ADMISSION POLICY

At the heart of the educational process is the faith formation of all persons especially our students, through the personal commitment of each staff member and academic program imbued with Christian Values.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Catholic education is a unique form of education which promotes the development of each student’s body, mind and spirit it fosters the development of human life on every level. As a life-long process, Catholic education leads toward the discovery and fulfillment of one’s purpose in life.

We, the educators at St. Helen School, commit ourselves to this task and support the mission of Jesus Christ We accept the challenge to offer a total Christian education and formation for students enrolled here.

We promise to proclaim the message, to build community, to foster prayer and worship and to motivate service to others. We will make every effort to educate toward peace and Justice on a global, environmental and muti-cultural level.

Thank you for sharing our vision.

ADMISSION POLICY

The following is the policy statement adopted by the Michigan Catholic Conference and the Diocesan Board of Education and approved by the St. Helen Parish Advisory Commission.

1 No Catholic child whose parents/guardians desire to enroll their child In a Catholic School in Michigan shall be denied admission to that school on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

2 No child, regardless of religious affiliation, whose parents/guardians desire to enroll him/her in any Catholic School in Michigan which possesses capacity for additional enrollees, shall be denied admission to that school on the basis of race, color or national origin.

SUPPORTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS

Several organizations exist to define, promote, recommend, implement and evaluate our school. These organizations include: Parent/Teacher/Parish Organization, Athletic Association, Scouting Program and School Advisory Committee. These organizations are the supportive arms of our school community. They aid us in fulfilling our mission and offer moral and financial support for various programming.

Curriculum

The administration and faculty of St. Helen School believe in the giftedness of each individual. Therefore, in formulating the curriculum, the potential success for each child is the basic consideration. An environment which encourages personal development in every area—intellectual, physical, social and emotional is provided.

A developmental approach is taken in our early childhood programs. A solid quality curriculum in arts and sciences is offered at all levels. The basic curriculum includes reading, writing, listening skills, speaking, mathematics, science, social studies and literature. Our teachers and staff are fully certified and qualified in their areas of instruction.

In addition, each student is assisted in the formation of a Christian conscience, development of a personal prayer life and a relationship with Jesus. Catholic doctrine, sacrament and liturgical experiences, a family—life program and current church issues, and service opportunities are only some of the offerings for students.

Cultural experiences, music classes, band lessons, drama, speech, Michigan Model, spelling and math competitions, art classes and competitions, computer Instruction, physical education, health, Spanish, educational field trips and a variety of elective classes round out the curriculum.

Students in all grades also participate in a program of drug and alcohol awareness, according to their grade and maturity level. Discussion groups and meeting with drug enforcement officers are successfully incorporated into this program. Health education, which promotes personal well-being and a positive attitude toward sexuality, is also integrated into the total curriculum.

DAILY WORK / HOMEWORK

A student’s over-all success in school is directly related to their fulfillment of daily classroom work. Please note the following needs:

Late Work: Work is expected to be turned in on time in all classes. In grades 6-8th, two ‘freebies’ are given for late assignments. This means the student has an additional day to turn in the work and receive some credit. After the two ‘freebies’ are used, the late work becomes a zero.

Planners: Students are expected to purchase a planner to keep track of daily assignments not completed during class time. Parents are asked to monitor homework by checking this planner.

Absences: Students are not expected to leave school for trips. If they are absent because of illness, they have two days to make up missing assignments.

Textbooks

Students are responsible for the books they use. They will be charged for books that are marred, damaged or lost. Books are to be covered at all times. Book bags will be used to transport books home for homework.

Field Trips

Since students will participate in educational experiences off site, they will need to have permission/medical release forms on file in our office before they may leave the premises. This is a state and diocesan policy. Transportation will be provided or parents will be asked to take their own child.

ACADEMICS / PROGRESS

REPORTS

1) Progress Reports: These will be sent home every quarter. Family conferences will be held the first quarter, other quarter conferences will be by request.

2) Take Home Folders: All students will have folders provided and sent home for parent/guardian signatures. These are to be returned the next day. If they are not returned, the parents will be called. The second time this occurs, folders will be kept and parents may come and pick them up.

