text:
K-6 Handbook
(Policy Book revised 5/12/15)
Mission Statement
Vision Statement
Advisory Council
Personnel Handbook
Parent/Teacher Handbook
Policy Handbook
Advisory Council (Charter)
1.00 Name
1.01 Nature & Function
1.02 Duties & Function
1.03 Membership of the Advisory council
1.04 Terms, Length & Limit
1.05 Vacancies, Filling
1.06 Officers
1.07 Duties of the Officers
1.18 Meetings
1.19 Quorum
1.10 Motion to Carry
1.11 Open or Closed
1.12 Executive Session
1.13 Confidentiality
1.14 Records
1.15 Policy
1.16 Handbooks
1.17 Committees
1.18 Waiting Period
1.19 Amendments
Personnel Preamble
2.00 Certified Personnel
2.01 Selection of Certified Personnel
2.02 Contract for Certified Personnel
2.03 Teaching Load
2.04 Length of Minimum Working Day for Certified Personnel
2.05 Accumulative Sick Leave for Certified Personnel
2.06 Professional Leave (full time)
2.07 Staff Development
2.08 Personal Leave (full time)
2.09 Family Medical Leave Act
2.10 Maternity/Adoption Leave
2.11 Certified Personnel Jury Duty
2.12 Line of Authority
2.13 Daily Line of Authority
2.14 Grievance Procedures
2.15 Policy of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls on AIDS
2.16 Length of School Term
2.17 Teacher Evaluation
2.18 Salary Policy
2.19 Health Insurance
2.20 Retirement
2.21 Cafeteria Plan
2.22 Tuition for Students of Employees of Holy Trinity Catholic School/Parish
2.23 Personnel Dress Code
2.24 Before School, After School and Lunch Responsibilities
2.25 Purchases
2.26 Staff Acceptable Use Policy
3.01 Program of Instruction
3.02 Admission of Students
3.03 Immunization Requirements
3.04 Enrollment Policies
3.05 Tobacco Free Policy
3.06 Divorced/Separated Parents/Guardians
3.07 Cumulative Records/Folders
Official Student Records Policy
3.08 Confidentiality
3.09 School Day
3.10 Testing
3.11 Tuition
3.12 Report Cards and Grades
3.13 Promotion and Retention of Students
3.14 Attendance & Absenteeism
3.15 School Closing – Inclement Weather
3.16 Supervision of Pupil Safety and Protection
- Reporting procedure of suspected child abuse or neglect cases
- Accidents
- Medications
- Communicable Disease
- Policy on AIDS – The Church as Educator
- Admission and Continued Enrollment
- Exclusion
- Confidentiality
- Extended Applicability
3.17 Homework Policy
3.18 Communication
3.19 Permission to Leave the School or Grounds
3.20 Carpool Drop– off/Pick –up
3.21 Change of Address
3.22 Concerns and Grievance Procedures for Students and Parents
3.23 Field Trips
3.24 Movies and Videos
3.25 School Lunch
3.26 Coordinated Dress Code
3.27 Bikes
3.28 Telephone
3.29 Lost and Found
3.30 Money
3.31 Care of School Property
3.32 Discipline
3.33 Anti-Bullying Policy
3.34 School Wide Rules
3.35 Transportation Policy
3.36 Suspension
3.37 Weapons Policy
3.38 Recess Policy/Weather Conditions
3.39 Music
3.40 Physical Education
3.41 School Library
3.42 Special Services
3.43 Crisis Plan
- Evacuation
- Fire Plan
- Tornado Plan
3.44 Volunteers
3.45 Equipment Use
3.46 AHERA Notification
3.47 e-Reader Acceptable Use Policy
3.48 Student Acceptable Use Policy
Appendixes 1-5
" . . . . Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it . . . For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and men that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among the children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues, which every society needs.
