Student's Handbook
INTRODUCTION
Southcrest is one of the PAREF Schools in the Philippines. PAREF holds the principle that
character education begins at home and affirms the complementary role of the school in the
education of children. PAREF aims to provide a well-rounded school experience and give
personalized attention for each child. All academic courses offered in PAREF schools follow the
curriculum required by the Philippine government. The school honors the values and ideals of
Filipino culture. The religious instruction is based on the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
VISION
MISSION STATEMENT
SCHOOL PHILOSOPHYINTEGRAL EDUCATION Southcrest believes that true education addresses all aspects of the human person: physical, social, intellectual, moral, and spiritual. Thus, Southcrest provides an integral formation to all the members of its community. A child’s education is, first and foremost, the responsibility of parents. However, on account of personal, professional and material limitations, parents may entrust a share of this responsibility to trained educators. Thus, in PAREF schools, parents and teachers are partners in educating the whole child in all aspects of her life. To foster a close home-school collaboration, regular communications are given to parents. In order to insure the effectiveness of these communications, the school solicits the cooperation of the mentors who are crucial to making the home-school collaboration work as they act as a bridge between the school and the home. Parents can raise their concern to the mentors who should inform the competent persons so that the issue is addressed and communicated to parents. The school also seeks the help of the Class Advisers, who diligently monitor the distribution of letters to parents, as well as the students themselves, who are held accountable in informing their parents about certain< matters. A transmittal or reply slip usually accompanies memos. The parents must acknowledge the receipt of these memos and return the reply slips to the Class Adviser within two days. Parents are enjoined to carry out and give support to the points being communicated. The cornerstone of PAREF schools is the mentoring program, a personal one-on-one advising available to students. The mentoring session is the main channel through which home-school collaboration is achieved. Each student is given a mentor, normally a teacher or school staff who holds periodic conversations with the child and her parents. The mentor is the primary contact person for the parents. Through mentoring, each student is given the chance to get to know herself better, to cultivate virtues, to develop a personal relationship with God and to assimilate the intellectual and moral formation imparted by the school to help the student develop into a mature and responsible individual. In effect, the mentor acts as a caring adult and friend in whom the child confides and with whom she freely relates with trust. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING THRUST TOP The school follows traditional and integrative methods of instruction. In the Primary and Intermediate Levels, the development of fundamental intellectual skills is emphasized, while in High School, emphasis is placed on high order thinking skill.
A. Attendance and Tardiness 1. Daily Schedule Students are encouraged to be in school ten minutes before flag ceremony in the morning, so that they will have enough time to prepare for the class day. They should be in the line together with the class for the flag ceremony, otherwise the student will be considered tardy. For students who were absent, they must present to the Class Adviser an excuse letter written by the parents in the Student Diary, together with a doctor’s certificate, if the absence was more than five days due to illness. The adviser will then inform the teachers concerned about the student’s absence. Each student is required to at least attend 80 % of the total number of school days for her subjects to be credited. Thus, if students need to make trips within or outside the country, she must inform the school in writing stating the purpose of the trip and the length of the absence. This letter is to be addressed to the Executive Director and given at least one month before departure. She is advised to wait for the reply of the school. For Intermediate and High School: Students who are tardy ask a slip from the School Guard or from the Class Adviser and fill it out. Tardiness is excused if it is caused by unexpected factors not within the control of the students (e.g. strong rains, floods, accidents, or an unexpected occurrence at home). Parents are requested to send an excuse letter informing the adviser of the reason for tardiness. Habitual unexcused tardiness is subject to disciplinary action. Ten (10) unexcused marks for the quarter is considered a minor offense which merits a lower Personal Development Grade by one level, given that the student and the parents have been informed of the increasing number of tardiness. Fifteen (15) unexcused marks will merit a major offense and a Personal Development Grade of Unsatisfactory (U). 