ABSENTEES

If your child will be absent for the day, please call the office at 433-8859 but before 8:15 a.m.  The office will notify your child’s teacher.

Announcements are sent out daily via email to any parents who are interested in receiving them.  Announcements vary from Pacelli and the elementary school, so if you have a child at each school, please feel free to sign up for both emails to keep you informed of sports, jean days, lunch menus, etc.  In order to sign up, simply send an email request to smarx@austincatholic.org for the elementary school announcements and to eevans@austincatholic.org for the Pacelli announcements.

We ask that you schedule appointments for your child during after school hours or on days off, but we realize that this is not always possible.  If you must do this, we ask that you sign your child out in the office.  The office will then call down the student if the student is not already there.  If your child returns to school, please stop in the office to sign them back in. 

The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. - Monday through Friday.
Please drop your child off at school no earlier than 7:35 a.m. when a faculty member comes on duty at the playground.  Students are expected to play on the playground until 7:55 AM, so please be sure that they are dressed appropriately for the weather.  Due to safety reasons, toys and balls are not permitted before school. If the actual air temperature or wind chill is below zero, then we gather inside.  K-3 students gather in the Kidstime Room, grades 4-6 gather on third floor.
So that teachers are free to greet their classes in the morning, please set up an appointment to talk to the teacher at another time.

For class celebrations, the birthday child may bring in a treat for his/her classmates.  Please plan this with the teacher in advance.

Bullying is prohibited and is defined as one or more actions of abusive treatment of another.  Examples include but are not limited to:
a)    Physical intimidation or assault
b)  Extortion
c)    Oral or written threats
d)  Teasing
e)    Putdowns
f)    Name calling
g)    Threatening looks
h)  Gestures or acts of aggression (overt and covert)
i)    Cruel rumors and false accusations
j)    Social isolation

School personnel will not tolerate any bullying on Diocesan school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity (on or off school grounds).  In addition, the Office of Catholic Schools expects students and parents who become aware of an act of bullying to report it to appropriate school personnel (e.g. director, teacher, school counselor).  The Office of Catholic Schools expects staff members who become aware of an incidence of bullying to take appropriate steps to intervene unless intervention would be a threat to staff members’ safety.  If a staff member believes that his/her intervention has not resolved the matter, or if the bullying persists, he/she shall report the bullying to the school director for further investigation.

In cases of reported bullying, the director or designee shall interview all students involved (i.e. the aggressor(s) and the victim(s)) and investigate, as appropriate.  This investigation may include interviews with students, parents, and school staff; review of school records; and identification of parent and family issues.  Any student who retaliates against another for reporting bullying may be subject to appropriate consequences.

Consequences for students who bully others shall depend on the results of the investigation and may include:

• Counseling
• Parent conference
• Detention
• Suspension and/or Expulsion

Depending on the severity of the incidents(s), the director may also report incidents of bullying to law enforcement if appropriate.

CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR

Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right.  All school rules are in effect while a student is riding the bus or at the bus stop.

RULES AT THE BUS STOP

• Get to the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick up time.
• Respect the property of others.
• Keep your arms, legs, and belongings to yourself.
• Use appropriate language.
• Stay away from the street, road, or highway while waiting and wait until the bus stops before approaching it.
• After getting off the bus, move away from it.
• Always cross where the driver can see you.  Wait for the driver to signal you before crossing the street.
• No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.
• No use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

RULES ON THE BUS

• Follow the driver’s directions immediately.
• Sit in your seat and face forward.
• Talk quietly and use appropriate language.
• Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
• Keep your arms, legs, and belongings to yourself.
• No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.
• Do not throw any objects.
• No eating, drinking, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
• Do not bring weapons or dangerous objects on the school bus.
• Do not damage the school bus.
• No sunflower seeds.
• No skateboards on the school bus.

