Sikh Foundation San Diego Punjabi School Guidelines

 

1.                  General School Guidelines

 

A.    Vision

 

The Punjabi School strives to provide quality education for students interested in learning.  The school is a community of learners in which all students are encouraged to achieve academic and social success, to enjoy learning, and to model exemplary behavior.  Students are empowered to take responsibility for their own learning.  They are active participants, and every student has a responsibility not just to perform a task, but to do it to the best of his or her ability. 

 

In order to excel, students require an environment that encourages them to take steps towards their learning process.  The school seeks to create a nurturing environment so that students can take educational risks without anxiety, and are encouraged to ask questions about what they are learning as well as the learning process.  Parents are encouraged to actively participate in school activities.

 

B.     Registration

 

All registration fees are required to be paid and all registration forms are required to be filled before the student attends their first class.

Refund of Fees

Fees shall be refunded as follows:

1.                  100% refund before the first class begins.

2.                  75% refund during the first 30 days.

3.                  After the first 30 days any special circumstances beyond your control will be considered by the Education Committee.

4.                  Schedule & Attendance

 

School Schedule

 

The school session will begin in September each year and end in June.

 

09:00 – 09: 15   Assembly

 

09:15 – 11:15  Punjabi/Gurmat Class

 

11: 15 – Snack/Break Time

Attendance

 

All students are required to come prepared to class and bring their appropriate folders and material. Students who do not bring their materials will be subject to disciplinary action.

Arrival & Dismissal

 

School starts promptly at 9:00 am. All students are required to be present for assembly at this time. Parents for students below the age of 18 are required to sign in using the Sign In /Out sheet at this time.

 

School ends at 11:15 am. Parents for students below the age of 18 are required to sign out using the Sign In/Out sheet at this time.

 

A Sign In/Out Sheet will be provided and posted outside the Punjabi classroom.

Lateness / Tardiness

 

Students who arrive late are required to fill out an official Sikh Foundation Punjabi School tardy slip. A student who is tardy more than 2 times in a school year is subject to disciplinary action.

Absences

 

An official Sikh Foundation Punjabi School absence slip is required to be filled out and handed to the teacher. These slips will be stored in the student’s file.  More than 3 unexcused absences may result in the student not being permitted to graduate.  **Requiring absence slip for sick child in advance of class seems unreasonable.  Most schools require a telephone call.**

Emergency Preparedness Plan

The Emergency Preparedness Plan shall be reviewed with all members of the Educational Team and students on an annual basis.  Fire drills will be conducted twice a year, or as determined by the Principal.  **Emergency preparedness plan must be prepared before release of this section to the public.**

B.        Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy

Common Responsibility

The Punjabi School is to maintain high standards of decorum when dealing with any other person involved in the Punjabi School of Sikh Foundation San Diego. Disagreements should be handled in a civil manner, and the rights of others should always be respected. Children are easily influenced, and everyone at the Punjabi School should always conduct themselves with professionalism and be good role models.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Punjabi School is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals.  Programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability, or any other unlawful consideration. 

Any student who engages in discrimination of another student or anyone from the school may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.  Any education team member who permits or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Any student or parent/guardian who feels that discrimination occurred should immediately contact a teacher or principal for resolution.  If the complaint is not resolved, the student or parent/guardian should file a complaint with the principal. 

Sexual Harassment Policy

The Punjabi School is committed to making the school free from sexual harassment.  This means that the School prohibits harassment made by someone from or in the educational setting.   Sexual harassment can be such actions as unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; or verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the educational setting. 

The School prohibits conduct that has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive education environment.

The School further prohibits sexual harassment in which a student’s grades, benefits, services, honors, program or activities are dependent on submission to such conduct.

Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined appropriately.  Education Team members who violate this policy shall be disciplined by the Education Committee.

Any student or parent/guardian who feels that discrimination occurred should immediately contact a teacher or principal for resolution.  If the complaint is not resolved, the student or parent/guardian should file a complaint with the principal. 

