Educational Excellence In A Catholic Environment

Administrative Information

Bluejean / Cupcake Day
Once a month the students are allowed an "off-day" from the dress code. This coincides with a cupcake sale during their lunch period. The parents of children in a particular classroom are notified when it is their turn to furnish treats. The student cost is 25 cents. The money raised from the monthly sale is given to a charity chosen by the classroom that furnished the cupcakes for that month. Cupcake/bluejean day is usually the last Wednesday of the month.

Busing / Transportation
Many St. Joseph students take advantage of St. Johns Public School busing. Information regarding bus routes is sent to families each year in August. Any exceptions to home routes because of child care providers must be arranged through the St. Johns Public School Bus Garage (227-5330).

St. Joe students are expected to meet the behavior criteria established by their individual bus drivers and to adhere to all bus rules of conduct. Infractions will be reported to parents and to the school principal. Continued abuse of bus privileges may result in the denial of transportation. St. Joseph students are reminded that they represent the entire school at all times and their behavior on the bus should exemplify the same good behavior expected at school and home.

For safety reasons, parents picking up students after school are asked to park in the school parking lot or to cross with students on Cass Street.

Discipline Code
The philosophy of St. Joseph School is to provide a Christian environment in which students are led to a respect for their own dignity and the dignity of all life. The purpose of this code is to help establish an atmosphere for learning which is as free as possible from distraction and disruption. Teachers are responsible for establishing and enforcing a discipline policy in their individual classrooms which will support and reinforce the established school-wide rules. At the same time, teachers recognize the importance of supporting students' appropriate behaviors and incorporating the use of positive reinforcement in their classrooms.

In keeping with the mission and philosophy of St. Joseph School, there are certain standards of behavior which are expected throughout the school.

School-Wide Rules

Students are expected to do the following:

conduct themselves in a responsible manner which shows respect for themselves and others
show respect and follow directions given by any person designated as an authority by the school
use school property, facilities, materials, and equipment in an appropriate manner at all times
only be in authorized or supervised areas of the building and grounds
conduct themselves at work and play in a safe manner so as not to endanger or harm themselves or others
follow established procedures appropriate to specific areas in the school, i.e., playground, church, lunchroom, gym, computer lab, etc.
refrain from the use of any vulgar language, signs, or disruptive noise

Problem Solving Procdures

If a social, behavioral academic, or any related problem develops regarding a student, the parent has recourse to the following procedure:

Contact the teacher in question. A conference between the teacher, student, and parent will very often lead to satisfactory solution of the problem.
Make an appointment with the school principal if, after a conference with the teacher, the problem has not been resolved. A discussion with the principal will usually lead to the proper corrective measures.
Any parent has the right to address the Diocese of Lansing Grievance Procedure, if they feel that a satisfactory resolution to a school problem has not occurred after the two steps outlined above have taken place.

Major Offenses

Certain behaviors will be considered major offenses and require severe consequences. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

use of profanity
blatant defiance of authority
possession of illegal, obscene, or harmful materials
persistent disregard for school/classroom rules
possession of weapons / explosive devices
physical assault
stealing
vandalism
repeated minor offenses
sexual harassment

Examples of severe consequences include, but are not limited to, the following:

after school detention
supervised in-school suspension
out-of-school suspension
removal of student from school accompanied by a conference with parents

Any consequence for major offenses will be decided by the principal and teacher after consultation with parents, and, when necessary, the pastor.

Weapons Policy

St. Joseph school prohibits the use, possession, sale, or discharge of any weapons or explosive devices in the school, on school grounds, on the bus, or at school sponsored activities. This policy includes, but is not limited to, any firearm, knife, deadly weapon, or explosive or incendiary device.

Harassment / Discrimination Policy

To provide a safe, non-threatening environment in which students can learn, St. Joseph School is committed to keeping our school free of all forms of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The following conduct and actions prohibited under the diocesan sexual harassment / harassment policy include, but are not limited to:

Unwelcome comments concerning a person's national origin, race, personal appearance, physical attributes, or academic abilities.
Unwelcome sexual jokes, stories, rumors, threats, or slurs.
Unwelcome sexual notes, drawings, pictures, or gestures.
Unwelcome touching of an individual's body or clothes in a sexual way.

