each Thursday ~ EMPTY. The purpose of the weekly communication envelope is for communication going home ONLY. Parents should NOT send communication from home in this envelope. |
Please Note: Any groups or individual who wish to send a communication home must have it to the office by Tuesday morning for approval by the administration. The office will not be responsible to copy your group's information. (Volunteers fill the envelopes on Tuesday after school.)
Teacher/Parent
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Parents should first contact the respective teacher via phone call or note when questions arise. |
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If the situation is unresolved after meeting with the teacher, please contact the school office to schedule a meeting with the Principal. |
Annual conferences take place at the end of the first quarter.
Individual conferences may be scheduled periodically throughout the year according to need. Parents are asked to contact the teacher directly if interested in holding a conference.
In keeping with our Christian teaching, it is imperative that we recognize the individuality of every child.
All information regarding students will remain confidential with the exception of knowledge pertaining to the health, safety, and life situations of a child.
We ask that all members of the Notre Dame of Bethlehem Community respect the privacy of all families.
All legal documents regarding custody must be on file in the school office. Updated information to the agreement must be immediately communicated to the school.
Non-custodial parents will receive a copy of a quarterly report for their children if it is in conjunction with the court order.
All unofficial documents, such as a school calendar, will be forwarded to the non-custodial parent upon request if it is in conjunction with the court order.
All copies of student's records will be stamped "Unofficial Copy".
Whether during regular school hours or when school is not in session, a student who engages in conduct that is detrimental to the reputation of the school may be disciplined by school officials.
Demerits and/or detentions are issued in the event of an infraction.
Notre Dame's discipline and dress code policies are available on this website.
Access the Dress Code policy for all grades.
Access the Discipline code for grades 4 & 5.
Access the Discipline code for grades 6-8.
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Each public school district determines a closing due to inclement weather. Please follow procedures for the district you reside in. If your school district is closed there will not be transportation for your child. |
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In the event that the Bethlehem Area School District closes, Notre Dame of Bethlehem will close. |
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Notre Dame will not close based on the decision of other school districts. |
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The following public forums will provide families with the correct information: |
Radio Stations: B-104
TV Station: WFMZ-TV-69
Internet: WFMZ's Stormcenter website.
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In addition to this, Notre Dame will use the School Reach Program to inform our families of any emergency at the school. A phone call or e-mail will be sent to School Reach with the information you provide the school at the beginning of the school year, if you register to participate. Access Reach Program Form. |
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Do not call the school; it is imperative that the lines remain open! |
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IMPORTANT: It is very important that the Emergency Information form, which is sent home the first day of school each year, be completed and returned to school ASAP. In case of an emergency with your child(ren) at school, it is imperative that this form is on file in the school office. Access Emergency Information Form. |
Midterm Exams ~
(Scheduled at the end of the second quarter)
Midterm cumulative exams are given to students in
grades 2-8 in all major curriculum areas.
Final
Testing ~ (Scheduled at the end of the
fourth quarter)
According to Diocesan policy, due to standardized testing, final tests
are cumulative in Religion and Mathematics.
See current Exam Schedule.
The Extended Care Program at Notre Dame is designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for your child to spend the remainder of the day after the school session has ended (and/or before it begins). Reservations are required.
The program is open for all students attending Notre Dame of Bethlehem School (Preschool through grade 8). It operates on a school calendar basis and observes the same holiday schedule. If there is an early dismissal from school, Extended Care is available for the entire afternoon. The hours of operation are from 7:15 AM until 5:45 PM. See Current Extended Care Rates.
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No student may go on an educational or cultural field trip without returning the school-issued permission slip signed by the parent or guardian. Verbal consent is not acceptable. Access Field Trip Permission Slip. |
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Parents, at times, are asked to help chaperone these trips. This is up to the individual teacher's discretion. |
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All school regulations and policies are to be followed while off-site. |
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Refer to medication section regarding taking medication on field trips. |
Fire Drills/Emergency Preparedness Drills
A drill is held monthly.
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For a fire drill, the students are to exit the building at the sound of the alarm in a quiet, orderly manner. |
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Specific exit routes are posted in each classroom. |
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Other drills follow the procedures established in the Crisis Manual. |
Federal
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Title I: Remedial services for needy students
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Title II: Professional Staff Development
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Title IV: Safe and Drug Free Programs
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Title V: Library Dollars
State
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Act 372 provides busing of non-public school children in grades K to 8 who live beyond a mile from school, or those who have to cross hazardous routes.
