Directory And Handbook
The St. Michael’s Directory And Handbook offers comprehensive information about school policies and procedures. Parents receive a copy of the handbook at the beginning of the school year.
General Information
SCHOOL INFORMATION
School Hours
The first bell rings at 8:05 AM. Regular school hours will be 8:15 AM to 3:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday hours will be 8:15 AM until 2:30 PM. Students should not arrive at school before 8:00 AM. When they arrive, they should go to assigned areas, weather permitting, or to their homerooms. Please be punctual in both mornings and afternoons. Drivers who are tardy create hardships for those who wait. Once in the building, students should put books away before socializing. Middle School students are to be seated by the 8:20 AM bell. All students, with the exception of the eighth grade, must be seated before they are dismissed by homeroom in the afternoon.
Tardiness
Any student arriving tardy must report first to the office with a signed note from the parent or guardian, before going to class. Excessive tardiness will result in disciplinary action. This applies to tardiness to classes as well as tardiness at the beginning of the school day. Parents are asked to be punctual on all school occasions. Please plan to arrive within 15 minutes of designated pick-up time.
Lunch
Students may bring their lunches to school or choose from the monthly hot lunch selections. See the hot lunch order form on the website.
Early Dismissals
Children may be dismissed early from school for doctor or dental appointments. Students must be signed out through the school office. A note explaining the reason for early dismissal should accompany the child to school on the day of the early dismissal. This is for the safety and protection of our children. Students will not be released during school hours to any individual without signed permission from the parent or legal guardian. Students may never leave school without permission. Should a student forget something, it can be delivered by the parent to the office to be picked up at lunch or recess time. If your child appears at home unexpectedly at any time during the school day, and you have not been contacted by the office, please notify the school at once.
Excuses
If you wish your child to be excused from recess or P.E., please write a note to the teacher.
Absences
A written note from parents is required when absent from school, upon return to the classroom. Students who are absent or who leave school for medical reasons may not participate in school extracurricular activities on the same day. Students who have excessive absences (more than 20 school days in a single school year) must present to the Headmaster a written appeal to be considered for academic credit for that year.
Emergency Cards
It is important that the emergency card be completed and returned to school promptly. Double check to see if you have filled out both home and business telephone numbers, as well as that of a nearby friend or neighbor in case you are not at home when we try to reach you. The card is invaluable in times of emergency. If your child has some special health problems such as peanut allergy, bee sting allergy, etc., please note it on this emergency card. Please update cards when there is a change to the information.
Change of Contact Info
Please notify the office when you have a change of address, new telephone number, or new email address.
Snow Days
All inclement weather cancellations will be broadcast on television WWBT Channel 12 and WRIC Channel 8. In addition, we will make every effort to have an announcement on the school answering machine and the school website, www.stmschool.net. If we should have to close school on a conference day when you have a scheduled conference, please contact the teacher to reschedule.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
Homework
Homework is based on work already taught but requiring practice. Please help your child assume this responsibility. Arrange a time and place for work. Hours to be spent each night are usually as follows:
| Grade | Amount of Time |
| 1 | 15 minutes |
| 2 | 15-30 minutes |
| 3 | 45-60 minutes |
| 4 | 45-60 minutes |
| 5 | 60-90 minutes |
| Middle School | 120 minutes |
Make-Up Work Due to Illness
If you would like make-up work for your child, please contact the office in the morning, giving the name of a sibling or neighbor student who can take the assignments to your child. A note brought in the morning serves the same purpose and enables the teacher to use available time during the day to gather work. It is impossible for the teacher, time-wise‚ to prepare such assignments on short notice. A student is given a number of days equal to the number of days absent (up to five days maximum) to complete make-up work. Extenuating circumstances may be considered to grant further extensions. A student who has missed a test may be asked to take the test the day he returns to school, especially if the absence was only for one school day. Parents are encouraged not to plan trips or appointments during school hours.
Report Cards
Report cards will be issued every nine weeks. Parents are asked to sign and return them to school promptly. Students receive numerical grades only. Grades below 70 are not considered to be passing marks. Parent/Conference Days are scheduled three times a year.
Parent Conferences
Call the school office at 272-3514 for an appointment with the teacher or headmaster. Teachers cannot be interrupted during the day for conferences or to answer telephone calls. Office personnel will gladly take any messages. This call will be returned at the teacher’s earliest convenience. You may also e-mail a teacher. E-mail addresses are listed under Faculty and Staff in this directory, and are checked at least once daily.
Discipline
St. Michael’s reserves the right to dismiss any student whose general attitude or habitual actions or those of his or her parents or guardians is contrary to the interest of the school.
Social Probation
Social probation may be the result of inappropriate student behavior. A student on social probation may not attend school-sponsored social activities or field trips, nor may he/she represent St. Michael’s in the community. The headmaster in consultation with the faculty has the sole discretion as to the terms of a student‚Äôs probation.
HEALTH/ILLNESS POLICIES
A goal of St. Michael’s School is to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and to keep our children healthy and safe.
