St. Leo the Great Catholic School
Parent - Student
HANDBOOK - CONTRACT
School Information, Rules, Regulations & Policies
A Catholic Elementary School
119 0ctavia Street
San Antonio, Texas 78214
(210) 532-3166
Administration/Leadership Personnel
Parish Administrator - Fr. Frank Macias
School Principal - Mrs. Carol Johnson
Director of Religious Education – Sr. Marjorie Vincik
Primary and Lower Elementary Team Leader - Ms. Evelyn Kompier
Upper Elementary and Middle School Team Leader - Mrs. Micaela Duron
Athletic Director – Coach Jesse Duron, Jr.
School Office (210) 532-3166
Church Rectory (210) 533-9108
Parish Religious Office (210) 533-9108
Revised July 2016
The Mission of St. Leo the Great Catholic School is to provide a Rigorous, Dual Language Academic Program Rooted in Gospel Values.
Table of Contents
Mission Statement
HISTORY
General Information
Philosophy of Education
Accreditation (Arch. Policy # 7300)
Administration
Policies
Admission (Arch. Policy # 3001, 3002, 3003, 3005)
Admission Requirements
Non-Discrimination (Arch. Policy #3001)
Student Transfers
Student Transfer to or From Home Schooling
Registration
Abortion (Arch. Policy #3305)
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Arrival Procedures
Dismissal Procedures
Early Dismissal Days
Severe Weather Dismissal Procedures
Asbestos
Athletics
Philosophy
Athletes as Role Models
Performance
Attendance
Eligibility
Grading Policy for Athletes
Personal Appearance
Equipment, Fees, and Physical Examination
Disciplinary Policies for Athletics
AIAL AWARDS
Player Discipline
Ethical Code for Conduct at Athletic Competition
WARNING
Facilities Permission
Waiting for Practice
Sports Contract
Athletic Booster Club
Attendance (Arch. Policy # 3101)
The School Day
Attendance/Tardies
Absences:
Tardiness:
Excessive Tardies or Absences
Cafeteria (Arch. Policy #3510)
Calendar (Arch. Policy #5002)
Child Abuse Policy (Arch. Policy #3507)
Community Service Projects
Conferences/Communications Procedures
Telephone Conferences
Communications
Email Communications
Copyright (Arch Policy # 7005)
Curriculum and Instruction (Arch. Policies # 7001, 7002, 7003)
Instructional Program
Religious Education
Curriculum
Curriculum Objectives
Curriculum Requirements
Pre-Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Grades 1-4
Middle School (Intermediate Level 5-6 grades & Upper level 7-8 grades)
Multi-Level Instruction
Catechesis in Human Sexuality & Sexual Morality (Arch. Policy #6007)
Criminal Background Checks for Parents and Guardians
Custody Notice
Counselor/Counseling
Discipline
Expectations of Students
Consequences
Code of Conduct (Arch. Policy #3301)
Student Responsibilities
Consequences for Non-Compliance
School Responsibilities
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
A Note to Parents
Elastic Clause
Disciplinary Action (Arch. Policy #3401)
Prohibited Items at School
Cell Phones:
Cash:
*3307 USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
Blogs
Bullying and Cyberbullying Harassment
Detention
Suspension (Arch. Policy #3402)
Suspension for Non-Payment of Tuition
Expulsion
Immediate Expulsion (Archdiocesan Policy # 3403)
Grounds for Expulsion
Probation
Administration Rights Regarding Disciplinary Policy
Searches
Classroom Discipline Plan
Academic and Conduct Behavioral Procedures
Missing Assignments Non-Participation Policy
Fines
Middle School
SEARCH AND SEIZURE (Archdiocesan Policy)
ANTI-HARASSMENT ENVIRONMENT
COMPLAINT FILING AND INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
Emergency Information Cards for Students (Arch. Policy # 3201)
After School Care Program
Application and Contract
Hours of Operation
Discipline
Report/Sign-In
Extracurricular Activities (i.e., Sports, Choir, Art Club, etc.)