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Act 89 provides for Psychological Services and Remedial Reading/Mathematics Programs. All services are through the Colonial Northampton Intermediate Unit.
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Act 90 provides instructional materials. The sum is based on enrollment figures as of October 1. This is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Non-Public Schools.
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Act 195 enables the purchase of textbooks and workbooks. (Anything of a religious nature is excluded.) This, too, is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is based on enrollment figures as of October 1.
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L2L Technology Dollars
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E-rate Discounts bundles Services and help from Service Provider.
Certificates will be awarded to students being of good Christian character and having satisfactorily completed the course of study prescribed by the Diocese of Allentown and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
All financial obligations must be met prior to student participation in graduation.
As a Christian school, there are occasions we feel it is appropriate to comfort or congratulate students via physical contact such as a hug, handshake, or pat on the back. Additionally, instances may occur when a staff member is permitted to lay his/her hands on a student. For example, if:
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It is necessary to separate students. |
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It is necessary to help students up from the ground . |
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It is necessary to escort a student to the office. |
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As a defensive action with no intent to harm the child.
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Black's Law dictionary defines harassment as "used in variety of legal contexts to describe words, gestures and actions which tend to annoy, alarm and abuse another person".
In the event that harassment exists, the Administration will work to maintain that the safety of students and their physical and emotional well-being is protected. Each case will be dealt with on an individual basis.
All allegations of harassment will be taken seriously and will be promptly investigated. Confidentiality of all involved will be maintained.
Following the investigation, if deemed necessary by the Administration, disciplinary action will take place in conjunction with the Diocesan Code of Conduct.
Health Services/Emergency Medical Information
Medical Records
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The State of Pennsylvania has mandated that all children entering school present documented proof that immunizations are current. |
Medications
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Medications, including over the counter, will not be dispensed during school hours unless the child's physician and parent sign a permission form. Access the Bethlehem Area School District Medication Authorization Form. |
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All medications must be brought to the school office by the parent. |
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All medications must be in the original container, which includes the dosage and the expiration date. |
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Students are not permitted to carry medication. Parents of students with exceptional circumstances, such as life threatening attacks, are to contact the school office for accommodations. |
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Medic-Alert Bracelets are strongly recommended for any child with a serious medical condition. |
Please Note: When a class participates in a field trip away from school, the teacher has permission to take any student's medication.
School Nurse
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A registered nurse, typically on site 1 1/2 days per week, is provided by the school district. |
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The nurse is responsible for checking vision, height, weight of every child, and for making referrals to parents when existing problems are found. Students are also screened for scoliosis at appropriate grade levels. |
Emergency Medical Forms
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Are to be completed by the parent and updated at the start of each school year. |
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Please be sure to contact the school office if changes occur during the school year. |
Students with Food Allergies
| It is the parent's responsibility to notify the office and homeroom teacher each year with detailed information regarding the child's |
Teachers assign appropriate homework to reinforce and supplement the lessons presented in a class and to keep parents aware of the various curriculum areas. Homework includes both written and study assignments and should be completed by the student independently. While this does not preclude parental help or interest, the assignments should not require undo parental assistance or supervision.
Fifteen minutes of homework per grade level is generally felt to be a good rule of thumb for the average student. Ample time should be allowed for the completion of out-of-class research assignments or projects.
Students in grades 3-8 are responsible for updating homework assignment books daily.
Parents should see that homework is completed and checked for neatness.
Please be sure to sign homework books on a daily basis if required by teacher policy.
All parents are asked to become members of the Home and School Association. The role of the organization is to assist in school programs by working on various committees. The names and functions of each committee are listed in the Association's Constitution and By-Laws, or are available on this website. See HSA Committees.
General Home and School Association meetings are held as scheduled; days and times may be found on the yearly and/or monthly calendars.
The Association sponsors several fundraising activities during the school year. Proceeds are used to help maintain adequate educational facilities for the students.
A fine of five-cents per day shall be paid for books that are overdue.
Payments must be made for any book lost or damaged.
Notre Dame uses Pro Lunches for the daily Hot Lunch Program. See Lunch Home Page.
Tickets may be purchased through the office. A lunch count is taken every day by the Homeroom teacher. Tickets may carry over from year to year.
