STUDENT HANDBOOK

My Christian Prayers

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven,
Holy be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the test.
But deliver us from evil.
Amen


HAIL MARY !

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
And blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

GLORY

Glory be to the Father,
to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be, forever.
Amen

THE ANGELUS

L: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
A: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary …..

L: Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
A: Be it done unto me according to your Word.

Hail Mary ….

L: And the Word was made flesh.
A: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary ….

L: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
A: That we maybe made worthy through the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech You O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Glory ….


THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.

On the third day, he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The Holy Catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen


HAIL HOLY QUEEN

Hail Holy Queen,
Mother of Mercy!
Hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy towards us.
And after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement !
O loving !
O sweet Virgin Mary !

Let us pray: (when prayed inside the Rosary)

O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech you that, meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through Christ our Lord. Amen


THE MEMORARE

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
That never was it known,
That anyone who fled to you protection,
Implored your help, or sought your intercession,
Was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you I come,
Before you I stand sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petition,
But in your mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen

The Order of the Mass (Eucharistic Celebration)

Introductory Rite

P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
A: Amen

P: The Lord be with you.
Or
P: The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the
Father, and the unity of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
A: And also with you.


P: (after a few words, begins with) I confess…
A: to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. And I ask Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

P: May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to life everlasting.
A: Amen.

Gloria (sung on Sundays)

P: Let us pray:
… through Christ our Lord forever and ever.
A: Amen

Liturgy of the WORD

First Reading: A reading from ….
(after the reading, Lector announces)

L: The Word of the Lord.
A: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Second Reading (if there is)

Allelluia (Gospel acclamation)

P: The Lord be with you.
A: And also with you.

P: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to…
A: Glory to you O Lord!

(after reading the Gospel, Priest announces)
P: The Gospel of the Lord
A: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ !

Homily

Prayers of the Faithful (General Intercessions)

Liturgy of the EUCHARIST





Foreword

Welcome to Saint Joseph’s School !

SJS is a Catholic institution for secondary education providing an extensive basic education and skills development program. Such program aims to prepare the youth for gainful employment[1] in the real world and become mature members of the Christian community.

You have chosen SJS as the venue for the development of your God-given talents and for the strengthening and refinements of values for the service of God and country. For the next few years, you will be part of SJS working toward total human development.[2]

To best attain your goal, it is well to remind you that your progress will greatly depend on your enthusiasm and determination. The keys then are DISCIPLINE, GOOD BEHAVIOUR, and INDUSTRY.

This handbook is helpful in guiding you along the way; use it and abide by it. Excellence through a disciplined study habit is what we shall aspire for.


Part I
VISION-MISSION STATEMENTS

A. Vision

Saint Joseph’s School of Kiangan, Ifugao, a Catholic institution of quality education envisions an empowered administration, faculty and students who are globally competitive and who uphold the Christian Faith and cultural identity.

B. Mission

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the help of Mary, our Mother and St. Joseph, our Patron, we, the SJS community, commit ourselves to the following:

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Religion, the core of the curriculum, leads to the formation of responsible, socially oriented Christians, living the Gospel values, and responsive to the needs of the community.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The various intellectual disciplines equip the students to appreciate and actualize their potentials to the maximum level of existence.

ROOTEDNESS IN CULTURE

As a School of Living Traditions, we inculcate and facilitate the preservation and transmission of cultural practices grounded on Christian Values.

EMPOWERMENT OF STUDENTS

As an agent of evangelization, SJS empowers the students to be servant-leaders, especially to the poor.

SKILL AND COMPETENCE OF FACULTY

SJS Administration and faculty provide quality education, by keeping abreast with the challenges of globalization, acquiring further studies, participating in in-service trainings and conducting culturally-based researches.


Part II
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Rights of Students

Every student shall enjoy the right to:

1. receive competent and relevant quality education;
2. express opinions and suggestions through the provided channels of communication with the academic and administrative bodies;
3. avail of guidance and counselling services;
4. publish a student paper under the guidance of a teacher-moderator;
5. be free from involuntary contributions except those approved by the organizations, the school administration or the Department of Education;
6. vote and be elected into office in school organizations;
7. access to one’s own school record, the confidentiality of which the school shall maintain and preserve;
8. obtain certificates, diploma, and transcript of records, report cards, transfer of credentials and other documents within thirty (30) days from request; and
9. seek from the subject teacher an explanation about his or her grades for the said subject.

B. Duties and Responsibilities

Every student shall be duty bound to:

1. uphold the constitution of the land and the policies of Saint Joseph’s School;
2. obey the other rules and regulations formulated by the duly elected student body and class officers;
3. maintain the academic integrity of Saint Joseph’s School by practicing industry and honesty,
4. prevent cheating practices in school or outside the school premises;
5. maintain peaceful and harmonious relationships among themselves and within their respective communities outside;
6. safeguard and protect all school properties, and maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the environment;
7. actively participate in all school activities, civic or religious;
8. exercise one’s rights, assumes one’s responsibilities and respect the rights of fellow students, faculty and administration, and other school personnel.


Part III
STUDENT ADMISSION

A. School Fees

In as much as SJS is part of the missionary work of the Local Church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe, we keep the school fees to a minimum that ordinary people can afford. But since the school spends for its daily operations, maintains facilities, and provides for teachers’ and staff’s remuneration, the fees must be regulated to a reasonable level.

