2021-22 Parent/Student Handbook
Dear Parents,
For three decades Presbyterian School has cultivated confidence for a generation of critical and creative thinkers. Each and every day, members of our community are guided by the values set forth in this Handbook, focused on the deep and abiding love and respect we have for God, for His creation, and for one another.
“Family, School, and Church united in the education and support of each Child” are central words in the active life of our school. Indeed, as you walk our halls and talk to members of our community, we hope you will see that these words rise above mere rhetoric as they take root in our lives and in our relationships with each other.
The contents of this Handbook should serve as a compass by which we all chart a yearly course to live, learn, play, and grow together in a safe and stimulating school environment. The core values and essential agreements described in these pages are the guiding principles that help us to encourage and nurture not only our students, but all members of our community and, ultimately, our world.
Presbyterian School has staked its reputation on a fierce commitment to its mission and philosophy. Each day charismatic adults among us teach our students to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop their own strengths and talents. We do all of this anchored in the firm belief that by building a community of trust, we can support our young men and women as they begin to “stand up for what they believe and take risks throughout their lives.”
We look forward to working with each and every one of you as we embrace and foster the important mission of our school. Together, we can help our students be prepared to meet the challenges of a changing world with humility, independence, and faith.
Dr. Mark Carleton Head of School
PURPOSE OF HANDBOOK 6
SCHOOL HISTORY AND MISSION 7
HISTORY ...... 7 MISSION ...... 7
ALL SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 9
ADMINISTRATION ...... 9 ADMISSION ...... 9 ALLERGENS AT SCHOOL ...... 9 ATTENDANCE ...... 9 AUXILIARY PROGRAMS...... 9 BEHAVIOR ...... 10 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ...... 10 BOOKS AND SUPPLIES ...... 10 CARPOOL, PARKING AND TRAFFIC ...... 11 CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES ...... 12 CHILD ABUSE AND COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES ...... 12 CHILD ABUSE REPORTING ...... 13 CHILD SAFETY ...... 14 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND STUDENT ILLNESS ...... 14 COMMUNICATION ...... 15 CONTACTING TEACHERS ...... 16 COUNSELING AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING ...... 16 COVID RISK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...... 17 DRUG- AND ALCOHOL-FREE CAMPUS ...... 17 ELEVATOR USE ...... 17 EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOL ...... 18 FAMILY MATTERS ...... 18 FAMILY-SCHOOL COOPERATION ...... 18 FIELD TRIPS ...... 18 FINANCIAL AID ...... 19 GIFT GIVING ...... 19 HEALTH INFORMATION ...... 19 HEALTH INFORMATION SHARING ...... 21 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ...... 22 INVESTIGATIONS...... 22 LIBRARY MATERIALS ...... 22 LOST AND FOUND ...... 22 MEDICAL EXCUSES FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS ...... 22 NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY ...... 23 ONLINE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND CHILDREN’S ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT INFORMATION ...... 23 OUT-OF-SCHOOL CONDUCT ...... 24 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ...... 24 PARENT VOLUNTEER COUNCIL...... 24 PARTY/SOCIAL INVITATIONS ...... 25 PERSONAL BELONGINGS ...... 25 PET POLICY...... 25 PHILANTHROPY OFFICE ...... 25
PHOTOS, IMAGES AND RECORDING ...... 25 PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES...... 26 POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ...... 26 PRAYER ...... 27 RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS AND HOLDS ...... 27 REPORTING OF INFRACTIONS TO SCHOOLS ...... 27 RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY ...... 27 SCHOOL CLOSURE OR MODIFICATIONS DUE TO A FORCE MAJEURE EVENT ...... 27 SCHOOL CORE VALUES...... 28 SCHOOL MASCOT ...... 28 SCHOOL MOTTO ...... 28 SCHOOL SONG ...... 28 SCHOOLPASS...... 29 SCHOOL’S RIGHT TO INSPECT: ...... 29 SEARCHES ...... 29 SECURITY GUIDELINES ...... 29 SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ...... 30 SOCIAL MEDIA ...... 31 STUDENT/ADULT INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION ...... 32 STUDENT INFORMATION ...... 33 STUDENT TELEPHONE USAGE ...... 33 TEACHER OBSERVATION OR RECOMMENDATION FORMS ...... 33 THREATS OR ACTS OF VIOLENCE ...... 34 TRANSCRIPTS ...... 34 TUITION AND BILLING ...... 35 TUITION REFUND INSURANCE ...... 35 TUTORING ...... 35 UNIFORMS AND DRESS CODE ...... 36 VIRTUAL LEARNING POLICY ...... 36 VISION AND HEARING ...... 36 WIRELESS NETWORK ACCESS ...... 36 YEARBOOK ...... 37
EARLY CHILDHOOD POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 38
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT TEAM (AET) ...... 38 ARRIVAL...... 38 ATTENDANCE ...... 39 BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS ...... 39 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ...... 39 CHAPEL ...... 39 DISMISSAL AND DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL ...... 40 GRADING AND ASSESSMENT ...... 40 HOMEWORK ...... 40 LUNCH AND SNACKS ...... 41 TOILET TRAINING ...... 41 UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE ...... 41
LOWER SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 43
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT TEAM (AET) ...... 43 ARRIVAL...... 43
ATTENDANCE ...... 43 BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS ...... 44 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ...... 44 CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES ...... 44 CHAPEL ...... 44 DISMISSAL AND DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL ...... 45 GRADING AND ASSESSMENT ...... 45 HOMEWORK ...... 45 LUNCH AND SNACKS ...... 46 UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE ...... 46
MIDDLE SCHOOL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 49
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND HONOR VIOLATIONS ...... 49 ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES ...... 49 ADVISORY PROGRAM ...... 50 ARRIVAL & ATTENDANCE ...... 50 ATHLETICS ...... 51 BACKPACK & GYM BAG POLICY ...... 52 BICYCLE, RIDE- AND WALK-TO-SCHOOL POLICY ...... 52 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ...... 53 CHAPEL & ASSEMBLIES ...... 53 CLASS TRIPS & OUTDOOR EDUCATION ...... 53 COMMUNICATION ...... 54 COMMUNITY STANDARDS: BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS ...... 54 COMMUNITY STANDARDS: ACCOUNTABILITY ...... 55 DISMISSAL AND DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL ...... 58 EARLY DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL ...... 59 GRADING & ASSESSMENT ...... 59 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ...... 60 HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING ...... 61 HOMEWORK ...... 61 LOCKERS ...... 61 LUNCH ...... 62 NARRATIVE COMMENTS ...... 62 SNACKS AND FOOD AT SCHOOL ...... 62 UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE ...... 62
APPENDIX A: TECHNOLOGY POLICIES 66
LOWER SCHOOL E-READER POLICY ...... 67 EARLY CHILDHOOD AND LOWER SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY ...... 68 MIDDLE SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY ...... 69 STUDENT IPAD USE CONTRACT ...... 71
APPENDIX B: COUNSELING SERVICES, INFORMED CONSENT, AND CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT 73
APPENDIX C: CARPOOL ROUTES 75
Purpose of Handbook
This handbook is intended to serve as a guide to help students and their families come to know Presbyterian School’s mission and programs as well as to set forth basic expectations and agreements. We encourage parents and students to take the time to familiarize themselves with the contents, and we are hopeful that what is here will answer many questions about academics, security, discipline, school rules, safety, and other topics. Attendance at Presbyterian School is subject to compliance with this handbook. Neither this Handbook, nor any of the policy statements contained in this Handbook, are a contract or create any contractual rights, nor does this Handbook create any expectancy of enrollment in future years.
Parents agree to adhere to and abide by and require their child(ren) to adhere to and abide by the policies and procedures set forth in this Handbook. Any violations of these policies or procedures by parent(s) or student(s) may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years, at the sole discretion of the School.
The School may suspend or dismiss during the school year or decline to re-enroll any student who in effort, conduct, or progress is not fulfilling the School’s expectations. The School also may dismiss or decline to re-enroll any student whose enrollment is deemed by Presbyterian School not to be in the best interests of the School or whose parents are deemed by the School not to support the School’s mission, philosophy, expectations, or rules.
At the same time, we know that no set of rules or guidelines can cover every conceivable situation that might arise at a school. The rules, policies, and procedures set forth in this handbook are intended to apply under normal circumstances. However, from time to time, there may be situations that require immediate or nonstandard responses. This handbook does not limit the authority of Presbyterian School to deviate from the normal rules and procedures set forth in this handbook and to deal with individual circumstances as they arise in the manner deemed most appropriate by the School, taking into consideration the best interests of our institution, its faculty, employees, students, or overall school community. Additionally, a student’s disciplinary record may be reported to other schools to which the student applies or at which the student enrolls.
These policies may also be revised or updated periodically, even during the school year. You will be advised of any changes as they are made either electronically (email) or by mail. Any student or parent with a question about any handbook material should feel free to speak with the Counselor, Division Heads, or the Head of School.
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School History and Mission
History In 1986, Dr. John William Lancaster, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, appointed a School Study Committee to explore the feasibility of an Early Childhood and Lower School at the church. Presbyterian School was officially founded in 1988 and opened its doors to offer a distinct educational program for families in the Houston area in the Fall of 1989.
The School was founded on the vision that Family, School and Church should work together to educate and support children and their families. Most importantly, the School has always sought to kindle and nourish a love of learning in its students and to help them find new ways to discover their talents and use their potential to its fullest.
In 1997, the School's Board of Trustees approved planning for a Middle School, and construction on the Lancaster Center, named for the Church’s now Pastor Emeritus began in 1998. In August 2000 the Middle School opened with 60 students in fifth and sixth grades, and in June 2003, the first class of eighth grade students graduated from Presbyterian School.
As the School continued to grow, the need for additional green space soon became apparent. In 2005 a 14-acre property located off Loop 610 South on Highway 288 was purchased in order to become the School’s Outdoor Education Campus (OEC), which was dedicated in May 2008.
In 2014, the School completed a comprehensive strategic plan which included the development of a new campus master plan to address the current and future space needs for the School. The campus master planning concluded that the School’s enrollment trajectory was not feasible within the current facilities shared with First Presbyterian Church. Accordingly, a new 46,000 square foot Early Childhood and Lower School building was proposed on First Presbyterian Church property at 40 Oakdale Street along with extensive renovations to the Middle School in Lancaster Center.
In August 2019, PK3 through 5th grade students moved into the School’s new building which housed a new center for early learning, open collaborative spaces for lower school, new arts spaces, expanded outdoor play areas, areas for after school programs and new administrative office spaces.
Graduates of Presbyterian School are excelling in Houston's finest high schools and America’s most prestigious colleges. More significantly, Presbyterian School students are good people and good citizens, interested in the world around them and eager to become leaders in it.
Mission Family, School and Church united in the education and support of each Child is the founding premise upon which Presbyterian School continues to nurture and challenge its students. Dedicated to strengthening the lives of children and their families, the School provides an educational program of the highest quality in a Christian environment. Students are respected and treated as individuals of worth, while being encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility in relation to God, to themselves, to others, to their environment, and to the world in which they live.
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At Presbyterian School, children are given the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential— intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually—in a supportive and challenging environment. The School’s curriculum is developmentally appropriate, respecting the individual learning styles and capabilities of each child.
Parents are vital to the success of their children’s lives of learning, and Presbyterian School views education as an undertaking that should be embraced by parents and school together. The School, therefore, provides a parent education program that is designed to help adults successfully meet the challenges, responsibilities, and joys of parenting.
Children of all races, ethnic groups, and religious backgrounds are welcome at the School. In this Christian environment, all are respected and encouraged to develop their spiritual identity as well as their belief in God’s unconditional love for all.
We are a school that believes in the clarity of our mission, identity, and vision and that who we are and what we do is captured succinctly and purposefully in the phrase: Confidence in every Child. Our students will come to anticipate—even welcome—the next challenge with energy, acuity, and confidence. Along the way each will come to appreciate that, by accepting the challenges of going too far—to paraphrase T.S. Eliot—one discovers how very far one can go.
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All School Policies and Guidelines
Administration The Board of Trustees hires one employee, the Head of School, who in turn is responsible for all aspects of school life, including but not limited to the educational program, extracurricular activities, fund-raising, external relations, admissions, personnel, and finances. Reporting to the Head of School are the Division Heads, who manage programs relating to students, teachers, curriculum and instruction. Also reporting to the Head of School are the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Dean of Faculty, Head of Philanthropy, Director of Admission, Director of Communications, Director of Athletics, Director of Physical Education & Wellness, Director of Fine Arts, and the Chaplain.
Admission The Admission Office strives to make a good fit between the applicant and Presbyterian School. Decisions for admission to Presbyterian School are based upon a child’s school visits and various admissions testing, the teacher recommendation form(s) and the child’s transcripts, if applicable. The deadline for sibling applications is November 15, 2021. The deadline for general applications is December 15, 2021. Decisions regarding a student's application to Presbyterian School will be released in March.
The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national ethnic origin or any other class protected by local, state or federal law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school administered programs.
Allergens at School Presbyterian School strives to be an allergen-sensitive school. If a student has a severe allergy, parents must document it with the School nurse via a doctor’s written report and the School’s Allergy Action Plan Form distributed and collected by Magnus School Forms on the School website Parent Portal. Each year the school nurse will update classroom communities on allergens present in the classroom as needed.
Attendance At the heart of a Presbyterian School education is the classroom experience. Therefore, consistent, punctual attendance is essential and indicative of student/family commitment to the School’s programs and philosophy. We ask that parents support the academic well-being of their children by planning family travel during school vacation days. If extraordinary circumstances prevail and a family absence is imperative, parents should present their situation to the Division Head. Excessive tardiness or absences of any nature may jeopardize a student’s current enrollment, the promotion of a student to the next grade or renewal of the student’s enrollment contract for future academic years. Please note that absences and tardiness are part of a student’s official record and are reported on the transcript.
Auxiliary Programs Presbyterian School remains firmly committed to providing safe and secure supervision of students from 7:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at no additional cost to families. Early Care is available for PK4-8th grade students beginning at 7:15 a.m. each day. Early Care is not available for PK3.
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Students participating in Early Care should be dropped off in their division's respective carpool lines.
If students would like to remain on-campus past 4 p.m. and/or participate in after school enrichment classes, the School has partnered with iKids U to offer paid programming from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday for PK3-8th grade students. For more information on what iKids U® will offer at Presbyterian School, please review their website. Spaces are limited and registrations will be processed on a first come basis. Presbyterian School is not handling any registrations. Please contact iKids U® directly to enroll your child(ren) in afterschool care and classes.
There is no Early Care on school holidays, faculty in-service days or parent-teacher conference days. iKids does offer some additional care options for days where school is not in session, you can learn more on their website at www.ikidsinc.com.
Behavior Any actions by students or parents that reflect poorly on the School, may harm the School’s reputation, or negatively impact other members of the School community may result in, at the sole discretion of the School, disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of a student’s enrollment contract for future academic years.
Board of Trustees Presbyterian School is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for hiring, evaluating, supervising, and supporting the Head of School; establishing the School’s policies; developing and overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the long-range strategic plan; overseeing the School’s budget and financial planning; and securing the resources needed to ensure the School’s financial health. Trustees are nominated, oriented and evaluated by members of the Board’s Committee on Trustees. The following individuals will serve as Trustees for the 2021-22 year:
Nathan Allen Tammy Jenkins Chandler Sulton Dorian Benn Joe Karlgaard, Vice Chair Carlton Wilde Melissa Carbajal Tom Kennedy Marilyn Winters Michael Casey Nelson Mabry, Treasurer Victor Wright Dolores Cavatore Tiffany Melchers Sandi Worley Chris Champion, Chair Andre Napier Ex-Officio Members Cindy Cook Kerry Sandberg Dr. Jim Birchfield, FPC Pastor Marty Debusk, Secretary Alan Stewart Dr. Mark Carleton, Head of School
Books and Supplies All textbooks and standard school supplies are provided by the School. Students are expected to use the materials stipulated by the faculty. Middle School textbooks are signed out from the library for the year using the bar code on the textbook and the bar code for each student’s library account. The books are signed back into the library at the end of the school year using the same bar code system. Fines may be assessed for damaged books. The cost of lost or damaged books will be billed to the family, and report cards will be held until the costs are reimbursed.
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Carpool, Parking and Traffic Traffic around Presbyterian School is increasing. In order to ease congestion and increase the overall safety of students, please be mindful of the following traffic, parking and carpool guidelines when coming on campus. Because student safety is of the utmost concern, students whose parents or caregivers repeatedly violate the on-campus driving rules may be subject to disciplinary consequences including dismissal or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
Traffic Notes: • For the safety of our community, especially the children, cell phone use, including texting, while driving on campus is prohibited.
• Oakdale Street is a school zoned area from 7:15 – 8:10 a.m. with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
Carpool Notes: • Please follow your divisions designated carpool route. See Appendix C for carpool routes.
• Students should exit and enter a vehicle in carpool on the passenger side of the vehicle (i.e., the side closest to the school building)
• In consideration for carpool and necessary traffic flow, please refrain from parking in the circle driveways at the Welcome Center, CE Entrance and Palm Court entrances.
• Parents picking up students from athletic practice at the Main Campus should follow the middle school carpool route for pick-up. Parents picking up a student from athletics should not leave their car parked or unattended in the Palm Court circle drive as this will impede the flow of carpool.
• For the safety of our community, especially the children, cell phone use, including texting, while driving through carpool is prohibited. Please refrain from using your cell phone in carpool line.
Parking Notes: • Park in the North Parking Lot off of Main Street. The North Parking Lot will be limited to FPC and Presbyterian School employees, ministries, members and guests. Please place the blue Presbyterian School parking sticker on your front left dashboard window. These parking stickers are available in the School offices.
