5000 instructional program - diocese of fresno

1 5000 – Instructional Programs July 2019

5000

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM “While the home plays the most fundamental role in helping children develop, the school is the formal setting that educates the young members of society. The school provides this education through its program, its curriculum. A school’s curriculum, established by the school community, consists of an evolving plan of sequential learning opportunities which enable a particular population to achieve goals by a means of varied experience.”

CURRICULUM IN THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL - NCEA 5100 CURRICULUM The educational mission of the Catholic Church requires that the Catholic school be distinguished by an atmosphere of Catholic spirituality and a formal program of instruction, which integrates religious beliefs and practices at an age appropriate developmental level of children. The religious character and goals of the school shall be clearly reflected in the statement of school philosophy. Diocesan standards are the foundation for a standards base curriculum. These standards guide the goals and objectives, which are to be fully implemented, by each school. Diocesan content standards are published in the on-line Principal Guidebook. 5110 INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT A. Based on Diocesan Standards, the core K-8 curriculum includes the following: Religion, Reading, English/Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Studies, and Physical Education. The standards-based education that is required for grades 9-12 is to meet or exceed California Common Core State Standards for all curriculum areas. B. The Diocesan Religion assessment (ACRE Test) is to be completed in the winter of each school year for fifth and eighth graders. The results are to be analyzed by the school principal, religion teachers, and pastor to determine areas of strength and areas for growth. C. Schools are encouraged to include other languages (e.g., Spanish) in their curriculum. D. Teachers must have access to, and be trained in, the use of appropriate technology to support instructional strategies. E. Students must have access to, and be instructed in the use and safety of, appropriate technology to support the learning process. F. The philosophy of instruction and the course of study must present an objective and balanced picture of the ethnic and religious groups comprising our society.


G. The curriculum for grades nine through twelve shall include the following areas: Religion, English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Health Education, Safety (including the diocesan Safe Environment Curriculum), Physical Education, and the Arts. Technology and Computer Education is an additional offering to be encouraged. Minimum requirements are to be established in accordance with state guidelines. 5110.1 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS A. Elementary A complete list of graduation requirements shall be established and published by each school in the parent/student handbooks and made available to all students and their parents B. Secondary No student shall receive a diploma of graduation from any secondary school unless the required course of study has been completed and the standards of competency prescribed by the school have been met C. No student shall be denied graduation privileges due to family’s financial standing with the school. 5115 TECHNOLOGY The Office of Catholic Education realizes that technology must be implemented diligently within all school operations as well as throughout the delivered curriculum of each school. Each Catholic school must make every effort to maximize educational opportunities in the area of technology for all students in order to prepare them for the future in a technological world. Therefore, every school must have a Technology Plan in place. The Technology Plan includes goals and strategies to guide efforts in the areas of curriculum, school administration, professional development, infrastructure, technical support, funding and budget, and monitoring and evaluation. The Technology Plan is to be reviewed on an annual basis. 5120 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION GOALS The educational mission of the Church requires that the Catholic school be distinguished by a Christian atmosphere and a formal program that relates religious belief and practice with the normal development of children. The religious character and goals of the school should be clearly reflected in the statement of school philosophy. Regular religious instruction shall be an integral part of the educational program for all students at all grade levels. As each student progresses in acquiring an intellectual grasp of the religion course material, they are to be tested, graded, and reported according to the same procedures established by the school for other subjects in the curriculum.


5121 DIOCESAN OBJECTIVE FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious education in the Catholic school has a three-fold objective: A. To facilitate the spiritual development of the student and to nurture the student’s personal relationship with Christ. B. To build community through active participation in Christian service and through the promotion of global awareness. C. To develop enlightened Catholics through the academic knowledge of the faith. 5122 RELIGION COORDINATOR The principal of each school shall appoint a religion coordinator who shall act as a resource person and liaison to insure that the religious education goals of the school are accomplished. 5124 PARENT INVOLVEMENT The rights and obligations of parents shall be clearly reflected in a religious program which orientates them to the philosophy, objectives, and methods of the school’s adopted program, which provides educational sessions for sacramental preparation and family life education, and which calls for direct involvement of the parents in the instruction of their children. 5130 SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION All Catholic schools shall provide age-appropriate sacramental instruction as part of the ongoing formation of every Catholic student. The school shall provide preparation for the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation in conjunction with the student’s family and home parish programs. Parents, the primary educators, shall be involved in their children’s’ sacramental preparation and shall attend the appropriate meetings held prior to the reception of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation. A. With the parish, students are prepared for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in the second grade or third grade. B. If a non-Catholic student is enrolled in a sacrament preparation grade, he/she will be faith-formed along with the other students. The non-Catholic student will not be able to receive the Sacrament, but is encouraged to and may attend the liturgical celebration with his/her class. Every effort should be made by the pastor, principal and teacher to evangelize the student and family, and encourage RCIA for children.


