Academic Expectations
 
Immaculate Conception School expects students to perform to the best of their ability. Teachers are expected to evaluate student progress on a regular basis. Students will be given quizzes or tests regularly. After the test is graded, it will be sent home for the Parent/Guardian to review and sign. Parent/Guardian signature indicates that the Parent/Guardian is aware of the student’s progress. If a Parent/Guardian does not receive quizzes or tests to sign, the Parent/Guardian should contact the teacher. Parents/Guardians are expected to review their child’s performance on the Student Information System (SIS) that has been established by ADNY and is utilized by Immaculate Conception School. Passwords have been established for each parent/guardian. The system remains available to families who remain current with tuition and fees obligations.
 
Graduation
 
At the discretion of the principal, each school has the right not to certify the student's graduation or provide transcripts of the student's academic record to third parties such as other schools, colleges, or employers, or to issue a diploma to the student, if there has been a breach of a material condition of the contract (i.e., failure to meet financial obligations, infractions against the school’s code of conduct).
 
Homework
 
Homework is an essential part of the instructional program and reinforces learning. It serves as a means for clarifying and reviewing material learned in class, for providing motivation and opportunity for individual growth, and for creating experiences of in-depth study and supplementary reading. Homework accounts for 15% the report card grade.
 
The time allotments for homework (written and study) are as follows:
 
- Grades PreK & K approximately 15 minutes
- Grades 1 & 2 approximately 30 minutes
- Grades 3 & 4 approximately 45 minutes
- Grades 5 & 6 approximately 90 minutes
- Grades 7 & 8 approximately 120 minutes
Students are required to record homework/assignments in the student planner and complete all homework/assignments. Depending on grade level, Parents/Guardians may be expected to sign the completed homework. Parents/Guardians are expected to check SIS for confirmation/clarification and due dates for all assignments.
 
Grades and Grading
 
Report cards are distributed four times a year for Grades 1 to 8. Pre-K and Kindergarten report cards are distributed four times a year. The report card is a link between the school and the home. The Student Information System will serve to keep families informed between report cards.
 
As required by the Archdiocese of New York each school must adopt a formal grading policy. The policy at Immaculate Conception school follows:
 
- 45% Tests
- 25% Quizzes
- 20% Classwork and Participation
- 10% Homework
 
Academic Achievement
 
The first part of the Archdiocesan Report Card is used to mark the student’s achievement in academic subjects.
 
• The achievement mark is based upon the demonstration of mastery of the material covered in class such as:
 
1. Tests
2. quizzes
3. classwork/participation
4. homework
5. projects/portfolios
There are no grades for Technology as this area is supportive of, and integrated into, the total learning process.
 
Foreign Language will be given a letter grade if the class meets for less than 120 minutes per week. Foreign Language will be given a numerical grade only if the class meets for more than 120 minutes per week.
 
The Final Report Card Grade is the weighted average of the four previous quarter grades, and the mid-year and end-year tests (for Grades 5-8). This Final Grade will be recorded on the student’s permanent record.
 
- Numerical marks are recorded on report cards for Grades 1 – 8.
- Passing is any mark 70% or above or any mark of D or higher.
Parents should be informed in a timely manner in the event of a student who is not satisfactorily performing in a course or activity. The Student Information System will serve to keep families informed between report cards.
 
The June grade on the report card is comprised of 20% for each marking period and 10% for each mid-term and final exam. This grade will be recorded on the student’s permanent record card.
 
- Numerical marks are recorded on report cards for Grades 1 – 8.
- Passing is any mark 70% or above or any mark of D or higher.
Character Development
 
The conduct/effort mark is placed under Character Development as a “Conduct Grade”. This mark indicates that the student:
1. follows class and school rules,
2. shows care in the use of personal property
3. treats teachers with respect
4. treats other students with respect
5. exercises self-control
6. listens attentively
7. uses technology appropriately.
 
