CHARTER OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STEFAN CARDINAL WYSZYNSKI POLISH SCHOOL AT
ST. HYACINTH BASILICA IN CHICAGO

CHAPTER I

NAME OF SCHOOL, ITS MISSION and PURPOSE, ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE I

NAME OF SCHOOL

Paragraph 1 – Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski Polish School is a not-for-profit educational

Paragraph 3 – Our school is located at St. Hyacinth Basilica under the address:

3636 W. Wolfram St. Chicago, Illinois 60618.

Paragraph 4 – Our student population consists of students from the Chicago metropolitan area.

Paragraph 6 – This hereby charter of rules and regulations is the base of activity at our school.

ARTICLE II

MISSION OF THE SCHOOL AND ITS PURPOSE

Paragraph 1 – The mission of our school is:

      1. To promote a comprehensive knowledge of the Polish language (speaking, reading, writing, and thinking in this language);
      2. To teach the history of Poland;
      3. To teach the geography of Poland;
      4. To promote Polish culture;
      5. To cherish the Polish tradition;
      6. To familiarize students with the contributions Poles have made to the United States of America;
      7. To teach the values of Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church.

Paragraph 2 – Our curriculum

      1. includes the following:
      • the Polish language;
      • the history of Poland;
      • the geography of Poland;
      • religion.
      1. is based on:
      • the criteria of the Alliance of Polish Teachers in America;
      • the standards set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education;
      1. is standardized for each level of instruction.

Paragraph 3 – All classes are taught in Polish.

Paragraph 4 – The purpose of our school is:

      1. To impart the joy of learning as well as a thirst for knowledge and the fundamental academic skills essential to graduate and then succeed in the future;
      2. To foster a sense of pride regarding students’ Polish roots;
      3. To instill a positive sense of community spirit and inspire active participation in Polish as well as American organizations (e.g. parish, school, etc).

ARTICLE III

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

      1. Preschool and kindergarten;
      2. 8 years of elementary school;
      3. 3 years of high school.

Paragraph 2 – Each grade level is taught according to a standardized program with the aid of textbooks chosen by the Board of Directors.

Paragraph 3 – All of our teachers are fully qualified professionals.

ARTICLE IV

ORGANIZATION OF OUR SCHOOL

Paragraph 4 – Additional registration may take place during the month of September.

Paragraph 5 – Tuition is decided annually by the Board of Directors, and:

      1. a nonrefundable registration fee of approximately $10.00 per student is required during registration;
      2. full tuition should be paid during registration;
      3. a monthly payment plan culminating in April may be established on an individual basis under certain circumstances;
      4. the School President may decide to relieve a student’s guardian of any tuition payment under extreme individual circumstances.
      1. for new students;
      2. for students that would like to be placed into a higher grade level than they are currently in due to outstanding ability.

Paragraph 1 5 – Each student must bring his or her own school supplies and notebooks to class.

Paragraph 16 – The school year is divided into 2 semesters:

      1. Semester I begins in September and concludes on the third Saturday of January;
      2. Semester II begins on the fourth Saturday of January and concludes at the end of May.

Paragraph 18 – On the last day of school,:

      1. each student receives a report card for the grade level he or she has completed, signed by his or her teacher as well as the President and Director of our school (a student will not receive his or her report card if he or she has any outstanding debts such as tuition or unpaid textbooks);
      2. students completing the eighth grade receive a grade school diploma;
      3. students completing the third year of high school receive a high school diploma if he or she earns a passing grade on the final exam.

Paragraph 19 – School documents (grade books) are kept for 10 years. The contents of older documents are archived digitally and kept for school records.

CHAPTER II

COMPOSITION OF SCHOOL AND AUTHORITIES

ARTICLE 1

SCHOOL COMPOSITION

Paragraph 1 – Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski Polish School consists of:

      1. students registered in the current school year,
      2. parents and/or guardians of our students,
      3. school faculty and staff, including:
      • teachers;
      • priests, sisters and catechists;
      • administrators;
      • staff.

ARTICLE II

SCHOOL AUTHORITIES

Paragraph 2 – The school administration is made up of:

      1. the Board of Directors;
      2. the President of the school, which is the pastor of the parish or, if the pastor does not speak Polish, the priest whom speaks Polish and works with the Polish community at the parish;
      3. the Director of the school;
      4. the Substitute Directors;
      5. the Auditing Committee.

