Saint Pius X Church School Community 2007-2008 Handbook

Feel free to browse our handbook.  To download a copy, click here.

Established in 1957 by Father Gerald Phee and the Sisters of Divine Providence, Saint Pius X is proud to celebrate its 50^th Anniversary during the 2007 – 2008 school year. When it first began, Saint Pius X was a small school of only a first, second and third grade built within a community featuring a barn that doubled as a church. Through the years, however, the church school community has grown and prospered to its current size, featuring seven buildings on a spacious campus.

Saint Pius X offers a fully accredited Pre-K through 8^th Grade Catholic education, and features active parent groups, a dedicated faculty and a strong parish community. It is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, an award that "honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement."

The school also boasts a Synergistic Lab, a program developed to help middle school students explore and practice industrial arts. At Saint Pius X, students learn how to write and record a radio broadcast, build bridges and towers that can then be strength tested, craft and test their own model gliders, create circuit boards and run experiments with electricity, and even construct their own simple robots.

Saint Pius X is first and foremost a Catholic school and embraces the Catholic traditions of mass, personal prayer and stewardship. Students experience daily prayer within their classrooms and weekly mass with the entire school community. In keeping with the Catholic tradition, all students, regardless of race or religion, are invited to attend and learn within our community. To this end, the school consists not only of students from Saint Pius X Parish, but also students from other parishes and different faith traditions.

Saint Pius X Church School Community is dedicated to the education of its students in the faith through rigorous academic standards and appropriate service opportunities. It is our firm belief that the seeds of greatness are planted at Saint Pius X, and that it is our privilege as educators in the faith to water and sustain them.

While all handbooks attempt to be a comprehensive guide to school policies and information, Saint Pius X acknowledges that the changing nature of education and the need to adjust to trends, problems and movements can result in changes which may not be listed within these pages. To this end, the most comprehensive informational documents will always be available on our website at www.spxtulsa.org or in the main office. In addition, we will always mail updates to enrolled students and their parents as soon as they become available.

Please feel free to contact the office to discuss any questions, comments or concerns that you may have involving school policy or regulations. Above all, know that the faculty, staff and administration stand ready to serve and minister to you in any way we can. Welcome to our school!

Matthew Vereecke, Principal

Theresa Adams, Assistant Principal

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Pius X School was created to provide affordable, quality, Catholic education for children of the Parish, other Catholic parishes and other faith communities.

In an environment that respects the dignity and differences of each individual, students will learn the teachings of the Catholic faith. The curriculum will be permeated with Catholic values. Students will be intellectually challenged and encouraged to mature as faith-filled youth.

Graduates will be knowledgeable of Catholic teachings, academically well prepared in the basics, able to identify and solve problems, able to use technology, encouraged to provide service to others and taught to use their faith as a basis for daily decisions.

The school is committed to allowing each student to discover his/her own worth and unique value as a child of God, growing in faith, self-control, self-direction and responsibility.

The school recognizes the role of parents as primary educators and supports the efforts of the family. Each adult member of the school community is needed to model the values and faith to be passed to the children. The school is committed to the goals of stewardship and requires the sharing of time, talent and treasure.

COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP

Parents are the first and primary educators of their children.

To this end, the responsibility of the school is to provide a Catholic education to its students and help parents in their duty to raise moral, educated Catholics.

It is important that the examples set at home and school are consistent; to this end, teachers are held to the highest standard in terms of their academic, moral and ethical examples. Just so, parents are expected to provide the type of basic training in manners and decorum that allow children to function and learn within a controlled setting.

It is essential that students understand the relationship between home and school. Just as the school must reinforce the values taught by the parents, so too must the parents support that values taught by the school. To this end, it is very important that any disagreements about methods, educational topics or religious matters be handled promptly and appropriately. This should first be done by setting up meetings with the teachers involved, and then the principal and pastor as necessary.

The church school community is what makes Saint Pius X both unique and great. It requires a constant commitment from parents, faculty and students to guarantee that this community can grow and prosper as it should. Therefore, the faculty, staff and administration of Saint Pius X School resolve to provide the right type of atmosphere to allow all students the ability to grow and prosper as they should. We trust and expect the parents and students enrolled to do the same.

GOALS

Religious

The spiritual goal of Saint Pius X School is to encourage each person in the school community to develop a love for God through an understanding of the Catholic faith and to apply this learning to their own spiritual formation.

The processes to reach this goal include:

Supporting parents in their role as the primary educators of their children and enriching the moral, intellectual and spiritual knowledge that those parents convey;

Transmitting the teachings, traditions and values revealed in the Gospels and espoused in the Catholic faith through the implementation of a Catholic curriculum in conjunction with the consistent modeling of Catholic behavior by faculty and staff;

Providing opportunities through which students can engage in a life of stewardship through the identification and use of their time, talent and treasures;

Offering opportunities that allow the development of a moral conscience that will allow the student to discern responsibly when faced with ethical and moral issues;

Promoting a community atmosphere that fosters familial growth and formation within the Catholic tradition.

 

Academic

The academic goal of Saint Pius X School is to provide a challenging but fostering intellectual environment that allows all students, regardless of age or ability, to meet or exceed the standards provided by the State of Oklahoma to measure school effectiveness.

The processes to reach this goal include:

Partnering with parents to provide a holistic educational experience that features parental reinforcement of concepts taught at school;

Creating a structure for learning that is responsive to the ever changing needs of both the teachers and the students and is grounded in the latest educational research and theory;

Providing a curriculum that challenges individual potential while respecting individual difference while mastering the skills necessary to be successful in reading, writing, science, mathematics and the humanities;

Fostering an academic atmosphere that acknowledges the uselessness of knowledge without an understanding of the moral, social and ethical principles that allow the student to apply that knowledge, and giving students the tools necessary to be able to best discern God’s call within their own unique academic context.

Developmental

The developmental goal of Saint Pius X School is to engender socially responsible, mature, distinctly Catholic citizens who understand their own intrinsic value as a member of the universal Church, as well as the value and importance of each and every person they encounter throughout the Body of Christ.