5140 SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION Supplemental Instruction includes Family Life, substance abuse education, and school safety. Each of these topics can be integrated into the appropriate class (e.g., Religion, Science, Health Education, etc.) A. Family Life Each school shall implement a comprehensive Family Life program that shall be taught as either a separate curriculum or integrated into the study of other appropriate subjects. The Church recognized the primacy of parents in the education of their children especially regarding the teaching of human sexuality. Since human sexuality is incorporated into any comprehensive Family Life program, parents who do not wish their children to participate during the genitally explicit segments of the Family Life instructional program shall petition the principal in writing to remove their children during such instruction. Parents who do withdraw their children from the genitally explicit segments of the Family Life program shall be notified when these segments are taught. They will also be encouraged to provide their children a human sexuality education within the family setting. The school shall notify parents at the beginning of each school year as to what options they have regarding the Family Life Program. Parents shall be encouraged by the school to be actively involved in the formation, implementation, and evaluation of the Family Life program. B. Social Justice General characteristics of a social justice program should reflect an authentic involvement in faith and justice education. It is appropriate that its tenets be integrated throughout the curriculum and be suitable to the age of the student. C. Liturgy and Prayer Regular planned liturgical and para liturgical experiences shall be carefully integrated into the school program. Time shall be given each day to formal and spontaneous prayer. It is imperative that students learn the prayers commonly used by Catholics. D. Religious Symbol A crucifix shall be displayed in every classroom. E. Student Retreats Elementary and secondary school retreats are highly recommended and encouraged. Programming for retreat days shall be the responsibility of the school’s administration and faculty.


5145 PUBLICATIONS With the approval of the principal, each secondary school may establish a school newspaper/yearbook for the students of the school and their parents. Such publications should conform to standards of good journalism. It is strongly recommended that the school administration adopt rules and regulations in the form of a written publications code which shall include guidelines concerning content, prior review, restrictions on time, place, and manner of distribution, and advertisements. Student participation in production and distribution shall be under the direction of a faculty moderator. 5150 PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AND PROGRAMS Where feasible, a variety of extracurricular activities suitable to the age and needs of the students shall be offered. All school-sponsored activities must have the approval of the principal who is responsible for the general planning of the school program and the assignment of staff as moderators. Because assemblies, public programs and performances by students are important to the educational program, they shall be consistent with the goals of the school. Such activities, under the supervision of regular teachers, ordinarily are to be scheduled at other than class times; however, they may be built into the class schedule when the good order of the school requires it or when the activity is integral or complementary to regular instruction. Service activities in the school, parish, and community shall be encouraged. Nevertheless, care should be exercised to prevent excessive demands which would interfere with the student’s academic progress. 5155 EXTRA CLASS ACTIVITIES Where feasible, a variety of extracurricular activities suitable to the age and needs of the students shall be offered. All school-sponsored activities must have the approval of the principal who is responsible for the general planning of the school program and the assignment of staff as moderators. Such activities, under the supervision of regular teachers, ordinarily are to be scheduled at other than class times; however, they may be built into the class schedule when the good order of the school requires it or when the activity is integral or complementary to regular instruction. 5160 CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES To prepare students for effective citizenship, it is sometimes necessary for students to study controversial social issues. As primary educators, parents have a right to be informed about issues to be discussed; schools shall respect this right. Whenever possible, parents shall be informed, in advance and in writing, of the intent to study controversial current social issues.


A. In considering controversial issues, the school must recognize students’ rights to: 1. Study such issues at their appropriate developmental level. 2. Receive adequate instruction regarding the teachings of the Church as related to these issues. 3. Have access to relevant information with the guidance of the teacher. 4. Study in an atmosphere of freedom and mutual respect. 5. Learn to form a judgment as objectively as possible using the pro’s and con’s of recognized writings as authoritative. 6. Learn to express a judgment in a forthright manner without belittling those whose opinions are not in agreement with theirs. 7. Express a judgment without fear of jeopardizing their relationship with other students, with the teacher, or with other faculty and administrators. B. Guidelines for Principal: 1. Notify the pastor or superintendent of any issue that might be considered controversial; 2. Notify parents of intent to provide opportunity for study of controversial issues; 3. Provide clear guidelines and safeguards for the study of conflict issues, selection of materials, use of off-campus speakers, and any other elements that are deemed potentially controversial; 4. Protect and support teachers when unjustifiable complaints, requests, and demands are made; and 5. Establish procedures that can be used to evaluate criticism. C. Guidelines for Teachers: 1. Be familiar with, and supportive of the Church’s teachings on controversial social issues. 2. Prepare for the study of such topics according to the level of maturity and competence of the students. 3. Keep parents informed in advance of any study of these issues. 4. Seek the principal’s permission prior to dealing with controversial social issues. 5. Deal with controversial issues impartially and objectively within the Church’s teachings. 6. Keep the principal informed of the treatment of controversial issues, and of parental and/or community reaction that may surface. 7. Make teaching materials dealing with all aspects of the issue(s) to be studied available to parents and students. 8. Do not expect or require consensus of the class at the conclusion of study and discussion. 9. Teach students that they must have a foundation for opinions. 10. Assist students in overcoming prejudice and bias.


