St. Mary's

Elementary School

STUDENT HANDBOOK 2007 - 2008

INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

ACCEPTABLE USE AND SAFETY POLICY

I. GENERAL PURPOSE

St. Mary’s School recognizes the role of computer technology in preparing students for success in life and work. It also expects employees to learn to use the school’s technology to perform tasks associated with their positions and assignments.

Staff and school board should be aware that when they use the school’s computer system their actions and communications may be identified as those of St. Mary’s School and Church. As such, staff and Board members are to exercise professional judgment at all times when using the school’s computer system.

The use of St. Mary’s School’s computer system and access to the internet is a privilege, not a right. Users will be held accountable for their actions when using the system. Unacceptable uses will result in one or more of the following consequences: suspension or revocation of user privileges, payments for damages and repairs, discipline under other appropriate school policies, exclusion or termination of employment. User activity that may indicate a violation of law could be disclosed to law enforcement or other third parties without prior consent.

II. LIMITED EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE

St. Mary’s School has a limited educational purpose, which includes use of the system for classroom activities, educational research, and professional or career development activities. Users are expected to use Internet access to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission and philosophy of St. Mary’s School. Uses which may be acceptable on a user’s private home account may not be acceptable on this limited purpose system.

III. UNACCEPTABLE USES

A. The following uses of the school’s computer system and Internet resources or accounts are considered unacceptable.

1. Users will not use St. Mary’s School’s system to knowingly or recklessly access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, receive, transmit or distribute:

a. pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material or other visual depictions that are harmful to minors;

b. obscene, abusive, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, disrespectful, or sexually explicit language;

c. materials that use language or images that are inappropriate in the education setting or disruptive to the educational purpose;

  d. information or materials that could cause damage or danger of disruption to the educational process;

e. materials that use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination;

f. false or defamatory information about a person or organization, or to harass another person, or to engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial and discriminatory attacks;

2. Users will not use the St. Mary’s School’s system to engage in any illegal act or violate any local, state or federal statute or law.

3. Users will not use St. Mary’s School’s system to vandalize, damage or disable the property of another person or organization, will not make deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software or system performance by spreading computer viruses or by any other means, will not tamper with, modify or change the school’s system software, hardware or wiring or take any action to violate the school’s security system, and will not use the school’s system in such a way as to disrupt he use of the system by other means.

4. Users will not use the school’s system to gain unauthorized access to information resources or to access another person’s materials, information or files without the implied or direct permission of that person.

5. Users will not use the school’s system to post private information about another person, personal contact information about themselves or other persons, or other personally identifiable information.

6. Users must keep all account information and passwords on file in the school office. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the school’s system or any other system, attempt to log in on another person’s account, or use computer accounts, access codes or network identification other than those assigned to the user. Messages and records on the school’s system may not be encrypted without the permission of the appropriate school officials.

7. Users will not use the school’s system to violate copyright laws or usage licensing agreements, or otherwise use another person’s property without the person’s prior approval and proper citation, including the downloading or exchanging of pirate software or copying software to or from any school computer, and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet.

8. Users will not use the school’s system for conducting business, for unauthorized commercial purposes or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the school. Users will not use the school’s system to offer or provide goods or services or for product advertisement. Users will not use the school’s system to purchase goods or services for personal use without authorization from the administrator.

9. St. Mary’s School retains the right to search school-owned computers and data for inappropriate use.

10.St. Mary’s School is not responsible for end-user action.

11.Only school-owned and/or school authorized hardware/software can be plugged into the network.

B. If a user inadvertently accesses unacceptable materials or an unacceptable Internet site, the user shall immediately disclose the inadvertent access to a teacher. In the case of a school employee, the immediate disclosure shall be to the administrator.

IV. FILTER

A. St. Mary’s School will monitor the online activities of minors and employ technology protection measures during any use of computers by minors and adults. The technology protection measures used will block or filter Internet access to any visual depictions that are:

1. Obscene; 2. Child pornography; or 3. Harmful to minors.

B. An administrator or supervisor may disable the technology protection measure, during use by an adult, to enable access for bona fide and pre-approved research or other lawful purpose.

V. CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER SCHOOL POLICIES

Use of St. Mary’s School’s computer system and use of the Internet shall be consistent with school policies and the mission of the school.

VI. LIMITED EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY

A. By authorizing use of the school’s computer system, St. Mary’s does not relinquish control over materials on the system or contained in files on the system.

B. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the school’s system may lead to a discovery that a user has violated this policy, another school policy or the law.

