A CHRIST-CENTERED EDUCATION
FOR A CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE
HANDBOOK
2016-2017
Contents
Faculty, Education Elders, Custodians...... 1
Philosophy...... 1
Organization and Purpose...... 2
Objectives...... 2
Home and School Cooperation...... 3
Enrollment Policies...... 3
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy...... 4
Curriculum...... 4
Registration...... 4
Fees and Payments...... 5
Religious Texts...... 6
Accident Insurance...... 6
Transportation...... 6
Health Services...... 6
Lunch and Milk Program...... 7
School Hours...... 7
Attendance...... 7
Grading...... 8
Standardized Testing Program...... 8
Parent Information...... 8
Parent Consultations...... 8
Homework...... 9
Dress Code...... 9
Church Attendance and Church Singing...... 9
Missions Collections...... 10
Conduct and Discipline...... 10
School Policies...... 11
Behavioral Guidelines...... 13
Leaving School Grounds...... 14
Daily Schedules...... 14
Telephone Usage...... 15
Emergency School Closing...... 15
Photographs...... 15
Athletics...... 15
Athletics and Activities in the Public School...... 16
Special Activities...... 16
Library...... 16
Parent/Teacher Organization...... 16
School Special Fund...... 16
Volunteers...... 16
Counseling Services...... 16
Parent Absence/Emergency Contact...... 17
How You as a Parent Can Help Your Child...... 17
1
St. Paul’s Lutheran School
315 S 9th St
St James, MN 56081
School telephone: (507)375-3809
Fax #: (507)375-3809
Email:
Website:
FACULTY
Principal/5-8Steven White307 9th St. South...... 608-451-1482
Grades 2-5Kathy Hoffman110 Tiell Drive...... 621-1278
Grades K-1Tammy Foss1142 8th S.t North...... 375-1331
PreK3/PreK4Beth Wessel801 1st St. South...... 621-0646
PastorMartin Lopahs300 7th Ave. North...... 621-4128
EDUCATION ELDERS
José Vidana924 4th St SouthSt James, MN 56084...... 507-621-1532
Josh Haseman924 9th St. South St. James, MN 56081 ...... 375-7507
Jared Johnson71123 380th St.St James, MN 56081...... 612-499-0183
CUSTODIAN
Larry Smith...... 621-0386
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
St James Bus Co...... 375-4181
Northside Elementary (K-3)...... 375-3325
Armstrong Middle School (4-6)...... 375-3321
St. James High School (7-12)...... 375-3381
St. James District Office...... 375-5974
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School...... 507-354-6851
PHILOSOPHY
God commands parents in Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” The primary purpose of St. Paul’s Lutheran School is to assist parents in this command. The teachers have accepted God’s call to “Feed My Lambs” (John 21:15) by teaching Good’s inerrant Word in its truth and purity. God’s Word is carefully interwoven into all subject areas in which the school strives for academic excellence. The children are to realize the God’s Word permeates every aspect of their lives. Our hope is to equip our students as disciples of Christ by creating a Christ-centered environment in which young people may grow and develop into adulthood. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a member of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
ORGANIZATION & PURPOSE
St. Paul’s LutheranSchool has been established by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, a member of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) through the grace of God. God moved the congregation to take this vital step in order to provide an agency whereby their children could receive an education founded on the Word of God. Thus, St. Paul’s offers a Christ-centered education. The school is here to assist the parents in carrying out their responsibility of bringing up their children in the “training and instruction of the Lord”. (Eph. 6:4)
As an agency of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the school also exists to join in “serving all people in God’s world with the gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of the Holy Scriptures” (Matt. 28:18-20). This can be done by enrolling children from the community and also by inspiring the congregation’s children to share their faith with others.
OBJECTIVES
The chief objectives of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School are:
- To teach God’s Word diligently in obedience to God’s command.
- To teach secular subjects striving for excellence
- To show children their sinful condition and lead them to trust in Jesus as their personal Savior.
- To build Christian character
- To strengthen the Christian home.
- To teach Christian citizenship.
- To enable children to be missionaries in their daily lives.
- To teach Christian stewardship of time, talents, and treasures.
HOME AND SCHOOL COOPERATION
The Lord through His Word has bound the home and the school together as one unit with one and the same aim when He said, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Parents dare not give up their God-given responsibility when they send their child to school. The teacher’s part is to give additional training so that the work of making our children wise unto salvation might continue uninterrupted and unhindered. Parents and teachers must join hands so that nothing may rob our children of the crown of glory laid up for them in heaven.
ENROLLMENT POLICIES
All school-age children are welcome to attend St. Paul’s LutheranSchool. To enter Preschool, the child must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1st and potty-trained. Children will be admitted to the other grades upon presentation of the records showing satisfactory completion of earlier grades. The school reserves the right to determine the grade placement of a child through special testing if this should appear necessary.
An enrollment form, emergency contact form, an UP-TO-DATE immunization record, physical exam form, and any student records from previous schools are needed for the school’s files.
