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PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2008/2009 Annunciation Catholic Academy Dr. Margaret E. Curran Click here to print Consent Forms Click here to view printable version of entire handbook INDEX
In February of 1995, Reverend Patrick J. Caverly, V.G., pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, met with a group of his parishioners to determine if the parish was ready and willing to take on the challenge of starting a new school. Their response was so positive and enthusiastic that "The Promise and the Dream" of founding Annunciation Catholic Academy was begun. An advisory board was formed and the project was inaugurated immediately. The advisory board worked with Father Caverly throughout the spring of 1995. The mission and philosophy of the school were determined early in the spring so that all subsequent decisions could be made in light of what had been decided as the parish's vision for the school. The parish's response to the project was overwhelming. Two kindergarten classes were started in leased modular classrooms in the fall of 1995. Projections were to add a first grade in the fall of 1996 while fund-raising and building plans were finalized for the school, which eventually would become kindergarten to grade 8 in structure. As the fund-raising phase of "The Promise and the Dream" began in the fall of 1995, momentum grew and it became apparent that the parish was willing to make a serious financial commitment to the project. It was equally apparent that the parish wanted a full K-8 school as soon as possible. Given the enormous amount of support, it was decided to open a full elementary school in the fall of 1996. Dr. Margaret E. Curran was selected as principal at the beginning of October of 1995, and in December she began working at Annunciation two days a week while continuing her duties as principal of a neighboring Catholic school the other three days. The official groundbreaking ceremony was held with Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, C.P., on December 16, 1995. A stated campaign goal of $5 million for the construction of the school and renovation of the church was reached before the end of December 1995. During early January 1996, three orientation sessions were held for all those who might be interested in hearing about the proposed school. Hundreds of people attended each session. Registration was held for parishioners on Saturday, February 3, 1996; non-parishioners were allowed to register the following Saturday. By the end of these two registration days, it was decided that there were sufficient students to open three kindergarten classes, two each of grades 1 to 6, one of grade 7, and one of grade 8. Waiting lists were immediately started in most grade levels. While construction moved along at an amazing pace, teachers were interviewed and hired during the spring of 1996. Many of those hired were parishioners who had been working in government-sponsored (public) schools previously. Construction of the building was completed in July, a month before schedule. A certificate of occupancy was obtained from the City of Altamonte Springs on July 17, 1996, and the office staff moved into the building on August 1, 1996. Classes began for grades K through 8 on September 1, 1996, just 18 months after Father Caverly asked a small group of parishioners if they felt there was interest in starting a school. Over the past 11 years, the Academy has evolved into a flourishing spiritual and academic institution. Annunciation continues to earn accolades for its outstanding integration of technology and was named a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School in 2003. In addition to its academic recognitions, the school community has also served the local and global communities through a variety of outreach programs. Students at the Academy have helped to build a well for a village in Africa, clothed orphans in the Dominican Republic, and refurbished schools in Louisiana after hurricane Katrina. The same enthusiasm and commitment that helped to turn “The Promise and the Dream” campaign into a reality in just 18 short months, continues to drive Annunciation Catholic Academy to be a school of excellence. The Academy is blessed to be supported by a community that believes in providing a quality education for its students and is committed to “teaching our faith and Catholic traditions to the leaders of tomorrow.” Annunciation Catholic Academy is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference. We received our initial accreditation in 1999 and continually meet the standards for re-accreditation through writing and implementing a School Improvement Plan. We, at Annunciation Catholic Academy, consider it a privilege to work with parents in the education of children because we believe parents are the primary educators of their children. Therefore, it is your right and your duty to become the primary role models for the development of your child’s life---physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Your choice of sending your child to Annunciation Catholic Academy involves a commitment and exhibits a concern for helping your child to recognize the role God and the Church should have God in his/her life. Good example is the strongest teacher. Your personal relationship with God, with each other, and with the Church community will affect the way your child relates to God and others. Ideals taught in school are not well rooted in the child unless they are nurtured by the example of good Catholic/Christian morality and by an honest personal relationship with God in your family life. Once you have chosen to enter into a partnership with us at Annunciation Catholic Academy, we trust you will be loyal to this commitment. During these formative years (Pre-K to 8), your child needs constant support from both parents and faculty in order to develop his/her moral, intellectual, social, cultural, and physical gifts. Neither parents nor teachers can afford to doubt the sincerity of the efforts of their educational partner in the quest of challenging, yet nourishing, the student to reach his/her potential. It is vital that both parents and teachers remember that allowing oneself to be caught between the student and the other partner will never have positive results. To divide authority between school and home or within the home will only teach disrespect of all authority. Evidence of mutual respect between parents and teachers will model good mature behavior and relationships. Students are naturally eager to grow and learn. However, sometimes in the process of maturation, new interests may cause them to lose focus. As this natural process occurs, the student needs both understanding and discipline. At times, your child may perceive discipline as restrictive. However, it is boundaries and limits which provide a young person with both guidance and security. It is essential that a child take responsibility for grades he/she has earned and be accountable for homework, long-term assignments, major tests, service projects, and all other assignments. This responsibility also extends to times of absence. Together, let us begin this year with a commitment to partnership as we support one another in helping your child to become the best Christian person he/she is capable of becoming. As partners in the educational process at Annunciation Catholic Academy, we ask parents:
1. Families with children currently enrolled and in good standing with Annunciation Catholic Academy. 2. Active parishioners of the Church of the Annunciation. The pastor will determine which families are active; factors which the pastor may consider include:
3. Families from neighboring parishes who present a letter from their pastor stating that they are active parishioners. 4. Families from Annunciation and neighboring parishes who have been registered for less than one year. 5. Non-registered Catholic families, families of other religious denominations, and registered non-supporting Catholic families. Order of acceptance within each of the above groups will be determined by a lottery. Students entering grades sixth through eighth must take an entrance exam. Annunciation Catholic Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of our education policies and other school programs. All children regardless of religious affiliation are to attend Mass, pray at Morning Prayer and attend religion classes. Arrival: 7:30 - 7:55 AM. Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance begins at 7:55 AM in the courtyard.Dismissal 3:15 PM. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Dismissal on Wednesday is at 2:00 PM. If because of a doctor’s appointment or for another legitimate reason it is necessary to pick up your child before the usual dismissal time, please advise the teacher of your intentions by sending a note specifying the time and reason for early pick up. This will insure that your child has ample time to receive notices and assignments for the next day. Students coming to school late or being checked out early will need to present a doctor’s note or appointment card in order for their absence to be excused. An absence from class must be excused in order to make up missed assignments. Morning Extended Care is available at 7:00 AM. We ask that children not registered in the Extended Care Program not be on the premises before 7:30 AM as the gates will not be opened until then. Parents are requested to pick up children promptly. Unless involved in school-sponsored activities, children must leave the school grounds by 3:30 PM (2:20 p.m. on Wednesdays) or they will be sent to the Extended Care Program and a drop-in fee will be assessed. Fees are charged in hour increments. Students who have stayed after regular school hours for special activities or tutoring must exit through the Extended Care Program. If students are not picked up within 15 minutes, they will be registered in Extended Care and charged the drop in fee. Children are considered tardy if they arrive after 7:55 AM and must report to the office for a tardy slip before going to the classroom. All tardies will be considered unexcused unless the parents clear it with the office staff. Students with more than four unexcused tardies during a grading period will not be eligible for the honor roll. ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEE POLICY Please call the school office at 774-2801 ext. 100 before 9:00 A.M. to excuse your child’s absence. A child returning to school after an absence must present the homeroom teacher/advisor with a written excuse signed and dated. Following an infection or communicable disease, a note from the doctor must be presented stating that the child is able to return to school. Should a lengthy absence be anticipated, the parent should notify the school in writing and make arrangements for missed work. If a student is absent from school, he/she may not participate in any school event that evening. Teachers are only required to prepare assignments for students who miss more than two consecutive days of school due to illness. Teachers must be given 24 hours notice to prepare the assignment so their regular teaching duties are not interrupted. In the rare event of a planned absence, parents must submit to the principal (at least a week in advance) a written request explaining the absence and seeking approval. A planned absence will be classified as excused only if it is approved by the administration. If a child is absent for a reason other than illness, the teacher will not provide assignments before the child leaves. Two alternative ways of dealing with this situation are available. 1. The student may take all major books with him/her on the last day of attendance prior to a trip and call the Homework Hotline each evening to see what was covered and assigned in class. 2. The student can receive a list of work which must be covered upon returning to class after the trip. In either case, the student will have a number of days equal to the number of absences to complete this work and return it to teachers. For example, if a student is absent for four days, four days after returning to school will be given to complete assignments. If a student is absent the day before a previously announced test, they are still required to take the test. This policy applies to absences due to illness as well. Teachers will not be responsible for re-teaching material covered while a child is on a family trip. Students will not be given the opportunity to make up any work missed during an absence that has not been approved. TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND CAR POOLS In order to facilitate a safe and quick pick-up of our children, please follow the established dismissal procedures:Cars are to enter from Montgomery Road and follow a one-way pattern behind the Child Care Center and Cultural Center. Cars should wind through the parking lot behind the Child Care Center in order to avoid a build-up of traffic on Montgomery Road. Two lanes of cars should form in