C. Parents have the right to investigate their child’s use of the school’s system. Parents have the right to terminate their child’s Internet use at any time.

D. School employees should be aware that the school retains the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of their files and e-mail files. 

VII. INTERNET USE AGREEMENT

A. The proper use of the Internet, and the educational value to be gained from proper Internet use, is the joint responsibility of students, parents and employees of St. Mary’s School.

B. This policy requires the permission of and supervision by the school’s designated professional staff before a student may use a school account or resource to access the Internet.

C. The Internet Use Agreement form for students must be read and signed by the user, the parent or guardian, and the supervising teacher. The Internet Use Agreement form for employees must be signed by the employee. The form must then be filed at the school office. 

VIII. LIMITATION ON SCHOOL LIABILITY

Use of St. Mary’s system is at the user’s own risk. The system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The school is not responsible for any damage users may suffer.

IX. USER NOTIFICATION

A. All users will be notified of the St. Mary’s School’s policies relating to Internet use.

B. Any changes made to this policy in its annual review will be communicated to users, and parents of users who are minors, before the new regulations go into effect. 

X. IMPLEMENTATION; POLICY REVIEW

A. St. Mary’s School’s Internet policies and procedures are available for review by all parents, guardians, staff and member of the community. Interested parties can look up the policies on the school website at stmaryschoolcal.org or request a copy from the school office.

B. Because of the rapid changes in the development of the Internet, the school board shall conduct an annual review of this policy.

St. Mary's Philosophy

St. Mary's Catholic School is a faith community dedicated to teaching as Jesus did. Through a positive flexible learning environment, educational staff, working with parents, who are the first teachers, parish family, and community, will challenge students to reach their full potential as responsible citizens rooted in Catholic values.

St. Mary's Mission

It is St. Mary’s mission to prepare students as life long learners who will grow in virtue and wisdom, to become valued and outstanding members of their church, community, and nation.

ADMISSIONS

Children entering Kindergarten must be five years old before September 1 of the year they enter school.
Parents of transfer students must sign a records release form for St. Mary’s to obtain student records from the previous school.

ARTICLES PROHIBITED IN SCHOOL

Items such as knives, squirt guns, bean shooters, syringes, baseballs, bats, laser pointers, etc. are unsafe and hazardous. They will be confiscated if found and violations given. Personal radios and CD players are not permitted unless permission has been given to take them on a class trip. (Then only the headphone kind) Gum and candy are not allowed unless permission is granted for a special treat or reward.

ATHLETICS

Seventh and eighth grade athletes must maintain an 80% academic average to participate in school or club sports. Students participating in athletics are also expected to be respectful and exhibit acceptable conduct at school and in the community. The procedure for removing a student from sports is as follows:

1. An athlete warning is issued and the student is given two weeks to make improvements.

2. A copy of the notice will go to the parents and the respective coach.

3. At the end of two weeks, if improvement is not satisfactory to the teacher or coach, he/she is to be suspended for two consecutive weeks beginning on the date of notification.

4. The principal will issue "notices of suspension."

5. Suspension will ban the student from both games and practice.

6. At the discretion of the principal, the student will be removed from the activity if there is not improvement during suspension.

St. Mary's School Board has adopted the Policy of ISD #299 RULES FOR USE OF MOOD-ALTERING CHEMICALS. (Available in the school office) The policy applies to St. Mary's students participating in Caledonia Public School sports activities.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is mandatory. Please call by 9:00 A.M. to report your child absent or tardy. The office will check on students not reported absent. Appropriate action will be taken to confirm the safety of the child.

Any request for early dismissal, doctor, or dental appointments should be in writing. Please make dental and doctor appointments outside school time when possible.

Students will not be released to anyone other than the parent/legal guardian. Written notification or a phone call is required to release a student to anyone other than the parent.

Family vacations during the school term are discouraged by school policy. However, parents should notify the school office prior to planned absences. Teachers are not required to give students make-up work before family vacations.

Excessive or unexcused absences warrant a conference with the parents, student, teacher, and principal. A plan will be established to ensure the safety, well being, and education of the child. A doctor’s explanation may be required for repeated absences.

Excessive absenteeism (25 days) results in grade retention for the student. This happens when a student does not make up schoolwork, has very low marks, an uncaring attitude, or is truant. A child who is ill but makes every effort to keep up with work would be passed.

