Parent/Student Handbook

2023-2024 Parent/Student Handbook

Parent/Student Handbook

Dear Parents and Students,

“What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?”
-St. John Chrysostom

Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School! In choosing St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, you have demonstrated a commitment to the values and philosophy of a Catholic education. The Parent/Student Handbook reflects the policies of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School for the 2023-2024 school year. Please read this document carefully as there have been a number of updates to policies and procedures.

The faculty and staff of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School look forward to working with you to promote academic excellence and spiritual development in the context of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Administrative Team
Julie Manion, Principal
Sarah Schimmoller, Head of the Early Childhood Department
Sr. Ignacia Carrillo, Head of Religious Education
and Maile Ball, Head of the Middle School Department

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
SCHOOL HISTORY
MISSION STATEMENT
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
VISION AND VALUES STATEMENT
ACCREDITATION
CURRICULUM
Faith Development
Curriculum of the Disciplines
Religion
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Spanish
Art
Music
Computer Technology
Library
Academic Assessment
Testing and Diagnostic Services
Extra-Curricular Programs
Student Council
Kids Club – Before/After School Daycare Program’
St. Francis School Athletics
Daily School Schedule
Admissions
Registration
Age Entrance Requirements
Nondiscriminatory Policy
Immunizations and Health Records
Retention
Waiting Lists
Registration/Book Fee
Additional Obligations
Tuition Payment Policy
Collection Policy and Handling of Delinquent Accounts:
Withdrawal Policy
St. Francis Financial Aid Procedure
Parents as Volunteers
Auction
Annual Giving Campaign
SCRIP Program
Parents for St. Francis (PSF)
School Advisory Council
Home / School Communication
St. Francis Newsnotes
Back – to – School –Nights
FACTS-Student Information System
Staff Mailboxes
Staff E–Mail
Appointments for Teachers
Attendance Policy
Tardiness
Before School
After School
Absenteeism
Absences During the School Day
Vacations: Assignments and Homework
Field Trip Procedures
Student Health and Medications
Physician’s Note
Child Abuse Laws
Office Telephone
Leaving the School Grounds
Visitation During School Hours
Complaint Procedure for Parents
Buckley Amendment
USDA Compliance
PARKING LOT ETIQUETTE FOR PARENTS
EMERGENCY AND PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Weather Delays and Closure
Emergency Evacuations and Disasters
Emergency Information
Emergency Care Information
Crisis Plan
Fire and Other Emergency Alarms
STUDENT SCHOOL-WIDE BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
Student Responsibilities
General Rules for Recess
Inclement Weather
Indoor Recess
Equipment from Home and Inappropriate Items Are Not Allowed
Kindergarten — Fourth Grade Discipline Procedures
Fifth Grade — Seventh Grade Discipline Procedures
Minor Infractions
Severe Behavior Problems
Office Managed- Consequences
Detention
Suspension
Expulsion
Off-Campus Conduct
Lockers
Snacks
Lunch Guideline
Homework Policy
Student Responsibilities
Middle School Responsibilities
Teacher Responsibilities
Parent Responsibilities
Grade Level Guidelines
General Dress and Grooming Code
Dress Code Philosophy
Pants
Jumpers, Skirts, and Skorts
Shirts
Sweatshirts and Sweaters
Gym Clothes
Belts
Socks, Knee high socks and Tights
Shoes
Fall and Spring Uniform
Free Dress Days
Make-up, nail polish and dangly earrings
Hairstyles
General Dress Code Guidelines
Identification of articles
Consequences for Students not in Uniform
Lost and Left
Academic Policies
Definitions:
Academic Probation
General Testing Procedures For All Classrooms
Penalties:
St. Francis Pledge
Right to Ammend

Dear Parents and Students,

“What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?”
-St. John Chrysostom

Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School! In choosing St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, you have demonstrated a commitment to the values and philosophy of a Catholic education. The Parent/Student Handbook reflects the policies of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School for the 2023-2024 school year. Please read this document carefully as there have been a number of updates to policies and procedures. The faculty and staff of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School look forward to working with you to promote academic excellence and spiritual development in the context of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Administrative Team
Mrs. Julie Manion, Principal
Mrs. Sarah Schimmoller, Head of the Early Childhood Department
Sr. Ignacia Carrillo, Head of Religious Education
Mrs. Maile Ball, Head of the Middle School Department

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is a Catholic Preschool through Grade 8, elementary, and middle school. It is a ministry of the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish under the Bishop of the Diocese of Baker.

The curriculum stresses academic achievement within a Christian community where the child feels that he/she is loved and respected by his/her peers and the teacher. The Diocesan curriculum guidelines, consistent with State of Oregon guidelines, are followed for teaching all secular subject areas. The curriculum presented contains current content and fresh approaches to methodology. There is an emphasis on principles, reasoning, and learning through problem-solving. We strive to offer a program that uses many sources of reading material, a wide variety of audio-visual and technology tools, and a multi-text approach to the content areas.

SCHOOL HISTORY
On August 8, 1936, Sister Mary Margharita and Sister Catherine Mary, Sisters of the Holy Names, came to Bend to develop plans for a convent and school. Funded by the parish families, St. Francis School opened its doors on September 21, 1936. The original building consisted of four rooms of equal size. There were two classes in a room and
a lunchroom in the basement. A wood furnace heated the school. Today, the school sits on a 17-acre campus on the east side of town and serves 153 students. The school's official colors are blue for peace and gold for success.

MISSION STATEMENT
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School educates the whole child in a Christ-centered community valuing service, leadership, and academic excellence.

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School endorses the call of the Catholic Bishops of the United States to express its educational ministry through the objectives of personal spirituality, social justice, and a robust academic program in accord with the Diocese of Baker.
1. To develop the total Christian personality by instilling in the students a respect for life and reverence for Christian living.
2. To develop within the school a solid religious education program based on Catholic Theology, Scripture, Liturgical experience, and service so that each child will grow and develop a Christian way of life.
3. To facilitate each child's intellectual, social, and physical development through various instructional methods such as small and large group instruction, departmental classes, and other tools for basic knowledge and formation.
4. To aid students in the evaluation of their own capabilities and vocational possibilities.

It is the consensus of the faculty that every human being has a right to pursue knowledge corresponding with his/her dignity and God-given ability, regardless of background or sex. Education is often of the utmost importance in the early years because, through education and guidance, today's children become the Catholic citizens of tomorrow.

VISION AND VALUES STATEMENT
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School inspires academic scholars motivated to serve with faith and moral character.
St. Francis School Values: Faith. Compassion. Excellence. Integrity. Perseverance. Joy.

ACCREDITATION
St. Francis is fully accredited by Cognia. In the spring of 2016, a team formerly known as Northwest Accreditation Commission visited our school. They validated our school's accreditation based on self-study, student work, and observations in our classrooms. In the spring of 2022, under the new name Cognia, the commission reaccredited Saint Francis School for another five years.

St. Francis strives for continuous school-wide improvement and believes it is an ongoing, collective responsibility and obligation. The standards of St. Francis School are commensurate with or exceed those in public education concerning the length of the school year, instructional time, student/teacher ratio, and curriculum. Faculty members are certified by the State of Oregon and licensed in their teaching areas. A high percentage of our teachers have earned master's degrees. The overall goal of the accreditation process is to positively impact St. Francis stakeholders, which includes students, teachers, administration, parents, and parishioners.

CURRICULUM
St. Francis is a STREAM school that stands for the inclusion of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, The Arts, and Mathematics into all classroom teaching. STREAM is the collaborative blending of 6 concepts through the platform of the Catholic faith in an exploratory and inquiry-based learning environment. Saint Francis School in Bend offers rigorous academic standards. We provide access to technology for our students, including SMART boards in the classrooms and a Chromebook for each student from kindergarten through grade eight.

Students enjoy learning about Earth/Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science through Science and Engineering, along with meeting and exceeding the Oregon State Standards for each discipline, a particular emphasis is placed on using the Scientific Method to complete activities. St. Francis is a Stewardship School through Oregon State University’s Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP). Through the Stewardship program, St. Francis teachers access ongoing professional development opportunities in the natural sciences, curriculum, and support from Oregon State University.

Students compete in the Bend Research Inventerprise Contest each year to engage in the Engineering Design Process. Sixth-grade students attend OMSI Outdoor Science Schools experiences. Seventh and eighth graders may join a traveling school experience.

Students practice service and social justice in relationships, from donating the garden proceeds to grade-level service projects. Respect for others, morals, and virtues are all practiced at St. Francis School. Prayer is taught as the development of a personal relationship with God finding His beauty in the world around us.