front of the Administrative building. Drivers should not leave cars unattended at any time during dismissal procedures (beginning at 3:15, Wednesday at 2:00). Children will enter the cars from the sidewalk and both lanes of cars will pull away at the same time. Cars may then proceed to exit onto Jamestown Blvd. (right turn exit only) if they have been in the left lane or continue around the Academy building exiting onto Montgomery Road from the right lane. At no time should parents park in employees reserved spaces, at the curb, or in the handicapped area or fire lanes in order to pick up children. Parents not wishing to drive through the car pool line may arrange to have their children picked up at the back gate of the Academy. Parents should send in written notification that their child will be a "walker" and specify if this will be for everyday or on specific days only. Parents wishing to use this option should park behind the Child Care Center and walk down to the Academy. Parents and students should remain on the sidewalk and not obstruct the road as cars are leaving the school. A clean and neat appearance enhances your child's dignity and promotes proper behavior. The school uniform achieves these purposes. To make this easier on you as parents, all uniforms are to be purchased through the designated uniform supply company. All children must be in the complete required school uniform unless a free dress day has been designated. Dress uniforms are required on all Tuesdays as well as other designated special occasions. Scout uniforms may be worn to school on the day of the Scout meeting. Blouses and shirts are to be worn tucked inside the skirt or trousers. Skirts and shorts should not be rolled and must reach two inches above the knee measured from the crease at the back of the knee.Please Note: Dress and Casual Uniforms will be ordered from Dennis Uniform Manufacturing Company. P.E. Uniforms will be ordered from either Dennis Uniforms or the Life Teen program. BOYS: Dress Uniform: Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Casual Uniform:
SHOES (K-5): Dirty Bucks OR solid brown, leather, tie, dress shoes with non-marring soles. SHOES (6-8): Dirty Bucks OR solid brown, leather, dress shoes with non-marring soles. Athletic type shoes may not be worn, except for P.E. GIRLS: JEWELRY: May be worn in moderation: one pair of post earrings worn in the earlobes, one necklace, one ring per hand, one bracelet. Girls' hair accessories should match the color of their shirt or the uniform plaid. Hairstyles and coloring should be natural in appearance and appropriate for a Catholic school setting. Hair extensions are not permitted. Dress Uniform:
Casual Uniform:
SHOES (K-5): Dirty Bucks, brown Classy Jumping Jack (Mary Jane style) available at Dennis Uniforms, or solid brown. SHOES (6-8): Dirty Bucks, Classy Jumping Jacks OR solid brown, leather dress shoes with non-marring soles. Athletic type shoes may not be worn, except for P.E. BOYS and GIRLS:
COLD WEATHER Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Red Sweatshirt
or fleece Sweatpants may be worn to school but removed in the classroom. On certain occasions, students are permitted No Uniforms to School (NUTS) Days. In general students are encouraged to "dress up" not "dress down" for these special days. On NUTS Days, dress shorts are permitted. Slacks or jeans worn at the waist without shredding or torn areas are permitted, but jean shorts are not. Tight clothing, bicycle shorts, tank tops, halters, bare midriffs, sheer clothing, backless shoes, hats of any type and short straight skirts are not permitted. Sayings and pictures on shirts must be appropriate to the mission and philosophy of ACA. Parents will be called to bring a uniform to school if clothing is not appropriate. A written note to your student’s homeroom teacher is required for any of the following reasons:
Unless a teacher requests a student to call home for a specific reason, students are not able to use the phones in the classrooms. The telephone is restricted to emergency use only. If a sports event or practice is changed, the coach will authorize students to call. If a cell phone is seen or heard at school, it will be taken from the student and returned to the parent. if the phone is brought back to school, it will be confiscated and not returned at all. All doctor appointments, with the exception of emergencies, should be scheduled for after school hours. In the event of appointments which require early dismissal, a note signed by the parent or an appointment card from the doctors office must be presented before the child is excused. PARENTS AND VISITORS IN SCHOOL All parents and visitors are required to register at the Academy office upon entering the school. The receptionist will be happy to assist you and provide you with a visitor’s badge. If a child is to be taken out of school during regular hours, you must sign the student out in the office. Please do not go directly to the classroom. No parent or visitor may interrupt a class or even the pre-class time (7:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M.). Parents are invited to participate in morning prayer and attend Mass with the school community. Because of space limitations they are requested to remain behind the school assembly. Teachers cannot confer with parents and attend to their duties at the same time. Volunteers should stay in the assigned classroom or workspace where they are scheduled. They should not use their volunteer time to “visit” with their children. All volunteers must have cleared fingerprints through the Diocese of Orlando. If you wish to have a conference with a teacher, leave a voice mail or stop by the office to ask for an appointment. The teacher will be in touch with you within 48 hours. Occasionally it is necessary for our staff to get in touch with you. We stress the importance of notifying us if your home or work telephone number changes or if you change your address. It is essential that you also notify us of any change in family circumstances. DIVORCED AND SEPARATED PARENTS Divorced and separated parents must provide the school with a notarized copy of the custody section of the divorce or separation decree. The school respects the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the Academy will, upon request, provide the non-custodial parent with access to academic records and to other school related information regarding the child. If there is a court order specifying that there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order.