Filing a Complaint

1.                  A complaint may be filed by a student or parent/guardian in writing with the principal of the Punjabi School or the Secretary of SFSD.  **Need to Amend Secretary’s duties in By-Laws.**

2.                  The SFSD Executive Committee will immediately undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation of the harassment allegations and provide a written report within 60 days. 

3.                  If Executive Committee determines that its policies prohibiting sexual harassment or discrimination have been violated, disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or dismissal will be taken.

Complaints will be kept confidential.  SFSD prohibits retaliation against any participant in the complaint process and each complaint shall be investigated promptly and in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned. 

C.        Parents and Students

Parental Responsibility

Parents should explain School Rules to their children to facilitate understanding and support of the educational team.

·         Explain the rules to the child, in particular the notion of "respect''.

·         Cooperate with the school in the event of disrespect by their child of the school rules.

·         Ensure a good study environment at home.

·         Bring their child to school on time.

·         Ensure that children are not absent from school.

·         Ensure that on the day they have snack duty, the snack is delivered to the school by 10:00am.

Student Responsibility

 

Students are responsible for their conduct, knowing the school rules, understanding their importance, and abiding by them throughout the school year. All rules and regulations are in effect during school hours on Gurudwara premises, on school trips, and for any after school activity situations. Violations of these rules may include detentions or suspensions, and parents will be involved in all such cases. In the event a student is suspended or missing from school for more than 3 absences, he or she is responsible for making up any missed work. 

Students should respect the property of others and at the same time take good care of their own property.  Valuable items such as computer games, compact discs, should not be brought to school. The school will not be held responsible for the loss of any items by the pupil. Litter should be put into litter bins and not just dropped on the ground. All pupils should feel responsible for keeping the school grounds looking neat.  Chewing gum or bubble gum is not permitted at school.  Bad or insulting language is prohibited.

Homework

 

All homework must be completed before the class begins. Students should not be completing homework within the class. Homework not completed on time will result in disciplinary action being taken against the student.

Cell Phones

Students must keep cell phones out of sight and turned off during the instructional program.  If a cell phone rings in class it will be confiscated and will not be returned until after class.  It is the student’s responsibility to collect it at the end of the class.  

D.        Education Team

 

The Educational Team is comprised of the Principal, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Assistants.  All aspects of the curriculum taught at the Punjabi School must be approved by the Education Committee.

 

Education Team Eligibility

 

Any person may volunteer at the SFSD Punjabi School.  However, the selection of teachers will be made by the Education Committee prior to the school year.  All teachers must have completed the approved teacher training.  Teaching assistants and assistants will be selected by the Principal as needed.  Fees associated with approved teacher training may be reimbursed by the Education Committee once the teacher has completed one continuous year of teaching. 

 

Responsibility of Principal

 

1.                  Ensure that the rules and regulations of the Punjabi School are being upheld in a uniform manner by all persons involved with the Punjabi School.

2.                  Ensure that teachers have adequate materials required to teach.

3.                  Communicate all and any changes in the rules and regulations to all concerned. 

4.                  Ensure that Punjabi School progress is reported to Education Committee members and to parents/students as required.

5.                  Act as liaison between the Education Committee and staff.

6.                  Ensure teachers are following the school curriculum.

7.                  Ensure proper administration of the school.

8.                  Implementing Emergency Preparedness Plan.

 

 

Responsibility of Teachers
 

1. Explain the School Rules of conduct to students as needed.
2. Teach Punjabi in accordance with the school curriculum.
3. Be punctual.
4. Fully prepare for each lesson.  Lesson plans are required to be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of the class to the Principal.  
5. All extra-curricular activities must be submitted in writing one month in advance to the Principal for approval by the Education Committee.
6. All expenditures must be approved by the Education Committee.
7. For planned absences, the Principal must be informed one week in advance.
8. For illness, the Principal must be notified as soon as possible.

