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."