2. Leaving School Early in the Day Because the school is concerned about the personal safety and security of its students, they are not allowed to leave the school premises between the time of arrival and dismissal time unless a letter from their parents requesting for permission to leave school before the usual time is presented. The letter should be given to the Class Adviser during the Class Advisory Period (CAP) in the morning. 3. Suspension of Classes Due to Typhoons and Other Calamities The following are the guidelines issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) regarding the suspension of classes when typhoons and other calamities occur: Automatic suspension is the cancellation of classes in both public and private elementary and/or secondary schools region-wide, which does not require school announcement. Where typhoon signal No.1 is raised by PAG-ASA, classes at the pre-school and elementary are automatically suspended in all public and private schools. Where typhoon signal No. 2 is raised by PAG-ASA, classes in the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels are automatically suspended in all public and private schools. In the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAG-ASA, localized suspension or cancellation of classes in both public and private elementary and/or secondary schools may be implemented. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for determining whether their children should go to school, even if no order for the suspension of classes has been issued, if they feel that traveling to or from school will place their children at risk. B. School Uniform, Personal Appearance and the Dress Code The school uniform is a reflection of the culture and philosophy of the school. Students are expected to wear it properly and with pride. The school wishes everyone in Southcrest to maintain a general appearance characterized by appropriateness, neatness, and simplicity. 1. Daily Uniform
For Intermediate and High School: TOP A Uniform Slip is issued to a student who fails to follow the above guidelines. Habitual non-compliance of uniform and personal appearance guidelines for a maximum of ten (10) times per quarter will be considered a minor offense, which merits a lower Personal Development Grade by one level; fifteen (15) violations will merit a major offense and a Personal Development Grade of Unsatisfactory (U). If a student is unable to wear the prescribed uniform, she must present an excuse letter from her parents to her Class Adviser stating the reason and specifying the length of time that she will not be able to wear the prescribed uniform. The school discourages students from going to public places in their school uniform. For Primary Students Primary students (i.e., Grades 1 to 3) are allowed to come to school in their P.E. uniform only when the P.E. class is scheduled on that day. 2. Physical Education (P.E.) Uniform The P.E. uniform should be worn with the prescribed P.E. T-shirt and a pair of predominantly white rubber shoes during P.E. class. 3. Gala Uniform Only specific levels will be using the gala uniform for the following occasions: Grade 2 – First Holy Communion 4. Personal Appearance and Dress Code Good grooming and personal appearance are essential elements in the teaching and learning process hence dress and personal appearance should not interfere with the educational interest and the purpose of a PAREF education. The Southcrest student is pleasant to look at – natural, modest and well-groomed. When wearing civilian clothes during special school activities, it is the responsibility of the student to dress naturally and appropriately, keeping in mind that the way a person dresses reflects her values and attitudes. For example, clothes and footwear such as slippers, shorts, sleeveless shirts which are more proper for places like resorts, gym and the bedroom would not be appropriate in an academic institution. Respect for the body also demands modesty in clothing. Thus, the school discourages clothes that do not reflect this sign of respect: mini-skirts, short shorts, flimsy blouses, etc. Clothing that exposes the entire shoulder, tube tops, spaghetti straps may be worn with a blouse or shirt. Clothing exposing the torso, midriff either front, back or side, shall not be worn. Undergarments shall not be visible. Mini-skirts, mini-dresses, shorts, tight clothes, are not permitted. Clothing not properly fastened or with tears that are indecent shall not be worn. Any clothing or item attached to or worn on a clothing or on a person’s body with pictures, symbols or writings containing any obscenity or abusive language is prohibited on the school campus. Any student violating the dress code may be suspended for the remainder of the school day and may receive unexcused absences in the classes mixed. Non-compliance of the dress code may be considered a major offense. The principal or her designated person(s) has the authority to determine inappropriate appearance. C. School Materials and Personal Belongings Southcrest is a dynamic learning community. A student is therefore expected to observe and maintain an atmosphere of diligent study, hard work, and healthy social interactions. A student is encouraged to bring only the essentials to school, labeled with one’s name, grade or year level, so that they will be easily identified and losses will be avoided. Items other than the prescribed school materials, such as tape recorders, magazines, laptops, costumes, cameras, etc., may be brought to school if they are needed for a school project or activity. They should be declared to the Class Adviser at the start of the day. Otherwise, these items will be confiscated. Students should handle with care all school property, such as rented books, chairs, desks,