St. Francis’ curriculum provides differentiation for student needs with multiple options for acquiring information and making sense of ideas. The primary way of achieving this is through the study of universal concepts. Teachers provide students with profound and complex learning experiences, challenging them at all levels. Teachers use a dynamic blend of whole group, small group, and individual instruction. Flexible grouping allows students to interact with others to develop new ideas. Students are encouraged to question the reasoning and assumptions behind the content, and student-led inquiry provides
● an opportunity for differentiation,
● recognizing student background knowledge,
● readiness, and
● preferences in learning and interests.

Faith Development
The heart of who we are at St. Francis School is rooted in the practice, tradition, and philosophy of the Roman Catholic Church. We teach children to live out the Gospel. Religion is a cherished core component of our weekly curriculum. Students in Grades Preschool-8 begin their school day with prayer, and once a week, the children attend Mass or a liturgical celebration. The parish requires parent/child participation in Sacramental preparation workshops when seeking the Catholic sacraments.

1. Reconciliation: Students in second grade receive instruction for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Children should be at least seven years old to prepare and receive the Sacrament. Students may attend Reconciliation once a month after that.
2. Eucharist: Second-grade Catholic students receive instruction for their First Holy Communion. Children should be at least seven years old to prepare and receive the Eucharist. Eucharist can be received at weekly Mass after a child has celebrated First Communion.
3. Confirmation: Sixth-grade students participate in instruction for the sacrament of Confirmation. The Bishop administers Confirmation in May. All youth preparing to receive this sacrament must meet all the requirements set forth by the diocese.

Curriculum of the Disciplines

Religion
Catholic doctrine and tradition, Bible study, Catholic Social Teaching, preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, and Eucharist are all part of our religion classes. We invite children to develop personal faith, discipline, and moral judgment. Religion classes are an essential part of the curriculum at St. Francis School. All students, regardless of religious affiliation, are expected to participate in religious classes, religious services, and celebrations. The textbook used is Alive in Christ!

Language Arts
The Language Arts Program reflects the inter-relatedness of the communication process. Specific topics and units of study vary between classrooms and grade levels. St. Francis School adopted McGraw Hill’s Wonders 2020 for K-5. The program encompasses grammar, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, literature, writing, and speech. The preschool and pre-k classes use Handwriting Without Tears, a developmentally appropriate, brain research-based approach to initial
instruction, and the Hegerty phonics program. Middle School uses an English language arts series, grammar, and novel studies to prepare our students for high school.

Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum at St. Francis Catholic School focuses on the fact that mathematics is evident in all aspects of human endeavor. Competencies developed include
● understanding numbers,
● measurement concepts,
● fluency in computational and graphing skills,
● understanding of geometric relations,
● the use of effective problem-solving processes, and
● data management.
Preschool and Per-K use Hegerty Mathematics themes. Kindergarten through eighth-grade use Saavas Mathematics. The seventh and eighth-grade focus on advanced algebraic knowledge and geometry skills.

Science
The framework is an activity-based, experiential program involving students in scientific processes and content. The science curriculum emphasizes lifelong skills such as data collection, observation, making logical inferences, and drawing conclusions. Each preschool through fifth-grade class accesses O.N.R.E.P. lessons, Mystery Science, grade level F.O.S.S. kits, and Scholastic Science Spin. Middle School uses an online platform called Activate Science to meet Next Generation Science Standards(N.G.S.S.).

Social Studies
Social Studies teaches students to explore and resolve social issues that are of public and personal concern. Students at St.Francis School study various topics specifically related to grade level. Equal emphasis is placed on skills, values, and attitudes. Problem-solving and decision-making methods are an integral part of the curriculum. Middle school hasadopted the McGraw-Hill 6-8, 2018, Social Studies Curriculum. This program has a book and online version so that education can continue if distance learning is required. The topics include World Geography, World History, and U.S. History.

Spanish
Students in grades K-8 have Spanish classes two times a week. The curriculum includes language acquisition and exposure to Spanish-speaking cultures, emphasizing conversation. Kindergarten through fifth-grade instruction comes out of the Calico Spanish program. Middle school is using the McGraw Hill Asi Se Dice curriculum.

Physical Education and Health
All students at St. Francis School participate in Physical Education and Health programs to improve their health and well-being. We aim to inspire our students to stay committed to lifelong healthy choices.

Art
The Multi-media Art program for Grades Kindergarten-8 stimulates creative exploration through innovative projects using a variety of mediums and materials.

Music
The St. Francis School music program includes movement, dance, drama, song, improvisation, and playing instruments. Student participation in all school-wide music performances is expected and is 50 percent of the overall music grade. Middle school students choose between Band, Choir, and Performing Arts to meet their required credit hours.

Computer Technology
Technology enriches classroom studies, develops critical thinking, and enhances computer literacy. The school computer network has a fiber optic internet connection. St. Francis School has SMART boards or Promethean boards in every classroom. We have a one-to-one Chromebook program for Kindergarten through Middle School.

Library
Our school library contains a variety of classics, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as reference materials. Borrowed books are to be returned on time and in good condition. A fine of one canned good is required for overdue books. (Canned goods are donated to local food banks). Damaged or lost book charges must be paid before any other materials may be checked out.

Academic Assessment
Testing and Diagnostic Services
Kindergarten through eighth-grade standardized assessments occur each trimester. Renaissance STAR online and EasyCBM online or individually. Individual scores are kept on file and are available for parents. These assessments are primarily used for guiding future instruction and in comparative analysis to meet our continuous improvement goals. St. Francis School offers a part-time learning support teacher. We develop Resource Plans/Student Service Plans in-house and implement strategies that assist students with learning needs. St. Francis cannot serve all high-needs students but strives to accommodate and be of service to those within our ability.

The High Desert ESD and Bend La-Pine School District (upon request) assist school families in diagnosing learning and behavior disorders. Testing is done on a referral basis by family request. The teacher, principal, and special education teacher work with Child Find of Oregon, the ESD, and the school district to determine the interventions necessary for each child's academic success.

Extra-Curricular Programs

Student Government and Student Leadership
The Student Government gives students a share in the school management by acting as a planning board for student activities and school-wide events. Council members are eighth-grade students who work closely with faculty representatives.

Junior National Honor Society is starting during the 2023-24 school year. Students inducted into the National Honor Society must demonstrate academic effort, student leadership, service, sportsmanship, and virtuous character.

“Kids Club” – Before/After School Day Care Program
After-school care meets the unique needs of an extended day at school. The classroom teacher dismisses the children directly to the aftercare teacher. Aftercare follows the school calendar, which operates Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. There is designated homework, snack, and outside playtime. Aftercare is closed on all days that school is not in session. Aftercare aims to provide a safe, Catholic enriching, recreational program conducive to learning with minimal formal structure. Children are encouraged to develop friendships, pursue their interests, and gain independence and confidence. It is the policy of the childcare program that children enrolled in Preschool, Pre-K, or aftercare are supervised at all times by an employee registered with the Oregon Registry Online (ORO). School and parish employees will not have unsupervised access to our students. The Janitorial staff will only work in E1-E4 after 6 pm.

St. Francis School Athletics
Athletics, whether a part of the curriculum or extracurricular, helps the school live out its Gospel mission. Athletic programs that successfully integrate the Gospel message produce faith-filled individuals who respect others, value human life, and will sacrifice for those in need.

Teamwork, honesty, cooperation, self-sacrifice, dedication, obedience, hard work, goal setting, respect, self-discipline, and mutual encouragement are the goals for young people participating in sports. Excellence is the standard for any team or program. Excellence in a Catholic school means that the team has reached its full potential individually and as a team. While winning is important, it is not the most important thing. Winning should be a part of the mix, which includes competition, participation, hard work, coping with disappointment, and enjoying victory.

Appointments With Teachers
Parents who wish to set up an appointment or leave a message for a teacher should call the office at (541) 382-4701 or
email the teacher directly. The teacher will call or email the parent back as soon as possible. We cherish the dedicated
time an appointment with you creates. Remember, the teacher's first responsibility is classroom supervision and
instruction. Only stop in to see the teacher before school starts, during, or after school if you have an appointment.
Bend Parks and Recreation Department schedules all elementary school sports. Please indicate that you want to be on a St. Francis School team so that classmates will be placed on teams together. If enough students indicate St. Francis, we may be assigned our own team.
St. Francis Grades 6-8 students may participate in afterschool sports programs at their local public Middle School.

St. Francis offers the following co-curricular program:
Fall: Girls volleyball
Fall: Boys and girls cross country
Winter: Boys and girls basketball
Spring: Boys and girls track and field
Please refer to our athletic policy handbook for more information.

Chess Club and Drama Club
Chess and dram are available after school when parent volunteers are available.

