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IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Non-Catholic Student Participation
Non-Catholic students enrolled in a Catholic school are required to participate to the same extent in all school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) and courses of study as Catholic students, provided such activity is permitted by Catholic Church law. (DSP 6235)
A. RELIGION
Religious concepts and values are shared with the children daily. Students prepare and attend liturgical services. Formal religion classes incorporate the teachings of the Church, Church history and traditions, and Scripture. Students are prepared for the First Eucharist and Reconciliation. The human sexuality program emphasizes a healthy relationship with each other and God. Service to others is stressed throughout the year.
B. TESTING
1. Students in grades 2-8, participate in the Stanford Achievement and Otis Lennon Mental Ability Tests, which are administered in the fall.
2. Students with learning difficulties may be assessed through Chapter II funds by public school officials. Results and recommendations are then presented to parents and teachers to be used to develop plans of action to help the students.
C. PROMOTIONS AND RETENTIONS
Promotion and Retention
All promotions, regular and special, are decided by the school administrator/principal in light of the teacher’s recommendation and in consultation with the parents and with the child, if appropriate. Such decisions are based on a total evaluation of a student’s growth in all areas of development.
If a student’s progress is unsatisfactory and the teacher believes the student may not satisfactorily complete the present grade, the teacher shall discuss alternatives with the school administrator/principal. As soon as possible, the teacher and/or the school administrator/principal shall talk with the parents/guardians and, as appropriate, with the student. Although the school administrator/principal always acts in consultation with the student’s teachers and parents, the final responsibility for a student’s promotion or retention rests with the school administrator/principal.
During conferences and in a follow-up letter, the parents/guardians and the student are informed of the pending decision at least six weeks before it is finalized. The decision, with its rationale, is to be communicated to the parents/guardian. If the parents/guardians do not agree with the school administrator/principal's decision, the school administrator/principal and the parents/guardians shall meet to discuss the rationale for the decision. While parent/guardian input is valued, it is ultimately the school administrator/principal's decision whether to promote a student.
If a student with special educational needs is accepted in a school that does not offer a special education program, at the request of parents who are aware that a special education program is not offered, the school administrator/principal and parents sign a written agreement concerning promotion and retention procedures for the child as well as the type of diploma to be awarded upon termination of attendance. (DSP 5410)
Grades K – 7
St. Peter Interparish School expects students to gain the knowledge of the coursework of one school year to be able to proceed and achieve in the next and future school years. Students who are not guided by a ‘Service Plan’ and fail subjects are not prepared for the following year’s coursework; therefore, they shall repeat that grade.
Students who fail any two of the six major subjects for the year are not promoted to the next grade. The six major subjects are religion, reading (5&6) or literature (7&8), English, math, science, and social studies. To pass a subject for the year students must receive a final grade of at least D-. This is computed using the 12-point system of applying a point to each step of the grading scale. Students, who fail three quarters of a subject, must earn at least a C- in a fourth quarter to secure a D- for that year.
Grade 8
We expect students to gain the knowledge of their 8th grade coursework to be able to proceed and achieve in their first year of high school. Students who are not guided by a ‘Service Plan’, and fail subjects, are not prepared for a high school curriculum.
Students who fail any two subjects of the six major subjects for the year will not receive a signed Diocese of Jefferson City – St. Peter Interparish School diploma at the graduation ceremony. They will receive a certificate of attendance. The six major subjects are religion, literature, English, math, science, and social studies. If a student chooses to attend the graduation ceremony, he/she will receive a diploma cover only.
D. HOMEWORK
1. Homework is work or practice that is due the next day. Study is something that is done on a continual basis, over and above nightly homework (reading chapter sections, working on math facts, practicing spelling words, etc.). Projects/assignments are longer term and the responsibility of the student to do regularly, rather than the last minute. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE to see that homework assignments are completed nightly and are encouraged to establish a regular and supervised time for homework. Assignments are best kept in a small notebook. In the case of illness, it is the parent or student’s responsibility to request those assignments and to complete them within two days of returning to school or at the discretion of the teacher. Parents are to call the school office by 9:00am to request homework for the day.