3) Responsibility/Expectation Reports: These will be given for incomplete or missing assignments. Students will receive after school detentions for these if they become habitual. Parents will be called so they know when the detention is to be served. The white sheets should be signed when your child brings them home that night and returned to school.

4) Academic Deficiencies: These will be sent home quarterly for students with poor/failing grades. If a student is in danger of failing, the parents/guardians will receive a letter from the Principal. The school retains the right to NOT PROMOTE a student if they fail three or more major subjects.

5) Grading Scale: A+ (100-98), A (97-93), A- (92-90), B+

(89-87), B (86-83), B- (82-80), C+ (79-77), C (76-73), C-

(72-70), D+ (69-67), D (66-63), D- (62-60), F (59-0)

6) Principal’s Honors/Honor Roll/Merit Roll: Students who achieve any of these honors, along with the Students of the Month, are publicly recognized.

DAILY SCHEDULE FOR:

GRADES 1-8

The following daily schedule holds for all full days of school,

The following daily schedule holds for all full days of school:

7:55

School doors open

8:00

Homeroom bell

8:10 -- 11:30/11:45

Instruction

11:30 -- 12:10

1st Lunch (K-5)

11:45 -- 12:30

2nd Lunch (6-8)

12:10/12:30 -- 3:00

Instruction

3:00

Dismissal

Recess/Snack breaks:

Recess time will vary with scheduled specials.

Snack breaks will be scheduled each morning.

On days when the weather is inclement, students will be allowed to enter the building 5-10 minutes earlier. In the event that parents/guardians must bring their children to school much earlier, they need to contact the office for information on our Daycare Service. Service is available for AM and/or PM care.

LUNCH

Students may bring their cold lunches or purchase a hot lunch from our hot lunch program. We ask that you do not bring in fast-food lunches and/or soda pop. Parents, who occasionally take students out to lunch, must inform the office prior to the lunch period. Students need to be signed out before leaving the school premises. This is a must; we need to account for each student at all times.

Students have a 15-20 minute play period upon completion of their lunches. Lunch supervisors attend to the children while they are eating and while they are outside playing. Please speak to your children about the importance of respecting and obeying these supervisors. They are there to make sure that all the children are respected and safe.

Parents/guardians are always welcome to join their children at lunch. If you have any time to help out at lunch, please contact the office. This may be a good time to spend time with your children and to provide a very important service for our school. These people are very special people and we appreciate this critical service they help provide.

We encourage the children to participate in games or enjoy the various pieces of playground equipment. In the interest of students’ welfare and safety, running wildly, pushing, fighting and contact sports are strictly forbidden.

Lunch hour is a very important time for your children to build community and socialize with other students.

CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

1) Be prepared for class/tests with materials and assignments.

2) Attend to the task and pay attention to the teacher.

3) Allow others their turn to speak.

4) Be courteous and respectful to others (and their property), in action and in speech, (no name-calling, putdowns, bullying, or mean teasing).

5) Sign out and take a pass to leave the room.

6) No rough physical contact (includes poking, hitting, kicking, and grabbing).

7) Walk quietly and move in an orderly fashion throughout the school, between buildings and during fire, tornado and safety drills.

8) Observe all safety regulations with serious attention and cooperation.

9) Personal items such as radios, cellular phones, electronic games, as well as sports equipment are not allowed in school.

10) Possession, use, or threatened use of any weapon or instrument capable of inflicting bodily injury, while in or on school property, during participation at school sponsored activities will constitute a violation of the school policy. Depending on the weapon, this may be a violation of state and federal law. Penalty: Expulsion.

11) Sexual harassment: any sexual advances, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Matters involving harassment complaints will be handled by the Principal and/or Pastor. Penalty: Expulsion.

Consequences

To help develop student ownership and responsibility, the following consequences will result if a student chooses to violate rules in regard to behavior:

1) Verbal warning to class or individual.

2) First check in classroom log.

* Students in lower grades will begin

Consequences #1 and #2 start over daily. if students fail to take responsibility to improve their behavior, they will move to the next consequence.

