Foundation Statement for the Catholic Schools Study of 1993 Web viewI. FOUNDATION STATEMENT FOR THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS STUDY OF 1993 .....2 II. MISSION-PHILOSOPHY-GOALS .....2 ... This

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FOUNDATION STATEMENT FOR THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS STUDY OF 1993 ..............................2II. MISSION-PHILOSOPHY-GOALS ..............................................................................................................2

Mission Statement of the Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools ................................................................2St. Nicholas Catholic School Mission Statement ............................................................................................2St. Nicholas Catholic School Philosophy Statement .......................................................................................2St. Nicholas Catholic School Student Learning Expectations (SLE) ..............................................................3Vision ..............................................................................................................................................................3Goals................................................................................................................................................................3St. Nicholas Catholic School Core Values ......................................................................................................3

III. ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT.....................................................................................................4IV. ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT ........................................................................................................4V. REGISTRATION ..........................................................................................................................................5VI. TUITION AND FEES ..................................................................................................................................6VII. PARENT/GUARDIAN REGISTRATION COMMITMENTS ................................................................7VIII. SCHOOL HOURS, PROCEDURES AND OFFICE AREA.....................................................................9IX. ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE .................................................................................................................10X. TRANSPORTATION..................................................................................................................................14XI. EXTENDED CARE ...................................................................................................................................15XII. UNIFORM CODE ....................................................................................................................................16

Regular Uniform Options for Girls and Boys................................................................................................18XIII. RESPONSIBILITIES & STUDENT BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

....................................................22XIV. TEACHING AND LEARNING...............................................................................................................29XV. ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND ASSESSMENT .....................................................................................30XVI. COMMUNICATION: PARENT & SCHOOL........................................................................................32XVII. PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT .............................................................................................34XVIII. GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS AT SCHOOL............................................................................34XIX. EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND DIRECTORY INFORMATION...................................................36XX. STUDENT SERVICES/ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................37XXI. MISCELLANEOUS ................................................................................................................................41

Appendix ...............................................................................................................................................43

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I. FOUNDATION STATEMENT FOR THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS STUDY OF 1993

The primary purpose of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle is to promote the internalization of the Good News of Jesus Christ as it is expressed in the Catholic vision and worldview.

Specifically, the Catholic schools are to aid Catholic families and Catholic communities in the formation of their children as Catholic Christians while providing a high quality academic education. The schools may also provide students of other faith traditions with a high quality education in the context of the Catholic value system and worldview.

The goal is to develop within the students a Catholic identity and lived expression, built on a base of Catholic history and acknowledging the students’ cultural identity. The goal is to be met by explicitly articulating the faith and explicitly engaging society and culture from a Roman Catholic perspective.

Catholic identity is to be expressed through an appreciation of Catholic values and the formation of strong moral character. And it is understood that Catholic identity and expression becomes internalized over time through a process of formation.

The process must be supported by specific policies and programs designed to model, promote, support, clarify, teach, and instill the Catholic faith in our children.

The Catholic schools will continue to be as diverse as their sponsoring communities, while they remain linked together by their common faith and vision, by shared resources and services, and by canonical and pastoral relationship to the Archbishop in his role as the chief teacher of the local church.

II. MISSION-PHILOSOPHY-GOALS

Mission Statement of the Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools

The schools of the Archdiocese of Seattle, in communion with the Archbishop, in collaboration with parents, parish leadership, and the community, and in the service of teaching Gospel Values and the faith of the Catholic Church, educate students in grades K through 12 for leadership and service to the church andsociety through excellent religious, academic, and co-curricular programs that strive to be accessible to all.

St. Nicholas Catholic School Mission Statement

United by the love of Christ, St. Nicholas Catholic School, in partnership with parents and parish, teaches the fullness of the Catholic faith, fosters academic excellence, and nurtures a community of disciples.

St. Nicholas Catholic School Philosophy Statement

As a faith-centered school we serve our parish and community through prayer and action.Working together with home and Church, the focus of our instruction is to help students achieve their highest individual potential, to model Gospel values to others, and to become life-long learners in a globalcommunity.

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St. Nicholas Catholic School Student Learning Expectations (SLE)

I. Faith-filled Catholics who:a. Demonstrate understanding of the teachings and history of the Catholic Church. b. Actively participate in the liturgy and sacraments of the Catholic Church.c. Actively participate in prayer and use a variety of prayers. d. Live each day as a disciple of Jesus.e. Model Gospel values by demonstrating generosity of word, action, and spirit.

II. Responsible disciples who:a. Act with integrity.b. Exhibit compassion and justice. c. Serve others.d. Act as peacemakers.e. Make choices based on Catholic values.

III. Enthusiastic lifelong learners who:a. Love to learn.b. Strive for academic excellence. c. Use and apply learned skills.d. Utilize creative and critical thinking.e. Are self-directed and independent learners.

IV. Engaged citizens who:a. Make good choices.b. Take responsibility for their actions. c. Persevere through challenges.d. Strive to make the world a better place. e. Possess a strong work ethic.

VisionSt. Nicholas Catholic School is a community dedicated to the care and development of children by providing an environment that focuses on spiritual and personal growth.

Goals To provide opportunities to be successful in a leadership role within the school, parish and wider

communities. To provide an education centered in the Catholic faith while encouraging academic excellence. To provide a Christ-centered learning environment which inspires students to use their talents to

enrich our school and the community beyond its boundaries.

St. Nicholas Catholic School Core Values We are a team of professional educators. As a faith-filled community we value every person. We are creating an environment where respect, responsibility, and integrity are valued

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III. ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT

While the oversight for diocesan and parish institution flows from the Archbishop to the pastor as describedin the Revised Code of Canon Law, this is done within the framework of collaboration with many individuals and consultative groups. In St. Nicholas Catholic School, the decision making process moves from broad tospecific and is entrusted to various groups and people.

St. Nicholas Catholic School functions within the framework of St. Nicholas Catholic Parish. Pastor, parish administrator, principal, School Commission, Finance Committee, Parent Community and a variety of other groups collaborate in the various ministries of the parish, which includes the school. Parish governance is based on the Archdiocesan publication, Y ou a r e t he B r anch e s: P o l i cy and Gui d e li nes f or P a r i sh Consu l t a ti v e St r u c t u r e s . For more information on school consultative bodies, see the section of the handbook on parent/guardian involvement.

IV. ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: St. Nicholas Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship, and other school-administered programs.

Admissions Policy

Rati onal e:

As a Catholic School our admission policy must reflect our mission statement and our relationship with St. Nicholas Parish. In recognition of that status, we have established this policy for preference in enrollment of new students.

P ol icy:

Preference is given in the following order:1. Child of a current St. Nicholas Catholic School employee or St. Nicholas Parish employee.2. Sibling of a student currently enrolled in school.3. Parent and/or Grandparents of the child are active St. Nicholas Parishioners as shown through giving

of time, talent and treasure (see in-parish status policy below)*.4. Parent and/or Grandparents of the child are active Parishioners of a Catholic Parish providing

subsidy.5. Parent(s) of the child are active members of another Catholic Parish or St. John’s Episcopal Parish

(must be verified by presiding pastor).6. Parent(s) of the child are active in another denomination or are non-active Catholics.

All students must pass the required screening before final admission. In case of ties, date of sign-up will be the deciding factor.

* In cases of transfer from another parish due to a family move, parent(s) must register in St. Nicholas parish and provide verification from previous parish of active parishioner status. This may be done with a letter from the pastor regarding their giving of time, talent and treasure.

Children admitted to St. Nicholas Catholic School who are not members of the Catholic faith are expected to

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participate in all aspects of the school’s faith life and instruction, such as mass attendance and religion classes

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In-Parish Status Policy

To be considered an active parishioner and to qualify for in-parish tuition at St. Nicholas, parents must:

1. Be registered in St. Nicholas Parish for at least 6 months.2. Be a practicing Catholic, active in sacramental life.3. Have a completed current Stewardship of Treasury card on file with parish, and make a

good faith effort to fulfill that pledge. A Stewardship of Treasure card must be renewed each year. Stewardship cards will be reviewed annually.

4. B e actively engaged in the life of the parish and school community.

Parishioner status is reviewed by the principal and parish administrator at least three times each year.

Age Requirements

For admission into Pre-K the child’s 4th birthday must be no later than August 31st of the year the child is admitted. For Kindergarten the child’s fifth birthday must be no later than August 31st of the year the child is admitted. The principal and Kindergarten teacher(s) shall be the final arbiters of a child’s readiness for admittance to Kindergarten based on readiness evaluations.

Admissions Testing

In order to assure that the school programs are the best placement for a child and to assist teachers in meeting the needs of each child, all students requesting admission to St. Nicholas Catholic School are required to take an independent admissions test and sign the records release request on the registration form. In addition, interested students and their families must meet with the principal for an interview as part of the admissions process. Other considerations for admissions include social readiness, gender balance, and the overall fit between prospective student and class/school.

Probationary Admissions Status

All new students are admitted on a probationary status according to the Academic Probation Policy adopted by the School Commission (see policy in Appendix).

V. REGISTRATION

The registration process begins in the winter of the prior school year. Families with currently enrolled students will be given priority in the registration process. In order to complete the registration process the following conditions must be met:

1. All tuition and fees must be current.2. All students must have a current immunization record on file. For required immunizations, please

contact the Pierce County Health Department.3. All parent enrollment obligations (i.e. SCRIP, Volunteer Hours, and Auction) must be on track for

completion.Placement of a child on the class list is not assured until all forms and records are complete and parent obligations are met.

A registration fee (to be determined each year) will also be paid to reserve a student’s spot at for the coming school year. This fee is non-refundable.

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VI. TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees are set annually by the Principal and Pastor in consultation with the Finance Committee and the School Commission.Tuition Payments

St. Nicholas Catholic School contracts with its faculty and staff and incurs other financial obligations for the entire school year. In order for St. Nicholas Catholic School to provide for these financial obligations whena student is enrolled, the parent or guardian must assume an obligation to pay in full. In case of removal or awithdrawal, a $500 withdrawal fee will be assessed. Families must notify the school in writing if a student is withdrawn from the school. Families must also complete an exit interview with the principal. School records and/or transcripts will help until exit interview is completed. The school will not forward any records for students who withdraw with an outstanding balance.

The exception to full payment may be possible for only one of the following reasons: The family must move from the area as a condition of employment or finances. There is a substantial change in the family financial situation due to extended liability, illness or

unemployment of a wage earner. The uninsured death of a wage earner of the family or of the student. The student is asked to leave by the school administration. Other cases will be considered by the administration on a case-by-case basis

Following contact with the principal and pastor, the school reserves the right to give any outstanding tuition amount to collection. The school also reserves the right, if any tuition is past due, to remove the student(s) from the school. The school has the further right to refuse re-enrollment for the following school year until financial commitments have been met. No transcripts of grades or school records of any child enrolled in the school shall be prepared without prior payment of the school tuition and/or other fees or obligations due and owing.

Payment Plans

Tuition is paid directly through FACTS Tuition Management ,or in full by the first day of school.

Tuition Assistance

St. Nicholas Catholic School strives to make Catholic education available to every family that desires it. Tuition scholarships are available to provide assistance for qualifying families and without regard to race, ethnicity, or religion. Tuition assistance is based on financial need and the amount of funding available in the financial assistance sources.

There are currently three sources of tuition assistance available at St. Nicholas Catholic School. Those families requesting tuition assistance must complete the Fulcrum Scholarship applications in the winter for the following year for a l l scholarships and they will be notified of their status by the principal. Incomplete or late applications may result in delay or denial of tuition assistance.

The sources for financial assistance are: Archdiocese of Seattle Tuition Assistance Program (Fulcrum Foundation) Del Garber Catholic Education Fund Guardian Angel Program

Families who are experiencing unexpected difficulties are asked to contact the principal’s office. We care

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about you and want to help if at all possible.

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VII. PARENT/GUARDIAN REGISTRATION COMMITMENTS

Parent Service Hours

Parental involvement in the day-to-day operation is expected, necessary, and welcomed. It fosters an open relationship among staff and parents, builds a sense of community, and provides students with tangible evidence of our commitment and interest in their education and faith development. Each school family will be required to give 30 hours of service time between June 1 of the previous school year and the first of the final month of school. Single parents may reduce the service hours to 15. In each case 4 hours must be spent on the auction.

Ten percent (10%) of those hours may be spent assisting with any of the ministries at St. Nicholas Parish and/or by serving at regularly scheduled Masses as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, etc. The remaining27 hours may be accomplished in ways such as working in the library, classroom, or office; monitoring on the playground; assisting with projects at home for the principal or teachers; helping with school masses;working on school fund raisers; taking a supervisory role during school field trips, etc.