• The Museum of Fine Arts’ Kinder Parking Garage and Glassell School of Art Parking Garage are available to Presbyterian School. The parking garages are available for school use during the week from 7 am - 5 pm. The first 30 minutes is free. If someone is on campus for a meeting, chapel service, volunteer opportunity or special event lasting longer than 30 minutes, parking garage tickets may be validated at the First Presbyterian Church Welcome Center or Palm Court entrances. The MFAH has given a number of validations per year at no cost to the School. Please note, the following payment requirements for the parking garages and plan accordingly.
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o 0-30 minutes: FREE o 31 min- 4 hours: $10 o 4-12 hours: $18 o 12-24 hours: $35
• Be aware of No Parking areas on campus. Please observe all “No Parking” signs on Pinedale, Oakdale, and Travis streets. Houston Police will ticket and tow cars illegally parked. Parents and guests of the School should not park in the Holland Masonic Lodge parking lot off of Barkdull Street. Cars will be towed. Due to traffic flow for after school events and church functions, please refrain from parking in the circle driveways at the Welcome Center, CE Entrance and Palm Court entrances.
• Please observe and respect all handicap and limited mobility signs in all school parking lots. Cars without handicap parking tags should not park in reserved handicap parking spots.
• Please do not leave any personal belongings of value (i.e. cell phone, purse, laptop, etc.) in your parked vehicle. Presbyterian School is not responsible for valuables left in vehicles.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices Cell phones and electronic devices (including any smart device such as an Apple watch) may NOT be brought to school by PK3-5th grade students. The exception to this policy is the privilege of using e-Readers for 2nd-5th grade students for reading only. Please note that only devices specifically designed as e-Readers (Kindles, Nooks, etc.) are permitted for this privilege. Students may only use e-Readers for reading books previously downloaded to the device (not for surfing the internet, listening to music, watching videos, etc.). Students who would like the privilege of bringing e-Readers to school must have parent permission and must abide by the rules listed on the e-Reader Permission Form distributed and collected by Magnus before bringing their devices on campus.
6th-8th grade students do not need to bring cell phones to school; however, with increased participation in after-school activities and the need to communicate after school, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are allowed to bring a cell phone to school. Cell phones must remain turned off and in a bag (backpack or bag for after school activities) during the academic day or until all school-related activities are over. If a student has his/her phone out at any point during the academic day, it will be confiscated and turned in to the Middle School Office. Only a parent may retrieve the phone. Please note the student who brings a phone to school assumes all responsibility and risks of damage, theft or loss of the cell phone.
The School reserves the right to search and inspect personal electronic devices that are brought to campus as well as any data, messages or imagery contained on them.
Child Abuse and Cooperation with Governmental Authorities We take our responsibilities to report suspected child abuse, neglect, and abandonment seriously and will cooperate with governmental authorities in connection with their investigations. If you have any questions regarding the School’s mandatory reporting obligations, please consult with the Head of School.
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Students and parents should further be aware that the School will cooperate with governmental authorities and provide requested information, which may include but is not limited to recordings, such as of virtual classes and surveillance video.
Child Abuse Reporting School teachers and other personnel are mandatory reporters under child abuse reporting laws. Please understand that we must take our obligations seriously and if we assess that a situation requires it, we will make a report to child abuse authorities of situations that we reasonably suspect constitute abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Depending on the circumstances, we may not be able to communicate with parents about the report. We ask for your understanding as we do our best to protect the children under our care.
Student/Adult Interaction and Communication: Our students and adults (teachers, administrators, staff members, parents, and visitors) are expected to interact with each other in a professional and respectful manner based on mutual respect and trust with an understanding of appropriate boundaries between adults and students. Although our adults can and should be friendly with the students, becoming too friendly with each other sometimes results in confusion and anxiety. If a student or the student’s parents become aware of any adult’s communications or actions toward one or more students that seems unusual, overly friendly, or otherwise inappropriate, such information should immediately be reported to the guidance counselor or administrator of the division. Further, students and their parents should promptly notify the guidance counselor or Division Head if they believe an employee has engaged in any of the following prohibited behaviors or similar activities (regardless of the age of the student): • Initiating or continuing communications with students for a non-school matter, including oral or written communications; telephone calls; electronic communications (emails, texts); social media communications, etc. • Touching students or their clothing in non-professional ways or inappropriate places, or touching a student with aggression or in frustration; • Making comments that are too personal (about a student’s clothing, hair, personal habits, etc.); • Giving gifts to a student or exchanging cards and letters; • Inviting a student into their home; • Taking students off school property other than for approved field trips and school activities; • Flirting or asking a student on a date; • Excessive attention shown toward a particular student or students or call or referring to students by pet names or inappropriate nicknames; • Visiting students to “hang out” in their hotel rooms when on field trips or sporting events; • Visiting a student in their home or another location; • Socializing or spending time with students (including but not limited to activities such as going out for meals, movies, shopping, traveling and recreational activities) outside of class or school-sponsored events; • Asking students to sit on a teacher’s lap; • Telling secrets or telling the student not to tell something that’s a secret;
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• Swearing, making inappropriate sexual, racial/or ethnic comments; • Inviting students to visit the employee’s social networking profile or become a “friend” or “follower” on a social network; • Telling off-color or other inappropriate jokes or stories, or showing pornography to students; • Providing students with alcohol or other mind-altering substances; or • Vaping, smoking, or drinking with students
Child Safety Presbyterian School aims to provide employees with yearly training regarding their duties and responsibilities related to child safety and the prevention of abuse and neglect. The School requires that adults in the community maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with students at all times. If a student or parent has any concern about an adult’s interaction with a student(s), the student or parent should immediately contact a Division Head or the Head of School.
Communicable Diseases and Student Illness The School has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, parents, students, and visitors. In the case of global or local threats of a communicable disease, the School will take all reasonable measures that may be necessary to protect the safety and health of members of the School community. These may include implementing infection control guidelines designed to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. The School will apply guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and its affiliate, NIOSH, state and local health departments, and World Health Organization (WHO), and other agencies and resources as appropriate. Each communicable disease is unique. The School’s response depends on public health guidance for the specific communicable disease, the nature and stage of the disease, whether mitigation methods are or can be used, and public health guidance on the risk and exposure. Response may include, without limitation, a determination that no risk exists or that no action is required, immunization programs may be put into place, mandatory health screening may be implemented, mitigation steps may be needed such as a student refraining from some activities, utilizing bandages or other barriers, enhanced housekeeping, cancellation of field trips, a medical exam and release, and being sent home from school. Depending on the event, the School may require parents to disclose upcoming travel plans and to self-quarantine their child upon return. School closure may be necessary or the School may need to modify its curriculum, schedules, length of the school year, and/or means of learning and teaching methods. During certain communicable disease events, threat levels may change rapidly and the School may need to modify various measures as additional information becomes available.
Examples of communicable diseases include seasonable influenza; tuberculosis; measles; chicken pox; mumps, scarlet fever, hepatitis A, C, and D; meningitis; antibiotic-resistant staph; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); H1N1 Flu; Swine Flu; Avian Flu; Ebola; and novel coronavirus - COVID-19. Lice, ringworm, pinworms, impetigo, pink eye, strep infection, hand, foot and mouth disease, mononucleosis, and other similar childhood illnesses are covered by this policy. We recognize that some diseases may not be infectious under certain circumstances.
We rely on our parents as the first step in preventing infection in the school environment. We count on them to use good judgment in protecting our school community. A sick child should not be in school but should remain at home in an environment where proper care may be given. The School nurse is available to students daily. If a student is not feeling well, he/she should inform
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the classroom teacher and ask to be excused to go to the nurse's office. If a student asks to go home, the student will be released only with permission from the parent/guardian or from the person designated on the student's emergency card. A student who presents at school with symptoms of an illness and/or is unable to participate in the day’s activities will be removed from the classroom and the parents, or an emergency contact if the parents cannot be reached, will be contacted. Students must be picked up within the hour of the School’s request that the child be sent home due to illness. The student should be signed out by the clinic. Teachers will be informed of the student’s dismissal for illness. To prevent the spread of infection through direct contamination (coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing articles, etc.) students must be asymptomatic without the aid of medications before returning to School. In other words, students must have no fever, vomiting, etc. for 24 hours prior to their return to School.
Parents/students who know or have a reasonable basis for believing that a student has a communicable disease that may pose a threat to other students, parents, school employees, visitors, or the public should immediately contact their health provider. Parents/students have a “reasonable basis” for believing that a student has a communicable disease when they show or feel signs or illness, such as coughing, sneezing, fever, joint aches, have an overall ill feeling, or when they know that they have been exposed to someone with a known communicable disease or suspected communicable disease. For the health and safety of the School community, parents should report to their Division Head if their child has a confirmed communicable disease that poses a risk to others in the School community. The Department of Health shall be notified when a student is sent home because of a communicable disease. In case of student absence due to the reportable communicable disease, a release card from the Department of Health or a letter from the family physician indicating that the Department of Health regulations have been fulfilled must be presented when the student returns to school (indicating that the student is no longer infectious).
If an outbreak or suspected outbreak of any vaccine-preventable disease occurs, any student who for whatever reason is not immunized may be excluded from school and all school-related activities.
Students are reminded that anyone who takes deliberate action that endangers the health or safety of the school community, including coming to the School campus with a dangerous viral infection, will face disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
The School will generally not identify an infected student to School employees or other students or their parents, although public health guidance will guide the School’s communications. It may be necessary to alert others in the community who were in certain areas or at certain times that exposure could have occurred. The School will disclose sensitive medical information of students no further than is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our employees, students, parents, and visitors in a manner consistent with applicable law. The School will comply with all federal and state laws in regard to confidentiality and privacy requirements.
Communication Presbyterian School is committed to open and frequent communication between school and home. The most up-to-date information about Presbyterian School and our events may be found on the School’s website at www.pshouston.org and in the School’s online calendars, which may be accessed through the Calendar link at the bottom of the School’s homepage. Please refer to these online resources for the timeliest communication. If you are not receiving school communication early in the year on a weekly basis, please check with the Registrar to make sure
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that you are on all distribution lists. If parents are living apart, make sure both parents are on the lists.
Parent email addresses are given to Presbyterian School for educational and school-related purposes only. Presbyterian School does not condone the use of parent email addresses for any other purpose. Parents are respectfully asked to refrain from using parent, faculty and staff email addresses published in the School directory for commercial, business or philanthropic purposes.
Contacting Teachers Faculty members are the professionals who have the most complete information regarding the daily life of students at Presbyterian School. When a concern arises, parents should approach their student’s teacher. Parents who wish to contact a teacher should use the teacher’s school e- mail address (available on the School’s website). Parents should schedule a visit rather than drop in unannounced. All communication of an urgent nature should be directed to the teachers through the School office. To reach the Early Childhood/Lower School office, please call 346.353.8107. To reach the Middle School office, please call 346.353.8108. If an issue requires further attention, parents should contact the Division Head.
• Teacher – Student/Parent Communications: Teachers will electronically communicate with students and parents through the employee’s official Presbyterian School email address. Presbyterian School employees will not communicate with students, other than their own children, or parents via text message, personal email addresses or social media. If a student or parent has any concern about electronic communications between a student and a Presbyterian School employee, the student or parent should immediately contact the Division Head or the Head of School.
Counseling and Social/Emotional Learning The goal of the Counseling and Social/Emotional Learning programs at PS are to help students with social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral concerns and allow them to develop to their fullest potential. Counselors also help to support students in a developmentally-appropriate environment, respecting the challenges they face and nurturing their growth. Students may self- refer or be referred by administration, faculty or parents. Counselors are also available to make recommendations to parents on matters of concern and will work closely with the parent community to help parents learn about the challenges and responsibilities facing both parents and students in today’s world.
Counselors do not provide on-going therapy to students and are not a replacement for outside professional counseling or therapeutic intervention. Working with the School’s leadership and with families, Counselors may make recommendations for students’ outside support services, as needed, and on request will help manage consistent communication between any outside professional services and how approaches and ideas are implemented at school.
The Counseling Team follows a definition of confidentiality that is consistent with Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP), and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Code of Ethics. It is vitally important for the counseling relationship that what your child tells the counselor is kept in confidence, within the team, unless your child allows it to be discussed or it meets one of the examples below. Examples of when the school must share information without express consent: 1. The child is at risk of harming themselves or another.
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2. Someone is trying to hurt your child. 3. There is a suspicion that a law has been broken.
COVID Risk Acknowledgement The School cannot promise that even with the steps we are taking, that your child(ren) will not be exposed to COVID-19. By sending your children to our School, you acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and knowingly and voluntarily assume the risk that you and your child(ren) may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by coming to our campus and participating in School activities, such as but not limited to the sharing of supplies, belongings, and equipment, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, or death. You further acknowledge and understand the risk of becoming exposed to infected by COVID-19 may result from or be caused by the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself or others, including other School families, School employees, or other third parties.
Drug- and Alcohol-Free Campus Presbyterian School aims to proactively educate students about the risks and dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use through its curriculum and co-curricular programs.
Students are expected to be completely drug, alcohol and tobacco, including e-cigarettes and juuls, free while enrolled at Presbyterian School. Misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medication, “synthetic,” “designer,” or “look-alike” drugs or substances, marijuana including medical marijuana, over the counter salts, spices, vapors, incense, household cleaners, and aerosol propellants, or other similar items is also prohibited. For purposes of this Handbook, the term “drug” includes all of the aforementioned items. A student consuming, buying, selling, in possession of, or under the influence of such substances, drugs, tobacco, including e-cigarettes, or alcohol is subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal from the School. The School will fulfill its reporting obligations regarding such behavior and cooperate with the authorities in any investigation of such behavior.
Student presence during the use and/or possession of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any illegal substance by other students is also prohibited.
Any violation of this policy, including violations during non-school time and/or off school premises, may subject a student to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal for future academic years. Presbyterian School reserves the right to require drug and/or alcohol testing, substance abuse counseling, or other counseling or education for the offending student.
In support of its education of students about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse, Presbyterian School prohibits the possession, distribution, or consumption of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and juuls, or drugs by parents, faculty, or administration on the Main Street campus or at any event where students are present.
Elevator Use The elevators on campus are not for student use unless medically necessary. In the event of a student’s physical limitation, parents should contact the School office for instructions.
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Emergency Closing of School In the event of any emergency school closing, including those due to inclement weather, all families will be contacted by the School at their home and cell phone numbers as well as email addresses. The most up-to-date information related to school closings may also be found on the School’s website at www.pshouston.org.
Family Matters All parents (married, unmarried, divorced, or separated) cooperate with one another in the best interests of their child’s education at the School. Failure of parents to cooperate with one another in such a manner may lead to dismissal of their child(ren) from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years. The School may at any time require parents to seek a court order pertaining to any school matter as a condition of continued enrollment.
In the event a family has a court order/divorce decree in place, parents must notify the School immediately and provide the School with a complete and official file-stamped copy of the current court order for all children’s files. We expect parents and guardians to abide by any court order applicable to their children. If a situation arises in which the custody or possession of a child is in question, a school representative will call 911 and request an officer arrive at the School to resolve the dispute.
If a school employee or Trustee is required to testify, provide information for, or otherwise participate in a legal dispute or proceeding to which the School is not a party, the School shall be entitled to recover from, at the School’s discretion, either or both parents, the School’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred with such legal proceeding. This includes but is not limited to the cost of legal counsel as well as costs incurred by the School such as those associated with collecting documents and hiring substitute teachers or staff.
As a condition of enrollment, all students must live with and be in the care, custody, and control of a parent or legal guardian (as established by a court of law). Any exception to this rule must be in writing from the Head of School.
Family-School Cooperation Family-School cooperation is vital to both the effectiveness of the educational programs and the health and well-being of the School community. In rare instances, parental interaction, attitude, or behavior is contrary to the mission or best interests of the School. When this occurs, Presbyterian School reserves the right, at the discretion of the Head of School, to terminate the enrollment of a student whose parents are unwilling to cooperate with the School or support its mission. In addition, the School reserves the right to place restrictions on parents’ or other family members’ involvement or activity at School, on School property, or at School-related events for reasons that the School deems appropriate.
Field Trips As an extension to learning in the classrooms, age appropriate field trips are planned throughout the school year. Every student must have a signed General Release Form on file to leave the School campus. The General Release Form is distributed and collected with re- enrollment contracts. The faculty will provide instructions regarding mandatory attire prior to each field trip. The School will provide student transportation to and from all field trips. Parents, faculty and staff may not transport students to or from field trips. Volunteers
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who have supervisory responsibility for students will be required to undergo a background check each year.
Financial Aid PK4-8th Grade students are eligible for financial aid, and the School makes every effort to help families with a demonstrated need, including those with a temporary financial hardship. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its financial aid. Eligibility for Aid is determined based on a need evaluation by SSS. SSS uses the family’s Federal Tax Form 1040 and pay documentation to complete its evaluation, all documentation must be submitted directly to SSS through their online portal. All deliberations regarding tuition assistance and financial aid are held in the strictest confidence. Contact the Business Office for more information on financial aid. The deadline for financial aid applications for returning students is Feb 7, 2022.
Gift Giving Presbyterian School strives to teach children the value of gifts of the spirit, and we hope families will use gift-giving occasions to deepen this lesson. Please be mindful that while the School may be the most convenient place to share a gift with a classmate at Christmas or on a birthday, it is not the most appropriate place since such an exchange may result in hurt feelings, jealousy, or unnecessary comparisons.