It is particularly in the Christian family, enriched by the grace and the office of the sacrament of matrimony, that from their earliest years, children should be taught, according to the faith received in baptism, to have knowledge of God, to worship Him, and to love their neighbor. Here, too, they gain their first experience of wholesome human companionship and the Church. Finally, it is through the family that they are gradually introduced into civic partnership with their fellow men, and into the People of God. Let parents, then, clearly recognize how vital a truly Christian family is for the life and development of God's own people . . ."
– – Declaration of Christian Education
Inspiring children to lead Christian lives, strengthened by our Catholic faith, while cultivating academic excellence.
In partnership with families, we strive to prepare our students to be faith-filled leaders and life-long learners dedicated to serving the Church and community.
Inspire. Excel. Serve.
The name of this body shall be Holy Trinity Catholic School Advisory Council.
1.01 NATURE AND FUNCTION (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
Each local Parish or Regional Parochial Catholic school shall have a School Advisory Council or its equivalent. The School Advisory Council shall serve in a consultative capacity.
1.02 DUTIES AND FUNCTION (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
The purpose of the School Council is to offer counsel to the pastor(s) in the role of local superintendent and school administration on matters pertaining to the school including without limitation (i) adherence to Diocesan Policy for Catholic Schools, (ii) major expenditures and budget, (iii) major changes in school apostolate (e.g. adding or deleting a grade), (iv) educational programs including human sexuality and religious education, (v) policies and procedures under which the school administrative staff shall operate the school, and (vi) the selection (though not evaluation) of the school administration.
Responsibilities of the School Advisory Council as a consultative body include:
- Participating in the formulation of the philosophy and mission statement
- Participating in short and long term strategic planning
- Recommending proposed budgets for school(s) and project(s)
- Assisting with recruitment, marketing and public relations
This group is advisory in nature. Therefore it is suggested that the word "board" be avoided as the participation of the laity in the schools' governance does not follow the American public school board model. The pastor(s) and administrator(s) have the serious obligation to consider such council conscientiously.
The administrator(s) and the School Advisory Council shall devise a plan/system for the orientation of new members along with an annual program of enrichment/development for all members of the School Advisory Council.
1.03 MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
- The School Advisory Council will be effective if those who advise are knowledgeable. Council members should be selected by reason of their interest, concern and expertise. Each member contributes to the whole and understands that no individual member of the Advisory Council is to speak or act for, or in the name of, the Council unless specifically authorized to do so by the School Advisory Council and pastor.
Advisory Council members shall be:
- Active registered members from the parish(s)
- Adult members of the parish(s) 18 years or older, whether or not he/she has children in the school
- Able to work effectively with others in achieving consensus in decisions for the good of the entire school community
- Able and willing to make necessary and substantial time commitment for thought and study as well as for meetings and related board activities, including orientation and subsequent training
- Willing to maintain high levels of integrity and confidentiality
- Supportive of school/diocesan philosophy and mission
- Willing to consider difficult tasks and decisions
- A visible and credible witness of the Catholic faith to the school and beyond
Employees of the school and parish are not eligible to serve on the School Advisory Council. Members of the school staff have a unique responsibility to give counsel to the administration and should not be considered for membership. Likewise, the administrator(s) is to represent the concerns and needs of staff to the Advisory Council.
Those matters pertaining to the qualification, number of terms of office, resignation and removal, selection or election to fill vacancies, and the duties of officers of the local School Advisory Council should be a matter for local decision. The specifics of these matters and those pertaining to meetings and how business is conducted shall be contained in the charter of the Advisory Council.
- Regular attendees:
- a total of seven (7) lay members from the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish
- the pastor of the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish
- the Principal of Holy Trinity Catholic School, non-voting member
- a faculty representative, non-voting member
- FSO Liaison, non-voting member
- Parish Council Liaison, non-voting member
- the Business Manager of Holy Trinity Catholic School, non-voting member
- the Development Director of Holy Trinity Catholic School, non-voting member
Each lay member shall serve a term of three years. Members may serve only two consecutive terms. Terms are staggered so no more than three vacancies are created at one time. Members missing 3 consecutive meetings may be asked to resign from the advisory council.