Education Commission
The Education Commission sets policy and serves as the regulatory body for the parish educational programs. This commission includes the priests of the parish, school principal, director of religious education, school secretary and seven members of the parish selected by lottery from a pool of nominees. Each selected member serves a three year commitment with staggered terms to provide some constancy on the board.

The purpose of the Education Commission is to consult with and advise the pastor of St. Joseph Parish on policy matters related to the catechetical/educational ministry of the parish. The Education Commission is empowered to take initiative in areas of concern or respond to concerns brought to it by the pastor or his representatives, the principal of the school, or the Director of Religious Education. The Commission holds meetings, open to all parishioners, on a bi-monthly basis.

Enrichment
A variety of enrichment experiences are offered to the students throughout the grade levels. These include those which enhance the curriculum, others which lead to personal growth, and some that allow us as a school to entertain, as well as to share the good news of Christ with others.

Choir: Fourth through sixth grade students may be members in the school choir. Choir members add beauty to school and parish liturgies, as well as having a special role in the two school musical programs. Their talents are often enjoyed in a variety of other situations as well.

Field Trips: Field trips are planned by each classroom teacher. These are meant to enhance the curriculum or to add another dimension to classroom experiences. Field trip information, including cost, will be sent home to parents in advance of the event. Signed parental permission slips and driver information sheets (when applicable) are required for students' participation on class field trips.

Musical Programs: The entire school presents two musical programs during the year under the direction of the music teacher. A Christmas program and a spring musical with a variety of themes provide the students with an opportunity to witness to Christ through music, narration, and dance.

Band and Orchestra: Fifth and sixth grade student have the opportunity to attend band or orchestra programs arranged with the public school. This is a cooperative endeavor between our school and St. Johns Public Schools which allows our students to make a smooth transition into the middle school and high school instrumental music programs.

Outdoor Adventure: 3 Day Seminar in 6^th grade! This is a three day, two night experience which allows for both group and personal growth in cooperation, communications, caring, commitment, and challenge. Teachers and parent volunteers attend with the students. This experience often has a long lasting impact on a student’s life.

Faculty and Staff
Rev. Eoin Murphy, Pastor
Mrs. Tomi Ann Schultheiss, Principal
Mrs. Terrilynn Voisin, Secretary
Mrs. Diane Glowacki, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Rose Schmitz, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Rose Rennells, First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Nancy Goerge, First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Linda Kurncz, Second Grade Teacher
Ms. Sherry Winkler, Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Dorella Page-Hunter, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Dorian Cormier, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Cheryl Wieber, Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Sarah Presocki, Fouth Grade Teacher
Ms. Amber Carn, Fifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Julie Zielinski, Fifth/Sixth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Pat Snyder, Sixth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Donna Besinger, Librarian
Mrs. Nancy Poff, Music
Mrs. Carlene Deitrich, Classroom Aide
Mrs. Stephanie Padgett, Classroom Aide
Mrs. Ann Parker, Hot Lunch Program Supervisor
Mrs. Mary Jo Eiseler, Kitchen Staff
Mrs. Andrea Klein, Kitchen Staff & Morning Supervisor
Mrs. Wendy Jakus, Lunch/Playground Supervision
Mr. Larry Barnum, Lunch/Playground Supervision
Mrs. JoAnn Victoria, Lunch/Playground Supervision
Mr. Tom Karek, School Maintenance

Honor Roll
Academic achievement of students in grades four, five, and six is recognized through a quarterly honor roll. To qualify for an honor roll certificate the following standards must be met:

First Honors - All A's (gold certificate)
Second Honors - All A's and a maximum of 2 B's (silver certificate)
Third Honors - All A's and B's (bronze certificate)

In addition, special recognition may be given at each teacher's discretion to one or two students who may not qualify for the Honor Roll but who show a determined spirit in putting forth their best effort to do well.

