St. Joan of Arc School

Useful Information


Click Here
for Lunch Menu


School Hours

Regular School Day:         8:20 A.M. - 2:50 P.M.
Early Dismissal:               8:20 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Half Day Kindergarten    8:20 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.

Emergency Closing

School closings due to inclement weather or other reasons, will be announced by the following:
Radio station KYW-1060 (school #682).
If Channel 18 announces Evesham Schools, this will include St. Joan of Arc School.
Channel 3 News.

Visitors

Anyone entering the school building must report directly to the school office.  No person will be allowed to enter the building without adhering to this procedure.

Admission Policy

Registrations are held during Catholic Schools Week usually in late January or early February.  The exact date and other information are made known through the Parish Bulletin distributed at Sunday liturgies and through letters sent home from the school.  The following are necessary when registering a child:

1)    Baptismal Certificate
2)    Birth Certificate
3)    Medical Records
4)    Child's Social Security Number
5)    Child's latest report card (if transferring)
6)    Registration fees
7)    All children admitted to Kindergarten must be five years of age by September 30th.

Attendance Policy

Consistent, punctual attendance is necessary for children to do well at St. Joan of Arc School.  Parents/Guardians are strongly urged to send their children to school so that they arrive before the 8:15 bell.  A child is late if he/she arrives after the bell rings at 8:20 a.m.  Latecomers must stop at the nurse's office for a late slip.  No student may enter a classroom without a late slip which will admit him/her to class.

On the first day of an absence a parent/guardian is requested to phone the nurse's office before
9:30 a.m.  Phone calls may be made at any time.  Please leave your message on the answering machine (856) 983-0078.  A note is required even though a phone call has been made.

Following an absence, a student must present a note of explanation to the teacher.   This note is to be written and signed by the parent or guardian.

Health Services and Care

St. Joan of Arc School is handicap accessible.  The school Health Office is here to help your child.  If the student has any problem or you are concerned about something that affects the physical or emotional well-being of your child, please do not hesitate to call the school.   Please keep the the health office informed of unusual illnesses or new immunizations.

Emergency cards are issued each September.  The information requested on these cards contains the names, addresses and phone numbers of persons who can be contacted if an emergency should occur.  It is vital that the information is current and correct.  In case of an emergency the parent/guardian will be contacted immediately.

Below is a list of screenings that are done each year at St. Joan of Arc School.

Height and weight
Pulse and blood pressure
Vision and hearing
Scoliosis screening on all students grades 5-8 with permission
TB testing according to state regulations

St. Joan of Arc adheres to all state regulations regarding immunizations.

Medication Policy

Parents my request administration of medication by the school nurse only if the following information is provided:

1)    Written prescription by a physician
2)    Diagnosis
3)    Dosage and time
4)    Written request of parent/guardian
5)    Medication must be in original container

Students leaving the school because of illness must be signed out in the Nurse's Office by their parent/guardian.

Guidance

St. Joan of Arc School has a school counselor for two days a week.  The counselor provides services to children, faculty, staff and parents.

Discipline Policy

The purpose of discipline in a Catholic school is to bring about the self discipline of each individual and of the Catholic school community as a whole, so that their actions promote the Christian development of each member and thereby enhance the community.

Discipline at St. Joan of Arc School is part of a teaching/learning process.  It is a constructive process to guide and develop the attitudes of our students so that they may achieve the highest possible standards of Christian behavior and cooperation.  In keeping with the regulations of the Diocese of Trenton, St. Joan's discipline policy is developed in a positive manner being primarily diagnostic and remedial rather than punitive.

Students are expected to respect themselves and others.  Any individual's actions that deter Christian development, as well as demonstrate socially or morally undesirable behavior will be considered by St. Joan of Arc School to be injurious to the well being of both the individual and the community.  Each student is expected to follow the individual teacher's classroom policy.

Inappropriate behavior warrants disciplinary actions (student-teacher conference, parent-teacher telephone conference, parent-teacher-student conference, detention, suspension, and expulsion).  NOTE: Because discipline is not an easy area to deal with, and clean cut rules and regulations cannot always apply, we reserve the right to exercise good judgement, in keeping with our Christian standards, in all disciplinary situations.