The Lunch ticket order form should be used for the purchase of a Lunch, Drink or Extra Entree. Access Lunch Ticket Order Form.
Menus are issued on a monthly basis. See Current Lunch Menu.
Policy on Racial Non-Discrimination
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In compliance with the Diocesan Board of Education Policy, Notre Dame of Bethlehem School, mindful of its primary mission as an effective instrument of the educational ministry of the Church, and the witness to the love of Christ for all people, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color or national origin in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. |
Policy of Non-Discrimination Based on Sex
| In compliance with the Diocesan Board of Education Policy, Notre Dame of Bethlehem School shall not discriminate against any student because of sex in any educational program and/or activity. |
Non-Public School Services
Colonial Intermediate
Unit 20
6 Danforth Drive
P. O. Box 3060
Easton, PA 18045
The Colonial Intermediate Unit provides Notre Dame with the following services:
| Remediation in Reading and Math. |
| The home district in which the student resides may provide Speech and Hearing Therapy. |
| The Instructional Support Team (IST) Program addresses the challenge of helping students who are experiencing academic, social or behavioral difficulty. |
It is a team approach designed to maximize individual student success in regular classes.
Members of the team are: Principal, classroom teacher, School Psychologist, Intermediate Unit teacher and the parents.
Parents may request these services, or teachers may suggest them for a child.
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A School Psychologist is assigned to Notre Dame one day a week. In the event that a child is in need of psychological assessment or counseling, the Principal and/or the School Psychologist will provide informative guidelines to help direct parental decisions. Due to limited resources, counseling services are not provided at school. |
School pictures will be arranged through a school photographer. Notification will be sent home a week in advance.
A make-up date will be scheduled for absent students.
Students are expected to wear their school uniform (this is for Fall pictures only).
Power School is the management system that we use for grades and report cards.
Parents in grades 3-8 are encouraged to monitor their students progress by using the PowerSchool website. Access PowerSchool.
Parents are given passwords for each child at the beginning of the school year and passwords are available at any time through the school office. Passwords are given directly to a parent.
Grades are updated by the teachers on a regular basis.
This is a Diocesan-wide child sexual abuse prevention program.
The Protecting God's Children Program is a comprehensive and multi-dimensional program that was designed to help the prevention of child sexual abuse by clergy, staff, volunteers, and others who interact with children within the church and school environment.
All Notre Dame of Bethlehem School staff and volunteers are required to attend a three to four hour awareness session that instructs adults and helps them understand the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse and five empowerment steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse.
It is also a requirement of the Diocese of Allentown for the faculty to teach Protecting God's Children lessons to all children in grades K through 8. The benchmark years are K, 3, and 6. New students entering grades not listed will participate in lessons appropriate for the age.
Preschool, Kindergarten, Grades 1 through 8
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Registration for the upcoming school year for Preschool, Kindergarten and new students for grades 1 through 8 will be held during Catholic Schools Week. |
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Notre Dame has two Preschool Programs available: |
3-Year-Old Preschool
4-Year-Old Preschool
The following documents need to be completed at the time of registration:
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Application ~ communicating all pertinent information regarding your child. (Failure to disclose information may jeopardize enrollment.) |
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Birth Certificate |
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Baptismal Certificate |
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Proof of Immunization (PA State Law) |
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Health History form |
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Records Release for Admission form |
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Act 372 Transportation form |
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Extended Care reservation form (if needed) |
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Student's Social Security Number |
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Registration fee |
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Tuition Policy signature form (See Current Tuition Rates) |
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TMS (Tuition Management System) enrollment form |
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Home Language Survey form |
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Internet Permission form |
N.B. Children entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by October 15.
Children entering the 3-year-old Preschool class must be 3 years old by October 15.
Children entering the 4-year-old Preschool class must be 4 years old by October 15.
New Applicants
All new applicants should submit the last progress report and any other pertinent information from the transferring school.
The Administration will interview new students and parents for accepted enrollment.
Continued enrollment is contingent upon full disclosure of the student's background, willingness to follow school policies, and a three-month probationary period.
Students are responsible for coming to class with the supplies necessary to complete all class assignments. Notebooks, folders, paper supplies, pens, pencils, crayons, etc., are not included in the school tuition. Some stationery supplies must be purchased from school.