Hours must be completed between June 1 of the previous school year and the first of the final month of school and must be recorded in the school office. The last day to turn in completed hours for the school year is May 31. Parent Community volunteers will monitor the hours submitted.

Hours not completed by the first of the final month of school, will be billed at the hourly rate given in the financial commitment signed at the time of registration and must be paid in full before school ends for the year. School records and transcripts will be withheld until all hours are completed or paid and registration for the next year will be put on hold.

Fund Raising

Parents/guardians are expected to support the fund raising efforts of our school as they are outlined in the financial commitment signed at registration. Our three largest fundraisers are the Annual Fund, the annual auction and SCRIP. The funds raised directly impact every child in our school and therefore require the financial and/or volunteer support of each school family.

Archdiocesan policy and tax law strictly regulates fundraising. This is to ensure we maintain our tax-exempt status. Therefore the administration or the administration designee must approve all fundraising. There will be no solicitation of funds for anything, including class-sponsored events, without prior approval of the administration. The development committee meets each spring to review fundraisers for the next school year. Any organization or group wishing to have a fundraiser calendared for the next year must apply for approval by April 30th. Exceptions will be made in very rare cases as determined by the administration.

Annual Fund

Annual Fund is the basis for all other fundraising and development. It assists us in filling the gap between tuition and actual cost of education, typically $1,800 or more per student. The Annual Fund asks donors to make St. Nicholas Catholic School a regular part of their giving. Parent participation is vital to the success of this appeal and parents are asked to give as best as they are able.

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Auction Requirement

Each school family is required to procure an item or items valued at least $225.00 by the date determined by the Auction Committee. Items must be delivered by this date with a procurement form. Items that are too large to store in the auction room or that require special consideration due to the fact that they are donated well before the prescribed deadline may be submitted by auction procurement forms only. These donations must be approved by the auction chair or procurement chairs who must sign the procurement form before the deadline. Procurement items submitted after the deadline must be valued at $350.00 or more. Cash donations in lieu of auction items will be $225.00 before the deadline and $350.00 after the deadline. Families who do not procure items by the date of the auction will be billed $350.00. Families should contact the auction chair for more information. Families who do not procure their items by the stated deadline will be billed as stated in the financial commitment.

Families are also required to put at least 4 hours of their volunteer time toward the auction. Please use the Monthly Volunteer Hours Requirement sheet to document auction volunteer hours. Please have volunteer hours approved by auction chairs. Any unfulfilled auction hours will be billed at $40 per hour at the end of the school year.

SCRIP Requirement

SCRIP is a win/win program for our families and school. It is a program that sells gift certificates to be used as payment on all your everyday purchases - everything from food, gas, clothing, restaurants, to your morning cup of coffee. The SCRIP distributor purchases large volumes of certificates from participating retailers at a discount. St. Nicholas sells the certificates, a t f ace va l u e , to its families and supporters and earns a profit (3-25%) from the difference. The certificates you purchase are actual store certificates and co s t you n o t h i ng ex t ra t o bu y . This is a dollar for dollar exchange. When using SCRIP certificates, you simply pay for the purchase with certificates instead of cash, check, or credit card.

There are many, many local businesses that participate in the SCRIP program, making the convenience of SCRIP even easier. Just a few are Fred Meyer, Albertson’s, Starbucks, Burger King, Moctezuma, Anthony’s, Gig Harbor ACE Hardware, and Home Depot.

Each school year a dollar amount is set for each family to purchase through SCRIP. This amount may be found in the financial commitment each family signs at registration. The figure required of each family covers the school year, beginning in June of the previous year through May of the following year. While on the surface this may seem like a lot of money, when taken month to month it is very reasonable. Mostfamilies do not have any trouble spending the required amount on groceries, not to mention what we spend at fast food restaurants and on gasoline. All families are required to participate in the SCRIP program to thefullest extent possible.

For the families not interested in purchasing SCRIP they will have the option to “buy out” for an amountlisted in the financial commitment forms. Families that do not meet the SCRIP requirement will be charged10% of the difference.

SCRIP order forms are available on the school website or in the school office. SCRIP will be sold on Tuesdays from 8:00 – 8:30 am and 2:45 – 3:15 pm, on Fridays from 8:00 – 8:30 and on Sundays after 8:30 mass in the parish hall.

If you have any questions about how the program works or if you are interested in volunteering on theSCRIP committee, please call the SCRIP Chairperson.

Exceptions to all fundraising requirements may be made in cases of hardship.

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VIII. SCHOOL HOURS, PROCEDURES AND OFFICE AREA

School Office Hours

The school office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Please conduct school business during these hours. Messages can be left 24 hours a day on the school voice mail system or through e-mail at [email protected]. Messages will be returned during the followingschool day, at the latest.

Visits to the School

Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit the school, especially during Open House and school activities.During the school day, all visitors, including room parents and parent volunteers, must sign in at theoffice and wear a “Visitor” badge. Volunteers, visitors, and parents/guardians are not to go to the classrooms to deliver items to students. Instead, these items must be left in the office.

Telephone Use

The school telephones are business phones and are used for business calls. Permission will be granted for student use in cases of emergency. Because we expect students to be responsible citizens, use of the phone will not be permitted for forgotten homework, lunch, money, PE shoes, and field trip permission forms or to make arrangement to go to another student’s house after school. If a sports practice or other school event is cancelled, calls will be permitted to arrange rides home.

Lost and Found

Lost articles, clothing, or other materials may be claimed at the lost and found located in the school office. All unclaimed items will be donated to charitable causes before Christmas, spring, and summer break. Parents are encouraged to label belongings so they can be identified and returned.

Change in Address/Phone Number

A family’s change in address or phone number should be reported to the school immediately. This is a safety issue. Any changes or additions of work, cellular, or emergency phone numbers need to be reported to the office immediately.

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IX. ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE

Before School

The school is not responsible for students left unsupervised before 8:10 a.m. If a child is dropped at school prior to 8:10 a.m. they will be sent to Extended Care and the parent/guardian will be billed accordingly.Upon arrival at school, students are to go to their classrooms. Students enrolled in Extended Care need to follow the Extended Care policies available in the school office.

Bell Schedule

First bell 8:15, second bell 8:20 (please see Tardy Policy for further information).

Daily School Schedule

Students should arrive no earlier than 8:15 a.m. and be picked up no later than 3:10 p.m. After 3:10 p.m. students will be directed to Extended Care and a fee will be imposed (see Extended Care Program). Students enrolled in Extended Care need to follow the Extended Care policies available in the school office.

Regular School Day8:20 a.m. Pre-School and K – 8th classes begin11:20 a.m. Pre-School dismissal12:00 p.m. Pre-K start3:00 p.m. Pre-k – 8th dismissal

Half Day11:20 a.m. Pre-School – 8th dismissalNo Pre-K

Two Hours Late ArrivalNo Pre-School classes10:20 a.m. K – 8th classes begin3:00 p.m. Pre-K – 8th dismissalPre-K only12:00 class begins3:00 dismissal

Absences

Regular attendance is required. Parents/guardians must notify the school office daily when their child/ren is(are) absent. The school office must be informed through a written note, personal contact, e-mail, or a message left on voice mail. If a student is absent for a part of the day, the parent/guardian must notify the school and report to the office before entering the classroom.

Children should remain at home when they are contagious or have a fever. A child should not return to school until a t l e a s t 24 h o u r s a f t e r his/her temperature has returned to normal and at least 24 hours after any vomiting has stopped and symptoms are gone. If a child is not well enough to go outside for the recess periods, he/she is not well enough to be in school. The child should remain at home until he/she can participate in the regular school day schedule. The school is very appreciative of those parents/guardians who report to the school any contagious diseases or a case of lice. If a child has lice, all nits must be gone before the child will be readmitted to school. (See lice policy in Appendix)

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When a child is ill and unable to attend school a parent/guardian may request homework. If homework is requested the office must be notified before 10:00 a.m. and it may be picked up in the school office after 3:00 p.m. Homework may also be sent home with a sibling or carpool partner. Students are responsible for homework missed due to absence or early dismissal.

Parents/guardians need to plan vacations according to the school calendar holidays. Student withdrawal from school for trips and vacations is strongly discouraged. Teachers are not required to provide assignments for students absent due to non-medical reasons. If classwork is sent prior to the trip, it will be due upon return. (see Attendance Policy in Appendix)

For more complete information please see the Attendance Policy in the Appendix.

Tardiness

First bell will be at 8:15 a.m. and the second bell will be at 8:20 a.m. If not in their classrooms and ready to learn at 8:20 a.m., students in grades K-8 are considered tardy and must come into the office for a pass to enter class. Students leaving school before the completion of the school day will be considered tardy or have a ½ day absent (see attendance guidelines below). Students who are tardy need to be excused by a note from the parent or guardian. Tardiness may result in after-school detention or other appropriate disciplinary sanction (see Discipline).

Attendance Guidelines

If a child arrives after 8:20 a.m. and before 10:00 a.m., they are……………tardy

If a child arrives after 10:00 a.m. and before 12:00 noon, they are…………½ day absentIf a child leaves before 10:00 a.m. they are……………………………….... full day absent

If a child leaves after 10:00 a.m., they are ……………………………….… ½ day absent

Medical/dental tardies are excused but must be marked on the report card with the rest of the tardies.

Morning Routine

St. Nicholas students must be in their classrooms and r eady t o l ea r n by 8 : 20 a . m . Tardy students in grades 1-8 are required to go to the office to get an admittance slip. In grades 1-8, if your morning routine includes walking your child/ren to the classroom, please be sure to leave the room before 8:20 a.m.

Dismissal

Students may leave the school grounds only when accompanied by a staff member, designated chaperone (in case of field trips) or a parent/guardian or their designee, during the school day. No child will be released at any times to any other person unless verified in writing by the parent/guardian and the child knows and recognizes the person.

All classes end at 3:00 p.m. on a regular school day (11:20 on early dismissal days) with prayer. After the dismissal bell the teacher will escort students to the carpool area. Students will go home unless they are staying for an after school activity or at Extended Day Service under designated adult supervision. Students still on the school premises without supervision 3:10 p.m. will go to Extended Day Service until they are picked up and parents will be billed accordingly.

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We will not be responsible for any accidents occurring on the grounds during weekends, vacations, before and after school. Accidents occurring due to failure to follow rules during school hours are not the responsibility of St. Nicholas Catholic School.

If you become aware that you will be late for pick-up, please make an effort to call the school office to make arrangements for your child.

Early Dismissal

Parents/guardians are asked to make, as much as possible, medical and dental appointments outside of school time. If an early dismissal or late arrival is planned, a written note must be sent to the teacher b e f o r e the dismissal. A child who leaves early is to report to the school office when dismissed by their teacher. Parents/guardians who must pick-up a child before dismissal time should report to the office to do so. The student must be signed out by the parent/guardian.

Student Messages

We make every effort to deliver messages during the school day; however, due to the constantly changing demands on any given school day, we cannot guarantee that messages for children about after school arrangements and/or early dismissals will be delivered. Please make every effort to complete after school arrangements before the child arrives at school.

Illness/Injury at School

Pierce County Health Department limits to a great extent what can be done to treat school injuries. The principal or other designated person will determine whether the parent/guardian should be contacted and will evaluate a child who is taken ill or injured during the school day. Often the teacher or school secretary can treat these cases. Reasonable precautionary care will always be provided in case of injury.

In case of minor injuries (scrapes and bruises) cleaning the area, applying a bandage, and/or treating with ice is the limit of treatment. In case of serious injury or illness, every effort will be made to contact the parent/guardian. If the parent/guardian or person designated on the emergency card cannot be reached for instructions, the injured/ill child will be taken to the closest treatment facility or paramedics will be called immediately if warranted.

Child Abuse Laws

St. Nicholas Catholic School abides by the Child Abuse Laws of the State of Washington. This law mandates that all cases of suspected abuse and/or neglect be reported to Child Protective Services.

Par ent/ guardi ans ar e r es ponsi bl e to keep t he st udent emer gency f or ms updat ed ( se e Appendix f or f or ms) .

Emergencies, Closures, Snowy/Inclement Weather

In January 2001, St. Nicholas Catholic School formed a committee made up of school and parish staff members. The outcome of the committee’s work is a Traumatic Event Procedure that addresses a variety of situations, such as natural disaster, problems related to inclement weather, and emergencies involving staff or students. The plan was approved by the school commission and outlines key persons and roles of teachers, staff, and students. Copies are available in the school office.

Natural DisasterThe school must have an emergency form for each student. If any information changes during the school

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year, the school must be notified immediately. If parents/guardians are going out of town, please advise theschool on what procedures to follow and whom to contact. Within the first five days of classes, studentsneed to bring their “Comfort Kit” to school.