Dress Code

Students are required to dress in accordance with the dress code of St. Joan of Arc School.  We believe that appropriate dress will promote a positive learning atmosphere.  School uniforms help alleviate peer pressure and unnecessary attention to clothing and accessories.  Shirts are to be tucked in.   Pants/slacks are to be worn at the waist.

School Uniform:

Girls

Blue plaid tunic K-5
Blue plaid skirt 6-8 (no more than two inches above the knee)
White and/or blue SJA golf shirt
Navy blue/white crew or knee socks
Oxford-type shoes or Docksiders
(No sneakers or boot-like shoes)
SJA school sweater

Boys

Navy blue pants; belt
White and/or blue SJA golf shirt
Navy blue/white crew socks
Oxford type shoes or Docksiders
(No sneakers or boot-like shoes)
SJA school sweater

Gym Uniform

SJA gray shorts, sweatpants
Royal blue SJA T-shirt
Gray sweatshirt
Socks/sneakers; sneaker tied at all times
Sneaker must have non-skid soles (no slip-on sneakers)

Hair

Please be certain that your child's hair style is in keeping with the school regulation.  Hair is to be neat and well groomed.  Hair styles are not to be exaggerated or distracting.

Make-up is not part or our school uniform.  Girls may wear light color nail polish.

Jewelry

One pair small pierced earrings (no dangling).  Small faced watch and religious medal may be worn.   Faddish jewelry, gold chains or bracelets are not acceptable.

Homework Policy

Written and study homework assignments are an integral part of a child's total education.  The assignments are designed to reinforce and enrich lessons taught in the classrooms.  In order for the student to achieve success, it is essential that he/she completes homework assignments each evening.  The amount of homework a child receives is relative to his or her grade level.  Many projects will be completed in the classroom so that the teacher can observe the skills accomplished.  The following is a guideline for homework time:

Grades 1 - 2

30 minutes

Grades 3 - 4

40 minutes

Grades 5 - 6

60 minutes

Grades 7 - 8

90 minutes


Library Policy

The school library is open to every student at a specified time during the school day.   The student who signs for a book is responsible for it.  That student cannot lend it to any other student.  Library books may be kept for one week.  If a book is lost, the student will be charged the cost of the book.

Transportation

Buses
Our school office is supplied with bus application forms in the early spring from the local sending school districts.  When received, these are distributed to the children and should be filled out as soon as possible.  Changes to other routes are not permitted unless there is a grave emergency and parents make arrangements with Evesham Township Transportation (856) 983-1800.

Walkers
Children who are walkers are expected to follow school safety policy.  They are to walk to designated areas and cross the street with the crossing guard.

Car Riders
Students who are car riders leave the building through the middle doors.  We ask that all parents remain in their cars.  Please follow the map and instructions given at the beginning of the year.

Bikes
Students riding bikes to school must follow NJ State Law regarding helmets.  Upon entering the school property students are to walk their bikes to the bike rack by the office window.  Written permission by parents is required for bike riders.

Change of Transportation
The school must be notified by the parent or guardian if the child is going home other than the usual procedure.  Children will not be permitted to go home with other children or adults without parental notification.  This also applies to children attending sports activities from school.  Coaches will be responsible for team members only.

Reporting System

Assessment
A variety of assessments may be used to evaluate each child's progress, e.g. tests, cooperative learning experiences, portfolios.

Progress Reports
Progress reports are issued about four weeks ahead of report cards.  They are a means to report how your child is progressing or to have a "warning" to both student and parents that there is a possibility of a failure on the report card for a particular subject.  The student is responsible for bringing the report home to be signed and for returning it to the homeroom teacher by the required date. (Gr. 6-8)

Report Cards
Report cards are issued on a trimester basis and reflect a student's class participation, home study, test averages as well as credit for projects done within an eight week period.  No child will fail who is doing his/her best work.  If a failure is issued, students will be deprived of participation in our extra-curricular activities until the failure is made up.  Parents are asked to review all reports carefully, sign and return them to school.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
There are times scheduled throughout the year for conferences to discuss your child's progress and have questions answered.  You are also encouraged to call the office at any time to set up an appointment with the teacher should a problem arise.