Paragraph 3 - The highest authority is the Board of Directors.

      1. The Board of Directors consists of
      • the School President, which is the pastor of the parish or, if the pastor does not speak Polish, the priest whom speaks Polish and works with the Polish community at the parish;
      • the Director of the school;
      • the Substitute Directors;
      • head(s) of the Auditing Committee;
      • representative(s) of the Catechists;
      • the school Accountant;
      • the school Treasurer;
      • Teacher Representative from extracurricular activities;
      • School Store Representative;
      • Staff Representative;
      • Two (2) Parent Representatives.
      1. Individual members of the Board of Directors serve three-year terms.
      2. Members of the Board of Directors do not receive any additional rewards, monetary or otherwise, for their participation on the Board.
      3. The Board of Directors meets once every month when summoned by the Chairman of the Board (a parent representative) at the request of the School President or Director. Members of the Board must be notified of a meeting two weeks prior.
      1. The Director is appointed for a three-year term.
      2. Candidates for Director must have a Master’s Degree in teaching and several years of teaching experience.
      3. The Director must be highly qualified in education and must also possess good communication, leadership, and management skills.
      4. The Director fulfills an administrative function and cannot teach his or her own class.
      5. The Director must suggest two candidates from the Board of Teachers to substitute for him or her in case of an absence. The candidates teach their own classes, but in the event of the principal’s absence, one would be the substitute Director that week.

Paragraph 5 – The Board of Teachers, led by the principal, is a steady, collegiate part of our

Paragraph 8 – School Treasurer functions as the distributor of textbooks and other education

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF SCHOOL AUTHORITIES

      1. participation in fundamental operations involving in the functioning of the school;
      2. provision of a religious presence at the school;
      3. final authority on approving the school principal chosen by the Board of Teachers;
      4. giving approval on the hiring of other staff members at the school;
      5. controlling the operations of the school;
      6. storage of school legal documents.

Paragraph 2 – The duties of the Board of Directors include:

      1. assisting with organizational and administrative affairs resulting from the mission and the purpose of the school;
      2. cooperating with the Board of Teachers;
      3. analyzing and providing opinions on the proposals and decisions of the school Director pertaining to the school affairs;
      4. providing input regarding the removal of students that disobey the school rules;
      5. providing input in planning and realizing the annual school budget;
      6. installation and elaboration of the principles for remuneration and promotion of school employees (staff);
      7. installation of the salary cap for employees of the school for the current school year;
      8. appointing committees for specific tasks (e.g. preparation of Parents’ Ball, organization of trip to the May 3rd Polish Parade in Chicago, etc.);
      9. appointing new members to the Board of Directors in the event of any departures;
      10. organizing and facilitating meetings with the students’ parents at least twice a year;
      11. choice of a student’s parent as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Paragraph 3 – The duties of the Chairman of the Board of Directors include:

      1. reading the written statement detailing the previous Board of Directors meeting aloud at the current meeting in order to refresh the contents for all present members;
      2. being in charge of the written statements at Board of Directors meetings;
      3. informing each member of the Board of Directors when it is his or her turn to take notes for the written statement at the meeting prior to the event;
      4. cooperation with the School President, School Director and parents/guardians of the students.
      1. presenting a teaching program to the Board of Teachers;
      2. supporting the realization of said teaching program;
      3. directing the activity of the Board of Teachers;
      4. constructing with the aid and input of the Board of Teachers a plan for the for the current school year;
      5. suggesting necessary amendments and/or changes to the teaching program that may arise throughout the school year;
      6. cooperation with the School President and Board of Teachers;
      7. cooperation with the parents/guardians of our students;
      8. overseeing discipline of students;
      9. hiring of new teachers;
      10. nominating candidates for substitute school directors;
      11. compiling written reports of his or her involvement in the Board of Directors;
      12. upholding positive contact with the Polish-American Teachers Association and the Commission of Education of the Polish American Congress, as well as other educational organizations in the United States and other countries, particularly Poland;
      13. representing the school at various functions;
      14. sporadic classroom visits to see how teachers interact with students.
      1. The First Substitute Director:
      • substitutes for the School Director in the event of his or her absence;
      • attends to the preparation and execution of school events/performances;
      • actively participates as a member of the Board of Directors.
      1. The Second Substitute Director:
      • substitutes for the School Director in the event of his or her absense and the absence of the First Substitute Director;
      • oversees production of school chronicle as well as other school publications (newspapers, programs for school performances, materials for graduates’ yearbook, etc.);
      • actively participates as a member of the Board of Directors.

