• AB 354: The New 7th – 12th Grade California Immunization Law
  Information from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
• What is the new Tdap requirement for 7th – 12th graders?
  Starting July 2012, a new law changing California immunization requirements for all students entering grades 7-12 goes into effect. The law requires:
  • This coming school year (2012-2013), all students entering grades 7-12 will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (called “Tdap”) before starting school. For the following school year (2012-13) and future school years, all students entering into seventh grade only will need proof of a Tdap shot to start school.
  • What is Tdap?
    Tdap is a booster vaccine for older children, adolescents and adults. It safely protects against three dangerous diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (also called pertussis).

Why was the Tdap requirement added?
This new requirement will help protect your child and others in your school and community from whooping cough. Whooping cough is a serious disease that causes coughing fits that can last for months. It can be deadly for infants. In recent years, whooping cough has been increasing in the United States. In 2010, whooping cough was widespread in California.

What is the difference between the Tdap adolescent booster shot and the DTaP shots children get before kindergarten?
“Tdap” is the only whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine given to adolescents and is the only one that meets the new school requirement. The “DTaP” vaccine is usually given to babies and small children and will NOT meet the 7th-12th grade immunization requirement.

Both the Tdap and DTaP vaccines protect people from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis).

Children usually get five doses of DTaP before entering kindergarten. However, immunity from the shots wears off. Adolescents who receive a booster dose of Tdap will be better protected during their school years.

When should my child get vaccinated?
Now. A large number of students need a Tdap shot before the start of school next year. Avoid the rush and make sure your child can start school on time. Children as young as 10 years old are recommended to get vaccinated with Tdap. This will protect them against the ongoing threat of whooping cough and will meet the Tdap school requirement for when they are in seventh grade.

Keep documentation of your child’s Tdap booster shot in a safe place. Your child will need proof of immunization in order to start school.

What if my child has had whooping cough recently or in the past?
Your child will still need a Tdap booster shot. Immunity developed after having whooping cough disease wears off, leaving your child at risk for getting whooping cough again. A Tdap booster shot is needed to both protect your child in the future and to meet the school requirement.

Where can my child get vaccinated?
Children should visit their regular doctor or health care provider to get their Tdap shot. Children 18 years old and younger who are uninsured or underinsured may qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program. To find a provider near you, call 1-877-243-8832

What other immunizations should I consider for my child?
Preteens and teens are also recommended to receive vaccines against meningococcal disease (brain or blood infection), flu (influenza), HPV (human papillomavirus, a cause of cervical cancer), and any vaccine they may have missed during childhood. The recommended vaccine schedule may be found at www.getimmunized.ca.gov. Talk with your healthcare provider for more information.

Should parents and others at home get the Tdap vaccine?
All persons 10 years and older are recommended to be vaccinated with Tdap now if they haven’t done so to protect them against the ongoing threat of pertussis. Immunization also helps to protect close contacts, including young infants for whom pertussis is most severe and sometimes fatal.

Where can I go for more information?
For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch website.

• Tardiness: Tardies to school or class: If a student is thirty (30) or more minutes late to any period, an automatic Saturday School will be assigned for all unexcused tardies. A student is subject to disciplinary action for each tardy. This may include: warning (first tardy), lunch detention (second tardy), lunch detention (third tardy), Saturday School (fourth tardy), Saturday School (fifth tardy), and for each tardy beyond five, a one-day suspension may be issued. A student may be placed on probation or asked to leave if tardy problem is persistent. Three tardies to the same class period will constitute one absence in terms of academic credit. St. John Bosco High School considers habitual tardiness to be a very serious matter, which will not be tolerated.
  
• Absence from School: When a student is absent, the parent/guardian:
  • Must call the Attendance Office the same morning; and
  • Upon the student returning to school, he must present a note to the Attendance Office. The note must be written and signed by his parent or legal guardian. It must explain the circumstances regarding his absence. The student will then be issued a re-admit slip; which is required to be signed by the teacher of each class the student was absent from. This slip then MUST be returned to the Attendance Office.

• Early Dismissal: A phone call and written request from a parent or guardian must be submitted to the Attendance Office before school on the day the student is to be excused. A phone call alone is not sufficient to have the student excused from school. A parent or guardian may appear in person to request dismissal; however, the school reserves the right to ask for proper identification.
  
• Semester Absences: If a student reaches ten (10) absences for the semester, academic credit may be withdrawn. The school will consider compelling personal or medical reasons that may justify multiple absences.
  
