ST. JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL
PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK
PHONE 419-782-1751 OR 419-782-6166
FAX 419-782-0954
EMAIL: or
Web site: www.stjohtigers.com
_____________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to St. John Lutheran School! St. John is a special place because we believe each child entrusted to our care is a unique and special miracle of God. As such we work diligently to strengthen their faith and equip them for service to their families, school, church, and community.
At St. John we believe education is a partnership between school and home. We strive to communicate regularly and clearly with the home so that parents can reinforce, encourage, and support what is being taught here. We also make every effort to listen to your ideas and concerns so we can assist you in your task as parents. Please feel free to talk regularly and often with your child’s teacher.
This handbook contains a host of important information that will assist you and your child in your partnership with us. Please take some time to read it carefully. It is one of the most important communication vehicles we have. A second way we communicate is with our weekly note home, the Tiger Pause. This piece will bring you up to date on many, many activities scheduled during a particular week. We expect each parent will read this when it comes home on Friday. Please get in the habit of looking for it and asking your child to produce it. Teachers often add their own note to the Tiger Pause. This is another important reason to watch for this letter.
Our pledge to you this year is to continue to work diligently to provide the highest quality academic program we can coupled with an atmosphere where Christ is prevalent and the Christian (Lutheran) faith is practiced by all who come in contact with your child.
May God continue to bless your family as you continue to provide for your children the education they need to not only be successful in this world, but also to embrace the world to come.
Table of Contents
Admissions Policy
St. John Lutheran School - is established as a parochial school for the children of our congregation members and as a mission to the Defiance Community.
Tuition Students - Non-member applicants are screened beforehand in grades 1 - 8. An interview with the principal must be held. The principal shall then make a determination to accept or reject the application. Parents have the right to appeal the principal’s decision to the Board of Christian Day School.
Financial Support - (See “insert” for the currently established application and tuition rate, member family rate, and book and supply fees and the policy for the payment of such fees.)
a. An application fee is required with the application.
b. Tuition fees - Member and Non-member families are required to pay the current tuition charges.
c. Member Support - God has richly blessed St. John Lutheran church through its strong Christian education ministry. Our Christian Day School emphasizes and excels in teaching the Christian faith to children of preschool age through the eighth grade. Maintaining the school involves ever-increasing costs. We ask all families`of the congregation to share in this financial responsibility and support the ministry of the Christian Day School. The families who have children attending St. John Lutheran School will especially want to sacrificially and cheerfully support the cost of this important ministry to their families.
As God blesses our families, we ask each family to prayerfully make a decision to give regularly to their church at St. John. As St. Paul writes, “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper...” (1 Cor. 16:2)
d. Book and Supply Fees- All students, member or tuition, are assessed a yearly book and supply fee. Rates are established yearly by the Board of Christian Day School. (See insert cost sheet for currently established book and supply fee rates.)
Racially Non-Discriminatory Policy - St. John Lutheran School recruits students of any race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities. In addition, the school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarships/loans fee waivers, educational programs and athletics/extracurricular activities. The school is not intended to be an alternative to court or administrative agency ordered, or public school district initiated, desegregation.
Enhancement of Christian Life Policy - St. John Lutheran Board of Christian Day School strongly believes that regular attendance at Worship and Sunday school work together to make our school program much more effective by reinforcing behaviors both taught and modeled daily. Further, we hold that families that worship together and study the Word of God together become stronger in their faith, stronger in their ability to function together, and more able to resist the non Christian forces in today’s world.
To that end it is our expectation that all who choose St. John Lutheran School as the primary environment for the education of their children will also support that education with weekly attendance at worship and in Sunday School and Bible Class.
We pray God’s continued blessings on your family as you continue to grow in His Word and bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Operational Time
Annual School Calendar - A School calendar is prepared by the principal and approved by the Board of Christian Day School. The calendar lists the dates for opening of school, holidays, conferences, report cards, parent teacher conferences, etc. A copy of the school calendar is provided for each family yearly.
School Hours - The hours for the respective classes are as follows:
| Tigers’s Den Christian Child care Center | 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| 2 Yr. Old Preschool | 9:00 - 11:00 AM |
| 3 Yr. Old Preschool | 8:45 - 11:15 PM - Morning classes |
| 3 Yr. Old Preschool | 12:45 - 3:15 PM - Afternoon classes |
| 4 Yr. Old Preschool | 8:45 - 11:15 PM - Morning classes |
| 4 Yr. Old Preschool | 12:45 - 3:15 PM - Afternoon classes |
| Kindergarten | 8:45 - 11:30 AM - Morning 1/2 day |
| Kindergarten | 8:45 - 3:30 PM - Full day |
| Grades 1- 8 | 8:45 - 3:30 PM |
All students will be on the playground between 8:15 and 8:30 AM, if weather permits. Exceptions include teacher or parent excuse. Those children who do not ride the bus and arrive before 8:15, must go to the Tigers’s Den. There is a charge for that service. After 8:15 they must go to designated areas.
All children should normally leave for their homes immediately after dismissal. All students in grades K-8 riding the buses or being transported home by parents will assemble in their designated area to wait for such transportation. No constant traffic in and out of the building is allowed, neither is anyone permitted to leave the school grounds during this
waiting period. One of the teachers will be on duty. Should parent transportation not arrive by 3:45 PM, those students will go to the Tigers’s Den.
Early Dismissal/Delayed Starts/Closings - Scheduled early dismissals, delayed starts, or school closings will be communicated to parents/students well in advance of such dates. These dates may be listed on the school calendar or published in the weekly newsletter.
Inclement Weather - In case of school cancellation or delay due to bad weather, announcement will be made over local radio stations. A listing of those stations will be published in a weekly newsletter early in the school year. Because buses must go out on routes at an early hour, the decision to delay or cancel will normally be made by 7:00 AM.
Permanent Records
A cumulative record is kept for each student enrolled in accordance with state regulations. The records are kept updated by the classroom teacher. They are filed in the school office. Each cumulative record folder contains all the data needed for effective guidance of the student. The folder itself contains information about the student’s health, attendance, history, test summaries, academic records, etc.
Confidentiality - All school records are confidential and come under the regulations of the “Privacy Act”. Directory information, including the student’s name, address, phone number, age, and weight, is not protected by the “Privacy Act”.
Parent’s Access - The natural parent always has access to the student record unless those rights were lost through adoption, court order, or the child reaching the age of majority (18).
Non-Custodial Access - A divorce or change in child custody does not change the rights of a natural parent to their students’s records. The step-parent does not have access to the step-child’s records unless the step-parent has adopted the child, the natural parent has given power of attorney, or the natural parent shows the record to the step-parent.
Attendance
All students are expected to be regular and faithful in attendance. Accurate daily attendance and church and Sunday School attendance records are kept.
A pupil is tardy if he/she is not in his/her room when the 8:45 AM bell rings. Late bus arrivals and bad weather conditions are excusable reasons for tardiness. After school has been in session for a period of one hour, a student is considered absent rather than tardy.
Excessive absenteeism or tardiness will be dealt with seriously. (See Appendix for policy on excessive absenteeism/tardiness.)
Absence/Tardiness Notification - In our concern for the safety and welfare of the children at St. John, we have adopted a student attendance accounting policy. It is requested that guardians notify the school when their student will not be attending school. (Reasons should be stated.) This can be done by phoning the school office on the day of or written notice prior to the absence. This is in compliance with the State of Ohio.
Student Attendance Accounting Policy - Parent(s) or guardian(s) must notify the school on the day a student is absent unless previous notification has been given by personal, telephone, or written contact by the parent(s)/guardian(s). This procedure is described in the student attendance accounting policy (missing and absent children) found in the appendix.
Illness Absence - If there is a question, parents should seek the advice of a physician or the Ohio Department of Health as to when their child may return to school after a contagious disease. ODH information is available in the school office for common illnesses.
Late Arrival/Early Leaving - Any student arriving after school has begun must initially report to the school office to sign in. This assists both in the attendance accounting process and in keeping accurate lunch counts.
Prior notification is encouraged, if possible, when a student must be removed from school early. If removal is necessary, the parent/guardian should first report to the school office. No students may leave school early by themselves unless previous notification has been given by personal, telephone, or written contact by the parent(s)/guardian(s).
SEE APPENDIX C - For Board Policy regarding excessive Absences/Tardies.