2. The school encourages parents to monitor and control the amount of TV watched Monday through Friday. Parents are to set aside a time every day for students to read books and limit the numbers of extra activities (time commitment) in which children participate to those which do not affect school performance.
3. Students the school notes who develop a habit of NOT completing homework attend noon study hall (Homework Helpers). Students ARE NOT allowed to dress down on the Friday of the same week they must attend noon study hall. An administrator will contact a parent to help her/his child address individual issues. An administrator will notify parents when a student is not successful using noontime study. A student that continues to have incomplete work may be assigned to ‘After School Focus Time’ in order to work toward meeting required expectations of completing assignments on time. If the student continues not to meet the required expectations, an ‘In-school Recovery Day’ will be required at the parent’s expense. (Found under section V-BEHAVIOR, B. MISSING ASSIGNMENTS GRADES 3-8).
E. TEXTBOOKS
As property of the school, textbooks are on loan to the students who are responsible for their use. Books must be covered at all times. Textbooks are very expensive, so take care of them. Lost, defaced, or unusually worn books must be replaced at the parent’s expense. It is a student/parent responsibility to inform school personnel of a problem involving another student or students that affects school property at the time of the problem, and not after the fact at the end of the year.
F. LIBRARY
Students use the library at scheduled times or when given permission by authorized personnel. Books and videos are checked out for a seven-day period.
G. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students are required to participate in physical education classes unless a written excuse is submitted to the teacher. When a medical excuse is given, there must be a written release from the doctor before a student can return to the P.E. class. Tennis shoes are to be worn on P.E. class days and are to be laced and tied snuggly (NO CLOG TENNIS SHOES).
H. BAND
St. Peter Interparish School participates in a band program coordinated with Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, JC. The students in Grades 5-8 attend lessons two to three times a week during the school day, and join with all the members of the Interparish Band for after school rehearsals, concerts, and parades. Grades 5-8 students must miss other classes to attend band lesson/sessions. It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed during those classes. A grade is issued for Band.
I. SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES
Students with Special Needs
If a student with special needs (categorized such as EMR (Educable Mentally Retarded), EEN (exceptional educational needs), or other similar classification, or having a serious physical disability) applies for admission and/or is in need of special placement and admission is going to be denied, or a current student is being asked to withdraw, or being referred to another school, the administrator is to immediately consult the superintendent of Catholic schools so that all necessary accommodations can be made in order to meet the needs of the student and to help make a judgment as to whether or not, indeed, that is possible. Whenever possible, accommodations are to be made to meet the total needs of the student. The Catholic School Office, if deemed necessary before a final decision is made, can convene a review committee. The review committee can include, but not be limited to, the superintendent of Catholic schools and/or associate superintendent of schools, the local administrator(s), parent representative, counselor, pastor, and other designated professionals. It will be the purpose of the review committee to help the school make a local decision. This review committee can also be convened or reconvened by the superintendent of Catholic schools or associate superintendent, if deemed beneficial, when a parent disagrees with a local school decision. (DSP 5701)
1. Special education services are available at St. Peter Interparish School for students of the Diocese with handicapping conditions who the school is able to serve.
2. Students in the special education program are mainstreamed to regular classes after consultation with the principal, the administrator of the special education program, and the teachers involved.
J. RESOURCE ROOM
1. A resource room teacher may be available to students experiencing learning difficulties if the schedule allows.
2. A morning tutorial program may be available to students in grades 1 through 3 who do not receive special services, but are having difficulty mastering basic skills for their grade level. Teachers may refer students to the Vogelweid staff or parents may request help from the Vogelweid staff. Students meet from 7:30 to 7:50 on Monday and Wednesday to study math, and meet Tuesday and Thursday to study reading.
K. GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
A guidance counselor may be obtained to serve as a resource person for specific needs and concerns of students, parents, teachers and administration.