BUS SERVICE

ISD #299 provides bus service to students not in walking distance. Public and private school students ride the same buses. Contact Caledonia High School at 725-3316 to determine bus number and pick-up and drop-off locations. School Bus Management Plan rules and regulations will be followed. (Available in school office)

DRESS CODE

Parents are responsible for dressing their children in neat and appropriate clothing for school. Clean, neat, hemmed jeans - torn knees are discouraged. Shirts can be dress, knit or polo. Any shirt with inappropriate pictures or sayings, suggestive or negative connotations will not be allowed. Sleeveless tops, pants, and/or shirts that expose a bare midriff and long chains will not be allowed. The body torso should be covered at all times. THIS DRESS CODE WILL BE ENFORCED. Except for special school sponsored activities, students will not be allowed to wear hats or bandannas in the building. Shorts may be worn in September and May, but need to be a reasonable length. Shorts are not to be worn by students with Mass parts. Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes with wheels and flip flop sandals are not allowed. Boots must be worn as long as there is snow, ice, or mud on the ground. This is for your child's health and protection as well as for school maintenance. Please label clothing. Please check Lost & Found located by the Office.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

The emergency information form is ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RECORDS REQUESTED BY THE SCHOOL. Current information is vital to the proper care of your child in case of illness or injury during school hours. The emergency contact should be someone with transportation who is available during the school day. A NEW FORM IS REQUIRED EACH YEAR. Please return the form to the office THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL IN THE FALL.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS OF

PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

St. Mary's School complies with the Family Educational Rights of Privacy Act of 1974. St. Mary's will, on request, send report cards and/or hold conferences with non-custodial parents unless there is a court order or legally binding instrument prohibiting such contact. Any requests for conferences are to be made directly to the classroom teachers involved.

The school must be informed of any legally binding instruments that bar a non-custodial parent from contact with a child since we do have a number of visits to the school by non-custodial parents. Keeping the school informed of potential family problems, separation, or divorce, allows us to be more sensitive to your child's needs at school. If we can in any way help your family by better understanding any problems, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

FAMILY - SEPARATE HOUSEHOLDS

The office must be notified of the living arrangements for your child/children. Parent with primary custody will receive school information (i.e. notes, report cards) from your child. The noncustodial parent will receive notices in the mail.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are taken throughout the school year. Information will be provided prior to the trip. A signed permission slip must be in the office before a student leaves on a field trip.

FIRE DRILLS & TORNADO DRILLS

Minnesota law requires that periodic drills be held in school. The local fire department holds an annual drill during FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, and the Administration holds at least nine per year to check the alertness of the students.

FUNDRAISING

The following fund-raisers contribute to the operating budget of St. Mary's School: Scrip sales, Non-Public School Marathon, Pictures, The Bazaar, Magazine Drive, Fish Fries, the $Raffle, and monthly Bake Sales.

GRADING

Report cards are sent home quarterly. Midterm progress reports are sent home for grades 4-8. Grades 2 & 3 send progress reports every two weeks. Conferences are held biannually or as requested. The six – eighth grade honor roll will be published in the Argus.

GRADUATION

St. Mary's graduates receive a diploma during graduation ceremonies at St. Mary's Church. The seventh grade teacher and class are responsible for the reception. Seventh grade parents assist.

HEALTH POLICIES/SERVICES

St. Mary's School has a nurse to coordinate the vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening as well as any other health concerns. The Minnesota Department of Health has a law regarding immunizations. This is listed below as dictated by the State. Children are NOT allowed in school without validated information regarding their shots and other health information. THIS IS THE LAW! Pupils who are injured or sick at school must report to the school office. In the case of an accident, data will be documented for insurance purposes. Parents are notified if it is necessary for the child to leave school. NO CHILD may leave until parents or the designated responsible person has been contacted. If it is necessary that a medication be given during school hours, the following regulations must be followed: Medication must be ordered by a physician/dentist and permission granted to school personnel to contact them if necessary. Medication must be brought by parent/guardian to the school. (If there is a reason this is not possible, please contact the principal.) The medication should be in the original container with appropriate label intact (A second labeled bottle can be obtained from the pharmacist upon request.) This bottle will be given to the principal who will keep it in an appropriate and safe place. If the nurse is not available to administer the medicine, the principal will designate someone to administer it. IF THE MEDICATION IS NOT PROPERLY LABELED, IT WILL NOT BE GIVEN. No medication will be administered if it has not been brought from home. The parent or guardian must send a note granting personal permission to administer medication prescribed by a physician/dentist. A Medical Consent Form is available in the office for prescription medicine. PLEASE NOTE: ALLERGY DESENSITIZATION INJECTIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN AT SCHOOL

HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS

The amount of assigned schoolwork varies by grade level. Teachers make time for the students to do some of their homework during the school day—during a study hour or the last few minutes of a period. If a student complains of excessive homework, the parents should check with the teacher to see that their child is making use of the allotted time to their advantage. It is the child’s responsibility to get homework in on time. Parents are encouraged to look over the homework, but please don't do it for your child.

