ST. MARGARET REGIONAL SCHOOL
HANDBOOK
Welcome to St. Margaret Regional
School. It is our hope that you find
this family to be a model of Christian love, concern, and care for our
students, their parents, and each other.
With this in mind, always, we will
strive to work with you by:
1.
Being models of a vital, active, Christian faith that characterizes our
lives as distinctively marked by Christ-like qualities.
2.
Including the Will and message of Christ’s Gospel into our total
curriculum.
3.
Recognizing that our lives and our eternal life is our individual
responsibility and is worked out in communion with others.
We
will strive to empower our students by:
1.
Providing high quality instructions in all areas of curriculum.
2.
Encouraging an appreciation by all of true academic challenge and true
success.
3.
Helping develop a concern, respect, and an affirmation of the
individual gifts each of us possess.
4.
Modeling and teaching the skills and self-discipline, leadership,
critical thinking, and the ability to stand up for their personal convictions.
5.
Gracing them with the reverence for the gifts of life.
St. Margaret Regional School is a
Catholic, co-educational, elementary school in the Fall River Diocese, serving
students from a wide geographic area and from diverse backgrounds. As a school community dedicated to the
message of Jesus Christ, as handed down to us through the teachings of the
Catholic Church, we are called to educate our students and to give them witness
to this message.
It is our goal to provide a
nurturing, respectful, disciplined family atmosphere that encourages spiritual,
intellectual, physical, and emotional growth.
Staffed by qualified, caring, and dedicated faculty, St. Margaret offers
a strong curriculum in order to prepare our students for future learning and
for life.
In addition to religious instruction
classes, daily classroom prayers, rosary, Grace before/after meals and end of
day prayers, all students of St. Margaret Regional come together to celebrate
Mass once a month. Parents are invited
to attend this 10:00 AM Mass and join in our common prayer life. Students participate in the celebration of the
Mass as servers, scripture readers, and choir participants. Our Spiritual Committee provides spiritual
speakers, special liturgies, seasonal liturgical activities, and adult
instruction opportunities on an occasional basis throughout the school
year. Please join with us as we build
our Christian family at St. Margaret Regional School.
ADMISSIONS
POLICY
Saint Margaret Regional welcomes
persons of all race, creed, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Respect, inclusion
and equality are encouraged for everyone. Interviews with prospective student
and parents are required. The applicant needs to have paid the registration fee
and filled out the registration form. The applicant is asked to shadow a
student for a day in order to get a feeling for the school. Records need to be
made available along with the latest report card.The principal will call the
previous school before acceptance is finalized.
Students, faculty, staff members and
others connected with St. Margaret Regional School should expect to be treated
with consideration. As a community,
embodied by its diversity, all members have a right to feel both safe and
respected to live, work, and learn in an environment, which is free from
harassment. To preserve and protect the
health of the community and those differences among individuals, the school
will not tolerate harassment of any kind and is prepared to respond with
appropriate discipline, including dismissal.
St. Margaret Regional is committed
to maintaining a school and work environment that is free of harassment based
on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender or handicap.
Harassment in any form will not be
tolerated. HARASSMENT MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
·
repeated
or persistent offensive remarks
·
intimidation
for favors
·
overt
threats or demands
·
unwanted
physical contact
·
display
or circulation of written materials or pictures of a derogatory nature
Any violation of this policy should
be brought to the attention of the principal as soon as possible who will
conduct an investigation and take appropriate action.
PROCEDURES
If you feel you or your child is a
victim of harassment, contact the principal immediately to discuss the issues
regarding the perceived violation.
The
complainant, to ensure effective, timely results, should use the following
steps.
1.
Report
any incident to the principal immediately. Be sure to include the person’s
name, nature of the incident, date, time, place or location and any witnesses.
2.
Keep
written notes on all things relevant to your complaint. Make at least two
copies of said notes for reference purposes.
3.
File
a complaint in writing with the principal within 24 hours of the incident so
that the important data will not be forgotten or misplaced and while issues
surrounding the incident are still fresh in memory.
4.
Make
an appointment with the principal to review your complaint as soon as possible.
Bullying is an ongoing physical or verbal
mistreatment where there is:
·
An imbalance of power.
·
The victim (target) is exposed repeatedly to negative actions on the
part of one or more other students.
Intimidating type of behaviors such as:
·
Offensive name calling-verbal and written
·
Aggressive personal contact
·
Threats-verbal and written
·
Intimidating body language
·
Damage, destruction and theft of property
·
Invading personal space
·
Intentional/continual noise making
·
Intentional exclusion
The
test conditions for harmful bullying:
·
An intent to harm by the perpetrator
·
Intensity and duration
·
Abuse of power
·
Vulnerability of the victim
·
Isolation and lack of support for the victim
Consequences
of Bullying:
·
Warning-written form signed by student and parents identifying the
occurrence and the formal warning.
