Parent/Student Handbook
& Telephone Directory
2007 - 2008
212 E. New River St. Gonzales, LA 70737
School Office /647-2803
Cafeteria /647-2758
Title I /647-1201
Fax /647-7814
E-mail- chrismusso@st-theresa.com
www. st-theresa.com
37407 Duplessis Rd. Prairieville, LA 70769
School Office /677-8238
Fax /673-6803
E-mail- tinaschexnaydre@st-theresa.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Mission and Philosophy of S.T.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Section 2: Admissions
Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Partnership Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3
Student Acceptance & Re-entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Admission Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4
Asbestos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fee Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5
Reduction in Tuition Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6
Unpaid Tuition & Withdrawal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fair Work or Fee Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7
Child Nutrition Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
After School Care Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 8
Section 3: Academic Policies
Religious Education/Role of Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9
Pre-Kindergarten Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Kindergarten Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Time Requirements PK & K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Curriculum Goals 1-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Time Requirements 1-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bell Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Honor Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Promotion Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 12
Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Conditional Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 12
Non-Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Homework Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Examinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Guidance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Section 4: Communication
Reporting to Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Parent-Teacher Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 14
Messages to Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Visitors to School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Availability of Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15
Parent Request to Review Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Parent Request for Formal Hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Section 5: Discipline
Purpose/Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Assertive Discipline Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 18
Progression of Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 19
General Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20
More Serious Offenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21
Serious Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Weapons Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Violence & Threats Memo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Protection of Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Alcohol Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Diocesan Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26
Conduct Off Campus & Habitual Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 27
Expulsion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appeals Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appeals Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 28
Section 6: Extra-Curricular Activities
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Explanation of Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28–30
Attendance Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Conduct Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Section 7: Field Trips
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Section 8: General Information
St. Theresa Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31–33
Arrival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Rainy Day Dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
St. John Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34–36
Arrival-Morning Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Dismissal-Evening Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Rainy Day Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Dismissal Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Early Dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Emergency Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Attendance/Tardy Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36–38
Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Computer Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Explanation of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Acceptable Use Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 39
Emergency Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Health Policy/Immunizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Illness/Communicable Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lost Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
New Student Probation Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Parent Organizations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41
Party Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Special Needs Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Student Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 42
Student Withdrawals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Textbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Rolling Book Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Uniform Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42–45
Boys’ Uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42–45
Girls’ Uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42–45
P.E. Uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Uniform Violation Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Free Dress Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Section 9: Use of School Grounds
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 46
Rules for Gym Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Section 10: Principal’s Right to Amend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
FORMS/CAMPUS MAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Parent Contractual Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Parental Internet Consent Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Chaperone Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Field Trip Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Medication Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
No Humor Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55–68
Athletic Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69–75
Requirements for Parent Involvement in Schools Receiving Title 1 Funds
St. Theresa Prayer
SECTION 9: USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS
SECTION 10: PRINCIPAL'S RIGHT TO AMEND
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS RECEIVING TITLE 1 FUNDS
Note: In all instances that the STA Handbook refers to “St. Theresa of Avila School,” it applies to the St. Theresa Early Learning Center, unless otherwise noted.
MISSION
As a Catholic School, St. Theresa of Avila is committed to the development of the whole person. STA creates a spirit of community that fosters the Catholic formation of all members. Students learn to live in today’s world in a caring Catholic atmosphere while preparing to live in a new millennium.
We, the administration, faculty and staff of St. Theresa of Avila Catholic School, are committed to the religious and academic education of each child to his or her full potential. We are in partnership with the parents, the primary educators of their child, to guide each child in experiencing instruction that promotes acceptance, tolerance, love, individuality, inquiry, and success.
The child should assume responsibility for learning-understanding that education is a lifelong process.
Our ultimate goal is to continue our faith in order to achieve eternal salvation. Our school community strives to live the gospel of Jesus Christ through worship and service.
2. To assist each student in acquiring a sense of responsibility for his/her education
3. To assist each student in acquiring a sense of responsibility for the community in which he/she lives and for the world community through instruction, service projects, liturgical experiences and exposure to the outside world.