Grading System
Philosophy - St. John strives to motivate students to succeed. Emphasis in the instructional program is given to making achievement both recognizable and possible for students. This includes various areas of evaluation including testing, homework assignments, and participation in class.
Grading Standards- For most subject areas the following scale is used:
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% - D
Below 60% = F
S (Satisfactory)/U (Unsatisfactory) grading is sometimes used in place of a percentage scale for more effective reporting of progress.
Grading Periods - Four grading periods are used. These quarters are normally nine weeks in duration.
Student Evaluation/Reports
Report Cards/Interim Reports - Report cards are issued at the conclusion of each of the four grading periods in grades K-8. They are distributed during the week following the end of the grading period. Interim reports are given at mid quarter.
Preschool skill sheets are given to indicate student progress at least twice a year, in the fall and again in the spring.
Parent Teacher Conferences - At the end of the first grading period, parents are asked to come to school for a conference with the teacher(s). These conferences are limited to 15 minutes. The school calendar indicates the scheduled times of these conferences. Additional conferences are available at the each quarter, either at parent’s request or teacher’s request. Parents are urged to study all reports and to consult with the teacher(s) if any clarification is needed. Similarly, parents should feel free to consult with the teachers at any time as to the progress of their child(ren).
Promotion and Retention - The promotion of each student will be determined individually according to the policy and procedures outlined in the appendix.
Homework
The students generally are given time and opportunity to complete most work during school hours. However, from one half to two hours of homework may be necessary for some students, depending upon the proper use of time in school, the child’s capabilities, and the grade level reached. The higher grade levels generally require more homework.
School Supplies
Students are responsible for securing certain supplies required for the classroom by individual teacher. A list of the various teachers’s supply requests is distributed to families when teachers visit your home in August.
CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Curriculum
In addition to the usual subjects taught in an elementary school, the Christian religion is also taught at St. John. It is taught not only as a subject, but also as a way of life. As a child progresses through the grades, he/she learns more and more of the chief doctrines of the
Bible. In order to make religion become a part of them, the child systematically learns from memory the chief parts of Christian doctrine, Bible verses, and hymns.
In most secular areas, the school uses textbooks commonly found in public schools, although St. John is not bound by their adoptions. In addition to religion, our well rounded program includes study of reading, language arts, math, art, science, health, social studies, music, physical education, Spanish, and computer. All subjects are taught with a Christian approach and given a Christian interpretation. Courses of study for all subjects are developed and kept current by the faculty.
Testing Program
The Ohio Achievement Tests are given to grades 3 - 8. The Iowa Tests or Basic Skills are given to grades 1 - 2. In addition, Grade 2 students participate in Cognitive Ability tests. Printed reports of test results are distributed to parents. Kindergarten achievement testing is also done in the spring.
Kindergarten Screening is a fall program administered to students in that grade for the purpose of early detection of strengths and weaknesses of students at the beginning of their school years. Admittance or refusal to enter kindergarten is not predicated on the results of this screening. Parents are requested to be present for the screening, and results are shared with parents prior to the end of the first quarter.
Religious Instruction Policy
- It is a joy to have parents who have such a high regard for God’s Work and their Lord Jesus by sending their child(ren) to St. John Lutheran School.
- We place a high value on the Bible and the teachings of the Christian faith. Our pastors and teachers are trained to teach God’s Word. All children are expected to attend the regular religion classes for their grade level. Any concern in this regard may be discussed with the principal.
- The content of the religion classes is the teaching of the Bible as the Word of God. The curriculum addresses the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to all lessons and to class discussions.
- The parents of our tuition students are invited to learn more about the teaching of the Bible in our Lutheran Church and School by studying the textbooks and lessons of their children, by asking questions of their child(ren)’s teacher, and by attending the Pastor’s information class which reviews the basic teachings of the Bible.
- We are concerned about the regular worship every Sunday by the children of our school and by their families. If you have a church home, we encourage you to faithfully worship each Sunday with your child(ren). If you do not have a regular church home, we invite you to visit with us at St. John at our regular worship services. All children are also expected to attend their grade level Sunday School or youth Bible classes as well.
Our regular services:
| 6:30 PM | Saturday evening traditional worship |
| 8:00 AM | Sunday morning traditional worship |
| 9:30 AM | Sunday morning traditional worship |
| 9:30 AM | Sunday School, Youth, and Adult Bible Classes |
| 11:00 AM | Sunday morning contemporary worship |
6. Chapel services are held weekly with the Pastor of St. John and the teachers and other church staff leading the worship. All children are expected to attend the services with their class and teacher. Parents and others are welcome to attend. Each class leads one chapel service each year.
Children’s Worship Service
1. Chapel - Growth in worship life is the chief goal of the weekly chapel services held in the church normally on Thursday morning at 8:55 AM. Each month students in a different grade have the opportunity to lead a service. Pupils from the upper grades serve as ushers and the Junior Altar Guild for the services.
2. Lenten Worship - During Lent, students participate with the congregation in Wednesday afternoon services, beginning at 1:00 PM. These services take the place of chapel for the week.
3. Children’s Christmas Programs - Children in all grades are encouraged to participate in the Christmas programs, usually held the Sunday before Christmas. Because of space limitations, students are divided into groups for separate services.
4. National Lutheran Schools Week - From time to time the school may lead the weekend worship services during this special week of the school year, usually the fourth Sunday in February.
5. Choirs such as the Children’s Choir, Handbell Choir, Rejoice Dance Choir, Early Childhood choirs and various grade choirs often participate in St. John weekend worship services.
Physical Education
K-4 students attending school participate in supervised play during recess periods. 5-8 students participate on a limited basis.
Regular physical education classes are scheduled for Grades K-8.
Students in Grades 5-8 are issued locker baskets to hold necessary gym apparel. These students will need a lock for their locker.
Physical Education Dress Code - Students in Grades 5-8 are expected to have a complete
change of clothing for PE classes, and clothing worn shall be appropriate for exercise and physical activity. There is no specific gym outfit that must be worn. The following are specifics regarding the various apparel needed:
T-shirts - Shall have no buttons, snaps, zippers, or other attachments which may injure the student. They shall be free from lettering with the exception being, “St. John Lutheran School”.
Socks - Shall be white cotton ankle or knee socks with colored stripes at the top being optional. These must be different from socks worn in regular classes.
Shorts - Shall be loose fitting and made for gym wear having no buttons, snaps, zippers, or other attachments which might injure the student.
Instrumental Music
Students in Grades 5-8 have the opportunity to enroll in the public school instrumental music program. They are excused to attend classes at the public school. Those pupils participating are responsible for all class work at St. John while they are absent for music.
Supplemental Programs
1. Chapter I Reading - This federally funded program of assistance is for eligible students in Grades 1-4. Instruction is held in the mobile unit in individual and small group form to improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and word study skills. Funding may limit the number of classes that can participate in a given year.
2. Tutorial Services - This state auxiliary services funded program is available to help those students of any grade level having difficulty in the classroom raise their level of achievement by receiving special additional guidance and help. The length of time a student receives this assistance in the modular unit may vary depending on needs. The initial recommendation for a student to receive tutorial assistance shall come from the classroom teacher after prior approval from parents for their child to participate is received. Our tutor also provides enrichment work for students in grades 1-8 on either an individual or small group basis. Parental approval is also needed for participation in the enrichment program.
3. Speech, Language, and Hearing Services - are provided by a state certified therapist. This individual assists St. John with numerous difficulties, including the identification of students with speech handicaps, diagnostic testing for such students, selection of students for rehabilitative services, and providing appropriate speech therapy, auditory training, and speech reading. Prior parent consent is required before the therapist may work with students.
4. School Counselor - This state auxiliary services funded person provides intensive individual psychological studies of students referred by teachers and with consent of the parents. In addition to assisting students, this person consults, collaborates, and counsels with teachers, parents, and professional workers in the community, on the academic and emotional adjustment of children referred.
5. Other Services - From time to time special student needs require other professional specialists such as occupational or physical therapists. These services may be provided if state funding is available.
Outdoor Education
In the fall, the sixth grade participates in a three-day, two-night program of discovery units, worship experiences, and recreation. An orientation program is held at school before the fall program to share details of the project. Parents are asked to volunteer their services for such aspects of the program as transporting students, preparing food menus and meals, and chaperoning the overnight stay in tents. Through the program it is hoped students will come closer to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as they explore and discover in His wondrous creation.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
A variety of extracurricular activities is offered to students attending St. John. Two eligibility policies must be adhered to for continuing student participation in an activity. These are the extracurricular activity statement and the extracurricular eligibility policy full context of both is found in the appendix.