5170 SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING FOR STUDENTS All K-12 students are required to be annually instructed in age-appropriate, diocesan approved, Safe Environment curriculum using the “Safe and Sacred” lesson plans. Instruction using any lessons other than those in “Safe and Sacred” must be approved the Safe Environment Office. The K-12 Safe Environment lessons should be scheduled during the fall semester. Every effort should be made to provide make-up sessions and/or one-on-one tutoring for students who were absent when the lesson was initially presented. Verification of the annual Safe Environment training is reported in the Principal’s Annual SE Report due each April to the Safe Environment coordinator at the diocese. 5200 INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULES AND TIMES 5210 SCHOOL CALENDAR Each Catholic school shall develop and publish a local calendar including starting date, ending date, minimum days, days school is closed for staff in-service, holidays, etc. A. The Office of Catholic Education issues annual dates to be part of the school calendar. If local circumstances warrant deviation from these guidelines, written authorization must be obtained from the Superintendent prior to implementation of the local school calendar. B. Each Catholic school must send a copy of their annual calendar for the following school year to the Office of Catholic Education before contracts are issued. C. Each Catholic school notifies the Office of Catholic Education of any changes in their local school calendar. This notification is made in advance, whenever possible. 5220 SCHOOL YEAR A local Catholic school year will consist of no fewer than 180 instructional days. A local school year includes 5 additional days for staff development or other activities. The maximum length of the school year is 185 days. A. An “instructional day” is one in which students are in attendance for at least a minimum day of a school instructional program. B. A “staff in-service day” is one in which the entire staff is in attendance for a local, Diocesan, regional, or national staff in-service. A retreat day for school staff is considered a “staff in-service day.” C. New teachers may not work in the classroom before the starting date listed on their contracts. Returning teachers are covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and other insurance coverage, and may be in the classroom at any time.


5230 INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS Each school shall organize its daily and weekly schedule as is appropriate for its educational program. A. Grades 1-8 must have a minimum of 330 minutes of instruction, exclusive of recess and lunchtime. B. Kindergarten must have a minimum of 180 minutes per day. 5240 MINIMUM SCHOOL DAY A. A minimum day consists of at least 240 minutes of actual instructional time. B. Catholic elementary schools should schedule no more than 12 minimum days per school year for faculty meetings, parent-teacher conferences, etc. 5300 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SERVICES 5310 TEXTBOOK ADOPTIONS Principals and faculty shall carefully evaluate all textbooks and materials prior to adoption to facilitate the needs of the individual school’s curriculum. A. The Office of Catholic Education has the responsibility for enabling schools to develop a process whereby instructional programs can be evaluated within the schools of the diocese. This responsibility is fulfilled by the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. B. The principal, in consultation with the faculty, is responsible for arranging a well- balanced curriculum including religious, academic, social, service, and athletic activities for the school. School program planning and textbook selection shall be conducted by defining clearly the school’s philosophy, the needs of individual students, the school’s organizational pattern, the strengths of the faculty, budgetary limitations, and diocesan guidelines. C. Every secondary school shall have a curriculum committee to assist and advise the principal in his/her responsibility for maintaining a balanced curriculum. 1. All textbooks are selected by the principal in consultation with the teachers. 2. Textbooks selected by the school support the instructional program of the school with due consideration to the Diocesan curriculum content standards. 3. Any Religion or Family Life Education texts selected by the school must be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and approved by the USCCB. 4. Supplementary materials are chosen to emphasize and enrich the basic instructional program.


5315 USE OF MULTIMEDIA MATERIAL IN CLASS Multimedia materials used to supplement classroom instruction should be screened by the teacher and receive the approval of the principal prior to their introduction in the classroom. All multimedia material must be appropriate to the developmental age of the student. Some multimedia material that is otherwise appropriate for student learning may contain objectionable material. Parents must be informed of the nature of the material prior to its use. Parents must be informed of how the teacher intends to work with the students to help them understand that the objectionable material is inappropriate for their use. Thus the objectionable material can become an instructional tool in an appropriate Christian lifestyle. Parents may request that their child(ren) not participate in the viewing of the material and the child(ren) will be given an alternative assignment without loss of grade or privilege. 5320 LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER Local criteria shall be established for the selection of books, software, audiovisual, and other material for the school’s library/media center. These criteria and the materials selected shall be in keeping with the overall educational goals of the school and policies and regulations of the Diocese of Fresno. 5325 COPYRIGHT A. Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions with Respect to Books and Periodicals 1. Single Copying for Teachers: A single copy may be made of any of the following by or for a teacher at his or her individual request for his or her scholarly research or use in teaching or preparation to teach a class: a. A chapter from a book; b. An article from a periodical or newspaper; c. A short story, short essay, or short poem, whether or not from a collective work; d. A chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical, or newspaper; 2. Multiple Copies for Classroom Use: Multiple copies (not to exceed in any event more than one copy per pupil in a course) may be made by or for the teacher giving the course for classroom use or discussion; provided that: a. The copying meets the tests of brevity and spontaneity as defined below; and, b. Meets the cumulative effect test as defined below; and, c. Each copy includes a notice of copyright 3. Definitions


