These guidelines apply to parents and their children that are enrolled at Blessed Sacrament School. They are meant to ensure the children have a fun and faith filled learning experience throughout the year. We hope all parents and children will give their wholehearted cooperation in carrying out these policies.
Download a Printable HandbookHandbook Sections (1) These topics are linked directly to other pages within this website where the information is referenced.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to success in school. A pupil not only misses work on the day of his/her absence but is usually unprepared the following day because he/she missed the instructions for the new work. This applies to children in all grades. Regular attendance for the Kindergartner is just as important as it is for the 6th grader.
According to New York State law, your child is required to attend school every day except for illness. A written excuse is required on the day he/she returns to school after absence. Please indicate the cause and date of the absence. The only legal excuses for absence or tardiness allowed under the education law of the State of New York are:
- Sickness
- Sickness or death in a family
- Impassable roads or weather making travel unsafe
- Religious observance
- Approved school supervised trips
- Required presence in court
If a student is absent, his/her parents are requested to call the school office by 8:30 a.m. to let us know that their child will not be attending school. Students are tardy when they are not in their seats when morning prayers begin. Tardy to homeroom means arriving to homeroom after prayers, but before the attendance has been sent to the main office.
Doctor and dentist appointments should be made after school hours, if at all possible. If a student is to be excused earlier, than regular dismissal time, a parent or guardian must send a written request to the classroom teacher stating the reason, time and name of the adult who will come to school for the child. At the time requested, the parent or guardian should come to the office, and sign the student out. The child will be called to the office upon your arrival.
Manuscript Tablets $.75 Cursive Tablets $.75 Theme Tablets $.75 Topper Erasers $.10 Pens $.25 Ink Erasers $.75 Pencils $.10 Glue $.75
Pupils in grades K through 6 who live one and one half miles or more from the school they attend are eligible for transportation. Either a bus pass or tokens are issued by the Syracuse Board of Pupil Transportation. In addition, busing is provided for students who live west of Teall Avenue and south of James Street. Please see Mrs. Doliber White, our school secretary, if you think your child is eligible.
A student is ineligible for participating in any extracurricular activity when he or she receives a failing grade in 2 or more subjects. The student may become eligible after 20 school days provided that the student has an eligibility form signed by all applicable teachers indicating signs of significant improvement in all subjects involved, and returns the form to the principal who will file the form and notify affected persons whether or not the student is reinstated. A student who is under disciplinary suspension is ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities.
Each parent/guardian shall provide the school with telephone numbers where they may be contacted in the event of unforeseen events or emergencies. Further, if possible, the school requests that the parent provide the name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of individuals who could act in the parent's absence should an unexpected event occur and the parents cannot be contacted. Only those persons whose names and phone numbers have been provided to the school will be permitted to take children from the school. Persons on the list who are not personally known to the school staff will be permitted to take the students from school only after providing appropriate identification.
Emergency closings for the entire day or closing early due to inclement weather is decided by the Syracuse District superintendent of Schools. Closing notices will be made through local radio and televison stations. Please don't call the convent or rectory as we also find out only through radio notices. Please fill out emergency closing forms. Your child should know where to go in case of an early closing. All necessary forms will be given to your child on the first day of school.
For trips requiring transportation the following Diocesan policy applies:
Class visits to places of cultural or educational significance give enrichment to the lesson of the classroom. To insure the desired outcomes of such trips, teachers should prepare pupils for the place that is to be visited and the things that are to be seen. A discussion should be held regarding the aims and purpose of the trip.
The written consent of parents must be obtained for every child participating in a field trip. Permission slips must inform parents of the following:
- Name, location and dates of the event
- Cost to student
- Mode of transportation to be used
- Name of supervisor of the activity
- Parent's responsibility
No student may participate unless a signed parent permission slip for the specific event is on file with the principal. Consent of one parent is sufficient to authorize the student's participation. Please note that field trips are privileges and that students can be denied participation if they fail to meet academic or behavioral requirements.
Whenever possible, bus transportation should be provided. The use of private vehicles is discouraged.
Throughout the school year families will be asked to participate in fund raising activities. The profits from these fund raising activities are returned to the students through the purchasing of educational materials. In addition, these profits generate funds for field trips, computer software, special events, sports program, and etc.
For the 2009-2010 school year the following fund raisers have been planned by the school:
- Rock-A-Thon
- Q.S.P. Magazine Drive
- Book Fair
We appreciate your help and support in these endeavors.
Classroom teachers will evaluate students and assign grades according to the system established by the Diocese of Syracuse. All students are expected to complete the assigned classwork and homework as directed. Students are also expected to participate meaningfully in class discussions and activities in order to receive course credit.
