Handbook

Oakland Catholic High School is responsible for all students registered to attend Oakland Catholic during school hours. Therefore, the following procedures have been instituted in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. The cooperation of students and parents/guardians is expected. Consistent, punctual, daily attendance is essential to the learning process. Any absence excused or unexcused from class jeopardizes the acquisition of skills, the development of mature understanding, and knowledge that evolves from interaction between students and teachers and from student to student.

For these reasons, Oakland Catholic High School, in accordance with the Department of Education for the State of Pennsylvania, establishes the following policies concerning attendance:

1. Students absent 20 or more days may be required to attend summer school before being promoted
or awarded a diploma. A student who misses 36 or more periods per year (18 for a semester course) may fail that course and must attend summer school. Exceptions to attendance policy due to special circumstances may be made only by the Administration.

2. If a student is absent from school for any reason, she may not participate in sports or extra-curricular events that may be scheduled that afternoon or evening. This includes activities at Central Catholic, such as, but not limited to, Masque and Marching Band.

3. All students must be present for every class and study hall to which they are assigned. All absences, regardless of the circumstances, become a part of the student’s permanent record.

4. If a student is absent for three or more consecutive days a doctor’s excuse must be presented when she returns to school.

5. After five unexcused absences in one quarter, a student will be considered for referral to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and parent(s) must come in to meet with Administration.

6. The Administration will review the attendance records of all students with ten (10) absences. When medical documentation cannot be verified, the Administration will notify the parents or guardian regarding the attendance record of their child. If the absences continue without medical documentation, the parents or guardians will be required to meet with the Administration.

To report an absence a parent/guardian must utilize SafeArrival. With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these three convenient methods:

1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.com). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.

2. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.com. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.

3. Call the toll-free number (833) 456-8309 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours/day, seven days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time.

A parent/guardian contact will be initiated if a call is not made by 9:00am in order to verify a student’s well-being and safety. If no parent/guardian contact has been made by 10:00am to report a legal absence, the absence will be noted as unexcused.

Upon returning to school, the student must bring a medical note or a note written and signed by a parent/guardian to the School Office. The note must give the student’s first and last name, the date and the reason for absence. Absences are recorded as excused, unexcused, or illegal. Notes received after 36 hours upon return will not be accepted and the absence will remain unexcused.

Absence – Excused

Although all absences are considered serious, the school recognizes that certain circumstances may prevent a student from attending school. The following are considered excused absences:

• Death in the family

• Family trips that have an educational value and that are pre-approved by the Principal with two weeks prior notice

• Illness, hospitalization

• Impassable roads

• College visits; three for Seniors, two for juniors - must present verification from college

• Absences due to student participation in activities/events in which the student represents Oakland Catholic
   

Absence – Unexcused

An absence is considered to be UNEXCUSED if the reasons for the absence are other than the reasons previously stated. The following are considered unexcused absences:

• Car Problem
• Class cut day
• Employment
• Missing the bus
• Oversleeping
• Parent neglect
• Traffic
• Unapproved family trip

If proper procedure for reporting the absence is not followed, or if the Administration does not give permission for the absence, the absence will be recorded as unexcused on the student’s record and disciplinary action will be taken as a result.

Absence – Illegal

An absence is considered to be ILLEGAL if a student does not report to school and the parent/guardian is unaware that she is not in attendance or if the student falsifies a note or a call. Truancy violates Pennsylvania law and is a major violation of Oakland Catholic policy. Repeated truancy will be reported to the student’s local school district truant office and may be cause for dismissal from Oakland Catholic.

Students will not be given the opportunity to complete academic work/tests due to truancy. If a student is absent illegally, the student will serve an In-School Suspension.

Absence – Vacation

Trips and vacations during the school year are discouraged, especially during mid-term and final exam weeks. If it is necessary for a student to be absent due to vacation, the parents should fill in the Student Vacation Request form on the Oakland Catholic website at least two weeks in advance. The Principal will review each vacation request. Only approved vacations will receive excused absence designation.

Each student, upon returning to school following a vacation, has the responsibility to meet with her teachers to arrange for make-up work, tests, and to develop a schedule for the completion of her work.

Absence – College Visits

Seniors are encouraged to schedule college visits on free days but are permitted three excused absences to visit prospective colleges. Juniors are permitted two excused absences for a college visit. The student must present verification from the college of her visit.

Severely inclement weather or mechanical breakdown may necessitate school closing, delayed starting time, or early dismissal. Such emergencies will be announced and posted to the websites of the following stations: KDKA, WTAE and WPXI. Please follow the information that is given for Oakland Catholic High School.

