Cathedral School Handbook
Table of Contents
Absence Policy
Admission Policy
Arrival and Dismissal
Birthday Party Celebrations
Bullying Policy
Bus Policy
Calendar
Cathedral Cash
Cathedral Parish Active Membership
Cell Phones
Change of Address
Computers - Acceptable Use Policy
Conferences
Court Orders
Curriculum and Academics
Daily Schedule
Discipline Code
Dress Code
Extended Care
Extracurricular Activities
Fair Share
Field Trips
Health Policies
Homework
Homeroom Parents
Insurance
Lunch Program
Medical / Dental Appointments
Mission
Parent Cooperation
Parent Information Envelope (PIE)
Phone Numbers
Plagiarism Policy
Playground Rules
Religious Education / Sacramental Preparation
Report Cards / Honor Roll
Safety
School Advisory Board
School Photos
Staff
Tuition Revised 10/08/09
Visitors
Volunteer
Weather Delays/Cancellation
The facilities and services of Cathedral parish are available to its active members. This includes use of the Church for Baptisms, weddings, and other sacramental events. It also includes parishioner status in our parochial school. Active membership is determined by four things:
- being registered in the parish for a sufficient period of time
- faithful attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days
- the use of the envelope system in the support of the parish referred to as Fair Share
- the request that every family volunteer ten hours (minimum) during the school year
It is expected that all parish families will be in active support of the parish envelope system throughout the year. This envelope system is part of the direct subsidy payment from parish to school account.
Cathedral School is a Catholic, Christ-centered urban parish elementary school. The Sisters of St. Joseph established the school in 1928 in the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania. This co-educational program encompasses a pre-school for three, four, and five year-olds, a full-day kindergarten, grades one through eight, and a morning and afternoon extended care program. Our school embraces and fosters the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, personal, and social developments of each child through a variety of teaching strategies and learning modalities with an emphasis on each child’s learning needs and abilities.
We strive to achieve commitment to Christian values, academic excellence, and accountability and responsibility in each of our students, so that each student reaches his/her full potential. We devote every effort to instill upon the children of Cathedral School, the values of knowledge, wisdom, and the formation of being a living witness of Christ throughout their lives.
Cathedral School serves the parish of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. It is open to all children. Our pre-school program includes three separate age groups. We have individualized curriculums for a 3 year-old 2 day/week program, a 4 year-old 3 day/week program, and a pre-K curriculum designed for young 5 year-olds, which meets 4 afternoons each week.
Registration is completed with birth, baptismal, immunization records, and a registration fee. Students entering kindergarten must be five years old by October 15th, of the academic year in which they begin kindergarten. (First graders must be 6 by October 15th). Formal registration is held during Catholic Schools Week, with formal screening being administered in the spring. The non-refundable registration fee is due when applying for admission.
With the admission of a new student, an appointment must be made with the principal to complete final registration. At this time, copies of report cards, testing and immunization records are required. Testing of all new students will be administered by reading and math specialists.
Non-Catholic students are welcome to attend Cathedral School, provided individual grade enrollment permits their attendance. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion or national origin.
After the start of the school year, late registration will depend upon available space, testing, and other scholastic information.
August
- 31 Opening Day Grades 1 - 8
September
- 1 Opening Day Kindergarten (1:00 dismisssal)
- 2 Kindergarten 1:00 dismisssal
- 4 No School - Labor Day
- 7 No School - Labor Day
- 8 Cafeteria Opens
- 8 Open House K-4
- 10 Open House 5-8
- 12 Back to School Barbecue
October
- TBA School Photos
- 12 No School - Diocesan Convention
- 30 Halloween Parade
November
- 16 Report Cards Issued
- 20,23,24 Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 25-30 Thanksgiving Holiday
December
- 23(noon)-1/3 Christmas Holiday
January
- 18 No School - Teachers Inservice
- 19-22 Exams
- 31 Opening of Catholic Schools Week
February
- 1 8th Grade Pin Service
- 1 Report Cards Issued
- 5 Noon Dismissal
- 15 School Holiday
- 17 Ash Wednesday
March
- 3-5 COGATS
- 22-26 IOWA Testing
- 31-4/5 Easter Holiday
April
- 12 Report Cards Issued
- TBA Spring Photos
- 23 Walkathon
- 28-30 Kindergarten Screening
May
- 1 First Holy Communion
- 4 May Procession - Noon Dismissal
- 10 Beach Day
- 13 Ascension Thursday
- 31 Memorial Day Holiday
June
- 1-4 Exams
- 7 8th Grade Dinner Dance
- 8 8th Grade Graduation; Noon Dismissal
- 9 Noon Dismissal
- 10 Noon Dismissal
- 11 Last Day of School - 10:30 Dismissal
This calendar is subject to change due to unexpected situations.