4. To enable students to acquire basic skills
5. To assist each child in reaching his/her full potential spiritually and academically
6. To develop good citizenship skills and respect for authority and life in order to prepare each individual for a Christ-centered role in society
7. To promote respect and responsibility through a positive discipline plan that helps build a strong sense of community at school, at home and in society
8. To assist children in utilizing technology to serve their needs in a safe, positive and productive way
9. To promote an education that will form our unique individuals into caring, knowing, productive, serving children of God
10. To foster the unique God-given talents of each child
St. Theresa of Avila is a regional parochial school educating students from pre-kindergarten-8th year. The school serves several church parishes in the area, namely St. Mark, St. John the Evangelist, Holy Rosary, St. Gabriel, St. Anthony, St. Anne, and St. Theresa. It is governed by the St. Theresa Catholic School Committee which is accountable to the pastor of St. Theresa Church and its council.
The school committee meets monthly beginning in August at 6:30 p.m. in the library. The meetings are open and any parent may attend. Meetings are subject to change.
Parish Partnership Agreement
The pastors of St. Theresa, St. John, St. Mark, St. Anne/Anthony, St. Gabriel and Holy Rosary along with the administration have created a five year educational partnership to address the issue of expansion of catholic school education at St. Theresa School. During the partnership period, pastors of the partnering parishes will meet on a quarterly basis to review progress, identify problems, seek collaborative solutions, and plan for the future. Each of the partnering parishes is making an annual financial contribution to this expansion effort. Future students from partnering parishes will have admissions priority over students from non-partnering parishes. Funds provided by the parishes have been used to establish the St. Theresa Early Learning Center consisting of four classrooms of pre-kindergarten and four classrooms of kindergarten at St. John Parish in Prairieville to continue through 2007-2008.
Parish Partnership Financial Agreement
The pastors have agreed to the financial support of the Parish Partnership Agreement and pledged $90 per parish student for a period of five years through 2007-08. Non-parish partner parents are required to pay the assessed fee of $90 at registration.
Goals of the Partnership/ St. Theresa Early Learning Center
1. To provide elementary Catholic School Education to as many applicants as possible from the
parishes supporting St. Theresa of Avila School.
2. To enhance communication and dialogue among the parish communities.
3. To make provisions for future financial needs of St. Theresa of Avila School.
4. To lower class size in grades Pre-K through first grade to a size ranging from a preferred
number of twenty-two to a maximum number of twenty-five students per classroom and from
a preferred number of thirty to a maximum number of thirty-two students in grades second
through eighth.
5. To enhance sensitivity to financial need of parents who cannot afford a catholic school
education for their children.
East Ascension – East Iberville Regional School Partnership
In May 2006, Bishop Robert Muench signed an official document allowing the creation of one system of Catholic school education through two schools beginning in August 2008. First grade will join Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten on the St. John campus and begin the transition to St. John Primary. The primary school will eventually house Pre-Kindergarten through third grade. Fourth through eighth graders will attend St. Theresa Middle. The transition period will take 5 years (2008-2012). Regional partnership parishes will continue to financially support the operational budget along with student tuition. Regional partnership parishioners will receive admission priority over non-partnership parishioners. A resident board of pastors acting with an advisory Catholic School Committee will make decisions on behalf of the school system.
Student Acceptance and Reentry
1. The acceptance of students shall be based on diocesan policies as follows:
The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge shall not become havens or even give the appearance of havens for any students who may be seeking to avoid pressures brought about by civil integration developments and procedures in the various civil parishes of the diocese. It shall be the clear and steadfast purpose of the diocese to achieve in these schools a racial balance which shall be, at the very least, proportionate to the Catholic population.
In those cases in which physical limitations make it necessary to restrict, in some way, the intake of students into a given school a definite policy is established herewith in favor of parents or applicants who have demonstrated their support of Catholic education in the past and of black Catholics generally.
Meanwhile, as we have already proclaimed, the following general principles and policies shall continue to prevail:
With Christian charity as its basic foundation, the Diocesan Board of Education wishes to promulgate and reiterate teachings and admonitions of the Catholic Church regarding racial justice and equality in the operation and administration of its educational institutions.
