SaintDominicSchool
Family Handbook
Early Childhood Development
Elementary Education
School-Age Care
1474 East Center Street
Kingsport, TN 37664
(423) 245-8491
Many families; one family.
All are welcome!
Mission
As a ministry of our Catholic community, Saint Dominic Catholic School believes in the blessings of faith through Jesus Christ; inspires spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical growth; and celebrates God’s gracious gifts.
Vision
Saint Dominic Catholic School’s dedication to faith, each other, and the development of children in Christ’s image, leads all to become lifelong learners committed to the service of humankind.TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISSION STATEMENT………………………………………..3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK
Diocesan Policies and Procedures
Handbook Policy Application
ADMISSION
Availability of Catholic Education
Class Size
Immunization
Non-Discrimination Policy
Order of Acceptance
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Dismissal Procedure
Wednesday Dismissal
Early Dismissal
Releasing Students to Adults Other than Parents
ATTENDANCE
Communicatin absences…………………………………….... 15
Exemptions
Perfect Attendance Awards
Sickness
Head lice Procedure……………………………………….…16
Tardiness
DISCIPLINE
DRESS CODE/UNIFORM POLICY……………………...….20
School Uniforms ..……………………………………………21
Compliance………………… ………………………………...23
Uniform-Free Days
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Tuition assistance… .………………………………………...26
PARENT PARTNERSHIPS
Communication from the School
Official School Organizations
Parent Appeal
Parent Conferences
Parent Responsibility for Providing Student Information
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Mass and Rosary
Nondiscrimination Practices
Religion Class: Participation
Sunday Activities and Sports at School
SAFETY, SECURITY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Authorization for Release from School
Emergency Information
Emergency Procedures
In-School Sickness or Injury of Student
Inclement Weather
Inclement Weather: School Age Care
Medication
Running
Security
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: ACADEMIC
Educational Trips/Outings
Permissible Non-Classroom Activities
5th Grade End of Year Trip
Homework
Related Arts Classes
Art
Library
Music
Physical Education
Report Cards and Grading
Retention
Testing
Textbooks
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: NON-ACADEMIC
Lunch
Free and Reduced Meal Benefit
Recess
School Functions
School Parties
SCHOOL POLICIES
Change in Physical Custody of Child
Child Brutality, Abuse, Neglect, or Child Sexual Abuse: Reporting
Environment: Smoke Free/Alcohol Free/Drug Free
Personnel and Regular Volunteers: Alleged Sexual Misconduct Diocesan Policy
Rules and Procedures
Telephone
Visits to School
Weapons
eXtras
Approval: School
Electronic Devices
Invitations for Activities Outside of the School (i.e. Birthday Parties)
Family Handbook
Student Personal Property
HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK
Any reference to “Parent” is understood to mean parent or legal guardian.
For easy reference, this document has been organized alphabetically by both major headings and sub-headings.
This document has been hyperlinked to facilitate easy online viewing. It can be found on the school website. Below are the links to the website and to the SDCS Facebook page.
Diocesan Policies and Procedures
Most procedures in the Saint Dominic School Family Handbook have been developed in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Schools. Copies of the Diocesan Policy and Procedure Manual are kept in the school office, the principal’s office, and the library. These are available for reference by parents upon request.
Handbook Policy Application
All policies and procedures listed in this handbook apply to all students and programs, unless specifically stated otherwise (e. g. the uniform policy is only applicable to students in the K – 5 elementary school program).
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the main office of SDCS.
ADMISSION
Age of Eligibility
In compliance with the State of Tennessee Department of Education, Kindergarten applicants shouldbe five (5) years old on or before August 15 of the school year in which they apply. Kindergarten is compulsory in the State of Tennessee. First grade applicants shouldbe six (6) years old on or before August 15 of the school year in which they apply.
Availability of Catholic Education
No Catholic child will be denied a Catholic education because of inability to pay tuition. Families seeking assistance will be referred to FACTS on the SDCS website to learn more about potential assistance. Families are encouraged to seek advice and council from both principal and pastor as needed. (Policy & Procedure #1060)
Class Size
As per guidelines for the State of Tennessee, kindergarten through third grade must have a class size average of 20 or less students per grade with a per classroommaximum of 25 students. Fourth and fifth grades must have a class size average of 25 or less students with a per classroommaximum of 30 students. SDCS values the learning environment of each classroom and attempts to keep class size below these guidelines.
Immunization
All students must have the proper certified immunization records in their school files. Failure to do so may exclude the student from school until such time as their file is brought up to date. The State of Tennessee audits immunization records.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Saint Dominic School programs are open to people of all races, color, or national and ethnic origin and all are entitled to the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to children at the school. Saint Dominic School programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic or other school administered programs.