General Daily School Schedule
7:30-7:45 Teacher Work Time in Classroom
7:45 - 8:00 Students report to community center (classrooms on Wednesdays)
8:00 School begins
9:50-10:10 K-5 Morning Recess
10:30-11:00 Preschool and Pre-K Recess
11:00-11:25 K-5 Recess
11:25-11:55 K-5 Lunch
12:00-12:30 Middle School Lunch
3:00 Preschool-8 Dismissal
3:00 - 6:00 After School Care, Clubs, and Sports

Regular attendance is extremely important. A student who misses 10 school days in a trimester is considered to have irregular attendance. Students Have only 60 school days per trimester to be introduced to and demonstrate mastery of content. Parents must check students out at the school office when taking their child out of school for an appointment. Doctor’s appointments should be made after school hours, if possible.**All students must be signed out at the office by a parent/guardian before leaving the school.

Admissions
Registration
Registration begins in January for children already enrolled at St. Francis School. Early enrollment lasts two weeks, followed by enrollment for new families. Administrators will contact families on our waitlist to start open enrollment. Waitlists are for all grades, and families are informed of openings as they occur. Returning families must be current with financial requirements before registration is approved. The Registration fee is due at the time of registration and is non-refundable. Registration can only be accepted if all accounts are in good standing.

Age Entrance Requirements
St. Francis admission requirements are:
1. Preschool and Pre-K students must be 3 or 4 years of age, respectively, and potty-trained by September 1st.
2. Kindergarten students must be five years of age and potty-trained by September 1st.

Non-discriminatory Policy
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions
policies, or athletic and other school-administered programs.
As openings become available, we use the following priorities to accept students to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School:
1. Members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish
2. Members of other parishes
3. Non-Catholic students
Students and their families are not required to be Catholic to attend St. Francis.

At the time of registration, all new students seeking admission to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School are evaluated on the basis of current standardized test scores, screenings, recommendations, and report cards.

Requirements include:
+All students entering St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School must have current immunization records.
1. Birth Certificate copy
2. Baptismal Certificate (Catholic applicants only)
3. Immunization Records
4. Records Release Form (for 1st and up only)
5. Report Cards (for 1st and up only)
6. Standardized Test Results (for 1st and up only)
7. Record of IEP

Parent applying for a child’s Admission in Grades 1-8 must present a copy of the current report card and standardized test results. These will be reviewed to determine whether the program at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School will meet the educational needs of the students. An introductory meeting with the student is part of the admission process.
Testing in some academic areas may be held for new incoming students.
All new students need a period to acclimate socially and academically. If, during this trial period, there are any problems, a student may need to withdraw his/her attendance at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. The recommendation and decision of the School is final. St. Francis is limited in its human capital resources and will make reasonable accommodations for learning differences whenever possible. St. Francis cannot accommodate students with extraordinary learning differences. The School will prorate the tuition due if it initiates the separation.

Non-Catholic students are accepted so long as the parents agree with the philosophy of the School, and there is space available. Non-Catholic students are expected to attend all religious observances. A child may be considered to be admitted to St. Francis School when the following information and documents have been received by the School:
1. Records Release Form
2. The child’s current report card
3. Reason for transfer to St. Francis School

Tuition Payment Policy
Parents and Guardians should be apprised of the following tuition policies that have been established at St. Francis School:
1. Tuition agreements must be signed and returned before the first day of school.
2. Tuition and fee payments are due on the tenth of the month indicated. Payments are late after the 10th and a late fee of $25 will be applied.
3. Tuition accounts must be current by the last week of the trimester in order to be enrolled in the following trimester. Tuition accounts will be checked several weeks prior to the end of the trimester to confirm the student’s eligibility for the following term.
4. All changes to scheduled payment dates must be made with the school office prior to scheduled dates of payment. Such arrangements must then be submitted in writing to the principal.
5. The fee for checks returned by your bank is $30.00
6. Tuition for the current year must be current before the registration deposit for the next school year will be accepted. The registration deposit to enroll your student is non-refundable.
7. The non-refundable registration deposit for the next school year is due and payable on the announced date. Students whose deposits are not received in the St. Francis School office by the due date will not be considered registered. Arrangements for late payments due to extraordinary circumstances should be made before the due date; late payments are still subject to late fees.
As a school community, St. Francis continues to thrive and to grow with the continued financial support of all our families. Tuition payments are due on the 10th of each month. Tuition payments must be paid current or written arrangements made with the principal. Arrangements must be made in writing to the principal or a student may be
dismissed from school. Under no circumstances will a student with outstanding tuition payments be allowed to re-enter St. Francis the following year.

Collection Policy and Handling of Delinquent Accounts:
Hardship can happen to anyone. If this should strike your family, PLEASE inform the Principal so arrangements can be made to assist you in whatever intervention is necessary.

A notice is sent to your FACTS family portal if a tuition payment is late. FACTS will charge a late fee. FACTS is an automated tuition management system. We can not waive bank fees for insufficient funds. In the case of hardship, we request that you be proactive and speak with the Principal. When the second payment is missed without communication from the parent/ guardian, the Principal or School Finance Committee will contact the parent/guardian to request a meeting to resolve the delinquency.
If the parent/guardian fails to make arrangements or to abide by the ones made, they will be asked to remove their child or children from St. Francis School.

Withdrawal Policy
Families must notify the school in writing if a student is withdrawn from the school.
Registered students who enter any given trimester, are responsible for the entirety of the trimester's tuition amount.
St. Francis Financial Aid Procedure
1. Financial Aid packets will be available in the school office.
2. Complete and submit the packet to the school office no later than the date on the financial aid application.
3. Families will be notified of their financial aid. Financial aid will be granted according to need and funds available.

Parents as Volunteers
The partnership between parents and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School aims to provide excellent educational opportunities for our children. This policy provides support services and a distribution of the parent workload, which is needed to operate the school at a reasonable cost. We value participation and appreciate the commitment and contribution that volunteering requires. Without parental involvement, our children would lack those exceptional opportunities that parent/school interaction gives to the entire school.

Auction
In 1994, the Auction Committee began a raffle to raise funds for the St. Francis of Assisi School Auction. This raffle has become a successful part of our yearly auction for the children and the school. Each family agrees to be responsible for a minimum of $100 procurement obligation for the auction and $100 in raffle ticket sales. Billing for unpaid or lost raffle tickets occurs shortly after the auction.

Annual Giving Campaign
The primary focus of this fundraiser is 100% participation of all school and Parish families. No minimum contribution is suggested. All contributions are voluntary. Proceeds from this fundraising drive support the annual operating budget for the current school year. The Annual Giving Appeal funds are necessary to remove a burden from the auction proceeds.

Parents for St. Francis (PSF)
The mission of PSF is to enhance the overall educational, spiritual, recreational, and social experience for our children, parents, and staff.
The objectives of PSF:
1. To promote understanding, communication, and cooperation between parents, school, parish, and community.
2. To support and encourage the teachers, administration, and staff of St. Francis School in their pursuit of academic excellence and spiritual education.
3. To develop and coordinate parent education programs and social and service activities for parents, students, families, and those who support the school.

School Advisory Council
St. Francis School Advisory Council is advisory and consultative. It consists of nine members, in addition to the pastor and principal. Each member of the Advisory Council shall serve a term of three years. Members include two parishioners and four school parents. The School Advisory Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. All parish and school members are welcome to attend open scheduled meetings of the School Advisory Council.
The pastor establishes the School Advisory Council under the diocesan policy to assist him and the principal in the governance of the parish school. The SAC is consultative and advises on the following:
1. Development - PR, Marketing, and Strategic Planning
2. Finance - School Budget Development and Fiscal Management
3. Governance - SAC Bylaws, Policy, and SAC Membership

Home / School Communication

St. Francis News Notes
A weekly school-wide newsletter is sent home electronically on Wednesdays and includes activities and information. Please closely review the News Notes as it contains important dates and information. A second set of messages called Classroom News go out electronically on Sunday afternoon. Teachers are asked to post classroom happenings here.

Back–to–School Nights
New parent orientation is the first meeting of the evening. Classroom orientations for parents follow the principal’s presentation. Parents are invited to visit their children’s classrooms, meet the teachers, and learn more about the curriculum, classroom procedures, etc., for the upcoming year. Teachers will also distribute copies of their classroom
handouts. If children accompany their parents to Back-to-School night, they must remain with their parents. We are unable to provide evening child care due to our Daycare licensing. Children may not be outside unsupervised.

FACTS-Student Information System
Information regarding the yearly calendar, newsletters, student supply list, handbook, etc., can be found at
https://logins2.renweb.com/logins/ParentsWeb-Login.aspx

Staff Mailboxes
Each member of the staff has a mailbox. Office personnel will gladly forward any written correspondence to the appropriate mailbox.

Staff E-Mail
To contact staff members via email, use the first initial of their first name and full lastname as the username @saintfrancisschool.net.