Parents of students in grades 1 thru 6 are informed at least four (4) times a year of their child's progress. Kindergarten students receive report cards three (3) times a year and Pre-K students receive evaluations twice (2) a year.
Report Card Dates:Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The gym uniform for children in grades 1 thru 6 consists of the red Blessed Sacrament School tee shirt and navy blue sweatpants. Tee shirts and sweatpants are to be purchased at school or through Rose Uniforms. The fall and spring seasonal uniform option may be worn as the gym uniform with sneakers on gym days. An optional blue jersy short and long sleeve Blessed Sacrament tee shirt is also available for purchase.
Students in Kindergarten and Pre K will wear their play clothes and sneakers to school on their gym days. All other students will wear their gym uniform and sneakers to school on their designated gym day or the fall/spring seasonal option.
The school nurse is provided to our school by the Syracuse City School District five days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Medical inspections will be provided for all students as required by law, including annual medical examinations, vision screening and audiometer tests.
Should you be called that your child is sick, please come into the office to get your child. We require visual verification as to who is picking up any child. An emergency number should be on file with us in case we are not able to contact you directly. Please do not give your home phone as the emergency number. Any change of address or phone number should be given to the school office as soon as possible.
New York State Law requires all students to be immunized or be in the process of receiving immunization before they are enrolled in school. Children whose parents cannot afford to have inoculations administered by a private physician may receive them from the local Health Department.
Ideally, all New York State children should receive five (5) DPT immunization (diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus). Four (4) doses of trivalent oral polio vaccine, two (2) MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), one (1) HIB vaccine (haemophilus influenza type B), and one (1) Hepatitis B vaccine. If the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule were strictly adhered to, children would complete this series prior to entering school for kindergarten.
Children who do not meet minimum requirements or fail to complete the balance of the required immunizations in a timely manner will be excluded from school until further immunizations have been obtained.
Grades K & 1 Tasks are assigned at the teacher's discretion, usually not on a regular basis. Grades 2 & 3 Homework should not exceed 45 minutes Grades 4-6 Approximately 60 - 90 minutes
Study time is included in the numbers above. Not all time should be spent in doing written work. Homework on the weekend is discouraged unless it is a long-term assignment.
Please continue to save and send in Campbell Soup labels throughout the entire year. We are able to purchase educational materials for our school with the labels. Your help and support in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
Every class has time scheduled for our library and hands-on use of computers.
Each week students have the opportunity to borrow books, magazines and videos from our library along with learning specific library skills.
Students also have the opportunity to receive hands-on instruction in our computer laboratory. All students gain experience in computer programming using basic and logo computer languages, developing keyboarding and word processing skills and utilizing grade appropriate software.
School liturgies are prepared by the teachers and students of various grades each month throughout the school year. We will keep parents informed of these special liturgies through the monthly school calendar. Everyone is always welcome to attend these liturgies that the students and teachers have prepared. The opening school Mass will be Friday, September 18, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
Articles will be kept for claim for 30 days. Please phone or come into the school office to claim lost articles. The articles are kept on a table in the all-purpose room. Please encourage your child if they have lost something to check the lost and found box. It would be extremely helpful if students' belongings were properly labeled, especially uniforms and lunch containers.
At times during the school year, the media such as the Catholic Sun come to the school to report on activities at the school. If parents do not wish to have their child(ren) participate in the coverage, they should make it known to the principal in writing.
I. A written order from a physician is required for all prescription and non prescription medications to be taken during school hours. Such orders must include the following:
A. Student's name and date of birth
B. Diagnosis
C. Name of medication
D. Dosage and route of administration
E. Self administration orders, if needed
F. Frequency and time of administration
G. Conditions under which medications should be administered and frequency
H. Date written
I. Prescriber's name, title and signature
J. Prescriber's phone number
II. The parent must submit a written statement requesting administration of the medication in accordance with the physician's directions. Forms for parents and physicians to complete may be obtained from the School Office.
III. All medication must be submitted by the parent to the School Office. Prescription medication must be in the original pharmacy container bearing the original pharmacy label. The pharmacy label must include (a) the student's name, (b) the name and phone number of the pharmacy, (c) the licensed prescriber's name, (d) the date and number of refills, (e) the name of the medication, and (f) the dosage, frequency of administration, and the directions for administration. over the counter medications must be in the original manufacturer's package with the student's name affixed to the container.
IV. The school nurse is responsible for administering any necessary medication if on duty. Thus, students should report to the Health Office to take medication. If the nurse is not available, students should report to the main office for administration of medication.
If medical conditions require, and if the student is properly trained, a student may be permitted to self administer medication if the proper authorizations are submitted. The forms for self administer medication are available in the School Office.
Each month a school calendar and newsletter will be posted on this website (Calendar/Events and News to Know) and will be sent home with your child. The purpose of these communications is to keep you informed of all upcoming events and activities.