a. Brevity: i. Poetry: (a) A complete poem if less than 250 words and if printed on not more than two pages or, (b) from a longer poem, an excerpt of not more than 250 words. ii. Prose: (a) Either a complete article, story or essay of less than 2,500 words, or (b) an excerpt from any prose work of not more than 1,000 words or 10% of the work, whichever is less, but in any event a minimum of 500 words. Each of the numerical limits stated in "i" and "ii" above may be expanded to permit the completion of an unfinished line of a poem or of an unfinished prose paragraph. iii. Illustration: One chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture per book or per periodical issue. iv. "Special" works: Certain works in poetry, prose or in "poetic prose" which often combine language with illustrations and which are intended sometimes for children and at other times for a more general audience fall short of 2,500 works in their entirety. Paragraph "ii" above notwithstanding such "special works" may not be reproduced in their entirety; however, an excerpt comprising not more than two of the published pages of such special work and containing not more than 10% of the works found in the text thereof, may be reproduced. b. Spontaneity i. The copying is at the instance and inspiration of the individual teacher. ii. The inspiration and decision to use the work and the moment of its use for maximum teaching effectiveness are so close in time that it would be unreasonable to expect a timely reply to a request for permission. c. Cumulative Effect i. The copying of the material is for only one course in the school in which the copies are made. ii. Not more than one short poem, article, story, essay or two excerpts may be copies from the same author, nor more than three from the sane collective work or periodical volume during one class term. iii. There shall not be more than nine instances of such multiple copying for one course during one class term. The limitations stated in "ii" and "iii" above shall not apply to current news periodicals and newspapers and current news sections of other periodicals. 4. Prohibitions as to I and II Above: Notwithstanding any of the above, the following shall be prohibited:


a. Copying shall not be used to create or to replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works. Such replacement or substitution may occur whether copies of various works or excerpts there from are accumulated or reproduced and used separately. b. There shall be no copying of or from works intended to be "consumable" in the course of study or of teaching. These include workbooks, exercises, standardized tests and test booklets and answer sheets and like consumable material. c. Copying shall not: i. substitute for the purchase of books, publishers' reprints or periodicals; ii. be directed by higher authority; iii. be repeated with respect to the same item by the same teacher from term to term. d. No charge shall be made to the student beyond the actual cost of the photocopying. B. Guidelines for Educational Uses of Music 1. Permissible Uses a. Emergency copying to replace purchased copies which for any reason are not available for an imminent performance provided purchased replacement copies shall be substituted in due course. b. For academic purposes other than performance, single or multiple copies of excerpts of works may be made, provided that the excerpts do not comprise a part of the whole which would constitute a performable unit such as a section, movement or aria, but in no case more than 10 percent of the whole work. The number of copies shall not exceed one copy per pupil. c. Printed copies which have been purchased may be edited or simplified provided that the fundamental character of the work is not distorted or the lyrics, if any, altered or lyrics added if none exist. d. A single copy of recordings of performances by students may be made for evaluation or rehearsal purposes and may be retained by the educational institution or individual teacher. e. A single copy of a sound recording (such as a tape, disc, or cassette) of copyrighted music may be made from sound recordings owned by an educational institution or an individual teacher for the purpose of constructing aural exercises or examinations and may be retained by the educational institution or individual teacher. (This pertains only to the copyright of the music itself and not to any copyright which may exist in the sound recording.) 2. Prohibitions


a. Copying to create or replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works. b. Copying of or from works intended to be "consumable" in the course of study or of teaching such as workbooks, exercises, standardized tests and answer sheets and like material. c. Copying for the purpose of performance, except as in 1(a) above. d. Copying for the purpose of substituting for the purchase of music, except as in 1(a) and 1(b) above. e. Copying without inclusion of the copyright notice which appears on the printed copy. C. Guidelines for Off-Air Recordings of Broadcast Programming for Educational Purposes 1. A broadcast program may be recorded off-air simultaneously with broadcast transmission (including simultaneous cable retransmission) and retained by a nonprofit educational institution for a period not to exceed the first forty-five (45) consecutive calendar days after date of recording. Upon conclusion of such retention period, all off-air recordings must be erased or destroyed immediately. "Broadcast programs" are television programs transmitted by television stations for reception by the general public without charge. 2. Off-air recordings may be used once by individual teachers in the course of relevant teaching activities, and repeated once only when instructional reinforcement is necessary, in classrooms and similar places devoted to instruction within a single building, cluster or campus, as well as in the homes of students receiving formalized home instruction, during the first ten (10) consecutive school days in the forty-five (45) day calendar day retention period. "School days" are school session days -- not counting weekends, holidays, vacations, examination periods, and other scheduled interruptions -- within the forty-five (45) calendar day retention period. 3. Off-air recordings may be made only at the request of and used by individual teachers, and may not be regularly recorded in anticipation of requests. No broadcast program may be recorded off-air more than once at the request of the same teacher, regardless of the number of times the program may be broadcasted. 4. A limited number of copies may be reproduced from each off-air recording to meet the legitimate needs of teachers under these guidelines. Each such additional copy shall be subject to all provisions governing the original recording. D. Guidelines for Educational Multimedia Projects 1. Permitted Uses a. Students may perform and display their own educational multimedia projects for the course for which they were created and may use them in their own portfolios as examples of academic work.