L. FIELD TRIPS
1. Educational Outings and Field Trips
All field trips and outings must be pre-approved by the local school administrator/principal. The written consent of parents must be obtained for every child participating in a field trip or outing. The consent is to include the basic information on the trip, such as where they are going, times, chaperones and mode of transportation.
No student may participate unless a signed parental permission slip for the specific event is on file with the school administrator/principal. The Diocese of Jefferson City sample Field Trip Permission Slip is included in Appendix #6301. (DSR 6301)
Parents sign permission slips for individual trips taken beyond walking distance. Parents sign a general 'WALKING' Field Trip Form at the beginning of the year, so that the students may enjoy timely experiences around the Capitol.
2. Chaperones and Drivers for Field Trips [Educational Outings]
All regular chaperones and drivers must complete the Protecting God's Children program. (DSR 6305)
An adequate number of responsible adult chaperones are to accompany the students. Ordinarily at least one adult will accompany every five students in the lower grades and every 10 in the upper grades - but some situations, or younger students may require more. Trips involving a great deal of travel are discouraged.
When parent support is needed for a trip, note that it is to supervise the children. Younger siblings are not allowed to attend. Parents are to continually observe the children and supervise rather than bond with other parents. All children will remain as a group during their transport, as parents will not transport their own children to or from the experience.
3. Transportation
It shall be provided by licensed public carrier or by insured private vehicles. Bus drivers must have a valid commercial driver's license and a valid school bus status. Drivers of private vehicles must be either a parent or guardian and at least 25 years of age. The school does not carry insurance to cover the use of private cars. Therefore, parent volunteer drivers and teachers/school personnel who use their own cars are to furnish proof of insurance and proof of a valid driver's license prior to departure on the field trip. Appendix #6305 provides a form that must be completed by anyone providing transportation for a school-sponsored event. (DSP 6305)
4. 8th grade Class Trip
The 8th Grade class traditionally experiences an educational ‘End of St. Peter Interparish School Life’ field trip with their parents. Funds for the trip are raised by parents and may be attained during the student’s 7th grade year. There is a tradition of 8th Grade parents sponsoring the Open House breakfast the day before school starts. Students normally donate 5% of all funds earned to the parish at their graduation mass.
5. Non-school Sponsored Trips (and Activities) DSP 6306
Non-school sponsored activities, fund-raising activities, etc., are NOT to use the school name. For such trips, neither students nor parents are covered under diocesan liability.
M. INTERNET USE
Student Internet, E-mail and Other Technology Use
All schools allowing students to have access to the Internet, e-mail and other technology are to have a written policy regarding usage in their student and parent handbooks. This policy is to include at least the following:
1. Internet, E-mail and other technology access and use in school are privileges, not rights.
2. The use is always to be consistent with Catholic teaching, doctrine, morality and values.
3. Users shall not use the Internet, e-mail or other technology for the purpose of transmitting or receiving illegal, illicit or obscene materials, or other materials in conflict with the school’s Christian mission.
4. Users shall not use the Internet, e-mail or other technology for the purpose of violating copyright law. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted software, text, graphics or music. Such action will be considered theft and is in violation of Christian and legal standards.
5. Users shall not use the Internet, e-mail or other technology for the purpose of plagiarism.
6. Users shall not attempt to gain access to resources belonging to others. This includes, but is not limited to: passwords, e-mail, personal files, and restricted or secure Internet sites. This will also be considered theft and in violation of Christian and legal standards.
7. Users shall not use the Internet, e-mail or other technology to transmit information about the school or the school-governed facilities, other than their own e-mail address. This includes, but is not limited to school personnel names and addresses.
8. The school reserves the right to review any materials (e-mail, files, other correspondence) sent or received via the Internet, e-mail or other technology for their appropriateness in light of legal, ethical and Christian standards.
9. Any violation of this policy is also considered a violation of the general school discipline code and is subject to school disciplinary action.
10. The privilege of the Internet, e-mail or other technology use can be suspended or revoked at any time. (DSP6425)
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