* Cathedral School meets all state requirements of 990 instructional hours and Diocesan requirements of 1001 hours.
8:00 Homeroom begins
8:05 First bell for both buildings Children are tardy after 8:05 a.m.
2:35 Classes end
2:40 Prayers
2:45 Dismissal
Arrival and Dismissal
For morning drop-off (8:00 a.m.), parents are asked to turn onto St. Cloud Street from Chew Street and turn right onto the Russell Street alley, which runs between the church parking lots. Student drop-off is on Russell Street across from the school. Please do not get out of your car. Staff and volunteer parents will be available to receive students and direct your exit off the campus.
Dismissal occurs in 2 phases.
Dismissal #1: 2:45 p.m.
- Cathedral Care
- Turner St. walkers
- All buses
- Chew St. walkers
Dismissal #2: immediately following
Car riders and Activity Groups.
Cars enter 18th Street from Chew Street and form 3 lanes. When a signal is given, students board cars. When all cars are boarded, cars are dismissed from campus. Activity groups are subsequently dismissed.
Walkers: Children walk to corner accompanied by a teacher and safety patrols. Parents may meet children at corner, not in front of school building. These directives are for the safety of everyone. In the past, cars have ignored the wooden barriers and the patrol directives. Please instruct your children at which corner they are to meet you. (No cars at these spots).
Bicycles: Children are permitted to ride bicycles to and from school. Bicycles must be secured on bicycle rack with a lock. (Each child must have their own lock). Bicycles are walked off of school property.
It is imperative that parents be mindful of early dismissals and also be prompt in picking up students at dismissal time. Students not picked up after 3:15 will be sent to Cathedral Care.
This is a service for working parents only.
Our extended Care Program at Cathedral School, entitled Cathedral Care, provides the security of enrolling your child (Grades Pre-K thru 8) in a unique program designed for before and after school care. Enrollment is limited. Our hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Snack is included. When there are early dismissals for faculty related meetings, Cathedral Care will be open 2:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. On snow days, Cathedral Care will close 2 hours after official school closing. On late start mornings, Cathedral Care will not operate. Service concludes in early June.
Occasionally, students are not picked up on time at the end of the school day. We realize that emergencies occur (car, work, etc.) and there are times that parents are detained. The Cathedral staff is not always available to watch your student. Therefore, we reserve the right to place your student in Cathedral Care should your student lack supervision on any such occurrence. This would require an additional billing from the Cathedral Care service should the need arise.
For further information please call Mrs. Ann Marie Morasco (610-435-8981 x 2015 - school Cathedral Care phone) or visit the Cathedral Care link.
The parking lot is used as a play area and is closed to all automobile parking from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on school days. Children are to remain in the school yard during lunch. Supervision begins at 7:45 a.m. for bus children. Prior to this time, children will not be monitored in the yard or buildings. Any student who is present in the school building or on the school grounds at unlawful times (prior to 7:45 a.m. or after 3:15 p.m.) without permission will be placed in Cathedral Extended Care and parents will be billed accordingly.
Parents are asked not to come into the building in the morning. After 3:15 p.m., if a homeroom teacher has left the building and the classroom is locked, that classroom door will not be opened, under any circumstances, to retrieve forgotten books, papers, belongings, etc.
On the day of absence, parents must call the school office (610-435-8981) by 8:15 a.m.. This information may be placed on the answering machine. State requirements demand that the return to school must be accompanied by a written note stating reasons and dates of absences, signed by parent or guardian. This note, written by a parent, must be sent to school on a 3 X 5 card when the child returns after an absence even if a message was left on the answering machine. It must contain: student name, grade and room number, dates of absence, reason for absence, and the signature of a parent or a guardian. If a child is absent three days or more, a formal doctor's excuse is required.
It is the student's responsibility to make contact with each teacher immediately upon return to school to receive assignments. Completion time for assignments is at the discretion of the individual teacher. Special arrangements can be made with the teacher(s) after a more lengthy illness.