b. Educators may perform and display their own education multimedia projects for face-to-face instruction, assigning to students for directed self-study, peer conferences, and professional portfolios. (For remote instruction over a secure network, certain restrictions apply.) 2. Limitations a. Time: Educators may use their projects for teaching courses for two years. Use beyond that time period requires obtaining permission for each copyrighted portion. b. Portion: Portions are generally specified "in the aggregate," meaning the total amount that can be used from a single copyrighted work. c. Motion Media: Up to 10% or 3 minutes, whichever is less, from a single copyrighted work. d. Text: Material Up to 10% or 1000 words, whichever is less, from a single copyrighted work. Special limitations are placed on poems. e. Music, Lyrics, and Music Video: Up to 10%, but in no event more than 30 seconds, of the music and lyrics from an individual musical work. f. Illustrations and Photographs: No more than 5 images by an artist or photographer from a published collective work, no more than 10% or 15 images. g. Data Sets: Up to 10% or 2500 fields or cell entries from a database or table. h. Copying and Distribution: There may be no more than two copies, only one of which can be placed on reserve. An additional copy may be made for preservation (backup) purposes. 5400 STANDARDIZED TESTING Each diocesan elementary and secondary school shall participate in the standardized testing programs established by the Office of Catholic Education to insure an objective evaluation of each student, class, and school’s achievement and progress. Neither the Office of Catholic Education nor any school shall release individual student test results to the public. A student’s individual test scores shall be made available to the student’s teachers and parent/guardian. These test scores shall be kept in the student’s confidential CUM folder. 5420 ATHLETIC PROGRAM Every school shall develop a balanced athletic program accommodating the needs, interests and abilities of all students. Primary emphasis shall be placed on balancing Christian attitudes


and physical development/skill development. The athletic program may never interfere with the regular academic schedule of the school, or the liturgical life of the parish. Whenever an elementary school provides a team(s) in a particular sport for only boys or for only girls, children of the opposite gender shall not qualify for these team(s) unless the school does not provide equal opportunities in the total sports program of the school for either gender. An equal opportunity exists when both males and females may participate in an equal number of sports during a school year (e.g. boys’ participation in flag football is matched with girls’ participation in volleyball). 5425 ANIMALS IN THE CLASSROOM Local school regulations shall govern the use of animals in the classroom, as pets or for study purposes. Teachers shall ensure that they be treated in a safe and humane manner. The presence and/or care of an animal are prohibited if it presents a health or safety hazard for students. Persons bringing animals into the school shall receive prior permission from the supervising teacher in consultation with the principal. 5430 CLASS SIZE Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten class size should not exceed 25 students. At all other grade levels, class size should not exceed 30 students. In determining the number of students in a classroom, careful consideration shall be given to: A. The physical size of the room; B. The use of paraprofessionals; C. The heterogeneity of students requiring subgroups; and D. The management skills of the teacher. 5440 CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENT Classrooms should be arranged to provide a safe, pleasant, and stimulating environment, adaptable to a variety of learning modes and arrangements. 5450 LEARNING CENTERS To stimulate creative and independent thinking as well as to accommodate different student learning styles and abilities, schools need to use a variety of grouping patterns. Grouping should emphasize practice in skills, problem solving techniques, and specific instructional objectives drawn from the school continuum. 5460 HOMEWORK Teachers shall assign purposeful homework. In assigning homework, teachers shall be aware of the abilities of students and of home situations which affect study time.


The purposes of homework are to reinforce learning that has taken place at the school and to foster habits of independent study. Assignments should be given with consideration to students varying ability level and age. A. Guidelines for homework times should be developed locally, and published in the parent-student handbook. Some suggested guidelines are: 1. Grades 1-2 20-30 minutes 2. Grades 3-4 30-45 minutes 3. Grades 5-6 45-60 minutes 4. Grades 7-8 60-120 minutes 5. Grades 9-12 120-150 minutes B. Actual homework time will vary by student, the amount of time to do homework during the school day, etc. In schools where students have more than one teacher, those teachers should be sensitive to the assignments given in other classes so the homework total is not excessive. Parents should communicate concerns about excessive homework to the teachers assigning the homework. 5470 TUTORING A. All tutoring for pay must take place off campus. B. Teachers may not tutor for pay any students in their own classes. 5500 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 5510 FIELD TRIPS Field trips shall be for educational purposes only. A field trip is a privilege and not a curricular requirement. The school may deny students permission to go on a field trip because of written criteria established, in advance, by the school. These criteria may include, but are not limited to, disciplinary action, poor grades, lack of signed permit forms, etc. A. A field trip must have specific, stated goals related to the curriculum of the grade. B. Whenever possible, field trips should be related to more than one subject area. C. Field trips must be systematically planned and follow these guidelines: 1. The teacher obtains written permission from the principal. The request for permission for a field trip includes the educational purpose of the trip, the identification of appropriate curriculum standard(s), the time, date and location of the trip, and the anticipated numbers of students and adults on this field trip. 2. A written request must be obtained from the parent(s) or guardian(s) of every student participating in the field trip. A request form includes the time, date and location of the field trip, the educational purpose of the field trip, any special requirements (cost, bring a lunch, etc.), and space for parent(s)/guardian(s) signature(s) indicating a request for their


