Post on 24-Aug-2020
St. Mark Catholic School
Parent-Student Handbook 2019-2020 Academic Year
Rev. Brian Hecktor, Pastor
Mrs. Julie Bingham, Principal
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook ii
PARENT - STUDENT HANDBOOK
2019-2020
Policies and Procedures
For
St. Mark Catholic School
4220 Ripa Ave.
St. Louis, Missouri 63125
314.743.8641
Fax: 314.743.8690
www.stmarkstl.com
Archdiocese of St. Louis
St. Mark Catholic School is accredited by the Missouri Chapter of the National
Federation of Nonpublic Schools.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook iii
Table of Contents
Contents 2019-2020 Academic Year.......................................................................................................................... 1
2019-2020 Faculty & Staff .............................................................................................................................. 1
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS WITNESS STATEMENT ..................................................................... 2
Amendment of the Handbook ....................................................................................................................... 3
Handbook Agreement .................................................................................................................................... 3
Administration ............................................................................................................................................... 3
School Board .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Philosophy Statement ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Admissions ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Policy of Non-Discrimination ..................................................................................................................... 8
Admission Policy ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Re-Enrollment of Current Students ............................................................................................................. 9
Waiting List ................................................................................................................................................. 9
Students with Special Needs ....................................................................................................................... 9
The School Day.............................................................................................................................................. 9
Uniforms ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
EVERYONE......................................................................................................................................... 10
GIRLS ................................................................................................................................................... 11
BOYS .................................................................................................................................................... 12
DRESS DOWN DAY DRESS CODE: ............................................................................................... 12
Identification of Possessions .................................................................................................................. 12
Morning Arrival Procedures: .................................................................................................................. 13
Arrival Procedure .................................................................................................................................... 13
Before School Care .................................................................................................................................. 13
Daily Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 13
Attendance and Punctuality .................................................................................................................... 13
Absenteeism: ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Tardy: .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Student Release from School ................................................................................................................ 15
Appointments ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Duel Enrollment .................................................................................................................................... 15
Religious Services ................................................................................................................................... 16
Textbooks ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Classroom Interruptions .......................................................................................................................... 16
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook iv
Electronics and Cell Phone Usage by Students ..................................................................................... 17
Cafeteria ................................................................................................................................................... 17
Dismissal Procedure ................................................................................................................................ 18
Early Dismissal Days .............................................................................................................................. 18
After Care ................................................................................................................................................. 18
Special School Days ................................................................................................................................ 18
Field Trips ................................................................................................................................................ 19
Snow Days ................................................................................................................................................ 19
Snow Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Water Bottles ........................................................................................................................................... 19
Communication ............................................................................................................................................ 20
Use of Electronic Communications Devices and Applications ................................................................. 21
Use of Student Photographs by the School and the Media ....................................................................... 21
Grievance Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 21
Phone and Email ....................................................................................................................................... 22
Visiting the School .................................................................................................................................... 22
Curriculum ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Core Curriculum Guide: ............................................................................................................................ 22
Academic Honesty .................................................................................................................................... 22
Computers ................................................................................................................................................. 22
Chromebook Use and Expectation: ........................................................................................................... 22
E-Readers .................................................................................................................................................. 23
Instrumental Music: .................................................................................................................................. 23
Internet Acceptable Use Policy and Electronic devices (See Appendix) .................................................. 23
Instructional Use of Copyrighted Materials .............................................................................................. 23
Assignment Notebooks ............................................................................................................................. 23
Homework ................................................................................................................................................. 23
Redo Work ................................................................................................................................................ 24
Honor Roll ................................................................................................................................................. 24
Library ....................................................................................................................................................... 24
Recess ........................................................................................................................................................ 24
Resource Teacher/Learning Consultants: .................................................................................................. 25
Science Lab Safety .................................................................................................................................... 25
School Supplies ......................................................................................................................................... 25
Student Publications .................................................................................................................................. 25
Extra-Curricular Activities ........................................................................................................................ 26
Discipline ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline™ ..................................................................................................... 28
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook v
Disciplinary Procedures ............................................................................................................................ 29
Responsibility Card ................................................................................................................................... 29
Behavior Cards .......................................................................................................................................... 30
Academic Honesty .................................................................................................................................... 31
Alcohol-Drugs-Tobacco-Violence Weapons ............................................................................................ 32
Cell Phones/Pagers/I pods/Apple Watches ............................................................................................... 32
Harassment ................................................................................................................................................ 32
Internet and Electronic Communications Conduct ................................................................................... 32
Violence (see appendix) ............................................................................................................................ 33
Weapons .................................................................................................................................................... 33
Detention ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Probation ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Suspension................................................................................................................................................. 33
Withdrawal for Cause................................................................................................................................ 34
Emergency Procedures .................................................................................................................................. 34
Finances ........................................................................................................................................................ 35
Fees ........................................................................................................................................................... 35
Book Fees/Registration Fees ..................................................................................................................... 35
Chromebook Fee: ...................................................................................................................................... 35
Financial Policy ......................................................................................................................................... 35
Student Health .............................................................................................................................................. 36
Hearing and Vision Screening................................................................................................................... 37
Medication (See Appendix – Medication Policy And Medical Consent Form) ....................................... 37
Child Abuse ............................................................................................................................................... 37
Safety Patrol .............................................................................................................................................. 37
Student Insurance Program ....................................................................................................................... 37
Safety Drills .............................................................................................................................................. 37
School Calendar ........................................................................................................................................... 37
School Grounds & Facility ......................................................................................................................... 37
Student Evaluation ....................................................................................................................................... 38
Standards-Based Grading .......................................................................................................................... 38
Grading Scale for Standards Based Grading ............................................................................................. 39
Grade Scale for 5th-8
th grades .................................................................................................................... 40
Online Grades ............................................................................................................................................ 40
Progress Notes ........................................................................................................................................... 40
Report Cards .............................................................................................................................................. 40
Parent-Teacher Conferences ..................................................................................................................... 40
Promotion and Retention ........................................................................................................................... 41
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook vi
Standardized Testing ................................................................................................................................. 41
Cumulative Records .................................................................................................................................. 41
Custody Agreements ................................................................................................................................. 42
Catholic High School Application Process ................................................................................................ 42
Process and Timeline: ............................................................................................................................... 42
Parent Involvement ...................................................................................................................................... 43
Volunteers ................................................................................................................................................. 43
Parent-Teacher Association....................................................................................................................... 43
St. Mark Catholic School Parent Witness Statement ................................................................................ 43
Maintaining School Privacy ........................................................................................................................ 44
APPENDIX:
Communicable Diseases
Dress Code
E-Reader Permission Form
Internet and electronic Device Acceptable Use
Field Trip Consent Form
Primary Behavior Chart
Middle School Discipline
Head Lice Policy
Online Pledge
Medication Policy
Medication Consent Form
Private Vehicle Transportation
Supply List
Suspension Policy
Probation
Withdraw for Cause (Expulsion)
Violence Policy
Witness Statements
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 1
St. Mark Catholic School 2019-2020 Faculty & Staff
Pastor Rev. Brian Hecktor
Pastor IHM Rev. Msgr. Jerome Billing
Principal Mrs. Julie Bingham email: principal@stmarkstl.com
Secretary: Mrs. Mary Althage email: malthage@stmarkstl.com
Marketing/Advancement: Mrs. Debbie Greubel email: dgreubel@stmarkstl.com
Faculty – email addresses are teachers first initial and last name @stmarkstl.com
Preschool Mrs. Mary Miller mmiller@stmarkstl.com
Kindergarten Mrs. Katie Black (KB) kblack@stmarkstl.com
First Grade Mrs. Tricia Oldani (1O) toldani@stmarkstl.com
Second Grade Miss Kayla Polette (2P) kpolette@stmarkstl.com
Third Grade Mrs. Michelle Baldwin (3B) mbaldwin@stmarkstl.com
Fourth Grade Mrs. Debbie Solari (4C) dsolari@stmarkstl.com
Fifth Grade Mrs. Therese Thieret (5T) tthieret@stmarkstl.com
Sixth Grade Mr. Mark Baker (6B) mbaker@stmarkstl.com
Seventh Grade Mrs. Gale Boyer (7B) gboyer@stmarkstl.com
Eighth Grade Mrs. Karen Roeseler (8R) kroeseler@stmarkstl.com
Specialty Resource Teacher Miss Angela Deatherage adeatherage@stmarkstl.com
Music Mrs. Stephenie Mokriakow smokriakow@stmarkstl.com
Physical Education Mrs. Diana Kelsch dkelsch@stmarkstl.com
Computer Mrs. Laura Wells lwells@stmarkstl.com
Art Mrs. Debbie Modesto dmodesto@stmarkstl.com
Teacher Aides Mrs. Joni Andrews jandrews@stmarkstl.com
Mrs. Lisa Berkbigler lberkbigler@stmarkstl.com
Mrs. Susan White swhite@stmarkstl.com
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 2
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS WITNESS STATEMENT FOR THOSE WHOSE CHILDREN ATTEND CATHOLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
One of the supreme gifts of marriage is bringing forth new life. God entrusts children to parents who
have a primary right and duty to educate their children in the practice of their faith. Parents carry out
this responsibility by creating a home full of love, forgiveness, respect, and fidelity. The family is the
community in which, from childhood, one honors God and learns moral values.
In the rite of the sacrament of Baptism, parents receive the call from God to evangelize their children,
as here summarized: You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the
responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him(her)
up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. . .You will be
the first teachers of your child in the ways of faith. May you be also the best of teacher, bearing
witness to the faith by what you say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
No wonder, then, that the Church understands the home to be the domestic church. It is in the intimate
environment of the family that parents are, by word and example, the first heralds of the faith with
respect to their children. This environment is enhanced and deepened through the parish Eucharistic
community that is the heart of the spiritual life for Christian families.
Catholic schools and parish religious education programs are in partnership with the family in
proclaiming and witnessing to the person and life of Jesus Christ. They assist parents in fulfilling their
responsibility as the primary religious educators of their children.
This partnership works best when parents respect the beliefs of the Church and live lives in a manner
that reflects these beliefs. If parents reject the beliefs of the Church or live lives in conflict with these
teachings, catechizing young people becomes very difficult.
Aware, then of the dignity of this holy parental call, and with a reverent awe for that responsibility
which is mine, I commit myself to be, in word and deed, the first and best teacher of my children in the
faith.
Practically, this means I will:
Understand that the authentic teachings of Jesus as taught by the Catholic Church will be a part of my child’s education and
formation;
To the best of my ability respect the teachings of the Church and help my children respect the Church and its teachings;
Regularly participate in the Sunday Eucharist with my family (if not Catholic, support my children’s participation in the
Church of Baptism), include prayer in my daily life and form my children in the faith.
Commit to speak frequently with my children about God and to include prayer in our daily home life.
Participate in and cooperate with the School or Parish School of Religion programs that enable me as a parent to take an
active role in the religious education of my children, including sacramental preparation for Catholic Children;
Teach my children by word and example to have a love and concern for the needs of others;
Meet my financial responsibilities in supporting the Catholic School or Parish School of Religion
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 3
AMENDMENT OF THE HANDBOOK The principal retains the right to amend the Handbook for just cause. In addition, the Administration,
with the consent of the Pastor, has the right to conduct the affairs of the school with or without
expressed written rules as stated in this Handbook for just cause. The safety and well-being of each
student and Christian principles serve as a guide for these actions. Parents will be given prompt
notification if changes are made.
HANDBOOK AGREEMENT It is important that each student and his/her parents carefully read the St. Mark Catholic School
Handbook. Since it is part of a contract existing between the school and the parents/students, all parties
must be fully aware of the rights and obligations outlined in the handbook of each school year. Parents
and students are required to sign the attached form stating that they have read the Handbook
thoroughly and agree to be governed by its policies. The Agreement must be returned on or before the
first day of class but no later than the First Friday in September of the current school year. Because of
the importance of the contract, students will not be admitted to classes after this date unless the signed
Agreement is submitted.
ADMINISTRATION The Catholic School is structured to encourage a spirit of cooperation and a state of shared
responsibility. Within the school specific roles are prescribed for the pastor (parish administrator), the
principal (school administrator), and parents (school board members). Each person or group functions
within specific areas of expertise. “The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the Christian parish community
and is responsible for those matters within the school which affect worship, the ministry of the Word
and the spiritual welfare of the students” (Policy and Procedures for the Catholic Elementary Schools
#2210).
The pastor works closely with the school board in determining local policy and has final approval of
all board decisions. The principal is responsible for the immediate direction of the school and its
instructional program. The principal is responsible for the immediate direction of the policies of the
Archdiocesan School Board and the parish school board. Problems and questions concerning school
should be directed to the Principal. However, specific problems concerning a particular subject, class,
or behavior should first be discussed with the teacher.
The School Board functions as a group to advise the pastor and principal in making policy for
educational programs.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 4
SCHOOL BOARD The School Board acts in an advisory capacity to the pastor and the principal by formulating and
evaluating policies for the school. The board provides the parish with a representative body for
identifying and articulating the educational needs and aspirations of the parish community.