Health Information Health Forms and Immunizations: Presbyterian School requires that all students be compliant with the Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements. Returning students who do not have a current exemption on file and all newly-admitted students must be up-to-date on vaccines and submit immunization records prior to the first day of school. Students requesting a medical exemption from the immunization requirements must annually submit a signed, dated letter from the student’s Texas-licensed, treating physician (M.D. or D.O) specifically stating the basis for the exemption and that the required vaccines would be medically contraindicated or pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of the child or a member of the child’s household. Requests for medical exemptions will be considered and granted on a case-by-case basis. Students who have not received any vaccines will not be considered for medical exemption. The school does not accept exemptions for conscientious objections. If an outbreak or suspected outbreak of any vaccine preventable disease occurs in the state of Texas, any student who for whatever reason is not immunized may be excluded from school and all school-related activities.
In addition, all Middle-School athletes must have a yearly physical exam form on file in order to participate in after-school sports. The physical exam must be turned in before the first day of practice without exception. Students without the required health records on file will not be allowed to attend classes or participate in Athletics. Please contact the School Nurse for any clarifications or questions.
Illness or Injury at School: Please discuss any student health problems, including injury or illness, whether chronic or temporary with the School nurse and your child’s teacher. Any student who becomes ill or is injured at school will be evaluated and treated. Parents will be contacted to pick up students who in the judgment of the School nurse are too ill to remain at school. Please make sure the School has all requested medical information as well as the names and phone numbers of those to be contacted in case of an emergency.
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The School carries student accident insurance on every single student enrolled in the school. This covers any injury or accident to any student occurring on school property, or during school hours at any school event. This is secondary insurance, meaning the parents' or the child's personal insurance coverage is primary. The School's Insurance carries a $100 deductible and is a basic 80/20 plan. For a more detailed description of the policy’s coverage and requirements or to make a claim under the policy, please contact Diane Havlinek. Claims under the policy may, among other things, be time limited, so families are responsible for contacting Diane Havlinek immediately after an incident occurs.
Medications: If a student is required to take any prescription or non-prescription medication during school hours, it must be left with the nurse. Medication will be administered in the School Health Clinic. Medications must be placed in the original container or prescription bottle and brought to the School by a parent or guardian. Students are not allowed to transport medication to or from the Health Clinic. All medications are kept in the Health Clinic. Parents are responsible for updating the clinic of any changes in a student’s need for prescription medication. Parents are also responsible for insuring the nurse has an adequate supply of medication that is not expired. All prescription medication should be documented on the Vital Health Record distributed and collected by Magnus.
All medication must be kept in the Health Clinic unless a student’s treating physician provides documentation that the student must keep the medication with him/her at all times (such as asthma inhalers and epi-pens). In such cases, new documentation must be provided at the beginning of each school year and any time an update is required as a result of a change in the student’s medical needs.
Homeopathic/Herbal Remedies and Foreign Medications: The Health Clinic will not dispense any non-FDA approved substance including, but not limited to, natural or homeopathic supplements. Medications prescribed or purchased outside the United States will not be administered by the School nurse or school employees due to regulatory discrepancies between the United States and other countries.
Health Guidelines for School Attendance: Please keep your child at home when the following symptoms are observed: • Fever (100° F), Vomiting or Diarrhea within the past 24 hours • Earache, constant cough, sore throat and/or runny nose
Communicable Diseases: Isolated cases of communicable diseases within our community will be looked at on a case-by- case basis. Inclusion or exclusion from school for the affected student or employee will be guided by the recommendations of the CDC and Texas Health Department.
Please notify the School office immediately if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease such as chicken pox, strep throat, head lice, Fifth disease, or mumps. In the event a child contracts a contagious disease, a physician’s statement may be required before the child will be readmitted to class at the discretion of the School nurse. The following chart is supplied by the Texas Department of Health.
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Communicable Incubation Readmission to School Diseases Periods Chicken Pox 10-21 days 7 days from onset of rash or until all blisters crusted over Impetigo variable 3-7 days when treatment has begun Measles (rubeola) 7-14 days 5 days from onset of rash German Measles 14-21 days 8 days from onset of rash Mumps 1-26 days 10 days from onset of swelling Conjunctivitis (pink 1-3 days physician states that the person is non-infectious eye) Ringworm of scalp 10-21 days when treatment has begun Head Lice 7-10 days when medicated shampoo or lotion treatment is given and clearance from nurse Fever 100° F or greater 24 hours after fever subsides Fifth Disease 6-14 days 24 hours after fever subsides Common Cold 1-3 days 24 hours after fever subsides Strep Throat 1-3 days after 24-hour antibiotic treatment
Concussion Management Policy: Due to the inevitability of head injuries that may occur in sports or at play, Presbyterian School has a concussion policy to ensure the optimal safety of our students. The Return to Play protocol will be followed by student athletes, their parents and coaches. Both the Concussion Management Policy and the Return to Play Policy may be found on the School website Parent Portal under Resources. Presbyterian School reserves the right to keep a student out of practice/games if post-concussion signs and symptoms are noted in the student, even if written medical permission is obtained.
Lice Policy: If a child is discovered with symptoms of lice, the School Nurse will assess the child. If nits or live lice are present, the child will be sent home to receive the appropriate treatment. Once the treatment has been administered, the child may return to school. Before returning your child to the classroom, please visit the nurse to receive clearance.
Health Information Sharing Parents and student agree, as a condition of continued enrollment, to consent to the release of any of the student’s health-related information, including information relating to drug treatment, testing, medical and mental health records, to employees or agents of the School, as determined by the Head of School or his or her designee, to meet the medical or safety needs of the student and the community or the legal responsibilities of the School.
The School will maintain appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security of all health-related information within its care or custody. While it is the obligation of the School to safeguard student medical information, we must also balance matters of privacy and confidentiality with safeguarding the interests and well-being of our students and our community. Thus, parents/guardians and students consent to allow employees and agents of the School, who have a need to know, to receive and/or share medical and/or psychological information necessary to serve the best interests of the student and/or community. In the event of a disclosure required by law, every effort will be made to notify the student and/or parents/guardians in advance.
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Intellectual Property By enrolling the student in the School, the parent and student acknowledge that during student’s attendance at the School all student Intellectual Property (defined below) related to or used in connection with the student’s participation in any joint or group School activity (classroom, homework, athletic, artistic, scientific, etc.) is the exclusive property of the School. Intellectual Property includes all inventions, creations, videos, audios, writings, prototypes, discoveries, developments, formulas, techniques, and improvements and all works of original authorship or images that are fixed in any tangible medium of expression, whether or not copyrightable, patentable or otherwise protectable, which are conceived, designed, created or developed by any of the School’s students in conjunction with other students and/or School personnel. To be clear, if a student works on a project alone (such as a painting or music), such project is not Intellectual Property covered by this policy. Any parent or student who believes that they are eligible for a waiver to this policy should contact the Head of School to discuss the specific circumstances.
Investigations Students are expected to cooperate in investigations. Students are expected to be honest, but honesty is not necessarily a mitigating factor and students’ own statements may be used against them. Failure to cooperate with an investigation may be cause for disciplinary action.
If a student refuses to participate or cooperate at any stage of an investigation, or is unable to do so for whatever reason, including without limitation, pending criminal charges, the school reserves the right to take action, including proceeding without a statement from the student, or to require the student to withdraw from school.
Library Materials All library materials need to be returned by mid-May in order to complete inventory. End of year report cards will be withheld until all library materials are returned to the School or the appropriate reimbursement is paid. The cost of lost or damaged books will be billed to the family.
Lost and Found All school uniforms must be labeled with the student’s full name in permanent ink (please refrain from using initials). EC/LS Lost and Found for student items, such as eyeglasses, jackets, and lunch boxes is located on the first floor of Founders Hall.
In MS, there are two locations for lost and found. All technology and jewelry are given to the Middle School Front Desk to be locked up for safekeeping until the owner can come to claim a missing item. Clothing and other items such as water bottles are placed in a shelf in the middle of the middle school hallway by the Science Labs. Students must immediately report the loss or theft of any School devices, or electronic devices that may contain School related information. Lost or stolen devices in middle school should be reported to Michelle Mota.
There is also a Lost and Found in the P.E. area for items left behind in the locker or gym areas. If you find an item that does not belong to you or if you are missing an item, please check the lost and found either before or after school.
Medical Excuses from Physical Education Class In order for a student to be medically excused from PE class for more than three consecutive days, a note from the student’s physician must be given to the School nurse. The nurse will then
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notify the PE faculty and the classroom teacher. The school, at its discretion, may also require a note from the student’s physician clearing the child to return to PE class. If a student is going to be excused from PE Class for less than 3 days, parents need to send a written note to the PE teachers.
If a student is sitting out of PE because of an injury, it is up to the discretion of his/her athletic coach whether he/she can participate in athletic practices or games.
Nondiscrimination Policy The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender), national origin, sexual orientation, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, other school administered programs or in its employment practices. The School believes in the strength of a diverse community and welcomes inquiry from all families.
Online Learning Management Systems and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Information We are committed to high quality teaching and learning. We realize that part of learning today is adapting to the changing methods of communication and providing rich and varied contents and experiences for our students. The importance of teachers and students engaging, collaborating, learning, and sharing in digital environments is a part of learning and provides students the opportunity to develop as literate and technologically-competent individuals. Educational standards are now requiring the use of online education tools and our school uses several computer software applications and web-based/cloud-based education technology services operated not by the School, but by third parties. These applications include, but may not be limited to, Google Drive, Discovery Education, Schoology, Explain Everything, See Saw, Scratch, MineCraft, Kodable, Zoom, Canvas, Code Monkey, and other similar educational programs. A complete list of the program with the privacy policy for each can be found on our school website.
In order for our students to use these programs and services, certain personal identifying information—generally the student’s name and school email address—must be provided to the website operator. Please note that any personal information provided by the School is for educational purposes only and is used by the School solely to communicate with the service provider. Students will receive a school email address to participate in certain of these computer software applications and web-based/cloud-based services. Under federal law entitled the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), certain website providers must provide parental notification and obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. For more information on COPPA, please visit https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/businesscenter/guidance/complying-coppa-frequently-asked- questions.
COPPA permits schools such as ours to consent to the collection of personal information on behalf of its students, thereby eliminating the need for individual parental consent to be given directly to the website operator. Your signature on this Handbook will reflect and constitute your consent for our School to provide personally identifying information for your child consisting of first name, last name, an email address, username, and school-related information, such as school name, class, and teacher name. Your signature will also reflect and constitute your consent for
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your child to participate in video conferencing, podcasts, and live chats, which means that their voice will be heard and their image displayed to others and both may be recorded. If you do not want your student to participate in these programs, please notify your child’s Division Head.
Students are reminded that they should not place any confidential or sensitive information into cloud storage.
Out-of-School Conduct The School does not seek to unnecessarily involve itself in a student’s off-campus behavior. However, the School reserves the right to take action with respect to off-campus behavior when it deems necessary, including, without limitation, when that off-campus behavior impacts the student’s ability to continue at School, impacts other students’ or employees’ ability to be comfortable at School, compromises the welfare of other students, or damages the reputation of the School. Parents and students should be aware that certain activities, even outside of school hours or off school property, may result in loss of school privileges and other disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years. The policies and standards apply at all times a student is enrolled in the School, including when a student is on campus or in the immediate vicinity of campus; any time a student is participating in or attending a School-sponsored event on or off campus; any time a student is officially representing the School; any time a student is traveling on behalf of the School; and in the evenings, on weekends, and during school breaks, including summer break.
Such conduct will be evaluated at the sole discretion of the School, and the School reserves the right to deviate from the regular disciplinary process as may be deemed necessary under the circumstances. Some examples of such outside conduct that may have disciplinary ramifications at school include any violation of law; purchase, use, or possession of alcohol, drugs, or a controlled substance; threats of harm to self or others; use or misuse of electronic devices, websites, or social networking media (personal, at home, or at school), which do, or could, impact the welfare of any member of the School community or the reputation or functioning of the School.
Parent Teacher Conferences When it is possible, Parent/Teacher conferences will be scheduled twice during the school year for all students. Early Childhood and Lower School students do not come to school on the days scheduled for conferences. In the Middle School, students participate in parent/teacher conferences; therefore, they must come to school along with their parents at the scheduled time of the conference. Parents do not need to wait for an official conference time to speak with teachers about a child’s progress. If you have a question or a concern, please contact the teacher directly.
Parent Volunteer Council The PS Volunteer Council is composed of parents who help the School live the mission of Family, School and Church united. All parents are welcome to be a part of the PS Volunteer Council. The Volunteer Council supports the School and its families by volunteering at special events and school services throughout the year. Book Fair, Christmas Workshop, Field Day, Hearing and Vision Screening, Faculty Appreciation and Homeroom Parents are just a few of the activities supported by the PS Volunteer Council. Parents who volunteer for school-related activities may also be required to undergo a background check depending upon the nature of
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their service to the School. A comprehensive list of activities and contacts are found on the School website Parent Portal under the Volunteers & Events button in the Quick Links section.
Party/Social Invitations Birthday party invitations and presents may not be brought to school. For the well-being of our community and each child within it, parents are asked to adhere to the following guideline regarding private social events: when inviting one-half or more of all the students (or girls or boys), all of the students (or girls or boys) should be invited.
Personal Belongings All toys and personal belongings should be left at home. “Lovies” for Early Childhood students are acceptable, but they must stay in the child’s cubby during the school day.
All student belongings, including uniform items, lunch bags, book bags, jackets worn to and from school in cold weather, etc. must be labeled with the student’s name (please refrain from using initials). With so many identical and similar items in the possession of students, costly losses can be avoided by taking this precaution at the beginning of the school year.
Pet Policy Family pets and animals are not allowed in the building on the main campus or at the Outdoor Education Campus.
Philanthropy Office In addition to tuition income, Presbyterian School relies on philanthropy through the Annual Fund and other special event fundraising activities to support operating and capital expenses. The Philanthropy Office at Presbyterian School coordinates all philanthropic, volunteer and alumni initiatives.
Parents, grandparents, Trustees, faculty, staff, foundations, and friends of Presbyterian School are invited to consider ways to support Presbyterian School. More detailed information regarding fundraising opportunities is on the School website (www.pshouston.org/support).
Presbyterian School’s Office of Philanthropy is located on the second floor of Founders Hall.
Photos, Images and Recording Parent agrees to allow Student’s name, photograph, voice, image, and information to be used by the School, and those acting with the School’s permission, for use in the School’s publications, promotional materials, website, and social media accounts, without compensation and without prior notice. Parent agrees to allow Student to be interviewed by the media on campus or at School-related events. Parent also consents to the recording and distribution or live streaming of Student’s voice, image and video in instruction or presentations as may be deemed appropriate in the School’s discretion. Parent releases and holds the School harmless from any liability stemming from the use of the Student’s name, photograph, voice, video, image, or information.
If you do not want your student’s voices and images recorded during distance learning, we are relying on parents to take steps with their computer or the spacing of the child to the computer to block their child’s image from being recorded. If you do not want your student’s voice to be recorded, we would similarly ask that you instruct your child not to verbally participate and advise the teacher of such instruction.
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Further parents and students are prohibited from recording employees or other students while on campus or during School activities without their express consent.
Prohibition on Sharing Information The School prohibits screenshots, photos, audio/video recordings and distribution of any virtual educational experiences. This is in order to protect privacy, prevent cyberbullying and reduce distribution of content from virtual educational experiences. Parents/guardians and other household members who normally are not privy to day-to-day classroom activities, agree to respect and keep confidential any personal or private information inadvertently discovered about other students due to their proximity to virtual education. Parents and students must be mindful of anything in the background during virtual programs and activities and the School is not responsible for any content shared during those sessions.
Playground Guidelines Students may play on the playgrounds in the afternoons after school, provided they have adult supervision. Parents and caregivers should follow playground guidelines used by the classroom teachers and observe all posted Playground rules when children are playing on the playground. The guidelines are as follows: • The EC playground on the north side of Founders Hall is exclusively for school use. • Children must remain inside the gated areas with the gates closed and be closely supervised. • Children should not climb the outside or sides of the playground equipment. • Children should stay away from equipment when playing running games. • One person on each slide at a time, except for the double slide which should have one person on each side. • All trash should be disposed of in trash cans.
Positive Relationships and Conflict Resolution At the heart of Presbyterian School’s mission is the belief that individuals in the three most critical institutions in the lives of children (family, church, and school) can work together to educate and support our young people. Despite their best intentions, students will fall short in their treatment of each other from time to time, resulting in hurt feelings, alienation, or distress. Isolated and momentary lapses in judgment are one issue; systematic and targeted hurtful actions are quite another. There is no place at Presbyterian School for these sorts of behaviors, and they will not be tolerated here.
Verbal or physical harassment or bullying of any kind that occurs face-to-face at school, off-campus, or online that is unkind to a fellow Presbyterian School student or community member is unacceptable and inconsistent with the requirements of our school and our core values.
Presbyterian School strives to preserve the dignity of each of its members. When situations involving student harassment or bullying come to the attention of teachers, counselors, or administrators, they are investigated and addressed promptly and will be handled in a pastoral manner, allowing for both the support of the harassed or bullied student as well as counseling for the transgressor. The primary goal of any consequences is to end the behavior and to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. To that end, reconciliation will be the goal in working through such conflicts. By encouraging direct, supervised communication among the students
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involved, we strive to help students seek the good in everyone just as we attempt to encourage their individual growth in learning how to resolve their own conflicts.
Any student who believes that he/she has been the victim of the behaviors described above or any student who believes that he/she has witnessed these actions, should report the incident(s) to a teacher, advisor, or coach; Division Head; Associate Head of Middle School; Chaplain; Nurse; Counselor; or the Head of School. Any student found to have engaged in intentionally hurtful behavior shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions.