In case of natural disaster, please do not call the school. Instead, listen to KING, KOMO and KIRO, for more information. Children will only be released after assessments have been made and as designated individuals/parents/guardians have arrived.

Inclement Weather InformationThese guidelines are to be followed in the event of any late start, early dismissal, or cancellation due to weather.

For a number of reasons, St. Nicholas Catholic School follows the decisions of the Peninsula School District regarding weather related school cancellations or late starts. Listen to radio/TV station announcements for information about weather related cancellations or late starts. If Peninsula School District schools are closed or have a delayed start, so does St. Nicholas Catholic School. Weather related cancellations or late starts will be posted on both the St. Nicholas Catholic School website (www .s t n i ch o l a s c s . o r g ).

Unscheduled Early Dismissal Information

If school is in session and students are already at school, a phone tree will inform parents/guardiansof an emergency or early closure. No student will be allowed to leave school until arrangements have been made with parents/guardians. Do not call the school.1. Students will remain indoors.

2. No student will leave the school grounds without parental permission. Children must be checked out and excused with the school office. This includes students who normally utilize transportation other than transportation by car.

3. Parents or carpool rides must come to the school office and students will be excused from theschool office only.

4. Siblings will remain together when being dismissed.

Emergency Drills

State law requires that fire drills be held monthly. During fire drills students should follow these regulations:1. Students will rise in silence when alarm sounds.2. Students will walk to assigned location, single file, in silence.3. Students will return to classrooms when the all clear signal is given, single file, in silence.

Earthquake, Lockdown and Bomb Threat drills will be held periodically. During these drills students should follow these regulations:1. Earthquake: Students will drop, hold and cover. Students will exit the building with direction of the teacher when the all clear signal is given.2. Lockdown: students will take cover in the hallways and bathrooms away from any doors (locked) andwindows (blinds closed). Students will remain in the classroom under the direction of the teacher and will return to class when the all clear signal is given.3. Bomb threat: students will evacuate to assigned areas and will not re-enter until the all clear is given.

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Speed Limit

X. TRANSPORTATION

In the parking lot, please drive between 5 and 10 miles per hour. Do not leave your vehicle while in a drop off or pick up zone.

Traffic Flow

Please refer to traffic flow map in appendix and the instructions below. While the plan may not completely satisfy everyone, it will address two major concerns: safety for students and traffic flow. Please be patient and cooperative. Review and follow the enclosed traffic flow illustration for the plan to work.

Morning Drop-Off Procedure

Using r i g h t l a n e on l y , pull up to the crosswalk by the big toy. This will leave enough space for other cars to pull up behind you. Please pull up as far as you can. Turn off your cell phone as you enter and exit the parish and/or school parking lot. Do not get out of your car. Your child(ren) are to exit the car on the curbside only.

For the safety of everyone, no ch i l dren are t o be d ro p ped o f f f r om t he l e f t ha n d l an e .

At no point should you put your car in reverse. To leave, either pull out into left lane or, optimally, wait until car(s) in front of you leave.Please have courtesy and consideration for others who are delivering children. We know it will “only take asecond”, but that “second” can mess up a lot of people and be a potential hazard. The left lane is for drivingonly.

Children coming from the parking lot must be accompanied by a parent – using the crosswalk. Do not allow your child(ren) to cross without you.

Afternoon Pick-up Procedure

Cars move forward using both lanes in front of the school. Please leave only 2-3 feet between you and the car in front of you. There will be room for approximately 24 cars (hereinafter called “block” of cars) using this procedure.These lanes will extend from the end of the 1st/2nd building to just b e f o re the curve at the end of the row(cones can mark front of the line until teacher/volunteer comes out).

Turn off your cell phone as you enter and exit the parish and/or school parking lot. Shut off your car once you are in line. Remain in your car until the line you are in departs.

Place your name placard in the front passenger window for identification. Once your child(ren) are loaded in your vehicle, remove your name placard so teachers an volunteers know that you have everyone and areready to leave.

When the bell rings, a l l students will be brought out and waiting in grades groups. Pre- Kindergarten students, then first, second, etc. through eighth will stand in a row from the far end of the sidewalk near Edwards going toward the office end of the sidewalk. No children are to be on the playground equipment while waiting for their rides. THE PLAYGROUND IS OFF LIMITS AFTER SCHOOL FOR BOTH

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STUDENTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS.

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Parents must be in their cars, ready to go, when the bell rings. For those of you who have business with other drivers, please plan to park in the church lot.

Teachers will assist the children in getting safely to the appropriate cars.

When the active block of cars is loaded, one row at a time will be released to drive off. No car will leave until all cars in the active block have been filled and the teacher/volunteer releases the cars.

If, for some reason, you don’t have all of your students in the car in time for your row to be released, the driverwill have to circle around and get back in line and wait to get into another pick-up block.

After these cars are all gone, the next two rows of cars can pull up to the waiting area and the process repeats.

The rows of cars will be directed by either a teacher or parent volunteer.

For those parents who wish to get out of their cars and pick up their children, you must park in the church parking lot and walk up to get them. N o cars p ark e d i n the s cho o l l o t ’ s pa r king s paces w i l l be a l lo w ed to l ea v e un t i l t he par k i ng p ro cedur e l i s t ed a b ove h as b een c o m p l e t e d . Any car in reverse is a potential danger to the children.

PLEASE NOTE The parking lot has a Fire Lane that must remain free of vehicles at all times. Any vehiclenot adhering to the proper parking procedures may be towed at the owner’s expense.

XI. EXTENDED CARE

Students enrolled in St. Nicholas Catholic School may participate in its Extended Care program. Extended Care must be self-supporting. If merited by enrollment, Extended Care is available before school from 7:00 a.m. until 8:10 a.m. and after school, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The program is only available when school is in session and does not operate on the first and last day of school. Cost for Extended Care is in addition to tuition. The cost is set annually by the principal and Extended Care director and published at the beginning of the school year. Extended Care use will be billed at the end of each month. In addition records may be held or graduation denied for outstanding Extended Care bills.

Student behavior in Extended Care will be consistent with the school conduct code of St. Nicholas Catholic School, including playground rules. Students who do not meet these standards may be asked to refrain from using Extended Care.

Forms for enrolling in Extended Care are on the school website.

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XII. UNIFORM CODE

General Guidelines for Pre-School – 8th Grade

Parents/guardians are expected to help children keep the school uniform rules. At St. Nicholas Catholic School we wear uniforms in order to:

Discourage differences brought about by various income levels, thus eliminating unnecessary peer pressure and allowing the attention of the student to be directed to learning.

Assure that the dress standards of the school emphasize neatness. Promote an image of pride both at and away from school. Represent our Catholic school image. Help create a positive climate of discipline and responsibility. Provide cost effective clothing that is easily maintained. Promote an attitude of moderation and modesty

School uniform policy applies to appearance as well as attire. Uniforms must fit well, be clean, and in good repair. Shirts and blouses are to be tucked in.

Free Dress

Free dress is allowed on special occasions throughout the school year as designated by the principal. Clothing must be appropriate for school – modest, non-distractive, and moderate. Not allowed: short shorts or skirts, halter tops, midriff-baring tops, spandex, tank tops, cut-offs. Clothing must be clean and in good repair. Shoe, hair, make-up and jewelry policies are in effect even on free dress days.

Field trip wear will be decided in consultation with administration and will depend on the circumstances surrounding the field trip. Weather and location will especially be taken into consideration

Mass Uniform

Girls Boys

* Jumper or Skort* Tights or knee-high socks* White shirt (red acceptable during Advent)* Uniform sweater, cardigan, or vest (no sweatshirts)* Black or brown leather shoe (no ballet flats) or SOLID black or brown athletic shoes (no color accents)

* Navy uniform pants* White shirt (red acceptable during Advent)* Uniform sweater, cardigan, or vest (no sweatshirts)* Black or brown leather shoe or SOLID black or brown athletic shoes (no color accents)

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Hair Jewelry, Make-up, and Accessories

* Hairstyles are to be neat, clean, and conducive to a quality-learning environment, while not drawing attention to oneself* Hair color should be one’s own natural color, without dyes, bleaches, or streaks* Boys and girls are to keep their hair out of their eyes* Boys’ hair should be cut above the eyes, above the collar, and above the ears.* Students will be sent home to have hair properly groomed if it is found to be extreme. This will be at the discretion of the principal.* Boys must be clean-shaven

* Make-up is not allowed. This includes eye shadow, liners, mascara, tinted lip-gloss or balm, lipstick, foundation make-up or powder.* No fingernail polish or artificial fingernails* Students may wear a cross or religious medal. No other necklace is allowed.* Students may wear a watch. No other bracelets are allowed, with exception of medical alert bracelets* Girls may wear one set of post earrings. They must be smaller than a dime. No dangling or hoop earrings.* No other jewelry is to be worn at school.* Hair bows, ribbons, and barrettes in black, brown, navy, hunter green, white, or Sequoia plaid are allowed, as long as they are not a distraction. No oversize bows or headbands, no sparkles or sequins.* No tattoos, body art, or facial piercings.

Regular Uniform Options

Item Color Grade Comments

Pants andShorts

Navy Blue PS – 8 * Cotton twill ankle length, straight-legged pants, no adornments or stitching (Uniform Store style)* No skinny pants* Pants must be worn at the waist* Shorts must be twill walking shorts no shorter than 3” above the knee* No cargo style

Jumpers Sequoia Plaid PS – 5 *Jumpers must be purchased from Dennis Uniform Store* The length is to be no shorter than 3” above the knee* Shorts must be worn under jumpers for modesty purpose* Leggings may not be worn

Skorts Sequoia Plaid PS – 8 *Skorts must be purchased from Dennis Uniform StoreNavy 6 – 8 * Navy skorts must be purchased from Dennis Uniform Store

Shirts White or Hunter Green

Red during Advent only

PS – 8 * Long or short sleeved white or hunter green polo* Long or short sleeved Peter Pan collar blouse* Long white or hunter green turtleneck* No logos* Shirts must be tucked into the waistband* Red polo or turtleneck may be worn during Advent

Sweatshirts Green Crew Neck

PS – 5 * Only uniform sweatshirt purchased from the Dennis Uniform Store or Ideal Commercial Uniforms with the St. Nicholas logo may be worn during the day

Green Quarter Zip

6 – 8

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Sweaters, Cardigans, and Vests

Hunter Green PS – 8 *Sweaters, cardigans, and vests with St. Nicholas logo must be purchased from the Dennis Uniform Store.*Must be worn on Mass days

Shoes Black, White, Brown, Navy, or Gray

PS – 8 *Shoes must be of a closed toe and heel nature*Solid color with light accent (shoe logo is acceptable)*Shoelaces are to be worn and tied, and of shoe colors (black, white, brown, navy, or gray). Velcro and strap closures are also acceptable.*No slip-ons, ballet flats, boots, flip flops, or sandals*Heels may be no higher than 1”* No flashing lights, wheels, high fashion shoes, glitter* No high-tops

Socks and Tights

Black, White, Navy

PS – 8 *Socks must be worn at all times* Knee-highs, anklets, and tights are acceptable* Socks and tights must be in solid colors, no pattern

Belts Black, Brown, or Navy

5-8 * Solid color

Uniform Exchange

The Parent Community sponsors a uniform exchange. Parents/guardians are encouraged to bring in lightly used uniforms and exchange them for larger sizes. Please contact the school office for more details.

Outerwear

Students should bring warm/dry coats to school daily as the weather may change unexpectedly. Hats may not be worn inside. Outerwear and other coats are not to be worn indoors.

Backpacks

No key chains or toys may be attached to student backpacks. No wheels on backpacks with the exception of Middle School.

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XIII. RESPONSIBILITIES & STUDENT BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

Since by far the greatest influence on a child’s thinking and behavior is his/her parents, the school cannot attain its discipline goal without active support from the parents/guardians. Parental cooperation is essential for the welfare of students. If, in the opinion of the administration, parent/guardian behavior seriously interferes with the teaching/learning process, the school may require parents to withdraw their child/ren and sever the relationship with the school.

It is the parent’s responsibility to encourage in the child the positive attitude toward learning and to guide thechild in becoming a responsible, caring human being. This would include:

1. Supporting the spiritual development of your child by attending Sunday Mass together weekly, or, if non-Catholic, attending weekly worship services of your faith.

2. Fostering in your student a Christ-like concern for all classmates and their reputations.3. Sending your child to school on time and picking your child up on time.4. Upholding the rules and policies of the school (see “Student Responsibilities”)5. Sending your child to school in proper attire at all times.6. Supporting the authority of school personnel by refusing to criticize them negatively in the

presence of others, especially children.7. Consulting your student’s teacher first before forming a final opinion regarding any situation

in which a child seems to be treated unfairly.8. Being available for conferences.9. Assisting your child to establish a specified time and place to complete homework.10. Seriously discern the recommendations issued by school personnel, such as diagnostic

evaluations or other assistance.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

As a student…

I have the right to be happy, to express myself and to be treated with understanding in this school. I have the responsibility not to laugh at others or to hurt their feelings.

