Our Lady of Lourdes School is operated in full accord with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (the “Church”), subject first and foremost and at all times to the Church’s moral, ethical, canonical and religious precepts as interpreted by the parish pastor, subject to the Diocesan Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre (the “Diocesan Bishop”) and applied by the school administration. The Diocesan Bishop is the final arbiter of the interpretation and application of such precepts to all aspects of school life. These precepts shall be the guiding principles and law upon which the entire life of the school shall be understood.
Our Lady of Lourdes School provides the highest quality religious and secular education. In order to continue to provide such quality education, we must have not only dedicated and committed personnel but generous and charitable parishioners, complete cooperation from those involved in the school, and a full understanding of the economics which are part of the school operation. Those factors have made our parish school one of the best in the Diocese of Rockville Centre and we intend to continue in this tradition. Consequently, the following policies and requirements for admission and continued enrollment in Our Lady of Lourdes have been established. 

Parents should understand that regular Mass attendance is the most fundamental public sign of a person's commitment to the Catholic faith and union with Jesus.

1. Past Obligation

Tuition and general fees for the past school years must be paid in full or the student will not be admitted to class.

 2. Present Obligation

In order for a student to be enrolled in the school at the beginning of a new school year, the family must be current in all their financial obligations. This includes tuition, fees, church envelope obligation, raffles, and Scrip ($1000.00/year).

3. Conditions for Continued Enrollment

a. Tuition must be paid on the due date. 
b. The student must meet  the academic requirements of the school and must conform to the Discipline Code.

4. Registration Fee

A non-refundable $250.00 fee, per family, is required at the time of registration.

5. Church Envelope System

School families agree to use the church envelope system to make a parish contribution of at least $500.00 a year. The rectory receptionist will inform the school office of the school families who do not fulfill this obligation.  

The educational relationship between the school and a student is also an educational relationship with a student’s parent and/or legal guardian.  Where, in the discretion of the school, the behavior, attitude or conduct of a parent and/or legal guardian is of such an uncooperative, destructive, or disruptive nature that the ability of the school to manage the relationship with the student’s parent and/or legal guardian is significantly impaired, a parent and/or legal guardian may be required to withdraw his/her child or children from the school.

Regularity of attendance is vital to the academic progress of a student. Every effort should be made by parents and guardians to ensure their children do not miss school except for reasons of health and family emergencies. After an absence, upon the student's return to school and before attending any classes, a written excuse from home must be presented to the teacher. IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL, PLEASE RECORD THE ABSENCE USING THE PICK UP PATROL APP.   The school will contact the family in the case of an unusual number of absences, especially if they are illegal absences such as for vacations (see below). Excessive absences will require a conference with the parents/guardians and the teacher, social worker or psychologist, and the principal. Strategies to improve attendance will be presented and discussed with the families. Excessive absences may result in the inability of the child to progress to the next grade at the completion of the school year. The principal and designated teachers will review attendance records.

A student arriving after 8:10 A.M. must report to the office for a late pass. Lateness is disruptive to the classroom routine and habitual lateness cannot be tolerated. After the third lateness, students will receive a detention. Please try to schedule all medical and dental appointments outside of school hours.

The objective of our attendance policy is to impress upon the parents/guardians and students, the importance of regular attendance in promoting academic and character growth and responsibility in their work and study habits.

Vacations
The school calendar provides time for vacation. Family vacations or day trips during school days are recorded as illegal absences. The school will not give permission or excuse an absence for these days. Teachers will not prepare work for children who are being taken out of school for additional vacation. The child is responsible for the material taught in his/her absence.

Soliciting money for any outside organization will not be permitted in our school by our students except instances where such solicitations have been approved and/or recommended by the Diocesan Education Department and after consultation with the principal of the school concerning the wisdom of any given solicitation in the context of the present prevailing parish economy. 

The principal reserves the right to speak to and/or call to her office any student, without prior notification to the parent/guardians, who has broken any school rules or is suspected of breaking any school rules or suspected of being involved in any un-Christian-like or inappropriate behavior either in school or while representing the school in any capacity as deemed as such by the principal and/or pastor.

According to the Diocesan Guidelines, the School Board is to develop policies that are compatible with the school's philosophy and that will enable the school to reach its goals, to formulate the annual budget, to help determine the sources of funding, and to represent its constituency. The function of a parish school board is not to administer the school, but to recommend policy to the pastor and principal. 

The School Board will adopt an annual agenda, suggested by the monthly agendas, to serve as a guide to all school board members as to the events for which they are responsible.  They will annually review said agenda for any change deemed necessary.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School is operated in full accord with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (the “Church”), subject first and foremost and at all times to the Church’s moral, ethical, canonical and religious precepts as interpreted by the parish pastor, subject to the Diocesan Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre (the “Diocesan Bishop”) and applied by the school administration. The Diocesan Bishop is the final arbiter of the interpretation and application of such precepts to all aspects of school life. These precepts shall be the guiding principles and law upon which the entire life of the school shall be understood.

