MHMS Handbook 2017-2018
Revision:10/20/17
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission Statement………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Philosophy & Objectives……………………………………………………………………………….…..3
Governance………………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Attendance Policy & Procedures…………………………………………………………………………..7
Discipline…………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
General Information………………………………………………………………………………………12
Academics………………………………………………………………………………………………...24
Tuition & Fees…………………………………………………………………………………………….28
Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School
Mission Statement
The Mission of Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School is to inspire our students to accept moral responsibility within a Catholic value system. It is the commitment of MHMS to educate the "whole" person: mind, body, and spirit. This is accomplished through an academically challenging curriculum where we teach our students to think critically, to develop a passion for learning, and to serve their community. The school fosters a caring environment where students are taught to love, respect, and learn from one another. Through this supportive community of faith, students will come to understand the importance of their role in the Church and the world.
Philosophy & Objectives
Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School is a Catholic school, which reinforces Catholic values throughout the curriculum. The importance of the Church and Gospel values is highlighted. We are charged to educate the “whole” person. We will foster the spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of our students while recognizing the psychosocial needs of the middle school student.
The middle school years are challenging years. At Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School one of our missions is to provide an atmosphere where respect is present, and all in the community continually learn and grow. Students experience great personal change during these three years. Our objective is to provide a structure whereby these changes can be guided and monitored in a healthy, safe way.
Students are encouraged to think for themselves. Students will learn in an atmosphere where even mistakes serve as opportunities for growth. Because students’ personal morality is formulated during these years, our students will be encouraged to adopt a Christian value system.
We resolve to fully know each student. Our student population is limited to enable us to maintain a caring, family atmosphere within a system that encourages students to take greater responsibility for their actions and for the protection of human rights within the school and in the greater community. The discipline system is designed to heighten the students’ awareness of their responsibilities and the consequences of negative behavior.
Christian service is demanded of each student as he/she discovers his/her obligation to help others. Opportunities for service are provided which will broaden the students’ perspective and give them a link with those less fortunate.
Teachers coordinate their curriculum closely with one another. As a team, subject teachers utilize material from a variety of perspectives. Recognition is given to the fact that intelligence is manifested in many different ways. While close attention is given to the “basics” in education, students are also taught to have an appreciation of the fine arts and an understanding of technology as a tool for further learning. The curriculum will move students beyond memorization to concept development. Students are given the tools they will need to be life-long learners.
GOVERNANCE
“The Catholic school is an expression of the educational mission of the parish with which it is associated and of the diocese. Therefore, the pastor is responsible to the Bishop for the administration of the total parish, including the parish school. The principal functions as the chief administrator of the school and is a member of the parish staff. Regular and open communication between the pastor and the principal is essential.
Just as the parish council serves with the pastor on behalf of the total community, so the parish school board serves with the principal for the good of the school community. Today’s Catholic school principal, with the many demands which are made, needs assistance from a group of people who are committed to the Catholic school and are willing to work for the good of the school and parish.” (Archdiocese of Boston School Consultative Board Guidelines)
Non-Discriminatory Policy
Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students of the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and religion.
Pastor
The pastor is the canonical administrator and spiritual leader of the parish. He is the one who empowers the people to act in a consultative manner. The pastor is the agent of the civil corporation and the enactor of local policy. (Archdiocese of Boston School Consultative Board Guidelines)
Principal
“The principal is the spiritual and instructional leader of the school and is responsible for the operation of the school program. The principal’s responsibilities are assumed in accord with Archdiocesan and local policies.” (Archdiocese of Boston School Consultative Board
Guidelines)
School Consultative Board
Archdiocesan Policy 5110 states: “Each school in the Archdiocese of Boston should establish a school consultative board to aid the pastor and the principal in developing and implementing local school policies.”
Saint Joseph Elementary School and Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School assembled consultative boards to advise the pastor and principals on matters of school policy, finance, advancement, public relations, and marketing.
Each of the boards works independently but collaborates when necessary.
Members are sought who have expertise in the areas such as finance, curriculum, advancement, and parent volunteerism.
The consultative board acts as a unit. Individual members are not authorized to speak on behalf of the board, school, pastor or principal.
Members will serve three-year terms.
Each board chooses its officers, a president who is responsible for setting the agenda, a vice president who presides in the absence of the president, and a secretary for recording minutes and for disseminating information when needed.
Meetings take place at regular intervals throughout the school year.
