Program and Curriculum

Faith Development and Religous Education Program
It is for the purpose of religiouseducation and faith formation that St. Joseph School exists. As a religiouseducational community our purpose includes the following:

• To enable all students to love the living Christ within them.
• To help each student to relate this living Christ to his/her personal life in relationship with others.
• To share with our young people the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ in an atmosphere of love, respect, and understanding.

Objectives

• To create a Christian community within each classroom.
• To provide opportunities for the development of the prayer life of the individual and the community.
• To impart Catholic Doctrine to our young people through the use a planned process of instruction.
• To enable our young people to grow in the love of Jesus Christ and one another through the sacraments, In particular through the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
• To provide opportunities for parental involvement and instruction through preparation for the children's reception of the sacraments, through participation in prayer and sacramental celebrations and through written and verbal communication.
• To foster the understanding of our call to serve others, both within our community and beyond it.

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Prayer Life
If we are truly tocome to know God, we must enter into a relationship with God throughprayer. Each school day begins and ends with prayer either withinthe classroom or as a school community.

In addition toclassroom prayer our school community gathers often for seasonal andspecial occasion prayer services and to celebrate the Eucharist. These include prayer services for Advent and Lent, for CatholicSchools Week, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, as well as thetraditional devotions of the Rosary during October, the Stations ofthe Cross during Lent, and Lessons and Carols during the Adventseason. The celebration of the Eucharist takes place monthly,prepared by Individual classes, and on Holydays. The students andteachers of grades three through eight gather to celebrateReconciliation during the Advent and Lenten seasons.

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Called to Serve Others
As a CatholicChristian community not only do we develop our relationship with Godthrough prayer and study, but also, by serving others. Our schoolcommunity offers many age-appropriate opportunities to answer ourcall to serve through food collections at Thanksgiving, the Rice Bowlcollections during Lent, and various outreach activitiesthroughout the school year.

Students experienceservice within the school community through our "buddy"programs, through peer tutoring, cooperative learning and otheroccasional activities.

Older studentsextend service to the soup kitchen through meal preparation and tolocal convalescent homes and other non-profit organizations, offeringvolunteer service during after-school hours.

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General Curriculum
St. Joseph Schoolis accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.St. Joseph School adheres to the curriculum set forth by the Dioceseof Norwich. Coupled with our religion and faith formationcurriculum, our academic curriculum provides students with the toolsneeded to be successful, Christ-like citizens in the technologicalworld in which we live, developing the skills to think and act bothcritically, creatively and responsibly.

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Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-curricularactivities such as clubs, sports and class-related activities promoteschool spirit, enrich academic and social development, instill goodcitizenship, and create community among our students. Theseactivities include band, chorus, Stock Market Club, the JASONProject, and sports programs, including basketball for girls and boysand co-ed soccer in grades 5 through 8.

It is expected thatstudents who participate in these activities will maintain properacademic and behavioral standards. Students earning an "P'average in any subject will not be eligible to participate in anextra-curricular activity during the following marking period and/orwill be removed from this activity during the current marking period.

A student may betemporarily suspended or removed from these programs for any of thefollowing reasons as determined by the principal.

• Behavior, which is disruptive to the particular program.
• Use of profane or abusive language.
• Cheating
• Smoking or the use of illegal substances.

*Any act that is considered by the staff and administration to seriously disrupt the educational process of St. Joseph School is cause for removal or suspension from these extra-curricular activities.

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Discipline
Saint Joseph Schoolis proud of its safe, orderly atmosphere. It is one, which enableschildren to learn and to interact with one another and with the staffin a loving; caring environment. In order to ensure this safelearning environment, a code of discipline is necessary. This codeof discipline not only provides safety for all concerned, but also,enables each child to grow in respect for others as God's childrenand in the understanding that each of us is responsible for our ownactions.

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Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Detention
Detention may be given by a teacher (with approval from the principal) or by the principal when a student shows disregard for school rules or school policies. Parents will be notified in advance of the detention in order that transportation arrangements may be made. Al detention slips must be signed by the parent and presented by the student at the time of the detention. Detention slips will be kept on file. Accumulation of detention slips may result in further disciplinary action.

Suspension
Suspension means that a student is excluded from classes for a given period of time. During this time it is expected that the student will be at home and/or under the supervision of parents or guardians. During the period of suspension the student is not to be in school or on the school premises. He/she will be given school assignments, which are to be completed and handed in upon his/her return to school. Suspension from school excludes a student from participation in any extra-curricular activities being conducted during this time. Suspension may also be held in school at the discretion of the principal. Suspensions are given only by the principal or the principal's designee.

Expulsion (permanent dismissal from school)
When the spiritual, intellectual, social and/or physical development of any one of our students is threatened by another child through harmful conduct (e.g., fighting, cheating, stealing, smoking, drinking, using drugs, or carrying a weapon or threats of physical ham), this child may be subject to expulsion.

In like manner when the well being of a staff member Is threatened, a student may be subject to expulsion.

Misbehaviors and the Consequences These Misbehaviors May lncur

Detention may be given for thefollowing:

• Failure to accept the leadership and authority of the principal, assistant principal, teachers or other staff members.
• Failure to cooperate with teachers, staff members or other students.
• Failure to be honest and respectful toward others.
• Failure to use acceptable language.
• Failure to accept responsibility for keeping school property clean and safe (e.g., lavatories, lunchroom, classroom and playground).
• Failure to abide by the rule of no gum chewing in the building, on school grounds or on the bus.
• Failure to adhere to uniform policies (e.g., changing out of school uniform without proper permission).
• Failure to complete assigned schoolwork in a timely manner.
• Any reason for which the principal deems it necessary due to the disruption of school order or safety.

Suspension may be given for thefollowing:

• Failure to accept the leadership and authority of the principal, assistant principal, teachers or other staff members.
• Failure to cooperate with teachers, staff members or other students.
• Failure to be honest and respectful toward others.
• Failure to conduct himself/herself in a safe manner, either verbally or physically.
• Failure to use acceptable language.
• Failure to show respect for school and personal property.
• Travel on a school bus to which he/she is not assigned without permission.
• Possession of matches, tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
• Leaving school property before dismissal and without permission.
• Threatening a member of the school community with physical or emotional harm.
• Misuse of the Internet.
• Receiving more than 3 detentions within the same marking period.
• Any reason for which the principal deems it necessary due to the disruption of the safety and order of the school.

Expulsion may occur for the following:

• Misuse of the lnternet.
• Possession of any potentially lethal weapon.
• Negatively influencing the entire school community.
• Possession of illegal drugs.
• Threatening a member of the school community with physical harm or emotional harm.
• Receiving more than one suspension.
• Any rule violation, which in the opinion of the principal and pastor seriously affects the safety and order of the school and its community.

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