Absence for Vacation
Parents are strongly discouraged from removing children from school for vacation (especially during mid-term examinations, final examinations and standardized testing days). If the parent considers it necessary to request an extended absence of three or more school days, the parent must complete and file an extended absence form with the principal at least one week prior to the absence. These arrangements must be made in person by the parent. Such requests will not be approved for the first 10 days of school, during the examination periods or standardized test periods. No make-up of standardized testing will be administered if a child has missed these due to a vacation.
Make-up Work (Due to Vacation Absence)
Make-up work is the responsibility of the parent and student. No teacher should be expected to provide special instruction to the student. This work will be given when the student returns to school after a vacation absence. Work / tests are to be completed within 3 days of the return to school. Any work not completed will be recorded as a failure. The faculty will not be responsible for academic failure due to vacation absence.
Absence Policy for Grades 3-8
Books may be picked up in the office after 2:30 but it is impossible for the teachers to collect missed daily classwork and homework assignments. Students must request upon return.
Medical / Dental Appointments
We urge parents to make medical or dental appointments after school hours or on early dismissal days. In cases of necessity, request for early dismissal or unusual absences must be written by the parent and approved by the principal. In addition, teachers must be notified prior to such absences.
Tardiness
Student must be taken to the office by a parent to receive a late slip. Parental note must accompany student. Never report to the classroom first. Children are tardy after 8:05 a.m.
It is imperative that all children entering school for the first time be properly immunized. Please check all immunization records with your family doctor. No child will be admitted without required immunizations. As part of our health program, all new pupils entering kindergarten or first grade are required to have a thorough physical and dental examination.
The following is a schedule of required exams/screenings:
| Complete Physical | Pre-school (ages 3, 4 and 5), kindergarten and new 1st graders, 6th graders and all new children entering our school without proper records. Due by September 1st of school year. |
| Dental | Kindergarten, 3rd, and 7th grades. |
| Hearing | Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th grades. |
| TB Test | 1st grade |
| Height | Every grade, every year |
| Weight | Every grade, every year |
| Vision | Every grade, every year |
| Scoliosis Screening | 5th, 6th and 7th grades |
Parents are notified before dental and physical exams are given. These exams may be done by your family doctor and dentist, if preferred.
No student absent from school because of the conditions listed below may return to school before the specified time period.
| Measles | 4 days from onset of rash |
| Whooping Cough | 4 wks from onset if not seen by a physician, or 7 days after medication is started. |
| Scarlet Fever | 7 days from onset if not seen by a physican, or 24 hours after medication is started. |
| Strep Throat | 7 days from onset if not seen by a physican, or 24 hours after medication is started. |
| Mumps | 9 days from onset of swelling |
| Rubella/German measles | 4 days from onset of rash |
| Chicken Pox | 6 days from last crop of vesicles |
| Pink Eye | 24 hours after medication is started |
| Ring Worm (all types) | Until judged non-infectious by physician or school nurse. |
| Impetigo | Until judged non-infectious by physician or school nurse. |
| Lice | Until judged non-infectious by physician or school nurse, or after treatment is given and no nits present. |
| Scabies | Until judged non-infectious by physician or school nurse. |
| Tonsilitis | 24 hours after medication is started. |
After 3 days of illness, a doctor's note is required.
Children need to be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.
Medication: Teachers are prohibited from administering medication to students. If a child needs medication during school hours, parents must come and personally take care of this responsibility. Please contact the school office.
The Diocese of Allentown has implemented a Student Accident Insurance program covering all students attending our school.
Cathedral School operates a full-service cafeteria for its students and staff, staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers. Parents can pre-order and pay for tasty and nutritious lunch choices from a menu published and distributed monthly. The cost is $2.90/lunch, which includes either white or chocolate milk. O'Brien's Catering, Ltd., a local institutional caterer, provides most of our lunches and delivers them daily. An a la carte snack bar is available daily, offering milk and other drinks, bagels, yogurt, cheese sticks, hot pretzels, and assorted snacks in compliance with the Wellness Policy. There will be no credit extended to students in the snack bar area.
Since we are always in need of new helpers, please consider giving some time in this worthwhile volunteer area. Please call the cafeteria at 610-434-4607 or leave a message at the school office (610-435-8981).
Cold Lunch
On noted dates, students need to bring a full lunch, including a drink, from home. The cafeteria or snack bar will not be open on these dates.
Please check lunch calendar link.
