Handbook 2012
Handbook 2012
Handbook 2012
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Discipline Policy
Suspensions
Tuition and Supply Fee
Uniforms
After reading the Parent-Student Handbook, you and your children are asked to indicate your awareness of the rules and regulation by signing and
returning the lower portion of this page to us. You signature will be kept on file.
Please keep this Handbook for future reference
We have read the Parent-Student Handbook, including the policies for St. Theresa School. We have discussed them and will comply with the
policies and regulations contained herein.
Family Name ____________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________
Grade ____________
Date _____________________________________
Room ____________
We have read the Acceptable Use Policy use of the Internet at St. Theresa School. We have discussed them and will comply with the policies and
regulations contained herein.
Family Name ____________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________
Grade ____________
Date _____________________________________
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Mission
St. Theresa School strives towards academic excellence. We provide a Christ-Centered nurturing environment that fosters
each students spiritual, moral, social emotional creative and academic development.
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In line with fulfilling its mission as well as remaining faithful to its philosophy, St. Theresa School delineates the following
purposes and objectives:
Goal 1 :
Goal 2 :
To direct and motivate students to reach their potential through active participation in an academically
challenging, diverse, and current curriculum.
Goal 3 :
To enhance responsible student performance in order to maintain and surpass high academic standards.
Goal 4 :
To provide opportunities for students to engage in community service activities that confirm the concept that
the school community lives its Faith.
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Goal 5 :
To encourage participation in extra-curricular activities that recognize the unique talents of individual
students as they develop greater self-esteem.
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Goal 6 :
To create and promote opportunities for families/parish members/and the local community to become aware
of and actively involved in
St. Theresa School.
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Absences
According to the Archdiocesan Policy Book; frequent or prolonged absence must be reported to the attendance officer of the
Boston Public School district. In the event that your child will be absent from school, you must notify the school in the
morning between 6:45 - 8:15. A written explanation of a childs absence is then required upon his/her return to school. A
parent or guardian must sign the note. For prolonged absences, the time allotment for makeup work will be left to the
discretion of the teacher. ALL SCHOOL WORK AND HOMEWORK SHOULD BE MADE-UP AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
TEACHER. NO MARKS WILL BE GIVEN TO A STUDENT IF HE/SHE IS ABSENT MORE THAN TEN (10) TIMES IN ONE
MARKING TERM UNLESS A DOCTORS CERTIFICATE WITH A MEDICAL EXCUSE IS PRESENTED. A child who has been sick
during the night or early morning must not be sent to school.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH MASSACHUSETTS STATE LAW, it is mandatory that a student be in attendance at school 85% of the
school year (approx. 155 days). Failure to meet this requirement may result in retention. Truancy (absence from school
without knowledge and permission of Parent/Guardian) is a serious infraction and is considered grounds for suspension. The
Boston Public School Attendance Officer will be contacted for excessive absences.
If a student is to be absent from school, parents must contact the School Office (617-323-1050) between 6:45 - 8:15 a.m EACH
morning of an absence. A note from the parent must accompany the student on his/her return to school.
Acceptable Use Policy
The purpose of making technology available is to enhance teaching and educational discovery. Acceptable use is an extension
of St. Theresas code of conduct. Students are responsible for appropriate behavior while using computers throughout the
school and when on the network. Appropriate network etiquette will be expected. Any infraction of network/computer use
rules may lead to discipline as well as suspension of the use of the network/computer.
The following are considered unacceptable use of the computer/network:
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3. I will never agree to get together with someone that I meet on-line without first checking with my parents.
4. I will follow the rules set up by my teachers for going on-line and I will not break these rules.
Admissions Policy
Students admitted to St. Theresa School must meet the following requirements:
1. Children entering the Early Childhood Program must be three (3) years of age before September 1 of the year they begin the
program and must be completely toilet trained and no pull-ups allowed.
2. Students entering St. Theresa School Kindergarten I program must be four (4) years of age before September 1 of the year they begin the
program. The Kindergarten II program requires that the student is five (5) years of age before September 1.
3. Students entering St. Theresa School Grades 1-6 must show evidence of successful completion of the previous grade.
Parents need to provide all relevant documents from the previous schools. Parents and student will meet with the principal
before the admission process is completed.
4. Students are accepted into St. Theresa School in the following priority: (1) siblings of students presently enrolled at St.
Theresa School, (2) registered and participating members of the geographical St. Theresa Parish, (3) registered and
participating members of other Catholic parishes, and (4) Non-Catholics.
It is our policy that all students participate in religion classes. During those classes, opportunities become available for all
students to share their religious beliefs with their peers. All students will attend and participate respectfully in school liturgies
and prayer services.