TOP
The table below shows the descriptive equivalent of the PDG grade B. Discipline (Guidelines below applicable to Intermediate and High School only) Southcrest expects the highest standards of behavior from all its students. 1. Discipline Committee The Discipline Committee, composed of appointed members, is an impartial body that studies disciplinary cases. Cases referred to the committee are handled discreetly with proper regard for justice and the dignity of each person. The committee’s decision considers primarily the FORMATION of the individual and not the imposition of sanctions. In Southcrest, sanctions are meted out to guide the student to accept responsibility for her actions and decisions. They are also meant to help the students grow in maturity, strength of character and to learn positively from the experience. 2. Right to Due Process The student’s right to due process will be ensured through the conduct of an impartial\ investigation and hearing. A student may express her ideas within the accepted norms of communication following the rules of courtesy and decorum. Based on the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools (MPRS), school authorities and teachers have the right to impose appropriate and reasonable disciplinary measures in case of minor offenses. In case of a major offense, the following standards must be met: a. The student must be informed in writing of the nature and cause of any accusation against
her Types of Offenses and Procedures in Handling Them Section 74 of the Manual Regulations for the Private Schools (MRPS) provides that every private school shall maintain good school discipline inside the school campus as well as outside the school premises when students are engaged in activities authorized by the school. To comply with this mandate, schools are allowed to impose reasonable disciplinary measures and administrative penalties on erring students. Procedure in Handling Offenses 1. A Feedback on Student (FOS) is issued by a teacher or any school staff about the offense. For minor offenses, the class adviser informs the mentor who in turn, also informs the student and her parents. The director in-charge of formation is also informed. 2. An FOS for a major offense committed or (3) FOS’s for the same minor offense regardless of its nature is referred to the Discipline Committee for investigation. A minor offense may be classified as a major offense when it is committed despite warning and after considering due process. 3. An investigation is conducted by the discipline committee with the right to due process accorded to the student concerned. The student is requested to present a written explanation to the committee. The discipline committee will meet the parents to explain that an investigation is on-going and to get the parents’ inputs on how to help the student concerned on this aspect 4. All the members of the Discipline Committee participate in the careful deliberation of the case. 5. The Committee determines the sanction to be imposed on the student. 6. The results of the deliberation is upstreamed to Mancom for approval. 7. A communication about the case is given to the parents and they are informed about the sanction to be imposed on their daughter. They are invited to the school for a conference regarding the case. 8. The student serves the sanction. The fact of having committed a major offense is reflected in the Personal Development Grade (PDG) for that quarter. Please note:Disciplinary cases not covered in this manual will depend on administrative policy/discretion. The school administration retains control over lockers and desk space and have the right and duty to inspect and search student lockers, desks etc if there is reasonable suspicion upon information received that illegal, stolen or prohibited items are likely to be found in the student’s possession. This is done in the exercise of the school’s duty to enforce school discipline and protect the health and safety of the school community. Zero-Tolerance on Bullying The school is obliged to provide a safe and secure learning environment for its students; hence, it will not tolerate bullying or harassment in any form. Bullying is systematically inflicting physical or psychological hurt on another student/s e.g., making fun of others, threatening, hiding another person’s property, intimidating, harassment, cyberbullying, public humiliation, name-calling, gossiping, spreading rumors/lies, ostracizing, social exclusion, isolating people. A student has the right to report any incident to a teacher or school staff without any fear of reprisals. When a student is a victim of bullying, she has to tell the bully to stop, and immediately report the incident to a school staff/teacher. Bullying is considered a major offense. TOPThe nature of the sanction to be given is studied thoroughly so that it is proportionate to the offense, and that it contributes positively to the personal formation of the student. The sanctions that may be imposed are the following: a) Verbal warning 1. A student who has committed a major offense for the first time may be placed under disciplinary