Since most communications from the school are available electronically, the
school will only mail report cards to the non-custodial parent. Requests to
be included in the school directory and receive routine e-mail from the
school will be honored if it is submitted in writing at the beginning of the
school year.
In case of withdrawal, parents should give written notice to the school office as soon as the withdrawal date is established. Parents must remain current in their financial obligations to the school. Quarterly report cards will not be distributed and internet access to grades will be blocked if accounts are in arrears in any area including tuition, extended care, lunches, etc. If a family is in arrears in their financial obligations and has not taken the necessary steps to explain the reasons for the outstanding account to the administration, the school may deny a student the opportunity to take semester exams. Families which are not current in their financial obligations will not be allowed to register for the following year without the authorization of the principal or pastor. Every child in the Academy is covered by the Diocesan insurance plan for the hours he/she is under school supervision. Twenty-four hour coverage is available at an extra charge. Applications for such coverage will be distributed at the beginning of the school year. Students in the Extended Care Program must pay an additional fee to cover the hours they participate in this program. The insurance fee will be assessed after using the services of Extended Care for at least two days. All articles found in the school area are placed in the closet in the Cafetorium. Please mark all children’s clothes and belongings with full names in permanent marker or whiteout pen. Hundreds of dollars worth of articles are lost each year. Lost and found articles will be placed on a table at the Home & School Association meetings after which the unclaimed articles will be sold or donated to a charity. The office is not able to interrupt instruction to deliver forgotten materials to students. Our office staff will accept nothing other than forgotten medication. In the case of a forgotten lunch, the child will be given a school lunch for the day and should pay the appropriate fee the next day. Middle school students will be charged ten cents per day late fee for overdue library books. The maximum late fee is $20. We at Annunciation Catholic Academy feel a child’s birthday is a special day. We would like to share the joy of that day in the following ways:
We are doing our best to celebrate with your child and yet not disturb the teaching/learning cycle. We ask that you allow the teacher to help your child distribute the treat at the time the teacher feels is appropriate. Distributing invitations for birthday parties can be a problem in the classroom. Invitations may not be passed out at school. Because they often become a distraction to learning, flowers and balloons may not be delivered to school. In the case of hurricanes and other emergencies, Annunciation Catholic Academy will follow the same procedures as the Seminole County Public Schools in regard to closing. Re-opening the school will be done at the discretion of the administration after considering local conditions. A message will be left on the school answering machine once power and phone service is re-established. Please call the school to access the message. The school will conduct regular fire and safety drills and instruct students on the procedures to follow in case of an emergency. The cooperation of all students is required in order to practice exiting the school grounds in a quick and orderly fashion. This association is a vital link between school and parents. It is the vehicle for involving parents in various volunteer activities and for adding enhancements to our programs by engaging in fund raising activities. By merit of registration, your family is automatically a member of Annunciation Catholic Academy Home & School Association. We urge you to participate in the activities of the Home and School Association and to attend its meetings. The best way to keep informed of all the Association’s activities is through the Stars Newsletter that is distributed each Friday. Please be sure to read it. Fund raising can be fun and exciting. The Home & School Association coordinates one major fund raiser per semester. Your cooperation in both of these events is greatly appreciated. As a leader in instructional technology, ACA often receives visitors from other schools, states and countries. On occasion our visitors request to take pictures while touring our facilities. As part of the registration process, families have been asked to sign a form which permits their children to be photographed and/or videotaped and for such pictures to be reproduced or published. If you do not give your consent, you must submit a written notification to the office. Through the generosity of our parish and the continued support of our parents, Annunciation Catholic Academy is blessed with all the latest educational technology. Along with these blessings come clear responsibilities. Catholic values, morals and ethics must always guide the use of technological resources. All students and parents must sign the "Acceptable Use Policy" (see pages 21-23). Violations of this policy will result in penalties which range from loss of technology privileges to removal from Annunciation Catholic Academy. SPORTS PROGRAMS AND PARTICIPATION IN OTHER CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS Representing the school in the sports program of the Diocese and participation in other clubs and organizations