GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Revised July, 2008
ACADEMIC POLICY REGARDING STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES
Student participation in activities is highly encouraged. As many students as possible should make an effort to involve themselves in school affairs. However, such participation must not be detrimental to academic performance. To ensure a balance between academics and activities the following regulations will be applied:
1. Students who fail one academic subject are placed on probation but permitted to continue in school activities.
2. Students who fail two academic subjects are not permitted to participate in any way in any activity until at least one of the teachers whose course she has failed will agree, after a reasonable time, that the student has sufficiently improved in her subject area to allow her to continue school activities. At such time the teacher will inform the Vice Principal, in writing, of such a decision.
Reasonable time - the student should pass successfully at least one class-administered test after the time of the report card distribution.
3. Students who fail three or more academic subjects will not be permitted to participate in any activity for the remainder of the quarter.
Moderators of Activities and the Athletic Director may devise their own system for verifying academic eligibility. They may consult the Vice Principal’s list of failures which are recorded each quarter or they may require that students report to them with report cards.
POLICY FOR STUDENTS WITH ACCOMODATIONS
Every student at Gwynedd Mercy Academy who has received psychoeducational testing and has been identified as having a learning disability or condition that requires accommodations will receive an Education Plan based on the recommendations that come from the testing. The accommodations included in the Education Plan allow a student to maximize her ability to demonstrate learning and are not intended to minimize student responsibility.
The process is as follows:
- A student who comes to Gwynedd Mercy with documentation that indicates a need for accommodations will receive an Education Plan based on what has been effective at the previous school. The counselor will discuss with the parents of the student the accommodations that are available at Gwynedd Mercy Academy. Teachers may not be able to accommodate every recommendation in the report.
A student who during the course of high school is suspected of having a learning difference will be recommended for psycho educational evaluation. If the testing indicates that the student does in fact have a learning disability or difference that requires accommodations, the School Counselor will develop an Education Plan for the student based on the results and recommendations of the school psychologist who prepared the report. The student’s counselor will communicate the plan to the student and to the parent.
- The student’s Counselor will prepare the Education Plan and disseminate this information to the student’s teachers in writing in a confidential manner, and only to those teachers who currently teach the student. The Vice Principal will also receive a copy of the student’s Education Plan. At the beginning of each year, the Counselor will contact the parents to review the Education Plan which will be updated as needed and receive permission to disclose this information to the student’s new teachers (i.e. through a meeting with the new teachers or a written copy of the plan, or both). At the conclusion the first marking period, the Counselor will ask for teacher feedback regarding the student’s academic achievement in the form of a progress report. During the remaining three quarters the Counselor will use progress reports and deficiency notices to determine how the needs of the student can be better met and how the Teacher and Counselor can support the student in her academic efforts.
- Students are encouraged to make contact with their teachers informing them of any accommodations they may need. It is imperative that the student understands the type of accommodations she needs and how she can benefit from them. It is also suggested that the student and/or her parents talk to her Counselor for any further clarification.
- The student and each of her teachers will work together to make sure that the student receives the necessary accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that she is requesting these accommodations from her teachers.
A student with an Education Plan that allows for extended time on tests or quizzes needs to make arrangements with the teacher prior to a test or quiz to receive this accommodation. Tests and quizzes are to be taken in the library or in the Counseling Center before (beginning at 8AM) or after school (beginning at 3:05PM). Teachers should submit the test or quiz to the library or Counseling Center before the student arrives, so testing can begin promptly. During mid-term and final exams, students with this accommodation will be assigned to take their exams in the library. Students will be expected to comply with the Honor Code and refrain from sharing information about the content of a test or quiz with other students or receive information regarding the content of a test or quiz from another student.
- If the student or parents feel that the student is not receiving the proper accommodations, the student and/or parents are to discuss this with the teacher. A meeting with the parents and teachers, as well as the Counselor can be scheduled to clarify accommodations if this is necessary.
- During the individual meetings, the Counselor will discuss with the student the effectiveness of the plan and her academic progress.
Psychoeducational reports and recommendations are valid for a period of five years. When a student’s testing approaches this five year mark, new testing should be initiated. An Education Plan cannot be developed for a student whose testing is more than five years old. If a student is in attendance at Gwynedd Mercy Academy and her testing needs to be updated, the family can choose to have new testing completed by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit or by an outside agency or private professional with testing certification.
