|
|
 |
| |
School Board
School Board 2009-2010 | St. Mary School Board Mission Statement
St. Mary School Board, as disciples of Jesus Christ, collaborates with the pastor and school principal to plan, advise, and promote an environment of faith, education, and moral values for the children of St. Mary School. We accomplish our mission through strategic planning, evaluating and developing policies, offering financial advice, and promoting the benefits of Catholic education.
|
President | | Mary Jo Cepolski
|
Vice President | | Christie Babcock
|
Legislative Action | | Greg Harper
|
Athletic Association | | Tom Sigrist
|
School Board Policies | Admission
1.1 Non Discrimination For Students
Schools operated under the auspices of the Diocese of Joliet admit students of any race, color, sex, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally available to students at the schools. The names of the elementary and secondary schools can be found in the Official Catholic Director, published annually. (D.P. 5110)
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
1.2 Non Discrimination For Faculty and Staff
As an equal opportunity employer the Diocese of Joliet allows for no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
1.3 Enrollment
The number of students in the respective class should not exceed the following:
Kindergarten 25 students/ classroom
Grades 1-8 30 students/classroom if 2 classes/grade level
36 students / classroom if 1 class/grade level
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
1.4 Criteria for Acceptance
Members of families whose children already attend St. Mary School have priority for Kindergarten and open spaces in other grades until May 1st
Length of registration in St. Mary Parish
Prior attendance in Catholic Schools
Evidence of practice of ones religion; e.g. attendance at Sunday mass
Involvement in and financial support of parish; e.g. use of envelopes
Willingness to support the school through tuition
Enthusiasm for and commitment to Catholic education
Ability of St. Mary School to meet childs needs
1.5 Waiting List
When there is a waiting list for acceptance into St. Mary School, the priority will be such that:
Parishioners who are contributing members of record will be accepted first
Registered parishioners will be considered second
Catholics outside the parish third
Non-Catholics fourth
However, families with children already attending St. Mary School will, in all cases, receive priority. Special consideration will be given to families whose children are transferring from another Catholic School.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
1.6 Probation of Transfer Students
All transfer students are placed on a nine (9) week probationary period.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
1.7 Withdrawal
If a student withdraws from school, the principal should be notified. All records, academic and health, are sent to the new school upon request by the principal of that school. However, if financial obligations have not been met, the official academic records will be withheld.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Ancillary Organizations
2.1 The Athletic Association
The Athletic Association is a school organization responsible for managing the extracurricular and interscholastic athletic programs for the school. The Association is accountable to the School Board and is subject to the Principal as regulated by the Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office.
Extracurricular athletic programs should emphasize:
Increasing the self esteem of each and every participant
Teaching good sportsmanship
Building a positive, competitive attitude and school spirit
Teaching the fundamental skills of each sport
Having fun in a disciplined environment
The Athletic Association supervises and coaches the extracurricular athletic events within the guidelines of the St. Mary Athletic Association Handbook. The Handbook will be reviewed with the coaches, athletic director and school administrators at a preseason meeting. It will also be communicated to the parents and student athletes each school year. On an annual basis the Principal and School Board should review the Handbook for ongoing applicability and compliance with Diocesan policy and Catholic Schools Office regulation. Problem resolution for disputes regarding policies should be handled in accordance with the procedures within the St. Mary Athletic Association Handbook.
In addition, the School Board affirms the policy that for serious and/or constant violations of school policies or academic standards, the Principal may, after consultation with teacher(s), suspend students from participation in extracurricular activities.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
2.2 Band
The Band at St. Mary School is an independent organization and non-funded by the parish. The principal offers a service contract to the director and regulates his/her activities in the school. The director contracts with the parents for his/her fee for instruction and other materials associated with band membership.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
2.3 Parent Teacher Council (P.T.C.)
The purpose of this organization is to promote the welfare of children in the home, school, parish, and community. It will assist the school in educational aspects, supervision in school activities, and financial activities. The Parent Teacher Council is accountable to the School Board.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
2.4 Organizational Building Responsibility
Any organization, either independent or affiliated with the parish, that uses school grounds and/or students during the school day, is directly under the jurisdiction of the principal. If there is a problem with any of these organizations, the complaint must be taken to the principal for action.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
2.5 Fees For Organizations
Any St. Mary School organization that feels it must charge students a fee for cost reimbursement, security deposit, or other fees, shall be disclosed to the School Board and any such fees not reflected in the annual school budget shall require School Board approval. Parents shall be given written notice of all fees prior to student participation in any school-related activity.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Board Approval
3.1 Budget
The St. Mary School Board will approve the annual budget after the principal and the parish business manager have prepared it. After approval of the budget by the Parish Council, the School Board shall be the sole bearer of the responsibility to see that the programs authorized by the budget are carried out to the fullest extent.