I have the right to be safe in this school.I have the responsibility to keep my hands and feet to myself and to follow school rules.

I have the right to hear and to be heard in this school.I have the responsibility to listen to others and to wait my turn to be heard.

I have the right to quiet time to learn and study in this school.I have the responsibility to be respectful of other peoples’ quiet time and to complete my assignments in themanner and within the time frame expected.

I have the right to use learning materials.I have the responsibility to respect property and materials.

I have the right to enjoy playing safely on the playground.I have the responsibility to follow school and safety rules on the playground.

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It is the student’s responsibility to participate in the educational program of the school, to help maintain an orderly learning environment throughout the school, and to deprive in no way other students of their right to an education. In order to accomplish this, the student must observe the following standards of behavior:

1. Modeling Christ’s teachings about love for one’s neighbor in all interactions.2. Arriving to school on time.3. Obeying school guidelines/procedures, including, but not limited to:

Abiding by the uniform policy at all times during a school day Walking on the sidewalks, on the stairs and between buildings Playing in assigned playground areas only Respectful attendance at mass Not bringing electronic equipment, including but not limited to cell phones, iPods, and electronic games to school Never leaving the school grounds without written permission from a parent/guardian and

the principal/designee4. Behaving in a respectful and friendly manner toward all school and parish personnel,

volunteers and visitors.5. Respecting all property, including books, desks, bathrooms, school buildings, parish

buildings, and playground.6. Refusing to support disrespectful behavior in other students.7. Coming to class prepared with necessary supplies and assignments completed.8. Using acceptable and appropriate language.9. Acting honestly.

Teacher Responsibility

It is the teacher’s responsibility to educate students in a manner that ensures not only their intellectualgrowth, but their spiritual and emotional growth as well. These responsibilities include:

1. Maintaining an atmosphere that ensures students’ right to educational and personal growth withoutfear of intimidation by others.

2. Providing academic instruction appropriate and challenging to the students.3. Helping students develop pride in their school based on respect for themselves and others.4. Encouraging positive choices with regards to school rules.5. Fostering respect for all school and parish staff, parents, volunteers, and visitors.6. Dealing promptly and consistently with any inappropriate behavior among students.7. Keeping parents and principal informed about the behavior and academic performance of students.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

Our philosophy of student behavior management flows from our basic school philosophy. St. Nicholas Catholic School exists to provide a Christian atmosphere where the total person is developed. Children need adults who will constantly model values and actions that are in accord with our Catholic philosophy. We consider the uniqueness of each child as well as the common good.

St. Nicholas Catholic School believes in lifelong learning and sees it as a journey consisting of a series of choices with respective consequences.

The St. Nicholas Catholic School staff agrees that a consistent approach to student behavior management is essential for creating a positive atmosphere in our learning community. We also agree that establishing a consistent student behavior management approach is an ongoing process consisting of evaluation and review. We choose to substitute the words “Respect” and “Responsibility” for the word “discipline,” thus focusing

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on the individual’s responsibility for his/her own behavior.

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Respect and Responsibility

Appropriate behavior through praise, rewards, and privileges. “Appropriate behavior” is defined asfollowing three basic rules:

1. He/she will respect self and others.2. He/she will respect and care for school/parish and personal property.3. He/she will observe playground boundaries and school safety rules.

Specifics of these rules are discussed and defined by teachers and students in their classrooms.

By, but not limited to the following school rules: Follow all directions the first time given. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. Walk inside buildings using an inside voice. No fighting, swearing, spitting, or destroying property. No direct or indirect harassment. No gum on school/parish grounds. No use of electronic equipment (includes Nintendo, PSP, cell phones, iPods, etc.) on

school/parish grounds.

The school rewards include: Extra recess Assemblies Treats

The school’s positive recognition includes: Praise Positive note to student Positive note sent home with student Positive phone calls to students and parents End-of year recognition

The school rules are posted in every classroom. While individual classrooms post their own expectations for behavior and conduct, these expectations are always in support of the school rules. At the beginning of the school year, classroom teachers communicate their expectations for behavior and conduct, as well as their classroom rewards and positive recognition to families in writing.

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Playground Guidelines

1. All games and activities are open to anyone who is willing to play fairly and wishes to participate.

2. Equipment

Students will play safely and properly with all equipment and on all equipment. Teachers and playground supervisors will review proper use of equipment with the students.

Slide on slides feet first in a sitting position. Do not walk or climb up the slides. Refrain from using big toys as an area for tag, including ball tag or games. Hardballs are not allowed on school property.

3. Safety rules

Students will keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves at all times. This includes wrestling, tackling, kicking, punching, and fake fighting.

Language will be consistent with the Catholic school philosophy and values. Students will remain in their assigned play area except with permission of playground

supervisor(s). Teachers and playground supervisors define assigned play areas. Students may not use the rock and stonewalls for climbing and/or sitting. Students will ask permission from the playground supervisor to re-enter the building during

recess. If a serious injury occurs, the supervisor will remain with the injured students and call the

office for assistance. If a minor injury occurs, a second student may accompany the injured child to the office.

The supervisor will call the office to alert them of their arrival. The principal, or the secretary in the absence of the principal, should be made aware of all

major injuries.

4. Line-up guidelines Students are to line-up at the time they hear the whistle. Students who do not line-up in a

timely fashion will owe time. Upon line-up, students should wait quietly for further instruction.

The staff of St. Nicholas Catholic School enforces all guidelines; occasionally a question may arise about the interpretation or definition of a guideline or behavior. The administration and staff reserve the right to determine whether an individual student is acting in accordance with the guidelines.

Disciplinary Actions

St. Nicholas Catholic School strives to address behavioral expectations in a proactive manner. However, some behaviors are so severe that they merit immediate and serious consequences without any previous warning given.These serious behaviors include, but are not limited to:

Committing willful physical harm Willful destruction of any property (including the student’s) Willful defiance Failure to observe safety guidelines Arson Unauthorized entry of school/parish facility Stealing

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Direct or indirect harassment, which includes repeated conduct or expression directed toward another, for the purpose of intimidation or coercion

Possession or use of alcoholic beverage, illegal substance, or drugs Possession or use of tobacco Possession or use of weapons or objects construed as weapons Truancy Fighting Forgery of documents and/or signature of parent/guardian or school staff Repeated disruption of learning environment Indirect or direct disrespect shown toward staff, student, parents, or any adult in the

school/parish Repeated violations of school rules Failure to meet terms of probation or behavior contract Conduct, inside or outside the school, which is detrimental to the school’s reputation. Making threats of violence against students and/or staff or any adults in school/parish

environment

A student accused of serious wrongdoing may be placed on “investigative leave” with all class workprovided, while an investigation is going on.

The principal has discretionary power to determine whether an offense is serious enough to warrant an immediate suspension or expulsion.

Corrective Actions

Corrective actions will be taken as necessary. These may include disciplinary referral forms, uniform infractions, detention after school, service during recess and/or after school, restitution for damage, loss of privileges, written accounts, and a telephone call to parents at home or work; if warranted by circumstances, corrective actions may include in-school suspension, suspension, or expulsion.

Tardiness

Students who frequently come to class tardy, whether during the course of the school day, or in the morning, disrupt other students’ right to learn. In addition, the teacher’s instruction is hindered, and the tardy student often experiences embarrassment.

However, St. Nicholas Catholic School acknowledges the fact, that there are days when “time gets away,”and students may be tardy. A tardy is defined as a student not in his/her classroom and ready to learn at8:20 a.m. A tardy may be excused in some circumstances, especially in the case of medical/dental appointments and acts of God. The decision as to excuse versus an unexcused tardy is at the discretion of theadministration. The following is the school policy for unexcused tardies; individual teachers may have additional consequences for tardy students.

In grades 1-8, tardies are recorded per trimester. Homeroom teachers will handle tardies utilizing progressive discipline. A disciplinary referral will be submitted to the principal if a student accumulates five(5) excused or unexcused tardies per trimester.

Should the problem persist beyond 5 tardies per trimester, other disciplinary actions may be taken and a conference between parent/student and teacher/administration may be held.

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Searches

Lockers, desks and cubbies are property of the school and may be opened without the presence or permission of the student(s) who use them if reasonable cause exists. St. Nicholas Catholic School staff can also search students’ belongings if reasonable cause exists.

Electronic Devices

Use of electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, iPods, iPads, other tablets, cameras, etc. is considered disruptive and may result in the device being confiscated. These items must be stored in lockers/cubbies or backpacks during school hours.

Social Media

Engagement in online social media such as, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Tumbler may result in disciplinary action if the content of the student’s postings include defamatory comments regarding the school, the faculty, other students or the parish.

Drugs and Alcohol

Students who possess tobacco, drugs and/or alcohol at school or at any school function face suspension and/or expulsion.

Bullying and Cyber-bullying

St. Nicholas attempts to provide a safe environment for all individual. Verbal or written threats made against the physical or emotional well-being of any individual are taken very seriously. Students making suchthreats (seriously or in jest) in person or online face detention, suspension and/or expulsion.

Probation

Probation is a formal warning that unless set conditions are met, more serious actions will be taken. The students and parents will be informed of the fact and the conditions of the probation. Probation will be used for serious and/or repeated offenses occurring during the school year. Terms of the probation will be explained in writing by the principal and teacher, and reviewed with the student concerned.

Suspension

Suspension means that the student will remain home for a period to be determined by principal/designee. The student is responsible for the work missed during that time. During the suspension period, the student may not be allowed to participate in any school-related activity. The student may be required to attend a rehabilitation program, be enrolled in such a program before he/she is readmitted to school, and must complete such program according to requirements of the individual program. A conference with the student and parent/guardian will be required before the student may be readmitted to school.

In-School Suspension

In-school suspension may be the consequence for a serious breach of behavior or excessive homework/assignment or behavior infractions. In order for a student to be separated from peers and still be supervised by a teacher, the in-school suspension time will be spent in a classroom whose students are not

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his/her peers or in the school office. Lunch will be eaten with that classroom and not with peers. Recesses will be spent inside and away from peers.

Expulsion

Expulsion is defined as a request for the student to leave the school and find educational accommodation in another school.

Given the situation, the principal/designee may place a student on investigative leave before making a final decision.

Depending on the gravity of the situation, the principal/designee may take a student directly to the level of expulsion.

Other reasons for expulsion include, but are not limited to the list of offenses listed under “Disciplinary Actions,” the opinion of school authorities that the student(s) would not gain by continuing in the school and/or that the student(s)’ continuing presence would be detrimental to the good of the community.

Carrying a firearm/explosives/ammunition/dangerous object and/or weapon onto school/parish premises or school provided transportation, or to school-related functions will result in expulsion. Police may be notified.

Procedure for Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion

A. Parents/guardians will be notified before a student is sent home and are expected to conference with the principal and teacher(s) before the student is allowed to return to school.

B. At the occasion of a conference regarding suspension, a parent may be notified by the principal that probation or expulsion could follow.

C. Terms of probation will be in writing by the principal.D. In cases of expulsion, parents/guardians and/or student(s) have the right to request a meeting

with the pastor/designee. Parents/guardians and student(s) will be asked to study carefully anddiscuss the school, policy on discipline and expectations.

Hearing Procedure in Case of Expulsion

The Due Process procedure for expulsion of a student is:A. When the principal decides to expel a student, a certified letter is sent to the student(s)

and parents/guardians.B. The letter states observed behaviors of the student(s) and notes the disciplinary action, while

acknowledging the student(s)’ right to a hearing.C. If the parents/guardians request a hearing, they must reply in writing within five school days.

1. If a reply is not received within this five-day period, the student(s) and parents/guardians are deemed to have waived a hearing and the disciplinary actions take effect.

2. If a hearing is requested, it is held within five (5) school days of such a request.D. The principal has the right, if necessary, to exclude the student from all school activities

during the time of Due Process.

Principal’s Role in Disciplinary Actions

The principal is the final resource in all-disciplinary situations and may waive or alter any disciplinary regulation for just cause at his/her discretion.

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XIV. TEACHING AND LEARNING

Religion

St. Nicholas Catholic School exists to teach the message of Jesus Christ to its students. Therefore, Catholic religion is of primary importance in the curriculum. Christian attitudes and actions are integrated into the complete day.

Sacramental Program

The Sacramental life of the children of the Catholic tradition is an important component of the religion program at St. Nicholas. Preparation for two sacraments, Reconciliation and Eucharist, form the core of instruction in grade 2. In accordance with the diocesan guidelines, candidates for First Eucharist will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist. The sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are only conferred to students baptized in the Roman Catholic tradition.