New members shall be selected from Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. Names of nominated persons and their credentials are to be submitted to the Parish Council before the May meeting. The Parish Council will review the nominations, add or delete, and will carry out the actual selection at the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish Council meeting. Newly selected members are to attend the August school advisory council meeting.
The officers of the advisory council shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Executive Session Secretary, all of whom shall be elected annually by the advisory council membership at the first regular meeting in August. Any voting lay member of the school advisory council is eligible for any office. The School Business Manager will act as the ordinary secretary of the advisory council during regular meetings. His/her role will be defined by the Advisory council.
- The Chairperson shall help plan the agenda, preside at all regular and special meetings of the advisory council; appoint members and chairpersons of committees as occasion demands; serve as ex-officio member of all committees; call special meetings; and sign all official documents on behalf of the advisory council.
- The Vice-Chairperson shall perform all duties of the Chairperson when she/he is absent or unable to act.
- The elected Secretary will only take minutes during Executive Sessions and maintain them in the Parish Office.
- The School Business Manager shall maintain a written record of all acts of the advisory council; conduct, receive and dispose of all records and documents; be responsible for maintaining a fire safe file of all important advisory council materials. (See 1.14)
The advisory council shall meet monthly except July and December. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson as needed or by two or more members.
For the purpose of transacting official business, it shall be necessary that a majority of the total members are present and voting.
A simple majority of those present and voting shall carry the motion unless otherwise specified in the constitution.
All meetings of the advisory council shall be open to members of the parish and to parents of students attending the school. The rights of such non-members, visitors, etc. to address the advisory council shall be limited to those whose petitions have been approved by the chairperson for the agenda which has been established by the principal, the pastor and the chairperson in advance of the meeting and by vote of the advisory council at the meeting.
Occasionally, matters dealing with personnel need to be addressed. In order to maintain confidentiality, these matters will be addressed during Executive Session during which only advisory council members and those directly involved in the matter may attend. The advisory council will determine those needing to attend. Minutes taken during executive session will remain confidential.
1.13 CONFIDENTIALITY (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
Each local School Advisory Council shall determine its own methods of operation, the setting of and preparation for agenda items and procedures to be utilized during the meetings. However, personnel matters and topics deemed sensitive by the pastor(s) and administrators(s) shall not be discussed in open session but may be discussed in executive (closed) session. Personnel issues requiring decisions reside solely with the principal and pastor.
Confidentiality is to be maintained in regards to information shared in a closed session. Any member not maintaining confidentiality is subject to removal from the Council.
1.14 RECORDS (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
Each local Advisory Council should maintain an official set of records. These records include a Charter, minutes and policies. They should be maintained by the school principal or someone officially designated by the Committee. These records should be kept in the school administrative offices or in the parish offices.
Each local School Advisory Council shall file their Charter (previously known as By-Laws), as well as all revisions, with the Diocesan Director of Catholic Schools.
1.15 POLICY (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
The School Advisory Council of each local Catholic school should formulate and approve policies for the governance of the school. All policies shall have the prior approval of the pastor(s). The policies of the local Catholic school shall not contradict nor hinder the policies of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. The principal, or someone designated by the principal, should be involved in the formulation of all school policies.
1.16 HANDBOOKS (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
The administrator(s) shall devise procedures and regulations to implement policies of the Diocese and the local Advisory Council for the smooth and efficient operation of the school. The procedures and regulations shall be compiled in the faculty/staff handbook and the student handbook.
1.17 COMMITTEES (from the Diocesan Policies and Guidelines for Catholic Schools)
From time to time and with the prior approval of the Pastor(s), the Council may appoint persons to committees to assist and advise the Council with respect to its duties and responsibilities.
