2009-2010
Parent-Student Handbook
John Paul II Catholic School at St. Matthew’s
1000 Butler Spaeth Road
Gillette, Wyoming 82716
307.686.4114
www.johnpauliicatholicschool.com
Pastor Cliff Jacobson
Associate Pastor Bill Hill
Principal Mrs. Lynn Grassel
The future starts today, not tomorrow. Pope John Paul II
John Paul II Catholic School at St. Matthew’s
School Personnel
2009-2010
Fr. Cliff Jacobson ………………………. Pastor
Fr. Bill Hill................................ Associate Pastor
Lynn Grassel ………………………… Principal
Mary Jean Penner …………… School Secretary
Tina Baker ...............................Admin. Secretary
Kristen Schrad ……………….........Kindergarten
Emily Anderson………………........Kindergarten
Casie Rashleigh ..................................First Grade
Jenni Bridges …………................ Second Grade
Amy Fulton ...…………................ Second Grade
Kim Bjorklund ..................................Third Grade
Marla Salverson................. ………. Fourth Grade
Keri Griffith .......………….................Fifth Grade
Joy Feola..............Jr. Hi. Lang. Arts/Soc.St./6thHR
Boni Kuhbacher...... Jr. Hi. Math/Sci./7th & 8thHR
Amy Gorsuch ………………...Physical Education
Shelley Gemar....... …………......Music Education
Robbie Lliteras ………………............Technology & Sunrise Club
Nancy Obrigewitch. ...........Library/Art/Pre.S.Aide
Margret Christophersen……....................K-1 Aide
Rosie Rye ………………….....Preschool Director
Gwen Barstad ………………....Preschool Teacher
Christy Hloucal …………………...Preschool Aide
Nancy Farnum.......……… Preschool Teacher/Aide
Penny Timmer................................... Lunch Lady
Lynelle Wages ………………..............Sunset Club
John Paul II Catholic School Mission Statement
In unity with St. Matthew’s Catholic Community, the mission of John Paul II Catholic School at St. Matthew’s is to build a strong Catholic foundation of faith, family, community and academics in a warm and welcoming, caring and Christ-centered environment.
John Paul II Catholic School Vision Statement
Catholic education is an explicit expression of the evangelizing mission entrusted by Jesus to His Church. Our mission at John Paul II Catholic School at St. Matthew’s is:
· to teach the message of Jesus Christ through prayer, word, and example;
· to promote self-confidence, moral and spiritual values, enabling the student to reach full awareness of their God-given talents;
· to build within the parish setting a strong community based on Christian faith and service;
· to provide a structured and enriched educational program in an atmosphere that empowers students to achieve their potential as children of God who impact the local and global community.
This process is enhanced by parents, staff, teachers and administrators whose lives are modeled on Gospel values as they teach, serve and build community as Jesus did.
Role of the Parent
It is a privilege to work with parents in the education of their children. In this handbook, parent/parents will be understood to mean the parents or legal guardians of the child. As partners in the educational process, and to help children develop self-control necessary to succeed to the best of their ability, we ask parents to develop in their children good habits of behavior as well as proper attitudes toward school. To help their children in school all parents:
· respect the teacher as a professional dedicated to furthering the student’s academic and spiritual progress;
· will comply with the rules of the school concerning student conduct and dress code;
· will cooperate with the school in carrying out disciplinary action;
· will model Christian behavior;
· will arrange for a consistent time and place for their children to complete homework assignments;
· will teach their children respect for authority, for rules, for the rights of others and for public and private property;
· will volunteer for various school functions that require adult assistance and complete (5 preschool), 15 hours of Angel Hours;
· Will insist on punctual and regular school attendance;
· Will inform the school of any special situation regarding their children’s well-being, safety, and health;
· Will work with the school in a cooperative spirit to help us provide the best quality faith-based education possible.
Angel Hours:
All parents are expected to donate 15 volunteer hours (5 volunteer hours for preschool) over the course of the school year. All volunteering throughout the parish ministries is acceptable. Hours may be turned into the school office weekly, monthly or annually. Angel hour time sheets are available through the school office. You may opt to pay $200.00 ($65.00 preschool) or $13.00/hour if you are unable to fulfill this obligation.
Attendance Policies:
Daily attendance at school is fundamental to success in education. The following attendance regulations have been developed to promote good habits for the future as well as for the present.
The school day for students is as follows:
8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (regular)
8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (early release)
School office hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Attendance:
If your child is absent for any reason please call John Paul II Catholic School at 686.4114 as early as possible and no later than 9:00 a.m. so that staff know that your child is safe. Excused absences would include illness, death in the family or other grave reasons. Unexcused absences would include truancy, a missed ride or parent neglect. You may call ahead to pre-excuse absences. Always let the office know if your child will be absent, even if you have notified the teacher.