Lunch Times: The lunch period starts at 11:30 and ends at 1:00 p.m.. Classes are staggered during this time in order to facilitate maximum use of the time and space.
| Grades 5-8 Grades 3 - 4 Grades 1 - 2 Kindergarten |
11:30 -12:05 12:10 - 12:45 12:15 - 12:50 12:20 - 12:55 |
Either traditional or warm weather uniforms are to be worn from the 1st day of school.
Warm Weather Uniforms
| Fall Dates | Start of school through October 15th |
| Spring Dates | May 1st through June close of school |
| Kindergarten | Boys: White monogrammed polo shirt will be worn year-round with navy long pants or navy uniform shorts Girls: White monogrammed polo shirt with navy uniform shorts |
| First-Sixth | Boys and Girls: White monogrammed polo shirt with navy uniform shorts |
| Seventh-Eighth | Boys: White monogrammed polo shirt with navy long pants or uniform shorts Girls: White monogrammed polo shirt with regulation skirt or shorts. Wear navy blue knee high socks only; no crew socks are permitted. |
| All Grades | White plain foldover crew socks (no logo) and school shoes with the summer uniform. Sneaker socks are not acceptable. Note: Open-back shoes of any type are not permitted. |
Traditional Uniforms
| Boys | Navy blue trousers, white/blue shirt, dress shoes and uniform ties. Belts are required for grades 5-8. Hair must be neatly trimmed - not longer than shirt collar and may not cover ears. No extreme hairstyles are permitted: tails, shaved numbers, coloring or highlighting. |
| Girls K-6 | Regulation uniform jumper, white/blue blouse, navy blue knee high socks or navy tights. |
| Girls 7 & 8 | Regulation skirt, white/blue blouse with collar buttoned, navy knee high socks or unpatterned tights, and choice of navy blue Cathedral sweater or navy blue sleeveless vest. |
| Jewelry/Misc. | Girls may wear small posts only on lower lobe (one per ear). Long fingernails, nail polish, artificial nails, or hair highlighting are not permitted. |
| Shoes | Reasonable school shoes are acceptable. Clogs, open-backed shoes, platform shoes, open-toe shoes, sneakers or any facsimile are NOT acceptable. |
| Reminders | Only navy blue sweaters with Cathedral logo are permitted. Diocesan dress code states that all uniform skirts and jumpers are to the knee. |
Phys Ed |
Cathedral regulation gym uniform: -K-6 - yellow/purple shirts; 7-8 - white shirt with gray shorts -Regulation sweatshirt and sweatpants - mandatory during cooler months -Sneakers -No jewelry Gym clothing may be worn to school for the entire day on gym day only. (Exception: special assemblies and Mass days for students directly involved). |
All uniforms need to bear the Flynn & O'Hara tags. All uniforms must be purchased at:
Flynn & O'Hara
Valley Plaza Shopping Center
1876 Catasaqua Rd., Allentown, PA 18103
610-231-3788
Uniform Exhange is available in Room 206.
Please contact the office for further information or visit the uniforms link.
Casual Day Guidelines
- Jeans and sneakers are permitted on casual days. Capri pants, shorts, cargo pants, cotton or nylon gym styles are acceptable. Avoid any style that has deliberate holes, tears, or fringes. No oversized jeans.
- Sweatshirt and t-shirt styles are acceptable. No designs of alcohol, smoking, heavy metal rock groups or offensive language.
- Tank styles and sleeveless tops for girls are acceptable when worn modestly. Bare midriff or deep v-neck shirts are not acceptable.
- Shoes must be appropriate for normal travel within the school grounds. No flip-flops or spiked heels.
- Regarding make-up, jewelry, hair-color - follow the handbook.
- On special days, holiday-theme jewelry, buttons, pins or extra items will be permitted.
- All clothing should be neat and clean.
- Following the summer uniform schedule, shorts may be worn from the start of school through October 15 and from May 1 until the close of school.
Individual photographs of your child are taken twice a year (fall and spring). Purchase of these pictures is voluntary. Notices are sent home prior to the date on which pictures will be taken.
Cathedral School updates curriculum according to state and diocesan guidelines and mandates. Texts are chosen to meet the educational needs of our students. In addition, our testing programs and results assist in these decisions. These meet both diocesan and state requirements. To view details of our curriculum, click here. Then click on DOAS and search for Cathedral School.