The School Board functions in accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines. The board may officially
function only through its meetings that are held throughout the school year. Interested parishioners may
address the board during the public portion according to Archdiocesan guidelines. Meeting dates will
be published in the weekly newsletter.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 4
2019-2020 School Calendar August
August 3 Parent Packet Pick Up St. Mark Church 6:00 pm
August 4 Parent Packet Pick Up St. Mark Church 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
August 5-6 Faculty In-service St. Mark School 9:00 am-3:00 pm
August 12-13 Faculty In-service St. Mark School 9:00 am- 2:00 pm
August 13 Open House and Supply Drop Off- St. Mark School 4:00-6:00 pm
August 15 First Day of School for K-8th
grade-
Noon Dismissal – NO
AFTERCARE
St. Mark School Noon Dismissal
August 16 Noon Dismissal- NO AFTERCARE Noon Dismissal
August 19 Preschool Begins Full Day August 19 Lunch Service begins
August 19 Aftercare begins
August 22 8th Grade Parent Meeting 8
th grade classroom 7:00pm
August 27 Palmer Music- Band Parent Meeting Music Room 6:30pm
August 28 PTO General Meeting and
Curriculum Night
St. Mark School
and cafeteria
6:30 – 8:30 pm
August 29 Speech Tryouts St. Mark School 3:00-4:00pm
September
September 2 No School-Labor Day No School
September 8 Parish Blood Drive Gym
September 13 8th Grade Scavenger Hunt Cafeteria
September 16 1st Mid-Quarter
September 17 K-2 Literacy Night St. Mark School 6:00-7:30 pm
September 16-20 ITBS Testing 3rd
-8th grade All Week
September 23 School Board Parish Offices
September 24 8th Grade Right START parent
meeting at Queen of All Saints
Queen of All Saints
School
6:30pm
September 26 12:00 Dismissal /Faculty Meeting Noon Dismissal
September 26 NO AFTERCARE
September 26 High School Night- St. Mary’s St. Mary’s High
School
7:00pm
September 27 No School – Fall Festival No School September 27-28 Fall Festival
September 30 Fall Picture Day
October
October 4 Prayer Family Dress Down Day All Day
October 7 Confirmation Retreat St. Andrews 9:00am-2:00pm
October 15 First Quarter Ends (42 days)
October 19 Trunk or Treat
October 21 Grades Posted for 1st Quarter
October 23 Parent Teacher Conferences St. Mark School 3:30-7:00 pm
October 23 NO AFTERCARE
October 24 No Students
Parent Teacher Conference
St. Mark School No School
Noon-7:30 pm
October 25 No School No School
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 5
October 28 School Board Parish Offices 7:00 pm
October 31 3rd
Grade Saint Mass St. Mark Church 8:00 am
October 31 Halloween Class Parties 1:30 pm
November November 1 All Saints Day / Prayer Families Noon Dismissal
November 3 High School Open Houses
November 8 Veteran’s Day Mass St. Mark Church 8:00 am
November 9 Speech Meet St. Mark
November 15 Vendor Fair
November 15 High School Applications Due
November 18 2nd
Mid-Quarter
November 18 School Board Parish Office 7:00pm
November 20-22 8th Grade Right START classes
November 25 Confirmation Church
November 27 8th Grade Turkey Bowl Gym
November 27-29 No School Thanksgiving Break No School
December December 6 Toy Mass
Noon Dismissal Faculty Meeting
Prayer Family Dress Down Day
Noon Dismissal
December 7 Breakfast with Santa Church and School 9:00-12:00
December 12 Christmas Concert Parish Center 10:00 am
7:00 pm
December 16-20 7th and 8
th grade mid-term exams All week
December 20 End of 2nd
Quarter (43 days)
December 20 Class Christmas Parties
Noon Dismissal 10:30 am
Noon Dismissal
December 20 NO AFTERCARE
December 23-
January 3
Christmas Break-No School No School
January January 2 Grades Posted for 2
nd Quarter
January 6 Classes Resume
January 10 12:00 Dismissal/ Faculty Meeting Noon Dismissal
January 20 No School-MLK, Jr Day No School January 22-26 D.C. Prolife March
January 26 Catholic Schools Week Open House
January 26-Feb. 1 Catholic Schools Week
January 27 School Board 7:00 pm
February February 1 Trivia Night Gym
February 1 Speech Meet
February 4 NJHS Interviews
February 6 3rd
Mid-Quarter
February 7 Noon Dismissal/Faculty Meeting Noon Dismissal
February 14 NJHS Inductions St Mark Church 8:00 am
February 17 No School- Presidents’ Day No School
February 24 School Board Parish Offices 7:00 pm
February 25 Mardi Gras Carnival Gym
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 6
February 26 Ash Wednesday
March March 6 Prayer Family Dress Down Day
Noon Dismissal-Faculty Meeting
Noon dismissal
March 7 Speech Meet
March 9 End of 3rd
Quarter
March 16 No School IF SNOW DAYS ARE
NOT USED
March 17 No School
March 18 3rd
Quarter Grades Posted
March 19 Spring Concert Gym 10:00am
7:00pm
March 23 School Board Parish Offices 7:00pm
March 23-28 Play Tech Week Gym
March 27-28 Middle School Musical Gym 7:30pm
April April 1 Prayer Families
April 8 5th Grade Junior Achievement field
trip
April 9 Holy Thursday- Retreat Day &
Chrism Mass- 1:00 Dismissal
1:00 Dismissal
April 9 NO AFTERCARE
April 11 PK-3 Easter Egg Hunt
April 10-17 No School
April 21 4th Mid-Quarter
April 24 Grandparents Day (PK-4) Gym
April 25 Speech Meet
April 27 School Board Parish Offices 7:00 pm
May
May 1 May Crowning
Noon Dismissal Faculty meeting
8:15 am
Noon Dismissal May 8 8
th Grade Ribbon Mass
St. Mark Talent Show
Church
Gym
8:00 am
1:30 pm
May 15 Passing of the Leadership Mass
Field Day/Noon Dismissal
Noon Dismissal
May 15 NO AFTERCARE
May 18 8th Grade Mystery Trip
May 19 Kindergarten Recognition
Last Day for Kindergarten
Church/Cafeteria 8:00 am
May 20 8th grade graduation St. Mark Church 6:30 pm
May 21 Preschool Step-up Day and Last Day
PK dismiss at 11:20
PK dismiss at 11:20am
May 22 Last day of school for 1st-7
th 11:00
am dismissal
11:00 am Dismissal
May 22 NO AFTERCARE
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 7
St. Mark Catholic School
St. Mark School is an extension of the Church and each family we serve. St. Mark
Catholic School seeks to provide an inclusive environment in which we all learn from
and with one another. We encourage our students to strive for academic excellence
while learning how to serve God and others generously. It is with this that we ask each
family to ENTER St. Mark ready TO LEARN but to GO FORTH ready TO SERVE
others.
Philosophy Statement
We pledge to journey with each child as they grow in a personal relationship with
God by providing a Catholic foundation and seeking to instill a love for the
Church.
We believe that each child is unique and formed in the image and likeness of
God.
We believe that a focus on virtue is necessary to help students, parents, and
teachers to be more Christ like.
We recognize that each child has a unique learning style and potential which
requires continuous development.
We acknowledge that parents are their child’s first teacher, and we work to build
a mutual support between parents and staff.
We foster self-discipline, leadership, tolerance and independent thinking.
We support and guide the children as they learn to respect themselves and others
in a formative environment of love and care.
Enter to Learn . . .Go Forth to Serve
Mission Statement
St. Mark Catholic School is dedicated to educating our young people to
become respectful, responsible Catholics and Christians who go forth to serve.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 8
ADMISSIONS
Policy of Non-Discrimination St. Mark Catholic School will admit students of any race, religion, color, or national and ethnic origin to
all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at our
school. St. Mark School will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin or
ethnic origin in admission policies, scholarships, athletics, or any other school-affiliated programs.
Admission Policy
A child entering St. Mark School must fulfill these basic requirements:
1. The family must have a desire for this special kind of school where Catholic teachings and
moral formation are an integral part of the school. This would include participation in the
parish or religious congregation, support of the Witness Statement for Those Whose Students
attend Catholic Education Programs, agreement to follow the policies and procedures of the
school, and willingness to cooperate with the teachers and administration in the moral,
psychological, emotional, spiritual, and academic development of their children.
2. Must attend a conference with the principal concerning desire for admission and reasons for
transfer. The principal must review permanent records before admission to determine school’s
ability to meet the student’s needs. A request for records form must be completed by parents
who give it to the current school. Records are then transferred from school to school.
Financial obligations must be met at previous school for records to be released.
3. Must submit a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate and birth certificate.
4. Must complete all health records and physical exam requests.
5. Must complete all other school forms.
6. Parents must be able to accept financial responsibilities and provide a copy of custody
agreements where necessary.
7. Must comply with age requirements of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and our school.
Registration for the next school year will take place in February of the current school year. Notice of
registration will be sent home in the Thursday packet and published in the parish bulletin. When
classes are filled, a waiting list will be established. As openings arise, students will be accepted
according to the chronological order of their application date on the waiting list. Students may be
dually enrolled in public school to participate in specialized program or to receive special education
services.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 9
Re-Enrollment of Current Students
All current students in good standing will be automatically re-enrolled for the following school once their
Letter of Intent is completed and submitted with the Resource and Technology Fee. After May 1, current
students that have not re-enrolled may lose their space in the grade to newly-enrolling students.
Waiting List In the event that a grade reaches its maximum number of enrolled students, a waiting list will be
established for any later applications. If openings become available, those students on the waiting list
who have completed the school's application process will be accepted. Priority on the waiting list will be
given to families from St. Mark Catholic School Parish.
Students with Special Needs Catholic schools should attempt to address the special learning needs of students to the greatest possible
extent within the parameters of the school’s financial and human resources. To do less than can be done
in this regard is to be exclusive in a faith that is called to be universal. It is important that schools fairly
evaluate both students’ special needs and their own capabilities of addressing those needs. The goal of all
efforts to address students’ special learning needs should be successful mastery of the regular curriculum
in the regular setting.
Federal legislation prohibits schools from excluding otherwise qualified students who have disabilities,
solely on the basis of their disability, if, with minor adjustments, the school could provide that student
with an appropriate education. In the event that a school cannot meet a particular student’s special
learning needs with minor adjustments, the school should assist the family in finding appropriate
alternatives so that the student’s needs are ultimately met.
(The term “adjustments” is used rather than “accommodations” or “modifications” throughout the
policies related to special needs. The laws that apply to non-public schools use the term “adjustments,”
whereas the laws that apply to public schools use the terms “accommodations” and “modifications.”
Therefore, the term “adjustments” is preferred terminology for changes made to curriculum, instruction,
and/or assessment for the purpose of addressing a student’s special needs.)
Schools should obtain current diagnostic evaluations and authorizations to exchange information with
specialists and agencies, in order to make informed decisions about admitting students with special needs
and providing them with appropriate adjustments during their term of enrollment. These evaluations and
related documents should be part of a student’s cumulative record.
THE SCHOOL DAY UNIFORMS Uniform enforcement begins at home. Students are expected to wear the proper uniform to school at
all times. No changes or alterations are allowed. All teachers will check student uniforms first thing
each morning as a part of the daily routine. Parent members of the school board with consultation of
the principal created the dress code. Cleanliness of person and dress is expected at all times. All
students are expected to wear full uniform daily. Parents will be notified of any exceptions. Students
who receive more than five dress code violations may forfeit all future dress down days and/or receive
other consequences.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 10
Students are not allowed to carry purses or book bags unless permission is granted for specific
purposes by the principal. Parents have the responsibility to see to it that their children wear only the
regulation uniform. Parents will be asked to bring appropriate uniform apparel to school. No student
may alter in any way the established uniform of St. Mark School (i.e. wearing rolled up skirts or
pants, etc.).
General uniform expectations:
o Uniforms must be clean, in good repair, and neat on a daily basis.
o Uniforms must be free of emblems and name brand markings.
o Undergarments must not show through the uniform (including the PE uniform).
o Absolutely no make-up or nail polish is allowed (with the exception of dress down days).
Artificial nails may not be worn.
o One pair of small earrings may be worn in the earlobe. Dangle, large hoops or multiple pairs of
earrings may not be worn. Cartlidge piercings are not allowed.
o Dyed hair, highlights, markings shaved into hair, distracting and exaggerated hair styles are not
allowed.
o Boys’ hair must be groomed, neat at all times, above the eyebrows, and above the collar.
o Simple and inconspicuous hair accessories for girls are allowed.
Although no policy can cover all issues, we expect the students of St. Mark Catholic School and their
parents/guardians to exhibit good judgement. It is understood that the faculty and administration will
decide what is acceptable attire and appearance for the students of St. Mark.
Students who are not in proper uniform in preschool-2nd
grade will get a note home from the teacher
indicating the necessary uniform adjustments. Students in grades 3rd
-8th
will be written up on their
responsibility card. Parent’s may be contacted to bring a proper uniform to school depending on the
infraction or students may be required to change into a proper uniform from the supply of uniforms at
school.
Uniform items can be purchase from St. Louis Sportswear and Just Me Apparel.
EVERYONE
SHIRTS – White or red knit or nylon collared, golf shirts, plain with no pockets, but may have Saint
Mark’s logo. Red or white long-sleeved turtlenecks, plain or with approved Saint Mark’s logo.
PANTS – Navy or skipper blue uniform-style pants may be pleated or flat front. Must have belt loops
and belt. (Cargo or other style pants are not allowed)
SHORTS – Navy or skipper blue uniform-style shorts of appropriate length (fingertip length or
longer), may be pleated or flat front. Must have belt loops and belt. Shorts may be worn April 1
through October 31.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 11
BELTS – Navy, brown or black belt with a plain buckle must be worn with shorts or pants.
SOCKS – Navy or royal blue, black, red or white socks, must be visible. Elite socks or similar brands
may be worn if all colors are a part of the established dress code.
SHOES – Leather below the ankle dress shoes in blue, black or brown. Tennis shoes in predominantly
black, blue, red, grey, or white. Mismatched or shoes with all an over design (checked, polka dots,
etc.) are not allowed. Laces must match the shoes and be properly tied with the bow on top of the
tongue of the shoe. Shoes must have a closed toe and heel.
SWEATER – White, Navy Blue, or Red cardigan or pull-over. NO HOODS.
SWEATSHIRTS – Approved, red Saint Mark’s sweatshirt from Saint Louis Sportswear or Just me
Apparel. Uniform shirt must be worn under sweatshirt with the collar showing. No hooded
sweatshirts even on free dress day.
P.E. UNIFORM – Required PE uniform must be purchased through St. Louis Sportswear.
Students must wear St. Mark Shorts/Gym Pants and St. Mark T-shirt for gym class. Gym pants may be worn during cold months. Tennis shoes are required. Kindergarten through third grade may wear
P.E. uniform all day on P.E. days. During cold months, the red Saint Mark’s sweatshirt may be
worn. Only official PE uniform may be worn.
SCOUT UNIFORMS – May be worn in place of the school uniform on troop meeting days. Scout
uniforms must meet the requirement of neat in appearance and be tucked in throughout the day.
GIRLS
JUMPERS – School plaid, purchased from Just Me Apparel worn in grades K through 4. Shorts are to
be worn under jumpers or skirts. Shorts cannot be longer than the jumper or skirt and should not be
visible when standing. Girls may wear navy blue sweatpants under their jumper/skirt during the winter
months while outside. They may not be worn inside.
SKIRTS – School plaid, purchased from Just Me Apparel, worn in grades 5 through 8. Skirts are not
to be rolled at the waist and must be no shorter than 2” above knee length.
BLOUSES – Plain, white school blouses with a collar may be worn.
TIGHTS – May wear red, black, white or navy tights or leggings that are fitted to the ankle.
JEWELRY/MAKEUP – No excessive jewelry, only one pair of post earrings at a time may be
worn in the earlobe, cartilage piercings are not allowed, no makeup, no nail polish, no acrylic or fake
nails, and no tattoos. Nail polish and tattoos will be removed at the school office. Excessive jewelry
consists of, but is not limited to, oversized earrings, necklaces or multiple bands, bracelets, etc.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 12
BOYS
HAIR – Neatly trimmed above eyebrows and ears and at least one inch above the collar. No shaved
heads, dyed hair, lines or stripes. Haircuts are expected within three days of the dress code violation.
If not in compliance within seven days a meeting with the principal will be required.
JEWELRY – No excessive jewelry, no earrings and no tattoos.
DRESS DOWN DAY DRESS CODE: On the occasion that a dress down day is permitted the following will be the guidelines for dress.
(Some dress down days are allowed as fundraisers. Children will be asked to bring in a small fee to
have an out of uniform pass.) *Guidelines for pants and shorts follow the school uniform schedule. Students may participate in dress down days by wearing appropriate casual clothing to school.
Appropriate casual clothing includes:
a. A shirt with or without a collar. No pictures or writing which are not appropriate to a Catholic
elementary school (mature ads, alcohol, drug related, rock bands, etc.) b. Jeans, only if they are in good condition and fit and are worn appropriately. c. Casual pants or shorts other than the uniform shorts that are neat looking and appropriate length. d. Skirts or dresses that are age appropriate in style and modesty e. All shirts, dresses, etc. must have sleeves.
Appropriate casual clothing does not include the following: 1. Oversized, baggy, ripped clothing 2. Tight, immodest pants or shirts including yoga pants and or leggings that are worn as pants. 3. No sleeveless shirts/blouses or dresses; shorts and skirts must be uniform length; shirts/blouses
must be long enough so that no torso is exposed.
4. Shirts with writing that is inappropriate or that advertises a product inappropriate for school age children such as cigarettes or alcohol. 5. Hats, or other accessories that are distracting to the academic atmosphere 6. Jewelry other than that allowed on regular uniform days. 7. High heels, clogs, flip-flops or platform shoes. Shoes must have a closed toe and heel unless
permission is given by the principal.
Revised April 2017.
IDENTIFICATION OF POSSESSIONS All articles of clothing (especially sweatshirts, coats, and sweaters), back packs, notebooks, folders,
lunch boxes, and other personal items should be clearly marked with the student’s name.
Lost and Found articles are kept in the wooden box located in the front foyer.
Note that lockers, desks, etc. are school property and as such are subject to search by school officials.
The school reserves the right to search any item brought onto school property such as a student’s jacket,
purse, backpack, etc.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 13
MORNING ARRIVAL PROCEDURES: Morning supervision for all students begins at 7:30 a.m. Students that arrive prior to this time will
be charged for before care. Students arriving should enter building through the Parish Center doors
and proceed directly to the gym. Students arriving after 7:45 bell must report to office before going
to homeroom. Students arriving before 7:30 must report to the before school program.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURE Cars arriving from the north of the school should enter by turning left on Ripa Ave. and then right
into the driveway between school and rectory. Cars should circle around the parish center and should
be dropped off at the middle wing doors. Cars then proceed to exit on St. Mark Drive.