Prayer A blessing is said before snack every day in Early Childhood classes. Lower School and Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in prayers in the classroom, in Assembly, before lunch, in Chapel and in other community gatherings.
Re-enrollment Contracts and Holds Re-enrollment contracts are issued at the sole discretion of the School and generally at the end of January. If academic, behavioral or financial concerns exist regarding a student when the School issues re-enrollment contracts for the next year, a student’s re-enrollment contract may be held or not offered. The Division Head will meet with the student’s parents to discuss the situation and outline mutual responsibilities for supporting the student during the remaining months of the academic year. In some instances, serious concerns regarding a student’s grade level placement or permanence in the School may arise after the re-enrollment contract has been issued. At that time, the Division Head and/or Head of School will arrange a conference with parents to determine whether re-enrollment is in the best interests of the child and the School.
Reporting of Infractions to Schools Students and parents are responsible for understanding the obligation to report and update information in a student’s school application pursuant to that school’s reporting guidelines. Many peer schools and high schools require that students advise whether they have been subjected to discipline (probation, suspension, or expulsion) or have been arrested or convicted. Many peer schools and high schools also require that a student or school immediately report the following incidents which may have occurred after application and/or acceptance: (1) disciplinary matters for which a consequence has been given; (2) arrests, convictions, or other legal changes; and (3) circumstances under which a student was withdrawn from School to avoid the possibility of a disciplinary infraction. The student and/or parent are responsible for complying with the college/university requirements and must also provide the School with a copy of the letter or other information disclosed. It is important for the student and parent to realize that the School and/or the student’s college counselor will also inform the college or university of such an incident.
Responsible Use of Technology Each family is responsible for their student’s actions in accessing Presbyterian School’s technology resources. Parents and students must review and sign the Responsible Use Policy distributed by Magnus prior to the student accessing any of the School’s technology resources. A copy of this policy is located in Appendix A of this handbook.
School Closure or Modifications Due to a Force Majeure Event Should events beyond the control of the School, including, but not limited to, any fire, act of God, hurricane, tornado, flood, extreme inclement weather, explosion, war (including armed conflict), governmental action, act of terrorism, risk of infectious illness, epidemic, pandemic, shortage or
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disruption of necessary utilities (water, electricity, etc.), or any other event beyond the School’s control, occur, the School has the discretion to close the School and/or modify its operations, curriculum, schedules (including, without limitation, the provision of instruction on Saturdays and/or Sundays), length of school day, length of school year, and/or means of learning and teaching methods. The family’s contractual financial obligations for tuition and fees remain in full force and effect. Should the School close, the School’s duties and obligations shall be suspended immediately without notice until such time as the School, in its sole and reasonable discretion, may safely reopen. If the School cannot reopen due to a force majeure event, the School is under no obligation to refund any portion of tuition paid.
School Core Values We look at our core values through a window because core values are a reflection of who we are and what we believe. The foundation for our core values is built upon the simple objective of Reflecting God's Love. Our six core values are Respect, Perseverance, Courage, Compassion, Integrity and Gratitude.
Respect: It’s about you and me. (I Peter 2:17) Perseverance: It’s about staying in the game. (James 1:3) Courage: It’s about daring to try. (Ezra 10:4) Compassion: It’s about showing your love. (Ephesians 4:32) Integrity: It’s about being the best possible me. (Proverbs 20:11) Gratitude: It’s about appreciating today. (Psalm 118:24)
School Mascot
School Motto “As Children of God at Presbyterian School, we respect ourselves, each other and the environment.”
School Song The Spirit Is Here Written by former PS Music Teacher, Kay Fish
The Spirit is here. The Spirit is here. Where two or more are gathered I too will be there. Just look in this place, into each and every face, The Spirit, the Spirit is here.
The Spirit of love, the Spirit of life, The Spirit of hope that will see us through the strife, The Spirit of faith that time can’t erase, The Spirit, the Spirit is here.
The Spirit of learning that will help us to know, The Spirit of giving that will help us to grow,
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The Spirit that shows us the way we should go, The Spirit, the Spirit is here.
The Spirit is here. The Spirit is here. Where two or more are gathered I too will be there. Just look in this place, into each and every face, The Spirit, the Spirit is here.
SchoolPass SchoolPass makes communicating arrival and dismissal plans with the School easy. Upon arrival to campus, teachers will check students in via SchoolPass through their normal attendance process. If a parent needs to change a student’s time or method of pick-up, the parent should login to SchoolPass to communicate the change. SchoolPass will automatically notify the School Receptionist and the student’s teacher/advisor of the change in dismissal. All changes in dismissal must be received prior to 2pm to insure that the change in properly communicated to all people involved in the dismissal process. At the end of the day, SchoolPass will be used to notify teachers of parents arriving in carpool for pickup.
To New parents will receive an email from SchoolPass with a parent username and password at the beginning of the school year. Please follow the instructions in the SchoolPass email and set- up your SchoolPass account.
School’s Right to Inspect: The School reserves the right to inspect user directories for inappropriate files and to remove them if found and to take other appropriate action if deemed necessary, including notification of parents. The school also reserves the right to inspect any personal electronic devices brought onto campus. In such case, students must provide any passwords to inspect the device upon request by a School administrator. Do not assume that any messages or materials on your computer or the School’s systems are private.
The School will from time to time review social media posts and messages made by Presbyterian School community members and take action on any information learned from those reviews. The School also reserves the right to randomly check e-mail or text messages. Inappropriate use of social media or email, including harassment, bullying, or violations of other school policies learned about via social media will be handled through the School's disciplinary procedure set forth in the Parent Student Handbook and can result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of a student’s enrollment contract for future academic years.
Searches In accordance with the School’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with our rules and to maintain a substance-free and safe school environment, the School may choose to conduct a random search of any area of the School premises, including student lockers, as well as any item of a student’s personal belongings or items, including electronic devices and their contents, in a student’s possession at any time and without prior notice.
Security Guidelines In order to provide a safe campus for all who work, learn and volunteer at Presbyterian School, please keep in mind the following guidelines:
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• People requesting a tour of the facilities must have an appointment and must be escorted by a staff member during normal weekday office hours. • Utilize the primary entrance into Founders Hall at 40 Oakdale as well as the FPC Welcome Center and the Lancaster Center entrances at Palm Court and Barkdull Ave. • Vehicles should not be left unattended under the porte cocheres at the Welcome Center, Christian Education, Lancaster Center Palm Court and Barkdull Ave. entrances. • All visitors and parents arriving to campus between 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. (except during regular morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times) will be required to sign-in at the Welcome Center, Lancaster Center Palm Court or Founders Hall Receptionist entrances. Our sign- in system utilizes Raptor Visitor Management Program, which performs a standard security check and will provide a badge for visitors and parents to wear. • Uniformed police officers will join the security guards on campus to provide additional security for the School. • Please do not leave any personal belongings of value (i.e., cell phone, purse, laptop, etc.) in your vehicle. • Presbyterian School may conduct monitoring to help ensure employee and student safety and security, including video surveillance of non-private areas to identify safety concerns, maintain security, detect theft and misconduct, and discourage and prevent acts of harassment and violence. • Firearms, guns, explosives, knives, and other weapons are prohibited on campus, including in all buildings and on driveways, streets, sidewalks or walkways, parking lots, parking garages, or other parking areas. Firearms and guns are also prohibited from being in locked vehicles or trunks while parked or driving on campus. Students shall not interfere with normal activities, occupancy or use of any building or portion of the campus by exhibiting, using or threatening to exhibit or use a firearm, gun, explosive, knife or other weapon. Campus security officers may be allowed to be armed on campus. • Students may not be picked up or dropped off by ride-booking car services such as Uber, Lyft, and other similar car services on or near campus. If an adult on campus would like to use one of these car services, he or she must inform a security guard on duty that such car service is coming and meet the driver at the Palm Court or Welcome Center entrance. • Students may not have food, drinks or other items delivered to or near campus by for hire delivery services such as Favor, DoorDash or other similar services. If an adult on campus would like to use one of these services, he or she must first get permission from the Head of School or a Division Head, inform a security guard on duty that such delivery service is coming, and meet the driver at the Palm Court or Welcome Center entrance.
Sexual Misconduct We are committed to creating a learning environment characterized by safety, trust, and respect for all. Sexual misconduct whether between students or adults and students is contrary to the standards and ideals of our community and will not be tolerated. Sexual misconduct includes any of the following types of activities: • Any sexual activity between students and adults (See School’s Student/Adult Interaction and Communication Policy); • Any sexual activity between age appropriate students for which clear and voluntary consent has not been given in advance or in which consent has been exceeded; • Any sexual activity with someone who is incapable of giving valid consent because, for example, that person is under the age of consent, sleeping, or otherwise incapacitated or impaired;
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• Any act of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, or stalking; • Any digital media stalking and/or the nonconsensual recording of sexual behavior and the nonconsensual sharing of any recording; or • Non-consensual sexual advances and propositions, or other undesirable verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. (See the School’s Harassment/Bullying policy for additional information on sexual harassment).
Consent is defined as an affirmative, unambiguous, informed, and voluntary agreement to engage in specific sexual activity. Consent can be revoked at any time.
It is not our intent to discourage dating between students or physical contact between or among students that is intended and perceived to be by those involved as positive, healthy, and appropriate to their age and experience. However, sexual conduct between or among students that is unwanted, offensive, or makes a student uncomfortable, whether it occurs on or off campus, and affects the student’s ability to be comfortable in the school environment is a violation of our School values.
Reports of sexual misconduct or sexual assault are taken seriously; the safety and well-being of our students is our first priority. Parents and students who become aware of any form of sexual misconduct, whether on or off campus, should immediately report the information to the appropriate Division Head or the Head of School. In accordance with Texas law, the School reports suspected instances of sexual abuse to www.txabusehotline.org.
Upon a report of student-to-student sexual misconduct, including harassment, the School will provide interim support and reasonable protective measures to support the complainant and/or the accused party and the safety of the community. Until all procedures have been completed, the complainant and the accused must avoid all unnecessary contact. If the School determines at any stage that a student poses a threat of harm or disruption to the school community, the School may take immediate action, including removing the student from School, restricting the student’s movement on campus, and so on.
As stated elsewhere, the School expects that students will treat all persons with dignity both at School and beyond. The School reserves the right to take action if it learns that a student’s actions violate the School’s rules and expectations, regardless of when and where the conduct occurred or who was affected by the student’s inappropriate behavior.
Social Media At Presbyterian School we believe very strongly that pre-adolescents and young adolescents are ill-equipped and developmentally unable to manage independently the complexity of communication in the social media realm. Accordingly, social media is not to be installed on student iPads and students are not to engage in social media exchanges while on the PS campus. The School may also block access on the School’s network to social media or any other content the School deems inappropriate. For these reasons, we also prohibit students from using their school email accounts for social media purposes.
We advise very strongly against parents allowing their children to subscribe to or participate unsupervised in any of the wide array of social media networking available through an equally wide array of media. Since subscriptions to and participation in these sites are ultimately family decisions, we acknowledge that inappropriate electronic communication originating off campus
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or associated with social networking is best dealt with initially in the family setting. When parents become aware of objectionable or threatening statements via their child’s social networking sites, they are to contact first the parents of the other student(s) involved prior to contacting the School. (See also, Out-of-School Conduct.)
The School is not responsible for any material (photographs, videos, audio recordings) posted on personal websites or social media sites or transmitted through other electronic means such as text messaging or photo sharing websites without its permission. However, if families choose to use social media, please apply the following guidelines:
• Use a respectful tone and appropriate language when making social media posts or messages involving or about the School or other members of the Presbyterian School community.
• When posting pictures, videos or audio recordings from Presbyterian School events, use security settings and allow only family and other Presbyterian School community members access.
• Avoid using names of students appearing in social media posts or messages and only use first names of adults.
• Do not use the School's logo or other intellectual property without prior written permission from the School's Communications Office. Similarly, do not purport to speak on behalf of the School or mislead others into believing you speak with authority from the School unless you have prior written permission from the School's Communications Office.
Student Accident Insurance: The School carries student accident insurance on every single student in the school. This covers any injury or accident to any student occurring on school property, or during school hours at any school event. This is secondary insurance, meaning the parents' or the child's personal insurance coverage is primary. The School's insurance carries $100 deductible and is a basic 80/20 plan. For a more detailed description of the policy’s coverage and requirements or to make a claim under the policy, please contact Diane Havlinek, Director of Finance and Operations. Claims under the policy may, among other things, be time limited, so families are responsible for contacting Diane Havlinek immediately after an incident occurs.
Student/Adult Interaction and Communication Our students and adults (teachers, administrators, staff members, parents, and visitors) are expected to interact with each other in a professional and respectful manner based on mutual respect and trust with an understanding of appropriate boundaries between adults and students. Although our adults can and should be friendly with the students, becoming too friendly with each other sometimes results in confusion and anxiety.
If a student or the student’s parents become aware of any adult’s communications or actions toward one or more students that seems unusual, overly friendly, or otherwise inappropriate, such information should immediately be reported to the guidance counselor or administrator of the division.
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Further, students and their parents should promptly notify the guidance counselor or administrator of the division if they believe an employee has engaged in any of the following prohibited behaviors or similar activities (regardless of the age of the student):
• Initiating or continuing communications with students for a non-school matter, including oral or written communications; telephone calls; electronic communications (emails, texts); social media communications, etc. • Touching students or their clothing in non-professional ways or inappropriate places, or touching a student with aggression or in frustration; • Making comments that are too personal (about a student’s clothing, hair, personal habits, etc.); • Inviting a student into their home; • Taking students off school property other than for approved field trips and school activities; • Flirting or asking a student on a date; • Excessive attention shown toward a particular student or students or call or referring to students by pet names or inappropriate nicknames; • Visiting students to “hang out” in their hotel rooms when on field trips or sporting events; • Visiting a student in their home or another location; • Socializing or spending time with students (including but not limited to activities such as going out for meals, movies, shopping, traveling and recreational activities) outside of class or school-sponsored events; • Asking students to sit on a teacher’s lap; • Telling secrets or telling the student not to tell something that’s a secret; • Swearing, making inappropriate sexual, racial/or ethnic comments; • Inviting students to visit the employee’s social networking profile or become a “friend” or “follower” on a social network; • Telling off-color or other inappropriate jokes or stories, or showing pornography to students; • Providing students with alcohol or other mind-altering substances; or • Vaping, smoking, or drinking with students
Student Information Parents should keep their family and student contact information current with the School. Parents may update their information (home phone number, cell phone number, address, etc.) directly on the Parent Portal of the School website. Changes to emergency contact information should be submitted to the Registrar. If a student is withdrawing from Presbyterian School, please contact the Registrar.
Student Telephone Usage Students who need to reach a parent during the academic day may ask to use the phone in the School Office. Students may not use a school telephone or personal cell phone unless authorized by teacher or office personnel. If parents need to inform students of a change in pickup plans for the day, they should call the office before 12:00 noon.
Teacher Observation or Recommendation Forms Teacher observation or recommendation forms will only be released with a signed parental release. Teacher recommendation forms to be sent to another school or teacher observation forms
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to be sent to a professional must be submitted to the Division Office. Please do not give any forms to classroom teachers.
Teacher recommendation forms are mailed from the School to the requesting school, and teacher observation forms are mailed from the School to the professional. Forms are not given to the parents for hand delivery and parents will not be provided copies. This is a very strict policy, which the professional educational community respects and demands. If time is especially critical, parents may request and pay for a courier service. Nevertheless, a minimum of seven days must be allowed for this process as multiple teachers and administrators are involved. The Division Heads oversee the release of all reports and information from the School. Information will not be released if the financial account of the student or family is in arrears.
Threats or Acts of Violence The School takes all threats seriously, even when students make comments in jest, on the Internet, by text, or away from School toward or about another student, employee, or the School. Students are prohibited from bringing any type of weapon to School or School-sponsored events, including knives, guns (all types), fireworks, etc. This prohibition includes, without limitation, pocket knives (even those that are part of a key chain), firecrackers, matches, lighters, smoke bombs, stink bombs, or any type of explosive device. Any such item may be confiscated and, if appropriate, turned over to law enforcement. Any pictorial depictions of weapons, or verbal or written comments that the administration determines in its discretion appear to be threatening in nature, or any behavior that is threatening, will result in disciplinary consequences.
All members of our community are required to immediately report any comment, posting, text, or other form of communication or information that they receive or learn about that reflects that someone has made a threat toward or about another student, an employee or the School. If there is any communication or behavior that concerns you, report it to one of the deans or to any administrator.
Threats of violence or acts of violence by a student, employee, parent or other individual may be reported to law enforcement and any other authorities the School deems appropriate. The School will cooperate with investigations by authorities, and the School may also conduct its own investigation. With respect to such threats or acts by students, the School may report such threats or acts of violence to future schools, camps, athletic programs, and other organizations in which the student participates. The student’s transcript or report card may also note the threat or act. In determining whether to report such threats or acts of violence, the School may consider, among other factors, the gravity and nature of the threat or act of violence, the disciplinary history of the individual, academic or work performance, behavioral history, social profile, other information available to the School (i.e., access to weapons, mental health information, family situation, etc.), and/or the outcome of any investigations.
Transcripts Parents may print their child’s report card or transcript from http://reports.pshouston.org at any time. However, if an official school transcript is required, please submit your transcript request to the Registrar or Division Office Managers. Official school transcripts will only be sent with a signed parental release. Official school transcripts will be mailed from the School directly to the requesting school. Official school transcripts will not be not given to the parent for hand delivery. This is a very strict policy, which the professional educational community respects and demands. If time is critical, parents may request and pay for a courier service.