·
Possible In/Out of school suspension-followed with a conference with
student, parent, teacher and administrator.
Monday – Friday
Early dismissal
School office hours
Before school care
After school care
Summer hours
All students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 enter the building
through the door
bordering the parking lot by the kindergarten. Students in grades 5 & 6 go
to the Science Lab and students in grades 7 & 8 go to the
(a)
ARRIVAL-ALL
STUDENTS will be dropped off at school following the traffic pattern described
below:
1.
Drivers
should enter the parking lot via the
2.
Drop
off students at the corner of
3.
Exit
the parking lot turning onto
THE SCHOOL
WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS BEING DROPPED OFF
*SOVEREIGN BANK HAS ASKED THAT PARENTS DO
Parents
needing to stop in the school for any reason MUST
a.
First
drop off students and exit the parking lot as described above; then
b.
RE-ENTER
the Church entrance from
(b)
DISMISSAL
Drivers
picking up students at dismissal time should ALL:
1.
Enter
via St. Margaret Church parking lot on
2.
Meet
students at designated dismissal door.
3.
Walk
students to their car.
4.
Exit
parking lot at
Students will only be dismissed to
adults indicated on the emergency card or with a written note of permission
from parent/guardian. Students who have
written parent/guardian permission to leave school premises after school are no
longer the responsibility of the school and once they leave they are not to
return to school grounds.
ALL
For safety reasons, we request that
parents get out of the car, pick up your child and closely supervise children
in the parking area. All drivers need to exercise common sense with regard to
driving slowly and safely and not blocking the way of other cars entering and
exiting the lot. PLEASE park ONLY in
parking spaces designated by white painted lines. PLEASE observe the orange
cones for traffic flow.
ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is the
ever-constant characteristic of students who are successful. We encourage you to attend school promptly
and to participate fully in all class activities. However, we realize that sickness, and family
emergencies occur. When absence is a reality, the following is our stated
procedure:
ABSENCE: Upon
a student’s return to school, a written note signed by a
parent/guardian is required to excuse an absence. Students are responsible for securing and completing
work missed during an absence. More than three days absence requires a doctor’s
note.
TARDINESS: School begins at
APPOINTMENTS/
DISMISSALS Medical, dental and counseling appointments are to be
made after school hours. However, should
it be necessary to make an appointment during school hours, early dismissals
will be allowed, provided that a written note is given to the teacher and
approved by the principal. Dismissal will only be allowed to individuals
identified by parents/guardians and who meet the student in the office. The
student dismissal log must be signed prior to the student’s release from the
building.
VACATIONS: Prolonged vacation during school time is
discouraged. The school expects student
responsibilities for class work, assignments, standardized and other tests,
missed by the students, to be made up.
*It is not the teacher’s responsibility to
prepare work for students on extended vacations. Parents are asked to talk to the student’s
teacher and to respect the classroom policy, which will vary from grade to
grade.
EMERGENCY
CLOSING
In the event of a school
cancellation or delayed opening, the following should be noted: St. Margaret
Regional School follows the closure policy of the BOURNE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Notification of cancellation will be made on
all
EARLY
DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
When early dismissal is necessary,
the procedure is by:
1.
Radio
2.
TV
NOTE: Should weather warnings be made on radio or
TV stations, please be responsible and react to these emergency-closing notices
with timeliness as weather and driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
Please leave our school phones lines open.
With a delayed opening, morning care
will run 1 hour before the start of school.
TELEPHONE
USE
The school telephone is for school
business. The secretary, via the
teacher, will give messages for children to them. Teachers and students will not be called from
the classroom except in cases of emergency.
Students may not use the telephone unless the principal or secretary
grants permission. No cell phones are permitted at school. If there is a problem please
call the office and arrangements will be made for the phone to be in the office
until the end of the day. Phones will be confiscated and not returned until the
end of the year.
EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE LINE
An additional telephone line has
been established at the school for EMERGENCY USE. This number is (508) 759-9540. This number is to be used only in cases of
emergency and should not be used for any other purposes at this time.
UNIFORM
POLICY
Students at St. Margaret Regional
School are required to wear uniforms.