Cars arriving from the south of the school should enter the parking lot by the school driveway and
circle around the parish center. Students should be dropped off at the Parish Center doors. Cars then
circle around to exit on St. Mark Drive.
BEFORE SCHOOL CARE Before Care is available from 6:45 until 7:30 each school day. Students arriving prior to 7:30 should
report to the gym where they will be supervised in the before school program. Families will be
charged a maximum of $2.00 per day, per child when using this service. All students arriving early
will be charged for Before Care unless prior arrangements have been made.
PLEASE NOTE: ANY CHILD ARRIVING BEFORE 7:30 MUST REPORT TO BEFORE
CARE. To insure the safety of all, students may not play on parking lot before school. School
discipline policies will apply to the Before Care program
DAILY SCHEDULE 7:30 Arrival—students go directly to homeroom 7:45 Tardy Bell – Classes begin
8:00 School Mass
Schedule (grades K-4 Tues., 5-8 Thurs., All School Fri.)
11:20-11:45 PK-2 Lunch
11:50-12:10 6-8 Lunch
12:15-12:40 3-5 Lunch
3:00 Dismissal
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY Students are considered absent whenever they are away from school during school hours except for
school sponsored or school sanctioned co-curricular activities (e.g., field trips, enrichment, and
remedial programs, etc.) Students who must be excused for medical, dental, funeral, or other reasons
during school hours are considered absent. For these types of absences, a written notice should be sent
to the school in advance by a parent/guardian stating the time, length, and reasons for absence.
Chronic or excessive absences without substantial cause can be a factor in determining a student’s
continued enrollment in the school.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 14
A child’s regular attendance is essential for academic growth. Parents are requested to contact school
to report an absence or late arrival by leaving a message on the answering machine or by calling the
school office prior to 8 a.m. School will call to verify your child’s absence if needed. A note of
explanation upon return from an absence is required. Written notification for a planned
absence is greatly appreciated. These notes are kept by the homeroom teacher.
Absenteeism: Children who miss 4 or more hours of the school day will be marked ABSENT.
Children who miss more than 2 hours but less than 4 hours of the school day will be marked
ABSENT FOR ONE-HALF DAY.
Tardy: A student is tardy who arrives after the time fixed by school policy for the start of the school day.
Children who are not present in homeroom for the start of the morning session (7:45 a.m.) will
be marked TARDY.
Absences include:
a. Sickness-All tests and assignments that occur during the student’s absence must be
completed within three (3) school days of returning to school.
b. Appointments- (i.e. medical, dental, or other reasons) Parents are to pick up students at the
school office. Upon their return, parents and students need to report back to the office.
-In the case of absence due to appointments and high school visits, it is the responsibility of the
student to obtain missed schoolwork/assignments and to reschedule any missed tests. The
student will be expected to complete the schoolwork/assignments within the same timeframe set
by the teacher for the entire class (i.e. when missing a class on a Monday afternoon due to an
appointment a student should obtain assignments from a classmate that evening and complete
the assignment in the same time as the rest of the class.) Any missed tests should be
rescheduled for the day following the absence. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of
the teacher.
c. Field Trips-Unless ill or excused for a verifiable and reasonable situation, students who do
not attend scheduled school sponsored field trips are required to attend school on that day and
will be assigned academic tasks by the appropriate classroom teachers.
-At the discretion of the school administration, permission may be granted for a child to be
excused from a field trip. Requests for permission to be excused must be submitted in writing
to the school administration at least five (5) days prior to the date of the trip.
-A doctor’s slip may be required of a student absent from school on the day of the field trip if
the child has been reported by the parent or guardian as absent due to illness.
d. Truancy-A student is truant if he/she is absent from school for a day or portion of the day
without the knowledge and/or consent of the parent/guardian and school officials.
-Students found to be truant will serve a three (3) day in-school suspension, beginning the day
of their return to school.
-Repeated truancies could lead to withdrawal for cause.
e. Vacation-St. Mark School respects the right of parents to remove children from school during
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 15
the academic term for family vacations. However, teachers are not permitted to give assignments
prior to the student’s departure. All tests and assignments that occur during the student’s absence
must be completed within three (3) school days of returning to school. Extensions may be granted
at the discretion of the teacher. Make-up work and test scheduling are the responsibility of the
student.
Students, with teacher approval, may submit in advance long-term assignments or projects that are due
during their absence. Students who are present part of a school day and then leave for vacation will be
expected, prior to departure, to take any tests or turn in any assignments that were scheduled for that
day.
f. Missing assignments: It is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed assignments
when they are not at school. Students may be asked to stay after school or miss recess to make up
missed tests. Students will have one day for every missed day to makeup work when they are ill.
Parents may call the office before noon to request that work be sent home for their child, parents
must indicate who will pick up work between 3:00-3:15. Assignments will not be ready before
3:00.
Students who miss more than 10 days in any grading period could be asked to repeat the quarter
or grade. Students will receive an “I” for incomplete work due to excessive absences until work is
completed.
ATTENDANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT- Students and parents should know that HIGH
SCHOOLS look at attendance and tardiness when considering acceptance into their schools.
Student Release from School
St. Mark Catholic School students are permitted to leave the school for reasons of illness only after the
parent/guardian has been contacted by phone. Only contacted parents/guardians or designated
authorized adult may pick up a child from school for early release. Parents/guardians must utilize the
school’s “sign out” procedure when picking students up for early release.
Appointments
Parents are requested to arrange doctor/dental appointments AFTER school hours or on school
holidays. However, a child may be excused if necessary. A note from a parent/guardian is required
before the child may be released from school including reason, time, and length of absence. Children
leaving early or arriving late must be signed in/out by an ADULT identified by parent or
guardian at the school office. Children are marked absent or tardy for school hour appointments.
Duel Enrollment
Dual enrollment is a method of providing courses and programs to a student that the school itself
cannot provide due to staffing and/or finances. Missouri state law also allows Catholic school students
to be dually enrolled in public schools in order to participate in specialized programs or to receive
special education or remedial reading and mathematics services.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 16
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
At St. Mark Catholic School, we recognize the importance of our Religious Education Program. It is
the main reason for your decision to choose St. Mark Catholic School for your child. Our goals in the
Religious Education Program include the following:
1.) To help our children know, understand, and love the Catholic Faith.
2.) To bring to our children an awareness of God’s personal love for them and to encourage them to
build a prayer relationship with Jesus.
3.) To help our children experience both formal and informal prayer.
4.) To help each child better understand the Mass and to assist at Mass in a sincere and reverent
manner.
5.) To prepare our children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and
Confirmation at the appropriate time.
All students in grades 1-8 attend the 8 am Mass twice a week. Kindergarten students attend Mass once
per week at the beginning of the year and add in the 2nd
day after the first quarter or when deemed
ready. Preschool 4 students attend Mass once a week. The Angelus is prayed every day at the lunch
hour. Students pray regularly in their classrooms during the school day. Students attend Adoration
and Benediction as scheduled. Prayer Services, Stations of the Cross and All School Rosaries are also
held throughout the school year.
Students in 2nd
grade prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of Holy
Eucharist. Parents/Guardians are required to attend informational meetings for Sacramental
Preparations.
Students in grades 2-8 participate in Reconciliation services during Advent and Lent.
Students in Grade 7 begin to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which will be received in the
fall semester of their 8th
grade year. Parents/Guardians are required to attend informational meetings
for Sacramental Preparations.
TEXTBOOKS The school purchases books and textbooks for student use. Textbooks are expensive and every effort
should be made to protect the books:
• All textbooks must be covered at all times. Students should avoid dropping them on the ground.
• Students must carry a book bag to and from school for protection of textbooks.
• If a book is lost or damaged, parents/guardians will pay to replace the book.
CLASSROOM INTERRUPTIONS Classes are not to be disturbed at any time during the school day. Students are only allowed to call
parents during the school day for emergencies. Forgetting homework or a lunch is not considered an
emergency. If parents/guardians wish to drop off items for students during the school day, please come to
the school office. Flowers or other items delivered to school for student’s birthdays or special events are
also to be brought to the office and will be given to the individual student at dismissal.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 17
ELECTRONICS AND CELL PHONE USAGE BY STUDENTS Students are not allowed to carry cell phones with them during the school day. Cell phones should be
turned off and left in lockers or backpacks. Students are not allowed to have any personal internet or
cellular enabled devices, including Apple Watches and or trackers that connect to internet via Wi-Fi or
phone. Personal electronics with the exception of registered e-readers are not allowed. These items will
be taken by the teacher and/or administrator and must be picked up by a parent.
CAFETERIA St. Mark School is served by Food Services Consultants; Inc. Students may also bring lunch from
home and purchase milk. Please note we will not heat lunch items brought from home for
student lunches so please plan accordingly. Soda is not permitted as a part of any student’s
lunch.
A hot lunch is provided for students on a daily basis. Main entrees, grab and go, or soup/salad choices
are sent home monthly. Parents must pre-order meals. Parents are notified of the balance of their
lunch account by the TeacherEase system. If a student forgets his/her lunch at home, parents may
bring the lunch to the school office. Please make certain the child’s name and homeroom are clearly
marked on the lunch container.
FAST FOOD IS NOT ALLOWED:
Parents please do not send or bring fast food for student lunch.
Lunch Schedule:
Pre-K Lunch: 11:15-11:40
K-2 Lunch: 11:20-11:45
6-8 Lunch: 11:50-12:10
3-5 Lunch: 12:15-12:45
Lunch prices for this year are as follows:
Daily Lunch Price 2019-2020
(Any raise in price by the food company will be passed onto parents immediately.)
Students K-2: $3.35
3-5: $3.65
6-8: $3.85 $2.40/preschool lunch
Cost of 2nd Entrée: $1.40
Cost of individual milk depends on contract but ranges from $0.14-$0.20 will be drawn
from lunch account
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 18
DISMISSAL PROCEDURE Students will be dismissed as their car/carpool arrives to St. Mark School. Each family is assigned a
family name card and they are asked to give a copy of that card to anyone picking up their child.
Traffic will enter on St. Mark Drive and circle around the building to the middle wing. Students will be
picked up at the middle wing doors and traffic should circle back out towards St. Mark Drive onto
Union Rd.
EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS
Faculty meetings are a necessary means of planning and sharing for the improvement of our school.
The calendar indicates days that are set aside for faculty meetings. Some are all day meetings where
no students are present. Others are early dismissal days for students. Early dismissal is at 12:00
NOON with no lunch served.
AFTER CARE
After Care is available every school day from 3:15-6:00 p.m. Students not picked up by 3:15 will be
sent to After Care, parents may be charged a fee for late pickups. Students who participate in the
program on early dismissal days must provide their own lunch. Families will receive an after-care bill
on a regular basis. School discipline policies will apply to the After-Care program.
SPECIAL SCHOOL DAYS Specifications for Types of Dress Down Days:
Prayer Family T-shirt days: On assigned prayer family days students may wear prayer family t-
shirt and jeans/uniform bottoms. This is not a full dress down day.
Full Dress Down Day: Students must follow the above guidelines but can choose to wear any
acceptable clothing. Finger nail polish is allowed on these days with the expectation that it is
removed for the following school day.
Dress Up Days: Students may occasionally have Dress Up Days. Jeans, sweat pants, wind pants, etc.
may not be worn on dress up days. Please be aware that this is a Catholic environment and appropriate,
clean and modest clothing is expected at all times.
Parents may be called to bring alternate clothing if the student’s attire is determined to not fit the specified
guidelines for school.
Accessory Days Accessory days are NOT dress down days. All students will be able to accessorize their uniforms on special
days as approved by the principal. Students must wear the basic uniform and may wear holiday or color
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 19
appropriate socks, jewelry, t-shirts (in place of uniform shirts/with no inappropriate language or
designs/messages). Shirts may be worn over jumpers. Student dress must reflect Christian standards of good
taste and decency. Uniform shoes must be worn on accessory days. Teachers may ask a student to remove
ANY accessory that becomes a distraction in the classroom.
Student Birthdays Birthdays are special days. Students may celebrate their birthday at St. Mark
by having a dress down day
or by bringing in an approved birthday snack for their class only.
Students whose birthday falls during the summer months are invited to celebrate their “half-birthday” –six
months before the actual date—in the same manner.
FIELD TRIPS (See appendix for Field Trip Consent Form and Private Vehicle Policy)
A field trip is a first-hand experience that supplements classroom learning. It is an observational
experience having definite educational objectives. Field trips may be taken only with the approval of
the principal who in cooperation with teachers plans and provides for safe procedures. Most field trips
are local, using transportation by bus. All parents are informed by letter in advance and are asked to
sign a permission slip. NO CHILD IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT THIS FORM.
Parents may fax the form to the school office (314).743.8690.
SNOW DAYS The calendar allows for one snow day in the event of inclement weather. Our main consideration will
be the safety of all in hazardous road conditions. The decision to close school is made by the
Administration independent of other local Catholic or public schools. All school cancellations will be
announced over the School Reach System and Channels 2, 4, 5 local television.
PLEASE NOTE: Once the children are at school we will NOT dismiss early for inclement weather. If
the weather should worsen during the day parents are welcome to remove THEIR OWN children. Car
pools will not be dismissed until we have parent permission by phone or note.
SNOW SCHEDULE The following time schedule will be used if the school is put on snow schedule:
8:00 a.m. Before Care Begins
9:00 a.m. Students may enter the building
9:15 a.m. Classes begin
WATER BOTTLES During August, September, and May when the weather is very hot, students are allowed to bring water
bottles. CLASSROOM TEACHERS WILL ADVISE CHILDREN ON USE AND STORAGE.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 20
COMMUNICATION School Office
OFFICE HOURS: 7:15 AM-3:15 PM
PHONE NUMBER: (314) 743-8641
FAX NUMBER: (314) 743-8690
Parents are asked to make appointments if they wish to have a conference with the principal or a
teacher. All messages for teachers and students are handled through the school office. Please do not
deliver items to the classroom to avoid an interruption of the educational process.
Announcements/Weekly Envelope
A weekly Message containing important communication will be available via TeacherEase every
Thursday. Organizations wishing to place announcements in the Thursday packet should place
articles in an envelope clearly marked “Thursday Packet” and then sent to the school office prior to
8:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. ALL ARTICLES MUST HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE
PRINICPAL. An electronic version is preferred. Information going home to families must be sent via
the principal.
Ordinarily the school will not distribute information about programs, products or services which are
not sponsored by a Catholic Agency. We will provide a list of these offerings in the school office.
TeacherEase Student Information System
The TeacherEase student information system is available to all parents. It has a messaging component to
communicate with faculty and staff. You may monitor homework assignments and grades using the
TeacherEase system. www.teacherease.com
Media
Members of the media are to be present on St. Mark School property only as invited guests and are not
allowed to interview students on matters unrelated to the purpose for which they were invited.
The Message
Our weekly newsletter, “The St. Mark Message” is an excellent way of communicating important
information to school families. “The Message” will be available every Thursday by logging onto your
TeacherEase account. Parents are encouraged to read it thoroughly.
School Messenger System
In the case of an all school announcement, emergency, or snow day parents are notified via the school
Messenger system. This phone call will come from the principal’s phone extension 743-8643. This
number registers as St. Mark Parish on Caller ID. This is an automated, recorded message and there is
often a hard pause before the message begins. Each parent is asked to keep information on TeacherEase
updated as this system links to our parent database. The phone messaging system will only be activated
by the principal, pastor, or their designate.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 21
Website
General information about the school may be found on the school website www.stmarkstl.com. St.
Mark School does not make available on the website any information that enables students to be individually identified by name.
Emergency Cards
At times, it may become necessary to reach parents who may not be available. For this purpose,
emergency cards are given out in the family packet. Please complete one card for each family and
return it during the first week of school. NOTE: If any changes occur in the emergency card
information during the school year, it is each family’s responsibility to notify the school office.
Change of Address or Phone Number
Please notify the school office and the parish office immediately, in writing, if your name, address, or
phone number on the emergency card changes during the school year. This is necessary in case the
school/parish office needs to contact you during the school day. The school office will also update your
information on the TeacherEase system.