Athletics
All students and at least one of their parents are required to attend an athletic meeting, held early in the school year. At this meeting the school’s sports philosophy, expectations of participants, eligibility, and particulars dealing with the various sports seasons are reviewed. A participation fee may be required. Parents often serve as coaches, concessions workers and statisticians.
Before any student participates in a sport, the school must receive written consent of the parents for the student to participate. In addition, any child participating in or practicing for inter school athletics is required to have had a current physical examination (within calendar year). Before they can participate in any practices or games.
1. Volleyball- Volleyball competition is offered to 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls in the fall of the year.
2. Basketball - 4th, 5th, and 6th grade boys and girls may participate on our respective school basketball teams. 7th and 8th Grade boys and girls may participate on our respective school basketball teams.
3. Cheerleading - St. John sponsors cheerleading squads for both the 5th-6th and 7th-8th basketball programs. Any students in those respective grades, attending St., John, may participate on the squads. No tryouts are conducted.
Choir
Students in grades Pre- Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and grades 1 and 2 participate in 2 separate choirs. while those in grades 3-8 may join the Children’s Choir. The choirs practice during the school day. Students sing at Sunday worship services and occasionally for special functions. In addition, the Golden Bells Handbell Choir is offered for upper grade students, and upper grade girls may join the congregation’s Rejoice Dance Choir. Practices for these two choirs are outside of the school day.
Spelling Bee
Each year students in Grades 5-8 may enter the spelling bee. A coordinator works with the spellers for several months. Contestants then compete in the school spelling bee to determine a champion and runner-up, who move on to the County Bee, which is held in February. The school spelling bee is held in mid-January.
Special Student Programs
Two special student participation programs are offered on a rotating two-year cycle:
1. Musical - Every other year a school musical is held. Students in the intermediate and upper grades may audition for character roles. Lower grade students participate in class selections such as the chorus. Numerous students may also become involved in set construction and the stage crew. Normally, two performances are given on the designated weekend.
2. Science Fair - Every other year students in Grades 5 - 8 compose projects for competitive judging on an individual or small group basis. Remaining lower grades put together class projects for display.
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Code of Conduct
Teachers will interact with children in accordance with the teachings and example of Christ. Discipline is employed as a means to teach self-control, Christian attitudes, orderliness, and efficiency.
SEE APPENDIX G - For the Board of Christian Day School Policies Regarding Code of Conduct.
Classroom Management
Each teacher will establish routine procedures to assist in the development of discipline, teamwork, and respect for authority. The teacher will involve the children in establishing codes of good order.
Dress Codes
1. General - Parents are expected to help their children use Christian judgment in what they wear to school. Teachers have the right to request a student to refrain from wearing any clothing he/she feels inappropriate. Parents will be informed of such requests.
Following are some general guidelines:
Hair must be well groomed and clean. Hair coloring must be within the range of natural hair colors.
Body piercing, other than ears, is prohibited.
Footwear must be worn at all times. Flip flops and combination tennis shoe/roller blades are not appropriate for the classroom or the playground. Sandals may be worn inside but may not be worn on the playground. Please have other shoes available for the playground.
All clothing should be kept neat and clean.
All clothing must be in good taste and modestly worn, and may not contradict what we as Christians profess. This prohibits such items as:
a. Clothing with symbols and/or name promoting liquor, beer, tobacco, drugs, professional wrestling, or secular musical groups.
b. Offensive patches or emblems (This would also include wearing the American Flag inappropriately.)
c. Clothing that may cause injury to the wearer or fellow students.
d. Clothing that may damage school property.
e. Tank tops and “muscle shirts”
f. Halter tops or abbreviated tops allowing the midriff to show.
g. Pants that fall down or which drag on the ground.
h. Inappropriate skirts or shorts (those which are not at least as long as the fingertips when arms are held at the side) “Cut-offs” are not acceptable.
Outerwear should be appropriate to the season. Jackets must be worn during the fall and spring seasons when the temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Warm Weather - As a general guide, for student comfort and conducive learning, the principal shall declare the code in effect when the weather becomes consistently warm. Duration of this dress code will be at the discretion of the principal with proper notification given to the student body.
The dress code is as follows: Students may wear reasonable warm weather clothing in good taste, such as shorts. Halter tops or abbreviated tops that allow the midriff to show will not be acceptable.
Please use good judgment in your dress clothing should not be too short or too tight. A student wearing apparel unacceptable will be warned and may lose the privilege of wearing shorts.
3. Field Trips - A dress code for the 8th Grade class trip is on file in the school office. The details are presented to students well prior to the trips.
The dress code for other field trips will be at the discretion of the teacher(s) in charge.
Locker and Desk Searches
Lockers and desks are school property and are subject to search by school officials at any time. Any forbidden or inappropriate items that are found will be immediately confiscated and appropriately turned over to either parents or law enforcement officials.
Child Abuse and Neglect
1. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse are forms of child maltreatment as are physical and emotional neglect. As required by law, any school employee who has knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, shall immediately report such actions to the principal who, in turn, will immediately report the situation to the Defiance County Department of Human Services.
2. School personnel reporting such situations are immune from civil or criminal liability for reporting.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Hot Lunch Program
All pupils are invited to participate in the hot lunch program. Lunches are served at the lowest possible prices. Payment for lunches should be made on a weekly or monthly basis by buying tickets from the Lunchroom Manager any day before the start of school hours. Current prices are listed on the insert.
1. Federal Program - St. John participates in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for those families who meet the requirements set by Federal guidelines. Letters
and application forms are distributed to all families at the beginning of the school year. However, families may apply at any time during the school year when they feel they qualify.
2. Menu - A monthly listing of meal components is distributed to families at the beginning of each month.
3. Student Meal Charges - Charging in the lunchroom is discouraged. However, students without lunch money may charge for the day’s lunch, which is to be repaid the following day. A notice of the charge will be sent home that day. Continued charges or neglect of repayment for meals will result in the principal or a designate contacting the parents.
4. Lost Lunch Tickets - Responsibility for lost lunch tickets is to be assumed by the home room teacher, students, and/or parent. After a three-day grace period, the lunch program manager may reissue the ticket or request purchase of a new one.
Breakfast program
All pupils are invited to participate in the daily breakfast program. Breakfast is served in the classroom right after announcements. Students must be in the classroom at that time to participate in breakfast. Payment for breakfasts should be made on a weekly or monthly basis by buying tickets from the Lunchroom Manager any day before the start of school hours. Current prices are listed on the insert.
Daily Snacks - Kindergarten and Preschool
A daily snack is served to the preschool children. The snacks are brought by the children as scheduled by the teachers. Kindergarten teachers may also choose to participate in a snack program similar to preschool.
SAFETY
Fire Drills
Fire drills are held monthly. All students and teachers must leave the building. Fire drill routes are posted near the door in each room of the building for parent and guest awareness. In winter months, if the weather is inclement, rapid dismissal drills are substituted for the fire drills.Storm (Disaster) Drills
Storm drills are held periodically, especially including the months of March, April, and May. Again, maps indicating the routes to take are posted near the doors in each room.
Bomb Threats
The school has a procedure to follow should the need arise. Should we need to evacuate the building, students will be kept at St. Paul Lutheran church across Wayne Avenue from St. John. Parents will be notified if they will need to pick up their child.
Injury - First Aid
1. All accidents in the school, on the playground, or during a school related activity will be brought to the attention of the principal immediately.
2. First aid will be administered by a staff member.
3. Serious injury will be reported to the parents and if necessary a doctor and/or rescue squad will be called. Preference will be given to the family doctor, as listed on the emergency card on file in the school office. The urgency of the situation will dictate if the rescue squad or the parents are contacted first.
4. An injured child will not be left alone. Arrangements will be made to have someone stay with the child until the parents arrive or until the child is taken to the doctor or the hospital emergency room. If parents are not available, a member of the school staff will accompany the child.
5. An accident report will be filed by the supervising teacher with a copy given to the child’s parents.
6. Emergency cards and Medical Authorization forms must be completed and filed annually for each child enrolled at St. John. Parents have the responsibility of notifying the school of changes of address, telephone number or authorized adults to pick up a child.
Illness
Parents will be notified when a child becomes ill while in school.
Parents will be asked to take the child or make arrangements to have the child taken home as soon as possible.