PSA – Parent School Association
The Parent-School Association was formed in the spring of 2002 to better manage and oversee the rapidly expanding number of volunteer programs at St. Joseph’s Schools. The PSA covers volunteerism at both the Elementary and Middle School. Volunteers, committee chairs and officers are solicited in the spring prior to the upcoming school year.
The Officers and Committee Chairs hold “monthly meetings”, generally in the morningin the lower school cafeteria, where information about upcoming programs and school activities is shared. Both Principals attend these meetings and provide additional information to the Officers and Committee Chairs. These meetings are open and parents and guardians of St. Joseph’s School students are welcome to attend.
Volunteers
Each spring, parents are asked to contribute volunteer hours to help sustain the many programs as well as fundraisers sponsored by the school by filling in an on-line “volunteer sign-up sheet.” Volunteers for fundraisers are assigned close to the event. St. Joseph’s Schools do not have a mandatory volunteer hour program. However, it is an expectation that each family will recognize the importance that fundraising and volunteerism play in the overall well being of the school and will support these activities through volunteerism and contributions.
Office of Advancement
The Office of Advancement exists to advance the mission of the school through fundraising and volunteerism. The Director of Advancement provides leadership, direction and management to secure financial resources and other support for the schools-working closely with the pastor, principals, parish business manager and the PSA volunteers.
Advancement Committee
This committee coordinates the fund raising activities of the schools and Parish. The committee is comprised of school, parish and community members whose goal is to enhance the schools fundraising potential.
Fund Raising
In an effort to keep the rate of tuition as affordable as possible, the school offers the following opportunities for fundraising. All fund raising activities are evaluated and coordinated through the Advancement Counsel. New ideas are welcome. It is helpful if new ideas are presented in writing, with potential revenue and details addressed and delivered to theadvancement office prior to an Advancement Counsel Meeting.
Attendance Policies and Procedures
Attendance
Daily attendance at school is an important factor in a student’s academic success. Students must report to school and be present in their homeroom by 8:00 A.M. Excessive absences from the classroom will have a negative effect on the student’s learning. It is expected that from time to time a student may miss school due to illness or other emergency situations. When this occurs, please notify the schoolsecretary between 7:30 A.M. and 8:30 A.M. The phone number for the Middle School office is 781-449-0133 Ex 211. Please state your name and the name of your daughter or son. State the homeroom, the reason for the absence, and the expected time of return to school. If a call is not made, the school will attempt to contact the parent or guardian. Should the absence extend beyond three days, a request should be made to collect assignments from the class teachers if the student is well enough to complete work at home. This work can be sent home with a friend or can be picked up in the office on the following afternoon.
Upon return to school, a note signed by the parent or guardian must be presented to the homeroom teacher. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange make up work that must be completed in a timely fashion. Parents will be notified and a conference may be scheduled when it is determined that a student’s absence has become excessive.
A student’s attendance is noted on the report card each trimester.
Tardiness
It is expected that students arrive at school on time. Developing a habit of arriving on time will have benefits now and later on in life. Occasionally, there may be circumstances that result in a student arriving late to school. If the circumstance is known in advance, a parent should call the office and notify the secretary of the approximate time of arrival at school. Tardiness without proper excuse may result in detention. Students will be allowed three unexcused tardies per month. Students who exceed this number will be issued detentions. Tardy notes should accompany the student and must be presented to the office upon the student’s arrival at school. A tardy student, who arrives before 8:15 am, should report to homeroom. A tardy student who arrives later than this time must check in at the school office before being admitted to class. When a student is chronically tardy for school, parents will be notified.
Dismissals
Appointments should be scheduled outside of school time if at all possible. Should it become necessary for a student to be dismissed from school, a note listing the time of the dismissal and the person who will be picking up the student must be presented to the homeroom teacher on the morning of the dismissal. A student will be released from school only into the custody of the parents/guardians or a person designated in advance by a parent/guardian. At the time of the dismissal, the student must report to the office where he/she will be signed out. Should a student return to school prior to the end of the school day he/she must check back in the school office.
Extended Vacations
Vacations during school time are strongly discouraged. While it is recognized that it is up to the parents to make this decision, it is often detrimental to the student to miss school for an extended period of time. Often the benefit of a trip is outweighed by the negative effect that missing school will have. It is the responsibility of the student to make up work missed as a result of the vacation. Teachers are under no obligation to provide advance homework.
DISCIPLINE
The school environment must be one that safeguards the rights of all individuals within the school. Discipline is learned from the interactions people have with one another. Discipline should be viewed not merely as a system of rules to be enforced but attitudes to be learned. It is important that students be taught reasons behind rules. While there are consequences for negative behavior in the process of addressing a violation of rules, emphasis is placed upon the changing of the student’s attitude as well as behavior.
