Academic Program and Requirements + Additional School Information

Instructional Program

The instructional program at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School reflects a commitment to Catholic education. All subjects are taught according to the guidelines of the Diocese of Raleigh.

Subjects taught daily:
Religion, Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Arts (English, grammar, spelling, and writing), and handwriting.

Subjects taught weekly:
Foreign Language, Computer Science, Library, Art, Music, and Physical Education.

CURRICULUM:

• Math is taught using the Saxon Direct Instructional Strategy, which reinforces skills taught, throughout the school year and not just within textbook units. Pre-K - 4th grade students use manipulatives to enhance learning of math concepts since hands-on learning is an integral step in the learning process of young children. Math facts are drilled daily. At the 5th grade level, manipulatives are not used as frequently in order to prepare students for textbook and mental math, which will continue to be used throughout their high school years.

• Religion is considered a core subject. Students are evaluated on their learning of the concepts, theology, and the tenets of the Roman Catholic faith. Students of other faiths are encouraged to share the happenings that are part of their particular religious environment. Religion is more than just a subject through our Faith Development Program.

• Social Studies: The development of five social studies themes provides a knowledge base for understanding and critiquing the role and responsibilities of an active citizen from a historic perspective. Christian values establish criteria to understand and critique what has been and what can be. With a global perspective, an understanding of economic development and social analysis skills, students are prepared to be active, value-focused citizens in a culturally diverse world.

• Science: The importance of science is evident in our everyday lives. Teaching the children how to broaden their exploration skills is essential in order to help them realize that the building blocks for the future can best be understood through scientific study. Mastery of higher thinking skills such as the formation of hypotheses, observations, collecting data, and drawing conclusions by means of experimentation create a foundation for our children's understanding of the universe.

• Language Arts: The goal of our language arts program is to create literate and thoughtful students. This sequential and integrated curriculum teaches skills in the areas of reading, vocabulary, spelling, composition, and grammar. The reading program in pre-kindergarten through grade five uses a phonetic approach, which emphasizes decoding, analyzing, and building vocabulary, and comprehension. By reading a variety of literary forms, students develop an appreciation for the value of literature.

WEEKLY SUBJECTS COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The following subjects are taught on a weekly basis and develop skills as listed next to each.

• Foreign Language (Spanish): This subject emphasizes the fundamentals of the Spanish language - listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as awareness of Hispanic cultures.

• Computer Science: This subject develops computer literacy, keyboarding, word processing, and spreadsheet skills.

• Library Science: Students learn how to locate reference materials, use the card catalog, do research, and other related skills. Students also visit the library regularly to check out books of personal interest or for research purposes. Each class visits the library regularly. The books taken out are to be returned to the library on the specified date. If a book is lost, the student will pay the replacement cost of that book. If your child does not come home with a library book for a a few weeks, he/she may have an overdue book. Please encourage your child to be responsible for returning books on time.

• Art: Students are exposed to a variety of art media which helps to form an appreciation for the joy and beauty of art. Students are encouraged to develop and express their creativity.

• Music: Students are taught the basics of music theory. Music appreciation is developed. Children practice liturgical music for Mass, and participate in seasonal performances.

• Physical Education: Students learn the fundamentals of competitive sports as well as engage in individual gross motor skill building. The importance of good sportsmanship is stressed. All students are required to participate in physical education class unless otherwise recommended in writing by a physician or requested in writing by a parent or guardian.

FIELD TRIPS:
Field trips are scheduled throughout the school year and are both educational and enjoyable in nature. They are meant to enhance classroom instructional objectives.

Parents will be notified prior to the date of the trip and must sign and return a permission slip before that day if they want their child to participate.

Due to safety issues, only charter or school buses are used to transport children for school sponsored events and trips.

Because trips are designed as learning experiences for the students involved, it is neither feasible nor appropriate for younger siblings to participate in these activities.

Students not participating in a class field trip should be kept at home.

RECESS:
Students have the daily opportunity, weather permitting, to participate in recess for a 20-minute period. Pre-K through first grades have two recess periods per day. Recess takes place according to your child's individual classroom teacher's schedule. Classroom teachers or assistants monitor their own class's recess period.

HOMEWORK:
Teachers assign appropriate home study to reinforce and supplement the lessons presented in the classroom. All written work is to be completed as accurately and neatly as possible for the individual student.

Assignments missed due to absence are to be completed within the time frame determined by the teacher. It is the responsibility of the students to find out what work and tests were given during their absence.

REPORT CARDS & PROGRESS REPORTS:
Report cards are issued four times a year. These reports reflect the progress in scholarship and responsibility shown by the child during the quarter (9 week period). No report card is given if any FEES are thirty days past due. Report cards and records will be held for any delinquent tuition payments.

