Policies

Academic Assistance

Teachers at NFPS are available for extra help either upon request or as specified by a teacher. Students who are having difficulty in a subject are identified early in the year and receive mandatory help on specified days after school. Students are urged to claim ownership for their education and make sure to alert teachers to any difficulties that may arise.

Homework is considered an integral part of the student’s program, and teachers fully expect assignments to be completed on a daily basis. The purpose of homework is three-fold:

1. To consolidate what has been taught in the classroom;

2. To provide opportunities to practice and apply learned skills; and

3. To develop independent work habits.

If a student does not meet commitments on a regular basis, the school will notify the parent(s) and a meeting will be scheduled to decide what the best course of action should be. We prefer that parents control homework preparation but not become involved with the student’s homework. It is important that the student exercise his/her own talents in completing a task. If the student is having difficulty with an assignment, he/she may not understand the concept taught in class; and therefore, the parent(s) and student are expected to share concerns with the respective teacher. It is very important for the teacher to be aware of this. As difficult as it may be, parent(s) are asked to encourage independent thought and effort in completing all school work.

After-School Policy

At various times, teachers request students to stay after school for additional tutoring or tests (parent(s) are expected to pick up their child after such additional school practice). Unsupervised students are not permitted to be at NFPS after school. Please ensure that your child has adequate transportation and supervision when school is dismissed each day, as we will not provide supervision except in the case of emergency. Unless involved in a supervised activity, students are not permitted to be at school before 8:45 a.m. or after 3:45 p.m.

Allergy Policy

NFPS is a completely nut and gum free school. We request that parents do not send any products to school with their children if they contain nuts. We continue our awareness and sensitivity toward children with allergies. Although we work together as a community to maintain an allergen-free environment, please remember that safety cannot be guaranteed.

Attendance

For obvious reasons, NFPS must insist that regular attendance is imperative for academic success. Attendance difficulties will be communicated to parents as soon as they become evident. In the case of an absence, a student’s parent(s) or guardian is required to call the school before 8:30 a.m. to inform the office. When returning to school after an absence, the student must present to the office a note from home explaining the length and reason for the absence.

Students who need to leave school before the end of the school day must present a note from the parent(s) or guardian to the office and receive permission to do so. Medical or personal appointments should not be made during school hours. Students who leave school without permission are considered to have “skipped” class, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. Students who miss tests or exams due to illness will be required to provide specific reasons for their absence to the teacher involved. In some cases, a doctor’s note may be required. Our holiday schedule is generous. Parents are advised to plan family trips within these periods so that a student’s academic responsibilities are not compromised.

Busing Policy

General:

– School bus service is provided for trips to and from school before and after official school hours.

– School bus service may not be a ‘door to door’ service. Yet, safe and convenient stops would be assigned in the bus route.

– Parents and helpers are requested to wait at the bus stops TWO MINUTES before the scheduled pickup and return time. SCHOOL BUS WILL NOT WAIT FOR LATE ARRIVAL OF STUDENT(S).

– Bus schedules are tentative and subject to change accordingly. Bus company is entitled to cancel any route if applications are insufficient.

– Students are not permitted to swap buses, unless for special circumstances and subject to seat availability and prior approval.

Students Behavior Policy:

– Students are expected to behave responsible manner on the bus: No shouting loudly; no use of offensive or bad language; no fighting; no throwing of objects on the bus or out of window; no eating or drinking.

– Each student is only allowed to occupy one seat. No reservation of seat is allowed.

– Students should be seated and buckled seatbelts at all times (if installed).

– Students must always follow safety instruction by the bus driver.

– On the 1st and 2nd offences, bus driver will advise the student and school. The 3rd offence will result in a suspension of bus service for 3 days. Repeated offence will result in a suspension of bus service until end of the term. No refunds will be given for suspension period.

– Parents are liable for any damage to school bus caused by student.

– Due to seating capacity, school bus service is restricted to school bus students only.

Cars / Parking

Parents driving students to school are asked not to pull into the school parking lot to let out students. Please find a safe and accessible spot near the school to do so. NFPS will do what it can to provide parking for student cars. Students must apply for parking permits in September of each school year. Students who demonstrate an unwillingness to abide by the safety regulations will be denied parking privileges.

Dress Code

All students must be in uniform every school day unless otherwise stated. The uniform must be worn as stated in the uniform guidelines, which can be found on the school website. The NFPS gym strip is mandatory during P.E. classes. This is essential both for aesthetic and health reasons.

Fire and Emergency Drills

The school will periodically, and upon direction from the Fire Department, conduct fire drills. All students and personnel must evacuate the building in such instances and be prepared for real emergencies. Evacuation routes and directions are posted in each classroom. The entire school population will remain outdoors until specific directions are given to return to the building.

Janitorial

Students are expected to participate in the cleaning of their classrooms and to maintain the cleanliness of their lockers and carrels.