Appointments With Teachers
Parents who wish to set up an appointment or leave a message for a teacher should call the office at (541) 382-4701 or email the teacher directly. The teacher will call or email the parent back as soon as possible. We cherish the dedicated time an appointment with you creates. Remember, the teacher's first responsibility is classroom supervision and instruction. Only stop in to see the teacher before school starts, during, or after school if you have an appointment.

Attendance Policy

Tardiness
Tardiness is unfair and discourteous to the teacher and other students in the classroom. Instructional time is essential, and interruptions of any kind disrupt the learning process. Students who arrive late must be signed in at the school office. These students miss necessary instruction, announcements, and learning time.

Morning drop-off begins at 7:45.
Prayer begins at 8:00 in the Community center. Students who arrive after 8:05 am are marked tardy.
After 8:05 am, a parent must sign students into the school office. If you know your child will be late, please call the office and let us know. Excessive tardies between classes will be a disciplinary matter. After the third tardy, your child will receive lunch detention. The running total does restart at the beginning of each term.

Before School
Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-8 should arrive at school between 7:45 am and 8:00 am. There is no supervision before 7:45 am. Students report to the community center upon arrival. Wednesday mornings, students go straight to classrooms to check in before Mass.

After School
Students waiting for parents will proceed to the designated area at 3:00 pm. If your child is to be picked up after school by someone other than the “regular” person, please send a note with your child.

Absenteeism
If your child will be absent, please notify the school before 8:30 am. The absence will be marked as unexcused unless a parent contacts the office. If you would like schoolwork or homework for your child, please call the office in the morning or email the teacher. Teachers need time to prepare materials.

Illness Exclusion
Students must be fever and symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Students who are sent home during the school day with a fever will not be allowed to return to school the next day as this would not allow for the 24-hour protection of the entire school community.
Students who are absent due to illness have one day for each day of absence to make up the missed assignments, quizzes, or tests. For example, a student who was absent three days would be given three school days to complete the missed work.

Absences During the School Day
Students needing medical appointments during school hours require a written note from the parent. Parents are required to sign out their children. If the child returns to school during the same school day, he/she must be signed back into school with the office.

Vacations: Assignments and Homework
Regular attendance is a positive force in your child’s academic performance. Vacations should follow the school calendar. The school calendar provides for extended weekends throughout the school year. Parents are encouraged to schedule trips or family outings during these times to eliminate the need to interrupt a child’s learning process. Missed assignments are the student’s responsibility. Families who take additional vacations during the school year should give teachers sufficient notice but should not expect schoolwork or homework assignments to take with them on their vacation. Schoolwork and homework assignments flow from how well the class has learned a lesson. Therefore, it is difficult for teachers to include all assignments and readings for families taking extra vacation days.

Field Trip Procedures

Class visits to places of cultural or educational significance enrich the lessons in the classroom. Permission slips are sent home to parents at least one week before the field trip. Teachers will supply a brief description of the trip's activities. Transportation needs should also be noted. Parents must sign that they accept that decision. Parent and teacher drivers must provide proof of auto insurance, a current driver's license, and have taken the online driver training course in CMG Connect.
1. Field trips are re-evaluated each year to determine the compatibility of the field trip with curricular goals.
2. A field trip is a privilege and not a right.
3. There are no "traditional" field trips. Class participation in a particular field trip over consecutive years does not mean this trip has become a tradition.
4. All grades do not always have the same number of field trips.
5. Field trips are permissible for all grades when advanced planning, location, and experience ensure a successful learning opportunity.
6. In consultation with the administration, teachers reserve the right to restrict or deny student participation on any field trip due to, but not limited to, poor academic performance or poor conduct.
7. A written official permission slip, signed by the parent, is required before a child will be permitted to attend a field trip activity. St. Francis cannot be accept verbal permission. A telephone call will not be accepted in place of the proper field trip permission slip.
8. Parents may only permit their child to participate in a field trip by stating so on the proper form.
9. Students who do not attend a field trip will remain at home with their parents and be marked absent for the day.
10. All monies collected for the field trip are non-refundable.
11. Cell phones are only allowed on field trips if directed by the teacher or administration.
12. Parents who chaperone a field trip may not bring preschool or school-age siblings on the field trip.
13. A student who does not have a permission slip will not be allowed to go on the trip.

The following requirements must be verified by the driver or chaperone:
1. A chaperone is required to complete four things:
a. Diocesan Background Check
b. Online “Safe Environment” training
c. Online “Defensive Driving” training
d. State Senate Bill 155 Check
2. The driver must be 21 years of age or older.
3. The driver must have a valid, non-probationary driver’s license and have no physical disability that may impair the ability to drive safely.
4. The vehicle must have a valid registration.
5. The vehicle must be insured for minimum limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence.
6. All children must be individually buckled into a seat belt or car seat during transport.
7. No child shall sit directly in front of an airbag.
8. The driver shall not partake in any activity while driving that would jeopardize the safety of the children (e.g., talking on a cell phone).
9. The driver WILL NOT make undesignated stops.
10. Siblings shall not accompany their parents, acting as chaperones.
11. All rules that apply at school for adults and children apply during the field trip (e.g., no smoking).
12. Encourage everyone to be safe, responsible, and respectful.
The ratio of children to chaperones should be stated. The general rule is the younger the children are, the greater the standard of care. For trips other than interscholastic athletics, supervision of one (1) adult per ten (10) students is recommended. This ratio is lower for very young children.

Student Health and Medications
.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School recognizes that an allergy is a complex condition affecting many school-age children and positively welcomes all pupils with allergies. We encourage children with allergies to achieve their potential in all aspects of school life by having a clear policy that school staff and pupils understand. Teachers and new staff are also made aware of the policy. The school ensures the environment is favorable to children with asthma or allergies.
Any student who requires the dispensing of medication at school must comply with the following State of Oregon requirements:
1. Parents are required to submit a child's medical record through FACTS at the beginning of each school year or when a child joins St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. From this information, the school keeps its asthma/allergy registry available for all school staff. If medication changes between times, parents must inform the school.
2. Parents must complete a permission form to administer all prescription and nonprescription medication. Forms are available in the office.
3. St. Francis School cannot take verbal or phone orders to dispense medication to any child.
4. Children are not allowed to use other children's medication supplies even if they use the same medications.
5. Prescription and nonprescription medication must be brought to school by the parent in its original container. (Please request this from the pharmacy) A physician's order is
to be included on the prescription label or the medication consent form if a medication is by prescription.
6. Self-administration of prescription inhalers requires parents or guardians to complete the Diocese of Baker form. Immediate access to reliever inhalers is vital. Children are
encouraged to carry their reliever inhalers. All inhalers must be labeled with the original prescription.
7. All medications are stored in a locked cabinet.
8. Parents shall be notified concerning any possible side effects from the medication, failure of the student to be responsible about taking the medication, and the need to
replenish the medication.

Physician's Note
Students must have a note signed by a physician to be excused from outside recess or gym class.

Child Abuse Laws
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School abides by the Child Abuse laws of the State of Oregon. These law mandate that all cases of suspected abuse or neglect be reported to Child Protective Services. All teachers and school employees are mandatory reporters.

Office Telephone
Students may use the telephone in case of an emergency. In an ongoing effort to help students become independent, we urge them to take responsibility for remembering their lunch and homework. Students are not allowed to call home during the day. Please make playdate arrangements in advance. We prefer that students leave cell phones with their parents. They are not needed at school and create a distraction to learning. (In the case of a tragic event, staff will contact parents through the FACTS alert system. We know local cell towers would be shut down within five minutes of an emergency to keep first responders' communications open. We will contact you.)
Phones and Smart watches that do come on campus:
Elementary Students: phones and Smart watches must be silenced and kept in backpacks.
Middle School Students: phones and smart watches will be silenced, unused, and stored in their homeroom.

Leaving the School Grounds
Students must have permission from their teacher and written authorization from their parent or guardian to leave theschool grounds during the day or to walk home from school.

Visitation During School Hours
Parents are welcome to attend classes during the school day if they complete the required background checks. Parents must stop in the parish or school office for a “visitor” pass. Please contact the teacher for arrangements if volunteering; parents who have completed background checks are always welcome to have lunch with their child.

Parking Lot Etiquette
We must stress the importance of ALL parents following the guidelines to ensure the safety of our students and parishioners. Our situation is unique because we have minimal parking lot space to drop off and pick up our children. The parking lot is small, and it becomes congested and dangerous. When you enter the lot, we ask that you abide by the following rules to ensure safety for all:
1. It is too dangerous to allow children to cross between vehicles; please have them exit your vehicle on the passenger side.
2. If you are a driver, please do not:

Get out of your vehicle at the drop-off line. If your child needs assistance getting out of your car or getting their items, please park in the designated parking lot and assist them safely.
Pass cars in the drop-off line; please wait until the car in front of you moves forward.
Put your car in reverse. A small child could have gotten behind your vehicle.
Double park or drop children off in the parish parking area.
Park vehicles in the drop-off, pick-up area.
Drop off children at any entrance beside the front parish and school office.