CONSEQUENCES
If these rules are broken, the bus driver will report unacceptable behavior to the school.  Depending on the nature of the offense, suspension of bus privileges and or expulsion from school may occur.  Serious misconduct reports will be sent to the Department of Public Safety.
WEAPONS
Any student who brings a weapon to school could be expelled from school.
VANDELISIM
Students damaging school buses will be responsible for damages.  Failure to pay such damages within two weeks may result in loss of bus privileges until such damages are paid.
CRIMINAL CONDUCT
In cases involving criminal conduct- for example, assault, weapons, illegal substance possession, or vandalism- the Director of Schools, Law Enforcement, and Department of Public Safety shall be informed.
PARENT AND GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITES FOR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

• Become familiar with school rules, policies, regulations, and principles of bus safety.
• Assist students in understanding safety rules and encourage them to abide by them.
• Recognize their responsibilities for the action of their students.
• Support safe riding practices and reasonable discipline efforts.
• When appropriate, assist students in safely crossing the streets before boarding and after leaving the school bus.
• Communicate safety concerns to school administration.
• Monitor bus stops if possible.
• Support all efforts to improve school bus safety.

QUESTIONS
Any questions regarding student’s transportation or this policy should be directed to Becky Crumb at Austin Transportation, 433-5358.

We have three classroom parties each year.  They are for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.  Each classroom has a “Room Mom or Dad” who organizes the party for the teacher with other classroom parents.  You may be asked to be a “Room Mom or Dad” or assist at the parties.  Please help if you can, the children love the parties and they are lots of fun.

The Halloween Parties are in the afternoon.  We ask that your child changes into their costume right before the party.  We also ask that the costumes are not bloody, gory or violent in nature. No fake weapons can be brought to school as a part of the costumes.

Austin Catholic Schools has two conferences throughout the year.  Conferences may be scheduled outside the regular scheduled time to discuss matters as they arise.  Communicating with parents on a regular basis is important to the educational process.

The school day ends at 2:30 p.m.  Children wait in their classrooms and listen to the announcements for their turn to be dismissed.  When you are picking your student up please use extreme caution in the streets around school.  Students need to know their after school plans for his transportation before school each day.
So that teachers are free to get their students where they need to be after school, please make appointments to talk to the teachers for another time.

The last Friday of every month is a dollar jean day.  Our POWER Group decides which non-profit receives the money from this day.  Some examples of donations have been Humane Society, Red Cross, and leukemia/cancer research.

What is FISH!?
FISH! is a skill that provides the process, tools and language to generate the skills necessary to design a environment full of inspiration, creativity and innovation. FISH! creates a common language. A language that will help to improve our culture by using four simple practices – Be There, Play, Make Their Day and Choose Your Attitude™. FISH! is a wisdom that everyone can embrace. It is an invitation that enables people to care about each other and their commitments. FISH! is an ongoing journey.
To begin to change anything, we have to change the way we speak about it, the way we feel about it and definitely the way we act about it day in and day out.
That’s the beauty of the four simple but powerful practices that are the bedrock of The FISH! Philosophy:
Be There- When we interact with others, we really need to focus on that moment, with that person.  We take responsibility for “being who we are while we are doing what we’re doing.”

Play- This dos not mean to goof off, but it does bring a light hearted spirit to life.  Think about how much little children learn from exploring, experimenting, and playing.  Why shouldn’t we all approach life with the same curiosity and interest?  Besides it’s more fun!

Make Their Day- Too often we ask, “What have you done for me lately?”  Instead of, “How can I make your day?”  If we turn our focus around and do little things to make people feel good, we can have a powerful impact on the  people in our lives.

Choose Your Attitude- We can’t control what happens to us, but we do have a choice about how we respond.  By accepting responsibility for the attitude we choose, we also empower ourselves to change it.