The processes to reach this goal include:

Providing programs that focus on the latest developments in moral education and moral development and encouraging parents and faculty to promote these values in their daily lives and in interaction with the students;

Ensuring that students accept responsibility for all of their actions, positive or negative, by providing clear consequences for negative behavior and clear rewards for positive;

Fostering a patriotic respect for both civil and religious rights that acknowledges individual differences and respects differing opinions, and allowing students to have opportunities to practice this respect and responsibility to people in need within the community;

Developing an appreciation for how effort can directly impact achievement within the classroom specifically, but also throughout the daily chores and tasks that students must undertake.

 

Physical

The physical goal of Saint Pius X School is to foster a respect for the dignity of life in all its forms, and to provide students with the means to understand and engender a healthy lifestyle in their nutrition, social and moral choices.

Objectives to reach this goal include:

Enabling students to participate in a curriculum that fosters respect for the human body and explains practices and activities necessary to live an active, healthy lifestyle;

Ensuring that instruction on heath and fitness enumerates the Catholic beliefs and teachings about respecting the dignity of human life in all of its forms, as well as personal respect for one’s body;

Allowing students time to be active in play and in instruction through scheduled recess and physical education classes.

 

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Our philosophy and mission dictate that the administration, faculty and parents cooperate closely in all phases of the student’s development. To ensure that St. Pius X School is a rewarding and beneficial experience for your child, we ask parents and students to accept the following responsibilities:

Parents

To be a support in the faith and moral education provided by the school by regularly attending religious ceremonies, living Gospel values and attending meetings, sporting events, club activities or other gatherings where your child is participating;

To communicate with the school administration and faculty about the needs of your student and to respond to any communication which may come from the school;

To support the faculty and administration in discipline and developmental matters;

To provide adequate time and assistance with student school and homework;

To offer time whenever possible to support school and church events, and to maintain a positive attitude when describing the church school community to others;

To acknowledge the privilege that is Catholic education by meeting financial responsibilities in a timely manner and supporting all campaigns through prayer first and whatever other methods possible.

Students

To actively show your faith by: respecting the Eucharist, participating in the prayer and social life of the church school community, and treating classmates, teachers and visitors with the respect they deserve;

To follow school rules at all times;

To always submit work that showcases your best effort and ability;

To be responsible for assignments, actions and beliefs and accept consequences for actions that harm or help the community;

To treat community property, such as school books, school buildings, or the campus, with respect;

To be positive examples of Saint Pius X students in all interactions with people both inside and outside of the church school community.

 

 

 

Administration/Faculty

To teach, model and live the Catholic faith;

To partner with parents in the moral, social and academic development of their children by providing an atmosphere that allows students to discover and implement their God-given gifts and talents;

To provide opportunities for prayer and service, and to encourage students to develop a personal faith life;

To educate students within a strong academic community that meets or exceeds all diocesan and state standards and strives to integrate Catholic values;

To ensure that all students are treated with respect and dignity through the application of discipline, rewards and incentives;

To treat their service within the school as a ministry and a vocation more than a mere job;

To respect the privacy of all parents and students through the adherence to a strict privacy policy.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

All policies, guidelines and other information is current as of August 2007. To see any changes or addendums, please contact the school office or visit our website at www.spxtulsa.org

Important Numbers:

School Office 627-5367

Parish Office 622-4488

Cafeteria 627-5367 ext. 31

To Report Absences 627-5367

Fax Number 627-6179

E-mail mvereecke@spxtulsa.org

tadams@spxtulsa.org

Daily Schedule – Preschool

7:30-7:45 Supervised care

7:45-8:00 Arrival

8:00 Class begins

11:00-12:00 Lunch/Quiet Time

2:00 Dismissal

2:00-3:00 Supervised care

 

 

Daily Schedule – K-8

7:30-7:45 Supervised care available in the cafeteria. (NO STUDENT SHOULD BE ON

CAMPUS UNSUPERVISED BEFORE 7:30 AM)

7:45-8:00 Students are invited into the classroom to prepare for the day.

8:00-8:10 School prayer and announcements commence (Students are considered tardy at 8:00 A.M. and should report to the school office).

8:10 Classroom instruction begins.

11:00-12:50 Lunch is served in the cafeteria. Classes have approximately 20 minutes to eat lunch and then a 20-minute recess.

12:00-1:05 Classes resume.

2:55-3:00 Final announcements and prayer.

Daily Schedule – Office

7:30 – 3:30 Walk-ins are always welcome, but appointments are encouraged to ensure that an adequate amount of time may be spent on questions, comments or concerns. Appointments may be scheduled outside of school hours should such arrangements be necessary.

Email Addresses

Email Address	Last Name	First Name	Position
Office Staff
mvereecke@spxtulsa.org	Vereecke	Matthew	Principal
tadams@spxtulsa.org	Adams	Theresa	Assistant Principal
bkrukowski@spxtulsa.org	Krukowski	Beth	Administrative Assistant
agunsch@spxtulsa.org	Gunsch	Alisa	Administrative Assistant
Faculty and Staff
ablum@spxtulsa.org	Blum	Amy	1st Grade
lbraun@spxtulsa.org	Braun	Lou	5th Grade
mclaybaugh@spxtulsa.org	Claybaugh	Marisa	Teacher’s Aide
sdischner@spxtulsa.org	Dischner	Sally	Teacher’s Aide
cdonatucci@spxtulsa.org	Donatucci	Crissy	6th Grade
eemery@spxtulsa.org	Emery	Ellen	Kindergarten
cenzbrenner@spxtulsa.org	Enzbreener	Cassie	7th Grade
cfincher@spxtulsa.org	Fincher	Cecilia	4th Grade
mfolluo@spxtulsa.org	Folluo	Mary	Kindergarten
sfox@spxtulsa.org	Fox	Stephanie	7th Grade
jhaws@spxtulsa.org	Haws	Julie	1st Grade
dheinrichs@spxtulsa.org	Heinrichs	Debbie	Preschool
shuggins@spxtulsa.org	Huggins	Sandy	Art
titen@spxtulsa.org	Iten	Therese	3rd Grade
ckinnaman@spxtulsa.org	Kinnaman	Cathie	Athletics, 6th Grade
alandreville@spxtulsa.org	Landreville	Alexa	Cafeteria
mlippard@spxtulsa.org	Lippard	Marilyn	Computers and Synergistic Lab
bmargerum@spxtulsa.org	Margerum	Debbie	8th Grade
mmarshall@spxtulsa.org	Marshall	Maureen	3rd Grade
dmoss@spxtulsa.org	Moss	Debbie	5th Grade
mnewton@spxtulsa.org	Newton	Maria	Preschool
doakley@spxtulsa.org	Oakley	Debra	4th Grade
vpresley@spxtulsa.org	Presley	Valda	2nd Grade
kroberson@spxtulsa.org	Roberson	Katy	8th Grade
trouser@spxtulsa.org	Rouser	Tina	Library
jschultz@spxtulsa.org	Schultz	Julie	2nd Grade
swalseth@spxtulsa.org	Walseth	Sheryl	School Nurse
cwilliams@spxtulsa.org	Williams	Carol	Physical Education