Christian education is intended to "make one's faith become living, conscious, and active, through the light of instruction." The Catholic School is the unique setting within which this ideal can be realized in the lives of Catholic children. Instruction in religious truth and values is an integral part of the school program. It is not one more subject to be learned, but functions as the underlying reality in which the student's experiences of learning and living achieve their deepest meaning.
Community service programs comprise an important part of our Catholic educational experience. Service is based on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and most of all, on the example of Christ, who came to serve. The Confirmation candidates service is not just a job to be done. It should be selflessly and lovingly done to help those in need. As parents of 8th grade Confirmation candidates you should help them reflect on how their service project is helping them take on the mind and heart of Christ, fulfill the needs of others, and build up the Christian Community. Each candidate is required to perform 25 hours of community service.
As the primary educators of their children, parents are involved in the catechesis of their children. Meetings are held for the parents prior to the children receiving Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. The teachers in the classrooms can expound, but it is the parents who create the environment in the home for the child's inborn need to seek God. All Sacramental students must have 2 classroom years of religious instruction.
Report cards are issued four times a year. Academic warnings are sent via the Parent Information Envelope (PIE) approximately mid-point in each quarter. Parents must be aware of student's progress and potential failure. Academic warnings are to be signed and returned to respective teacher immediately. All tests are to be signed by parent and returned immediately (with the exception of an unusual circumstance). These papers will be stored in child's cumulative file.
Honor Roll (Grades 7 and 8 only) is a positive goal for our Junior High Students to strive for and at the same time challenge them to work to their potential.
High Honors - General Average of 93 with every major subject 90 and above.
Specials - S and above; Conduct and Effort - VG and above; Christian Values - S and above.
Honors - General Average of 87 with every major subject 85 and above.
Specials - S and above; Conduct and Effort - G and above; Christian Values - S and above.
Conduct and Effort requirement applies to all subjects and specialties.
Promotion / Retention Policy: Promotion occurs when the student has successfully completed the requirements of the particular grade as prescribed by the principal and teaching staff. Retention is the final decision of the school.
Homework is an integral part of our programming in all grades (K-8). Fifteen minutes per grade is a good rule of thumb for the average child. (example: 2nd grader, 30 minutes) It is expected that parent will assist in this important educational step. Homework is not the responsibility of Cathedral Extended Care Staff.
In addition to academic programs, we are able to offer the following extra-curricular activities:
- Instrumental and Diocesan Honor band program
- Athletics
Boys:
cross-country (fall)
football (fall)
soccer(fall/spring)
basketball (winter)
bowling (winter)
volleyball (winter)
wrestling (winter)
baseball (spring)Girls:
cross-country (fall)
cheerleading (all year)
soccer(fall/spring)
volleyball (fall)
basketball (winter)
bowling (winter)
softball (spring)
- Altar servers
- Choir
- Scouting Programs (boys and girls)
- Academic Bowl
- Declamation Contest
- Spelling Bees
- Fine Arts Contests
- Yearbook
- Student Council
- Safety Patrol
- Science Fair
- History Day Project
- Eighth Grade Play
Field trips are an important part of a child's education and an extension of the classroom learning experience. Field trips are privileges afforded to students; no student has an absolute right to a field trip. Participation will be denied if students fail to meet academic or behavioral requirements. Written permission form must be given to teacher no later than one day prior to trip. Verbal permission granted in person or by phone is not permissible. If student tuition is not current at time of field trip, the student will not be permitted to attend the trip. For any out-of-town field trips, an adult aged 21 or over will accompany each child, with a cell phone and a credit card for emergencies. Field trip attendance is mandatory and a scheduled school day, unless a parent note is submitted and it is deemed an excused absence by the principal. Note: an estimated field trip cost will be supplied by each teacher at Open House.
To All Students.....To Fellow Students.....To Self.....To School Property
It should not be necessary to be reminded over and over again about the rules of the school. Repeated warnings will lead to disciplinary action.
Discipline points are given in Grades 3 through 8.