Paragraph 6 – The Auditing Committee:

      1. consists of one head and two panel members;
      2. the head of the Auditing Committee and its panel members are chosen by the Board of Directors each school year;
      3. if the head of the Auditing Committee or its panel members resign, the Board of Directors must nominate a substitute member to serve until the end of the school year;
      4. completes a full audit of all school-related finances and possessions at least twice per school year;
      5. checks full school inventory and confirms its state with personal signature;
      6. in the case of any financial concerns arising, will call a meeting of the Board of Directors;
      7. in the case of any financial concerns arising, will compile a written report for the meeting of the Board of Directors;
      8. decides whether to accept the validity of financial statements submitted by the School Accountant.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF TEACHERS

Paragraph 2 – The Board of Teachers consists of:

      1. the School President;
      2. the School Director;
      3. teachers;
      4. catechists;
      5. non-members (such as parents or students) may be invited to attend a Board of Teachers meeting if there is a specific reason for their attendence and their appearance has been approved by the members.

Paragraph 3 – The head of the Board of Teachers is the School Director.

Paragraph 4 – The Board of Teachers elects candidates for:

      1. School Director;
      2. two substitute school directors;
      3. two secretaries specifically for the Board of Teachers.

Paragraph 5 – The Board of Teachers:

      1. acts within the regulations of the Board of Teachers;
      2. organizes regular meetings.

Paragraph 6 – Meetings for the Board of Teachers during the school year are mandatory.

      1. They occur at least 4 times per school year;
      2. must be attended by all members;
      3. the principle of confidentiality is to be enforced by all members regarding the contents of meetings.

Paragraph 7 – The duties of the Board of Teachers are:

      1. analysis and validation of an instruction program for the current school year;
      2. control and realization of a didatic educational plan;
      3. choosing school textbooks;
      4. organization of school equipment and/or supplies;
      5. self-education and improving the teaching profession through:
      • active participation in the work of methodical groups and school subjects;
      • integrating new and innovative educational methods in his or her own teaching method.
      1. organization of cooperation between teachers and parents/guardians through:
      • general meetings;
      • individual contact;
      1. treating all students, including those that may be handicapped, orphaned and/or neglected, with care and respect;
      2. providing fair grades to students based on their work throughout the year, culminating in the decision of whether to promote him or her to the next grade at the end of the school year;
      3. making a decision in the event of a potential suspension of a student from school;
      4. choosing a Board of Teachers secretary;
      5. composing and presenting proposals regarding the payment of teachers for their services to the Board of Directors, including:
      • installment of a base pay rate for beginning teachers;
      • installment of methods for promoting teachers and the principles of receiving pay increases;
      • informing members of the Board of Directors of suggested proposals for the principles of teachers’ payments.

Paragraph 8 – Duties of the Board of Teachers’ secretaries are:

      1. keeping written statements detailing the contents of Board of Teachers meetings;
      2. reading the written statement detailing the previous meeting aloud at the beginning of each Board of Teachers meeting in order to refresh the topics;
      3. keeping written statements detailing the contents of Board of Teachers meetings in order so that any given meeting can be revisited at ease if necessary;
      4. to inform members of upcoming meetings.
      1. monthly compensation;
      2. undisturbed realization of teaching program.

Paragraph 13 - Discharge of a teacher during the school year is possible only if:

      1. the Board of Teachers agrees;
      2. there is lack in the fulfillment of his or her duties as a teacher.

CHAPTER III

SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND THEIR DUTIES

ARTICLE I

Paragraph 1 – School employees are:

      1. School President;
      2. School Director;
      3. teachers;
      4. catechists;
      5. School Secretary;
      6. School Treasurer/Distributor;
      7. service workers:
      • 2 employees of the nutritive school store;
      • 2 janitors/custodians.

