student-parent handbook - villa duchesne and oak hill the building of community as a christian...

Student-Parent Handbook

Effective July 1, 2017

Text highlighted in green indicates a change from the previous Student-Parent Handbook

published in February 2016.

A CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE SACRED HEART TRADITION FOR

BOYS AND GIRLS AGE 3-GRADE 6 AND YOUNG WOMEN GRADES 7-12

801 South Spoede Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63131 314.432.2021 www.vdoh.org

http://www.vdoh.org/

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Student-Parent Handbook | Effective July 1, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Life at the Sacred Heart ............................................................................................................ 6

Mission and History of the School ............................................................................................ 9

Customs and Traditions .......................................................................................................... 10

Parent–School–Student Partnership ....................................................................................... 12

Definitions and Note on Use .................................................................................................... 14

General Information Grades JK3-12 ...................................................................................... 16

Campus Hours and Procedures

• Receptionist Hours (Portry)

• Campus Visitors/Parent Visits/

Non-Employees in Classroom

• Deliveries to School

• Security Guard

• Health Services and Regulations

• Snow Day Notification

• Emergency Drills and Procedures

Communications Policies

• Photography and ID Guidelines

• Social Networking

• Media/Public Relations

• School Directory Usage

• Electronic Signatures

• Mass Communications

• Non-School Promotions

Change of Family Information

Tuition and Fee Payment Policies

• 2017-2018 Tuition and Fees

• Multiple Child Tuition Discount

• Unpaid Tuition, Non-Enrollment

• Tuition Insurance

Request for Records

Notice Regarding Expulsion

Student Withdrawal Process

School Endorsements

Fundraising and Solicitation Policy

La Boutique

Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology

• Digital Citizenship and Technology Use • Cell Phones and Other Personal Devices

Violence

Alcohol and Drugs

Archdiocese Policy on Beverage Alcohol

Protecting God’s Children Policy

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

Diversity Statement

GRADES 7 – 12

General Information – Grades 7-12 ...................................................................................... 32

School Hours and Procedures

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

• Procedures for

Morning Arrival

• Procedures for Dismissal

• Procedures for After-School Supervision

Parent Communications

• With Faculty

• With Students during School

• When Out of Town

Field Trips

Tablet PC


School Services

• Library • Food Service

Student Support Services

• Counseling Program • Advisory Groups/Chat Rooms

Network of Sacred Heart Schools Student Exchange Program

General Academic Program – Grades 7-12 .......................................................................... 39

Curriculum

Required Course of Study (Grades 7-8)

Requirements for Graduation (Grades 9-12)

Course Enrollment

Physical Education Requirements and Options

Honors, Advanced Placement, and 1-8-1-8 Courses

Course Changes

Grading Scale

Grade Reports

Honor Roll

Graduation Honors

Grade Requirements

• Semester Exams

• Making Up Incomplete Work

• Procedures for Handling Failures

• Academic Probation

• Academic Eligibility for Student

Activities

Academic Support Services: The Learning Center

• Qualifications

• Accommodation Plans

• Student Support Team 7-12

• The Learning Center

• Standardized Testing Accommodations

• Tutorial Services at Villa Duchesne

• Outside Tutors

Co-Curricular and Organization Information – Grades 7-12 .............................................. 46

Service Learning 7-11

Senior Service Project

Athletics 9-12

Athletic Code of Conduct

A Parent’s Guide to Concussion

Performing Arts 9-12

Clubs and Organizations 9-12

Activities 7-8

General Student Information – Grades 7-12 ........................................................................ 63

Uniforms

• Uniform Requirements

• Out-of-Uniform Days

• Uniform Violations

Attendance

• Daily Expectations

• Service Learning, Senior Tour,

Kairos & Retreat Expectations

• Anticipated Absences

• Excessive Absences

• Consequences of Excessive Absences

• Violations of Attendance Policy

Use of School Facilities

• Dining Areas

• Signs and Posters

• Parking and Driving

• Offices

• Lockers


Personal Responsibilities

• Meeting Deadlines

• Gym/Duffel Bags

• Valuables

Student Status Regulations

• Pregnancy

• Marriage

• Student Residence

• Communicable Diseases

Conduct and Discipline – Grades 7-12 .................................................................................. 70

Community Standards

Academic Integrity

Spring Break Trips

Privileges Grades 11-12

Disciplinary System

Consequences for Violations of Community Standards

• Detention

• Full-Day Detention

• Suspension

• Disciplinary Probation

Serious Violations of Community Standards

• Internet Abuse

• Stealing

• Lying

• Vandalism and Pranks

• Offensive Language

• Bigotry

• Dangerous Items

• Smoking

Use of Breathalyzers at School or at School-Sponsored Events

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 6

General Information – Grades JK3-6 ............................................................................................. 78

School Hours and Procedures

• Oak Hill Office Hours

• School Hours

• Arrival Time/Drop Off Locations

• Dismissal Safety Guidelines

• Healthy Snacks/Allergies

• Treats/Gifts

• Lost and Found

• Parties Not Held at School

Attendance

• Tardiness

• Absence

• Homework During Absences

• Unexcused Absence

• Non-participation in P.E. Class

• Leaving during School Hours

• Excessive Absences

• Consequences of Excessive Absences

Parent Communications

• With Faculty

• With Students during School

• When Out of Town

Field Trips

School Services

• Acorn Club

• Food Service

• Lost and Found

General Academic Information – Grades JK3-6 ........................................................................... 83

Curriculum

Grading Code/Grade Reports

Academic Integrity

Testing Program

Academic Support Services

• Qualifications

• Accommodation Plans

• Care Team .........................................................................................................................

• The Learning Center

• Standardized Testing Accommodations

• Tutorial Services

• Outside Tutors


Co-Curricular and Organization Information – Grades JK3-6 ................................................... 86

Activities

Student Council

Athletic Program 1-6

General Student Information – Grades JK-6 ................................................................................. 87

Uniforms

• Uniform Shoes

• Out-of-Uniform Days

• Uniform Violations

Use of School Facilities

• Items Not Permitted • Signs and Posters

Student Code of Conduct and Discipline – Grades JK-6 .............................................................. 92

Early Childhood Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct – Grades 1-6

Discipline

Child of the Sacred Heart Prayer .................................................................................................... 94

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School 6 Student-Parent Handbook | Effective July 1, 2017

Life at the Sacred Heart

Since St. Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in France in 1800, Religious of

the Sacred Heart have dedicated themselves to spreading the love of God through various works of

education. The first free school west of the Mississippi was founded in 1818 by the pioneering Philippine

Duchesne, and thereafter a whole network of schools was established in 40 different countries, each

with the same purpose of educating young people to intelligent reflective participation in the mission

of the Roman Catholic Church.

For the students of all times and all countries, St. Madeleine Sophie envisioned the ideal of an education

serious in principles, strong in studies, and rich in a spirit of love and life. Each Sacred Heart school is a

link in the chain of 200 schools and colleges binding together in one great international family the youth

of many nations. Bound in this way, students of the Sacred Heart can be a powerful force for unity and

justice, for community, in a world which longs for universal communion.

For the Religious of the Sacred Heart, education has always been viewed as a mission of the most

demanding kind. “The Religious of the Sacred Heart are consecrated by their vocation to education.”1

Members of the Society drew up the first Plan of Studies in 1805, five years after their own founding, and

reformulated it ten times over the next 150 years.

Sacred Heart schools first held to a single, uniform curriculum, but in 1958 a document significantly

entitled Spirit and Plan of Studies “deliberately puts aside all details of syllabus,” noting that “these are

bound to vary according to time and place,” and tries to “give a clear idea of a spirit . . . which will hold

good for every work of education”2 that the Society might undertake. If one seeks the timeless element in

Sacred Heart education, one must look to that spirit, for externals and customs were always seen as

subject to change. Timelessness has never meant rigid adherence to a single program or method.

In the last twenty years, the schools of the Sacred Heart in the United States, following the spirit of the

Society and of the Catholic Church, have adapted their programs and methods to suit the special situation

of each school.

To answer the question “What makes a Sacred Heart school in the 1970s?,” five goals were stated and

approved in April 1975, by the Interprovincial Board of the Society in the United States. Conscious of the

shifting needs of our world and society, teachers, administrators, and trustees of each school engaged in a

process to revise the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools in the 1980s, and an updated version

was adopted and published in 1990. This process is ongoing with the most recent Goals and Criteria

being updated in 2005. The Goals and Criteria are sine qua non for every school that belongs to the

Sacred Heart network. They provide the framework within which each school is to develop specific

objectives appropriate to its local situation.

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to:

• a personal and active faith in God;

• a deep respect for intellectual values;

• a social awareness which impels to action;

• the building of community as a Christian value; and

• personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

(1) “Constitution of the Society of the Sacred Heart,” 11, 4, i

(2) “Spirit and Plan of Studies,” p.7



DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN PERSON

Sacred Heart schools are committed to the training of strong Christian persons. Mindful of the Lord’s

mandate, “By this will all people know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another,” the

students learn to give themselves in service to others and to the building of a fully human world.

It is the whole person who must be educated. This means that each student at the Sacred Heart receives

training according to his/her individual needs—religious, moral, intellectual, and social. To impart a sense

of personal worth to each student—worth of character, strength of principles, and anchorage in faith—is

the essence of life at the Sacred Heart.

RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT

A student of the Sacred Heart must learn what it means to be a Christian, must come to know what his/her

religion really is, what it asks, and where it leads. Only in this way can he/she freely and personally ratify

his/her baptismal commitments. To deepen and strengthen his/her Christian life, he/she must discover the

Christ of the Gospels, so that he/she may recognize Him as He manifests Himself in the world today.

Religion is not a matter of classroom learning only; it becomes real to the extent that it integrates the

whole of life. With this in mind, religious education extends beyond the formal instruction of religion

classes. Every phase of school life is meant to foster an atmosphere conducive to religious growth.

Liturgy, prayer groups, and social service concretize and witness to the growing faith of the student.

MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Education at the Sacred Heart aims at developing strong and well-rounded students of esteemed character.

A high standard of moral integrity is presented as a value to be attained through growth in self-discipline.

This self-discipline implies that a student can make himself/herself do what costs, refuse himself/herself

sometimes what he/she likes, be independent of what others say of him/her, and learn to live face-to-face

with his/her own conscience under the eyes of God.

The moral growth of the person necessarily includes the following qualities:

• respect for authority, for all persons and their property;

• good manners and consideration for others as a sign of this respect;

• truthfulness and sincerity; the strength to tell the truth even to his/her own temporary

disadvantage;

• a sense of responsibility; each student is given the opportunity to exercise as much responsibility as

he/she is capable of at his/her particular level of maturity; and

• the ability to make decisions and take the consequences of the decisions.

It is by a daily effort to overcome superficiality and indifference that the student will develop the strength

to deal with the responsibilities and problems of the future.



INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

The studies are serious and strong. The aim, above all, is helping the student to learn to think for herself/

himself. The work required gives to the intellect that breadth of view, that strength of judgment, that

fitness of perception which enables a person to exercise a profound influence upon his/her surroundings,

no matter what his/her part in life may be.

In an age characterized by pluralism and knowledge explosions, emphasis is placed on mastery of basic

skills as well as proficiency in the learning process itself. Faced with an endless amount of information,

the student must learn to make choices and organize facts in terms of a clearly defined end. Moreover,

learning is of little consequence unless it is value-oriented.

Individual responsibility for learning, creativity, and habits of intellectual inquiry are the criteria for

intellectual growth. Students are given the techniques of constructive criticism and the skills for

independent study. Community resources are utilized to relate learning to life. Open-mindedness and

broadness of view are considered essential to meet the challenge of rapid change. In a world which is

working toward the unity of the human family, it is essential to go beyond local and national spirit, to

help one another understand the needs of different countries, races, and cultures, and the interdependence

of world structures.

DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL AWARENESS

“The joys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor and

in any way afflicted . . . are the joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” (The

Church in the Modern World, 1965) The Catholic Church has no desire to remain isolated from the

world; Christian education must be in the world and for the world. Urged on by this mandate of the

Church, our education strives to lead the students to become open-eyed, alert to every need, every joy,

every sorrow which calls for their interest, service, and self-giving. The various activities which form the

life pattern in a school of the Sacred Heart are meant to foster this social awareness and spirit of service.

The committees, clubs, and all other organized groups give the students opportunities to mature as

responsible Christian persons. Thus, little by little they will learn to widen their horizons from their

immediate surroundings to the wider scene of their community, their country, and the whole world.

CONCLUSION

The name “Children of the Sacred Heart” is valued because it stands for a tradition that is more than two

centuries old and is rooted in love. The whole purpose of Sacred Heart education is to make known to the

world God’s love for people revealed in the Heart of Jesus. To be true to this education, the Sacred Heart

student must be convinced that a person’s deepest need is this love. “If I speak with the tongues of

humans and of angels but have no love I become no more than blaring brass or crashing cymbal. If I have

the gift of foretelling the future and hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but the very secrets of

God . . . but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

A mission of a Sacred Heart student is to live this love. A strong faith, integrity, generosity, the uplifting

influence of hope—all these make a child of the Sacred Heart, everywhere and always, a witness to

Christ, the “person for others.”



Mission of the School

Inspired by the vision of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart,

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School strives to educate the heart and mind of each child in a nurturing and

challenging environment. We are dedicated to educating the whole child and preparing our students for

lives of faith in God, integrity, leadership, and service to others.

Our mission is to transform the world, one child at a time.

The foundation of our mission and educational philosophy are the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart

Schools. These give meaning and purpose to our objectives and unite us through a common thread with

other Sacred Heart schools around the world. The strength of Sacred Heart education lies in the building

of relationships around our values. Serious in principles, strong in studies, and rich in the spirit of love

and life, we are a Catholic school which takes great pride in living Saint Madeleine Sophie’s vision.

History of the School

Villa Duchesne was established by the Religious of the Sacred Heart in 1929 as a boarding and country

day school for girls, kindergarten through high school, and until 1946 for boys, kindergarten through

second grade. Sixty beautiful wooded acres known as the Lang estate were purchased in 1927. The first

community of religious lived in the log cabin while plans were drawn for the French-style limestone

building which opened October 1, 1929.

The chapel wing was completed and dedicated in May 1959. In 1961, the Student Activities Building,

including a swimming pool, was built. The building was later renamed in honor of Athletic Director

Thelma Kenefick.

In 1968, the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis (City House) merged with Villa Duchesne. This

necessitated the building of the Pods.

When boys were re-admitted to the School in 1971, the lower school adopted the name Oak Hill. The first

class of Oak Hill boys completed sixth grade in 1977. A new administration and classroom building for

the lower school, the Duchesne Building, was dedicated in October 1989 when Villa Duchesne celebrated

its sixtieth jubilee. In 1999, a new library, computer lab, art room, and classrooms were added.

More than 500 students are now enrolled. They are the center of the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill family

which includes the Board of Trustees, administrators, religious, faculty, staff, parents, alumnae/alumni,

and friends.



Customs and Traditions

SPECIAL FEAST DAYS

The long and treasured heritage of the Children of the Sacred Heart leads to the celebration of several

special feasts throughout the year. Among them are:

• Feast of Mater Admirabilis, Mother Most Admirable, October 20;

• Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne, Foundress of the first Sacred Heart schools in America,

November 18; and

• Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, Foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, May 25.

The liturgies that mark these special occasions are not always held on the actual feast day. Please consult

the school calendar for the date of the celebration.

CHRISTMAS BASKETS

On the last day before the Christmas holidays, each family provides a basket of food for those less

fortunate in our community. The baskets are presented at the Christmas liturgy. This is a school day and

attendance is expected. Participation is both an honor and a serious responsibility.

MAY CROWNING

May Crowning is a liturgical celebration in which the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill community honors

Mary the Mother of God.

LITURGIES AND CATHOLIC MASSES

Our special liturgies include:

• Mass of the Holy Spirit;

• Grandparents’ Day Liturgy;

• Mother/Daughter Liturgy for Grades 7-12;

• Junior Ring Ceremony—Juniors receive their school rings;

• First Communion for Second Grade;

• Baccalaureate Liturgy;

• Eighth Grade Liturgy;

• Sixth Grade end-of-the-year Liturgy; and

• Prize Day Liturgy for Grades 7-11—last day of school.

RETREAT DAYS

Each year students in grades 7 through 12 participate in a day of prayer and reflection. Those in grade 12

are required to participate in a three-day retreat, “Kairos,” which gives them a chance to look more

seriously at their relationship with God and with others.

FIELD DAY

Field Day is a community-building day of team sports and athletic activities for the entire school. Parents

are invited to attend.



CONGÉ

The Villa Duchesne Student Council and Oak Hill specialty teachers organize this enthusiastically

anticipated day during which students and faculty build community by playing together in traditional and

modern games and activities. The actual day of Congé is a well-guarded secret.

GOÛTER

Sacred Heart students look forward to this traditional treat on special days.

COMMENDATIONS

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School values the importance of recognizing students for outstanding

achievement and effort.

Oak Hill holds assemblies which recognize students’ efforts and achievements in academic, religious,

athletic, and social areas.

Throughout the year recognition is given to students who participate in various local and national

contests.

Award ceremonies are held following each sport’s season. Athletic awards are also given at Prize Day

and Baccalaureate.

PRIZE DAY

Prize Day, the most formal assembly of the year, closes the academic year for the School. This assembly,

which is held on the final day of school, recognizes both academic and non-academic achievements of

students.



Parent-School-Student Partnership

What does it take to educate a Child of the Sacred Heart? The process of educating a Child of the Sacred

Heart begins with a partnership of Parents, students, and Sacred Heart faculty. The process is guided by

the five goals of Sacred Heart education. Like all partnerships, it is rooted in mutual trust and maintained

by strong respect and a lively participation in school life. Educating your Child of the Sacred Heart

requires living up to the responsibilities of partnership in one of the most wondrous of life’s activities—

educating our children.

WHAT A STUDENT CAN EXPECT FROM VILLA DUCHESNE AND OAK HILL SCHOOL:

• A safe, supportive environment for learning which encourages you to ask questions and

work both independently and collaboratively to achieve your full academic potential

• Teachers who assess your work fairly and constructively in ways that help you learn to

evaluate your own work effectively

• Teachers who communicate with you in a timely way about your learning progress and

provide you with ample opportunities to improve

• Teachers who are committed to your academic, spiritual, personal, and social growth

• Educators who are engaging, skillful, and committed to continuous professional

development in their fields

• Clear explanations of the School’s expectations for your behavior and reasonable

consequences for infractions

• Respect for your ideas from other members of the school community, both students and

adults

• Adults who live the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools daily and serve as mentors

for you who will make a difference in the world

WHAT VILLA DUCHESNE AND OAK HILL SCHOOL EXPECTS FROM ITS STUDENTS:

• Arrival at School, on time and in uniform, prepared to learn and to follow school rules with

intelligence, grace, and maturity

• Growth in developing a strong work ethic that will sustain you as you learn to deal

realistically with your gifts and limitations

• Treatment of all students with love and respect, by allowing the spirit of the Goals and

Criteria to shape their relationships

• Respect for the adult members of the school community

• Attendance at Mass and liturgies during the school day

• Willingness to seek guidance about realizing your dreams for the future from adults in the

School by communicating honestly and listening thoughtfully to advice

• Development of your abilities to make responsible decisions and be accountable for your

own actions

• Growth in faith and in response to the needs of others



WHAT PARENTS CAN EXPECT FROM VILLA DUCHESNE AND OAK HILL SCHOOL:

• Maintenance of a safe, orderly, and welcoming environment for your children, with

immediate and vigorous response to any reports of possible danger

• Faculty, administrators, and staff who build relationships with students so they can grow in

the Goals of Sacred Heart education

• A thorough and thought-filled college preparatory experience of the highest caliber

• Timely communications about school news and important messages about your children’s

learning progress, including “early warning” notifications in writing, by email, or by phone

• The ability to hold conferences with teachers, when necessary, to discuss concerns, needs,

follow-up plans, and options

• Adults who model integrity and civility in all contacts with Parents and students, including

respect of confidentiality

WHAT VILLA DUCHESNE AND OAK HILL SCHOOL EXPECTS FROM ITS PARENTS:

• Active support of the School’s philosophy and mission as expressed in the Goals and

Criteria

• Regular participation in School and parent association events

• Commitment to stay informed about student progress and school activities through the

written and electronic communications from the School

• Partnership in your children’s education, providing support for their academic progress and

cooperation with plans for improvement, and sharing information with the School that may

be needed to care for your children

• Integrity and civility in all contacts with the entire school community, including respect for

confidentiality

• Direct and respectful communication with the appropriate school personnel when concerns

arise, normally beginning with the individual teacher, program advisor, or coach, then

moving, if needed, to the appropriate division administrator, and finally, if needed, to the

Head of School

• Fulfillment of financial obligations in a timely way



Definitions

Some of the defined terms used frequently throughout this Handbook are:

• “Handbook” refers to this Student-Parent Handbook, including updates to this Handbook

published at www.vdoh.org/schoolhandbook. “School” and “the School” means Villa

Duchesne and Oak Hill School.

• “Inappropriate Electronic Content” means any electronic content that (a) is of a sexual

and/or pornographic nature; (b) threatens, libels, slanders, maligns, disparages, harasses,

hurts, or embarrasses members of the school community; (c) is illegal, contains illegal

content, or encourages illegal conduct; (d) involves gambling; (e) contains extremist or

militant propaganda; (f) uses profanity, vulgarity, and/or obscene language; or (g) in the

Principal’s or Head of School’s sole discretion causes harm to Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill

School and the school community.

• “Inappropriate Electronic Conduct” means conduct inconsistent with the values of

digital citizenship the School instills in its students (see Digital Citizenship and Technology

Use section of this Handbook) using communications or depictions through e-mails, text

messages, web site postings, social media, or other electronic communications, whether

they occur through the School’s equipment or connectivity resources or through private

communication equipment, that contain Inappropriate Electronic Content.

• “Parent,” “Parents,” and “Parental” includes legal guardian(s). Where a student has only

one custodial parent (legal custody) or legal guardian, any requirement in this Handbook

requiring action by both parents or legal guardians shall be read to require action only by

the sole legal custodial parent or legal guardian. The School presumes that each student has

two custodial parents unless the sole custodial parent demonstrates this to the School by

sharing a legal agreement to the contrary with the Head of School.

http://www.vdoh.org/schoolhandbook



Note on Use

The School reserves the right to revise, supplement, or rescind any policies or portion of this Handbook at

any time as it deems appropriate, based on the needs of the School and at the sole discretion of the Head

of School without prior notice to students or Parents.

If the School wishes to revise, supplement, or rescind any part of the Permission for School Activities and

Field Trips Agreement, Athletic Participation and Transportation Agreement, and/or Student Computer

Lease Agreement, School must provide notice to Parents of the proposed contractual modifications for

Parents to review and accept the proposed changes.

Parents agree that their electronic consent to the School via Finalsite, via My BackPack, via email, or

other electronic communication is the legally binding equivalent of a handwritten signature. Whenever

Parents provide electronic consent or execute an electronic signature it has the same validity, meaning,

and legally-binding effect as their handwritten signature. Parents agree that they will not, at any time in

the future, repudiate the validity, meaning, or legally-binding effect of their electronic signature. Parents

who do not wish to submit their permission electronically must print, sign, and deliver a paper copy of the

form to the applicable School office.

By affixing their electronic signature (see Electronic Signature section of this Handbook) to any School-

related form, Parents represent that they (1) have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by its terms,

conditions and provisions; and (2) have reviewed and discussed the same with their student(s), and that

their student(s) agree to be bound by its terms, conditions, and provisions.



General Information — Grades JK3 - 12

CAMPUS HOURS AND PROCEDURES

Receptionist (Portry, 1929 Main Building)

7:30 am to 6:00 pm—Monday through Friday, during the school year

7:30 am to 3:30 pm—Monday through Thursday, during the summer

A receptionist is available during these hours at 314.432.2021.

The two entrances to the 1929 Main Building are the West Door and the Portry. The West Door is for

student and employee entry only. Parents and all other visitors must enter the 1929 Main Building

through the Portry and register with the receptionist. View our campus map.

Campus Visitors/Parent Visits/Non-Employees in the Classroom

The School is a closed campus. All visitors, including volunteers, must sign in at the Portry in the

1929 Main Building or Oak Hill Office in the Duchesne Building and receive a visitor’s badge.

Parents’ interest and involvement are welcomed and encouraged. However, impromptu visits to the

classroom during school hours, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, interrupt the normal routine, teacher planning, and/or

the learning process. A Parent wishing to meet with a teacher during the school day should, except in the

rare instance of a truly urgent matter, make an appointment. Villa Duchesne students who want to invite

student visitors to campus must receive permission from the Principal at least two school days prior to the

visit.

Our academic and co-curricular program allows non-employee subject-matter experts to enhance our

curriculum by presenting to our students as it fits with the School schedule and curriculum. A School

faculty or staff member must supervise the guest for the duration of the visit or presentation, without

exception.

Deliveries to School

Personal deliveries, such as flowers, gifts, and group lunches, to students at School are not permitted. If a

Parent needs to drop off an item for his/her child, the item must be brought to either the Oak Hill Office in

the Duchesne Building for grades JK3-6 or the Dean of Students 9-12 in the 1929 Main Building for

grades 7-12. The School encourages an education toward self-reliance and asks that parents not

deliver forgotten homework, sports equipment, lunches, etc., except in the rare instance of a truly urgent

matter. Oak Hill Parents delivering treats for special occasions should refer to the Treats section for JK-

Grade 6 of this handbook.

Security Guard

A security guard is on duty from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on the days when school is in session and may be

reached at 314.267.6346 during these hours only. A security guard will also be on duty for a variety of

events throughout the year. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, always phone 911 first. While

the School strives to provide a safe environment for its students, the School is not a guarantor of student

safety.

http://www.vdoh.org/uploaded/photos/About_Us/Campus_Map_Directions/Color_Campus_Map_Visitor_Parking_2015.png



Health Services and Regulations

A registered nurse (“School Nurse”) is on duty during school hours in the Nurse’s Office on the lower

level of the Kenefick Gymnasium. If a student is injured or becomes seriously ill during the school day,

Parents will be contacted.

Medical examinations are required upon entrance to the School, as well as junior kindergarten 3,

kindergarten, fourth grade, and seventh grade. Medical examinations are required annually for all students

grades 9-12 and must be dated February 1 of the current calendar year or later.

All required immunizations must be completed before the first day of school. Immunization records are

kept on file for each student and must be complete in order for a student to begin the school year. State

law will not permit a child to begin school without fulfilling these requirements.

The State of Missouri requires that all nurseries and preschools inform Parents that in accordance with

section 210.003.7, RSMo, the Parent of a student enrolled in or attending the School’s nursery through

JK4 may request notice of whether there are any students enrolled at our facility with an immunization

exemption on file. If you would like to request this information, please contact the Nurse’s Office and the

information will be provided to you. Please note, the names of individual students are confidential and

will not be released. The school’s response will be limited to whether or not there are students enrolled at

our facility with an immunization exemption of file.

For the safety of all students at the School, online Magnus Health Parent forms must be updated annually

for each student using the School’s Magnus Health system (formerly CareFlow). The School may

suspend, withdraw, or refuse to enroll any student who does not complete the Magnus Health Parent

forms prior to the first day of school. Magnus Health, a third-party centralized health form website, stores

student health care information in a HIPAA-compliant manner where it is readily available to those who

care for our students. Parents have the ability to make changes to a student’s health record as needed

throughout the school year by logging in with their My BackPack user names and passwords at Magnus

Health.

Select over-the counter medications are kept in the Nurse’s Office and may be given to students with

Parent approval via Magnus Health. If a student is in need of any additional medication during the school

day, he/she must give the medication to the School Nurse, along with a note from Parent explaining the

reason for needing the medication and the times for administering it. If it is a prescription, he/she must

bring a copy of the prescription as well (usually attached to the medication.) This includes inhalers,

EpiPens, and insulin. Parents are responsible for ensuring the student’s medication is taken as prescribed

and refilled as needed, and the student is responsible for knowing when he or she needs to go to the

Nurses’ Office for taking medication. No medication is to be stored on campus except as directed by the

School Nurse.

The School requests that Parents keep the School Nurse informed if there are any changes in a student’s

medical condition throughout the school year, for example, new allergies, hospitalizations, or contagious

diseases. In particular, if a student sustains a concussion, whether during the school day or after hours, the

School should be notified by the Parent and a physician’s statement and plan should be sent to the School,

so that proper accommodations can be made for the student.

For the comfort of a student and to prevent the spread of illness among students and faculty at school, the

School requires that Parents keep a student at home if he/she has a fever. According to the American

Academy of Pediatrics, a fever in a child is considered to be 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a

student may need to stay at home if a lower temperature is accompanied by other symptoms, such as

lethargy, vomiting, or severe headache. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-

reducing medication before returning to school.

https://secure.magnushealthportal.com/sslogin/login.jsf?schoolID=339115

https://secure.magnushealthportal.com/sslogin/login.jsf?schoolID=339115



The School follows the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC’s head lice guidelines. The

School, therefore, no longer follows the “no nit” policy. Students diagnosed with live head lice do not

need to be sent home early from school; they can go home at the end of the day, be treated, and return to

class after appropriate treatment has begun. Parents should inform the principal’s and Nurse’s Offices

upon discovering a case of head lice and begin treatment immediately.

Snow Day Notification

Parents receive notification of school closings, campus closings, early dismissals or “snow schedules”

(campus opens at 9 am/classes begin at 9:30 am) by our phone messaging system on provided home,

work, and cell phones. Announcements are made on KSDK (Channel 5), www.vdoh.org, and

314.432.2021.

In the event that bad weather occurs during school hours, the School decides whether or not to dismiss

early. Students must report to the appropriate administrator before leaving.

Emergency Procedures and Drills

Fire, tornado, and intruder drills are held periodically, in keeping with best practices, to better prepare our

students for a potential threat. In the event of an actual emergency on campus, faculty and staff will

implement the appropriate crisis response procedures. If you have any questions or concerns, please

contact your school principal.

COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES

Photography and Identification Guidelines

The School has established the following guidelines regarding photographs and identification thereof for

internal and external communication programs. The guidelines are intended to protect the privacy and

security of all school community members, as well as to ensure the integrity of the School’s image in the

community. The School communication programs referred to include:

• Internal/current community - yearbook(s), memory books, class videos, student council

videos, teacher/classroom pages, etc.

• Internal/all community - newsletters, school magazines, Annual Giving Report, etc.

• External - Public relations/media, advertising, the website, online media gallery, social

media, summer programs, etc.

Photographs of School members—including students, Parents, alumnae/i, trustees, faculty, and staff—are

used in school internal and external communication programs. Identification of photographs will usually

include first and last names unless specifically requested in writing otherwise by Parent or the individual.

If you DO NOT wish for your family’s images and/or names to be used, please contact the Director of

Marketing and Communications, in writing. Parents should contact the Director of Marketing and

Communications in writing at the beginning of each school year, as the list will not be retained from one

year to the next. Failure to notify the Director of Marketing and Communications in writing will be

viewed as consent. No notice will be given prior to the publication of a name or image.




Social Networking

The School cannot be held responsible for material (photos, video, audio) placed without its knowledge or

permission online on personal websites, social media sites (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,

Snapchat, YouTube, Flickr, Picassa) or other external media. We strongly encourage all community

members to:

• Consider setting security parameters around any such posting, allowing only family and school

friends’ access. For example, if posting a videotape of a son or daughter’s school activity or

program on YouTube, be sure to post as “private” for viewing by invitation (email) only.

• Respect the privacy of others and, unless specific permission is provided, provide NO

IDENTIFICATION (or first names only) of any online posting (photos, video, audio).

• Be mindful of any and all potential copyright issues, for example videotaping copyrighted theater

and other performances.

• In keeping with the School’s core values, the use of social media (private and public) is expected to

be respectful at all times. Please refer to the Policy for the Ethical and Responsible Use of

Technology section of this Handbook.

Please know that the School strongly discourages online socializing between staff and students, keeping

in mind the uneven power dynamics of a school (in which adults have authority over students). School

employees are expected to act in a manner that always respects and never exploits the power differential

inherent in these relationships. Students and Parents are not to “friend” individual faculty and staff.

Media/Public Relations

All external public relations efforts are managed through the Marketing and Communications

Department, safeguarding the privacy of the school community, as well as the integrity of the School

image. All visiting media personnel must be approved, sign in, and be accompanied on campus visits by

authorized School personnel.

The School has many visitors during the course of the school year, and students from other schools

participate in many of its events and activities. Photography of these events will be used both internally

and externally, and with appropriate identification, as feasible.

If you have a special request, any questions or concerns regarding these guidelines, please contact the

Director of Marketing and Communications.

School Directory Usage

The School publishes Parent street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses in the School

Directory as well as an online School Directory for the convenience of our families. While the School

encourages Parents to communicate with each other via mail, phone, or email when appropriate, the

School is not responsible for any content it does not initiate. In the interest of communication etiquette,

the School encourages all of its constituents to give thoughtful consideration when using information

listed in the School Directory or online directory. The School does not permit information in the School

Directory and online directory, including email addresses, to be used for personal solicitation,

commercial, or political purposes.



Electronic Signature Acknowledgment

The School uses electronic permission forms for participation in and transportation to student field trips

and school-sponsored activities in which our students participate, and transportation for student-athletes

to athletic events. The School also uses electronic signature forms for the Student Computer Lease

Agreement. Parents agree that their electronic consent to the School via Finalsite, via My BackPack, via

email, or via any other electronic communication is the legally binding equivalent of a handwritten

signature. Whenever Parents provide electronic consent or execute an electronic signature it has the same

validity, meaning, and legally-binding effect as their handwritten signature. Parents agree that they will

not, at any time in the future, repudiate the validity, meaning, or legally-binding effect of their electronic

signature. Parents who do not wish to submit their permission electronically must print, sign, and deliver

a paper copy of the form to the applicable School office.

Parental consent is submitted using the unique login information assigned to each Parent by the School.

Parents are cautioned to never share their login information with anyone, including their children and

other parents.

Mass Communications

It is School policy that the use of office equipment and supplies as well as software such as Finalsite,

SchoolMessenger, and My BackPack is at the sole discretion of the School. These resources allow the

School to send mass communications via mail, email, or telephone to Parents, students, alumni, and

employees. “Mass communication” is defined as any communication beyond the scope of a single class,

grade level, or department. Requests to send a mass communication must be submitted to the Director of

Marketing and Communications for approval at least one week prior to the anticipated distribution date.

In addition, the use of School email accounts or group lists available to faculty, staff, and students for

personal, social, advertising, or non-school related business is strictly prohibited.

Non-School Promotions

School communications will ONLY promote events, projects, and fundraisers sponsored by the School or

a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Communications that could be relevant to our School

community and do not conflict with the interests of the School will be considered on a per case basis in

the sole discretion of the School. In general, the School does not promote fundraisers or services that

benefit private individuals or other organizations.

CHANGE OF FAMILY INFORMATION

Changes to personal information—address, phone numbers, email addresses, emergency numbers,

employment information, etc.—may be made throughout the year by logging in to the Parent Portal or

selection “My Profile” in My BackPack.

Parents should contact the Assistant to the Principal for their respective school if assistance is needed with

My BackPack.

https://mybackpack.vdoh.org/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml



TUITION AND FEE PAYMENT POLICIES

2017-2018 Tuition and Fees*:

JK3 – 3 Half Days $ 6,450 tuition

JK3 – 3 Full Days $ 8,950 tuition

JK3/ JK4 – 5 Half Days $10,754 tuition

JK3/ JK4 – 5 Full Days $14,910 tuition

Kindergarten – Grade 4 $17,215 tuition

Grades 5 – 6 $17,910 tuition

Grades 7 – 8 $21,485 tuition + $650 computer lease fee**

Grades 9 – 12 $21,695 tuition + $650 computer lease fee**

* Each family is also responsible for a $125 Mothers’ Club/Fathers’ Club fee.

** Grades 7-12 tuition includes an all-inclusive lunch plan.

Upon acceptance, an executed contract entitled “Enrollment and Tuition Contract” and a $1,000 non-

refundable deposit are required to secure enrollment. This deposit will be applied toward tuition.

The School offers five tuition payment options:

1. Annual Plan (August 20) paid by check to “Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School”;

2. Semester Plan (August 20, January 20) paid by check to “Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School”;

3. Trimester Plan (July, October, January) paid through Smart Tuition;

4. 8-Month Plan (July-February) paid through Smart Tuition; and

5. 10-Month Plan (July-April) paid through Smart Tuition.

If Parents want to pay the Annual or Semester Plan by credit card or automatic bank withdrawal, they

must register with Smart Tuition and pay the associated fees. If Parents select the Annual or Semester

Plan with payment by check in the Enrollment and Tuition Contract and accounts become more than five

days past due, the Parents are deemed to consent to registration with Smart Tuition, and School will

register the Parents with Smart Tuition.

The Board of Trustees votes upon and approves all tuition and fee increases. No Parent, student,

employee, club, or team may assess fees to any other Parent or student for any reason. All “voluntary”

fees to be assessed to student accounts must be approved by the School and billed through the School’s

Business Office. For charitable fundraising drives, please see the Fundraising and Solicitation Policy

section of this Handbook.

Multiple Child Tuition Discount Program

The School has revised its tuition discount program for nuclear families with multiple children enrolled at

the School (“family” or “families”). Families are eligible for the revised Multiple Child Tuition Discount

if, on May 1, 2014, they were receiving multiple-child tuition discounts under the prior policy. For those

families, each child who was enrolled and attending grades JK3-12 as of May 2, 2014, shall remain

eligible for the Multiple Child Tuition Discount so long as the child is continuously enrolled and

attending the School, and the family has three or more children concurrently attending the School. Under

the Multiple Child Tuition Discount, the School shall discount by 33 percent the tuition of the family’s

third child to attend the School. The School shall discount by 50 percent the tuition of the fourth child,

and each child thereafter, to concurrently attend the School. The discount only applies to tuition; families

are responsible for paying all fees and other costs charged by the School. A family will lose the benefit of

this program if it fails to stay current on its tuition payments.

https://parent.smarttuition.com/



Unpaid Tuition, Non-Enrollment, and Other Charges

Enrollment at the School is a privilege and not a right. The enrollment of the student is subject to the

terms and conditions of the Enrollment and Tuition Contract and the School’s acceptance of a given

student’s Enrollment and Tuition Contract, which is at the sole discretion of the School in conformance

with the School’s Non-discriminatory Policy. The Enrollment and Tuition Contract includes the Student-

Parent Handbook and policies of the School’s Administration and/or Board of Trustees as may be

established or amended from time to time. By signing the Enrollment and Tuition Contract, Parents

unconditionally promise to pay to the order of the School the principal sum of the tuition amount for each

student enrolled, all applicable fees and charges set forth in the Student-Parent Handbook, and any other

charges assessed or imposed by the School, including 1% per month on any overdue amounts. Non-

enrollment, dismissal, transfer, or any other circumstance will not release or reduce a family’s obligation

to pay any of these amounts. Signing the Enrollment and Tuition Contract also constitutes an

unconditional promise to pay all reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the School in its efforts

to pursue collection of any outstanding financial obligations, including unpaid Tuition and Fees.

Enrollment contracts must be completed and submitted prior to the deadline set forth in the Enrollment

and Tuition Contract. Failure to do so, could affect student course scheduling and/or participation in any

school programming including athletics for the next academic year. If a family’s Tuition and Fees account

is not current, the School reserves the right to not permit students to take examinations, to withhold

grades, transcripts, and other records, and to dis-enroll the students or otherwise disallow students from

attending the School, as determined by the Head of School, until the account is made current.

Tuition Insurance

The School offers the option to participate in a tuition refund plan (insurance plan) to protect financial

obligations under the Enrollment and Tuition Contract. The tuition refund plan, available through A.W.G.

Dewar, Inc., insures a families’ obligations (prepaid and due) in the event of separation subject to the

terms of the tuition refund plan. A brochure detailing the terms and conditions of coverage offered by

A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. is available in the Business Office. Families are not required to participate.

REQUESTS FOR RECORDS

The School owns and maintains records, including transcripts and report cards, of its students to be

released in the purview of the School. Requests for records should be made through the Principal’s Office

with at least one week’s notice. No student’s records, including report cards and transcripts, will be

released without the written consent of Parents.* To students, Parents, or their families, the School will

only release draft or unofficial copies. In addition, no records, report cards, or transcripts, will be released

unless all amounts due under the current and any prior enrollment agreements of a student are paid in full.

Please refer to the Unpaid Tuition section of this Handbook.

* Please note: transcript requests received by the College Counseling Office do not require Parental

permission.

NOTICE REGARDING EXPULSION

The School reserves the right to dismiss, not permit examinations to be taken by, or to take other remedial

measures regarding the student for failure to pay Tuition and Fees when due or any other reason that, at

the sole discretion of the Head of School, is the basis for a determination that continued enrollment of the

student is no longer in the best interest of the student or the School. Expulsion will not release or reduce

the obligation to pay tuition, fees or other amounts due the School.

http://www.tuitionrefundplan.com/

http://www.tuitionrefundplan.com/



STUDENT WITHDRAWAL PROCESS

If a student is planning not to return to the School during the current school year, the Parents must contact

the Principal’s Office and complete a withdrawal form. The School may finalize a student’s withdrawal

from the School with an exit interview. Early withdrawal will not release or reduce the obligation to pay

tuition, fees or other amounts due the School.

SCHOOL ENDORSEMENTS

Faculty and staff members may provide written endorsements for students in good standing, which

includes having no overdue family financial obligations, with the School. However, former employees are

not permitted to represent the School in endorsements of our students nor will the School facilitate the

individual’s personal endorsement of a student in any capacity, including college letter of

recommendations.

FUNDRAISING AND SOLICITATION POLICY

Mission: The purpose of fundraising is to: 1) enhance the educational experience by cultivating and

soliciting financial support from School constituents to further the overall mission of the School; 2)

provide a threshold through which students may enter and learn about philanthropy; and 3) be sensitive to

the needs of the community in ways which will have meaningful and visible impact.

To coordinate our fundraising efforts to most effectively utilize our resources and be responsive to the

requests of the community, the School adopts the following fundraising and solicitation policy.

The Director of Advancement, the Head of School, and the Community Engagement Committee of the

School Board of Trustees, oversee a highly developed fundraising program. This includes, but is not

limited to: Capital Project and Major Gift Development, Annual Giving, the Bonne Chance Auction, in

some years, the Golf Outing, and other various Mothers’ Club, Fathers’ Club, Villa Duchesne-City House

Alumnae Association, and Mums of Alums fundraising activities. To maintain the integrity of the

Schools’ fundraising plan, maximize its fundraising potential, prevent overlapping or conflicting

programs, and be sensitive to its community, the Office of Advancement has specific guidelines for

requests for fundraising activities. Any request to make an adjustment to the School’s policy must receive

approval from both the Head of School and the Director of Advancement.

All events and activities with the specific purpose of raising money and/or soliciting donations in the

name of the School must receive initial approval from the appropriate school principal and final approval

from both the Head of School and the Director of Advancement. Events and activities that fall into this

category are those that will directly benefit the School as well as those that will directly benefit any third

party, such as: efforts to raise money, goods, or services for or in honor of specific people, Parent-

sponsored events, and third-party beneficiaries that do not directly benefit the School such as churches,

other non-profit organizations, or charitable groups. Specific examples could include school credit cards,

shopping and coupon days, class sales, pizza nights, website patronage, etc.

Approved fundraisers for each academic year are decided the year prior through written consent by the

Director of Advancement, and are communicated to Parents, often on the school calendar published at

www.vdoh.org. Late requests for additional fundraisers proposed during the current school year must also

be made in writing through a formal application process and submitted to the Director of Advancement

for approval. However, late requests cannot be given the same consideration as those submitted the year

prior.




Once initial approval is given, it is incumbent upon the volunteer event coordinators to inform the

Director of Advancement and Head of School with progress reports in a timely manner. All

communications, sales items, or giveaways created for the purpose of soliciting donations of any kind

must be approved by the Director of Advancement and the Director of Marketing and Communications .

Approval of all events/activities is contingent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

alignment with the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools, benefit and cost to the School, and

placement on the School calendar. The volunteer event coordinators must be accountable for the

event/activity, including the money raised and a follow-up report which would include a complete

accounting of the event/activity. This report should be submitted to the Director of Advancement.

To request approval for a fundraising activity, please complete the Application for Fundraising Event or

Activity Form available in the Office of Advancement. This form requests the following information:

• Organization name

• Your name and phone number

• Anticipated name of event or activity

• Date of event or activity and expected time frame from planning to wrap-up

• Purpose

• Target financial goal including supporting projections and calculations

(e.g. “we expect 50 people to attend at $50 per person)

• Other benefits to the School (such as community building, public relations, enrollment, etc.)

• Name(s) of volunteer coordinator(s)

• Potential target group

• A brief description of how the event or activity will be coordinated

• Staffing and maintenance support required

• Location of event or activity

• School resources requested/required

• The proposed organization’s value and how it aligns with the Goals and Criteria

Due to the School calendar and budget planning, deadline for submission is March 1 for the event to be

considered for the following academic year.

LA BOUTIQUE

La Boutique, operated by the School and sometimes staffed by Parent volunteers, is located on the ground

floor of the 1929 Main Building. The shop is generally open during school hours and features a selection

of items and wearables with the School logos. A selection of spirit items is also available online at

www.vdoh.org/laboutique with the option of in-store pick up or home delivery. Visit our store on campus

to view our complete inventory, which is regularly updated. Visitors to La Boutique must enter at the

Portry and register with the Receptionist.

http://www.vdoh.org/laboutique



POLICY FOR THE ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Digital Citizenship and Technology Use

The use of technology at the School is guided by the philosophy and mission of the School as articulated

in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. The School promotes the use of technology,

recognizing the need to prepare students to be responsible, ethical, and contributing members of society

and the work force. Students do not have an expectation of privacy in their use of the School’s technology

or technology resources such as devices, networks, and other facilities. The School may monitor in its

sole discretion the use of School’s technology or technology resources, including but not limited to the

School’s devices, networks, and other facilities. The School is a certified repair maintainer of the

technology program and as such performs a variety of maintenance on individual units. At times during

repairs when the School discovers a student’s irresponsible, unethical, or illegal usage of technology or

technology resources such as devices, networks, and other facilities (including those not owned by the

School but provided to the School for maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, etc.), the School will, in its discretion, take action to discipline the student.

The School has committed itself to teaching ethical and responsible use of technology. Students are taught

and encouraged to use technology to ease communication with faculty, facilitate high quality research,

improve their writing and presentation skills, and grow in the richness of their academic understanding

and application in every subject area, while also cultivating technical literacy. Cell phone and smartwatch

usage carries their own conveniences and responsibilities, which increasingly overlap with those of

computers. See Cell Phones and Other Personal Devices below. Use of the Internet or electronic

communication broadens the impact of a person’s behavior. Files are easier to copy, images are easier to

send, and words can be sent for good or ill to the widest possible audience. .

The School prohibits students from engaging in Inappropriate Electronic Conduct and communications

that contain Inappropriate Electronic Content.

Consistent with students’ digital citizenship responsibilities, students, Parents, faculty, and staff shall not

engage in internet or social media activity that could appear to represent the School. Such activity

includes using Internet names, aliases, twitter handles, avatars, or media profile titles that include “Villa

Duchesne,” “Oak Hill,” “Villa,” “VDOH,” “the Saints,” “Sophie,” or otherwise suggest a connection to

the School (including combinations thereof) or that feature the Villa Duchesne heart and building

emblem, Oak Hill heart and oak leaf emblem, or other images associated with the School.

To promote the ethical and responsible use of technology, the School establishes the following:

• The implementation and upgrading of technology is a costly endeavor. Students are to be

instructed in the proper and careful use of computers and other forms of technology. Students

must not tamper or be destructive with computers and other hardware, potentially negating the

warranty. Students are expected to behave ethically and responsibly with computers as with

everything else they use.

• The School reserves the right to monitor all electronic communications through the network

without any notice. As part of an investigative procedure when irresponsible, unethical, illegal

usage and/or Inappropriate Electronic Conduct is presented, the School reserves the right to open

files and documents, search a computer's history and use any other means to track such usage.

The School will report any suspected illegal activity to the proper authorities.

• Facilities where computers are located are meant to be areas of learning. Students are to be

considerate of others who are using computers for course work.

• Students are required to care properly for videos, CDs, DVDs, USB drives, and other storage

media, hardware, and software and to store them in appropriate containers. Students will be held



responsible for damaged or lost property which belongs to the School or another student or

faculty member.

• If inappropriate use of hardware or software programs leads to damage, the student(s) will be

charged for the damages or replacement of the hardware or software.

• Taking CDs, USB drives, or other media that belong to the School, to a student, or faculty

member without permission of the owner is stealing.

• Students shall comply with copyright laws in the use of software, including loading and using

software without proper licensing. The use of the network or the Internet as a valid academic

resource is governed by the same rules which apply to library resources. Improper use or

distribution of information is prohibited. This includes using the network for financial gain or for

illegal or commercial activities. The use of another person's work, without proper reference or

permission, is plagiarism.

• Tampering with the network or a computer to impair the functionality of either, or knowingly

initiating a computer "virus" on a computer or a network shall be considered a serious offense of

vandalism.

• Attempting to subvert security systems or to bypass restrictions set by the network administrator,

(hacking), is considered a serious offense of vandalism.

• Inappropriate Electronic Conduct is prohibited. This includes electronic communications,

viewing, downloading, sending, storing, or printing files or messages containing Inappropriate

Electronic Content.

• Accessing the accounts and files of others is prohibited. Accessing the accounts and files of

others includes, but is not limited to, logging in as another person, using another person's files, or

altering a program that belongs to another.

• Posting personal information (name, address, phone number, credit card number, password, etc.)

belonging to another person is prohibited.

• The e-mail system is to be used only for the exchange of appropriate information. There are to be

no Inappropriate Electronic Content exchanges (flames) on the e-mail system. Delicate or

difficult communications should take place face-to-face. One should not send anything on e-mail

that one would not be able to say face-to-face. A student’s use of the e-mail system to exchange

Inappropriate Electronic Content is prohibited.

• Communication between faculty and students should be limited to class topics or academic

content. Communication of a personal nature should not be exchanged between faculty and

students.

• No one should ever access another person's e-mail account. Each member of the school

community is expected to respect the privacy of e-mail messages belonging to other members of

the school community. No one should read the personal mail of another without the recipient's

permission.

• No one may access his/her personal subscriber online services using School telephones or e-mail.

Student e-mail accounts provided by the School are not to be used to subscribe to non-academic

online services and should not be posted at any online profile.

• The exchange of information between students using the technology available to them is to

enhance the learning process. The sending of chain letters and forwarding of non-academic

messages is prohibited.

• Instant messaging is not considered an appropriate or valid means of exchanging information for

academic reasons. Students may not use this form of communication while on campus. E-mail

use during class is prohibited unless approved by the classroom facilitator.



• Students have a server on the School network for saving and exchanging information. Only files

that are to be used for academic purposes should be saved on the server. In particular, students

shall not download music and/or video files to the server unless these files are to be used for

school projects.

• The Internet is to be used for scholarly research and as a means of obtaining information.

Students shall not join chats at School unless there is a legitimate academic reason to do so. Chats

offer opportunities to develop relationships with people through the Internet; however, everyone

should realize that there are certain safety measures to consider when communicating on the

Internet. Frequently, it is impossible to really know with whom one is communicating; therefore,

a student shall not give out personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.). The

Internet offers access to Inappropriate Electronic Content. Students are prohibited from accessing

Inappropriate Electronic Content using the School network.

• Computers shall not be used to make recordings without the consent of all who are being

recorded.

• When allowed to use a computer for a test, all documents and programs, except those specifically

allowed for the test, must be closed, not minimized. A computer’s task bar must be visible at all

times.

• All digital media (photographs, video, music, slide show, etc.) taken during school time, during

any school-sponsored event, or when representing the School in the community in any way, shall

not be published on the Internet or any website, or any kind of public media, without the consent

of the division head and the written permission of all the persons included in the media.

• Sound must be turned off, except when it is being used as part of a class.

• Students are not permitted to play games of any kind on the network in class without permission.

• Assisting others in violating these rules is prohibited.

**The foregoing will be evaluated and updated as needed in response to the changing nature of technology and its applications.**

Violations of any term, condition, or provision set forth above in the Policy for the Ethical and

Responsible Use of Technology section of this Handbook shall be subject to the full range of

disciplinary consequences set forth in this Handbook, in addition to such other discipline as determined

by the School in its discretion, and any other discipline or consequences available under state and/or

federal law. Any such violations may be reported to the Principal(s) and/or appropriate authorities. The

School will report any suspected illegal activity to the proper authorities.

By affixing their electronic signature (see Electronic Signature section of this Handbook) to the

Acknowledgement of Receipt of and Agreement to Comply with the 2017-2018 Student-Parent

Handbook, Parents represent that they (1) have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the Policy for

the Ethical And Responsible Use of Technology section of this Handbook; and (2) have reviewed and

discussed the same with their student(s), who agree to be bound by the Policy for the Ethical and

Responsible Use of Technology section of this Handbook.

Cell Phones and Other Personal Devices

The School recognizes the convenience to students of being permitted to receive texts from Parents, check

appointment times, and check their email. However, using cell phones during the school day can detract

from the student’s educational experience and from the educational environment of the school.

Additionally, cell phone technology provides opportunities for abuse by students who are so inclined.



Possession of a cell phone at school is a privilege, not a right. The School recognizes the need for some

students to bring a cell phone to school to communicate with family after school hours. However, Oak

Hill students are not permitted to have cell phones in their possession during school hours. If it is

necessary for an Oak Hill student to have a cell phone for use after school hours, students are required to

deliver their cell phone to the Oak Hill office prior to the start of the school day. Students may pick up

their cell phone from the Oak Hill office at dismissal. All cell phones will be stored in a secure location

during school hours. If an Oak Hill student has a cell phone in his or her possession during the school

day, the School will confiscate the cell phone and a Parent will be notified and asked to retrieve the

phone. While at school, Oak Hill students are not permitted to wear smartwatches.

Students 7-8 may not carry or access cell phones between 7:45 and 3:15 pm. Students 7-8 may not wear

smartwatches while at school. Students 9-12 may carry cell phones but they must be turned off in the

library and during class, assemblies, and liturgies. Upon entering a classroom a student must place her

phone in the container provided and collect her phone only at the conclusion of class. Teachers will

clearly communicate when phones may be used for a classroom activity. Students must not have phones

in their possession or wear smartwatches while taking any tests or quizzes. Unless faculty have

specifically given permission, the use of cell phones to take pictures and videos or make voice recordings

during class is strictly prohibited. Photographs taken at school events should not be posted on the Internet,

social media, or otherwise unless permission has been granted by the School. It would be impractical for

the School to monitor such postings and the School undertakes no obligation to do so. Cell phones, used

in places or at times where the use of cell phones has been forbidden, will be confiscated.

The School would like to partner with Parents in educating adolescents about safe, responsible and non-

addictive use of electronics and protecting them in age-appropriate ways as they develop self-control. The

School focuses on educating students about appropriate technology use through assemblies, discussions,

readings, and other possible means. Total monitoring of students’ electronic behavior is impossible, and

the School undertakes no obligation to do so, but the School remains alert to instances and opportunities

for abuse and takes disciplinary action where necessary or appropriate. By bringing a cell phone or other

electronic devices to school or school-sponsored events, students and Parents consent to the confiscation

and/or search of the device at any time by school personnel or their designee(s). Confiscated devices may

be made accessible to the student at the beginning of afternoon dismissal. For devices confiscated during

after-hour school-sponsored events, the device may be made accessible to the student at the end of the

event. If the device is not made available to the student, reasonable attempts will be made to notify the

Parent. The School retains the right to communicate with Parents, victims, or law enforcement authorities

regarding any material discovered, including any Inappropriate Electronic Content. Parents can continue

the educative process at home as well as provide individual protections for their students in terms of the

kind of cell phone access allowed or means of monitoring installed on the phone.

VIOLENCE

The School adheres to the Archdiocesan policy on violence as stated below:

Catholic schools shall provide a safe learning environment for all members of the school community. The

climate of Catholic schools shall reflect Gospel values including an emphasis on the dignity of all persons

which is necessary for respect, the interdependence of all persons which is the basis of community, and

the rights and responsibilities of all persons which are the foundation of justice.

Violence is inconsistent with the unity and peace which are essential to living the Catholic faith in

community. Violence also inhibits human development and successful learning. Therefore, violence is not

tolerated in Catholic schools.



Violence consists of words, gestures, and actions that result in or have the potential to result in hurt, fear,

or injury. Violence includes verbal or physical assault, bullying, threats of injury, harassment, possession

and/or use of a weapon, and theft or vandalism of property.

A weapon is anything used or intended to be used to threaten, intimidate, and/or harm persons. The

possession or use of firearms, other weapons, or explosive devices on school premises is not permitted.

Schools shall develop and implement strategies to prevent violence and to address situations resulting

from violence. Schools shall implement effective supervision and security procedures.

The School shall address all reported or observed instances of violence and threats of violence in a timely,

serious, and appropriate manner according to the requirements of state and local laws and accepted

educational practice. The School will give paramount consideration to the safety of students, faculty, and

staff when making decisions regarding the discipline of persons who violate this policy. All such

decisions and discipline will be determined in the sole discretion of the School.

Students and Parents are strongly encouraged to report concerns regarding potential acts of violence to an

administrator or a teacher. Teachers must report pertinent concerns and/or pertinent information regarding

specific students to the Administration promptly.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

The School provides education in the curriculum and in special assemblies and programs about the

dangers and illegality of alcohol and other drugs.

Student consumption of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana, or other drugs is not

tolerated. Failure to observe this regulation may result in suspension or expulsion. The School reserves

the right to request or administer an alcohol or drug test for cause as determined in the sole discretion of

the School. Refusal to take one is grounds for dismissal.

Each situation will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Disciplinary action will be taken when a student:

1. keeps prescription or over-the-counter medicines in his/her possession rather than taking them to

the School Nurse for dispensing, or

2. is present on campus or in connection with on-campus or off-campus school-sponsored activities

under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

3. is in possession of or chooses to use alcohol or other drugs on campus or in connection with on-

campus or off-campus school-sponsored activities;

4. uses alcohol or other drugs off campus and by his/her action brings disgrace to himself/herself and

hence to the School; or

5. supplies drugs or alcohol to another person.

For any of the aforementioned offenses, a conference with Parents and the Principal will be required. An

evaluation to determine whether treatment for chemical dependency is needed may also be required in the

sole discretion of the School before the student is allowed to return to School. If treatment is found

warranted, that may also be required as a condition for staying at the School, as may be the prescribed

follow-up sessions. Such required evaluation or treatment will be at the expense of the individual

involved.

If a student or his/her Parents think s/he needs help with a possible alcohol or drug problem and s/he has

not violated any school alcohol or drug regulation because of it, they may seek assistance from the School

counselors without risking disciplinary action. The School will appropriately support a student in all

phases of his/her academic and social life during any assessment or treatment program.



The School has a zero tolerance policy concerning students who sell or transfer drugs or drug

paraphernalia on or off campus. Any student who sells or transfers drugs or drug paraphernalia on or off

campus will be disciplined according to the Conduct and Discipline section of this Handbook, such other

discipline as determined by the School in its discretion, and any other discipline or consequences

available under state and/or federal laws. Any such violations may be reported to the Principal(s) and/or

the appropriate authorities. The School will report any suspected illegal activity to the proper authorities.

ARCHDIOCESE POLICY ON BEVERAGE ALCOHOL

The School adheres to the Archdiocesan guidelines for the use of beverage alcohol issued November 1,

2013 as stated below:

The following guidelines regarding serving beverage alcohol have been developed for all parishes, parish

organizations, agencies, and entities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

1. All federal, state and local laws and ordinances must be observed. This includes regulations

required for the sale of alcohol, prohibiting the distribution of alcohol to minors and not serving

alcohol to intoxicated persons.

2. The group or organization sponsoring an activity or event at which alcoholic beverages are to be

served must have permission from the pastor of the parish, or the director of the agency that hosts

the event or activity or on whose premises the event or activity occurs.

3. Alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol must be clearly labeled or identified as such.

4. Alcoholic beverages that are designed to facilitate rapid alcohol consumption, including grain

alcohol and shots, are prohibited.

5. Whenever alcohol is served, non-alcoholic alternatives must always be offered with equal

accessibility.

6. The serving or use of alcoholic beverages at events should not be ‘actively marketed’ during the

event.

7. Alcohol is not to be served to anyone or brought in by someone, including adults, at any event

directed primarily to and for minors. This includes elementary and high school events, CYC

events, Scouting activities, etc.

8. All adults should be mindful of their Christian responsibility to drink in moderation and to give a

good example to our youth. “Clergy, employees and volunteers should never be involved with the

illegal possession and/or illegal use of drugs and/or alcohol. They must never supply such

substances to minors nor may they consume alcohol while functioning in an official capacity with

minors. This includes those who are involved with children as coaches or managers of sports

teams.” (Code of Ethical Conduct for Clergy, Employees and Volunteers Working with Minors §

4.5)

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN POLICY

The School requires all employees of the School to adhere to the guidelines outlined in their “Protecting

God’s Children” training and to exhibit professional behavior when dealing with students outside of

school hours.

All extra-curricular activities involving students outside of school hours must be approved by the School.

These activities include: rehearsals, tutoring and coaching in the evening, on weekends, and over school

breaks. Students should never meet with a school employee in the employee’s homes or public places for

entertainment or instructional purposes.



Employees of the School should not be engaged in babysitting children in the school community who are

or will be instructed by that teacher or coach in the future.

Teachers and coaches are to avoid being alone in a school building with one or two students. Children are

not to be left unsupervised. When it is necessary to wait for a parent to arrive after a field trip, excursion,

game or performance, the student(s) should wait in a well-lit location where they are clearly visible from

outside of the building. Before 6:00 pm on weekdays, if members of a team are allowed to re-enter the

main building, the faculty member/coach will check that the students have signed in with the teacher

supervising after-school activities. The Learning Center tutors will work in TLC and sign out when

leaving the building.

NOTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS-CONTAINING BUILDING MATERIALS

The School has prepared a Management Plan in response to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response

Act (AHERA) for school facilities. The plan provides a training program for school employees to deal

with asbestos in a safe manner and periodic inspections to ensure that asbestos-containing materials are in

good condition. Those who wish to make an appointment to review the plan may contact the School.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY

As a Catholic school, the School works to provide an equitable, affirming, safe, and just environment for

all students. Oak Hill is a co-educational elementary school, while Villa Duchesne is an all-girl middle

and high school. The School holds as its mission the inclusion of diverse people at all levels of campus

life and the development of programs to support the unique needs of each student. The curriculum

contributes to fostering respect and inclusion as well as helping students to become more culturally

competent participants in a rapidly changing global society. In line with our Catholic identity, the School

welcomes students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, and faith, and affords to all students the

same rights, privileges, programs, and activities. The School does not discriminate on any of these bases

in the administration of its policies, admissions policies, scholarships and athletic and other school

administered programs.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The School is committed through the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools to create, support,

nurture, and celebrate a diverse community, thus carrying on the timeless Sacred Heart commitment to

inclusion and mutual respect.

We are committed to embrace diversity with all its textures and potential. The School seeks to provide an

environment for learning and growth, whereby students welcome, embrace, and celebrate differences,

including learning styles, physical ability, race, age, culture, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic class

and wherein they value and become transformed by these differences, in an increasingly interconnected

global community.

To this end, the School will actively develop and implement a Diversity Plan approved by the Board of

Trustees, develop and implement support programs, recruit faculty, staff and students of diverse

backgrounds and experiences, with a goal of assuring on-going education of the entire School family to

the values of inclusion as one of the essential hallmarks of a Sacred Heart Education.



General Information — Grades 7 - 12

SCHOOL HOURS AND PROCEDURES

All levels begin at 7:50 am, except Zero Hour elective classes which begin at 7 am and Late-Start

Tuesdays which begin at 8:55 am. Faculty hours begin at 7:30 am. The warning bell rings at 7:45 am on

all days except Late-Start Tuesdays when it rings at 8:50 am. School dismisses at 3:15 pm. On-campus

faculty hours for full-time teachers typically conclude at 3:30 pm. In the event of a “snow schedule,” the

campus will open to students 30 minutes prior to the published start of classes. In the event of an early

dismissal from school, such as due to inclement weather, for the safety of our students and staff, please

plan to pick up your child(ren) within 30 minutes of the early dismissal.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

For Grades 7-12, the campus is open from 6:45 am to 6:00 pm in the 1929 Main Building.

Procedures for Morning Arrival

Villa Duchesne students arriving on campus between 6:45 to 7:30 am on school days are required to sign

in at the office of the Dean of Students 9-12 before going to their lockers, classroom, or meeting with

teachers.

Procedures for Dismissal

Students who are picked up at 3:15 pm wait just outside the West Door of the 1929 Main Building.

Parents or designated drivers proceed down the main driveway and turn left at the front of the 1929 Main

Building. Drivers should form two lines of cars, one on each side of the driveway, between the 1929 Main

Building and the Kenefick Gym. Students whose drivers are on the side of the drive nearest Kenefick

Gym should cross in the designated crosswalks.

Students who have any other destination from the west end of the building must use the tunnel to cross

the driveway. This procedure applies to all students, including those who drive themselves, who meet

younger siblings at Oak Hill, or who are heading to the gym. Use of the tunnel greatly facilitates safety

and traffic flow at dismissal time.

Procedures for After-School Supervision

Students remaining in the building after 3:30 pm must report to the Portry and must be:

• Participating in a club or other scheduled activity;

• Attending an athletic practice or game; or

—Students who drive or have permission to ride home with another student driver may leave upon

dismissal of the practice or activity.

• Studying in a designated area.

—Signing in and out at the Portry is required.

If an activity is completed before 6:00 pm and the student plans to remain on campus, she must first

report to the Portry.



Students will have supervised access to the Villa Duchesne Library and its resources Monday – Friday

from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Library will remain open and students may remain in the 1929 Main

Building until 6:00 pm.

When drivers arrive to pick up students, they may call 314.432.2021 or the students’ cell phones to

announce their arrival on campus. Students will be able to leave the building through any exit. However,

all exits will be locked from the outside. Students should remain in the building until they are picked up

unless supervised by a teacher or coach. All students must be picked up by 6:00 pm.

PARENT COMMUNICATIONS

With Faculty

Teachers welcome the opportunity to speak with Parents about their 7-12 grader’s progress or to share

any concerns or information. Please telephone or email a teacher when the need arises. If the teacher is

not available by telephone, a message may be left on his/her voice mail. Teachers generally will respond

to requests or messages within 24 to 48 hours, depending on circumstances.

With Students during School Hours

Parents are asked not to call the Receptionist to deliver messages to students during the school day. This

includes arrangements for dismissal and transportation. In the case of an emergency, parents are asked to

call the Dean of Students 7-8 or the Dean of Students 9-12. Students (9-12) are not permitted to use their

cell phones during class, assembly, or liturgy; students (7-8) are not permitted to use or possess their cell

phones between 7:45 am and 3:15 pm.

When Out of Town

When Parents are to be out of town, they should notify the Dean of Students 7-8 or the Dean of Students

9-12 so that the School will know whom to contact in case of emergency.

FIELD TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

Consent for a student’s attendance on all field trips and school-sponsored activities (“School Activities”)

is given through electronic signature of Parents on the electronic “Permission for Participation in School

Activities and Field Trips Agreement” (see Electronic Signature section of this Handbook). If a student is

18 years of age or older, her electronic signature is also required. The School will send Parents specific

information about School Activities, including but not limited to any associated costs, transportation, and

chaperones in advance of each School Activity. If Parents do not want their daughter to participate in a

specific School Activity, they must contact the Principal’s Office in writing at least 48 hours in advance

of the School Activity.

Students and Parents acknowledge and agree to the following:

The School will organize School Activities to take place during the school year. The School will notify

Parents if a School Activity is required or optional for the student. Parents and student assume all

responsibility and risks related to or in any way connected with a School Activity.

Transportation

Transportation provided to/from a School Activity may include the following: school bus, VDOH van,

VDOH bus, chartered bus, parent driver, faculty or staff driver, and/or student driver. Parents agree that



the School may use any of these forms of transportation for students. For any Parent or student to drive to,

from, and during the School Activity and related activities, he or she must meet the state driving

requirements under Missouri law and carry automobile insurance with a combined single accident limit of

$300,000 or greater. Unless they opt out of driving students, or having their student drive others, for

School Activities, Parents’ electronic signature on the “Permission for Participation in School Activities”

constitutes a representation to the School that they and/or their daughter meet the state driving and

insurance requirements above.

For the safety of the students in the vehicle, the School requires that drivers refrain from using their

cellular phones and other portable electronic devices while operating the vehicle.

Chaperones

Chaperones may include any members of the School’s faculty and staff. Parents of other students may

also be present as chaperones. All chaperones are subject to change.

Meals and Lodging

During a School Activity, the School may provide meals and/or lodging for the student. If there is an

associated cost, Parents will be notified in advance and will assume responsibility for the full cost.

Parents understand that the School may assign student roommate(s) during the School Activity. Student

agrees to comply with all instructions by chaperones, including those with respect to curfews, quiet hours,

and other restrictions implemented by the School’s chaperones.

Student Behavior, Health and Safety

Student agrees to comply with all School policies, community standards (see Conduct and Discipline

section of this Handbook), rules, instructions from School chaperones, and all other instructions for

student behavior, including without limitation those set forth in this Handbook. Student’s failure to

comply may result in School taking disciplinary action consistent with the Conduct and Discipline section

of this Handbook, such other discipline as determined by the School in its discretion, and any other

discipline or consequences available under state and/or federal laws. Any such violations may be reported

to the Principal(s) and/or the appropriate authorities. The School will report any suspected illegal activity

to the proper authorities.

Parents also authorize any medical treatment in case of an emergency or medical necessity and agree that

they are responsible for the cost of such treatment.

Waiver and Release

In consideration of the School allowing Student to participate in the School Activity, Parents do for

themselves, their heirs, executors, personal representative(s), successors and assigns, release, waive,

discharge, covenant not to sue, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the School, and its chaperones,

officers, trustees, faculty, staff, representatives, employees, agents, attorneys, successors, and assigns

(“Released Parties”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs,

loss of services, expenses, and compensation arising out of, on account of, related to, or in any way

connected with the Student’s participation in a School Activity, including the Released Parties’ own

negligence.

Acceptance of this waiver does not relieve the School of its obligation to ensure reasonable supervision of

all students during the time the students are under its care.



TABLET PC

The tablet PC (“Student Computer”) is a powerful and expensive tool. To make the best and most

appropriate use of it, students should observe the following common sense rules in addition to the Policy

for Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology in this Handbook.

• Student Computers should be carried in protective cases and safeguarded by placing them

in locked lockers when not in use.

• To protect the privacy of files, passwords should never be shared.

• For physical safety, personal student information, such as address, phone number, school,

or any other identifying information, should not be posted online.

The School’s Technology Department maintains and services all Student Computers leased from the

School. Students or Parents may report problems to the Technology Department either by going to room

124 (Technology Office) in the 1929 Main Building or by emailing the support staff at

[email protected]. The School recognizes a student’s need to have a fully functioning computer;

therefore, “friendly, timely service” is the departments’ goal.

A Parent’s or student’s excessive use of Technology Department service may jeopardize this standing. If

it is determined that a) any misuse is willful or b) misuse is continued after repeated instruction, the

School will charge a fee for persistent repairs and maintenance. The School will determine the fee; the

School may base the fee on an industry standard hourly rate for technical support.

Computer Lease Agreement

Parents accept the following terms concerning the Student Computer(s) when enrolling their daughter(s)

at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School (“School” or “Lessor”). In consideration of the School’s providing

the student computers and any related peripheral equipment such as chargers and cords (“Student

Computer(s)”) and providing software and certain technical support services for the Student Computer(s),

the School and the Parent(s), as that term is defined in this Handbook and here referred to as “Lessee,”

agree as set forth in this Student Computer Lease Agreement (“Lease”).

1. The Lease shall commence on July 1, of the new school year and, provided Lessee has

successfully performed all of Lessee’s duties and obligations under the Lease, shall terminate on

June 30, at the completion of either the third or fourth year, based on a three- or four-year Lease,

whichever is applicable.

2. Lessee shall be billed the annual rental due under this Lease on the July billing statement. The

annual lease payment during the term of this Lease shall be $650 per Student Computer leased.

Lessee will have the option to purchase the Student Computer(s) at fair market value upon the

successful termination of the Lease, including Lessor’s receipt of all payments due under the

Lease term.

3. The Lessee acknowledges that Lessor is leasing the Student Computer(s) to Lessee “as is”

without warranty, other than as provided by the manufacturer. Lessor will provide certain

software and technical support services pursuant to the policies set forth in this Handbook.

4. The Student Computer(s) is/are the Lessee’s responsibility. Lessee shall, at Lessee’s expense, use,

maintain, insure, and keep the Student Computer(s) in good operating order in the manner for

which it/they was/were designed and intended. Lessee shall not make any alterations or additions

to the Student Computer(s) without Lessor’s prior written consent.

5. Should Lessee damage or lose the Student Computer(s), Lessee must pay all outstanding Lease

payments for the entire term of the Lease.

6. Lessee shall not assign or in any way dispose of all or any part of Lessee’s rights or obligations

under this Lease or enter into any sublease of all or any part of this Lease or the Student

Computer(s) without the Lessor’s prior written consent.

mailto:[email protected]



7. The Student Computer(s) is/are, and shall remain, the Lessor’s property, and Lessee shall have no

right or interest in the Student Computer(s) except as expressly set forth in the Lease and in this

Handbook.

8. If for any reason Lessee’s daughter(s) withdraws from or is no longer enrolled at Villa Duchesne

before the Lease term ends, Lessee will have the option to purchase the Student Computer(s) at

fair market value which will include all remaining Lease payments due and any applicable

residual value as determined by Lessor.

9. If for any reason Lessee’s daughter(s) withdraws from or is no longer enrolled at Villa Duchesne

before the Lease term ends and elects not to keep the Student Computer(s), Lessee must bring all

of Lessee’s student accounts current and return the Student Computer(s) to the Technology

Department within 15 days or Lessee will be billed the remaining Lease payments due.

10. If Lessee violates any of the terms set forth herein, all amounts as described above shall be

immediately due and Lessee may keep the Student Computer(s) or, at Lessor’s option, Lessee

may return the Student Computer(s), assuming both the Lessee and the Student Computer(s) meet

the criteria and conditions set forth in this agreement and all of Lessee’s student accounts are

current.

11. By entering into this Lease, Lessee approves any repairs, maintenance, and investigations by the

Lessor and Technology Department with regard to the Student Computer(s) under this Lease.

Through their electronic signature (see Electronic Signature section of this Handbook) on the Student

Computer Lease Agreement, Parents represent that they (1) have read, understood, and agree to be bound

by its terms, conditions and provisions; and (2) have reviewed and discussed the same with their

daughter(s), who agree(s) to be bound by its terms, conditions, and provisions.

SCHOOL SERVICES

Library

Library procedures have been set in place for the benefit of all students to ensure an optimal study and

research climate. The Librarian encourages a quiet atmosphere to respect the study habits of all students.

Food and drink are not allowed in the library. Standard checkout periods are two weeks for regular

materials, with renewal options. Fines are charged for overdue and lost materials. While the library is

professionally staffed Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, there is an open-door policy and an

honor system available to the students at all times.

Electronic resources available to students and faculty include a searchable online catalog, periodicals,

newspapers, wire services, and educational Internet subscriptions.

Food Service

The cafeteria is in the 1929 Main Building. Grades 7-12 tuition includes an all-inclusive lunch plan.

Students have unlimited access to a variety of hot and cold foods and beverages during lunch. Students

may also bring lunch from home.

In addition, the cafeteria offers à la carte purchases for breakfast from 6:45 to 7:45 am, during morning

break, and after-school from 3:15 to 3:30 pm. These non-lunch offerings are not part of the all-inclusive

lunch program. Students may pay using cash or their Café Card account. Vending machines accepting

cash only are available in the Large Dining Room before and after school. Absolutely no charging is

allowed.

The School limits use of common allergens in the cafeteria. In consideration of those with peanut

allergies, the cafeteria severely limits the use of peanuts and peanut products. The School, however,

cannot guarantee an environment free of peanuts or other allergens. Please contact the School to discuss

specific allergies with food service staff.



STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Counseling Program

The Counseling Program at Villa Duchesne provides services for all students to support their academic

development, personal development, and college and career planning. Components of the program

include: responsive services, individual student planning, college counseling, and assessment.

Responsive Services: A certified counselor is available for students, Parents, and faculty. The counselor

works with individuals and small groups of students with identified needs and concerns; consults with

Parents, teachers, administrators, and other helping professionals regarding student development; and

makes referrals to community resources on behalf of students. Appointments can be arranged at

convenient times by phoning or emailing the counselor.

Individual Student Planning: Academic counselors work with students and their Parents to plan,

monitor, and understand student academic growth and development. Counselors for grades 10 and 11

hold individual planning conferences for course selection for the following year. In addition, counselors

hold individual student and Parent conferences to review the student’s progress in the important

developments at her grade level. The personal and academic counselors monitor grades and seek faculty

input to identify academic concerns for individual students. They consult with applicable administrators,

teachers, and the Director of The Learning Center in developing and implementing appropriate

interventions.

College Counseling: The goal of college counseling at Villa Duchesne is to support each student in her

transition to a college that best fits her talents, needs, and interests. The college counselors work closely

with the students and their Parents in the areas of college selection, college admission testing, college

applications, college essays, scholarships, financial aid, letters of recommendation, and campus visits.

Using the Naviance technology, the college counselors maintain cumulative records on college admission

for Villa Duchesne graduates. The college counselors also meet with college admission personnel and

prepare the Villa Duchesne School Profile to communicate the solid preparation of Villa Duchesne

graduates for college admission and the successful completion of college level work.

Assessment: Counselors oversee standardized test administration, make special needs accommodations,

and analyze patterns of achievement. Juniors are strongly encouraged to take the SAT reasoning test and

the ACT during the second semester; seniors are strongly encouraged to re-take either the SAT or ACT

(depending on which test better displays their academic strengths) during their first semester.

Advisory 7-8

Groups of approximately ten students meet with their advisors regularly to engage in activities that focus

on the appropriate grade-level developmental needs. Seventh graders deal with transition to middle school

and community building, and eighth graders work on values clarification.

Teaming 7-8

At the middle school, teachers for each grade level meet regularly with the counselor for grades 7 and 8 to

discuss student progress and to strategize ways to meet individual student needs. The teams provide input

to the Student Support Team which monitors and supports student progress.



Advisory Groups 9-12 Each student in grades 9-12 is a member of a small group of students known as an Advisory Group. An

Advisory Group meets regularly throughout the school year with a faculty moderator. The purpose is to

build a small community among grade levels and to recognize individual strengths. An Advisory Group is

a forum for discussion of topics of interest. Advisory Group members remain in their group for four

years.

Chat Rooms 9-12

Each student in grades 9-12 is a member of a small group of students known as a Chat Room. This group

meets regularly throughout the school year with a faculty moderator. The purpose is to build a small

community among grade levels and to recognize individual strengths. The Chat Room is a forum for

discussion of topics of interest. The Chat Room members remain in their group for four years.

NETWORK OF SACRED HEART SCHOOLS STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

This program is available for students who choose to go on exchange at one of the other Sacred Heart

schools in the United States or throughout the world. This opportunity gives them a broader experience of

the world-wide Sacred Heart family. The exchange may take place in any approved year. Acceptance into

the exchange program depends on a 3.0 GPA for the previous semester’s marking period and upon a

combination of intellectual, emotional, and social maturity. Above all, the student must be able to profit

from and to share this experience. Further information on the program can be obtained from the Global

Education Coordinator.

Parents and students are encouraged to participate in the Network of Sacred Heart Schools Exchange

Program by offering to host students. Parents who would like to be a host family for an exchange student

should contact the Global Education Coordinator.



General Academic Program — Grades 7 - 12

CURRICULUM

Villa Duchesne’s curriculum is designed to give the students a strong academic and liberal arts

background in preparation for college. Recognizing each student’s uniqueness, the School strives to give

close attention to individual needs. The Sacred Heart educators at Villa Duchesne emphasize development

of personal responsibility for learning, self-discipline, creativity, critical thinking, and habits of

intellectual inquiry.

REQUIRED COURSE OF STUDY (GRADES 7 & 8)

English Religion

Foreign Language: Health/PE

French or Spanish Art

Mathematics Drama

Science Music

Social Studies Computing

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION (GRADES 9 - 12)

Students in grades 9-12 must earn credits in each department as listed below. All students must be

enrolled in a minimum of six courses per semester. (Participation in an athletic team may require seven

courses. Students who make up approved credits in the summer may be considered eligible for team

sports.) A one-year course counts as one credit. To receive a diploma from Villa Duchesne, a student

must maintain full-time status at Villa Duchesne during her fourth (senior) year of high school.

English 4

Fine Arts 2

Foreign Language 2 consecutive levels in High School

Mathematics 4, can include 8th grade Algebra Foundations

Health\PE 4 semesters (see PE Requirements and Options in this section)

Communications 1 semester (1 trimester for the class of 2018)

Science 3

Social Studies 3

Theology 4

Elective 1 additional Science or Social Studies

In addition, a student must fulfill her Service Learning requirement each year and grade-level retreats to

graduate.

Grades for enrichment summer work at or through the School do not count in the credits required for

graduation but will be recorded on the transcript. Students must fulfill departmental course requirements

by taking these courses at Villa Duchesne.



COURSE ENROLLMENT

Every student must enroll in at least six courses during each semester. Under special circumstances, an

off-campus college course may count as one of the six and may be taken with the permission of the

Principal; the student is responsible for ensuring that a transcript of the course is received by the

Principal. For a student with diagnosed learning differences who is working with The Learning Center,

the minimum is 2.8 course credits. A student intending to play MSHSAA sports must have earned a

minimum of 3.2 course credits the semester prior to participation and be enrolled in courses offering a

minimum of 3.2 credits during the semester of participation.

Enrollment contracts must be completed and submitted prior to student course scheduling for the next

academic year or receiving college counseling. The School reserves the right to cancel a course for which

there is insufficient enrollment.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND OPTIONS

To meet Villa Duchesne’s graduation requirement in Physical Education (“PE”), students must complete

4 semesters of PE credit. Two of those semesters are fulfilled with the required freshman Physical

Education 9 course, which is a traditional PE course. Students must complete two additional semesters

through electives, team sports, or a preapproved independent study.

All independent study must be approved in writing by the PE Department prior to course registration. All

paperwork indicating the successful completion of an independent study must be submitted to the PE

Department prior to the first exam of the semester.

Any student who drops out of a team sport before the end of a season will be required to make up any

needed credits. Playing a team sport is the equivalent of a PE elective or 0.5 credit. A student may earn

only one credit per year even if she plays all three seasons. Fall sports will be credited to first semester.

Winter and spring sports will be credited to second semester.

HONORS, ADVANCED PLACEMENT, AND 1-8-1-8 COURSES

Honors courses are those in which the students and teacher cover more difficult subject matter and study

it in greater depth than the material covered in a regular course. An Advanced Placement (AP) course is

an honors course that directly prepares students to take an Advanced Placement examination,

administered by the College Board, in that field of study. AP courses in specific areas may be taken for

college credit as part of the 1-8-1-8 Program of Saint Louis University. The details of the program are

explained in the specified courses at the beginning of the school year.

In order for a student to qualify for any of these courses, she must meet the departmental requirements for

that specific field of study. She must expect to spend at least one hour per evening on this course. Any

student who fails to keep up with the standards of an honors course will have her situation reviewed by

the teacher, her counselor, and the Principal. Honors courses will be designated as such on the student’s

permanent record. Advanced Placement courses receive additional grade point value because they are

considered college level. Honors course grades do not receive additional weight because the School

expects this level of work from our most capable students.

Typical honors and AP courses offered include AP English Literature and Composition, AP Language

and Composition, Honors English Literature, Honors Intro to the Classics, AP French V, Honors French

IV, AP Spanish V, Honors Spanish IV, AP Calculus (AB), AP Statistics, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors

Algebra II/Trigonometry, Honors Geometry, AP Computer Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP

Physics I, Honors Chemistry, AP US Government and Politics, AP European History, and AP US

History.



Depending on enrollment, all courses may not be offered each year or may not be offered as honors

courses.

The Advanced Placement Examination will be administered in May on the days assigned nationally by

the College Board. Students enrolled in AP courses usually take the AP exam. Fees will be payable in

February when Villa Duchesne places the order for exams.

COURSE CHANGES

A student may petition for a course change during the first full week of school with her counselor’s and

teacher’s consideration and approval.

By the last week of September, a student may initiate course changes by obtaining a course change form

from the Academic Registrar and following the procedure described on it. The request must be reviewed

and approved by all affected teachers, the student’s Parents, and her counselor. Decisions regarding

course changes must be completed by the first Friday in October. For semester courses starting in

January, withdrawals must be made by the end of the second week of class.

Student-initiated changes after withdrawal periods will take place only under special circumstances and

with the approval of the Principal. Please note that any changes made after the first week of October (for

year-long courses) or after the second week of class (for second semester courses) will appear on the

transcript as a withdrawal.

Teachers may recommend alternate placement of a student at any time. The teacher initiates contact with

the student and Parents; then the student, Parents, her counselor, and the Academic Registrar determine

some alternatives. If a teacher recommends that a student move to a lower level of an equivalent course,

the higher level course will drop from the transcript and the new course will replace it.

GRADING SCALE

Letter Grade Numerical Equivalent GPA Points Value

A 95-100 4.30

A- 90-94 4.00

B+ 87-89 3.60

B 84-86 3.30

B- 80-83 3.00

C+ 77-79 2.60

C 74-76 2.30

C- 70-73 2.00

D 65-69 1.70

F 64 & below 0

An additional half point (.5) will be given for AP courses in which a grade of C+ or better is earned.

GRADE REPORTS

The School will provide report cards to Parents for students in grades 7-12 at the end of each semester. A

student and her Parents can see all gradebook entries for her, along with a cumulative average throughout

the term by logging in to their respective school portal. Parents and students are encouraged to contact

teachers at any time with concerns about a student’s progress. Please refer to the Requests for Records

section in this Handbook.



HONOR ROLL

To be considered for the Academic Honor Roll, a student must enroll in seven courses during each

semester each year. Students who take two or more honors and/or Advanced Placement courses in a given

year need take only six courses to be eligible.

The honor roll consists of two tiers:

Distinguished Honor Roll: Students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 4.05 or higher and may

not have a grade below a B-.

Honor Roll: Students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.80 or higher.

Grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated to three places after the decimal point and recorded to two

places after the decimal point. The digit in the third place is used for rounding.

GRADUATION HONORS

To be eligible for graduation honors, a student must:

1. take seven courses (six if enrolled in honors courses as described above) each semester for each of

the four years of high school;

2. not have a single semester GPA below 3.30; and

3. obtain at least a 3.80 cumulative GPA for “graduation with honors” or at least a 4.05 cumulative

GPA for “graduation with distinction.”

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Semester Exams

Semester exams, if given, will count for 20 percent of the semester grade for students in grades 9-12 and

10 percent for grades 7 and 8. If a senior has an A or A- average for the second semester, it is the

teacher’s option to waive the final exam.

Making Up Incomplete Course Work

A student cannot earn credit in any class until she has made up all work according to the teacher’s

guidelines. The student, her counselor, and the teachers involved will determine timetables for completing

make-up work. Failure to meet these deadlines will have a bearing on the final grade.

Procedures for Handling Failures

If a student receives an F in a course for either or both semesters, the F is recorded on the transcript and

no credit is earned for that semester. If the course is required for graduation, the procedure for making up

the credit is determined by the classroom teacher in conjunction with the department head and the

student’s academic counselor and is approved by the Principal. If the student enrolls in a comparable

course from another school approved by Villa Duchesne, the compensation grade will be no higher than a

C for the credit and will be calculated into the GPA. The previously earned F with no credit remains on

the transcript. If a student re-enrolls in a failed course for the following school year at the School, the new

grades earned will replace the previous ones.



Academic Probation

At the sole discretion of the School, a student may be placed on academic probation when her grade falls

below 2 Ds or Fs in any course (“Academic Probation”) and future enrollment may be withheld, denied,

or suspended. She and her Parents will be notified that improvement needs to be demonstrated within a

stated period of time. Probationary plans might include assignment to a proctored study hall, limitation of

privileges, psycho-educational testing, counseling, or placement on a behavioral contract. If the student

does not meet the goals of the remediation plan, she will need to withdraw from the School.

Academic Eligibility for Student Activities

A student intending to play MSHSAA sports must have earned a minimum of 3.2 course credits the

semester prior to participation and be enrolled in courses offering a minimum of 3.2 credits during the

semester of participation. For a student with diagnosed learning differences who is working with The

Learning Center, the minimum is 2.8 course credits per semester. To run for Student Council office, a

student must have a 3.3 cumulative grade point average. She can have no grades below a C- during the

current year or have no significant disciplinary infractions while serving in a Student Council office. If a

student’s GPA falls below that which is required, the student will be required to meet with the Principal

and the teachers involved to develop a plan by which the student can devote more time to her studies or

address the underlying issues impeding her success.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

Qualifications for The Learning Center

If a student receives an educational, physical, or emotional diagnosis that affects learning, the School will

provide an appropriate and reasonable accommodation plan to maximize the student’s potential and well-

being. Before an accommodation plan can be made, the Director of The Learning Center must receive a

written copy of the evaluation and diagnosis, along with any recommendations for accommodations.

Please note that the College Board will not sanction special accommodations on the ACT or SAT unless a

student received such accommodations during the school year and documentation exists.

Entrance into the academic support system may occur in three different ways:

• Parents and students may express concerns either to a teacher involved or to the student’s personal

counselor who will forward the concerns to the Student Support Team;

• Faculty may refer students directly to the Student Support Team; or

• Parents may send diagnoses by licensed clinicians of educational, physical and/or emotional issues

that affect learning directly to the Principal.

Accommodation Plans for Students with Diagnoses

Accommodation Plans (“504 Plan”) are developed only for students with documented academic, medical,

and/or emotional issues. A 504 Plan includes the diagnosis and instructional/testing accommodations to

be implemented in the classroom. The Director of The Learning Center develops all 504 Plans.

Student Support Team 7-12

For middle school students, the Student Support Team is comprised of a school counselor, the Director of

The Learning Center, and the Dean of Students 7-8. For high school students, the Student Support Team

is comprised of a school counselor, the Director of The Learning Center, and the Dean of Students 9-12.

The counselors work with the faculty to identify students who may be in need of special academic or

emotional support. The counselors regularly monitor students’ grades while seeking input from the

appropriate Dean of Students on attendance and disciplinary records and from teachers on individual

progress. The counselors then bring concerns to the Student Support Team so that an assessment of need

can be made and an intervention plan developed.



The Learning Center

The Learning Center, which is fee-based, is available for students with average to above average potential

who need additional support and assistance in meeting the demands of the curriculum at the School. Upon

reviewing the student file and talking with teachers, parents, and/or the student, the Director of The

Learning Center determines if placement in The Learning Center is appropriate. On average, students

meet twice a week during the school day with a learning specialist for 45 minutes each session. They

learn to advocate for themselves and acquire skills that compensate for various learning differences. The

program is designed to meet the needs of the individual student. To enable the program to operate during

the school day, students in grades 10 through 12 must take no more than seven classes per semester.

Standardized Testing Accommodations

To apply for accommodations on standardized tests (ACT, AP exams, ASPIRE, or SAT reasoning and

subject tests), a student must:

• have a disability that necessitates testing accommodations;

• have documentation on file at school that supports the need for requested accommodations that is

no more than five years old for the College Board and no more than three years old for the ACT;

• have a 504 Plan currently in place; and

• have a history of official receipt of testing accommodations at school, generally for no less than

four months of a standard academic year.

Parents and students should direct their questions concerning testing accommodations to the Counseling

Department. For additional information about the approval process, please check www.collegeboard.com

or www.act.org.

Students approved to test with accommodations at the School should plan to test the first weekend of the

testing window which coincides with the national test date. Should a student need more than two days to

complete testing, any remaining test sections will be completed after school during the following week. In

the event of extenuating circumstances or conflicting school-sponsored events, students should make

alternate plans with their college counselor.

Tutorial Services at Villa Duchesne

Villa Duchesne offers several options for academic assistance. Teachers are available for consultation

after school, during extended period, lunch, and break. The Learning Center services are offered during

school hours at no additional cost. Tutoring is available on a fee-for-service model for students with

documented learning differences or who require additional support beyond that of their classroom teacher.

• The Learning Center: Consultation, group sessions, and study skills techniques are available in The

Learning Center by appointment between 7:30 am and 4 pm. Teachers, students, or Parents may

request this service.

• Private Tutoring: Experienced, subject-specific tutors are available during school hours for an

additional charge billed directly to the Parents by each tutor. Services available at an additional cost

may include: attendance at meetings per Parent request, test monitoring for extended time if it

cannot be handled in-house (the test monitor should not be a student’s tutor), the use of a reader for

exams or tests, or use of a tutor to sit with a student during class.

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://www.act.org/



Before seeking the assistance of a tutor, the student must have:

1. turned in all of her homework, and made corrections on tests and quizzes;

2. sought additional help from her classroom teacher and discussed her concerns with the teacher;

and

3. received a recommendation for outside tutoring from the classroom teacher, the department head,

and/or the Principal.

Tutoring takes place on campus in an area appropriate for tutoring before, during, or after school on days

when school is in session. Scheduling will be arranged in conjunction with The Learning Center,

student/parent, teachers, and tutors.

Cancellation policy: Tutors must be given at least six hours’ advance notice of cancellation. Attempts

will be made to reschedule. Parents may be responsible for payment if student does not show up for

tutoring.

Student Expectations: Students are asked to bring their materials to each session. Students are asked to

help increase self-awareness and to identify their learning style or difference and to be actively engaged in

the learning process to achieve tutoring goals.

Outside Tutors

Parents are free to engage off-site, outside tutors for students, However, before seeking the assistance of

these tutors, we recommend that the student seek additional help from her classroom teacher and discuss

her concerns with the teacher. If further assistance is needed, the Parents and/or student consult with the

Principal or the Director of The Learning Center regarding academic assistance.

Only employees of the School, tutors in The Learning Center, or authorized employees of the Special

School District of St. Louis County may tutor on campus, and students may not attend off-site tutoring

during school hours. This policy is to help protect all students during school hours. While the School

requires its employees and the tutors of The Learning Center to pass background checks prior to working

with students, the School cannot screen or supervise off-site, outside tutors independently hired by

Parents and will not undertake responsibilities with respect to off-site, outside tutors.

Tutoring may also be available to students through the Special School District of St. Louis County

(“SSD”), a public school district that offers supplemental instruction to students throughout the district

who qualify for their services based on educational need. Such services are provided by the SSD and its

employees, and these services are governed by the SSD’s policies regarding children attending private

schools. Parents should submit requests for these services directly to the SSD. Qualifications and extent

of special services is determined by the professional staff of the SSD. If the special education services are

provided at the School campus, Parents must submit appropriate documentation to the division principal

for approval. The School will not supervise SSD personnel while they are instructing the student or

otherwise. SSD is responsible for screening and training its own personnel. Parents should contact the

Director of The Learning Center regarding the required documentation.



Co-Curriculars and Organizations— Grades 7 - 12

The School considers co-curricular activities vitally important to student growth in terms of the Goals and

Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. For grades 9-12, athletics are under the direct supervision of the

Athletic Director and for grades 7 and 8, they are under the supervision of the Youth Sports Coordinator

(indirectly under the supervision of the Athletic Director). All other co-curricular activities are overseen

by the Dean of Students 7-8 and the Dean of Students 9-12.

SERVICE LEARNING GRADES 7 – 12

The Service Learning Program was developed to actualize Goal Three: “The Schools of the Sacred Heart

commit themselves to educate to a social awareness which impels to action.” The Villa Duchesne curriculum

helps students become more aware of social injustices and those who are marginalized. From year to year, the

school community may decide on a specific justice issue to help focus their attention and efforts.

Throughout the year, there are opportunities to raise awareness of both local and global social issues and

to act. The School allows itself to be challenged to respond to emerging situations that call for an

immediate response. There are also traditions, such as Christmas Baskets, that enable Parents and

alumnae as well as students to respond with generosity to the needs of the wider St. Louis community.

In their junior year, students complete a Social Justice semester in theology. In this course, justice issues

are studied in relation to Catholic Social teaching and there is a specific focus on developing advocacy

skills. This semester of study allows students to carry out in depth investigations of relevant issues and to

formulate action plans.

An important dimension of the Service Learning Program is direct service among people who are poor,

marginalized, and suffering from injustice. This service should help students develop a lifelong

commitment. By developing relationships with those who suffer from injustice, students should grow in

their understanding of the reciprocal nature of this service. By choosing to serve in different types of

agencies, students can discover where their gifts are best used. Therefore, the School encourages students

to try a variety of activities during their high school years.

All students in grades 7-12 are required to serve as volunteers in social service agencies approved by the

School. The numbers of required hours varies according to developmental stages. In grades 7 and 8,

students have some opportunities for service provided within the school day. However, to meet

graduation requirements, high school students are required to complete the following number of

independent service hours.

• Grades 7-8 10 hours each year

• Grades 9-11 20 hours each year

• Grade 12 40 hours/Senior Service Project

The School provides a list of approved agencies and their contact information. Students may petition the

School if they wish to serve at other agencies. Agencies will sign off on service hours and students must

submit this documentation to the Director of Service Learning to receive credit. Each year, students are

required to write several reflection papers about their service learning experience.

The Senior Service Project (40 hours)

Service Learning and curricula experiences (especially Social Justice in the junior year) coalesce in each

student’s development of her senior service project. This required activity is a 40-hour minimum time

commitment that the student plans and implements under the direction of the Director of Service

Learning. Typically, students perform this service either during Spring Break of their junior year or during the



summer before their senior year. Service may include participation in the Sprout Creek Farm program or one

of the other Network service projects. Successful completion of this project includes writing a reflective log of

the experience.

ATHLETICS 9-12

The School’s athletic program is an integral part of the curriculum of the School. It provides our students

the opportunity for physical, social and emotional growth through interscholastic competition. Athletics

play an important part in helping students develop a healthy self-concept as well as lifelong healthy

habits. The program provides a place for recognizing, nurturing, and exercising leadership. As student-

athletes, girls learn to prioritize and balance their various responsibilities. Valuing both the formative

experience of being a team member and the opportunity to excel in a competitive sport, the School strives

to provide a variety of sports for both the typical athlete and those with the ability to participate more

competitively. Our focus is on the growth of each student-athlete and how she learns to cooperate with

others for the good of the whole, accept her own gifts and limitations, and deal with experiences of both

success and failure. Regardless of ability, student-athletes will be afforded opportunities to develop skills,

commitment, perseverance, and self-discipline. Each student-athlete will be encouraged to reach her

highest potential.

To this end, the School tries to be responsive to the developmental needs of the student-athletes as well as

provide for student-athletes with different levels of athletic ability. Selection to play on Varsity or Junior

Varsity teams is based upon demonstrated ability; selection to play on a C Team is less stringent.

Selection to play at any level does not automatically mean that players will be members of a team the

following year, that they will move to the next level the following year, or that they will be given equal

playing time during games. Student-athletes, coaches and Parents are called to work together in a spirit of

sportsmanship.

The interscholastic athletic program for grades 9-12 is highly competitive but voluntary. It is a privilege

to participate on Villa Duchesne interscholastic teams. To be eligible, a student-athlete cannot be on

Academic Probation, must pass all courses in the semester preceding the sports season, and must adhere

to all School rules, requirements, and policies, including but not limited to the School community

standards (see Conduct and Discipline section of this Handbook) and the School Athletic Code of

Conduct set forth below. On game day, student-athletes must be in school before the first class period

ends to be eligible to participate in the game. Student-athletes who make up approved credits in the

summer may be considered eligible to participate in team sports. In addition, she must live by the Athletic

Code of Conduct in this Handbook. See Conduct and Discipline section of this Handbook for further

reference.

Fall sports: Cross country

Golf—varsity and junior varsity

Field hockey—varsity, junior varsity, and C Team

Tennis—varsity, junior varsity, and C team

Volleyball—varsity, junior varsity, and C team

Winter sport: Basketball—varsity and junior varsity

Swimming and Diving—varsity and junior varsity

Spring sports: Lacrosse—varsity and junior varsity

Soccer—varsity and junior varsity

Track and field

Student-athletes are able to join the Varsity Club, a service organization. The qualifications include

athletic participation as a player or manager, a minimum GPA of 2.30, and contributions to the School by

volunteering at school events.



Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA)

It is difficult for some who are not acquainted with the philosophy of secondary school activities to

understand why some of the rules are adopted. This is true particularly of the regulations concerning

eligibility of players, the limiting of out-of-school practice, organizations for charity or other fund raising

purposes, and restrictions placed upon member schools in the promotion and sponsorship of bowls and

all-star games. School membership in an organization such as the MSHSAA is in itself insufficient and

incomplete as a means of helping students to achieve the most worthwhile objectives of activities. It is the

specific responsibility of each School, through its administrators, sponsors, and coaches to help students

to understand what these objectives are and to provide for these students the appropriate learning

experiences to achieve them.

The Metro Women’s Athletic Association League (MWAA)

The School is a member of the MWAA League. This is the School’s conference affiliation in Saint Louis.

MWAA was founded in 1988 for the purpose of promoting and sustaining sportsmanship values and

quality athletic experiences for female athletes attending private, independent schools in the metropolitan

St. Louis area. Members include:

Barat Academy

Cor Jesu Academy

Incarnate Word Academy

Nerinx Hall High School

St. Joseph’s Academy

Ursuline Academy

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School

Visitation Academy

Whitfield School

Athletic Transportation Policy

Transportation may be provided for athletic contests at area schools. Student-athletes are required to use

the transportation provided to the contest, and each coach will determine if the student-athlete may ride

home with a Parent. When transportation is not provided, the student-athletes must drive DIRECTLY to

each contest/event.

The School policy regarding transportation to and from athletic events and practice for team members

includes:

• Juniors and seniors may drive and take passenger(s), as long as the Parents of both driver and

passenger have completed appropriate permission forms and drivers are within the confines of the

Missouri Graduated Driver License restrictions. These restrictions include:

- During the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger

who is under 19 years old and who is not a member of the immediate family.

- After the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers

who are under 19 years old and who are not members of the immediate family.

• Freshmen and sophomores may drive themselves, but are not allowed to drive others.

• It is recommended, when possible, that Parents provide transportation to any team members as

opposed to relying on student drivers.

• Permission slips must be turned in for the year, prior to students being allowed to ride with other

students or drive themselves. This is in addition to the MSHSAA form, since that form only states

permission for “my child to drive her vehicle” when school transportation is not included.

• All drivers must meet the state driving requirements under Missouri Law and carry automobile

insurance with a combined single accident limit of $300,000 or greater.

• For the safety of the students in the vehicle, the School requires that drivers refrain from using their

cellular phones and other portable electronic devices while operating the vehicle.



National Anthem

School coaches and student-athletes are expected to stand quietly with their hand over their hearts during

the National Anthem in a respectful manner.

Eligibility Standards

Representing the School on an athletic team requires a student-athlete to meet all eligibility standards of

the Missouri State High School Activities Association and those of the School. For complete rules and

regulations, see the MSHSAA Handbook.

Academics

A student in grades 9-12 must be currently enrolled in and regularly attending courses that offer a

minimum of 3.2 units of credit or have earned credit in 80% of the maximum classes in which a student

can be enrolled in the semester, whichever is greater, the preceding semester of attendance. Up to one

credit can be earned during summer school. This credit must be a credit that fulfills a graduation

requirement and such credit can only be applied to the fall semester of eligibility. (see chart below)

MSHSAA Academic Requirements

Academic Schedules

Effective beginning Fall of 2009-2010 School Year: Credits Earned (from Spring 2009) must equal 3.0 or 80%, whichever is greater)

Six-period day (.5 each) Must pass 6 of 6 (3.0)

Seven-period day (.5 each) Must pass 6 of 7 (3.0)

Eight-Block schedule (.5 each) Must pass 7 of 8 (3.5)

Four-Block schedule (1.0 each) Must pass 4 of 4 (4.0)

Four-Block schedule (1.0 each) Must pass 8 of 10 (4.0)

Good Citizenship

Student-athletes who represent the School in interscholastic activities must be creditable citizens both in

and out of school. Creditable citizens shall be defined as students who are not involved with violations of

rules stated in the Student-Parent Handbook, the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, and/or the MSHSAA

Handbook. By-Law 212 states

“Law Enforcement: A student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law

enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be

eligible until all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded and any penalty (i.e. jail time,

fine, court costs, etc.) or special condition of probation (i.e. restitution, community service, counseling,

etc.) has been satisfied. If law enforcement authorities determine that charges will not be filed, eligibility

will be contingent upon local school policies. Minor moving traffic offenses shall not affect eligibility,

unless they involve drugs, alcohol, accidents, or injuries. After a student has completed all court

appearances and penalties, and has satisfied all special conditions of probation and remains under general

probation only, local school authorities shall determine eligibility.”

http://www.mshsaa.org/



MSHSAA Non-School Competition

A student-athlete may compete in organized non-school sponsored athletic competition under the

following conditions:

• She may neither practice nor compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual

participant in organized non-school competition in the same sport during the same season. The only

exceptions to this rule are the sport of swimming, where a student-athlete may practice with an

outside swim team during the high school swim season, and golf and tennis, where a student-athlete

may participate in two non-school competitive events during the school sport season under certain

conditions specified in the by-laws.

• Definition of school sports season – a school sports season shall be defined as the period beginning

with the dates of the School’s first practice with any part of a sports squad held on a school day and

ending with the School’s last contest, including district and state tournament contest, in that sport.

• Definition of organized non-school competition – athletic competition shall be considered

“organized” if any of the following conditions exists: competition is scheduled and publicized in

advance, official score is kept, individual or team standings are maintained, official timer or game

officials are used, admission is charged, teams are regularly formed or team rosters predetermined,

squad members are dressed in team uniforms or a team is privately or commercially sponsored, or

competition is sponsored, promoted, or administered by an individual, organization, or any other

agency.

• A student who joins a school sports squad for the first time must have abided by these restrictions

beginning with the first day of the current season of the sport concerned.

• She may practice or compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in

organized non-school competition in a different sport than the school sport in season under the

following conditions: no school time is missed to compete, practice for, or travel to the site of such

non-school competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator and

the student shall not practice for, or compete in, the non-school competition on the same date she

practices or competes for the school team without approval of the school administrator.

Transfers

Anytime there is a transfer of schools without corresponding change in the Parents’ residence the rules

can be complicated. A student will become ineligible for 365 days if she transfers to another school for

athletic reasons. Please check with the Athletic Director before transferring.

Physical Exams/ Insurance/ Parental Permission/Concussion Education Requirements

Each student participating in athletics must have a physician’s certification stating that she is physically

able to participate in interscholastic activities uploaded to Magnus Health. The medical form is valid for

one year from the date of certification and is mandatory each new school year. A physical for the

following year’s eligibility must be dated after February 1 of the current year to be valid. Each student

shall have verification that she had basic health insurance coverage.

Any student-athlete who submits a form with a Parent’s or doctor’s signature which is not authentic will

forfeit her privilege to participate in interscholastic activities at the School for the remainder of the season

for which the student-athlete was preparing to participate.

One Parent of each student-athlete is required to view the National Federation of State High School

Associations video on concussions each school year and complete documentation.

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http://nfhslearn.com/



Conditioning Standards

Each team must have 14 days of conditioning practice and each individual must have participated in 14

school conditioning practices on 14 different days prior to the date of the first interscholastic contest in all

sports. Try-outs are considered conditioning days.

Heat Guidelines

The School follows MSHSAA heat guidelines pertaining to athletic activity when the heat index is over

95 degrees. The MSHSAA advises that:

• For daytime athletic contests, the School check the National Weather Service report at 1:00 pm on

the day before the contest, as well as one hour before the scheduled start of the contest.

• For evening athletic contests, the School check the National Weather Service report three hours

before the scheduled start of the contest.

• If the heat index is stated between 95 and 105 degrees, both schools may implement plans to alter

game conditions.

• If the heat index is stated over 105 degrees, both schools may implement plans to postpone or

reschedule the athletic contest.

The School may consider the following procedures for practice sessions when a dangerous heat index

level is indicated:

• Possible cancellation of all practices.

• Shorter practice time.

• Early morning or late evening practice.

• Move outside practice sessions indoors.

While the above policy originates from the MSHSAA, the School applies this policy to both MWAA and

Catholic Youth Council events.

School Attendance Policy

It is important that our student-athletes realize that academics are important, and student-athletes may not

miss school due to athletics without approval from the Athletic Director. All student-athletes who play on

an athletic team must meet the full scholastic requirements for participation. They must be in regular full

day attendance on game days unless:

• The contest is in another city and it is necessary that the student be absent.

• The contest is scheduled on a day when school is not in session.

• The Athletic Director and Villa Duchesne Principal gives approval.

A full day of school is defined as being in school before the first class period ends until the team is

dismissed early or the school day ends, typically 3:15 pm. The sponsor or coach is responsible for making

sure all those who will represent the School have been in attendance the full day. Student-athletes who

have been unable to schedule dentist or doctor appointments on another day may be excused from this

policy as long as they provide the Athletic Director with a written doctor’s note.



Policies Regarding Attendance at Try-Outs, Practices, and Contests

Attendance at practices and contests is mandatory. Each practice is carefully planned, and if a student-

athlete were to miss, she may not receive coaching required for the season. In order to have a fair and

impartial tryout process, student-athletes must attend all try-out sessions. Missing a try-out day, even for

an excused absence, may affect team placement and keep a student-athlete from being named to the team.

In addition, MSHSAA rule require 14 practice days prior to playing in a contest for every sport. Team

members must never miss a practice or contest without notifying the coach prior to the start of the day’s

practice or contest. Student-athletes are expected to contact their coach in the event of illness; it is

important to give the coach as much advance notice as possible. If a student-athlete is injured, she should

still attend practices and contests in order not to miss important coaching and information shared.

Excused absences will be determined by the coach. Examples of excused absences would include illness,

family funeral, and college visits. College visits are to be communicated with the coach prior to the

season and efforts should always be made to have visits not interfere with school contests. Additional

exceptions for absences for other reasons will be determined by the individual coach and the Athletic

Director. It is important that the student-athletes playing basketball are in town during Christmas break

due to scheduled basketball tournaments. Non-mandatory practices are also held during Spring Break for

those student-athletes in town.

Injuries

During a season unfortunately injuries occur. Most of those injuries are not serious in nature but a few

student-athletes may suffer serious injury. Strict adherence to the rules of the sports, proper training

techniques, physical conditioning as taught to coaches can often prevent injuries.

When an injury does occur, it should be reported immediately to the coach and the athletic trainer.

Coaches are asked to communicate any and all injuries to the Athletic Director. It is important to follow

the athletic trainer’s instructions on the care and rehabilitation of injuries. If Parents prefer the family

physician to care for the student-athlete, the athletic trainer must be kept informed so that proper support

is available for the student-athlete. The athletic trainer must be informed of any pre-existing conditions,

which could influence conditioning, training, and care of the student-athlete.

Injured student-athletes are expected to attend practices and games unless excused by the coach for the

purpose of rehabilitation only.

Catastrophe Medical Plan

The School participates in a catastrophe medical plan, which provides coverage for student-athletes who

participate in athletics under the jurisdiction of the MSHSAA. There is no cost for this program for the

student-athletes participating in athletics. Any questions concerning the nature of the policy should be

directed to the Athletic Director.

Auditions and Try-Outs for Non-School Teams or Colleges

Student-athletes may participate in a college try-out, audition, or evaluation for a specific sport outside of

the school season of the sport concerned.

Student-athletes may not miss school time to travel or participate in the event unless the absence is

approved in writing in advance by the Villa Duchesne Principal and Athletic Director.

Student-athletes may not miss a MSHSAA-sponsored postseason athletic event to participate in or travel

to and from the event. See the Athletic Director before agreeing to attend any such events.



All-Star Games

A student-athlete may not compete in an all-star game or contest before she completes her eligibility in

each high school sport. Participating in an all-star game or contest before ending high school eligibility

will result in a student-athlete becoming ineligible to participate in any high school sport.

A senior with no high school eligibility remaining for a specific sport may participate in one all-star game

for that sport during the school year. A student-athlete must see the Athletic Director before agreeing to

play.

Sports Camps, Clinics, and Instructional Programs

Student-athletes shall not attend a summer specialized sports camps involving a fall season in the nine

consecutive days prior to the first official day of fall sports. This is considered the MSHSAA Fall “Dead

Period.”

Student-athletes may attend a non-school sponsored specialized sports camp(s), clinic(s), or group

instruction during the school year provided that it does not result in the loss of any school time;

attendance does not occur within seven days of the start of the school sport season for the sport

concerned; it is not a team camp; and no member of the coaching staff of the School is involved in any

way. Private instruction by outside instructors is permitted at any time of the year.

Before attending any specialized athletic camp(s), clinic(s) or group instruction sessions, a student-athlete

should consult the Athletic Director to make sure it meets the criteria published in the MSHSAA Official

Handbook.

“Dead Period” and 20 Contact Days

MSHSAA By-Law 1.5 requires a mandatory “dead period” for all MSHSAA sports and activities. The

dead period shall last nine consecutive days, set individually by each member school, and is reported to

MSHSAA no later than April 1 for posting on the MSHSAA website.

Each sport is allowed 20 contact days in the summer between the school coach and athletes. Each sport

can have different 20 days recorded by the Athletic Director.

Varsity Club

The Varsity Club is for freshmen through seniors who have compiled enough activities and sports each

year to be a member. The purpose of the club is to promote school service, promote school spirit, and

encourage school leadership. Some of the activities Varsity Club students are encouraged to be actively

involved in include: Saints Start-up Sunday and Family Picnic; Bonne Chance Auction; Christmas

Baskets; and Field Day. Students also receive team credit by playing or serving as a manager on one of

the many school sports teams. This club is sponsored by the Dean of Students 9-12.

Freshmen can join the Varsity Club in September of their freshman year and be officially initiated at the

“Varsity Club Initiation” in May.

Listed below are the required numbers of activities/sports to qualify for the Varsity Club on an annual

basis.

Freshmen

Possible Combination of Activities to Qualify:

• One Sport and 10 Activities

• Two Sports and 5 Activities

• Three Sports and 3 Activities

Upperclassmen

Possible Combination of Activities to Qualify:

• One Sport and 5 Activities

• Two Sports and 3 Activities

• Three Sports and 2 Activities





Parental Concerns

The Coach will conduct a mandatory Parent-athlete pre-season meeting. At such meeting general

policies will be highlighted. Coaches will meet with Parents and student-athletes to review specific team

expectations. Winter and spring coaches will have Parent meetings prior to their seasons.

A Parent may, from time to time, have questions concerning their daughter. The ideal situation would be

to resolve such issues at the player-coach level. If that is not satisfactory, a Parent can always request a

meeting with a coach. It is advisable that the student-athlete also be present. If a Parent wants to involve

the Athletic Director; that can be arranged, but it is preferred that the Parents, student-athlete, and coach

meet first.

All efforts should be made to wait 24 hours after a contest to schedule a meeting that involves an issue

related to a particular game. Parents should not call coaches in the evening but should wait to call during

normal business hours. It is never appropriate to discuss concerns immediately following a contest.

It is not appropriate to request a meeting that attacks a coach’s integrity, knowledge of the game, or

game decisions. All meetings should be positive and focused on the best interest of student-athletes.

SCHOOL ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT

“The heart of education is the education of the heart.” - St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

It is important that the student-athletes and Parents are familiar with the guidelines shared. Being a Villa

Duchesne athlete is a year-round commitment and these guidelines apply in and out of season.

Team Rules and Guidelines

1. All student-athletes must comply with all School policies (athletic and otherwise) and all

MSHSAA policies.

2. All student-athletes must have the required medical form uploaded to Magnus Health and a

transportation permission slip on file with the Athletic Department. This School Code of

Conduct must be signed and on file with the Athletic Department

3. If playing a non-School sport or on a non-School team (“Outside Sport”) during a School sports

season, student-athletes must have a Two-Sport Form on file with the Athletic Department.

Student-athletes are not allowed to miss a scheduled school practice or athletic contest for the

Outside Sport.

4. Practices and contests are mandatory. Any student-athlete who misses practice in whole or part

will compensate for missed practice time. Team members should schedule appointments

(doctor, dental, etc.) around both practice and contest times.

5. Any student-athlete who misses part of the school day, for any reason, needs to have it approved

by the Dean of Students 9-12 in advance of the missed school time.

6. Missing school for an Outside Sport that occurs when the student-athlete is not playing a Villa

Duchesne sport should be approved by the Athletic Director, as required by MSHSAA. The

appropriate coach needs to be notified ahead of time of any anticipated missed school time

during a season. This includes college visits.

https://secure.magnushealthportal.com/ss/339115/login



7. Missing any part of a school day, unless excused by the Athletic Director, will make a student-

athlete ineligible for that day’s athletic contest. Student-athletes are also expected to arrive to

School on time the day following an athletic contest. If a student-athlete is absent due to illness,

she is not allowed to attend the practice or contest on that day.

8. Tardiness to practices, games, or bus departures is not tolerated.

9. An injury is not an excuse to miss practices or games. Injured student-athletes must

communicate with their coaches prior to practice about necessary treatment and attend practices

before and/or after receiving treatment.

10. At the discretion of the Principal, Head of School, or Athletic Director, any student-athlete

placed on Academic Probation or who fails a course could be dismissed from the team.

11. Hazing of any type is not tolerated and is subject to disciplinary action as set forth in the

Conduct and Discipline section of this Handbook, such other discipline as determined by the

School in its discretion, and any other discipline or consequences available under state and/or

federal laws. Any such violation may be reported to the Principal and/or the appropriate

authorities. The School will report any suspected illegal activity to the proper authorities.

12. Behavior in all areas of the School is important. Any student-athlete exhibiting misbehavior at

the School or within the community may be subject to suspension or dismissal from the team. It

is a privilege, not a right, to participate on one of the School’s athletic teams. A detention during

a season will result in missing the contest scheduled that day or the next scheduled contest.

All detentions will be served after school according to the detention schedule set by the Dean of

Students. A student-athlete receiving a detention will immediately schedule a time to serve her detention

with the Dean of Students. All detentions must be served within one week of the notification. If the

student-athlete is involved in an extracurricular activity, she must communicate that she earned the

detention and when she will serve the detention to the coach, sponsor, director, or teacher. After serving

the detention, the student will immediately attend any extracurricular activity that is still in progress that

day.

Missing quizzes and tests should be made up before attending practice or a playing in a game

Contest and Practice Conduct

1. Team members will follow dress regulations set by the coaching staff.

2. School athletes will always exhibit appropriate and respectable behavior.

3. School athletes will act in a sportsmanlike behavior, which includes appropriate behavior

towards the officials, opponents, and opposing coaches and fans. Team members will always

thank the officials/umpires after a contest.

4. Transportation to School athletic contests will be determined by the Athletic Director in

consultation with the Principal and School coaches. If buses/vans are scheduled, all student-

athletes are required to ride the bus or van to the contest. It is up to the individual coach whether

the student-athlete may go home with a parent. Student-athletes are not allowed to leave a

contest with anyone except an approved Parent.

5. Coaches and student-athletes are expected to leave the gyms, team benches, locker rooms,

buses, etc. cleaned up after practices or contests at home or at other venues.



Guidelines for Parents

The best way a Parent can support School athletics is to allow the coaches to coach, the officials to

officiate, and to be there to support his/her daughter. We encourage students to talk to coaches about any

concerns. Coaches are always willing to talk with a student about areas needing improvement. If a

student has met with a coach but her parent still wants to talk with the coach, it should be done during

regular office hours. Parents and coaches should communicate in person or through email. Parents

should not contact coaches on their personal cell phones.

Sportsmanlike behavior is expected from all School fans. It is inappropriate to yell at the officials or to

engage in any inappropriate dialogue with opposing fans. We want the officials and visiting fans to

enjoy coming to the School for athletic contests due to our hospitality and good sportsmanship.

Facebook, Twitter, and Other Social Networking Websites

School student-athletes shall refrain from posting photographs on any of the social networking websites

that would include behavior unbecoming and in violation of the expectations listed in the Policy for

Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology and the Personal Responsibilities sections of this Handbook.

Training Guidelines and Expectations

The School coaching staff believes that student-athletes who are selected for the privilege of

membership on a team should conduct themselves as responsible representatives of the school and

community year-round. The conduct listed below is prohibited.

• Smoking or possession of smoking paraphernalia

• Possession or use of illegal substances, including drugs and alcohol

• Distribution of Inappropriate Electronic Content via Electronic Communications or the physical

distribution of inappropriate pictures, regardless of whether the student-athlete is in season or out

of season. Use of obscene, vulgar, or inappropriate language inconsistent with the goals and

policies of the School

• Use of illegal steroids

Consequences for Violations of Training Guidelines and Expectations

If a student-athlete engages in conduct prohibited by School training guidelines and expectations or any

other conduct the School deems to be a violation of the School training guidelines and expectations, the

School coaches and Athletic Director, in consultation with the Principal, will determine the seriousness

of any violation. Appropriate consequences will follow their determination. If a student-athlete commits

a serious violation of School training guidelines and expectations, the School will administer the

following consequences:

• FIRST OFFENSE:

Missing 20 percent of the current season’s contests or 20 percent of the contests in the next season

that the student-athlete participates. (The student-athlete will serve her suspension in a sport she

has played in the past.) The student-athlete may also be required to attend an educational session

with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

• SECOND OFFENSE COMMITTED AT ANY TIME IN THE FOUR YEARS OF HIGH

SCHOOL:

No athletic participation for one calendar year from infraction.



A PARENT’S GUIDE TO CONCUSSION

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC)

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury which results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. A

concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull, typically

from a blow to the head or body. An athlete does not need to lose consciousness (be “knocked-out”) to

suffer a concussion, and in fact, less than ten percent of concussed athletes suffer loss of consciousness.

Concussion Facts

• A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. The result is a more obvious functional problem

than a clear structural injury, causing it to be invisible to standard medical imagining (CT and

MRI scans).

• It is estimated that over 140,000 high school athletes across the United States suffer a concussion

each year. (Data from NFHS Injury Surveillance System)

• Concussions occur most frequently in football, but boys’ ice hockey, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ soccer,

girls’ lacrosse and girls’ basketball follow closely behind. All athletes are at risk.

• A concussion may cause multiple symptoms. Many symptoms appear immediately after the

injury, while others may develop over the next several days or weeks. The symptoms may be

subtle and are often difficult to fully recognize.

• Concussions can cause symptoms which interfere with school, work, and social life.

• Concussion symptoms may last from a few days to several months.

• An athlete should not return to sports or physical activity like physical education or working-out

while still having symptoms from a concussion. To do so puts them at risk for prolonging

symptoms and further injury.

What should I do if I think my child has had a concussion?

If an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, he or she must be immediately removed from that

activity. Continuing to play or work out when experiencing concussion symptoms can lead to worsening

of symptoms, increased risk for further injury and possibly death. Parents and coaches are not expected

to be able to make the diagnosis of a concussion. A medical professional trained in the diagnosis and

management of concussions will determine the diagnosis. However, you must be aware of the signs and

symptoms of a concussion. If you are suspicious your child has suffered a concussion, he or she must

stop activity right away and be evaluated.

When in doubt, sit them out!

All student-athletes who sustain a concussion need to be evaluated by a health care professional who is experienced in concussion management. You should call your child’s physician and explain what has happened and follow your physician’s instructions. If your child is vomiting, has a severe headache, is having difficulty staying awake or answering simple questions, he or she should be immediately taken to the emergency department.



What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?

SIGNS OBSERVED BY PARENTS,

FRIENDS, TEACHERS OR COACHES

Appears dazed or stunned

Is confused about what to do

Forgets plays

Is unsure of game, score, or opponent

Moves clumsily

Answers questions slowly

Loses consciousness

Shows behavior or personality changes

Can’t recall events prior to hit

Can’t recall events after hit

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY

ATHLETE

Headache

Nausea

Balance problems or dizziness

Double or fuzzy vision

Sensitivity to light or noise

Feeling sluggish

Feeling foggy or groggy

Concentration or memory problems

Confusion

When can an athlete return to play following a concussion?

After suffering a concussion, no athlete should return to play or practice on that same day. Previously,

athletes were allowed to return to play if their symptoms resolved within 15 minutes of the injury. Studies

have shown that the young brain does not recover quickly enough for an athlete to safely return to activity

in such a short time.

Concerns over athletes returning to play too quickly have led state lawmakers in almost all states to pass

laws stating that no player shall return to play that day following a concussion, and the athlete must be

cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional before he or she is allowed to return to play in games or

practices. The laws typically also mandate that players, parents, and coaches receive education on the

dangers and recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussion.

Once an athlete no longer has symptoms of a concussion and is cleared for return to play, he or she should

proceed with activity in a step-wise fashion to allow the brain to re-adjust to exertion. On average, the

athlete will complete a new step each day. An example of a typical return-to-play schedule is shown

below:

Day 1: Light exercise, including walking or riding an exercise bike. No weight-lifting.

Day 2: Running in the gym or on the field. No helmet or other equipment.

Day 3: Non-contact training drills in full equipment. Weight-training can begin.

Day 4: Full contact practice or training.

Day 5: Game play.

If symptoms occur at any step, the athlete should cease activity and be re-evaluated by

their health care provider.



How can a concussion affect schoolwork?

Following a concussion, many student-athletes will have difficulty in school. These problems may last

from days to months and often involve difficulties with short- and long-term memory, concentration and

organization.

In many cases after the injury, it is best to decrease the athlete’s class load early in the recovery phase.

This may include staying home from school for a few days, followed by academic accommodations (such

as a reduced class schedule), until the athlete has fully recovered. Decreasing the stress on the brain and

not allowing the athlete to push through symptoms will shorten the recovery time.

What can I do?

• Both you and your child should learn to recognize the “Signs and Symptoms” of concussion as listed in this Handbook.

• Teach your child to tell the coaching staff if he or she experiences such symptoms. • Emphasize to administrators, coaches, teachers and other parents your concerns and expectations

about concussion and safe play. • Teach your child to tell the coaching staff if he or she suspects that a teammate has suffered a

concussion. • Ask teachers to monitor any decrease in grades or changes in behavior that could indicate a

concussion. • Report concussions that occurred during the school year to appropriate school staff. This will

help in monitoring injured athletes as they move to the next season’s sports.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it so important that athletes not return to play until they have completely recovered from a

concussion?

Student-athletes that return to any activity too soon (school work, social activity or sports activity), can

cause the recovery time to take longer. They also risk recurrent, cumulative or even catastrophic

consequences, if they suffer another concussion. Such risk and difficulties are prevented if each athlete is

allowed time to recover from his or her concussion and the return-to-play decisions are carefully and

individually made. No athlete should return to sport or other at-risk activity when signs or symptoms of

concussion are present and recovery is ongoing.

Is a “CAT scan” or MRI needed to diagnose a concussion?

Diagnostic testing, which includes CT (“CAT”) and MRI scans, are rarely needed following a concussion.

While these are helpful in identifying life-threatening head and brain injuries (skull fractures, bleeding or

swelling), they are currently insensitive to concussive injuries and do not aid in the diagnosis of

concussion. Concussion diagnosis is based upon the athlete’s story of the injury and a health care

provider’s physical examination and testing.

What is the best treatment to help my child recover quickly from a concussion?

The best treatment for a concussion is rest. There are no medications that can help speed the recovery.

Exposure to loud noises, bright lights, computers, video games, television and phones (including text

messaging) may worsen the symptoms of a concussion. You should allow your child to rest as much as

possible in the days following a concussion. As the symptoms lessen, you can allow increased use of

computers, phone, video games, etc., but the access must be lessened or eliminated, if symptoms worsen.



How long do the symptoms of a concussion usually last?

The symptoms of a concussion will usually go away within 2–3 weeks of the initial injury. You should

anticipate that your child will likely be out full participation in sports for about 3-4 weeks following a

concussion. However, in some cases symptoms may last for many more weeks or even several months.

Symptoms such as headache, memory problems, poor concentration, difficulty sleeping, and mood

changes can interfere with school, work, and social interactions. The potential for such long-term

symptoms indicates the need for careful management of all concussions.

How many concussions can an athlete have before he or she should stop playing sports?

There is no “magic number” of concussions that determine when an athlete should give up playing

contact or collision sports. The circumstances that surround each individual injury, such as how the injury

occurred and the duration of symptoms following the concussion, are very important and must be

individually considered when assessing an athlete’s risk for and potential long-term consequences from

incurring further and potentially more serious concussions. The decision to “retire” from sports is a

decision best reached after a complete evaluation by your child’s primary care provider and consultation

with a physician or neuropsychologist who specializes in treating sports concussions.

I’ve read recently that concussions may cause long-term brain damage in professional football

players. Is this a risk for high school athletes who have had a concussion?

The issue of “chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)” in former professional players has received a

great deal of media attention lately. Very little is known about what may be causing these dramatic

abnormalities in the brains of these unfortunate players. At this time we do not know the long-term effects

of concussions (or even the frequent sub-concussive impacts) which happen during high school athletics.

In light of this, it is important to carefully manage every concussion and all concussion-like signs and

symptoms on an individual basis.

Some of this information has been adapted from the CDC’s “Heads Up: Concussion in High School

Sports” materials by the NFHS’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. Please visit the Center for

Disease Control for more information.

DISCLAIMER – NFHS Position Statements and Guidelines

The NFHS regularly distributes position statements and guidelines to promote public awareness of certain health and safety-related issues. Such information is neither exhaustive nor necessarily applicable to all circumstances or individuals, and is no substitute for consultation with appropriate health-care professionals. Statutes, codes or environmental conditions may be relevant. NFHS position statements or guidelines should be considered in conjunction with other pertinent materials when taking action or planning care. The NFHS reserves the right to rescind or modify any such document at any time.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/Coaches_Tool_Kit.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/Coaches_Tool_Kit.htm



PERFORMING ARTS 9-12

Theatre: Theatrical productions at Villa Duchesne engage students enrolled in the theatre courses,

students interested in the technical aspects of theatre, and students who audition for parts in the musical

and the winter play. The fall musical is a joint effort between the Director of the Show Choir and the

Theatre Director. Students who perform in this production typically have been members of the Show

Choir and have reached levels of performance that enable them to sing and act in both the serious and

light-weight sides of musical theatre. The winter play is typically a drama. For both the fall and winter

plays, students from other area schools join in the productions. Villa Duchesne students produce and

direct an evening of one-act plays each winter.

Show Choir: The high school Show Choir is a performing ensemble consisting of students enrolled in

Chorus I or Chorus II. Students are admitted through singing and dancing auditions. In addition to class

attendance, students are required to perform at school and community functions as well as participate in

festivals and competitions

The following policies apply to all performing arts groups, including the theatre and the show choir:

• Attendance at rehearsals and performances is mandatory. Each practice is carefully planned, and if

a performer were to miss, she may not receive the appropriate instruction to perform her part. This

has a detrimental effect on the whole cast or choir.

• Excused absences will be determined by the Director and the Performing Arts Department Chair.

Examples of excused absences include illness, family funeral, and college visits. College visits

should be communicated with the Director prior to the beginning of rehearsals and efforts should

always be made to avoid visits during school performances. Additional exceptions for absences for

other reasons will be determined by the Director and the Performing Arts Department Chair.

Rehearsals may be held over school breaks for those performers in town, but are not mandatory.

• Those students participating in school productions should schedule appointments (doctor, dental,

etc.) around both practice and performance times. When this is not possible, the student should

notify the Director as soon as possible.

• Any performer who misses part of the school day, for any reason, needs to have it approved by the

Dean of Students in advance of the missed school time.

• Missing any part of a school day, unless excused by the Director/Head of the Performing Arts

Department will make a student ineligible for that day’s performance. Students are also expected to

arrive at School on time the day following a performance. If a student misses a day of school due to

illness, she is not allowed to participate in the practice or performance on that day. Except in the

case of serious illness or excused absences, students who are late or miss more than three rehearsals

will be dismissed from the production.

• Tardiness to rehearsals or performances is not tolerated. All detentions will be served after school

according to detention schedule set by the Dean of Students. Students receiving a detention will

immediately schedule a time to serve their detention with the Dean of Students. All detentions

must be served within one week of the notification. If the student is involved in an extracurricular

activity, the student must communicate they earned the detention and when they will be serving the

detention to the Director and/or Department Head of Performing Arts. After serving the detention

the student will immediately attend any extracurricular activity that is still in progress that day.

• Missing quizzes and tests should be made up before attending rehearsals or performances.

• To be eligible to participate in theatrical performances, a student cannot be on Academic Probation,

must pass all courses in the semester preceding the production, and adhere to all School rules,

requirements, and policies, including but not limited to the School community standards (see

Conduct and Discipline section of this Handbook).

• Students are expected to leave the auditorium or practice rooms clean and tidy after each practice.

• Students will act in an appropriate manner towards any outside Director or accompanist.



Any student exhibiting misbehavior at the School or within the community may be subject to suspension

or dismissal from a cast or choir. It is a privilege not a right to participate in one of the School’s

performances

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS 9-12

Clubs and organizations meet during regularly scheduled activity periods as well as outside of school

hours. So that the needs and interests of today’s students may be met, the School encourages and supports

the development of new clubs and activities that are in keeping with our mission.

Standing Organizations:

By election and fulfillment of good citizenship and grade point requirements:

Student Council

By selection criteria:

National Honor Society

Membership in the National Honor Society is determined by the following criteria

(all considered equally important):

• scholarship (a 3.80 cumulative grade point average by the end of the

sophomore or junior years),

• character,

• leadership, and

• service.

A student must also submit a required essay and a summary of her leadership and extra-

curricular activities.

For specific information about all school organizations, visit Student Life at www.vdoh.org.

ACTIVITIES 7-8

Acting Company

Activity Period Clubs

Middle School Show Choir

Speech Team

Sports—basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track, and volleyball

Student Council




General Student Information — Grades 7 - 12

UNIFORMS

The school uniform is for the benefit of students. Students exhibit school pride and solidarity among

classmates when wearing the uniform. Their focus can be more on their learning rather than how they or

anyone else might be dressed.

Students are required to be in complete uniform from the first day of school until the final day of the

school year. All uniform items must be purchased from Just Me Apparel unless otherwise noted. The

winter uniform options may be worn year round as needed. All girls are required to wear the maroon

cardigan for special occasions.

Any clean, gently-worn uniform apparel that families no longer need may be donated to La Boutique

year-round.

Exclusive Uniform Provider: Just Me Apparel, 232 Old Sulphur Springs Road, Manchester 63012

636.391.3551; www.justmeapparel.com

Uniforms, Required: Skirt. Students in grades 7-8 wear the plaid skirt with original pleats.

Students in grades 9-12* wear the plaid kilt. The skirt/kilt is designed to be

worn at the waist. Please order a size which will allow the skirt to be zipped at

all times. The skirt must be no shorter than 1" above the knee.

Shirt. Gray short- or long-sleeve polo. All shirts must be embroidered with

our school seal which must be visible at all times. Please note that when students are in uniform, they must wear a school shirt

whether or not they are wearing outerwear. T-shirts are not considered school

uniform. Undergarments should not be visible through uniform shirts.

Cardigan. Maroon v-neck with school seal.

Socks. All white, any height (any store). Students in grades 9-12 may wear

gray knee socks (Just Me exclusive)

Uniforms, Optional: Outerwear. Gray fleece pullover with school seal

Winter Shirt. All white turtleneck. Plain white turtlenecks are permitted only

when worn under the cardigan or fleece with school seal.

Leg coverings. Tights or ankle-length leggings. All black with no logos (any

store)

Uniforms, PE: Gym Shorts. Black with school seal

Gym Shirt. White with student’s last name on back

Mouth guards are also required for grades 7–9. Mouth guards may be

purchased at any retail store.

Uniform Shoes: A tan Sperry shoe or gray athletic shoe with closed toe and heel.

*Students in the Class of 2018 may continue to wear their original plaid skirt and white polo shirt with

school logo through graduation.

http://www.justmeapparel.com/



Out-of-Uniform Days

During the year students are allowed to wear clothes other than their uniforms to school as indicated on

the school calendar. Students must wear appropriate footwear.

Dress Down Days: Students may wear casual clothes such as shorts of an appropriate length and jeans.

Dress Occasion Days: Students wear dresses with straps or sleeves, skirts of an appropriate length or

dress pants. Jeans may not be worn.

Spirit Days: To promote spirit and pride within the student body, the tenth of each month, when falling

on a regularly scheduled school day, will be designated a Spirit Day. On these days, students are

permitted to wear any Villa Duchesne shirt or sweatshirt. However, if the tenth of the month falls on a

day when there is a Liturgy or other formal school event, students are to wear regulation uniform shirts

and outerwear.

NOTE: The following items are unacceptable attire at school: cut-offs, pajama pants, torn clothing,

slippers, slip dresses, halter tops, tube tops, boxer shorts or any apparel that promotes drugs, alcohol,

tobacco, or other non-mission appropriate messages. Leggings, yoga pants, tights, or the like are

acceptable only when worn with a top that is no more than 3 inches above the knee.

Uniform Violations

A student is considered out of uniform if:

• she is not wearing the required clothing as listed above,

• her shirt is not tucked in,

• her skirt is not fully zipped,

• her skirt is rolled,

• her clothing is in need of laundering or repair, or

• if any pieces of the uniform do not fit.

The School will apply appropriate disciplinary measures as listed under the Conduct and Discipline

section of this Handbook or as the School deems appropriate. Repeated uniform violations as listed above

will initiate Parent contact from the School stating which uniform pieces need to be replaced within a

given time period.

At Villa Duchesne, we are forming students to assume significant leadership roles in their adult lives, and

we expect students to cultivate the personal appearance of future leaders. Visible tattoos, excessive body

piercing, and alternative hair colors and styles are not allowed at School. Any faculty member, staff

member, or administrator may address a student’s appearance if it is considered inappropriate, disruptive,

or distracting within the school environment. The information will be communicated to the appropriate

Dean of Students.

ATTENDANCE

Presence at school and in class is an essential basis for gaining an education at the School. Attendance

policies are meant to recognize the importance and sanctity of both learning (Goal Two) and of each

student’s contribution to the school community (Goal Four).

Reasons for absences range from those that cannot be prevented (e.g., acute appendicitis), to those

recognized as reasonable by the School (e.g., sacramental occasions for the family), to those entirely

under the control of the student and/or family (e.g., extension of school holidays). In the case of lateness

or early dismissal, similar considerations apply. The appropriate Dean of Students and faculty of Villa

Duchesne monitor attendance so that patterns of absenteeism can be addressed before a student’s

education is severely affected.



The School requests that Parents honor their student’s commitment to the whole school program by

expecting her attendance at school functions that are a part of the out-of-class curriculum. These functions

include all liturgies, Service Learning, Senior Seminar, Christmas Basket Mass, and Prize Day. The

School records student attendance for all calendar days designated for student presence.

Daily Expectations

The School expects students to be present and ready at the beginning of each scheduled event during the

school day. For example, for assembly, students need to be in their designated seats with books put away

and cell phones turned off. The warning bell that rings five minutes prior to the next activity is a signal to

all to move promptly.

When a student will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early from school, parents are asked to notify the

School by preferably emailing [email protected] or phoning the attendance line at

314.810.3544.

Commonly occurring situations and how to handle them are:

• Being unexpectedly absent: Parents email [email protected] or call the attendance line

before 8:30 am to explain the absence.

• Arriving late to school: Parents email [email protected] or call the attendance line before

8:30 am with an explanation or send an explanatory note with the student. The attendance keeper

will determine whether the lateness is excused or unexcused. In either case, the student enters her

time of arrival in the sign-in book in the Dean of Students office on the ground floor and obtains an

admit slip to class.

• Leaving school during school hours: Parents either email [email protected] or send their

daughter with an explanatory note. The student will receive an excuse slip (yellow slip) to show her

teacher in order to leave at the designated time. She then signs out in the Dean of Students office on

the ground floor at the time of departure. If returning that same day, she will sign back in. The same

sign-out procedure applies if the student is leaving because of illness. It is imperative, for safety

considerations, that students sign in and out.

• Being absent for an extended illness: Parents contact the office of the Dean of Students 7-8 or the

Dean of Students 9-12 to make arrangements concerning work missed during the absence.

• Being off campus with privileges: Student and Parent must each sign the privilege form. Then,

students with privileges must sign out and in with the Dean of Students 9-12 when they leave or

come to school during their free times. Students who are off-campus the first period of the day must

sign in when they arrive.

• Going to the School Nurse: From class, the student will request a Nurse’s Office slip (blue) from

her teacher and sign out in the Dean of Students office on the ground floor. On return, she will sign

in at the same office and take her blue slip, signed and dated in the Nurse’s Office, to her appointed

place. From any place other than class, the student will request a blue slip from her division office

and sign out and in as above. Students may not directly call Parents from a cell phone or otherwise

and directly leave campus without following this safety-focused policy.

• Staying late after class or seeing a faculty or staff person: The student will request an admit slip

(green slip) from that person to take to the next activity.

• Needing to go to her car: Students will not have access to their cars during the school day.

• Being unable to participate in Physical Education class: If a student needs to be excused from

participation for a week or more, she must bring a statement from her doctor saying why she cannot

participate and for how long. For less than a week, the student may bring a note from her Parents

with the same information. In either case, the student reports to class, dresses in PE uniform unless

the injury prohibits this, and stays there for the entire period.







A student must attend school for the entire day in order to be eligible to participate in any after-school or

evening activities such as athletics, drama, dances, etc. If circumstances are beyond her control, a student

may petition the Principal for an exception to this policy.

Service Learning, Senior Seminar, Kairos, and Class-Level Retreat Expectations

Completion of these programs is required for graduation. A student who is absent for a session must

contact the Dean of Students 9-12 to arrange for make-up work.

Anticipated Absences

Parents should email the Dean of Students 7-8 or the Dean of Students 9-12 at least one week in advance

of an anticipated absence. The student is responsible for contacting her teachers in advance to know what

she will be missing in each class and how she is expected to learn the missed material and make up the

missed assignments. When the absence is the Parent’s choice (such as an extended vacation), the School

does not expect or require the faculty to provide tutorial assistance.

Retreats: Students will not be penalized in classes or co-curriculars for being on a required school retreat.

Teachers will allow students two class days from the day on which an assignment was made during the

retreat to complete the work. If a test is scheduled during the retreat, the student has two class days

following the retreat to prepare for the test. Retreats are required. If a student is absent, she should contact

the Campus Ministry Office to make up the day.

College Visits: The School sanctions two days for college visits during the second semester of a student’s

junior year and three days for college visits any time during the senior year up until an enrollment deposit

has been paid.

Field Trips: Students who miss school for a field trip or other school-related reasons should inform their

teachers in advance and are responsible for making up any work missed.

Excessive Absences

Five or more days per quarter: The appropriate Dean of Students or designee will contact the student

and Parents to investigate the reasons for the absences and to determine how attendance can be improved.

Partial absences will add to the whole day total.

Five or more meetings of any one class per quarter: The teacher will notify the academic counselor to

review the student’s attendance record. The teacher and the academic counselor will determine with the

student and her Parents whether a plan for make-up work or a modification to the student’s schedule is in

order. Further monitoring for the next quarter will determine if the problem is corrected.

Consequences of Excessive Absences

Students may not be absent more than seven school days during a semester. Parents will receive a

communication from the Dean of Students after their daughter reaches the equivalent of five days absent.

For example, two half day absences will be considered as one full day. All withdrawals during the day

and late arrivals will be considered as half day absences. Except as a consequence of prolonged illness or

hospitalization, there will be disciplinary action for continued disregard of the attendance policy,

including, but not limited to, imposing a probationary period for the remainder of the semester and the

following semester during which her attendance and behavior must meet designated levels for her to

continue at Villa Duchesne the following year. Attendance will also be taken into account for inclusion on

the honor roll and selection into the National Honor Society. A prolonged illness is an illness in which a

medical doctor determines it is medically necessary that the student not attend school for a period of 5 or

more days.



Class attendance and participation is important and if a student has more than five absences per semester

in a particular class, the student will enter a probationary semester during which her attendance and

behavior must meet designated levels in order for her to receive full credit for the course. If a student’s

attendance continues to be problematic, her grade in that class may be reduced. This will be done at the

discretion of the School as determined by the teacher and principal. Exceptions include prolonged illness

or hospitalization. The School also may impose a probationary period for the remainder of the semester

and the following semester during which her attendance and behavior must meet designated levels in

order for her to continue at Villa Duchesne the following year.

School sponsored events such as Service Learning, retreats and excursions are part of the overall

curriculum. Absences on these days are counted in the same way as any other day. Appointments with

doctors and dentists should, where possible, be scheduled during holidays or outside school hours. Unlike

school sponsored events, days away for Outside Sports or non-school sporting events are considered

absences.

Violations of the Attendance Policy

Tardiness: Tardiness consists of being no more than 15 minutes late to an activity. Unexcused lateness to

school or class results in a warning or detention. Because of the disruptive nature of late entry to events

that have already begun, the consequences for chronic tardiness will accelerate. In order to earn or retain

their privileges, juniors and seniors may have no more than six tardies per quarter. Students with on-

campus driving privileges may lose them for a period of time.

Skipping Attendance at Required Activities: Skipping a required activity constitutes being on campus

and not attending the function or being more than 15 minutes late for it without an appropriate excuse.

Consequences for skipping an activity begin at the level of a detention.

Skipping School: Being off-campus without permission or at a location other than stated is considered

skipping school. Consequences begin at the level of an all-day detention.

Please Note: The School does not sanction a Senior Skip Day or any other “skip day.”

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The campus, buildings, furniture, and equipment provided by the School are designed and maintained to

support the educational program and enhance the environment for convenient and aesthetically pleasing

functionality. As members of the school community, students are expected to play their personal and

collective roles in that purpose. At all times and in all locations, they are expected to clean up after

themselves and to be responsible for their own belongings.

Dining Areas

The areas designated for eating are: the Large Dining Room, Small Dining Room, Senior Room, the

porch to the Back Bowl, the picnic tables, the Kenefick Gym balcony, and the fountain area on the west

side of the 1929 Main Building. Food and beverages are permitted in these spaces only. To ensure order

in the dining room, students are expected to dispose of their own trash, etc., at the end of their lunch

period. Except for water, eating or drinking in any other area of the School is by permission only and

under direct supervision.



Signs and Posters

Students or adults who wish to put signs or posters in common areas in the 1929 Main Building,

especially ground floor hallways and rooms, must show them to the Dean of Students 9-12 for

permission, guidelines, and dates for posting and removal. Signs and posters may only appear on bulletin

boards, not attached to woodwork or painted surfaces.

Parking and Driving

Appropriately licensed students in good standing are permitted to drive to school daily. Passes must be

placed in the lower left-hand corner of the front windshield, facing out. Students are expected to drive

responsibly while on campus (obey speed limits, park only in designated areas, respect pedestrians, etc.).

Failure to act responsibly while driving can result in the loss of one’s on-campus driving privileges.

Failure to arrive at school on time may also result in loss of on-campus driving privileges.

Consequences for illegal parking: A student is parked illegally if she parks at School without a parking

pass, parks in a fire lane, or parks in an area not designated for her. For a first offense, she receives a

detention; for a second offense, loss of driving privileges for five school days. If the student is issued a

ticket by the Facilities Manager or a police officer, she receives a detention and loss of driving privileges

for five school days. Consequences for third and subsequent offense will be determined by the Villa

Duchesne Principal.

Offices

Students may be in an administrative, faculty, or staff office only when invited and not without an adult

present without express permission. Students are asked to remain in student-designated areas before and

after school, unless an appointment has been requested. Students may use phones in faculty offices only

with permission.

Lockers

Lockers are assigned to each student for use during the year. These are checked by the School

periodically for order. Lockers remain property of the School and may be checked by the School at any

time for any reason. No illegal, improper, or unauthorized materials may be kept in lockers. Students may

not write on their lockers, either inside or outside. Students who want to lock their lockers must use a

school-issued lock available from the Dean of Students. The School is not responsible for personal items.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Meeting Deadlines

Students are expected to hand in papers, projects, permission slips, forms, payments, library books, etc.

on or before the specified date and time.

Gym/Duffel Bags

Gym/duffel bags must be stored in gym lockers or in designated areas on the lower level of the Kenefick

Gym Building.

Valuables

As a general rule, valuables and large sums of money should never be brought to School. Should it be

necessary for a student to bring money to School for an after-school activity, it should be given to the

counselor or the Dean of Students 9-12 for safekeeping in a sealed envelope with the amount and

signature across the seal after that student and adult have counted it together.



STUDENT STATUS REGULATIONS

Pregnancy

We promote the value and dignity of human life, as expressed by the Catholic Church. Villa Duchesne, as

a Catholic educational community, believes that the entire academic community as well as the family

must aid and support the pregnant student, offering every feasible means to assure the continuation of her

pregnancy to full term.

Each case of student pregnancy represents a unique situation which requires specific consideration and

action. Therefore, after consultation with the student and her parents, the decision as to the method of

continuing her education will rest with the School. While a possible option may be the continued

attendance of classes at Villa Duchesne through part of the pregnancy, the student may also be offered the

alternative of completing her requirements elsewhere or possibly online for course credit and graduation

from Villa Duchesne.

Marriage

The vocation of a young person attending Villa Duchesne is that of a student. If a student chooses to

change that vocation to marriage, the School has the authority to re-evaluate the student’s enrollment

status.

Student Residence

A student is expected to live with Parents while she attends Villa Duchesne.

Communicable Diseases

Villa Duchesne will follow the recommended policies and procedures on communicable disease

established by the Missouri Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Missouri Department of Health, and the

Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The gospel values of care, compassion, and justice will be the guiding principles in any situation

involving serious illness. Therefore, when it becomes known to the School that a student is diagnosed as

having a communicable disease (including HIV, ARC, AIDS, Hepatitis C, Ebola, or others) the School

will consult with the student’s Parents and physician to determine whether or not the student is to remain

in the regular classroom and what special needs must be met. The rights and care of the infected student

as well as the welfare of the total school community will be taken into consideration.



Conduct and Discipline — Grades 7 – 12

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

All we do at Villa Duchesne is based upon the Sacred Heart goals. The School is committed to educate to:

• a personal and active faith in God

• a deep respect for intellectual values

• a social awareness which impels to action

• the building of community as a Christian value; and

• personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

All of the following policies and procedures related to expected student behaviors seek to shape young

women who:

• embody the Sacred Heart goals

• demonstrate community standards of:

º courtesy,

º respect,

º gratitude,

º helpfulness,

º honesty, and

º responsibility,

• and, will be prepared to take their places in colleges and universities as responsible, capable, and

independent young women.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

“A loving community of learners who develop the spirit and skills needed to transform the world” is the

guiding principle of learning at Villa Duchesne. A community motivated toward that goal is based on

members who are enthusiastic, curious, committed to persevering through intellectual challenge, and

supportive of each other’s efforts. Such a community grows in an environment of honesty and trust.

Academic dishonesty creates attitudes of cynicism toward truth and of mental laziness. It distorts the

evaluation process and places value on grades instead of learning. At the School, all members of the

community of learners are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity.

To further cultivate a climate of honesty, trust, and academic integrity, Villa Duchesne students voted to

adopt an Honor Code.

At the beginning of the academic year, students pledge to follow this Honor Code:

In the spirit of the Goals and Criteria, I promise to uphold my personal integrity and to

promote responsibility and trust in our community. I will not lie, cheat, or steal. I will do my

best to promote honor at Villa Duchesne.

Students and Sacred Heart educators will work to educate students about issues in academic integrity and

to promote a culture of trust and honor in the community. The Honor Code flows out of the spirit of the

Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools, which call upon students to exercise “wise freedom” in their

school lives, and to build community through respect and trust. Involving students in the process of

promoting honorable behavior in our community will give them greater opportunities for personal growth

while increasing the fairness of the disciplinary process.



Plagiarism: Under no circumstances should the student present the ideas, interpretations, statistics,

words, or structure of another person as her own. As students work with sources of information about

their topics in each grade level and in each course, the teacher of each discipline helps students learn

appropriate documentation. Through such hands-on learning, students build their skills in incorporating

and documenting borrowed material from sources. Overall, the basic definition of plagiarism states that

using another person’s (or group’s) exact words, ideas, research, and/or findings without full and correct

documentation is theft; the Villa Duchesne school community will not tolerate such academic dishonesty.

This stricture applies fully to any material accessed electronically, through the Internet or other students’

files.

Testing: No student should give or receive help on any test or discuss the content of any test with a

student in another section of the same course or with a student who must make up the test. A student may

bring only materials specified by the teacher into the testing environment.

Homework and Assignments: Each student is responsible for completing her own work as she follows

the directions of each teacher’s assignment. She should not give or receive assistance on homework or

other assignments unless the teacher has given the class permission to do so. In general, each teacher will

explain acceptable collaboration or “working together.” In some cases, teachers may encourage students

to work together in preparation for an assignment. Students should do their own written work. The

teacher’s policy concerning proofreading and correcting the assignment before it is turned in will apply.

The guiding question for appropriate collaboration is “Am I developing a fuller understanding of this

material that I can demonstrate and use on my own?”

Consequences: Minor offenses will typically be handled by the faculty member, while more serious

offenses will be referred to the Principal. Significant consequences, such as a day-long detention or

suspension, must be approved by the Head of School.

SPRING BREAK TRIPS

In recent years, some seniors and their families have elected to travel together to a resort in Mexico, the

Dominican Republic, or other Caribbean nations, a trip commonly referred to as the “Senior Trip.” It is

the School’s understanding that while on these trips students take advantage of the lower drinking age in

these nations to engage in binge drinking and other behavior which is in opposition to the values of the

School and its educational mission. Furthermore, these resorts present numerous safety concerns,

including inadequate emergency and medical resources and reports of illegal drug use and other threats to

student safety and security. In addition to these health and safety concerns, the expense of the Senior Trip

makes it very difficult for many students and/or their families to take part. For these reasons, the School

strongly encourages students not to participate in the Senior Trip and Parents not to permit students to

take part in the Senior Trip.



PRIVILEGES 11-12

One of the goals of Sacred Heart education is to lead students to the realization that their choices have

direct consequences and affect others. Students have the ability to set a tone and spirit for the entire

school through their leadership and example. It is with these thoughts in mind that students in grades 11

and 12 are able to earn certain privileges. Privileges provide further opportunity for mature decision

making by giving the students freedom to evaluate the quality of their presence at School and their

contribution to school activities and functions. As students grow in maturity and in their ability to make

wise choices, greater freedom is given and, hence, more privileges.

Senior Privileges: Beginning the Tuesday following Labor Day, seniors in good standing who have

completed and submitted the electronic Senior/Junior Privileges Agreement form and whose Parents have

completed and submitted the electronic Senior/Junior Privileges Agreement form are allowed to be off

campus during their free class periods and lunch time, except as noted below.

Junior Privileges: Beginning the first Monday after the Feast of Mater, October 20, juniors in good

standing who have completed and submitted the electronic Senior/Junior Privileges Agreement form and

whose Parents have completed and submitted the electronic Senior/Junior Privileges Agreement form are

allowed to be off campus when their free periods are the last period of the day, except as noted below.

Juniors and seniors must be on campus for specific events such as assemblies, class meetings, liturgies,

activities, etc. If a teacher wants to see a student during her free time, the student must remain on campus

for the conference or event. The School may also require students to be on campus all day for special

occasions. Students must always sign out in the Office of the Dean of Students 9-12 just before leaving.

Student privileges are awarded at the end of each quarter and are earned by demonstrating maturity in the

community standards stated above.

Evidence of this maturity is quantified by the following:

• “C” average or better in all classes

• No more than 6 tardies per quarter

• No more than 2 detentions per quarter

During any given quarter, a student may lose her privileges for the remainder of the quarter if her

behavior warrants it. The Dean of Students 9-12 will address any student’s ineligibility for privileges. If

loss of privileges is due to grades, the School will oversee a plan developed in conjunction with the

student and teachers involved to remediate the situation. If due to tardiness or detentions, the Dean of

Students 9-12 will develop a plan in conjunction with the student and her Parents to remediate the

situation.

Revocation of Privileges

If a teacher, administrator, or member of the staff feels that a student is abusing her privilege, she/he

speaks to the Dean of Students. After a first warning the teacher, administrator, or member of the staff

may ask the Dean of Students to revoke the student’s privilege for the following reasons:

• Academic deficiency or repeated failure to do assigned work

• Lack of responsibility

• Failure to follow school rules

Students must petition for reinstatement of privileges. The form is available from the Dean of Students.



DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM

In all matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of this School and its students, teachers and other

employees shall maintain discipline in the School (including School grounds owned or leased by the

Board of Trustees and used for school purposes and activities) and off-campus school-sponsored

activities. Teachers and other designated employees shall stand in the relation of parents and guardians to

the students at this School. This relationship shall extend to all activities connected to the school program,

including all athletic and extracurricular programs and may be exercised at any time for the safety and

supervision of the students in the absence of their Parents. The School supports all laws of the state and if

the School has reasonable belief or suspicion of any criminal activity, it will be reported to authorities.

It is the right and responsibility of the School to determine and administer consequences for disciplinary

infractions. The standard consequences for violation of school policies, rules and regulations are:

• warning,

• detention,

• full-day detention,

• off-campus suspension,

• disciplinary probation, and

• expulsion.

Administration of these and other appropriate consequences is at the sole discretion of the School.

A student will be emailed and her Parents notified when she receives a detention.

Violations involving technology usage may result in the loss of access to the technology available through

the School in addition to other disciplinary measures. Please refer to the Policy for the Ethical and

Responsible Use of Technology section of this Handbook.

Student-athletes who violate rules may also be subject to additional athletic penalties. Penalties increase

with the severity of an offense or with frequent and/or repeated offenses. Student-athletes must be

familiar with the policies related to athletic standards in the Athletics section of this Handbook.

A student who commits an extremely serious offense or a student who shows an inability to conform to

the standards of behavior required of a student of the School will be subject to consequences and may be

required to withdraw from the School.

The School reserves the right to dismiss any student for any reason that, in the sole discretion of the

School, is the basis for a determination that continued enrollment of the student is no longer in the best

interest of the student or the School. Please refer to the Tuition and Fee Payment Policies section of this

Handbook.



CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS

Detention

A student is notified, usually on Monday, if she has received a detention. For detention she remains at

School on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon for 45 minutes. During this time the student may not do

homework.

Anyone arriving fewer than five minutes late is allowed into the room but must come the following week

for another detention.

Anyone who misses her detention or arrives five or more minutes late will have her detention doubled and

will serve 90 minutes on an agreeable date within two weeks.

Full-Day Detention

In a full-day detention the student spends a day or more in a private designated space where specific work

will be completed. Tests and quizzes missed because of the detention are made up after school on the day

of the detention. Students or Parents may request homework assignments to complete during the

detention.

Suspension

Suspension is administered for serious offenses or a repeated failure to observe important school

regulations as determined by the School. In the case of a suspension, the appropriate Dean of Students

always notifies parents of the behavioral infraction and the terms of the suspension.

During suspension, the student may not attend class or participate in any athletic or co-curricular

activities. She may submit homework due on the days of suspension either online or by delivery to

School. Tests and quizzes may be made up outside of school hours by appointment with the appropriate

Dean of Students.

Please note: Most colleges and universities, at multiple points in the admission process, ask if a student

has ever been suspended. College Counselors report any incidents in a factual manner to appropriate

college admission officers. Students need to be prepared to address any incidents in the admission

process.

Disciplinary Probation

A student may be placed on disciplinary probation if her conduct warrants such a measure. After a

conference with the student’s Parents, the Principal, and the Dean of Students, a student growth contract

is drawn up. It must be adhered to for the time specified. Failure to comply with the terms of the student

growth contract may result in dismissal from the School. While on disciplinary probation, School will put

on hold, for a period of time to be determined by the School, any application or contract for enrollment

the following year.



SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS

Offenses listed here as well as those in the previous Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology,

Violence, and Alcohol and Drugs sections are considered sufficiently serious that compensatory

disciplinary measures beyond those described already may be instituted.

Internet Abuse

Whether on or off campus, students continue to be members of the school community. Student use of the

Internet and Electronic Communications that disrupts the learning environment, violates the School’s

community standards, constitutes Inappropriate Electronic Content or brings shame to the school

community or its members will be considered actionable offenses by the School. “Cyberbullying” is a

vicious form of verbal harassment that violates moral principles. The offenses listed under Serious

Violations of Community Standards in this Handbook—stealing, lying, vandalism, obscenity, bigotry,

violence, and any other forms of unprincipled behavior—have their electronic counterparts that are

equally against school standards.

Stealing

A community can exist only if there is respect and trust among its members. Honesty is highly valued by

the School community.

Stealing is a violation of the rights of others; no student may use, take, or borrow any property that

belongs to another without permission. Neither may students knowingly receive or possess stolen

property given to them by others.

Lying

Lying is a violation of trust; students are expected to be true to their word on all occasions and to be

honest in their dealings with others. Neither lying nor stealing can be tolerated. Consequences will be

determined by the School.

Vandalism and Pranks

Care of school property is another mark of respect. Vandalism or the defacing of school property is

contrary to a sense of community responsibility. A student who deliberately damages or defaces school

property will be required to make restitution by working for the School and/or paying for the damages.

Students are not to tamper or be destructive with computers and other hardware.

The School will determine the amount of restitution and notify the student’s Parents. In severe cases, it is

possible that further action will be taken, as determined in the sole discretion of the School.

Pranks, no matter how innocently begun, often degenerate into vandalism. The School does not permit

pranks, senior or otherwise. Violation of this policy is considered a serious offense, and will result in

serious consequences, as determined in the sole discretion of the School.

Offensive Language/Obscenity

The use of vulgarity and profanity is considered a sign of disrespect. This also includes viewing,

downloading, sending, storing, or printing files or messages containing Inappropriate Electronic Content.

Any Inappropriate Electronic Content or written or spoken profane or other offensive language or

behavior will be treated as serious, and consequences will be administered, as determined in the sole

discretion of the School.



Bigotry

The School commits itself to work against racism and sexism. Any forms of bigotry or prejudice are

considered detrimental to the life of the school community and, therefore, will be treated as serious

offenses, and consequences will be administered, as determined in the sole discretion of the School.

Dangerous Items

Matches, lighters, fireworks, knives, firearms, and other potentially dangerous and/or dangerous items

should not be brought on campus. The mere possession of such items warrants severe disciplinary action,

as determined in the sole discretion of the School.

Smoking

The School is a smoke-free campus for students. Through the curriculum, assemblies, and other

programs, students are made aware of the dangers of smoking. Students may not possess tobacco products

or e-cigarettes on campus at any time. A student who smokes tobacco or an e-cigarette on campus

receives a minimum of a full-day detention.

No person may smoke inside any building on the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School campus or on the

campus during school hours.

USE OF BREATHALYZERS AT SCHOOL OR AT SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS

The School is committed to the promotion of healthful living and to the safety and well-being of its

students. In keeping with this commitment, the School believes that the use of breathalyzers during

school-sponsored events, on or off school grounds, is an acceptable deterrent to the use of alcohol by

underage drinkers. Use of breathalyzers shall be guided by this policy.

The School retains the right to use a breathalyzer test to determine if a student is under the influence. In

the sole discretion of the School, a school employee or his/her designee may: administer breathalyzer tests

at school-sponsored dances, both on or off school grounds, to students and their guests in order to provide

a safe and healthy environment for the students, staff and community and administer breathalyzer tests to

students attending shows, athletic events, and other similar school-sponsored events, whether on or off

campus.

A breathalyzer test may be administered in the following manner at the sole discretion of the School

designee in charge of the event:

1. a School employee or designee will test every student upon entering the school event and/or when

the students leave the event;

2. a School employee or designee will test students randomly upon entering the school event; and/or,

3. a School employee or designee may decide to test only upon reasonable suspicion that a particular

student or students was/were under the influence of alcohol.

For purposes of this policy, indications of reasonable suspicion of alcohol consumption may include, but

are not limited to, such characteristics as alcohol odor, slurred speech, vomiting, unsteady gait, lack of

coordination, presence of an alcohol container, bloodshot or glazed eyes, marked change in personal

behavior, a report by a third party of a student’s consumption of alcohol or other similar information, or

behavior that is risky, aggressive, or disruptive.

The School employee or his/her designee in charge of the event and any other school personnel who will

participate or assist in the breathalyzer tests will be knowledgeable in the proper use of available



breathalyzers. Breathalyzers should be properly calibrated and maintained in accordance with accepted

manufacturer standards.

Any student who tests positive after the first breathalyzer test will be given a second test after 10 minutes

on a different breathalyzer in the presence of a second school employee or his/her designee. If a student

tests positive for a second time, his/her parents or guardians will be called to pick up the student from the

school-sponsored event. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to transport herself/himself

from the event. No refunds of event admission fees will be provided to these students or their guests.

Additional disciplinary action may follow which may include referral to an alcohol/substance abuse

counseling program, detention, suspension, expulsion, and/or other disciplinary consequences as outlined

in school policies.

Should the student refuse to take a breathalyzer test, it will be deemed that the suspicion of the School

employee or his/her designee is confirmed and the student will face consequences as outlined in School

policies, including the previous paragraph.



General Information — JK3 - Grade 6

CAMPUS HOURS AND PROCEDURES

Office Hours (Oak Hill)

7:30 am to 3:30 pm—Monday through Friday, during the school year

7:30 am to 3:30 pm—Monday through Thursday, during the summer

The Oak Hill Office can be reached during these hours at 314.810.3434.

School Hours

All levels begin promptly at 7:55 am, except on Late-Start Tuesdays when they begin at 9 am. Junior

kindergarten dismisses at noon except for those enrolled in the optional Full Day program. Kindergarten

through sixth grade dismiss at 3:15 pm. In the event of a “snow schedule,” before-care supervision will

begin 30 minutes prior to the published start of classes. In the event of an early dismissal from school,

such as due to inclement weather, for the safety of our students and staff, please plan to pick up your

child(ren) from their regular dismissal site within 30 minutes of the early dismissal. Acorn Club is not

available on these early dismissal days.

Arrival Time

• The Oak Hill campus is open to JK3-grade 6 students beginning at 7 am each school day,

including Late-Start Tuesdays. There is no supervision provided for students before 7:00

am and students are not to be on campus.

• Supervision is provided from 7:00 to 7:45 am for students at the Duchesne Building on all

days except Tuesdays. On Late-Start Tuesdays, supervision is provided in the Activities

Building on the Lower Campus from 7:00 to 8:55 am.

• Students are escorted to their classrooms at 7:45 am; on Late-Start Tuesdays, 8:55 am. For

safety reasons, students may not enter any classroom before these times unless requested to

do so by a teacher.

• The school day begins promptly at 7:55 am; on Late-Start Tuesdays, 9 am. Students who

are not in their classrooms by these times must report to the Oak Hill Office.

Drop Off Locations

On all days except Late-Start Tuesdays, Oak Hill students should be dropped off at the Duchesne

Building until 7:30 am. After 7:30 am students in grades 3-6 may be dropped off at the lower campus for

morning recess. On Late-Start Tuesdays, all students should be dropped off at the Activities Building on

the Lower Campus between 7:00 and 8:55 am. No students should be dropped off at the West Door.

Dismissal Safety Guidelines

The following procedures are for the protection and safety of every student and are strictly enforced.

Oak Hill students are dismissed by their carpools from either the Duchesne Building or the Busch

Gymnasium as requested by the parent/carpool driver. Students are not to go to their cars before the

beginning of dismissal. Oak Hill students who carpool with Villa Duchesne students must be picked up at

either the Duchesne Building or the Busch Gymnasium.



All cars picking up Oak Hill students must have a carpool name card displayed in the front windshield

where it is easily viewed. Please keep the name card displayed until the students are in the car. Parents

may not park and walk in to pick-up a student during dismissal nor may a student walk up to the 1929

Main Building unless escorted by an upper school student.

Written permission from a Parent is required for a student to be dismissed to anyone other than the

designated carpool driver.

Healthy Snacks

The School recognizes the importance in the overall growth and development of its students to have

access to healthy foods. The School also knows that good health fosters student learning. During snack

time students are encouraged to bring a healthy/nutritious snack from home. Suggested healthy snack

items include: fresh fruit and vegetables, pretzels, dried fruits, graham crackers, baked potato chips, and

water. Oak Hill maintains a peanut-aware environment and urges that snacks be peanut free.

Allergies

Several students and faculty members at Oak Hill have severe, life-threatening allergies to nuts and other

allergens, most importantly peanuts and peanut butter. Touching these items, as well as ingesting, may

provoke a life-threatening reaction. For the safety and well-being of all involved, we ask that students do

not bring peanut butter or food containing nuts. All classrooms are designated as “allergy aware

classrooms” with signs posted on the doors. The School cannot, however, guarantee an environment free

of allergens.

Treats

It is the responsibility of the Parents and person(s) providing treats to ensure that they are allergen-free.

Treats brought to School to celebrate a birthday should be pre-cut into individual portions. (Please do not

send gum, blowpops, etc.) Birthday treats are to be brought in for a student’s homeroom only. Treat

days should be arranged in advance with the homeroom teacher. This is to avoid duplication of treats on

days when goûter is provided for students or when more than one student in a class has the same birthday.

Gifts

Students may not exchange gifts or invitations with an individual or only part of a class at any time of

the year during the school day or on campus. Gifts or prizes that are received at a home party for only part

of the class should not be brought to school or worn at school.

Lost And Found

All clothing should be clearly marked with the student’s name. Lost and found articles are kept in the

Duchesne Building and on the ground floor of the 1929 Main Building. Parents are encouraged to check

the lost and found frequently.

Parties Not Held at School

To be sensitive to the impact that social interaction (or lack thereof) has on children, the School asks

Parents to adhere to the following guideline. If you are having a party but not inviting every student in

your child’s class, do not deliver the invitations at School. If you are only inviting a few (or even a

majority, but not all), please mail the invitations to the homes or personal emails of those who are invited

out of consideration for the children who are not included.



ATTENDANCE

Presence at school and in class is essential for gaining an education at the School. Attendance policies are

meant to recognize the importance and sanctity of both learning (Goal Two) and of each student’s

contribution to the school community (Goal Four).

Tardiness

Students are marked tardy if they are not in class by 7:55 am; 9 am on Late-Start Tuesdays. Any student

who arrives late must sign in at the Oak Hill Office.

Absence

If a student is to be absent, parents should email [email protected] or call the Oak Hill

absentee line 314.810.3543 before 8:00 am.

Homework During Absences

Homework for a student who is absent is left on top of the absent student’s desk in the homeroom.

Parents should ask a sibling or a friend to pick up the homework if the student is well enough to study.

Students in second through sixth grade may pick up homework for others between 2:45 and 3:15 pm.

Parents may pick up homework, but the School asks that they please respect teaching time and know that

homework will not be ready before 2:30 pm. Please do not call the Oak Hill Office or leave voice mail

messages inquiring about homework or asking to have homework picked up by another student.

Arrangements should be made in advance by email with the classroom teacher, courtesy copying the

Principal.

Unexcused Absence

A vacation taken while school is in session is an absence. If you choose to absent your child from School,

please contact the homeroom teacher and the Oak Hill Office in writing at least one week prior to the

absence. Missed assignments and make-up tests will be given upon return. The student will have the same

number of days to complete make-up work and tests as the number of days absent, up to one week.

Non-Participation in Physical Education Class

A student who needs to be excused for a short time from participation during PE class must bring a note

to the physical education teacher. In the case of an extended absence of more than one week, a doctor’s

note is required. Although the student may not be able to fully participate, he/she is to report to PE.

Leaving School During School Hours

A student may leave during the school day only by request of a Parent. The early dismissal note should be

given to the homeroom teacher. A Parent must sign out the student at the Oak Hill Office and upon

his/her return, the student must again be checked in at the Office. A student may not leave School without

permission from the Oak Hill Office.




Excessive Absences

Five or more days per quarter: The Oak Hill Principal or designee will contact the student and Parents

to investigate the reasons for the absences and to determine how attendance can be improved. Exceptions

include prolonged illness or hospitalization. Partial absences will add to the whole day total.

Five or more meetings of any one class/subject per quarter: The teacher will notify the Oak Hill

Principal to review the student’s attendance record. The teacher and the Oak Hill Principal will determine

with the student and his/her Parents a plan for make-up work. Further monitoring for the next quarter will

determine if the problem is corrected.

Consequences of Excessive Absences

Students may not be absent more than seven school days during a semester. Parents will receive a

communication from the Oak Hill Principal after their student reaches the equivalent of five days absent.

For example, two half day absences will be considered as one full day. Except as a consequence of

prolonged illness or hospitalization, there will be disciplinary action for continued disregard of the

attendance policy, including but not limited to imposing a probationary period for the remainder of the

semester and the following semester during which the student’s attendance and behavior must meet

designated levels to continue at the School the following year. If a student continues to be absent, the

teacher, with consent of the Principal, may reduce the student’s grade. Disciplinary actions may include

filing a truancy report with the Missouri Department of Social Services. A prolonged illness is an illness

in which a medical doctor determines it is medically necessary that the student not attend school for a

period of 5 or more days.

School sponsored events such as field trips and outdoor camp are part of the overall curriculum. Absences

on these days are counted in the same way as any other day. Appointments with doctors and dentists

should, when possible, be scheduled during holidays or outside school hours. Unlike school-sponsored

events, days away for non-school sporting events are considered absences.

PARENT COMMUNICATION

With Faculty

Teachers welcome the opportunity to speak with Parents about their JK-6 grader’s progress or to share

any concerns or information. Please telephone or email a teacher when the need arises. If the teacher is

not available by telephone, a message may be left on his/her voice mail. Teachers should respond to

requests or messages within 24 to 48 hours, depending on circumstances.

With Students during School Hours

Parents are asked not to call the Receptionist to deliver messages to students during the school day. This

includes arrangements for dismissal and transportation. In the case of an emergency, Parents are asked to

call the Oak Hill Office at 314.810.3434, who will, in turn, contact the student.

When Out of Town

When Parents are to be out of town, they should notify the Oak Hill Office at 314.810.3434 so that the

School will know whom to contact in case of emergency.



SCHOOL SERVICES

Acorn Club

Oak Hill offers an after-school care program, the Acorn Club, until 6:00 pm on regularly scheduled

school days. This program is available to all currently enrolled students JK3 through grade 6 at no

additional cost. It is an organized, yet relaxed program allowing students to participate at their own pace,

and enjoy a daily snack and the outdoor playground as weather permits. Quiet areas are available for

students who wish to study. On all full school days, the program is in operation from 3:15 until 6:00 pm

(excludes Christmas Basket Mass, Field Day, and Oak Hill Prize Day). Students not picked up by 3:30

pm will be walked to the Acorn Club for pick up.

Acorn Club includes outdoor play and activities. However, on days in which inclement weather prohibits

such activities, the Busch Gymnasium and the Activities Building will house all “free play” activities.

Acorn Club requires anyone picking up to sign-out the students they are taking home using the prescribed

sign-out procedures.

For the safety of our students and staff during severe weather, Acorn Club is not available when school is

dismissed early.

Lunch/Food Service

Junior kindergarten students enrolled in the full-day program will eat lunch in their classrooms. Junior

kindergarten students staying the full day must bring sack lunches.

Students in grades K-6 will dine in the Dining Room of the 1929 Main Building. Hot and cold lunches are

served during the lunch periods. Oak Hill families of students in grades Kindergarten through grade 6

have the option to: 1) purchase an all-inclusive lunch plan for the entire school year, which gives students

access to unlimited food and drink each lunch period; 2) deposit money in the student’s food service

account allowing him/her to purchase items à la carte; or, 3) send a sack lunch from home. Information

about the all-inclusive lunch plan from Food Service Consultants is available in the Business Office.

Funds may be deposited in the student’s Food Service Consultants account throughout the course of the

year for à la carte purchases but an initial payment of $150 or more is requested. Students will not be

allowed to carry a negative balance on their account.



General Academic Information — JK3-Grade 6

CURRICULUM

The Oak Hill curriculum is designed to provide the students with a solid foundation in the basic skills of

mathematics, reading, and language arts. In addition to these basic skills, classes are also offered in art,

French, music, and physical education. The educational objectives defined for the students are: mastering

the material at all grade levels, reflecting upon learning to make it personal, and developing the ability to

express knowledge in written and oral form.

Students are encouraged to assume greater responsibility for their own learning as they progress through

the grades. Creativity, intellectual curiosity, independence are fostered.

GRADING CODE

Junior Kindergarten 3-Second Grade

Evaluation at this level is based upon progress in spiritual, personal, and social growth, self-help skills,

language development, readiness skills in math and reading, and fine and gross motor skills.

The evaluation key for JK3 through second grade is:

DV Developing

ME Meets Expectations

AS Area of Strength

NA Not Assessed at this time

Third-Sixth Grades

Students are evaluated upon effort and achievement in religion, reading, composition, spelling,

penmanship, mathematics, science, social studies, French, music, art, and physical education.

These grades are based on the following scale:

A 95 - 100

A- 90 - 94

B+ 87 - 89

B 84 - 86

B- 80 - 83

C+ 77 - 79

C 74 - 76

C- 70 - 73

D 65 - 69

F 64 & Below

The citizenship evaluation key is:

E Excellent/Outstanding

S Satisfactory

I Needs Improvement

N/A Not Applicable at this time

Junior Kindergarten 3-Sixth Grade

The physical education evaluation key is:

E Excels Above Grade Level Standards

M Meets Expectations

P Progress Needed



GRADE REPORTS

Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter. Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for all

parents two times a year, in October and March. Parents or teachers may request a conference at any other

time during the year when needed. Please refer to the Requests for Records section of this Handbook.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

At Oak Hill, adherence to standards of academic integrity is expected of all members. Dishonesty in

academic affairs is handled by the teacher who will advise the Principal. Offenses automatically result in

a failing grade on the particular exam, test, paper, etc., but may also involve other sanctions depending on

the seriousness and nature of the situation, as determined in the sole discretion of the School.

TESTING PROGRAM

All Oak Hill students are assessed using the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) Comprehensive Testing

Program 4 (CTP4). Grade 3-6 are assessed in the fall and Grades 1 and 2 in the spring.

The CTP4 is a rigorous assessment developed for independent and public schools with high academic

standards. Results from the CTP4 will provide feedback for individual students in the areas of language

arts and math, as well as a “big picture” view of the School compared to schools with similar attributes.

The test includes built-in verbal and quantitative reasoning assessments. The mathematics portion is based

on the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Standardized Testing Accommodations

To receive accommodations on standardized tests a student must:

• have a disability that necessitates testing accommodations,

• have documentation on file at School that supports the need for requested accommodations,

and

• have a 504 Plan currently in place.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

Qualifications for The Learning Center

If a student receives an educational, physical, or emotional diagnosis that affects learning, the School will

provide an appropriate and reasonable accommodation plan to maximize the student’s potential and well-

being. Before an accommodation plan can be made, the Director of The Learning Center must receive a

written copy of the evaluation and diagnosis, along with any recommendations for accommodations.

Entrance into the academic support system may occur in three different ways:

• Faculty and parents may refer students directly to Oak Hill Care Team; or

• Parents may send diagnoses by licensed clinicians of educational, physical and/or

emotional issues that affect learning directly to the Principal.

Accommodation Plans for Students with Diagnoses

Accommodation Plans (“504 Plan”) are developed only for students with documented academic and/or

emotional issues. A 504 Plan includes the diagnosis and instructional/testing accommodations to be

implemented in the classroom. The Director of The Learning Center develops all 504 Plans.

http://www.nctm.org/



Oak Hill Care Team JK3-6

The Oak Hill Care Team is comprised of the Director of The Learning Center, the Oak Hill Principal, and

an Oak Hill specialty teacher. The Principal will work with the faculty to identify students who may be in

need of special academic or emotional support. This group regularly monitors students’ grades while

seeking input from the appropriate teachers on attendance, disciplinary records, and individual progress.

The Oak Hill Care Team makes an assessment of needs and an intervention plan is developed.

Tutorial Services at Oak Hill

Oak Hill offers several options for academic assistance. Teachers are available for consultation after

school and during extended period and break. The Learning Center services are offered during school

hours at no additional cost. Tutoring is available on a fee-for-service model for students with documented

learning differences or who require additional support beyond that of their classroom teacher.

• The Learning Center: Consultation, group sessions, and study skills techniques are available

in The Learning Center by appointment between 7:30 am and 4 pm. Teachers, students, or

Parents may request this service.

• Private Tutoring: Experienced, subject-specific tutors are available during school hours for

an additional charge billed directly to Parents by each tutor. Services available at an additional

cost may include: attendance at meetings per Parent request, test monitoring for extended time

if it cannot be handled in-house (the test monitor should not be the student’s tutor), the use of a

reader for exams or tests, or use of a tutor to sit with the student during class.

Tutoring takes place on campus in an appropriate area either before, during, or after school on days when

school is in session. Appointments are scheduled for a minimum of eight sessions per semester.

Scheduling is arranged in conjunction with The Learning Center, student/Parent, teachers, and tutors.

Cancellation policy: Tutors must be given at least six hours’ advance notice of cancellation. Attempts

will be made to reschedule.

Student Expectations: Students are asked to bring their materials to each session. Students are asked to

help increase self-awareness and to identify their learning style or difference.

Outside Tutors

Parents are free to engage off-site, outside tutors for students but before seeking the assistance of these

tutors, we recommend that the student seek additional help from his/her classroom teacher and discuss her

concerns with the teacher. If further assistance is needed, the Parents and/or student consult with the

Principal or the Director of The Learning Center regarding academic assistance.

Only employees of the School, tutors in The Learning Center, or authorized employees of the Special

School District of St. Louis County may tutor on campus, and students may not attend off-site tutoring

during school hours. This policy is to help protect all students during school hours. While the School

requires its employees and the tutors of The Learning Center to pass background checks prior to working

with students, the School cannot screen or supervise off-site, outside tutors independently hired by

parents and will not undertake responsibilities with respect to off-site, outside tutors.

Tutoring may also be available to students through the Special School District of St. Louis County

(“SSD”), a public school district that offers supplemental instruction to students throughout the district

who qualify for their services based on educational need. Such services are provided by the SSD and its

employees, and these services are governed by the SSD’s policies regarding children attending private

schools. Parents should submit requests for these services directly to the SSD. Qualifications and extent

of special services is determined by the professional staff of the SSD. If the special education services are

provided at the School campus, Parents must submit appropriate documentation to the division principal

for approval. The School will not supervise SSD personnel while they are instructing the student or

otherwise. SSD is responsible for screening and training its own personnel. Parents should contact the

Director of The Learning Center regarding the required documentation.



Co-Curricular and Organizations — JK3-Grade 6

The School offers a variety of activities for students in JK3 through sixth grade. These programs cover a

wide range of topics providing students an opportunity to explore new interests and develop talents. And,

the classes are all taught by experts in their field. Our enrichment offerings vary from year to year as they

are based on student interest.

ACTIVITIES

Art Classes

Chess Club

French Club

Girls on the Run

Handbell Choir

Little Medical School

Mad Science

Oak Hill Choir

Speech Team

STUDENT COUNCIL – GRADES 1-6

To run for Student Council office, a student must be in good academic standing and have no major

disciplinary infractions. Students running for Student Council office must also be enrolled students for the

following school year. Student Council officers who incur two or more Think Sheets (see Code of

Conduct and Discipline) will be required to abdicate their office, and the Student Council moderator will

choose a successor.

ATHLETIC PROGRAM – GRADES 1-6

The athletic program at the School, built on a solid philosophy of youth sports that focuses on

encouraging everyone to be involved, provides all students the opportunity to participate in

extracurricular activities. The programs offered include interscholastic competition as well as in-house

instructional programs. Please contact the School Youth Sports Coordinator at 314.810.3403 with

questions.

Fall: Soccer: Boys/Girls, Grade 1 - 6

Volleyball: Girls, Grades 5 & 6

Winter: Basketball: Boys/Girls, Grades 3 - 6

Spring: Track & Field: Boys/Girls, Grades 1 - 6

Lacrosse: Boys/Girls, Grades 3 - 6



General Student Information — JK3-Grade 6

UNIFORMS

Students are required to be in complete uniform from the first day of school until the final day of the

school year, excluding the student’s birthday and scheduled out-of-uniform days. A student may be

excused only if he/she brings a note of explanation and receives approval from the Principal.

All uniform items must be purchased from Just Me Apparel unless otherwise noted. The summer uniform

options may only be worn from the first day of school through Mater’s Feast Day in October and again

after Spring Break. The regular uniform must be worn beginning on Mater’s Feast Day through spring

break. It must also be worn for special celebrations in May, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Feast and May

Crowning. The winter uniform options may be worn year round as needed. The dress sweater for girls and

the dress blazer for boys grades 2-6 are required for special occasions as determined by the School.

Parents will be notified of special dress occasions or out-of-uniform days, either in emails or on the

school calendar.

Any clean, gently-worn uniform apparel that families no longer need may be donated to La Boutique

year-round.

Exclusive Uniform Provider: Just Me Apparel, 232 Old Sulphur Springs Road, Manchester 63021

636.391.3551; www.justmeapparel.com

UNIFORM FOR GIRLS

Junior Kindergarten–JK3 and JK4

Required: Dress. Blue and white dress with school seal

Fleece. Gray pullover with school seal

Sweater. Maroon crewneck cardigan with school seal

Socks. All white, any height with no logos (any store)

Winter Options: Tights or ankle-length leggings. All white or all navy with no logos (any store)

Kindergarten - Third Grade

Required: Dress. Plaid smock (no shorter than 1 inch above knee)

Blouse. White with pouf sleeves and school seal



Socks. All white, any height with no logos (any store)

Gym Shorts. Black with white trim and school seal

Summer Options: Shirt. Gray short-sleeve polo with school seal

Shorts. Khaki (pleated or flat front. Kindergarten may wear elastic-waist shorts.)

Belt. Maroon elastic; brown leather or woven leather (any store)

Winter Options: Tights or ankle-length leggings. All black with no logos (any store)

Turtleneck. All white with no logos (any store)

http://www.justmeapparel.com/



Fourth - Sixth Grades

Required: Skirt. Plaid skirt with original pleats (no shorter than 1 inch above knee)

Shirt. Gray short- or long-sleeve polo with school seal



Socks. All white, any height (any store)

Gym Shorts. Black with white trim and school seal

Winter Options: Tights or ankle-length leggings. All black with no logos (any store)

Turtleneck. All white with no logos (any store)

UNIFORM FOR BOYS

Junior Kindergarten 3 - Sixth Grade

Required: Pants. Khaki (pleated or flat front) with no logos

JK3-Kindergarten may wear elastic-waist pants

Shirt. Gray short- or long-sleeve polo with school seal

Fleece. Navy pullover with school seal

Blazer. Navy, Grades 3-6 (Grade 2 after First Communion)

Socks. All white, any height (any store)

Belt. Navy elastic; navy or brown, leather or woven leather (any store)

Summer Option: Shorts. Khaki (pleated or flat front) with no logos

JK3-Kindergarten may wear elastic-waist shorts

Winter Option: Turtleneck. All white with no logo (any store)

If students choose the white turtleneck option, it must be worn under a school fleece, sweater, dress,

smock, or blazer. If girls choose the tights/leggings option, they must be worn with the school skirt, dress,

or smock. T-shirts and undergarments should never be visible when in uniform. Also, brand logos, other

than those of the School, should not be visible.

Other: Jewelry and make up are not to be worn with the uniform. Post earrings, religious medals, crosses,

chains, and clear or light pink nail polish are permissible. Please limit hair accessories (no head scarves).

Also, for safety reasons, no more than two key rings are permitted on book bags.

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN 3 - SIXTH GRADE SHOES

Uniform athletic shoes are worn year round and may be purchased at any retailer. Oak Hill students may

select from the following styles:

Kids’ sizes:

• Stride Rite Cooper Lace CB47649 (white leather)

• New Balance KX624WTY (white)

• New Balance 990v3 or 990v4 Kids (gray/white)

• K-Swiss Kids Classic Leather Tennis Shoe Core (white)

Little Kids: 7575414 or Big Kids: 7633655



Women’s Sizes:

• New Balance WX624WT2 (white/blue)

• New Balance 720v4 (grey/silver or black/rose gold)

• New Balance 990v3 (gray/white) or 990v4 (gray/castlerock)

• K-Swiss Classic Luxury Edition (white)

Men’s Sizes:

• New Balance MX624WN2 (white/navy)

• New Balance 720v4 (gunmetal/black)

• New Balance 990v3 (gray/white) or 990v4 (gray/castlerock)

• K-Swiss Classic Luxury Edition (white)

Guidelines for Out-of-Uniform Days

Students may wear:

• nice shirts (no crop tops, shirts with inappropriate sayings or graphics, or mesh, spaghetti-strap or

tank-top shirts); tattered, torn, or ripped clothing is not acceptable

• nice jeans, modest shorts or nice sport shorts (no short shorts); tattered, torn, or ripped clothing is

not acceptable

• athletic or casual shoes (no sandals or clogs). Students must have athletic shoes to participate in

P.E.

• make-up and jewelry to follow the school dress code.

Uniform Violations

A student is considered out of uniform if:

• he/she is not wearing the required clothing as listed above

• his/her shirt is not tucked in

• her skirt is not fully zipped

• if any pieces of the uniform do not fit properly.

FIELD TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

Consent for a student’s participation in all field trips and school-sponsored activities (collectively “School

Activities”) is given through the electronic signature (see Electronic Signature section of this Handbook)

of both Parents on the electronic Permission for Participation in School Activities. The School will send

specific information about School Activities, including but not limited to any associated costs,

transportation, requests for Parent drivers, and chaperones, to Parents in advance of each trip. If Parents

do not want their child to participate in a specific School Activity, they must contact the Principal’s

Office in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the trip.

The student and Parents acknowledge and agree to the following:

The School will organize school-sponsored School Activities to take place during the school year. The

School will notify Parents if a School Activity is required or optional for student. Parents and student

assume all responsibility and risks related to or in any way connected with a School Activity.



Transportation

Transportation provided to/from a School Activity may include the following: school bus, VDOH van,

VDOH bus, chartered bus, faculty or staff driver, and/or parent driver. Parents agree that School may use

any of these forms of transportation for Student. For any Parent to drive to, from, and during the School

Activity, he or she must meet the state driving requirements under Missouri law and carry automobile

insurance with a combined single accident limit of $300,000 or greater.

Parent drivers to/from School Activities further agree to the following:

1. Drivers should give their full attention to the safety and supervision of the students. Therefore, no

other minors, including siblings, should be in the vehicle.

2. All students riding in the vehicle must be in the proper restraints and they must remain fastened

throughout the School Activity. The School requires that all Parents follow the Missouri

Department of Motor Vehicles laws pertaining to financial responsibility/insurance, seat belts,

and child restraints.

3. If the car is equipped with an air bag on the passenger side of the car, no student may sit in the

front passenger seat.

4. Snacks should not be given to the students in the car, nor should stops be made for treats or any

other reason while on the School Activity. If the teachers feel a snack is appropriate, they will

provide one for the entire class.

5. Drivers are asked to stay with their assigned group of students and supervise their behavior for

the entire School Activity. Any improper behavior should be reported to the teachers.

6. Students are expected to listen attentively, follow directions, and respond in a respectful manner.

All adults present should role model these behaviors to help students meet these expectations.

7. Drivers who have cell phones should provide the phone numbers to the homeroom teacher.

8. For the safety of the students in the vehicle, the School requires that Parents refrain from using

their cellular phones and other electronic devices while operating the vehicle.

Chaperones

Chaperones may include any members of the School’s faculty and staff. Parents of other students may

also be present as chaperones. All chaperones are subject to change.

Meals and Lodging

During a School Activity, the School may provide meals and/or lodging for student. If there is an

associated cost, Parents will be notified in advance and will assume responsibility for the full cost.

Parents understand that the School may assign student roommate(s) during the School Activity. The

student agrees to comply with all instructions by chaperones, including those with respect to curfews,

quiet hours, and other restrictions implemented by the School’s chaperones.

Student Behavior, Health and Safety

Student agrees to comply with all School policies, community standards (see Conduct and Discipline

section of this Handbook), rules, instructions from School chaperones, and all other instructions for

student behavior, including without limitation those set forth in this Handbook. Student’s failure to

comply may result in School taking disciplinary action consistent with the Conduct and Discipline section

of this Handbook, such other discipline as determined by the School in its discretion, and any other

discipline or consequences available under state and/or federal laws. Any such violations may be reported

to the Principal(s) and/or appropriate authorities. The School will report any suspected illegal activity to

the proper authorities.

Parents also authorize any medical treatment in case of an emergency or medical necessity, and agree that

they are responsible for the cost of such treatment.

http://dor.mo.gov/motorv/

http://dor.mo.gov/motorv/



Waiver and Release

In consideration of the School allowing student to participate in School Activities, Parents do for

themselves, their heirs, executors, personal representative(s), successors and assigns, release, waive,

discharge, covenant not to sue, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the School, and its chaperones,

officers, trustees, faculty, staff, representatives, employees, agents, attorneys, successors, and assigns

(“Released Parties”) of and from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs,

loss of services, expenses and compensation arising out of, on account of, related to, or in any way

connected with the student’s participation in School Activities, including the Released Parties’ own

negligence.

Acceptance of this waiver does not relieve the School of its obligation to ensure reasonable supervision of

all students during the time the students are under its care.

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The campus, buildings, furniture, and equipment provided by the School are designed and maintained to

support the educational program and enhance the environment for convenient and aesthetically pleasing

functionality. As members of the School community, students are expected to play their personal and

collective roles in that purpose. At all times and in all locations, students are expected to clean up after

themselves and to be responsible for their own belongings.

Items not Permitted on Campus

• PLAY EQUIPMENT: No play equipment or toys are to be brought from home for use during

recess. Playthings brought to School will be kept by the teacher and returned at dismissal time.

• DANGEROUS ITEMS: Matches, lighters, fireworks, guns, knives, and other potentially dangerous

items may not be brought on campus. The mere possession of such items warrants severe

disciplinary action.

• OTHER ITEMS: The use of personal electronic devices by students is not permitted at School. See

the Policy for the Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology section of this Handbook.

Signs and Posters

Postings and fliers that are for political or commercial purposes are not allowed. Any student or adult who

wishes to put signs or posters in common areas of the campus or to insert them in backpacks or lockers

must see the Principal for permission, guidelines, and dates for posting and removal. If the posting is for

fundraising, approval of the Director of Advancement is required.



Codes of Conduct and Discipline — JK3-Grade 6

The Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools are used as a framework for educating young children at

Oak Hill. In partnership with the faculty, parents, and students, we adhere to the following codes of

conduct.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CODE OF CONDUCT

Love

Students represent themselves as the Heart of Jesus. They demonstrate kindness, compassion, and

empathy for each other. They are forgiving, respectful, and generous. They respectfully and attentively

engage in religion class, prayer time, Espacio, and school liturgies.

Learning

Students raise their hands, listen attentively, and demonstrate respect when others are speaking. They

participate in classroom activities and put forth the effort to be the best that they can be. They learn to

solve conflicts positively, understand how to seek help, and respond to teacher direction and re-direction.

Service

JK3 and JK4 classes participate in Helping Hearts for Birthright. Kindergarten classes participate in

Heifer International’s Read to Feed program. Students appreciate the unique differences among all of

God’s people. They show respect for creation as they become good stewards of the earth’s resources.

Community

Students are expected to greet faculty, parents, and visitors as well as their peers. They learn to value,

respect, and care for each other.

Responsibility

Students exhibit good manners, always saying, “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and “excuse

me.” They stand aside to let others pass and keep their hands in their own space. They take care of their

personal belongings and the property of the school. They make good choices regarding their own

behavior.

CODE OF CONDUCT – GRADES 1-6

A Personal and Active Faith in God

Students represent themselves as the Heart of Jesus. They demonstrate kindness, compassion, and

empathy for each other. They are forgiving, respectful, and generous. They respectfully and attentively

engage in religion class, prayer time, Espacio, and school liturgies. Students acknowledge the “Holy

Space” of the chapel and community members’ need for prayer by maintaining silence, arriving on time,

and behaving appropriately.

A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values

Students demonstrate respect when others are speaking by raising their hands and listening attentively.

They participate in classroom activities and put forth the effort to be the best that they can be. They learn

to solve conflicts positively, understand how to seek help, and respond to teacher direction and re-

direction. Students are cooperative and work in harmony with their peers. They understand the

importance of turning their own work in to the teacher on time in a thorough manner.



A Social Awareness which Impels to Action

First grade students donate to and participate at the Hardin Center; second grade students interact with our

Sacred Heart school in Uganda; third grade students work with St. Patrick’s Center; fourth grade students

work with Sunshine Ministries; and fifth and sixth grade students participate in activities with the Mary

Ryder Home. They appreciate the unique differences among all of God’s people. They show respect for

creation as they become good stewards of the earth’s resources.

The Building of Community as a Christian Value

Students learn to value, respect, and care for each other. As a welcoming community of learners, they

greet faculty, parents, visitors, and their peers. Students are grateful for the special gifts of community

members and express their gratitude. They are observant to what is happening around them and offer help

to community members as needed.

Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom

Students make good choices regarding their own behavior. They are honest and take responsibility for

their actions. They exhibit good manners, saying, “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and “excuse

me.” They stand aside to let others pass and keep their hands in their own space. Students dress in

complete uniform and take care of their personal belongings and the property of the school.

DISCIPLINE

As a core component of our Sacred Heart mission and in support of Goal V: personal growth in an

atmosphere of wise freedom, a reflective growth document is used with students in grades 3-6. Our goal

as Sacred Heart educators is to guide and support our students as they journey through Oak Hill, not only

academically, but also as students of strong character.

If students in grades 3-6 make inappropriate choices, a reflective growth document, or Think Sheet, gives

students an opportunity to reflect on those choices. Students identify their actions, why they were

inappropriate, and why they feel they made the inappropriate choices. Students also express what they

learned and how they will change their behavior in the future. If a student is required to complete a Think

Sheet, it must be returned the following school day with a parent signature.

If a student receives three or more Think Sheets during a quarter, the consequence is an after-school

detention. Parents are notified of this detention in advance. Detentions are monitored by an Oak Hill

faculty member and take place on a specified school day from 3:30-4:00 pm.

Serious offenses, not limited to a student being a danger to himself/herself or others, may result in a

suspension or expulsion.

Students in grades JK3-2 adhere to developmentally appropriate discipline plans within each grade level.

Serious offenses will result in developmentally appropriate consequences. Faculty members will clearly

articulate each grade level plan to the Parents.

The School reserves the right to dismiss any student for any reason that, in the sole discretion of the Head

of School, is the basis for a determination that continued enrollment of the student is no longer in the best

interest of the student or the School. [See Tuition and Fee Payment Policies in the preceding General

Information JK3-12 section.]



Child of the Sacred Heart

BY CARM DICKHAUS

I am a child of the Sacred Heart.

Each day, dear Lord, I will

love as You love,

study and learn,

help those who need me,

be a friend to all,

and make wise choices.

Saint Madeleine Sophie, hear my prayer.

Saint Philippine Duchesne, hear my prayer.

Amen.

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