HOLY CROSS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2009-2010 HANDBOOK

THE ENTRANCE AGE POLICY IS EFFECTIVE AS FOLLOWS:  Pre K3, Pre K4, K, Grade 1 students must be 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively, before September 30 of the current year.

ADMISSION:  POLICY

 Holy Cross Elementary School accepts students of any race, color or religion who want a Catholic education and are willing to participate in the program offered.  Every effort will be made to accommodate all students desiring a Catholic education; however, Holy Cross Elementary is a parochial school, and it will strive to meet the needs of the members of Holy Cross Parish before extending its services to those outside the parish. For this reason, the following priorities shall be adhered to:

I.  Admit students presently enrolled, their siblings, and the children of Holy

    Cross faculty and staff.

II. Admit children of Catholic parents who are members of Holy Cross  

    Parish and its mission (St. Rosalie, Stephensville).

III. Admit children of Catholic parents on a first-come, first-serve basis.

IV. Admit children of non-Catholic par­ents on a first-come, first-serve basis.

SCHOOL HOURS

Grades K-6 hours are 8:00 AM to 2:40 PM.

·     Teacher superv­ision is provided begin­ning at 7:15 AM.

·     After school care is available from 2:40 - 5:30 for an additional fee.

Pre-School 3 & 4 options include:

·     8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  OR

·     8:00 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.

Lunch money is charged for students who stay for lunch.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Arrival and dismissal procedures are designed for student safety.  Parent cooperation is necessary to make the procedure work safely and smoothly. Critical safety problems arise when regulations are not followed by each person involved.

All students who come to school by car are to be let off under the covered walk area on Cedar Street. Popular Street drop-off and/or pick-up by car are not allowed as this presents a dangerous situation for our walkers and bicycle riders. Please cooperate. Do not park in the CCHS parking lot on Franklin Street. This area is for CCHS students and for the buses.

Students are dismissed beginning at 2:40 PM in five groups:

1. Early bus riders are taken by an assigned staff member to the school bus stop in the parking lot on Franklin Street.

2. Franklin Street walkers are taken by an assigned staff member to the covered walk area at the Cedar Street entrance for dismissal while Poplar Street walkers exit through the gate on Poplar Street. Bike riders exit through the gate on Poplar Street.

3. Car riders are taken by an assigned staff member to the covered walk area on Cedar Street for dismissal. They are seated in assigned areas.  Parents are asked to pull up into the circular drive in groups of four. This will enable all four stations to load simultaneously. Please avoid cell phone usage when loading and unloading students.

4. After school daycare students are taken to the cafeteria by an assigned staff member.

5. Late bus riders meet at a designated area to wait for buses with an assigned staff member.

   All teachers and staff remain on campus until dismissal is complete.

SCHOOL NEWS

A monthly newsletter and calendar from the principal is sent home and posted on the website, www.holycrosselementary.com, on a regular basis with information and updates on the school's functions. In addition to this, special bulletins are issued as needed to keep parents abreast of the school's news.

SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS

Parents to Promote HCES (PTP) – An organization consisting of parents whose functions include fund raising and community building.

Advisory Council - The Holy Cross Elementary Advisory Council consists of eleven members. Eight members represent the church parishes served by the school. The principal, pastor, and president/designee of the PTP also serve. The functions of the Council include policy making, goal setting, financial budget­ing, and principal-related activities, such as hiring and evaluating. Meetings are monthly.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM

In conformity with the Federal-State Lunch Program, students are served a noon lunch. The current price is $1.50 per day for grades 1-6 and $1.25 for Pre-K3 & 4 and K, payable in cash or by check in a marked envelope on the first day of the week. Monthly payments may also be made and are encouraged. The marked envelope should include the child's name, cafeteria number, grade, teacher, the amount of money in the envelope, and the dates for which the payment is being made. Checks should be made payable to Holy Cross Cafeteria. 

A written note from a physician is required if a child needs special dietary adjustments.   