Academic Offense - 1 point
1. Not prepared for class
2. Unsigned paper / test / discipline slip (per day)
Academic Offense - 2 points
1. Unsigned PIE (contains more than 1 paper) (per day)
Behavioral Offense - Level I (1 point)
- Misbehavior
- Tardiness to Class
- Gum Chewing
- Loitering
- Littering
- Running
- Infraction of Dress Code
- Uncovered Textbooks
- 5 Tardies (Applies only to 5th - 8th grades)
- Lack of Respect
- Drawings or Markings of any nature on a student
Behavioral Offense - Level II (2 points)
- Inappropriate language/gestures
- Frequent or Constant Misbehavior
- Lack of Respect - 2nd Offense
Behavioral Offense - Level III (3 points)
- Petty Vandalism - minor damage
- Forging Signatures / Plagiarism
- Disrespect
- Cheating
- Skipping Class
- Harassment/ Bullying
- Aiding & Abetting a Level III Offense
- An Unwarranted Act Affecting the Safety of Others
- Skipping Detention
- Disobedience
- Disorderly Conduct
- Lying
- Possession of Electronic Devices during the school day (8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) including electronic hand-held games, Ipods, or cell phones.
- Violating the Privacy of a Teacher's Desk or Computer
Behavioral Offense - Level IV (4 points)
- Theft - Do not allow your children to bring valuables, or large sums of money to school.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (drugs, alcohol)
- Fighting or Assault with Bodily Injury
- Vandalism - Major Damage
- Possession of Contraband
- Insubordinate or Abusive Language toward another
- Possession or Use of Tobacco Products or Matches
- A Serious or Unwarranted Act affecting the Safety of Others
- Possession of Weapons of any kind, including but not limited to Knives, and other Dangerous Instruments
- Leaving School Property without Permission
- Commission of a Crime on School Property affecting the Safety and Well-Being of the School Community
- Tampering with report cards or any legal document
- Lack of respect - 3rd offense
- Drawings of a violent nature
The school enforces a No Tolerance policy toward any type of weapon or similar language used by the student.
A Level IV offense is an automatic detention. All Level IV offenses will result in a school team conference and possible in-school suspension or expulsion as a result. All Level IV offenses will be handled on an individual basis with possible psychological referral.
Special Notes:
- All disciplinary points wil be doubled if infraction involves a substitute teacher or volunteer.
- All disciplinary points are erased at the end of each quarter.
- A total of 5 points will result in detention.
- After a third detention in a quarter, a school team conference will be scheduled with possible suspension or expulsion as a result.
- It is the student's responsibility, not that of the teacher, to hand in all signed documents on the next school day. The student will receive 1 point for an unsigned document if he/she makes no attempt to hand in the document.
- The School Discipline Code is "in effect" for all school sponsored extracurricular activities (e.g., dances).
At the bus stop:
1. Be on time, but no earlier than 5 minutes.
2. Respect the rights of property owners in the area.
3. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children before the bus arrives.
4. Children are encouraged to dress warmly during cold weather when waiting at the bus stop. It is acceptable for girls to wear Cathedral gym sweats under their uniform for warmth. The sweats can then be removed at school.
Each student must ride the same bus to and from school continually throughout the school year. Only students residing in their respective busing school districts may ride school buses. Thus, no Allentown student is permitted by law to ride a Parkland, East Penn, Northwestern or other school district bus. Students living in a school district that offers busing may only ride another bus from their district if they provide a note, and have it approved in the office.
On the bus:
Safety and proper behavior while riding the school bus is a responsibility which must be shared by all concerned - students, parents and bus and school administrators. Parents shall instruct their children that they must obey the Bus Code of Conduct and encourage "would be" violators to do the same. The Cathedral school has adopted the following Bus Code of Conduct.
Bus Code of Conduct:
All student being transported by bus shall not:
1. Smoke or possess smoking paraphernalia.
2. Eat or drink in the bus.
3. Engage in scuffling, fighting or other unwarranted acts of misbehavior.
4. Possess any illegal drug or drug paraphernalia.
5. Possess weapons of any kind, including but not limited to, knives and other dangerous instruments.
6. Use profane or indecent language.
7. Regulate windows unless permitted to do so by the driver.
8. Extend any part of their bodies out of windows.
9. Stand or walk while the bus is in motion.
10. Place books, gym bags, or other articles in aisles or in front of the emergency door.
11. Vandalize the bus or the personal property of others.
12. Behave in any manner which would endanger the health, safety or welfare of other students or the driver.
Disciplinary Action:
A violation of Nos. 1,3,4,5,11 or 12 above shall be considered a serious infraction. As to a serious infraction, the Cathedral School reserves the right to terminate a student's busing privileges. At a minimum, a first offense will result in a letter of warning being mailed to the student's parents. A second offense will result, at a minimum, in a three (3) day suspension of busing privileges. A third offense may result in a partial or full suspension of busing privileges.