It is the parents’ responsibility to provide all files for the student prior to acceptance. Failure to do so may result in the student being denied acceptance. If it is discovered after the student has been admitted that records were withheld, the parents may be asked to withdraw the student. (Diocese of Knoxville Policy & Procedure #1010)
Order of Acceptance
St. Dominic School will admit all Catholic and non-Catholic applicants who were enrolled the previous year, assuming that attendance was beneficial to all. Other students will be enrolled according to the following priority:
- Catholic children in the parish
- Catholic children without a parish school
- Non-Catholic children with siblings already enrolled in the school
- Catholic children from other parish schools
- Non-Catholic children
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
It is expected that parents ensure their child(ren) arrive at school on time and, if applicable, ensure they are picked up within 15 minutes after dismissal. People of all faiths walk the SDCS halls and all are welcome.
Staff members will supervise students for 30 minutes before school begins, and 15 minutes after school is dismissed. School Age Care is available for students who need care before or after these times. The regular elementary schedule (K through 5) for Saint Dominic School is as follows:
7:00- 7:30 a.m.Before School Care
(A separate charge applies.)
All should enter through the gym doors.
7:30- 8:00 a.m.Students supervised in the gym
All should enter through the front doors at the office area.
8:00- 3:00 p.m. Elementary classes in session.
(Students who arrive after 8 a.m. and are not signed in by an adult will receive an Unexcused Tardy.)
8:00 – noon Pre-school classes in session.
*3:00-3:15 p.m.Students supervised in classrooms during dismissal.
3:15-5:45 p.m.After School Care for elementary students
Noon – 5:45 p.m.After School Care for pre-school students
(A separate charge applies.)
*Each Wednesday, dismissal is at 2 p.m. and studentsare supervised in classrooms from 2 - 2:15 p.m. during dismissal.
Dismissal Procedure
School staff will take the names of drivers who are waiting to pick up students. Students will remain in their regular classrooms until their names are announced on the intercom for dismissal. All students remaining in the classroom at 3:15 p.m. will be dismissed to After School Care.
Between 3:00 and 3:15 p.m., elementary students (K through 5)may be picked up in either of two ways:
- Parents/drivers may park in the playground lot, walk across Crescent Street, and wait outside the building for students to be dismissed.
- Parents/drivers may wait in their vehicles on Crescent Drive for students to be dismissed.The names from the first vehicles will be called. As those cars load and leave, the remaining cars will advance down into the area between bottom curb and driveway. Their names will then be called. If you need to be at the school for an extended period of time, please park in the playground parking lot. That way you will not impede the flow of dismissal. You must not wait mid-hill to make a left turn.
IMPORTANT
The safety of your children is our primary concern. Loading on Crescent Drive is a privilege. Patience and cooperation in all who participate is essential to assuring each child is returned home safely. Do not block any lane on Watauga Street or on Crescent Drive during dismissal. Normal traffic flow must have lanes open to go through the light. If there is not enough space for your car to fit in the Crescent Drive dismissal line without your car sticking out, please wait patiently in the indented area on Watauga Street, just above the red and white playground area. Wait there until cars on Crescent Drive move down. Between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m., Crescent Drive is a loading and unloading zone only. Students should load and unload on the curbside only. Please do not make a U-turn on Crescent Drive during pick-up and drop-off in order to get into the carpool line. Please make the turn from Watauga Street. Double parking on Crescent Drive is against the law. Turning left from the right-turn-only lane on Crescent Drive is against the law. Do not block the driveway at the pre-school playground near the bottom of Crescent Drive. Do not pull into that driveway to turn around. The drop-off/pick-up area on Center Street, near the gym entrances, is a handicapped-accessible entry and should remain clear. That area is restricted to people who are handicapped, people who are clergy, or people who will be in the building for only a short period of time (30 minutes or less). All students, parents, and visitors should enter the building through the front doors at the corner of Crescent Drive and Center Street by the main office between 7:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on regular school days.
Wednesday Dismissal
School dismissal time on Wednesdays is 2 p.m., providing time for faculty and staff meetings.
Early Dismissal
No student may be removed from the school premises during school hours without being signed out at the office by a parent.
It is requested that non-school appointments be made outside of school hours. When it is necessary for appointments to be made during school hours, it is required that a note be sent to the teacher. The teacher will turn in this note to the office. A student may be released from school onlyto his/her parents or other authorized persons. (See Releasing Students to Adults Other than Parents below.) The person coming to pick up the student should report to the office, sign the child out, and wait for the student to be sent to the office.
Releasing Students to Adults Other than Parents
If a student is leaving SDCS supervision with an adult other than the parent, the procedure is as follows:
- The parent/guardian MUST send a signed, dated note (text messages and e-mail notification are acceptable) to SDCS’s main office giving permission for the child to leave with another person.
- When a note is provided to the teacher, the teacher will initial the note and send it to the main office.
- If we are not familiar with the adult picking up your child, we will ask to see identification. If that person is not on your “approved pick-up” list, we will be contacting you before letting your child leave the premises. This is for the safety of each child.