The Prekindergarten class size has been limited to 14 children. The Kindergarten class size has been limited to at or about 10 children. (Considerations will be made when there are more than 10 students from St. Paul’s congregation). The size of grades 1-8 have been limited to at or about 20 students per classroom. Members of St. Paul’s receive first priority for enrolling their children. Members of other WELS congregations receive second priority. If room permits, others are also welcome to enroll.
Parents of non-member children are asked to meet with the Pastor/Principal before their children can enter school. At this time, the Pastor/Principal will explain the doctrinal position of St. Paul’s Evangelical LutheranChurch. This is done so that the parents are fully aware of the religious basis of our school.
The Principal retains the right to refuse admission to any student.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORYPOLICY AS TO STUDENTS
St. Paul’s LutheranSchool admits 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. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
CURRICULUM
A school curriculum consists of the sum total of any experiences which comes to the child through the school. Therefore, our curriculum shall provide, as much as is possible, within the limits of the school, for the total needs of every child - spiritual, mental, physical, and social. This is expressed in Luke 2:52: “and Jesus grew in wisdom (mental) and stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual) and men (social)”.
Our main point of emphasis in the curriculum is religion. Bible History, Catechism, and Hymnology are included in the program of religious instruction. The following secular subjects are taught in light of God’s Word: Mathematics, Reading, English, Spelling, Social Studies, Science, Penmanship, Music, Physical Education, and Art. The faculty conducts an ongoing program of curriculum study, attending conferences, workshops, and summer school. This is done to keep the course of instruction as current as possible.
REGISTRATION
Parents are asked to register children on “Registration Day” in March or August. The date and hours are published in the Sunday church bulletin, Panther Press, and local newspaper. Parents will receive information concerning the upcoming school year. Parents will pay the book, activity, and technology fees and tuition at this time, or they can make arrangements for tuition payments to be made during the school year. Accounts paid in full will be given a discount. Religious books are on hand for sale. All parents are to register their children on Registration Day or make arrangements to do so if they are unable to attend.
FEES AND PAYMENTS
St. Paul’s LutheranSchool is supported by all members of St. Paul’s LutheranChurch. Tuition is charged to all parents who send their children to St. Paul’s. The tuition is charged as follows:
COMMUNITY MEMBER TUITION*:
Preschool...... $1,205 (plus $35 religious fee)
Grades K-8...... 1st child - $1400
...... 2nd child - $1300
...... Additional children - $1200
MEMBER TUITION*:
Preschool...... $1,205 (plus $35 religious fee)
Kindergarten-8...... 1st child - $550
...... Additional children - $450
A book, technology, and activity fee will be charged to all students in grades Kindergarten-8 as follows:
Religious book fee...... $ 35
Book fee...... $135
Technology fee...... $ 60
Activity fee...... $ 35
Administration fee...... $185
Total*...... $450
Tuition paid in full on registration day will receive a 10% discount off the tuition. If tuition bills are not paid in full at registration, arrangements will be made with the education elders for payments.
The following policy has been adopted by the Education Elders:
UNPAID SCHOOL BILL POLICY (Pres-8)
If the parents fall behind in their payments, the following steps will be taken:
1) Payments that are 10 days late: A reminder will be sent
2) Payments that are 30 days late: An Education Elder will call you and discuss the situation.
3) Any unresolved payments: No academic credit will be given until payment is made, or arrangements have been made withthe education elders.
RELIGIOUS TEXTS
Students are expected to supply their own Bibles and memory books for religion classes. They may be purchased from the school. Confirmation materials may be purchased from the Pastor.
The following religious materials are required:
Grades 1-4: Memory Book
Grades 3-8: NIV Bible, Lutheran Worship Hymnal
Grades 5-8: Catechism
ACCIDENT INSURANCE
St. Paul’s LutheranChurch has liability coverage on the students attending our school. It is only for secondary coverage, however. Any deductible amount will be paid by the Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is provided by the St.JamesSchool District at no charge to our students in grades K-8, who live within the district. St. James Bus Service will transport children who live within the St.JamesSchool District to St. Paul’s. In town transportation will be provided from the North side of St. James. South side students do not receive service because the St. Paul’s is on the South side of town. The telephone number of the St. James Bus Service is 375-4181.
HEALTH SERVICES
Health services are provided by the St.JamesSchool District for grades K-8. Their nurse will visit our school on a regular basis. Teachers are not allowed to distribute aspirins and any other medication without a permission slip signed by the parent. If a child needs medication, parents are asked to send the medication with the permission form.
LUNCH AND MILK PROGRAM
St. Paul’s offers hot lunch 5 days a week, at $3.00 per meal. We ask everyone to fill out a free and reduced lunch program application. One glass of milk is provided with each hot lunch meal.Additional milk can be purchased at the cost of $0.25. Students who bring a lunch from home may purchase a glass of milk for $0.25.
Students are not allowed to have pop at school unless prearranged.
SCHOOL HOURS
Monday-Friday school hours are from 8:15 A.M. to 2:50 P.M. Children should not arrive at school before 7:45 A.M. Wednesdayschool hours are from 8:15 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Students are to return home promptly after school is dismissed unless they are staying for After School Care. We strongly suggest that they report home before going to a friend’s home after school. Preschool classes will run from 8:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. every day.