A breakfast program which follows federal nutrition guidelines is also provided as a choice. Timeline: 7:30 a.m.–7:45 a.m. Price: $0 .75 for students.

TUITION:  POLICY

Tuition is paid over a ten-month period (Aug. - May) due by the tenth of each month with the exception of August. August tuition is due at the end of July. If, for any reason, tuition is not paid by the last day of the month in which it is due, the tuition will be delinquent and the parent must contact the principal. If satisfactory arrange­ments are not made and committed to, a meeting with the Tuition Review Committee will be required. This committee consists of the Principal, Pastor, and an Advisory Council Member.

In addition to tuition, Holy Cross has a non-refundable regis­tration fee and book bill payable per student at the time of regis­tration.

A family pays tuition for no more than three students attending Holy Cross Elementary. In the event that a family has four or more children enrolled, the monthly tuition remains the same as for three.

Monthly tuition cards are sent home with the oldest child in each family.  It is requested that parents check with their child (children) during the first few days of the month.  NOTE: Tuition for the entire year in one payment is acceptable and encouraged.

RELIGION PROGRAM

·     Religion is an integral part of the curriculum with a formal lesson being taught each day. 

·     Liturgies are celebrated each week. There is a mixture of individual grade-level liturgies and all-school Masses. Parents, grandparents, and friends are always invited to share in the celebrations.

·     Penance celebrations are offered during the church seasons of Advent and Lent. The Way of the Cross is also offered during Lent.

·     Teachers continue their spiritual growth and education through prayer experiences and in-service workshops.

CURRICULUM AND TESTING

Holy Cross Elementary School strives to maintain an effective and updated curriculum based on state and diocesan standards as well as GLE’s (Grade Level Expectations). The curriculum offers a variety of methods and materials to help meet the educational needs of the students. Hands-on learning, inquiry-based learning, and cooperative experiences are included.

Technology is integrated into the curriculum through a computer lab and through networked computers in each classroom. Each classroom also has access to the internet for learning.

Included in the curriculum are: Religion, Language Arts (includes reading, spelling, language), Mathe­matics, Science, Social Studies, Health, Physical Education, Computer Education, Spanish, Art, and Library Science.  All students will participate in each curriculum area.  If a health condition prevents a student from participation in physical education, a written note from the parent is required.

Enrichment and reinforcement activities are provided at all levels within the classroom situation as well as through lab sessions.

A program of standardized testing is administered to students in grades 1 through 6 in the spring of each year. The results of these tests are used for academic guidance of the students and are also an aid in the evaluation and formation of the curriculum. Results over the past few years indicate that the cur­riculum prepares students to master and excel in the basic skill areas. This is a diocesan-wide testing program. The principal makes these scores available for parents. 

EDLINE

Edline, an online educational communication program, is available to parents and students and provides homework assignments, grades and other pertinent information. Parents are given a password at the beginning of the year to access Edline.

HOMEWORK

Short and long-range assignments are written on the board for students to copy at an assigned time and are posted on Edline.  If a child is going to be absent from school for an extended period of time due to illness, a request for written assignment is required unless illness prevents the child from working. Assignment requests can be made by calling the school before 10:00 AM. Books and assignments may be picked up at 2:30 PM that same day from the office. This homework assignment procedure is also followed in the case of a one or two-day absence.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Content: When grading students, the following are considered: daily work - oral or written, weekly tests, homework, and special projects. Art, physical education, and Spanish consider participation, conduct, and effort when grading.

Review Tests: Review tests are given periodically to give insight into student com­prehension on a long-range basis.  Semester review tests are given in January and May.

ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION

Each nine weeks:

·     Principal's List - Students must earn an "A" in each area on the report card including Religion, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, PE, Art, Computers, Spanish, and Conduct.

·          Honor Roll -   Students must earn an "A" or "B" in each area on the report card.

·     Additional Recognition - Teachers are also encouraged to recog­nize individual achieve­ments such as good conduct, improvement, etc., with an achievement card. 

·     Records of the above are kept for use at the end of the year and recorded on cumulative cards.