College Board
In order for a student to receive accommodations on College Board (PSAT, SAT, or AP Exams) or ACT assessments, a student must first have an Education Plan in place at Gwynedd Mercy Academy for a period of four months. Once this condition has been fulfilled, a Student Eligibility Form can be submitted to the testing agency requesting accommodations. Once a student has been approved for accommodations with College Board, she will be eligible for accommodations on any of the College Board tests. ACT requires that an updated testing accommodation form be submitted for any subsequent testing after an initial approval.
Please Note: HAVING A VALID EDUCATION PLAN DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH A TESTING AGENCY (I.E. COLLEGE BOARD OR ACT).
BULLYING POLICY
GMA creates a loving and caring environment, where students should have a safe and positive learning experience. GMA is committed to providing an educational atmosphere free from harassment, intimidation and bullying for all students and staff. GMA promotes mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance of all members of the school community. GMA will not tolerate any behavior that infringes on the safety of any student.
Bullying is defined as the act of one or more individuals intimidating one or more persons through verbal, physical, psychological, cyber or written interactions. Bullying can take many forms and occur in virtually any setting. Examples of bullying include but are not limited to:
- Any act that is intended to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the student (i.e. slurs, innuendos, taunting, spreading of rumors, etc.)
- Intimidation, either physical or psychological
- Threats of any kind, stated or implied
- Assaults on students, including those that are verbal, physical, psychological and emotional
- Attacks on property
- Written intimidating/threatening and/or demeaning letters, notes, messages, texts, or emails
- Social isolation or manipulation of a student
- Engaging in implicit or explicit coercive behavior to control, influence or affect the health and well-being of a student
- Any other behavior or acts which have the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education, creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment, or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school.
Cyber bullying (via the internet, cell phones or other technological means) including but not limited to comments on social networking sites, text messages, instant messages or emails, is strictly forbidden under this policy.
False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidation, or bullying also constitute violations of this policy.
GMA expects students and staff to immediately report any incidents of bullying to the principal or designee. Staff are expected to immediately intervene when they see a bullying incident occur.
Bullying of any type has no place in a school setting. Any reported bullying incidents or complaints will be promptly investigated by the Principal, Dean of Students, Counseling Staff or any combination of the preceding personnel. This policy applies to students on school grounds, while traveling to and from school or a school-sponsored activity, and during a school-sponsored activity (or activity hosted by another school) whether on or off campus.
GMA will take action against any student who engages in bullying. Any student found to be participating in bullying behavior may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Responses to confirmed bullying include:
- Verbal warning
- Removal from class
- Verbal or written apology to the victim
- Conflict resolution program
- A parent-teacher conference
- Conference with the principal
- Counseling
- Detention
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Consequences to bullying behavior will depend upon the frequency and severity of the conduct.
By working with families and students, GMA strives to educate the school community about bullying and eliminate bullying types of behaviors.
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR INTERNET ACCESS
1. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Internet access is available to students and teachers. The purpose of the Internet at GMA is to support research and education by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. It is also used to promote educational excellence, innovation and facilitate resource sharing. All use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of our school.
2. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Our school is taking precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. It is, however, impossible to control all materials an industrious user may discover on a global network. Students are responsible for their behavior while on-line. Messages sent or received should not contain profanity, obscene comments, sexually explicit materials, expressions of bigotry, racism or hate. Also they should not contain personal information such as name, address, password, or phone number. The guidelines stated in this policy have been established to allow for smooth operation of the network. If the student chooses to violate these provisions, her access to the Internet will be terminated and future access privileges may be revoked. The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right.
3. Network etiquette (also known as netiquette) is important while users are on-line. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
§ Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others. Bullying in any form via the Internet will not be tolerated.
§ Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarity or any other inappropriate language.
§ Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers of students or colleagues. Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
§ Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users (ex., downloading huge files during prime time; sending mass e-mail messages; annoying other users using the talk or write functions.
§ Respect appropriate laws and copyrights governing the information on the Internet. Often copyright messages appear on the screen informing the user that they are forbidden to copy the information given.
§ No vandalism. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, the data of the Internet, or the data of other networks that are connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School makes no guarantees of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Our school will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. Use of information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. Our school specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USE OF COMPUTER
1. All use of computers must be for educational or research purposes, and consistent with the mission and goals of the school.