3) Second check after name in log. Teacher will call parent and the student will receive a 30 mm. detention after school.

* Once a student has reached this level, they will remain here for a period of five full school days. If they receive any checks during this period, they will move directly to the next consequence.

4) A third check results in the parents being called by the teacher and an hour detention to be served after school. If a total of MORE THAN two hours of conduct detention is received by a student in the same quarter, they will also face Athletic Eligibility procedures.

5) A fourth check results in a student meeting with the principal. Parents may be called and included in this discussion. Student & Principal will format a behavioral plan. This will be signed by the student, teacher, principal & parents.

6) If this continued behavioral problems exist, the student will receive an in-house suspension. Parents/guardians will be notified.

7) Students may face at-home detentions or expulsion for serious behavior violations.

DRESS CODE

The uniform/dress code for Grades 1-8 is as follows:

Boys: Navy dress slacks: a red, white or light blue (not denim) collared shirt, fully tucked in to the pants. We recommend corduroys, the “Docker” brand pants, or any other dress pants. Jeans, painter-pants, multiple-pocketed pants and pants ribbed or elastic cuffs are not permitted .lf there are belt loops, belts must be worn.

Girls: Uniform skirt or jumper or school plaid skirts; red or white collared blouses, shirts, or knit tops (also with collars), fully tucked into the skirt/jumper, long or short sleeves. Girls may not wear boys dress shirts, or t-shirts under their blouses.

Girls may wear navy dress slacks year round. No excessive pockets or flares are acceptable. If there are belt boos, belts must be worn.

Other:

1) Hairdos for both boys and girls should be simple and in good taste. The length of the boys’ hair should not exceed below the collar line. distracting hairdos, excessive jewelry, long distracting earrings, make-up, including nail polish, are not permitted.

2) Boys are not permitted to wear earrings.

3) Girls lst-6th are permitted to wear one pr. earrings in their lower lobe only. Girls in 7th and 8th grades are permitted to wear 2 pr. of earrings in the lower lobe only.

4) All hair accessories must be white, navy or uniform plaid. (No scrungies)

5) Sweaters: all students may wear either a navy or white sweater. Hooded sweaters of any kind are not permitted. Sweaters may be button or pullover. Velour type sweaters are not acceptable. Printing or logos of any kind are not permitted.

6) Shoes/Socks: Dress shoes must be worn at all times. Dress shoes do not include boots, or any type of black gym shoes or open back shoes or sandals. Dress shoes MUST be worn to MASS. P.E. requires gym shoes. Socks are to be solid color white or navy blue and above the ankle in length.

7) Shorts/Capri’s: Starting and ending dates for wearing these will be determined by the Principal. They must be navy in color. Shorts must be knee-length.

8) Dress-up days: “Nicer” clothes are expected. On special occasions boys may be asked to wear dress shirts and ties, girls will be asked to wear skirts or dress pants. No inappropriate clothing allowed (shirts with unacceptable slogans, tank tops, etc). Field trip clothing is always discussed in advance.

9) ‘Spirit Days”: Jeans or sweatpants, tennis shoes and St. Helen sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, and team shirts are allowed to be worn

*** The Principal reserves the right to judge the appropriateness of a student’s school attire.

ACCIDENTS / EMERGENCIES / MEDICATION

If an accident or serious illness occurs, the Principal and Office are notified immediately, and the child is brought to the Office. These procedures will be followed:

1) Parents/guardians will be called. All information relating to the emergency will be given and the parent’s instructions will be followed.

2) If parents/guardians cannot be reached, the emergency numbers, listed on our information cards, will be called for Instructions and/or assistance.

3) If parents/guardians or the emergency numbers cannot be reached, the police and/or hospital will be called, and they will assist in handling the emergency.

Medication can only be given to a child in school with written authorization from the parent and attending physician. This form is to be filled out and kept on file in the Office.

A note of explanation or telephone call is required if a parent wishes to pick up a child during the school day. If at all possible, doctor and dental appointments should be made out of school hours. The loss of even part of a day is usually detrimental to a student’s progress. When picking up a child, parents/guardians are asked to come to the Office. Again, this procedure is requested to insure the safety and protection of all students.

