Statement of Fidelity +

Background: Instructors can significantly influence a student’s relationship with God and thus the eternal disposition of their souls. Therefore, Valley of the Sacred Heart (VSH) must ensure that instructors are qualified to help students learn the truth.

Policy: VSH shall offer instruction to students in full communion with the Supreme Pontiff or the College of Bishops in matters of faith or morals, consistent with Canon 752 of the Code of Canon Law.

Protocols

  1. Every instructor or volunteer accepting a position with VSH will respect and agree to instruct according to Catholic tradition.

  2. Parents enrolling a student in VSH accept that all matters of religious doctrine and all academic subjects will be taught in accordance with doctrine which either the Supreme Pontiff or the College of Bishops declare upon a matter of faith or morals, consistent with Canon 752 of the Code of Canon Law.

  3. Anyone in violation of the above protocols could be evaluated for possible dismissal from duties and participation in VSH activities.

Child Protection +

Background: Students depend on instructors and other responsible adults to protect them and care for them. However, prudence dictates that VSH take reasonable steps to ensure that this dependence does not expose students to abuse, or expose adults to unfounded allegations.

Policy: All instructors and volunteers must fully comply with the Diocese of Sacramento’s most‐current child protection protocols for volunteers, e.g. the Code of Pastoral Conduct, the Volunteer’s Code of Conduct, Administrative Policies and Procedures for Sexual Misconduct, and any other relevant protocols. All instructors and volunteers must complete Shield the Vulnerable training and complete a background check.

Protocols

  1. No student will be in a closed door, one‐on‐one situation with an adult.
  2. Everyone participating in VSH shall comply with civil and canon law.
  3. No one shall use tobacco products, possess illegal substances, or be under the influence of alcohol or other mind‐altering chemicals while participating in the VSH. Anyone suspecting a violation of this protocol shall immediately confer with the VSH administrator.
  4. No one may touch a student in a sexual manner, or attempt to have a student touch anyone else in a sexual manner. Anyone suspecting a violation of this protocol shall immediately confer with the VSH administrator.
  5. Except for a student with their parent or caretaker, and except for a student using the lavatory, any closed room in which one or more students are present shall also have at least two adults present. Anyone observing violation of this protocol shall intervene to remediate.
  6. When students are using the lavatory, a designated volunteer or VSH instructor may escort the students and wait outside the lavatory.
    • For Level 1 Atrium children, they may be accompanied by a parent or designated volunteer when using the lavatory.
    • No student may be in a closed‐door lavatory with any adult besides a parent or caretaker.
    • No one may batter or assault another person while participating in VSH. Anyone observing violation of this protocol shall immediately intervene and report the incident to the VSH administrator.
  7. If non‐physical intervention cannot effectively remediate a student’s misbehavior, an instructor or volunteer may escort the student out of the classroom setting or activity to a VSH administrator. If a student’s behavior threatens to escalate dangerously, an instructor or volunteer shall immediately bring the administrator to remove the student.
  8. Anyone who suspects that a student may have been abused or receives a report related to the protocols above shall speak with the VSH administrator and parties involved to assess the potential validity and severity of the issue, confer if necessary with VSH board members, Diocesan officials and/or other authorities, and take appropriate action consistent with Diocesan protocols and civil law.

Technology Code of Conduct +

Valley of the Sacred Heart Academy is a tech-free environment. VSH Academy has an emphasis on a classical education and sees the benefit of using hands-on materials. Technology will be used in VSH, but VSH will provide computers and iPads for students to use when necessary. When students have a presentation to give, they will need to bring in their work on a personal zip drive and can use the VSH computers. Cell phones are prohibited.

Cell phone use is strictly prohibited during the entire school day, including breaks, lunch, field trips, community gatherings, etc. Students may not use cell phones on school grounds without the permission of an administrator. If a student has a cell phone, it is to be turned off and kept in the student’s backpack for the entire day. This policy will be rigorously enforced. Consequences for unauthorized possession or use of a cell phone are as follows:

  • 1st offense: confiscation until end of day and parent notification
  • 2nd offense: confiscation until end of day, $10 fine, and parent notification
  • 3rd offense: confiscation until end of day, $25 fine, and parent notification
  • 4th offense: suspension

No music players, video games, iPads, computers, or other personal electronic devices are allowed during school hours, field trips, or any co-op community gathering.

Circle of Grace +

The Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth and the Safe Environment Policies of the Diocese of Sacramento require that all children in our schools and religious education programs be given Safe Environment training that is age­appropriate and in accord with Catholic moral principles.

The Diocese of Sacramento provides this training through the Circle of Grace curriculum.

VSH will offer the Circle of Grace training during the school year. Date and time TBD.

Code of Conduct +

Background: Participants can best listen to, learn about, and form deep relationships with God in a peaceful environment. The policy below outlines the standards for the VSH to foster an atmosphere of discipline for students to help build character in order to further build virtue.

Policy: Instructors and volunteers ensure that everyone in the VSH maintains a respectful atmosphere of discipline.