Such committees may be permanent standing committees or temporary ad hoc committees. At least one member of each such committee must also be a member of the Council. The committee structure shall be covered in the charter of the local Advisory Council.
Proposed amendments to the policy handbook must be presented to the advisory council attached to the agenda, in writing, one month prior to voting.
This policy handbook may be amended by a majority vote of membership present subject only to regulations of the Bishop of the Diocese and the Pastor of the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish.
As Catholic School Educators We Believe. .
That each child is unique but is equal in dignity which is an inherent gift as a child of God.
That parents are the primary educator of their children, in all aspects including their Catholic faith.
That we are called to assist parents in fulfilling their responsibility in the education and faith formation of their children.
That each parent and child should strive to live a life that reflects Gospel values.
That we are role models who are called to "Teach as Jesus taught"
That a strong spiritual life, active participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the parish, and service are important aspects of our ministry.
That we strive daily to understand and live the Beatitudes.
That each day we grow in appreciation of the unique God given talents of our colleagues and treat each person with dignity and respect.
That we have a responsibility to work with each student to achieve his/her maximum potential.
That each Catholic school community is "building the kingdom" by spreading the faith and promoting Christ-life within the school, the parish, and the home.
That the Catholic school community is both an agent of change and preserver of basic tradition.
That it is important to create a Catholic atmosphere which promotes sound moral and professional judgment.
That the school is an integral part of the parish liturgical celebrations and a vital force in preparing future Church leaders.
That Sunday Eucharist is a priority and celebrated with active participation.
Teachers at Holy Trinity Catholic School shall clearly understand, agree to, and live as role models for students; e.g. attendance at Church/School functions. Parochial teachers should be dedicated to and enthusiastic about Catholic Education. They should be aware that salaries shall be revised and adjusted annually according to parish finances.
All teachers shall hold the proper teaching licensure required by the State of South Dakota.
- If possible, employees will be degreed, certified people, employed by the advisory council only after consultation with the selection committee, which includes the principal, the pastor, 1 school advisory council representative, and 1 faculty representative.
- At the consideration of teachers' contracts, an executive session shall be called at the discretion of the advisory council.
- In order to teach the Catholic faith in religion class, classroom teachers must be practicing Catholics.
- All staff will be subject to the Safe Environment regulations of the Diocese.
Contracts are legal and binding according to South Dakota State law. There will be an issuance date of April 15th and a return date of April 30th. Employment is conditioned by the applicable laws of the State of South Dakota and the policies of both Holy Trinity Parish and the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls.
The failure of the Employee to complete the services as provided would constitute a financial damage to the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. It would be impractical and extremely difficult to fix the actual damages in the event that a failure to render services should occur. If, therefore, the Employee shall fail for any cause, including dismissal or resignation, to complete the terms of this contract, the Employee shall be paid only the pro-rata amount of the entire sum of the time taught to the time contracted to serve. It is further agreed that if the Employee fails to complete the provisions of his/her contract, the Employee shall forfeit liquidated damages in accordance with the following schedule: Prior to June 1st in the year in which performance under this contract is to commence – $400; June 1 – 30, $600: and, thereafter, $800. Liquidated damages shall be withheld from any salary that may be due the Employee from Holy Trinity Catholic Parish or such liquidated damages shall be paid by the Employee to the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish within 30 days after written notice.
- All full time teachers are expected to have a teaching load; i.e. a whole day, five days a week. The whole teaching day includes playground supervision and other supervisory duties as required and designated by principal.
- Part-time employees will be dealt with on an individual basis.
- All full-time teachers are expected to be here from 7:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily.
- Hours and duties for part-time teachers will be directed by the principal.
- Departures from this are at the discretion of the principal.
- EXTRACURRICULAR DUTIES: Teachers are expected to attend, in a supervisory capacity, all conferences, open houses, programs, fairs, Masses, etc. in which their grade level is involved. They will support and assist special teachers in the execution of any program/activity that involves the students from their classroom.