probation. A PAREF STUDENT PAREF Academic goals A. General Guidelines Grading System The school year is divided into four grading periods – First Quarter to Fourth Quarter. The final grade is the average of the quarter grades. The table below shows the numerical equivalent of the letters of the academic grades: A 95-100 B- 80-84.99 Report Cards Report Cards are normally released three weeks after the Quarterly Examination. The card shows the results of a student’s performance in each subject. Parents have to sign the reply slip with the report card and it must be returned to the Class Adviser the very next day. HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL The subjects in the curriculum from the First to Fourth Year are as follows: FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR The school issues academic reports as a reminder of concern and warning for all students in a given period. However, students should not wait for the academic report before taking their studies seriously The STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT (SPR) given at the middle of the
quarter, indicates the general standing of the students based on her academic
performance on all the evaluation tools given from the beginning of the quarter At the end of each quarter, the students’ grades are computed. The quarterly grades are based on her performance on the Class Standing (CS) which makes up 70% of the Quarter Grade (QG) and the Quarterly Exam (QE)which is 30% of the Quarter Grade. Class standing consists of the following: Academic evaluation The weighted averaging system of grading is used. The school year is divided into four quarters. The final grade is the average of the quarter grades. B. Criteria on Promotion 1. The passing mark in any given subject is a grade of 75 or C. Students who receive academic warning during the third quarters and fourth quarters are advised to wait for official notice regarding their academic status before making plans for summer vacation. Students conc erned should attend summer classes* as scheduled. The school will not provide special arrangements for those who miss the classes. *can be taken up in any DepEd accredited schools if it is not offered in Southcrest Note: Department of Education policies on retention and promotion are generally followed and considered. Readmission of Students Academic Probation C. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 1. A candidate for graduation must complete all the requirements prescribed by the school. 2. Attendance (punctuality and regularity) during the graduation rehearsals and all the other related activities (recollection, talks, assemblies) is a pre-requisite for graduation. 3. Diplomas, transcripts of records, and other documents of graduating students who have not complied with all the requirements will be withheld pending completion of all academic and other school requirements. THE AWARDING SYSTEM B. Year-End Performance (for Grade 7 and undergraduates) A Gold Medal is awarded to a student who has a final general average of A in Academics
and O in Personal Development regardless of the number and kind of certificates she has received
during the school year.
The Award for Subject Excellence is given to the student who has rated the highest in the subject and having all A’s in all four (4) quarters. Deportment must not be lower than a VG. C. Graduating High School Student A Gold Medal is awarded to a student who has a final general average of A in Academics
and O in Personal Development regardless of the number and kind of certificates she has received A Silver Medal is awarded to a student who has a final general average of A- in Academics and VG in Personal Development regardless of the number and kind of certificates she has received during the school year. A student will be disqualified from receiving a year-end award for the same reasons stated in the quarterly awards. Southcrest Student Award This is the highest award given to a student who has shown excellent achievement in academics and has actively and continuously pursued and practiced the virtues inspired by Christian ideals. Subject Achievement Award This award is given to graduating students who have harmonized effort, right attitude and disposition with excellent academic performance in a particular subject. To qualify for the award, the student must have obtained the highest total average in the subject from first to fourth year. The candidate should have obtained at least an average of 95% in all quarters in all year levels. The recipient of the award should not have committed a major offense during her stay in High School. Deportment grade must not be lower than VG. Southcrest Leadership Award The following are the criteria in choosing the awardee: Co-curricular Award This is given to students who have excelled in the Co-curricular activities. The deportment grade should not be lower than VG. The candidate should not have committed a major offense during the year. This award can also be given to undergraduates. Athlete of the Year Award This award is given to a student who has shown outstanding performance in sports by living the spirit of sportsmanship in an organized tournament while maintaining a good academic standing. The award is presented to the student, both