Behavioral Expectations
The following expectations apply to students at every level. For more specific expectations, please refer to each teacher's classroom syllabus and detailed Back to School Night packets. If there are any questions or concerns on policies, the school adminsitration reserves the right to make final decisions.

                ​Classroom Rules 

• ​Students may not disrupt the classroom atmosphere by inappropriate behavior​. This includes smart remarks to make others laugh, name calling, passing notes, chewing gum, or disruption of any kind. Any student who shows d​efiance to those in authority (administration, teachers, aides, or official field trip chaperones) disrupts any class may be asked to leave class and their parents may be called immediately to pick up the child. TRIBES agreements will be followed by all stakeholders in the school: Mutual Respect, Attentive Listening, No put- downs/show appreciation, Right to Pass, Personal Best

                Parent Mail/Signature

• ​Students may not open mail (hard copy or electronic mail) addressed to their parents. They may not sign or initial for their parents (forgery)

• 
  

     Personal Log in

• No unauthorized use of school computers or devices (ipads/Chromebooks) including disclosing or sharing your log-in information to others, including using another student’s log-in or password, or inappropriate searching on the internet is permitted at any level on or off campus, especially on school-owned devices (See Acceptable Use Policy and Electronic Use Policy).

​

                 Lunch Area

• ​The lunch area and other school areas must be kept neat and clean. Every student is responsible for the neatness of our school. All food must be eaten while seated in designated areas at recess, lunch, after school, and may not be eaten between classes or in the classroom, unless it’s a rainy day schedule or if expressly approved by administration. All trash and food must be removed from the classrooms by the end of the day.

• 
  

       Money/Vending Machine

• ​​K-2 students are not allowed to bring money to school to buy snacks from the vending machine. Students must bring their own snack to school and bring their own lunch or order it from the cafeteria (hot lunch vendor). If you have any transactions, please settle it in the school office.
• Students in grades 3-8 may use the machine, but must bring exact change. Students should not expect to get change from the office. They should also use the vending machines only during snack and lunch and after school if supervised by an adult. They may not use it between breaks or during academic learning time.

Appropriate Apparel

• Students with uniform or haircut violations may be asked to remain in the office until their parent brings them the missing part of the uniform and/or takes them for a regulation haircut. The Crown Act applies at our school. Hair must be neatly groomed and not covering face if it is a cultural hairstyle.

  ​​
  

School Hours 

• When traveling through the school courtyards during school hours, students are expected to do so in a quiet and respectful manner and address those in authority and guests on campus respectfully. When in the church, students must be reverent in God’s house.

                

   Running

• ​For safety reasons, running on campus or in the building is never permitted. Students must always be under the direct supervision of an adult on staff. 

• 
  

                 Supervision 

• ​No students are allowed in any building, including the Parish Hall, without an authorized adult. 

• 
  

                 School Property

• ​Sunflower seeds and gum are never permitted on the school property. This could result in an immediate detention, especially if gum is put on school property and defaces it. Skateboards, Razors, Rollerblades, etc. are never to be used anywhere on the school property without express permission from administration. These items may be confiscated and released only to the student’s parent(s) if this rule is violated.The defacing of school property is strictly forbidden. A referral and restitution or replacement is expected for these infractions.

• 
  

                 Students Leaving Campus​​

• ​Permission from the Administration is needed for students to leave campus. Walking home or catching the bus from school is permitted with written permission from parents. A form must be completed and kept on campus on file with the office.​​

  
  

 ​ ​Personal Space 

• ​​​​​Students are to keep hands, feet, and objects (HFO) to themselves and stay in their own personal space. Boundary violations can result in an automatic detention. This includes Public displays of affection such as hand holding, excessive hugging, etc. No one should enter anyone's "bubble" without that person's permission. This includes any school-sanctioned event like field trips, retreats after school, overnight field trips like DC, Catalina, and school evening events. There is no hair braiding, hugging, or touching aggressively, especially without direct adult supervision (some games may be an exception, but only under direct adult supervision like in PE). Any aggression or intentional fighting by putting hands on another person, especially without consent, constitutes a referral (detention and parent meeting).​
  
• ​Pushing or shoving (rough play in ball sports) or playing tag and touching other students is not permitted (shadow tag is OK).​​​​

Public Displays of Affection (PDA)​

• ​​​​​​​St. Anthony of Padua's Parent Student Handbook communicates to students and parents as to what constitutes Public Displays of Affection (PDA). Keep in mind that SAP's policy on PDA is in alignment with its Keeping Hands To Self, Personal Space Policy, as stated in the Behavioral Expectations section of the Parent Student Handbook under Discipline: Philosophy (sec 8-1), as well as posted in the principal's weekly School Bulletins.​
• Students have been reminded multiple times by administration and staff that they need to keep their hands, feet, and all objects to themselves. If students are touching each other in any way, it could lead to detention or a referral. Please see the handbook. Remind your kids to keep their hand to themselves and stay in their bubble/personal space at all times. This is becoming a safety issue. On field trips, students of the same gender will sit next to each other. There is no holding hands or touching other students inappropriately. Students must always be mindful of their role as a Catholic School Student (See Parent Student Pledge and Christian Code of Conduct).