Any absence for illness of a teacher/principal shall be considered sick leave.
- The business manager shall furnish each teacher with a written statement at the beginning of each school year setting forth his/her accumulative sick leave.
- Every full-time teacher/principal shall be entitled to a leave of absence for personal illness, injury or doctor appointment up to ten (10) days per year, with no salary deduction. This sick leave may be accumulated to a total of sixty (60) days with no salary deduction.
- Certified personnel leaving employment at the end of a fulfilled contract will be compensated $10.00 a day for any unused sick days up to 60 days.
1. Purpose
- This policy has been established to aid any eligible staff member suffering from a long-term illness that is under a medical doctor's care. The staff member must have exhausted their sick and paid leave time and would otherwise be subject to a severe loss of income and/or benefits while on leave. A doctor's written affirmation of need would be required.
2. Eligibility to Receive Donated Leave
- Have exhausted all of his/her sick and paid leave time.
- Have utilized a minimum of 10 days of his/her own sick leave.
- Have exhausted all other sources of leave and is going to leave without pay status.
- Qualify for one of the following reasons:
- The staff member is unable to perform the functions of his/her position because of a serious health condition
- The staff member is needed to care for an immediate family member (husband, wife, parents, step-parents, children, and step-children) who has a serious health condition
- Be totally absent from work
- Present a doctor's written affirmation of need
- Amount of Paid Leave Time that may be Donated
- Up to 50 % or 5 days, whichever is less, of earned, unused sick or paid leave time may be donated by any employee during a year.
- Process for Receiving Paid Leave Time
- Complete a "Request for Donated Leave", available in the school or church office.
- Upon receipt of the Application, the administration will determine whether or not the staff member is eligible for donated paid leave time.
- If eligible, the administration will notify the staff of the request for donated paid leave time.
- Process for Donating Paid Leave Time
- Complete a "Paid Leave Donation Form", available in the school or church office.
- In the event that more time is donated than needed, the donated time will be prorated based on the amount donated and the amount used. For example, if an individual is in need of 10 days of donated time and 5 individuals donate 5 days each, each contributor will have only 2 days of paid leave time deducted from his/her balance.
- DEATH IN FAMILY: If necessary, five days shall be allowed per death in certified personnel's family. The first two days shall not be taken from the accumulated sick leave, but the remaining three days shall be deducted from sick leave. The immediate family will include father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, husband, wife, children, brothers, stepbrothers, sisters, stepsisters, uncles, aunts, grandparents, all of these in-laws and with the permission of the principal/appropriate administrator permanent members of the employee's household.
- FUNERAL OF CLOSE FRIEND: A leave of one day shall be allowed to attend the funeral of someone close to the teacher/principal. It shall be deducted from either the employee's sick leave or from their personal leave at the teacher's discretion. The principal/appropriate administrator reserves the right to refuse this permission.
- ILLNESS OF A MEMBER OF FAMILY: Employee accumulated sick days may be used in case of an illness of a member of the teacher/principal's immediate family (husband, wife, parents, step-parents, children, and step-children) up to 5 days per illness shall be considered the same as for illness of the teacher/principal, chargeable to the certified personnel's sick leave. The principal/appropriate administrator reserves the right to refuse this permission or require the absent employee to furnish a written statement from the attending physician attesting to the necessity of the employee's absence from work because of the illness of the immediate member of the family.
- For any excess leave beyond the allotted number of days, the substitutes pay will be deducted from the teacher/principal's salary.
- Certified personnel will be compensated at substitute's pay for one sick day, if that teacher uses no sick days during the school year.
2.06 PROFESSIONAL LEAVE (full-time)
A maximum of three (3) days professional leave is allowed per year for the purpose of improving the certified personnel's educational background knowledge in any subject area. Leave must be requested from and approved by the principal one week prior to date. No deduction shall be made from the certified personnel's salary for these three (3) days. This leave is not accumulative. For any excess leave beyond the allotted number of days the substitute's pay will be deducted from the teacher's salary.
