ST. DOMINIC SAVIO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Forming Servant Leaders in the Image of Christ Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook 2020 - 2021 9300 Neenah Ave Austin, TX 78717 www.saviochs.org Phone: 512-388-8846 Fax: 512-388-1335 Last Update: 8/14/20 Table of Contents ORGANIZATIONAL LIST 10 I. School Information 11 Patron Saint 11 The History of St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School 11 St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Mission Statement 11 St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Philosophy and Goals 11 St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Vision Statement 12 St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Core Values 12 School Colors, Vision, and Crest 12 The Diocese of Austin 12 Governance 12 Accreditation 13 The Savio Code 13 Fight Song 13 Alma Mater 13 Amendments to the Student Handbook 14 II. 2020 - 2021 Weekly Schedule 15 III. Student Services 16 The House System and Family Structure 16 Formation and Ministry 16 Chapel 17 The Diakonia Service Hours Program 17 Building Hours 17 Front Office 17 School Library 18 1 Lost and Found 18 Visitors 18 Telephone 18 Transportation 18 IV. Health and Safety 18 Health Information Records 18 Medication/Illness/Injury at School 18 Reporting Contagious Diseases 19 Student Accident Insurance 19 Boundaries and Designated Areas 19 Emergency Procedures 20 Inclement Weather 20 Release to Custody and Emergency Contacts 20 Ethics in Integrity and Ministry (EIM) 20 Reporting Child Abuse 20 V. Admission and Registration 21 Notice of Non-discriminatory Policy 21 Admission Policy 21 Tuition 21 Financial Information and Obligations 21 Family Information 22 Residence 23 Married Students 23 Students Who Are Becoming Parents 23 Withdrawal from School 23 VI. Academic Policies 23 The Honor Code 23 Academic Integrity 23 2 Cheating 23 Plagiarism 24 Procedures Regarding Academic Integrity 24 Preparation for College 24 Grade Level Classification 24 Graduation Requirements 25 Schedule Policies 26 High School Courses Taken in Middle School 27 Physical Education Credit 27 Fine Arts Credit 27 Independent Study Courses 27 Dual Credit Policy 27 Advanced Placement Courses 27 Advanced Placement Exams 28 Pre-AP and AP Course Placement Criteria 28 Semester Exams 28 AP and Senior Final Exams 28 Grading Scale (passing is 70) 28 Honors Credit 29 Honors Recognition 29 Diploma 29 Graduation 29 Ranking 29 Valedictorian and Salutatorian 29 Grade Posting 30 Grade Report Schedule 2020 - 2021 30 Homework 30 Student-Led Conferences 30 3 FACTS Database System 30 Failing Grades 30 Incompletes 30 Credit Recovery Policy 31 Semester Averaging 31 Exclusion of Courses from GPA Calculations 31 Transfer Students 31 School Records and Academic Transcripts 31 Ineligibility 31 Academic Performance Plan 32 Academic Probation 32 Academic Grievance Procedure 32 VII. Guidance and College Advising 33 Assigned Academic Office Hours 33 Learning Differences / Accommodations 33 Dating 33 Struggling Students 34 VIII. Athletic Policies and Procedures for Parents & Athletes 34 St. Dominic Savio Athletic Philosophy 34 Objectives of High School Athletics at St. Dominic Savio 34 Responsibility of the Student Athlete 35 Player Participation in Savio Athletics 35 Team Expenses 36 Player Participation in More Than One Sport per Season 36 Eligibility of the Athlete 36 Competition Level Expectations 36 Team Cuts 36 Team Chaplains 37 4 Team Captains 37 Social Media Responsibility 37 Ethics and Integrity of the Athlete 37 Absenteeism 37 Travel Procedures for Student Athletes 38 Parent Transportation for Practice/Events 38 Parent Transportation to Competition/Practice & Use of Personal Vehicle 38 Overnight Travel 38 Athlete Pick-Up 39 Early Release and Missing Class Time 39 Academics 39 Homework 39 Uniforms/Equipment 39 Athletic Forms 40 Injuries 40 Locker Room/Weight Room/Training Room 40 Parent and Coach Communication 40 Required Training/Meetings 41 Savio Athletic Booster Club 42 Expectations for all Savio Spectators 42 St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Sports Offered 43 Letter Award Standards for Interscholastic Sports at Savio 43 TAPPS District and State Awards 43 Physical Education 43 Collegiate Athletic Commitments 44 IX. Attendance Policies and Procedures 44 Minimum Attendance Policy 44 School-Related Class Absences 44 5 Excused Personal Class Absences 45 Pre Arranged Absences 45 Unexcused Class Absences 45 College Visits 46 Long Term Absences 46 Tardies 46 Early Dismissal/Off Blocks 46 Consequences of Absences 47 Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) Form 47 X. Student and Parent Conduct 47 Demerit System 48 After-School and Saturday Detention 48 Suspensions 48 Disciplinary Probation 48 Expulsion 48 Appeal Process for Expulsion 49 Type I Misconduct 49 Type II Violations 49 Type III Major Violations 50 XI. Student Expectations and Responsibilities 50 Building and Campus Security 50 Reporting of Safety Concerns Using STOPit 51 Bullying/Harassment Policy 51 Relational Aggression 52 Campus Search and Confiscation 53 Cellular Phones and Electronic Devices 53 Conduct on Buses/Vans 53 Dances 53 6 Deliveries 54 Dress Code 54 Ladies Uniform (Required Items) 54 Ladies Miscellaneous Dress Code Policies 55 