2. All students should keep passwords private and never reveal them to anyone. You will be prompted to change your password frequently during the school year.
3. The Internet will be used to support the school curriculum, projects between schools, communication, and research for students, faculty and administration.
4. No viewing of the following types of material is allowed at school: offensive materials, hate mail, discriminatory remarks, or obscene or pornographic material.
5. Users of computer equipment must be polite and respectful of the rights of others. This means no writing or sending of abusive messages, no use of inappropriate language, no threats, harassments or bullying.
6. The network may not be used for illegal activity, for purposes of profit, non-school-related activities, lobbying, advertising, transmission of offensive materials, hate mail, discriminatory remarks, or obscene or pornographic material.
7. Students may not access chat rooms or newsgroups from the school computer system without special permission from a teacher for instructional course work.
8. E-mail may be used during the school day for academic, but not for personal purposes, only with the permission of the teacher or moderator present. If there is a personal need, students may access e-mail before or after school. E-mail is never private and users of e-mail should be aware of this.
9. Computer system software, also known as the "desktop" should not be changed or tampered with. This includes, but is not limited to, computer configuration, screen savers, backgrounds, alert noises, recording sounds, etc.
10. Installation or setup of any type of software, games, or any other unauthorized software is forbidden.
11. Computers are not to be used for recreational purposes during school hours, such as listening to, downloading, and printing music or music lyrics. Remember, the Internet is public, even sites that are perceived as private (Facebook, MySpace, etc.).
12. Any work done on a computer should be saved on a flash drive or in your student user folder and not on any other part of the computer. Students are allowed to save no more than 60 MB of data in their student user folders. Work saved in a user folder is backed up on a daily basis; however, work saved on any other part of the computer may be deleted at any time without warning or backup.
13. Students should always log off the network when they are finished.
Consequences for students who violate this policy include but are not limited to:
- Suspended use of the Internet at school
- Internet privileges completely revoked at school
- Parent contact and/or conference
- Detention
- In-school suspension
- If warranted, student may be required to withdraw
DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
This policy, including its rules, regulations, and guidelines, is an effort by Gwynedd Mercy Academy to openly and effectively respond to the potential and current uses and abuses of drugs, alcohol, and mood altering substances by students.
Definitions
Student Assistance Program: A multi-disciplinary team that includes teachers, counselors, and the school nurse. This team is trained to understand and work with adolescent chemical use, abuse, and dependency. The team’s primary role is to identify, refer, and intervene when student chemical substance use, abuse, possession, and/or distribution is suspected.
Distribution: To deliver, sell, pass, share, or give to another person, or to assist in distribution of any alcohol, drug, or mood altering illegal substance.
Drug/Mood Altering Substance: Alcohol, drugs, narcotics and/or other health-endangering compounds which include but are not limited to alcohol, alcoholic beverages, tranquilizers, amphetamines, synthetic opiates, marijuana, LSD and other hallucinogens, glue solvent-containing substances, prescription drugs, “look-alike” drugs and includes all controlled substances identified in the following laws: Public Law 91-513 and P.L. 233, No. 64.
Look-Alike Drugs: Substances manufactured or designed to resemble drugs, mood altering substances, narcotics, and other health endangering compounds.
Drug Paraphernalia: All equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling or introducing into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the previously mentioned laws.
Possession, Active: To possess or hold, without attempt to distribute, any alcohol, drug or mood altering illegal substance.
Possession, Constructive: Knowledge of sources or means of access to any alcohol, drug, or mood altering illegal substance.
School Jurisdiction: School premises, any school sponsored activity or any other cooperating school activity, or traveling to and from school or school-related activities. Any occurrence at any time, including weekends, that can be substantiated through a police report falls within school jurisdiction.
Suspicion: A present, observable student behavior and/or appearance that warrants the suspicion. Rumors (unsubstantiated information from any source) are not classified as suspicion.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality will be respected in all situations unless the student presents a danger to herself and/or others.
Specific Rules, Regulations, and Procedures
The Gwynedd Mercy Academy Policy is violated when any student, visitor, guest, or any other person is suspected of unlawfully manufacturing, using, abusing, possessing, constructively possessing, distributing, or attempting to distribute drugs, alcohol, or any mood altering substances, or drug paraphernalia, or is suspected of conspiring, aiding or abetting the use, abuse, active possession, constructive possession, or distribution of drugs, alcohol, or any mood altering substances.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy administration will notify the following when a student has violated GMA’s drug and alcohol policy: parents, Student Assistance Team, the student’s counselor, and other authorities as deemed necessary.