3. Please do:
Be courteous!

Inclement weather creates difficulty on our streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. In these conditions, please be courteous, as many of our parents are uncomfortable with these conditions and need additional patience.
Students must enter the school at the east parish entrance.
Please slow down; children do not always watch for moving vehicles (or listen to their parents).
Please remember it is against the law to leave children unattended in your vehicle.
If you need to walk your children in, or if your child is in preschool, please park in the designated parking lot and do so safely.
The front of the school office entrance is intended for 5-minute parking. This area is not for dropping students off before 8:05 am. It is reserved for parents who need to conduct business in the school office, check in a student after 8:05, or check a student out early.
Slow down to 20 mph in the parking lot and nearby neighborhoods.

It is everyone’s goal to ensure a safe environment for the children. Thus we need patience, cooperation, and understanding to help make our parking lot safe. “Choose safety over convenience.”

EMERGENCY AND PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Parents are responsible for keeping current information on file at the school office and in the FACTS database. Please update changes of address, changes in insurance, phone numbers, or emergency contact numbers when they occur during the year.
Weather Delays and Closure
St. Francis School declares delayed starts based on Bend School District’s delayed start information. When the Public School District has a two hour delay, St. Francis School will also delay for two hours. We do this because Bend School District employs transportation personnel who drive out to each site and assess conditions. On delayed start days, St. Francis School will notify parents via TV channel KTVZ21, Central Oregon Daily FACTS alert messages, and Facebook.

If there is a delay, there is no child supervision until school starts. St. Francis staff members will not arrive until 9:45a.m. Your child must remain in your care until 15 minutes before delayed start time.
If the Bend-La Pine School District closes due to weather conditions, then St. Francis School is closed.
If the Bend-La Pine School District has a late opening of two hours, then St. Francis School opens two hours late.

Emergency Evacuations and Disasters
Emergency evacuation and disaster plans are posted in each classroom. Should an emergency call for the evacuation of children from the school building, teachers will escort them outside or to a safe location until the school is deemed safe by appropriate authorities. Parents will receive a text alert through the FACTS system.
Parents may contact the Parish Center (541-382-3631) in the event that no one can be reached in the school building.
Parents or other family members may not interfere with emergency or rescue personnel or equipment in an emergency. Still, they should wait patiently until the child is accounted for in the proper safe location and can be released.

Fire/Earthquake drills occur once a month, and lockdown drills are performed two times a year as preparation for emergencies.

Emergency Information
In an emergency, information may be released to appropriate persons to protect the students' or other person's health or safety.

Emergency Care Information
Each parent is responsible for providing current information for emergency use. Please update your family information annually and when family situations change. You can edit this information in the FACTS family portal.
1. The name of the student, his/her home address, telephone and birth date;
2. The business addresses and telephone numbers of the parents/guardian and the hours they will be at their place of work. Cell phones and pager numbers of parents
3. The name of the family physician, office address, and telephone number;
4. The name of the medical insurance company and identification number;
5. Special health conditions or allergies to which the student is susceptible; acceptable the emergency measures to be applied, and any current medication;
6. The parents' approval to send the student to a medical facility for emergency treatment should this be necessary;
7. Parent approval for in-school rapid covid testing;
8. The names of the persons to whom the student may be released.

Crisis Plan
In some situations, it may be necessary to have a school be secured from an event happening outside the school. As per police recommendations, the following procedures will be implemented for a secure school:
Secure
1. Doors and windows will be locked;
2. No one will be permitted to enter or leave the building;
3. Secure will continue until the school receives an "all clear" signal.
4. Education will carry on inside the school as a typical day.
5. If necessary, students may be evacuated and moved to another location which will be communicated to parents by emergency personnel.
In some situations, happening outside or inside the building, it may be necessary to have a school locked down. As per police recommendations, the following procedures will be implemented:
Lockdown
1. Windows and doors locked.
2. Children, Teachers, and Staff are hidden from view and quiet.
3. No movement between rooms.
4. Police called.
5. Only the police can release a school from lockdown.
6. Parents will be notified via text alert and FACTS email ASAP.
7. Students will be escorted to a safe location.
8. Students will be reunified with families following the "I Love You Guys!" procedures.
Parents should not call the school. The phone must be available to emergency personnel. Parents should not call the teacher; their attention must be on the situation and the students. This type of event is emotional. We will use first responders and High Desert Educational Service District resources to help reunify you and your child as quickly as possible.
Students will participate in two lockdown drills within the school days per year.

Fire and Other Emergency Alarms
When the alarms are sounded, evacuation is required of everyone. Students are to follow their drill routine and to follow the teacher’s direction:
1. Walk quickly in a single file line to the designated area.
2. No talking or loud noises.
3. Form a line and respond to roll calls.
4. Return to class in a line and in silence so directions can be heard.
Students will participate in monthly drills.

STUDENT SCHOOL-WIDE BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, in all spaces.

All students make many daily choices in deciding to act in a responsible manner. Usually they respect school rules, adult authority, and the rights of others. We will have many celebrations to support and encourage this responsible and virtuous behavior throughout the year.

We believe that irresponsible behavior can be defined as either minor infractions or severe behavior problems. All teachers create their own classroom management programs and plans that are approved by the principal. All teacher created programs will adhere to the school wide policies. Teachers will provide parents with their classroom
management policies.

Equipment from Home and Inappropriate Items Are Not Allowed
1. Permission from a teacher is required for personal equipment for PE.
2. No toys should be brought to school unless arranged with the teacher for sharing purposes ONLY.
3. Students are not permitted to wear smartwatches while school is in session. Smartwatches are to remain in the locker/backpack and turned off during school hours.
4. Cell phones: There is no need for a student to have a phone at St. Francis.
5. Items such as, but not limited to, e-cigarettes, questionable books and pictures, knives, guns, matches, cigarettes, toys, trading cards, laser lights, CDs, cameras, or anything
that will detract from a learning situation are not allowed at school at any time.
6. The school administration, in accordance with state laws, will determine the appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken concerning the presence of these items in the
school. Items taken away from students will be returned to the parent(s)/guardian(s) at the end of the school day or to the student on the last day of school.

Kindergarten — Fourth Grade Discipline Procedures
1. Verbal Warning
2. Redirect
Recorded in FACTS:
3. Classroom Consequences (such as chores, extra work, quiet center, or time out seat)
4. Behavior Improvement Sheet- student is sent to POD (doors open) to complete the form, then takes home for parent signature
5. Sent to the office with documentation that shows what misbehavior was and all the steps (above) that were already taken. Teacher will call the office to say a student is
coming.
6. Exception consequence: Severity of actions may be an instant #4 or #5.
-
-Fifth Grade — Eighth Grade Discipline Procedures
1. Warning
2. Redirect
Recorded in FACTS:
3. Behavior Improvement Sheet- student is sent to POD (doors open) to complete the form, then takes home for parent signature
4. Lunch/Recess/After school detention, 3:00-3:30pm (with or without service project)
5. Office Referral
Three exceptions to this process are insubordination, foul language, and bullying.

Minor Infractions
These are normal discipline problems which will be handled by the staff member on duty at the time of the problem. Classroom teachers will have a plan to handle all minor problems that occur in their classrooms. At the discretion of the supervising staff member, students who are involved in repeated minor problems could receive a Behavior
Referral to the office.

Severe Behavior Problems
Severe behavior problems are unacceptable at St. Francis School. Some examples of severe behavior are:
1. Fighting
2. Bad Language
3. Vandalism
4. Verbal Threats
5. Stealing
6. Drug/alcohol/tobacco/weapons
7. Disrespect/harassment/relationship issues
8. Repeated minor problems
9. Bullying and cyber-bullying
10. Covid-19 teasing

Physical violence or the threat of physical violence is referred to as assault, menacing or bullying. Included is fighting in a school building, on the school grounds or nearby vicinity, or at school-sponsored activities. “Menacing” is willfully threatening to assault a fellow student or a faculty member. “Bullying” is any behavior that contributes to a
hostile educational environment, including “cyber bullying”.

We do not attempt to list every behavior because we expect common sense and conscience to be a student’s major guide. If a student destroys school property, writes on walls, leaves the playground, or some other obvious violation of trust, it WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE to say, “It wasn’t listed in the handbook, and therefore, I didn’t know it was a rule.”