ATTENDANCE
School attendance is required by state law. Since class participation comprises a significant portion of the grade, in the event a student has been absent for more than one-third (1/3) of a grading period, the principal, in consultation with the teacher, may determine whether or not a grade is assigned for that grading period.
Since class participation comprises a significant portion of the grade, in the event that a student has thirty (30) absences (excused or unexcused) during a school year, the principal will determine whether or not the student is retained in the same grade level.
Frequent absences impede the learning process. After five (5) unexcused absences, the Superintendent will be notifiedas stated in Tennessee Code Annotated #49-6-3007. In addition, the local school district is to be notified. Upon returning to school, the student must submit a written note from the parent stating the reason for the student’s absence. The principal will make the decision as to whether an absence is excused or unexcused.
Students will be required to complete missed class or homework assignments, as deemed appropriate by the teacher.
Guidelines for communicating absences
- It is the family’s responsibility to call the school by 9 a.m. when a student is going to be absent that day. If the schoolhas not been contactedby then, SDCS personnel will make reasonable effort to contact the family.
- Families are required to send a written excuse stating the reason for any absence. When the student returns to school after being absent, the written excuse is to be given to the teacher who signs it and sends it to the main office. Arrangements for making up work missed during a student’s absence should involve the classroom teacher when the student returns to school. Work may be sent home if the student will be out more than one day. Families must call the office by 9 a.m. to request make-up work. Make-up assignments must be picked up by 3:30 p.m.
- If a student is tardy, his/her family must sign the student in at the office.
Exemptions
- A student requiring homebound placement is exempt from the provisions of this policy for the duration of the placement.
- Students who miss classes to participate in school functions approved by the principal are not counted absent.
Perfect Attendance Awards
Perfect Attendance Awards are given to students who have been present every day during the school year, with notardies.
Sickness
Students who are sick must not attend school. Using the following guidelines, families should determine when the student is ready to return to school after an illness:
- Chicken pox--the student may return to school after all lesions have scabbed over (usually a week).
- Colds--a slight cough and stuffy nose with no fever should not be cause to keep your child home.
- Coughs--if a student has a hacking, persistent cough, he/she should be kept home until he/she sees a doctor.
- Ear infection--the student may return to school after starting medication.
- Fever--temperature should be normal 12 hoursbefore returning to school.
- Strep throat--the student may return to school 12 hours after initial medication and is fever-free for at least 12 hours.
- Vomiting and diarrhea--the student should keep fluids down at least 12 hours before returning to school.
- Lice—If lice are detected on your child at school, you must pick up yourchild and provide proper treatment. The child may returnto school when all treatment instructions have been followed.
HEAD LICE PROCEDURE
Saint Dominic School will comply with TCA Codes 4-5-202, 68-1-103, 68-1-104, 68-1-201, 68-5-104, Rules of Tennessee Department of Health Communicable and Environmental Diseases (Chapter 1200-14-01-.24) and the Tennessee State Board of Education 0520-12-01-.10 (10) (b) regarding head lice procedure. “With respect to an infestation of pediculosis (head lice), it shall be the duty of school authorities for any public school or day care authorities to follow the guidelines promulgated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)”.
Under the supervision of the parish nurse, Saint Dominic School office staff will comply with Rules and Regulations of Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses as set forth by the Tennessee Board of Nursing regarding medical confidentiality of lice. TCA Codes 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-7-105, 63-7-106, 63-7-114, 63-7-128, 63-7-207, 63-7-207 and Rule 1000-01-.13 (q) state that “violating confidentiality of information or knowledge concerning the patient, except when required to do so by court of law” is considered to be Unprofessional Conduct and Negligence, Habits or Other Cause. Rule 1000-01-04 (a) (b) (c) discuss Civil Penalties imposed when the Board finds a nurse guilty of a “willful and knowing violation” of the Nurse Practice Act (TCA) for which a civil penalty is assessable.
Each student identified with head lice will be documented in the medical section of RenWeb [Rules and Regulations of Nurses 1000-01-.13 (b)]. Any documentation in the medical record (thus in the student educational record) is protected by FERPA [34 C.F.R. 99.3 (f)].
FERPA [34 C.F.R. 99.36 (a) (c)] states “that if the educational agency determines that there is a significant threat to health or safety of other individuals, the agency may disclose personable identifiable information”. According to the CDC, head lice are not considered as a medical or public health hazard. They are not known to spread disease. In addition, head lice are not listed as a “communicable/dangerous to public health” disease that is reportable to the Tennessee Department of Health (TCA 68 Rule 1200-14).
FERPA states that “other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty” is protected information. In complying with FERPA and the board of nursing (TCA), no letters will be sent home notifying parents that a child in the classroom has lice.
Individual students will be checked for lice that are symptomatic (only). Upon completion of the assessment, if the office staff determines that the individual student has signs and/or symptoms of lice or nits, the student will not be sent home early from school. The student will remain in the classroom setting until the end of the school day.