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Tuition and Billing The tuition includes, among other items, expenses for classroom supplies, enrichment, technology and trips. Please note, each year, tuition may be subject to change. The following information is for 2021-22. Middle School $26,450 5th Grade $25,960 Lower School $22,660 Kindergarten $22,660 PK4 & PK3 $20,090 In addition to the tuition, a New Student Registration of $500 applies to each student the first time upon enrolling at Presbyterian School.
Billing A deposit of $1,000 is due with the enrollment contract; it is applied towards the tuition. The deposit is non-refundable.
Tuition is payable in full on June 1, prior to the enrolling year. The School offers a two-payment plan (June and December) and a ten-payment plan (monthly, June through March.) The two and ten payment plan options will be by ACH draft. These payment plans include interest of 6% per annum on the unpaid balance. In compliance with Truth in Lending Act disclosures, finance charges for payment plans are defined and disclosed for each contract.
Families will receive monthly statements when there are items billed to the family account such as Tuition, TRP and finance fees. These monthly statements will come by email through the parent’s SmartTuition account.
Family cooperation in paying on time is appreciated. If any student’s account is not current, the School will not release the student’s grades and transcripts, the School will not issue an enrollment contract for the following year, and the student may be excluded from attendance until all accounts are current.
The Chief Finance and Operations Officer is available to parents to discuss payment options and other financial matters.
Tuition Refund Insurance The School offers a Tuition Refund plan through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. The cost is 0.95% of tuition. Participation in the Tuition Refund Plan is required for students whose tuition is paid on the two-payment, ten-payment or an individualized payment plan. It is optional for students whose tuition is paid in full by June. Details of the plan are enclosed with enrollment contracts and are available in the Business Office.
Tutoring When parents are considering tutoring for their child, the School would appreciate the opportunity to be a part of that conversation, as in-school extra help or other strategies could prove more effective than outside professional intervention.
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When teachers, Division Head, and parents agree on the usefulness of additional professional support, the Academic Enrichment Team or Associate Head of Middle School will provide information about possible tutors or academic therapists. Before faculty can communicate with tutors, parents must submit an Authorization for Exchange of Information Form. Outside professionals are not allowed to provide services on the Presbyterian School campus.
Presbyterian School faculty may be hired to tutor Presbyterian School students with special approval from the Division Head. Faculty may not be paid to tutor any of their current students or any student one grade level below what they teach. Faculty may not be hired to tutor students on campus between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Uniforms and Dress Code For the sake of consistency, in all matters of appearance, apparel and accessories, the School will act as final arbiter where differences of opinion exist. Sue Mills, Inc. is the Presbyterian School uniform supplier. All students must wear Presbyterian School uniforms obtainable at Sue Mills, Inc. In order to maintain an overall pleasing image of Presbyterian School students, no substitutions of vendors or materials are allowed. The Sue Mills store is located at Sue Mills Uniform at 3465-A W. Alabama St. at Marquart St. (entrance and parking on Marquart - behind Antiques of River Oaks and SGI-USA) Houston, TX 77027. Orders may also be placed directly by telephone (800-541-1850) or online www.millswear.com. The School offers a Uniform Resale Closet in the first floor of Founders Hall where gently used Sue Mills Uniform items may be purchased at a discounted price. Any Sue Mills uniform clothing purchased in the Uniform Resale Closet may be worn to school. Please consult specific division guidelines for details on dress expectations for your child.
Virtual Learning Policy Parents and students acknowledge and agree that the School may decide, in its discretion, to convert its classes, programs and activities to be virtual. If the School converts to virtual learning and programming, the policies in this Handbook and the School’s Honor Code will apply whether students are on campus or engaging in distance learning.
Vision and Hearing In compliance with regulations of the state of Texas, a vision and hearing screening is required for the following: • students who are new to the School • students who are four-years-old • students who are in K, 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade and 7th grade
Presbyterian School will have a vision and hearing screening during the fall semester for all students who are in one of the above listed required categories if they have not already been screened by their physician. Additional recommendations can be made by teachers of other grade levels who have significant concerns. Parents will receive a copy of the report if their child fails the vision and hearing screen.
Wireless Network Access Parents may have access to the internet through our wireless network connection while on campus. The guest network is called PresbyterianGuest and the password is 7135200284. Please know that the School’s wireless network is subject to filtering by the School. Although doing so generally can eliminate access to offensive and pornographic materials, it also has the negative effect of
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filtering out genuine educational materials. In addition, no filtering system is foolproof. Therefore, we expect users to act responsibly in their searches and to immediately disengage from any materials that are inappropriate and to report the situation to the faculty member or administrator in charge of the activity. Although the School cannot effectively restrict the content of information obtained by students via the Internet, obtaining material that is explicitly labeled, as not intended for minors will be considered a violation of School rules. Furthermore, making public or passing on any material that is pornographic, violent in nature, or otherwise harassing is totally unacceptable and will be dealt with immediately by the appropriate administrator. Guests are also expected to use the School’s internet systems in an appropriate and legal manner that exhibits good modeling for our students. The School reserves the right to prohibit access by anyone found using the wireless network inappropriately.
Yearbook All students who were enrolled the previous year will receive a copy of the Presbyterian School Yearbook covering the events of the entire year. Yearbooks will be distributed in August.
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Early Childhood Policies and Guidelines
Academic Enrichment Team (AET) The Presbyterian School Academic Enrichment Team (AET) is composed of specialists trained in a diverse array of pedagogies who support, enrich, and extend instruction beyond the classroom walls, recognizing and responding to the gifts and needs of PK3-Kindergarten students in targeted and specific ways. The AET, in partnership with the classroom teacher, works to develop knowledge of each student as an individual learner.
Members of the AET monitor the development of foundational literacy and math skills. The AET joins with classroom teachers to provide assessment, support academic development, and foster critical and creative thinking skills.
The AET also coordinates support and services for students with diagnosed learning differences. Determination for services will be made by the Academic Enrichment Team, the Division Head and the Counselor. Team members translate testing results and recommendations into specific interventions, accommodations and strategies. Implementation steps are summarized in a Student Action Plan which is shared with parents and the student’s teachers. By establishing a partnership that is among teachers, parents and community professionals, the AET facilitates effective, school-based responses to student needs.
While the school provides reasonable accommodations for students with diagnosed and current documentation of learning differences, the school is not able to accommodate all situations. Individual academic, speech or occupational therapy is not available; neither is a modified curriculum. Community professionals are not allowed to provide tutoring or therapy services on the Presbyterian School campus, with the exception of speech therapy. Outside speech pathologists may be permitted to provide therapy services to EC students only after being approved by the Division Head. Interested families should submit a request via email to the Division Head. For approval, speech pathologists must submit references and complete a background check..
Arrival The following schedule refers to regular school hours: PK3-K Monday – Friday 8:10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Parents have the option to walk their children to the classroom in the morning beginning at 7:50 a.m. and ending at 8:10 a.m. After 8:10 a.m. parents will not be allowed to accompany their child to the classroom door. Students will check in at the front desk and be directed to their classroom by faculty or staff. Classes will begin promptly at 8:10 a.m.
Early Childhood classes follow a busy daily schedule. Routine is important for children to ensure their sense of security. Establishing a drop-off routine will help ensure a student’s successful start to the School day. Early Childhood parents should escort their child to the classroom door, share a hug, and allow them to enter the classroom independently or drive through the EC/LS carpool line.
A student is considered tardy after 8:10 a.m. If a student arrives after 8:10 a.m., the student should go to the Reception Desk in the lobby of Founders Hall for an admittance slip before
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going to the classroom. Excessive and unexcused tardiness or absenteeism may result in non- renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
Attendance Attendance will be taken each morning promptly at the beginning of the school day. Please notify your child’s teacher when your child will not be at school due to illness or other circumstances. When a student accrues 10 absences during the academic year, the Division Head will communicate with the family. When a student accrues 18 or more absences, the Division Head may determine that a different grading scale be used for academic assessment and reporting on the student’s report cards and transcript. Excessive absences of any nature may jeopardize a student’s current enrollment, the promotion of a student to the next grade, or renewal of the student’s enrollment contract for future academic years. Please note that absences and tardiness are part of a student’s official record and are reported on the transcript.
Behavioral Expectations Student discipline at Presbyterian School is a child-centered process that focuses on individual behaviors and choices. It is our goal to help students understand that they are accountable for their actions and to model for them what respect and responsibility truly mean. The guidelines for appropriate behavior are exemplified in the School motto, “As children of God at Presbyterian School, we respect ourselves, each other and the environment.” Incidents of inappropriate behavior are treated as “teachable moments” and are most often resolved through teacher guidance. By encouraging direct, supervised communication among the students involved, we strive to help students seek the good in everyone just as we attempt to encourage their individual growth in learning how to resolve their own conflicts. However, any acts of physical aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, defiance or disrespect) could result in parents being contacted to take the student home for the rest of the day. Continued violations of school rules will result in parent contact and direct intervention by the Division Head or the Head of School and may result in more serious disciplinary consequences up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
Birthday Celebrations Birthday party invitations, party favors and presents may not be brought or given out at school. Presbyterian School celebrates student birthdays in several special ways. A good way for parents to include the entire class in the celebration is to provide a “treat” at school during snack or lunchtime. Please plan the date with the teacher well in advance. (Many families hold parties outside of school. If the whole class is not included in the plans, Presbyterian School suggests that the party not begin at dismissal time.)
Chapel The Chapel experience is a fundamental and distinctive part of a Presbyterian School education. Its purpose is to provide the spiritual foundation that will guide and balance a Presbyterian School student’s decision-making in daily life.
Early Childhood students attend chapel once a week. The School utilizes Bible stories, songs, discussion, dramatization, and prayer as essential elements in helping Presbyterian School students develop a spiritual core. Parents are welcome to attend chapel once a month on designated dates with their students.
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Dismissal and Departure from School At 3:00 p.m. doors will open and parents may pick up their child from the classroom until 3:20 p.m. Classroom pick-up will end at 3:20 p.m. and parents will be asked to leave the building at that time so that we may begin staging for carpool which will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Students will be released from the classroom only to the care of an authorized adult at the end of the school day. If a student is going home with someone other than a parent, please specify that in SchoolPass who is picking up the student. This is an important and necessary safety precaution.
If a student is not picked up by 4:00 p.m. and is not registered for iKids, the parent will be charged a flat fee of $25, and the student will remain in the lobby of Founders Hall until someone arrives for pick-up.
We encourage all parents to make every effort to schedule non-school activities and appointments after school hours. In the event that a student must leave school early please take the following steps:
1. Send a written note or email to the student’s homeroom teacher describing the situation. 2. Go to the SchoolPass app to request an early pick-up time. 3. Please pull up to the School building and click the intercom at the front door so your child can be dismissed to you.
Grading and Assessment Using a number of different tools and methods, the faculty seeks to provide parents and students with a clear picture of student achievement and growth.
The academic school year is divided into trimesters. In Kindergarten, student progress is described by teacher narrative and with symbols coding student skill development. Kindergarten parents will receive a report card at the completion of each trimester during the school year.
PK3 and PK4 parents will receive a written conference report at both the Fall and Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences. The conference report will provide narrative comments and an assessment of student skill development over the course of the school year.
Homework The purpose of homework in Kindergarten is to reinforce classroom learning and to develop good study habits. While reading is the foundation of each student’s daily homework, other assignments may be given to support classroom learning. Parents can help by scheduling a consistent homework time each day and by establishing a study area with minimal distractions and necessary supplies. It is important to encourage, motivate and guide your child but do not do the assignment.
Time spent on homework will vary, but Kindergarten should expect between 20-30 minutes of homework a day, including reading assignments.
Students who are absent when their assignments are given out, should, upon returning to school, take the responsibility of approaching their teachers to obtain the new assignments.
Please communicate with your child’s teacher if there is a homework concern.
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Lunch and Snacks All Early Childhood students should bring a small snack to school each day.
Lunch is an important social time for students, providing an opportunity for conversation and interactions among peers. Parents may provide a lunch from home or pre-order an ECI hot lunch to be delivered to the classroom. Student lunches should be in containers suitable for preserving the heat or cold since microwaves and refrigerators are not available. Names should be clearly written on the outside of student lunch boxes. Glass bottles and carbonated beverages are not permitted.
Social Emotional Learning Early Childhood students are supported by a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), who is trained to utilize psychological concepts and methods in programs or actions that attempt to improve the learning, adjustment, and behavior of students. Such activities include, but are not limited to, assisting with the development and implementation of individual educational programs, conducting behavioral assessments, and designing and implementing behavioral interventions and supports. LSSPs work with teachers to develop effective classroom management strategies or instructional practices. An LSSP must obtain and document, in writing, informed consent concerning all services they intend to provide to the recipient(s) of the psychological services prior to initiating the services. Licensees provide appropriate information as needed during the course of the services about changes in the nature of the services and afterward, if requested, to explain the results and conclusions reached concerning the services.
Toilet Training All EC students are expected to be toilet trained before the first day of school. Being fully toilet trained includes both urination and bowel movements. We promote independence in using the bathroom. Students should be able to undress, dress, wipe and wash hands unassisted. PK3 and PK4 students should not wear belts with their pants. We encourage bathroom independence and belts may sometimes become a hindrance.
If a child has more than one accident over the course of a single day, parents will be asked to pick the child up from school. The child may return to school the following day. Issues of recurring toilet accidents may result in a child having to adhere to an altered schedule until such time as the child is able to demonstrate consistency in using the bathroom without accidents.
Uniform and Dress Code Grooming and Appearance • It is the School’s expectation that when a student is wearing the uniform it is worn properly. Presbyterian School students should be neat in appearance and well-groomed at all times. The School asks parents to be supportive of this expectation, even outside of school. • For the sake of modesty, girls are expected to wear shorts under their uniform skirts.
Shoes, Belts and Accessories • Socks must be worn with shoes. Only close-toed, flat-heeled shoes or athletic shoes may be worn to school. Boots are not acceptable. • No belts for Early Childhood students. • Jewelry must be modest.
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• Only uniform outerwear purchased from Sue Mills or the PS online School Store may be worn inside school. Non-uniform cold weather outerwear may be worn to and from school and on the playground. • Make-up is not allowed.
Students may wear any combination of the school uniform that fits his/her personal preference. It is not a requirement to purchase every uniform option. Please Note: Items marked below with an asterisk (*) do not need to be a Sue Mills uniform item.
BOYS (PK3-K) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Button Down Oxford Shirt (white) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Dri-Fit Polo with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Button Down Oxford Shirt (white) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Shorts (khaki) ● Sue Mills Pants (khaki) ● Sue Mills Fleece Jacket with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Presbyterian Sweatshirt ● Appropriate outerwear from the PS School Store* ● Socks*
GIRLS (PK3-K) ● Sue Mills Front Zip Jumper (black watch plaid) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Peter Pan Blouse (white with navy piping) ● Sue Mills Oxford Short Sleeve Blouse with School logo (white) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Skort (khaki, blackwatch plaid) ● Sue Mills Shorts (khaki) ● Sue Mills Pants (khaki) ● Sue Mills Cardigan Sweater with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Fleece Jacket with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Presbyterian Sweatshirt ● Appropriate outerwear from the PS School Store* ● Socks*
Spirit Dress for Students All students will be given a PS Spirit t-shirt. Students may wear their Spirit t-shirt or any other Presbyterian School t-shirt with a uniform bottom on Fridays. Additional spirit wear may be purchased at the Presbyterian School Store at www.pshouston.org/SchoolStore. Presbyterian School t-shirts worn to school must be free of pen markings, signatures, comments or other written graffiti.
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Lower School Policies and Guidelines
Academic Enrichment Team (AET) The Presbyterian School Academic Enrichment Team (AET) is composed of specialists trained in a diverse array of pedagogies who support, enrich, and extend instruction beyond the classroom walls, recognizing and responding to the gifts and needs of 1st-5th grade students in targeted and specific ways. The AET, in partnership with the classroom teacher, works to develop knowledge of each student as an individual learner.
Members of the AET monitor the development of foundational literacy and math skills. The AET joins with classroom teachers to provide assessment, support academic development, and foster critical and creative thinking skills.
The AET also coordinates support and services for students with diagnosed learning differences. Determination for services will be made by the Academic Enrichment Team, the Division Head and the Counselor. Team members translate testing results and recommendations into specific interventions, accommodations and strategies. Implementation steps are summarized in a Student Action Plan which is shared with parents and the student’s teachers. By establishing a partnership that is among teachers, parents and community professionals, the AET facilitates effective, school-based responses to student needs.
While the School provides reasonable accommodations for students with diagnosed and current documentation of learning differences, the School is not able to accommodate all situations. Individual academic, speech or occupational therapy is not available; neither is a modified curriculum. Community professionals are not allowed to provide tutoring or therapy services on the Presbyterian School campus during the school day.
Arrival The following schedule refers to regular school hours: 1st-5th Grade Monday – Friday 8:10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Parents have the option to walk their children to the classroom in the morning beginning at 7:50 a.m. and ending at 8:10 a.m. After 8:10 a.m. parents will not be allowed to accompany their child to the classroom door. Students will check in at the front desk and be directed to their classroom by faculty or staff. Classes will begin promptly at 8:10 a.m.
A student is considered tardy after 8:10 a.m. If a student arrives after 8:10 a.m., the student should go to the Reception Desk in the lobby of Founders Hall for an admittance slip before going to the classroom. Excessive and unexcused tardiness or absenteeism may result in non- renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
Attendance Attendance will be taken each morning promptly at the beginning of the school day. Please notify your child’s teacher when your child will not be at school due to illness or other circumstances. When a student accrues 10 absences during the academic year, the Division Head will communicate with the family. When a student accrues 18 or more absences, the Division Head may determine that a different grading scale be used for academic assessment and reporting on the student’s report cards and transcript. Excessive absences of any nature may jeopardize a student’s current enrollment, the promotion of a student to the next grade, or
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renewal of the student’s enrollment contract for future academic years. Please note that absences and tardiness are part of a student’s official record and are reported on the transcript.