Outside of School Behavior
The administration at MHMS reserves the right to impose consequences for behavior occurring outside of school when said behavior detrimentally impacts the school.
Harassment
Harassment takes many forms, including remarks, jokes, assaults, offensive touching, offensive pictures, cards, or cartoons and may be transmitted through any type of media.
Verbal, physical or sexual harassment will not be tolerated at Monsignor James J. Haddad Middle School. Should a student feel that he/she has been subjected to harassment, he/she must report it immediately to the principal. Sensitivity to the needs of the victim will be of paramount importance. If it is determined that a student has been guilty of harassment, parents will be notified immediately. Severe disciplinary action along with a remedial program will result.
Hazing
Any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person is prohibited and unlawfulas stipulated by Chapter 269 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Student Threats
When Administration/guidance are made aware of a threat, the following will occur in a timely fashion:
* Isolate the potential offender
* Interview and evaluate the offender
* Conduct an investigation
* Notify and work with parents
* Determine the level of risk
* Follow the appropriate protocol for the level of risk
Bullying
MHMS has developed a bullying prevention and intervention plan. Theanti-bullying/intervention policies and procedures implemented by MHMS are summarized at the end of this handbook. The Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (full text) is located on our web site.
Smoking
Smoking is hazardous to the health of the individual and to the health of persons who come in contact with cigarette
smoke. Smoking is strictly prohibited on school grounds and at school events. If a student is caught smoking, she/he will
be suspended and will be required to research the hazards of smoking.
Stealing
Each student is provided with a locker. It is the responsibility of the student to lock all valuables, including books, in his or
her locker when not using them.Students may not borrow other student’s belongings without expressed permission.
Students who are caught stealing or tampering with another’s possessions will be suspended from school and will have
to make restitution. Any student who repeats this offense will be subject to expulsion.
Gum
The chewing of gum on school property and during field trips is prohibited.
Substance Abuse
The use of any illegal controlled substance such as alcohol, drugs or inhalants during school or at school events is
strictlyprohibited. Any student discovered to be using, in possession or offering a controlled substance will be
suspended and a review will take place to determine whether the student will be permitted to continue attending
Monsignor Haddad Middle School.
Weapons
Weapons of any kind are prohibited from school grounds and school events. This prohibition includes toys that are made
to resembleweapons. Pocketknives, no matter how small are included in this prohibition. Water guns are also banned from
the school property.Any violation of this rule will result in immediate suspension and possible prosecution.
Discipline Response Protocols
The principal is responsible for establishing and reviewing rules and regulations in the school. In the event of a disciplinary incident the principal reserves the right to interview students without the permission or presence of a parent. During the investigative process of a serious incident, the principal will communicate with the parents. The administration reserves the right to search school property including desks and lockers at any time.
Conflict Resolution
It is inevitable that conflicts between students and between students and teachers will occur during the school year. It is expected that persons involved in a conflict work toward a solution in a constructive manner. Violence takes many forms and is destructive and non-productive. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated. Assistance, if necessary, will be given to persons who are in conflict with one another to work toward a peaceful, productive solution.
During the course of the year, groups of students are brought together to discuss conflict resolution. Students are given skills to deal with conflict in a non-violent way. The health and theology curricula also address this issue. The guidance counselor teams with the principal to coordinate this program.
Retention
Teachers or the principal can ask a student to stay after school on a given day in the event of disrespectful or disruptive behavioror for failure to turn in homework. It is the responsibility of the student to notify his/her parents should he/she have to stay after school. After school retention must be given first priority. Should it be necessary, the student will be given a day to arrange transportation. If there is an emergency, it is the responsibility of the student and the parent to work out an alternative arrangement with the teacher.
Detention
The detention system helps the school identify patterns of irresponsible behavior in students. With this knowledge, plans for remediation can be formulated and implemented. Students may be assigned detention for: repeated retention by the same teacher; failure to report to a retention; repeated instances of misbehavior; tardiness to school or class; violation of the uniform code; gum chewing; disruptive behavior during Church services.
Detention slips must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the teacher who issued the detention. Detention is held each Wednesday afternoon. Failure to serve detention on the assigned date will result in double detention the following week. Students who have a note from a parent indicating that there is a medical appointment will have their detention rescheduled for the following week. This excuse must be presented prior to the day of detention. Participation in extra-curricular activities does not excuse a student from detention. The detention period runs from 2:40pm until 3:10pm for a single offense.