SPECIFIC POLICIES

 

Academics

Curriculum

Saint Pius X School follows the diocesan curriculum guide for elementary schools. Teachers coordinate within the school to ensure that students will meet or exceed all of the curriculum goals by the time they graduate eighth grade. Furthermore, the middle school endeavors to meet or exceed all expectations and requirements for an incoming freshman at Bishop Kelley High School.

Students receive extensive instruction in the following subjects:

Mathematics	Science	Social Studies	Language Arts
Literature	Art	Music	Computers
Spanish	Physical Education	Liturgy	Technology

In addition to this, sixth through eighth grade students participate in the Synergistic Laboratory where they learn the basics of flight technology, rocketry, applied physics, radio broadcasting, home, bridge and tower design, biotechnology, electrical systems and robotics.

The textbooks employed by the school meet or exceed all curriculum guidelines and are reviewed and replaced on six-year cycle. An annual fee is charged to defray the considerable cost of these reviews and replacements.

Testing

IOWA Tests are taken each January. These results are sent to parents in regards to their student. For a more complete list of results, including school scores and their relationship to other local schools, please contact the school office.

Confidentiality

Saint Pius X respects the right to student and parental privacy at all times. Personal information, including phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and place of employment will not be released without authorized consent. Any parent wishing to avoid having their information published in the school directory may do so by informing the office.

In addition, the school requires written consent of the parent before releasing any personally identifying information including, but not limited to:

Any records directly related to the student, such as cumulative, health, financial and attendance records;

Testing records, such as academic, social or developmental results;

Any discipline records or incidents documented by the school.

Court orders, state statutes (including those governing truancy) or other legally binding documents may supersede these polices. Parents will be informed of the release of information in these circumstances.

Unless otherwise requested, Saint Pius X will release records to either parent at any time.

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale and Report Cards

The grading scale used at St. Pius X School is as follows:

Grade	Percentage	Meaning
A	90 – 100	Excellent Work
B	80 – 89	Above Average Work
C	71 – 79	Average Work
D	65 – 70	Below Average Work
F	65 and below	Work fails to meet expectations

Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter, but may be held if the student is in default of fines, cafeteria fees, tuition payments or other fees. Progress reports are available weekly for students in middle school and on a regular basis for those students in kindergarten through fifth grade. If further oversight is needed, parents may arrange alternative means of accountability with individual teachers and the administration if necessary.

If a student misses work near the end of a quarter, they may be issued a grade of "incomplete" (denoted with a "I" on the report card) in lieu of being unjustly penalized for late work. An incomplete grade will revert to the previous grade if the missing work is not completed within the timeframe set by the teacher and administration.

Promotion/Retention

Promotions and retentions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of the student’s academic, physical, social and emotional growth. All students who meet the academic and attendance requirements of the school will be automatically promoted to the next grade level. Retention is only considered in a limited number of situations which include, but are not limited to:

developmental issues, either social, physical or mental

excessive absences

failure to meet grade level requirements, skills or concepts

Students who fall into one of these categories may be conditionally promoted should they meet the goals outlined by the teacher and approved by the administration.

Homework

Homework is designed to strengthen and review skills learned in class, to encourage good study habits, and to allow students to explore and extend material presented in the classroom. Parental involvement in homework and the educational process is directly correlated to student performance, and thus parental assistance is essential when establishing good study and homework habits, as well as developing intellectual capacity.

Although the amount of homework will vary due to many different circumstances including absences, special events at school, amount of class time available to work and difficulty of the assignment, teachers follow the following guidelines for assigning homework. Please note that these times are weekly averages and thus may be more or less depending schedule.

K 10 minutes daily

1-3 15-30 minutes daily (does not include reading out loud & flash cards)

4-5 30-60 minutes daily

6-8 60-90 minutes daily

Parents who find that their students routinely exceed the amount of time listed above should contact the teacher and the administration to discuss methods and procedures that can be used to reduce the burden.

Late work

Late work in the primary grades will result in disciplinary action per the discretion of the teacher. Late work is not acceptable at the middle school level and will result in a zero. Extenuating circumstances will be considered.

Unless otherwise discussed with a teacher, all work from an expected absence (include vacations) is due when the student returns to class. Missing work due to illness is due within two days of returning to class unless the teacher and student feel that this would be an undue burden. Any work which is not turned in within the timeframes listed above will be subject to the late work policy and will receive a zero.

In order to ensure that students are organized and thus limit late work, students in grades three through eight are required to have an assignment book for tracking homework. Parents may additionally hold students accountable by checking teacher websites for specific assignment information.

Conferences

Parent teacher conferences are held in the fifth week of both the first and third quarter, but may be scheduled at any time for any reason with the teacher (and administration if appropriate).

Parents may further communicate with teachers via email or phone call to the school office. All inquires will be answered within twenty-four hours barring any extenuating circumstances. Although it is permissible to speak with teachers without a scheduled appointment, it is inappropriate to approach them off school grounds or at home about complaints without prior arrangements.