Telephone (School)
The office telephone may be used by students only in cases of emergencies. Students are generally not
permitted to telephone home for missing assignments, projects, etc. Parents are reminded that
telephone messages to students are generally delivered 15 minutes prior to dismissal time.
Use of Electronic Communications Devices and Applications St. Mark School provides faculty and staff members with a school email account and school web-site
accessibility. All electronic and digital communication between faculty and staff and parents/guardians must
occur through these applications. School personnel may not use personal websites, blogs, personal email,
social networking sites, text messaging, and the like to communicate with parents/guardians except in an
emergency. Parents/guardians are encouraged to report to the principal any electronic or digital
communications from faculty and staff that are in violation of this directive.
Use of Student Photographs by the School and the Media Photographs of students will not be used in marketing materials or by the media without the permission of the
parent/guardian. A Permission Form for Student Involved in Media/Marketing Materials is given to all
families at the beginning of each school year. A copy of the signed form is kept on file in the school office.
Grievance Procedure When problems or concerns arise, parents/ guardians should first contact the teacher involved to discuss the
matter. Situations are usually settled through sincere, open dialogue. Parents/Guardians may leave phone
messages for teachers between 7:30a.m. and 3:30 p.m. When it is difficult to reach an agreement after
attempting to discuss the problem or concern with those involved, the principal should be approached for
assistance.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 22
Phone and Email Phone and Email contact information is available to all teachers, administration on TeacherEase. Please use
good judgment in the use of this contact information. These contacts should be used for school business only.
Visiting the School The school building is locked at all times. Parents/Guardians and visitors must ring the bell located by the
main doors and identify themselves in order to enter the school building. All parents/guardians, volunteers,
and visitors must report directly to the school office when entering the school building. All parents/guardians,
volunteers, and visitors are required to sign in and wear a Visitor Badge while in the school building and
return their badges when leaving the school.
CURRICULUM
Core Curriculum Guide:
The school’s curriculum guide lists the major goals and objectives, by grade level, for each student at
St. Mark School. The curriculum guide is available to parents on the school website. Our core
curriculum consists of six academic subjects: Religion, Reading/Literature, English/Grammar, Math,
Science, and Social Studies. These core subjects are enhanced by specialty classes in Computer,
Physical Education, Music (vocal and instrumental) and Art.
Academic Honesty
The highest standard of academic honesty is expected of a St. Mark Student. The consequences for a
violation of the school’s policy concerning academic honesty are made by the teacher in conjunction
with the principal. Typical consequence is a mark on the Responsibility Card and a zero on the
assignment. Academic “dishonesty” includes but is not limited to, the passing of answers on quizzes,
tests or classroom assignments; the seeking, receiving or transmitting of specific information about
questions/answers on the test; the lending or copying of homework; use of cheat sheets or their
possession during the testing session; and acts of plagiarism.
Computers
St. Mark School students have access to computers and other electronic media both in lab and
classroom settings. Each year, students and parents must review and sign the school’s “Acceptable
Use Policy (AUP). Student violations of this policy will result in termination of electronic media
privileges and, if warranted by the violation, further disciplinary action.
Chromebook Use and Expectation: School issued Chromebooks are given to students beginning in 6
th grade. Chromebooks must remain
under the management of St. Mark School domain until the student is no longer enrolled in school.
Chromebooks are for student use only and should be used solely for academic purposes. Students who
misuse their Chromebook will have it removed. Chromebooks are monitored by teachers and
administration with GoGuardian. The first violation it will be removed for a week, the second violation
will have it removed for a month, and a third violation will have it removed for the remainder of the
year.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 23
E-Readers Students in grades 5th-8th are permitted to bring e-readers to school with a signed parent permission
form. The E-Reader can be brought to school with the understanding that it is to be used as a tool for
reading only. All materials on an eReader brought to school must comply with the educational
objectives of the school. Accessing the internet is not an appropriate use of an eReader in school. An
eReader is defined as a digital device whose primary function is to store books and other print media.
A device whose primary function is to communicate, or to play games, but allows electronic books,
would not be classified as an eReader under this definition. School is not responsible for lost,
damaged, or misplaced devices. Permission form can be found in the appendix.
Instrumental Music:
St. Mark School provides an opportunity for students to participate in instrumental music beginning in
3rd
grade. This service will be provided by Palmer Music.
Internet Acceptable Use Policy and Electronic devices (See Appendix)
St. Mark Catholic School requires that all students and parents in grades 2-8 sign this pledge. Both
student and parent must sign the pledge before the student will be allowed to access the Internet at
school. Our computer lab will continuously update its filtering system throughout the year.
Instructional Use of Copyrighted Materials
St. Mark School students must adhere to the current copyright laws governing printed material,
videotape, computer software, music, multi-media presentations, and Internet web sites and resources.
No unauthorized copies of copyrighted materials in any form should be made or used on equipment
owned by or borrowed or leased from a school. No school staff, students, or others should use any
form of unauthorized copies of copyright materials for any purpose within the school’s instructional
programs. “Fair use” of copyrighted materials is allowed for specific instructional purposes within the
limits of the “fair use” limitations.
Assignment Notebooks
Students in grades 3-8 will receive an assignment notebook during the first week of school. Teachers
will discuss with the students the proper use and practicality of this book. Parents are encouraged to
check the assignment notebook each night. Nightly assignments as well as long term assignments are
to be written in this book by the student. There is a place for teachers to write notes to parents on each
page.
Homework
Homework is given to students to reinforce what has been presented in class; to provide for discovery
of new ideas; to stimulate independent investigation; to develop in-depth understanding through long-
range projects; and to provide for the exploration of additional sources of information. The discretion
of the teacher determines the kinds and amounts of homework appropriate to the grade level and
subject. Homework includes written work, study, reading, and research.
Parents can contribute to the process of learning through homework by:
1. Being actively interested in the student’s work.
2. Setting up proper study conditions.
3. Providing quiet time and space for reading.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 24
4. Helping the student develop good study habits.
Students should be prepared for each class. All assignments should be completed and on time. In the
event of absence, it is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to gather, make up work and submit
completed assignments.
Late homework impedes the academic progress of the individual student and the class as a whole.
Late work is not accepted if it is more than two weeks late. Students will receive a write up on
their responsibility card when assigned homework is not complete. A homework detention will be
served after five write ups.
Chronic late homework will be considered a discipline issue and will be addressed by the
administrator.
Redo Work
Students in grades 5-8 may request to redo failing assignments. A redo request must be submitted
within two days of the failing assignment being returned. The following process should be followed:
The student should speak to the teacher and ask to redo the assignment.
The teacher will give the student some additional work and/or reading to help the student review
the material.
The student will turn in the assigned work and redone assignment within two days.
Honor Roll
St. Mark School will acknowledge the accomplishments of students in grades 4-8 who have earned an
“A” or “B” average in their core subjects each quarter. Conduct must be satisfactory in all subjects.
No “D” or “F” may appear on the report card for that quarter. There are three levels of distinction for
Honor Roll.
Principal Recognition: Students earning an average of 95% and above in the core subjects.
Blue Level Recognition: Students earning an average of 93 or 94% in the core subjects.
Red Level Recognition: Students earning an average of 85%-92% in the core subjects.
Library
The St. Mark Catholic School library is open to all students. Students may check out a book for a one
or two-week period. Parents will receive notice of overdue books. Please help your child be responsible
for books borrowed from our school library. The student must pay for lost books.
Recess
There will be a morning recess break for students in grades K-4 at which time the children will be
permitted to eat a snack from home. Please do not send liquids. Children of all grades are asked NOT to
bring toys of any kind from home to play with at school. They do get lost and broken and we cannot be
responsible for replacing them. As long as weather permits the children will go outside for morning and
lunch recess (wind chill or temperature above 29 degrees Fahrenheit). PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD
TO SCHOOL WITH ADEQUATE CLOTHING FOR THE SEASON, INCLUDING COAT, GLOVES,
AND HAT AS NEEDED. All students have a 20-minute recess during their lunch break.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 25
Resource Teacher/Learning Consultants:
A Resource/Learning Consultant is on staff to support the special needs of our students. This staff
member works collaboratively with teachers, parents, students and administration in developing
programs to meet individual needs. The Learning Consultant will work with teachers to encourage
students who have learning disabilities, attention deficits, other disorders or who are at risk and need
alternative teaching strategies and/or learning environments. The Learning Consultant provides support
for identified students so that they can continue to work in the regular classroom. There are guidelines for
student use of these services.
Parents and/or teachers may request an observation and screening of a student. This is usually the first
step in determining the kind of assistance a student may need. After this initial step, a conference
between the parent and school will be set up to discuss the findings. At this time, a plan of action will be
determined based on the input of the learning consultant, parents, teacher, and administrator.
Services after this initial conference can include referral for additional testing, some direct interaction
with students, consultation with teachers, and implementation of prescribed modifications. In addition,
the learning consultant acts as a liaison with outside agencies and they ensure compliance with
Archdiocesan regulations regarding standardized testing and modifications to curriculum.
St. Mark School attempts to address the special learning needs of students to the greatest possible extent
within the parameters of the school's financial and human resources. If, with minor adjustments, the
school cannot meet a particular student's special learning needs St. Mark School will assist the family in
finding appropriate alternatives so that the student's needs are ultimately met.
The failure of parents/guardians to supply pertinent information detailing a student's special learning
needs prior to admission to St. Mark School may result in denial of admission or discontinuation of
enrollment.
Diagnostic evaluations and related documents are part of a student's cumulative record.
Science Lab Safety
St. Mark School maintains high standards of student and laboratory safety and personal responsibility.
No child will be allowed to endanger other students. Students who engage in irresponsible behavior
the first time will be removed from class immediately and receive an “F” on the experiment being
conducted. It will be the student’s responsibility to get the lab or class notes from classmates for tests or
homework. Repeated violations will result in automatic expulsion from the class and an “F” for the
quarter. Parents and students are required to sign the safety contract issued at the beginning of the school
year and to abide by its provisions.
School Supplies
Prior to the dismissal of school each year every family receives a list of supplies - arranged by grade
level -that are necessary for the following year. Some items are available only through the school
office. This list is also available on the school website.
Student Publications
Student publications must be the work of students under the leadership and careful supervision of
faculty. These publications (print and electronic) should meet the requirements of good journalism and
should reflect the Catholic philosophy and mission of the school.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 26
Extra-Curricular Activities
The pastor and/or principal must approve all school related extracurricular activities (outside of school
hours), as well as the corresponding supervisory personnel. A qualified/responsible adult should act as
moderator of the activity and should be present at all times during the activity. Parents/guardians’
permission must be obtained for a student to participate in extracurricular activities.
St. Mark students are expected to act in accordance with our Catholic School morals and discipline at
all times and in particular when they are playing sports or participating in other extracurricular activities
in the name of St. Mark Catholic School. Extra-Curricular activities include but are not limited to:
Bellarmine Speech Team
Students in grades 5-8 are eligible to participate in the Bellarmine Speech program. Try-outs will be
held in September. Those chosen for the team will be assigned a coach who will assist them in
preparation for a meet. Speech meets are held three times a year.
D.A.R.E. Program
The St. Louis County police department offers a program to increase awareness and resistance to
violence and drug abuse. Students in the fifth grade participate in this program. Parents and family
members are invited to attend the graduation.
Media
Students in grades 5-8 may participate in the Media Club as one of their elective options. Media club
works to write, produce and film a weekly broadcast called the “Lion’s Roar” to the entire school body.
National Junior Honor Society
Students in grades 6-8 are nominated by teachers to apply for National Junior Honor Society. Selection is
based on academic achievement, character, and service to others. Selection of new members happens in
January of each school year.
ELECTIVES
Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to participate in elective classes on top of their specialty
classes. These classes are curricular or student focused. Students will enroll in four elective classes
each year.
READ, RIGHT, and RUN
The Read, Right, and Run program is open to students in K-5 grade. It encourages students to read 26
books, complete 26 acts of service and run 26 miles. Students meet weekly.
Student Council
The student council consists of elected representatives in grades 4-8. The student council plans
activities throughout the year with the consent of the principal. A faculty moderator will call the
monthly meetings and assist the elected officers in conducting business.
CYC Sports
CYC sports are available through the parish. St. Mark Students should strive to be exemplary
models of Christian behavior and sportsmanship in all athletic and non-athletic events.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 27
Administrators, coaches, and moderators should consistently model and emphasize the
importance of Christian behavior and sportsmanship and should frequently emphasize its
importance to participants and spectators, including parents and other fans.
Discipline (See Appendix – Suspension and Expulsion Policies)
Catholic schools shall provide a safe learning environment for all members of the school community.
The climate of Catholic schools shall reflect Gospel values including an emphasis on the dignity of all
persons which necessary for respect, the interdependence of all persons that is the basis of community,
and the rights and responsibilities of all persons which are the foundations of justice.
Students have the following responsibilities: Students at St. Mark are expected to exhibit attitudes of respect for all persons. Appropriate and respectful
behavior is expected at all times. Specifically, students have the following responsibilities:
* to respect themselves by keeping their best appearance and good behavior, including using
friendly words and actions and having respectful attitudes,
* to respect the dignity and rights of others and to avoid activity that may endanger the health or
safety of others,
* to respect all adults, all students, and all visitors,
* to obey and to respect in action and in speech all persons in authority,
* to respect the property of the school and others,
* to remain on school grounds unless granted permission to leave,
* to be in full uniform daily,
* to be prompt and regular in attendance, equipped with the necessary books and supplies,
* to meet classroom standards of behavior and performance, cooperative behavior, and completing
assignments on time,
* to respect the learning atmosphere by being quiet and orderly in the hallways,
* to address adults using proper titles (i.e. Mr. Mrs. Ms. Fr. etc.) and respond courteously to
reasonable requests from authorized adults and/or personnel,
* to follow school policies and regulations.
Discipline means to train the mind and to use self-control. The purpose of a disciplinary policy in the
school is to spell out the value system upon which we operate and to specify the intentions of the
faculty and programs. Our goals therefore are to develop among all students:
1. A Christian presence in word and action. 2. A continuous demonstration of respect for all persons in our school community. 3. An ability to control one’s own actions and take responsibility for them. 4. A positive attitude towards one’s own ability.
Behavior codes and consequences (positive and negative) will be determined for each section (grades
k-2, 3-4, and 5- 8). We believe that the formation of the conscience is an ongoing process. We believe
that these codes must be expressed clearly to students at the beginning of school and as further needs
arise. We believe that rules should be applied consistently and that students should be made aware that
their actions have consequences. Consequences may include but are not limited to: notation on the
responsibility cards, detention, phone calls or meetings with parents, removal of privileges, or lower
conduct grade.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 28
Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline™
St. Mark Catholic School is a Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline™ School. This initiative is a
Catholic response to bullying prevention, and has two goals: 1. Decrease anti-social behavior
Bullying behaviors Disruptive behaviors
2. Increase faith practices Evangelization Sacramental Practices Virtue education
In the VBRD™ model, we see misbehavior in the context of the whole child both at home and at
school. This will not replace our current discipline policy, but rather build upon what we have so as to
provide a stronger connection to our faith teaching in assuring that love of God and one another is
reflected in our discipline practices. Three tasks are the foundation of this initiative:
1. We will cultivate personal virtues as a school community.
2. We will commit to being constructive in the way we interact with others
When harm is caused by misbehavior of any kind, we will address it within the context of faith identity
to make amends. We will repair and restore relationships first because we want to live a virtuous life,
loving God and neighbor, and because we want to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Rather than focus on "bullying," we will look at all behaviors that are disruptive in the school day.
Many times, behavior is mislabeled as bullying, when in fact; we need to specifically identify the
behaviors as harm, humiliation or intimidation. Bullying is a label that can cause distress to both
parents and their children, as it does not always accurately describe the circumstances needing adult
intervention.
The four guiding principles in VBRD:
1. We will dedicate ourselves living virtue.
2. We will support others in living virtue.
3. We will commit to constructive thoughts, words and deeds.
4. When faced with challenges or conflict, we will find solutions that cultivate virtue for ourselves and
for one another.