Appointments
Doctor and dentist appointments shall not be made during school time except in extreme emergencies. If it is necessary for a
student to leave school early, a written note must be presented to the homeroom teacher stating the reason for the dismissal.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH MASSACHUSETTS STATE LAW, NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE BUILDING
UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT AND SIGNING OUT IN THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
Book Bags
Due to the cost of books, special care must be taken of them to keep books in good condition. Books must be covered and
carried to and from school in a school bag. If a book is damaged or lost, it must be either replaced or paid for by the parent.
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Cafeteria
All students will file with the classroom teacher in quiet lines.
conversations should be kept in low conversational tones.
Behaviors/Consequences, i.e.
A. In-Class Detention/Parental Notification
1. Failure to do homework
2. Failure to adhere to uniform code (haircuts included)
3. Play fighting
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4. Disrupting class
5. Throwing snowballs
6. Misbehavior
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3. Truancy
Bullying/Harassment Policy
We as faculty and staff have instituted a program for the prevention of bullying. There will be rules and consequences for
childrens actions. Also, harassment of any nature (word, deed, or gesture) is unacceptable and is considered grounds for
suspension. Children need to be reminded that any careless or thoughtless word, deed or gesture of a sexual nature has
serious consequences, and will be taken seriously.
Dismissals
To be dismissed prior to the close of a school day, a pupil shall have written permission from his/her parent. Parents should
report to the office to pick up a child who is being dismissed. No pupil shall be dismissed unless a parent or guardian is
present.
Dogs
For the safety of all, please do not bring dogs onto school property at anytime.
Driving Children To and From School
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Haircuts
All haircuts should be clean, neat, and respectable and age appropriate for school. Haircuts for boys must be a boys regular
(short on sides and blends in back), above collar and trimmed over the ears, no hockey hair or any fad style hair cut. Hair is
to be natural color, no streaking. chunking. etc Girls hair must be neat, out of their eyes and off the face. Parents will be
called to take student and rectify any offending hairstyle before returning to school. We look for parents cooperation.
Health Reminder
The Department of Public Health mandates that all prescription and over the counter medications may only be administered
by the school nurse with a physicians order for said medication. If your child requires medication, the school nurses require
that you provide the nurses office with the required medication, as well as the physicians order. All prescription medications
must in their original pharmacy container, and all over the counter medications must be in the original container. The safety
of the students is foremost; therefore, it is imperative that you comply with all of the nurses requests for prescribed epipens,
inhalers, etc.
Rules for Returning Child to School After Communicable Disease
Students must be fever free and vomit free for 24 hours before returning to school
Strep Throat 24 hours after treatment is begun
Flu-like illness fever over 100 and cough/sore throat/body aches specific amount of time as specified by the
Department of Public Health
Impetigo excluded until under treatment and wounds are dry
Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye may return to school after treatment has begun
Ringworm may return to school after treatment has begun
Chicken Pox may return to school 7 days from day of breakout, if lesions are dry
Lice we have a no nit policy
Illegal Substances
No cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal substances are permitted on the school premises.
Immunizations
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According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, all children are required to be up to date on their
immunizations. If your child does not have the appropriate immunizations, they will be excluded from school.
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The following lines indicate the direction of the students in leaving at dismissal time.
Line 1....from St. Theresa School to the corner of St. Theresa Avenue and Centre Street.
Line 3....for car pickup.
A traffic officer will cross students at Line 1.
Cars should not exit via Landseer Terrace during arrival or dismissal time.
Lunches
Children/Parents must be personally responsible to pay for their daily lunch and/or milk. Children are not allowed to make
phone calls for forgotten lunches. They will be provided with a cheese sandwich from the cafeteria.
Messages
Relaying messages to the students is an interruption of the educational routine. Therefore, only true emergency messages
should be called in to the secretary.It is the responsibility of parent and child to discuss and make all arrangements for
transportation and after school activities prior to arrival at school. Students are not permitted to use any school phone to
make non-emergency calls during the school day.
No School Policy
St. Theresa School shall follow the Boston Public Schools regarding no school announcements due to inclement
weather. Parents are asked to listen to radio stations WBZ, WHDH or WEEI, for these announcements. Please do not
call the Rectory on these mornings.
Parent/Teacher Appointments
A parent wishing to confer with a teacher outside of the regular report card conference time may make an appointment at a
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time convenient for both teacher and parent. Regular classes must not be disturbed for such conferences.