Office Managed- Consequences
All severe behavior problems will be sent to the Administration. The consequences possible for such infractions are:
1. Detention
2. In-school suspension
3. Out-of-school suspension
4. Expulsion
Any work that a student misses due to in-school or out-of-school suspension must be made up. The administrator will call the parents and fill out a referral form to send home with the student. The form must be signed by the parent and returned the following day before the student will be allowed back into class. The administration reserves the right to jump to steps that are appropriate for the severity of the infraction.

Detention
Detention may be issued for a breach of classroom and/or school rules. Parents are provided with a Behavior Improvement Plan Form with written notification of the detention. The day, date, and time of the detention are at the discretion of the Principal who monitors the detention. Detention takes precedence over appointments, practices,
lessons, tutoring, ball games, etc.

Suspension
Issues with behavior that are serious infractions of rules and unacceptable behaviors, depending on the circumstance could result in suspension of the student(s) involved. Suspension of a student may be decided as a necessary means of discipline by the administrator after consultation with the teacher and/or investigation of the situation. The parents will be notified before the student is suspended, and the suspension may vary from one to three days. If sent home, the student may return to school only after school and parents confer. During the suspension period the student is marked absent. Students must complete all classwork and tests from the days of suspension.

Expulsion
Expulsion is an extremely serious matter. Students who pose a threat to themselves or to others may be expelled from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. Students who have been expelled will not be allowed to return to the school for any reason without prior permission from the Principal.

Students whose parents have violated the Parents as Partners agreement in this handbook may also be excluded from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.
Expulsion will occur when:
1. The student has been suspended three times during one school year.
2. The student refuses to follow the School Behavior Plan or displays consistent disruptive behavior.
3. The student has committed a serious offense against the state, city or school regulations.
The principal will arrange for a conference with the parents. They will be informed and given written notification of the reasons for expulsion. The student’s records will be mailed to the new school chosen by the parents.
Drugs and Alcohol
Students who possess drugs and/or alcohol at school or at any school function face suspension and/or expulsion.

Off-Campus Conduct
The administration and teachers of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School reserve the right to discipline its students for off-campus behavior that is not in line with behavior expectations of its students during the course of the school day. This off campus behavior includes, but is not limited to cyber-bullying.

Lockers
Each student is assigned a locker or cubby in which to store clothing and textbooks in their backpacks. In order to maintain a quiet atmosphere for class, students are allowed to go to their lockers only at specified times. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers at any time.

Snacks
The children are permitted to eat snacks on the playground at recess/break. Please deposit your trash in the garbage can.

Lunch Guideline
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School offers a daily hot lunch program through the Bend Lapine school district. Hot lunches must be ordered by the first school day of the month, for the meals chosen for that month. Late orders may not be filled. Students may choose to bring their lunch each day. Milk/juice can be purchased in the lunchroom for $.60. Students may pay with cash or parents may put money on their “account” in FACTS. Students should not bring glass containers, soft drinks, caffeinated drinks, or excessive amounts of candy. Students are expected to use the same manners as a restaurant or those required in the classroom during lunch. Courtesy toward other students and cooperation with lunch monitors are in order at all times. The children say “Grace” together before meals.

Inclement Weather
We have outdoor recess weather permitting throughout the school year. Children are expected to participate in outdoor recess. In extreme weather conditions (e.g. below 23 degrees, air pollution over 100 AQI), recess will be indoors. In the event of serious illness, when a physician advises the child against outdoor play, the parent must send a note of explanation, with the anticipated time your child should stay indoors. If you have a situation not covered by these statements, please contact your child’s teacher to explain your problem so that the best arrangements can be made. Children are expected to come to school prepared for the weather. In the winter, children should wear waterproof boots, warm coats, waterproof bibs/pants, hats and mittens/gloves. There is a high probability that your child will be playing in snow.

Indoor Recess
The children will stay inside if the weather is not advisable for play. This decision is made before morning recess and again before the lunch period. If PE is not in session, the teacher on duty may take the children to the Community Center.

Homework Policy
Homework is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities and further educational growth. Parents and teachers working as partners can provide assignments, direction, encouragement and good study conditions, but it is the student who must complete the assignment and do the learning. Planning for a consistent homework study time allows students to practice, apply, extend, and enrich classroom learning. The teaching partnership of home and school will give students the clear message that educational excellence is a high priority goal, not only during school but at home as well.

1. Plan your time wisely.
2. Look at all of your assigned tasks in Google Classroom.
3. Share your Google Classroom with your parents.
4. Take responsibility for your own learning. Make use of office hours for teacher support.
5. Follow all homework directions and explanations.
6. Ask questions.
7. Begin assignments promptly, and turn them in when they are due.
8. Ask the teacher for extended time if needed.
9. Always do their best.
10. Take the initiative in making up any missed work.
11. Let the teacher know why you were absent.
12. Persevere to assure that difficult tasks get accomplished.

Middle School Responsibilities
The middle school years call for more student responsibility as they work with different teachers daily, with a variety of assignments and projects with a variety of timelines. This is also a time when students begin to transition from nightly assignments to extended assignments, necessitating that they develop the skill of allocating their time throughout the week. Contact individual teachers to schedule conference appointments.

Teacher Responsibilities
In assigning homework, teachers can help students and parents by:
1. Giving assignments during class and making sure materials and objectives have been fully explained.
2. Establishing timely and effective home/school communications concerning homework assignments when appropriate.
3. Being certain that students have the skills needed to complete a task before it is assigned.
4. Estimating the length of the assignment for the average student so that the task does not exceed the maximum time allotted for homework.
5. Assigning homework on a regular basis and relating it to what is being taught in the classroom.
6. Avoiding homework as punishment or disciplinary action.
7. Being sure homework is reviewed.
8. Providing feedback to students in a timely manner on work that is turned in.

Parent Responsibilities
The best way for parents to help a child learn is through example, guidance, and support. It is important that parents listen and express their interest in class work activities when children talk about school. In establishing an effective and pleasant homework time parents can help by:
1. Providing a quiet place to work
2. Providing paper and pencils
3. discuss assignments and skills when they are difficult.
4. Monitor time spent and report to the teacher if the work is overwhelming the child.
5. Practice spelling words and oral reading at various times.

Grade Level Homework Guidelines
These may vary according to student needs, classroom subject/assignments, and special education considerations.
1. Elementary K-3rd: 30-45 minutes a day, not more than 150 minutes a week (For example: 10 minutes in Math review sheet, 10 minutes, of reading out loud, 10 minutes
spelling practice)
2. Intermediate 4-5: 45-75 minutes a day, not more than 225-450 minutes a week
3. Middle School: 60-90 minutes a day, not more than 20-30 minutes per core subject daily, with general understanding that projects require extended time. Usually daily
  work in Math and Language arts and projects for science and social studies.

Saint Francis School Dress Code Policy
Parents are responsible for ensuring that students follow the dress code.
Teachers and Staff are asked to reinforce the code.

General Dress Code Policy
Any issue related to the cleanliness or neatness of the uniform, or the general appearance of a student not explicitly addressed in this Dress Code Policy, can be judged appropriate or inappropriate by the St. Francis School administration. If the administration determines that a student is not in uniform or their appearance is distracting to the educational process or diminishes the school's reputation, modifications to the student’s appearance will be requested.

This policy seeks to give parents basic expectations for an argument-free experience at St. Francis School. However, this policy does not seek to be comprehensive and may be altered by the administration in cooperation with the School Advisory Council.

Consequences for Students Not in Uniform
1. First Offense – A note will be sent to the student’s parent(s) indicating the student is not compliant with this Dress Code Policy. The student will be instructed to change
into Sister’s Closet Uniform Exchange uniform.
2. Second Offense – A parent will be called to bring a change of clothing for the student.
3. Middle School Students- Apparent refusal to dress down for PE will result in spending the class period in office detention.

The support and compliance of the parent community with the enforcement of the Dress Code Policy is very important. It eliminates conversations at home about why “I can’t wear such-and-such because so and so had it on.” It also teaches students the importance of abiding by policies, and self-discipline, a necessary skill as they prepare for their futures in school and the workforce. Students behave accordingly and have a better understanding of the expectations when they are in uniform.

SCHOOL-WIDE DRESS CODE PROVISIONS
The following provisions of the Dress Code Policy apply to all grades at St. Francis School, Preschool through Grade 8:

MASS DAYS:
● Shirts must be tucked in during Mass.
● No shorts are allowed to be worn on Mass Days.
● No hoodies may be worn when reading or cantoring during Mass.
● Please refer to the school calendar and school communications for the identification of Mass Days. Weekly mass is typically held on Wednesdays; however, there are Holy Days of Obligation and other special Mass Days that may fall on other days of the week.

