2020-2021 Student & Family Handbook General School Information: Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette (Often referred to throughout this document simply as “Wellspring”) Pastor: Father Joseph “Joe” McLagan | Principal/Head of School: Robert “Robbie” G. Bernardin Jr. Address: 1100 Upham St., Lakewood, CO 80214 School Main: 303-237-0401 | Fax: 303-237-0608 | Parish Office Phone: 303-233-1523 Website: www.GoWellspring.org | General Email: [email protected] Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette is a ministry of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, a state-certified 501[c][3] tax- exempt nonprofit organization. Colorado State Tax Exempt Account ID: 98-18819-0000 Accreditation & Licensing: All Archdiocesan schools are accredited by AdvanceED/COGNIA and certified as Catholic through the Catholic School Endorsement of the Office of Catholic Schools. The purpose of accreditation is to acknowledge the professional educational standards of the school. The accreditation process is intended to act as a means of on-going planning and school improvement. All Catholic preschools, elementary schools, and before and after school care programs will be licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Resources. (OCS #1010) Acknowledgements & Assurances: COVID-19 DISCLAIMER Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that is substantially affecting all schools, including Wellspring, this school year, all policies in this handbook are subject to immediate adjustment or revision as is necessary to assure the health and safety of all students, staff and families, and remain in compliance with local, state, and/or national health regulations or guidance. REFERENCE TO ARCHDIOCESAN POLICIES Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools (OCS) policies are cited throughout this document in this format (OCS #_ _ _ _), and all of these policies are available online at https://denverparish.org/schools/policy-manual/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HANDBOOK SCOPE FOR 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR Because our school offers only Pre-K – 5th grade this year, the policies articulated here are intended for that age group of students. There are some Archdiocesan policies that have been omitted here because they do not apply to students of this age (i.e. Archdiocesan policies related to the Catholic School’s Athletic League), but these policies are readily available upon request if you desire to review them. Some sections in this handbook have been left intentionally blank or brief to hold space for future policies as our school grows. ASSURANCE STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE PURPOSES OF TITLE IX EDUCATIONAL ACT The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese, under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop, and at the direction of the Superintendent, attest that none of the Catholic schools discriminates on the basis of sex in its admission policies, its treatment of students, or its employment practices. NOTICE OF STUDENT NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L. and at the direction of the Superintendent state that all of their Catholic schools admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Furthermore, Archdiocesan schools admit disabled students in accord with the policy on Admissions in the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools Administrator’s Manual. These schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, disability, color, and national or ethnic origin in the administration of their educational policies, employment practices, scholarship and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO HANDBOOK The Principal retains the right to amend this handbook for just cause with or without notice. The school principal will attempt to keep the school families informed of all changes as soon as practical. Some changes might have to be made immediately due to unforeseen circumstances. Cover Photo: The mosaic pictured on the cover of this handbook, found behind the altar in our church here at St. Bernadette, depicts the healing waters of the wellspring in Lourdes, France, flowing forth from the feet of Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes. www.GoWellspring.org | [email protected] | 303-237-0401 | 1100 Upham St., Lakewood, CO 80214 | Page 2 Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, and Families, Welcome to Wellspring for the 2020-21 School Year! Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to be launching our school this year and opening many new classrooms and grade levels – it fills us with hope and joy to be expanding our Wellspring community and welcoming so many new students and families! Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette carries on the proud educational legacy of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, begun in this community when the parish first opened the doors of St. Bernadette Catholic School in 1953. Our newly reimagined parish school, named for the healing spring in Lourdes, France, where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette, builds upon our history and looks to our future, aspiring to become like the wellspring for which we are named – a fresh and abundant source of communal spirit, dynamic learning, spiritual vitality, and new life. We may be small, but we are mighty – a tenacious and inspired group of educators, parents, parishioners, and community members who hold an audacious vision for what a Catholic education can be. We are now one of only 4 Catholic EL (Expeditionary Learning) schools in the nation, and through our partnership with EL Education, we are redefining what Catholic education can be, forming young people to become the servant-leaders, the change-agents, and the mission-oriented disciples our world so greatly needs. As we undertake this work together, we could not be happier to have you in our crew, and as we continue to grow our new school and plan for our future, we welcome your voice and involvement throughout the process! As a student, parent, or member of this community, this handbook is for you. In this handbook, we lay out the policies and shared expectations to which we will adhere this year, and to which we expect all parents and students to adhere as members of this school and community. Through this handbook, we aim to provide clarity on and understanding of the policies and procedures of both Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette and the Archdiocese of Denver. The rules and policies set forth here apply equally throughout the entire school complex. This includes playground, gym, church, cafeteria, and at any other location where students represent or are identified with Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette. Principles of discipline that apply on school days and during normal school hours apply to the same degree during extracurricular and extended day activities. Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette is a parish school, a ministry of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and under the management of St. Bernadette parish and pastor. Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette is also an Archdiocesan Catholic School operated under the supervision of the Office of Catholic Schools of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver and is governed by the Archdiocesan Administrators’ Handbook. All teachers of Wellspring Catholic www.GoWellspring.org | [email protected] | 303-237-0401 | 1100 Upham St., Lakewood, CO 80214 | Page 3 Academy of St. Bernadette are degreed and/or licensed, or working toward licensure. All employees have been screened and been subject to a background check and have undergone training in the Virtus “Safe Environment/Call to Protect Training,” required by the Archdiocese of Denver. All volunteers at the school are also subject to background checks and must have attended the Virtus “Safe Environment/Call to Protect Training.” This is a mandatory training for all volunteers in any capacity at any Archdiocesan school. Remember that we are crew, not passengers… We are all in this work together, and we are partners in this important work of forming our children to become who God is calling them to be. Through prayer, communication, and trust, I know that we will have an amazing school year, and together, let us pray that God, who is with us in this good work, may help us to carry it through to completion. Peace + Gratitude, Robert “Robbie” G. Bernardin Jr. | Principal & Head of School [email protected] | 303-237-0401 Ext. 002 www.GoWellspring.org | [email protected] | 303-237-0401 | 1100 Upham St., Lakewood, CO 80214 | Page 4 Table of Contents: Please use this page for ease of navigation within this handbook. Sections Page 1. Our School Name, Mission, & Vision 6 2. Accreditation & Licensing 9 3. School Leadership & Governance 10 4. Admission Policies 11 5. Tuition, Tuition Assistance, & Financial Aid 12 6. General School Operations & Policies 16 7. Academic Program 21 8. Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten 23 9. Before & After School Care 24 10. Faith Formation & Sacramental Prep 25 11. Student Health & Wellness 26 12. School Safety & Security 29 13. Safe Environment Training / Volunteers 31 14. Student Conduct, Discipline, & Forms of Disciplinary Action 32 15. Student Rights & Responsibilities 38 16. Dress Code & Uniform 41 17. Adventures, Excursions, Sports, & Activities 44 18. Communications 46 19. Community Activities, Parent Organizations & Involvement 47 20. Fundraising & School Improvement 48 21. Building, Brand, Campus, & Infrastructure Policies 49 Addendums 50 Addendum 1: Technology Agreement 51 Addendum 2: Media & Photo Release 39 Addendum 3: Archdiocese of Denver Code of Conduct 40+ Please note, this document is numbered uniquely (pages 1–32). Signature Page (Final Page) 87 Within each section named above, topics are generally organized alphabetically. Please Note, all parents & students (of reasonable age) must sign to acknowledge that they have read & agree to all terms set forth in this handbook and all addendums. Parents of young children, please sign your children’s names on their behalf. Signature Page is located at end of handbook.