Paragraph 2 - School employees, as persons involved in a childrens’ educational institution, should possess high ethical standards of their own.

    1. Duties that apply to all school employees are the maintenance of good contacts with students, parents/guardians, and fellow faculty and staff.
    2. School employees are to conduct themselves in the principle of mutual respect.

ARTICLE II

SCHOOL ACCOUNTANT(S)

Paragraph 2 – The duties of the School Accountant(s) are:

      1. conducting all school accounting;
      2. reception of school fees and tuition as well as providing receipts for these transactions;
      3. overseeing payment of school tuition for each enrolled student;
      4. executing payments necessary for the needs of the school and administration as commissioned by Board of Directors;
      5. keeping an attendance log of school teachers and staff;
      6. composing an employee pay sheet and executing monthly payments (payments for teachers and staff should occur the first Saturday of every month of the school year during the morning teachers’ meeting);
      7. keeping the books of both finances and property of the school on the basis of proper school documents;
      8. settling any correspondence (mail) related to the finances of the school;
      9. composing and presenting quarterly financial report for the Board of Directors during designated Board of Directors meetings;
      10. providing a full financial report twice per school year for the Auditing Committee;
      11. composing a full annual financial report and presenting it to the Board of Directors at the end of each school year;

ARTICLE III

DISTRIBUTOR/SCHOOL TREASURER

Paragraph 1 – The duties of the School Treasurer/Distributor are:

      1. providing the school with textbooks and equipment;
      2. selling textbooks to students;
      3. providing quarterly financial reports detailing the sales of textbooks for the Board of Directors;
      4. providing a financial report detailing the sales of textbooks and school equipment twice a school year for the Auditing Committee;
      5. conducting weekly settlement of school store accounts;
      6. fulfilling specific school equipment and/or supply orders requested by teachers;
      7. creating a computer archive of current school financial data.

ARTICLE IV

NUTRITIVE SCHOOL STORE STAFF

Paragraph 1 – The duties of the staff of the nutritive school store are:

      1. purchasing and transporting food and drink items to sell;
      2. providing weekly expense records and receipts;
      3. providing list of store revenue for each week;
      4. settling the store’s financial accounts with the school treasurer monthly;
      5. helping to set up provisions for school functions such as the Christmas party, carnival, etc.

ARTICLE V

PERSONS SUPERVISING SAFETY AND ORDER OF SCHOOL

Paragraph 1 – The duties of these persons are:

      1. to monitor that during school hours only students and staff are present on school grounds; other persons occupying school grounds during this time must have permission from the priest of the parish;
      2. to ensure that all doors of the school buildings are open in the event of a fire during school hours;
      3. to check the state of the classrooms after school hours.

Paragraph 2 – Parents may enter classrooms during school hours only in extraordinary

CHAPTER IV

SCHOOL FUNDS

ARTICLE I

ORIGIN OF FUNDS

Paragraph 1 – School funds accumulate from:

      1. tuition fees;
      2. profits earned at school functions;
      3. profits from the school store;
      4. donations from private persons, firms or organizations.

ARTICLE II

MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS

      1. salaries of school faculty and staff;
      2. maintenance costs of school accomodation at St. Hyacinth Basilica;
      3. costs of insurance for the school;
      4. other school expenses (ie. purchase of school computer, participation costs for the Chicago Polish Parade, audiovisual equipment, etc.).

Paragraph 3 – Persons authorized to sign for the school account are:

      1. the School President;
      2. the School Accountant;
      3. the School Treasurer/Distributor.

PARENTS’ MEETINGS

ARTICLE I

      1. The first parents’ meeting occurs in the beginning of the school year, during which the School Director explains the organization of the school as well as intentions for the upcoming year.
      2. The second parents’ meeting (the third Saturday of January), the School Director presents a report detailing the current school year and the school accountant presents a report on the financial situation.

CHAPTER VI

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

ARTICLE I


CHAPTER VII

POLICY REGARDING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

ARTICLE I

CHAPTER VIII

LIQUIDATION OF SCHOOL

ARTICLE I

CHAPTER IX

VALIDITY OF CHARTER

ARTICLE I