Among the major responsibilities of the School Board is the management of monies through budget determination.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
3.2 School Calendar
The School Board shall approve the school calendar submitted by the principal within the guidelines set up by the Diocesan School Board and the Sate of Illinois for attendance or students.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Bus
4.1 Bus Transportation
Public school buses provide transportation for students who reside in the Mokena School District #159. Students from St. Mary School must be in compliance with the rules and regulations that are set by Mokena School District #159.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Discipline
5.1 Academic and Behavior
In discipline cases the following procedures should be followed before the case is brought to the attention of the School Board:
Notification by the teacher either verbal or written to the parents that a problem does exist. Notifications in writing must be factual and non-judgmental, including length of time of problem and steps taken to correct the problem.
The teacher(s), parent(s), and student should meet together to discuss the problem and possible remedies.
If the remedies suggested by the meeting of the above three are ineffective, the aforementioned three will meet with the principal to discuss other avenues for solutions of the problem.
If after all of the above steps have been taken and a solution has not been reached that is mutually agreeable to all of the parties involved, the pastor may act on the matter.
Involvement of the School Board in such manners occurs if it involves a matter of policy development or revision.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
5.2 Expulsion
The reasons justifying expulsion from St. Mary School should be a serious as they are rare. Expulsion is the termination of the students right to attend St. Mary School. It is invoked in extreme cases where all other available means of help have been exhausted and for the same offenses for which suspension may be warranted. Diocesan policies regarding expulsion will be followed.
Serious offenses that may warrant suspension or expulsion include, but are not limited to the following:
Physical or moral well being of the student body is endangered.
Chronic disobedience or disrespect toward faculty members, administration, or adult supervisors.
Chronic violation of school rules.
Possession, use, or sale of drugs, tobacco products, alcohol, weapons, or any dangerous article on school property, including the school building, playground, or busses.
Any conduct that may constitute to be gang related such as hand signal, written signal, suggestive language, etc. during school sponsored events or activities whether on or off school premises.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
5.3 Suspension
The principal may, at his/her discretion, suspend and reinstate pupils. A student may be suspended 1-5 days for serious misconduct, including but not limited to:
Fighting or provocation of fights
Threats of any kind, including verbal or written threats (Refer to St. Mary School Guidelines Pertaining to Actual or Perceived Threats of Danger)
Theft or defacement of property
Disruption of class which interferes with student learning
Cheating or falsification of school records
Dress Code
There is definite relationship between dress and attitude. Students who take pride in their appearance take pride in their behavior. A good attitude and good behavior are prerequisites for successful learning.
6.1 For All Students
On Dress Up Day students are expected to dress up in modest fashion. No denim jeans or jeans with double stitching in a different color, seat pants, shorts, T-shirts, sport/logo shirts, etc., are permitted. For safety reasons, high heels or shoes insecurely fastened may not be worn.
On Casual Clothes Day, students may wear jeans, sweats, T-shirts, etc. that are clean, neat, modest, and with no words or design contrary to our Christian values.
If for some reason a uniform is not available on a particular day, a parent note is required. Such a situation should not become habitual.
Students violating the dress code will be required to call home for appropriate attire.
Make-up, nail polish, and jewelry (except small religious medals and small earrings for girls) are not permitted.
Girls Uniform: Grade K 4
Plaid jumper
White blouse with collar (long or short sleeve)
White or navy blue socks or tight (required)
School sweatshirt
Plain navy blue cardigan sweater
Street shoes securely fastened
No distracting hair styles including, but not limited to, artificial coloring, highlighting, etc.
Seasonal Options:
First day of school until October 31st and May 1st until the last day of school
Navy blue long walking shorts; belt is required if shorts have belt loops.