Every year before enrolment begins the School announces to the public the approved[3] fees for the school year. There are usually differing schemes of payments, full or partial. Full payment normally gets a discount on tuition fees while minimal surcharge is imposed on partial payments. These are normal payment systems. Upon enrolment, the parents decide and choose the scheme of payment which is most convenient for them.

Parents who enrol their children to this institution are bound to follow all policies of the Treasurer’s Office regarding settlement of the students’ accounts.

The usual fees charged are explained[4] as follows:

1. Tuition fees – this is charged the students exclusively for instruction and does not include all other fees mentioned below.
2. Miscellaneous fees – charges for other services and the use of school facilities to complement class instruction. In our case, it includes:
a. Registration Fee
b. Science Laboratory Fee
c. Computer Laboratory
d. Internet Fee
e. Library Fee
f. Medical and Dental Fees
g. Insurance Fee
h. Test Papers
i. Official Publication
j. ID Fee
k. others
3. Book Rentals – minimum fee charged the students for the use of textbooks. Students are obliged to replace missing books with their actual price as determined by the Treasurer’s Office.
4. Graduation Fees – charged to fourth year students and include all expenses incurred for the commencement exercises and programs, transcripts of records and diplomas, and all other documents to be secured by the graduate for transfer to College. This is non-refundable if the student does not pass his fourth year course.

B. Withdrawal of Enrolment

A student who transfers or withdraws after enrolment but within the first week of classes may refund what he has paid upon enrolment except that of the Registration Fee.

However, the school shall retain 15% of the total school fees if a student withdraws within the second week, regardless of his attendance or absences, 22% of the school fees if within the third week, and 30% within the fourth week of classes.

Within the fifth week of classes and later, the school may charge the student the full amount of all school fees.

C. Scholarships

To help the poorer families in enrolling their children in SJS, the school welcomes scholarship grants. Presently, the school is receiving some of these grants in behalf of the scholars. SJS also gives its own scholarship to a few deserving students:

1. Academic Scholarship – this is given by SJS to those who top the first year’s placement test. The First placer in the test is given 100% discount on tuition fees. The Second placer is given 50% rebate on the tuition fees. If the scholar is able to maintain honors, i.e., first placer must receive the first honor card at the end of the school year while second placer, at least second honor card, he/she maintains the same scholarship for the next school year, otherwise, it is forfeited irreversibly.
2. SIOJO – this grant is given by an anonymous benefactor through the SIHM nuns. The grantees are chosen by the school in collaboration with the Tuding Sisters.
3. Educational Service Contracting (ESC) Grant – this grant is given by the Fund Assistance for Private Education (FAPE) in collaboration with the Department of Education to indigent students who want to enter in a private school like SJS. The grant is a continuous contract of four years of high school provided that they will pass each year level every school year. Presently, it is equivalent to Four Thousand Pesos (Php4,000) per grantee per school year.
4. Others – there are a few more individuals who regularly send contributions for scholars whom the school chooses. This is welcome. However, for those who wish to grant scholarship but to a specific student, we advise them to make an agreement privately as the school is in no way involved in these personal arrangements.



Part IV
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE


A. Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance is a matter of discipline and that is why unexcused absences are considered a breach of school discipline thereby meriting sanction.[5] Punctuality is expected from every student be it in classes, assemblies, or exercises.

The following are the rules binding attendance and punctuality:

1. Attendance is checked every class period by the respective subject teachers.
2. Absences are excused only for serious reasons, e.g., illness, death in the family, attendance in official functions outside the classroom or school. The Prefect of Discipline determines the nature of a student’s absence.
3. A two-period absence is considered a half-day absence.
4. Students should stay in the classroom even during intermission of classes. Only subject teachers may allow a student to go out for important matters.
5. A student who is not in his/her assigned seat, or leaves the classroom without permission, or cuts classes is considered absent for that class period.
6. Late enrolees who missed the first days of classes will be marked absent on those days. This absence is unexcused. As such, the student is expected to be responsible over the lessons and requirements missed.
7. During the flag ceremony, a student who is not in the line formation when the last bell alarms and who enters only after the opening prayer is considered tardy.
8. Only students with written permission from the Principal may leave the campus during class hours.
9. A student is considered loitering if:
a. He/she leaves the classroom during class hours without permission.
b. He/she is not inside the classroom when the teacher arrives.
In both cases the student must seek an admission slip from the Prefect of Discipline.
10. No special quiz is accorded to unexcused absentees or tardy students who have missed a quiz.
11. A student who is late or has been absent previously will be admitted to class only if he/she can present to the subject teacher an admission slip signed by the Prefect of Discipline.
12. To secure admission slip from the Prefect of Discipline, the student must present a duly signed letter from his/her parent or Guardian regarding his/her absence or tardiness.
13. A student who incurs ten (10) consecutive unexcused absences may be dropped from the school roll.
14. A student who accumulates a total number of absences exceeding (20%) of the total number of school days prescribed by the Department of Education shall be considered dropped from the school roll.
15. A student who incurs six (6) unexcused absences or six (6) unexcused tardiness shall not be admitted in school until the student comes with parents or guardian to confer the matter with the student’s Class Adviser and the Prefect of Discipline. A formal letter of notification from the Adviser noted by the Prefect of Discipline will be sent to the parents or guardian.
16. A student who incurs six (6) unexcused absences shall be suspended from classes and be given 2 hours of supervised manual work and another 2 hours of solitary reading activity.
17. A student who incurs six (6) unexcused tardiness shall also be suspended from classes and be given 2 hours of supervised manual work.
18. A student who is suspended a third time for his tardiness and absences may be dropped from the school roll or may be advised to transfer to another school.