School Behavior

  1. Students will transition from one area to another in a quiet manner with hands at their sides.

  2. Students will wait patiently when necessary.

  3. Students will address instructors and volunteers with appropriate title and last name.

  4. Students will demonstrate respectful behavior towards adults and students at all times.

  5. Students must remain with an instructor or volunteer at all times and within designated school areas.

  6. Students will use playground equipment appropriately.

  7. Students will have all electronic devices turned off and put away during school hours.

  8. VSH computers and/or other tablet devices will be used according to educational purposes only.

Playground Behavior

  1. Students will stay in designated play areas.

  2. Students will not push or shove and will be respectful of others physically and verbally.

  3. Students will use playground equipment appropriately.

School Attire

  1. Female students will wear a white blouse or polo shirt and a uniform skirt or jumper at or below the knees. Students will wear a uniform sweater or jacket.

  2. Male students will wear slacks and a white button-down or polo shirt.

  3. Students will wear a uniform sweater or jacket. Personal jackets may be worn outside only.

  4. Female instructors and volunteers will wear modest skirts and/or dresses.

  5. Male instructors and volunteers will wear slacks and polo or dress shirts.

  6. All students and staff will wear closed toe shoes.

  7. Elementary girls may wear black Mary Jane style shoes or all black tennis shoes, and elementary boys may wear black dress shoes or all black tennis shoes.

  8. Junior high (6th-8th grade) and high school students may wear the following: girls may wear black, flat, slip on shoes or all black tennis shoes. Boys may wear black dress shoes or all black tennis shoes.

  9. All students will adhere to school dress code standards at all times.

  10. Modest and appropriate hairstyles are required. Students will not accessorize clothes or nails.

  11. On specified free dress days, to or below the knee requirements will be upheld.

Procedures for Addressing Children’s Behavior:

Applying procedures inconsistently communicates to students that the conditions of participating in VSH change randomly. This encourages them to test those conditions constantly and deprives them of the order that they need.

In applying the procedures below, a teacher or supervising adult should determine whether a student is exhibiting willful disobedience or just impulsiveness, based on his/her developmental level and length of experience with the instructor or volunteer.

Addressing Impulsive Behavior

  1. Redirect behavior, and encourage on-task engagement.
  2. If a student requires more settling, allow them to go into the hall with a volunteer, get a drink and take a 5-minute break.

Addressing Willful Disobedience

  1. First Incident: Immediately take the student aside, identify the behavior and explain the consequence of the next incident (per below). Confirm the student’s understanding.
  2. Second Incident on Same Day: Immediately remove the student to the hallway. Identify the behavior and the consequence thereof, i.e. remaining in the hallway, sitting or standing, until the session or activity is over. Confirm student’s understanding. Assign an available administrator to ensure student remains in the hallway without playing until session or activity is over. As soon as practical, after class session ends, explain the student’s removal to VSH administrator and parent. If student’s parent is not present, they will be notified as soon as possible.
  3. The second day that a student is removed to the hallway, the VSH administrator shall begin withdrawing specific VSH privileges in consultation with the instructor and parent. For example, a student will lose such privileges as part or all of recess/class activities.
  4. Prior to subsequent courses or activities, VSH administrator will remind his/her instructors and volunteers of the student’s privileges/restrictions, and explains what additional privilege(s) the student will forfeit if there is another incident.
  5. The VSH administrator may gradually reinstate privileges only as the student consistently demonstrates willingness to behave appropriately.
  6. If disobedient behavior continues the following steps will be taken:
    • A conference with parent and VSH administrator with institution of a behavior contract if necessary.
    • Probation from VSH courses and activities as determined by additional conference.
    • Suspension of all VSH courses and activities.
    • Expulsion from VSH.

Parent Role

  1. Drop off and pick up students on time.

  2. Ensure students come prepared to co‐op with materials as well as snacks and/or lunch.

  3. Be available during VSH hours for emergency pick up of student(s).

  4. Oversee all courses, materials and thus the main instruction for each student.

  5. Keep records and grade all school and course material for each student.

  6. Volunteer and log 25 parent service hours per year (on or off site).

Parent Choices

  1. Parents may enroll students in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd only.

  2. Parents may choose to have students participate in only religious or extra curricular activities.

  3. Parents are the primary educators and will be responsible for all academic progress/success and direct instruction of course material.

VSH Role

  1. Offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium sessions once a week.

  2. Offer supplementary courses on VSH days.

  3. Maintain instructors and volunteers for courses and activities.

  4. Offer organization of VSH activities on and off site.

    • Daily Physical Activity
    • Attendance at Morning Mass
    • Children’s Holy Hour
    • Field Trips
    • Family Socials
    • Service Projects
    • All Saint’s Day Celebration
    • Various Holy Day & Holiday Celebrations

  5. Offer a safe and nurturing environment for all students and staff.

  6. VSH is not responsible for student’s academic success or failures and thus does not take on the primary educator role.

"Therefore you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words, which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest."