Teachers have the right to decline any meeting which is not scheduled and would interfere with any prior commitment.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Students are encouraged to participate in extra activities. Extra-curricular activities that are sponsored by the school are a privilege and may be subject to eligibility requirements as dictated by the faculty, staff or coordinating volunteer.

Activities and extra-curricular events change from year to year; for a full and current list, please contact the main office.

 

 

Field Trips

Field trips are an educational resource meant to refine, extend or enrich the traditional curriculum. Field trips receive the consent of the administration after review of their educational value. All field trips are subject to eligibility requirements; students who fail to meet the requirements as stated by the faculty, staff or coordinating volunteer will not be allowed to attend. These requirements will be listed when participation forms are sent home; students who fail to produce a signed participation form will not be allowed to attend the field trip.

Parents are encouraged to offer service to the school in the form of driving, chaperoning or otherwise volunteering their time to meet the needs of students and staff alike. As with all activities that involve one-on-one situations with students, all volunteers are required to be VIRTUS trained and to submit to a back ground check.

Due to the size constraints placed upon the school by some of our field trip destinations, the school respectfully requests that relatives, friends or other people do not attend any field trip without prior authorization from the administration.

 

Religion and Service

Mass

All students, regardless of age, participate in mass during Holy Days of Obligation. Beyond these special days, students in the first through eighth grade participate in weekly mass Friday morning. Kindergarten students, who need a period of adjustment following preschool, begin attending weekly masses in November. Preschool students attend special masses as appropriate.

Religion Classes

All students, regardless of religion, are required to be instructed in the Catholic tradition. Religion classes occur daily for all students and attempt to build not only an understanding of the faith, but also a willful desire to practice and worship within the Catholic context. Students graduating from Saint Pius X will have an understanding of the mass, knowledge of Catholic prayers and how to pray them, and an awareness of the actions necessary to live a vibrant faith life.

Service Projects

All students are expected to participate in service activities throughout the year. To this end, Saint Pius X offers many opportunities to share time, talent and treasure regardless of age. A full list of service opportunities is available in the school office.

Additionally, students in middle school are required by diocesan curriculum standards to complete service in the following amounts for the following categories:

Grade:	Time per school year:	Category:
6th Grade	12 hours	Home and school community
7th Grade	14 hours	School and parish community
8th Grade	16 hours	Parish and surrounding community

Daily Procedures

Arrival

Students are asked to arrive on campus between 7:45 and 7:59 AM. Beforecare is provided in the cafeteria beginning at 7:30 AM. No student should be on campus without the direct supervision of their parent or guardian before 7:30 AM.

Attendance and Truancy

Saint Pius X School complies with Oklahoma state laws regarding mandatory student attendance. This involves reporting any unusual absences or excessive tardiness to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office. According to state law, students are not allowed to compile four unexcused absences or tardies within any four week period; in addition to this, any student who compiles ten unexcused absences within a semester must also be reported.

An unexcused absence is defined as any absence not explained by the parent or guardian. Doctor’s notes, phone calls, personal notes and emails are all valid ways to avoid an unexcused absence or tardy.

The administration reserves the right to conference with any parent whose student is subject to long or excessive absences, excused or otherwise. Please note that excessive absences combined with poor academic performance may result in grade retention by the administration.

Tardiness

Students reporting late for school must receive a tardy slip to enter the classroom regardless of reason. Thus, any student returning from an appointment, visit or other activity must still report to the school office. Students are considered to be tardy at 8:00 AM.

Absence Procedure

In order to protect the well-being and safety of your child, the school asks that parents report any absence due to any reason by 8:00 AM.

If a student becomes ill at school, parents will be notified and asked to retrieve their child as soon as possible. In this case, an absence will be recorded in the following way:

Length of Absence	Result
0 – 2 Hours	Tardy
2 – 4 Hours	Half-day absence
4 or more hours	Full day absence

Teachers provide records of any work that a student may miss; these records are available at the end of each day but are the responsibility of the student. Special circumstances may be considered, but homework is expected to be completed by the day after the student returns unless otherwise specified by the teacher.

Please try to schedule doctor and dental appointments before or after school hours whenever possible.

Teachers should be informed of any planned absences at least one week in advance. Parents who wish to receive their children’s homework for an absence due to a vacation should submit a written request to the teacher at least two weeks in advance of the absence; work that is not submitted upon the student’s return may be subject to the school’s late work policy.

Cafeteria

Saint Pius X offers a full cafeteria. Bills are handled by the main office and a full list of fees and daily costs is available in the main office.

Dismissal

Preschool dismissal is at 2:00 PM daily, and Aftercare is offered until 3:00 PM. Due to safety issues, the school regrets that it is unable to offer Aftercare to our preschool program after this time.

School ends for the remaining grades at 3:00 PM. Extended Care students and those who walk home are dismissed first. The remaining students will be dismissed by his or her teacher from the appropriate area; parents should arrange a pickup location with their student before this time. Please keep in mind that teachers are on duty at this time and are not available to discuss school issues, events or problems.

Traffic on 75th East Avenue is to be continuous, and parents must not leave the car for any reason. For this reason, the school asks that parents of children in grades kindergarten through third grade meet their student in the activity center parking lot unless a family member in grades four through eight can accompany them.

As a result of pick-up and drop-off locations, the school asks parents to be in direct supervision of their children at all times while arrival and dismissal are commencing. This includes any student who may wish to use the playground equipment.

Students not enrolled in the aftercare program will be charged a fine of $5.00 per minute after 3:15 PM. Special circumstances will be taken into consideration if the school office is notified in advance, but the school asks that this only occur in emergency situations. Parents who fail to provide adequate documentation for their tardiness may be subject to further fines and disciplinary action.

 

 

Aftercare

To accommodate working parents, Saint Pius X School offers an Aftercare program from the hours of 3:00 to 5:30 PM.