Tardies:
Students will be counted tardy if they enter school between 8:35 and 10:30 a.m. If a student is to be tardy the parent needs to escort the child to the office and obtain a tardy slip for their child. It is very important that you let the office know if your child is eating hot lunch or cold that day. The student will be given a tardy slip at the office and will deliver it to the teacher. Teachers concerned with excessive tardies will contact the parents and attempt to respectfully solve the problem. Thank you for teaching your child to be punctual by getting them to school on time.
Make-Up Work:
Two school days for each day absent will be allowed for students to turn in make-up work. If work is not turned in within the time allowed, a failing grade is to be given. This applies to both excused and unexcused absences. The school discourages family vacations during regular school time and will not provide schoolwork ahead of time. Your child will be expected to catch up when they return. Medical and dental appointments, if possible, should be made outside of school hours.
Child Abuse Laws:
John Paul II Catholic School abides by the Child Abuse laws of the State of Wyoming. This law mandates that all cases of suspected abuse and/or neglect be reported to Department of Family Services.
Classroom Parties:
Classroom parties will be held for Harvest/Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.
You may sign up to help with parties with your child’s teacher. Parties will be held the last 45 minutes of the day. Check your monthly calendar for party days.
Curriculum: John Paul II Catholic School abides by state regulations at all levels. Our goal is to provide an academically challenging environment for all students and to develop a sense of Christian awareness in all curricular areas.
In addition to state mandated curriculum, John Paul II Catholic School provides religion classes at all grade levels. The religion classes are based on the established dogma and teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Classes also stress the development of Christian ethical and moral values. All students, regardless of their private religious beliefs, are required to participate in religion classes at John Paul II Catholic School. Liturgical and Para-liturgical celebrations are considered to be an integral aspect of religion classes.
In order to broaden a student’s perspective about other cultures of the world, Spanish is part of the curriculum offered at all levels through Spanish Start Games. Music, Art, Technology and Physical Education are also taught at all grade levels, and all teachers are expected to incorporate the use of computers into other curricular areas. The Library is an integral part of our school.
Discipline/ Expectations:
The discipline philosophy of John Paul II Catholic School reflects that all students are expected to be responsible, safe, and respectful. One of our major goals is to ensure that each student enrolled at John Paul II Catholic School is treated with respect and dignity and in turn each student will also treat everyone else with respect and dignity. No child will be allowed to interfere with the right to an education of another child.
Each teacher will create classroom rules with their students. Students will be expected to be responsible for their own learning with guidance from faculty. The key is communicating the expectations to all students that we treat each other and our property with respect. Teachers will practice and model these expectations with their students.
Students that have difficulty in following the expectations and taking responsibility for their actions will be asked to call parents and set up a meeting with them, the classroom teacher, and the principal, in order to devise a plan for the student to be successful. In some instances, parents may be asked to withdraw their child from John Paul II Catholic School because their child’s actions may be interfering with other student’s right to an education.
Dress Code:
All students in grades K-8 are required to be in uniform every day with the exception of non-uniform days. Non-uniform days will be scheduled on the monthly calendar. Basic non-uniform days will have a basic dress code, which can be found in this section.
All uniform choices may be found in the Dennis Uniform catalog available at the school office. You may purchase from other sources as long as they appear to be the same styles and colors that are available in the catalog.
All students are required to wear dress uniforms on Mass Days. Sometimes, holy days or special events will require the change of mass days for that week. It will be clearly listed on your monthly calendar.
Dress Uniforms: Girls: Either a plaid jumper, skirt or skort, long or short sleeved white collared blouse, socks or tights, black shoes. Girl's cross over tie is required only with the skirt. Blouses need to be tucked into the skirt. Sweater vest or cardigans may be added.
Dress Uniforms: Boys: Navy Trousers, black belt for Grades 2-8, white collared long or short sleeved shirt and tie, socks and black shoes. Sweater vest or cardigans may be added. Ties are the plaid available through Dennis Uniform Company. Ties will remain on all day.
Regular Days: Boys: Navy shorts—basic style (see catalog) may be worn from August to October and from April to June weather permitting. Navy pants as listed in the catalog with white long or short sleeve shirts, long or short-sleeved polos in navy, white, or wine. Sweater vests in navy or wine and cardigans in navy or wine may be added for any day. Only John Paul II logos are acceptable on any clothing. Polos in the colors listed above with no logos are acceptable. Sweatshirts, hoodies and fleece jackets as listed in the catalog may be worn to school and for recess but not acceptable in the classroom unless it is a non-uniform day.