Mass and Daily Prayer
As Christians and as Catholics, we rely on God for His guidance and strength as we attempt to live out our Christian faith. St. Joseph students, therefore, begin and end each day in a short period of prayer. Throughout the year, students also take part in seasonal prayer celebrations such as Stations of the Cross, May Crowning, and praying the Rosary. Students also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation periodically throughout the year.

Students have an opportunity to attend Mass weekly. They participate as lectors, readers of intentions, and gift bearers. All-school Masses for grades K-6 are planned for First Fridays, holy days, and other special occasions. Parents, as well as all parishioners, are welcome to attend school Masses.

Medications
All medication must be accompanied by a written order from the doctor, and prescription medications must be in their original container. All medications sent to school must be dispensed through the office. Students are directed to bring medications directly to the Principal's Office to be given to the adult in charge. A written request must be signed by the parent granting permission to school personnel to give the medication to the child. A written record of all medications distributed will be kept on file. This procedure is in accordance with Michigan Law governing the dispensing of medication to students. School personnel cannot give non-prescription medication to any student.

Office Procedures
The school office opens 45 minutes before the beginning of the school day. The following procedures are in place to provide consistency, to disseminate information, or to protect the safety of each child.

In case of absence, parents are asked to call the office, unless prior arrangements have been made.
It is requested that any communicable diseases be reported to the office for our records. The school, in turn, reports this information to the Health Department.
Any student needing to leave for an appointment during the school day should bring a note from home. Students will be dismissed from the office.
Any student reporting to school late, or returning from an appointment, should stop by the office for an admissions slip.
Anyone wishing to get a message to a student during the school day should call the office at least one hour before the end of the day.
Each student is required to have an emergency care form on file in the school office, to be updated annually.
Newsletters will be sent on a regular basis to keep families informed of upcoming events and points of interest. These communications and other necessary information will be sent home with the student who is the oldest child in each family in St. Joseph School. unless other arrangements have been made.

Parent / Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled in the fall and winter for all parents and again in the spring in situations where a conference is requested by a teacher or parent. Parent/teacher contact throughout the school year is always encouraged, and parents are invited to contact teachers at any time with questions or concerns.

Report Cards
Report cards are issued following the completion of each trimester grading period. Parents are encouraged to review their child's progress and to contact the teacher if there are any questions regarding the report.

The grading system varies according to grade level. Students in kindergarten are evaluated on physical and social skills, as well as development in academic areas. First through third grade students are given grades of V (Very Good), G (Good), S (Satisfactory), I (Improving, but not satisfactory), and U (Unsatisfactory) according to their achievement. Letter grades, based on percentage values listed below, are given in grades four through six.

A -- 100-92 (Outstanding)
B -- 91-82 (Very Good)
C -- 81-72 (Average)
D -- 71-62 (Below Average)
E -- 61- (Failing)

Sacramental Preparation
The preparation for the sacraments begins at home throughout the early life of the child and continues throughout all of a child's religion program. It is intensified in the school program near the time of the child's reception of the sacraments.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Preparation for this sacrament begins in the fall of second grade with a parent meeting. As the day of reconciliation approaches, a mini-retreat for parents and child is held to enhance the preparation for the sacrament. The First Reconciliation celebration occurs in the month of January.
Sacrament of Holy Eucharist: Preparation for this sacrament also takes place in second grade beginning with a parent meeting in February. Parents and children attend a mini-retreat in the spring. Parents will accompany their child at individual interviews held in April. All students receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in the spring.

School Cancellations Due To Inclement Weather
School cancellations/delays due to inclement weather are announced on Lansing area radio and TV stations. Because of busing, we will follow the decisions of the public schools in these instances. If it is announced that St. Johns Public Schools are not in session, the same will be true of St. Joseph School.

If weather conditions are such that early dismissal looks like a possibility, please stay tuned to your local radio and TV stations for information. Students will be expected to follow their regular after school routine unless other arrangements have been made. If the procedure is different for an early dismissal, students should be informed ahead of time, and the office should have the information on file.

