St. Mary's Policies
2005-2006 School Year
1802 Madison Ave. • Edwardsville, IL 62025 • 618-656-1230 • Fax: 618-656-1715 • stmaryschool@stmaryedw.org

Non-Discrimination | Tuition/School Support | Hours | Uniforms | Grades

Please refer to the Student Handbook for a complete overview of St. Mary's Policies & Procedures.

Non-Discrimination Policy

St. Mary's School, Edwardsville, Illinois, admits students of any race, color, sex, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, nationality, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and school administration programs.

St. Mary's participates in the National School Lunch Program. Therefore, in accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Children from households that meet Federal guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meal services or free milk. All meals served must meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture meal requirements. However, if a child has been determined by a doctor to have a disability and the disability would prevent the child from eating the regular school meal, this school will make substitutions prescribed by the doctor. If a substitution is needed, there will be no extra charge for the meal.

 

Tuition/School Support
PARISHIONERS: The annual tuition for the academic year for an active Parish family is determined yearly for 1,2, or 3 children.

The tuition rates are for children or wards of a participating member of St. Mary's Church, who meets the following criteria:

1. Is registered in the Parish office.
2. Is actively engaged in the spiritual and family life of the Parish.
3. Participates regularly in the Parish weekly liturgy.
4. Regularly contributes to the financial support of St. Mary's Church.
5. Is willing to give of one's time and talent for the good of the Parish and its charitable causes.

Families failing to meet these requirements will be considered inactive and will be charged the Non-Parishioner tuition rates. Families being reclassified will be given written notification by the pastor.

NEIGHBOR PARISHIONER/NON-PARISHIONER: The annual tuition for the academic year for a neighbor parishioner/non-parishioner family is determined yearly for 1,2, or 3 children.

A neighbor parishioner is defined as a member of a nearby Catholic church that does not have a school or does not have space available. These families will qualify for in parish tuition. In place of the parish support requirement, these families will be required to a make a $500 payment to the building fund.

A non-parishioner is defined as anyone who is not an active registered parishioner or who is not a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

The cost educating each St. Mary's student this year is projected to be $3,400. Fund raising activities and the parish subsidy reduce the tuition charged each family. Your participation in fund raising activities is strongly encouraged.

PAYMENT METHODS: Payment shall be made in full by July 1 of the school year or in 12 equal monthly payments beginning in July of the upcoming school year. Monthly payments are due by the 1st day of each month. A payment received after the 20th of the month will be charged at $10.00 late fee. There will also be a $20.00 fee for all returned checks. Automatic bank account draft of 12 equal monthly payments is also available July through June.

DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS: Accounts not current within 30 days will be considered delinquent and notices will be sent to the account holder requesting a meeting with the pastor to discuss the status of the account. Policy prohibits the entrance of students to the new school year if tuition, parish support, scrip requirement, student fees, band fees, athletic fees, or fines remain unpaid. If tuition is not current by the end of each quarter, report cards will be withheld. Blank diplomas will be given to students attending the school graduation ceremony. If fees and tuition are not paid in full by the end of June, students will not be registered for the following school year. A student requesting a transfer must have all bills paid before records will be mailed to a new school. If there are extenuating circumstances regarding your account, you must meet with the pastor to make any special arrangements.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE HOURS: In addition to tuition payments, each family is required to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours of service to St. Mary's School and/or Parish. Whether you are available during school hours, or not, there are many opportunities throughout the school year to fulfill service hours. Please keep track of your service hours and document them by date, activity, and length of time you worked on the back of the tuition payment coupons each month. A fee of $10 per hour under the required 16 hours will be assessed prior to final registration for the next school year or release of transcripts.

PARENT PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION: Parents will be required to assist the playground supervisor for five sessions or pay $50.00 for the year. Once the five session obligation is satisfied, any additional playground hours will count towards the required 16 volunteer service hours. Parents may choose the sessions from 11:00 A.M.-11:40 A.M and/or 11:40A.M.-12:20 P.M. (During inclement weather, the children will be supervised in the gymnasium by the supervisor. A playground supervisor will be on duty to oversee the program.)