B. School UNIFORM and ID

The school uniform is worn as a symbol of one’s membership of the SJS community and as an identity for the students who are enrolled in this institution. As part of daily discipline, students are required to wear their proper uniforms on the days so designated by the school authorities.

Students who are not in proper uniform are required to go home and change into their uniform. It is every teacher’s duty to check on uniforms and catch the attention of a student who is not wearing his or her uniform properly, e.g., unbuttoned shirt, rolled up pants or sleeves, ID’s not worn, wearing no patches, etc. If a student resists the advice of the said teacher, the teacher may send out the student to see the Prefect of Discipline or report this instance to the Class Adviser and consequently be charged for disobedience.

Every student must abide by the following:

1. Uniforms must be tidy and neat.
2. The boys shall wear a white square cut short-sleeved shirt with an officially embroidered school patch on the pocket over a white undershirt (sando) and a pair of plain black pants in accordance with the prescribed cut.
3. The girls shall wear a white square cut blouse with collar with an officially embroidered school patch on a blue neck tie and pleated deep blue skirt.
4. Both boys and girls shall wear black low-cut leather shoes and white socks. The boys have an option to wear black or gray socks.
5. Hair dyes and colors and fancy hair styles are not allowed neither for boys nor girls.
6. Boys’ hair must not be so long as to touch the eyebrows nor cover the ears. They must be cut at the nape one inch above the tip of the shirt collar.
7. Earrings are not allowed for boys.
8. ID is part of the proper uniform and must be worn at all times inside the campus on all schooldays.
9. Infraction against the rules on uniform also involve the following:
a. Embroidered patch is faded or not properly sewn.
b. Boys’ shirt or girls’ blouse unbuttoned or not properly buttoned. A lack of button is also an infraction.
c. Wearing a differently colored blouse, skirt, pair of pants, or pair of shirt.
d. Wearing army jackets and combat shoes.
e. Wearing another blouse or shirt on top of the school uniform.
f. Pants rolled up.
g. Blouse sleeves or shirt sleeves rolled up.
h. Undershirt that is not white or with design.
i. Undershirt that is longer than the shirt or blouse.
j. Neckties worn at the back and not in front.
k. Socks with colors other than the prescribed color.
l. ID not worn.
m. ID worn improperly, i.e. at the back, clipped on the skirt or pants, different color of string, etc.
n. Wearing the ID of another student
o. Skirt too high or too low from the knees.
p. Collars that are up.


Part V
GRADING SYSTEM and HONORS

A. Grading System

There are four (4) Quarters or Grading Periods in a school year.
The highest possible mark that any student may get in any subject is 97, with the exception of Conduct with 95 as the highest mark.
The passing mark is 75 while the lowest possible is 70.
The marks shall be obtained from 60% of the Class Standing (CS) and 40% of the Periodical Test or Quarterly Examination.[6]
Class Standing consist of quizzes, seat works, assignments, recitations, projects, group works, themes, experiments, unit tests, and all other output measures the teacher may require of the students during the said Quarter.
Periodical Test or Quarterly Examination is a comprehensive test usually covering all the topics and lessons taken within the particular grading period and given at the end of every Quarter to measure the students’ over-all comprehension of the subject.
SJS uses the cumulative grading system, i.e., marks of the current Quarter is affected by the marks of the previous one. The mark that appears in a Grading Period is obtained by adding one-third of the mark of the previous Quarter to two-thirds of the grade of the current Quarter.

Sample Computation:

1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter
Grade Tentative Grade Grade (appearing on Records)

85 90 (1/3 of 85) + (2/3 of 90) = 88
89 80 (1/3 of 89) + (2/3 of 80) = 83

All quizzes, projects, and other output requirements are returned to the students after they have been checked and duly graded by the subject teacher as these are rightfully owned by the students.
The subject teacher normally discusses to the students the results of these outputs and explains to the students how marks are given.
Since the Quarterly Examination consists 40% of the Quarter Grade, it is only fair that the subject teacher allots time before the examination days to discuss with the students the scope of the test, and if time permits, give a short review of the whole Quarter.
The Quarterly Examination is so designed as to gauge the knowledge learned by the student in the subject matter taught within the pertinent grading period. Since students are expected to get 50% of the total items in any Periodical Test in order to pass, the subject teachers are guided to design the tests according to the following proportions:
Basic skills – 30%,
Middle Ranged Skills – 50%; and
Advanced/Complex Skills – 20%.
Examinations papers are returned to students for review within the week after the examination period. Students review and countercheck the exam results with the teachers.
Students who failed to take the periodical Test for reasons deemed inexcusable shall receive a zero (0) score for the said test.
Non-settlement of dues denying the student of an exam permit is deemed as an unexcused absence.
A period of one (1) week after the examination is given to excused absent students to take special examinations.
Special quarterly examinations may be designed according to the following proportions:
Middle Ranged Skills – 30%; and
Advanced/Complex Skills – 70%.
Since special examinations are dealt with on a case-to-case basis, the Principal is consulted by the subject teachers on all matters pertaining to it.
As a general rule, all students must take the periodical tests on the prescribed days and submit projects/requirements on time. Failure to do so may affect their grades accordingly as shown by the design of special quarterly examinations. In this regard the school takes no responsibility for a student’s lower mark but interprets it as rather an eventual effect or evidence of the student’s irregular attendance in the past without a teacher imposing any deductions therefrom.[7]
For special quarterly examinations, it is the student’s obligation – not the teacher’s duty – to make a follow-up within the allowed period.
Students caught cheating in an examination shall receive a zero (0) score in the particular examination and a corresponding disciplinary sanction for breaching rules of discipline.