Parents will have resources for using VBRD™ at home as a way to create a consistent approach to
personal growth in virtue, while emphasizing the intrinsic dignity of the human person when
disciplining their children.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 29
Disciplinary Procedures
Discipline in the Catholic school is an aspect of moral guidance and refers to those reasonable controls
which promote the individual student's development and self-discipline. It sets the foundation for a
Christian environment in which the rights and responsibilities of the faculty, staff, and students are
recognized and observed. The rules governing St. Mark Catholic School are based on creating a Christian
atmosphere for the education, safety, and faith-community enrichment of all faculty, staff, and students.
The principal is directly responsible for overseeing the implementation of discipline procedures. To
ensure that parents and student alike are aware of the importance of the aforementioned expectations and
responsibilities, incidents of student misbehavior, when warranted, are communicated to parents.
The teacher is responsible for creating a classroom environment that nurtures both academic performance
and self-esteem. Teachers and students work together to create a climate that will inspire excitement for
life and learning. Teachers and students work to develop mutual respect for each other. Teachers
engender a sense of responsibility in their students that enables them to act effectively in life and to be
happy contributing members of the Christian community.
Parents work in conjunction with the school in our efforts to promote a sense of self-discipline in our
students. In the event further encouragement in self-discipline is needed, procedures will be used in an
effort to guide the student towards accepting responsibility for his/her behavior and towards meeting
reasonable goals that teachers and parents set.
In grades kindergarten through 2nd
, a daily checklist is used to inform parents of daily behavior.
Students in grades 3-8 use a standardized documentation known as the Responsibility Card. Parents
may view the responsibility card nightly. This card is to be kept in the student planner at all times. In
situations of serious misconduct an automatic detention can be issued to a student. When this occurs,
the student’s parents are notified and if necessary, a conference is arranged that would include the
student, principal, parent or guardian and appropriate faculty members.
For Grades K-2, most behavior teaching takes place in the classroom with supportive communication between
teacher and the parent.
In Grades 3-8, teaching of appropriate behavior and supportive communication between teachers and parents
continue. In addition, students are held actively accountable for the choices they make in regards to behavior,
through the use of a Responsibility and Behavior Card.
Special school events, field trips, and classroom parties are considered a privilege. Students in grades
5-8 will lose these privileges if the student is not adhering to the St. Mark Code of Conduct.
After 2 Responsibility Card detentions in a Quarter or more than two missing assignments the
day before a school event, the student will not be permitted to attend the event. This includes
field trips, holiday parties, etc.
After 2 Behavior Card detentions in a semester, the student will not be permitted to attend
special events.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 30
Responsibility Card Respect for others, property, and self is an important value at St. Mark School. We wish to instill that
value throughout the day to all students. Taking care of belongings, being prepared for class, and
being respectful of teachers and school rules are some of the ways students show respect.
In order to achieve this end each student in 3rd
-8th
grade will be given a Responsibility Card.
Violations of expected behavior will result in the card being marked. Students are required to have
their cards on them at all times.
Students in grades 3-4 will receive a phone call home after receiving 5 infractions. A teacher or
principal conference with the student and parents will be required if additional cards are needed.
Students in grades 5-8 may receive 5 infractions before serving a detention. A student will receive an
automatic detention if they don’t have their Responsibility Card. Responsibility or Homework
detentions are served on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00 am-7:45 am. Responsibility Cards are
reissued at the beginning of each quarter.
Behavior Cards
Appropriate and respectful behavior is expected at all times. Students in grades 3-8 will be given a
behavior card. Violations of expected behavior will result in the card being marked. Students are
required to have their cards at all times. Students in grades 5-8 may receive 3 infractions before
serving a detention. Students in grades 3-4 will receive a phone call home after receiving 3
infractions. A teacher or principal conference with the student and parents will be required if
additional cards are needed.
Infractions are given in the following areas: Disrespectful Behavior, Disruptive Behavior, Dishonest
Behavior, No Responsibility Card/ Refusal to Give Card. Behavior Detentions are assigned by the
principal. Behavior cards in 3rd
-5th
grade are reissued every quarter. Behavior cards in 6th
-8th
are reissued each semester.
For chronic disciplinary measures, the school will use suspension and withdrawal for cause policies.
See below.
The safety of students, faculty and staff is paramount and warrants serious consequences when
student decision-making includes the following:
1. Students who threaten to bring a weapon to school cannot be readmitted until the
administration is reasonably assured by competent professionals that the student does not
pose future danger to self or others by returning to school.
2. Police will be notified if an assault or battery occurs resulting from use or threat of use of
firearm or weapon by a student.
3. Any infraction (intentional and/or unintentional) that endangers self or others
4. Truancy: Any absence without prior notification of the school or leaving the school
property without the permission of the principal.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 31
5. Dishonest Behavior: Lying, cheating, stealing, forgery, etc.
6. Use of pornographic material: possession, display, or the sale of immoral and pornographic
material will not be tolerated.
7. Disrespect: Insubordination or disrespect shown to any faculty, staff, volunteer or fellow
student. Bullying, name calling, teasing, harassing, fighting, etc.
8. Vandalism: Damage caused by willful destruction of church, school or personal property will
be charged to the individual(s) involved.
9. Obscene Language: Use of obscene language through words, gestures or in written form.
10. Possession of Cigarettes and/or e cigarettes or smoking paraphernalia: Smoking while on school
grounds, at school functions, or as a school representative.
11. Alcoholic Beverages: Drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages on school grounds, at
school functions, or as a school representative. Students violating this policy will be subject to
suspension or expulsion. In addition, civil authorities may become involved.
12. Violence or Threat of Violence (see appendix)
13. Consistent non-conformity to school rules: With regard to school dress code, behavior, and
other items covered in the handbook.
14. Disruptive Behavior: Consistently talking in a loud, disorderly, or disrespectful manner, and
disrupting the learning environment.
15. Out of school conduct that seriously detracts from the reputation of the school--disturbing the
peace, arrest for misdemeanors, destruction or defacing of property, disrespect for authority.
16. Other infractions of rules set down by the administration when such infractions are of
serious nature.
Specific Discipline Issues:
Academic Honesty
The consequences for a violation of the school’s policy concerning academic honesty are made by the
teacher in conjunction with the principal. Typical consequence is a mark on the Responsibility Card
and a zero on the assignment. Academic “dishonesty” includes but is not limited to, the passing of
answers on quizzes, tests or classroom assignments; the seeking, receiving or transmitting of specific
information about questions/answers on the test; the lending or copying of homework; use of cheat
sheets or their possession during the testing session; and acts of plagiarism.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 32
Alcohol-Drugs-Tobacco-Violence Weapons
The use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs poses a threat to the health of young people and creates
an obstacle to their full development as Christian persons. In addition, under present federal and state
laws, the possession and use of certain unprescribed drugs, including narcotics, depressants,
stimulants, marijuana, and hallucinogenic drugs are illegal. Therefore, the possession, use, or transfer
of un-prescribed or illegal drugs, or the use, possession of, or being under the influence of alcohol on
the school premises or at school sponsored functions are not permitted. Students violating this policy
will be subject to suspension and/or withdrawal for cause from school. In addition, civil authorities
may become involved.
According to government regulations there is no smoking permitted in the school building for anyone.
The St. Louis County Tobacco Ordinance prohibits possessing tobacco in any form for all children
under the age of 18. Also, there is no smoking or possession of any tobacco products for underage
students in or within 300 feet of a school building. Fines for anyone caught possessing tobacco or
smoking start at $150.
Cell Phones/Pagers/I pods/Apple Watches
Students are not allowed to use cell phones, Ipods, Apple watches, text messages, pagers, or beepers
during school hours. Students may not carry any personal electronic device on their person with the
exception of registered e-readers. Phones will be confiscated if found with student. Parents will have
to come and pick them up in order to be returned. Students may receive messages through the school
office. Other electronic devices such as electronic dictionaries may be used as long as their use does
not abuse other school policies including digital imagery, texting messages or disruption.
Harassment
St. Mark School will maintain a learning environment that is free from all forms of harassment. No
member of the school community should be subjected to any type of harassment because it is not in
keeping with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and the standards of our program.
Harassment is defined as any unwanted and unwelcome behavior that interferes with a student’s
performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment. Harassment
includes conduct that is verbal, physical or visual.
All complaints of harassment will be thoroughly and promptly investigated. Investigations will be
conducted in a sensitive manner and, to the extent feasible, confidentiality will be honored. The
investigations and all actions taken will be shared only with those who have a need to know.
If, after investigation, the administration determines that a student has engaged in sexual or other
forms of harassment, appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and withdrawal
for cause, will be taken.
Internet and Electronic Communications Conduct
A safe environment for all members of the school community should be a hallmark of a Catholic
school. This is accomplished, in part, by fostering a climate based on Gospel values that emphasize
the dignity of and respect for all persons. Words, actions, or depictions which violate the privacy,
safety, or good name of others are inconsistent with that goal. Whether occurring within or outside
of school, when students jeopardize that safe environment or act contrary to those Gospel values
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 33
they can be subject to disciplinary action by the school. This policy applies to communications or
depictions through e-mail, text messages, social media, or web site postings, whether they occur
through the school's equipment or connectivity resources or through private communications, which:
(1) are of a sexual nature; (2) threaten, libel, slander, malign, disparage, harass or embarrass
members of the school community or (3) in the Principal's discretion, cause harm to the school, or
the school community (collectively referred to as "Inappropriate Electronic Conduct"). Inappropriate
Electronic Conduct shall be subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences, including
Withdrawal for Cause.
St. Mark’s Internet and Electronic Communications Conduct policy also extends to parents and
guardians of students attending St. Mark. No harassing, immoral content especially that targets the
school, school personnel, or students will be permitted on any form of social media or web site
postings.
Violence (see appendix)
Violence inhibits human development and successful learning. Therefore, violence is not tolerated in
St. Mark Catholic School. Violence includes threats of injury, harassment, assault, possession and/or
use of a weapon, and theft or vandalism of property. All reported or observed instances of threatened
or actual violence will be addressed by the school administration.
Weapons
In order to provide a safe environment, the carrying or possession of any type of firearm or other
dangerous weapons on the premises of St. Mark School is strictly prohibited. This prohibition
expressly includes those persons licensed to carry concealed firearms.
Detention
Detention is a disciplinary measure where students (grades 5-8) must come early or stay after school
for one hour as a punishment for choosing to break school rules. Detention will be served when 5
infractions are issued on a student’s Responsibility Card or 3 infractions on a student’s Behavior
Card. Parents will be notified the day before a detention is to be served. Students will not be
excused from a detention for any reason. If they have a medical appointment for the day of
detention, they must bring proof of that appointment and serve the detention on the next scheduled
day. If a student fails to report for detention on time (more than five minutes late), they will serve an
additional detention as a consequence, as well as the original detention. Students who skip detention
will be required to serve two detentions and must have a meeting with the principal before returning
to class.
Probation
A student who has been a habitual disciplinary problem may be placed on probation after review of
his/her conduct with the parents/guardians. This is a very serious classification and a student is placed
on probation only after all other means have failed to correct the problem. The time of probation is no
less than one week and no more than one month.
Suspension
Suspension is the temporary removal of a student from his or her regular school program for a
specified period of time. Suspension is a very serious method of discipline and is used rarely.
Suspension may be of two types:
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 34
• In-school suspension is the removal of a student from his/her classroom to another part of the
building for a period of time. The time frame is usually no more than 3 days. • Out of school suspension is the act of sending a student home in the custody of a parent and the
student remains home. The time frame is usually no more than 3 days.
Withdrawal for Cause
Withdrawal for Cause is the most serious means of addressing a discipline problem. It is the removal
of a student from the school. If the behavior presents a severe threat to the physical, spiritual, and/or
moral well-being of students or for extremely serious conduct violations, a student may be subject to
withdrawal. (Archdiocesan Policy 4204)
Emergency Procedures Emergency Dismissal
The staff of St. Mark Catholic School is prepared to supervise your students in the case of an
emergency which would render our building unsafe. Should such emergency occur, please do not call
school. Information would be dispatched on KMOX radio, channels 2, 4, 5 and through the school
reach system. Students will only be dismissed to parents or to a person listed on the emergency card.
School Messenger System
In the case of an all school announcement, emergency or snow day parents are notified via the school
reach system. This phone call will come from the principal’s phone extension 743-8643. This number
registers as the Archdiocese of St. Louis on Caller ID. This is an automated, recorded message and
there is often a hard pause before the message begins. The phone messaging system will only be
activated by the principal or pastor.
Emergency Cards
At times, it may become necessary to reach parents who may not be available. For this purpose,
emergency cards are given out in the family packet. Please complete one card for each family and
return it during the first week of school.
Change of Address or Phone Number
Please notify the school office and the parish office immediately, in writing, if your name, address, or
phone number on the emergency card changes during the school year. This is necessary in case the
school/parish office needs to contact you during the school day. The school office will update your
contact information on the TeacherEase information system.
Tornado, Fire, and Earthquake Drills
To assure the safety of each child in the event of tornado, fire, earthquake or other potentially
hazardous situations, drills are held periodically during the school year to familiarize students and
teachers with emergency procedures.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 35
FINANCES
Fees
Parishioners with children enrolled in St. Mark Catholic School support the school through their
weekly envelope offerings to the church year-round. Parents are also expected to support the Together
We’re Better Program throughout the year.
Book Fees/Registration Fees The book/registration fee for the school year is $200.00 per child. It is payable at the time of
registration. The book fee covers the cost of textbooks, testing, and educational materials.
Hardbound textbooks are the property of St. Mark Catholic School. All textbooks must be returned in
good condition at the end of the school year. Any books, including library books, which are lost or
defaced, must be paid for or replaced. Final report cards will be held until all fines are paid.
Workbooks are consumable books used in many of the subjects. Students are responsible for replacing
workbooks if they are destroyed or lost.
All hardbound books must be covered at all times. We recommend the use of a book bag or backpack
to transport books and supplies to and from school. Parents/students are responsible for replacing any
textbook that is damaged above normal usage such as breaking a book spine, marking on pages, or
destruction of pages. This will be an average fee of $50.00.
Chromebook Fee:
Incoming 6th
graders will be charged a $400 book fee to offset the cost of a School Issued Chromebook.
Chromebooks must stay under the domain of school until the time that students leave the program. The
Chromebook becomes sole property of the student upon graduation.
Financial Policy
Our school charges tuition to help cover the expenses incurred in carrying out the mission of the parish
to educate our children. The expenses not covered by tuition, comes directly from the parish offering.
Parishioners who wish to send their children to our school and cannot afford the tuition may make
arrangements with the pastor for a reduction of payment. All families are required to fill out the
“Family Tuition Obligation” form at the beginning of the year which authorizes direct payment from
the designated bank account to the school. All families are expected to honor their financial
responsibility as accepted when registering their child for the upcoming school year. Students
transferring to our school or from our school may pay a pro-rated tuition. School records/report
cards will only be transferred or released to parents when tuition is up to date and all fees have been
paid.
Eighth grade tuition must be paid before graduation.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 36
STUDENT HEALTH (See appendix – Communicable Disease Policy, Head Lice Policy, medication)
St. Mark School maintains a health record for each student and follows the recommended policies and
procedures on communicable diseases established by the Missouri Department of Health
NOTE: MISSOURI LAW requires that all children be adequately immunized prior to entrance to
school. We must have health records for each child that includes an up-to-date immunization
record. All Health records must be updated at the beginning of Kindergarten, third, sixth grades and
all new students. Forms are available in the school office.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN WITHOUT
FEVER FOR 24 HOURS. CHILDREN MAY NOT BE RECEIVING TYLENOL OR OTHER
FEVER REDUCING MEDICATION AND BE IN ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL.
St. Mark Catholic School does not have a full-time nurse on duty. We rely on the volunteer services of
our parents in the medical profession and our school secretaries.
On a day-to-day basis, we rely on our school staff to handle the minor injuries that may occur. The
school secretary or principal will call you when it becomes necessary for your child to leave school
due to illness. We require all parents to return EMERGENCY CARDS with information including
names of doctors and hospitals in the event of serious injury.