• Extended Absence Policy: Requests for an extended absence must be made to the Vice Principal. Students that are going to be absent for an extended period of time must pick up the proper notification and paperwork from the Vice Principal and submit them back to the Vice Principal two days prior to the absence. All extended absence arrangements are governed by the school’s policy on semester absences.

• Senior Policy - Seventh Period: Only seniors enrolled in a 7th period off-campus class may leave campus after their last class period in a safe and responsible manner.
  
• Leaving School Grounds: Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds once they have arrived at school, be in the parking lot without permission, nor leave before the final dismissal bell rings to end the school day. Doing so will be considered a truancy. If a student is ill, authority to release student is strictly governed by the Vice Principal in collaboration with the Attendance Clerk and parent/guardian. To be released, the parent/guardian must provide an email/fax authorizing the student to leave with an appointed person. Should it not be possible for an email or fax to be sent, verbal authorization by phone, from a parent or legal guardian may suffice.

St. John Bosco must speak out and take action against child abuse. Young people place a profound moral and sacred trust in their religious and educational leaders. That trust must never be violated by any person associated with our school. Betrayal of that trust must be dealt with legally and in a swift and compassionate manner for all concerned. Concern for the reputation of a suspected individual or the institution is secondary to the child’s well being; our primary concern is the welfare of the child.

Employees of St. John Bosco High School, through its various ministries, have numerous daily contacts with children. It is therefore important that all school personnel protect the rights and dignity of children and be alert to incidents of child abuse. Any and all school personnel who know of any incident of child abuse must comply with all applicable reporting, or other requirements, of state and local laws. In addition, any and all School personnel who suspect child abuse, recognize any warning signs of child abuse and/or see any violation of these policies should immediately contact the Provincial or Director, as applicable, and make a report in accordance with the procedures herein.

These policies, and the procedures that have been developed to carry them out, reflect the Salesian Society’s strong conviction that all forms of child abuse constitute gravely serious matters that can cause inestimable pain and anguish for victims and their families. For this reason, the Salesian Society is determined to do all that we can to prevent such abuse from occurring, to respond immediately when it does occur, and to bring the healing ministry of Jesus and the teaching and example of St. John Bosco to all who have been victimized by this tragic and abusive behavior.

The Drug Screening Program is designed to create a safe, drug-free environment for our school community and to assist those in getting help when needed. Students using illegal drugs/alcohol pose a threat to their own health and safety, as well as that of fellow students.

1. To direct our students to become good citizens and sound Christians through our preventive system.
2. To provide for the health and safety of all students.
3. To undermine the negative effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate reason for students to refuse to use illegal drugs/alcohol.
4. To assist students who use drugs, to participate in drug treatment programs.

For questions about the drug screening program or to read the school's policy in its entirety, contact Mr. Memo Gutierrez, Vice Principal, Student Affairs at (562) 920-1734 ext. 256.

Student Code of Conduct and Philosophy
St. John Bosco High School regards discipline ultimately as a code of moral guidance, not as a list of punishments. The primary purpose of discipline is to promote genuine development of a student’s capabilities and morality and to engender in the pupil respect for duly constituted authority. We provide a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and consider discipline to be only one aspect of our attempt to promote training in good character for our students. Such training should cultivate the virtues that ensure right living and redirect disorderly tendencies into wholesome endeavors.

Personal Appearance
Appropriate dress and grooming outwardly manifest a student’s inner-self, his priorities and values. Therefore, St. John Bosco High School views dress and grooming as a very important component in the Catholic-Christian education of the whole person.

All students must be clean shaven daily. Hair must not be longer than two inches in length and cannot be any other color other than its natural one. Sideburns must not extend below the bottom of the ear and cannot be flared. Students cannot wear earrings, spacers or tattoos.

The school administration will be the final judge of acceptability regarding school dress and grooming.

Student Dress

• Shirt: Official St. John Bosco polo shirt. Shirts must always be tucked in. Only plain white undershirts may be worn underneath and must be tucked in, as well.
• Pants: Official St. John Bosco uniform pants or shorts. Pants or shorts must always fit properly. A belt must always be worn.
• Shoes: Standard dress shoes or athletic shoes with white socks at or slightly above the ankle only. Shoelaces must be tied and cinched, no stuffers.
• Sweatshirts/Jackets: Official St. John Bosco sweatshirts or jackets.
• Hats: Official St. John Bosco hats, knit caps or “beanies.” Any headwear must be worn outdoors only.

Professional/Formal Dress