student to go on the field trip, and permission for the school to obtain medical care in case of an emergency. 3. All parent(s)/guardian(s) signatures will be checked against signatures on file in the school office before a student will be allowed to participate in a field trip. 4. There must be adequate adult supervision. More adults are needed for supervision when the age (physical, mental or emotional) of the students is lower and/or the risk to the students is greater. Adult chaperones and/or drivers must have received a criminal background clearance (i.e., fingerprint clearance) prior to supervising or driving on the field trip and insurance as noted in “D” below. 5. Advanced notification must be given to all faculty and support staff that will be affected by the students’ absence from school. 6. A First Aid Kit, approved by the American Red Cross, must be immediately available during the entire field trip. All adults who accompany students must know where this kit is. If a field trip is conducted in an area where there may be snakes, a Snake Bite Kit must also be available. D. Schools are encouraged to use buses to provide transportation to and from all field trips. Because it is not always possible or economically feasible to use a bus, schools may use parent/guardian drivers as long as they comply with all Diocesan requirements. These requirements include the driver must be 25 years old, or older, have completed a criminal background check, possess a valid driver’s license, and the driver must have the diocesan minimums on his/her automobile insurance policy. The current insurance minimums are not less than $100,000 individual/$300,000 cumulative each loss or occurrence bodily injury; $50,000 property damage; $5,000 per person medical; and $100,000 uninsured motorist insurance. E. Field trip drivers may take no more than 7 passengers, including students and adults, in any vehicle. There must be a working seat belt in the vehicle for the driver and each passenger. F. Under no circumstances may vehicles capable of holding 10 or more persons be used on a field trip unless they are buses or vans rented from a commercial transportation company which also provides a driver for the vehicle. G. All children must wear a seat belt or be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards as appropriate for their age and weight. Any child under 8 years of age must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle (unless all back seats are already occupied by younger children). A child under the age of 8 who is 4'9" in height or taller may be properly restrained by a safety belt instead of child passenger restraint system. H. Teachers may not drive members of their class on a field trip. If two or more classes are going on a field trip together, none of the teachers may be field trip drivers. (The classroom teacher(s) whose students are participating in the field trip must be free of direct supervision of students in order to oversee the entire


group activity.) Teachers may act as drivers and/or chaperones for their own children when their child is in another grade/school, and the teacher has taken a leave of absence from their teaching responsibilities to be a driver/chaperone. I. These regulations do not mandate a chaperone:student ratio since this will vary by the age of the students (chronological, mental, and/or emotional) and the nature of the field trip. As a guideline, however, the Office of Catholic Education recommends no less than one chaperone for every 8 primary or intermediate students (grades K-5) and a minimum of one chaperone for every twelve middle school students (grades 6-8). The Office of Catholic Education recommends more adults on a field trip but acknowledges the difficulties in finding enough adults who are not working, or are willing to take a day off to be a field trip chaperone/driver. J. Teachers and adults who are chaperones/drivers for field trips are expected to conduct themselves in exemplary fashion while on the field trip. Drivers may only drive to the location of said field trip and back to school, with no additional stops. At no time may the teachers, drivers, chaperones, or students partake of alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs. Teachers, drivers and chaperones who are taking prescription or over-the-counter medication should insure that the medication does not interfere with their supervisory capability. K. Students may not drive themselves or other students to any school activity. If a student is driving other students, a Diocese of Fresno Parental Authorization and Release From Liability Form Transportation in Student Vehicle Related to School- Sponsored Activity must be completed prior to the event. At all times, either buses or adult drivers are preferred. 5600 CURRICULUM EXTENSIONS 5610 FEDERAL PROGRAMS Federal law requires local public educational agencies (LEA) to locate, identify, and, in many instances, evaluate all private school children with disabilities. This location and identification requirement of LEAs specifically includes Catholic school students residing in their jurisdiction. LEAs must also locate and identify children eligible for other federal educational services or other educational benefits. Therefore, principals or their designees shall work with local educational agencies to facilitate student participation in federal programs. Participating in Title programs is not the same as receiving Federal funds as the funds follow individual students or teachers and are not direct funds to the school. A. Principals are to be knowledgeable about services available for their students through the various federal (ESEA, and IDEA) programs. Print resource material on federal programs is available from the Office of Catholic Education, California Catholic Conference, the State Department of Education, LEAs, and the United States Department of Education.


