SPBS CONCERNS PROTOCOL

Teachers should be alerted by school parents to matters under their control before being discussed with other parents, neighbors, the school secretary or an administrator.

Non-resolved classroom concerns or matters relating to the school in general should be brought to the attention of the administration, after parents have spoken to the faculty/staff member involved. You are expected to do all in your power to verify facts, through the correct channels of communication, to avoid passing on misinformation.

Problems should first be brought to the teacher for discussion and resolution. A parent teacher conference or phone call should always be the first level of action. If an agreeable solution cannot be reached at this level, a parent-teacher-administrator conference may be arranged. These procedures will be kept informal and confidential as may be appropriate in order to facilitate reconciliation, communication, and the strengthening of the school community. If the problem still remains unresolved, the Principal and then ultimately the Pastor may make a resolution they deem appropriate.

The classroom teacher primarily handles discipline issues for their class. The teacher will communicate with parents, by note, email, or phone call, when discipline problems arise. If parents have concerns or questions, the teacher should be the first to know. If the situation is not resolved an Administrator/Parent/Teacher conference may be arranged. When serious breaches of discipline occur, teachers will involve the Dean of Students or Vice Principal and/or the Principal immediately.

Below are outlined the SPBS policies regarding concerns of school parents:

Classroom Management Concerns: 

• The parent first contacts the individual teacher and voices the concern in a spirit of collaboration. The teacher will share his or her perspective, too. The parent and teacher work together toward a solution. Solutions will be implemented according to a mutually agreed upon timetable. Our Junior High teachers generally meet with parents as a team. 
• If the teacher(s) and parent are not able to arrive at an acceptable solution, the parent should then discuss their concerns with the school's Principal, particularly if the concerns are about academic, behavioral, or classroom management issues. 
• If parents make an appointment with the Principal, the Principal will listen and discuss their concerns. Together they will search for an acceptable solution. The Principal may also interview the student if needed. However, action will only be taken by the Principal after the parents have met with the teacher involved.  
• Normally if action is to be taken, the Principal will meet with the teacher individually and then, if appropriate, will meet with the teacher and parents together. Actions will be taken in a prompt and timely manner. The Principal will report back to the parents on the progress of the action being taken. 
• Parents are welcome to discuss concerns related to their experience at SPBS with the Principal and/or Pastor at any time during the school year.
• Parents should always expect a courteous and professional response to their concerns by the school. 
  
   
  
  ​Procedure, Policy, or General School-wide Concerns: 

• Parents with concerns about overall administrative procedures, the implementation of general school policies, and/or the overall well-being of the school meet directly with the Principal. Together, they work toward a solution. Appointments with the Principal are made through the School Secretary. 
• If a proposed solution affects existing policies or procedures, the school Principal may need to consult with the Pastor, Parish Finance Council, PTO Board, and/or Archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools, etc. for counsel and advice before considering any action or changes.
• Parents may also discuss concerns regarding general issues with the Pastor; however policy changes, etc. will be subject to the same process outlined above.

COOPERATION AND SUPPORT OF PARENTS

Under Canon Law, which governs all parochial elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Pastor is designated the Chief Administrator of the parish elementary school. The Pastor and the Principal of the parish school together determine the specific requirements for enrollment. Academic achievements, as well as Behavior and Work Habits, are usual indicators for determining the success of the school in positively educating a student. However, the cooperation and support of parents are of equal importance for our Catholic school to fulfill our mission. 

“Under normal circumstances a student is not to be deprived of a Catholic education solely on grounds relating to the actions/attitudes of parents; it is recognized, however, that a situation could arise in which the uncooperative or disruptive attitude of parents might so diminish the effectiveness of the school, acting “in loco parentis", that continuation of the student in the school might be impossible." (Department of Catholic Schools Administrative Handbook, Archdiocese of Los Angeles) The Pastor, in conjunction with the Principal, decides when this has occurred. It is within the jurisdiction of the Pastor, as chief administrator of St. Paschal's parish school, to determine when it is necessary to remove a student from the school due to a non-supportive relationship between home and school, rather than merely due to actions on the part of the student. This decision will be made in consultation with the Principal.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Saint Paschal Baylon School collaborates with parents in the education of your children, because we believe parents are the primary educators of their children. Therefore, it is your right and your duty as parents/guardians to become the primary role models for your child's development – physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, moral and psychological. Your choice of SPBS involves a commitment on your part, and exhibits a concern for helping your child to recognize God as the greatest good in his/her life.

Setting a good example is the strongest teacher. Your personal relationship with God, with the school community and with the Church community will affect the way your child relates to God and others. Ideals taught in school are not well rooted in the child unless these are nurtured by the example of good Catholic/Christian living at home. Commitment to Sunday Mass, to Sacramental life, to Christian morality, to receiving the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, prayer, and an honest personal relationship with God must be evident in your family life.

Once you have chosen to enter into partnership with us at SPBS, we trust you will be loyal to this commitment. During these formative years, your child needs constant support from both parents and faculty in order to develop his/her moral, intellectual, social, cultural and physical endowment. Neither parents nor teachers can afford to doubt the sincerity of the efforts of their educational partner in the quest of challenging, yet nourishing, the student to reach his/her potential. It is vital that both parents and teachers remember that allowing oneself to be caught between the student and the other partner will never have positive results. To divide authority between school and home or within the home will only teach disrespect for all authority. If there is an incident at school, you as parents must make investigation of the complete story your first step. The correct process is outlined under “CONCERNS" in this Handbook. Evidence of mutual respect among parents, teachers, and administrators, will model good collaboration, respect, and professionalism to our students.

It is also essential that you develop, encourage, and expect your child to take responsibility for his/her behavior as well as for grades he/she has earned. It takes a consistent effort both at home and at school to teach young people that they are accountable for homework, long-term assignments, major tests, service projects and/or any assignment. This responsibility also applies when your child is absent from school. Helping your student does not mean completing their assignments for them.​

If a child does not learn now that he/she must accept consequences of choices made both at home and at school, at some point the child will suffer and a harder lesson will be learned later. Together, then, let us work this year with a resolve to collaborate in true partnership as we support one another in helping your child to become the best person he/she is capable of becoming. We respect your role as parents, and we ask that you model respect for our role as professional Catholic educators.​

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ADLA Parent/Student Complaint Review Process