Absences
Admissions
After Care Program
Altar Servers
Bell Schedule
Bicycles
Books
Calendar
Cars
Class Trips
Cell Phones
Confirmation
C.C.D.
CORA (Counseling or Referral Assistance)
CYO Parish Youth Ministry
Discipline
- Suspension and Expulsion
Dress Code
Eucharist
Faculty Inservice/Faculty Meetings
Fire Drill
Graduation
iPads
Kingergarten
Lateness
Lunch Program
Memorandum of Understanding
Method of Instruction
Middle States Evaluation
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Physical Education
Policy for Awarding Honors
Report Cards
Schedule
School Bags - Pencil Cases
Standardized Testing Programs/School Tests
State Funded Services
Telephone
Transfers
Tuition
Visitors
On the day a student is absent, the parent is required to phone the school at 215-632-1161 before 9:00 AM. The phone tape is available 24 hours a day.
A student who has been absent from school, even for one day, is required to present a written note to his/her homeroom teacher. This is a school, state, and Office of Catholic Education requirement. A physician must confirm absences of an extended nature (three days or more). The school nurse should also be informed.
An absence without a note is considered an unexcused absence. PLEASE NOTE: An excused absence does NOT indicate that a child's absence is cleared from the record. An excused absence is still an absence with the exception that it has been verified by written notification by a parent/guardian.
No student may leave school at any time without permission from his or her teacher and notification from a parent. An adult must come to the school office and sign a child out. Parents must send in a note the morning of a dental or doctor appointment during school hours.
In case of illness, the nurse or school office will contact the parents or an adult whose name has been submitted to the office.
Christ the King School adheres to the directives of the Office of Catholic Education with regard to admission to Grade One. A child must be six years old by September 1. The principal determines whether a child should be admitted if there is evidence of an academic or emotional problem or if present class size is prohibitive.
To be admitted to Christ the King School the following is necessary:
Pre-Kindergarten - Child must be three by September 1 and be potty trained
Kindergarten - Child must be 5 by September 1
Grade 1
1. Membership in the parish
2. Birth Certificate
3. Baptismal Certificate if not Christ the King
4. Immunization Record
Grades 2 - 8
1. Report Card from previous school
2. Final approval of the principal of Christ the King
Registration - Pre-Kindergarten through grade 8 takes place in February for parishioners and students already registered in our school. Out of parish students register in March. Notification of dates is on the website, church bulletin and Newsflash.
Back to School Night - Parents of incoming students in PreSchool, K, and Grade 1 meet with the teacher before the school year begins.
Testing - An oral assessment is given to incoming first graders. The purpose of this assessment is to get a general view of where each child is prior to coming to school.
Reliable school personnel provides a before-school and after-school program that begins the first full week of school and ends the last full week. Detailed information is available through the business office to interested families.
Students entering the sixth grade, who have a desire to represent the people of Christ the King Parish in the liturgy are invited to become altar servers.
The student is expected to be:
1. Respectful
2. Punctual
3. Attentive while learning the proper functions of serving at the altar
4. Reliable to assignments
5. Accurate in following the schedule
6. Dependable in finding a substitute
7. In proper school uniform when serving
Morning 7:50 AM - Assemble for Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance
Lunch - Varies throughout the grades according to each grade's schedule.
Dismissal - Monday through Friday 2:35 PM
Children from grades 5 - 8 may ride bikes to school. Students must wear a bike helmet to and from school and on school pproperty while riding. Bicycles are to be parked and locked in the schoolyard on the bike rack located by the church. Children walk bicycles in and out of the schoolyard. The school is not responsible for any theft or damage to bikes, and parents are responsible for their own child's safety. Children who ride bicycles follow the safety guidelines for bicycles. The principal may take away the privilege of bringing a bicycle to school.
The school, through funding from of the State of Pennsylvania, furnishes all secular textbooks and workbooks. The student must pay for lost or damaged books. The school makes a charge at the rate by which the books were purchased. All students must have a book bag for the protection of the books. A workbook is considered a contract between teacher and student, and must be handed in at the close of the school year.
All Religious texts and workbooks are funded by the parish.