If necessary, the child will be allowed to rest on the cot in the isolation area for a short period of time, until other arrangements can be completed.
Teachers will not permit a sick child to leave the school premises by himself.
A child must have the doctor’s approval to return to the classroom after absence due to a contagious disease.
Any questionable skin condition will be reported to the principal, who can then contact the parents or health nurse.
Procedures specified by the Defiance County Health Department Policy for pediculosis (head lice) must be followed if this condition arises with your child. A copy of the Health Department’s policy and St. John’s implementation procedures is contained in the appendix.
Parents must follow specific procedures for having staff personnel oversee the non emergency oral administration of physician prescribed medication to students. A copy of the policy and required forms are located in the appendix.
Insurance Coverage - Most family insurance policies cover injuries incurred by students at school or on school related activities. However, St. John Lutheran Church has secondary coverage through Gentz Insurance Company for all students or other family members acting on behalf of St. John Lutheran School at any school function. If your family insurance does not cover an accident, parents may contact the school office for an application form and details on how to apply.
Code Red Procedures
The procedure in Defiance County is for the county terrorist alert team to meet and assess the threat and then recommend to the school districts whether or not they should be open. What this means is that you should listen to the radio like you do when there is inclement weather. The radio stations will announce whether or not Defiance City Schools are closed.
In the event that a code red is declared after the school day has begun, we will immediately lock ALL doors to the building. Parents will then be able to pick up their children at their discretion. We will have people at the south parking lot door to let you in. Those people will keep you in the reception area while they alert the school office to retrieve your child and bring them to you. Since not all of our people know all of our parents we are going to ask you to do two things to help us in the process:
Show some form of ID and sign your child out with the date and time that they leave.
Should school be closed because of a code red alert, the Tigers’s Den will also be closed that day.
We will follow these same procedures should a code red be declared after the Tigers’s Den has opened at 6:00 A.M. and before school starts at 8:45 A.M. so you may pick up your child from the Tigers’s Den which will then be closed for the remainder of the day.
STUDENT VOLUNTEERISM
Chapel Ushers
6th Grade students serve in this capacity as scheduled by the teacher at the weekly chapel services and at the afternoon Lenten services.
Cafeteria Helpers
4th - 8th Grade students serve as servers and cashiers in the cafeteria as scheduled by the classroom teachers. Parental permission is required, and students are responsible for all class work missed while assisting in the cafeteria.
PARENT TEACHER LEAGUE
St. John has a PTL to maintain home school relations and to provide parents with assistance in their God-given task of training Christian children.
Meetings or activities are held during the school year. The PTL Board publishes a listing of the year’s activities. Springfest and the Annual Sauerkraut Supper are the major fund-raising projects of the league. Numerous school projects, as well as desired equipment and materials purchases, are paid for through funds raised. All parents are cordially invited and encouraged to become active participants in the PTL.
TRANSPORTATION
Walkers/Automobile Riders
Special directions for arrival and departure from school are given on the August home visits by teachers.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation is available to students residing more than one mile from school.
- Defiance City Schools bus information is published in the Defiance Crescent News prior to the start of the school year. Major changes are also discussed by teachers in the home visits.
- Northeastern and Ayersville School Districts also provide bus transportation for students living in their districts. Although arrival time in the mornings is in time for the start of school, departure times in the afternoon are before school dismisses. In the past, Northeastern students have been picked up at approximately 2:45 PM, while Ayersville students have been picked up at approximately 3:00 PM. Students are responsible for class work missed when leaving prior to the end of the school day.
- Any changes in bus stops or for a student to ride to a friend’s house as a guest requires a parent permission slip be submitted by the student to the principal for his signature. The school office will also fill out the Defiance City School transportation form needed.
- Any questions in regard to bussing should be addressed to the school office.
Bicycles
Bicycles may be ridden to school. Students are expected to walk their bicycles on the school premises. A bike rack for parking the bicycles is located in the rear of the school. Chain locks are strongly encouraged. The school assumes no responsibility for stolen or damaged bicycles.
OFFICE BUSINESS
Hours
Normally, someone is in the office from 8:15 AM until 4:30 PM.
Visitors
All school visitors, including parents of students, must report to the school office upon arrival.
Fees Payments
Payment of fees may be made in person or by mail. Those making monthly payments must set up a payment plan through the school bookkeeper. Payments are due on the 1st day of the month. Late charges are added to payments not made by the 10th of the month that they were due.
Change of Address/Phone
Parents are expected to notify the school office of changes of address or phone numbers. This is extremely helpful for emergency contact purposes and in maintaining up-to-date records.
Lost and Found
A lost and found box is kept in the school office.
Newsletter
A school newsletter with pertinent information on activities of the week ahead is published each week. Copies of the newsletter are distributed on Fridays to each student attending St. John.
Telephone Usage
Any of the school telephones including the office telephones are to be used by students only with permission and for emergency purposes.
Transfer of Students
Transfer of students to or from St. John from another school must be initiated in the school office.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
School Pictures/Yearbook
St. John contracts with a photographer for fall student pictures. This allows for pictures to be ready for Christmas. Purchases are on a voluntary basis. A spring picture date is also scheduled.
Yearbooks are made available before the end of the school year, again on a voluntary purchase basis.
Live Animals
Small, live animals may be brought to school by students for “show and tell” purposes. Such animals must pose no threat to the safety of students or staff, and must be housed in appropriate, securely fastened containers. At the teacher’s discretion, these animals must be taken home again. Students may bring in larger animals, such as guinea pigs or cats, but only for a limited stay, with a parent present and after first receiving permission from the teacher.
Birthdays/Treats
Classes celebrate fellow students’ birthdays on an informal basis. Bringing treats for the occasion is left up to the student and his/her parents. Prior notification to the teacher is encouraged.
Field Trips
During the school year, classes take a variety of field trips. Prior notification of parents will be made.
Teachers always take along all student emergency cards and emergency medical authorization forms in case immediate contact of parents is necessary.
Public Service Projects
St. John participates in public service projects as time and availability allow.
Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Christian Flag Policy
The Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Christian Flag shall be recited daily by all grades in St. John Lutheran School, standing with hand over heart, observing the American flag and saying the Pledge from memory.
EXCELLENCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Honor Roll
Students in Grades 5-8 who achieve all A’s, A’s and B’s, or a B average are recognized in a school honor roll, published at the close of each quarter. The 7th and 8th Grade honor roll is also published in the Defiance Crescent News.
Through the cooperation of local restaurants, all students in grades 5-8 receiving all A’s during a grading period go to breakfast with the principal. In addition, students in grades 5-8 with all A’s and B’s are given award certificates.
Graduation Honors Speakers
The 8th Grade student with the highest grade point average is selected as valedictorian, while the next ranking student becomes salutatorian. In cases of extremely close grade point averages, ties are acknowledged.
Attendance
Students in grades Kindergarten through 8 are recognized for perfect attendance at school as well as church and Sunday School each quarter. Special recognition awards are given for their achievements.
PARENT VOLUNTEERISM
Volunteer assistance is vital to the total operation of our school program. Service in this respect also affords parents the opportunity to become more involved with and informed about St. John.
A list of volunteer opportunities will be distributed to families on the home visits. Our volunteer team is called the A+ team. Please take some time to look over the many areas of assistance needed and then complete the survey according to the time you are able to afford.
Volunteer assistance is organized through the A+ Team Coordinator. Parent and grandparent volunteers compose this group of volunteers who perform such tasks as duplicating and collating papers for teachers, newsletters and mailings recording
daily attendance and conducting absenteeism phone contacts assisting in the library constructing bulletin boards serving as room parents serving as room parents or working on other projects that enhance our school program.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDRAISING
Gift Card Program
Families participating in the Gift Card Program earn money that can pay for any school expenses, such as, tuition, books and supply fees, Tigers' Den Child Care costs, lunches, etc. Information and order forms for this program are available from the school bookkeeper.
Care Grants
Financial Assistance to help families in need with school fees. Applications are available in the school office. These must be submitted by July 1 for the next school year.
Chief Good Neighbor Receipts
St. John participates in the Chief Good Neighbor Program. Funds collected from this program go to our “Friends of the School fund” which helps offset scholarship costs. Receipts should be turned in at the school office.
Domino’s Pizza Coupons
Special coupons are on each Dominos Pizza box. They are collected in the school office and redeemed through Dominos for 5 cent each.Tyson A+
Funds are earned by collecting Tyson A+ coupons from food products. Earnings help to offset the budget shortage created by the school. Turn those in to the collection bin located in the school cafeteria.