SCRIP: Each family is expected to purchase a minimum of $125 of Scrip per month or pay a fee of 10% of the minimum unpurchased SCRIP. This fee, if applicable, will be assessed prior to final registration for the following school year and/or release of transcripts.

STUDENT BOOK FEE: This fee is non-refundable. There will be a $100.00 book/lab fee per child, per academic year. All student book fees must be paid in full before the first day of classes. All texts, workbooks, periodicals, and penmanship paper will be provided by the school.

PARISH SUPPORT: Active parishioner families are required to contribute $500 per year toward the support of the Parish. Neighbor parishioner families will be required to a make a $500 payment to the building fund in lieu of weekly contributions. St. Mary's Church provides approximately $290,000 annually for the education of the students of St. Mary's School. Your continued financial contributions to the church help maintain the school facilities and programs.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM/ANGEL FUND: A tuition assistance program is available. Please contact the pastor for further information. All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence.

ISBE TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM:
Parents will be notified regarding the transportation reimbursement policies and forms distributed annually by the Illinois State Board of Education. Notification of eligibility requirements and claim procedures are published in the school newsletter.

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM: St. Mary's participates in the National School Lunch Program which offers free or reduced priced lunches to those who qualify. Forms are available in the school office.

 

School Hours

First bell rings at 7:40am, at which time students may enter the building and proceed to their classrooms. Students must be in their room and ready to work when the second bell rings at 7:50am. Classes begin at 7:50am. and dismiss at 2:30pm. Lunch Times: 11:00am, 11:20am, 11:40am, 12:00pm. Kindergarten Hours: Full day is mandatory. Students arriving more than ten minutes prior to the opening time will be sent to the extended-care program. Students remaining at school more than fifteen minutes after dismissal will be sent to extended care. Students are expected to leave promptly after classes are dismissed and are not to return to the school property unless properly supervised.

 

Uniform Policy - Dress Code
Traditionally, Catholic uniform code promotes discipline, equality of students, academic learning, and school pride. The principal and the faculty shall determine the correctness or lack thereof of any form of student dress. We ask that parents assist us in promoting the Catholic philosophy of respect, modesty, and equality. Students are to wear neat and clean clothes daily whether on uniform days, free-dress days, field trips, and half-school days.

Students must wear uniform clothing as available from Fischer's Uniform Co. Parents are free to purchase uniform clothing from other stores, but items must be very similar in style and fabric to the Fischer's uniform clothing. Samples are available through the school office.

Only the following items may be worn.

GIRLS & BOYS:
1. Slacks: Grades K-8 - Plain solid navy parochial uniform-style slacks only. (Some primary students - gr. K-2 - may need elastic waists on their slacks due to size.) The hem of slacks may not touch the floor. Corduroy or wool uniform style pants may be worn in extremely cold weather. (NO cargoes, sweats, nylon wind pants, etc. are allowed.) Grades 7-8 - Khaki slacks are allowed which meet the same navy parochial uniform-style slack restrictions. Boys in grades 3-8 must wear a dark-colored belt at all times even with shorts. Girls who choose to wear belts must wear a plain, dark-colored belt.

2. Shorts: Grades K-8 - Plain solid navy parochial uniform-type shorts and skorts/culottes as above. Length is to be no shorter than 3" above the top of the knee, but can be longer. Navy shorts and skorts/culottes may only be worn from start of school through Oct. 31 and again from April 1 through end of school year. Grades 7-8 - Khaki shorts meeting the same restriction as the navy parochial shorts are allowed.

3. Sweatshirts: Properly fitting maroon sweatshirts (preferably with St. Mary's logo, available through school from Custom Threads), may be worn over blouse/shirt. Grades 7/8 may wear a gray sweatshirt with the plaid letter (available from Fischer's). Sweatshirts are not to be worn tied around the neck, waist, or other body parts.

