Curriculum

The curriculum is child-centered. It endeavors in all areas of learning to develop the potential of each student to the utmost.

Programs adopted by the school are based on the course of study, Teaching for the 21st Century, adopted by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and in accordance with the minimum standards of the State of Ohio.

The school calendar and schedule for classes and activities meet, and in some areas exceed, the minimum standards for Ohio Elementary Schools and the Archdiocesan Education Commission.

Religious Education

Religious education is the essence of Catholic schools. Religion class is a core course conducted for all students enrolled at SJOV. Students are required to take and pass Religion. Grades are given based on class participation and retention of subject matter taught. Incorporated into each grade’s class are Eucharistic Liturgies, prayer services, and the practical instruction on Church seasons, such as Advent and Lent. All students are required to participate in prayer services and liturgies.

Instruction and preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation are provided in class at the appropriate grade levels.

Textbooks

With the exception of religion books and some workbooks, students use textbooks purchased through the state of Ohio Auxiliary Service Program. Proper care must be taken of all books; that is, they must be covered at all times and carried to and from school in bags of some durable material.
Restitution must be made for damaged or lost books.

Homework

A reasonable amount of homework will be given taking into consideration the individual student’s age, grade level, and subject area. In general, teachers work together to coordinate homework assignments. Homework assignments are considered an outgrowth of class work and the students are expected to be conscientious about completing this task.

Since students learn and accomplish assigned tasks at different rates, it is sometimes difficult to determine a specific time for homework assignments.

The following is the recommended time for homework:

Grades 1, 2, & 3 15 to 30 minutes
Grades 4 & 5 30 to 45 minutes
Grade 6 45 to 60 minutes
Grades 7 & 8 60 to 75 minutes

All classroom assignments are expected to be submitted on time.

Academic Rules & Consequences

Homework serves as an extension of classroom learning and gives students practice with certain skills. If a student does not complete the work and return it to the teacher on time, it is considered a missing assignment. Not completing homework because of sports or extra-curricular activities is not an acceptable reason for missing assignments. Teachers at each grade level will determine appropriate consequences for missing assignments, and will give details about their homework policies to the parents at Meet the Teacher Night.

Reporting Pupil Progress

SJOV utilizes a variety of methods to apprise parents of their child’s progress in school. It is our hope that the different communications will help both the parent and teacher to provide for the needs of the child.

Interim Reports will be sent home to parents of students in 2nd through 8th Grade, quarterly. These reports at the halfway point need to be reviewed and signed by a parent.

Quarterly Report Cards are sent home with all students at the end of each quarter. These reports will indicate progress and areas of needed improvement. Academic skills as well as growth in social and personal responsibility are reported. Much attention and importance should be given to the social and personal responsibility marks.

Conferences - Scheduled Parent/Teacher conferences are held after the first quarter. See calendar for conference dates. Notices are sent home indicating the time schedule of the conference. During the conference, the child’s progress and development will be reviewed and discussed. Parents are encouraged to contact the school for additional conferences with the teacher(s) and/or principal, should the need arise.

Please refer to Procedures for Problem Solving if a concern arises in regards to an academic or behavior problem.

A Cumulative Record is maintained on each student in the school. This record contains detailed information regarding the student’s growth in academic skills, scores on standardized tests, and attendance. School authorities will furnish other schools with this data upon written request and with at least 24 hours notice. Records will be mailed to the new school. Records will not be released to parents.

Grading Scale for Grades 4 through 8

93-100 A
85-92 B
77-84 C
70-76 D
Below 70 Failing

Academic Honor Roll Criteria

Principal’s Award 4.0 grade point average = A in all major subjects
First Honors 3.7 grade point average = A average (B or above in all)
Second Honors 3.0 grade point average = B average (C or above in all)

The 5 subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion, and Language Arts are used for these Academic Honor Awards.

Effort Award (Grades 4 through 8)

An Effort Award is given to students who have 1 in all subjects for effort, no check marks under personal development or in the first 6 categories of work study on the report card, and no detentions or suspensions during the grading period. All subjects, including: Art, Physical Education, and Music are counted for Effort Awards.

Testing Program

Children in grades 2, 4, 6, and 8 are given standardized tests chosen by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in the first quarter of the school year. Currently they are the Terra Nova and In View Tests.

In accordance with the regulations from the State of Ohio Department of Education, the Archdiocesan School Office has developed competency based education programs for English composition. Provisions shall be made for periodic assessment of pupil performance, including testing at least once in grades one through four, grades five through eight, and  grades nine through eleven.

All Ed. Choice students in Grades 3-8 are required to take the OAT tests.

Guidelines shall be established for the use of assessment results for instruction, evaluation, intervention, guidance, and promotion decisions.

Promotion & Retention

Promotion from one grade level to the next is dependent on the child’s ability to successfully complete the course of study at his/her grade level. At the primary level, Grades 1-3, a pupil should be promoted if he/she has done satisfactory work in the language arts program, especially reading, and has given evidence of adequate social development.

At the Fourth through Eighth Grade levels, a pupil should be promoted if he/she has done satisfactory work in Reading, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science.

Summer school or hours of private tutoring by a licensed educator may be required of students who have an incomplete mastery of a subject area before being admitted to the next grade level.*

Retention at the same grade level for the following school year will be required of a student who has failed to complete the requirements at his or her grade level. If a child has an “F” average in two or more of the major subject areas, he/she will have to repeat the grade.*

* Decisions concerning summer school and retention are to be made by the principal who will consult with the teacher or teachers concerned.

Payment of Fees & Fines

All fees and money owed to the school must be paid before final report cards will be given. These include, but are not limited to fines incurred because of damage to textbooks, library fines, lunch money, and fees imposed when children are not picked up on time. Records will not be transferred to another school until fees are paid.

Library
All children will be provided the opportunity to regularly make use of the library. In the event of lost or damaged books, the amount to be paid will be determined by our librarian. Report cards will not be given to students with overdue books or fines owed the library.

Field Trips

Field trips that have been planned by any teacher are an important part of a child’s instruction in a particular area of knowledge or experience and children are expected to attend. A permission slip signed by the parents or legal guardians and returned to the teacher is required. Permission slips will be provided by the school. This slip must be returned before any student is permitted to take part in a field trip. For liability reasons younger children may not accompany chaperones on any field trip. Field trip chaperones must be a parent or legal guardian.

Children who neglect their schoolwork and/or are consistent discipline problems will not be permitted to accompany their classes on field trips. Parents will be notified.

In situations when private cars are used to transport children, seat belts must be available for each child in that car. Bus transportation is strongly encouraged.

Child Protection Policy

Any adult who works with students is required to participate in the Archdiocesan Child Protection Training. Fingerprinting is a must and additional required training is provided through parishes and at our school. Contact the Coordinator of Religious Education to schedule.