Parents, rather than the school, will bear the greatest influence regarding attitudes toward Mass attendance and behavior. Sunday Mass is expected of all Catholic school families. The entire student body participates in the Eucharistic Celebration on Holy Days and other special occasions that fall on school days.

Curriculum and Instruction

The curriculum in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion follows state and Archdiocesan requirements and provides for the harmonious development of the student’s spiritual, moral, physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. Some of our curricular highlights include Reading Buddies; the Six Trait Writing, and Common Core Standards.

St. Nicholas Catholic School provides a program which includes classes in the following subjects: religion/family life, integrated language arts, reading, literature, social studies, geography, mathematics, science, hand writing, art, health, and World Languages, physical education, music and computer education. Daily instruction combines a variety of strategies including cooperative learning, discovery learning, and direct instruction. When working in groups, students are held to the same high standard as when participating in direct instruction. St. Nicholas Catholic School believes in the importance of home study. An integral part of our school’s curriculum focuses on the teaching and learning of life-long habits, such as following timelines and completing in-class and home study assignments neatly and to the best of a student’s ability.

Outreach is another important area for student involvement. All students participate in some form of outreach benefiting the parish, local community, or other organizations. Recent service projects include but are not limited to:

Long Term Care Facility visits Food and clothing bank collections Stuffing church bulletins Angel room donations

All outreach projects are connected to the curriculum and developmentally appropriate.

Curriculum objectives, under the guidelines of the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Department, are periodically updated. Copies of the Curricular Framework and Scope and Sequence for each grade level are available in the office.

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St. Nicholas faculty members are state certified and participate in ongoing staff development, including catechetical certification for teachers of religion. As agents of the Principal and Pastor, they uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Library

Students may access the library during library hours or under staff supervision. All library materials must be checked out with the library volunteer. Materials may be checked out for a period stated in library policy. Report cards will be held at the end of each trimester until overdue materials are returned. Any library materials not returned by the end of the year must be paid for. All library accounts must be cleared before a final report card or transcripts are issued.

School regulations are to be followed in the library at all times, including those regarding food, drink, and conduct. Fines are charged for failure to return or extreme damage to library materials. Please see that our library materials are not returned to public libraries.

XV. ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND ASSESSMENT

Home Study

The most important homework to be done outside of school is the practicing of skills learned at school. Homework is given to supplement and reinforce class work. Thus, homework assignments are an extension of classroom work and should be completed by the student on his/her own. Parental support (in terms of reinforcement, encouragement, and interest) is most valuable, not only for student productivity, but also forpersonal growth in the areas of responsibility, initiative, and creativity. Much can be accomplished if parents will help foster consistent home study habits in their children and provide adequate study space in anenvironment free from distractions.

Homework is assigned on a regular basis for all grades. In addition, students may have reading and math journals to complete and other assignments to work on that require a long-term commitment. Students in intermediate and middle school grades receive Student Planner books. These are mandatory to instill the good habits of organization and planning ahead. While the daily amount of homework should generally fall within the following ranges, t he t i m e s p ent on ho m e s t u d y va r i e s f r om s t u d e n t t o s t u d e n t :

Grades 1-2 25-35 minutes Grades 3-4 35-60 minutes Grades 5-6 60-75 minutes Grades 7-8 60-90 minutes

In grades 4-8, the timely completion of homework is part of the student’s overall grade. Although a student may show an aptitude for a specific subject, missing or incomplete assignments may negatively impact his/her overall grade.

Report Cards and Guidelines for Grading

Formal report cards will be issued each trimester (approximately every 12 weeks.). Parents/guardians are asked to review the report, discuss it with their students, and return it signed to the school. Mid-term reports are issued as needed each trimester.

Just as homework completion impacts a student’s overall grade, so does conduct. Behaviors, such as tardiness, disrupting instruction, or frequent interruptions may negatively impact a student’s overall grade.

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In extreme or ongoing cases, a student may face disciplinary consequences, which may result in suspension or expulsion (see Discipline).

Grading Scale

Students in Kindergarten are assessed on progress towards goals as stated on the report card. Students in grades 1-3 use the following scale:

4 = exceeding grade level standards; 3 = meeting grade level standards; 2 = approaching grade level standards; 1 = below grade level standards. In all cases a + or – attached to the letter indicates a slight deviation above or below the given statement.

The grading scale for students in 4th - 8th grade is reported on a percentage grade based on 100%.

In subject subheadings and areas of Christian Social Growth and Study Skills/Work Habits, the following marks are used in grades 1 – 8:

+ = Excellent; exceeds expectations; + = Above average; exceeds expectations most of the time; = Satisfactory; generally meets expectations; - = Needs improvement; occasionally meets expectations;- = Below average; generally does not meet expectations.

-Promotion and Retention of Students

Students are promoted to the following grade once a year. Promotion is based on the student’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the grade. Satisfactory completion may depend on several factors, including academic potential, regular and punctual attendance, effort, timely completion of assigned work, and test scores.

Students who are not progressing satisfactorily may be placed on Academic Probation. A copy of the policy and procedures for Academic Probation is in the Appendix.

A student may be required to repeat the work of a grade, if, in the judgment of the principal in consultation with the teacher(s), it would be to the student’s long-term educational advantage to repeat rather than be promoted to the next grade. Whenever a student may be retained, parents/guardians will be advised of this possibility at least three months prior to the end of the school year. The criteria used in determining whether a student is retained include test scores, academic records, social growth, and teacher observations that extend beyond grades and chart student work habits and learning over a period of at least three months.

If a student in grade 5-8 chooses not to complete class work on a subject, he/she may fail that subject. He/she may be required to attend summer school or make up work in some other manner before final the report card and/or transcripts are issued.

Assessment

In addition to frequent classroom assessments through homework, projects, quizzes and tests, St. NicholasCatholic School students participate in standardized assessment programs.

Scores are reported to parents/guardians when the school receives them. They are also recorded on the student’s permanent cumulative record card. Other assessment may be given as deemed necessary by the school.

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Cheating

St. Nicholas Catholic School strongly stresses that doing your best is more important than the grade. However, if a student does choose to cheat on a test or assignment, this is our policy. The person cheating will receive a zero on the test or assignment and the person allowing the cheating will receive a 50% on the test or assignment. All students involved will receive disciplinary actions as determined by the principal and the teacher(s).

Special Needs

If after observation by the teacher and/or parent/guardian it becomes apparent that a child is having difficulty performing at grade level the school may recommend that the parents/guardians seek assistance for the child by:

Having the child privately tutored Seeking counseling services Having the child assessed through the child’s home school (public) district or other private resources.

If a formal evaluation is requested, parents/guardians are expected to follow through with the recommendation. Services recommended after testing are coordinated with the school and the service provider. It must be recognized, however, that St. Nicholas Catholic School may not be able to meet the needs of all students.

XVI. COMMUNICATION: PARENT & SCHOOL

Parent & School Contacts

Consistent communication is essential for the school and parents/guardians to work hand-in-hand. The following are some avenues for communication. (Parent Covenant in appendix)

Parent/Teacher: Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact teachers directly with questions regarding their child’s progress in class. Messages will be returned, if at all possible, before the end of the following school day. Since teachers have additional duties before and after school, parents/guardians are encouraged to setup appointments. Any appointments or personal contacts with teachers must take place outside the teaching day.

1. Contact the teacher involved and discuss the issue.2. If further action is warranted, the principal should be contacted.3. Should resolution be necessary, a hearing procedure may be requested:

a. The pastor/designee act as hearing officer to review facts and determine fairness of action b. Pastor, principal, teacher, parent/guardian are present at hearing.c. The pastor/designee, within three school days following the hearing, states his findings and

evaluation decision.d. These findings and evaluation are sent in writing to the following: principal, teacher, parent,

and student.

Teacher/Parent: Teachers are expected to provide parents/guardians with regular progress reports. Teachers are also encouraged to keep contact with parents/guardians through classroom newsletters, phone calls, and personal contacts.

Administration: The school principal is available to meet with parents/guardians. Parents/guardians must make an appointment with the school office. The principal maintains contact through regular updates, the parish bulletin, and various meetings.

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Conferences

Conferences are a time for students to share their progress and goals with their parents/guardians and teachers. Mandatory conferences are scheduled in the fall. Students need to be at the fall conferences with their parents. There is also an optional conference time in the Spring. This time will be used especially for students experiencing difficulty in their class work or behavior. Both conferences will be scheduled through the school office.

Parent conferences are encouraged and can be requested at any time by parents/guardians or teachers. To schedule a conference, you are invited to call the school office or send a note.

Back to School Night

This event, held in September, is for parents/guardians to come and get acquainted with their child’s teacher and also with each other. Teachers speak to parents/guardians about class schedules, curriculum, student- teacher-parent conferences and other items of interest. This is not a conference time and if parents/guardians wish to speak with a teacher in length they should make an appointment to do so.

School Website – School Communication to Families

School Family Communication is through e-mail. Letters, calendars, notices, etc., are also sent home through email. Materials, other than staff -initiated communications, may not be distributed or sent home with students without prior authorization by the principal. School authorization does not necessarily imply endorsement of that material. If an organization wishes to include information in the newsletter, the information m ust b e at t h e s c ho o l o f f i ce by 12 : 00 p. m . on We d ne s d a y . Any letters, notices or flyers for the newsletter must be sent electronically (to [email protected]) so they can be posted to the website. Urgent information will be sent home with students on as needed basis.

Calendars

The school publishes a yearly and monthly calendar. All calendars are posted on the website and additional copies are often available in the school office. Because of the nature of the school day, dates on the calendar may be changed as needed. Please call the school office if you have any questions.

Web Page and E-mail

St. Nicholas Catholic School maintains a web page at www.stnicholascs.org. On it, information about school events is frequently updated. Information on the web page is the property of the school and the web pagemay only be modified by the designated web master. Be sure to visit the web page often. Individual teachersalso maintain web pages on the school web site.

Each staff member has a separate email address consisting of his or her first initial, last name [email protected]. For instance, the principal, Amy Unruh, may be reached at [email protected]. E-mail is often an easy and efficient way to send messages to the school and its staff.

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XVII. PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT

St. Nicholas Catholic School Commission

The St. Nicholas Catholic School Commission serves in an advisory capacity. It establishes and monitors policies regarding the operation of the school, in concurrence with policies of the Archdiocese. The Pastor is the final authority in all policy matters. Unless otherwise noted, school commission meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, at 6 p.m., in the parish center. Persons wishing to be included on the agenda should contact either the school principal or the commission chair at least one week before the scheduled meeting.

Nominations for School Commission membership generally are accepted in the spring of each year. Terms are for three years. Please contact the school office or a school commission member for more information.

St. Nicholas Parent-Teacher Organization

The parent community strengthens and supports the mission of St. Nicholas Catholic School. It meets monthly, September through May, on the second Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m. in the parish center. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. Please refer to the appendix for the “St. Nicholas Catholic School Parent Community Bylaws” and for further information.

Room Parents

Room parents play an important role in helping to coordinate and implement classroom activities. The roleof room parents includes, but is not limited to: making calls to parents; arranging with teachers for classroom activities; acting as liaison between the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the classroom; providing transportation and other help for field trips; helping coordinate the school phone tree for emergencies, and work on special functions. Room parents are coordinated by the PTO and/or the principal. Money isreceived from the Parent Teacher Organization and may not be spent by the room parent(s) without the approval of the classroom teachers. Careful records must be kept of all expenditures. Parents should notsolicit money from the classroom without prior approval of the principal. Participation by parents in thesolicitation of funds must be voluntary.

Reimbursement for Expenditures

Parents and/or staff working on any school committee or activity must receive approval from the appropriate committee chair or principal designee for expenditures prior to spending any money. Requests for expenditures, which are not part of approved budgets, are considered on an individual basis.Reimbursements for expenditures not previously approved cannot be guaranteed. Request forms for reimbursements may be obtained from the school office.

XVIII. GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS AT SCHOOL

Catholic education is the responsibility of all members of the school community. Volunteers play an important role in our school and these guidelines have been prepared so that your volunteer experience can be most effective and most advantageous to all children.

Volunteers may be asked to complete information for the purpose of completing a background check. This is for the safety and security of the children and to meet the requirements of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

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Volunteers in the classroom must be scheduled ahead of time and are present at the discretion of the teacher. It is important that the teacher knows you are coming so that he/she can be prepared to use your help in an effective way. Casually dropping in is not conducive to establishing an academic working environment for the students.

Please make arrangement for childcare for your non-school child(ren) so as to prevent distractions for the students in the classroom.

You may be asked to work in another room (without children), in the classroom, on special projects, or directly with students.

If there is a substitute teacher the day you are scheduled to help in the classroom, you need to ask the substitute if you should stay or come back another day to volunteer.