Plain white polo shirt tucked in.
November 1st April 30th
Navy blue dress slacks; belt is required if pants have belt loops.
Plain white turtle neck.
Girls Uniform: Grades 5-8
Plaid skirt or skort
White blouse with collar or oxford shirt tucked in
Plain navy blue cardigan sweater
School sweatshirt
Street shoes securely fastened
No distracting hair styles including, but not limited to, artificial coloring, highlighting, etc.
Seasonal Options:
First day of school until October 31st and May 1st until the last day of school
Navy blue long walking shorts; belt is required if shorts have belt loops.
Plain white polo shirt tucked in
No weskit required
November 1st April 30th
Navy blue dress slacks; belt is required if pants have belt loops.
Plain white turtle neck
Weskit, school sweatshirt, or navy blue cardigan required
Boys Uniform: Grades K 8
Light blue polo shirt short or long sleeved
Navy blue dress pants
Navy blue cardigan sweater
School sweatshirt
No boots or shoes that mark up the floor
Shoes must be securely fastened
Hair should not touch the collar of the shirt
No tails, shaved designs, or artificial coloring
Navy blue or white socks
Seasonal Options:
First day of school until October 31st and May 1st until the last day of school
Navy blue long walking shorts
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
6.2 Gym Uniforms
The required gym uniform for both boys and girls is a St. Mary logo T-shirt or sweatshirt, royal blue St. Mary logo long shorts or sweatpants, socks, and gym shoes.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Health
7.1 Physical Examination and Inoculations
Physical examinations as prescribed by the Department of Public Health are required of all students immediately prior to or upon entrance to Kindergarten and the 5th grade or entrance into any grade if the student has not previously been examined. The compliance forms are due no later than the first day of school. Failure to comply with the School Code in this matter will cause the School Board to exclude the students from attendance after October 1st.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
7.2 AIDS and Communicable/Infectious Diseases
The Joliet Diocesan policy on AIDS is the policy for all Catholic schools in the diocese. Guidelines from the state/local health department should be followed with all other communicable/infectious diseases (D.P. 5415).
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Tuition and Fees
8.1 Selling by Students
Any organization asking the students to sell items for the purpose of fund raising must seek School Board approval before any material is distributed. (D.P. 1340).
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
8.2 Tuition
Tuition rates for St. Mary School shall be set by the principal, approved by the School Board, and confirmed by the Parish Finance Council. The rates will reflect a graduated scale for parishioner, non-parishioner, and non-Catholics.
If tuition payments are unable to be met as specified in the Tuition Agreement, the party must contact the principal and/or pastor for permission to delay payment. When such permission is granted, it applies only to the current school year.
Registration for the next school year is not finalized until tuition for the current year is paid in full.
If a student withdraws from the school, no official academic records are forwarded to the new school until payment is made in full (D.P. 3210).
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Electronics
9.1 Electronic Devices
Pagers, cell phones, laser pens, and all other electronic devices are not permitted in the school during regular school hours, including bus transportation.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
9.2 Internet Usage
As part of its educational curriculum, St. Mary School provides students with access to the Internet. Students are expected to adhere to and respect their use of the Internet at school. Prior to Internet access, students and their parents are required to sign a copy of the St. Mary Internet Use Agreement (Reference Joliet Diocese handbook, appendix 6E).
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
Fundraising
Policy Rationale: The Joliet Diocese mandates that every elementary school must generate at least 10% of the schools annual operating budget through fundraising. In order to fulfill this obligation, it shall be the responsibility of the School Board and Parish Finance Council to consult and advise the Parish Pastor and School Principal on the development and coordination of a plan to meet these financial goals.
10.1 Fundraising Policy
The School Board will have the responsibility for planning and implementing the fundraising activities each year.
Any expenses incurred or asset purchases required to maintain the fundraising project will be deducted from any income derived from the project.
Final approval for the fundraising plan must be obtained from the Parish Pastor, School Principal, and the School Board.
Proper accounting principles will be utilized to account for all fundraising monies raised and/or spent.
Results of fundraising should be published at the end of the activity.
Any fundraising promotional material, including brochures, booklets, letters, and poster boards must be approved by and coordinated through the school board.
Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Approved: January 9, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