It shall be the continuous policy of this board that all Catholic schools of the diocese be open to all children and all teachers regardless of race. Furthermore, the refusal of a student solely because of race, either directly or indirectly, is strictly prohibited. St. Theresa School, likewise, will not discriminate on the basis of sex, national origin, age (in accordance with the law), or handicapping condition (if with reasonable accommodation on the part of the school, the handicapped person could be accommodated).
2. It is the policy of the regional school that any student who transfers from St. Theresa of Avila School for reasons other than moving out of Ascension Parish, or transfers to St. Theresa School from another school, shall not be permitted to enter St. Theresa without sufficient reason as determined in an interview with the principal.
1. Catholic families already having children enrolled in St. Theresa have first priority in enrolling
their children.
2. Families whose children are spaced so that the youngest child will be entering school after the
second to the youngest has graduated from the eighth year will be considered in the first
priority category.
3. Catholic families transferring from other Catholic schools have the second priority when pre-
registering.
4. Equal priority be given to the graduates of any Catholic school.
5. Applicants with pastor’s certification as members of a participating partnership parish have the
following rights:
a. Continued active participation in the admission process with equal status
b. Not be subject to “out-of-parish” tuition/fees
6. Applicants from parishes choosing not to participate in the partnership, as well as any non-Catholic applicants, will have the following:
a. No right for admission except for consideration after students from all partnering
parishes have been admitted
b. Payment of “out-of-parish” or “non-Catholic” fees ($90.00 due at registration.
Partnership parishes are St. Theresa, St. John, St. Mark, Holy Rosary, St. Anne,
St. Anthony and St. Gabriel.)
c. Payment of any assessed expansion fee
7. Non-Catholic families, except those transferring from other Catholic schools, shall be placed on the waiting list and will be informed that Catholic families be given first priority on that list.
The St. Theresa of Avila School Committee authorized and completed an asbestos enclosure project in the summer of 1992. This project was funded jointly by the EPA and St. Theresa of Avila School. All exposed friable asbestos is enclosed as a result of this project.
Fees and Payment Policies:
The St. Theresa of Avila Catholic School Committee has approved the following tuition and fee schedule for the 2007-08 school year:
1. REGISTRATION - $125.00 per child (NON-REFUNDABLE)
2. HOME-SCHOOL - $32.00 per family for Home School Assoc. dues
3. BOOK & INSTRUCTIONAL FEES - Incorporated into tuition for grades 3-8
Pre-K - $50.00 due October 10 (via direct debit)
Kindergarten - $150.00 with $75.00 due Oct. 10 and $75.00
due March 10 (via direct debit)
First/Second Grade - $50.00 due October 10 (via direct debit)
4. BUILDING/TECHNOLOGY - $300.00 PER FAMILY (NON-REFUNDABLE)
(PER FAMILY) - $150.00 due at registration time and $150.00 due
June 11 with full tuition or June 11 (via direct debit)
5. PARTNERSHIP FEE (if applicable) - $90.00 due at registration
*NOTICE 1: ALL FEES RELATED TO REGISTRATION ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!
*NOTICE 2: PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES DOES NOT ENSURE
ADMITTANCE TO ST. THERESA SCHOOL. YOU CAN BE ASSURED OF A PLACE
IF ALL EXPECTATIONS FOR ADMITTANCE AND/OR RE-REGISTRATION HAVE
BEEN MET!
6. TUITION- paid 11 months with the first payment June 11, no debit in February due to
registration, and the last payment in May
1-8 1 child $243.00
2 children $470.00
3 children $668.00
4 children $745.00
Pre-K & Kdg. -11 months with first payment June 11
-$279.00 full day
A. Tuition is paid in one of two ways:
1. Monthly through direct debit of your checking or savings account
2. Paid in full by June 11, 2007.
B. A DELIQUENT PENALTY OF 5% is assessed on all of the accounts five days past due. Tuition is due on the 10th of the month through direct debit authorization.