Additionally, Progress Reports are provided at the mid-point of each quarter (approximately 4 to 5 weeks into each quarter) to allow parents more frequent feedback on the progress of their child(ren). Parents who want clarification on these assessment tools are encouraged to contact the school to schedule a conference with their child's teacher.

GRADING POLICY
The following are the scales used for reporting student's progress in both academics and conduct.

HONOR ROLL:
Students on the A and A/B Honor Roll will be recognized at our monthly assembly and awarded a certificate.

"A" Honor Roll: The "A" Honor Roll is an acknowledgement of outstanding academic achievement when student's earn "A's" in all subject areas.

"A/B" Honor Roll: The A/B Honor Roll is an acknowledgement of noteworthy academic achievement when students earn "A's" and "B's" in all subject areas.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:
Cooperation between parent and teachers is extremely important to the development of the child. The teacher or the parent may request conferences any time there is a need or concern. Requests for conferences by the parent should be made by a note or telephone call to the office. You are asked to make these in advance to allow for the necessary arrangements to be made.

Formal conferences are scheduled once during the school year; however, this does not limit parents or teachers in the amount of conferences that can be conducted. For grades K-5, formal conferences are held at the end of the first quarter. For Pre-K, formal conferences are held at the end of the second quarter. Problems requiring resolution - please surface problems first with the teacher. The principal is the next step if necessary.

In separated or divorced families, the custodial parent is responsible for sharing copies of the child's report card, progress report, etc.

STANDARDIZED ACHIEVEMENT TESTS:
The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), a standardized achievement test, will be administered each year. A writing test (4th grade) will be given according to the mandate of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The ACRE religion assessment test will be conducted for the fifth grade. These tests are used as evaluation tools of our education program and our students' progress. It enables us to continually improve our program as well as provide diagnostic information about your child's academic strengths and weaknesses.

Faith Development

Spiritual development is made possible through the teaching of Religion as a subject in its own right and by incorporating religious teachings, particularly values, into other academic studies when appropriate.

All students take part in the Religion program. Students of other faiths are encouraged to share the happenings that are a part of their particular religious environment.

 All religious backgrounds are respected.

Parents and the parish community are welcome to participate in our prayer and worship. (Please consult school calendar for the schedule.)

The following are ways that our students learn about God and His love for them.

PRAYER & WORSHIP:

• Mass: Mass will be celebrated by the students and staff one time per school week (more if there is a special feast day or holy day of obligation). Parents, parishioners, and other visitors are welcome.

• Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration will be held approximately one time per month, on the First Friday of the month.

• Penance Service: Penance Services/Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered once per month for grades 3-6, and for second graders once they have received their first Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• Stations of the Cross: Stations of the Cross will be commemorated during the Lenten season.

• Prayer: Prayer is essential to the life of a Christian who is serious about following Christ. Each school day begins with prayer and a salute to our country's flag. There is prayer before lunch and at the close of the day. Opportunities for additional prayer time are allowed throughout the day for special circumstances and during the course of religious studies.

Emergency Forms

Family telephone and emergency information are kept on file in the school office. At the beginning of the school year, each child will receive an emergency procedure card, which you are asked to fill out and return immediately. Parents are asked to call the school office if any changes in information occur during the school year. It is very important that the information be kept up-to-date. Click here for downloadable forms at bottom of linked to page

Emergency School Closing

Closing of school due to weather conditions will be announced over stations WNCT-TV 9, WRAL-TV 5, WTVD-TV 11, WITN-TV 7, and WRQM Radio (NPR-90.9 FM). If you do not hear or see the announcement on one of the stations, attempt to change the channel. No announcement means school is open.

Emergency Drills

Fire drills are held monthly. Each person is to leave the building quickly and quietly. All doors are to be shut and all lights turned out. The fire drill directions are posted in each classroom. For the safety of all, students are to be acquainted with the fire exit directions in any area they might use during the course of the day. Strict silence is observed upon leaving and returning to the school building.

Tornado drills will be held regularly. Emergency procedures are posted in the classroom.

Medication Policy

Doctors may determine that ill children need medications to enable them to remain in school. Parent/Guardian should first try to secure physician permission to adjust the dosage of medication prescribed so it can be given at home, before or after school hours. If this is not possible, it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to make arrangements with the school administrative assistant to provide for the care of the child during school hours.

Medications administered by school personnel during school hours must be prescribed by a physician or cosigned by one.

It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to:

• Provide to the school medication in an appropriately labeled container which includes the child's name, the name of the medication, the unit dosage to be given, the number of dosage units, the time the medication is to be given, and how it is to be administered.