4. Sweaters: Plain maroon sweater vests (pullover-type), long-sleeve maroon cardigan or maroon pullover sweaters may be worn over the required uniform shirt/blouse. They are not to be tied around the neck, waist, or other body parts.

5. Socks: are to be plain white, navy, or maroon and must completely cover the top anklebone at all times. If they slide below the top of the ankle, they are not acceptable. Girls may also wear white, navy, or maroon tights.

6. Shoes: Athletic (offer support and flexibility) shoes are required at all times indoors. They must be properly laced and tied. Shoes must have a closed toe and heel.

7. Shirts: Girls: all white, plain, tailored blouse (long or short sleeves with collar
NO frills or trim on collar) or all white, plain uniform-style polo shirt. (No logos, rib-knit, or other variations are allowed) Modesty is required. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Boys: Light blue, plain, tailored long or short-sleeve shirt (with collar) or light blue uniform-style polo shirt. Shirts must be tucked in at all times.

9. 7th and 8th grade uniform shirts: Students may wear plain burgundy, navy, white, light pink, or light blue uniform-style polo shirts only with khaki or navy slacks and shorts. These polo shirts may not have logos and must reflect parochial uniform-style shirts. The shirts must be tucked in at all times.

10. Turtlenecks or mock turtlenecks: must be tucked in. Plain white for all students or maroon for grades 7/8 when worn under the uniform sweatshirt. No logos, rib-knit, or etc.

11. Activity shirts: Band students, athletes and scouts may wear their uniforms on their group's meeting/activity day. Other approved activity shirts may only be worn on the first Friday of the month. This includes DARE, etc.

12. Outerwear: may never be worn in the classroom or in church.

13. Jumper/skirt/skort: (Girls) Fischer's/French Toast parochial maroon and gray plaid uniforms must be no more than 3 inches above the knee. Plaid skorts may be worn year round. No sweatpants or slacks are to be worn in school under jumpers/skirts. Only parochial uniform shorts may be worn under jumper/skirts.

14. Hair: Haircuts or hairstyles that demonstrate any radical fad will not be allowed including unnatural hair colors (i.e. pink, orange, green, blue, etc.). No logos, designs, etc. may be cut into student's hair. Hair must not cover eyes. Boy's hair must be no longer than the top of the shirt collar. No facial hair for boys. No hair extensions for girls or boys.

Adornments: In keeping with the Catholic school philosophy, students wearing adornments considered provocative, offensive, inappropriate, or unsafe by school personnel will be asked to remove those items during school hours and not return to school with them in the future.

1. Make-up: nail polish is not encouraged. If nail polish is worn, it must be clear or
light pastel in color. Only one color of nail polish may be worn at a time. 6,7,8
grade girls may wear light lip-gloss (natural skin colors) and neutral foundation
applied tastefully. Eye shadow, glitter, and mascara are not allowed. In general,
make-up is never allowed for grade K-5 (unless medicated and specified with a
doctor's prescription). Chap stick is allowed for all.

2. Hair color: No unnatural colors are allowed in hair whether spray in or artificial
hairpieces.

3. Hair adornments: Only uniform-colors (black, white, burgundy, gray, navy, or
uniform plaid) are permitted in the form of scrunchies, headbands, bows. Flat
barrettes may be black or brown. - No bead braids or other dangling items in hair
for safety reasons.

4. Jewelry: only watches, medical bracelets, religious necklaces, or a small modest
one-strand necklaces are permitted. Girls may wear pierced earrings, but the
earrings may be no larger than the ear lobe. Dangling earrings pose a safety
hazard and are not encouraged, but if worn, they may be no longer than 1/8 inch.
No earrings at all for boys.

5. Tattoos: permanent, washable or any other variety are never permitted. Stick-on
facial or body ornamentation is not allowed.