Please encourage your child to bring home all school notices. Students sometimes have the tendency to leave important communictions in their desks. Please remind them to bring home all papers.
Blessed Sacrament School will presume that the non-custodial parent has the authority to request information concerning his/her child and shall release such information upon request. Additionally, we will provide the non-custodial parent with access to his/her child's educational records. If the custodial parent wishes to limit the non-custodial parent's access to records, it is his/her responsibility to obtain and present to the school, a court order or other legally binding instrument that limits or denies access.
The Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Syracuse commit themselves to a continued policy that there will be no discrimination because of race, color, gender, national origin, an individual's disability or age.
Parent teacher conferences are an important element in reporting student progress to parents. Friday, November 20, 2009 has been set aside for this purpose. An opportunity to sign up for conferences will be provided at Back To School Night.
Parents may initiate a conference at any time by contacting us and making an appointment with the teacher or prinipal. When a parent requests a conference with a teacher, the teacher will make every effort to arrange a mutually convenient time.
If a parent cannot attend a scheduled conference, he/she should contact us as far in advance as possible so that another conference time may be arranged. It is important to come at your scheduled time to insure a smooth scheduling for all concerned.
All parties should be cleared through the homeroom teacher and principal. Teachers will communicate with parents in regard to their needs for holiday parties. Students are allowed to bring in a birthday treat for their classmates, but arrangements must be made with the classroom teacher prior to the treat being brought in to school. It is important to remember that only a small treat should be sent to school along with all the necessary paper supplies to consume the treat, i.e. napkins, forks, spoons, etc. The classroom can not be your child’s birthday party place.
It is our policy not to allow students to distribute birthday invitations at school. A list of addresses and names can be obtained for this purpose in the school office.
School pictures are taken each fall of all children in a class in order to compile a class picture. Individual school pictures will be taken on a prepaid basis. You will receive a notice with pricing information. There will be a makeup date scheduled later in the year for any students who were absent or forgot their money. Picture retakes require that the original picture be returned on the retake date.
It is our policy of the Diocese of Syracuse and the Blessed Sacrament School that all students be free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in the school environment. Any allegation that a student has been sexually harassed, or has been involved in sexually harassing another, will be fully investigated. If the allegations are determined to be valid, appropriate discipline will be imposed.
Sexual harassment may occur in a number of ways including:
- verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
- situations where a student's submission to or rejection of such conduct becomes a basis for academic decisions affecting the student and/or impacts on the learning environment
- when such conduct creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive learning environment.
Any student who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment should immediately report the incident(s) to the building pricipal or guidance counselor so that the matter may be investigated, and the student's welfare protected. All information gathered during an investigation will be kept confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law.
From 7:00 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. the all-purpose room door is the only point of entry available for students and parents. From 7:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. the front door is the only point of entry for all students, parents, and visitors to the school. All other doors are locked during the school day for the safety and protection of students and staff.
The student day shall be from 8:00 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Students who do not ride the bus should arrive at approximately 7:40 a.m. This will prevent their waiting outside during inclement weather. All students arriving to school before 7:50 a.m. will remain in the All Purpose Room until the principal sends students to class. Prayers will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving to school after 8:00 a.m. will be marked tardy. If a student needs to be in the building before 7:40 a.m., the principal must be notified. The school is not responsible for students on school grounds before 7:40 a.m. and after 2:15 p.m.
Lunch periods are as follows:
| Grades K-1 | 10:50 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. |
| Grades 2-3 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon) |
| Grades 4-6 | 12:10 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. |
Please refrain from special "fast food" deliveries during students' lunch periods.
The Syracuse City School District provides the services of a social worker, school psychologist, and Title 1 teacher assistant for all students. The social worker and psychologist is assigned to Blessed Sacrament School on an as needed basis and the Title 1 teacher assistant is available four full-days a week.
In addition, an A.D.A.P.E.P.(Alcohol and Drug Abuse Preventative Education Program) counselor is available two full-days per week. The services of the A.D.A.P.E.P. counselor is provided by a consortium of participating Catholic Schools and O.C.M. B.O.C.E.S. This counselor meets regularly with individual students who are in need of support, provides direct classroom instruction, and coordinates peer mentoring groups and the Banana Splits Program.
Parents who feel their child/children may require some assistance from the support staff need to contact the principal or classroom teacher to make a referral.
Each month there will be a tag day. This day will be indicated on our monthly school calendar. Students who wish to participate will pay a 25 cent fee which will be put toward student activities, busing for field trips, and donations to the missions and non-profit organizations. The tag day will be either a dress down day, a dress up day, or there might be a special theme day. Watch the monthly calendar for details..