Student Service Organizations
Students have the opportunity to become involved in several service organizations which help them to develop an early appreciation for volunteerism.
Service Squad: Students in grades four, five and six are encouraged to volunteer for a variety of responsibilities. Among these are: assisting teachers after school, helping in the lunch room, working in the computer lab, and helping to deliver messages from the office.
Safety Patrol: Non-bus students in the upper grades are required to participate in the Safety Patrol. They have the important responsibility of ensuring the safety of other boys and girls as they cross streets to and from school.
Alter Servers: Boys and girls in grades five and six are encouraged to assist the priest during weekday and Sunday Masses as well as funerals, weddings, and seasonal celebrations. Those who accept this opportunity to serve are trained to know their responsibilities well, and are expected to carry out these duties with reverence and respect.

These, and other opportunities, are provided for student to perform Christian service, and to develop an appreciation for helping others.

Special Services
In cooperation with Clinton County REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (RESA) and the St. Johns Public Schools, St. Joseph students are eligible to receive the following services:

Title I (Remedial Reading)
Testing and Assessment for students with special needs
Resource Room Teacher
School Social Worker
Speech Therapy
Occupational and Physical Therapy
Staff Development
Bus transportation to and from school following regular bus routes

Teacher Qualifications
The teaching staff is comprised of state certified, experienced professionals, who continue to update themselves through educational classes, seminars, workshops, and in-service opportunities. Many members of the staff are actively involved in a variety of professional organizations, serving on local, state, and diocesan committees. Additionally, teachers work annually toward fulfilling or updating diocesan requirements for religious certification.

Working as a team, respecting and supporting each other, the staff continually strives toward educational excellence.

Testing
Each fall students in grades four and six are administered standardized, norm referenced tests. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) are the instruments used at our school and throughout the Diocese of Lansing. Parents receive a copy of the test results which they may choose to discuss with their child's teacher or principal. A copy of the results is placed in the student's cumulative file. The results of these standardized tests provide one piece of the student's total educational growth picture. In addition, the testing process serves as a tool for a periodic evaluation of the curriculum and the educational methods practiced.

Textbook Care
Textbooks are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Proper textbook care reflects a recognition of their expense, as well as a sense of respect and responsibility on the part of the students. Students are asked to keep book covers on the books throughout the school year. They may use either their own book covers or those provided by the school. Please do not use adhesive type book covers. Covers should be replaced when they no longer serve their purpose. Other matters of textbook care involve not writing in or on the books unless directed by a teacher, proper mending of any accidental tears under the guidance of the teacher, not keeping folded papers in the book (this damages the binding), and carrying books to and from school in a book bag. If a book is lost, misused, or damaged beyond reasonable wear, the student is responsible to reimburse the replacement cost to the school.

Attendance Procedures
In cases of illness or other family emergency, the parent/guardian should notify the office that a child will not be in school. Students will be expected to make up missed assignments in a timely fashion.

Student who must be excused for an appointment during the school day should bring a note to the office so that the time and day can be recorded. The student should report to the office at the appointed time so they can be released to a designated adult.

Advance notice of anticipated absences should be sent in writing to the teacher and the school office. The school calendar provides for vacations at various times of the year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and the summer months. Since it is impossible to duplicate the classroom experience, it is expected that family trips should be planned to coincide with the school vacation schedule whenever possible. In cases of absences, students will be required to make up any assignments they missed, in a timely fashion though it is not possible to replace the lost instructional time. Teachers are not expected to prepare work for students prior to an anticipated absence. However, upon the child's return, necessary makeup work will be provided. Assignments not completed in the time specified by the teacher will be deducted for the student's grade.

While good attendance is crucial to the learning process, it is equally important that students arrive on time for their school day. Any student arriving late to school should report to the office for an admission slip. Excessive tardies are disruptive to the student and to the entire classroom's instructional procedures. Please make necessary arrangements to avoid late arrivals.