Careful observation of children and isolation of sick children are the most effective means of
controlling epidemics or childhood diseases and other common communicable diseases. Any child
with skin rashes, inflamed eyes, lice, or signs of fever will be excluded from school until seen by a
physician and/or symptoms disappear.
Primary health requirements for all students are:
1. Current immunizations or wavier form on file.
2. Vision, hearing, height and weight screening done by trained school staff.
3. Physical examinations (Missouri State Law requires a physical examination for all students
entering Kindergarten, Grade 3 and Grade 6, by a Department of Health physician or other
licensed practicing physician).
Financial Requirement for 8th grade students: Payment in full must be made for all financial
obligations to the school, including but not limited to, tuition, Together We’re Better, lunch accounts,
past due amounts, etc. for an 8th grade student to participate in the end of the year activities including
but not limited to the mystery trip and graduation dinner. Within 10 days prior to activities, the
administration has the right to require a specific method of payment for a student to participate or a
concrete payment plan to be in place.
(St. Mark School Board Policy effective August 2008)
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 37
Hearing and Vision Screening
Hearing and Vision Screenings will be conducted at school by trained staff members for grades 1, 3,
and 5. Parents of children who do not pass the screening will receive notification.
Medication (See Appendix – Medication Policy and Medical Consent Form)
Child Abuse All teachers at St. Mark School are mandated reporters of suspected or known abuse/neglect of
children. Under Missouri law, when administration or school personnel suspect the mistreatment of
children they must report it to the proper authorities.
All volunteers and staff of St. Mark School are required to attend the Archdiocesan program
“Protecting God’s Children” and follow all guidelines of proper conduct as outlined by the
Archdiocese.
Safety Patrol
Eighth grade students will help maintain a safe arrival and dismissal of all our students. Members of
the safety patrol will be on hand from 7:25-7:45 a.m. and 2:50-3:05 p.m. every day. To help with the
dismissal and arrival of all our students, all drivers will be asked to please follow their direction.
Safety patrol members will be under the direction of the eighth-grade homeroom teacher. Arrival and
dismissal procedures are directives from the principal.
Student Insurance Program Student Accident Insurance is available to any family in the school who may be interested. This coverage is
offered through K & K Insurance Group, Inc. To find our more information about the program, contact the
school office or access the online enrollment is also available at this site www.studentsinsurane-kk.com or
email to info@studentinsurance-kk.com.
Safety Drills Fire drills are conducted periodically throughout the school year. The school's Fire Drill procedure is in
accord with the requirements set forth by the Lemay Fire Department to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation
of the school building. Tornado, Lockdown Drills and Earthquake Drills are conducted
SCHOOL CALENDAR The school calendar may be found at the beginning of the handbook. The calendar follows the official
calendar sent to the schools by the Archdiocesan Catholic Education Office and is approved by the St.
Mark School Board. Please remember that this calendar is subject to change as needs arise. You will
be notified in writing of changes in the school calendar, whenever possible.
SCHOOL GROUNDS & FACILITY Any organization or individual wanting to use school grounds or buildings must schedule use with the
parish secretary. Keys may be checked out at the parish center or school office. We trust that the
utmost care will be taken and that the parties scheduling events will be responsible for cleaning the
area and reporting damage.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 38
STUDENT EVALUATION Students are evaluated frequently to ensure that they are meeting the goals in the curriculum. Students in
Kindergarten through Second grade transitioned to a standards-based grading system beginning with the
2017-2018 school year. Third and Fourth grade will transition to standards-based grading in the 2018-
2019 school year. Students in 5th
-8th
grade will remain on a traditional percentage grade scale.
Standards-Based Grading Standards-Based Grading (SBG) communicates how students perform on a set of clearly defined learning
goals called standards. The purpose of SBG is to identify what a student knows, or is able to do, in
relation to those learning goals - as opposed to simply averaging grades/scores over the course of the
grading period, which can mask what a student has learned or not learned.
Students at St. Mark receive grading feedback on every Learning Goal in the curriculum, not just a single
grade for each subject area. This specific feedback allows teachers, students and parents to get a clear
picture of each student’s areas of mastery, and areas needing more attention.
Students are learning all the time during every class. Teachers are assessing student learning all the time
during every class and are taking informal information all day long about what students are learning and
where they are struggling. This information is referred to as “Formative Assessment.” Formative
Assessment information is used in the classroom and will be recorded but not receive a grade in the
online gradebook. Instead, Formative Assessment information guides the student and teacher in their
instruction and learning. Formative Assessment examples include routine practice homework, class
discussions, small group work, performance on classroom assignments, and impromptu quizzes.
At some point in the teaching and learning process, it is time to determine exactly what each student has
learned, and to assign a mark or a grade to that learning. These grades are called “Summative
Assessments” and are graded in the online gradebook on TeacherEase within one week of the
Summative Assessment being given. The purpose of summative grades is to determine the level of
student learning at that particular time. We want to know what a student has learned at the end of a
learning period, not how much he or she struggled to get there. So, in Standards-Based Grading, when
you see a Summative grade, it is the grade that best describes the student’s level of learning at that
time.
On the quarterly Report Cards, there is an overall Achievement Grade for every single subject, as well
as Summative Grades for different areas of the curriculum in each subject area. Report Card grades are
determined by teachers looking at the student’s patterns of learning over the quarter, re-testing when
necessary, considering both Formative and Summative Assessments, and determining the student’s level
of learning at that time for the subject area.
Since student behaviors at school do not necessarily reflect a student’s level of learning in academic
subject areas, Effort and Conduct are reported on separately from academic achievement. Again, this
will give parents, students, and teachers important information about these critical life skills, class by
class.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 39
Grading Scale for Standards Based Grading – Kindergarten-4th
Grade
Marking
Code
Translation Comments
4 Exceeding the grade level
standard.
Producing high quality
work consistently.
This grade will be reported when a student
demonstrates performance beyond expectations on a
consistent and independent basis.
3 Meeting the grade level
standard and producing
quality work consistently.
This grade means that a student consistently and
independently demonstrated mastery of subject
material. A 3 is considered an excellent grade, one that
a student should be working towards, as
developmentally appropriate.
2 Progressing toward the
standard. Producing the
required grade level work
with teacher direction and
assistance.
A 2 indicates that a student can meet expectations with
teacher assistance and support, but often does not
demonstrate consistent mastery in a set subject area or
grade level standard. The student may need to continue
developing a specific skill set, and progress is being
encouraged.
1 Beginning to develop the
standard. Not yet able to
produce required grade
level work.
A 1 will be reported if there is growing concern for a
child’s performance in a given subject, skill, or grade
level standard.
0 No evidence of learning. A 0 indicates that the teacher is not able to assess a
student’s level of learning due to lack of evidence, e.g.
projects or work missing or incomplete, lack of
participation.
NA Not Assessed This skill was not assessed.
T Taught but not graded This skill was taught but is not graded.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 40
Grade Scale for 5th
-8th
grades A traditional scale is used in grades 5
th- 8
th
Grade Range of
Scores
A+ 100-98
A 97-95
A- 94-93
B+ 92-90
B 89-87
B- 86-85
C+ 84-83
C 82-79
C- 78-76
D+ 75-74
D 73-72
D- 71-70
F 69-59
Online Grades Parents may view student grades online at TeacherEase for grades K-8. Parents are encouraged to talk
directly with their students and teachers if there are any questions or concerns about academic progress.
Progress Notes
Teachers are asked to inform parents at the beginning of the year of their grading and homework
policies. Graded and returned work is an excellent way of noting each student’s progress. Parents are
asked to review graded work with their student on a regular basis. Music, PE, and computer teachers
will send out progress notes to students in grades 4-8 for conduct or academics only when a student is
in danger of failing or for poor conduct in that class. Parents have daily access to grades. It is the
teachers’ responsibility to keep the grade book updated and the parents/students’ responsibility to
monitor grades. Teachers make every effort to keep parents aware of progress.
Report Cards The school year is divided into four quarters consisting of approximately nine weeks. Report cards are
issued at the end of each quarter. Notice will be given in the newsletter as to when report cards will be
issued. Report cards and progress reports can be downloaded from the student information system.
www.teacherease.com Report cards and progress reports will only be printed if specially requested by
parents. The school reserves the right to hold report cards until all accounts are current.
Parent-Teacher Conferences First Quarter Parent-Teacher Conferences are held in the Fall. The First Quarter Conference is
mandatory for all parents/guardians. Parent-Teacher Conferences are also held throughout the school
year at the request of either the parent/guardian or the teacher. Parents/Guardians are required to attend
conferences requested by the teacher, the Principal, or the school counselor.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 41
Additional parent conferences are scheduled as needed either at the request of the parent or teacher.
Teachers will contact parents as soon as possible if a noticeable problem appears either in academics or
in conduct. Parents should contact teachers promptly if a disturbing or questionable change is noticed in
the child or his/her schoolwork. Early corrective measures often lead to simple solutions.
Promotion and Retention
Students are advanced in grades based upon satisfactory completion of the required academic work for
the preceding level. Students are retained based upon unsatisfactory completion of the required
academic work for the preceding grade level. This decision, made after thorough consultation between
home and school, is based upon academic readiness, social and/or emotional readiness, and other
pertinent circumstances.
Standardized Testing Standardized testing for an elementary school student at St. Mark School consists of the following:
The Missouri Kindergarten Inventory of Development Skills Test (KIDS) is administered to
children who are applying for kindergarten prior to acceptance.
Standardized testing, which is done Archdiocesan-wide, is administered in late September to
Grades 3 - 8. The Iowa Assessment is used. Cognitive Ability Test (CoGat) is administered to
students in Grades 3-8 along with the Iowa Assessments. Results are made available to
parents/guardians at the First Quarter Parent Teacher Conferences.
The Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) is given to 5th and 8th Grade
students to assess religious knowledge and attitudes. The Catholic Education Office sets the
dates for ACRE testing.
Cumulative Records
The school maintains a cumulative academic and health record for each student. Parents/Guardians have
the right to inspect and review the official active file of their student. This is accomplished by making an
appointment with the principal.
There will be no release of student records to other schools, institutions, agencies, or individuals without
the prior written consent of a parent/guardian, or the former student if age eighteen years or older.
Records are not released to parents/guardians or students but are transferred directly from the school to
the institution designated to receive them.
The right of school personnel to access the records of students is limited to those who have a legitimate
purpose for the information the record contains. In addition, the person must also have a professional
responsibility for a specific individual student or a clearly identified group of students. This includes
teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and special education personnel.
Student discipline information is not part of the student's cumulative or permanent record file, and, as
such, is not included when parents authorize information to be provided to another school or agency.
Making this information available to any person or institution must only be done with the specific written
consent of the student's parent or guardian. This applies to both written and/or oral information.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 42
Custody Agreements
All parents have the right to inspect and review their child’s academic record, in the absence of court
orders to the contrary. If parent’s custodial rights have been limited by a court of competent
jurisdiction, it is the duty of the custodial parent to provide the school with a verified copy of the court
order delineating the rights of the non-custodial parent.
A verified copy is a certified copy that verifies that it is the order currently in effect. Divorced,
separated or parents who have never been married and legal guardians are requested to furnish the
school with a certified copy of the custody orders and must indicate to school who is the residential
parent for school and mailing purposes. Please note that no records will be released where there is an
outstanding tuition balance.
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS
Process and Timeline: • Catholic High Schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis host "High School Nights" at various locations
throughout the area during the month of September and October of each year. Students and parents/guardians
are invited to attend High School Nights to learn more about Catholic High Schools and what they have to
offer. Schedules for High School Nights are distributed to the students in early September.
• Most Catholic High Schools will conduct an Open House the first Sunday in November. Tours will be given
and personnel will be available to answer questions (schedule posted at www.archstl.org).
• 8th grade students (Seventh grade in the spring semester) and their parent/guardians are highly encouraged to
arrange visit days ("shadow days") with the individual high schools. These visits occur on school days during
regular class time and will be counted as an excused absence. Students are limited to two/year. A signed
parent request form must be submitted for the principal’s signature before the absence is excused.
• Eighth grade students apply to Catholic High Schools in mid-November. Applications and instructions are
sent home with each student.
• Between late November and late January, the school supplies the designated high school with a copy of the
student applicant's cumulative record and current report card. No letters of recommendation are written by the
Principal, faculty, or staff.
• Student and parents/guardians are informed of acceptance/non-acceptance in early February.
Parents/guardians wishing to have their student apply to a public district or an independent school for high
school placement need to personally contact those schools for their application process, procedures, and
timelines.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 43
PARENT INVOLVEMENT Volunteers At St. Mark School, we depend upon the generosity of parents who donate their time! During the year there
are a variety of opportunities for parents to assist in the development and continuity of the educational
program. Volunteers enable the school to provide greater services to our students. Help can be used in the
following areas:
Cafeteria Duty
Classroom Parties
Field Trip Chaperones
School Picture Day
Scholastic Book Fair
Grandparents Day
Field Day
Open House
Watch the weekly school newsletter, The Message, and teacher newsletters for announcements and volunteer
opportunities. Please remember that all volunteers must have taken Protecting God’s Children and have
a current background check on file.
Parent-Teacher Association The PTA is an organization designed to strengthen the relationship between home and school by providing
our parents with a means to gather, share information, and work together on school-related projects. All
parents/guardians are members of the PTA and are invited to attend PTA Meetings. Please refer to the school
calendar for PTA meeting dates and times.
St. Mark Catholic School Parent Witness Statement Realizing that the education of my child/children is a joint venture between parents and educators, I agree to
support the Pastor, Principal, and Faculty of St. Mark Catholic School in the following ways:
By making it possible for my child/children to attend Church services at our family place of worship.
By participating in the spiritual and social life of my parish.
By following all rules and regulations of the school, especially those regarding discipline, uniform
and appearance, attendance, and homework policies.
By fully complying with the terms of the tuition payment plan. If financial difficulties arise, I will
contact the Pastor to make arrangements for paying my tuition.
By promptly paying all Cafeteria, After-Care, and school-related fees. If financial difficulties arise, I
will contact the Pastor to make arrangements for paying my fees.
By participating in all required school meetings and functions such as, but not limited to, Sacramental
Preparation Sessions and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
By volunteering my time and talent through participation in school activities and functions.
By participating in school sponsored fund-raising activities.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 44
MAINTAINING SCHOOL PRIVACY
St. Mark School understands that students/parents have access to technology that enables them to
record, either visually or audibly, a student of the school or a member of the school staff.
Out of respect for the students in our school, students and parents are not to publicly post any videos,
pictures or audio recordings of students at school events unless the student/parent(s) have the express
written permission from the school to do so. This includes, but is not limited to, online photo-sharing
and posting videos to YouTube or similar applications.
Additionally, in order to ensure the privacy of members of the school staff, students and parents are not
to record a member of the school staff without the express permission of the staff member. As such,
students and parents are prohibited from recording classroom lessons/discussions and are prohibited
from photographing or videotaping teachers without the teachers’ permission. Likewise, students and
parents shall not publicly post any videos, pictures or audio recordings of staff members unless the
student/parent(s) have the express written permission from the school staff member. This includes, but
is not limited to, online photo-sharing and posting videos to YouTube or similar applications.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 45
APPENDIX
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
St. Mark Catholic School will follow the recommended policies and procedures on communicable
diseases established by the Missouri Department of Health.
RATIONALE
The prospect of a school-age child or faculty member attending school with a chronic infectious
disease raises concern among school administrators, pastors, teachers, and parents. Chronic infectious
diseases are such diseases as Herpes, AIDS, Hepatitis or Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Catholic schools are institutions providing an environment where life and teachings of Christ can be
experienced and modeled by those in attendance. It is especially true, therefore, that in the Catholic
school’s compassion for the sick be evident as well as concern for their psychological and physical
well-being.
In addition, the school has an obligation to the common as well as the individual welfare of its pupils
and personnel. The general guidelines which follow take into account both of these factors.
GUIDELINES
1. Since the risk of transmission of these diseases in the school settings is quite low, the child should
be permitted to attend school in the least restrictive environment. The decision should be made by the
child’s physician, public health personnel, the child’s parent/guardian, pastor, and the school personnel
involved in the child’s care. The child’s physician may also recommend exclusion of the child when
infectious diseases are present in the building put the child at risk.