B. Major Examinations

The School conducts monthly tests, either Unit/Long Test or Quarterly Examinations. The dates of these are reflected in the School Calendar and announced to the students prior to the said dates.
Monthly Examination Permits are issued to the students upon settlement of their accounts before the first day of examination. Normally, bills are sent to parents at least a week before the examination dates. This is to give parents ample time to pay their dues.
Parents who cannot settle their accounts on time may apply for a promissory note within the payment dates and not only on the days of the examinations.
Only parents and the official guardian whose signatures are affixed in this Student Handbook are allowed to make promissory notes on behalf of the students.
Promissory notes maybe approved on a case-to-case basis as determined by the Accounting Office and only upon approval by the School Director.
Promissory notes are not allowed in view of the Final Quarterly Examinations in March. It is understood that all accounts payable must be settled by the parents before the Final Examination Permit can be granted the students.
No student shall be allowed to take the examination without his/her valid Examination Permit, school uniform and ID.


C. Quarterly Honors

Two weeks after the test, Honor cards are given to all students who attain the required academic marks:
General Average Minimum Grade
First Honors 92 89
Second Honors 89 86
Third Honors 87 84
The General Average is the mean/average of the six (6) major academic subjects: Religion, English, Filipino, Math, Science, Makabayan (read below for explanation of the Makabayan subjects). The minimum grade means that the student must have no grade lower than required grade in any of those six subjects nor in any component subject of the Makabayan. In the case that a student has an average qualifying for an honor, say 92 for First honors, but has a grade of 85 in one subject, then he qualifies for Third honors instead.
Honors given at the end of every Grading Period are scholastic awards, hence are to be based on academic grades. But because SJS espouses the total human development of its students, a student’s conduct has a bearing on his/her eligibility for academic honors. A student, in order to qualify for any Quarterly Honors, must attain a minimum Conduct mark of 85.
Similarly, a fourth year student must have “passed” his/her CAT subject to vie for Quarterly Honors.

D. Year-End and GRADUATION Honors

At the end of the school year, deserving students are awarded with honors.

Honor Cards are given to those who qualify as Honors in the Fourth Quarter, since the grading system is cumulative and the Fourth Quarter marks are final marks.
The Top Ten for the first and second year levels are obtained by ranking the general average of the Fourth Quarter marks.
The Top Ten of the third year and fourth year levels are based on the general average as well as the conduct marks and co-curricular participation marks and computed as follows:
Academic Average 60%
Conduct Marks 30%
Co-curricular participation 10%
Graduation Academic Honors are determined by adding the 50% of the Third year’s General Average to 50% of the General Average of the Fourth Year.
A special award for Best in Religion is given per year level to the student who has shown excellence both in the classroom Religion subject and in his/her involvement in Church related activities.
In case of a number of candidates to consider, each deliberator will mark each candidate according to his/her conduct and involvement in Church activities. The 50% of the average of all the deliberators’ marks for each candidate will be added to 50% of his/her grade in Religion subject. The candidate with the highest sum will be proclaimed Best in Religion.
All advisers plus the Religion teacher/s for the specific year level shall compose the deliberating board. The principal shall sit down as a neutral member, i.e., he/she can not vote nor give comment on a specific candidate but sees to it that the process is followed fairly.

E. Conduct Grades

Every subject teacher gives each student a mark for each of the following criteria (which may be changed or adjusted depending on the discernment of the competent school authority):

Attendance and Punctuality
· Is the student always present in class, flag ceremony and other school gatherings?
· Does the student come on time for class and reports on time for his duties and assignments?
Class Participation
· Is the student active in class recitations and discussions?
· Does the student submit requirements neat and orderly and on time?
· Does the student pay attention in class and takes down notes?
· Does the student show enthusiasm in the subject matter?
· Is the student active in flag ceremonies and present in gatherings?
Honesty
· Does the student show honesty and openness in dealing with teachers and peers?
· Is the student honest in taking exams and passing requirements?
· Is the student honest with records and other documents under his/her care?
Respectfulness
· Does the student show esteem to SJS as an institution by giving deference to teachers and authority?
· Does the student show respect for his/her classmates and peers by his kindness and concern?
· Does the student show respect to others by respecting their personal properties?
Obedience
· Does the student obey school rules and other regulations?
· Does the student follow the advice of teachers, parents and school authority?
· Does the student always wear proper uniform and school ID?
Leadership
· Does the student demonstrate leadership qualities?
· Does the student involve him/herself in classroom and school co-curricular activities?
· Does the student get involved in community activities and Church-related liturgies?
A mark of 1 to 5 is given each student per criterion:
· 1 - (O) Outstanding
· 2 - (VG) Very Good
· 3 - (G) Good
· 4 - (FP) Fairly Passing
· 5 - (NI) Needs Improvement
For objectivity, a subject teacher gives conduct marks based solely on a student’s behaviour in the teacher’s own class and in other observable instances and not from what he/she hears from others.
For objectivity, a subject teacher’s mark is weighted according to the number of hours he/she meets the student in a week. Thus, Science teachers’ mark will be multiplied by 6, English and Math teachers by 5, Filipino teachers by 4, etc.
The adviser’s mark will be weighted by multiplying his/her grade by 4.
All the teachers’ marks are averaged and transmuted to a double digit numeral with 95 as the highest; 70 the lowest and 75 passing. Such transmuted mark is the Conduct mark that appears on the Report Card. (See table below.)
From 1st Quarter to 3rd Quarter the detailed mark per criterion (a – f, #1 above) is shown on the Report Card in literal mark or commentary equivalence (O, VG, G, FP, NI). This is an internal means for the students and parents to know on which areas of behaviour the student needs to improve. (See transmutation table below) The official Report Card for transfer to other schools will not carry such details but only the general Conduct mark.