(Please Note: We do not automatically follow Central Catholic High School’s or the Pittsburgh Public Schools schedules for closing and delays). The information will also be posted to the Oakland Catholic website.

If your school district closes, and Oakland Catholic is open or delayed, your daughter is not obligated to attend school. However, she will be required to make up all her work. If your school district is delayed, follow your district’s delayed schedule. If a conflict occurs between what Oakland Catholic has announced and what your school district has announced, follow the schedule announced by your public school district.

Early dismissals are strongly discouraged and will only be granted for verifiable reasons, which are the same as for excused absences. Parents are encouraged to schedule non-emergency medical/dental appointments after school hours. If an early dismissal is required, please submit request via SafeArrival.

Students must sign out in the School Office prior to leaving school. Also, upon returning to school after an early dismissal on the same day, a student is required to sign in with the Attendance Secretary. Verification of the appointment should accompany the student upon her return to school. Students must follow proper procedures when requesting such release from school, or permission may be denied.

Students who miss four periods will be marked absent for half a day. Students who miss more than four periods will be marked absent for the entire day. Students will not be granted an early release on the day of a Liturgy or assembly without special permission from Administration.

If a student becomes ill during the day, she must report to the School Office or Nurse when onsite. If she is to be sent home, the office staff will call her parent/guardian and arrange for permission and dismissal. On particular days, a school nurse is available and will be in contact with parents. Students may not call or text their parents without permission from the School Office.

Early Dismissal – Sports

In the event that students are dismissed early from class to leave for a scheduled school sponsored game/ match, they should change into their sport uniforms and remain in the building until the arrival of the bus for transport. At no time will students be permitted to leave the premises while awaiting the bus. The time for sport early dismissals will be announced. Students may not leave a class before the announced time. Students are responsible for work that is missed due to an early dismissal.

Students arriving after the 7:55am bell must first report to the School Office. No student may go to a classroom or a locker without first reporting to the office. Failure to follow this procedure will result in a detention.

If a late arrival is required for a medical, dental or optical appointment, the student must submit a written request from the parent and a doctor’s excuse prior to or following the visit. If a late arrival is due to illness, an emergency, crisis or impassable roads, a note/phone call/email is also required. Upon late arrival to school, the student must immediately report to the School Office. This is the procedure whether she currently belongs in class, study or homeroom. She will be issued an E-hall pass to admit her to class, study hall or homeroom. This is an excused tardy.

Students who arrive after 11:00am will not be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities or athletic events for that day.

Tardiness is recorded as unexcused when students fail to submit an excuse for the tardy or if the reason for the late arrival does not meet the criteria listed under the ABSENCE-Excused policy.

Chronic lateness will result in more severe disciplinary action. Students who are tardy, excused or unexcused for school five times in one quarter will lose their parking permit and/or will be referred to the Student Assistance Program (SAP). After four unexcused tardies (after homeroom) in a given quarter students will serve an after school detention with the Assistant Principal. Tardiness is excused in cases of illness, doctor appointment, bus delays, or extreme emergencies as determined by the principal, and should be accompanied by documentation from a parent or guardian. Failure to submit a tardy excuse within three days of the tardy will be considered an unexcused tardy.

Students who live two miles or more away from the school and who are residents of the City are eligible for a ConnectCard. They are distributed to students the first week of school and reloaded every month by Port Authority’s Business Web Portal.

If the card is lost or stolen, the student must report it immediately to the School Office at Oakland Catholic. The replacement cost is $5.00 and takes up to two weeks to be replaced by Port Authority.

Each student, upon returning to school following an absence, has the responsibility to meet with her teachers to arrange for make-up work, tests and to develop a schedule for completion of work/tests. Students who are absent have one day for each day of an absence to make up any missed work. For example, a student who was absent three days would be given three school days to complete the missed work or make up tests. Students who are absent due to truancy forfeit the opportunity to make up missed work. This does not apply to vacation absences.

Vacation Make-Up Work Policy

All class assignments given during any vacation day absence are the student’s responsibility to ascertain. Class teacher shall determine assignment due dates. A paper or long-term assignment due during the time of the vacation must be submitted prior to the vacation. All tests, quizzes, and labs must be made up within one week of the student’s return. It is the student's responsibility to return to school prepared to continue with class work as if no absences occurred. The student must notify teachers at least two class periods
before departure.