A tentative yearly calendar for the next school year is placed on the school website during the summer prior to that school year. This gives the parent an opportunity to plan for the family in advance. An updated monthly calendar is also found on our school website. CTK follows the holidays planned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Please note that the yearly calendar is adjusted as needed.
Each monthly calendar is published approximately 3 days before that month. It will have the most updated calendar information in it.
Morning Procedure - OUTSIDE ASSEMBLY/NO RAIN
Morning Procedure - INSIDE ASSEMBLY/RAINY OR COLD WEATHER
During the school day:
Afternoon Procedure:
The purpose of a class trip is to broaden the intellectual, cultural and social experiences of each child. Written permission is required of each child's parent or guardian for participation. A class trip is a privilege, which a student may have taken away if a teacher so requests. If, for a serious reason, a parent does not wish a child to go with his/her class, the child must come to school or an absebce will be recorded since it is still an official school day.. Drivers must park along the back section of the field when taking bus trips. This keeps the school yard clear for the children at lunch recess.
There are certain years in which the Connelly Access Program will fund trips for our students. Those trips will happen at different times within the school year. The trips are almost always free. We thank the Connelly Foundation for the opportunities they prvide for our students!
Parent chaperones are requested on a NEED ONLY basis due to the requirement that chaperones must have all clearances on file here at the school (see the next section on CLEARANCES).
If parents are permitted to chaperone, they must have all clearances up to date. NO PARENT/GUARDIAN MAY ATTEND A TRIP WITHOUT STATE AND ARCHDIOCESAN MANDATED CLEARANCES. This is not negotiable due to State law.
Ever since the 2019-2020 school year, Christ the King School has instituted a policy of having all clearances for parents/guardians on file no later than the assigned October deadline. This is to assure that all clearances are up to date, avoid last minute surprises for both parent and school, and gives us the ability to comply fully with state law and Archdiocesan guidelines. We appreciate your help with this!
Students are permitted to bring cell phones to school under the following conditions:
Chromebooks are available mainly for the upper grades. Their use is governed by the Acceptable Use Policy signed by every parent each year.
The Roman Catholic students of CTK and PREP Religion Classes are confirmed in Grade 7. Here are some general guidelines concerning the conferring of the sacrament:
Check with the rectory (215-632-1144) concerning any questions you have about the Parish Religious Eduaction Program (PREP). This program was commonly referred to as the CCD Program.
CORA is a nonprofit, multi-funded Children and Family Resource Center. CORA helps the school in maximizing the services available to non-public school children under Pennsylvania Act 89 funding. The services available under Act 89 include Counseling and Guidance, Corrective Reading and Math, Psychological Evaluations, and Speech and Language Remediation.
The CYO is a Parish sponsored organization. Members of CTK Parish in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades in parochial, public, or private schools are invited to participate in the five-phase approach to youth ministry: athletic, cultural, service, social, and spiritual. Through a total youth ministry concept, CYO collaborates in all the youth-related programs offered by the parish. Call the rectory for more information (215-632-1144).
The students of Christ the King School understand the need for discipline. Developing Christian values, desirable social attitudes, respect for authority and a sense of personal responsibility are as much part of an education as growth in academic areas. For purposes of clarity, discipline infractions are placed in two categories: major and minor infractions.
Major infractions include, but are not limited to: Possession of weapons, insubordination, truancy, theft, vandalism, fighting, smoking, drugs, alcohol, disrespect toward others (written and spoken), deliberate disregard of school policies, abusive language (written and spoken), conscious and consistent conduct failures, disrupting the learning process, and leaving school without permission. In the case of a major infraction, the principal may employ procedures for suspension and/or expulsion. All decisions on suspension and expulsion would be based on a case by case basis.
Minor infractions include, but are not limited to: Violation of safety rules, lateness, gum chewing, failure to report to class with necessary materials, failure to do homework assignments, and dress code violations. In the case of a minor infraction, a parent conference may be necessary and, in extreme cases, may result in a suspension.
Suspension is the temporary dismissal from school. When a student is suspended, at least one parent must report to school the day the student is readmitted. The parent signs an agreement in which they understand the problem and agree to assume responsibility for their child's future behavior.