Field trips are a privilege planned by teachers and approved by school administration with educational purposes as the primary objective.  Field trips are considered an extension of the school day and school rules apply. 
Your child's teacher will send a permission slip home for you to sign before s/he takes the class on an outing off campus. You may be asked to chaperone and/or drive on school outings or class trips, and your support is most appreciated.
Teachers are required to take emergency forms and first aid kits with them on class outings.

Because we are a privately run school and do not receive funding from the government for operational costs, fundraising is extremely important for us and makes up 30% of our budget.  Many families doing their small part in fundraising can really make a big difference.  Our first fundraiser is the Walkathon at the end of September.

In order to reinforce daily work and develop good study habits, Austin Catholic Schools promotes the use of homework by teachers.

The amount of homework a child may have will vary on a given day depending on the amount of work the child completes in school, and the speed as to which the child completes the work.  Here are suggested time allotments for homework:


Kindergarten and First Grades          10 minutes
Second Grade                          20 minutes
Third Grade                                      30 minutes
Fourth Grade                           40 minutes
Fifth Grade                              50 minutes
Sixth Grade                                       60 minutes

Each grade is expected 10 more minutes than the previous year. Each teacher sets their own homework policy. If a child is sick, it is suggested that a parent call and arrange to pick up homework or send it home with a neighbor or sibling. Homework will not be available in the office until after 3:00 each day.

For students in grades 4-6 there is Homework Club after school to help students get their homework done while a teacher is in the room to answer questions that may arise.

Austin Catholic Schools offers an extended day program called Kidstime, when school is in session for students who are enrolled in our school called Kidstime.  This program starts after school at 2:30 and goes until 5:30.  Parents are expected to check-out with the Kidstime personnel before taking their children and should clearly communicate who is allowed to pick up their children.

Students have lockers at school.  The lockers are not locked.  Students should not keep valuables or money in their lockers.  The school is not responsible if things are stolen.

The Lost and Found Box is located in the south entrance way. Please check it regularly for lost items. All items not claimed at the end of each semester will be given away.

You are welcome to come and have lunch with your child.  We ask that you not bring fast food into the cafeteria.  Please call ahead (the morning of is fine) to reserve a lunch for the day to ensure that we have ample food on hand and don’t run out for the students.  Our lunch times are:

11:35 Kindergarten
11:40 First Grade
11:45 Second Grade
11:50 Third Grade
12:05 Senior High
12:15 Junior High
12:35 Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades

The presence of students from other faiths provides a wonderful diversity to the school.  However, the presence of non-Catholic students in the school shall not alter the primacy of Catholic religious formation as an integral component of the educational program in the school.  As such:

• non-Catholic students are expected to participate in the religious formation and education programs of the school;
• non-Catholic students must participate in liturgies, retreats, other religious functions, and religion classes for credit;
• non-Catholic students may be exempt from formal co-curricular or extra-curricular sacramental preparation programs, but not from the catechesis held during the school day;
• students are expected, for testing and discussion purposes, to be knowledgeable of the Catholic Church’s positions on scripture, revelation and moral practices.  While Catholic teaching respects the various faith traditions of the students attending the Catholic school, parents must be aware that it is the Catholic position that will be taught.

The Catholic Church recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children.  The Catholic school exists to assist parents in the Christian formation of their children.

Parents are expected to display an attitude of respect and support toward the school, the staff, and the educational process by:

• supporting the school’s mission and commitment to Christian principles;
• supporting the school policies as outlined in the school handbook and regulations.  In addition, parents are to ensure their son/daughter has read this handbook;
• participating fully in school programs that are developed to support the education of their children;
• remaining informed about and involved in the religious instruction of their children.

In the event a parent desires to discuss a problem with their child’s teacher, the parent should make an appointment for a private meeting with the child’s teacher.   Teachers welcome the opportunity to discuss a matter of concern with parents before it becomes an actual problem.  Any parent who wishes to speak with the director may do so, but only after an initial meeting with the classroom teacher.