B. Principals or their designees are to participate in the annual consultation process required for student participation in federal programs. C. The Office of Catholic Education is a resource to help principals obtain federal program services to which they are legally entitled. 5620 HOME TEACHING When a student is confined to the home for a considerable length of time because of illness, that student may be enrolled in the local public school district for that period of time in order to receive home tutoring from the public school district. 5630 EXTENSION PROGRAMS Extension programs are on-site, school-operated programs with before and/or after school care, supervision, and enrichment which serve only children who are enrolled as regular students at the parish school. Under current state regulation, such programs are exempt from licensing requirements of the State Department of Social Services. Catholic schools may operate an Extended Day program in conjunction with the Catholic school. A. If a school operates an extended day program, the following requirements must be observed: 1. The program should further the purpose of the school to the benefit of students enrolled at the school. 2. The principal is the administrator responsible for the managerial aspects of the program, including recruitment, employment, supervision, and, if required, termination of personnel. 3. Only children enrolled in the school may participate in the program. 4. The school must require an extended day care agreement with participating parents. 5. Fees charged to parents shall be adequate to cover the total cost of the extended day program. 6. The extended day care program may only operate on school calendar days including teacher in-service days. B. Student accident insurance covers pupils during the time of the program. 5640 PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS Recognizing that increasing numbers of children are members of single parent families or of families in which both parents work outside the home, school shall assess the feasibility of establishing programs for child care and supervision in a setting reflective of the values of the Catholic Church, home and school. Preschool programs, which serve children not yet eligible for the regular education program, on a full-time or part-time basis, are subject to all licensing requirements of the State Department of Social Services.


A. All preschool programs are the appropriate domain of the Diocese of Fresno and are subject to diocesan policies as stipulated by the Office of Catholic Education. 5650 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS Besides running Catholic schools for grades TK-12, the Diocese of Fresno has a number of other school and parish supported programs that provide care for children. To understand the distinctive nature of these programs, the following general definitions shall apply whenever these terms are used in diocesan policy: A. Child Care Programs are programs that care for children (under 18 years of age) other than the Tk-12 educational programs. B. State Licensed or Licensed child care programs are those programs that the State of California requires to be licensed in order to be operated. Examples of these licensed child care programs are: 1. Infant Care Programs refers to noncompulsory programs for infants (ages birth through 2 years) which provide care for an extended period of time. 2. Day Care Programs refers to noncompulsory programs for young children (ages 2 through 6 years) which provide care for an extended period of time. 3. Preschool Programs refers to noncompulsory programs for young children (ages 2 through 6 years) which are primarily instructional in character and which follow a school year calendar. C. Exempt child care programs are those child care programs that are not required by the State of California to be licensed in order to be operated. Examples of these exempt child care programs are: 1. Extended Care Programs refers to noncompulsory, school-operated programs that provide care before- and/or after-school for school-age children. 2. Recreational Programs refers to noncompulsory recreational programs for school-age children that must comply with certain limited hours of service. D. Director refers to a person designed by the school or parish to manage a child care program. Directors of both licensed and exempt programs must meet certain qualifications including those set by the state to hold this position. 5660 ACCOUNTABILITY All licensed child care programs established in the Diocese of Fresno shall be licensed and accountable to the Diocese of Fresno Education Corporation and the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. This accountability pertains to all licensed child care programs established and operated by a parish with or without a Catholic school. The Office of Catholic Education shall insure that all state/county licensing requirements are met in those programs requiring such licensure. All employees, children, volunteers, and others


involved with Diocesan Child Care Programs shall be under the auspices of the Diocese of Fresno Education Corporation and subject to the policies and practices established by the Diocese of Fresno and the Office of Catholic Education. The Office of Catholic Education shall provide ongoing professional training and direction to all Diocesan Child Care Programs within state and diocesan guidelines. 5670 SUPERVISION OF THE PROGRAM A. Parish-Based Programs: In parishes which do not have an established elementary school, child care programs shall be under the supervision of the pastor who has the responsibility to hire a child care director to manage each program. B. School-Based Programs: In parishes which do have an established elementary school, child care programs are the responsibility of the schools’ pastor (or Superintendent of a Diocesan Administered School) who shall delegate direct supervision of the program to the school’s principal who has the responsibility to hire program directors and staff. 5675 PROGRAM DIRECTOR The Child Care Program Director shall be responsible to insure that the parish or school-based child care program meets all the requirements, policies, and practices set by the State of California, the Diocese of Fresno Education Corporation, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, the local parish, and school (if applicable). 5700 ESTABLISHING LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS The opening of a licensed Infant Care, Day Care, or Pre-School Program is a decision reserved to the Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno. To gain the Bishop’s permission, the diocesan institution planning such a program shall submit a formal proposal to the Superintendent of Catholic Education that includes the following items: A. Needs Assessment: This needs assessment shall demonstrate the local need for a licensed, Catholic, child care program in the area. The data in this needs assessment should reflect the family demand for such services in the community, the present services available in the community, and why these present services are not meeting the current demand. B. Program Outline: Before preparing a Program Outline, representatives from the planning institution shall attend the orientation provide by the State of California, Community Care Licensing Division which explains the state’s prerequisites for establishing a child care program and the procedures required to submit an application for licensure. The Program Outline, which is the program’s initial design, shall include the following: 1. A description of the goals and objectives of the child care program