5-pt mark Grade Equivalent Literal Mark
1.00 – 1.07 95 O
1.08 – 1.22 94 O
1.23 – 1.37 93 O
1.38 – 1.52 92 O
1.53 – 1.67 91 O
1.68 – 1.82 90 O
1.83 – 1.99 89 VG
1.98 – 2.12 88 VG
2.13 – 2.27 87 VG
2.28 – 2.42 86 VG
2.43 – 2.57 85 VG
2.58 – 2.72 84 G
2.73 – 2.87 83 G
2.88 – 3.02 82 G
3.03 – 3.17 81 G
3.18 – 3.32 80 G
3.33 – 3.47 79 FP
3.48 – 3.62 78 FP
3.63 – 3.77 77 FP
3.78 – 3.92 76 FP
3.93 – 4.10 75 FP
4.11 – 4.30 74 NI
4.31 – 4.50 73 NI
4.51 – 4.70 72 NI
4.71 – 4.90 71 NI
4.91 – 5.00 70 NI

A student who is suspended in a particular grading period automatically incurs a “5” (“NI”) both in that criterion for which he/she was suspended and in Obedience. Thus, a student suspended for habitual absence gets “5” both in Attendance and in Obedience; for disrespect to teacher or authority, “5” for respectfulness and Obedience, for grave cheating or forgery, “5” in Honesty and in Obedience. Although the other criteria are not affected, the two 5’s will have a substantial effect in his over-all comportment. This is true even if the other subject teachers graded him otherwise. In marking Conduct, an objective record of suspension with the Prefect of Discipline takes precedence over teachers’ subjective observations.

F. Co-Curricular Participation

Ten percent (10%) of the juniors’ and seniors’ year-end awards are obtained from the marks given for their co-curricular participation.

However, no student may hold two (2) major positions at the same time. This is so to encourage stronger commitments among student-leaders and also to give more students opportunity for involvement. Major positions include the top four offices in the different organizations, i.e., President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The rest are considered minor.

The Batallion commander (CAT), Editor-in-chief (Tangguyub), SCA Coordinator, Choir coordinators, President of the Squires are also considered major positions.

Part VI of this handbook discusses the various options for students’ co-curricular participation.

G. Promotion and Retention

Students who fail in subjects of 3 units or less are required to take Summer Classes in recommended schools and obtain passing marks in order to be promoted to the next curriculum level. Students who fail in more than 3 units are retained in the same year level.



Part VI
CO-CURRICULAR PARTICIPATION


As an integral part of human development and leadership formation, the school encourages students to form and join in as many co-curricular and extra-curricular organizations possible. Their performances in these activities are recorded and given weight at the end of the school year. The school sets the standard and weights for all co-curricular involvement of students.

Listed below are the possible organizations a student may join:
Student Body Organization (SBO)

The SBO is the highest student governing body. Its creation allows the students to experience politics, exercise the right of suffrage and function as responsible program planners and implementers of student activities. It includes the entire student populace led by duly elected officers.

An adviser is assigned from the faculty or staff to provide guidance and advice to the SBO.

Functions of the SBO

a. Serves as the voice of the student body.
b. Bridges the students and the faculty.
c. Coordinates students’ activities at classroom levels.
d. Plans and implements whole-year extra curricular activities.
e. Proposes and implements projects helpful to the students.
f. Dialogues with teachers and administration regarding improvement of educational needs of the students.

Duties of the Officers

a. The President is the top executive of the organization. He/She oversees and supervises the enforcement of rules and regulations formulated by the body and presides over meetings. He/She animates the officers in setting-up projects, and the whole student body in participating and cooperating with them.
b. The Vice President assumes the functions of the President in the absence of the latter. He/She supports the President in all programs of the organization.
c. The Secretary records the minutes of the meetings and sends notices of meetings and other activities to the officers. He/she regularly provides the SBO Adviser with a copy of the minutes of all the meetings and makes a file of them.
d. The Treasurer is the officer who takes custody of all funds of the organization and is accountable for them. He/She receives and disburses funds; accomplishes and submits financial reports.
e. The Business Managers look for creative sources of funds and work for the financial support of the organization.
f. The Peace and Harmony Officers maintain peaceful and harmonious relationships among students. They see to it that discipline is strictly followed by everyone.
g. The Clean and Green Officers promote a clean, healthy and environment-friendly campus. They raise the consciousness of students regarding our responsibility to take care of our Mother Earth.