is a privilege extended to students. There are certain academic and conduct requirements for students who wish to participate. Academic Requirements: Conduct Requirements: Coaches will submit a list of players who wish to participate in each sport. The administration will advise the coaches of which students are eligible to participate based on the above criteria. Eligibility is determined by performance in the prior grading period. The end-of-year report card is used in determining eligibility for activities during the first grading period of the following year Field trips are learning situations connected with units of study being taught in the classroom and are an integral part of the education offered at Annunciation Catholic Academy. Only students with official Field Trip Consent Forms signed by the parent or guardian will be permitted to leave the school grounds. Siblings and children of staff members are not permitted to attend field trips with classes other than their own. Extended Care may be utilized in such cases if the class is not to return until after school hours and there is a concern for the child not attending the field trip. For reasons of insurance coverage, parents under the age of 25 can not drive on field trips. When parent vehicles are used to transport children, the use of videos is not permitted since the appropriateness of viewing material varies from family to family. A copy of each driver’s insurance card and license must be left in the office before each trip departure. Due to insurance coverage, all students must return to the Academy at the conclusion of each field trip. Chaperones' fingerprints must be cleared through the Diocese of Orlando. Drivers must proceed directly to the approved location and not make any other stop. No unnecessary phone calls should be made. Students may not have cell phones on field trips. If the driver of any vehicle is involved in an accident while transporting Academy students on field trips or to sporting events, an accident report form must be filed with the office immediately. At times the school gives permission to certain community agencies or groups to distribute flyers to the students. The distribution of these fliers does not in any way indicate that the school authorizes or takes responsibility for the activity announced. Students who are ill or injured are sent to the clinic where only emergency care may be rendered. If conditions warrant, the parent will be contacted to determine the appropriate action to be taken. Alternate emergency telephone numbers must be filed in the school office. If a child has a special medical condition, this information should be filed in the school office together with instructions on how to proceed. No staff member is permitted to give medication (even Tylenol) to a child. Oral medications, which are prescribed by a physician, may be administered in school but only in cases where failure to take prescribed medication during school hours could jjeopardize a student’s health. Any medication to be administered in school must have a pharmacy label which includes the student’s name, directions for administration, and the physician’s name and phone number. The physician and the parent/guardian prior to the administration of any medication in school must sign an Authorization for Medication form. This form may be obtained in the school office. Central to the mission of Annunciation Catholic Academy is the maintenance of a learning environment which upholds the dignity of all individuals through faith, justice and love. In our school community mutual respect, cooperation, and self control are necessary. Violations of these basic principles detract from the Christian environment which is fostered at Annunciation Catholic Academy. When students make poor choices there will be consequences for their actions. The following are among actions which will be dealt with by the supervising teacher and for which detention may be given:
The following are considered serious offenses and will be subject to severe disciplinary action. These offenses can result in suspension or removal from Annunciation Catholic Academy:
Serious offenses will be reported to parents as promptly as possible. What students do off-campus can detrimentally impact the school's reputation; therefore, the administration reserves the right to discipline students for off-campus conduct. Conduct, whether inside or outside of school, which may be detrimental to the school, which may be detrimental to the school, may be grounds for dismissal from school. If parents do not agree with the principal’s decision to suspend or remove a student from school, an appeal may be made in writing to the pastor. If an in-school suspension is given, a substitute teacher will be assigned to monitor the student. Parents will reimburse the school for the cost of the substitute. Educating the students of Annunciation Catholic Academy spiritually, academically, and socially is a priority of all the faculty, staff, and members of the administration. In an effort to create a positive school climate, students are encouraged to respect themselves and others at all times. Positive behavioral strategies and coaching techniques are implemented throughout the school on a daily basis. As in life, it is important to learn the lesson that there are consequences for making poor choices. To assist in the development of these social skills, the following discipline ladder will be implemented for those who need assistance in learning to act appropriately in a school environment. Students involved in incidents of a serious nature may still be referred directly to the Principal.