C. If you choose not to direct debit but pay tuition in full, there will be a DELIQUENT PENALTY OF 5% assessed for June’s tuition amount if payment is not received by June 11th as agreed during registration.
D. If the building/technology fund total fee ($300.00) is not paid at the time of registration, the balance ($150.00) will be directly debited along with the first tuition payment on June 11th.
E. THERE IS A $25.00 FEE FOR ALL NSF CHECKS MADE FOR PAYMENT OF FEES AS WELL AS ANY DIRECT DEBIT NSF. The school is not responsible for bank charges that are incurred by an NSF debit, closed account or insufficient funds by the parent.
G. Any payments to the school are to be made by check or money order. If cash payment is made, the school record will be considered the official record.
1. Request application from school office, complete in full, and mail to P.S.A.S.
2. Request will be turned over to the principal upon receipt from P.S.A.S. for review.
3. Financial assistance is not assured. No assistance can be given for any school fees (registration, building, book, instructional, etc.). If assistance is granted, it is only for tuition.
4. Tuition assistance is limited.
5. If assistance is not granted by the school, you may apply to your church parish.
6. Any interviews or requests for additional information will be handled by the principal. All inquiries and information will be kept strictly confidential.
7. Tuition reductions are not available for Pre-K because it is not a requirement of the school.
1. It is the policy of the school community that any parents owing tuition and/or fees more than 30 days delinquent shall be requested to immediately withdraw their child/children from
St. Theresa School. The principal shall be responsible for informing the parent or guardian
that his child/children has/have been dropped from the school roll.
2. It is the policy of the school committee that any parent owing back tuition will not be allowed to register his child/children for another year, nor will the transcript or record be forwarded to another school until all debts are paid to the school.
Student Withdrawal and Tuition Payment
1. The annual tuition as St. Theresa School pays for 10 months of instruction.
2. If a family withdraws from St. Theresa School during the 10 month school year, the family will be responsible for the true monthly tuition for each month the student(s) attended. Any part of a month a student attends will incur a full month of tuition charge.
3. The annual portion will be divided by 10 months to determine the true monthly tuition. This figure will then be used to multiply by the number of months the student was in attendance to determine the amount of tuition owed by the family.
4. The amount owed will be subtracted from the amount paid to bring the account up to date. If a refund is warranted, it will be paid by check.
5. Example: 2 children – tuition is $5170.00 yearly. $470.00 per mo. for 11 months. Family withdraws on October 24 (3 months of the 10 months) $5170.00 divided by 10 = $517.00 is true tuition. $517.00 X 3 months = $1,551.00 tuition owed. Family paid June – October ($470.00 X
5 months) = $2,350.00. $2,350.00 - $1551.0 0 = $799.00 reimbursement to the family.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL OTHER FORMER MANDATORY FUND RAISER REVENUES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE 2007-08 TUITION.
All families are required to work the 2007 school fair or pay the fee option of $850.00 per child. This fee is payable at registration. The fair work requirement is as follows:
1. Ten clock hours of specific work required at the school fair of which two hours may be obtained through the following options: one hour for craft contributions (due to the Country Store by specified drop off dates) or one hour credit for a home baked/ baking contribution due the weekend of the fair, or one hour credit for a silent auction donated item (at least $75 in value). Fair hours count for both husband and wife if working at the same time. Each family is also required to sell their fair tickets valued at $50.00.
2. There will be one opportunity to sign up for fair hours on August 25th - mandatory attendance.
3. Failure to meet the requirements results in reverting to payment of the fee option ($850.00 per child).
4. The work records of the school are the official records.
5. No children under 18 are allowed in the booth at any time, especially when parents/family members are working required hours.
*NOTE: The Fair Committee has the right to re-assign any parent while or during work
assignment as needed.
Breakfast
Participation in breakfast is optional. Breakfast is only served on the St. Theresa campus. Parents of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students must indicate if their child has permission to eat breakfast at school. The cafeteria personnel will not go by the child’s word. Payment for breakfast can be daily or money can be place on account for future use.
We encourage participation. Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten are required to participate in the school lunch program. Lunch payment is made monthly, twice a year, or payment in full by September 1st.