A student found in the act of selling alcohol and/or drugs within the area of the school’s jurisdiction will immediately be expelled from school.
A student suspected of violating GMA’s drug/alcohol policy will be investigated. The investigation may include but is not limited to a meeting with the student, counselor, principal, and dean of students, and a drug/alcohol test administered by an agency recommended by the school. If the suspicion is confirmed, the student will be suspended for at least one school day. The student may not return to school until a meeting with the student’s parents has occurred. In the meeting, the student will be strongly encouraged to disclose where she obtained the drugs and/or alcohol. To return to school, the following must be done:
1. The student will be required to enroll in outside drug and alcohol counseling.
2. The student and her parents must sign a drug/alcohol reinstatement
procedure form.
3. If the student and/or parents refuse to conform to the reinstatement
procedure form, the student will be expelled.
An administrator, the student’s counselor, and the Student Assistance Team will design the reinstatement form. The reinstatement form will include the following:
1. Acknowledgment of the problem by the student and parents.
2. An agreement not to use drugs and/or alcohol.
3. An agreement to enroll in counseling.
4. A detailed explanation of the disciplinary actions to be taken (as outlined in the student handbook).
GMA students rumored to be involved in any way with drugs or alcohol will be investigated and parents will be notified. Any other person who has violated the school’s Drug and Alcohol Policy will be reported to the proper authorities and the school will cooperate in the prosecution of that person.
Search Procedures:
School authorities may search a student’s locker and seize any illegal and/or inappropriate materials. Such materials may be used as evidence against the student in disciplinary proceedings. Lockers are subject to inspection and search. Assignment of lockers does not imply an expectation of privacy. Prior to a locker search, the student shall be notified and given an opportunity to be present. However, where school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the locker contains materials which pose a threat to the health, welfare, and safety of students in the school, student lockers may be searched without prior warning.
Emergency Drug Situations:
The first person on the scene of an emergency drug/alcohol situation should render immediate first aid to the student and notify the Principal and school nurse as soon as possible. Care should be taken to safeguard the student and to prevent escalation of the problem within the school.
Second Offense:
A student will be expelled if it is determined that she has violated the school’s Drug and Alcohol Policy a second time.
Self-Referral or Referral by a Concerned Party:
Any student who is self-referred to a Student Assistance Team member, counselor, or faculty member, or who is referred by anyone else, and who seeks help with a chemical use/abuse and/or dependency, and who is not under the immediate influence of a chemical substance, is not subject to this policy’s provisions as outlined for a first violation.
It should be noted that all teachers and staff (everyone employed by GMA or working at GMA) must report to the Student Assistance Team all students seeking assistance or help with chemical use/abuse and/or dependency.
In the event that a student fulfills the above qualifications for self-referral, or referral by a concerned party the following procedures will be followed:
1. The student will be encouraged to inform her parents of the problem and to have them contact the Student Assistance Team.
2. If the parents have not contacted the Student Assistance Team within 2 days, a team member will call the parents to arrange a meeting.
3. The student and parents must sign a form that acknowledges the problem.
4. The student must agree on the same form not to use alcohol and/or drugs.
5. The student must have an assessment, and agree to release this assessment information to the school, and to follow the recommendations of the assessing agency.
6. No disciplinary actions will be taken unless the student is suspected of alcohol or drug use within the area of jurisdiction of the school.
7. If the student and/or parents refuse to cooperate after she has approached the school official, there will be a presumption of guilt and the student and parents must go through the reinstatement procedure.
Aftercare:
The Student Assistance Team and the Counseling Department will assist in carrying out procedures recommended by the crisis intervention personnel in providing a smooth transition from treatment to the classroom environment. Every effort will be extended to help the student realize the goals she has established for herself.
POSITION PAPER ON ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, poses special problems and concerns, not only for society in general, but also for parents and educators, who have the responsibility for teaching and guiding today’s youth. We are constantly confronted with the reality and the consequences of this topic through the media. We have the responsibility as educators to inform and guide our youth about the facts, the dangers of this disease, and above all, the moral teachings of Christianity concerning the true dignity and sanctity of the gift of sexuality and the sacredness of human life.
