Holy Spirit Catholic School
210  A. Street
Rock Springs, Wyoming
HSCS Handbook

ADMISSION

Holy Spirit Catholic School, in adherence to diocesan policy, hopes to accept students who sincerely seek a religion-based education.  Students will not be denied admission on the basis of race, sex or national origin.

Admission procedures will include, but are not limited to, an interview with the Principal and the evaluation of prior academic records.  A copy of all prior transcripts will be placed on file at the school office.

• Students entering Pre-School must have reached the age of 4 on or before September 15^th of the current school year. 
• Students entering Kindergarten must have reached the age of 5 on or before September 15^th of the current school year.
• Students entering First Grade must have reached the age of 6 on or before September 15^th of the current school year.

ATTENDANCE     [top]

Consistent student attendance is critical to student learning and achievement.  Your son/daughter must come to school every day.  They must also be on time for classes each day.  Parents, please help us by making sure your child is at school each day and on time.

In the event that your child(ren) will be absent, please utilize the following guidelines:

Excused Absence - This is an absence that is being excused by the parent.  The parent/guardian should notify the school office at 362-6077 before 8:00 am.  A written note signed by the parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence must be given the the respective teacher in order for the student to be re-admitted to class.

Unexcused Absence - This is an absence that the parent did not clear with the teacher or school office.  The parent will be notified in writing when their child has accumulated more than two (2) unexcused absences.

Student Sign In/Out - Please sign your child in and out of school at the School Office counter before taking your child in or out of the classroom. 

Tardiness - Those students who arrive after the 8:00 am bell are considered tardy.  Tardiness is discouraged.  When a student is tardy, he/she will proceed to class as quickly as possible.  If a student is tardy five (5) or more times in a month's time, parents will be notified and encouraged to remedy the problem.  More than 10 tardy reports in a month's time will result in a recorded absence.

GRADING     [top]

Holy Spirit Catholic School uses the following scale for grading:

            A = 90 - 100%

            B = 80 - 89%

            C = 70 – 79%

            D = 60 – 69%

            F = 59% or below

The following marking code is used for Religion, Handwriting, Foreign Language, Music, Physical Education and Computer Literacy:

            O = Outstanding                                                           U = Unsatisfactory

            S = Satisfactory/Achieving                                          NI = Needs Improvement

Report cards are issued four times during each school year at the end of each nine week quarter.  During the school year, formal Parent-Teacher Conferences are held at the end of the first and third quarters.  The final grade for each quarter is calculated as follows:

            Class Work & Daily Preparation           40%

            Homework                                               10%

            Tests & Projects                                      30%

            Final Exam*                                             20%

*Final exams are not given in grades K – 3.  Therefore, test grades will count as 50%

HOMEWORK    [top]

The purpose of homework is to provide additional practice, reinforce skills learned at school and to make-up assignments not completed in class due to an excused absence.  Homework will also be assigned if the teacher feels that it is necessary for the completion of education goals.  Each assignment should have a definite and clear objective and students should be properly prepared to complete the assignment on their own.  The following guidelines will be used in assigning work:

Feedback – Teachers will give immediate feedback on each assignment and students should be encouraged to make necessary corrections.

Assignments – Quantities of homework will be assigned dependent upon age and grade level.

Grades 1 – 3                No more than 30 minutes per day

Grades 4 – 6                No more than 60 minutes per day

Under no circumstances will a student be given additional work as a means of punishment.

If a child seems to be spending an excessive amount of time on homework or, conversely, does not seem to be devoting enough time to studies, a parent may request a conference with the teacher to discuss the situation.

Homework is not usually assigned on weekends or holidays, unless make-up work is necessary or long-range projects are involved.

HONOR ROLL     [top]

At HSCS, we believe that the Honor Roll should represent students who are performing above average in both citizenship and academic skills.  Therefore, we will utilize the following criteria:

A Honor Roll – Students must have earned A’s in all subjects.

AB Honor Roll – Students must have earned A’s and B’s in all subjects.

B Honor Roll - Students must have earned B’s in all subjects.

Note:      At HSCS, Religion is considered equally as important as core academic subjects.  Therefore, a student who has received a mark of NI (needs improvement) in Religion does not qualify for Honor Roll during that quarter.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION     [top]

A student is promoted each year based on the recommendation of the teacher and the principal.  When evaluating the student’s progress, the teacher will consider the social, emotional, physical and moral development of the child as well as the student’s intellectual and academic growth.

If a student is to be retained in a specific grade, the teacher must be reasonably certain that retention in that grade will be beneficial to the student.  When, in the teacher’s judgment, retention is probable, the case must be discussed with the principal and arrangements made to meet with the student’s parents.  This meeting should ideally take place no later than the beginning of the second semester.