to graduating students and under- Graduates, who meet the following criteria: 1. Exhibits sportsmanship and a sporting spirit such as This recognition is given to students, either graduating or undergraduate, who have won awards in National or International competitions and have brought honor and prestige to the school. TOP Loyalty AwardThis award is given to students, either graduating or undergraduate, who have won awards in National or International competitions and have brought honor and prestige to the school. TOP Service AwardThis award is given to students who completed their schooling in Southcrest continuously from Grade one to Fourth year. TOPANNEX 1PAREF DRUG POLICY General Policy The school recognizes the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on the physical and medical well-being not only of its students but on the whole citizenry as well. As an institution committed to the academic and moral formation of its students, it assumes its important responsibility of ensuring that the students are well-informed of the evils of using prohibited drugs and will endeavor to make the school free from such dangers. The policy was formulated in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. I. Definition of Prohibited Drugs Prohibited drugs include those listed in the schedules annexed to RA 9165. Included in these schedules are prohibited drugs such as marijuana or Indian hemp, ecstasy, shabu, ice, opium poppy, valium, heroin, morphine, cocaine, etc. II. Authority to Conduct Drug Testing Pursuant to Article III, Sec. 36 of RA 9165, all PAREF students from Grade 7 to Year IV will undergo mandatory drug testing. The school, after informing the parents will conduct drug testing twice within the school year. The school reserves the right to conduct at random the test at the time it deems appropriate. A drug testing fee will be charged during the enrollment period. III. Authority to Apprehend Authorities of the school (Executive Director, Management Committee, Teachers, etc.) shall be deemed persons in authority if they are in school or within the immediate vicinity of the school or even beyond the immediate vicinity if they are in attendance at any school or class function in their official capacity as school head or teachers, to apprehend any student who uses or promotes to others the use of prohibited drugs. Any school authority who finds or discovers that a student is in possession, uses, or distributes prohibited drugs has the duty to report the incident to her immediate superior or the Executive Director. IV. A Drug Related Offense – A Serious Major Offense Due to the serious danger that prohibited drugs can cause in school community, a student in possession of, using, distributing or found to be positive for use of prohibited drugs is considered to have committed a “serious major offense”. As such, drug related offenses will be subject to the penalty of “immediate dismissal from the school.” Students found positive for use of prohibited drugs as a result of the drug testing conducted by the school are likewise deemed to have committed the serious major offense of drug use, regardless of whether the drug was taken inside or outside of the school premises, or during or outside school functions. While the school recognizes the need to help the student rehabilitate from drug use, the school authorities, neither have the training nor the expertise to handle the rehabilitation of drug offenders, and to better help the quick rehabilitation of drug offenders, the school may facilitate or help their parents or guardians seek assistance from appropriate institutions. V. Due Process 1. If a student is caught in possession of, using or distributing prohibited drugs, the student must be accorded due process as written in the Code of Discipline. 2. As called for by the School’s Policy on Drugs, the Discipline Committee rec- ommends the immediate dismissal of the drug offender. 3. The Head of Discipline will call the parents of the student to personally in- form them of the case. 4. The decision of the Discipline Committee is final since it is merely imple- menting the Drug Policy of the School. ANNEX 2GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS JOINING COMPETITIONS If a student officially represents the school for competitions, congresses or other similar activities: 1) She will earn credits for the subjects related to the activity or contest 2) She will be exempted / excused for quizzes and seatworks done while she was out 3) For the other subjects not related to the contest, she will have to make up (i.e. answering long tests, copying notes, doing assignments) 4) The student will not be marked absent 5) She may request for special make up classes. If a student joins competitions, congresses or other similar activities as a personal initiative: 1) She must write a letter to the executive director about her absence 2) It is possible to earn credits for the subjects related to the activity or contest 3) She will NOT be exempted / excused for quizzes, long tests, seatworks and other school work done while she was out but the teachers concerned will assist the child to make up ANNEX 3Waiver for Varsity Players Agreement on Varsity Membership Waiver of Claims and Release from Liability | ||||||||||||||||
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