It is with this responsibility in mind that the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has composed a position paper on the topic of AIDS education, affirming the church’s moral and spiritual position as the foundation and context of any instruction and discussion on this sensitive issue. As Catholic educators, while noting the health threat of AIDS, we approach the topic as one component of Christian human sexuality education. We do so in partnership with parents, “who are primarily responsible for imparting to their children an awareness of the sacredness of sexuality (Human Life in Our Day, 61).
We believe that all instruction concerning AIDS education, regardless of the discipline in which it is discussed, must include moral, medical, social, and pastoral information. Any education concerning the topic of AIDS must clearly reject both pre-marital and extra-marital sex, while at the same time encourage responsible sexual behavior, based on fidelity and commitment, placing sexuality within the context of the marriage bond. As educators, we must set high standards of Christian behavior for our young people, stress the importance of self-control, and help them to be accountable for their actions.
The church has always taught that human life is a sacred gift from God. One of the ways a person can act irresponsibly toward this sacred gift of life is through illegal use of drugs. When misused or abused, drugs become dehumanizing and even life threatening. Our gifts of intellect and free will are threatened and sometimes destroyed when we submit to chemical substance abuse. Thus the Church espouses avoidance of intravenous drug abuse, not only to prevent the spread of AIDS, but also to preserve the dignity of human life. This dual message - respect for the dignity of human life and responsible self-control - must be an integral part of the education concerning this topic.
We must also reflect on the Christian mandate to be compassionate and to bring the Lord’s love to those who have become victims of the AIDS virus. We bear special responsibility for the sick in our midst. We are called to reach out to them in love and to assure them the dignity and respect they deserve as sons and daughters of God.
Practical Applications:
1. Medical: Instruction should include information about the AIDS virus, how it is transmitted, and identification of high-risk groups.
2. Social: Instruction should focus on dispelling the myths concerning transmittal of the virus, diffusing the panic and fear associated with this disease, and eliminating all forms of prejudice and discrimination against those afflicted with AIDS.
3. Moral: Instruction should espouse the Church’s teaching on sexual abstinence and marital chastity. It should not advocate “protective sex” or so-called “safe sex.”
4. Pastoral: Instruction should include Christian compassion in both word and action toward AIDS victims and their loves ones.
HIV/AIDS POLICY
Gwynedd Mercy Academy does not discriminate with regard to students infected with HIV. These students would be placed in classroom situations according to procedures operative for all students and are entitled to the same rights, privileges, and services. Decisions concerning changes if any, in the educational program of the student infected with HIV will be made on a case-by-case basis by the student’s Principal in consultation with the Review Committee (see Procedural Guidelines). These decisions, while informed by up-to-date scientific evidence, medical advise and legal consultation, will reflect the Christian perspective of respect for the individual.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy does not discriminate in employment of persons infected with HIV. When an employee resigns or the employment is interrupted due to an illness related to HIV, the employee shall retain eligibility for all benefits that are normally provided for other school employees with long-term illnesses or disabling conditions.
Conscious of the sensitive nature of this disease, the identity of those students/employees infected with HIV shall be held in confidence. Information will be provided on a need-to-know basis.
Procedural Guidelines for Students
A. Notification:
1. The parent/guardian of a student diagnosed by a physician to be HIV
positive or to have AIDS is encouraged to notify the Principal.
2. To maintain confidentiality, the name of the affected student shall be made known to the Principal, and to the Review Committee. To insure the continued well-being of the student, it may be necessary for the Principal to inform the student’s teachers.
B. Review Committee:
1. Each case will be considered on an individual basis. A Review Committee will be convened by the Principal to determine an appropriate course of action to follow. The committee will include:
PRINCIPAL
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
PHYSICIAN
SCHOOL NURSE
2. The committee shall review all pertinent aspects of the case, including information provided by the student’s parents and/or the student’s physician to determine initially whether any educational and/or social alternatives are required and, if so, what alternatives are called for as they relate to school activities.
3. The committee shall make recommendations to the Principal. The Principal shall make the final decision.
4. The committee shall meet periodically to monitor each case.
5. All committee members are bound by the norms of confidentiality afforded HIV infected persons.
6. All decisions shall reflect rights afforded students under the Pennsylvania School Code, regulations of the Department of Education, and other state and federal laws applicable to the right to education.