If there are 3
demerits during a month students will be ineligible for a dress down day on the
last school day of the month unless designated otherwise. The office keeps
records of infractions monthly. The
uniforms are described below:
Girls
K-4 Blue plaid uniform
jumper (with emblem)
Yellow
blouse with Peter Pan collar-long sleeve or short sleeve (when worn with
pants/shorts a blue crosstie must be worn)
Navy
blue uniform shorts with belt /yellow knit polo shirt with school emblem
(Sept., Oct., May, June)
Navy
blue uniform slacks with belt/yellow knit polo shirt with school emblem
Navy blue
cardigan sweater with school emblem
Black and
white saddle shoes or solid black shoes
Navy blue
socks or leotards. Leotards must be worn in the winter.
5-8 Blue
plaid uniform skirt (can only be shortened to 1” above the knee)
Yellow
blouse, oxford material with button down collar, long or short sleeve, tucked
in and top button buttoned
Navy
blue uniform shorts or long uniform pants with belt/yellow knit polo shirt with
school emblem (Sept., Oct., May, June)
Navy
blue uniform pants with belt / yellow oxford shirt with cross tie
Navy blue sweater with school emblem
Black
and white saddle shoes or solid black low
heeled shoes
Navy blue socks or leotards
Blue or plaid cross-over tie
Boys
K – 4 Navy uniform pants
with solid belt (blue/black) yellow polo shirt with emblem
Navy uniform shorts with belt
/yellow polo shirt with emblem (Sept., Oct., May, June)
Navy blue V-neck sweater with
school emblem
Black oxford shoes
Black or blue solid belt (with
shorts and long pants)
Black or blue socks (no white
socks or peds)
Grades 5 – 8 Navy uniform pants with solid
blue or black belt/yellow oxford button down shirt, long or short sleeve (top
button buttoned), blue or plaid tie
Navy uniform shorts or long pants
with solid blue or black belt, yellow polo shirt with emblem (Sept., Oct., May,
June)
Navy blue V-neck sweater with
school emblem
Necktie of navy blue or uniform
plaid
Black oxford shoes
Black or blue socks (no white
socks or peds)
Black or blue belt (worn with
both shorts and long pants)
Gym Uniform
All Grades: Navy blue tee shirt with
school emblem
Navy blue sweat pants or shorts
with school emblem (Elastic may be taken out of cuff but pants not cut)
Navy blue long sleeved crew neck
sweatshirt with school emblem
No jewelry to be worn during gym (for safety)
Sneakers (tied)
Blue
or black socks or white socks or peds
Cold Weather Months:
When boots are worn to school due to
inclement weather, students must
bring their uniform shoes
to be worn in the classroom.
Other:
Girls may wear one pair of stud post (not to gym). Boys are not allowed
to wear an earring.
Bandanas, as well as baseball/football/hockey
caps are not to be
worn during school hours.
The following may not be
worn: Make-up, fingernail polish, fake
nails, fashion jewelry, chains, colored hair, hair extensions or numbers cut in
hair. Gum chewing is not allowed.
The following may be worn:
(not to gym) watch or one bracelet (no colored bracelets), one special ring,
one small cross.
The Principal reserves the right to
waive the dress code for certain occasions.
(On no uniform days,
conservative school clothing may be worn). No jeans or
halter tops, short skirts/shorts, sagging
pants, bare midriff or spaghetti straps.
Uniform
Purchase:
Student
uniforms are purchased through:
1-800-462-8192
The School has a uniform
consignment program whereby used uniforms in good
condition may be obtained free of cost.
STUDENT
EVALUATION
Report cards and progress reports
are issued three times per year. You
will
receive these dates on the school calendar. Grades are based on a
combination of test
results, homework, projects and classroom participation.
The academic marking code for
grades 1,2,3,4:
M- Mastery
G- Generally Performs
Skills
E- Emerging
N- Needs Improvement
The academic marking code is as
follows for grades 5,6,7,8:
Performance Key:
A+
100-97 C+ 79-77
M-Mastery
A 96-94 C 76-74 P-Progressing
A- 93-90 C- 73-70 R- Needs Reinforcement
B+ 89-87
D 69-65 NA- Not Applicable
B 86-84 F below
65
B- 83-80
Work Skills: Performance
Key:
Grades 1,2,3,4
1.
Good O-
Outstanding Achievement
2. Fair S-
Satisfactory Achievement
3. Needs Improvement M- Minimal Achievement
4. Poor
Grades
5,6,7,8
1.
Acceptable-meets
expectations
2.
Unacceptable-does
not meet expectations
TESTING
PROGRAMS
Standardized tests, the Iowa Test of
Basic Skills, are administered to grades 2-8 annually. The COGAT is
administered to grades 3, 5, and 7.Testing results are sent to parents and
conferences may be scheduled to review results if desired. The Metropolitan
Readiness Test is given to Kindergarten. Parents will receive notification of
testing programs prior to administration of tests.