Technology Use & Student Behavior Policy
The student agrees never to use the school's computer resources to gain unauthorized access to another computer network (hacking). The student agrees never to transmit (download or upload) any computer file, application, or other computer resources to or from the school's computer network. This includes the unauthorized installation of software from a floppy disc, CD-ROM or other media. The student agrees never to use inappropriate, obscene, profane, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language or visit inappropriate websites. The student agrees never to post false information or engage in personal, prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. The student agrees never to harass another person by use of any of the school's resources. Harassment is defined as any action that distresses or annoys another person. The student agrees to stop immediately any and all behavior that is construed by another as unwelcome. The student agrees never to plagiarize. Plagiarism is defined as taking the idea or writing of others and presenting them as one's own. The student agrees to respect the right of intellectual property of other people and to respect all copyright laws. The student agrees that if he or she is unsure whether copyright law is being respected, he or she will bring this question to the attention of a staff member. The student agrees never to participate in illegal activity using the school's computer resources. The school will cooperate fully withy local, state or federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the school's resources. Our Lady of Lourdes School will not be held responsible for the actions of a student who is in violation of any of the terms of this policy. This responsibility is extended to, but not limited to: the loss of data or interruptions of service; the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the unauthorized use of the school's computer resources. Our Lady of Lourdes School reserves the right to establish rules and regulations regarding the use of the system. A student found in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline including, but not limited to, temporary removal from the school's system, permanent removal from the system or other appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the rules and regulations of the school, including suspension or expulsion.

Bring Your Own Device Policy (BYODP)
This is an addendum to the Technology Use and Student Behavior Policy

Our Lady of Lourdes School has the right to protect its network and technical resources. Thus, any network user who brings his/her own personal device into the school building is required to adhere to the Technology Use and Student Behavior Policy. 
-The student takes full responsibility for his or her personal devices. The school is not responsible for the security or care of personal devices.
-The student is responsible for the proper care of his or her personal devices, including any costs of repair, replacement, or any modifications needed to use the device at school.
-The school reserves the right to inspect and/or confiscate a student's personal devices if there is reason to believe that the student has violated school policies, has used such devices in connection with any inappropriate conduct, or in any way poses a danger to himself, herself, or others.
-The student will comply with any teacher's request with regard to personal devices and will only use devices in an area that is visible to and under the supervision of a school faculty and/or staff member.
-The student may not use the devices to record, transmit, or post photos or video of a person or persons on the school campus. Nor can any images, audio and/or video recorded at school be transmitted or posted at any time without being reviewed by and with the permission of the administrator (principal) at the school.
-Students are not to call, text message, email, or electronically communicate with others from their personal device, including other students, parents, guardians, friends, and family during the school day. Cell phones may only be used by students in an emergency with the consent of the responsible adult in charge.
-Students will only use appropriate educational applications on their devices under the direction and supervision of a teacher and/or staff member.
-Personal devices shall be charged prior to bringing it to school and shall be capable of running off its own battery while at the school.
-Cell phones and other devices will be taken from the student if used without permission of the responsible adult in charge, and will be held in the office until picked up by the parents/guardian of the student.

 

• Statement of objectives to be accomplished

Our Lady of Lourdes School establishes this policy to ensure the maintenance of an adequate record verifying the attendance of all children at instruction in accordance with Education Law Section 3205. The policy is designed to ensure sufficient pupil attendance at all scheduled periods of actual instruction or supervised study activities to permit such pupils to succeed at meeting the State learning standards.

• Description of the specific strategies to accomplish each objective

• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each school day prior to the first period of instruction.
• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each scheduled class period when pupils move freely between classes.
• Attendance will be taken after the pupils return from lunch
• Attendance will be taken on class and/or school field trips

• Determination of the kinds of absences, tardiness and early departures that will be excused and those that will not be excused; and a list of excused and unexcused absences and tardiness to illustrate each (see below).
  • A pupil is considered absent if not present when attendance is taken.
  • A pupil who arrives after the time fixed by school policy for the beginning of the morning or afternoon sessions is tardy
  • A pupil is absent for part of day if present when attendance is taken and then leaves school.
  • Incidents of absence and tardiness will be classified as either excused or unexcused. An excused absence/tardiness is one recognized by the Education Department and the school administrators as valid and unavoidable. An unexcused absence/tardiness occurs when the reason offered does not show unavoidable circumstances or necessity.
  • Truancy is the willful violation by a student of the compulsory attendance provisions of Education Law.

The following reasons for absence or tardiness may be considered excused:

• sick
• scheduled medical appointments
• sickness or death in family
• day of religious observance
• bad weather; impassable roads
• court appearance
• family emergency
• district bus problem
• college interviews (limit 2)
• funeral
• other school activity

The following reasons for absence or tardiness would ordinarily be considered unexcused:

• Music lessons
• Take child to work
• High school visits
• Family trips
• CYO trips
• Didn’t have a ride
• Truant