C. Appropriate Setting/Release from Class
1. The regular classroom shall be considered the appropriate educational setting for the affected student unless indicated otherwise by the Review Committee. Attendance at school shall be encouraged as long as possible.
2. If the student’s attending physician or the Review Committee determines that a student is unable to attend school, appropriate steps will be taken by the school to qualify the student for homebound instruction.
3. If an outbreak of a communicable disease occurs in the school, or is considered likely, based upon available information within the community, the Principal shall notify the student’s parent/guardian immediately.
D. Evaluation
1. The Principal assisted by the school nurse shall monitor the case of any student placed in a regular classroom to insure that the student’s needs are being properly met.
2. The Principal and the Review Committee shall monitor the case of any student excused from the regular classroom with a view to returning the student to the regular classroom if possible.
E. Counseling/Education
1. Within the context of a Christian environment, the school shall provide the necessary supports for the student and the family to cope with this illness.
2. The school nurse shall review with the student and the student’s parents proper care procedures to insure the success of the treatment programs.
3. The school shall provide educational programs to parents and the
school community about HIV/AIDS disease. This program shall be
grounded in Catholic teaching.
Procedural Guidelines for Employees
A. Notification/Confidentiality
1. The employee diagnosed to be HIV positive or to have the AIDS virus is encouraged to notify the Principal following the diagnosis.
2. Confidentiality is a priority in each case. The name of the affected employee shall be made known to the Principal and the Review Committee. The infected person and the decision makers listed will determine whether additional persons need to know that an infected person works at the school.
B. Review Committee
1. The procedures for evaluation listed under section B of Procedural Guidelines for Students will also apply to employees. The employee will be substituted where the procedures indicate the student’s parents.
C. Appropriate Setting/Release from Work
1. The employee shall be permitted to continue his/her employment as long as he/she is able to fulfill his/her responsibilities.
2. If an employee is unable to fulfill his/her responsibilities or who, in the opinion of the Review Committee, presents a health risk to the school community, the employee will be placed on medical leave. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis. If a tailored plan is necessary, it must be legally, medically, and ethically sound.
3. If an outbreak of a communicable disease occurs in the school or is considered likely based upon available information in the community, the Principal shall notify the employee immediately.
D. Evaluation
1. The Principal, the employee and the employee’s physician shall monitor each case to determine that the employee’s needs are properly met.
2. The Principal and the Review Committee shall establish guidelines to review each case periodically.
E. Counseling/Education
1. The school shall make every effort to assist the employee to cope with the illness by providing referrals for appropriate counseling.
2. The school nurse shall assist the employee’s medical care team by reviewing with the employee proper care procedures to enable the success of treatment programs and to insure the safety of the employee and the school community.
3. The school shall provide education for the school community about the facts of HIV/AIDS to prevent its spread, to dispel rumors connected with the disease, and to eliminate discrimination against HIV/AIDS victims. This education program shall be grounded in Catholic teaching.
Procedural Guideline Review
1. The guidelines shall be reviewed annually or as needed by the Principal and the Review Committee to determine if they adequately meet the needs of the school and comply with current medical information.
POLICY REGARDING STUDENT PREGNANCY
If a student becomes pregnant, a letter from her physician should be on file indicating the length of time she may remain in school. Under no circumstances should the student remain in school longer than the time specified by her physician. Each case must be evaluated individually, however, and the Principal may decide that it is in the best interest of the student to leave school earlier than was suggested by her physician.
The student’s advisor or the Director of Counseling will advise the student on school policies regarding pregnancy and her expected levels of academic achievement while away from school. Throughout all encounters with the student it is paramount that the counselor demonstrate by word and deed the school’s desire to be as supportive and helpful as possible.
Before the student leaves school, the Vice-Principal or the Director of Counseling will meet with the parents or guardian to explain clearly the support services of the school, the desire of the school to have the student continue on roll, the method of completing assignments, and the expected levels of achievement. At this time the student will also be encouraged to return to school after the birth of her child.
When the student leaves school, she is to be assigned a full program of independent study with specific assignments to be completed on a designated date. During this time she will continue to be carried on the roll of the school.
The Vice Principal will act as liaison with the student’s teachers, obtaining from them assignments which can be completed independently. The teachers will determine an appropriate method of evaluation and return the grade to the Vice-Principal.