End of Year:

·     Top Student Awards -  three (3) students in each homeroom class with the highest numerical average in the core subjects of Religion, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science, and with a grade of “A” or “B” in PE, Art, Computers, Spanish, and Conduct

·     Attendance Award  - more than 3 tardies or appointments during class time make a child ineligi­ble

·     Principal's List All Year

·     Honor Roll All Year

·     Honor Roll Award - combination of Principal's List or Honor Roll the entire year

·     All "G's" in Conduct as given by homeroom teacher

REPORTING PUPIL PROGRESS

Pupils are evaluated through a computerized report card issued at nine-week inter­vals. Grades are also posted on Edline. So that parents are aware of a student's general progress during each nine-week period, a progress report is issued midway through the nine weeks at the 4 and one-half week period. These reports should give parents insight into a child's attitude, conduct, strengths, weaknesses, and academics. The grading scale is printed on each report card. The envelope that contains the progress reports and the nine-week report cards should be signed by the parent and returned as soon as possible. Reports are filed in student folders at the end of the year.

Another indication of a child's progress is his/her weekly test papers.  Our policy requires that all test papers be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher the following day.

PROMOTION

Grades 1-6: Along with teacher evaluation and recommenda­tion, the following guidelines will determine whether or not a child will be advanced or promoted to the next higher level:

·     Any student who has failed one major subject (Language Arts or Math) is not eligible for promotion until he/she has removed the failure by attendance and success­ful completion of summer school under the direction of a tutor approved by the ad­ministrator.

·     A pupil failing one major (Language Arts or Math) and one minor (Social Studies or Science-Health) is not eligi­ble for promotion unless teacher and principal recommendation is decided otherwise due to special circumstances.

·     Promotion to the next grade will be a matter of teacher recommendation and evalua­tion if a student fails two minor subjects.

·     An average grade below 70 is a failing mark.

 Pre-School and Kindergarten promotion for students will be dependent on the following criteria:

·     Teacher recommendation based on observation and evaluation of student work and behavior.

·     Results of review tests administered in the spring.

CONFERENCES

Parents are encouraged to have a conference with a teacher whenever a need or problem arises. Appointments can be made by calling the school office at 384-1933. School personnel will check with the teacher and make proper arrange­ments. The same procedure should be followed whenever an appointment with the principal is desired.

MESSAGES

 Important messages to students during the school day are to be relayed through the office. School policy does not allow parents on the walkways, in hallways, in the classroom, on the playground or in the cafeteria after the morning bell or before the time of dismissal.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are not allowed at school.  If a student must have access to a cell phone for after-school events, these must be brought to the office upon arrival at school with a note from the parent.

MEDICATION

The policy at Holy Cross Elementary does not permit teachers to ad­minister any type of medication to students. In the event that the student must have medicine during the school day, parents may come to the school office to administer it. If this is not possible, please call the office to make other satisfactory arrangements. All medications sent to school will be adminis­tered on a one-day basis only.  (Exceptions are to be arranged with the principal.) The medication must be accompanied by detailed written instructions with parent signature and date.  Otherwise, medication will not be administered. 

A daily note signed by the parent must accompany the taking of all medication including cough drops, lozenges, chap sticks, etc. These medica­tions along with the note are to be sent to the school office and dispensed from there. At the end of each school day, all medication must be picked up by the parent or student and taken home. 

SPECIAL NOTE: Parents are asked not to send medication unless absolutely necessary, as administering medication is time-consuming and can result in loss of valuable class time. (NO sore throat pops, please!) 

STUDENT APPOINTMENT OR CHECK-OUT

 If a student must leave school for a doctor's appointment or any appointment during the school day, a note must be sent to the teacher informing her of the time. Students are to be picked up and returned to the school office for these appointments. A signature is required of the person checking the student in and out. This same procedure is followed in the case of early dismissal.      

Students leaving school without advance notice are ineligible for assignments as this causes loss of valuable teaching time.