Election process

a. Elections for the SBO offices are held one month after opening of classes.
b. All students with no major positions in other student organizations may aspire to become SBO officers.
c. Candidates may form political parties and file their candidacy to the SBO adviser.
d. Political parties are given a two-week campaign period.
e. Votes are cast by homeroom and canvassed in the classroom.
f. Results are tallied and winners are declared by the board of canvassers and the teacher-COMELEC.

Tangguyub (Official Publication)

Tangguyub is the official school paper. Three issues are published in a school year. Its prime functions are to inform, influence and entertain its readers. It welcomes contributions from students and publishes relevant reactions and comments from the readers.

Inasmuch as the students are trained in the value of freedom of speech, all articles and materials to be published in the Tangguyub must conform to the basic Catholic principles and beliefs of the school, thus, the role of the teacher-moderator.

Student Catholic Action (SCA)

The SCA is an organization of students who are seeking in-depth spiritual formation. It provides an avenue for Church related services and outreach programs. The liturgy officers of each class are members of the SCA in order to insure coordination of liturgical activities of all students.

The SCA officers include the following:
Coordinator,
Co-coordinator,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Choir Coordinator, and
Prayer Service Coordinator.

D. Citizens’ Army training (CAT)

CAT is an added subject in the fourth year curriculum. By tradition, its officership has been considered a co-curricular activity since the manner of selecting officers requires three-month field training.

To qualify, an aspirant should meet the following requirements:

1. No failing marks,
2. Conduct mark not lower than 80%,
3. Medical certification of readiness to undergo the field training,
4. Written permission from parents or guardian,
5. No disciplinary record at the Office of the Prefect of Discipline.
6. Must pass the qualifying test.

E. Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL)

PAL is a peer group of trained students who reach out to other students through peer counselling. Like friends are, they listen to common teen-age problems and issues, like relationships, academics, substance abuse, and teenage sexuality. The group undergoes training and regular formation in order to update their skills in listening and giving advice. Through the PAL, young adults are given the opportunity to share and discuss among themselves their conflicts, and other concerns involving themselves.

F. Extramural Participation

With the explicit permission of the school, students who are willing and qualified are encouraged to participate in contests, youth gatherings, symposia, sports events and other well-meaning occasions to represent the school and for their personal upliftment as well.


Part VII
CODE OF CONDUCT

Every student must value and exercise self-discipline to earn due respect from one’s fellow students, personnel, faculty members and administrators.

A. Classroom Discipline

Students should stay in the classroom during class hours and even during intermissions. They shall not leave the room except for urgent matter and only with the permission of the subject teacher.
Students should occupy the seats assigned to them according to the seat plan and observe order at all times.
Students must be in proper uniform and wear their IDs at all times.
Students are not allowed to chew gums or betel nut, eat or drink while inside the classroom.
A student should conduct himself in such a manner that his/her honesty is held above suspicion during quizzes and periodical tests.
Students are expected to stand when a teacher or person in authority enters the classroom and during the opening and closing prayers.
Students should be responsible for the cleanliness and orderliness of the classroom at all times.

B. Campus Discipline

Every student is expected to:

be in school during class hours and not leave the campus without the permission of proper school authorities.
observe silence and proper line formation while passing along corridors or areas where classes are going on.
properly wear the prescribed uniform from Monday to Thursday and decent and appropriate attire on Fridays. He/she must not use uniforms of other institutions.
refrain from using profane, indecent and offensive words at all times.
refrain from boisterous laughter and noise when in a group and near classrooms or offices.
refrain from entering the faculty room and other administrative offices without explicit permission from school authority.
return lost and found items to the owner or to the persons in authority.
seek permission from proper authorities before posting public notices in the school campus.
use laboratory, carpentry, gardening, CAT and P.E. equipment with care and return them properly to the property custodian. In case of damages or loss of borrowed equipment, the student involved must be responsible for the repair or replacement of said equipment.
seek the approval of the school authorities before joining in or forming an organization.
never bring to school deadly weapons, explosives, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, alcoholic beverages or literature contrary to the beliefs of the school.
never enter the school campus while under the influence of liquor or drugs,
never falsify documents nor forge signatures of parents or guardians and school authorities.
never engage in wilful destruction of school properties.
never use the name of the school in oral or written programs, announcements, tickets and solicitations and activities without the permission of the school authorities.
behave properly during the Flag Ceremony. The following constitute bad comportment during the Flag Ceremony:
not standing straight
not paying attention, i.e. talking, reading, playing, poking fun on others, doing some things else
hands inside the pocket
arms crossed on the chest or at the back
not in straight line formation to shade himself/herself under the sun
carrying bags at the back or anything in the hands
not singing the Lupang Hinirang and the School Hymn
not reciting the Panunumpa sa Watawat
not raising the right hand properly while reciting the Panunumpa sa Watawat

Part VII
DISCIPLINARY RULES and SANCTIONS

A. Disciplinary Actions

Any violation of the rules and regulations shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action and the imposition of the corresponding penalty. The disciplinary actions must be commensurate to the rule violated and may take the form of the following:

1. Warning
2. Detention with manual work after classes.
3. Suspension with manual work or activity
4. Exclusion
5. Expulsion

B. Due Process

1. For Light Offences, the following procedure shall be followed:

a. The Subject Teacher, with or without the Class adviser, handles the case.
b. The Subject Teacher notifies the Class Adviser.
c. The Class Adviser gives the corresponding light manual punishment to the student concerned.
d. The class Adviser notifies the Prefect of Discipline when misbehavior becomes habitual.