Lates & Late Policy

Classes begin daily at 8:55 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m. Students should arrive at school in enough time to go to their lockers and make the normal preparations required for morning classes. They should be in their first class by 8:50 a.m. Chronic inability or unwillingness to arrive at school or class on time will be viewed as a serious offense, and appropriate remedial measures will be exercised. Students who arrive at school after period 1 begins must report to the office to check in before attending classes. They should realize that “notes from home” do not and cannot excuse attendance situations that are clearly out of control.

Leaving the School Grounds

Students in the middle school (grades 7 to 9) may NOT leave the school grounds during school hours. Students in the senior school (grades 10 to 12) must have a waiver form signed by parent(s)/guardians to be able to leave the school property. Students who drive to school are strongly discouraged from taking their cars out at lunch or during spares.

When students are off school grounds, before and after school, or on a school trip or function, it is important that they represent themselves and the school in an honorable and appropriate manner. Complaints about NFPS student behavior on these occasions will be followed up in earnest by the administration.

Lockers

Each student will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Lockers are valuable storage areas and certain precautions must be taken to ensure a clean and secure school environment. Students are to keep their lockers clean at all times and make sure not to share combinations with anyone. The school cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen articles. Students who willfully and maliciously take another student’s property will be dealt with accordingly. The principal or designate may inspect any locker at any time. For the sake of securing property or finding lost items, students should put their names on all their belongings, particularly articles of clothing. Students are also encouraged to leave expensive or sentimental items at home.

Lost and Found

Items in the “Lost and Found” are emptied prior to each school break and donated to charity. If you are missing something, please ensure that you check the “Lost and Found” promptly. Please ensure that all items belonging to students are clearly labeled, as they can easily get mixed up.

Lunches

Hot and cold lunches, snacks, and beverages will be available on a daily basis in the cafeteria should students wish to purchase their lunch. Students may also choose to bring their lunch from home.

Mentoring System

Each student will be encouraged to make an appointment with his/her mentor to discuss more personal difficulties or issues. These mentors will assist as much as possible in helping students bond with all aspects of the school program as well as helping them relate to staff and peers. Teacher-advisers are responsible for helping students make informed choices at key transition points in their schooling. Each teacher-adviser will work with students for a minimum of one academic year and will have regularly scheduled meetings with them. Teacher-advisers are responsible for:

– Monitoring students’ academic progress in all subject areas; and

– Communicating with parents and keeping them informed about students’ progress.

Reports and Parent Interviews

Parents will have at least four formal opportunities each school year to discuss their children’s academic performance with each subject teacher. We believe that success must be shared with parents and that problems can only be remedied with the knowledge and co-operation of parents as well. All parents, of course, can contact teachers when necessary to discuss their child’s progress.

Written reports are sent home three times per year. Teachers may request interviews with parents after each distribution. Parents are advised that teachers and administrators will not be available in the morning for phone calls and/or interviews unless prior arrangements have been made. Teachers understand the importance of being proactive and cooperative in addressing student issues, academic, or otherwise. Knowing this, NFPS parents must always approach teachers with the understanding and sensitivities required by all civilized adults.

Snow Days

In the event of adverse weather conditions or treacherous driving conditions, a decision may be made by the administration to close the school. The decision will be made as early as possible on the morning in question. All NFPS families will be notified by e-mail or telephone.

Student Birthdays

Students are encouraged to wear non-uniform clothes on their birthday to celebrate. Should they choose to wear non-uniform clothes, they should bring a nut-free snack for their class (please be aware of allergies). If students are absent on their birthday, they may wear non-uniform clothes on the day they return to school. For those students with birthdays in August, we will celebrate their birthday on the first Friday in September. July birthdays will be celebrated on the first Friday in June.

Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy

As a part of our admission process, we ask our prospective student and parent(s) to sign the Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy. Most, if not all, of the rules governing behavior at NFPS are determined by the usual and necessary standards dictated by common sense and civility. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vape related products, violence, verbal abuse, bullying, opposition to legitimate authority, truancy, willful destruction of school property, improper or profane language, or chronic neglect of duty will not be tolerated at NFPS.

In the event that disciplinary action is necessary, the school will inform parents of the offense and the subsequent decision of the administration with a view to remedying the problem. In the interest of fairness and a genuine concern for staff and students, the administration reserves the right to suspend or expel a student depending on the severity of the situation. It is important for families to understand that any disciplinary measure is designed to ensure an orderly, productive, and safe environment for all students and staff.

Telephones

Cellular phones must be kept in lockers and only used outside the school building. The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss or theft of these items.

Textbooks and School Supplies

NFPS will provide students with all required textbooks. With respect to school supplies, we will provide the supply lists to students and parent(s) in the summer preceding each school year. It is the responsibility of the student to purchase all required school supplies and to bring the materials to class.