If a student is clearly unable to profit from the school because of academic or emotional difficulties, or if uncooperative/disruptive behavior by the student or parent inhibits the effective functioning of the school, the student may be required to transfer to another school. 

SCHOOL-WIDE PROCEDURES     [top]

In order to establish a safe and orderly environment, our school must have clear procedures for different areas of the school.  Please review the following simple procedures with your child(ren).

The HSCS Code of Conduct will be in effect at all times.

Playground Procedures

1. Students must not play with the rocks - leave all rocks alone.

2. Line up quickly, orderly and quietly.

3. Use playground equipment in a safe manner.  The playground equipment is intended to be used with proper and safe supervision of the teachers.

Lunchroom Procedures

1. Line up quietly and in an orderly fashion.

2. During the meal, students must use moderate tone of voices when talking.  No loud conversations.

3. Use appropriate table manners:  eat your own food, chew & swallow food quietly, etc.

4. Dispose of trash in proper containers.

Before and After School Procedures

1. All students are expected to be in the OLS Parish Center by 7:55 am each school day. 

2. Morning prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance will begin at 8:00 am.  Students will then proceed to their classrooms where instruction will begin. 

3. Students are required to ask for permission from the respective teachers to leave the classroom at any time.

4. At 2:55 pm students will return to the Parish Center and be dismissed to parents at 3:00 pm.  Students will  walk in an orderly fashion with their classroom teacher to the Parish Center. 

5. Students should not be picked up before 3:00 pm unless it is an emergency.  This disrupts the classroom and interrupts the teacher's lesson, interfering with the learning process for all students. 

6. Students who are not picked up by their parents promptly must wait near the school office with Mrs. Romero until they are picked up by their parent or guardian.

Out of Class Activities (field trips, assemblies, hallways and bathrooms)

1. Always travel from one place to another in a quiet, orderly fashion.

2. Use the bathroom facilities and other facilities in an appropriate manner.

3. Follow established bus procedures. 

4. If you need to talk, do this in an orderly fashion.

5. Always represent Holy Spirit Catholic school with Pride.

Classroom Parties

1. Classroom parties will be limited to Christmas and Valentine's Day.  The Pre-School and Kindergarten students may have a simple pre-Halloween party.  Birthday parties for students are not allowed.  However, with the Principal and classroom teacher's approval, a simple birthday treat will be allowed.  Any other celebrations must have the approval of the Principal.

2. To avoid any misunderstandings or ill feelings, kindly mail party invitations directly to the parents.  Distribution of birthday or other party invitations my not take place at the school.  This includes in the classroom, hallway or Parish Center by students or parents.

3. In addition, deliveries of flowers, balloons, etc will not be accepted at the school.  Please make other arrangements for these types of deliveries.

Use of the School Telephone

1. The school phone is used for school business only. 

2. If you must contact your child, please leave a message with the school secretary.  The secretary will give the message to the classroom teacher and the teacher will relay the message to your child. 

3. Students may not call for trivial reasons such as forgotten homework, library books, etc.  Calls are limited to emergencies only. 

4. If your child has a cell phone to use in case of an emergency, it may be brought to school provided it remains off during school hours and it is kept out of sight.

TUITION & FEES – 2008- 09 School Year     [top]

Registration Fees:

A non-refundable registration fee will be assessed to each family and is due with the completed registration paperwork.  This fee is in addition to the cost of tuition and will not be applied to the annual tuition obligation for the school year.  Application packets will not be accepted if incomplete and not accompanied by the registration fee.  Admittance to the school will be permitted only when the packet accompanied by the registration fee are returned to the office. 

            Family with 1 child:                $250

            Family with 2 children:          $470

            Family with 3 children:          $690

Annual Tuition:                    

Baptized Parish Members:            Pre-School (4 year old):                                        $1,400

                                                                       Kindergarten – Sixth Grade:       1 child              $2,299    

                                                                                                                              2 children         $3,299

                                                                                                                              3 children         $4,299

Non-Baptized/Non-Catholic:           Pre-School (4 year old):                                       $1,400

                                                                       Kindergarten – Sixth Grade:       1 child              $2,962 

                                                                                                                              2 children         $3,962

                                                                                                                              3 children         $4,962

All tuition payments are processed through our school office.  Tuition payment plans are as follows:

• Payment in full by September 5, 2008 - 5% discount

• Two (2) semester payments due by September 2, 2008 and January 5, 2009 - 3% discount

• Ten (10) equal installments due by the 15th of each month

Tuition may be paid my money order, cash or check.  Checks returned for insufficent funds will incur a $25 processing fee.

© 2008 Holy Spirit Catholic School Rock Springs, Wyoming
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