We strongly encourage participation in the school lunch program. However, students in grades 1-8 are permitted to bring their own lunch, but must purchase milk or orange juice. No drinks may be brought from home (i.e. bottled water, fruit juice boxes). Students will purchase drinks from the cafeteria. Drink payments are made twice a year. Exceptions to this must have a statement from a doctor. Written requests to eat bag lunches should be addressed to the principal no later than the SECOND DAY of school. Students who choose this option may switch after Christmas holidays (by January 7th).
Lunches from “fast food” outlets are not permitted!
Hours: 6:45 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. (Before Care) and 2:40 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (After Care)
Before Care and After Care are only located on the St. Theresa Campus in Gonzales.
Fees: Registration - $20.00 per student/$10.00 per drop-in student (including athletes)
Pre-K-8th = $882.00 per year ($98.00 per month by direct debit)
Before Care Only - $1.00 per day/per student (Those regularly enrolled in full time After Care do not
pay additional Before Care fees)
*NOTE The third child in a family attending aftercare, full time, may receive 50% reduction.
The registration fee is due at the time a child is registered in the program. The fee for care ($882.00) may be paid in full by August 10th or it will be directly debited from your checking or savings account each month. If direct debit is chosen, the first month’s payment of $98.00 will have to be paid at the time of registration as payments begin in August. The first direct debit will then occur with the September debit on September 10th.
The fees are based upon consideration of working parents and do not represent actual cost of operation. Refunds for early departures, absences, etc. are not given. Students will be provided with drinks/snacks. Snacks may be brought from home if you wish. Students are given time to relax, play and do homework.
Please keep emergency information up-to-date at all times.
Special arrangements for drop-ins are available upon request only one day a week. A note must be sent to the teacher the day they wish to stay in after care. All drop-ins, including athletes, pay a $10.00 registration fee. The fees for drop-ins are as follows:
After all meetings $5.00 until 4:30 p.m.
$10.00 all regular drop-ins
*Drop-Ins Please Note: A $30 down payment for future fees is required at registration.
All non-registered drop-ins first time fee for After Care use will be $20.00.
It is a policy of the school that any child not picked up by 3:00 p.m. will be sent to After Care and the first time fee will be imposed, if applicable.
Late Pickup Charge: There is a $5.00 per minute charge for any time a child is not picked up by
6:00 p.m.
1. St. Theresa School places special emphasis on its religious education program.
2. It is the responsibility of parents, as primary educators, to create a climate of joy, love and peace in the home. Through prayer and example in the family the child will grow in love and knowledge of God and in gratitude for the gifts of faith. The prayer life of the child is richly nourished within the family circle.
3. Parents are encouraged to motivate, support and assist in the formal programs of religious instruction for their child both at school and in their respective parish. To come to know Jesus is a lifelong experience. Weekly mass attendance by the family is crucial to the faith life of all.
4. The Liturgy is a community celebration and great stress is placed on the all-important act of worship. Many opportunities involving liturgies are provided during the school year. We invite you to attend your child’s class liturgy.
5. A Family Relationship Program is taught in grades 5-8 and focuses on catechesis in Christian family values and sexuality. Materials are approved by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops. We partner with parents in this important area and remind them, “Parents are the primary educators of values.”
6. Diocesan policy states that the following prayers and other formulas are to be committed to memory at
the grade level specified:
Grade 1- Sign of Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the name of the Sacrament of Baptism
Grade 2- Simple Morning Offering, Act of Contrition, Mass prayers (as possible), name of the
Sacraments of Baptism, Penance and Holy Eucharist
Grade 3- Morning Offering, Apostles Creed, name of the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and
Holy Eucharist
Grade 4- Prayers at Mass, Rosary, Hail Holy Queen
Grade 5- Acts of Faith, Hope and Love and all of the above
Grade 6- Sacraments, Ten Commandments, Eight Beatitudes, Seven Precepts of the Church
( i.e. Basic Teachings), Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and the Holy Days
Grade 7- Eight Beatitudes, Ten Commandments, Seven Precepts of the Church, Capital Sins,
and the Angelus.