If the full on-site roster of the student cannot be completed independently, the Vice-Principal with the Principal’s permission may permit an adjustment. In all cases, the Principal shall determine, in consultation with the Vice-Principal, whether the student has completed the work required for re-admission and credit towards graduation.
Counseling Department Policy:
In addition to the general school policy, the following are specific procedures for advisors and/or counselors.
When a student who is pregnant comes to an advisor/counselor for assistance, it is necessary to obtain the following information.
1. Ask the student whether she has informed her parents that she is pregnant. If the student has not informed her parents, then it is the counselor’s obligation to direct the student to share this information with her parents within the week. If the student is not willing to confide in her parents, then the advisor/counselor must contact the Director of Counseling who will contact the parents independent of the student’s wishes. This is to ensure the physical well-being of the student and the baby.
2. Ask the student whether she has seen a doctor, and whether the doctor has confirmed her pregnancy. If the parents are aware of the pregnancy, there is a good chance that the parents have obtained the necessary medical attention for their daughter. However, if she has not seen a doctor, the advisor will encourage the student to seek medical attention with her parents’ permission.
3. Once the parents have been informed, the advisor/counselor will offer her services to the parents. The parents will be asked to meet with the advisor and/or the Director of Counseling, especially if the student has decided to remain on roll at Gwynedd Mercy Academy. At this meeting the parents and student will be informed of school policy regarding pregnancy.
4. If the student is considering an abortion, the advisor/counselor or Director of Counseling is obligated to inform the parents. The advisor/counselor needs to be clear that her concern is for the welfare of both the student and her baby. No advisor/counselor is to make a referral to an outside agency without first discussing that agency with the Director of Counseling.
5. Throughout the entire pregnancy, the advisor/counselor will continue to support both the parents and the student, while consulting with the Director of Counseling.
Upon receipt of information that a student has procured an abortion or assisted another in procuring an abortion, the school principal will promptly arrange to meet with the student and her parents.
If the school principal determines that the student procured or assisted another in procuring an abortion, the student shall be referred for counseling to an appropriate support service, e.g., Project Rachel, Catholic Social Services, etc.
The principal will attempt to handle each matter in a spirit of Christian compassion and mercy. When public scandal, the student’s refusal to participate in counseling or other circumstances warrant, the principal may dismiss or take other appropriate action.
The principal and other individuals who learn of any such matter will handle such information in a confidential manner to the extent possible and communicate it only to those individuals at school or at counseling services who have the right to know.
POLICY REGARDING PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE
The Child Protective Services Law of 1975 requires, under penalty of law, the reporting of actual and suspected cases of child abuse to civil authorities. An abused child, under the CPS Act, is an individual under 18 years of age who has suffered serious physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, or serious physical neglect, caused by acts or omissions of the child’s parents or person responsible for the child’s welfare.
Procedure:
1. If a teacher/counselor suspects child abuse, she must report this to the Director of Counseling immediately. The Director must also be notified if a student confides abuse to a teacher/counselor.
2. The Director of Counseling will talk with the student to assess the situation. She will also inform the Principal. Once the Principal and Director of Counseling have been informed, the individual teacher or counselor no longer has any legal responsibility in the case.
3. The school nurse will also be consulted as determined by the Principal and the Director of Counseling.
4. If the school nurse is not in the building, and the abuse is of a nature to warrant medical attention, the Director of Counseling and Principal will take the student to the nearest emergency room for treatment.
5. The Principal or someone she has delegated will report the abuse to the Childline (1-800-932-0313) in Harrisburg. The Director of Counseling will then call the County Office of Children and Youth (610-278-5800). If the student indicates that she is afraid to return home, the Director of Counseling, Principal, and the Child Protective Service worker will determine an appropriate course of action; i.e., the need for a court order so that CPS can take custody and/or whether the police will be called so that they can take custody.
6. Determining how the parents will be informed of any action taken will be made on a case-by-case basis. The Director of Counseling and the principal will make this decision after consultation with CPS.
7. A CY47 form will be completed by the Director of Counseling and forwarded to the local CPS within 48 hours of the report.
8. A copy of the revised Legally Mandated Reporting Requirements is available in the Principal’s Office and in the Counseling Center.
POLICY PROHIBITING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
BY EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS