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Student-Parent Handbook

St. Joe's Parent-Student Handbook is intended to serve as a guide to help members of our community understand St. Joseph High School programs and procedures and to set forth basic expectations and agreements. Please review the contents of this page (or download a printable version of the handbook) and use it as a resource. 
 

Download a printable version of the 2023-2024 Parent-Student Handbook

About the Parent-Student Handbook

This Parent/Student Handbook is intended to serve as a guide to help members of our community understand St. Joseph High School programs and procedures and to set forth basic expectations and agreements. Please review the contents of this Handbook and use it as a resource. We hope that it will answer questions you may have about academics, school rules, discipline, safety, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other topics.

The rules and policies here are intended to apply under normal circumstances. However, from time to time, situations may require a non-standard response. This Handbook does not limit the authority of St. Joseph High School to deviate from the normal rules and procedures set forth in this Handbook and/or to deal with individual circumstances as they arise in  the manner most appropriate by the School taking into consideration the best interests of the students, the School, its faculty, employees, and/or the overall School community.

The Principal is the final interpreter of any school rules.

These policies, rules, and guidelines may be revised or updated periodically, even during the school year. Parents and students will be advised of any changes as they are made by email. Any students or parents with a question about a Handbook policy or statement should feel free to speak with the Dean of Student Life, the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction, or the Principal.

This Handbook supersedes any other manuals or guidelines that have been previously published or any other practices related to the policies in this Handbook. All such prior manuals, guidelines, and practices are hereby revoked.

General Policies & Conduct Expectations

Attendance Policies

Regular attendance and punctuality are required of all students at St. Joseph High School. Students must abide by the attendance policy on a daily basis. Excessive tardiness or absences will not be accepted, and students will receive disciplinary action if they are frequently tardy or absent.

Student Health & Safety

Financial Policies

Electronic Devices

Academics Policies

Academic Requirements

Grading & Exams

Dress Code

All students are obliged to dress for school in accordance with the dress code, following both the letter and spirit of the dress code. Students must be in full dress code for the entire school day, including lunch and study hall.

Campus Life

Athletic / Health & Wellness Policies

All specific Athletic Department policies are found in the Student/Athlete Handbook.

Participation in athletics as a player or fan is a privilege and may be revoked when appropriate.

Spiritual Life

International Students

St. Joseph High School is proud to welcome students of different cultures and backgrounds into our school community.

Parental Conduct

Parents and guardians are responsible for respecting the rules and regulations described in this Handbook. We believe that a positive and constructive working relationship between the School and the parent/guardian is essential to the fulfillment of the school’s mission. The School reserves the right to terminate enrollment of a student if the School concludes in its sole discretion that the actions of a parent/guardian seriously interfere with the School’s achievement of its educational purpose or mission, or if any parent/guardian fails to work in a positive or constructive manner with the School, or otherwise fails to respect and support the policies, rules and disciplinary decisions of the School.

VISION

St. Joseph High School strives to be the premier college preparatory school in Southern Connecticut. The school provides a learning environment that embraces the Gospel values of the Roman Catholic faith and promotes a commitment to family and community. The school prepares our young women and young men to realize their potential, helps them excel in higher education, and provides a foundation to guide them throughout their lives.

VALUES

To support our vision, St. Joseph High School will provide an environment where the faculty, Administration, support organizations, and students, by example and program, actively promote:

  • Roman Catholic teaching and values (faith, morals, ethics, and responsibility)
  • Family values
  • Community responsibility
  • Respect and diversity
  • Developing educated and creative thinkers who exhibit superior intellectual and communication skills
  • Instilling a passion for learning and teaching in a safe and secure environment
  • Providing a strong, holistic foundation to enable all students to enter and succeed in competitive higher learning institutions
  • Providing a strong program for social and physical development in an atmosphere of healthy competition
  • St. Joseph High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Custodial Issues

In all cases of separation or divorce, St. Joseph High School assumes that there are joint custodial rights for all parents/guardians. If there is a court order specifying that no information (e.g. copies of report cards) is to be given to one of the parents/guardians, or that the student is not to be permitted to leave campus with a parent/guardian, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with a certified copy of that court order.

National Honor Society

Students who have been enrolled in the school for at least one semester and have a scholastic weighted career average of 90 will be invited to apply. Acceptance is based on many factors, including leadership, service, and recommendations. If accepted into the Society, it  is expected that all criteria for membership will be maintained throughout the student’s high school career, including the highest  standards of academics, leadership, service, and character on which they were selected. Details of the selection process are available from the NHS advisor.

Guidance & College Counseling

The College and School Counseling Department at St. Joseph High School consists of a professional staff of experienced Counselors and a Social Worker dedicated to the personal needs of our students and the college search process. All department members work closely with Administration, faculty, and parents to provide a supportive environment for all students. Formal meetings between students, counselors and/or the Social Worker take place throughout the school year in small groups and one-on-one settings. Freshmen and sophomores are required to meet with their counselors three times throughout the course of the year. In addition, students are encouraged to make appointments with their counselors as needed according to the following guidelines:

  • Appointments should be made to correspond with the student’s study period or before or after school, unless there is an emergency. Students make appointments with the Counseling Secretary
  • Students will obtain a hall pass from the Counseling Secretary and must first report to their study hall to be excused prior to the appointment with their counselor. At the conclusion of the appointment, the student must report back to the study hall with a signed pass from the Counseling Department.
  • If a student is meeting with their counselor prior to the start of the school day and that appointment runs into first period, the student must obtain a pass from their counselor and then report to the Attendance Office to receive an excused tardy pass.

Parent-Student

Handbook

Students in Classroom