In the case of an emergency students will be allowed to call home from the Office, otherwise use of the Office phone is discouraged. No cell phones are allowed.

STUDENTS’ RECORDS

In accordance with the State and Diocesan laws, permanent records and health forms are kept on file for all students, Pre-school through Grade 8. Parents/guardians have the right to review their child’s records. This is to be done by appointment and In the presence of the Principal.

HEALTH

Students who are ill should be kept at home. Attendance at school usually prolongs the illness and exposes others to sicknesses and disease. All students should be well enough to go outdoors for recess and/or part of the lunch hour. If a child is too ill to be outdoors for a few minutes, he/she is probably too ill to be in school. Children left in the building during such times would be unsupervised as there is no one to assume this task. Neither the parents / guardians or the school personnel can risk this.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

To give parents/guardians a practical guide to follow for the common communicable diseases based on the ruling of the Health Department, the following applies. Students may return to school as indicated.

Chicken Pox: when the skin is clear of active lesions, but for not less than 7 days, not more than 10 days from the appearance of the first crop of vesicles.

Red Measles: upon recovery with minimum of 7 days. Whooping Cough: upon recovery with a minimum of 21 days after development of whooping cough. German Measles: upon recovery with a minimum of 4 days.

Mumps: when swelling disappears, but not earlier than 1

week from the onset of illness.

Scarlet Fever: when authorized by the doctor.

Scaretina: when authorized by the doctor.

Streptococcai: when authorized by the doctor.

Sore Throat: when authorized by the doctor.

Ringworm: when authorized by the doctor.

Other communicable diseases that are transmitted by direct contact:

Pink Eye; Head Lice; Impetigo; Infectious Mononucleosis; Fifth Disease; Plnworms.

The Health Department also recommends that children with the COMMON COLD remain out of school a minimum of 3 days. Many contagious diseases begin with cold symptoms. This is the most infectious stage of any illness.

A child should also remain home with:

an above normal temperature; discharging nose and/or eye; cough; sore throat; ear ache; headache; skin eruptions or rashes; nausea; head lice.

SPECIAL SERVICES

Special services available through the public school services are: school social worker, speech therapist, school psychologist and education consultant. Many children find it helpful to use these services. Parents/guardians may call the Office about referrals.

ABSENCE / TARDIES

Parents/guardians are expected to call tile Office in the event of a student’s absence, and follow-up with a written explanation when the child returns to school. The student must bring this note to the Office and receive an admission form to take to his/her teacher. If a child is being taken out of school for a definite period of time, a written note should be sent to the Office for approval. Repeated absences seriously deter a student’s academic progress and socialization. Students who miss close to twenty days of school are in danger of failing the grade.

When a child is tardy, he/she also reports to the Office before going to the homeroom. Frequent tardiness is very harmful to a student, especially since teachers usually give an overview of the classes at the beginning of the day. Three unexcused tardies receive a 30 minute detention, this continues to happen with each 3 unexcused tar-dies.

Please try to have your children here on time, this repeated behavior is not constructive to their classroom studies.

VISITORS

All visitors and parents/guardians must report to the Office. Parents/guardians who bring children’s lunches, books, etc., are asked to bring them to the Office. This will insure everyone that no one but authorized personnel are allowed in the building during school hours. This ensures the security of all. Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit the school to observe classes in session. It is recommended that they call the Office in advance so that comfortable arrangements can be made. Parents/guardians may also call to set up a conference with a child’s teacher at any time.

TRANSPORTATION

The school administration makes every effort to insure the safety of students as they come to and leave school. Parents/guardians must follow directives for dropping students off and picking them up in the back parking lot

It is illegal and dangerous to double/triple park to drop children off. Children in Kindergarten and Pre-school may be dropped off and picked upon N. Charles, but the driver must legally park and escort the children into the building. All other students should be dropped off and picked up in the back parking lot on N. Carolina.