Socks must be worn at all times. Shoes include one pair of black closed toe with no logo for grades 1-8. Kindergarten does not have a shoe requirement except for an extra pair of gym shoes. All students must bring a pair of non-logo white gym shoes that will not mark up the floor. Please leave these shoes at school so they are available on gym days.
Regular Days: Girls: Navy slacks, plaid jumpers, skorts, or skirts, with long or short sleeved collared blouse, long or short sleeve polos in navy, white, or wine. Sweater vests in navy or wine and cardigans in navy or wine may be worn at any time. Polos in the colors listed above with no logos are acceptable. Sweatshirts, hoodies and fleece jackets as listed in the catalog may be worn to school and for recess but not acceptable in the classroom unless it is a non-uniform day. Girls may wear crew socks, knee-highs or tights. Shoes include one pair of black closed toe with no logo for grades 1-8. Kindergarten does not have a shoe requirement except for an extra pair of gym shoes. All students must bring a pair of non-logo white gym shoes that will not mark up the floor. Please leave these shoes at school so they are available on gym days.
Hairstyles must be neat and clean. No styles with color or distractions such as Mohawks or spikes are acceptable. Boys will not be permitted to have long hair over the ears. Girls may wear scrunchies or barrettes. Girl’s hair must be off their face.
Girls are allowed to wear one pair of small non-dangling earrings. Boys may not wear earrings to school. No makeup is allowed for grades K-6 at school.
Non-uniform Days:
Some non-uniform days will be specific to a theme day such as dress as your favorite saint, hat day, sweatshirt day etc. Other days will be designated as student’s choice day. On student’s choice day, (non-uniform day), students may wear jeans, tennis shoes, their regular uniform, sweatshirts, shorts (not shorter than 3 inches above the knees), nail polish, jewelry, dresses, slacks, hoodies or any other modest clothing that reflects the values of John Paul II Catholic School.
Unacceptable clothing would include: flip-flops, tank tops, T-shirts with inappropriate writing, tennis shoes that turn into roller skates (NEVER ACCEPTABLE), jogging suits, biker shorts, tattoos, or make-up.
All students are expected to be dressed appropriately for a Christian atmosphere. If you think you shouldn’t wear it, you shouldn’t! Parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing if a student is dressed inappropriately.
Jr. High Dress Code: Students in grades 7 and 8 may add to their existing uniform wardrobe with khaki color dress pants, and khaki colored skirts or skorts. Boys may wear solid burgundy or navy ties. Junior High girls may wear light mascara and lip gloss. No eyeliner or heavy makeup. No makeup will be applied at school. If makeup is overly done, the girl will be asked to wash it off or call home for assistance. Jewelry is limited to non-dangling earrings, pendant necklaces and one bracelet or watch.
Emergency Drills:
State Law requires that fire drills be held monthly. During the fire drills, students should wait for directions from teachers and evacuate according to the plan that they have already practiced.
Other evacuation, lockdown and tornado drills will be practiced throughout the year. In case of evacuation, John Paul II Catholic School students will evacuate to St. Matthew’s Church.
Gifts:
Students should not exchange individual gifts at school. This gesture only creates hurt feelings. Invitations for birthdays should be sent via U.S. Postal Service unless you plan to invite all classmates to the celebration. Birthday treats may be brought to school with your child or dropped off at the office. If you wish to help serve and clean up the birthday treat, please arrange this with your child’s teacher for the best time. No flowers or balloon bouquets will be delivered during class hours. They will be held at the office. Please discourage family members from sending them.
Grading:
*Report cards are issued quarterly during the school year to keep parents informed of their child’s achievement. The end of quarters are October 24, 2008, January 9, 2009, March 13, 2009 and May 29, 2009. Grades are based on the student’s daily performance, class work, homework, quizzes, tests, projects, reports and class participation.
GRADE SCALE 1-8: Kindergarten:
99-100 = A+ + progressing satisfactorily
96-98 = A - needs more time
94-95 = A- * see comments
92-93 = B+
89-91 = B *First and second grade scale will 87-88 = B- based on this scale but reported
84-86 = C+ with S, S-, N, or I.
80-83 = C S= Satisfactory
77-79 = C- S-= With help
75-76 = D+ N= Needs improvement
72-74 = D I = Incomplete
70-71 = D- *It may be possible these will
69 and below =F change to other letters or symbols.
We will be installing a new online site for parents to monitor grades, homework assignments and special messages from their child’s teacher. Look for additional
information in an upcoming newsletter. We will not be using Chalksite this year.
Homework:
Homework is assigned as a reinforcement or extension of the daily program.