Honor Roll
 
The criteria for inclusion in the Honor Roll are peculiar for each school. As an acknowledgment of achievement in academics, at Immaculate Conception School is:
 
Grades
 
Pre-K -5th
No honors are awarded 

 
Grades 6-8 Principal's List
95% average; No report card grade less than 90% in academic areas.
No special subject, character development, conduct or effort mark less than an “A”.
 
Grades 6-8 First Honors
90% average; No report card grade less than 85% in academic areas.
No special subject, character development, conduct or effort mark lower than a “B”.
 
Grades 6-8 Second Honors
85% average; No report card grade less than 80% in academic areas.
No special subject, character development, conduct or effort mark lower than a “B”.
 
Good conduct is a requirement to receive Honors. Therefore, a student must receive A (excellent) or B (good) in conduct to be eligible for honors. A student who does not receive an A or B in Conduct, will not receive Principal’s List, First or Second Honors even though marks might warrant it.
 
Honors will be awarded on a quarterly basis. This allows an opportunity for students who did not achieve honors in one quarter to redeem them and qualify for honors in the next quarter. They can do so by improving their performance in academics, conduct or attendance / lateness.
 
**Please note the lateness policy which affects eligibility for honors.
 
In June students can also qualify for special recognition if their final averages including grades for Mid-Term and Final Exams meet the honors criteria listed below.
 
FINAL AVERAGE HONORS
 
GOLD STAR:
95% overall average with no report card grade less than 80% (this includes mid-term and final exams grades) No special subject, conduct, or effort mark lower than an “A” in the final average column.
 
SILVER STAR:
90% overall average with no report card grade less than 80% (this includes mid-term and final exams grades) No special subject, conduct, or effort mark lower than a “B” in the final average column.
 
BRONZE STAR:
85% overall average with no report card grade less than 80% (this includes mid-term and final exams grades) No special subject, conduct, or effort mark lower than a “B” in the final average column.
 
National Junior Honor Society Eligibility
Immaculate Conception School
Tuckahoe, New York
 
ICS maintains an active chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). During the fall of each school year students in middle school will be introduced to the organization and informed of the academic and service requirements for acceptance. Report cards are reviewed at the close of the fourth quarter at the end of both 7th and 8th grade years. The administration and a committee of middle school teachers, known as the faculty council, review the eligibility students and select the candidates. Selected students are considered for character, scholarship, leadership, service and citizenship. An induction ceremony for the newly invited NJHS members will be held during the Honors Assembly during the last week of school (eligible 8th graders will be inducted during the Baccalaureate Mass) for the school and family members.
 
The membership criteria and process are as follows. Seventh and Eighth grade students with an overall average grade of 95% at the end of the 7th grade or 8th grade year, with rounding avoided, will be considered for membership. Those students with the required grade average are invited to complete an application that provides input on their service, leadership, citizenship, and character, the four pillars of the NJHS. The following are the criteria for each of these categories which are used to determine eligibility for membership.
 
• Leadership: Student holds at least one significant leadership role or office in a school or extracurricular organization.
 
• Service: At least 20 hours of extracurricular service activities completed in the previous year through school open houses (and other similar events), altar serving, lecturing, church choir, or service activities organized by scouting or youth organizations. Individual activities will also be considered such as helping at soup kitchens, visiting the elderly, or other activities for which the candidate is not compensated.
 
• Citizenship and Character: Determined by information on the application, information provided by ICS faculty, and the faculty council’s knowledge of the candidate.
 
Final determination as to which students will be invited to join the ICS Chapter of the NJHS will be made by a majority decision of the faculty council. All decisions made by the faculty council are final, and applicants should realize that membership in the NJHS is an honor and privilege, not a right ranted to all those who apply. Revised January 5, 2011
 
National Junior Honor Society
 
Discipline Procedures
 
Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, citizenship, or service may be dismissed from the Immaculate Conception School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. A member of the National Junior Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.
 