It is important not to block fire lanes or the bus stop in front of the building. Please do not leave your car parked in these or in other areas marked by NO PARKING signs.  Orange cones are often placed on the playground to keep students safe.  Please respect these cones.  Also if you drive on the playground go slowly as children may run out in front of cars.

Please arrange to have your child picked up at the dismissal times stated above. Children still at school at 3:00 pm and will go to Kidstime and you will be charged accordingly.  Please make sure that your child knows each day what the after school plan is. Phone calls to the office should be limited. 

The school arranges for individual and class photographs each year in the fall. Look for dates in a note that will come home and on the school calendar.

POWER stands for Prayer and Outreach Wherever Required.  The ACES Power Group is a group of students in sixth grade who are leaders for our school in community service.  They plan and implement programs to help our school focus on community service.

All students are expected to go outside for morning and lunch recess. If a child is well enough to be in school, we believe s/he is well enough to go outside. Exceptions are made only with a written note from home or if a student needs to complete work for a teacher.

Grades K-3:  Students eat a snack that you provide during the school day.  We encourage wholesome, ample snacks for your child, with no soda, soft drinks, candy or gum. The kindergarten gets free milk at snack time.  Older students may purchase milk for snack for $.35.  

The school calls a snow day or early dismissal when the local Superintendent and bus company determines that roads are unsafe and informs the schools in our area to close school for the day. Snow days and delayed openings are announced via the local TV and radio stations. Please have a plan in place with your student to avoid so many calls to the school.  We will email you dismissal times if you are on our email list to receive announcements.

The school is not responsible for providing supervision for students who remain on school property after the conclusion of the instructional day, unless the student is participating in a school-sponsored activity (such as athletics or Kidstime).  They are not allowed on the playground until a parent picks them up.

If your child arrives at school after 8 am, s/he must go to the office to check in before going to the classroom.

There is a phone in the office which students may use during the day with the receptionist's permission for emergency only. It is a business phone and we need to keep the line open.

The Austin Catholic Schools does its best to keep up with the demands of technology.  We charge a $5.00 fee at the beginning of the year to help us offset some of the expense of technology and accelerated reader.  The following is an Electronic User Agreement that students and parents in grades 4-6 must sign.
Electronic User Agreement
We are pleased to offer students, staff and volunteers of the Austin Catholic Community access to electronic resources, including computers, the internet, e-mail, telephones, fax machines, etc.  The Austin Catholic Community is committed to doing all that it can to promote a safe, healthy community of faith and education.  It is also committed to intervening immediately and fairly when there is misconduct.  Access to these resources is not automatic; administrator(s) may close an account or deny access to electronic resources at any time.

All users of Austin Catholic Community electronic resources are responsible for their conduct and are operating as agents of the Catholic community when using these resources will be monitored; misuse and/or abuse will be reported to the respective administrator(s).  If criminal activity is suspected, it will be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities.

All users of Austin Catholic Community electronic resources agree to the following items:

Transmission of the following material is prohibited:

• Copyrighted Material
• Threatening, Obscene or Pornographic Material
• Commercial Activities
• Advertising
• Political Lobbying
• Online chatting (unless otherwise granted)

Users are expected to abide by general communication etiquette, including:

• Politeness
• Use of appropriate language
• Granting others equal access when necessary
• Agreeing not to install, alter or change hardware or software configurations
• Agreeing not to publish personal information about others without their knowledge or expressed consent.
• Agreeing not to abuse equipment.
• Agreeing that electronic communications on Austin Catholic Community property are not private, including the use of personal equipment on church or school property, (except when bound by confidential privilege).

The Austin Catholic Schools tests students in elementary school using the Direct Reading Assessment for grades k-2.  In grades 3-6, we use the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and Cognitive Abilities Test.  These tests are given in the spring of the year.

The school does not allow use of these items during the school day.
Students should not bring toys, skateboards, electronic games such as gameboys, walkmans, and other electronic gear (ipods and cell phones) to school.