• See that the pharmacist labels two containers - one for home use and one for school use, is the child is to receive the medication at both sites.

• Provide new container with appropriate labeling when medication changes are made.

• Remove medications from school premises when the physician discontinues them.

• See that the "Request for Medications to be Given During School Hours" form is appropriately signed and returned to the school. This form may be obtained by the school administrative assistant or the appropriate teacher.

The school will not administer medications sent to school without the proper form signed by a doctor or dentist.

Release of School Records

School records contain confidential material and are not released to unauthorized persons. Parents transferring their child to another school are asked to notify the school office. All books and school materials must be returned to the teacher. Parents and a receiving school official must sign a Release of Records Form. School Records (including health records, a transcript of grades, and standardized test scores) will be mailed directly to the new school.

Care of School Property

Students are encouraged to develop responsibility and a personal pride not only in their own appearance but also in the appearance of the school, especially classrooms, cafeteria, lavatories, and the school grounds. Students are responsible for the good care of all books/materials provided for their use. Any damage or destruction done to school property will be the responsibility of the student, and damage fees will be assessed accordingly.

After School Care

The Rocky Mount Family YMCA offers after school care on site at O.L.P.H. Extended daycare for Pre-K students is available 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Afternoon care for students in grades K-5 is available 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Interested parents should contact the YMCA at 445-9951 or 972-9622.

School Crisis Intervention Plan

There is a school crisis intervention plan which is shared with students and teachers should a crisis arise in the building that requires immediate action. In order to maintain the confidentiality of this plan, parents are welcome to review this plan in the office.

School Building Visitation

ALL VISITORS, including PARENTS and VOLUNTEERS must report to the office and sign the visitor's book. Use the front entrance (on Hammond Street) and ring the doorbell. All doors will remain locked during school hours. NO ONE is allowed to go to the classroom during school hours. Conferences are by appointment only. (Diocesan Policy) Our Lady of Perpetual Help welcomes parents. However, classroom visits are to be scheduled with the teacher to prevent distractions during instructional times. Parents should bring any items forgotten by students (books, lunch, etc.) to the office. These will be delivered at the appropriate time.

Rules for the Playground

• All students must obey the teacher.

• Students must stay in the area designated by their teacher.

• No child is to swing or pull on the tree branches, climb trees, throw bark or branches, or play around the dumpster.

• Equipment is to be used safely.

• Students will not run on wet grass.

• Students must go to the teacher in charge if a ball goes outside the fence. If a group of students kicks or throws a ball outside the fence more than twice, they may not continue to play with the ball.

• There will be no balls (or other play items brought from home) on the playground without prior approval of the respective teacher. Under no circumstances will a baseball, softball, wooden, or metal bat (or other hand-type item that can cause injury) be allowed on the grounds.

• Rough play or fighting of any sort is strictly forbidden. Children who engage in this behavior will be sent to the office. Any child who causes intentional harm to another may be suspended as decided by the Principal.

• Children may not enter the building without teacher permission.

• If a child falls and scrapes a knee, etc., the teacher will send the child to the office. In the event of a serious injury, the teacher will keep the child calm and have another child alert the principal or secretary of the emergency.

• No strangers are permitted around the playground area and will be reported to the school office.

• A parent may NEVER take a CHILD FROM THE PLAYGROUND. They must always sign the child out at the office.

• Children are not allowed to play in the parking lot during recess unless they are playing basketball at the basketball hoop or are in the parking spaces next to the parish hall. Basketballs are not allowed on the playground unless they are being used for basketball. Footballs are not allowed unless they are the Nerf variety and would not injure a child if hit inadvertently.

Rules for the Cafeteria

• Teachers bring children to the cafeteria.

• Students have assigned tables. Once they have a chair, they must stay in that place until their lunch period is over.

• Students must get in line if purchasing food.

• Once in the cafeteria, students may talk quietly with the students near him/her using an "inside voice" or conversational tone. No yelling across tables or loud voices, since instruction is occurring in classrooms nearby.

• Students may not run, push, or play in the cafeteria.

• No child is to be out of his/her chair, or in the kitchen at any time.

• If food is spilled, the child is responsible to help clean it up or report it to the teacher on duty.

• Children will not be excused to use the rest rooms except in an emergency.

• Each student is responsible to clean the area in which he/she ate and to push the chair back in place before leaving the cafeteria.

• If students are disobedient, they may be sent to see the teacher or principal.

• Students will be encouraged to eat all of their food.

• Because we know parents pack particular lunches for their children for special reasons, students are not to share or swap food.

• Parents are asked not to send foods to be microwaved at school.

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