Possible Reasons for discipline and dismissal include but are not limited to:
 
- Cumulative Average falling below 90%
- Violating the law or school rules possibly resulting in suspensions
- Violating the school conduct code such as: possession of cell phones during school hours, profanity, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, or disrespectful behavior
When a member falls below standards for scholarship, leadership, character, citizenship, or service the member, principal, and parents will be notified in writing of the deficiency. If appropriate, the members will have one half of a quarter to correct the negligence.
 
Possible discipline actions include, but are not limited to:
 
- Probation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
Members should also be aware that they are allowed limited warnings during their membership. One warning may be sufficient in many cases. In the case of a flagrant violation of school rules or the law, a warning is not required for dismissal, but a hearing will still be held. The hearing is considered a right of membership. It is guaranteed as due process as identified by the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and it does require the chapter to notify the member of the action being contemplated, the reasons for the action, the date and time of the hearing, and the opportunity for the member to respond in writing.
 
Dismissal Procedures
 
In all matters of dismissal, local advisers will first notify the member in writing of the action being contemplated, the reasons for the action, the date and time of the hearing, and the opportunity for the member to respond in writing. Copies of this correspondence will be sent to the member’s parents and the principal. The local adviser will maintain copies of all such correspondence including the date that it was sent.
 
Before any dismissal action is taken the Faculty Council will investigate the alleged offense thoroughly. All information provided to the Faculty Council will be carefully considered including the member’s written response. The Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.
 
The results of the Faculty Council vote will be reviewed by the principal, and then if confirmed, expressed in a letter sent the student, parents, and principal. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser. When a student is dismissed or resigns, he/she is no longer a member and may never again be considered for membership in the National Junior Honor Society. (revised January 2011)
 
Report Card Distribution
 
Report cards are distributed in November, January, April, and June. Report cards will be withheld and access to SIS will be denied if financial obligations have not been met and fees are outstanding.
 
Report cards may not be given before the assigned date. In the event that a student will leave school prior to the last day in June and all financial obligations have been met, the student may give the teacher a self-addressed stamped envelope and the report card can be mailed the last day of school.
 
Retention/Promotion
 
Very few decisions we make about children are more important than recommendations to promote or to retain a student. Most students will be able to follow the school’s regular program of sequential learning objectives. If the student successfully achieves the year’s objectives, the student progresses to the next grade.
 
Testing, diagnosis, and actual performance, however, may indicate that some students cannot follow the school’s complete course of study. Therefore, the decision to retain a student indicates that although the school has done everything to help the student achieve success, the student has not made satisfactory progress.
 
The final decision to promote or retain a student is made by the principal, based on the student’s academic performance and best interests. It should be made after discussion with the parent, teacher, and student.
 
This table indicates the specific failures by grade level that might result in retention at the grade level:
 
Kindergarten
Evidence that the child is immature and not meeting program expectations
Grade 1 Evidence of developmental immaturity and a failure in reading
Grade 2 Failure in reading
Grade 3 Failures in reading and mathematics
Grade 4, 5, 6 Failures in reading and mathematics, or Failures in reading or mathematics and failures in two of the following subjects: religion, science, social studies, and language arts
Grade 7, 8 Failures in reading and mathematics or Failures in reading and language arts or Failures in reading or mathematics or language arts and failure in one of the following subjects: religion, science, social studies
 
Assessments
 
In addition to class and school exams your child will also take part in the Archdiocesan testing program which includes the Archdiocesan religion test, annual standardized tests and New York State Education Department assessments. These tests measure academic growth over a period of time.
 
Standardized Tests
 
ITBS Testing – Administered in the winter of each Academic Year 1st & 2nd grades only
Grade K -8th – MAP Testing

Religion Test Grade 3 to 8 June 

NY State Tests
 
New York State Testing
Grade Test 
3-8 English Language Arts, Mathematics 
The faculty of Immaculate Conception School reviews these test results regularly for the purpose of promotion or retention in conjunction with classroom performance and grouping for reading and math.
 
Accidents
 
A student accident insurance fee is added to every child’s general fee. In the event of an accident at school you may obtain a claim form from the office.
 
Please note that the school accident insurance usually is secondary to the Parent/Guardian’s own medical insurance coverage.