Procedure for a Behavioral Warning

The teacher addresses the infraction himself or herself. The Behavioral Warning is reported to and tracked by the Administration, along with the appropriate school counselor. In consultation with the teacher, a resulting action is determined which may include:

∞ A meeting with the student, teacher and a member of the Administration.
∞ Notifying the parent/guardian.
∞ Tutoring the student to help her understand proper citations or clear up areas of confusion. ∞ An initial grade of no credit (0) with one of the following:

- Giving the student an additional or alternative assignment for credit.
- Giving the student an opportunity to resubmit the assignment for credit.

The teacher notifies the student as to which of the above actions have been taken.

Academic Offense

An Academic Offense is one in which the student has intentionally and/or repeatedly committed a violation of academic integrity.

Procedure for an Academic Offense

An Academic Offense is reported to and tracked by the Administration, who conducts any necessary investigation and manages any resulting action with the cooperation of the teacher of the course.

∞ In all cases of an Academic Offense, the Administration will immediately meet with the student and the teacher and decide a course of action.

∞ The student and parent/guardian will be informed of a course of action, which may include any or all of the following:

• -  The student may receive a zero (0) on the assignment (first offense) or F for the marking period (second offense).

• -  The student may be removed from a currently held leadership position within the school for a specified period of time.

• -  The student will revise the assignment or re-take the test or quiz; the teacher will determine the length of time she will have to re-submit the assignment or re-take the test or quiz and what partial credit she will receive.

• -  Should a student be found guilty of committing a third Academic Offense, more serious consequences will be determined by administration.

20 Oakland Catholic High School

Cheating/Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• ∞  The use of “cheat sheets” in any form at any time. This includes the use of calculators, cell phones, or other electronic devices to secretly store and use improper information during a test.

• ∞  Any form of communication between students during a test or quiz (whether virtual or in-person).

• ∞  Sharing or receiving answers or questions of a test or quiz prior to the student taking the test or quiz.

• ∞  Copying material from other students, whether the test is copied directly or altered by changing select words. This is also true for research papers, quizzes, or homework.

• ∞  Any type of plagiarism including downloading or copying material from the Internet and submitting it as one’s own work.

• ∞  Adding a name to a group project of an individual who has not made significant contribution to the development of the project.

• ∞  Taking course material from a teacher’s desk, computer files, file cabinet, etc.

• ∞  Assisting another student to cheat in any way.

• ∞  Tampering with a teacher’s computer system to steal material, alter grades, etc.

• ∞  Using foreign language translator applications contrary to a teacher’s directions.

  Homework

  Cheating on homework includes, but is not limited to the following violations:

• ∞  Copying another student’s work and/or giving work to another student to copy on a subjective homework assignment. This includes utilizing a collaborative document such as Google Docs to exchange answers. Homework is usually done individually. To avoid confusion, the teacher will notify the students if the work is “group work” so that students may know when they may consult other students for advice on completing assignments. This included copying directly or altering by changing select words.

• ∞  A teacher witnesses a student copying work from another student.

  For both offenses above, a zero will be given for the assignment and the teacher must notify administration within 24 hours of grading the paper. All parties involved in the incident will receive a zero for the assignment—until they resubmit the assignment for partial credit.

All members of the Catholic School Community are expected to use non-violent means to resolve conflict as reflected in the Gospel values. Bullying behaviors contradict Gospel values and may contribute to both short-term problems (i.e. change in behavior, drop in grades, frequent absences) and long-term psychological problems (i.e. depression, dropping out, suicide ideation) for the victims if persistent. In addition, bullying may contribute to involvement in other antisocial activities such as alcohol/drug abuse or gangs, while threatening the physical safety of others.

Bullying contributes to a negative school climate, which interferes with spiritual development, academic learning, and social responsibility. In keeping with the teachings of Christ, Oakland Catholic High School will provide a safe, caring, and supportive school environment, free of bullying, for all members of the school community.

Bullying shall mean an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, or a series of acts that is directed at another student or students:

• Occurs in a school setting

• Is severe, persistent or pervasive; and

• Has the effect of doing any of the following: substantially interfering with a student’s education, creating a threatening environment, or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.

School Setting shall mean in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop, or at any activity sponsored, supervised, or sanctioned by the school. A school entity shall not be prohibited from defining bullying in such a way as to encompass acts that occur outside a school setting if those acts meet the other requirements specified in the definition of bullying.

Cyber Bullying includes but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student or personnel employed by the school by sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs and social network sites such as Facebook).

All forms of cyberbullying are unacceptable and to the extent such actions are disruptive of the educational process of the school, offenders shall be the subject of appropriate consequences regardless of the setting in which the cyber bullying takes place.