If a child appears to be ill with a possible infectious condition, he/she will be isolated and the parents will be called to pick up the child. If a child is absent with a contagious disease, please notify the school so that we may be aware of symptoms which could appear in other children.
Fever. A child will be sent home if his/her axillary temperature is 100 degrees or greater and must remain at home until the temperature returns to normal without analgesic medication for 24 hours.
Gastroenterititis. A child who has vomited or has diarrhea will be sent home and must remain at home until his/her status has been normal for 48 hours.
Conjunctivitis. A child may return to school after being treated with medication for 24 hours.
Chicken Pox. A child must remain at home until no new eruptions appear and present ones have crusted over and the child no longer has a fever.
Head Lice. A child must be kept at home and may return to school only after having been treated with medicated shampoo as well as having appropriate home procedures followed. Parents should contact St. Michael’s as soon as lice are detected.
Strep Throat. Once a child is diagnosed with strep throat he/she may not return to school until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours and until the temperature has returned to normal without analgesic medication for 24 hours.
Injury. If a child sustains an injury, the parents will be notified.
If the injury is considered to be severe, EMS personnel, as well as the parents, will be notified.
Medications. Due to medical and legal considerations, only prescription medications with the patient’s name and prescribed dosage may be taken by students while at school. These medications must be clearly marked, accompanied by a Permission to Give Medication Form and kept in the school office. The only exceptions are inhalers and epi-pens. They may be kept in classrooms with students but a medication form needs to be kept on file in the office. Teachers may not dispense medications nor may the school office provide your child with over the counter remedies such as Advil, Tylenol, or aspirin. Should your child need over the counter remedies, the same procedure outlined above applies.
DRESS CODE
Our primary goal is to have a student body that looks neat and is appropriately dressed for school activities, including trips off campus and special assemblies. Parents and students need to support these policies. Styles, while fashionable and available in local stores, are not always appropriate for school. Students should understand that while these guidelines are designed to give a general set of expectations for appearance, the dress code may be altered to insure that a proper atmosphere for learning is maintained. We strongly suggest that parents put names in clothing worn to school.
Dress Code for Grades K-3
- Boys must wear shirts with collars. Shirts with collars must be worn under sweatshirts and sweaters.
- Girls may wear non-collared shirts (excluding t-shirts) with dresses, skirts, or jumpers. Collared shirts must be worn with shorts, skorts, and pants.
- All shirttails must be tucked in – this does not apply to tunics, sweaters, or sweatshirts.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Flip-flops and athletic sandals are not allowed. Appropriate footwear must be worn to P.E. classes.
- Belts must be worn if belt loops are present.
- All clothing worn to school must be clean, neat, size appropriate and in good condition.
Dress Code Grades 4-8 – General Guidelines
- All clothing worn to school must be neat, clean, and without holes, fringe, or excessive wear. Extreme dress is not appropriate. Clothes should neither be oversized nor form fitting. Undergarments must be concealed.
- Cut-off shorts or form fitting shorts are not allowed.
- Athletic shorts may be worn for P.E. classes.
- Pants and shorts should be worn at the waistline.
- Shoes must be worn at all times, and appropriate footwear must be worn to P.E. classes
- Unnatural hair colors and extreme styles are not permitted.
- Hats, other head coverings, and sunglasses may only be worn outside.
Middle School Ladies’ Guidelines
- Sleeveless blouses, tops, and dresses must be at least four-finger widths at the shoulder.
- Non-collared shirts with no writing may be worn with dresses, skirts, or jumpers.
- Necklines must be no lower than the armpit.
- Tops must COVER the midriff in the front AND the back at all times, including when seated.
- Shorts and skirts must be neatly hemmed and at least mid-thigh in length including when seated.
- Shirts worn under sweaters and sweatshirts must have a collar.
- Belts must be worn if belt loops are present.
- Earrings of appropriate size and design may be worn. No facial piercing is allowed.
Middle School Gentlemens’ Guidelines
- All shirts must have a collar including those worn under sweatshirts and sweaters.
- Shirts must be tucked in at all times, except during recess and P.E.
- Belts must be worn if belt loops are present.
- Earrings and facial piercing are not allowed.
- Facial hair is not allowed.
Dress Up Days/Field Trip Dress Code
Males must wear a dress shirt, tie, and long pants. Females must wear a dress or dressy skirt with a dress blouse. Flip flops are not permitted on dress up days or field trips.
Field Trip/Team Behavior
Any student whose behavior reflects unfavorably on the school or student body on a school sponsored trip or activity is subject to discipline once the student returns to school.
Dress Down Days
T-shirts, untucked shirts, and athletic clothing are allowed as long as they are in good condition and contain no offensive/inappropriate language or symbols. Tank tops, spaghetti straps, exposed midriffs, pajamas, and other extreme fashion are not permitted. Belts are not required on dress down days.
RULES OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS
Halls
- Walk down the halls on the right-hand side.
- Save your talking until you get outside. Talking disturbs other classes, especially during the warm months when doors are open.
- Playing, pushing, and running in the halls are dangerous to yourself and to others.