When the funds are available, the principal may sponsor teachers to go to workshops the principal feels would benefit the Holy Trinity Catholic School curriculum. This is not guaranteed or accumulative and would be left to the discernment of the principal. These funds are not to be used to pay for graduate level credit.
- PERSONAL LEAVE (full-time)
- A personal leave of two (2) days per school year shall be allowed to each certified personnel for any purpose she/he feels necessary, not to be deducted from the teacher/principal's salary. A teacher/principal must make written request for personal leave at least a week before the date requested. No more than two teachers may be on personal leave the same day. Under unusual circumstances the principal/appropriate administrator may dispense with the week notice requirement. These days will not be taken consecutively unless approved by the principal/appropriate administrator. The leave may not be accumulated.
- If more days are requested beyond these two personal leave days, it must be arranged in advance with the principal/appropriate administrator. For any excess leave beyond the allotted number of days, the substitute's pay will be deducted from the teacher/principal's salary.
- Certified personnel will be compensated at the close of each school year at substitute rate for any unused personal days.
- Staff will lose a personal day if unable to attend a Diocesan mandated in-service.
- Employees, who choose not to come to work because of inclement weather, although school is in session, may choose to use personal leave, or the substitute's pay will be deducted from the teacher/principal's salary.
Holy Trinity Catholic School complies with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave each year for specified family and medical reasons. The calendar year is from July 1st to June 30th. The law contains provisions relating to employer coverage; employee eligibility for the benefits of the law; entitlement to leave, maintenance of health benefits during leave, and job restoration after leave; notice and certification of the need for FMLA leave; and protection for employees who request or take FMLA leave. Employees are eligible for FMLA if they worked for that employer for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1,250 hours during that twelve-month period. The FMLA requires the employee to give 30 days notice to the employer before the leave begins, if possible.
- A teacher desiring maternity/adoption leave shall notify the principal forty-five days before the date leave is to commence. The exact date the leave will commence will be determined by the administration after consultation with the teacher.
- Such maternity/adoption leave shall be without pay, but the teacher shall be eligible to draw upon her accumulated sick leave for six weeks after the birth/adoption of the baby. Personal days or sub deduct days may be used for additional days up to the twelve weeks allowed by FMLA.
However, the fee received for such shall be forwarded by the certified personnel to the employer.
It is intended that the school principal be the immediate supervisor over all school personnel. Anyone having a concern regarding school matters or personnel matters shall inform the principal, seeking advice or action. If dissatisfied with the action taken, the pastor can then be consulted and if satisfaction is still not found, the School Advisory council chairman should be notified and the matter should be presented at an official school advisory council meeting.
On a daily basis, however, when the principal is out of the building, teachers shall direct their concerns to the person designated by the principal. The purpose of the chain of command is to identify the person in charge in case of an emergency and in the absence of the normal supervisors.
Any employee having a grievance he/she wishes to initiate shall, after using the proper line of authority as outlined above, make a written request for a hearing before the school advisory council. Such a hearing will take place in executive session, if it deals with personnel matters. The Director of Catholic Schools will be notified if a grievance is initiated. Please be reminded that School Advisory council members have NO authority to make advisory council decisions unless the ADVISORY COUNCIL IS IN SESSION, A QUORUM IS PRESENT, AND THE PASTOR IS PRESENT. Please do not ask advisory council members to make uniformed judgments casually or individually.
Holy Trinity Catholic School Advisory council has adopted the Diocesan Policy on Aids. A copy of this in its entirety may be found in the office. There are four sections: I. The Church as Pastoral Minister; II. The Church as Employer; III. The Church as Educator; and IV. The Church as Social Service Provider. Only section II will be printed in this section. (See Chapter 5 (5.08E) for section III, The Church as Educator.)