INVITATIONS

If your child is going to bring invitations to school for a party at home or elsewhere, make sure that all children in the class are invited. Otherwise, make other arrangements to distribute invitations.

KITCHEN RULES

Students are not allowed in the kitchen area without teacher supervision. The telephone is not to be used by students.

LIBRARY POLICIES

1. Books may be checked out for one or two weeks.

2. Encyclopedias or reference materials may be checked out overnight

3. Students will pay full price for any lost or damaged books that are checked out in their name.

4. Behavior in the library is expected to be appropriate-no loud talking, or disruptive behavior.

LUNCH PROGRAM

Lunch tickets are available in the Office. Students bringing sack lunch may purchase milk. Extra milk may also be purchased with hot lunch.

Hot lunch is $1.85 per day.

Lunches $37.00 for 20 lunches
Extra Lch Milk $5.00 for 20 milks
Afternoon Milk $35.00 a year for Gr. 1-8
Free or Reduced Lunch Policy Forms are available. Those receiving free or reduced lunches in the past need to turn in an updated form to the office no later than September 30, to maintain free or reduced status. If income status changes during the school year, an amended or new form can be submitted at any time.

LUNCH ROOM HELPERS

Parents are asked to assist with the hot lunch program to help defray cost. Each family is scheduled on a rotating basis throughout the school year. Please be at school by 11:30 A.M. on your scheduled days. If you are unable to help, please call the office prior to the day you are scheduled. Substitutes are available for $5 per day. The cooks will get a sub for you. Only the cooks will contact you about your availability for serving lunch.

Students attend Mass Wednesdays at 10:30 and Fridays at 8:30. Kindergarten students attend Mass once per week.

Newsletters are sent home at the end of each month. Masses, upcoming events, special happenings, and lunchroom helpers are listed. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR CHILD IF YOU DON'T SEE THIS LETTER. Phone calls to the office seek information that is usually contained in the monthly newsletter.

PARENTS CARE FOR ST. MARY'S

The parent group meets on the first Wednesday of the month. All families are encouraged to join, as well as to attend meetings. The group actively supports the school's instructional program, and enhances community school relations.

The children will play outside during the noon hour. Students must wear boots to school in snowy or muddy weather. Faculty members are assigned to playground supervision. If a child is injured, it must be reported immediately to the adult on duty.

[Please review with your child]:

1. Students may not leave school grounds for any reason without permission.

2. Language and behavior must be appropriate.

3. Students may not go back into the building for play equipment.

4. Use playground equipment for the manner in which it was designed.

5. Students must ask permission to use the bathroom.

6. No spitting.

7. No throwing objects such as pine cones, rocks, ice, snowball, etc.

8. Stay away from the dumpsite.

9. No one is allowed to sit on, climb on, or use the natural gas pipes to play on.

10. Enjoy the trees, but do not touch the branches, climb on them or peel the bark.

11. Return to the building immediately when the bell rings.

12. Stay within playground boundaries. No playing between buildings, on the priest's lawn, or beyond the sandboxes and fences.

13. Shoes must be worn on the playground for safety reasons.

14. If for some reason a student cannot go out for recess, he or she will need to sit in the office. A written note must be provided,

15. Balls are not to be bounced against the building.

16. No hard baseballs are allowed. Grades 5-8 can use softballs and grades K-4 can use rubber balls.

17. Do not throw or bounce ball inside school building.

18- There should be no physical contact while playing any game.

19. No tackle football. Touch football is allowed.

20. No "Chicken Fighting."

21. No climbing or hanging on backstops and fences.

22. Any paper, pop can, etc. needs to be put in the trash. Do not throw garbage on the playground.

23. Stay off patches of ice, go around any ice. No sliding on ice.

24. Stay out of puddles. If there are puddles under any equipment, do not use the equipment.

25. No roller blades or skateboards on school grounds.

26. Snow stays on the ground - No snowballs.

27. No "King of the Mountain. "

28. Stay off snow hills completely.

29. No face washing.

30. No breaking down other students snow forts, snowmen, etc.

31. K-4 must have boots. If students aren't wearing boots, they must stand by the wall.

32. No twisting, standing on, or jumping off of swings.

33. One person to a swing.

34. No flipping the swings over the top.

35. No running in between the swings.

36. The merry-go-round cannot be used in the winter for safety reasons.

37. No one is to hang off of the merry-go-round.

38. No sitting on top of any playground equipment.

39. No pushing other student on the glider.

St. Mary's Mood-Altering Chemicals Policy, Sexual Harassment & Violence Policy, the School Bus Management Plan and student internet policy is available upon request at the school office.