Bathrooms
- Keep our bathrooms clean – always flush toilets – report to your teacher at once if you see others writing on walls or throwing paper towels.
- Talk in quiet tones.
Playground
- Students are to report to the playground promptly at recess
- Remain on the playground area designated by your teachers. There will be a teacher on duty during recess. Seek help when needed. Use equipment as intended.
- Fights are not permitted.
- Verbal altercations will not be allowed.
- No contact sports are allowed.
- Throwing rocks, sticks, snowballs, etc., is forbidden.
Classrooms
- You and your teacher will develop rules for your class. However:
- Never leave the classroom without permission from your teacher.
- In the mornings when you enter your room, you have things to do to get ready for your day’s work – this does not include standing in the doorway or in the halls.
- Keep your desks clean – lunches, coats, and book bags should be put in the proper places. Be sure to keep all books off the floor.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is not allowed at any time (including lunch).
The Building and Equipment
Your parents helped to provide the building and equipment – take care of them. Please do not write or place stickers on the desks. If you are caught damaging school property, you will have to either replace or fix it. Let us take pride in how our building looks. Every teacher has the right to discipline you when you are doing something you should not.
REMEMBER to treat others as you would like to be treated.
OTHER GUIDELINES
Personal Belongings Brought to School
Students are discouraged from bringing to school any belongings other than those needed for, and directly related, to their regular educational program. The bringing of items needed for special projects or activities in a particular class should be handled by prior arrangements and written permission through the teacher and/or the main office. Live animals should come to school only when accompanied by a parent. Any articles left at home and delivered by parents should be brought to the office. The following personal items are not allowed: iPods, radios, tape players, toys, playing cards, cigarettes or other tobacco products, lighters, matches, cameras, guns, water pistols, knives, caps, firecrackers, baseballs, and any other items which might be disruptive to the normal educational process. The school encourages students to leave valuable belongings at home, and cannot accept responsibility for lost or stolen items. Clothes and possessions should be labeled. Lost items are given to charity when unclaimed by owners.
Telephones
Students may use the school telephone only during their free time. A phone pass may be obtained from the teacher only when absolutely necessary. Cell phones are not to be used during the school day.
Bicycles
Students are allowed to ride their bicycles to school, but must assume responsibility for them. Skateboards and roller blades are not allowed.
Respect for Property
Students should be aware of the expense of the facilities and operation of the school, and of their family’s contribution. They should respect and care for the school’s premises and equipment. Students are issued textbooks. They should put their names in ink in these texts. They and their parents are financially responsible for damage or loss.
Damaged or Lost Book Policy
Students will be charged the replacement price for lost or damaged books. If the student returns the book later, the money will be refunded.
Fundraising
Parents are reminded that the school’s primary source of operating capital is derived from tuition. It is necessary to ask for parental support of various fundraising activities to help provide funding necessary for many projects beneficial to St. Michael’s students.
Selling Items at School
The sale of items at school is not allowed. This includes the sale of candy or other items for promotional purposes for civic and community organizations.
Faculty Gift Giving Policy
The St. Michael’s Parents’ Association, in conjunction with the Activity Fee billed to the parents of St. Michael’s, will provide the teachers with a $50 gift for the classroom at Christmas and will also provide all teachers of St. Michael’s school with a $50 gift at the end of the year. Please be reminded that solicitation of money from students or parents for any gifts, etc., is against school policy.
Payment Policies
Registration deposits for the following fall semester are due before March 1 during the spring semester. All accounts must be current for students to be offered the opportunity to be enrolled for the coming school year. After March 1, placement will be offered to new applicants to the school. There is a $25.00 charge for any returned check.
The transcripts of children who are not returning cannot be released until all financial obligations are met. The school’s Board of Directors has found such policies necessary to protect the financial integrity of this institution.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
St. Michael’s Choir and Chorus
The school choir is selected from girls and boys in grades 4-5. The chorus is selected from girls and boys in grades 6-8 (Middle School).
Cross Country
A fall interscholastic sport for middle school students, who will practice with Trinity Episcopal HS students on their campus.
Field Hockey
An interscholastic team sport for middle school girls and an intramural sport for girls in grades 4 through 8, both played in the fall.
Flag Football
This fall intramural program is offered to middle school boys.
First Lego League
A fall team activity for boys and girls beginning in the fourth grade.
Basketball
Interscholastic and intramural (St. Michael’s Basketball Association or SMBA) competition is available, both played in the winter. Most practices are after school.
Swimming
An interscholastic team sport for middle school boys and girls in the winter.
Girls’ Softball
An interscholastic team sport for middle school girls in the spring.
Girls’ Lacrosse
An interscholastic team sport for middle school girls in the spring.
Middle School Dances
Dances are for St. Michael’s Middle School students only. Exceptions cannot be made unless agreed upon at a meeting of the Middle School faculty. Dances are usually held on Friday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. with faculty chaperones.
Middle School Community Services
The middle school students undertake an annual service project. Project participation is encouraged for all. Students are encouraged to volunteer in the community on an individual basis as well.
NOTE: These Middle School activities are offered when there is sufficient student interest.