2. Although the organisms have been isolated from blood, semen, saliva, and tears, transmission has
only been documented through blood and semen. The child could attend school, in a regular classroom
setting using simple precautions with body fluids or blood.
3. In certain situations, persons involved in the care and education of children with these chronic
infections should respect the child’s right to privacy, including maintaining confidential records. Only
those persons who have a need to know (in order to assure proper care and to detect potential for
disease transmission) should be advised.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 46
Dress Code Policy for St. Mark Catholic School
General uniform expectations:
o Uniforms must be clean, in good repair, and neat on a daily basis.
o Uniforms must be free of emblems and name brand markings.
o Undergarments must not show through the uniform (including the PE uniform).
o Absolutely no make-up or nail polish is allowed (with the exception of dress down days).
Artificial nails may not be worn.
o One pair of small earrings may be worn in the earlobe. Dangle, large hoops or multiple pairs of
earrings may not be worn. Cartlidge piercings are not allowed.
o Dyed hair, highlights, markings shaved into hair, distracting and exaggerated hair styles are not
allowed.
o Boys’ hair must be groomed, neat at all times, above the eyebrows, and above the collar.
o Simple and inconspicuous hair accessories for girls are allowed.
Although no policy can cover all issues, we expect the students of St. Mark Catholic School and their
parents/guardians to exhibit good judgement. It is understood that the faculty and administration will
decide what is acceptable attire and appearance for the students of St. Mark.
Students who are not in proper uniform in preschool-2nd
grade will bring a note home from the teacher
indicating the necessary uniform adjustments. Students in grades 3rd
-8th
will be written up on their
responsibility card. Parent’s may be contacted to bring a proper uniform to school depending on the
infraction or students may be required to change into a proper uniform from the supply of uniforms at
school.
Uniform items can be purchase from St. Louis Sportswear and Just Me Apparel.
EVERYONE
SHIRTS – White or red knit or nylon collared, golf shirts, plain with no pockets, but may have
Saint Mark’s logo. Red or white long-sleeved turtlenecks, plain or with approved Saint Mark’s
logo.
PANTS – Navy or skipper blue uniform-style pants may be pleated or flat front. Must have belt loops
and belt. (Cargo or other style pants are not allowed)
SHORTS – Navy or skipper blue uniform-style shorts of appropriate length (fingertip length or
longer), may be pleated or flat front. Must have belt loops and belt. May be worn April 1 through
October 31.
BELTS – Navy, brown or black belt with a plain buckle must be worn with shorts or pants.
SOCKS – Navy or royal blue, black, red or white socks, must be visible. Elite socks or similar brands
may be worn if all colors are a part of the established dress code.
SHOES – Leather below the ankle dress shoes in blue, black or brown. Tennis shoes in
predominantly black, blue, red, grey, or white. Mismatched or shoes with all an over design
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 47
(checked, polka dots, etc.) are not allowed. Laces must match the shoes and be properly tied with the
bow on top of the tongue of the shoe. Shoes must have a closed toe and heel.
SWEATER – White, Navy Blue, or Red cardigan or pull-over. NO HOODS.
SWEATSHIRTS – Approved, red Saint Mark’s sweatshirt from Saint Louis Sportswear or Just me
Apparel. Uniform shirt must be worn under sweatshirt with the collar showing. No hooded
sweatshirts even on free dress day.
P.E. UNIFORM – Required PE uniform must be purchased through St. Louis Sportswear.
Students must wear St. Mark Shorts/Gym Pants and St. Mark T-shirt for gym class. Gym pants may be worn during cold months. Tennis shoes are required. Kindergarten through third grade may
wear P.E. uniform all day on P.E. days. During cold months, the red Saint Mark’s sweatshirt may be worn. Only official PE uniform may be worn.
SCOUT UNIFORMS – May be worn in place of the school uniform on troop meeting days. Scout
uniforms must meet the requirement of neat in appearance and be tucked in throughout the day.
GIRLS
JUMPERS – School plaid, purchased from Just Me Apparel worn in grades K through 4. Shorts are
to be worn under jumpers or skirts. Shorts cannot be longer than the jumper or skirt and should not
be visible when standing. Girls may wear navy blue sweatpants under their jumper/skirt during the
winter months while outside. They may not be worn inside.
SKIRTS – School plaid, purchased from Just Me Apparel, worn in grades 5 through 8. Skirts are
not to be rolled at the waist and must be no shorter than 2” above knee length.
BLOUSES – Plain, white school blouses with a collar may be worn.
TIGHTS – May wear red, black, white or navy tights or leggings that are fitted to the ankle.
JEWELRY/MAKEUP – No excessive jewelry, only one pair of post earrings at a time may be
worn in the earlobe, cartilage piercings are not allowed, no makeup, no nail polish, no acrylic or
fake nails, and no tattoos. Nail polish and tattoos will be removed at the school office. Excessive
jewelry consists of but is not limited to oversized earrings, necklaces or multiple bands, bracelets,
etc.
BOYS
HAIR – Neatly trimmed above eyebrows and ears and at least one inch above the collar. No
shaved heads, dyed hair, lines or stripes. Haircuts are expected within three days of the dress code
violation. If not in compliance within seven days a meeting with the principal will be required.
JEWELRY – No excessive jewelry, no earrings and no tattoos.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 48
DRESS DOWN DAY DRESS CODE:
On the occasion that a dress down day is permitted the following will be the guidelines for dress.
(Some dress down days are allowed as fundraisers. Children will be asked to bring in a small fee
to have an out of uniform pass.) *Guidelines for pants and shorts follow the school uniform schedule. Students may participate in dress down days by wearing appropriate casual clothing to school.
Appropriate casual clothing includes:
f. A shirt with or without a collar. No pictures or writing which are not appropriate to a Catholic
elementary school (mature ads, alcohol, drug related, rock bands, etc.) g. Jeans, only if they are in good condition and fit and are worn appropriately. h. Casual pants or shorts other than the uniform shorts that are neat looking and appropriate length. i. Skirts or dresses that are age appropriate in style and modesty j. All shirts, dresses, etc. must have sleeves.
Appropriate casual clothing does not include the following: 1. Oversized, baggy, ripped clothing 2. Tight, immodest pants or shirts including yoga pants and or leggings that are worn as pants. 3. No sleeveless shirts/blouses or dresses; shorts and skirts must be uniform length; shirts/blouses
must be long enough so that no torso is exposed.
4. Shirts with writing that is inappropriate or that advertises a product inappropriate for school age children such as cigarettes or alcohol. 5. Hats, or other accessories that are distracting to the academic atmosphere 6. Jewelry other than that allowed on regular uniform days. 7. High heels, clogs, flip-flops or platform shoes. Shoes must have a closed toe and heel unless
permission is given by the principal.
Revised April 2017.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 49
St. Mark Catholic School
Electronic Reader Permission Form
I authorize my child, to bring his/her
eReader to school with the understanding that it is to be used as a tool for reading only. All materials on an
eReader brought to school must comply with the educational objectives of the school. Accessing the internet is
not appropriate use of an eReader in school. An eReader is defined as a digital device whose primary function
is to store books and other print media. A device whose primary function is to communicate, or to play games,
but allows electronic books, would not be classified as an eReader under this definition.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I understand and agree that the school is not responsible for any damage
or loss of my child’s eReader, nor is it responsible for any costs incurred relating to downloading of content to
the device or access to any content providers through this device. I also understand that bringing an eReader to
school is a privilege that may be terminated at any time. I further understand that this privilege is designed for
educational purposes only and that a violation of this policy or any other technology use policy of the school
district may result in the child losing the privilege of bringing the eReader to school.
I also recognize that it is impossible for school staff to monitor all activity on personal eReaders and will not
hold the school district responsible for damages related to my child’s use of the eReader or for content viewed
by any student on the eReader, including via an internet connection.
Parent/Guardian Name: (Print)
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
Make/Model of eReader:
Serial Number:
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 50
Internet and Electronic Device Acceptable Use Policy
Internet
Students at St. Mark have Internet services provided to them as a tool to obtain access to educational
resources. Students are guided in making good and safe choices. These are to be followed at all times.
These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Students will not give their or anyone else’s name, address, phone number, school name,
passwords or pictures to anyone on the internet without the approval of a faculty member.
Students will not go on unapproved sites-acceptable use does not include social networking or
messaging (including iPad Messaging, Facetime, and similar programs, on Apple, Android, or
other systems), email, picture-taking applications (including Instagram, Snapchat, and other
similar applications), or movie-creation software, unless at specific request of the teacher.
Students found (either presently or later) to have used these applications within school will be
subject to disciplinary action, per the St. Mark Student Handbook.
Students will not log into personal email during school hours.
Students will only be online during assigned times.
Students promise to minimize their screen or put down the lid of their Chromebook and
immediately inform a parent, administrator or teacher it they see anything in appropriate or
immoral online or if anyone makes me feel nervous or uncomfortable. Students will only use
appropriate language online.
Students will hold themselves to the highest academic standard and will cite sources of any
information found online and will not plagiarize any material.
Electronic Devices
Students are allowed to use school issued electronic devices at St. Mark School as long as students
and parents understand the school policy and consent form. It is our goal to ensure the ability of
students to use these devices for legitimate academic purposes while avoiding the potential for
distraction and abuse.
Students in grades 5-8 may bring in personal electronic readers that have had wi-fi or cellular
capabilities disabled. These may be used for reading purposes only.
Students may not use Apple Watches, iPods, trackers, or any device which resemble telephones in
size, or with camera, cellular or Wi-Fi capabilities.
Students with school issued Chrome Books must keep them under management domain of St.
Mark.
All activities which involve the use of the school internet and/or devices are monitored by the
technology administrator(s) and are subject to review at any time, and without warning, including
email sent through or to the users of the stmarkstl.com domain and network.
Teachers, staff, and administrators reserve the right to look at devices being used during school
hours if a concern about appropriate use is raised.
Teachers, staff, and administrators reserve the right to look at limit or prohibit the use of electronic
devices at any time, as they see fit.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 51
As the primary educator of their children, parents assume the responsibility to teach and monitor
their child’s use of electronic devices outside of school hours.
Students with school issued Chrome Books will report any damages, as soon as possible.
The faculty, staff, and administration of St. Mark School are hereby not held liable for any damage
to personal electronics of any student, including, but not limited to: misplacement, physical
damage to the screen, case, or other elements, theft, computer virus, damage caused by liquids, or
damage caused by the mishandling of devices by any student. By electing to bring such a device
to school, the student and parent/guardians of the student assume all responsibility for the device.
I understand the rules outlined in the school acceptable use policy and will abide by them. Devices that
are misused or become a distraction in the classroom will be sent to the office and parents will be notified.
First Offense: The device and/or school issued technology cannot be used for one week.
Second Offense: The device and/or school issued technology cannot be used for one month.
Third Offense: The device will not be allowed the rest of the school year.
Parents and students will be required to meet with administration if these guidelines are not followed.
Student Signature: _____________________________________________
As the parent or legal guardian of the student signing above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to
use school-networked computers. I have read the above stated pledge and support the school’s standards
for the appropriate use of the Internet and electronic devices.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________________
Name of Student: ______________________________________________
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 52
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL
FIELD TRIP CONSENT FORM
DEAR PARENT OR GUARDIAN,
YOUR SON/DAUGHTER IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A SCHOOL SPONSORED FIELD TRIP TO
A LOCATION AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL BUILDING. THIS FIELD TRIP WILL TAKE PLACE
UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION OF EMPLOYEES FROM ST. MARK CATHOLIC
SCHOOL. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY FOLLOWS:
FIELD TRIP:
DATE OF EVENT:
RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL:
DEPARTURE TIME:
(Leaving St. Mark)
ARRIVAL TIME:
(Estimated return to school)
TRANSPORTATION:
STUDENT COST:
PARENT/STUDENT NOTE:
IIF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN,
AND RETURN THE STATEMENT OF CONSENT AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY.
AS PARENT/GUARDIAN, I GIVE PERMISSION FOR MY CHILD:
NAME OF CHILD
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ABOVE-NAMED FIELD TRIP, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ACTIVITY
WILL TAKE PLACE AWAY FROM SCHOOL GROUNDS AND THAT MY CHILD WILL BE UNDER
THE SUPERVISION OF THE DESIGNATED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE NAMED. I FURTHER CONSENT TO
THE METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION AND I ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PERSONAL
ACTIONS TAKEN BY MY CHILD DURING THIS ACTIVITY.
PLEASE PRINT PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE
PLEASE RETURN THIS ENTIRE FORM TO SCHOOL OFFICE BY
Primary Behavior Sheet
Student Name: _______________________________
Week: _______________ Monday
I did not receive a stamp
because I struggled with the following rules:
□ Follows directions.
□ Listens when others
are speaking.
□ Keeps hands, feet,
and objects to
themselves.
□ Stays on task.
□ Demonstrates safe
behavior in the school
environment.
□ Uses kind words and
actions toward others.
Parent initial:
Comments:
Tuesday
I did not receive a stamp
because I struggled with the following rules:
□ Follows directions.
□ Listens when others
are speaking.
□ Keeps hands, feet,
and objects to
themselves.
□ Stays on task.
□ Demonstrates safe
behavior in the school
environment.
□ Uses kind words and
actions toward others.
Parent initial:
Comments:
Wednesday
I did not receive a stamp
because I struggled with the following rules:
□ Follows directions.
□ Listens when others
are speaking.
□ Keeps hands, feet,
and objects to
themselves.
□ Stays on task.
□ Demonstrates safe
behavior in the school
environment.
□ Uses kind words and
actions toward others.
Parent initial:
Comments:
Thursday
I did not receive a stamp
because I struggled with the following rules:
□ Follows directions.
□ Listens when others
are speaking.
□ Keeps hands, feet,
and objects to
themselves.
□ Stays on task.
□ Demonstrates safe
behavior in the school
environment.
□ Uses kind words and
actions toward others.
Parent initial:
Comments:
Friday
I did not receive a stamp
because I struggled with the following rules:
□ Follows directions.
□ Listens when others
are speaking.
□ Keeps hands, feet,
and objects to
themselves.
□ Stays on task.
□ Demonstrates safe
behavior in the school
environment.
□ Uses kind words and
actions toward others.
Parent initial:
Comments:
Additional Comments:
Uh-Oh! We talked about a rule today!
Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________
The rule that we discussed today is circled.
Comments:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Our plan to do better next time: ____________________________________________________
*Child Signature: __________________________________________________
*Parent Signature: _______________________________________________
Follows Directions
Listens when others
are speaking
Demonstrates
safe behavior
Stays on task
Uses kind words
and actions
Keeps hands, feet, and objects to
themselves
Card #_____
_______________________________’s Responsibility Card
1 I am not in full uniform.
2 I have not turned in my completed homework.
3 I did not bring the necessary supplies needed to complete my work.
4 I needed consistent reminders to complete my classwork.
____ ______________________________________________________
____ ______________________________________________________
____ ______________________________________________________
____ ______________________________________________________
____ ______________________________________________________
Card #_____
_______________________________’s Behavior Card
1 I am not showing respect for myself, my class, and my teacher.
2 I am not demonstrating safe behavior in the school environment.
3 I am not following my class or school rules.
4 I am not socializing at appropriate times and am disrupting the learning environment.
____ ______________________________________________________
____ ______________________________________________________
____ ______________________________________________________
3RD
AND 4TH
Grade Responsibility and Behavior Cards
Card #_____ Behavior Card
I, , am a member of St. Mark Catholic School, where students enter to learn and go forth to serve.
1 Disrespectful Behavior
2 Disruptive Behavior
3 Dishonest Behavior
4 No Responsibility Card/Refusal to Give Card
Date Violation & Explanation Signature
____ __________________________________________ _____________
____ __________________________________________ _____________
____ __________________________________________ _____________
Card #_____ Responsibility Card
I, , am a member of St. Mark Catholic School, where students enter to learn and go forth to serve.