​ Not permitted student to student contact during school-sanctioned events

The following PDA occuring during normal school activities (during the day and after school activities-games, class meetings, field trips, etc.) are not permitted: (This is not an inclusive list but provides clearer descriptions)

1. ​Holding hands as a display of affection toward another​​
2. Kissing of any kind or for any length of time
3. Having a student’s arm/hands arou​nd another student’s waist or any other body part (head, neck, etc.)
4. Body bouncing (when a student bounces their body against another student’s body)
5. Sitting between the legs of another student.
6. Rubbing up against another student from the front, side, or back in any manner.

• ​​Exceptions to the above will be considered during school sponsored dances when chaperoned students are permitted to dance, but they will be monitored. Students will not be permitted to engage in grinding or full body contact or passionately long embraces during dances. This will be made clear to students who attend these activities.
• ​​Students who violate the PDA guidelines will be subject to disciplinary actions for non-compliance and/or disruptions as the case warrants.​

         ​​ Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Phones off campus during school events

• During school hours, students do not need cell phones. They can use classroom or office landlines to call parents for emergencies. If a student has a cell phone approved by their parents, they must either keep them at home or turned off in their bags and not take them out until they are off campus. Students may not turn on or use cellular phones while on campus or it may be confiscated until a parent picks it up from the office. Electronic games, equipment, radios, iPods, laser pointers, etc. are not allowed at school. The school is not responsible for such belongings. The student could receive a referral for breaking this rule. These items will be confiscated and released only to the student’s parent(s) if this rule is violated. To maintain an environment that is conducive to learning and limits distractions in the classroom, we have established a policy that prohibits the use of Smart Watches, including Apple Watches, Android Watches, and similar devices, by students while on school premises. These devices have various functions like cel phones such as calling, acting as calculators, and other applications, which can potentially cause disruptions to your child's and their classmates' focus. We kindly requst that Smart watches be kept at home and not be worn or brough to school by any K-8 student. Should your child need to contact you during school hours, our office hours and teachers are readily available to assist. Your child can reach out to them for any necessary communication, ensuring that you remain connected with the school while your child continues their learning without unnecessary distractions. When off campus on overnight trips, phones are not to be used inappropriately from student to student or room to room without express permission or for good reason. Students may not call other students for social reasons during off campus field trips or school events on landlines (hotels), and may not use phones during bedtime hours for any reason or there will be appropriate consequences.

  
  

                   Students' Responsibilites

• ​​​​​​​Students are responsible for their own money and belongings. If items such as clothes or uniforms or lunch pails and water ​bottles are left out after 3:00 P.M. They will be taken to the school’s lost and found in the office​​​.

                    Cordial and Respectful Responses to Authority

      

• Students are expected to speak in formal language with adults, e.g. “Yes, Ms. Jones,” “Excuse me, Father,” “Thank you,” etc. “Yeah, uh huh, etc.” are not formal, respectful, or acceptable language.

• 
  

                    Specific Classroom Teacher Policies  ​

​

• Additional policies and procedures are stated in the classroom by each respective teacher at the beginning of school in their syllabus and Back to School Night packetes. The school uses Tribes Agreements and meeting norms before parent and staff meetings. Please defer to your child's teacher for specific news relating to your child, as it could be different from school-wide announcements. Many times Kindergarten students have different schedules and expectations from those in grades 1-7. The child's teacher will inform you of the classroom policies. Please adhere to them.

                     Birthday policy 

• ​​​​​​During non-instruction time, the students will be celebrated with a song and a special birthday prize. We acknowledge the students at Morning Assembly and/or in their classroom. They will also get a free dress pass. There will not be any class parties to celebrate students' birthdays. On their child's birthday, parents are given the option to bring in goodie bags (healthy snacks, no hard candies) for all students in the class. The teacher will pass that out as children prepare for dismissal. The goodie bag must be opened at home. (Be mindful of class allergies). Please limit birthday celebrations to end-of-day class goodie bags, no hard candies, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, pizza, ice cream or popsicles. No balloons or gift exchanges during school hours. This policy also applies on random days unless it is an all-school party/holiday celebration. If students have outside birthday parties, they may not pass out invitations at school unless during the school day, unless they are inviting the entire class.

         

Toys

• ​​​Personal ​t​​​oys, electronics, sports equipment, and games of any type will not be permitted on the school grounds unless it is a fun activity such as Show and Tell. Pokémon cards, gambling card games (UNO is approved), and fidget spinners will not be permitted. Classroom-owned bouncy balls, hula hoops, and jump ropes may be used with teacher approval. ​Ultimately, the decision will be made by administration.
• Personal toys, electronics (including but not limited to: laser pens and smart watches or personal devices/games), scooters, and sports equipment are NOT permitted on school grounds. Likewise, students are not allowed to bring superfluous supplies that cause distraction or disruption in the classroom. Teachers will specifically indicate which supplies are acceptable to bring to school. The school is not responsible for any loss or damage of personal items.