Expulsion is the permanent dismissal from school. If, after repeated parent conferences and suspension, there is no indication of the desire to improve or resolve the problem, an expulsion or request to transfer may result. The Pastor and the Principal reserve the right to insist on the transfer of a student if it is warranted.
Some major infractions extend beyond the confines of school, as in the case of offenses committed outside of school hours or outside the confines of the parish property. In those cases, if a child is a student of CTK, these infractions can affect the school because of the offending student's status as a member of our school community. As a result, those behaviors will be considered reviewable by the school administration and can be addressed by applying the school's discipline policies.
If a student receives an Unsatisfactory (1 in Grades 4-8) on the report card in either Personal Development and Behavior or Effort/Study Skills, a request to try a program at another school may be made.
UNIFORM CODE.
Uniforms are required for all students at Christ the King School. Parents are requested to cooperate by seeing to it that their children wear only the regulation uniform, make sure that it fits, and that it is worn properly. All uniforms should be kept neat and clean. Please check under "Links" for information on Flynn & O'Hara, our supplier of uniforms.
Pre-Kindergarten Uniform - Boys and Girls *This uniform is worn to school every day
Kindergarten Uniform - Boy and Girls *This uniform is worn to school every day
Girl's Uniform - Grades 1 - 5
Girl's Uniform - Grades 6 - 8
Makeup, nail polish, false nails, and large or excessive jewelry are not permitted.
Boy's Uniform - Grades 1 - 8
Gym Uniform - Girls and Boys - Grades 1 - 8
8th Grade will be permitted to use the Class Sweatshirt as part of their uniform.
Optional Summer Uniform - Girls & Boys - Grades 1 - 8 (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 and April 15th - June 18th)
Hair style is considered to be part of the school uniform code. NO extreme hairstyles are permitted. The length of boys hair should not touch the shirt collar and should not cover the eyes. The Principal is the final authority on issues of hair style for students.
A note signed by a parent/guardian is required for children out of uniform.
On special days, students are permitted to come to school without uniforms (commonly know as "dress down days"). However, clothes worn for dress down should be in good taste and be appropriate for school.
Flip flops and slides are never permitted.
The sacrament of Eucharist is received for the first time when students are in the second grade. The reception of First Holy Communion takes place during a Mass held on the last Saturday of April at 10:30 A.M. Parents are required to attend one meeting a year at 7:00 P.M. in Church. At this time they learn how they can become directly involved in the sacramental preparation of their child. Students in grades three through eight have the opportunity to receive this sacrament at school liturgies throughout the year and at Sunday Mass. The sacrament of Holy Eucharist is reserved for those who have been fully instructed and approved by the Church on the reception of the sacrament.
Faculty in-service meetings are held during the school year. They are scheduled for the year and are listed on the annual calendar. All faculty meeting days will have a Noon Dismissal, unless otherwise noted on the calendar. Faculty In-Service Days will result in no school for the students on those days.
Fire drills are conducted on a periodic basis as directed by the Philadelphia Fire Department and Archdiocesan guidelines. Fire instructions are clearly visible in each room.
The purpose of fundraisers is to help defray the cost of operating the school. We run major and minor fundraisers during the school year to help the school meet its annual budgetary needs.
Graduation is held on the Wednesday nght of the last week of school each academic year. All academic, religious, and behavior requirements must be met prior to graduation.
iPads are available mainly for the lower grades. Their use is governed by the Acceptable Use Policy signed by every parent each year.
The kindergarten program at CTK provides a trusting and open atmosphere in which the spiritual and educational growth of each child is nurtured. The program provides a variety of opportunities for the child to interact with his/her social and natural environment. It is a readiness program where children learn through movement, play and experience. The children are encouraged to develop a positive image of themselves and others. We hope to provide a smooth and pleasant transition from the home environment to school. A child must be five years old before September 1 of the present academic year.