Recommended Homework Time Allotments:
Kindergarten: 15 minutes Monday through Thursday
Grades 1 & 2: 30 minutes Monday through Thursday
Grade 3: 45 minutes Monday through Thursday
Grades 4-8: 45-60 minutes Monday through Thursday
Lockers:
Specific grades are issued lockers or cubbies to store personal items and supplies. Students will be allowed to go to their lockers or cubbies only at specific times to minimize classroom disruptions. Students should enter their classrooms with all necessary tools to utilize their maximum learning time. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers or cubbies at any time. They will not be locked.
Lunch/Breakfast Program
John Paul II Catholic School offers a hot lunch every day. Meals are on contract from Campbell County School District. Forms to apply for free or reduced lunch prices will be sent home the first day of school. You may set up a lunch account at the school office or send lunch money in an envelope with your child. Please clearly label the envelope with your child’s name, grade and lunch money with the amount on the outside of the envelope.
Breakfast: $1.25 (If your child is enrolled in Sunrise Club, this is included in your fee.)
Lunch prices:
Student: $2.00
Adult: $3.00
You will be given a calendar with a months worth of hot lunch menus before the next month begins. Parents, please help your students decide a day ahead of time if they will be having hot lunch or bringing a cold lunch AND STICK TO THAT CHOICE. Your student must pre-order a hot lunch so there is a hot lunch waiting for them the next day. Please don’t order a hot lunch and then bring a cold lunch. We still have to pay for the hot lunch and that food will go to waste. Children can bring $.30 for a carton of milk or charge a carton of milk to their hot lunch account.
All parents are invited to eat lunch with their child. If you are planning to eat lunch with your child please notify the office the day before if possible.
Students may choose to bring their own lunch. Please keep cold lunches healthy. Students are not allowed to bring pop to school except on special class party days. We encourage healthy eating habits. We encourage parents to help their children make healthy food choices.
Students are expected to be responsible for good behavior in the lunchroom as well as all areas of the building. Students will be issued tickets for great behavior in the lunchroom daily. They will write their name on the back of the ticket and place it in the container provided for this purpose. Every month the principal will draw out 4 names for Principal’s Lunch. This is a special day that these lucky children are taken out to a nice restaurant with the principal and one other adult guest. Students are eligible to win once during the year. If they are redrawn their ticket will go into the end of the year drawing. Parent permission slips must be signed and returned if your child is drawn for this opportunity. All students’ names not drawn each month will go into a special drawing for special end of the year prizes.
Medication:
It is highly recommended that all necessary medication be administered at home. Students may not keep any medication on their person, in their backpack or purse or in their locker. No medication including aspirin, Tylenol or vitamins will be administered by school personnel unless requested in writing by the child’s parent, guardian or physician. If a student must have medication of any type during school hours, the following procedure must be followed:
1. A Request for Administration of Medication Form through the school office must be completed by the parent or legal guardian prior to the dispensing of any medication.
2. Parents of students taking medication prescribed by a physician must present the medication in its original container to the school office with the required signed form.
3. Parents of students taking over the counter medication must present the medication in the manufacturer’s original container to the office with the required signed form.
Parent/School Communication:
Every child will bring home a Friday Folder with all important information, newsletters, fliers, and forms that you will need. Please return the Friday Folder with your child on the following Monday. Every month you will receive a newsletter with news for the month, the lunch menu, educational highlights and upcoming events. Scrip order forms will be included in the Friday folder and sent home in an envelope when they are available or you may choose to pick them up at the office.
Parent Teacher Organization:
All parents and teachers are expected to participate in the parent teacher organization. Our first organizational meeting will be held in September. This is a vital organization to our school. The Home and School Association helps oversee the majority of the fundraising necessary to keep our tuition costs at a reasonable rate. The date of the first meeting is on the September calendar.
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at the end of the first quarter. Conferences at other times should be scheduled with the teacher. Please try to resolve any questions or issues with the classroom teacher before contacting the principal.
Parking---Dropping Off Students/ Picking Up Students
Please enter the driveway on Elon Street (by the gym) follow the one way to drop off and pick up your child. Please move as soon as you can and follow the one way to the exit out to Elon Street. Parents may opt to park in the parking lot and escort their children to their line up spots in the morning. Parents may wait for their child to be dismissed in the gathering area of the Family Life Center/school and escort their child to their car. Please use extreme caution when dropping off or picking up your child. Please Go Slow!
PAWS testing:
Students in 3rd through 8th grade will take PAWS tests online. Parents will receive the results of this test. (Performance Assessment of Wyoming Standards).
Playground:
The playground at John Paul II Catholic School is intended for use during school hours and the Before and After School Program. John Paul II Catholic School will provide supervision on the playground during recess at midmorning, lunch and midafternoon. It is not available before or after school unless supervised by a parent.
Releasing Students From School
Teachers shall not release any student from school without authorization from the office. This authorization will be in the form of a “Student Re |