 

 

Responsibility of Teaching Assistants

 

1.                  Assist the teacher in the classroom in order to enhance the students learning framework.

2.                  Assist the teacher as directed by the teacher in the classroom to enhance the students’ learning framework.

3.                  Be punctual.

4.                  For planned absences, the Principal must be informed one week in advance.

5.                  For illness, the Principal must be notified as soon as possible.

 

Responsibility of Assistants

 

1.                  Assist the Principal at the school as required.

2.                  Be punctual.

3.                  For planned absences, the Principal must be informed one week in advance.

4.                  For illness, the Principal must be notified as soon as possible.

 

Education Team Discipline

The Education Committee shall be responsible for review and discipline of all inappropriate behavior by any Educational Team member.  Any complaints should be directed to the Principal.  If the Principal is not able to resolve the issue, the complaint should be directed to the Education Committee.  If still not resolved, the matter should be directed to the SFSD Executive Committee.

 

 

 

 

E.        Education Committee

 

Responsibility of Committee Members

 

1.                  Education Committee Chair shall report progress of the Punjabi School to the Sikh Foundation Board of Directors and the Sangat on a quarterly basis.

2.                  All members of the Education Committee shall be held accountable for all Punjabi School activities.

3.                  All Education Committee members should ensure compliance with the By-Laws of the Sikh Foundation San Diego.

4.                  Responsible for drafting and maintaining the Emergency Preparedness Plan.

5.                  School guidelines should be reviewed annually for update recommendations and submitted to the By-Laws Committee no later than 30 days before the next school session starts.

 

Responsibility of Treasurer

 

1.                  Maintain accurate financial records.

2.                  Present financial records at Education Committee meetings on a quarterly basis.

3.                  Process Income and Expenditure paperwork within 2 weeks of receipt.

 

Finances

 

The funds of the Punjabi School are maintained by Sikh Foundation Treasurer, it’s the responsibility of the treasurer to keep an accurate record of the balance, income and expenditure of the Punjabi School.  All expenses must be submitted to the Treasurer of the Sikh Foundation for reimbursement using the Punjabi School Expense Report Form, the form must be signed by the both the SFSD Treasurer and the Education Committee Chair. ALL EXPENSES MUST BE APPROVED BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE PRIOR TO THE EXPENSE BEING INCURRED.  Any expense submitted for reimbursement which has not been previously approved will not be paid. 

 

Meetings

 

The Sikh Foundation San Diego By Laws require the Education Committee to be chaired by a Director of SFSD.  The committee may consist of at least 3 additional directors and no more than 3 general members.

 

For the purposes of the Punjabi School a quorum implies that there must be at least 5 voting members present 2 of whom should be general members.

 

At least 48 hours notice should be given prior to calling any meeting. An agenda of the meeting should be sent out at least 24 hours before the meeting.

 

The Education Committee shall conduct meetings to address the following issues: 

 

1.         Administrative:  Punjabi School rules, regulations, finances, and general operational issues. 

 

2.         Educational Team:  Discuss curriculum and teaching directives, feedback from teachers, teacher-student issues, teacher supplies, etc. 

 

3.         General:  Updates on the school, discuss and set policy guidelines, review financial information, approve expenditures, and discuss other operational and administrative aspects.

 

Resolutions can only be passed in General Committee Meetings where this is a quorum and with a majority vote, excluding the Chair of the Committee.  In the event of a “tied” vote the decision should rest with the Chair of the Committee.  There will be certain cases where motions and expenditure may be approved via E-Mail between Education Committee Members.  In such cases each motion or expenditure requires a majority approval.

 

Chair and secretary should be present in all administrative, educational team, and general meetings. Minutes should be taken at each meeting and distributed accordingly no later than 7 days after the meeting has concluded.  The Secretary is responsible for keeping all of the minutes.  The Secretary is responsible for calling any meeting as required to ensure that all necessary individuals have been notified.