Star of the Sea Catholic School Parent and Student Handbook 2020 – 2021 1 DEAR PARENTS AND STUDENTS, Welcome to Star of the Sea Catholic School. In choosing Star of the Sea, you have demonstrated your support and commitment to Catholic education. As parents, faculty, staff and students, we work together as a community to provide a Christ-centered, academically challenging school program. It is our hope that this Handbook will be studied carefully in a family setting, so that students and parents alike are familiar with what is expected as stated in the Parent/Student Handbook. During the first week of school, please take the time at home to read and discuss the content of the Handbook and review it periodically during the year. As parents, students, faculty, and staff, we work together as a community to provide a Christ- centered and virtue-based school. The Administration and Faculty of Star of the Sea Catholic School 2 Table of Contents MISSION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................ 7 VISION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................... 7 SCHOOL INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................................... 8 PORTRAIT OF A STAR OF THE SEA GRADUATE ........................................................................................................ 8 PHILOSOPHY OF LEARNING .................................................................................................................................... 9 HISTORY................................................................................................................................................................. 9 ACCREDITATION .................................................................................................................................................... 9 SCHOOL GOALS .................................................................................................................................................... 10 RELIGIOUS .................................................................................................................................................................. 10 ACADEMIC .................................................................................................................................................................. 10 SOCIAL ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 PARENT’S ROLE IN EDUCATION ............................................................................................................................ 11 PARENTS AS PARTNERS ................................................................................................................................................. 12 ADMISSION POLICIES ........................................................................................................................................... 13 ACADEMIC STANDING ................................................................................................................................................... 14 SPIRITUAL LIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 15 WORSHIP ................................................................................................................................................................... 15 PRAYER ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15 SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION ......................................................................................................................................... 15 ACADEMIC POLICIES ............................................................................................................................................ 16 QUALITY WORK ........................................................................................................................................................... 16 HOMEWORK ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORTS ...................................................................................................................................... 17 REPORT CARDS ............................................................................................................................................................ 17 CONFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 DIOCESAN GRADE SCALES .............................................................................................................................................. 18 ACADEMIC AWARDS ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 ACADEMIC CONCERNS .................................................................................................................................................. 19 ACADEMIC PROBATION/FAILURES ................................................................................................................................... 20 PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY .............................................................................................................................. 20 PROVISIONS FOR TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR DIPLOMA .............................................................................................................. 20 TESTING PROGRAM ...................................................................................................................................................... 21 EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................................................................... 21 FIELD TRIPS ................................................................................................................................................................ 21 3 STUDENT RESOURCE TEAM (SRT) ................................................................................................................................... 22 SCHOOL COUNSELOR .................................................................................................................................................... 22 MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 6-8) ............................................................................................................................ 23 MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH PROGRAM AT STAR OF THE SEA ..................................................................................................... 23 HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT CLASSES ....................................................................................................................................... 24 MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................... 24 MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................... 24 DRESS CODE/UNIFORMS...................................................................................................................................... 26 PERSONAL APPEARANCE ................................................................................................................................................ 26 FREE DRESS GUIDELINES ............................................................................................................................................... 28 CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 30 RESPECT – RESPONSIBILITY – SAFETY ............................................................................................................................... 30 ITEMS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL.......................................................................................................................................... 30 LOCKERS .................................................................................................................................................................... 31 CELL PHONES .............................................................................................................................................................. 31 HONOR CODE ............................................................................................................................................................. 31 PEACEMAKERS PROGRAM .............................................................................................................................................. 32 HARASSMENT/BULLYING/VIOLENCE