Teachers and children are not called to the telephone during school hours except in real emergencies. If a student has to make a personal phone call while at school, he/she may use the office phone. Students should make arrangements for going over to one another's homes the night before. The office phone should not be used for this purpose.
For a listing of telephone numbers, visit contact us.
Testing ProgramAssessments developed by the New York State Education Department are administered in grades 3 through 8 in the areas of Mathematics and English Language Arts. The 28 New York State learning standards in the seven subject areas are linked to curriculum and these assessments through classroom practice and student performance results.
In addition, 4th grade students take the New York State Science Test and 5th grade students take the New York State Social Studies Test.
Parents must notify the teacher and the school office at least one week in advance if a pupil is to be withdrawn from the school. Parents must also sign and return to the school office a transfer slip before any records will be released to the new school. Upon receiving the transfer slip, records will then be sent directly to the school upon their request.
Blessed Sacrament School, like many catholic schools, requires students to wear uniforms during the school day.
Please view the links below for uniforms requirements:
Traditional Uniforms Seasonal Uniforms Gym Uniforms Uniform Policy
BOYS:
- PANTS: Navy blue dress pants or corduroys. (No cargo or baggy style pants.)
- SHIRTS: Plain white, light blue, or yellow; long or short sleeve. (No denim or denim-like shirts.)
- POLOS: Short or long sleeved must have RED Blessed Sacrament Logo.
(Purchase only from Robert Rose or Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Companies.)
- SWEATERS: SOLID COLORS ONLY in navy blue or hunter green.
(No vests or oversized sweaters; no stripes or designed sweaters.).
- TIES: Worn with dress shirts only in navy blue.
- SOCKS: Navy blue or white.
- SHORTS: Navy blue dress shorts may be worn only in the months of September, October, April, May, June with the short sleeved polo described above. (Purchase only from Robert Rose or Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Companies.)
GIRLS:
- (Grades K-4) Flynn & O'Hara or Robert Rose’s Jumper green plaid
- (Grades 5-6) Flynn & O'Hara or Robert Rose’s Skirt or Jumper green plaid
- BLOUSE: Plain white, light blue, or yellow; long or short sleeves; Peter Pan or button down collar. (No denim or denim-like blouses.)
- SWEATERS: SOLID COLORS ONLY in navy blue or hunter green. (No vests or oversized sweaters; no stripes or designed sweaters.).
- SLACKS: Navy blue dress pants or corduroys. (No leggings, stirrups, or stretch pants).
- SOCKS: Navy blue or white.
- SHORTS: Navy blue dress shorts may be worn only in the months of September, October, April, May, June with the short sleeved polo described above. (Purchase only from Robert Rose or Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Companies.)
***SHOES must be worn by all students at all times with the uniform. Rubber-soled shoes are recommended. Clogs, loosely fitting shoes, slip ons, sling backs, sandals, crocks, sneakers with wheels, open toed shoes, shoeboots, workboots, and hiking boots are not permitted. Sneakers are worn in gym class only.
SEASONAL UNIFORM OPTIONS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
(For the months of November, December, January, February and March only)
1. White turtlenecks may be worn under sweaters or with jumpers only.
2. Blessed Sacrament “School Spirit-Wear” Sweatshirts may be worn with uniform pants only. They are not to be worn with jumpers or skirts.
If a child is unable to be in their uniform, their parent must write an excuse for their child stating the reason they do not have their uniform on. Children without a written excuse will receive a warning slip regarding uniform violation. Whenever a child receives three (3) warning slips, the penalty will be that they will not be allowed to participate in that particular month's tag day. Your cooperation in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
The gym uniform for children in grades 1-6 consists of the red Blessed Sacrament School tee shirt and navy blue sweatpants. Tee shirts and sweatpants are to be purchased at school. The fall and spring seasonal uniform option may be worn as the gym uniform with sneakers on gym days. An optional blue knit short and long sleeve Blessed Sacrament tee shirt is also available for purchase.
Students in Kindergarten and Pre-K will wear their play clothes and sneakers to school on their gym days. All other students will wear their gym uniform and sneakers to school on their designated gym day or the fall/spring seasonal option.
If a child is unable to be in their uniform, their parent must write an excuse for their child stating the reason they do not have their uniform on. Children without a written excuse will receive a warning slip regarding uniform violation. Whenever a child receives three (3) warning slips, the penalty will be that they will not be allowed to participate in that particular month's tag day. Your cooperation in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
The principal is to be informed of any visits to the school. If you have occasion to come to school, please go directly to the school office. Parents are advised to see teachers after school or at other convenient times to discuss any specific problem that may have arisen. Parents should call the school office during school hours to arrange an appointment with their child's teacher. A phone message will be given to the teacher and the teacher will return the call as soon as possible.
Student visitors from other schools are not permitted to enter school unless they have a specific reason and prior approval of the Principal.