When volunteering in the classroom, please help your own child understand that you are there to assist the teacher, not to give special privileges or extra attention to him/her. Be sure your childunderstands this prior to your volunteer day. You are a helper for the teacher, not a personal tutor orguide for your own child.

In the course of your volunteer work, you may learn confidential information about students or staff.You are expected to keep this information confidential in any setting inside or outside the school, just as you would wish your own privacy rights to be respected.

Every teacher will conduct his/her classroom differently. In preparation for you volunteering in the classroom, ask the teacher to make it clear to you what specific ways you can be most helpful.

Whether we realize it or not, where we are in the presence of children, we are always teaching.Please help us maintain a good example for a working environment. When you are a volunteer in a classroom, keep distracting conversations to a minimum, work quietly with the students and refrain from conferencing with the teacher.

The parent/guardian volunteer should be aware of the discipline guidelines and classroom rules. It isfully the teacher’s responsibility to make discipline decisions. If behavior problems arise duringyour volunteer time, refer them to the teacher promptly.

Comparing and/or judging children (your own or others) is not a helpful or valid thing to do. Please refrain from labeling or comparing children as this can be very destructive and often creates a moreserious problem.

Always do your best to affirm the children. Be sure to encourage and recognize positive behavior.Show real interest with eye contact and brief positive comments. Allow students to solve problems on their own as much as possible.

Teachers should not be asked to discuss any student’s learning needs, behavioral issues, or personal information; it is unchristian, unprofessional, and unethical to do so.

Although at times the reason for what you see happening in the classroom might not be apparent to you or even make much sense, please trust that we are professionals and that we have a plan, a purpose, and a method. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk directly with the teacheror principal at an appropriate time.

Jesus was a perfect model volunteer. He gave totally of Himself in service to others and asked for nothing in return. The reward, He knew, was of an eternal nature. The time and effort you give can help make our school the best learning environment possible for our students. The staff of St. Nicholas Catholic School thanks you in advance for your support. May God bless you in many unexpected ways for your generosity to His children.

We appreciate our volunteers and strive to utilize each person’s skills and gifts appropriately. Principal/designee and/or teachers determine volunteers’ placement. Teachers/staff may offer orientation to classroom volunteers.

Called to Protect For Ministries: A three-hour training for all clergy, employees and applicable volunteers. Training is facilitated by a designated trainer of the Archdiocese of Seattle certified by

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The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. Any parent wishing to volunteer at the school, in the classroom, on field trips, with CYO, etc.… (anyone having contact with students) must take the Safe Environment Training and complete a Volunteer Background Check.

XIX. EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND DIRECTORY INFORMATION

General Guidelines for Records

St. Nicholas Catholic School maintains several types of student records including, but not limited to, emergency forms, driver information, field trip information, past report cards, testing data, health and immunization records, and attendance records. Cumulative grades and attendance are entered annually on each student’s permanent record card as furnished by the Archdiocese of Seattle and kept permanently at the school. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure such records are current, especially those concerning health and safety.

Educational records are available for parents/guardians to review when a written request which identifies the record/s they wish to inspect has been submitted to the principal. Within 45 days of receiving the request, the principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian of the time and place where records may be inspected.

The right to amend a student’s records of something believed to be inaccurate or misleading may be requested in writing to the principal and must clearly state the part of the record requested for change and specification of what is believed to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the records as requested, the school will notify the parent/guardian and advise him/her of the right to a hearing.

Only those persons with legitimate education interest in the child are permitted to have access to a student’s records. At the time a student transfers to another school, records are sent upon the request of that school. The records sent include a copy of the permanent records card and the immunization form. All other material is kept in the school office; parents/guardians may request receipt of other records by calling or writing the school office. Records remaining longer than 1 month after transfer, may be destroyed.

Concerns regarding alleged failure of the school’s compliance with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) should be sent to the Family Policy Compliance Office, U. S. Department of Education.

Health Cards & Immunization Records

A St. Nicholas health card and Washington State Immunization Record are required for each student. Parents must keep their students immunizations updated in the school office

Pictures and Directory Information

Individual and class pictures are taken in the Fall and Spring. Advance notices covering procedures and payment will be sent home. Pictures may be taken of students by school staff or outside photographers for use in news releases, publications, web page, and other public relations purposes. A photo/video release form is included in the addendum and will be distributed in the Welcome Packet.

Directory Information is information in school records that is not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. This information may be distributed to those requesting it inside or outside of the school, such as newspapers and parent coordinators. We will consider the following as directory

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information: students’ names and family members’ names, addresses and phone numbers; pictures and videos, including stills and digital images, and awards received. If you do not want your child’s photograph or work used, please submit a written notification to the school office within three weeks of the first day of school for the child. Please be specific when defining which information you wish to disallow.

Child Custody

Upon request, duplicate report cards and parent-teacher conferences will be arranged for divorced/separated parents. Also, unless otherwise noted, the parent responsible for paying tuition is the parent to whom official transcripts will be forwarded.

In situations where parents are divorced/separated and one parent is designated as legal guardian with limited visitation rights granted to the other parent, copies of the custody papers (parenting plan) must be kept on file in the school office. A copy of any restraining order is also required.

Communication of Child Custody Agreement

Divorced or separated parents must file a court-certified copy of the custody section of the divorce or separation decree with the principal’s office. St. Nicholas Catholic School will not be held responsible for failing to honor agreements that have not been made known.

Access for non-custodial parents

St. Nicholas Catholic School complies with the provisions provided in the Buckley Amendment pertaining to access of school records and to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and to other school related information regarding the student(s). If there is a court order specifying that no information is given, or that the non-custodial parent has limited visitation right, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order.

Teacher Records

In accordance with the Right to Privacy Act, St. Nicholas Catholic School does not release information contained in teacher record and observation books

XX. STUDENT SERVICES/ACTIVITIES

Health Care

A health area is located in the school office. It affords privacy while still being supervised. The areacontains a cot for a student to rest on while waiting to be picked up due to illness. In this area, minor injuries can be treated. All medications and health records will be kept in a locked cabinet in this area.

Nurse volunteers periodically do health checks and supervise the health room. These checks may include,but are not limited to, hearing, vision, scoliosis, and lice checks. The volunteers also assist in maintenance ofState required immunization records. Notices will be sent home concerning any health checks.

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Medicine

According to state law, the school cannot administer any medications (including inhalers and non- prescription medications) unless a Physician’s Order for Medication is completed and signed by the child’s physician and parent. Forms are available in the school office and in the Appendix of the handbook . The following conditions must be met in order for medication to be administered at school:

The parent/guardian must get the “Physician’s Order for Medication at School” form completed and returned to the school office. Faxed forms will be accepted but verbal permission may not.

The request must state that there exists a valid health reason that makes administration of the medication advisable during school hours or during such time that the student is under the supervision of school officials.

The form must state written, current and unexpired instructions regarding the prescribed medication. The parent/guardian must sign an agreement which states that it is the primary responsibility of the

student to go to the office for any particular dose; that the school staff will make one attempt per dose missed by the child to contact the student and administer the medication; that school staffcannot be held accountable for a missed dosage; that the parent/guardian understands and acceptsthat school schedules and other responsibilities of the staff person may cause a child’s medication tobe delayed or missed.

Not more than a 20-day supply of the medication is to be at school at one time. The medications must be in the original prescription bottle labeled with the physician’s name, the

name of the medicine, the amount to be taken, and the time of day to be taken. If a medication requires special training to be administered, it is the parent’s/guardian’s

responsibility to train at least two staff members in the application of the medication. One of these staff members should be the child’s classroom teacher.

At the end of the school year, the parent/guardian must pick up and dispose of any medication left at school. If the parent/guardian does not pick up any remaining medication within 10 days of the last day of school, a school official will dispose of it.

A t no t i m e a r e t h e r e t o be m ed i ca t i ons o f any k i nd i n t he c l a s s r oo m s. This includes aspirin, Tylenol, cough drops, throat lozenges, eye drops, nose spray, etc. The only exception is an inhaler, which the student canself-medicate. If a student does carry an inhaler, the student shall have permission to carry the inhaler on filein the office.

In case of field trips, parents/guardians are responsible for making proper arrangements to ensure that the child’s medical needs are met and school policies are followed. In extreme cases, the parent/guardian may need to accompany the child on the field trip.

Hot Lunch

Hot lunch is provided through the school. Students will order hot or sack lunches during attendance each morning. All lunches are billed at the end of each month. Menus will be on the website and also available in the school office. Milk is also available for individual purchase. Lunch and milk prices are set at the beginning of the school year and published to the parents/guardians prior to the first day of school.

Field Trips

Parents are asked to note carefully all arrangements for field trips. Written parental permission and the completion of a student emergency information form are absolutely necessary for any student to participate in the field trip. (Forms included in the Appendix of the Handbook) Students who do not have these forms will not be allowed on the trip. Phone calls will not be accepted in place of the written form. Money collected for field trips is non-refundable.

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Participation in field trips is a privilege; no student has the absolute right to a field trip. Students can be denied participation if they fail to meet academic or behavioral requirements.

Unless otherwise notified, students wear uniforms when on field trips. Parents/guardians must make specific arrangements and follow school policy for students who require medication while on a field trip (see Medicine).

Under Archdiocesan policy, younger siblings may not accompany students on field trips. The attention of the chaperon needs to be fully on the children under their supervision.

Effective June 1, 2007, Under Washington State Law, children less than eight years old must be restrained in child restraint systems, unless the child is four feet nine inches or taller. A child who is eight years old or older, or four feet nine inches or taller, must be properly restrained either with the motor vehicle's safety belt or an appropriately fitting child restraint system. Children under thirteen years old must be transported in rear seats where it is practical to do so. If the car does not have shoulder belts, do not use booster seats.

Field Trip Transportation

St. Nicholas Catholic School uses parent drivers. All drivers will be responsible to see that students assigned to their car leave and return seat-belted in the same car. In addition, private drivers must follow state and Archdiocesan regulations when it comes to a child’s body weight and booster seat requirements. N o add i ti o nal s i d e t r i ps o r s t o p s ar e a l l o w ed . All drivers must be legally licensed, over 21 years of age, and insured with liability of a minimum coverage of $100,000/$300,000. In addition, all field trip drivers will have a completed the Safe Environment training and have a background check. A Field Trip Driver Information Form (copy found in the Appendix) must be signed and dated. Original forms will be kept on file for the current school year in the school office and may need to be updated prior to a field trip. Forms are also available in the office.

Special Field Trips

Teachers may plan, after consultation with the principal, extended field trips such as outdoor education camp. These field trips are important extensions of the curriculum and attendance by students is required. Fund raising may help cover the costs for the trips. Grants are available for those who might need financial assistance. For more information, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the class teacher or the school office.

Awards

Awards are given to students at the end of each trimester. These are given to students, identified by teachers and/or school staff through observable behavior, who have consistently performed in an exceptional manner, for community service and for sports and club participation. Awards given each trimester also include High Honor Roll and Honor Roll. The criteria for each award are explained to students at the beginning of the school year.

Special Activities and Events

A variety of activities are offered to meet the interests of our students, and complement the academic program. The middle school activity committee is especially active in providing extra-curricular opportunities for our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Fees are often needed to finance these activities. Information for all activities is sent home at appropriate times during the school year.

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It is expected that students participating in extra-curricular activities be in school on the day of the activity. Students participating in extra-curricular activities are representing the parish and the school. Students who do not display proper behaviors and do not maintain passing grades may be excluded from extra-curricular activities

Christmas Program

The Christmas Program is an all-school, Scripture-based musical performance by the students prior to theChristmas vacation. All students are expected to participate.

Catholic School Week

National Catholic Schools Week is a nation-wide celebration of the many contributions Catholic schools make to American Education. It traditionally occurs the last week of January/first week of February. We have many proud traditions and extend an invitation to all members of our community to visit our school. A calendar of specific events is sent home several weeks before the events.

Science Fair/Student Showcase

This is an opportunity for students to share their love of learning through special independent projects. Participation is required in grades 5-8. Teachers may choose to require participation in grades K-4. Student participants are expected to attend the evening session of the fair. Students whose projects meet the guidelines may attend the Regional Science Fair.

Athletics

St. Nicholas Catholic School competes with teams in the Pierce County Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) League. Cross Country is provided in the fall and is open to all students. Competitive sports for grades 4 through 8 may include:

Coed volleyball in the Spring Basketball for boys and girls in the winter

Generally, students participate with their age groups so that all players get plenty of opportunity to play. A volunteer coordinates the volunteer coaches. Coaches must meet policy requirements and have an approved background check.

Students must sign the student contract for participation stating minimum grade average for participation, complete all required forms, and be of good character. A copy of all forms is in the Appendix. The principal must approve any exception to this. There is a fee for participation, but any student who wishes to participate and cannot, due to financial circumstances, should contact the principal for financial assistance.