St. Mary's School will start late or close when the Public School does because of inclement weather or emergency situations. This announcement will be carried on WKTY, WIZM, and KQYB (FM).

School begins at 8:15 A.M. Students may enter the building at 8:05. Students arriving after the 8:15 bell must report to the office before being admitted to class. They will be considered tardy unless a reasonable excuse is given. If a bus is late, those students are not considered tardy. School is dismissed at 3:03 P.M. for bus students and 3:08 P.M. for walkers.

St. Mary’s Blue Jay basketball program has adopted resolutions to comply with the standards of the Catholic School Basketball League in which it participates. The purpose of the program is to learn basic skills and have fun. Only St. Mary’s School students in 5^th and 6^th grade may play on a Blue Jay boys or girls team. Basketball program policies available in office.

STATE/FEDERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

St. Mary’s participates in the textbook, health, and guidance programs offered by the State of Minnesota. Permission forms must be signed by or for each student allowing the school to obtain funds from this program. The Federal Block Grant Program is used to purchases additional student materials.

Except for an emergency, teachers and students will not be called from class to take a phone call. Phone use by students is discouraged. Please take care of matters with your children before they leave for school. Calls will be allowed if an event is canceled before the end of the school day and parents need to be contacted.

Students are responsible for textbooks issued to them. Textbooks are to be covered at all times. Students must pay for lost or damaged books.

Pre-School 3/ 4 ...................... $330

Pre-School 4/ 5 ...................... $560

Kindergarten .......................... $790

1 Child (Gr 1-8) ................... $1100

2 Children (Gr K-8) ............. $1900

3 + Children (Gr K-8) .......... $2700

Monthly statements are issued until balance is paid. Please follow payment plan. Contact the principal if your family needs assistance.

Visitors are welcome at St. Mary's. Please check in at the school office before going to a classroom. When picking up a child for an appointment, stop in the office and the child will be sent for.

Parents, senior citizens, students, and others are encouraged to volunteer their services to St. Mary’s School. Your experiences, talents, and skills may enrich the lives of students, help those in need of a tutor, or help out in any way you’d like to donate your time.

At St. Mary's, the teaching and example of Jesus is the model for behavior. A positive approach to discipline is used. Children respond favorably when they know that the positive things they say and do are recognized and appreciated.

Children also need to understand that there will be consequences when their behavior does not conform to the expectations that have been established. School discipline is a cooperative effort. Good communication is the most important ingredient. If there are concerns or questions, please contact your child's teacher first.

GOAL: Respect for adults, students, and property should govern student behavior at all times. Proper behavior is expected in all school locations and at all school functions.

VIOLATIONS:

-Inappropriate or disruptive behavior - at teacher discretion

-Display of profanity or vulgar gestures/language

-Disrespect to teachers, staff, or students - at teacher discretion

-Throwing food or objects

-Fighting - at teacher discretion

-Gum chewing or candy

-Spitting

-Swearing

-Snowball throwing

-Running in lunchroom, hallways, classrooms

DETENTIONS:

-Leaving school grounds without permission during school hours

-Damage to school or other student's property will be paid in full from the student's own money.

-Chemical or tobacco use

-Cheating

-Unacceptable bus behavior

-Skipping class

-Any disrespect to teachers, staff, or students - at teacher discretion

-Physical fighting - at teacher discretion

The entire staff - teachers, classroom assistants, administration, and support staff - may use their discretion to discipline inappropriate behaviors not listed above.

CONSEQUENCES:

Parents will be notified of all violations and detentions.

1st consequence for (3) violations

a. Detention

2nd consequence for (3) detentions

0. One day in-school suspension-
0. Parents called
0. Conference with Principal and teacher

3rd consequence for (3) more detentions

a. Three days in-school suspension

b. Parent conference

c. Behavior contract signed by parent, student, teacher and Principal

4th consequence for (3) more detentions

a. Five days in-school or possible expulsion dependent on the severity of the offense

After each semester, any student violations or detentions will be erased. However, if a student has had a day of in-school suspension, this will carry over for the rest of the year.