2. The program’s site preparation plan which includes: the estimate costs to prepare the site to meet the state’s licensure demands, especially regarding enrollment/space minimums, fire safety, and health requirements; conformity to local zoning requirements; and the availability of adequate financial resources to make these preparations 3. A scale drawing of the site including both indoor and outdoor facilities 4. The program’s projected enrollment and the staffing plan to meet this enrollment 5. A preliminary annual operating budget for the program 6. A timetable listing all the necessary steps that must be accomplished to open the program 7. Any licensure application materials already prepared Upon submittal of the formal proposal, the Superintendent will critique it, draft recommendations, and submit it to the Bishop for his approval. Upon gaining the Bishop’s formal approval, the diocesan institution shall assist the Superintendent of Catholic Schools in filing an application for a state child care license. It may also begin making necessary site improvements, hiring and in-servicing staff, and taking those steps necessary to open the child care program. 5720 EXEMPT CHILD CARE PROGRAM 5721 EXTENDED CARE PROGRAMS A Catholic school may operate an exempt Extended Care Program that provides before- and/or after-school care for the school’s regularly enrolled students in grades transitional kindergarten through eighth. A school’s Extended Care Program shall meet the following minimum requirements: A. The program shall be opened according to the criteria specified in diocesan policies B. The program shall provide participating students with planned and professionally supervised recreational and learning activities. C. The program shall only be available to students who are regularly enrolled in the school. D. The program and its staff shall be directly supervised by an on-site Director who is appointed and supervised by the school’s principal. E. The program should be financed by fees from participating families and should not be subsidized by the school. 5722 ESTABLISHING AN EXTENDED CARE PROGRAM The opening of an exempt, school-operated Extended Care program is a decision reserved to the school’s pastor in parish schools, or the Superintendent in Diocesan Administered schools, in consultation with the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. To gain the pastor’s permission,


the principal and board of education shall submit to the pastor a proposed program plan which shall include the following: A. An Implementation Plan which includes: a program needs assessment; implementation schedule; a program facility design; estimated costs to prepare the facility and for program equipment; and a first year operational budget (including income based on anticipated enrollment, staffing costs, and other program costs). B. A Parent Handbook which includes: the program’s philosophy; participation levels and fees; description of typical program hours of operation, services, and activities (homework, recreational, nutritional, etc.); student behavior regulations; emergency plan; health and safety plan; student medical emergency treatment authorization; the after-school campus sweep procedure; sign in/out procedures including an authorization for persons to pick up a student; and parent involvement opportunities. C. A Program Handbook which includes the Parent Handbook topics and the following: the school principal’s responsibilities; the parent registration agreement and annual fee schedule; the program’s hiring standards and staffing design for the program’s director, assistants, substitutes, volunteers; staff job descriptions (qualifications and duties); fiscal management (bookkeeping, fee collection, cash receipts, etc.) and reporting plan; an emergency management plan for students and facilities; nutritional plan; and marketing plan. 5750 EVALUATION AND ACCREDITATION OF SCHOOLS Each Catholic school shall participate in the accreditation process sponsored by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). A. Schools must use WCEA/WASC Self-Study Protocols approved by the Catholic School Department. These protocols are - Ensuring Educational Excellence (E3) for high schools, and Improving Student Learning (ISL) for elementary schools. The use of any other protocol must have the written approval of the Catholic School Department prior to the start of the school’s self-study. B. Faculty and school personnel begin the self-study process 18 months prior to the on-site visit by the WCEA Visiting Team. At least one staff member of the school to be visited will serve on a visiting team during this time of preparation. C. Elementary schools will complete an annual report of progress in meeting WCEA/WASC recommendations. The annual report will be sent to the Elementary Commissioner by the third Friday in June each year. D. High schools will complete a midterm report of progress in meeting WCEA/WASC recommendations. The midterm report will be sent to the Secondary Commissioner by the third Friday in June of the midterm year.


E. In order to share the responsibility of personnel requirements, both elementary and secondary schools should volunteer at least one staff member (teacher or administrator) annually to serve on a visiting team. 5760 CEREMONIES AND OBSERVANCES Programs commemorating religious and civic observances shall have artistic, inspirational and educational value. A. When the school is in session, the American flag and the California state flag shall be on display outside the building, weather permitting. The flags shall be raised in the morning and taken down at the close of the school day. Each classroom shall also display the American flag. Flags are to be at half-staff when ordered by the President of the United States. B. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff on the speaker’s platform at an assembly, it occupies the position of honor and is placed at the speaker’s right as she/he faces the audience. When the flag is displayed elsewhere in the assembly, it shall be at the right of the audience as they face the platform. C. When the papal flag is displayed in an auditorium, it should be placed at the speaker’s left as she/he faces the audience. When it is displayed elsewhere in an auditorium, it shall be placed on the left of the audience as they face the platform. 5800 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES 5810 GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING As partners with parents in the education of their children, schools shall provide guidance for students with learning and/or emotional difficulties. This guidance, and testing when required, may be at the local school site or in collaboration with other agencies approved by the Office of Catholic Education including the local public school. A. In addition to academic counseling, the school should provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate spiritual, personal and vocational counseling whenever possible. B. Whenever possible, schools should utilize services provided through public agencies such as the local public school district, state, city and county agencies. C. Schools may contract with local service agencies to provide qualified counselors at the school site. 5820 PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES If a student requires a psychological evaluation, the local public school district shall be contacted to determine if the student qualifies for IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) assistance. Referrals shall be done only with parental consent.

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