Grade 8- All of the above
The Catholic School Pre-Kindergarten Program is developed within a play oriented curriculum with emphasis on religious experiences, language arts, problem solving and acceptable social behavior. Directed creative experiences provide opportunities for the young child and the teacher to explore the learning capabilities of each child. Teachers are concerned with the whole child. The spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs of the child are reflected in the daily curriculum activities. The daily schedule is planned to involve the total group of children as well as provide for individual activities for the child. All activities relate to the need of the child. Helping each child “learn how to learn” by providing her/him with opportunities to discover, gather information, classify, organize materials, process information, make decisions, and solve problems enforces the curriculum. Materials for implementing the curriculum are geared to the age, development stage, ability, and interest of the child.
To enter Pre-Kindergarten the child should have reached four before September 30th.
Young children entering Kindergarten are given opportunities to develop as individuals, to share as members of a group and to experience being part of the school community. An appreciation and respect for all God’s creation, including the person, is part of the Christian formation which begins with Kindergarten.
The children participate in many activities which involve interaction with classmates, expressing of self, as well as a gradual introduction to independent activity. As the child shows readiness to begin reading and math, opportunities are provided. Not all children are ready to begin reading at the same time. Children are individuals who grow at their own rate and they need to be respected as individuals. No two children within a classroom group should be compared nor there be any attempt to make a child do more than he is capable of doing. We reserve the right at the end of the session to recommend or not recommend that a child continue into the first year. If a child is not recommended, this does not mean that Kindergarten was a wasted year because such children need many opportunities to participate in pre-reading and pre-math activities. Many times it is a question of maturity.
We encourage you to be interested in your child’s work, but to respect his capability and to accept him as he is.
To enter Kindergarten the child should have reached five before September 30th.
Time Requirements for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten:
Teacher Directed Activities 20%
Snack and Restroom Time 10%
Student-Initiated Activities 20%
Lunch
Rest Period 15%
Student-Initiated Activities 15%
Teacher-Directed Activities 20%
The primary goal of the curriculum is to provide those learning experiences most conducive to instilling in students virtues, knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary for the student’s moral, intellectual, and physical development. These goals are accomplished through many methods of teaching, such as lecture, group activities (cooperative learning), individual activities, student-initiated activities, teacher-directed activities, computer work to enhance the subject, research activities, and field trips.
Time Requirements for Grades 1-6:
Subject Percent of the Day
Reading
Language Arts 50%
Mathematics
Social Studies
Fine Arts
Science 50%
Physical Education/Health
Religion and/or other electives
Time Requirements for Grades 7-8 in a 7 Period Day:
Subject Period Per Week Minimum Time
Language Arts 5 50
Mathematics 5 50
Social Studies 5 50
American History – 7th
Louisiana History – 8th
Science 5 50
Health/P.E. & Electives 3 150
350 minutes
7:40 a.m. School Begins (1-8) St. Theresa Campus
*All must be in the gym for 7:40 or they are tardy!
7:50 a.m. School Begins (Pre-K & K) St. John Campus
*All must be in the atrium for 7:50 or they are tardy!
2:30 p.m. School Dismissal (Pre-K & K) St. John Campus
2:40 p.m. School Dismissal (1-8) St. Theresa Campus
2. Final grades will be averaged using quality point values for the grades earned during the four nine week periods. The quality points are assigned as follows:
A=4 points B=3 points C=2 points D=1 point F=0 points
a. The points for each nine week grade per subject are added and divided by 4 to determine the final grade in each subject.
b. In cases where the 4th nine weeks grade has risen, a .5 will be rounded up. (Ex. BABA = A)
c. In cases where the 4th nine weeks grade has declined, the grade will not be rounded up. (Ex. ABAB = B)
d. In cases where the final grade is less than 1 quality point, the final grade is an "F."
A STUDENT MUST HAVE 1 QUALITY POINT TO PASS THE SUBJECT!
Beta Honor Roll = 3.0 – 3.5; conduct not included