HAIR/HATS:
● Hair will be natural looking, clean, neat, and away from the eyes.
● No bleached or streaked hair is allowed. Naturally-colored highlights are allowed.
● No spikes, lines, images, tails, shaved heads, beads, glitter, or colors.
● Hair accessories, such as clips or headbands, must follow uniform colors and not interfere with the learning environment.
● Hats are not to be worn in school unless they are part of an organized Spirit Dress Day. Hats can be worn on the playground and during recess for protection from the sun.
● Boys hair should be no longer than at the shoulder.

SWEATSHIRTS, SWEATERS AND JACKETS:
● Colors: Solid navy blue, red, or white
● Styles: Crew-neck pullover sweatshirts (plain or with school logo), Crew/v-neck pullovers (plain or with school logo), cardigan or sweater vests (plain or with school
logo), hooded sweatshirts with the St. Francis logo. Also, St. Francis Team Sports sweatshirts may be worn.
● Outdoor wear jackets can be of any color (no inappropriate logos), may be worn outdoors.

SPIRIT WEAR & FREE DRESS DAYS:
Non-uniform days are observed throughout the school year. On non-uniform days, students are expected to be in modest and appropriate attire. Students are not allowed to wear tank or spaghetti-strapped tops, t-shirts with inappropriate logos, tops that reveal the wearer’s midriff, biker shorts, skirts or shorts shorter than with fingertips extended at their side, baggy pants, clothes with tears/holes or cut-off jeans.
● All students have the privilege of wearing Free Dress on select dates delegated by the Administrative Team. On Free Dress Days, uniforms do not have to be worn, but all
students are expected to be clean, neat and take pride in their appearance.
● Students earn the privilege of a Spirit Wear Dress Day on special occasions identified by the administrative team. Spirit Wear Dress Days consist of students wearing jeans
(not ripped or torn) and Saint Francis Spirit Wear.
● Middle School students also earn the privilege of a Spirit Wear Dress Day on Middle School Youth Group Days, which are scheduled approximately once each month,
and on other special occasions identified by the administrative team. Spirit Wear Dress consists of 6th-8th graders wearing jeans (not ripped or torn) and Saint Francis
   Spirit Wear.
Note:
● Modest athletic leggings may be worn.
● Logos, images, and advertising on t-shirts or sweatshirts must be appropriate.
● Please see the “Shoes” discussion below for what constitutes acceptable footwear.

GYM CLOTHES:
● Grades PK-4 wear the school uniform and tennis shoes to gym class.
● Grades 5-8 bring their gym clothes to school. The gym uniform will be purchased through St. Francis School. Students will change into their gym uniforms before class
    and back into uniforms after class.

BELTS:
● Belts are optional. If worn, belts must be either dark brown or black with no decoration (e.g., no studs or embellishments).

SOCKS, KNEE HIGH SOCKS, AND TIGHTS:

● Colors: Only solid white, solid black, khaki (tan), navy, and red socks are allowed.
● Socks must be worn and need to be visible above the shoe.
● Girls have the option of wearing socks, leggings or tights with their uniform. It is suggested that girls wear bike shorts under their dresses or skirts if they choose not to
   wear tights.
SHOES:
● Athletic shoes are preferred for school and are required for PE.
● Other closed-toe types of shoes (i.e., non-athletic shoes) may be worn, but shoes must have heels of 1 inch height or less and must fully cover toes and heels.
● Shoes with laces must be tied.
● Snow boots must be worn outdoors on snowy days; please bring an indoor pair of shoes, as well, on snowy days.
● Sandals, flip-flops, and crocs are not allowed.
● Cowboy-style boots may only be worn on Free Dress Days.

SNOW CLOTHES:
Recess is available when the temperature is above 23 degrees Fahrenheit. On days that have snow on the ground, students need boots, warm jackets, mittens or gloves, and hats (snow suits and snow pants are helpful but not required). Please provide an extra reusable bag or pack to transport snow clothes in the winter.

ELEMENTARY UNIFORMS: PRESCHOOL – 5TH GRADE
SHIRTS: Red, navy, or white polos (short or long-sleeved) with or without the school logo.
SKIRTS, SKORTS, DRESSES: Dark khaki, navy, or plaid (length must be below fingertips).
SHORTS AND PANTS: Navy or khaki (chino pants or twill). No cargo shorts, cargo pants, capris, sweats, jeans, or tear-away pants.
NAIL POLISH AND JEWELRY: Nail polish of solid, neutral, or clear without embellishment is allowed. Light jewelry, including stud earrings, may be worn if it is not a distraction or a safety concern. Teachers may ask that jewelry be stored in the backpack if it becomes a disruption.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UNIFORMS: 6TH – 8TH GRADES
SHIRTS: Navy, white, red, or light blue polos (short or long-sleeved) with or without the school logo.
SKIRTS: Navy, khaki, plaid, or black (length must be below fingertips).
SHORTS AND PANTS: Navy, khaki, or black (chino pants or twill). No cargo shorts, cargo pants, capris, sweats, jeans, or tear-away pants.
BLAZERS: School blazers in navy and black (with or without the school logo) can be worn; please see Lands’ End for purchasing options.
MAKEUP, NAIL POLISH, AND JEWELRY:
● Nail polish and professional manicures of solid, neutral, or clear, or standard French tip with no embellishments are allowed as long as they do not interfere with the
learning environment.
● 6th - 8th-grade ladies may wear natural-looking makeup, which must be lightly applied.
● Jewelry may be worn if it is not a distraction or a safety concern. Earrings must be of post or stud types for the school day. No other piercings are acceptable during school
   hours.

IDENTIFICATION OF ARTICLES
● Please label articles of clothing, such as hats, sweaters, jackets, shirts, boots/shoes, and gloves.
● Lunch boxes and playground equipment (e.g., balls) brought from home should also be labeled.
● When the weather gets warm, the students tend to take off sweaters or jackets at recess time. Thus, many articles of clothing are lost at recess. Having your child’s personal
   property labeled facilitates the process of returning lost items.

LOST AND LEFT
Any items left in the school building or on the school grounds should be given to the school receptionist to be placed in the Lost and Left basket. Items placed in the Lost and Left basket remain there for 10 days. After 10 days, items are donated to charity.

Academic Policies
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society
Beginning August of 2023, St. Francis school has membership in the National Association of Secondary School Principals Honor Societies. Students in sixth through eighth grade meeting the requirements in scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship will be invited to submit an a candidate information form. Selection of members will be determined by a faculty council. The council will consist of five teachers, an advisor and the principal.

Students should be aware of the commitment to attend meetings which will be held regularly, during the lunch hour. A grade point average of 3.5 or above is required. Honor Society students are expected to take an active role in service and leadership in his/her school community. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society (in high school) helps students be eligible for many college scholarships.

Discipline or Dismissal of Honor Society Members
Any member who falls below standards in scholarship,service, leadership,character, or citizenship may be considered for discipline or dismissal. If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.5 He/she will be given a warning letter and a reasonable time period for improvement, before action is taken for dismissal. Violations of the law, school regulations, or school code of conduct are grounds for dismissal. A first offense or minor infraction may result in a written warning notification. Members have the right to respond to any violation notice in writing or in a face to face hearing with the council.

HONESTY PRINCIPLE
The St. Francis faculty and principal believe in academic honesty and the principle of the honor code. Students are expected to do their own homework, to test without external resources, and to submit original work for all assignments. St. Francis students are also expected to deny all requests to copy from their work. Violation of this
principle is subject to both disciplinary and academic penalties.
Definitions:
PLAGIARISM: “Fundamentally, plagiarism is the offering of the words or ideas of another person as one’s own”.
Plagiarism includes:
1. The use of another person’s work, in part or in full. This includes copying homework.
2. The use of material without documentation, in part or in full.
3. Paraphrasing original material without documentation.
4. Letting Artificial Intelligence bots do your work.
CHEATING: Cheating is an attempt to improve one’s score or to help to improve someone else’s score through dishonest means.
Cheating includes:
1. The use of another person’s test/answers either before or during the exam.
2. The use or possession of notes, answers, cheat sheets, or other sources not approved by the teacher during the exam.
3. The stealing/receiving of test papers prior to the test.
4. The giving/receiving of specific test information.
5. Marking answers after the test period is over.
6. Letting Artificial intelligence bots do your work

Academic Probation
A student whose academic performance indicates serious deficiencies may be placed on academic probation. Academic probation is for students who can learn, but choose not to learn. Students on academic probation will be placed on a two week improvement plan. At the end of the two week period, the student’s academic progress will be assessed. Students whose average is an F will not be allowed to participate in any sports, extra curricular activities associated with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School or academic competition until the grade has improved to a passing grade of D (70% or higher).
General Testing Procedures For All Classrooms
In order to reach consistency in our teaching of academic ethics at St. Francis, the faculty agrees to a set of general procedures for all testing situations at St. Francis. While each teacher has the professional right to adopt additional rules consistent with his/her philosophy, all students can expect to follow the testing procedures:
1. Students must follow teacher directions.
2. Students cannot talk to other students during the examination period.
3. Students must keep their eyes on their own paper during the exam. Students must cover their answers to the test.
Penalties:
PLAGIARISM: The academic penalty for plagiarism is a zero (0) on the assignment and referral to the principal for all students involved.
CHEATING: The academic penalty for cheating is a zero (0) on the test or quiz and referral to the principal for all students involved.
SHARING HOMEWORK: The academic penalty for sharing homework is a zero (0) on the assignment for the student(s) giving and/or receiving the homework, and a referral to the principal.
VIOLATING TESTING PROCEDURES: Violations of testing procedures are usually referred to the principal. The penalty for violating testing procedures will be determined by the principal in consultation with the teacher. A student athlete or student involved in extracurricular activities who is involved in cheating will also be unable to participate in sports/extracurricular competition.