Pick-Up/Sign-Out
Removal from the Program
Emergency Numbers/Authorized Pick-Up
Billing/Fees
Grouping of Students for Extended Day
Extended Day Schedule
Grade Time
Authorized/Unauthorized Areas
Authorized Areas:
Unauthorized areas:
Extracurricular Activities (Arch. Policy #3600)
Activities Program
Eligibility
Extra-Curricular Pick-Up Policy
Extra- Curricular Schedule
Faculty Meetings (Arch. Policy #7202)
Field Trips (Arch. Policy #7107)
General Field Trips
Eighth Grade Fundraising
Emergency Procedures (Arch. Policy #5200)
Building Safety Procedure (# 5201)
Crisis Management Plan (#5002)
Bomb Treat (#5203)
Tornado Warning (#5205)
Lock Down Drill (#5206)
Fire and Severe Weather Drills
Crisis Drills - On Campus
Fundraising
Grading Policy (Arch. Policy #7103, 7104)
Tutoring
Pre-Kinder, Kinder, and First Grade
Second through Eighth Grade
Conduct Grades
Honor Roll
Service Hours
Progress Reports/ Report Cards
Promotion Policy (Arch. Policy # 7105)
8th Grade Graduation Valedictorian & Salutatorian Guidelines
Guidelines for Christ-Like
Excellent academic and conduct behavior Conduct Guidelines
8th Grade Valedictorian and Salutatorian Committee and Requirements
Grievance Policy (Arch. Policy #3404)
Guidance and Counseling Services
Health and Safety (Arch. Policy #3500)
Immunization (Arch. Policy #3501)
Medication (Arch. Policy #3502)
Bloodborne Pathogens (Arch. Policy #3503)
Health File (Arch. Policy #3203)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Homework (Arch. Policy #7106)
Parent Electronic Portals
Use of Electronic Communication (Arch Policy #3307)
Internet
Internet Terms, Conditions, and Regulations
Library
Liturgy
Lockers
Lost and Found
Marriage and Co-Habitation (Arch. Policy #3306)
Media
Non-Discrimination (Arch. Policy #3001)
School Publication and Photo Release Permission
Publication Of Addresses
Parent Responsibilities
Parents as Partners
St. Leo the Great Catholic School Parent Teacher Club {PTC} (Arch. Policy #1403)
Homeroom Parents
Parties
Permanent Records (Arch. Policy #3202)
Access to Records
Transfer of Records (Arch. Policy #’s 3206)
Students Transferring from Public and Other Nonpublic Schools
Students Transferring Foreign Schools (Arch. Policy #3006)
Eighth Grade Transfers
Personal Property
Photos
Pregnancy (Arch. Policy #3304)
Safe Environment Training (Arch. Policy #2103)
Sexual Misconduct Policy (Arch. Policy #2104)
Substance Abuse (Arch. Policy #3309)
Principal’s Right to Amend
Sacramental Preparation and Celebration
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist Guidelines
1st Year Sacramental Preparation for Grades 1st to 5th
2nd Year Sacramental Preparation for Grades 2nd to 8th
Service Hours
School Council (Arch. Policy # 1401)
School Sponsored Activities, Events, Festivals, etc.
School Publications (Arch. Policy #5105)
Schools as Weapon Free Zones (Arch. Policy #5207)
Special Needs Students
Student Accident Insurance (Arch. Policy #3508)
Student Assistance
Student Transportation (Arch. Policy #3509)
Telephone Use
Testing Program
Textbooks
REGISTRATION, TUITION AND FEES
Registration Forms
Tuition (Arch. Policy #4401)
Tuition, Fees, & Mandatory Fundraiser
Registration Fee
Tuition
Fees and Mandatory Fundraisers
Cafeteria
Extenuating Circumstances
Withdrawal Refunds
Summer Programs
Library fines and Charges
Aramark
Field Trips
Family Service Hours
Before & After School Program
Uniform and Dress Code (Arch. Policy # 3303)
School Uniforms
School Shoes
Free Dress Day Guidelines
Face/Nails/Grooming/Hair Policy
Jewelry Policy
Other Dress Policies
Use of School Grounds
Visitors (Arch. Policy #5006)
Volunteers (Arch. Policy #2119)
Withdrawal Policy
Grievance Procedures
Grievance Policy for Student Expulsion & Employee Termination (#3404, 2014)
Local Grievance Council - Composition
Local Grievance Council - Duties and Process
Grievance Policy (Non-Expulsion/Non-Termination Arch. Policy #3405, 2015)
St. Leo the Great Catholic School Local Grievance Procedure
Parent-Student Contract
Mission Statement
The Mission of St. Leo the Great Catholic School is to provide a Rigorous, Dual Language Academic Program Rooted in Gospel Values!
