Policies

Registration Issues:

Registration:  All children must be properly registered before attending class.  Any changes to class days or assignments must be made through and authorized by the R.E. office.   Catechists are not permitted under any circumstances to accept children in their classrooms until they have received official documentation from the R. E. Office.

Custodial Issues:  The RE Office must be informed of custodial arrangements at registration.  It is the parent’s duty to inform the office of any court order limiting the rights of a parent.  A certified copy of such order is to be submitted to the Director.  Non-custodial parents may keep abreast of RE events, including sacramental information, and receive copies of parent mailings by requesting in writing information be sent to them. 

Medical:  Parents are asked to notify the office at registration of specific medical needs, learning challenges, or special needs of any kind so that we may better serve your children.  Parents who have identified these needs will be contacted for specifics according to the policies of the Diocese.

R.E. Classes:

 Emergency Cell Phone Number during Religious Education Hours: (856) 296-8562.  Please use this number for emergencies, or if you are unable to pick up your child by dismissal time. 

Office Hours:  During class hours, the focus of staff and catechists is 100% on overseeing the 1,300 students enrolled in our program!  ALL BUSINESS is to be conducted in Heritage House during our office hours.  We ask parents call to arrange an appointment. 

Arrival:  Kindergarten:  Parents are to walk children into classroom on second floor of the ECC.  Grades 1-6:  Parents enter by way of the multipurpose room doors. 

Evening Classes: Students enter from cafeteria doors on Prospect Avenue. 

Security:  Parents should never leave children until they see staff members are present.  Children are not to enter classroom if a catechist is not present, but report to adult in gym, cafeteria, or office for assistance.     The school building is locked after arrival and reopened at dismissal.  Any parent wishing to enter the building during the time the building is locked, must ring bell at ramp and identify themselves. 

Dismissal:  Parents are to sign children out each week from classrooms.  Any parent with special needs for dismissal is asked to contact Dr. Dix.  On prayer service days, parents are asked not to remove children from class lines as they are returning to the school building.  ADULTS ONLY (not siblings) may sign children out from classrooms.  Students in Grades 7 and 8 are also signed out from classrooms.  Parents who identified regular weekly carpools, may sign out students in the cafeteria.

Early Dismissal:  Parents are to send a note indicating request.  Parent reports to office, and not classroom, to pick up child.

Parking:  Parents are to park in designated spots, and not block the flow of traffic - nor park in areas marked "Fire Lane".  Additional parking is available on Prospect Avenue and in the municipal lot behind Peter Pan Gift Shop. 

Safety:  Students are not permitted at any time to use the gym bars in the multipurpose room.  Use of Heelys is not permitted.  Parents are asked not to allow younger siblings to run in the gym.  Pets are not permitted on the school campus. 

Behavior:  Children are expected to be respectful at all times.  Any child who finds it difficult to be cooperative in class will be sent to the R.E. Office.  Parents will be notified if children are sent more than twice, as this may indicate a specific need or challenge.  Continuous repeated inappropriate actions in the classroom will mandate home schooling.

Respect of Property:  Children are expected to respect the property of others and are reminded that the contents of each classroom desk belongs to a specific child or teacher who attends Good Counsel School. 

Snow / Emergency Closings:  We have invested in the Honeywell Insant Alert System.  Parents are responsible for updating their perferred contact information.  Snow closings are on an individual day basis, determined by that day’s weather conditions.

Fire Drills:  A fire drill will be held each year.  Students are to exit the building in silence, single file, and walking.  Each child should know which door to use in case of fire.  Lockdown Drills will also be held periodically.

Holidays:  In order that each Religious Education day may have the same number of classes over the course of the year, please note individual closings listed on the back cover of the parent handbook.

General:

Insurance:  Student Accident Insurance is provided without charge to parents for all children enrolled in the R.E. Program.  This coverage provides medical expense benefits on a Full Excess basis for any student who is injured while participating in any R.E. Program sponsored activity

or event.  Full Excess means that parents must utilize their own insurance first, after which, the Student Accident Insurance makes payment on any outstanding balances.  If a parent or guardian does not have any primary coverage, Student Accident Insurance will make payment from the “first dollar”.  Coverage provided under this policy is in effect from August to July of the current school year.