Policy to comply with Senate Bill 197
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School operates with the understanding that every human being has a right to pursue knowledge corresponding with his/her dignity and God-given ability, regardless of background or sex in a safe, supportive learning environment. In the early years, education is often of the utmost importance because through education and guidance the children of today become the Catholic citizens of tomorrow. To this end, Saint Francis School administrators, staff, teachers, volunteers, parents and students find any harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyberbullying, teen dating violence, gender harassment or abusive behaviors unacceptable and prohibited.
The prohibition against abusive behaviors includes anyone who is:
● on or immediately adjacent to school grounds or school or district property,
● at any school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or program,
● off school or district property, if a student or staff member acts toward the person in a manner that creates a hostile environment for the person while at school or a school-
sponsored or district-sponsored activity or program.
“Cyberbullying” means the use of any electronic communication device to harass, intimidate, or bully.
“Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any act that:
Substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities or performance: Takes place on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any
school-sponsored activity, on school-provided or parent transportation or at
any official school bus stop;
“Interfere” means to interpose in a manner that would reasonably be expected to hinder or impede a person in the petitioner’s situation.
Has the effect of:
Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property;
Knowingly placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property; or creating a hostile educational environment, including interfering with the psychological well-being of a student; and may be based on, but not be limited to, the protected class status of a person.
“Protected class” means a group of persons distinguished, or perceived to be distinguished, by race, color, religion, sex, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, familial status, source of income or disability. (ORS 339.351 to 339.364)
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic school will not tolerate:
● Sexual harassment of students by staff members or other students.
● Sexual harassment of staff members by students or other staff members.
Sexual Harassment is defined as...
● A demand or request for sexual favors in exchange for benefits,
● Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal or nonverbal and that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment,
● Assault when sexual contact occurs without a person’s consent because the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is unconscious or is pressured through
   physical force, coercion or explicit or implied threats.
Specific examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to the following:
• Making unsolicited sexual advances and propositions
• Using sexually degrading words to describe an individual or an individual’s body
• Displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures
• Telling inappropriate or sexually related jokes
• Making reprisals, threats of reprisals, or implied threats of reprisals following a negative response to sexual advances
• Offering employment benefits such as promotions, favorable performance evaluations, preferred duties or shifts, recommendations, reclassifications, etc., in exchange for
   sexual favors
• Persistent and unwelcome flirting, kissing, massaging, leering, or intimate touching
Specific examples of children’s harassment include but are not limited to the following:
Poking, Tripping, moving chairs, throwing food, name calling, insulting, using degrading words to describe an individual or an individual’s body, displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, drawings, passing intimidating notes, excessive emails, or inappropriate emails.
“Cyberbullying” means the use of any electronic communication device to harass, intimidate, or bully.
“Teen dating violence” means:
● A pattern of behavior in which a person uses or threatens to use physical, mental or emotional abuse to control another person who is in a dating relationship with the
   person, where one or both persons are 13 to 19 years of age; or
● Behavior by which a person uses or threatens to use sexual violence against another person who is in a dating relationship with the person, where one or both persons are
13 to 19 years of age.

Behavior Code:
All students, teachers, and members of the community of Saint Francis of Assisi School are expected to treat all other persons with whom they come into contact with respect, safeguarding their dignity as children of God.

All employees of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School are mandatory reporters. Nothing in this policy precludes or prohibits them from their duty to contact the Department of Human Services if they suspect child abuse. A mandatory reporter’s failure to report bullying, teen dating violence, sexual harassment, harassment, or abuse can lead to reprimand, removal from your position, loss of license, court-imposed fines and/or imprisonment.

When a staff member becomes aware of behavior that may violate the policy, the staff member shall report to the principal, superintendent, or pastor so that the official and the staff member may coordinate efforts to take any action necessary to ensure the student is protected, and to promote a non-hostile learning environment, including:
Providing resources for support measures to the student; and taking any necessary actions to remove potential future impact on the student but that are not retaliatory against the student or the staff member who reported to the principal, superintendent, or pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School.

Action Steps for the report of abuse:
Anyone can create an abuse report: Please fill out the Red Flag Warning Reporting sheet available on the school’s website, in FACTS: family documents, or from the school office. A small child can be assisted in filling out the report with the help of a trusted adult. Statements can be made anonymously or verbally.
*False reporting can be prosecuted.

Step 1: The principal, superintendent, or pastor will write a notice of the complaint and the initiation of the investigation to the complainants parent and any other person needed for participation in the investigation within 24 hours. The investigation will begin within 5 days. The principal will coordinate with local education authorities for services to the affected child, children, or employee. A written notice will be sent to the concerned parties at the completion of the investigation noting the steps to be taken to remedy the situation and create a safe and supportive learning environment for the complainant.

Step 2: The principal will act to protect the complainant from the offender during and after the investigation, support the complainant’s learning, and restore the educational atmosphere.
Consequences for the offender are possible but not limited to
1. Removal from the classroom to office
2. Loss of extra-curricular privileges
3. In school suspension
4. Suspension
5. Expulsion
6. Visit from Public school officials/counselor
7. The requirement of counseling
8. Acts of retaliation are grounds for expulsion

Step 3: The principal shall contact the families involved in writing to explain their right to a hearing, to counsel, and to supportive services offered through the public schools. If the matter is not resolved within ten days families may appeal to the superintendent. The complainant’s right to privacy shall be safeguarded but complete privacy is not a guarantee.

Step 4: If the complainant is not satisfied with the superintendents answer they may Appeal to the Pastor. The pastor as 20 days to investigate and respond. He may conduct hearings, allowing both sides to tell their story separately.

Step 5: If a complainant is still unsatisfied the family may appeal to the Bishop who will have final say on the issue. Civil and criminal remedies that are not provided by the school or district may be available to the student, student’s parents, staff member, person or person’s parents through the legal system and that those remedies may be subject to statutes of limitation. The policy can be found in the staff handbook, parent and student handbook, the athletic handbook, the online
handbooks, in FACTS Family Documents and in the school office.

St. Francis Pledge
At St. Francis School we pledge to provide:
1. A school atmosphere free from disruption and conducive to the educational process.
2. Information to parents/guardians about your child’s educational program.
3. Information about your child’s progress or lack of progress.
4. Access to your child’s records.
5. Information to parents of rules and regulations.
6. Opportunities for meetings with teachers to discuss grades or concerns.
7. A school where teachers and administrators fairly and consistently enforce rules and regulations.

Because a child learns best by the reverent, responsible and respectful example of the parents, we ask in return that Parents/Guardians:
1. Reinforce good Christian values.
2. See that your child attends school regularly, on time, and in appropriate dress.
3. Emphasize discipline and responsibility.
4. Supervise the completion of homework.
5. Demonstrate respect for the learning environment and adults in authority.
6. Be an example of reverence during prayer time.
7. Stop rumors and gossip, and go through the proper channels when a problem arises.
8. Notify the school of your child’s absence by 8:30 each morning.
9. Understand that the good of all children comes before your child’s needs or wants.

Right to Amend
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School reserves the right to amend this Handbook. Notice of amendments will be sent to
parents’ e-mail communication.

Parent Confirmation
* We are aware of, understand and agree to follow the policies and procedures stated in the Handbook.
* We acknowledge that the school has the right to amend the Handbook and code of conduct during the school year as needed and we agree to follow the policies and
procedures as may be added or amended.
* We have received and read the new Diocese of Baker Transgender Policy.
* We understand we may be asked to withdraw our student(s) from the school or our students may not be invited to return the following school year, if we fail to fulfill our
responsibilities under the handbook, policies and any additions and amendments that may be made.

Our signatures indicate our commitment to fulfill our obligations to the requirements of the Handbook, Policies.

I, _____________________________________, and I_____________________________________
(parent signature) (parent signature)
do understand and agree to the policies of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School.

2023-2024 Parent/Student Handbook

Parent/Student Handbook

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