In order to defray the cost of the program, the school imposes a registration fee of $25.00 per family and a monthly fee of $140.00 per full-time student (five days a week). For parents who wish to have more flexibility, the program offers a part-time student rate (three days a week) for $100.00 per month. These fees are due on the first of the month prior to your student beginning Aftercare.

In order to respect the time of our Aftercare directors, it is necessary that Aftercare end promptly at 5:30 PM. Parents who pickup their students later than this time will be subject to a $5.00 per minute fee. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into account, but all fees must be paid before your student may return to Aftercare.

Cancellation of School

Saint Pius X School will cancel school whenever the Tulsa Public School system does so. Cancellations are made via station KRMG-740 AM and on the local television stations.

Unfavorable conditions may result in early dismissal. Parents will be notified in this event.

Admissions and Enrollment

Admissions

There is no discrimination in our enrollment practices according to sex, social or economic status race, or ethnic background. Because we are a parish school, admission preference is given to parishioners of Saint Pius X or other Catholic churches throughout the diocese.

All students entering St. Pius X School must present birth certificates, up to date immunization records, completed physical forms, baptismal records and previous academic records in order to begin classes.

In order to identify an applicant's special needs and talents, kindergarten applicants are screened. Past grades, test scores, records, interviews or formal testing may be used to determine acceptance for enrollment in grades 1-8.

New students and parents are required to have a formal interview with the administration and students, if accepted, will be on two-month probation.

Enrollment

The following schedule will be followed for enrollment.

February – Enrollment packets for the next school year will be offered to families in good financial standing. A deadline for guaranteed enrollment will be announced and published through school newsletters and the church bulletin.

Monday of the second week of March – Guaranteed enrollment ends, open enrollment begins.

 

Discipline and Behavior

Student Expectations

Students are expected to:

Follow school guidelines outlined in the Handbook;

Demonstrate respect for all elders, other students, and property within the school community;

Remain quiet in and around the buildings, hallways and cafeteria;

Show respect to the Eucharist in mass and in daily behavior;

Do and offer their best effort in their schoolwork;

Use the sidewalks.

 

Bullying and Harassment

As required by the state Department of Education, St. Pius X School will abide by the "School Bullying Prevention Act" which became effective November 1, 2002. A copy of this Act is available in the school office.

Saint Pius X therefore specifically prohibits harassment, intimidation, and bullying by students at school, and also provides information and education in order to prevent these situations from occurring. All complaints will be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action will be imposed.

Students found to be in violation of this rule will be dealt with on a case by case basis, and may be punished with in-house suspension, at-home suspension, or expulsion.

Sexual or other harassment, either among students, teachers, staff and administrators, or between any of these will be considered a major violation of policy and will be dealt with according to school regulations and Diocesan policy.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwanted or unwelcome words, jokes, comments, physical conduct, display of pictures or other materials based upon an individual's gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability or other legal protected status.

Any employee or student who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual or other harassing behavior by another student, administrator or teacher in a school of the Diocese is encouraged to follow the procedure outlined in the Diocesan School Policy Manual. A copy of this manual is available in the school office.

Alcohol and Drugs

The possession, sale or use of alcohol, drugs or any other controlled substance by students of Saint Pius X School in any place at any time is strictly forbidden. Violation of the rule will result in immediate suspension and an internal investigation. Students then found to be in violation of the policy will be expelled and reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Students may have the option to reapply, but drug testing, treatment programs and counseling may be a condition of readmission.

Conduct

Student and parent conduct at school and school sponsored activities is expected to follow the guidelines detailed in the handbook.

Students and parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not interfere with the rights, privileges and safety of others and exemplifies the Christian values taught in the home and school.

Off-campus conduct that reflects negatively on the school or community may result in suspension or expulsion. Off-campus incidents will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the principal and pastor.

Corporal Punishment

According to Diocesan policy, no corporal punishment is used at St. Pius X School.

Discipline

The immediate goal of discipline is to create a favorable atmosphere for learning. Students are encouraged to develop good habits such as courtesy, respect, kindness, helpfulness, cooperation, responsibility, and good study habits.

Student restrictions are designed to create an atmosphere conducive to achieving the stated school goals and to foster an environment that promotes the total Christian education of the student. Discipline will be administered when any individual’s actions interfere with the right of teachers to teach and students to learn.

Serious disregard for school rules and regulations may warrant a student being disciplined, suspended or expelled by the administration. Behaviors that are serious detriments to the school and learning environment include, but are not limited to:

Willful disobedience;

Gross disrespect to school personnel or property;

Grave injury to another student by thoughtless actions or slanderous remarks;

Habitual profanity or vulgarity;

Possession, sale and/or use of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, knives, firearms and accessories;

Fighting

Cheating

Parents will be notified of any serious violation of school policy. In addition to this, parents may request teacher notification for other less serious matters as well.

Registration for the following school year may be denied or conditionally allowed to any student who has demonstrated extreme or repeated disciplinary problems or if parental support is not given to the discipline regulations established by the school.

Special Directions:

No gum on school grounds;

No toys, electronic toys or devices of any kind without prior authorization (includes: MP3 players, DVDs, CDs, video games, or cell phones);

No skateboards or rollerblades;

No pop for lunch without permission from teacher;

No writing on self or others.

Disciplinary Action

If a student is unable or refuses to practice the self-discipline required to meet the established regulations, suitable action will be taken. The teacher may exercise the following options:

Student-teacher conference;

Teacher-parent conference (by phone or personal contact);

Violation slip sent home for parent signature;

Student-principal conference;

Principal-teacher-parent conference.

Any serious violation will be immediately referred to the school office.

Expulsion

A student may be expelled from school for misconduct of a very serious nature. Expulsion, the permanent termination of a student's enrollment, is rarely invoked but will be used to address any situation which may result in an unsafe atmosphere.

The specific process is detailed in the Diocesan Handbook available for review in the School Office. (Appendix #3)

Fighting

Any student who assaults another student, either physically or verbally, will be subject to immediate discipline and possible suspension. Repeated violation will be cause for expulsion.

In-house Suspension

A student may be placed in "in-house" suspension when the administration deems necessary. Parents will be notified in writing.