Thrivent - Matching Gifts
Monetary gifts given to the school for various projects can be matched if the giver is a member of Thrivent. Inquire in the school office about membership and forms.
General Mills Box Tops
Funds raised by collecting box tops for education are used to purchase and maintain computer equipment for the school. Turn these in at the school office.
Meijer Community Rewards
A percentage of each sale at Meijer is given to the school. Meijer Cards, used to designate the earnings to our school, are available on line. Our school number is 729425.
Campbell’s Soup Labels
St. John participates in the Campbell’s Soup labels collection campaign each year. All families are encourage to participate, but such participation is voluntary. Through the campaign, St. John is able to procure various materials and equipment.
Annual Fund
Each year the Annual Fund Committee initiates a drive to raise a significant amount of money for St. John Lutheran School. This project involves a phone-a-thon, and letter sent to congregation members, school families, alumni and friends of St. John. A celebration event takes place in the spring to thank all donators to this fund.
Formal Complaint Policy - Procedure
The Board of Christian Day School has a definite role in the solving of school problems. The Board is a part of the “of authority” of the school, and at times needs to take an active role in the solving of conflicts.
In the spirit of Matthew 18: 15-17, which encourages a process of speaking directly to an erring brother, we as a Board will encourage all parents, students, and staff members who have complaints about personnel at the school to talk directly to the person involved in which there might be a problem.
We will encourage others, as well as heed this ourselves, to work to solve the problems/conflicts through the proper channels.
We will encourage others, as well as heed this ourselves, to discourage gossip and talking “about” others in a manner which would involve tearing down individuals or ministries of the church or school rather than building up and encouraging said individuals or ministries.
We will encourage others to forgive, keeping in mind the words of the Lord's Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Proper channels for conflicts/problems are:
1. Parent - Teacher - Principal - Board of Christian Day School Chairman - Board of Christian Day School
2. Student - Parent - Teacher - Principal - Board of Christian Day School Chairman - Board of Christian Day School
3. School Staff Member - Principal - Board of Christian Day School chairman - Board of Christian Day School
There may be some situations where it may be necessary for a step in the line of authority to be bypassed. The principal, staff members, and board members are encouraged to use mature judgment in these situations.
In all cases, we must deal with each other in Christian love as fellow redeemed and forgiven children of God who strive toward the common goals of quality, Christian education for our children.
APPENDIX
Tuition and Member Payment Plans
Preschool and Grades K-8, families receive a statement itemizing the tuition or family fees expected for the coming year. These can either be paid in full prior to August 15 preceding the start of the school year (at a 5% discounted rate) or as monthly payments through the school office. All outstanding fees must be paid by May 30 unless special arrangement have been made through the principal or Board of Christian Day School.
Scholarships and Grants
The Board of Christian Day School is aware that in some cases meeting the payment obligations can be difficult. They are also aware that sometimes unexpected events in a family’s life can affect a payment schedule. Plans are in place to help in these situations. Please contact the school principal to learn what options may be available for your situation.
Delinquent Payments Procedure
Monthly late charges of $10.00 will be accessed if fees are not paid in the time allotted. The late fee may be waived due to extenuating circumstances IF the principal is contacted prior to the due date and the situation meets policy requirements.
Book and Supply Fees
All students in grades K-8 are assessed a separate Book and Supply Fee. This fee is due August 15 preceding the start of the school year.
Application Fees
Both the Preschool and the K-8 Elementary school have application fees that should accompany your application package. All Application Fees are $75/child with a maximum of $115/family. Application Fees for K-8 received prior to mid-March will be credited to tuition and/or family fees due in the fall. After this they will be charged in addition to any other fees and tuition. Application fees are not refundable.
The Gift Card Program
This unique program allows you to earn credit toward your fees and tuition through the purchase of “scrip certificates” redeemable at local grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other retailers. A complete package describing this program will be provided upon your enrollment.
Congregation Worship Policy
The Christian Life
St. John Lutheran Board of Christian Day School strongly believes that regular attendance at Worship and Sunday School work together to make our school program much more effective by reinforcing behaviors both taught and modeled daily. Further, we
hold that families that worship together and study the Word of God together become stronger in their faith, stronger in their ability to function together, and more able to resist the non Christian forces in today’s world.
To that end it is our expectation that all who choose St. John Lutheran School as the primary environment for the education of their children will also support that education with weekly attendance at worship and in Sunday School and Bible Class.
We pray God’s continued blessings on your family as you continue to grow in His Word and bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Christian parents and a Christian school faculty are both concerned that Christian children have God’s understanding of the world, God’s intention for their lives, and a growing faith in the promise of God that whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life.
St. John Lutheran Church strongly believes in the value of Christian Education and in the necessity of regular every Sunday participation in worship, sacraments, and Sunday School by the “whole” family in conjunction with a Christian Day School program. The following guidelines are an attempt to set in place a process for ministering to those families who are lax in assuming this responsibility.
- All families (Preschool through Grade 8) will receive a copy of the “The Christian Life” statement when teachers make home visits in August.
- Teachers will review the Christian life expectations with the family at the time the statement is distributed.
- Teachers will look for opportunities within the classroom daily and weekly to encourage students to attend church and Sunday School regularly.
- Teachers in Grades 1-8 will weekly monitor church and Sunday School attendance for their students and semi quarterly report in writing to the principal those students whose attendance is less than 50% in either. All are encouraged to sign the “Fellowship Book” when attending worship services.
- The Principal will send out a letter to all families with students reported below 50% church and Sunday School attendance. Such letter, if at all possible, will be under the signature of both the Principal and the Pastor and will be encouraging, NOT PUNITIVE in nature. The principal and teachers will look for opportunities to orally reinforce and encourage our expectations with families who do not meet the 50% attendance level. Also, this interaction with the family will be helpful in determining if there are extenuating circumstances that interfere with regular church attendance. Such situations might include severe health problems, unusual work schedules, divorce custody situations, and the like.
- Those families whose names appear two consecutive times as not meeting the 50% level will be shared with the Elders, the Pastor, and/or other appropriate personnel who might effectively minister to the family and encourage them in their worship and study of God’s Word.
Adopted: May 21, 2000 by St. John Lutheran Voter Assembly
Effective: July 1, 2000
Student Attendance and Tardy Policy
St. John Lutheran School Board of Christian Day School, faculty, and staff firmly believe that good school attendance is necessary for the following reasons:
- Regular school attendance provides a school climate that is conducive to learning.
- Regular school attendance helps students develop a sense of responsibility, discipline, and work habits.
- Regular school attendance ensures that the student will receive full instructional directions and explanations.
For these reasons St. John Lutheran School has adopted the following guidelines in accordance with section 3321.04 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Student Absences:
Absence from school is legal and excused for the following reasons:
- Personal illness
- Illness in the family
- Quarantine of the home
- Death of a relative
- Observance of a religious holiday
- Family emergency or set of circumstances which, in the judgment of the principal constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.
- Absence for any reason other than those cited above presumably is illegal and unexcused and considered truancy.
- After five (5) total days of absence (excused or unexcused) or three (3) consecutive days of absence due to illness in one quarter a doctor’s excuse is required to return to school.
- After ten (10) days absence (excused or unexcused) total during the school year a personal contact will be made with the parent by the principal or teacher indicating concern for the student’s health and the value of regular school attendance. A warning will be given to the possibility of non-promotion to the next grade level if absences continue.
- After ten (10) days unexcused absence a “Notice to Parent” indicating truancy guidelines will be sent to the parent/guardian by the school office.
- After fifteen (15) days unexcused absence truancy charges will be filed.
- Students who will be out of school on vacation or extended absence are required to have the permission of both the teacher and principal. The teacher may require work missed be made up or may choose to give no credit for work missed due to absences not listed in #1 above. Families must give the teacher one week notice on vacations, otherwise the absence is considered unexcused.
- Students who miss more than 20 days of school during the year, excused or unexcused, run the risk of not being promoted to the next grade level. The teacher, principal and parents will meet in these cases and determination will be made by the principal as to whether or not the student will be promoted. (See Extended Emergency Absences below for exceptions)
Extended Emergency Absences:
When a condition arises that a student cannot attend school in an extended absence, coordination between the following: the classroom teacher, tutorial services, and the principal will determine requirements for completion to be fulfilled and the time frame. Each individual case will be dealt with accordingly due to circumstances for the time missed. Responsibility for initial notification of the school of the situation and fulfilling requirements will rest on the student and parent/guardian. However, school officials will pursue all avenues of possible assistance.