​

​​​Inappr​opriate Materials Not Approved by Catholic Chu​rch and Halloween costumes

• ​​Any material (books, magazines, printed pieces) not in alignment with the Catholic faith (such as spiritism, wizardry, transgender, etc.) is not allowed on campus, in school curriculum, run on school devices, or the school library (ex: Harry Potter, Pokemon, Labubu).

  Restricted backpacks include, but are not limited to:

  • Pokémon
  • Harry Potter
  • Labubu dolls or images
  • Images or themes involving violence, weapons, drugs, alcohol, or inappropriate language
  • Images, symbols, or messages that conflict with the Catholic identity and values of the school
  • Any design determined by the administration to be inappropriate, distracting, or unsuitable for the school environment

  
  

  Parents and guardians are asked to consider these guidelines when purchasing backpacks and other school items. When possible, students are 
  

  encouraged to use backpacks with simple designs, solid colors, school-related themes, or other age-appropriate designs.

  School administration reserves the right to determine whether a backpack or its imagery is appropriate for use on campus. 

  If a backpack does not comply with this policy, the parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to provide an appropriate replacement. 

  These same guidelines stand for Halloween costumes. It will always be up to administration's discretion.
  

  Halloween Costumes
  To ensure that all costumes follow our School’s Halloween costume guidelines, your teacher would like to ask everyone what costume each student is planning 

  to wear for our Halloween Celebration. Please be sure costumes meet all guidelines. They must be appropriate and pre-approved, or a student may be sent home to 

  change. Please let teachers know what your child is wearing by via email or on a Google Form at least a week before Halloween.

  
  

  Let's remember that Halloween originated as All Hallow's Eve, where students dressed up as saints. We will dress up as Saints this year for All Saints' Day 

  Please help us keep Halloween HOLY and CLEAN so we can continue to have this treasured tradition at our Catholic School. 

  As many of you know, the preschool sisters do not celebrate Halloween across the street, but we would like to continue this at our school as long as it's a fun 

  and wholesome experience for our K-8 students. 

  • Costumes should be child-friendly since we have K-8 students in our school. No inflatables, no gory or scary clowns, no devils, or scary or EVIL costumes 
  • with demonic themes
  • No Harry Potter, Pokémon or Labubu costumes please (you can wear these on your own if you choose, but only OUTSIDE of school)
  • Costumes for Students and Adults on campus Should NOT:
    • Be obstructive, offensive, inappropriate for a Catholic school (skimpy or revealing), gory, evil, or violent
    • Drag on the ground. Students should be able to sit down in costumes
    • Contain sharp objects, pointed objects, or materials that may accidentally strike another person.
    • Contain any weapons that resemble or could be mistaken for an actual weapon.
    • Encourage cross-dressing. Boys please dress up like boys, and girls dress up like girls
    • No inflatable costumes
    • Masks worn should be able to allow children to breathe easily and comfortably.
      

School Searches

• Students' legitimate expectation of privacy in their person and in the personal effects they bring to school must be balanced against the school's obligation to maintain discipline and provide a safe environment for the school community. School officials may conduct a search of a student's person and personal effects only upon a reasonable suspicion that the search will disclose evidence that the student is violating or has violated the law or a school rule.

• If school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated or is violating the law or a school rule, school officials do not need a warrant or permission from parents/guardians to conduct the search. 

• A "reasonable suspicion" may be established in many ways, including but not limited to personal observations, information provided by third parties or other students, or tips provided by law enforcement. An alert from a trained and certified detection dog is sufficient to establish a reasonable suspicion and serve as the basis for a warrantless search of the student's person, locker, car, or personal property and effects. 

• Whenever a school official conducts a search of a student's person or personal effects, an adult witness should be present. The school should notify the student's parents/guardians of any search of a student's person or personal effects.

Expectations of Privacy

• A student does not own a locker or other school property. The school makes lockers available to the student. The student does have some expectation of privacy in his or her locker from other students. However, a student does not have a high expectation of privacy in his or her locker from the school and may not prevent school officials from searching the locker if the school official has a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated or is violating a law or school rule.

• A student has a greater expectation of privacy regarding his or her person and personal effects. A school official who conducts a search of a student's backpack, purse, clothing, cell phone, or other personal effects must have a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated or is violating a law or school rule. Strip searches or searches that include a student's underwear may only be conducted by law enforcement and may not be conducted by a school official.

• Every student is subject to the Acceptable U​​se and Responsibility Policy for Electron​ic Communications ("Archdiocesan AUP")​​ and Archdiocese of Lo​s Angeles P​​rivacy Policy of the archdiocese and school; these types of policies concern cell phones and other electronic devices, whether the devices belong to the student or the school.
  
  

Student Cooperation

• If a student refuses to cooperate in a reasonable search of school or student property (including electronic devices), the school may call the student's parents/guardians and/or the police for assistance or referral. The Christian Code of Conduct and 

Confiscating a Student's Personal Property

• ​​​​​​​If any of the student's items are confiscated, the person in charge should document the confiscation and when possible, take a photograph of the place where the confiscated object was found and of the object itself. It is also recommended that the school obtain a signature from the student acknowledging that the item was in his or her possession at the time it was found.