A child is late if he/she is not present when his/her class at the morning prayer. Those who are late must report to the business office for a late slip. Lateness is recorded on each student's record and record card. A perfect attendance certificate is given at the end of the year for students who have persevered a perfect recod during the entire year, including lateness. Parents are contacted if there is a chronic lateness problem.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
Children bring their lunch to school each day; however, if the child lives close to school, he/she may go home during this period. A small remuneration is required for each family to maintain the lunch program, and that is included in tuition for the year. Each room has a moderator, which is usually the teacher of the room. .
Lunches are offered through a "special lunch" program from Monday through Thursday from October to May. These lunches must be ordered a month in advance. They include pizza lunch, Chick-fil-A, Marinucci's sandwiches, and Burger King. Ordering information is found on the website under "links". Order forms will go home with each child before each month. Payment is required when submitting order forms for special lunches. PLEASE NOTE that special lunches are non refundable if a child is absent for a lunch they ordered. This is because the lunches are paid for in advance.
The CYO offers McDonald's lunches one Friday of each month. Those lunches are ordered separately from our special lunch forms.
Every Catholic school student has a right to be treated as a child of God, with the love and respect that implies, regardless of family circumstances. In like manner, the believing community has the right to an education guided by Catholic teaching and identity, unimpeded by pressures contrary to Church teaching.
As parent/guardian of a student in a Catholic school, I understand, affirm, and support the following:
1. The primary purpose of a Catholic School education is two-fold: to strengthen the Catholic community in its faith, and to form students in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.
2. Catholic schools are distinctive religion education institutions guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church. They are not simply private schools offering a positive moral code. Rather, they exist to advance the faith mission of the sponsoring Catholic parish(es), Archdiocese, or Catholic religious community.
3. While Catholic education places a high value on academic excellence and extracurricular achievement, its fundamental policy is fidelity to Catholic teaching and identity.
4. Attending a Catholic school is a privilege, not a right. The school and its administration have the responsibility to ensure that Catholic teaching and moral integrity permeate every facet of the school’s life and activity and that the school is able to function as a community of faith.
5. In all questions that involve Catholic teaching, morals, and Church law, the final determination rests with the Archbishop.
As a parent/guardian desiring to enroll my child in a Catholic school, I accept this memorandum of understanding. I pledge support for the Catholic identity and mission of this school and by enrolling my child I commit myself to uphold all principles and policies that govern the Catholic School.
Christ the King School uses the academic guidelines for each subject as directed by the Office of Catholic Education and the State of Pennsylvania. Children are placed in heterogeneous groups in all subjects.
A team of evaluators appointed by the Assembly of Elementary Schools Middle States Association of College and Schools visited Christ the King in 1987. Christ the King School has met the standards of the Commission in terms of its stated philosophy and objectives. CTK was certified in 1987 and reaccredited in 1998 and again in 2009. Please refer to the Middle States link to view the current certificate. Our most recent evaluation was completed in November 2015 with reaccreditation in May 2016.
Parent-teacher conferences are of vital importance in keeping the avenues of communication open between the home and school. Formal conferences are scheduled around the distribution of First Trimester Report Cards. A conference may be initiated any time it is deemed necessary by either the parent or the teacher. This is done by either party contacting the other and setting a mutual date. It is the responsibility of parents to keep informed of their children's grades and progress through Option C and signing assessments. In specific cases, where deemed necessary, the teacher or principal may call a conference prior to the student returning to class. Parents are requested to make an appointment with the teacher or principal before coming to the school. Kindergarten and Grade 1 have conferences the last Wednesday of January yearly.
Classes in physical education are required by the state. A note from a doctor is needed to excuse a child for a lengthy period. A note from a parent suffices for one class. Children are evaluated and marked by the P.E. teacher in the following areas of ability, cooperation, attendance, and attire. Refer to section above on Dress Code. Field Day is scheduled at the end of the year as a culmination of the gym program.