PARENT/GUARDIAN TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences for Grades K, 1, 2 and 3
are scheduled as follows: K,
December,
grades 1, 2, 3 –October. Individual conferences can be arranged with teachers
outside of the regular conference schedule if parents have a special concern
about their child.
PROMOTION
Any question of promotion will be
discussed with the parent by the beginning of the third trimester.
Any student failing two subjects in
a marking period will be reviewed for retention. Notification of possible retention will be
made in writing to the parent/guardian in March of the school year. Final retention decisions will be made by
June 1st of the school year.
HOMEWORK
POLICY
Homework is an essential part of the
study program. It will be required for
the students of St. Margaret Regional School.
Keep in mind that homework grows out of class work, and is intended to
supplement that class work. The
assignment should be a review of classroom material and used as reinforcement.
Parents are responsible to check the
homework each night and be aware of any difficulties students may be
experiencing. If academic struggles
should arise, please contact the classroom teacher. Please remember that reading is the most
important part of homework and should be encouraged nightly, whether formally
assigned or not.
Starting with Grade 3, an agenda
will be assigned to each student. The
student is responsible for writing the assignment daily in the log. It is the
responsibility of the parents to review the assignments nightly. All students are required to carry the agenda
to and from school every day. This agenda
will become a very important line of communication between students, parents
and teachers. The cost of the agenda is $7.00
Grade 5-8 homework responsibilities
are gradually transferred to the student. An agenda ($7.00) is still required
with the same policy as above. Nightly and long-term assignments may be found
on our web site (saintmargaretregional.com)
If your child is spending too much
time on homework, something is wrong.
Please contact the classroom teacher.
SPORTS
POLICY
Sports are an important part of our
school curriculum. To ensure the
physical safety and academic standing of all students involved in our sports
programs, the Athletic Director will give out specific policies for each sports
activity. The parent/guardian and
student will be required to read and sign the form. No sport can be played
without a physician approved medical sports form. This physician signed form
must be on file before the child can play any sport during the year. This
applies to practices also. IT IS THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO COPY
THE PYHSICIAN SIGNED SPORTS FORM AND GIVE TO THE SEASONAL COACH. A
separate copy of the physician signed sports form is required for each sport
each year.
With a failing grade in one or more
academic subjects, the student will be temporarily or permanently suspended
from the team
If the student is absent, serving a
detention or suspended they may not attend practice that day. (If the student
is tardy the privilege to practice or play is up to the principal’s
discretion.) Two unexcused absences (detention is considered an unexcused
absence) or suspension will result in removal from the team. Fees paid will be
non-refundable.
Specific policies for each sport
will be provided at the beginning of each season.
CODE
OF CONDUCT
Students of St. Margaret Regional
School are expected to demonstrate responsible behavior that follows Christian
values and focuses on respect for all adults, peers, personal and school
properties.
St. Margaret Regional School
endorses fair and appropriate school rules which ensure a safe and orderly
educational environment.
School personnel, parent and
guardians working together can teach respect for others.
Group rules are necessary for
maintaining a peaceful, Christian and safe environment.
ACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIORS
·
Walk
at all times for safety sake.
·
Keep
inappropriate non-school related objects at home.
·
Disagree
peacefully; ask for help.
·
Treat
everyone with respect and courteous behavior.
·
Stay
in the school area.
·
Take
care of books and supplies.
·
Have
and keep what is yours.
·
Keep
your hands and feet to yourself.
·
Take
care of school property and the property of others.
·
Demonstrate
high Christian standards of language and actions.
·
Wear
uniform with pride.
NOT
ACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIOR
·
Running
in school.
·
Throwing
things in school or on the playground.
·
Disrespect
to staff, parents or other parties.
·
Fighting,
bullying or shoving.
·
Swearing,
vulgar motions or language, teasing, name-calling, interrupting others.
·
Gum
chewing in school.
·
Writing
on or damaging books or supplies.
·
Taking
things that do not belong to you.
·
Destroying
or defacing school property.
·
Possession
of a weapon or objects that could cause harm to others.
·
Smoking,
drugs or alcohol possession of, or sale thereof.
·
Using
medications without permission (including over the counter products)
·
Non-conforming
to uniform dress code.
PROCEDURES
When a child’s behavior departs from
the school’s standards of an acceptable behavior any of the following may take
place as determined by the teacher and the principal.
·
An
incident report and/or conference with the student by the teacher and/or the
principal.
·
Loss
of recess and/or class privileges.
·
Removal
from class.
·
Parents
notified.
·
In/out
of school suspension.
EXPULSION
In the event of a serious infraction, or in the case of repeated suspensions, it is within the jurisdiction of the principal to expel a student from school. Parents/guardians will be required to meet with all involved parties. A stud