Enjoy your free time and fresh air. Be polite and play carefully. Obey volunteers and teachers on duty.
The following rules must be obeyed:
- Lunchboxes should be placed alongside the building in assigned areas.
- Always enter the playground from the back of the schoolyard.
- Play equipment should be treated with respect and played with safely.
- If an injury occurs, consult a volunteer or teacher.
- Students may not enter the building without permission.
- Lavatory needs should be taken care of before lunch.
- If a volunteer has warned a student and student continues to break the rule, the student will stand quietly against the wall and not play.
- If there is a continuous misbehavior or disobedience toward volunteer school yard aides, the student will be sent to the Principal's office.
The following behavior will not be tolerated.
- Pushing, pulling students and their clothing.
- Running (skipping, hoppinig, galloping or jogging are fine).
- Fighting, bad language, wrestling, kicking
- Screaming - be reasonable with your voice.
- Climbing the fence or gates.
- Standing, waiting or playing in the stairs of the cafeteria, by the side doors of the church, near the Kindergarten door, the garage or the dumpsters.
- Hanging anything on the fence or walls.
Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted on school property. The only exception for cell phones would be as a form of emergency communication with a parent either before or after school hours. In this situation, cell phones must be kept in backpack during the school day from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cathedral Care students may not use cell phones or electronic devices during Cathedral Care hours.
Any cell phone or electronic device observed during the school day will be turned over to the principal who in turn will contact the parent for pick-up. Should a second offense occur, the cell phone/electronic device will be kept by the principal until the end of the school year.
Cathedral School faculty and staff will not be held responsible for lost, misplaced, or broken items.
In light of the present state of affairs regarding violence in our nation's schools, I need to reiterate our Cathedral policy: That we must be mutually respectful of each other.
You need to realize that Cathedral School has a No Tolerance Policy regarding the teasing, taunting, aggressive behavior or any other unkind, inappropriate behavior toward a fellow student or adult.
Teachers will continue to be ever vigilant of these concerns. Students, as well as parents, need to make teachers aware of any such concerns immediately. Parents must discuss these issues with their children and share this responsibility with the school community. Our parents must realize that we will hold them accountable for their children's aggressiveness and inappropriate behavior in our school setting.
Serious situations may result in your child's expulsion from Cathedral School if their behavior impacts the safety and well-being of any part of our student body.
All students understand before they turn in a group project, all members of the team will be held responsible for plagiarism should it be discovered. The students shall be subject to the disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the principal.
Any student who plagiarizes material from any source, printed or multimedia, or submits swapped projects will receive a failing grade for the project.
This issue is addressed in its entirety at the beginning of each school year followed by signed documentation.
Cathedral School's computer facilities exist for the academic enrichment of our students and faculty. Guidelines exist to protect our investment, to ensure maximum positive usage of our facilities, to protect our students from external negative influences, and to reinforce appropriate conduct. This policy will be enforced in accordance with the School Code of Conduct. This issue is addressed in its entirety at the beginning of each school year followed by signed documentation.
| Cathedral School | 610-435-8981 | |
| Cathedral Care | 610-435-8981 ext. 2015 | |
| Cathedral Cafeteria | 610-434-4607 | |
| Cathedral Fax | 610-437-7951 | |
| Cathedral Rectory | 610-433-6461 | |
| Religious Education Office | 610-432-7655 | |
| Department of Education | 610-866-0581 | |
| Parkland Bus Company | 610-351-5691 | |
| Northwestern Bus Company | 610-298-8661 | |
| East Penn Bus (Leibensperger) | 610-966-5191 | |
| Salisbury | 610-791-0146 | |
| Allentown | 610-709-0244 | |
| Whitehall/Coplay | 610-797-4780 | |
| Cathedral School email address | altlcath@ptd.net |
Click here for Staff Directory.
The Cathedral School Advisory Board, the Cathedral Home School Partnership, meets at 7:00 p.m. as indicated on the school calendar. The advisory board provides parents with an opportunity to communicate their needs, concerns, etc., about Cathedral School. The advisory board provides the administration with its input on a regular basis, so that the Cathedral School is truly a "family community" school. Click here for HSP link.