Student Tardiness:
1. A pupil is tardy if this student is not in his/her assigned home room when the bell signifying the beginning of the school day rings.
2. The reasons for excusable tardiness are the same as excusable absences:
a. Late bus arrivals
b. inclement weather conditions
c. Defiance City Schools Band classes
3. If a student is tardy on three (3) consecutive days or five (5) days in one quarter a parent/guardian will be contacted by the teacher and/or the principal.
4. In cases of tardiness exceeding five days a quarter, amount of time missed for tardies will be added together to the absences total. (EX. 3 hours = 1/2 day).
5. If tardiness continues a conference with the parent/guardian will be required.
6. Additional consequences may be implemented if tardiness is considered to be chronic. (More than 3 consecutive days or 5 days in a quarter). These could include detention, inability to make-up homework missed by the tardiness, and non-promotion to the next grade level.
Approved: August 15, 1991
Revised: June 2007
Effective: August 2007
Promotion and Retention Policy and Procedures
The promotion of each student will be determined individually. The decision to promote a student or to retain a student in a grade will be made on the basis of the following factors, which the teacher will take into consideration in forming his/her opinion: Reading level, mental ability, age, physical maturity, emotional problems, social problems, home conditions, grade average.
Promotion procedures demand continuous analysis and study of the cumulative student case history records so that guesswork and conjecture may be reduced to a minimum and the decision may be as objective as possible.
- A child having failing grades in reading, mathematics, or English at the end of each year will have his case evaluated by the teachers and principal for placement.
- A child having passing grades “D” or above throughout the year will not be retained without consultation with the principal.
- A child having falling grades may be assigned to the next higher grade with discretion and only with approval of the principal.
- No child should be retained more than twice in the elementary grades without an individual evaluation and consultation of the professional staff with the principal.
- Documentary or anecdotal evidence should be available to justify retention.
- Excessive absenteeism, illness and lack of effort may contribute to the decision not to promote.
It is the duty of the next higher grade to accept students who are properly promoted or assigned to it from the lower grade and to adapt class work to fit the needs of these students.
Incompletes will be handled by individual teachers. No incomplete will be carried over into the next grading period but shall be considered a failing grade if not made up by the end of the quarter following. Fourth quarter work must be completed by August 1.
Teachers have the responsibility to notify parents by the end of the third quarter if retention is being considered. Parents who disagree with the recommendation for retention will be required to sign a waiver.
Non-chronological grade advancement is not recommended at St. John Lutheran School.
“EXAMPLE”
| WAIVER FOR RETENTION/PROMOTION | |
| St. John Lutheran School | Date: |
| I, the undersigned, as parent of: | |
| refused to accept the professional opinion of school personnel in regard to the proper placement of my child. In so doing, I accept full responsibility for the academic success or failure of my child. |
|
| Parent’s Name : | |
| Address : | |
Approved Bd. of Chr. Ed. April 1985
Extracurricular Activity Statement
St. John Lutheran School encourages regular church attendance from all its students and their families. We believe that worship services are an integral part of our lives. Because we firmly believe this, we want those students representing our school in extracurricular activities to be examples of regular church attendance. Therefore, our faculty and Board of Christian Day School expects an attendance record of at least 50%. If this is not achieved and maintained, the student will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities.
Procedure:
- Church attendance will be taken each Monday.
- If a student has not attended church at least 50% of the time prior to the start of the season, he/she will not be able to participate.
- If a student does not maintain his/her church attendance during the season, he/she will be ineligible until regular church attendance resumes.
- If a student does not attend church on the Saturday or Sunday before a Sunday activity, he/she will not be able to participate.
- Allowances will be made for illness and other extenuating circumstances as deemed by Athletic Director, principal, or chairman of the Board of Christian Day School.
Extracurricular Eligibility Policy
The Extracurricular Eligibility Policy is currently being updated by the Athletic Department.
Code of Conduct
Purpose and Philosophy
The right and responsibility of St. John Lutheran School is to insist on an atmosphere that is conducive to the learning/instructional process. The entire school setting including classrooms, cafeteria, playground, gymnasium, restrooms, and hallways must be a place where students are free to pursue their educational training in a positive learning environment. The code of conduct is also applicable when St. John Lutheran School is being represented in any school activity off the school premises. We seek to teach Christian attitudes of respect for others and the property of others, self-control, politeness, and orderliness. Our school philosophy of discipline will mirror Christ and His teachings through the application of Law and Gospel to discipline situations. We seek to provide a school where children may “...grow in wisdom and stature before God and men.”
Cooperation between parents/guardians and teachers is essential when discipline difficulties are encountered. Christian Attitudes, self-control, and Christian behavior can only be achieved with the active support of parents/guardians. If problems occur, teachers will work with both parents/guardians and students to resolve these difficulties. Every effort will be made by teachers and the administration to apply the proper discipline to the specific situation.
The code of Conduct is posted in the school cafeteria. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available in the school office to interested parents/guardians, students, and school personnel.
Consequences of Misconduct
Students forfeit their privileged to ana education at St. John Lutheran School if the student’s continued presence in school will be of no substantial benefit to him or if his continued presence in school will be injurious to the health, morals, or education of other pupils or the welfare of the school. Possible consequences of misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following list. Consequences will be applied according to the seriousness of the offense, not necessarily in the following order.
- Counsel and verbal reprimand from school authorities.
- Loss of privileges for students, writing assignments, or “community service”.
- Contact with a parent by note or phone.
- Intervention plan worked out with parent, students, and school authorities.
- After school detention.
- In-school suspension.
- Out of school suspension.
- Expulsion from St. John Lutheran School.
Procedures for Dealing with Misbehavior
The following procedures will be followed for dealing with misbehavior according to the seriousness of the offense, not necessarily in the following order.
- The teacher will give Christian Counsel, guidance, and consequences attempting to resolve the problem with the student.
- If unsuccessful, the teacher will inform parents of the disciplinary problem and the concern the teacher has for the child.
- If the situation does not improve, the teacher will consult with the principal. The principal will provide Christian counseling, reprimands or other disciplinary action and will notify parents of the continuing problem.
- The principal has the authority to suspend any pupil whose presence in school is detrimental to the best interests of himself or of the other students and of the school. Written notice of such action shall immediately be sent or given to the parent or guardian and student. A student and/ or a parent has the right to a hearing before the principal in the case of suspensions. Students will be held responsible for all school work missed due to suspension.
- A student may be expelled from school upon the recommendation of the Discipline Committee if the student’s continued presence in school will be injurious to the health of morals or education of other pupils or the welfare of the school. The parent or guardian shall be informed in writing by the principal of such a decision. A student and/or a parent has the right to appeal an expulsion before the Board of Christian Education.
Discipline Committee
A committee consisting of 3-4 members will meet as necessary to make recommendations for disciplinary action in cases of serious misbehavior. The committee will consist of the principal, a pastor,and one member of the Board of Christian Education. Teacher(s) involved will be consulted. Meetings will be called by the principal. This committee will have the authority to expel a student from St. John Lutheran School.
Code of Conduct Guidelines
General
Students will show respect for those in authority and all adults in general. Students are expected to cooperate with teachers, pastor(s), and all other school/church personnel. Students are expected to observe the Code of Conduct of St. John Lutheran School whenever in the building, on the grounds, or representing the school at off site activities.
- Disrespect for those in authority shown by attitudes, words, or actions will result in disciplinary action. The following behaviors may result in detention, suspension, or expulsion.
- Students are not to make noise or act in any manner that would interfere with a teacher’s ability to conduct class or an activity.
- The use of profanity or coarse and vulgar language will not be tolerated.
- Offenses such as fighting, cheating, or stealing will be treated with serious disciplinary action.
- Physical and/or verbal abuse of another student such as kicking, punching, name calling, etc.
- Liability for any willful destruction of school/church property or damage that occurs as a result of failure to observe rules will be the responsibility of involved students and their parents/guardians.
Proper Freedom of Expression
While students are encouraged to exercise their freedom of expression in the proper setting, the rights of others and the school must also be protected. Therefore, the distribution of obscene, libelous, or other inappropriate literature is prohibited on school or church property.