6. Hats: No hats, caps, scarves, bandanas, or any other head covering permitted inside the school building.

7. Body piercing: No visible piercing of any kind is allowed.

Free Dress: Free dress is a privilege at St. Mary's School, and the Principal may specify those days and determine what is appropriate. All ½ days are free dress. Non-uniform clothing should always be in good condition and appropriate for school. Unacceptable: short shorts, boxer-type underwear shorts, unhemmed shorts, skin tight clothing of any type, sweat pants, baggy or wide leg jeans, tank tops, T-shirts with inappropriate pictures or messages. Free dress includes only clothes and shoes appropriate and safe for school. Free dress shorts are only acceptable from the start of school through Oct. 31 and again from April 1, through the end of school. If a student dresses inappropriately, that student will be required to wear the school uniform on the next non-uniform day. Adornment policy applies on free dress days.

1. Slacks: must be modest, hole-free, non-clinging, no midriff exposure.

2. Shorts: must be loose fitting and no more than 3" above the top of the knee and not extend below the knee. No large pockets, metal work (studs, brads, zippered pockets, etc.)

3. Shirts: Must be similar to uniform-type, i.e., must have a crew neck or collar. NO MIDRIFF or naval exposure will be tolerated. Undergarments may not be exposed. Shoulders must be covered. No tank tops are allowed. No low-necklines are permitted. Shirts may not show skin, may not be tight fitting, nor have inappropriate logo s, pictures, or advertising. This is a Catholic school and modesty is required.

4. Shoes and socks: Socks must be worn and shoes will follow regular dress code requirements.

Parents are responsible for ensuring their children adhere to the uniform code. Parents of those not in compliance will be sent a warning or will be called so that a school uniform may be brought to school. Demerits will be given for some dress code violations where the student is obviously choosing to ignore the code (i.e., wearing jackets and sweatshirts that are clearly non-dress code during class time or in church; girls wearing sweatpants or slacks in class under their uniforms, etc.).

Grade 7/8 required PE Uniforms: These students will be required to dress out for P.E. every class. PE uniforms may be ordered through the school office. Athletic shoes are required. Plain gray or black fleece sweatpants (no windpants) may be worn for outside inclement weather activities. The P.E. teacher will determine days when sweatpants are acceptable. NO jewelry of any kind may be worn for P.E. This is a safety issue. Lockers will be assigned to these students with St. Mary's supplying the locks. Students will be charged $5 for lost locks.

VIOLATIONS OF THE DRESS CODE WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING:
First Offense - a warning set home to child and parents to be signed and returned to school.

Second/Additional Offenses - student will be removed from class; parents will be called to bring proper uniform items to school so that the student may return to class.

Demerits will be given for some dress code violations where the student is obviously choosing to ignore the code (i.e., wearing jackets and sweatshirts that are clearly non-dress code during class time or in church; girls wearing sweatpants or slacks in class under their uniforms, etc.)

 

Grades
HOMEWORK: Homework is an important extension of the classroom. It gives your child the opportunity to develop good study habits. Parents should emphasize the positive aspects of homework and demonstrate an active interest in the child's day-to-day schoolwork as reflected in homework. Parents are encouraged not to do the student's work and to provide satisfactory homework conditions: work space, good lighting, and regular scheduling of study time.

GRADING SCALE:
A 93-100
B 85-92
C 76-84
D 70-75
F 0-69

Kindergarten will use S and U instead of letter grades. Primary grades 1-2 will use A, B, C, and NI (Needs Improvement) to indicate achievement.

HONOR ROLL: Honor Roll will apply to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders only. Averages computed for Grades Six through Eight to determine Honor Roll status will include the religion grade, and will be determined as follows:
High Honors: 3.9 average
Honors: 3.5 average (may include a "C" grade).

Averages are calculated using the following equivalents:
A=4 points
B=3 points
C=2 points
D=1 point
F=0 points


Please refer to the Student Handbook for a complete overview of St. Mary's Policies & Procedures.

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