In November, formal parent-teacher conferences are held and report cards issued. Throughout the year, conferences are recommended and encouraged. Please make arrangements with the individual teacher through the teacher directly or phone call to the office. Parents are urged to keep informed about all phases of the school program by accepting invitations to visit the classrooms and meet with teachers on occasions such as liturgies, Parent-Teacher Conferences, classroom plays, Catholic Schools Week, demonstrations, etc. There will be no conferencing if tuition is not current.
A plastic envelope comes home each Wednesday containing the entire week's important papers (calendars, tests, academic warnings). Please sign all paperwork and return the PIE the next day (Thursday).
Please notify the school office immediately of any change in student's address or telephone number. Emergency numbers should always be up-to-date. This is essential for your child's well-being.
The school voluntarily complies with the provision of the Buckley Amendment: "Non-custodial parents will be given access to unofficial copies of student records and staff will be available to discuss the student's records, unless a Court Order providing otherwise is filed with the school." Non-custodial parents wishing important school information are asked to send 12 self-addressed, stamped envelopes to your child's teacher. This information will then be mailed to you. If each parent needs a PIE and/or Report Card, please also notify the teacher in writing. Divorced parents are required to file a notarized copy of the custody section of the divorce decree with the school.
Parent cooperation is essential for the welfare of the students and the school. If, in the opinion of the administration, parent behavior seriously interferes with the teaching/learning process, the school may require parents to withdraw their children and sever the relationship with the school.
The school/administration reserves the right to suspend or disenroll a student for the following reasons: failure to pay tuition, unsatisfactory academic performance, disciplinary problems, and/or other justifiable reasons.
It should be noted that the custodial parent is responsible for all fees, and should seek reimbursement from the non-custodial parent without the school becoming involved.
Visitors and volunteers during school hours are to report to the school office on the 2nd floor of the Main Building. If it is necessary to deliver a message to a child or teacher, please report to the office. Under no circumstances may a parent go to a classroom.
Our volunteer program includes service in many areas - typing, nursing care, school yard monitoring, cafeteria, substitute teachers, and paraprofessional work. We encourage you to join in making our school more vital through your services. Please contact our school principal (610-435-8981) or our volunteer coordinators Mrs. Michelle Keba (610-965-1516) and Mrs. Amy Santos (610-530-8662). Click here for Volunteer link.
Each classroom will have a representative from the grade level acting as homeroom parent for communication between parents and teacher for activities during the school year.
Based on the needs of the teacher's activity, the homeroom parent will contact all families for party items and/or materials, which will directly benefit the children.
Due to the Wellness Policy, if you would like to supply a birthday treat for your child, suggested items are: pencils, erasers, stickers, or other items of this nature. Also, distribution of "at home" party invitations will not be permitted unless the complete class is invited (all girls, all boys, or whole class).
When the weather is severe and transportation hazardous, please listen to your TV and radio stations to find out whether school will be closed or have a delayed opening. Please do not call the rectory. Local stations carrying information are: WAEB (AM 790), WFMZ (Channel 69). Also access the Cathedral website or the WFMZ website.
As of the 2009-2010 school year, Cathedral School is participating in the First Star tuition collection program. Tuition is electronically transferred from the provider's account to the school account on either the 5th or 20th of each month beginning July and running through April, or beginning August and running through May. Report cards will be held and conferences will not be scheduled for family accounts with insufficient funds of any type.
The one dollar transfer fee per transaction for a semi-annual plan ($2) or ten-month plan ($10) will be charged up front. The program is mandatory and encompasses K-8 families.
Any family that does not have tuition paid in full by July 1, 2010 may not re-register students for the following school year.
If you prefer to include your Fair Share Contribution in tuition rather than using the regular church envelope, please add $550 if chosing option #1, or mail 10 separate payment of $55 to the school. Payment is due the first of each month. By February 1st, Fair Share financial obligations need to be current so the student can participate in all yearly activities. This includes field trips and report cards.
Families will be required to "make a profit" instead of purchasing a set amount of certificates. A one-child family will be required to purchase certificates with a net profit of $225. If a family does not reach the required profit and has not purchased the appropriate buy-out option by October 1st, it will be necessary to pay the amount below profit with a 5% penalty at the first of each month until resolved.
After a family reaches their required profit amount, the credit that they will receive for the next school year will be calculated based on the overall profit percentage. You will receive half of the total net profit percentage for your family as a credit on any profit amount over the required amount.
By May 15th, all Cathedral Cash obligations need to be current so the students can participate in all yearly activities. This includes end-of-year field trips, report cards, and Beach Day. Click here for Cathedral Cash link.