Parties
No invitations are to be given out at school unless ALL children (either all boys, all girls, or the entire classroom) in the
individual classroom receive one. Excluding some children is a very hurtful experience, both for those excluded and those
invited. The best approach is to mail invitations.
Recess Regulations
The following rules apply to recess time in the schoolyard. Students are asked:
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No rough play.
No running.
Students Return to the school building only when the bell rings and their teacher meets them.
Students may organize games among themselves.
Students are to stay away from cars and garages.
Consequences:
Any child who does not follow the above regulations will be deprived of his/her recess at the discretion of the teacher on duty.
Volunteer parents may assist the teachers in the schoolyard at noontime.
Registration/Re-registration
See Tuition 2012-2013.
Report Cards/Marking System
Report cards will be issued three (3) times during the school year: December, April and June. K II report cards will be
distributed in January and June. Warning notices will be sent home prior to report card distribution if a curriculum criterion
is not being fulfilled.
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A = 94-96
B = 84-86
C = 74-76
D = 64-66
A- = 90-93
B- = 80-83
C- = 70-73
D- = 60-63
F = Failure
School Hours
Grades
Filing Time
*Classes Begin*
Closing Time/Filing
7:45 a.m.
7:55 a.m.
2:25 p.m.
1.
Students must not be in the schoolyard before 7:30 a.m. If need be, they will go to Before School Program
located in the cafeteria.
2.
A Before School Program is available in the cafeteria each morning beginning at 7:00 a.m. Please enter through
the after care door at the back of the school building. The fee is $7.00 per day.
School Rules
Students at St. Theresa School are expected to conduct themselves as courteous, Christian young people. These behavioral
expectations and rules have been established to maintain order, create a positive educational atmosphere, and promote pride.
These rules apply to all programs and activities in the school and parish buildings and grounds.
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1.
Students and parents are to exhibit respect toward all members of the school/parish community, including faculty,
school personnel, parent supervisors, volunteers, coaches, bus drivers, other students, and visitors. Students are to
follow the example of Jesus and treat others as they would like to be treated. They are to respect the rights of others to
attain an education and to participate in programs and activities.
2.
Students are to follow the directions of the teacher or adult supervisor at all times.
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Students are to walk and maintain moderate voice levels while in building.
4.
Students are to respect and care for all school and parish material, equipment, and property as well as the possessions
of teachers and students.
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Students are expected to abide by the School Dress Code and Classroom Rules.
School Visitors/Volunteers
According to the Archdiocesan Policy Book all visitors/volunteers, parents included, must enter the school only by the main
door and report to the school secretarys office. All visitors/volunteers must sign in and sign out in the secretarys office .
Neither parents nor visitors may go directly to a classroom without reporting to the office first . It is imperative for the
safety and security of all, that we know who is in the building at all times.
Tardiness
PARENTS ARE ASKED TO COOPERATE BY SEEING TO IT THAT CHILDREN GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME. In case of repeated
tardiness, (5 times) parents will be contacted to meet with the teacher to discuss and rectify the problem. If the problem is not
rectified, detention will be given for every tardy over the limit to make up class time. Grades 1-3 @ 10:00 recess, grade 4-6
2:30- 3:00p.m.
Teacher Requests
We cannot accommodate requests for specific teachers.
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Trips/Vacations
Family trips taken during the regular school year are not encouraged. School vacations are provided for that purpose. Every
parent receives a copy of the school calendar at the beginning of the school year. This will advise you of the dates of vacation
periods. We highly discourage students from taking time off from school for vacation. Teachers will not prepare special
assignments for those students or to give the work beforehand. It will be the responsibility of the child to make up
class work at the discretion of the teacher.
Tuition 2012-2013
Early Childhood
Early Childhood Program $6,050.00
Early Childhood Flex Program/part time $10.00 per hour
KI Full Day Program . 6,050.00
Supply Fee: Each Child ..
300.00
The above tuitions are not included in the family plan.
Kindergarten II Grade 6
First Child $ 4,525.00
Second Child ..
4,375.00
Third Child ..
4225.00
Out of Parish: Each Child ..
5,000.00
Supply Fee: Each Child .
300.00
A non-refundable deposit of $100 and Supply fee of $300 are due for each child in Early Childhood through Grade 5 by February 15, 2013, to reregister for the following school year. This registration will be accepted only if tuition payments are up to date. Tuition payments can be made by
check, pay by phone, credit/debit card or auto deduction. All payments are to be made directly to Smart Tuition.
We have partnered with Smart Tuition to accommodate the changing needs of our families. We have created a tuition payment plan that we
hope will fit everyones budget and lifestyle:
Plan A One payment in full due on or before July 2012.