Gym Use

All who attend basketball or volleyball games in the gym are expected to follow the rules listed below:

A custodian or monitor will be present while the gym is in use; all directives of this person should be considered to be coming directly from the administration;

Children may not be left unsupervised;

No food or drink is allowed in the gymnasium with the exception of water or sports drinks for athletes;

The stage is off limits;

Locker areas are off-limits except to use the restrooms. Teams or individuals will be assessed for any damages/vandalism incurred;

Anyone caught defacing school property will be held responsible financially and legally and will forfeit the privilege of attending games.

Repair/Replacement of School Property

Parents and students will be financially responsible for any school property, including textbook and classroom materials, that is damaged or destroyed by the student. Due to budget limitations, even if the damage is not intentional, the student and parents may be responsible. The minimum fine assessed for damage to anything is $10.

Building Policy

For safety and educational reasons, no parent or visitor may go directly to the classroom during school hours. Forgotten lunches, books, etc. are to be brought to the office and your child will be notified. Parents and visitors should report to the school office to receive a visitor’s badge. Parents or visitors without a visitor’s badge will not be admitted to any classroom, at any time, for any reason.

Organizations and Associations

Advisory Council

The Advisory Council consists of 13 members, appointed by the pastor, to serve a two-year term.

Home and School Association

The Home and School Association (HSA) is the official parent/teacher organization for St. Pius X School. The association’s mission is to foster a closer relationship between the home and school so that parents, administration and faculty may work together in the educational, spiritual and social growth of the children. Membership and involvement are encouraged for all families. Yearly election of officers occurs in the spring of each school year. An annual $50 fee per family is requested in lieu of Fundraising and collection for "Fun" Raiser Programs.

Homeroom Parent:

The Homeroom Parent is responsible for coordinating the efforts of all parents in a particular classroom. This parent will work closely with the teacher to assist with activities throughout the school year, such as dinners, class fundraisers, parties or other events.

 

 

 

Auction Project Coordinator:

The auction project coordinator is a parent volunteer from each classroom who coordinates the auction project. This parent works directly with students, teacher, and auction committee. Auction is generally held in the first part of February. Any correspondences to parents need to be approved by the administration.

Your 2006-2007 Home & School Association Officers are:

President Christy Brown

Vice President Susan Limekiller

Treasurer Amy Joy

Public Relations Sara Freeman

Athletics

Athletic competition is promoted as an extension of the school's philosophy and goals. The intention is to teach and develop physical skills, mental discipline, and Christian sportsmanship. All students are allowed to participate regardless of their skill level or experience.

Eligibility:

An academic requirement exists for students in middle school. Excessive absences, slipping grades or poor homework performance, in addition to a minimum grade standard, may result in the revocation of athletic privileges.

Attendance in school is required for participation in athletic activities on the same day. Physical examinations shall be required for participation in athletic programs and activities.

Dress Code and Uniforms

Dress Code

1. Uniforms are to be worn daily unless otherwise specified by administration. (See Uniform)

No baggy or oversized sweaters/sweatshirts/shirts or pants.

No pullover jackets, sweaters or sweatshirts used as outerwear. Regulation sweaters and sweatshirts only.

Subtle makeup may be worn by eighth grade girls. Any makeup which is deemed to be a distraction may result in the revocation of makeup privileges. Students who choose to wear makeup before their eighth grade year will be disciplined and may lead to a loss of the privilege in the future.

3. Bleached hair or excessively "wild" haircuts are not acceptable.

Eyes must be visible for all students. In addition, boys haircuts may not exceed the eyebrows or touch the collar.

No facial hair is permitted at any time.

No body piercing is allowed other than girls’ ears.

Jewelry may be worn, but must be appropriate within an educational context.

No dangling earrings, oversized chains or jewelry, or excessively large rings.

No earrings for boys.

Uniforms

Uniforms are worn by students in all grades. These uniforms may be purchased at C & J as well as other stores throughout the greater Tulsa area. No logos, brand names or decals should be present on any school shirt or pants.

Uniform Code

Gender and Grade:	Pants or Skirts	Shirts	Other Items
Girls PS – 5th Grade	1. Regulation jumper (3 inches from the floor when kneeling) 2. Regulation skirt may be worn by fifth grade girls 3. Navy pull on pants (PS – 1st grade)Or navy pants with a belt 4. Navy blue pull-on walking shorts may be worn until the end of September and beginning in April 5. Shorts should be worn under the jumper	1. White broadcloth blouse (no lace or eyelet) may be long or short sleeve 2. Long or short sleeve polo – colors may include: red, white, or hunter green. 3. Navy blue cardigan 4. Navy blue fleece with school logo 5. Navy or gray regulation sweatshirt worn over school shirt	1. White, navy or black socks must be worn at all times 2. Tights may be worn in lieu of socks 3. Non-scuffing navy, brown or black casual / dress shoes may be worn 4. Any kind of non-distracting athletic shoe (i.e., no loud colors, flashing lights, etc.)
Girls 6th – 8th Grade	1. Regulation Skirt (Three inches from the ground when kneeling) 2. Navy or Khaki pants, with belt, no hip-huggers or corduroys, and no logos. 3. Navy blue or khaki walking shorts may be worn until the end of September and beginning in April; may not be more than 3 inches above the knee 4. Shorts should be worn under the skirt	1. Button down white or blue oxford without logos, shirt should be buttoned appropriately 2. Long or short sleeve polo – colors may include: red, white, blue, hunter green, yellow, gray, or black 3. Navy blue cardigan 4. Navy blue fleece with school logo 5. Navy or gray regulation sweatshirt worn over school shirt	1. White, navy or black socks must be worn at all times 2. Non-scuffing navy, brown or black casual / dress shoes may be worn 3. Any kind of non-distracting athletic shoe (i.e., no loud colors, flashing lights, etc.)
Boys PS – 5th Grade	1. Navy pull on pants or navy pants with belt 2. No carpenter pants of any kind 3. Navy blue (pull-on PS – 1st) walking shorts may be worn until the end of September and beginning in April	1. Regulation red, white or hunter green polo 2. Navy blue sweater 3. Navy blue fleece with school logo 4. Navy or gray regulation sweatshirt worn over school shirt	1. White, navy or black socks must be worn at all times 2. Non-scuffing navy, brown or black casual / dress shoes may be worn 3. Any kind of non-distracting athletic shoe (i.e., no loud colors, flashing lights, etc.)
Boys 6th – 8th Grade	1. Navy or khaki pants, no logos, with belt 2. No carpenter pants of any kind 3. Navy blue or khaki walking shorts may be worn until the end of September and beginning in April; may not be more than 3 inches above the knee	1. Button down white or blue oxford without logos, shirt should be buttoned appropriately 2. Long or short sleeve polo – colors may include: red, white, blue, hunter green, yellow, gray, or black 3. Navy blue sweater 4. Navy blue fleece with school logo 5. Navy or gray regulation sweatshirt worn over school shirt	1. White, navy or black socks must be worn at all times 2. Non-scuffing navy, brown or black casual / dress shoes may be worn 3. Any kind of non-distracting athletic shoe (i.e., no loud colors, flashing lights, etc.)