Step #1 – Teachers in grades K-5 will determine if a student detention is necessary to discuss a child’s behavior at school. A middle school student will earn a 30 minute detention when they receive their fourth infraction on the behavior card or if deemed necessary by a teacher. This time together will give the teacher/advisor the opportunity to discuss the student’s behavioral choices and with them develop strategies with which they can improve their actions in the future. Step #2 – Students at this level on the discipline ladder will serve a one hour detention from 3:20 – 4:20 with the Assistant Principal. This step is designed to reinforce positive decision making in the future and may include manual labor. Step #3 – Having already served two detentions, a student that reaches the third level on the discipline ladder will be required to attend Saturday School from 8:00am – 12:00pm. During this time, students will participate in a character education program and may be assigned manual labor. These sessions will be conducted by the school Guidance Counselor &/or the Assistant Principal. Students attending Saturday School will be charged a $25 fee. Step #4 – The fourth step on the discipline ladder requires the student to attend an in-school suspension. Students on this step will be given the opportunity to complete all of their daily assignments. In order to provide adequate supervision and assure that the student understands all assigned work, a substitute teacher will be assigned to work with the student. The family will be assessed the cost of the substitute for the day, usually $60. Step #5 – At this step on the discipline ladder, students will be assigned an out-of-school suspension. A student will not be eligible to make up any of the daily assignments missed during the duration of the suspension. Step #6 – If a student reaches this step on the ladder, the individual will be referred directly to the Principal. At this point, a probationary status and/or removal from the Academy will be considered. If a student fails to report to the designated authority on time at any level, their tardiness constitutes being moved to the next step on the discipline ladder. As partners in educating the children of the Academy, it is vital to reinforce the importance of making positive choices. Knowing the consequences that accompany poor choices will hopefully encourage a more positive school climate. Trusting that students who have advanced through various steps of the discipline ladder will have learned from the experience, the system begins anew at Step 1 each semester. Initially the teacher will work with the student individually, noting the behavior which is not acceptable and suggesting ways to improve and modify conduct. If the unacceptable conduct continues, the teacher will assign a detention to the student. The detention notice will be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher. At this point either the parent or the teacher might request a conference. The length of the detention will vary according to the student’s grade level. Students may be required to do manual labor such as weeding, cleaning, etc. as part of their detention. If the student continues to exhibit conduct which is not appropriate and which infringes upon the rights of others, the principal will be notified and a conference will be held with the student. An in-house suspension may be given at this point. If after repeated attempts at behavior modification there is still not sufficient progress observed, the student may be placed on probation or the parents will be asked to withdraw the child from Annunciation Catholic Academy. The principal makes final decisions regarding discipline. BULLYING PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES As a member of the Body of Christ and part of the community of Annunciation Catholic Academy each person has a right to be treated with respect and dignity. No student has the right to treat another in any way that will cause physical or emotional pain. Annunciation Catholic Academy is committed to promoting and maintaining a healthy, safe, orderly, and caring learning environment, an environment free from bullying, inclusive of all students. This policy includes, but is not limited to, bullying based on an individual’s race, color, sex, religion, creed, ethnicity, political belief, age, national origin, linguistic and language differences, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, or disability. Bullying can be unintentional, particularly among school-age children. Indeed, many children can engage in repeated playful teasing or touching that is simply not meant to hurt another, but in fact is causing stress and unhappiness for the child being bullied. What is routinely viewed as fun verbal and physical jousting among children in one family may be completely foreign and offensive to children raised in another. It is therefore critical that parents sit down with their children and review the following Annunciation Catholic Academy policy regarding bullying. Once parents have reviewed and discussed the policy with their children, the policy must be signed by both parents and students and returned to the applicable teacher(s). Annunciation Catholic Academy prohibits acts of bullying. Like other disruptive or violent behaviors, bullying or discrimination is conduct that impedes both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment; and since students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, student leaders, and volunteers are to be commended for demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate bullying. Bullying Defined: Listed by grade levels are some additional offenses that are considered harassment or bullying. They are listed in the grade level where they are thought to be most common but are considered bullying at any grade level on which they occur. These lists are samples and are not all-inclusive. Primary Grades K – 2: Intermediate Grades 3 – 5: Middle School: Application of the Policy:
This policy will apply, including but not limited to,
the following circumstances: Expectations: Active or passive support for bullying is prohibited. All school employees are required to report and act upon alleged acts of bullying promptly. Students are encouraged to walk away from observed acts of bullying, constructively attempt to stop them, or report them to the designated authority. Procedures for Reporting an
Act of Bullying: Procedure: First: tell the person doing the bullying to stop. Clearly state, "I don't like what you are doing (saying), please stop." Then give the person the opportunity to stop.
Second: if the behavior is repeated on another occasion, again tell the person doing the bullying to stop and inform him/her that you are going to tell the teacher. Clearly state, "I don't like what you are doing (saying) to me. Please stop. I am going to tell the teacher." Then tell the teacher what has happened and tell her/him it is the second time that this has happened.