HISTORY
St. Leo the Great Catholic School has been an integral part of the San Antonio Southside since it’s founding in 1920. More than ninety-five years ago, the Sisters of Divine Providence began to provide an educational and spiritual foundation for the children of San Antonio who lived in the surrounding community. They were followed by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in 1924. Literally thousands of children have received the benefit of their time, talent and treasure. The school is Accredited through the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department. On our last site visit, we received very high commendations from the Accreditation Team. Currently, the faculty is made up of dedicated lay men and women and religious. The faculty strives diligently to continue the school’s tradition of excellence in leadership education and faith development. Our alumni have excelled in every area of leadership; medicine, law, business, education, politics, etc. Some of our students include former U. S. Congressman Frank Tejeda, former Judge John Longoria, Joseph Pena, Attorney at Law, John Leal, businessman, Christine Villarreal, educator, Lourdes Correa, school principal, etc. The mission of St. Leo the Great School is to provide a Rigorous, Dual Language Academic Program, Rooted in Gospel Values.” We believe we have the qualities necessary to help children become what God intended for them to be…future leaders for our ever changing world.
General Information
Philosophy of Education
St. Leo the Great Catholic School primarily exists as an extension of the Roman Catholic Church, whose mission is the evangelization of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The school recognizes the parents as the primary educators of their children in Catholic values, morals, and academics. The school functions as an extension of that educational process and strives to aid in that education with attention to spiritual growth, academic excellence and physical development. Students are encouraged to share in Christ’s love, and to respect others as individuals, regardless of race, religion, or intellectual and physical abilities. A Catholic education and spiritual growth are seen as the keys to self-improvement, and the students are challenged to pursue excellence according to their abilities, needs and interests. The school is in partnership with the Church, parents, and community to foster civic and moral responsibility, and to instill a firm belief that we are called by God to work for peace and justice for the people of the world.
Goals
●Create a Catholic environment where faith is enlivened by knowledge, is shared by the school family, parish, and community.
●Provide opportunities for a spiritual relationship with God.
●Create an environment conducive to high academic standards.
●Provide opportunities and experiences that recall the contributions of the various ethnic groups and the privileges inherent in U.S. citizenship which required civic responsibility.
●Seek and demand equality in the sharing of the world’s resources through peace and justice for all people.
Objectives
●The faculty, through continued professional development, is empowered to implement the Archdiocesan objectives which are stated in the core subject curriculum guides.(p.11)
●Students will actively participate in the liturgy, sacramental life, prayer, and service to others. (p.11, p.27)
●Students are required to become active and participate in parish, community, governmental and global affairs. (p.13, p.34)
Accreditation (Arch. Policy # 7300)
Texas Catholic Conference Accrediting Commission (TCCAC) All Catholic Schools K-12 are accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Accrediting Commission (TCCAC). The Texas Catholic Conference Accrediting Commission is an accrediting agency established by the Bishops of Texas which has been formally recognized by the Texas Education Agency. The Texas Education Agency regards all schools of the Archdiocese, whether parochial or private, as a single school district. Consequently, it is the duty of the Superintendent to conduct business with the Agency on behalf of any school or schools in the Archdiocese.
Administration
Pastor Under Canon (Church) Law, the Pastor has absolute authority for St. Leo the Great Catholic School, answerable only to the Archbishop. Working under the guidelines of the Catholic Schools Office, the Pastor, along with the local School Council, establishes policies and ensures that the Principal carries out the policies in an orderly fashion.
Principal The Principal is the delegated administrator and educational leader of the school and is responsible for implementing sanctioned policies. The Principal is also responsible for organization, supervision of instruction, curriculum development, discipline, and the professional development of the staff through in-service programs. The Principal is instrumental in developing positive public relations with the school family, neighboring public schools, and the community at large.
Policies
Admission (Arch. Policy # 3001, 3002, 3003, 3005)
Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese are open to all students regardless of race or ethnic background, but preference must be given to students of the Catholic faith. Furthermore, in compliance with Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under the educational program or activity except as permitted under said Title IX.