Uniforms

  • TK-8th Grade: Uniforms can be purchased from Schoolbelles at www.schoolbelles.com Valley of the Sacred Heart Academy, school code: S3180

    • Uniform and dress code specifics in VSH Academy Parent Handbook

    • Please note that girls’ skirts must be at or below the knee

    • PE uniform can be found on the Schoolbelles website and is for 7-8th grade only

  • 9th-12th Grade: Chesterton uniforms from Schoolbelles at www.schoolbelles.com Chesterton Academy, school code: S3181

    • Uniform and dress code specifics in Chesterton Parent-Student Handbook

    • Note girls’ skirts must be at or below the knee

    • PE Uniform can be found on the Schoolbelles website and is for 9-10th grade only.

Chesterton Summer Reading

Chesterton Academy students are required to read one assigned book over the summer. Study guides are available for download below. Students are expected to carefully read their assigned book before the start of the year. Please bring the book and completed study guide to class on the first day of school. There will be a quiz on the summer reading assignment within the first week of the school year in literature class. 

9th Grade

Mythology
Hamilton, Edith
ISBN 978-0316223331

Edith Hamilton’s classic retelling of all the primary Greek myths serves as a great introduction to the Greek world that is the backdrop to the freshman literature sequence. Students will learn the Greek origin myth and several memorable cautionary tales. Also, these short stories introduce the Greek gods as well as all the major Greek heroes, such as Hercules, Pericles, Theseus and Jason. This is a must-read for students to prepare for the Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid and Greek dramas covered in the freshman literature curriculum.

**Note: Read Parts I-III of the Hamilton book only. Reading further actually begins to preclude the subject matter of the Iliad and Odyssey which we read during the year.** 

10th Grade

Grimms’ Fairy tales
jacob and Wilhelm grimm
ISBN 978-0141331201

From the land of fantastical castles, vast lakes and deep forests, the Brothers Grimm collected a treasury of enchanting folk and fairy stories full of giants and dwarfs, witches and princesses, magical beasts and cunning children. From classics such as The Frog-Prince and Hansel and Grettel to the delights of Ashputtel or Old Sultan, all hold a timeless magic which has enthralled children for centuries. These fairy tales delve deep into every secret of the human heart- fear, greed, friendship and love - and will stay with you forever.

11th Grade

The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis
ISBN 978-0060652937

As our juniors prepare to study moral theology, Lewis’ book will prepare their minds and hearts to better appreciate the deep impact of original sin and how the forces of darkness try to undermine joy and truth. In this book, the cunning plans of the adversary are not centered around obvious sins. Instead, the tempters focus on subtle forms of sin (e.g., vanity, pride, distraction, insincerity, forgetting God), and show how these can achieve the same effect as more obvious sins, that is, to lead us away from God. Ultimately, the tempters in this story do not care what sins are committed by their subjects - so long as they accomplish their goal of separating people from God. The case can be made that The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging and humorous account of temptation - and triumph over it - ever written. 

12th Grade

Frankenstein
Shelley, Mary
ISBN 978-0486282114

One of the most fundamental works of modern literature, Mary Shelley’s novella is a thoughtful study of the limits of human capacity in a scientific age that was quickly casting away old revealed truths. It is a work that could not have been written in any other moment in history, and the archetype of the creature that is sentient but not created by God is one that endures into our own day. Certainly vampires, werewolves, and even aliens partake of this theme; yet so does mankind when reduced to mere materialism.

**Note: Please be sure to read the original 1818 version, not the later 1831 text.**

 Click here for a free online copy.)

Volunteers

Thank you for helping us serve children in our programs. We are excited to partner with you. You will need to complete the following steps in order to begin volunteering:

  1. Complete Safe Haven Training and return copy of certificate to school office:

    All diocesan employees, and all volunteers who work with children, are required to complete a child abuse prevention and diocesan policy training program once every three years. Our on-line training program, Safe Haven, is offered through Catholic Mutual Group.  Safe Haven is a 3-part video series, which identifies real-life abuse and neglect situations that volunteers and employees may encounter.  The training addresses important topics such as pornography, grooming techniques, social media interaction, and boundary violations.  The training also covers the different types of abuse and neglect.  Each video segment is followed by a short quiz that emphasizes the key learning points of the video. This training is designed for adults and contains sensitive information.  The video vignettes are real-life scenarios.  Please be prudent when watching the videos and ensure no children are present. This training is available in both English and Spanish.  Please click on the appropriate link below based on where you are volunteering/employed.  Please contact the Safe Environment office if you need your training to be affiliated with multiple sites. 

  2. Complete TB Risk Assessment Form through your healthcare provider. Please take these forms and complete the necessary steps. Return signed information to school office.

  3. Take the volunteer fingerprinting form to a fingerprinting agency or to Angelmans in Dixon 707-693-1947 (call to make an appointment). Return copy to school office when completed.

Questions?

Please contact 530-574-0804 with any other questions regarding Volunteer/Safe Environment requirements.