Possessions
- Knives, firearms, explosive devices, or similar devices are not permitted at school.
- I Pods, cell phones, MP3 players, electronic devices, and other disruptive devices may not be used during school hours.
- Gum chewing or eating of candy on school grounds is prohibited except with teacher consent.
- Possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, or other unauthorized drugs on school premises or at school related activities on or off site is prohibited.
- Sale and distribution of drugs, alcohol, fireworks, or other illegal devices is prohibited and will be dealt with serious disciplinary action which may include suspension or expulsion.
- Unauthorized medications, both prescription and over the counter, are prohibited on school premises or at school related activities. (See also: Overseeing the Non Emergency Oral Administration of Physician Prescribed Medication)
Building
- Students are not permitted to arrive at school without teacher or principal authorization before 8:15 a.m. Bus delivery is the only exception to this rule. Students who do arrive prior to 8:15 a.m. should immediately report to the Tiger’s Den or will be escorted to same by school personnel. Parents will be charged at the appropriate rate for this care.
- Students are not allowed in classrooms before 8:30 am or after 3:30pm except with permission and adult supervision.
- Students are not to loiter in the hallways or restrooms.
- Students are not to run in the building except in the gymnasium as may be directed for an activity.
- Students are not to tamper with or activate fire alarms. In an emergency, the student should report the concern to the school office or other adult personnel as soon as possible.
- Students who initiate a bomb threat will be dealt with by law enforcement and may result in expulsion.
- The telephone is for emergency use only. Permission for use of the telephone must be received from the teacher, principal, or other responsible adult.
- At the end of the school day students must do one of the following:
- Report to the bus loading area and wait in an orderly fashion for their bus. Bus students will always be monitored by an adult.
- Proceed to the Tiger’s Den and report in to the responsible adult.
- Report to after school activities such as extracurricular activities, help sessions, detention halls, and the like which will be under adult supervision. Students must remain in the designated room(s) where the activity is scheduled to be held.
- Proceed to the designated parent pick up point and remain there in an orderly fashion until a parent arrives or it is 3:45 p.m. At 3:45 p.m. those students not yet picked up will be escorted by school personnel to the Tiger’s Den Christian Childcare Center. Parents/guardians will be responsible for any charges that may be incurred when students are taken to the Tiger’s Den Christian Childcare Center.
- Proceed out the designated doorway to walk home.
- No student should be in the building or on school grounds after 3:45 p.m. unless involved in activities described above in (a), (b), or (c).
Cafeteria
- Disorderly conduct will not be permitted in the cafeteria.
- Students may not share or trade food.
- All lunch food must be consumed in the cafeteria.
Gymnasium
- Students in grades 5-8 must wear an appropriate change of clothing for physical education classes, including T-shirt, socks, shorts, and shoes specifically for use in the gym. For all other grades, shoes are to be for gymnasium use only. Gym shoes must be worn.
- Any student using the gymnasium must have adult supervision.
- Students must receive permission to use athletic equipment.
- No beverages may be taken into the gymnasium.
- No one is permitted on the playground before school except during the recess period of 8:15a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Bicycles must be walked on the playground.
- All play is to be done safely. Pushing, shoving, and other forms of disrespect will result in disciplinary action. Games that involve tackling or wrestling are prohibited. No kicking of playground balls.
- No organized team games are to be played on the playground except under adult supervision.
- Retrieving play equipment, such as balls, from the street or neighboring yards must be approved and supervised by an adult.
- Skateboards, scooters, roller skates, in line skates, frisbees, and hard balls are not to be brought to school.
- Snowball throwing is prohibited on school premises. Climbing and sliding on snow piles on the school premises is prohibited.
- No students are allowed on the playground after school dismisses unless supervised by adults.
- Wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other item that evidences or reflects membership in, or affiliation with any gang.
- Engage in any act that furthers the interest of any gang, or gang activity, including but not limited to:
- In determining, as part of the application and enforcement of this policy, whether acts, conduct, or activities are gang related, school officials will exercise discretion and judgment based upon current circumstances in school, neighborhoods, and community.
- Students who violate this policy shall be subject to suspension and/or expulsion (See also: Suspension and Expulsion Policy), in addition to applicable criminal and civil penalties. School administrators will confiscate materials and report any acts of gang related activities to local law enforcement authorities and parents and/or guardians.
- The removal of gang related graffiti shall be a priority in maintenance of school property. After police notification, all such graffiti on school or personal property shall be removed or covered within twenty-four hours of its first appearance to school officials, or as soon as possible, unless time is needed to obtain replacements for damaged items. School officials will work closely with local law enforcement officials in controlling gang related activities.
- Suspected cases will be reported to the Defiance County Health Department by the principal of St. John, with immediate exclusion of suspected case students from school.
- Parent/guardians of suspected case students must secure an appointment with a public health nurse to have the suspected case of head lice examined.
- Upon examination by the public health nurse, suspected case students receiving a clean bill of health will be readmitted to school. A statement from the Defiance County health Department indicating that the student has been found free of head lice accompany the student’s return.
- All confirmed cases of head lice will be excluded from school until the infested student has been treated and is determined and classified “nit free” or with “few Nits” by the Defiance County Health Department. A statement indicating this determination must accompany the student’s return. Continued attendance in school will only be permitted if weekly contact sheets from the Defiance County Health Department are presented to the school or until the case is dismissed by the Health Department.
- If the family is unable to purchase the medication needed for treatment, the Health Department will work jointly with the school to provide financial assistance.
- Filing of neglect charges will occur if there is lack of progress with the family after eight (8) weeks. At the time of initial instruction for treatment, each family will be informed by both St. John and the Health Department that they will file a joint complaint of child neglect if after eight (8) weeks little or no progress has been made with the family. Parents and other adult household members of confirmed case children are strongly urged to have themselves checked by the Health Department also. Parents and other adult household members of confirmed case children are strongly urged to have themselves checked by the Health Department also.
- St. John will support and cooperate with the Health Department in:
- Filing of charges prior to the elapsed eight (8) week time period if there is no cooperation or if there is a serious lack of effort by the family to correct the problem.
- Notification of the Department of Human Services and Office of Prosecuting Attorney of the families who are non-compliant at four (4) to six (6) weeks of follow up, which is prior to the eight (8) weeks limit, in order for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to issue a letter of warning.
- Its continued involvement in the case pending the results of the neglect charges.
- Having the Health Commissioner, within a reasonable time following the filing of neglect charges, take noncompliant cases to the Board of Health for further action.
- Parents should first consult with their child’s physician to see whether the medication schedule can be adjusted so that the medication can be taken at times other than during school hours.
- Whenever a student must take prescribed medication during school hours, the appropriate authorization for medications form must be on file in the student’s health folder and available to the person designated by St. John before the student will be allowed to begin taking the medication in school.
- Medication is to be brought by a parent/guardian or by a person designated by the parent/guardian to the principal’s office for safe keeping in the same container in which the drug was dispensed by the prescribing physician or pharmacist.
- For each prescribed medication, the container should be labeled with the following information: Student’s name, name of physician, date, name and telephone number of pharmacy, name of medication, dosage, frequency and any special handling and storage directions.
- At school, all medication will be kept in a secure and safe storage unit not accessible to students.
- The parent/legal guardian is responsible for seeing that the school is supplied with an adequate supply of medication.
- Any unused medication not claimed by the last day of school each year will be destroyed by school personnel by flushing it down a toilet.
- Since the school does not employ a full-time nurse, responsibility to oversee the administration of medication rests with (in this order): The principal, the teacher-in-charge, and any other person specified by the principal in his/her absence. St. John shall designate the person(s) authorized to administer such medication, with their agreement.
- Instruction of the child to report to take the medication at the designated time is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Efforts will be made by school personnel to communicate a student’s medication needs to teachers or other appropriate staff members.
- A log shall be kept for each prescribed medication in the student’s health folder, on which the school personnel will note at that time each occurrence of overseeing the student taking his/her medication.
- New request forms must be submitted each school year and whenever the medication or dosage is changed, which remains the parent’s responsibility.
- All the above rules relate to the non emergency overseeing or administration of prescribed drugs. In a medical emergency, the parent/legal guardian would be immediately notified and appropriate arrangement made for immediate medical attention.
- Strict adherence to the above rules is necessary to protect the school, person(s) designated to administer the medication, and the student.
- Non-prescription medication will not be given by school personnel. The parent/guardian will be able to come to school to administer any non-prescription medicine to their child (e.g., Tylenol, Motrin, cold medicines, etc.