ASB

Student Council is an opportunity for students in the upper grades to learn leadership skills. The moderator publishes annually the qualifications and responsibilities for each office and students may run for office in the spring. If, at any time, a student falls below the qualifications level or does not properly fulfill the obligations of their office, they may be removed from the council and another student appointed to fill the position.

Parties, Food in Classroom

The principal or designee must approve any party for a staff member or an individual student at least three school days prior to the occasion. Classroom parties will be allowed at the discretion of the classroom

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teacher and/or the principal. Birthday celebrations in school are limited and left to the discretion of the principal and teacher(s).

Invitations to private parties, such as birthday parties or graduation parties, are not to be passed out at school. Please use mail or telephone from home to make these arrangements. Hurt feelings result when it is obvious that some children are not included in a private party.

No food or drink, especially soda, is allowed in classrooms except at specific times designated by teacher and/or administration. Gum is never allowed on school grounds except as may be occasionally authorized by the principal.

Graduation

Eighth grade graduation is usually held a week before the last day of school. The only parts of graduation that are school-sponsored are the Baccalaureate Mass and reception and the graduation ceremony. The parents solely sponsor any other events, such as parties, dances, picnics or other functions. Invitations to these events must be mailed and may not be distributed at school. It is the parents’ responsibility to plan, supervise, pay for, and chaperone these events.

Dances

The Archdiocese of Seattle generally discourages dances. However, depending on the occasion, they may be held for students at the 7th & 8th grade level. Students in 6th grade may attend their home school dances. The coordinator of the dance should contact the school office for more information and specific guidelines. Dances will not be held during Advent or Lent.

XXI. MISCELLANEOUS

Books and School Property

All books and property (i.e. uniform sweater, coats, backpacks, etc.) should be clearly marked with the student’s name. The school does not take responsibility for replacing lost items. Each student is responsible for any loss or damage to school owned books, materials, equipment, or other school property, including facilities. Books must be covered.

If anything in the student’s possession, whether owned by the student, another student, or the school, is defaced by inappropriate writing, the student is asked to replace it. In the case of textbooks, the student will be charged the replacement cost as listed in the most current textbook catalog. Each student is to have a book bag to transport items from home to school.

All valuables (including toys) must be left at home and are not the responsibility of the school if lost, stolen,or damaged. Please refer to “Discipline” for items students are not allowed to bring to school.

St. Nicholas Computer System User Policy (including Chromebooks for Middle School)

Successful operation and usage of technology requires that all users conduct themselves in a responsible, decent, ethical, and polite manner. Your signature on the agreement means that you have discussed the St. Nicholas Catholic School Technology Use Agreement with your child/ren and have agreed to abide by it.The complete Technology Use Agreement and the Chromebook Agreement are in the appendix of the FamilyHandbook.

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Family Handbook

While the Family Handbook lists numerous policies and procedures, it is important to note that not all policies of St. Nicholas Catholic School are found in the Family Handbook.

Principal’s Right to Amend the Family Handbook

This handbook is intended to provide a clear guide to the policies and procedures that foster the spirit and mission of St. Nicholas Catholic School. It cannot possibly cover every circumstance or every situation. It is the Principal’s prerogative and right to amend these guidelines as necessary.

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Appendix

Policies

AttendanceTuition CollectionAcademic Probation Harassment Policy Parent CovenantTechnology/Chromebook AgreementsLice Policy

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Attendance policySt. Nicholas Catholic School

Rationale:Each school day is valuable and cannot be compromised by unnecessary absences. Regular attendance isessential to the successful completion of requirements for each grade level. It is impossible to retrieve missed instruction at school simply by performing paper/pencil and reading exercises at home. It is, therefore, very important that every student attend school every day except for very serious reasons.

Policy:1. Parents/guardians need to plan vacations according to the school calendar holidays. Student

withdrawal from school for trips and vacations is strongly discouraged.2. A student who does not meet attendance guidelines or is excessively absent, even with a medical

excuse, may be retained and/or dismissed.3. Exceptions to this policy and attached procedures, especially in cases of long-term illness, injury or

family crisis, may be made with the permission of the Principal, after consultation with the classroom teacher.

Procedures:

1. Teachers are bit required to provide assignments for students absent due to non-medical reasons. If work is sent prior to the trip, it is due upon return.

2. Students absent from school, arriving late, or leaving before the end of the school day must provide a written excuse.

3. In order to insure the health and safety of the students and staff, students who are absent for medicalreasons for 5 or more consecutive days must have a release signed by a physician before returning to class.

4. Students with unexcused absence (s) receive an automatic zero for any and all assignments and/or tests for the day(s).

5. After a student has been absent for more than 5 days in a trimester, the parent/guardian will receive awritten notification from the school of the absences.

6. After 7 absences in a trimester, a parent/teacher/principal conference will be held to determine what the effects of continued absence from school would have on the continued progress of the student.

7. Students with more than 7 absences in a trimester are considered excessively absent.

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Tuition Collection PolicySt. Nicholas Catholic School

Rationale:St. Nicholas Catholic School is dependent on steady and dependable tuition flow for its financial stability.The job of tuition management falls outside the scope of the personnel structure.Policy:

1. St. Nicholas Catholic School, as do many Catholic schools, will contract with a tuition management company for the purpose of tuition collection.

2. The Principal, in consultation with the school commission and parish administration will choose a company which provides the most beneficial cash flow and rate of collection.

3. Families will have the option to either use the tuition management company or pay in full on orbefore the deadline specified in the family financial commitment.

4. The Principal has discretionary power, after consultation with the parish administration and the school commission chair to exempt families for which this would be an exceptional hardship. Theseexemptions will be the exception and not the rule.

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Academic Probation PolicySt. Nicholas Catholic School

Rationale:Our mission statement requires us, in partnership with parents and parish to foster academic excellence. As a school we recognize the diversity of student abilities and learning styles and work to accommodate those tothe best of our ability. However, our resources are limited and in some circumstances St. Nicholas CatholicSchool is not the best placement for a given student. The following policy assists us in identifying and providing the placement that benefits both student and school.

Policy:1. All new students enter on conditional status for the first two months.2. It is the expectation of St. Nicholas Catholic School that all students maintain passing grades in all

subjects.3. A student will be on time to school and to each class, be prepared with materials and assignments,

submit quality work as directed by the teacher, and maintain satisfactory behavior.4. If a student is not meeting the above standards, he/she will be placed on academic probation as

outlined in the attached procedure.5. If, after being put on academic probation and receiving support from the school and parents, the

student continues to not meet the standards, he/she is no longer benefiting from attending St.Nicholas Catholic School and will be dismissed.

6. Exceptions to this policy may be made with the permission of the Principal after consultation with the classroom teacher(s) and the parents/guardians. All exceptions will be put in writing, signed bythe Principal and parents/guardians, and placed in the student’s file.

Procedure:1. Upon being placed on academic probation a written agreement (see attached for a sample) must be

signed by the appropriate parties and will be placed in the student’s file.2. In grades K-3, a student must perform consistently at grade level.3. In grades K-3 a student must complete the grade level work and be able to fit into an instructional

grouping to be moved to the next grade.4. In grades 4 – 8, a student who is receiving below 70% in two subjects or has an overall average of

below 70% at the end of the first or second trimester will be placed on academic probation.5. A student who has received below 70% in two core subjects, including Religion, at the end of the

last trimester, may not be promoted to the next grade level and/or allowed to participate ingraduation ceremonies.

6. A student who begins a trimester on academic probation and continues to receive below 70% in two core subjects, including Religion, at the end of the trimester may be dismissed from school.

7. At the end of the probationary period, an assessment will be done of the student’s progress todetermine their readiness to end probation.

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St. Nicholas Catholic School Parents' Covenant

As my child’s primary educator, I understand that I teach my child best by my own example of reverence, responsibility, and respect. I choose St. Nicholas Catholic School to assist me in forming my child as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I understand that my child’s teacher is a dedicated professional who chooses to teach in a Catholic school. In order to work in partnership with my child’s teacher and my church, I will show my cooperation, support and thankfulness . . .

I will try to be a Christian role model by sharing my time, talent and treasure with the school andparish community. I will pray, attend mass, and serve others.

As the primary educator of my child, I will challenge my child to do his/her best every day. I will do my best to make sure my child is ready to learn each day. I will set a good example in my own speech and behavior to promote respectful behaviors in my

child. I will show respect for the teacher and any other adult in authority and teach my child to do the same. I will practice honesty in all situations when dealing with any and all members of the school

community. I will practice confidentiality. I will use direct lines of communication with the teacher or adult in

charge, as well as with my own child to get a clear understanding of the situation. I will work to follow the school handbook and expect my child to do the same. I will assist my child in practicing, learning and praying the prayers of our faith that are assigned for

this year. I will pray for all the children who are preparing for the sacraments this year.

With the example of the Holy Family and the help of God our Father, I will do my best to live out this covenant while my child is enrolled at St. Nicholas Catholic School.

Parent or Guardian’s Signature Date

Parent or Guardian’s Signature Date

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St. Nicholas Catholic SchoolTechnology Acceptable Use Policy

Student Name: Grade:

Purpose:St. Nicholas Catholic School provides technology resources to its students and staff for educational and administrativepurposes. The goal in providing these resources is to promote educational excellence at St. Nicholas Catholic School by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication with support and supervision of parents, teachers, and support staff. The use of these technology resources is a privilege, not a right.With access to computers and people all over the world comes the potential availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in context of our Catholic school setting. St. Nicholas Catholic School firmly believes that the value of information, interaction, and research capabilities available outweighs the possibility that users may obtain material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school.Proper behavior, as it relates to the use of computers, is no different than proper behavior in all other aspects of schoolactivities. All users are expected to use the computers and computer networks in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner.This document is intended to clarify those expectations as they apply to computer and network usage and is consistent with school policy.

Scope of Technology Policies:Policies refer to all school owned technology devices and all personal devices used on school grounds during schoolhours or connected to the school network, including but not limited to computers, digital cameras, telephones, electronic books, tablets, other electronic devices, etc. as well as networks and software on those devices. All Acceptable Use Policies also apply to any online service provided directly or indirectly by the school for student use during schooland/or outside of the school day, including but not limited to: email, calendars, files, applications, and other software or services.

Privacy:At any time and without prior notice, St. Nicholas Catholic School reserves the right to monitor any and all activity onthe network and use of the Internet, as well as any information sent or received in connection with this usage. All files and applications on school devices are considered the property of the St. Nicholas Catholic and there should be no expectation of privacy regarding such materials. Middle school Chromebooks are considered educational school materials until graduation and are to be ready for educational purposes at all times. All technology use policies apply to these Chromebooks and their use must follow the same guidelines as any other school device. All devices must be free of excessive applications and non-educational files, fully charged, and ready for classroom use each school day.

Consequences for Violation of Technology Policies:The use of devices and Internet at St. Nicholas Catholic School is an integral part of classroom learning, but misuse orabuse of this technology may result in privileges being revoked. Students who use technology inappropriately will lose access privileges and may face additional disciplinary or legal action. Administrators and/or other staff members hold the right to assign disciplinary action for negligent misuse or damages, whether purposeful or accidental. Multiple violations or misuse that results in damages may result in steeper consequences, including possible fines for physical damage (up to the cost of replacement), the cost of increased monitoring, and/or school possession of devices for a period of time.

Parent and Student Initials:

Policies taken from Archdiocese of Seattle recommendations with changes specific to St. Nicholas Catholic School.

