A. PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION:
Parents with children in grades PK-8
are regarded as members of the St. Joseph's Parent-Teacher Organization,
formerly known as the St. Joseph's Booster Club. The PTO's priority is
making St. Joseph's Elementary the finest school it can be -academically,
emotionally, and spiritually - with a vested interest in St. Joseph's students
and their families. The PTO sponsors activities throughout the year such
as an Open House potluck, a literacy evening, a Book Fair, and a carnival,
just to name a few. The PTO also is a voice for families - a forum to address
concerns and brainstorm solutions, as well as a means to share ideas. The
PTO's Central Planning Committee meets monthly to plan activities, discuss
concerns and share ideas.
B. PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION:
Adequate and clear communication between
school and home is essential for the success of the children. A parent
newsletter will be sent home on a monthly basis with the youngest student,
unless advised otherwise. Periodic notes will be sent home to notify the
family of school matters. Feel free to call the office to discuss your
concerns or to make arrangements to talk with any of the staff.
C. COURTESY:
Respect and courtesy should be shown
at all times to priests, the sisters, the lay teachers, volunteers, and
to all others who work with the students. Pupils must understand that each
teacher has jurisdiction over any pupil of the school, regardless of age
or grade. Children are expected to conduct themselves in a refined and
courteous manner whenever attending assembles, sports events, socials,
and other gatherings.
D. SCHOOL PROPERTY:
Children are required to walk in the
school corridors and classrooms. This is necessary to protect the child
and also school property. Care of the school property in not only a matter
of respect but of conscience. Damage due to carelessness or malice to the
desks, to rest rooms, and to other school property, requires restitution.
Children are not to be in the school buildings after school hours or on
weekends unless there is adult supervision.
E. BICYCLES:
Bicycles are to be parked by the school
building in the area outside of the breezeway on the east side of the building.
F. TELEPHONE:
The school phone is intended for calls
concerning school business. Students are to use the phone only when it
is deemed necessary by a teacher or the office.
G. YEARLY SUPPLIES:
1. Textbooks: An archdiocesan curriculum committee studies
and evaluates all the available textbooks in a area and then approves three
to four companies' products for use. From these recommendations, the teachers
make a choice of the textbook which will be used in the school for a period
of time.
2. Supplies: A list of suggested school supplies will
be sent home in the spring or at summer registration. A limited supplies
of paper, pencils, pens, erasers, folders, etc., may be purchased at the
office.
H. BOOK DAMAGE POLICY:
All textbooks are owned by the school,
either Marquette Catholic School System or the Bellevue Community School
District. Nevertheless, students are responsible for the proper care of
those materials. Incidental damage to the book(s), or the wear and tear
resulting from normal use, will not be fined. However, significant damage
to any book, such as writing or drawing in it, torn pages, or smashed or
folded pages or cover(s), will result in a fine and possible punishment.
Assessment of damage will be determined by the classroom teacher, who may
request the opinion of the school principal, if desired. Categories of
damage and corresponding restitution:
1. Lost book: pay full replacement cost.
2. Intentionally damaged beyond use: normal punishment
of grade-level for damaging property and pay full replacement cost of the
book.
3. Accidentally damaged beyond use: pay full replacement
cost of book.
4. Intentionally damaged but usable: normal punishment
of grade-level for damaging property and pay one-fourth the book replacement
cost.
5. Accidentally damaged but usable: pay one-fourth of
the book replacement cost.
I. LUNCH:
Students may buy hot lunches or bring
their own cold lunches. Milk may be bought separately. The hot lunches
provided by our staff are eaten in Kieffer Hall. A hot lunch scantron card
can be purchased from the hot lunch program director. Free and reduced
rate lunches are available for those families meeting certain requirements
and making application through the government program.
J. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS/FIRE ALARMS:
Any student handling or discharging
a fire extinguisher/fire alarm at any time other than in an emergency will
be fined $25.00 and will be subject to further disciplinary action.
K. GUM:
Gum chewing is prohibited on the school
grounds at all times. A fine of $1.00 will be paid by anyone breaking this
rule.
L. SNOWBALLS:
Throwing snowballs is not permitted
on school grounds. The bodily dangers involved, risks of permanent injury,
and possible lawsuits are too great. Therefore, a fine of $1.00 will be
imposed.
M. GRADUATION:
Before graduation specific instructions
will be sent home. The closing exercise of the school year is a specially
scheduled liturgy offered by the pastors for the members of the eighth
grade class. All work must be completed satisfactorily and other commitments
taken care of in full before graduation.