Behavioral Expectations Student discipline at Presbyterian School is a child-centered process that focuses on individual behaviors and choices. It is our goal to help students understand that they are accountable for their actions and to model for them what respect and responsibility truly mean. The guidelines for appropriate behavior are exemplified in the School motto, “As children of God at Presbyterian School, we respect ourselves, each other and the environment.” Incidents of inappropriate behavior are treated as “teachable moments” and are most often resolved through teacher guidance. By encouraging direct, supervised communication among the students involved, we strive to help students seek the good in everyone just as we attempt to encourage their individual growth in learning how to resolve their own conflicts. However, any acts of physical aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, defiance or disrespect) could result in parents being contacted to take the student home for the rest of the day. Continued violations of school rules will result in parent contact and direct intervention by the LS Division Head or the Head of School and may result in more serious disciplinary consequences up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
Birthday Celebrations Birthday party invitations, party favors and presents may not be brought or given out at school. A good way for parents to include their child’s class in the celebration is to provide a “treat” at school during snack or lunchtime. Balloons or other decorations are not permitted. Please plan the date with the teacher well in advance. (Many families hold parties outside of school. If the whole class is not included in the plans, Presbyterian School suggests that the party not begin at dismissal time.)
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices Cell phones and electronic devices (including any “smart device” such as an Apple watch) may NOT be brought to school by Lower School students. The sole exception to this policy is the privilege of using e-Readers for 2nd-5th grade students for reading only. Please note that only devices specifically designed as e-Readers (Kindles, Nooks, etc.) are permitted for this privilege. Students may only use e-Readers for reading books previously downloaded to the device (not for surfing the internet, listening to music, watching videos, etc.).
Students who would like the privilege of bringing e-Readers to school must have parent permission and must abide by the rules listed on the e-Reader Permission Form (distributed and collected by Magnus) before bringing their devices on campus. The School reserves the right to search and inspect personal electronic devices that are brought to campus as well as any data, messages or imagery contained on them.
Chapel The Chapel experience is a fundamental and distinctive part of a Presbyterian School education. Its purpose is to provide the spiritual foundation that will guide and balance a Presbyterian School student’s decision-making in daily life.
Every grade attends chapel once a week. The Chaplain utilizes Bible stories, song, discussion, dramatization, and prayer as essential elements in helping Presbyterian School students develop a spiritual core. Parents are welcome to attend chapel with their students.
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In addition to weekly chapel, several all-community chapel services are held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church to unite the community, mark important events, and manifest the Christian foundation of Presbyterian School. These events include Convocation, Veterans Day Chapel, Thanksgiving Chapel, Christmas Chapel, Easter Chapel, and the End of School Chapel.
Dismissal and Departure from School At 3:00 p.m. doors will open and parents may pick up their child from the classroom until 3:20 p.m. Classroom pick-up will end at 3:20 p.m. and parents will be asked to leave the building at that time so that we may begin staging for carpool which will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Students will be released from the classroom only to the care of an authorized adult at the end of the school day. If a student is going home with someone other than a parent, please specify that in SchoolPass who is picking up the student. This is an important and necessary safety precaution.
If a student is not picked up by 4:00 p.m. and is not registered for iKids, the parent will be charged a flat fee of $25, and the student will remain in the lobby of Founders Hall until someone arrives for pick-up.
We encourage all parents to make every effort to schedule non-school activities and appointments after school hours. In the event that a student must leave school early please take the following steps:
1. Send a written note or email to the student’s homeroom teacher describing the situation. 2. Go to the SchoolPass app to request an early pick-up time. 3. Please pull up to the School building and click the intercom at the front door so your child can be dismissed to you.
Grading and Assessment Using a number of different tools and methods, the faculty seeks to provide parents and students with a clear picture of student achievement and growth.
The academic school year is divided into trimesters. Parents may view report cards online (http://reports.pshouston.org) at the completion of each trimester during the school year. In 1st and 2nd grades, student progress is described by teacher narrative and with symbols coding student skill development. In 3rd - 5th grades, teacher narratives and letter grades communicate student growth and content mastery.
Homework The purpose of homework in the Lower School is to reinforce classroom learning and to develop good study habits. While reading is the foundation of each student’s daily homework, other assignments may be given to support classroom learning. Parents can help by scheduling a consistent homework time each day and by establishing a study area with minimal distractions and necessary supplies. It is important to encourage, motivate and guide your child but do not do the assignment.
Time spent on homework will vary, but 1st and 2nd grade students should expect between 20-30 minutes of homework a day, including reading assignments. 3rd-5th grade students will be required to copy their assignments into their planners. Students at these grade levels can expect 30-45 minutes of homework a day.
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Students who are absent when their assignments are given out, should, upon returning to school, take the responsibility of approaching their teachers to obtain the new assignments.
Please communicate with your child’s teacher if there is a homework concern.
Lunch and Snacks All Lower School students should bring a lunch, water bottle, and small snack to school each day. Students need to use lunch containers suitable for preserving the heat or cold since microwaves and refrigerators are not available. Names should be clearly written on the outside of student lunch boxes. Glass bottles and carbonated beverages are not permitted.
The school partners with Educational Catering Inc. (ECI) to provide hot lunches for Lower School students to purchase.
Social Emotional Learning Lower School students are supported by a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), who is trained to utilize psychological concepts and methods in programs or actions that attempt to improve the learning, adjustment, and behavior of students. Such activities include, but are not limited to, assisting with the development and implementation of individual educational programs, conducting behavioral assessments, and designing and implementing behavioral interventions and supports. LSSPs work with teachers to develop effective classroom management strategies or instructional practices. An LSSP must obtain and document, in writing, informed consent concerning all services they intend to provide to the recipient(s) of the psychological services prior to initiating the services. Licensees provide appropriate information as needed during the course of the services about changes in the nature of the services and afterward, if requested, to explain the results and conclusions reached concerning the services.
Uniform and Dress Code Grooming and Appearance • It is the School’s expectation that when a student is wearing the uniform it is worn properly. Presbyterian School students should be neat in appearance and well-groomed at all times. The School asks parents to be supportive of this expectation, even outside of school. • For the sake of modesty, girls are expected to wear shorts under their uniform skirts.
Shoes, Belts and Accessories • Socks must be worn with shoes. Only close-toed, flat-heeled shoes or athletic shoes may be worn to school. Boots are not acceptable. • Jewelry must be modest. • Only uniform outerwear purchased from Sue Mills or the PS online School Store may be worn inside school. Non-uniform cold weather outerwear may be worn to and from school and on the playground. • Make-up is not allowed.
Students may wear any combination of the school uniform that fits his/her personal preference. It is not a requirement to purchase every uniform option. Please Note: Items marked below with an asterisk (*) do not need to be a Sue Mills uniform item.
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BOYS (1st-5th Grade) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Button Down Oxford Shirt (white) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Dri-Fit Polo with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Button Down Oxford Shirt (white) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Shorts (khaki) ● Sue Mills Pants (khaki) ● Sue Mills Fleece Jacket with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Presbyterian Sweatshirt ● Appropriate outerwear from the PS School Store* ● Socks*
GIRLS (1st-5th Grade) ● Sue Mills Front Zip Jumper (black watch plaid) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Peter Pan Blouse (white with navy piping) ● Sue Mills Oxford Short Sleeve Blouse with School logo (white) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Skirt (khaki, blackwatch plaid) ● Sue Mills Skort (khaki, blackwatch plaid) ● Sue Mills Shorts (khaki) ● Sue Mills Pants (khaki) ● Sue Mills Cardigan Sweater with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Fleece Jacket with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Presbyterian Sweatshirt ● Appropriate outerwear from the PS School Store* ● Socks*
Spirit Dress for Students All students will be given a PS Spirit t-shirt. Students may wear their Spirit t-shirt or any other Presbyterian School t-shirt with a uniform bottom on Fridays. Additional spirit wear may be purchased at the Presbyterian School Store at www.pshouston.org/SchoolStore. Presbyterian School t-shirts worn to school must be free of pen markings, signatures, comments or other written graffiti.
Choir Uniforms
Lower School Choir Students in Grades 3-4 may choose to join Lower School Choir which meets to rehearse before school on Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. Choir members are asked to wear the same uniform pieces for performances on and off campus.
For chapel performance, boys wear : • uniform khaki pants • long sleeve white button down shirt • a brown belt • leather dress shoes
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For chapel performance, girls wear: • white shirt with Peter Pan collar • plaid skirt • white tights (first pair provided by the school) • dress shoes
All choir students wear uniform khaki shorts/skorts and the Spirit Shirt (issued on the first day of school) for casual performances like outdoor sporting events.
Panther Singers Advanced Choir Panther Singers Advanced Choir (select 4th & 5th graders) is made up of advanced 4th grade singers who also sing in Lower School Choir as well as 5th graders who elect choir as their music class.
For chapel performance, boys wear : • uniform khaki pants • long sleeve white button down shirt • a brown belt • leather dress shoes
For chapel performance, girls wear: ● White Oxford Short Sleeve Blouse with School logo • plaid skirt • dress shoes with no show socks
For concert attire, students are issued choir uniforms. Girls wear a gown and boys wear tuxedo pants, white shirts, tuxedo vests and ties. Families provide the needed footwear: black dress shoes for boys, black ballet flats for girls. Choir Uniforms need to be dry cleaned before turning them in at the end of the year.
All choir students wear uniform khaki shorts/skorts and the Spirit Shirt (issued on the first day of school) for casual performances like outdoor sporting events.
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Middle School Policies and Guidelines
Academic Dishonesty and Honor Violations Cheating, plagiarism, lying, stealing and vandalism are violations of the Core Values of Presbyterian School and run counter to the mission of Presbyterian School. Any instance of these actions will result in a significant response by the School up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
Any attempt to pass off another person’s work, words, or ideas as one’s own, whether on an assignment done at home or an assessment completed at school, is dishonest. In addition to other possible consequences up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years, students may be required to make-up compromised assignments. Credit for make-up work will be determined on a case-by-case basis. See Community Standards: Infractions and Accountability section for more information.
Academic Support Services The Presbyterian School Academic Support Services is composed of specialists trained in a diverse array of pedagogies who extend differentiated instruction beyond the classroom walls, recognizing and responding to the gifts and needs of our students in targeted and specific ways.
At the Middle School level, the focus shifts to study skills and organizational strategies. The Associate Head of Middle School heads this effort. The goal is to equip each Middle School learner with skills so that he or she can effectively manage time, place and information in a way that enhances his or her individual learning process.
When a concern develops about a student’s ability to keep pace with the demands of the Middle School curriculum, the Associate Head of Middle School will work with the student, parents, advisor and teachers to determine and facilitate necessary action. The goal is for each Middle School student to be able to effectively demonstrate independent mastery of required course content.
The Associate Head of Middle School coordinates support and services for students with diagnosed learning differences, establishing a partnership between and among student, teachers, parents and community professionals. In Middle School, the determination for services will be made by the Division Head in cooperation with the Associate Head of Middle School and the Middle School Counselor. The Middle School student is considered an integral part of this partnership. Testing results and recommendations are summarized into specific school-based interventions, accommodations and strategies. A written summary, the “Student Success Plan,” includes specific actions the student can take to help him or herself.
The Associate Head of Middle School will consult with faculty members in all subject areas so that effective interventions and accommodations are consistently available to support the student with diagnosed needs. While the School provides reasonable accommodations for students with diagnosed and current documentation of learning differences, the School is not able to accommodate all situations.
Supplemental, small group instructional services are not offered in Middle School as it is anticipated that students will be equipped to work through the Presbyterian School curriculum supported by accommodations detailed in the Student Success Plans.
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Individual academic, speech or occupational therapy is not available; neither is a modified curriculum. Community professionals are not allowed to provide tutoring or therapy services on the Presbyterian School campus.
Advisory Program Each student will be assigned to an advisory. Each advisory group will have an advisor who is responsible for closely monitoring a student’s overall academic, social and emotional well-being. The advisor communicates with the other teachers of a student to maintain a comprehensive picture of the child’s progress. The advisor is the primary link between school and home and meets with parents during parent-teacher conferences. Parent/Teacher conferences will be scheduled twice during the school year with the advisor. In the Middle School, all students lead their conferences, and the advisors act as facilitators. Parents are encouraged to contact the advisor throughout the year for information and assistance.
Arrival & Attendance The following schedule refers to regular school hours:
Grade 6 - 8 Monday - Friday 7:55 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up for Middle School students are at the Barkdull entrance only. Students may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and should go up to the Middle School. iPads should be used under direct adult supervision only.
Given the increased traffic on Barkdull, Pinedale, and Oakdale, safety is of overriding importance. With this in mind, drivers must refrain from all cell phone use, including texting, while driving on campus. During drop-off, the car should come to a complete stop before the student exits the vehicle. Please avoid having students walk between cars or remove items from the trunk of the car whenever possible. If parents need to park, they should use the North Parking lot bordering Main Street.
School begins promptly at 7:55 a.m. Students should arrive at school by 7:45 a.m. in order to get organized, put belongings away, and get ready for their day. Students who are not in their advisory and prepared for the day by 7:55 a.m. are recorded as tardy. If a student arrives later in the school day (i.e. after carpool is over), please pull up to Palm Court and have he/she walk into the building and upstairs through the main entrance to the middle school by LC181. Upon arriving at the locked double door entrance to the middle school, the student should click on the intercom to be buzzed upstairs.
Parents will be notified if their student is repeatedly late. Repeated tardies can negatively affect students’ performance at school. Tardiness and absences are recorded on the student transcript, a key document used by high schools in their admission decisions. A pattern of tardiness may negatively affect admission to schools. Excessive tardiness or absenteeism may also result in non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years at the School.
Students must attend the equivalent of four class periods in a school day to participate in games, practices, and after school rehearsals. Students who cannot remain on campus for the equivalent of four class periods are marked absent for the day. The exception to this policy can occur when 8th grade students are making high school visits.
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If you are having difficulty making it to school on time or have many absences, the School will respond accordingly: • Initial concerns (10 late reports to school or absences): The Head of Middle School will contact parents to discuss the issue. • Continued difficulties (18 absences): Students and parents will meet with the Head of Middle School to discuss strategies for improvement. Students will be placed on Academic Notice, which indicates the school’s serious concern that success is impeded by school attendance issues. The student's report card may also be modified with a different grading system. • Unremitting difficulties (24 absences): Presbyterian School may require a discussion on promotion to the next grade level for the following school year or non-renewal of the student’s enrollment contract for future academic years.
Athletics The Presbyterian School athletic program is founded on the principles of sportsmanship, cooperation, teamwork, self-discipline, and enjoyment. The fundamental athletic goal in all Middle School sports is to develop students’ moral, personal, and physical skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun. Through both team competitions and individual experiences, student athletes develop new sources of strength and confidence and gain a deeper understanding of the commitment needed to attain personal and team goals.
Inappropriate student behavior in athletics may be handled through the School’s regular disciplinary process with corresponding consequences up to and including dismissal from the School or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
The School’s home field is located at the Outdoor Education Campus at 9100 South Freeway 77051. All students in grades six, seven and eight are eligible to participate in athletics. However, football, baseball and softball are only available to grades seven and eight.
Presbyterian School is a member of the Houston Junior Prep Conference and competes against schools within the Greater Houston Athletic Conference. Middle School athletics is divided into three seasons: Fall, Winter and Spring. The School abides by the Conference’s requirements as to a student-athlete’s eligibility.
All athletes are required to have an Athletic Physical Examination Form on file at the School prior to participation in any sport. The Athletic Physical Examination Form is distributed and collected by Magnus. If a student is sitting out of PE because of an injury, it is up to the discretion of his/her athletic coach whether he/she can participate in athletic practices or games.
The behavior of spectators reflects directly upon the reputation of our school community. Presbyterian School fans should:
• Show respect for the opponent and officials at all times. • Show positive support for both competing teams, including the content of cheers and signs. • Know and understand the rules and concepts of the game. • Maintain self-control at all times. • Recognize and acknowledge good performances on either team. • Support those participating in and/or conducting the event.
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• Set a good example for visiting athletes and fans when we are their hosts. • Follow the directions of game administrators when attending athletic events. • Fans should be seated and remain in the bleachers or designated areas away from the team and playing areas. • The School may at any time ask a spectator to leave or prohibit a spectator from attending a Presbyterian School event that is on campus or at another location.
Fall sports include: Cross Country Field Hockey Football Volleyball
Winter sports include: Basketball Soccer Swimming Wrestling
Spring sports include: Golf Lacrosse Track and Field Baseball Softball
Backpack & Gym Bag Policy Middle School students must have a backpack. No rolling backpacks or carriers may be brought to school. Backpacks must be able to fit completely in the lockers.
Middle School students will also need to bring a PE bag to carry clothing and equipment needed for Physical Education and/or Athletics. Due to space constraints, each student may only bring a backpack and PE bag to school. These bags must be kept in the students’ lockers unless otherwise instructed. If a student participates in an after-school activity and has additional bags to store, a separate storage space will be assigned to that student.
All student belongings, including uniform items, books, binders, lunch bags, backpacks, and jackets worn to and from school MUST BE LABELED with the student’s full name and are subject to search.
