Parent Handbook and Family Directory                          2008-2009
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Call  310.275.8601        Fax  310.275.0366
goodshepherdbh@aol.com
Principal:  Ms. Terry Miller

Absences:  When a student is absent from school, a note explaining the absence should be
given to the teacher upon his or her return to school.  A phone call to the school office is not
sufficient.  These notes must be kept on file for the year as part of our legal responsibilities.  
If a pupil is absent for fifteen or more days during a quarter, official grades may be withheld,
unless the work is made up.  If a student is absent from school because of television or movie
contracts, this is considered an ordinary absence and is marked as such.  Parents should
arrange vacation plans to coincide with the school calendar.  If it is necessary for a child to
miss school for trips or family reasons, the parent should discuss this with the classroom
teacher.  It is suggested that a record of teacher recommendations concerning the absence be
kept on file.  School textbooks may not be taken on vacations.

Tardiness:  It should be a rare occasion that a student is late for school.  Parental cooperation
is requested in order to keep tardiness to an absolute minimum.  The first bell will ring at 7:55
a.m.  A second bell will ring at 8:00 a.m.  Students who are not in line for the morning
assembly at 8:00 a.m. are considered tardy.  All students who are tardy must report to
the school office for a tardy slip in order to enter class.  Teachers are required to
document tardiness as part of their legal responsibilities.  Special circumstances with regard
to carpools and emergency situations will be handled by the administration.  Three unexcused
tardies will merit a Student Report from the teacher and 3 Student Reports will result in a
detention.  Habitual tardiness is a serious offense.  E.C.E. 48620 advises that any pupil tardy
in excess of 30 minutes on each of more than 4 days in one school year is truant and shall be
reported to the local truant officer.  Students and parents who show little or no effort to come
to school consistently on time will force a parent-teacher-principal-pupil conference in order
to carefully examine the situation.

Leaving School Early:  If a student must leave before dismissal, he or she is required to
present a note to the teacher in the morning.  Students are to be picked up at the office on the
occasion of an early dismissal, NOT at the classroom.  Parents must not interrupt the
class for any reason while school is in session.  We appreciate your cooperation.

Doctor/Dental Appointments:  All appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours
if at all possible.  If it is necessary for a student to be excused for such an appointment, a
note requesting early dismissal must be presented to the teacher.  A medical/dental excuse
from the doctor or dentist should be returned to the school with the student.  WITHOUT
THIS NOTE, A STUDENT’S ABSENCE CANNOT BE CREDITED AS A MEDICALLY
EXCUSED ABSENCE.