- If unsuccessful, the teacher will inform parents of the disciplinary problem and the concern the teacher has for the child.
- If the situation does not improve, the teacher will consult with the principal. The principal will provide Christian counseling, reprimands or other disciplinary action and will notify parents of the continuing problem.
- The principal has the authority to suspend any pupil whose presence in school is detrimental to the best interests of himself or of the other students and of the school. Written notice of such action shall immediately be sent or given to the parent or guardian and student. A student and/or a parent has the right to a hearing before the principal in the case of suspensions. Students will be held responsible for all school work missed due to suspension.
- A student may be expelled from school upon the recommendation of the Discipline Committee if the student’s continued presence in school will be injurious to the health of morals or education or other pupils or the welfare of the school. The parent or guardian shall be informed in writing by the principal of such a decision. A student and/or a parent has the right to appeal an expulsion before the Board of Christian Education.
Playground
Gang Activity
St. John Lutheran School recognizes that a school must create a safe environment in which learning can take place. The presence of gangs within a school disrupts that environment by threatening the safety of the students and causing disruption to the academic process. Gang activities also create an atmosphere of intimidation in the entire school community. In order to ensure safe and violence free schools, the Board of Christian Day School establishes the policy that gangs and gang activities are prohibited in St. John Lutheran school.
A gang is any identifiable group or club who display or communicate membership in that group and whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts or the violation of disciplinary rules of St. John Lutheran School. In accordance with the safe school act of 1994, no student on school property, to or from school, at any school activity shall:
a. Soliciting membership in, or affiliation with any gang.
b. Soliciting any person to pay for “protection” or threatening any person, explicitly or implicitly, with any other illegal or prohibited act.
c. Painting, writing, tattooing, or otherwise inscribing gang related graffiti, messages, symbols or signs on one’s self, school property, or persons property.
d. Using hand gestures for gang “signing”.
e. Engaging in violence, extortion, or any other illegal act or other violation of school property.
f. Soliciting any person to engage in physical violence against an other person.
Approved: March 14, 1985
Revised: June 2007
Effective: August 2007
Implementation Procedures for Defiance County Health Department School Health Pediculosis Policy and Implementation Procedures
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OFFICIAL POLICY
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EXAMPLES
| Week _____________ |
| Defiance County Health Department 197-C Island Park Avenue Defiance, OH 43512 Telephone: 784-3818 |
| After examination at the Defiance County Health Department, the following condition or conditions have been found for _________________ |
| ___ Treatment has been initiated |
| ___ Live lice found |
| ___ Many nits |
| ___ Few nits |
| __ Nit free |
| ______________Public Health Nurse |
| Recheck Date ____________ |
| Discharged _____________ _____________Date |
Policy for: Overseeing the Non Emergency Oral Administration of Physician - Prescribed Medication
Doctors are the only person qualified to prescribe medication. Pharmacists dispense them. The diagnosis and treatment of illness and the prescription of drugs, medications, preparations, or remedies is the responsibility of a family physician, not the responsibility of St. John Lutheran School or any of its employees, including the health nurse. Both state and federal law restrict what medication may be administered by nurses or other authorized school personnel.
St. John’s policy is to discourage the taking of any oral medication during the school day. There are, however, some unique circumstances which require the cooperation of physicians, parents, and school personnel in overseeing the administration of prescribed medication to students.
St. John will not administer any non-prescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, medications, preparation, or remedies without the parents’s approval. Responsibility for overseeing the administration of non prescribed medication rests solely with the parent/legal guardian and the student. St. John would prefer that parents personally administer medication to their children before or after school, at recess or breaks, or over the lunch hour.
When a student is so ill that oral medication is temporarily required, parents/guardians should consider keeping the student at home until the need for medication is eliminated.
In those special cases where a student needs to take prescribed oral medication during the regular school day while at school, but a parent is unable to personally administer it, the following rules shall apply:
| AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICATIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING SCHOOL HOURS | |||
| The following section is to be completed by the PARENT. | |||
| Child’s Name | Sex | Date of Birth | |
| Physician’s Name | Address | Telephone | |
| I request that my child be assisted in taking the medicine(s) described below at school by authorized persons or permitted to medicate herself/himself as also authorized by me and my physician (see below). | |||
| Date | Parent/Guardian Signature | Home Phone | Emergency Phone |
| The following is to be completed by the PHYSICIAN: | |||
| Diagnosis for which medication is given: | |||
| Name of Medicine: | |||
| Form: | |||
| Dose: | |||
| If medicine to be given DAILY, at what time? | |||
| If medicine to be given when needed, describe indications: | |||
| How soon can it be repeated? | |||
| Is child authorized to medicate her/himself | |||
| List significant side effects: | |||
| Length of time this treatment is recommended: | |||
| Other information: | |||
| Physician’s signature | Date | ||
Suspension and Expulsion Policy
St. John Lutheran School desires to provide a safe and positive learning environment for its students and staff. In order to maintain such an environment, students who either provide a safety hazard for other students and staff, or whose behavior is disruptive to a positive learning environment may be suspended or expelled from the student body.
Procedures For Dealing With Misbehavior
The following procedures will be followed for dealing with misbehavior according to the seriousness of the offense, not necessarily in the following order.
Discipline Committee
A committee consisting of 3-4 members will meet as necessary to make recommendations for disciplinary action in cases of serious misbehavior. The committee will consist of the principal, a pastor, and a member of the Board of Christian Education. Teacher(s) involved will be consulted. Meetings will be called by the principal. This committee will have the authority to expel a student from St. John Lutheran School.
Suspension/Expulsion Policy
Suspension
Suspension shall be no less than one complete school day nor greater than three complete school days and can be served either in school or at home . It shall be at the discretion of the principal after consultation with any staff personnel involved. Parents shall be notified orally and in writing of the reason for the suspension, its duration, ramifications of continued negative behavior, and appeal procedures.
Reasons for Suspension: Failure to comply to Code of Conduct behaviors listed in the handbook.
It is MANDATORY that the parents/guardians come and meet with the teacher and principal before the child will be accepted back into the classroom following a suspension.
After the second suspension for a student within the course of any given year, it is mandatory that the student and parents come before the Discipline Committee. The student will be put on probation and their re-enrollment will be reviewed.
Expulsion
Students who repeatedly are involved in the above stated behaviors resulting in suspension may also be expelled. Expulsion is a permanent separation of the student from the school.
Expulsion is also at the discretion of the principal after consultation with the personnel involved and the Discipline Committee. Parents shall be notified orally and in writing of the reasons for expulsion, the consequences of expulsion, and the appeals procedures.
The Principal is reminded of the seriousness of this action and remanded to use this power only as a last resort. Further no child shall be expelled unless the parents have been given previous warning that such action might be taken due to the child’s particular behavior(s). In a few rare instances, expulsion may be given to students whose behavior is extreme or whose behavior is exceptionally violent and/or dangerous.
Appeals Procedures
St. John Lutheran School desires that all parents and students have the opportunity to have their side heard in as fair and impartial way as possible. The following procedures to appeal suspensions and expulsions are an effort to make that possible.
1. In all cases of expulsion the school shall provide due process rights to the individual(s) involved. Such rights include:
| a. | A student will be given specific written notice of charges. |
| b. | A student has a right to present evidence in his or her behalf. |
| c. | A student has a right to a hearing before the principal. |
| d. | A student has a right to rebut adverse testimony. |
| e. | A student has a right to be represented by qualified counsel at a hearing. |
| f. | A student has a right to appeal to the Board of Christian Day School. |
2. Parents wishing to appeal the principal’s decision must notify the Chairperson of the Board of Christian Day School, in writing, and the principal, in writing, within five (5) days of the action taken.
3. The parents shall then present their appeal at the next regularly scheduled Board of Christian Day School meeting, which shall occur in executive session if the parent or the board so desires.
4. An accurate account of the meeting shall be kept and such account shall be shared with the parent for approval of accuracy within ten (10) days of the appeal meeting.
5. The Board of Christian Day School shall render a decision as to the merits of the appeal within one month of the hearing of such appeal.
6. Should the board find in favor of the student, such student shall immediately be readmitted to all school rights and privileges and notation of suspension or expulsion shall be removed from the student’s records.
7. The Board of Christian Day School is the last avenue of appeal available.
Approved: March 14, 1985
Revised: January 2008