ATTENDANCE
Parents are urged to see that their children attend school every day unless illness interferes. Parents please notify the school by telephone by 8:10 A.M. if your child is going to be absent.
The teachers will enforce Minnesota’s School Attendance Law. Minnesota statute 260A:02 sec 30 sub 3 says a “truant” refers to a child who misses school instruction without a valid reason for a total of seven (7) days during the entire school year in elementary school. You will receive letters or phone calls after every unexcused absence. Your child will receive a detention for every unexcused absence. After 7 unexcused absences, an automatic truancy referral will be made to Human Services.
Unexcused absences and tardies include, but are not limited to: Shopping, hair appointment, missing the bus, overslept, running late, visiting family or friends (except in an emergency), car trouble, needed at home, vacations (unless the teacher is made aware well in advance), non-student appointments.
You are asked to make appointments, if possible, with doctors, dentists, etc. for non-school hours. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent, please contact the teacher so work can be made up ahead of time. By missing school students miss the entire educational experience. In case of unexcused absence the teacher may give extra assignments, detention, or require a service project. Three or more absences due to illness require a doctor’s note.
GRADING
Our school uses quarterly report cards with letter grades for most subjects. Kindergarten report cards are sent out each semester. Parents of children in the upper grades also receive mid-quarter reports. We believe that parent interest is the best motivator of student achievement and encourage frequent inspection of student work. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers whenever there is a concern with any grade, including daily work. Good communication is necessary for the sake of the child.
STANDARDIZEDTESTING PROGRAM
St. Paul’s participates in the Wisconsin Synod Testing Program. Each year the children take the Terra Nova Achievement tests. We can measure individual, class, and school performance. Thus, testing is valuable for both individual students and the school in assessing strengths and weaknesses. Parents and the Education Elders receive a report after the testing.
PARENT INFORMATION
We inform parents by school newsletter, The Panther Press, which are sent home on Thursdays, notes from teachers, our Sunday church bulletin, and Church newsletters provide further information. This handbook contains information helpful to parents. Parents should feel free to contact the school whenever they have questions or concerns. See page 1 for contact information
PARENT CONSULTATIONS
At the end of the first quarter, a parent/teacher consultation will be scheduled. At this time, parents are asked to meet with the teacher to discuss their child(ren)’s work. Parents are cordially invited to meet with the teacher at any time to discuss their child(ren)’s progress. Parents can help make conferences productive by jotting down questions, concerns, or suggestions before the conference.
HOMEWORK
Homework requirements vary by grade. Most school assignments can and should be done during the school day. However, not all children work at the same speed, so some children may bring work home. It is important for parents and teachers to communicate. If a parent is concerned about the amount of homework, please contact the teacher.
DRESS CODE
Children are to be neat and clean, reflecting their Christian attitude. Styles change and sometimes extremes in hair length and clothing are questionable. No piece of clothing that promotes un-Christian like attitudes will be permitted. Clothing that is ripped or torn is not to be worn to school. Students are to be properly covered. Leggings are allowed if the student’s bottom is covered with a shirt or skirt or other piece of clothing. There should not be any bellies, boxers, underwear, bra straps or items along those lines visible. Words on the seat of pants are prohibited. Shorts are permissible if the weather is very warm. If clothing is inappropriate, the student will be given something else to wear.
We appreciate parents taking an active part in seeing to it that the children look appropriate. If parents are in doubt regarding some aspect of dress, there is probably good reason for it. The “everybody is wearing it” argument is usually exaggerated, so feel free to contact your child’s teacher if needed. The teachers or Principal, likewise, may contact parents seeking cooperation.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND CHURCH SINGING
Christians love to hear God’s Word, want to grow in faith, and will regularly attend worship services where the Word is taught in its truth and purity. Christians also have “Old Adams” which tries to keep them from hearing God’s Word. Through regular church attendance the Holy Spirit to strengthens our faith. When relaxation, work, or family events keep us from attending church services, we are giving our children the message that we place a higher priority on these things than on God’s Word. Students who are unexcused from singing may receive an extra assignment pertaining to the singing or music.
The Christian Day School cannot substitute or do the parent’s work of training children in the Word. It can only assist them. To enroll the child in the Day School and then neglect the Word as a family is confusing for the child. Christian education in the school, faithful church attendance, and a rich devotional family life will help build the child’s faith upon a firm foundation.
When a child’s classroom is scheduled to sing or play tone chimes for a worship service, he/she MUST be present. Children should be at church by fifteen minutes before the service starts. Teachers are to be notified by parents if their child(ren) cannot be present. Singing/playing in church is a responsibility, and it hurts the group when much practice has taken place if some children do not come with the group.
MISSION COLLECTION
Our children are given the privilege of contributing to our school mission fund each Friday during a joint devotion service with Pastor. Mission projects are chosen each year. Children can begin learning good stewardship habits while young by contributing to missions. The size of the offering is not important, but rather that the children develop a Christian attitude toward giving and a sense of the privilege and responsibility that all of us have in this regard.