Bicycle, Ride- and Walk-to-School Policy 1. Students in 6th-8th grades may ride bicycles or walk to/from school. Students biking to school must complete the School’s Bicycle Form distributed and collected by Magnus. Please contact the Middle School Office if your student is walking to or from the School. 2. Bicycles must have a lock, and each rider is responsible for locking up his/her own bicycle - not with a friend's bicycle. 3. All bicycle riders are to have helmets, or they will not be permitted to ride their bicycles to and from Presbyterian School. Permitted riders without helmets will be requested to walk their bicycles home that day and return with a helmet the next day.
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4. No riding on the sidewalks or the playground areas around the School will be allowed. 5. Riders must follow bicycle safety rules, ride only one person on a bicycle at a time, and ride only in the bike lanes while riding on the public streets. 6. It is requested that each parent discuss these bicycle rules with your rider. Parents assume FULL responsibility and liability for the rider's conduct, safety, and bicycle. 7. Infraction of these rules may result in loss of permission to have the bicycle on school grounds. The School cannot legally assume any RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY in connection with a child's bicycle if it becomes lost, stolen, or damaged. We suggest that every bicycle be licensed through the local Police Department.
Birthday Celebrations Birthday party invitations and presents are not to be brought to school in order to minimize the disruption of class and to avoid the unintended slights and inequities that frequently result from such celebrations. Students may bring a small treat to celebrate during advisory period only. Parents should make such arrangements with their student’s advisor.
Chapel & Assemblies The Chapel experience is a fundamental and distinctive part of a Presbyterian School education. Its purpose is to provide the spiritual overtone that should guide and balance a Presbyterian School student’s decision-making in daily life.
The entire Middle School joins together for Chapel once each rotation. A student team works with the Chaplain to plan the worship experience. Prayer, scripture, music and message are designed to encourage students to apply Christian teachings to their contemporary world and to engage them in joyous celebration. Guest worship leaders from First Presbyterian Church and the wider community will participate regularly.
In addition to these regular chapel services, Middle School students join with the full Presbyterian School community in worship throughout the year. These all-school chapel services manifest the spiritual anchoring Christian foundation of Presbyterian School. These events include Convocation, Veterans Day Chapel, Thanksgiving Chapel, Christmas Chapel, Easter Chapel and the End of School Chapel.
Students also gather for assemblies to discuss topics pertinent to the quality of life in the School, such as a showcase of student success or to benefit from guest speakers or outside cultural events. The program emphasizes ways in which our Core Values appear in the everyday. The School remains eager to utilize new and stimulating programs during assemblies. Parents with suggestions for assemblies should contact the School office.
Class Trips & Outdoor Education The goal of the Middle School Outdoor Education Program is the spiritual development of our students through fellowship, reflection, and servant leadership. Overnight, outdoor education class trips are integral in the mission of building confident students at Presbyterian School. Middle School students travel by grade level with increasingly challenging experiences and opportunities each school year. Details relating to each trip, including release forms, will be provided. Failure to return a signed release form prior to the deadline may result in a student being prevented from participating.
In addition to trip-specific policies and procedures set forth by the school, the sponsors, and the chaperones of any trip, all of the school’s regular policies and procedures, including those set
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forth in this Handbook, apply while a student is on school-related travel of any kind. Discipline will generally be handled through the school’s regular disciplinary process. The school may at any time require parent(s), at their own expense, to arrange for travel home for a student due to injury, illness or behavior.
Attendance on a grade level trip is required; non-refundable purchases are made in observance of this expectation. Parents who have questions regarding student attendance on a specific trip should contact the class trip coordinator and Head of Middle School to discuss the concern or conflict by the deadline announced in the trip informational materials. Students who do not attend a class trip are considered absent for these trip days unless otherwise noted by the Head of Middle School.
If a student does not obtain approval for missing a class trip, the School will ask that the family reimburse the non-refundable expenses unless an emergency necessitates the absence.
Communication Students and families should utilize appropriate lines of communication. Students are expected to address their concerns directly with the teacher or staff member involved. If parents have concerns or questions, please use email to share initial concerns. Parents should always schedule a visit rather than drop in unannounced.
Community Standards: Behavior Expectations
Promoting Citizenship: Through the middle school advising program, the Presbyterian School community focuses on the qualities that students must have in order to act as a respectful and responsible individual. Middle school students play a principal role in defining what a citizen of the community should be.
Our Behavioral Philosophy: At Presbyterian School, we believe that every member of our community should strive to live out the PS Core Values that reflect God's love for us. In this spirit, our students are expected to demonstrate honorable behavior consistent with our Core Values, acting with integrity by demonstrating respect in all that they do and say.
Core Values: Respect, Perseverance, Courage, Compassion, Integrity, Gratitude Motto: As children of God at Presbyterian School, we respect ourselves, each other, and the environment.
Citizenship and Community: PS Middle School students and faculty have created the following list of actions and norms that demonstrate appropriate behavior in various environments. It is important for our community to be held accountable for the standards they have set.
Hallways • Walk (even around the corners) • Pick up trash even if it is not yours • Recognize people’s boundaries • Use quiet voices • Close your locker cabinet quietly
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Classroom • Be on time for class • Listen to others while they are speaking; do not have side conversations • Support your classmates as needed • Have integrity by doing the right thing and making smart decisions • Don’t blurt out • Be respectful to teachers and students alike • Respect materials
Lunchroom • Wait quietly in the lunch line • Be polite to the kitchen staff (Say, “Please” and “Thank you”) • Clean up after yourself • Use restaurant etiquette
Assembly • Be respectful to speakers - listen and participate • Be respectful when reciting the pledge, motto, and prayer • Applaud to show appreciation, NOT to draw attention • When exiting, be respectful of the offices and classrooms around you
Sanctuary and Chapel • Be respectful to God • Sit up straight • Participate in the program as needed
Museums • Respect the shared space and museum guidelines set by teachers and museum staff
Community Standards: Accountability
Middle School Norms • Think twice; act once • Embrace opportunities that make a positive impact on others • Practice perseverance • Speak with kindness • Do the little things the right way, even if no one is looking.
The goal of the Community Standards Accountability System is to develop student character, to enhance self-discipline, and to promote a safe school environment that is conducive to learning. Presbyterian School expects students to demonstrate “ownership of action,” by which a child appreciates and learns from a mistake while seeking to restore relationships that may have been damaged as a result of a poor decision.
Students are expected to follow the Middle School community standards and behavior expectations while on campus and when they are representing the School in extracurricular activities off campus. When students ignore the School’s community standards and behavior
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expectations, the faculty will intervene. Faculty will work with individual students to recognize times when personal behavior does not meet expectations and to make better decisions moving forward. Students’ decisions will be treated with respect and confidentiality. In keeping with the mission of the school, teachers and administrators will communicate unresolved discipline concerns with parents both to keep them informed and to encourage their support in working together with students. Families are asked to support students and faculty through positive conversations at home that reinforce the behavioral expectations of the School.
Examples of situations where families could expect to receive an email: • Persistent uniform infraction—school and PE uniforms • Technology misuse • Persistent tardiness to class • Roughhousing • Persistent disruption in class or school event • Violation of the citizenship and community standards and norms
Examples of more serious events include but are not limited to: • 3 after school detentions in an 8 week period • Repeated or more egregious conduct violations • Disrespectful behavior toward a faculty or staff member • Social cruelty or intentionally aggressive behavior • Honor violation or academic dishonesty • Repeated violation of the School’s Responsible Use of Technology Policy • Safety violations • Major disruption in class or school event • Skipping class or leaving a supervised area without permission • Repeated use of obscenity or inappropriate language • Retaliation towards a student • Destruction/damage of property • Use of racist, discriminatory, or derogatory language, actions, or symbols
Infractions of Extreme Nature These infractions represent behavior of most serious concern as determined by the Head of Middle School in consultation with the Associate Head of Middle School and/or the Head of School. Presbyterian students rarely require severe disciplinary intervention; however, in the case of serious infractions or repeated suspensions, Presbyterian School may place a student on Final Warning Status and face the possibility of dismissal from the school or non-renewal of their enrollment for future academic years.
Examples of infractions of extreme nature include but are not limited to: • Possession or use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, illegal substances, weapons, or explosives at any time on or off campus • Extreme vandalism/destruction of property while at school or at a school function • Facilitating or supporting those who violate any of these rules • Utilizing technology in order to create or distribute illicit or harmful information such as violence, pornography, discrimination, harassment, bullying, or academic dishonesty
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Any of the above consequences will result in one or more of the following actions: • Detention (after school) When the consequence assigned for an infraction is an after-school detention, this consequence will be served on the following Tuesday or Thursday afternoon from 3:15- 4:00 p.m. If the detention interferes with an after school activity, parents may be asked to transport their student to the destination after the detention has been served.
• Loss of privilege
• Conference with parents
• Compromised grade (as a result of academic dishonesty)
• Suspension (in-school and/or out of school) On the day of any suspension, whether half-day, multi-day, in-school, or out-of-school, the student is not allowed to represent the School in sports, field trips, performing arts events, or extra-curricular activities. The student is expected to complete assignments from class during the suspension. However, it is the responsibility of the student to complete all missed work within two days of returning to school in order to receive full credit. Students will not be able to participate in after school activities on the same day as a suspension.
• Behavioral Warning Status Repeated offenses or a more serious first offense may result in a student going on Behavioral Warning Status. When Behavioral Warning Status is applied to a student, the Associate Head of Middle School will meet with that individual and his or her family to discuss the situation. If the student is violation-free for the next trimester, Behavioral Warning Status will be lifted. Behavioral Warning Status may carry over to the following academic year depending on the timing of the occurrence. If a student on Behavioral Warning Status commits additional conduct violations, the School may impose additional higher-level consequences in an effort to remedy the misbehavior up to and including dismissal from the school or non-renewal of enrollment for future academic years.
• Final Warning Status Conduct of the most serious concern may result in Final Warning Status. When Final Warning Status is applied, the Head of Middle School, Associate Head of Middle School, and/or the Head of School will meet with parents and the student to communicate a Behavior Improvement Plan identifying home and School responsibilities. The plan will be kept in the student’s file.
At the end of the school year, the student’s conduct status will be reviewed, and one or more of the following possibilities may occur: • If the student ends the year with no further conduct violations, the Final Warning Status may be lifted, and the student will start the following year on Behavior Warning Status. • If the student does not meet the terms of the plan, at the School’s sole discretion: o Final Warning Status may be carried over to the next academic year; OR o Re-enrollment for the following year may be denied; OR o The student may be dismissed from school; OR
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o Any other action approved by the Head of School may be implemented.
• Re-enrollment hold or denial for the following year
• Dismissal from Presbyterian School Only the Head of School may dismiss a student from Presbyterian School.
Counseling The goal of the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the Middle School is to help students with social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral concerns and allow them to develop to their fullest potential. The Counselor helps to support students in a developmentally-appropriate environment, respecting the challenges children face and nurturing their growth. Students may self-refer or be referred by administration, faculty or parents. The Counselor is also available to make recommendations to parents on matters of concern and will work closely with the parent community to help parents learn about the challenges and responsibilities facing both parents and students in today’s world.
The Counselor does not provide on-going therapy to students and is not a replacement for outside professional counseling. Working with the Middle School leadership and with families, the Counselor may make recommendations for students’ outside support services, as needed, and on request and will help manage consistent communication between any outside professional services and how approaches and ideas are implemented at school.
The Counseling Team follows a definition of confidentiality that is consistent with Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP), and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Code of Ethics. It is vitally important for the counseling relationship that what your child tells the counselor is kept in confidence, within the team, unless your child allows it to be discussed or it meets one of the examples below. Examples of when the school must share information without express consent: 1. The child is at risk of harming themselves or another. 2. Someone is trying to hurt your child. 3. There is a suspicion that a law has been broken.
Dismissal and Departure from School Adults authorized to pick up students must be listed on the Authorization for Pick-Up Form which is distributed and collected by Magnus. Carpool tags will be assigned to each family. Please display these tags to help ensure after-school pick-up runs smoothly and safely. As with morning drop-off, drivers should refrain from cell phone use, including texting. For safety, there will be no passing in the carpool lane. If a student is not available when a car arrives at pick- up, the driver will need to circle around and rejoin the back of the carpool line or park and walk in to retrieve the student.
Students who walk home, bike, or ride public transportation must have a signed bike form on file at the office authorizing them to do so. These students must check out each day with the faculty on carpool duty as they depart. Students who are walking or riding public transportation must leave promptly and not loiter on campus. Students who walk or ride public transportation and who are in PS+/Extended Care or after-school athletics must notify the supervising faculty member when they depart the campus.
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If a student is not picked up by 4:00 p.m. and is not registered for Extended Care, the parent will be charged a flat fee of $25, and the student will remain in the lobby of Founders Hall until someone arrives for pick-up.
Early Departure from School Please consider scheduling medical visits or similar appointments outside of school hours. In the event that a student must leave school early, please utilize the following procedure: 1. Ensure that the Middle School Office and advisor are aware of the scheduled early dismissal. 2. Go to the SchoolPass app to request an early pick-up time. 3. Please pull up to the School building, and call the MS Front Desk so that your child can be dismissed to you.
Grading & Assessment Using a number of different methods and tools, the faculty seeks to provide parents and students with a clear picture of student achievement and growth.
As teachers use online grade books to record student assessments throughout the school year, it is the responsibility of the student and his/her parent to monitor his/her academic progress on an ongoing basis throughout the school year. Report cards are distributed three times a year based on a trimester system in Middle School. Middle School teachers utilize letter grades to represent a student’s achievement in core academic classes. End of year report cards will be withheld until all library materials, technology reimbursements made for missing/damaged loaner items, and athletic uniform items are returned to the School or the appropriate reimbursement is paid.
Middle School Grade Standards: Goal: Student demonstrates independent mastery of concepts and skills.
97 – 100 ……. A+ 93 – 96 ………A 90 – 92 ………A- 87 – 89 ………B+ 83 – 86 ………B 80 – 82 ………B- 77 – 79 ………C+ 73 – 76 ………C 70 – 72 ……...C- 60 – 69 ………D Below 60 …….F
Academic Notice A student may be placed on academic notice at any point in the school year by the appropriate administrator. Conditions under which a student may be placed on academic notice include but are not limited to: • she/he receives two or more grades of D or F in a trimester • a student’s academic performance drops significantly • the effort and support required for a student to maintain a minimally acceptable performance is, in the School’s sole discretion, considered to be excessive
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• a student’s performance differs greatly from ability • a student’s attendance is affecting his/her academic performance or class participation
When academic notice is applied, The Associate Head of Middle School will meet with parents to establish an Academic Support Plan stipulating home-school responsibilities if a Student Success Plan is not already in place. Once the Academic Support Plan is in place, the student’s progress will be reviewed, and at the School’s sole discretion one or more of the following will occur: • academic notice is lifted or extended • a re-enrollment hold is applied • re-enrollment is denied for the following year • the student is dismissed from school • any other action approved by the Head of School
Student Eligibility in School-Related Extracurricular Activities Presbyterian School recognizes and appreciates student involvement in extracurricular activities. While participation in various programs (e.g. sports practice and choir concerts) is an essential part of student development, the significant time invested in these activities can lead to an unbalanced academic focus and/or effort. To that end, Presbyterian School expects that all students maintain passing grades throughout their time as members of the community. For a student who is in peril of fulfilling this requirement in any one course, the School may see fit to restrict extracurricular activities until academic performance improves.
Graduation Requirements Each Middle School grade has a required curriculum specific to that grade. For students who enter Presbyterian School after 6th grade, acceptance to a particular grade at Presbyterian School confers recognition of sufficient credit hours at the student’s prior school(s) to allow credited entrance to the grade of acceptance at Presbyterian School.
6th Grade 7th Grade Humanities: English Humanities: English Humanities: History Humanities: History Math 6/ Math 6-Accelerated Math 7/ Math 7- Accelerated / Math 7- Adv. Topics Earth Science Life Science Spanish Spanish I(A) P.E & Wellness P.E. & Wellness Old Testament New Testament Rotation: Art, Intro to Performing Arts, Choir Arts Electives
8th Grade Humanities: English Humanities: History Algebra 1/ Algebra 1- Accelerated / Algebra 1- Adv. Topics Introduction to Physics and Chemistry Spanish I(B) Arts Electives P.E. & Wellness Scripture: Contemporary Context
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High School Counseling The high school counseling process is introduced to middle school families in the summer prior to the start of a student’s 8th grade year. The High School Admissions Program Team will present the various materials available to families so that they may explore the admissions process at their discretion. Further conversations with students include the following:
• Academics – Recognizing the importance of having a strong transcript with evidence of improvement. • Recommendations – Students are familiarized with recommendation forms that teachers and administrators have to complete, and discuss the importance of the character traits, skills and habits that are listed on those forms. • Interviews – Students have admissions counselors available to them for interview preparation and planning. A preparation session is available upon request. • Essays – As students begin working on the application process, high school admissions counselors assist as needed or requested.
In the fall, every 8th grade family is invited to schedule a meeting with a Presbyterian School high school counselor. These meetings identify school options and facilitate the partnership between school and family. The meeting allows time for parents and students to ask questions about the process and understand the various responsibilities required of the family during the admissions season.
Homework The purpose of homework is to support students' educational goal of demonstrating independent mastery of concepts and skills. Presbyterian School students should plan on dedicating time each evening to reinforce classroom learning or to prepare for the next school day. In addition to daily assignments, work at home should include, at the student's initiative, review of past material, test preparation, and independent reading. The duration of homework completion may vary daily from class to class, and from student to student depending on that student's ability to master the concepts.
Students in Middle School may utilize a personal calendar system via paper planner and/or electronic iPad calendar. Additionally, students in grades 6-8 will access assignments and materials via Schoology. On the event of a premature holiday departure or delayed return to school, the student should communicate with teachers to set a time to make up assignments as soon as possible.