Plan B Three payments, due July 2012, November 2012 and March 2013.
Plan C Ten payments to be paid from July 2012 through April 2013.
Delinquent Payments: If payments are delinquent, your child may be suspended from classes until payments are brought up
to date. All tuition accounts must be up to date before your child begins school in September. Tuition accounts must be
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Tuition Refunds: Tuition will be pro-rated on a monthly basis if a family moves from the local area prior to January 1. No
other refunds will be made.
Due to our limited seating, and to assure us that newly registered children will definitely attend St. Theresa School in
September, we require a non-refundable payment of $200, which is credited toward a childs tuition.
Withdrawal/Re-Entry:
If a child is withdrawn within the school year, and re-enrolls the same school year, there will be an administrative fee of $100.
Please Note:
We do not allow a tuition balance to remain after April 1, 2013. We will withhold report cards and transfer records until your
tuition obligation has been fulfilled. Grade eight students with outstanding tuition will not receive their diploma with their
classmates.
A poor history of tuition payment will require that you pay in full before the new school year begins.
Unauthorized Use of School Name
No student, or students parent or guardian, without the express prior written authorization of the schools principal
(administrative head), may utilize the schools name, or identifying logo, for any inappropriate purpose, including, but not
limited to the use of the school name:
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Uniforms
We feel strongly that the way a child is dressed influences his/her attitude and performance. Therefore, complete uniforms
must be worn every day. Uniforms should be in good repair. Girls uniforms should come to the top of their knees.
Early Childhood Program Kindergarten I
Navy blue gym suit (4 pieces) All with appropriate logo
- long/short sleeve tee shirt
- sweat shirt
- sweat pants
- shorts
- shoes (Velcro only), no shoe lacings
Girls (Grades KII - 6)
Maroon and gray jumper
Short sleeve white blouse (Peter Pan collar)
Maroon knee socks or tights no non-uniform pants can be worn in the building
Maroon V-Neck cardigan sweater
Long sleeve white turtleneck (optional from Nov. 15 - March 15)
Gray twill pants (optional from Nov. 15 - March 15)
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Girls (Grades 6)
Maroon and gray skirt
Short sleeve white oxford blouse (button down collar)
Gray V-Neck pull over sweater or gray v-neck vest
Maroon knee socks
Gray twill pants (optional from Nov. 15 - March 15)
Boys (Grades KII - 6)
White dress shirt (long or short sleeves)
Maroon tie
Gray pants
Maroon V-Neck cardigan sweater
Gray socks
Belt
School fleece jackets or vests only may be worn during the school day, if needed.
Black athletic shoes will be worn on regular school days. No logos and no high tops will be allowed. Rubber soled
athletic shoes are safer and more practical for school. There have been several accidents where children have been
injured on the stairs because of various heel heights and untied shoes. Also, boots are not permitted to be worn in
school all day long. Girls mary jane type shoes, without heels, are permitted, i.e. Lands End, L.L.Bean. All straps
must be fastened, and NO BALLET OR FLATS WILL BE WORN.
Uniforms (Gym)
The official St. Theresas School gym uniform consists of a maroon crew neck sweatshirt and maroon sweat pants, a gray or
maroon T-shirt, maroon shorts and white/gray athletic socks. Sneakers must worn on gym days. All of these items are
printed with the St. Theresas School logo. This gym uniform is required for all students in KII through 6. Early Childhood
and KI will wear their navy blue uniforms.
All items for both girls and boys should be purchased at
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For safety reasons, dangling earrings are not allowed. Only small stud earrings (one per lobe) are acceptable. Boys
are not allowed to wear earrings.
Any other kind of body-piercing jewelry is not acceptable.
Fashion choker necklaces, heavy chain necklaces, or other fashion jewelry is not acceptable.
Tattoos of any kind are not acceptable.
No makeup, body paint, body glitter, colored nail polish, hair paint or hair coloring are not allowed.
Girls hair accessories must coordinate with uniforms. Jeweled, glittery or princess type accessories are not
allowed.
No scarves/hats/caps are to be worn inside the building.
Heelies are not allowed in school.
Hooded sweatshirts cannot be worn in the school building or at recess.
No toys of any kind are to be brought to school, including those attached to bags.
White-Out
Students are not allowed to use nor have in their possession on school campus this white-out product. Whiteout could be
misused as an inhalant, and for this reason, schools both public and private have instituted this policy.
Absence Notice
My Child, _______________________________________________________________________________________
was absent on __________________________________________________________________________________
due to __________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Please feel free to make copies of this form for future use. We hope this will not be necessary.
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