Check-out within 20 minutes prior to dismissal time of 2:40 is discouraged. In the event that check-out during this time is unavoidable, a note must be sent to your child’s teacher in the morning.

The following policy adopted by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is followed by Holy Cross Elementary:

 "Where parents are separated and one parent requests that a child not be released into the custody of the other parent, the principal shall ignore such request and should remind the parents that until a court of competent juris­diction awards custody of a child to a sole parent, the school is required to treat both parents as equals.”

 “In those cases where parents are divorced or legally separated, a child shall be released only to the parent awarded legal custody of the child. It is the responsibility of the parent who is the legal guardian to have on file in the school office a certified copy of the court order granting legal custody to that parent."

ABSENCES

A student must be present a minimum of 160 days a school year.  Special con­siderations will be given to students with prolonged illnesses.  When a child will be absent, the parent is expected to call the office in the a.m. with an explanation. 

On the day that a child returns to school after an absence, he/she should present a written note of explanation to his/her teacher. 

 It is the student's obligation to procure and complete classroom and home assignments covered during the period of absence. The teachers are not obliged to administer "make-up" tests to a pupil unless the student's absence was due to illness or some other grave reason. 

 If a student is to be absent for an extended length of time, the principal is to be contacted. The teacher is not expected to give assignments for absences in advance, unless due to prolonged illness.

TARDY POLICY

Our “Code of Student Responsibilities” requires that students report to school on time. Teaching and learning experiences begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. with DOL (Daily Oral Language) and Math reinforcement awaiting the students each a.m. When a child is late, it is very difficult to regain or make-up this important learning time as learning is scheduled throughout the day. Late entry puts the child at a disadvantage as well as disrupts the class in progress.     Teacher supervision for student arrival is from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. each day. A student is tardy if she/he arrives after the 8:00 a.m. bell.

Parent/guardians are required to accompany tardy students into the office area to sign them in. Tardy students remain in the office during all-school Morning Prayer over the intercom. A tardy slip is issued which will allow students to enter the classroom after prayer is concluded.

A student is allowed three tardies per nine-week period. If a fourth tardy should occur, detention is the consequence.

If a child has more than three tardies, she/he does not qualify for perfect attendance at the end of the school year.

A child is tardy who checks in after 8:00 a.m. Late check in without an official written note for educational or medical excuse is a tardy. Educational appointments, such as speech therapy, are exceptions.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The code of conduct and the administration of dis­cipline are based on Catholic values and the dignity of the human person. They have as their aim the fostering of spiritual and psychological growth of individual students so that each assumes responsibility to do and be one's best.

Discipline is a cooperative venture requiring the cooperation of students, parents, and members of the school staff.

Students who do damage to the school's purpose, decisions, and spirit or whose parents are unable or unwilling to support the purpose and spirit of the school must be further evaluated as to whether they are to remain or be readmitted.

If these students are to remain or be readmitted, it must be with reserva­tions that specify areas of growth needed and these specifications are discussed with parents in conference. Records of these conferences will be kept in the school file.

Disciplinary measures that publicly embarrass, humiliate or ridicule students are avoided. Methods that involve physical contact such as striking, pulling and shoving are not a part of the discipline policy. Depriving students of lunch or causing them to miss the bus (except in cases where there are extenuating circum­stances) are not a part of the discipline policy. A parent request to employ methods contrary to Holy Cross Elementary Disciplinary Policy is not to be honored.

The administration and faculty at Holy Cross are trained to call attention to mis­behavior on the spot and to discipline the student later. This is done in private when neither party is angry.

Usual disci­plinary measures involving classroom teachers include:

1. Writing assignments - (consequence sheets)                           

2. Detention after school

3. Parent contact (phone calls, e-mails, and/or notes)

4. Other creative procedures (private talks, positive reinforcement)

    More serious disciplinary measures always involve the parents and the school adminis­tration. A written record of the offense and the disciplinary measure is kept on file.

    Suspension or expulsion may be employed if problems cannot be resolved. If sus­pension is employed, students are held responsible for academic work during suspension period.