Reasonable effort must be made to provide Catholic students with a Catholic education. Parish and school councils should make a strong effort to provide a Catholic education for students whose parents are unable to pay full tuition. In those cases in which physical space makes it necessary to restrict the intake of students in a given school, priority must be given to students of Catholic parents residing in the parish and who have demonstrated support of Catholic education in the past.
Admission Requirements
Parents who seek a Catholic education for their child enter into a contractual agreement between the parent/student and the school and the rules of the school governing all areas of the student’s development as stated in the school’s philosophy. As part of the contractual agreement there are explicit (expressed) and implicit (implied) expectations placed on both the parent/student and the school. Explicit rules and regulations are included in the parent/student handbook and various school communications. All students entering St. Leo the Great Catholic School are admitted on a Probationary
Status. Acceptance to the school is not final, and students may be dismissed/removed if deemed necessary by the principal.
●A student should be three years of age on or before September 1 to be admitted into the 3K program, and four years of age on or before September 1 to be admitted to the 4K program. A Pre-K student must be toilet trained.
●A student should be five years of age on or before September 1st to be admitted to Kindergarten. In the process of admitting students to Kindergarten, preference will be given to families who are parishioners, regardless of whether or not their child attended the school’s 4K program. Participation in a school’s 4K program does not ensure acceptance into Kindergarten.
●A student must be six years of age on or before September 1 to be admitted into the First grade. Exception may be made in the case of a student who has completed Kindergarten in a different state where the entering age is lower, provided there is also a written statement from the Kindergarten teacher that the student is ready for the first grade. Before a student’s admission the following records are required:
1.Official Birth Certificate
2.Baptismal Certificate ( if applicable)
3.Original Social Security Card
4.Report card from the previous school ( if applicable)
5.Standardized Test results (if applicable)
6.SLG Assessment Results ($10.00 Fee for Assessments of all new students). Exception – students transferred from a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
7.Health record (Form HQ-2)
●Immunization data
4 DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus), Chicken Pox, Hepatitis B,4 Oral Polio,2 Measles
Mumps,2 Rubella (German measles), HIB, Any immunization required by the Health Dept.
●Illness record
●Permission for participating in the school health program.
●The last DPT and Polio must been given after the fourth birthday.
Non-Discrimination (Arch. Policy #3001)
The schools of the Archdiocese admit students of any race or national origin to programs and activities with all rights and privileges. Equal opportunity and access is provided to students without regard to race, national origin or gender.
Student Transfers
When a student transfers from a Catholic School, a copy of the permanent record card and the original health record shall be sent to the receiving school when that school applies directly by mail to the sending school. These records will be released without an onsite parent’s signature, since it is assumed that the receiving school has that signature on file. All special education or psychological test results which are to be released to a receiving school must include a parent’s signed release of that information. The student’s permanent record card is then placed in the inactive file with a notation made indicating to which school the student has transferred, the date and the reason for the transfer. Transfer students will be accepted only at the Principal’s discretion. Eighth grade student transfers are ineligible for Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Student Transfer to or From Home Schooling
The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese do not provide this option because of the importance placed on socializing the student in a Catholic faith community, establishment of a positive self-image, and the development of relationships with adults and other students. However, we recognize a parent’s right to choose an academic institution that best meets their child’s needs.
Copies of the following certificates must be presented at the time of registration for all students:
1.Official Birth certificate
2.Baptismal certificate (if applicable)
3.Immunization records
4.Official cumulative record or transcript of previous grade
5.Completed Archdiocesan transfer form (if applicable)
Registration
No child will be allowed to register for the next school year if there is ANY outstanding financial debt to the school. Registration fees are assessed at the time of registration. Registration and other fees are NON - Refundable.
Abortion (Arch. Policy #3305)
Abortion, which disregards innocent human life, is incompatible with and contradictory to the fundamental teachings of the Church, the mission of the Catholic School and the values that ought to permeate Catholic education. Catholic teaching does not accept that anyone may justifiably arrange for or procure an abortion for oneself or for another person, be forced or pressured into having an abortion or influence or coerce another person to have an abortion. Therefore, the involvement of any student in procuring or assisting in procurement of an abortion is cause for such student to be dismissed from school. If it becomes known to any member of the school community that a student is contemplating or planning an abortion, all reasonable encouragement must be given to the student to save the life of her unborn child. In all circumstances, the mother of the unborn child must be treated with compassion and respect.