 

Dress-up Day

A dress-up day is a day designated by the administration as a non-uniform day. Students may wear traditional Sunday dress (no t-shirts or jeans, please).

Free Dress

A Free Dress day is a day on which students may wear nice jeans and tee-shirts. Tee-shirts must be school appropriate and therefore should refrain from vulgar language or ideas, the advertising of alcohol or other drugs, or portray other offensive content. Free dress days will often be used as fundraising opportunities to complement the mission of Saint Pius X School.

Lost and Found

Articles that are found on the school grounds are kept in the office for a period of time and then released to uniform exchange or Catholic Charities. Since many students wear the same type of clothing, it is advisable to write your child’s name on his or her belongings. Items found bearing a name will be returned to the student at the earliest possible time.

 

Medical and Safety Procedures

Extended Illness

Every attempt will be made to accommodate a student who must miss school for an extended period of time due to illness or other malady. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at the earliest possible time in order to coordinate missing assignments and other materials. Students who suffer from an extended illness are not necessarily subject to the late homework policies of the school, which will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Playground

Students are supervised at all times while on the playground during school hours. No student may use the play ground without direct adult supervision at any time.

Immunization

State law requires parents of children entering school for the first time to present a copy of immunizations certified by a doctor or health department official before they may attend school. The following immunizations are required by the State of Oklahoma:

Kindergarten-8^th Grade

5 DPT/DTaP

4 Polio

2 MMR

3 Hepatitis B

2 Hepatitis A

Varicella (chicken pox)

If the first dose of DTP/DtaP and/or the 3^rd dose of Polio are administered on or after the child’s 4^th birthday, then the 5^th dose of DTP/DtaP and/or the 4^th dose of Polio are not required. Please direct all questions concerning immunization to the school nurse.

According to Diocesan Policy, all students entering an odd numbered grade or any new students to St. Pius X School must have a current physical by the beginning of the school year. Physical forms can be picked up in the school office.

Health Services

Minor first aid will be provided by the school nurse or office. Parents will be notified if there is an emergency or illness. Because of limited space, we request students be picked up immediately if parents are notified that the student is ill. Please notify the school office in writing if your child has specific medical needs and/or medications.

Medications

If a student must bring medication to school, the following requirements must be met:

Prescription Medications:

Must be in original container and current;

Must carry a prescription label with the child's name, drug identified, dosage instructions, doctor's name and prescription date;

Must be accompanied by an appropriate dosage form;

No more than one month of medication may be sent at one time;

For other medications:

Inhalers must remain with the student. Inhalers must be labeled with the child’s

name, and the office and teachers should be notified.

A diabetic child must have testing kit with them at all times.

The office and teacher should be notified of any child who might need an EpiPen.

For over the counter medications:

Students cannot be provided with over the counter medications unless there is a signed Authorization for Administration of Medication form on file in the school office; per state law, a verbal consent cannot be used.

Parents will be notified before any medication is given, even if there is an authorization document on file.

Over the counter medications must be provided by the parents, clearly marked with the student’s name and appropriate dose, and still reside in its original packaging.

Emergency Drills

Students will participate in emergency drills as required by the State Department of Education for the safety of the children.

Release of Students

Extraordinary care shall be taken in regard to early dismissal of individual students. Consequently, a student shall not be released early without the explicit knowledge of his/her parent or legal guardian. A student may not be released to anyone other than the parent or guardian as listed on the student's registration form or to another person explicitly authorized in writing by the parent or guardian. All students must be signed out by parent/guardian/proxy in the school office before they leave campus.

In cases where only one parent has custody of the student, the school shall become apprised of any existing court order that would affect release of the student from school. A written notice of custodial rights from the court should be on file in the main office.

Leaving Campus

Students are not allowed to leave the school campus by themselves during school hours for any reason.

Visitors

Parents are welcome to visit the school. Classroom observations should be pre-arranged through the office. All visitors must sign in and wear their volunteer badge.

 

Students who wish to bring guests to school must have pre-approval from the principal and classroom teacher (e.g. grandparents or out of town relatives). Kindly give 24 hours notice.

Volunteers

St. Pius X School is supported by a strong stewardship program and all members of the school community are asked to share time and talents.

Volunteers are used extensively to support curriculum, classroom and school activities, field trips, maintenance and support fund raising activities and athletics.

Although not paid employees of the school, all volunteers who work directly with students are subject to a screening process and/or background check. All volunteers must have an OSBI form, a Code of Conduct form, and Virtus training certificate completed and on file in the school office. Due to the considerable cost of background checks, the school would ask all parents who wish to volunteer to cover the $15 application fee. If you cannot afford the fee, the school will be happy to pay it for you.

Volunteers are expected to model a code of conduct that is in agreement with stated school goals.

Search and Seizures

The school/parish is co-tenant of lockers and desks, and reserves the right to search them at any time without notice.