At the end of each school year, students will be informed of the supplies they will need for the following school year. Please do not purchase supplies that are unnecessary.
When reasonable suspicion exists that a student possesses contraband, Notre Dame of Bethlehem reserves the right to conduct a search of the student's personal belongings, including desks and lockers.
Report cards are issued four times within the school term. Specific dates concerning failure notices and report card distribution will be published on our yearly calendar. Each student is responsible for his/her report card grade by satisfactorily fulfilling the following requirements:
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Major tests (at least three major grades in each subject) |
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Quizzes |
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Oral and written reports |
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Independent class work |
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Active participation in classroom lessons and activities |
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Class/individual projects |
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Graded material must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned. Test folders will go home on Friday and return on Tuesday. |
Access Honor Roll Program information.
Promotion and Retention
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A student is promoted when he/she adequately demonstrates mastery of material covered in all major subject areas. |
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Students in Grades K-2: The decision of retaining a student is left to the discretion of the Principal upon consultation with the teacher and school psychologist. |
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Students in Grades 3-8: Students who do not successfully achieve a passing grade in more than two curriculum areas will not be promoted. The student will not be permitted to continue enrollment at Notre Dame. Summer school is not an option for these students. |
Summer School
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Any student who does not successfully achieve a passing grade (69 or above) in one or two curriculum areas will be required to successfully complete a summer school program for each subject that they have failed in order to be promoted to the next grade. |
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The summer school program must be taught by a certified teacher approved by the Notre Dame Administration. |
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The requirements and curriculum for the program must be obtained from the Administration of Notre Dame School. Adherence to the requirements is necessary for a student to pass summer school. The parents/guardians will cover the cost of this program. |
Standardized Testing
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Tests |
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Cognitive Tests
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Student Information/Pictures
Notre Dame reserves the right to use student pictures in publications.
The Photo Release Form must be filled out for each student at Notre Dame School. Access Photo Release Form.
Technology and the Internet
Access to the technology facilities and resources is a privilege granted solely to Notre Dame of Bethlehem School faculty, administrators, students and other authorized persons.
All users of these facilities must act responsibly and maintain the integrity of these resources as well as the Catholic values held by this institution.
All actions utilizing these facilities must conform to the Notre Dame of Bethlehem School Code of Conduct, Church Doctrine, and Federal and Pennsylvania laws.
All parents, students and staff are required to sign the Allentown Diocesan Acceptable User Policy. Access Acceptable (Computer) User Form.
*Offenders of these policies are subject to disciplinary action, which may include judicial punishment.
Telephone Use
Use of the telephone in the office is for emergencies! Children should not need to call home for unnecessary reasons such as forgotten books, papers, money, lunch, library books or gym clothes.
Parents are requested to notify the school when planning to transfer children so the school can follow the procedure necessary for the legal transfer of records.
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Bus |
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Car Riders |
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Walkers |
Tuition policy is reviewed yearly in accordance with Diocesan Policy. Information on tuition is distributed to parents during the fourth quarter. Access Current Tuition Schedule.
Visitors are most welcome to our school. To arrange for a visit, please contact the School Office for an appointment.
All visitors should register in the Office upon entering the building, where they will receive a visitor's pass.
Parents should not confer with the teacher or visit classrooms between the hours of 8:10 AM and 3:00 PM. Please schedule an appointment with the teacher so classes will not be interrupted.
In addition to our dedicated faculty, we are fortunate to have the assistance of volunteers such as classroom parents, copiers, office helpers, etc. Parents/guardians are encouraged to take an active part in their child's education whenever and wherever possible. Students are expected to show courtesy and respect to all volunteers.
Because volunteers are considered agents of the parish, they are asked to participate in the Protecting God's Children Adult Program. (See the Principal for guidelines under this requirement.)
All volunteers should check in at the Office to receive their visitor's badge and return to the Office to sign out.
The following information will be sent home annually or at various times during the school year:
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Discipline Code |
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Listing of Texts |
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Yearly/Monthly Calendars |
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Uniform Price Lists |
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Emergency Information Forms |
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Tuition Policy |
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Re-registration Forms |
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Weekly Communication Envelopes |
Please Note: The Notre Dame of Bethlehem Administration has the right to amend this handbook for just cause. Parents/guardians will be given prompt notification if changes are made.
Handbook Last Updated: October 2009
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