Traffic in the back parking lot moves in a one-way direction. Students are not allowed to walk unescorted at dismissal.

When students use the Saginaw Township or Saginaw City buses, they are subject to the procedures and behavior demanded by the bus service. It is imperative that children using the bus services take every precaution for their own safety as well as that of others while waiting for the bus. Parents/guardians are ultimately responsible for students’ bus behavior. Serious offenses against bus rules may also be handled by the Principal since these may reflect on the image of St. Helen.

BICYCLE RIDERS

Students who ride their bicycles to school do so at their own risk. By law all bikes should be licensed. They are also to be locked in the rack provided at the back of the school. These are not to be taken from the rack during school hours,

FIRE / SEVERE WEATHER / TORNADO DRILLS

Fire, severe weather and tornado drills are conducted regularly to keep everyone prepared for emergency procedures. There is also a comprehensive Crisis Management Plan in place. Each staff member is made aware of any policy change that occurs and thus is knowledgeable of procedures. The latest equipment in early warning devices is also maintained. It is the aim of St. Helen School to provide maximum protection for the students and staff should an emergency situation arise.

CLOSING OF SCHOOL

School is scheduled for 182 days of instruction. If severe weather conditions or other emergencies arise, parents/ guardians are asked to consult local radio stations WSGW (790 AM) , WIOG (102.5 FM), or television station WNEM Channel 5.

St. Helen School automatically closes when Nouvel and/or Saginaw Area Catholic Schools are announced closed. When school is not in session, all school activities, including sports practices and games, are cancelled.

TRANSFERS / MOVING

Parents/guardians should notify the Office of an impending change of schools as well as a change of address or phone number. It is important to keep records accurate and updated. One of the most vital pieces of information on the child’s record are the EMERGENCY NUMBERS. These must be current at all times.

SPORTS

Under the auspices of the St. Helen School Athletic Association and the Valley Parochial League a number of sport activities are available to the students. They are as follows:

FOOTBALL

Gr. 7-8 (boys)

BASKETBALL

Gr. 5-8 (boys & girls)

Gr. 3-4 (co-ed teams)

VOLLEYBALL

Gr. 7-8 (boys)

Gr. 6-8 (girls)

SOCCER

Gr. K-3 (boys & girls)

FLAG—FOOTBALL

Gr. 4-6 (boys)

TRACK

Gr. 6-8 (boys & girls)

CHEERLEADING

Gr. 7-8 (girls)

1) According to State and local laws, as well as instructions by all Medical Insurance Companies, no student is permitted to practice for or play any sport without a current medical evaluation form signed by a physician (these are good for one year) and a Parent Permission form signed for each sport. These documents MUST be on file In the School Office and Athletic Office prior to any participation. Students also may not practice or play a sports game if they are not in school that afternoon. Weekend participation in practices and games are left up to the discretion of the parents/guardians and coaches.

2) Students must remain academically and behaviorally eligible to participate in the sports program.

USE OF INSECTICIDES AND / OR FERTILIZERS

School policy is not to store or use pesticides. If there is a problem that needs chemicals to rid us of ants, etc., we hire a company that will come to the school and take care of the problem on a weekend so that the school will be aired out by the time school resumes.

If there is ever a problem where pesticides are used, you will be notified in advance of what will be done so that you can take adequate measures for your child if they have allergies.

This procedure also applies to any kind of chemicals that may be placed on the lawn.

Records are kept at school if this should occur. Please feel free to contact the Office if you have further questions.

Acceptance Form

Monday 8/30/04

I (we) have read and support the policies in the Saint Helen School Handbook, this especially includes the Mission and Philosophy of Saint Helen School.

Signature(s): ____________________________________ ___________________________________

Date : _______________

God's Work

It helps now and then

To step back and take the long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,

it is beyond our vision. We accomplish

in our lifetime only a tiny fraction

of the magnificent enterprise

that is God’s Work.

Nothing we do is complete,

Which is another way of saying

that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the Church’s mission

We cannot do everything,

and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something

and do it well. It may be incomplete,

but it is a beginning, a step along the way,

an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.

by Bishop Kenneth E. Untener