Absence

According to the School Attendance Laws of the State of Ohio, absence from school is excused ONLY in cases of illness and family emergencies. In very rare circumstances, other absences may be excused at the discretion of the school administration. All other absences are considered unexcused.

Every effort will be made by the school personnel to help a student make-up work missed as a result of an excused absence.

Students and parents are responsible for work missed as a result of unexcused absences. Specific assignments will not be given prior to unexcused absences, although teachers may give general instructions about material which will be covered during the student's absence (e.g. finish chapter, finish reading novel, work on times table, etc.) When returning from an unexcused absence, the student will be allowed to make up tests and complete work missed during the absence provided that this is done within 5 days after the student returns to school.

In compliance with the school Attendance Laws of the State of Ohio, if a student is absent from school for any reason, the parents/guardians are required to send a written excuse or call the school at 419-866-9051 before 9:00 a.m. on the day of absence. A written excuse, signed by the parent/guardian and stating the reason for absence, is required upon the child’s return to school.

When the school does not receive a note or telephone call explaining the child’s absence, a reasonable effort will be made by school personnel to notify the parent/guardian at home or at work. If telephone contact cannot be made, written notice of the absence will be mailed home.

Parents who leave their child/children in the care of others for such reasons as vacations or hospitalizations are requested to notify the office in writing of the name of the person who is responsible for the child/children during the parents’ absence.

Truancy

If a student is suspected to be truant, the administration will contact the student’s parent/guardian to report the truancy. All reasonable means will be exerted to get the student back into the educational environment.

Early Dismissal

Whenever possible, appointments should be scheduled outside of regular school hours. If it is necessary for a child to be dismissed before the end of the school day, a written excuse indicating the time and reason for early dismissal is required from the parent/guardian. This note will be sent to the school office and approved by an administrator or office personnel.

The child will be dismissed from class when an authorized designee comes into the school office. After completing the “Attendance Log”, the child will be released to the custodial parent/guardian or other adult named in writing by the parent/guardian. When returning to school after an appointment, the student must sign the “Attendance Log” once again.

The time spent away from school will be noted as an early dismissal.

Tardiness

Students arriving in their homeroom after the designated time for the beginning of the morning or afternoon session are considered tardy. They should report to the office, present a signed excuse from their parent/guardian, and receive a tardy pass. Habitual or unexcused tardiness will not be tolerated and may subject the student to the disciplinary process. The school nurse and classroom teacher will inform the administration whenever excessive tardiness/absence is suspected.

• Early Dismissal = up to one hour
• Tardy = up to one hour
• Health Care Appt. = excused tardy
• Half day absence = 1 – 4 hours
• Full day absence = greater than 4 hours

Perfect attendance will be awarded at the end of each quarter for students who have not been marked tardy (excused or unexcused), early dismissal, or absent (excused or unexcused) for the duration of the quarter.

AIDS Policy

As disciples of Jesus we recognize that we have a special responsibility to follow His examples in our own day by our care for the sick and suffering members of our society. We must convince them by our words and actions that they are loved and make certain that they are treated with dignity and respect.

St. Joan of Arc School recognizes the significance of AIDS and HIV as a grave medical social problem. In every case, our concern for the rights of all students must be tempered by and enlightened by that deeper concern for the fidelity to our compassionate Lord. Not only must these convictions influence our personal responses to the AIDS crisis, but they also must go along with the policies and programs of our parish institutions

Student Pregnancy Policy

The Catholic Church teaches that sex is sacred and according to God’s plan, sexual love is reserved for marriage. Therefore, premarital sex is contrary to those teachings. In the event a child is conceived outside the sacrament of marriage, it is the responsibility of the Christian community to offer compassion and support as well as help to the persons involved. Through this support, the child can be born with as much security and happiness as possible.

Human life is sacred. The Roman Catholic Church holds the gift of human life in the highest regard. At the time of pregnancy, the girl may need more Christian help, acceptance, and counsel than other members of the student body. If the faculty and students display a positive Christian attitude and understanding toward the girl, hopefully, she may not be tempted to seek an abortion as a solution. It is understood that this is not approval of her actions.

An initial conference must be scheduled with the parents/guardians of the student, pastor, administration, and counselor, and any other faculty member deemed necessary.

If a physician has not been obtained, an immediate conference with the parents/guardians will be set. A monthly check with the school nurse will be necessary.

Counseling with a spiritual director must be instituted immediately and continued throughout the pregnancy. The student and her family may make their own clergy selection.

The Catholic Charities Office will be offered as a source for any necessary referrals. Other resources available in the community will be outlined.

Adoption counseling is strongly recommended as part of the professional guidance program.
Sometime it may be better in the judgment of the girl, her parents/guardians, and /or a school committee consisting of the pastor, administration, counselor, and/or the student’s teacher(s), that she temporarily not attend formal classes. Academic work could be completed in any number of settings, i.e., at home with a tutor or alternative learning setting, until it is mutually agreed by the above mentioned that the student return to school. It is, however, important to point out that to be faithful to the Gospel, it is not ordinarily our policy to either suspend or expel the student from our school.

As stated regarding the pregnancy of a girl, a conference will be scheduled with the student father, parents/guardians, administration, counselor, and other faculty members deemed necessary to review school policy and legal responsibilities, if the father is a St. Joan of Arc student or a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish.

Counseling with a spiritual director must be instituted immediately. The student and his family may make their own clergy selection.

The boy and/or girl involved in a pregnancy may be excluded from activities (which may include extra-curricular, athletics, etc.) at the discretion of a committee consisting of the pastor, administration, and counselor where they become representatives of the school and where the health and safety are a concern. This would apply only until after the birth of the child at which time full participation may then be granted.

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