2. For Moderately Heavy Offences, the following procedures shall be followed:

a. The subject Teacher notifies the Class Adviser.
b. The Class Adviser notifies the Prefect of Discipline.
c. The Prefect of Discipline investigates the case, decides on it, and gives a corresponding punishment to the student concerned.
d. The Prefect of Discipline notifies the Principal regarding the case.

3. For Serious Offences, the following procedures shall be followed:

a. The Subject Teacher notifies the Class Adviser.
b. The Class Adviser notifies the Prefect of Discipline.
c. The Prefect of Discipline notifies the Principal and parent or guardian of the student concerned. The school, upon the joint decision of the Principal and the Prefect of Discipline, may give a preventive suspension[8] to the student while the case is being heard.
d. The Prefect of Discipline investigates the case and submits the result of the investigation to the Principal.
e. If there is a prima facie case, the principal convenes the Disciplinary Committee composed of the following:
i. Class adviser
ii. Guidance Counsellor
iii. Faculty Representative
iv. PTA Representative
v. School Legal Adviser
f. The committee re-investigates the case and submits its recommendations to the Principal and to the School Director.
g. The Principal and the School Director notify the student and his parents or guardian on the decision.

C. Classification of Offences

1. LIGHT OFFENCES

a. Excessive teasing
b. Improper decorum during line formation
c. Littering
d. Loitering
e. Not following any of the rules of Campus Discipline above.
f. Misbehavior in class
g. Not following any of the rules of Classroom Discipline above.
h. non-wearing or improper wearing of school uniform
i. Petty quarrels
j. Spitting through the window
k. Using cellular phone while class is going on

1st Offence: Warning
2nd Offence: Manual work to be supervised by the subject teacher.
3rd Offence: The offence is treated as a moderately-heavy offence

2. MODERATELY HEAVY OFFENCES

a. Falsely accusing another student
b. Chewing betel nut in school.
c. Instigating or causing a fight in school
d. Possession and/or use of cigarettes, matches or lighter.
e. Possession and/or use of gambling paraphernalia.
f. Possession of cheating materials during quizzes and examinations.
g. Six (6) unexcused tardiness or six (6) unexcused absences.
h. Tampering of ID
i. Truancy
j. Writing unnecessary comments on school records (attendance sheet, textbooks, quiz paper and test paper.)
k. Desecration of religious places.
l. Third violation of the same minor offence.

1st Offence: 2 hours of manual work within the school hours.
2nd Offence: Half-day manual work inside the school campus and within school hours.
3rd Offence: The case is treated as a serious offence.

3. SERIOUS OFFENCES

a. Sacrilege
b. Forgery
c. Academic Dishonesty (plagiarism, tampering of school records, involvement in examination leakage)
d. Assaulting physically or orally a fellow student or school personnel.
e. Concealment of deadly weapon in school.
f. Committing acts leading to public scandal.
g. Disrupting classes and barricading the school entrance.
h. Drunkenness in school.
i. Drug dependency, possession, selling and/or using prohibited drugs.
j. Involvement in a serious fight publicly
k. Gross misconduct
l. Gross disrespect to persons in authority.
m. Hazing
n. Immorality and acts of lasciviousness
o. Hooliganism
p. Instigating or leading strikes or similar activities that leads to the stoppage of classes.
q. Joining and/or forming illegal organizations contrary to the beliefs of the school.
r. Lying in the hearing on the charge against him/her or another student.
s. Malicious destruction of school properties.
t. Preventing or threatening any student or school personnel from entering the school premises or discharging their duties.
u. Refusing to identify a student who has violated school regulations when he knew the student.
v. Selling examination paper.
w. Theft and robbery.
x. Using the name of the school whether written or oral without the permission of the school authority for solicitations or deception.
y. Three suspensions for absences or tardiness.
z. Third violation of the same moderately-heavy offence.

1st Offence: Manual Work inside the school campus and within school hours for at least 1 day but not more than 3 days.
2nd Offence: Manual work inside the school campus and within school hours for at least 3 days.
3rd Offence: Exclusion from school roll.

D. Manual Work

The imposition of manual work – and even temporary detention after school hours - on students who have violated disciplinary rules is imbued on the school’s parental authority under patria potestas[9]. This authority is vested in school authorities and teachers, and cannot be questioned for as long as the penalty is commensurate to the offence.

Thus, for offences listed above (Part VII, C) with corresponding manual work, a teacher or the school authority may require a student-offender any of the following sanctions commensurate to the said offence:

1. Joining the cleaners of the day.
2. Cleaning the faculty room or any of the offices.
3. Picking dirt in a specific cleaning area.
4. Digging a garbage pit.
5. Gardening or watering the plants.
6. Helping in the chores of any of the offices including the library and laboratories; or
7. other work the teacher deems worthwhile for the student.


Part VIII
SCHOOL SERVICES

A. Library

Like in any other educational institution, SJS considers her library as the heart of the school. Our library is open early in the morning before the start of classes, during lunch break, and late after the class dismissal in the afternoon. Depending on the availability of the teacher-librarian, it is also open within some other time during the day to enable the students to use the library facilities and reading materials.

The teacher-librarian normally posts the schedules of the Library’s availability.

B. Computer and INTERNET Facilities

Saint Joseph’s School boasts of her renovated Computer Laboratory. This is so far our latest thrust in modernizing our school system through computerization. At the beginning of the school year 2005-2006 we started subscribing to the CBCP-World which provides us for 24-hour internet connection.