Gentlemen’s Uniform (Required Items) 56 Gentlemen’s Miscellaneous Dress Code Policies 56 Unisex Uniform Optional Items 57 Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco/Vaping 57 Fireworks 58 Food/Drinks/Gum 58 Gambling 58 Gangs 58 Hall Passes 59 Insubordination 59 Lockers and Desks 59 Lunch Procedures 59 Mass/Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 59 Photography/Filming 59 Prayer 59 Public Displays of Affection (PDA) 60 Student Privileges 60 Social Media Responsibility 60 Spectator Sportsmanship 60 Student Driving and Parking Lot 60 Teacher Requested Meetings 60 Trespassing 60 Vandalism 60 Weapon Free Zone 61 7 XII. Acceptable Use Policy for Electronic Devices and Network Resources 61 Technology Vision 61 Acceptable Use Policy 61 Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) 61 Privileges 61 Etiquette 61 Rights of Access and Review 62 Limits of Liability 62 Security 62 Mobile Device Management (MDM) 62 Classroom Management Software 63 Vandalism 63 Wasteful Use of Educational Resources 63 Damages 63 Web Page 63 XIII. Student Activities and Extracurriculars 63 Academic Office Hours 63 Announcements and Communications 63 Assembly/Family Time/Pep Rallies 64 Athletic / Competition Conduct 64 Athletic and Fine Arts Equipment 64 Clubs 64 Extracurricular Activities 64 Field Trips and Service Trips 64 Gym and Weight Room Use 65 Leadership Eligibility 65 Posters and Signs 65 XIV. Volunteers and Community Involvement 65 8 Alumni 65 Athletics Boosters 65 Fundraising 65 Savio Parent Association (SPA) 65 Use of School Logo 66 Volunteers 66 Acknowledgement 66 9 ORGANIZATIONAL LIST Mrs. Misty Poe Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joan Wagner President Dr. Enrique García Principal Mr. Patrick Goertz Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Mrs. Stefanie Schiesser Assistant Principal for Student Life Mrs. Lan Nguyen Business Manager Mrs. Barbi Guerra Business Services Coordinator Mrs. Gina Kerley Director of Development Vacant Gifts and Records Coordinator Mrs. Katherine Mackowski Director of Communications Dr. Kenneth Kohutek Director of Guidance Mrs. Marina Glava College Advisor Mrs. Holly Bologna Director of Admission Vacant Director of Formation and Ministry Mrs. Louise Swain Athletic Director Mrs. Jill Spink Assistant to the Athletic Director Mr. Chris Molinar Director of Technology Mr. Jonithan Pendergrass Director of Facilities Dr. Danna Kelemen Administrative Assistant to President, EIM Management Mrs. Carmen Garza Administrative Assistant to Principal Mrs. Evie Cascarano Administrative Assistant/Registrar 10 Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook 2020 - 2021 I. School Information This handbook contains the philosophy and guidelines of St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School. It is the responsibility of all students and parents, and guardians to read and abide by the policies and procedures of the Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook. All students, parents, and guardians must sign the handbook agreement found on the last page and return it to the Assistant Principal for Student Life at the start of the school year. Patron Saint Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842 at San Giovanni di Riva, near Turin, Italy. Dominic was one of ten children born to Carlo and Birgitta Savio. A promising student of St. John Bosco, Dominic was a young person with an extraordinary love of God. Dominic once said, “I can’t do big things, but I want everything to be for the glory of God.” Dominic was an example of childhood holiness.He was nourished by the sacraments and held firm to his Marian devotion. On a visit to Turin, John Bosco’s mother commented to her son: “You have many good boys, but none can match the good heart and soul of Dominic Savio. I see him so often at prayer, staying at church after the others; every day he slips out of the playground to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. When he is in church, he is like an Angel living in paradise.” Unfortunately, Dominic died from tuberculosis on March 9, 1857. Pope Pius XI described Dominic Savio as “small in size, but a towering giant in spirit.” Dominic Savio was canonized on June 12, 1954. The History of St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School was founded in 2009 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin to serve the Catholic communities of central and north Austin. The school began in the fall of 2009 with 80 freshmen and sophomore students with Mr. Kevin Calkins as Principal. The school graduated its first senior class in June of 2012. The school has grown to its current size of 410 students, with 98 students graduating in the Class of 2020. St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Mission Statement St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School is a co-educational, college preparatory school founded by the Diocese of Austin to prepare young men and women to become faith-filled, visionary and inspirational leaders in service to the Church and the world. St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School - Philosophy and Goals St. Dominic Savio expresses the Church’s educational mission through faith formation, social development and awareness, and a strong academic program.