Technology

Cassette, CD and MP3 Players

Walkmans or other types of radios and CD players are not permitted on school grounds unless approved by the administration. Items on grounds without permission will be confiscated and released only to parents. Items that are confiscated more than three times in a school year will be given to Catholic Charities.

Electronic Games

Electronic games are never permitted on campus. In addition, video game consoles, cartridges, discs, and other paraphernalia is not permitted at any time.

Cell Phones

While there may be both a use and purpose to cell phones, cell phones are never permitted in any of the classroom buildings. Parents who wish to send a cell phone with their student should check the phone in at the main office; the student may then retrieve it at the end of the day. Any cell phones left in lockers or kept on the student will be confiscated and released only to the parents; any item confiscated more than three times in a semester will be donated to Catholic Charities.

Computer Usage

The internet is a wonderful tool that can be used to sift through vast amounts of information and is a positive addition to the school environment. However, the internet also provides unique challenges that the school community of Saint Pius X must face. Students are expected to uphold, whenever at school, the Catholic values the school teaches. While the school employs filtering and offensive site blocking technology, it also asks students to take responsibility for their own actions and internet safety. This would include, but not be limited to:

Avoiding sites which contain pornography or other inappropriate images, stories or content;

Avoiding games or media that contain inappropriate language, themes or violence;

Avoiding the reading or posting of blogs, messages, or online diaries that contain inappropriate language, themes, or content.

In addition to these rules set above, Saint Pius X also asks parents to be aware of what kind of information students post on the internet. The school reserves the right to take disciplinary action against any student who posts personal information about themselves or any other student or posts inappropriate or harmful messages anywhere. In addition to school action, parents should be aware that anything posted on the internet is considered to be published material in the public domain, and therefore may be subject to legal action from local or national law enforcement agencies.

Teacher Websites

Teachers are provided with websites and web access in order to better serve the parents and students at Saint Pius X School. You may access teacher websites at http://parents.spxtulsa.org

Please note that the traditional "www" is absent from this address.

Teacher websites for grades K – 4 contain information which is updated weekly and includes long term projects, photos and other information. Websites for grades 5 – 8 include daily assignments, information and applicable handouts.

In addition to this, student grades can be viewed in real time on the TeacherEase website. For more information on TeacherEase and its offerings, please contact the main office, consult the brochure sent home with your student, or log on to www.spxtulsa.org.

Logistical Information

Change of Address

Please notify the office immediately of change of address, phone number or place of employment.

Communication

Saint Pius X School is here to serve the parents and students within our community. We therefore ask parents to take advantage of all means of communication available. Always feel free to browse the school’s homepage, view your child’s grades on our online grading system, contact teachers via phone or email, or drop by the office to discuss any questions, comments, or concerns that you might have. If at all possible, please make an appointment as prior commitments could arise that could lead to your concern or question being not fully addressed. Also, please keep in mind that the administration will always prioritize emergencies. We would respectfully ask that teachers not be contacted at home by telephone unless they have given prior authorization. If contacting by email, please allow one business day for a response.

Copies

If a student loses a field trip form, worksheet, etc. they are allowed to have copies made in the office at a cost of .25 per copy.

Grievances

If a parent or student disagrees with a ruling by a teacher, the following grievance

procedure should be used:

Please schedule a formal conference with the classroom teacher. It is not necessary to involve the administration at this time. Depending on the issue, the administration reserves the right to deny any formal meetings until a meeting with the teacher takes place.

If a conference with the teacher does not provide satisfactory results or more information is needed, it would then be appropriate to make a request to the administration. The teacher or teachers, parents and principal would then be in attendance and the principal would then render a judgment.

If the results of this conference are still unacceptable, a meeting may be scheduled with the pastor, principal, parents and affected teachers. Please note that the pastor will not hear any grievances if the above procedure has not been followed.

Bicycles

Bicycles may be ridden to school but should be locked to the bicycle rack and remain there until school is dismissed. No skateboards, roller blades or scooters are allowed on school premises at any time.

Birthday Parties

To avoid any situation of embarrassment to students, we request that no individual invitations be brought to school unless all members of a class will receive an invitation.

We ask that there be no disruptions of classes or schedules to deliver individual gifts such as balloon bouquets, flowers, etc.

The Birthday Book Club allows a student to donate a book to the library as a means of celebrating a birthday. The book will contain a certificate that indicates the donation.

Messages

It is requested that messages for students be limited to emergency situations only. All attempts are made to limit classroom interruptions in order to enhance the learning environment. If messages must be sent, the office should be notified prior to 2:30 PM whenever possible. If there is a last minute change for a whole carpool, the office will only notify the oldest student in that carpool. It will be that student’s responsibility to inform the younger students in the carpool to let them know who will be picking them up that day.

Observations

Parents and potential students are welcome to observe in classrooms. Requests should be made through the office and will be scheduled in order to provide the best experience for both the observer and the observed.

Pictures

Individual student pictures will be taken in early Fall in school uniform. Class pictures will be taken in early Spring.

Snacks

Please consider nutrition when packing for your student. Any snack that contains large amounts of sugar, caffeine or high fructose corn syrup can lead to childhood obesity, lack of focus in class, and other health issues. For a full list of healthy snack alternatives, please visit the main office or check out the nutrition section on the website.

Telephone

Children may use the office telephone in case of emergency or other special circumstances. Students will not be permitted to call home for homework assignments, projects, etc.

Tuition

Tuition for Saint Pius X School is determined annually by the School Advisory Council.

Tuition must be paid promptly each month. If tuition payments are not current at the end of the first semester or at the end of school, the student will not be allowed to return for the next semester until all tuition is paid.

Financial assistance is available through Support-A-Student and St. Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Fund. Information is available in the school and church office. If other financial arrangements need to be made, please contact the pastor.

Withdrawals

A family moving from the school should notify the school office in ample time of departure so the following items can be handled:

Release forms

Grades

Financial obligations

Transfers

Yearbook

Yearbook orders occur through final registration each year.

Our mission is to promote personal responsibility and academic excellence within a

Catholic Community.