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Use of St. Nicholas Catholic School’s Technology Resources:The Internet, a worldwide telecommunications network that allows millions of computers to exchange information, isaccessible to students. The school has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material accessed or posted throughout its system*. Improper use of St. Nicholas Catholic School Technology Resources is prohibited. Uses of St. Nicholas Catholic School Technology Resources that are prohibited include, but are not limited to:1. Violating students’ and faculty member’s rights to privacy/confidentiality.2. Attempting any unauthorized access to any computer system, including sharing a username or password with another student or personally using an unauthorized username or password on any part of the system.3. Downloading unacceptable materials, including but not limited to:∙ Offensive images or files∙ Programs which can be used for malicious purposes∙ Any files for which you do not have a legal license∙ Files which are not needed for school purposes or a class assignment.4. Reposting personal communication without the author’s prior consent.5. Violating copyright law.6. Using the school’s technology resources for financial gain, credit card fraud, electronic forgery, other illegal activity and for political purposes.7. Downloading, installing or storing software on a school computer without the approval of appropriate school personnel.8. Using a school computer without knowledge/approval of school personnel responsible for the computer.9. Using inappropriate language, pictures, and gestures in any form on any technology device.10. Damage or theft of any school technology resources.11. Recreational / non-educational use of electronic communication (e.g. email, chat/messaging, bulletin boards, group sites, etc.).12. Uses that contribute to the violation of any other student conduct code including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, hazing or harassment, theft, falsification of records, possession of banned substances/items, etc.* With the implementation of school wide Google Accounts special consideration must be taken. Just as faculty and staff monitor student use of these accounts at school, parents must monitor the use of tools accessible outside of school hours.General:The school provides internet access to students as a means to facilitate resource sharing, innovation, andcommunication.Information gathered from the internet is viewed in the same manner as other reference material in the school; such resources enhance the learning environment.School personnel provide guidance to the student in internet use and monitor the program to the best of their ability as a regular instructional activity. Controlling all materials on a global network is impossible, and an industrious user may discover inappropriate information or perform inappropriate actions in spite of adult supervision. Therefore, we encourage parents to have a frank discussion with their children about Catholic Christian values and how those beliefs should guide student activities while using the Internet.School personnel will:∙ Teach proper techniques and standards for internet participation and proper care of devices.∙ Guide student access to appropriate areas of internet.∙ Assure that students understand that misuses of the internet could result in loss of access privileges.∙ Monitor related concerns…privacy, software policy, copyright laws, email etiquette, approved/intended use of the school’s internet resource sources, device handling.

Parent and Student Initials:

Policies taken from Archdiocese of Seattle recommendations with changes specific to St. Nicholas Catholic School.

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Technology Acceptable Use Policy AgreementThe student and parent/guardian must sign this agreement before the student is given access to the school’s internetresources and technology devices.** School personnel or the parent/guardian may withdraw student Internet or device access at any time.Student:As a student of St. Nicholas Catholic School I have read and agree to follow the rules as found in this policy. Iunderstand that if I break the rules I have a loss of privileges and may face disciplinary and/or legal action.

Student Name (please print)

Student Signature Grade Date

Parent:As the parent or legal guardian of the minor student mentioned above, I have read and agree to the Acceptable UsePolicy. I grant permission for my son or daughter to access the Internet and use school technology devices. I recognize that it is impossible for St. Nicholas Catholic School to restrict access to all controversial material, and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. I understand that I am responsible (monetarily and otherwise) for any damages caused by the student’s inappropriate use of the Internet system, Chromebooks, or other devices. I hereby give permission for my child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

** This policy is in effect from the date signed, through the end of the 2016-2017academic year.

Policies taken from Archdiocese of Seattle recommendations with changes specific to St. Nicholas Catholic School

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Lice PolicySt. Nicholas Catholic School

Management of Head Lice Infestation

If a case of head lice is identified by staff, reported by a parent, or if a student is found to be infested with live head lice at school (even if only nits (eggs)), the principal will be consulted and the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the student. The school will discuss the appropriate treatment with the parent/guardian. After treatment, the affected student will be checked by the school staff and will not be readmitted to school, until the student is found to be nit-free.

The parent/guardian will be encouraged to do daily nit removal until the child’s hair is nit-free. Siblings and other close contacts of infested students will be examined.

When there is evidence of an outbreak in a classroom, i.e., three students with no closecontact except at school, the whole class will be screened. Measures will be taken to assure that those students with head lice are not identified to other students.

Please read the Washington DOH Infectious Disease Control Guide for School Staff, included in the addendum, for more information regarding head lice.

Washington DOH Infectious Disease Control Guide for School Staff(The following is taken directly from the DOH guide)

Head Lice (Pediculosis humanus capitis)

DescriptionHead lice appear as an infestation on the head, eyebrows, or eyelids. Head lice outbreaks arecommon in the United States among children between the ages of 3–12 years. Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation include:

1. Itching.2. A tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.3. The detection of live lice.4. Sores or scratch marks on the head caused by scratching.

There may also be eggs (nits) or egg cases attached to hairs. Head lice are not a health hazard or a sign of cleanliness and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. Thus, infestation is principally a nuisance rather than a major threat to the student’s wellbeing. Head lice are the causeof much embarrassment, misunderstanding, many unnecessary days lost from school and work, millions of dollars spent on remedies, and many hours spent on the misuse of remedies. Approaches to controlling the spread of head lice have evolved over the years andcontinue to evolve. Some chemical agents used in the past to eradicate head lice have proven to be dangerous and toxic to children. The information in this section reflects the current thinking of professional groups regarding head lice in schools.

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Mode of TransmissionTransmission of head lice occurs only by direct contact with a live louse through head-to-headcontact or through contact with personal articles such as hats or combs. Transmission may be through play at school and at home (slumber parties, sports activities, at camp, on a playground). Other transmission could be through lying on a bed, couch, pillow, or stuffed animal that has recently been in contact with an infected person. Lice cannot jump, hop, or fly. Live lice can be transmitted as long as the lice remain alive on a person's head or on their clothing. Lice cannot live away from a human host; most die within 7 days.

Incubation PeriodHead lice eggs normally hatch in 7–10 days. Mature head lice are capable of laying eggs 8–10 daysafter hatching. The adult life span is about 1 month.

Infectious PeriodHead lice may be transmitted as long as the lice remain alive on an infested person.Live eggs (nits) may or may not hatch. Only if eggs hatch do they cause further transmission from head to head. As stated above, the adult life span is about 1 month. A student with active head lice infestation has likely had the infestation for a month ormore by the time it is discovered. Therefore, that student poses little risk of transmitting live lice to others for 1 day. By removing nits, the possibility of hatching new lice is minimized.

School/Nurse Responsibility1. Report to your local health jurisdiction is not required.

2. Identify the signs of a head lice infestation, notify parent/guardian of the suspected case, and advise parent/guardian of the care options, including referral for secondary infection evaluation, if suspected. Information and instructions should be provided to the parent/guardian such as FIGHT LICE! (DOH 130-033), which can be ordered from the Department of Health Publications Warehouse by faxing 360-664-2929. Local health jurisdictions may also have materials available to share with families and staff. (See Appendix XIII.)

3. Carry out the following additional steps:a. A student who is found with live lice may, depending on district policy, remain in school and in class until the end of the day. Discretion should be used regarding individual cases. Students should be discouraged from close head-to-head contact with others.

b. Siblings and close contacts of the student with live lice should be examined. Arrange to check other students who may have had contact with the student who has the infestation (this might include classmates, siblings, close friends, etc.). Settings where there are small groups of young children such as child care, may want to consider screening all children in the group.

c. Remember to keep the student’s identity confidential as to avoid undue embarrassment.

d. Depending on your school district policy, the student may return to school when the parent/guardian reports having treated the student and the student has no live lice on inspection (see Control of Spread No. 5 below). The student should be re-examined 8–10 days after returning to school to determine that there are no more live lice. As an added preventive intervention, the parent/guardian should be asked to continue to work at removing nits.

Chronic ProblemsWhen students are identified as having repeat or chronic infestations, the school nurse

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may offer extra assistance. This could include providing opportunities or programs for students to undertake practices to prevent the spread of pests. Non-pesticidalsubstances (non-medicated shampoos, conditioners, water soluble gels, oils, etc.) could be made available or recommended along with combing and educating about ongoing good personal hygiene practices. It may be helpful to make home visits or involve public health nurses to ensure treatment is being conducted effectively.

Control of Spread1. Screening procedures: Choose a well-lit area. School nurse or designee should examine thestudent’s scalp and hair, especially at the base of the scalp near the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Separate the hair and look for adult lice. A lice egg hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. It looks like an adult head louse, but is much smaller. Nymphs mature into adults about 7 days afterhatching. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, and is tan to grayish-white in color. In persons with dark hair, the adult louse will look darker. Females lay eggs (nits) and they are usually larger than males. Anything removed from the hair, including particles thought to be eggs (nits), should be confirmed by looking at them through a magnifying glass or low-powered microscope. Finding eggs (nits) within one-quarter of an inch of the scalp indicates likelyinfestation and the student should be treated. However, findingonly hatched eggs (empty nit casings) may simply be evidence of a past infestation. To avoid transmitting live lice from one student to another, examiners should either wash their hands between each student examined or use disposable objects such as tongue depressors, cotton swabs, or coffee stirrers. If gloves are used they do not need to be changed between students if the gloves do not actually touch the hair or scalp (unless live lice are found).

2. Chemical products to kill lice are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Inappropriate use of chemical products may have toxic effects, so package instructions should be followed scrupulously. Chemical treatment is not recommended for children under the age of 2 years. Remove crawling bugs and nits by hand. If the problem persists, the child’s health care provider should be consulted. The parent/guardian should be reminded to keep all medication away from small children. One percent gamma benzene hexachloride lotions (Lindane, Kwell) are not recommended. Additional information may be found on the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/headlice/.

3. Students with head lice should not be identified to other students or staff(except staff who will provide re-checks for re-entry to school). It is not necessaryto send home letters of notification to classmates unless required by school district policy.

4. When there is evidence of an outbreak in a classroom (such as three students with no close contact except at school, within a consecutive 2-week period) the whole class should be screened.

5. To avoid transmission through objects such as patrol helmets, audio headphones, and sports headgear, wipe the object with a dry paper towel to remove the possibility of live lice on the object. Paper hats such as those worn by lunchroom workers, should be discarded and not exchanged among workers (including student workers). Upholstered items such as rugs, chairs, and pillows, may be vacuumed or ironed. Do not apply insecticides to any surface in the classroom. It is unnecessary and can cause allergic or toxic reactions in students and/or staff.

6. Coats can be hung on the backs of chairs or placed in an individual plastic bag labeled with thestudent’s name. Hats and gloves can be tucked in the sleeves or pockets of the student’s coat.

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7. Some schools have a “no nit” policy, which requires students to be sent home with directions to the parent/guardian for treatment of lice and the removal of all eggs (nits) as a condition of readmission to school. Some schools allow students to return the following day as long as the parent/guardian has documented appropriate treatment for lice and is working at removing remaining eggs (nits) by combing and follow-up treatment if indicated. Policy adoption is made by your local school district and should be determined with guidance from the school nurse (registered nurse) and your local health jurisdiction. (See Appendix XIV for sample policies addressing each approach.)

If a “no nit” policy is implemented, some additional steps may be considered: a. If a “no nit” policy is in effect because of an outbreak in a classroom, treated students may be examined

to ensure no nits are present before they are allowed to return to the classroom.

b. At the school nurse’s discretion, a “no nit” policy may be imposed on students who arerepeatedly/chronically infested.

c. If repeated infestations occur despite proper treatment, unrecognized cases may exist among classmates, companions, or household members. Classes of students and bus mates may be screened on a regular basis in this instance (every 7–10 days). The parent/guardian of affected students may again be notified.

d. Recommended preventive measures may include screening all students in an affected school the week after school starts and the week after winter and spring vacations.

8. Instruct parent/guardian to:a. Follow treatment instructions fully, including not using a crème rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using the lice medicine and not rewashing hair for 1–2 days after treatment.

b. Comb and/or finger-pick out all adult lice, nymphs, and eggs (nits) that are found.

c. Notify others that may be affected (school, church, child care, friends, family).

d. Examine all household members (including adults) for lice and eggs (nits) and treat only if crawling lice or eggs (nits) are found.

e. Soak all combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol or Lysol or wash with soap and hot water (130º F).

f. Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that the infested person touched during the 2 days before treatment. Use hot water (130º F) to wash clothes. Dry laundry using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.

g. Dry-clean clothing that is not washable (coats, hats, scarves, etc.) or store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or dry cleaned in a plastic bag and seal for 2 weeks.

h. Vacuum floors and furniture. Do not use environmental sprays. They can be toxic if inhaled.

Future Prevention and EducationEducate school personnel and the parent/guardian in recognizing and managing a headlice infestation. This could include periodically providing information to families of all students on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice. Assure students and their parent/guardian that anyone can get head lice. The parent/guardian should be encouraged to check their student's head for lice if the student is symptomatic.

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St. Nicholas Catholic School Handbook Signature Page

The provisions in the St. Nicholas Catholic School Family Handbook are designed to provide parents and students information and guidance as to the procedures and rules of the school. The provisions in the handbook are not a contract and impose no obligation on the school. The contents of the handbook may be changed as necessary at the school’s discretion, and if changed, written notification will be provided to parents and students.

Please return this form to school by September 9, 2016

Parent Agreement

I/We________________________________________________________________________ Parent(s) or Guardian(s) have read the material in the St. Nicholas Catholic School Handbook and agree to follow and uphold the school policies while my son/daughter is enrolled as a student.

Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________________ Date _______

Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________________ Date _______

St. Nicholas Catholic School Administration reserves the right to alter, amend, modify, change, or terminate any of the policies in the handbook and will notify parents of changes. Failure to return the above form does not waive the responsibility for the contents of the 2016-2017 St. Nicholas Catholic School Family Handbook.