Please DO NOT allow students who miss school due to illness to come to school and retrieve books or assignments from teachers. If a student is too ill to come to school, he/she should not return to campus until healthy. Teachers will work with students to set up a reasonable period of time to make up work once the child is well.
Lockers The School provides each Middle School student with an individual locker space. Unless otherwise authorized, students may not affix photos, decals, stickers or any other such materials to the outside of their lockers.
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PS lockers have no locks, so no materials or valuables other than school books and supplies should be stored in the lockers. Only food consumed at break or lunch on a given day may be stored in student lockers. No food, candy, or drinks may be left in lockers overnight.
It is a student’s responsibility to keep his/her locker neat and free of trash at all times. Students should have no expectation of privacy in their lockers and lockers may be searched at any time with or without prior notice to the student or family. The Associate Head of Middle School and other teachers and administrators will periodically check lockers.
Lunch All Middle School students should bring a lunch, water bottle, and small snack to school each day. Refrigerators are not available. Names should be clearly written on the outside of student lunch boxes. Glass bottles and carbonated beverages are not permitted.
The school partners with Educational Catering Inc. (ECI) to provide hot lunches for Middle School students to purchase. During some Levels of Operation, ECI lunches may not be offered.
Lunch is an important social time for students. To that end, Presbyterian School does not permit drop-in visits by parents, siblings, or friends from outside the School for lunch. Parents are urged not to bring fast food meals to the students during lunchtime.
Narrative Comments Students and families will receive feedback on school-related efforts via narrative comments. Twice per year, a personalized letter created by the student's advisor will appear online as part of a child’s school record. While these comments do not contribute to the overall transcript of a student, families should read and reflect on the narrative, which provides a status report on social interactions, general academic performance, and character development. The narrative document, constructed by the grade level teaching team and written by a student's advisor, serves as a complement to each child's personal reflection which he or she creates prior to leading family conferences each semester.
Snacks and Food at School Middle School students have a short period mid-morning to go to their lockers, eat a snack and socialize with friends. Presbyterian School suggests that Middle School students keep a healthy morning snack and lunch in their lockers; however, no food, candy or drinks may be left in lockers overnight. Students are not permitted to use any of the food vending machines on campus during school hours. Students should not share or trade food with other students because many students have severe food allergic reactions. Students are not permitted to chew gum at school at any time and may only bring water (in a sealable bottle) in and out of the classroom.
Uniform and Dress Code The uniform serves as a symbol of the Presbyterian School community. Additionally, the uniform limits distractions that non-uniform dress brings into the classroom. Students are expected to wear the uniform properly, remaining neat in appearance and well-groomed at all times. All pieces of the student’s uniform should be labeled with his or her name. The Head of School is the final judge of what is acceptable.
Each morning teachers observe uniforms and grooming to ensure students are in compliance. If a student is out-of-uniform and the issue can be remedied at school, students are expected to make
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the adjustment. If an adequate adjustment cannot be made immediately, teachers will discuss methods to prevent the issue in the future. Uniform violations will result in a lunch detention. Students who continue to have issues with this expectation will receive further disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis.
Grooming and Appearance • It is the School’s expectation that when a student is wearing the uniform it is worn properly. Presbyterian School students should be neat in appearance and well-groomed at all times. The School asks parents to be supportive of this expectation, even outside of school. • For the sake of modesty, girls are expected to wear shorts under their uniform skirts. • Only 7th and 8th graders may wear make-up to school which should be minimal and natural in color.
Shoes, Belts and Accessories • Socks must be worn with shoes. Only close-toed, flat-heeled shoes or athletic shoes may be worn to school. Boots are not acceptable. • Belts must be worn with shorts or pants. Sue Mills sells a PS logo belt. • Jewelry must be modest. • Only uniform outerwear purchased from Sue Mills or the PS online School Store may be worn inside school. Non-uniform cold weather outerwear may be worn to and from school and on the playground.
Students may wear any combination of the school uniform that fits his/her personal preference. It is not a requirement to purchase every uniform option. Please Note: Items marked below with an asterisk (*) do not need to be a Sue Mills uniform item.
BOYS (6th-8th Grade) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Button Down Oxford Shirt (white) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Dri-Fit Polo with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Button Down Oxford Shirt (white) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Shorts (khaki) ● Sue Mills Pants (khaki) ● Sue Mills Fleece Jacket with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Presbyterian Sweatshirt ● Appropriate outerwear from the PS School Store* ● Socks*
GIRLS (6th-8th Grade) ● Sue Mills Oxford Short Sleeve Blouse with School logo (white) ● Sue Mills Short Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with School Logo (white, navy, light blue) ● Sue Mills Skirt (khaki, blackwatch plaid) ● Sue Mills Skort (khaki, blackwatch plaid) ● Sue Mills Shorts (khaki) ● Sue Mills Pants (khaki) ● Sue Mills Cardigan Sweater with School Logo (navy)
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● Sue Mills Fleece Jacket with School Logo (navy) ● Sue Mills Presbyterian Sweatshirt ● Appropriate outerwear from the PS School Store* ● Socks*
Spirit Dress for Students All students will be given a PS Spirit t-shirt. Students may wear their Spirit t-shirt or any other Presbyterian School t-shirt with a uniform bottom on Fridays. Additional spirit wear may be purchased at the Presbyterian School Store at www.pshouston.org/SchoolStore. Presbyterian School t-shirts worn to school must be free of pen markings, signatures, comments or other written graffiti.
Middle School P.E. Uniform All middle school students are required to change into a physical education uniform for P.E. classes consisting of Sue Mills athletic shorts, a Sue Mills P.E. shirt OR any official Presbyterian School spirit t-shirt and athletic shoes. Girls are asked to wear their hair tied back for P.E. No substitutions for the official PE uniform will be allowed. Students may carry PE clothes in a PE bag of their choice. Gym bags should be marked with a name. Athletic shoes must be worn during physical education classes. Failure to wear the PE uniform to class will result in an infraction.
Choir Uniform
6th Grade Choir All 6th grade students will participate in 6th Grade Choir, a singing group that orients all students, new or returning, to the importance of singing in a group at the middle school level. 6th Grade Choir sings as a grade level for school chapels and concerts.
For chapel and concert performance, boys wear • uniform khaki pants • navy polo shirt • brown belt • dark dress shoes and socks
For chapel and concert performance, girls wear • uniform khaki skirt • navy polo • leather shoes with no-show socks.
All choir students wear uniform khaki shorts/skorts and the Spirit Shirt (issued on the first day of school) for casual performances like outdoor sporting events and the Pop Concert.
Main Street Singers and Main Men Main Street Singers (7th & 8th grade elective for girls) and Main Men (7th & 8th grade elective for boys) form the choir who sings for Open House, school chapels and concerts, and off campus events as well.
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For chapel performance, boys wear • uniform khaki pants • navy polo shirt • brown belt • dark dress shoes and socks
For chapel performance, girls wear • uniform khaki skirt • navy polo • leather shoes with no-show socks.
For concert attire, the school provides choir uniforms. Girls are issued a gown, and families provide black ballet flats. Boys are issued tuxedo pants, white shirts, tuxedo vests and ties, and families provide black dress shoes and socks. At the end of the year, choir uniforms need to be returned dry cleaned.
All choir students wear uniform khaki shorts/skorts and the Spirit Shirt (issued on the first day of school) for casual performances like outdoor sporting events and the Pop Concert.
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Appendix A: Technology Policies
• Lower School e-Reader Policy • Lower School Responsible Use of Technology Policy • Middle School Responsible Use of Technology Policy • Student iPad Use Contract
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Lower School E-Reader Policy
In order for your child to enjoy the privilege and responsibility of using an e-Reader while on campus, your child must abide by the rules listed below. Please note that the list below is a starting point and may change at any point at the discretion of the administration of the School.
As a parent of a Presbyterian School student, I understand and agree that my child must adhere to the following rules regarding e-Readers:
• My child’s e-Reader is to be used on campus solely for reading at appropriate times as determined by his/her teachers.
• My child’s e-Reader is not to be used for games, music or any other applications other than reading.
• My child is solely responsible for the security and protection of his/her e-Reader. Presbyterian School is not responsible for damage, theft, or loss of his/her device.
• My child is not to connect his/her e-Reader to the Internet at any time while on campus.
• My child understands that all books on his/her e-Reader must be downloaded at home with parent approval.
• My child understands that his/her e-Reader is for his/her use only, and he/she may not allow others to use it.
• My child understands that he/she must take care of charging his/her e-Reader at home, and he/she will not have the opportunity to charge his/her device at school.
• My child agrees to have his/her name clearly visible on his/her e-Reader.
• My child understands that any inappropriate use of his/her e-Reader may result in its confiscation and the immediate loss of the privilege of using his/her e-Reader at school.
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Early Childhood and Lower School Responsible Use Of Technology Policy
All use of the Presbyterian School computer network must be consistent with the educational objectives and Christian mission of the School. Each student is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the School's network and technology resources. The use of the Presbyterian School computer network is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. Students must have parental permission to access the Internet.
At all times, Presbyterian School student use of the School network, technology equipment and Internet is to be guided by the School motto: “As children of God at Presbyterian School, we respect ourselves, each other and the environment” and core values: Respect, Perseverance, Courage, Compassion, Integrity, Gratitude.
As a parent of a Presbyterian School student, I understand and agree that my child must adhere to the following rules regarding the use of technology:
• My child will keep all personal information private. Personal information means name, address, phone number, password and birthday.
• My child will tell an adult if he/she receives any messages that are mean or that make him/her feel uncomfortable.
• My child will tell an adult if he/she encounters any pictures, videos or images that make him/her feel uncomfortable.
• My child will respect others by sending only kind and appropriate messages.
• My child will respect others by using polite and respectful language.
• My child will only access, change or delete his/her own files, never those of others.
• My child will only use applications, music, pictures, videos and files that are approved by a teacher or parent.
• My child will respect others by taking turns and sharing computer resources.
• My child will not take pictures of students, teachers or classroom activities without permission.
• My child will not make audio or video recordings of students, teachers or classroom activities without permission.
• Students must immediately report the loss or theft of any School devices, or electronic devices that may contain School related information. Lost or stolen devices should be reported to the homeroom teacher.
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Middle School Responsible Use Of Technology Policy
All use of the Presbyterian School computer network must be consistent with the educational objectives and Christian mission of the School. Each student is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the School's network and technology resources. The use of the Presbyterian School computer network is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. Students must have parental permission to access the Internet.
At all times, Presbyterian School student use of the School network, technology equipment and Internet is to be guided by the School motto: “As children of God at Presbyterian School, we respect ourselves, each other and the environment” and core values: Respect, Perseverance, Courage, Compassion, Integrity, Gratitude.
As a parent of a Presbyterian School student, I understand and agree that my child must adhere to the following rules regarding the use of technology:
• My child will show respect by using acceptable, responsible language in all communications. Threats, insults, vulgarities and swearing are inappropriate.
• My child will not use the network to send, post or view content that is objectionable. My child will tell an adult if he/she receives any content that is inappropriate or that makes him/her feel uncomfortable.
• My child will keep his/her cell phone in the "off" position during the school day. He/she will also keep his/her smart watch on "airplane" mode or, specifically, in a mode that is completely disconnected from any network or other connected device.
• My child will keep all personal information private. Personal information includes, but is not limited to, name, address, phone number, passwords, birthdays, social security numbers and credit card numbers.
• My child will use the Presbyterian School computer network and equipment for educational purposes only. My child will treat School equipment with care. My child will not attempt to disable or circumvent the network filter. My child will not use the network for commercial purposes.
• My child will respect the work of others and will not tamper with shared documents.
• My child will show respect by honoring the rights of copyright owners.
• I acknowledge that the School reserves the right to monitor all student devices, files, communications and activities.
• I acknowledge that Presbyterian School will fulfill its reporting obligations and cooperate fully with local, state or federal authorities in any investigation related to activities conducted through the Presbyterian School computer network.
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• I acknowledge that Presbyterian School does not approve, at any time, the use of social media or social gaming by middle school students without direct, persistent supervision of an adult.
• Students must immediately report the loss or theft of any School devices, or electronic devices that may contain School related information. Lost or stolen devices should be reported to Michelle Mota.
Parent Agreement: I understand that inappropriate electronic communication originating off campus or associated with social networking is to be dealt with in the family setting; however, the School, in its sole discretion, may take disciplinary action based on my child’s online or social networking behavior. When parents become aware of objectionable or threatening statements via their child’s social networking sites, they are to contact first the parents of the other student(s) involved prior to contacting the school. Parental oversight is strongly encouraged.
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Student iPad Use Contract
Your child has the privilege to use an iPad for academic activities. With this tool comes opportunity and responsibility. In order to maintain the privilege of School iPad use, it is your child’s responsibility to follow these rules. Remember that responsibility and respect provide the foundation for these expectations.
As a parent of a Presbyterian School student, I understand and agree that my child must adhere to the following rules regarding the use of iPads:
• My child will uphold the Presbyterian School Core Values in all uses of the iPad.
• My child will uphold the Responsible Use of Technology Policy in all uses of his/her iPad.
• My child will have his/her iPad in his/her possession at all times. In those instances when his/her iPad is not in his/her direct possession, it will be kept it in a secure location, either in his/her locker or under the supervision of an adult. If my child’s iPad is found in an unsecured location, the iPad will be held in the School Office.
• iPads are used in common areas only. Common areas include class spaces, Learning Commons, and hallways (with teacher approval). iPads are never allowed in bathrooms or locker rooms.
• No games other than School assigned games may be played while on the PS campus. This restriction applies to before school, breaks, study hall and after school.
• Social media will not be installed on my child’s iPad. He/she will not participate in social media exchanges while on the PS campus. This restriction applies to before school, breaks, study hall and after school.
• My child will not send or respond to text messages, including those to/from parents, while on the PS campus. This restriction applies to before school, breaks, study hall and after school.
• All audible alerts will be deactivated on my child’s iPad.
• My child’s iPad will be kept in its protective case at all times. My child’s name will be clearly visible on the case. If my child’s iPad is not in a case, the iPad will be held in the School Office until a case is procured.
• My child will take every precaution to maintain his/her iPad appropriately and to protect it from damage.
• My child will not allow any other student to use his/her iPad; likewise, he/she will not use any other student’s iPad.
• My Middle School child will use the School assigned screen lock code (Passcode).
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• My child will activate “iCloud Backup” in iCloud settings so his/her school work will be backed up daily.
• My child will start each school day with a fully charged iPad.
• My child will not take pictures of students, teachers or classroom activities without permission.
• My child will not make audio or video recordings of students, teachers or classroom activities without permission.
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Appendix B: Counseling Services, Informed Consent, and Confidentiality Statement
The Presbyterian Counseling Program is available to all students, parents, and teachers. The program includes individual and group support for students, advisory programming, and support services for families and faculty members. The purpose of the program is to encourage mutual respect and to enrich learning experiences. The counselor helps students: 1. Demonstrate a positive attitude toward themselves and others, 2. Develop self-responsibility, 3. Develop effective problem-solving and decision-making skills, 4. Enhance relationship skills, and 5. Learn to respectfully empathize and understand others. Presbyterian utilizes a team approach with each child. This team may include the student’s advisor, appropriate faculty, Chaplain, Division Head, Associate Head, Division Counselor, Nurse, and members of the Academic Enrichment Team. This team will serve the students, in coordination with the teachers, through classroom observations; advisory programming; coordination of tutoring; and other academic, emotional, social and behavioral support.
The enrollment of your child is consent to allow your child to receive services through our counseling office.
Students and parents should be aware that conversations with the counselor may be privileged and confidential, unless the nature of the communication reveals the immediate risk of harm to the student or others or a violation of the child abuse laws.
Presbyterian does not provide on-going therapy or therapeutic intervention. However, we offer outside suggestions and recommendations for counseling services and for diagnostic, educational, and/or psychological evaluations. Moreover, on-going therapy or therapeutic intervention may be required as a condition of continued enrollment at the School. The results of any evaluations performed off campus may be shared with the Division Head, Associate Head, Division Counselor, and Academic Enrichment Team. If appropriate, the results may be shared with the team working directly with the student being evaluated.
Students can self-refer to the counselors but can also be referred by a parent, teacher or administrator. The counselors are available to meet with students in small groups, in classroom guidance, or individually. Counselors may also meet with teachers, advisors, and students in group settings. Students often drop-in for informal meetings and minor concerns. In these cases, the academic and counseling staff does not always call the parents to inform them of the brief meeting. If, however, a major concern is voiced or suspected, parents may be called to discuss these issues.
Counseling services are provided by: Becky Swope, LSSP, NCSP Cortney Kindall-Ritchey, M.Ed., LPC
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Early Childhood & Lower School A Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) is trained to utilize psychological concepts and methods in programs or actions which attempt to improve the learning, adjustment, and behavior of students. Such activities include, but are not limited to, assisting with the development and implementation of individual educational programs, conducting behavioral assessments, and designing and implementing behavioral interventions and supports. LSSPs work with teachers to develop effective classroom management strategies or instructional practices.
An LSSP must obtain and document, in writing, informed consent concerning all services they intend to provide to the recipient(s) of the psychological services prior to initiating the services. Licensees provide appropriate information as needed during the course of the services about changes in the nature of the services and afterward, if requested, to explain the results and conclusions reached concerning the services.
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Appendix C: Carpool Routes
Early Childhood and Lower School Enter at Oakdale Street off of Main Street and exit around Pinedale Street to Main Street via Travis and Portland Streets.
Middle School Enter at Barkdull Street off of Montrose Blvd. and exit around Oakdale Street to Main Street.
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- 76 – APPENDIX C