ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOK
MISSION STATEMENT
Visitation BVM School aims to bring students and their families to a
greater awareness of God’s love and their role in God’s divine plan. We
want each student to develop respect, responsibility, commitment and
creativity. Visitation BVM School fosters students who can solve problems
with regard for others and all of God’s creation. We nurture the growth of
our students as children of God by teaching an appreciation of all things
created by God and by promoting an acceptance of the many differences within
our Catholic family. Visitation BVM School provides a holistic and
integrated education for our children. We meet the unique needs of our
varied population by traditional and nontraditional teaching strategies. We
seek to instill in our students the desire for knowledge and the tools to
become life-long learners. Visitation BVM School encourages the development
of trustworthy, caring, involved children who will accept their present and
future responsibilities as citizens of the global society.
ADMISSION POLICY
Visitation accepts students regardless of race, color or creed, as long as
we can provide and they can handle the academic program and cooperate with
the rules and regulations of the school.
WEDNESDAY FOLDERS
On Wednesdays a folder is sent home with your child with important
information about their progress, lunch info, upcoming events and school and
parish announcements. Please be sure to check your childs Wednesday folder,
sign it, and return it to school Thrsday.
LATENESS
A student is late if he/she is not in his/her assigned place at 8:15 AM.
Late slips are issued in the office. When a child receives ten late slips
the homeroom teacher will issue a detention.
ABSENCES
Students must attend school every day. The only exceptions are for serious
illness of the student or death in the family. Absences of more than 25
days during the school year will necessitate attendance at summer school.
If a student in Pre-K through grade 8 is absent, a parent/guardian should
call the school on the day of the absence AND send a written note stating
the reason for the absence. The note must be given to the homeroom teacher
on the day the child returns to school. A doctor’s note is required for any
absence of three (3) or more consecutive days.
Attendance is taken through the use of a computer program known as
Identimetrics. Your child is scanned into the system upon arrival and a
record of attendance is maintained on our server.
CONDUCT
Students are expected to be respectful, courteous and well behaved at all
times. This includes walking to and from school and at all times in the
school building or on school property. Students are to be peacemakers.
Potential, serious problems are to be reported immediately so that they can
be addressed and hopefully resolved.
DISCIPLINE
In the education of the total person, it is an important primary goal to
develop respect for policies, administrators, faculty, students and
consideration of the common good. We rely on the cooperation of
parents/guardians to realize this goal.
SCHOOL DETENTION
Parents/guardians will be notified in writing and by phone if a student will
be required to stay for detention. Parents/guardians must sign and return
the form the next day. Students will stay for one (1) hour detention on the
day after they receive the notice. If a student receives two (2) notices in
one day, they will serve the detentions on consecutive days. Parents must
sign the form at the bottom of the copy. A copy of parents’ signatures will
be kept on file in the office.
VISITATION SCHOOL RULES
1. Follow Directions
2. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
3. Walk quietly and slowly in halls and stairwells
4. Respect others in words and actions.
5. Respect all property, the schools, other people’s and your own
6. Bring all needed supplies and books to school and classes
7. Wear the proper uniform including the proper uniform on gym days.
8. Chewing gum is not allowed
OUTCOME - CONSEQUENCES
1. First-time infractions-Warning
2. Second-infraction- Teacher’s consequence
3. Third infraction- one hour detention
4. Students having 5 detentions will be suspended for three days at
home.
5. SEVERE CLAUSE – At the principals discretion an automatic detention
or suspension can result depending on the nature of the infraction such as
fighting.. Any infraction that endangers the school community can result in
an expulsion.
HOMEWORK
Homework is an educational tool that strengthens the learning that is
occurring during the school day. Homework involves written work and study.
Parents/guardians have a responsibility to provide a quiet time and place
that is conducive to homework. If your child seems to have little or no
homework, please contact the teacher.
DRESS CODE
Girls – Grades K to 4
Blue plaid uniform, blue blouse, navy blue socks and sweater (optional) must
be navy blue. Sensible dark (blue or black) shoes must be worn.
Girls – Grades 5 to 8
Navy blue vest, blue blouse, and plaid skirt to the knee and navy blue
socks. Nail polish and make-up are not permitted in school. Jewelry may be
worn, one small ring, one small pair of post earrings (no hoops or dangling
earrings), a watch, medal/cross and chain – No other jewelry, no make up,
and no artificial or painted nails.
Boys – Grades K to 8
Blue shirt (long or short sleeve), short sleeved blue knit shirt (September
and May ONLY), navy blue slacks and navy blue or plaid tie, sweater
(optional) must be navy blue. Sensible dark blue or black shoes must be
worn (NOT SNEAKERS). Jewelry may be worn, one ring, watches, medal/cross
and chain, one small post earring - NO OTHER JEWELRY.
GYM UNIFORMS – ALL GRADES
Navy blue sweat suits (plain or with the Visitation logo on the front, NO
OTHER LOGO) and sneakers. Navy blue shorts, sneakers and Visitation tee
shirts (September and May). Visitation tee shirts can be purchased in the
school office.
Girls and Boys – Pre-K
Navy blue sweat suits. Navy blue shorts and Visitation tee shirt (September
and May.) Visitation tee shirts can be purchased in the school office.
ALL UNIFORM ITEMS CAN BE PURCHASED AT CRAMERS.
Hair: Inappropriate, sculptured, disheveled or fad hairstyles are not
permitted for boys or girls.
EARLY DISMISSAL – WEATHER EMERGENCIES
We try to anticipate all early dismissals and include them on our monthly
calendar. If an unexpected one should occur, written notification will be
sent home with the children. In an event of severe weather, Visitation
School follows the policy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. LISTEN TO KYW
NEWS RADIO 1060 AM for school closings. Visitation will be closed if an
announcement says, “ALL PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS ARE
CLOSED.” Please do not call the school, convent or rectory.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones are not permitted in school for any reason. If a student has a
cell phone, they must leave it in the school office during the school day.We
are not responsible for cell phonesor other items brought to school by a
student.