Third: the next time the same student bullies you tell him/her to stop and inform him/her that you are going to ask the teacher to investigate the incident. Clearly state: "I don't like what you are doing (saying) to me. Please stop. I am going to tell the teacher and ask her/him to make you stop." Teachers and teaching assistants will follow these steps: 1. Each verified incident of
bullying will be documented in writing. If the parent is not at home,
a call will be made to the workplace rather than leaving a message on the
answering machine. The teacher will ask that the parent discuss the
incident at home and come up with a plan for dealing with peers in a more
appropriate way. Document goes home with child for parent signature. 3. If there is a third verified incident, the student will be removed from class until a conference can be scheduled with the student, the parents, the teacher and the principal. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be discussed at this time. At the school, the principal or the principal’s designee is responsible for receiving complaints from any individual or group alleging violations of this policy. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or the principal’s designee. The initial report can be oral, but the formal report shall be written and should include the time, location, and context of the incident. All members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to officially report, orally or in writing any act that may be a violation of the bullying prevention guidelines to the principal or principal’s designee. The Principal and/or the principal’s designee are responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of the bullying prevention guidelines. In so doing, the principal and/or the principal’s designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of the alleged incident. Consequences and Remedial
Actions for Students Who Commit Acts of Bullying: Any or all of the following
responses may be appropriate: Classroom responses can include class discussions about an incident of bullying, role-playing activities, research projects, observing and discussing audio-visual materials on these subjects, and skill-building lessons in courtesy, tolerance, assertiveness, and conflict management. School-wide responses can include theme days, learning-station programs, parent programs, and information disseminated to students and parents. Reprisal or Retaliation: Consequences and Remedial
Actions for False Accusations: Preventive Guidelines
Dissemination: Students must stay in the areas assigned. All other areas are off-limits. Rules to be observed:
A teacher and/or teaching assistant may assign detention to a student who fails to follow playground regulations. Hot lunch will be available each day.
Hot
lunch is ordered on line. Menus are available several weeks in advance.
You may access them at
www.hotlunchonline.com or through the link on our web page. The lunch
fee includes an entree, beverage and dessert. There is no need to add
an additional beverage unless your child wants to have multiple drinks each
day. Lunch must be ordered no later than Tuesday of the previous week.
Many parents prefer to order for the entire month at one time.
Children who bring lunch from home
may purchase milk or juice on a daily basis. A student who forgets his/her
lunch will be provided a lunch and a note will be issued to the parent.
Parents are discouraged from bringing lunch to school after school has
begun. Class will not be disrupted to deliver forgotten lunches. Refunds are
not issued due to absence. Please do not include forgotten lunch or milk
money with your tuition check, as these are two separate accounts. Soft drinks and candy may not be consumed during school hours or at school functions. Fast food lunches are not permitted at any time. Because of space limitations we are unable to accommodate parents who wish to eat lunch with their child. Children are responsible for any money and valuables they bring to school. Children are not allowed to borrow, lend or give money or other valuables to any other student. Money for school activities and/or fees should be enclosed in an envelope, marked with the student’s name and the use intended, and presented to the teacher in the morning. Children are not allowed to bring toys, cell phones, cameras, or electronic equipment to school at any time. Cell phones are not allowed at school. If a cell phone is seen or heard it will be taken from the student and returned to the parent. If the phone is brought back to school, it will be confiscated and not returned at all. Any unauthorized items brought to school will be confiscated and not returned to the student. The principal may inspect lockers and school bags without giving prior notice to students. Lockers are to be used for the storage of books and P.E. uniforms. Food may not be left in the locker from one day to the next. Valuables should not be left in the lockers. The school will not be responsible for objects left in lockers. Possessions left in the lockers at the end of the school year will be donated to a charity.
Homework is seen as an integral part of the learning process.
It is normally assigned to reinforce concepts learned during the day
or to provide sufficient practice to make a skill become automatic.
Homework should usually take approximately ten minutes per grade
level. For example, second grade
should have twenty minutes of homework.
Fifth grade should have fifty minutes of homework per night.