The following criteria will be used to award First and Second Honors at report card time:
First Honors Criteria – Grades 4-8
All numerical grades must be at or above a 92
All “Specials” grades must be at or above a 3
Both Personal and Social Growth (Conduct) and Effort and Study Skills (Effort) grades must be at or above a 3
No more than a combined 5 unexcused latenesses AND early dismissals (parents coming early to pick up children before 2:35 PM) per trimester
Second Honors Criteria – Grades 4-8
All numerical grades must be at or above a 88
All “Specials” grades must be at or above a 3
Both Personal and Social Growth (Conduct) and Effort and Study Skills (Effort) grades must be at or above a 3
No more than a combined 5 unexcused latenesses AND early dismissals (parents coming early to pick up children before 2:35 PM) per trimester
St. Joseph the Worker Award – Grades 1-3
Handwriting grade does not affect honors qualification
Both Personal and Social Growth (Conduct) and Effort and Study Skills (Effort) grades must be at or above a 3
St. Katharine Drexel Award – Grades 1-8
Please note: The trimester general average is calculated with the Listening and Speaking grade accounting for a HALF CREDIT GRADE. This will cause the general average to be slightly lower than if you calculated the grade as FULL CREDIT, which is what Religion, Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, or Science are considered to be. Option C automaticall takes this into account when calculating a trimester general average.
An excused lateness is one in which the student was late because of an emergency or medical appointment. It still counts as a late arrival on the report card, but does not affect eligibility for Honors.
Three report cards are distributed during the school year. The dates are on the yearly calendar. The First Trimester report card is received by a parent/guardian at a scheduled parent-teacher interview in December. That date is scheduled and posted annually. Report Cards are distributed to achild as long as all financial responsibilities are up to date.
Students are due to arrive by 7:50 AM. All students are to be present for group prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. School begins at 7:55 AM and ends at 2:35 PM. Class schedules are set by Archdiocesan regulations and must meet state requirements. Minutes for each subject vary according to grade level.
School bags are required for all students. No books may be carried to and from school without one. All children must use pencil cases in order to keep supplies needed for class.
The Terra Nova standardized test is administered each year to students in grades 3-7. The results are communicated to the parents. Teachers administer individual teacher tests and prepared tests in all subject areas throughout the school year. The usual testing dates are during the second half of March each academic year. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE STUDENTS FROM GRADES 3-7 ARE PRESENT FOR ALL STANDARDIZED TESTING.
ACT 89: Under Act 89, our students have the services of CORA (Counseling or Referral Assistance) in counseling, speech therapy, remedial reading and remedial math.
ACT 90: Under Act 90, we are entitled to funds for student workbooks up to a specified allotment.
ACT 195: Under Act 195, we are entitled to funds for student textbooks up to a specified allotment.
Library Books - A.V. Materials: These materials are part of a BLOCS grant, which includes text and workbooks.
The monies allocated by the state for textbooks, workbooks, library books, audio visual materials and equipment does not adequately meet school needs. Additional monies are raised to meet these needs.
Please notify the school of any change in phone numbers, either home, work, or emergency. (The same holds for change of address.) Children may not use the office phone during school except by special permission in an emergency. If you need to communicate information to your child for any reason, those messages can be relayed to the students through the office.
When moving out of the parish to attend another school, or transferring to another school, it is necessary to call the school office. Please provide the new address, parish and/or school the child will be attending. Transfer slips will be given at the proper time and records forwarded when requested by the admitting school. No records/transfers are sent or given unless all financial responsibilities are up to date..
The Parish has a tuition policy which is listed under "Links". Tuition policy is evaluated yearly. Please make note of the due dates for tuition and meet your obligation on time. Families are requested to supplement tuition by using the church envelopes regularly. Non-Catholics have a special financial arrangement with the Parish. Check with the rectory anout the details of the SmartTuition program, which is how tuition is paid.
Teachers are not to be interrupted during class time, either to answer the telephone or to confer with a parent. If an emergency arises, please come to the school office or telephone the principal. Adults who bring articles of clothing, books, or lunches should bring them to the school office. Items should be clearly marked as to name, grade, and room number. All visitors must use the middle doors of school. Please ring the doorbell and someone will open the door. All visitors MUST report to the main office. Visitors may NEVER procede to a classroom without the knowledge of the office.
After reading the information contained in this handbook, please download the Acknowledgement form, sign it, and return it to school. We will need this form signed by a parent/legal guardian in order to consider your child fully enrolled here at Christ the King School.
Acknowledgement Form