1 Violation of Dress Code
2 Unprepared for Class
3 No Homework
4 Not Following Directions
Date Violation & Explanation Signature ____ ________________________________________________ _____________ ____ ________________________________________________ _____________ ____ ________________________________________________ _____________ ____ ________________________________________________ _____________ ____ ________________________________________________ _____________
5th
- 8th
Grade Responsibility and Behavior Cards
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 44
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 43
HEAD LICE POLICY
1. All suspected cases of head lice must be reported to the school office. Symptoms of head lice
include severe itching behind the ears and on the neck, although some people may not be
symptomatic.
2. The class affected will be notified through a written alert to parents who should check for
symptoms and report any additional cases.
3. If additional cases are reported, the Principal will determine the need for a general screening of
students involved and/or the entire school, as needed.
4. Children found with head lice will be SENT HOME IMMEDIATELY.
5. Children must be treated with the proper medication and must have all nits removed before they
can return to school.
6. Upon return to school the child will be inspected by designee(s) of the Principal before being
readmitted in the class.
7. This “no nit” policy is recommended by the St. Louis County Health Department and will be
enforced.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 45
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL
INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY/ONLINE PLEDGE
A safe environment for all members of the school community is the hallmark of St. Mark Catholic School. This
is accomplished, in part, by fostering a climate based on Gospel values that emphasize the dignity of and respect
for all persons. Words, actions, or depictions which violate the privacy, safety, or good name of others are
inconsistent with that goal. Whether occurring within or outside of school, when students jeopardize the safe
environment or act contrary to those Gospel values they can be subject to disciplinary action by the school.
This policy applies to communications or depictions through e-mail, text messages, or website postings, whether
they occur through the school's equipment or connectivity resources or through private communications, which:
(1) Are of a sexual nature; (2) threaten, libel, slander, malign, disparage, harass or embarrass members of
the school community or (3) in the principal’s discretion, cause harm to the school, or the school
community (collectively referred to as “Inappropriate Electronic Conduct”). Inappropriate Electronic
Conduct shall be subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences, including withdrawal for cause.
St. Mark believes in the educational value of such electronic services and recognizes the potential of such to
support our curriculum and student learning. Our goal in providing these services is to promote educational
excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
St. Mark will make every effort to protect students from any misuses or abuses during their experiences with
this information service.
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in the classroom.
School rules for behavior and communication apply. Students will not be allowed to participate or enter chat
rooms or use instant messengers.
To insure a beneficial and quality experience to all, students are required to adhere to the following criteria for
acceptable use:
Students must act with RESPECT
Respect for others by using appropriate language.
Respect for the privacy of others; this includes their passwords, folders, work, and files.
Respect for the property of others such as computers, computer systems, computer networks, and copyright.
Respect for the time and resources available by not wasting them.
Telecommunications, electronic information sources and networked services can significantly alter the
information landscapes for schools by opening classrooms to a broader array of resources. The benefits of
access to students, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed the
disadvantages.
The use of the information system is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in disciplinary action
and/or denial of this privilege. Student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will be
permitted upon submission of the Student Online Pledge. If the Online Pledge is not signed, students will not be
allowed to access the Internet.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 46
MEDICAL CONSENT FORM
Parental Consent for Medication Administration to their Child
Date: School:
Student: Grade:
My child is to receive medication according to the
physician’s directions given for .
This treatment will last .
My child has drug allergies.
I give my permission for this medication to be administered to my child at school. The school has my
permission to call the physician with any questions regarding the medication.
I understand and acknowledge that any medication administered to my child during school will more than likely
not be administered by a registered nurse or other medical professional. In consideration of the school
administering medication to my child pursuant to this authorization, I hereby release and hold harmless the
school, the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and their employees, agents or representative, from any liability that may
arise from administering medication to my child.
Signature:
Relationship to student:
Physician Contact Information:
Physician Consent for Medication Administration
Date: Name of Student:
Medication: Dose:
Time Interval:
Diagnosis or reason for treatment:
Side Effects to look for:
Restrictions:
Signature:
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 47
MEDICATION POLICY
Dispensing Medication at School
1. School personnel will not dispense medication of any kind to a student in school, unless acting under a
direct order signed and properly filed, of a licensed physician and with the written permission of the
parent to dispense medication. School personnel will not administer the first dose of any medication.
The parent or guardian must provide written permission forms found in the Family Handbook
requesting that non-prescription medication be administered during school hours. Non-prescription
medication should be in the original container. All medication sent to the school will be kept in a secure
place under the supervision of the Administration. Cardinal Glennon Hospital staff will train school
personnel who administer medication. Accurate documentation will be kept on file.
2. If a student must carry an inhaler with him/her, a parental consent form, a physician’s order, a Student
Asthma action Card/Emergency Plan, and an Inhaler Procedures Form, must be completed and on file in
the school office. These forms are to be resubmitted at the beginning of each school year.
3. Written orders from the physician should include:
a. name of student
b. name of medication
c. dosage
d. time, interval the medication is to be given (If the medication is to be given as needed, a plan of
when to give it is required.)
e. duration of treatment
f. diagnosis or reason for medication g. drug allergies of student
4. The medication must be in properly labeled container. 5. The school will not be responsible for the administration of the medication unless an additional metered
dose inhaler is provided and stored at school.
6. The student must restrict the availability of the medication to other students. The school staff has the
right to confiscate the medication if they question the students’ use of it. The parent and/or guardian
should be notified if the medication is confiscated.
If there is any change in the dose or timing of the medication, the physician must submit the change in writing.
This may be faxed (743-8690) or mailed to the school. A parent may not give permission to administer
medication differently from the physician’s order. The school may request from the parent the right to call the
physician to clarify a medication order.
Parents of those students with significant or potentially life threatening medical conditions must provide St.
Mark School with the information necessary to understand the condition, its manifestations in the school setting,
and any specific adjustments or plans for an emergency response which may be necessary in order to provide the
student with a healthy and safe environment.
Students may not carry prescription or over-the-counter medication on their person, excluding Chapstick.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 48
PRIVATE VEHICLE TRANSPORTATION
Whenever possible, bus transportation by an insured carrier will be provided. If there are not a
sufficient number of students attending an off-campus school sanctioned event to warrant a bus, a
private vehicle may be used.
If a private passenger vehicle is used, the following criteria will be followed:
1. Drivers must have a valid, non-probationary driver’s license and no physical disability that may
impair the ability to drive safely.
2. The vehicle should have a valid registration and meet state safety requirements.
3. The vehicle must be insured for a minimum limit of $100,000 per person and $300,000 for
occurrence.
4. Drivers should be experienced drivers and demonstrate the maturity necessary to provide for the
safety of those they are transporting.
5. Any vehicle used to transport students should have one safety belt per rider in the vehicle.
All drivers and chaperones will be given a copy or the criteria and a copy of the approved itinerary
including the route(s) to be followed and a summary of their responsibilities.
In the event a private passenger vehicle will be used for an educational field trip, the regular Field Trip
Consent Form will be used.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 49
SUSPENSION POLICY
The principal may suspend a student from school for a specified period of time. Some serious offenses
that might warrant suspension would be:
An individual infraction of a major school rule;
Disrespect of authority;
Repeated truancy;
Repeated infractions of school rules;
Disruption of the learning environment;
Theft, cheating, vandalism, and/or destruction of school property or the personal property of
students, staff or others;
Harassment, threats, or physical acts against others;
Out of school conduct which seriously detracts from the reputation of the school.
The principal may use discretion in determining when suspension is necessary after interviewing the
student(s) and consulting with other staff members. The following procedures are to be followed when
suspension occurs:
1.) Principal will meet with student to determine length of suspension.
2.) Parents will receive verbal notification of suspension.
3.) Parents will receive written notification of suspension. This statement is to be signed by the
parents/guardians indicating that they understand and accept the terms of the suspension. A
copy will be given to the parent/guardian.
4.) Copies will be placed in school file.
5.) Pastor will receive verbal notification.
6.) Principal will communicate to student and parents the process for and condition for student
return and the procedure for student making up class work.
Students will be asked to make up all missed work. The highest grade that may be given for work
done during a suspension will be an “F” or 69%, work done that receives a lower grade will be
recorded as that grade.
Students will be asked to leave the school premises for suspension when they have perpetrated acts of
violence or when the principal feels that the student needs to be removed from school due to a major
infraction of school rules or when blatant disrespect for authority is shown. Students should not
participate in sports or extracurricular activities during suspension or probation.
PROBATION
Probation is the continued enrollment of a student, but with specified conditions. The decision to use
probation as a disciplinary action is made by the principal in consultation with the pastor. Probation
will be used when other disciplinary actions have not satisfactorily improved behavior and/or the
students’ action has been of a very serious nature.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 50
WITHDRAWL FOR CAUSE (EXPULSION) POLICY
There may be times when a student should be removed from school permanently. The decision to
permanently remove a child is made at the local level by the school pastor.
Students may be permanently removed from school after a period of suspension or formal probation
and the consequences of further infractions are clearly communicated to both student and
parents/guardians or an extremely serious conduct violation or action contrary to the mission and
purpose of a Catholic School has occurred:
Verbal/physical assault on staff or another student
Possession of a weapon on school property
Possession or distribution of a controlled substance
Serious acts of harassment
Repeated suspensions
Immoral behavior
Engaging in public behavior or taking a public position contrary to Church teachings
Withdrawal for cause is the most serious means of dealing with a discipline problem. If a child’s
behavior presents a severe threat to the physical and/or moral well-being of his/her fellow students, a
student may be subject to permanent removal.
A student will be placed on indefinite suspension by the principal until a conference is held with the
pastor, principal, and parents. The principal will consult with staff members, students, or others to
obtain information about the students’ behavior leading up to consideration of withdrawal for cause.
The Catholic Education Office and the parents will be notified of the circumstances and
recommendation of withdrawal for cause. (Archdiocesan policy #4603) Notification of withdrawal
for cause will be placed in the students’ cumulative record.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 51
VIOLENCE AND THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE
St. Mark School will provide a safe learning environment for all members of the school community.
The climate of St. Mark School will reflect Gospel values including an emphasis on the dignity of all
persons which is necessary for respect, the interdependence of all persons that is the basis of
community, and the rights and responsibilities of all persons which are the foundation of justice.
Violence is inconsistent with the unity and peace which are essential to living the Catholic faith in
community. Violence also inhibits human development and successful learning. Therefore, violence is
not tolerated at St. Mark School.
Violence consists of words, gestures, and actions that result in or have the potential to result in hurt,
fear, or injury. Violence includes threats of injury, harassment; assault, possession, and/or use of a
weapon; and theft or vandalism of property.
A weapon is anything used or intended to be used to threaten, intimidate, and/or harm persons. The
possession or use of firearms, other weapons, or explosive devices on school/parish premises is not
permitted.
All reported or observed instances of threatened or actual violence will be addressed by the school
administration. Appropriate actions may include parent/guardian conferences, mandatory counseling,
suspension, withdrawal for cause, and legal actions depending upon the severity of the incident.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 52
WITNESS STATEMENT: CALLED TO BE CATHOLIC For students who attend Catholic Schools and Parish
Schools of Religion
PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN
Graced and blessed by God, I am called to respond to God’s gifts by living the life of a Catholic
Christian. Catholic School/Parish School of Religion will help me grow in the Catholic Faith. I believe
that:
GOD LOVES ME.
I LOVE GOD.
GOD MADE EVERYTHING GOOD. I WILL PRAISE AND THANK GOD.
GOD MADE ME SPECIAL. I WILL ACT AS A CHILD OF GOD.
GOD MADE ME PART OF HIS FAMILY. I WILL BE KIND TO ALL OF GOD’S FAMILY.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 53
WITNESS STATEMENT: CALLED TO BE CATHOLIC
For students who attend Catholic Schools and Parish
Schools of Religion
GRADES 1-2
Graced and blessed by God, I am called to respond to God’s gifts by living the life of a Catholic
Christian. Catholic School/Parish School of Religion will help me grow in the Catholic Faith. I believe
that:
GOD LOVES ME. I PROMISE TO LOVE GOD BY:
• LEARNING ABOUT JESUS AND HIS LOVE FOR ME.
• PRAYING EVERY DAY.
• SPEAKING GOD’S NAME WITH RESPECT.
GOD CREATED ME. I PROMISE TO LIVE AS A CHILD OF GOD BY:
• OBEYING MY PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND TEACHERS.
• BEING HONEST AND TRUTHFUL.
• DOING WHAT IS RIGHT.
GOD MADE ME PART OF HIS FAMILY. I PROMISE TO LOVE OTHERS BY:
• BEING RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS.
• HELPING OTHERS IN NEED.
• BEING KIND AND INCLUDING OTHERS WHEN I PLAY.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 54
WITNESS STATEMENT: CALLED TO BE CATHOLIC
For students who attend Catholic Schools and Parish
Schools of Religion GRADES 3-4-5
Graced and blessed by God, I am called to respond to God’s gifts by living the life of a Catholic
Christian. Catholic School/Parish School of Religion will help me grow in the Catholic Faith. I believe
that:
GOD LOVES ME. I PROMISE TO LOVE GOD BY:
• PARTICIPATING IN THE MASS AND SACRAMENTS, ESPECIALLY
SUNDAY EUCHARIST.
• SPENDING TIME PRAYING EACH DAY.
• LEARNING MORE ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR ME AND THE
TEACHINGS OF JESUS.
• RESPECTING GOD’S NAME AND HIS CHURCH.
GOD CREATED ME. I PROMISE TO LIVE AS A CHILD OF GOD BY:
• LEARNING WHAT JESUS EXPECTS OF ME.
• RESPECTING MY BODY AS A GIFT FROM GOD.
• BEING A PERSON WHO IS TRUTHFUL AND FAIR.
• BECOMING THE BEST PERSON THAT I CAN BE.
GOD MADE ME PART OF HIS FAMILY. I PROMISE TO LOVE OTHERS BY:
• HELPING OTHERS WHEN I KNOW THEY ARE IN NEED.
• GIVING GOOD EXAMPLE AS JESUS DID.
• PAYING ATTENTION TO THE WISDOM AND GUIDANCE OF MY
PARENTS/GUARDIANS, TEACHERS AND CHURCH.
• BEING RESPECTFUL AND NOT HURTING OTHERS OR MAKING
FUN OF THEM.
St. Mark Catholic School-Parent Student Handbook 55
WITNESS STATEMENT: CALLED TO BE CATHOLIC
For students who attend Catholic Schools and Parish
Schools of Religion GRADES 6-7-8
Graced and blessed by God, I am called to respond to God’s gifts by living the life of a Catholic
Christian. Catholic School/Parish School of Religion will help me grow in the Catholic Faith. I believe
that:
GOD LOVES ME. I PROMISE TO LOVE GOD BY:
• STUDYING ABOUT GOD—FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT—AND HIS CHURCH.
• PARTICIPATING IN THE MASS AND SACRAMENTS, ESPECIALLY SUNDAY EUCHARIST.
• DEVELOPING MY LOVE FOR JESUS CHRIST THROUGH DAILY PRAYER.
• FOLLOWING THE COMMANDMENTS AND BEATITUDES.
• READING SACRED SCRIPTURE TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION.
GOD CREATED ME. I PROMISE TO LIVE AS A CHILD OF GOD BY:
• TREATING MY BODY AS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
• BEING A PERSON WHO, LIKE MARY, IS A TRUSTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.
• TAKING MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR.
• VALUING MY SELF AND DEVELOPING MY GIFTS.
• LIVING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
GOD MADE ME PART OF HIS FAMILY. I PROMISE TO LOVE OTHERS BY:
• SHARING MY CATHOLIC BELIEFS WITH OTHERS AND HELPING THEM LIVE RESPONSIBLY.
• RESPECTING ALL PERSONS, PLACES AND THINGS AS GIFTS FROM GOD.
• GROWING IN COMPASSION BY SERVING THOSE IN NEED.
• BEING A FRIEND LIKE JESUS TO THOSE WHO HAVE NONE.
• WORKING WITH OTHERS TO HELP MAKE ST. MARK SCHOOL AND PARISH A BETTER PLACE.