Catholic Schools and Staff are expected to:

a.) Provide a supportive environment that upholds Gospel values and encourages positive relationships between students, staff, and parent.
b.) Increase awareness and understanding of the dynamics of bullying and develop a plan to implement anti-bullying strategies within their schools.
c.) Maintain an environment where bullying will be addressed age appropriately in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
d.) Use resources that will assist in developing appropriate social skills, positive relationships and discourage bullying as unacceptable behaviors.
e.) Encourage students to report incidents of bullying and support them in dealing with conflict resolution.
f. ) Support, monitor, and act upon all reported incidents of bullying to ensure the safety of all students.
g.) Model appropriate language and actions for students.
h.) Emphasize intervention strategies that are preventative in nature.
i.) Recognize that some bullying behaviors may be more serious and require more comprehensive intervention.
j.) Keep open lines of communication between the home, school, and parish.

Students are expected to:

a.) Promote a positive and caring environment for all by developing an awareness of bullying issues.
b.) Refuse to bullying others or to be a bystander to acts of bullying.
c.) Report all acts of bullying that they may experience or observe to appropriate school personnel.
d.) Assist and cooperate in the implementation of school-wide anti-bullying initiatives.

Parents/Visitors are expected to:

a.) Promote a positive and caring environment for all by developing an awareness of bullying issues.
b.) Inform the school if bullying is suspected.
c.) Encourage students to discuss any incidents of bullying and reinforce the need to speak out.
d.) Support the school when resolving identified incidents of bullying.
e.) Support the school through Catholic School Councils or the Student Assistance Program (SAP) in promoting local school anti-bullying initiatives.

Any student who participates in bullying behavior shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action which may include among other measures:

a.) Counseling within the Intermediate Unit or school.
b.) Parental conference.
c.) Loss of school privileges.
d.) Transfer to another school building, classroom, or school bus.
e.) Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
f. ) Detention.
g.) Suspension.
h.) Expulsion.
i.) Counseling/Therapy outside of the Intermediate Unit or school.
j.) Referral to law enforcement officials.

In keeping with the teachings of Christ, Oakland Catholic High School will provide a safe, caring, and supportive school environment, free of bullying, for all members of the school community.

Hazing has no place in the Catholic school experience. It is the antithesis of the purpose and mission of Catholic education where students are called to grow in their commitment to God, one another, the Church and the wider community.

Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing or reckless act meant to induce pain, embarrassment, humiliation, deprivation of rights, or that creates physical or mental discomfort, and is directed against a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliated with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, club, athletic team sponsored or supported by any parish, elementary or secondary school in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

It does not matter whether such hazing practices were mandatory or voluntarily entered into by any student or organization in question.

The following are examples of hazing and may not only be limited to these offenses:

• Recklessly or intentionally endangering the physical health, mental health, safety, or dignity of a person.

• Willful destruction or removal of public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in any organization.

• Forcing or requiring the drinking of alcohol or any other substance.

• Forcing or requiring the eating of food or anything an individual who refuses to eat.

• Calisthenics such as push-ups, sit-ups, jogging, and running as an initiation ritual.

• Paddling or striking in any manner.

• Treasure or scavenger hunts, road trips.

• Marking, branding, or shaving the head or body hair.

• Preventing/restricting normal personal hygiene.

• Sexual harassment, indecent exposure or nudity at any time.

• Physical harassment such as pushing, cursing, shouting, etc.

• Requiring uncomfortable, ridiculous, or embarrassing dress.

• Requiring the carrying of items.

• Requiring personal service or acts of servitude.

• Treating a person in a degrading or demeaning manner.

• Requiring New Members to practice periods of silence.

• Conducting “interrogations” or any other types of questioning.

It is the responsibility of students and supervising adults not to stand silently if they observe hazing. Silence condones these activities and may make the observer just as guilty as the hazers themselves. If a hazing incident is witnessed by a student or supervising adult, it is her/his responsibility to report the incident to the Assistant Principal. Individuals or groups found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action that could include suspension or expulsion from the school.

This policy approved by the Members of the Oakland Catholic High School Inc. Corporation concerns the reporting of child abuse and neglect in accordance with the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Act No. 124 of 1975 and the Regulations thereunder. It is the purpose of the Act and this policy to encourage and foster more complete reporting of suspected child abuse so as to ensure the child’s well-being and to preserve and stabilize family life wherever appropriate.

Any employee of any School in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, including Principals, Assistant Principals, Educational Consultants, Teachers and other professional staff including Federal or State Government personnel who have reason to believe that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is an abused child shall immediately report such case to the Principal and to the Child Abuse Hotline. It is not the responsibility of any employee of the Catholic School or Federal or State Government personnel to prove that the child has been abused or neglected or to determine whether the child is in need of protection.