GRIEVANCES

 When a parent has a grievance, the Principal and the Advisory Council request that these guide­lines be followed:

For grievances related to a classroom matter:

1. Discuss the problem directly with the teacher as soon as possible after     occurrence.

2. If satisfaction of both parties is not obtained, notify the principal.

3. If, after discussion with the principal, satisfaction is not reached, the

              next step is to discuss the problem with the designated mediator of the Holy Cross Elementary Advisory Council.

For grievances with the principal or school policy:

1. Discuss the problem directly with the principal.

2. If satisfaction is not reached, the next step is to discuss the problem with

    the designated mediator of the Holy Cross Elementary Advisory Council.

Please note that if a problem cannot be resolved at the local level, the Diocesan Advisory Council serves as a final Mediator.

REGULATIONS FOR PLAYGROUND

·     Students may not bring balls, toys or play equipment to school. (The school supplies ample.)

·     Running is monitored for safety purposes. Students may play running games in the grass only. Running is not allowed on the courts or in the gravel areas surrounding playground equipment.

·     Gymnastics and karate are not allowed on playground.

·     Grades 1-6 are allowed to play basketball skill games on the court near Poplar Street and on the court near CCHS. Regulation basketball games are not allowed.

·     Students may not play in the yard before the 8:00 a.m. bell. They are to sit and talk quietly in an assigned area.

·     Students must keep shoes on at recess.

·     Rocks are not to be removed from bordered areas around playground equipment.

·     Students are not allowed to play in restrooms or in restroom areas.

·     Walkway between middle and Mamie Bergeron wings may be used to get to restrooms only.  Playing is not allowed between these wings.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

·     Students are to use blue or black ink only (proofreading is an exception). Math and workbook activities are to be worked in pencil only.

·     Students are allowed to use the office telephone with permission only in case of sickness or great necessity.

·     Students are not allowed in the classrooms without a teacher.

·     When cold or raining in the morning, students go to the cafeteria or an assigned area where they are supervised by teachers and staff.

·     All materials brought to school must remain in school bag during arrival and dismissal procedure.

·     Once at school, no student may leave the premises without permis­sion of the princi­pal.

·     Students are not allowed to take food, candy, gum or drinks of any kind to school.  Bottled water is exception.

·     Students are not allowed to take money to school except for a particular purpose such as drives for religious or civic needs.

·     If a book is lost or damaged through carelessness, the negligent pupil is expected to pay for its replacement.

·     Students are not allowed to make collections for any purpose without the principal's approval.

·     The only balls allowed for baseball are cabbage balls.

·     Students riding bicycles to school must have a safety lock; bicycles are to be parked in racks located on the Poplar Street side of school.

·     Students are to refrain from bringing unnecessary clothing, such as overnight apparel for a slumber party, to school.

·     Students are not allowed to bring toys, MP3 players, radios, walkmans, or any electronic devices to school.

·     Students are not allowed to bring magazines to school unless specified by the teacher for an educational purpose.

·     Pets are not allowed on school grounds unless cleared by the classroom teacher or the office.

DIOCESAN SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROCESS

All parent-volunteers and substitutes must participate in a Safe Environment process which is offered through the school and parish. All parent-volunteers, substitutes and visitors must sign in and obtain a badge from the office before entering any area of the school. Upon completion of task or visit, each person must sign out and return the badge to the office. Cell phones are to be turned off while on campus.

ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Any suspected abuse and/or neglect of a child in a school or day care center must be reported in accor­dance with Louisiana Statutes.

SUPERVISION

Children are supervised at all times. Children are not left alone in any room or outdoors at any time without adult supervision.

 While on duty with a group of children, staff members devote their entire time to supervising the children and in participating with them in their activities.

DRUG FREE AND WEAPON FREE SCHOOL

The use, possession of, and distribution of controlled drugs and alcohol and the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapons are severe offenses requiring major disciplinary action.

SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT

Holy Cross Elementary is a smoke-free facility.