Monday: Science & Language Arts
Promotion to sixth, seventh and eighth grades will be earned by passing all major academic subjects: math, science, religion, social studies, and language arts. A passing grade is determined by the average of all grading periods. A student who fails one subject may only be promoted if he/she receives intensive tutoring during the summer and passes an exam prepared by the subject area teacher. Before tutoring begins, the subject area teacher will proivde a detailed outline to the student. An administrative fee of $75.00 must be paid when the outline is received. A student who fails more than one major subject may not be promoted to the next grade. Graduation requirements are the same as the promotion requirements. An eighth grader who fails one subject will receive a blank diploma at graduation and will have the diploma mailed to him/her upon successful completion of the conditions described above. An eighth grader who fails two or more subjects will not graduate. Primary (K - 2) and intermediate (3 - 4) students must pass language arts and mathematics. If a primary teacher determines that a student should be retained and the parent objects, the parent may request in writing that the child be assigned to the next grade. If the principal grants the request, the child’s records will be marked "assigned" to grade ____ " instead of "promoted." Maturity will also be a consideration for promotion in Primary grades. Honors are awarded in accordance with principles with principles that are developmentally and educationally appropriate for each grade level. Honors are awarded in three categories: Academic honors, Citizenship honors, and Principal's honors. In certain cases the teacher, with the consent of the principal, may decide that no honors should be given to a student if his or her lack of Christian citizenship outweighs the merit of receiving academic honors. Students with more than four unexcused tardies during a grading period will not be eligible for honors. PRIMARY GRADES Honors are not awarded in these grades. Academic First Honors:
Academic Second Honors:
Citizenship Honors: are given to students who have a minimum of two "outstanding" citizenship comments and have no U's, N's or "need improvement" comments. Principal's Honors: are given to students achieving both First Academic and Citizenship honors.
A 90-100 D
60-69 The school voluntarily complies with the Buckley Amendment (1974) and allows parents to see the student’s cumulative record file. A request to see a student’s file must be put in writing. Within 24 hours the school will permit the parent to review the file in the presence of a witness delegated by the principal. In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergencies Act (AHERA), 40 CFR 763.930)g), the Management Plan for Asbestos-Containing materials as developed by Law Engineering ids available without restriction for your inspection t the schools administrative office. We ask that you make an appointment if you wish to review the plan. No materials containing asbestos were used in the construction of the Academy. Annunciation Catholic Academy will cooperate with investigations concerning reported cases of child abuse. In compliance with state law , the academy will report all incidents in which we have reason to suspect child abuse, neglect, or endangerment. New Families:
Returning Families:
TUITION *Annual tuition rate includes all books and curriculum fees*
Tuition for the 2008-2009 school year is $5,650 per student that qualifies
for the Catholic tuition rate. The general community rate is $6,700 per
child.
For each rate, an initial non-refundable tuition payment of $300.00, per student is due on July 1 . Tuition payments are due by the 1st of each month, August through May. Payments received after the 5th of the month are considered late. The late fee is $25.00. If a check is returned from the bank there is a return check fee of $25.00. Acceptable Use Policy for the Use of Computers and Telecommunications Computing, data storage, and information retrieval systems are designed to serve the students, faculty, staff and volunteers of Annunciation Catholic Academy community. Network and Internet access is provided to further the legitimate educational goals of Annunciation Catholic Academy. Annunciation Catholic Academy provides computing and network resources for the use of students, employees, and others affiliated with Annunciation Catholic Academy. Members of Annunciation Catholic Academy community are encouraged to use the computers, software packages, electronic mail (E-mail), or outside Annunciation Catholic Academy network software for educational or Annunciation Catholic Academy related activities and to facilitate the efficient exchange of useful information. However, the equipment, software, and network capacities provided through Annunciation Catholic Academy computer services are and remain the property of Annunciation Catholic Academy. All users are expected to conduct their on-line activities in an ethical and legal fashion. The use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Misuse of these resources will result in the suspension or loss of these privileges, as well as disciplinary, legal, and/or monetary consequences. Appropriate or acceptable educational uses of these resources include: · Accessing the Internet to retrieve information from libraries, databases, and World Wide Web sites to enrich and expand curriculum is encouraged. · E-mail capabilities may be used to facilitate distance learning projects. · Listservs and newsgroups may be used to gain access to current information on local, state, national, and world events. Examples of inappropriate or unacceptable use(s) of
these resources include, but are not limited to, those uses that violate the
law, the rules of network etiquette, or hamper the integrity or security of
any network connected to the Internet. Some unacceptable practices include: Access to Annunciation Catholic Academy’s
E-mail and similar electronic communication systems is a privilege and
certain responsibilities accompany that privilege. Annunciation Catholic
Academy users are expected to demonstrate the same level of ethical and
professional manner as is required in face-to-face or written
communications. Anonymous or forged messages will be treated as a violation
of this policy. This agreement applies to stand alone units as well as units connected to the network or the Internet. Any attempt to violate the provisions of this agreement will result in revocation of the user’s privileges, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, school disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. The decision of Annunciation Catholic Academy regarding inappropriate use of the technology or telecommunication resources is final. Monetary remuneration will be sought for damage necessitating repair or replacement of equipment. |