All school employees are mandated reporters and must report any suspected child abuse immediately.

Access to student records by parents and/or students is governed by policies in effect within the Diocese of Pittsburgh which is in compliance with the State Board of Education Regulations on Pupil Records and consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Act). Please contact the school for further information.

As a secondary educational institution within the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we recognize and affirm that we are a community of faith, responding to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. We recognize that every person is uniquely created in the image and likeness of God, redeemed and enlivened by the Spirit. Therefore, we recognize that chemical abuse and dependency seriously impair the ability of individuals to develop their full potential. We also recognize that problems created by chemical dependency have an adverse effect on the ability of all members of each school community to achieve personal and educational goals within
the diocese.

Our policy is based on the belief that chemical dependency is a life threatening illness that affects individuals in all areas of their lives. Because it is our conviction that chemical dependency is a treatable illness, the following policy is in effect:

The guidelines incorporated in this policy have been formulated for the effective enforcement of this policy in a fair and consistent manner. Recognizing that chemical use and abuse may be indicative of the disease process of chemical dependency, every effort will be made to offer the student the help and assistance she would receive for any other illness. Early identification and referral of a student evidencing problems with chemical use, abuse or dependency will be the primary goal. Disciplinary procedures will be administered with the best interests of the student and student body in mind. Due consideration has been given to the legal rights and responsibilities of the school Administration, staff, students and parents. These shall include but are not limited to: Section 1317 of the Pennsylvania School Code, which gives the school the “loco parentis” power, and the Civil Immunity Bill, Section 2, Title 42 as amended, which gives civil immunity to school officers and employees relating to drug and alcohol abuse.

Recognizing that chemical abuse is a serious problem, it is imperative that students must be chemically free to develop in the most productive and healthy manner. It is therefore, the Diocesan schools’ policy to prevent and to prohibit the possession, use, sale, distribution and/or intent of distribution of any designer, illegal or controlled mood-altering medication or chemical. These are prohibited on school property, at any school-sponsored events, on school buses and en route to and from school by any mode of travel, (including both Oakland Catholic AND Central Catholic events). Such prevention and/or prohibition shall occur through a program of education, prevention, intervention and aftercare, as the need dictates.

Violations of this policy may result in the following consequences:

a.) Appropriate disciplinary response consistent with the philosophy and policies of Oakland Catholic High School.
b.) Notification of parents.
c.) Notification of municipal authorities when appropriate.
d.) Suspension or expulsion from school.
e.) Referral of student to the appropriate drug and alcohol agency or professional counselor/psychologist.

Any student suspended for violations of the above policy or whose behavior patterns lead to a reasonable suspicion of chemical dependency will be required to be evaluated by a certified drug/alcohol specialist or agency. A documented report of the evaluation and verification of treatment must be sent to the school counselor before a student may return to Oakland Catholic. Student/Parent must follow through with the recommendation of a treatment specialist.

This policy will be implemented through the cooperative efforts of administration, faculty, parents/guardians, staff, students and community agencies. The Schools of the Intermediate Unit Consortium and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, recognizing that chemical abuse is a serious problem, adopt the position that students must be chemically free to develop in the most productive manner.

It is therefore, the intent of this policy to prevent and to prohibit the possession, use, sale, distribution and/or intent of distribution of any illegal or controlled mood-altering medication or chemical. These are prohibited on school property and at any school sponsored-event.

Violations of this policy may result in the following consequences:

1. Appropriate disciplinary response consistent with each individual school’s philosophy.
2. Notification of parent/guardian.
3. Notification of municipal authorities when appropriate.
4. Suspension or expulsion from school.
5. Referral of student to appropriate drug and alcohol agency.

This policy will be implemented through the cooperative efforts of administration, faculty, parent/ guardian, staff, student and community. See more on pages 32 & 33 about the Diocese of Pittsburgh's Substance Abuse policy.

No weapon may be brought onto school property, including, but not limited to, the school building, outdoor areas, outdoor facilities, school buses, or to any school related activity. A weapon shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchuck stick, firearm, rifle or any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting bodily injury, which is possessed under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses which it may have.

This includes firearms, which are not loaded or lack a clip or other component to render it immediately operable.

A person in possession of a weapon on school property violates state criminal statutes and school regulations, and shall be subject to the following discipline and penalty:

1. Parents will be immediately notified.
2. The local police may be called.
3. The student may be expelled.