EMERGENCIES / SAFETY

Holy Cross Elementary has Emergency Response Procedures including security cameras in place.  In the event of an emergency, Holy Cross Elementary School will notify its families through Radio Stations KFXY, KMRC, KBZE, and KQKI and the local television station.

TORNADO/FIRE DRILL INFORMATION

Tornado drills and fire drills are held monthly during the year. Teachers are given an evaluation form to complete after each drill. Regulations comply with safety codes.

INTERNET AND NETWORK USE AGREEMENT

Each parent and student is required to agree to and sign an internet and network agreement. Rules and etiquette are stated on the agreement that is kept on file at the school. 

PHOTO PERMISSION

In publicizing the activities of Holy Cross Elementary, and the accomplishments of its students, Holy Cross utilizes student photos.  If you do not wish for your child to be pictured in any media, please send a signed and dated letter advising of your wishes which will be placed on file in the school office. By not sending a letter, you are granting HCES and/or the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to publish and print your child’s name and/or likeness on the HCES website on the internet and/or the world wide web and further, release, indemnify and hold harmless HCES, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, the directors, officers, agents, pastors, employees and insurers from any and all claims and/or damages on behalf of yourselves and your child arising from the publication of your child’s name, photograph or likeness used by the school. This agreement shall remain in force and in effect at all times.

SCREENING: VISION AND HEARING

A vision and hearing screening process is in effect at Holy Cross Elementary. Should a parent / guardian decline the service, a written note, dated and signed by the parent / guardian must be sent to the principal.

INTRAMURALS

In the spring of each school year, an organized intramural program is initiated within the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Girls play kickball and boys play cabbage ball. Walking or running on the track may also be included in the program. Sportsmanship is stressed.

FIELD DAY

At the end of each school year, one day is set aside as Field Day.   The skills developed through the school's physical education program are incorporated into activities.  

FIELD TRIPS

Parents will be notified by the teacher when field trips will be taken. If bus is mode of transportation, all students are required to ride the bus to and from destination. The Code of Student Responsibilities and school rules must be followed on field trips.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Student accident insurance is provided for school time coverage. This is a supplemental coverage only. Forms and information can be obtained through the school office by a parent when an accident occurs. Extended 24-hour coverage may be purchased by parents at the beginning of the school year.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

The last Friday of each month is set aside to celebrate student and teacher birthdays occuring within that month. Summer months are included.        The policy does not allow class treats to be sent to the school in celebration of individual birthdays. Kindergarten and pre-school are an exception to this policy. No birthday or other party invitations may be distributed at school unless the entire class is invited or all girls or all boys are invited.

Faculty birthdays are recognized and celebrated by the school. It is important to keep the classroom routine of the day in order. Therefore, parties, decorations, collections, and treats by and for the students are not allowed.

HOLIDAY TREATS AND GIFTS

Holiday and special treat regulations are handled by the school. Details are worked out by the teacher. Treats are not to be sent to school unless approved by the teacher. All treats are to be brought to the office--NOT the classroom. Gum is not allowed as a treat. No balloons, flowers, etc., may be sent to school to an individual child for a special occasion gift.

BUSINESS PROMOTIONS

Holy Cross Elementary is not allowed to promote or advertise individual businesses by sending flyers or brochures home with the students.

LICE AND OTHER CONTAGIOUS CONDITIONS

If a student at Holy Cross Elementary is found to have head lice or nits, the child will be immediately sent home for treatment. The parents of the classmates will be notified by a note. Please check your child’s head periodically. When the child returns to school after treatment is completed, his/her head must again be rechecked by a member of the office staff. A child will not be allowed to re-enter the classroom until approval by office staff member. A similar procedure is followed for any other contagious condition.

TRANSFERS

When a child is to transfer to another school, Holy Cross should be notified preferably a week in advance.  All school-rented books and state-supplied books should be returned to the teacher.       

The student receives his/her report card from the teacher. Tuition payments are to be checked with the office personnel. Cumulative cards will be sent to the child's new school upon written parental request. 

BACK TO HCES HOME PAGE