At the onset of the school year 2006-2007, three computer units are installed in the faculty room, three in the administrative offices, twenty-two in the Students’ Computer Laboratory – all connected on-line. This means that now everyone in SJS – administration, faculty and students – enjoys a ready connection to the worldwide web. And we look forward to a continuous expansion in the future.

The Computer Laboratory, like the Library, is open to students on a reservation basis even during outside class hours.

C. Guidance Counselling

The Guidance Office is a friendly office. It is there for students who are seeking advice and counselling regarding any problem bothering them as students. It is open at specific times during class hours. But because of the limitedness of our resources, it cannot serve everyone. However, students may be called to the office for advice and counselling upon referral of the class adviser or subject teachers, or the Prefect of Discipline.

Since the school is aware that many delinquencies and infractions of disciplinary rules are rooted in some personal problems of students, we are trying our best to augment our school discipline with some measure of personal enlightenment through counselling.

The Guidance Office also helps our senior students in their career path after graduation from high school.

Students are therefore encouraged to visit the Guidance Office during their free time.

D. Science Laboratoty

The Science Laboratory is the place where the students discover in practicum what they learn in classroom Science. We have facilities in the Laboratory enough for students to learn some basic practical things about Science.

The Science Laboratory is used by students upon schedule of their teachers for experimentation and practice.

E. Medical and Dental Services

With our low school budget, health facilities are limited. However, the school offers immediate first aid for common injuries and sickness through the assistance of the class advisers and teachers. Some medicines for first-aid are always made available. In case of grave injuries or sickness which our personnel are not capable of handling, the school sends the student with assistance to the Rural Health Unit. We also assist the parents in seeking financial help from our Vicariate Students’ Insurance for students who meet an accident within the school hours.

Other dental and medical check-ups are coordinated with other government or non-government organizations who provide for such endeavour.

F. Spiritual Growth Programs

Being a Catholic school, Religion is at the heart of our curriculum. Saint Joseph’s School offers to her students various spiritual programs such as:

regular celebrations of the Eucharist sponsored by students (both by year level and as a school community),
Confessions,
Baptism and first Communion for freshmen who have not yet received those sacraments,
Retreats and Recollections,
Confirmation for seniors,
community outreach programs,
membership in the Student Catholic Action (SCA);
membership in Parish ministries (i.e., Youth Ministry, sacristans) ; and
other class religious activities.

This is so to help our students develop and nurture their total spiritual life and form them to be future Catholic leaders.


RISING MIDST THE GOLDEN RICE FIELDS

Rising midst the golden rice fields
Grandly to the mountains view
Reaches our dear Alma Mater
Proudly to the skylines blue
Night and day we think of praising
Our beloved SJS.

Swell the chorus ever louder
Boys and girls together sing
Alma Mater SJS Dear School
Falya, falya, falya, falya, la ha ha !

SJS Dear Alma Mater
Oh how dear thou art to me
Truth, Religion, Art and Knowledge
All I have I owe to thee
Christian life and education
Who gave you these fair flowers?
Who if not my Alma Mater
SJS forever true.

Hail to thee our Alma Mater
We’ll forever sing thy praise
Full of cheer and joy forever
Grateful hearts to thee we raise
SJS forever will be
We’ll forever cherish thee!


LOYALTY SONG

Midst the ancient hills and mountains
Like a gem in a crown of green
Stands the school a pioneer
Of Christianity in Ifugao.

Loyal to Saint Joseph’s School
We work and study to uphold
Christian love and brotherhood
That our daily deeds my prove.

Alma Mater tends her children
Who will build a new Ifugao
A fond missionary dream
Making of a Christian Ifugao.

Loyal to Saint Joseph’s School
We work and study to uphold
Christian love and brotherhood
That our daily deeds my prove.

We, her sons and daughters united
Must keep working as one big team
With our patron Saint Joseph
Whose fine virtues we should emulate.

Loyal to Saint Joseph’s School
We work and study to uphold
Christian love and brotherhood
That our daily deeds my prove.

[1] Sarmiento Ulpiano III P., Manual of Regulations for Private Schools Annotated, 1995: 1st Ed. Risen Publishing, p.23
[2] ibid., p. 27. “… ensures the development of the cultural, socio-civic, physical, moral and spiritual aspects of the individual;”
[3] The setting of fees usually conforms with the standards set by the Vicariate schools, and approved in a resolution by the SJS-PGA officers before implementation.
[4] Based on Sections 40 and 43 of BP 232.
[5] Administrative Instructions No. 16, s. 1926 (5) as noted in Ulpiano, p. 278
[6] This system is standard in all of the Vicariate Catholic schools
[7] Administrative Instructions No. 16, s. 1926 (5) as noted in Ulpiano, p. 278

[8] “A preventive suspension is not a penalty… A student may be placed under preventive suspension during the pendency of the disciplinary proceedings against him…” Manual of Regulations for Private Schools Annotated, Sarmiento, U., p. 311. Here, Sarmiento cites Jimenez, Jacinto D., “Student Disciplinary Practices,” as published in Current Issues/ Problems in Legal Education,” p. 107
[9] Art. 311 of the New Civil Code; Art. 211 of the Family Code and Art. 17(a), PD 603: “…(minors) are obliged to obey their parents so long as they are under parental power, and to observe respect and reverence toward them always…” Such parental power is vested in the school. See Sarmiento, p. 289