THE CHURCH AS EMPLOYER. (from section II of Diocesan policy on AIDS)
- Hiring: Persons seeking employment by the Sioux Falls Diocese shall not be discriminated against on the basis of AIDS, unless the nature and extent of the illness reasonably precludes the performance of such employment or impairs any of the operations of the employing agency. In the Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on Handicapped People (1978), the Bishops addressed the rights of the handicapped in employment; "Defense of the right to life, then, implies the defense of other rights which enable the handicapped individual to achieve the fullest measure of personal development of which he or she is capable. These include the right to equal opportunity . . . in employment . . ."
- Continued Employment: Employment by the diocese shall not be terminated on the basis of AIDS, unless the nature and extent of the illness reasonably precludes the performance of such employment or impairs any of the operations of the employing agency. If a person is unable to continue his or her duties as a result of the physical deterioration due to AIDS, benefits shall be continued in accord with the diocesan policy pertaining to employees with any other handicap or illness. Counseling and group support shall be available to the individual and his or her family during and after the period of employment and shall be provided either by the employer or another diocesan agency. These services shall not be forced upon any individual but their availability shall be made known so that those in need of them will be aware of their existence and the means of obtaining them.
- Employee Education: Factual education on AIDS for all employees of the diocese shall be undertaken so that infected persons are not treated in a prejudicial manner. Such education shall be designed to prevent unreasonable reactions to the disease and persons affected and to bring about proper social responsibility.
- Confidentiality: The identity of a person with AIDS is confidential and every precaution shall be taken to maintain confidentiality.
The school term, vacation and holidays shall be according to the official school calendar of the Huron Public School District. This applies to teachers and students. The principal may make exceptions to the contact days.
- Purpose
- To raise the quality of instruction and educational service to the children of our school.
- To provide constructive feedback on teaching methods and materials enabling teachers to improve their abilities and improve student achievement.
- To improve job performance through professional growth.
- To promote greater communication between teachers and administration
- Frequency
- A new certified staff member shall be formally evaluated at least once each semester during the first year of employment.
- A returning certified staff member shall be formally evaluated at least once each school year.
- Informal observations and evaluations may also be conducted.
- Procedures
- Formal classroom observations will be conducted by the building administrator using the following steps: pre-conference, observe, analyze and interpret data, post-conference with the teacher and administrator.
- The observation format/forms will be chosen from those recommended by the Sioux Falls diocese.
- A copy signed by both parties shall be retained in the certified staff member's personnel file and one copy given to the certified staff member.
- If the certified staff member feels his/her formal written evaluation is incomplete, inaccurate, or unjust, he/she may put his/her objections in writing and have them attached to the evaluation report to be placed in his/her personnel file.
- When, as a result of an evaluation, an administrator determines that a change in the behavior or practice of a teacher is required, an improvement plan will be developed as part of the evaluation process. Input in developing an improvement plan will be given by the evaluator, employee, and/or other appropriate administration. Periodic conferences will be held to monitor the progress of improvement.
- Use of Results
- Evaluation results will be used for improvement in areas of need.
- Evaluations will be kept on file for future review.
- Evaluations will be used as one criterion in determining reemployment recommendations.
- Every full time teacher will be given $100.00 a year for experience at Holy Trinity Catholic School. Full time teachers transferring into the system may be paid for two (2) years experience from their last fifteen (15) years. ($100.00/year). Experience pay for part time teachers is pro-rated per contractual hours.
- Pay periods will be semimonthly for all employees.
- Pay day will be the sixteenth (16) and the last day of the month.
- Paychecks will be automatically deposited on pay day into accounts designated by employees.
All full-time and benefits-eligible part-time employees are eligible to participate in the health insurance offered by the diocese. This policy is contingent upon current diocesan policy. Employer/employee contributions are determined by diocesan policy. Diocesan policy allows parishes to increase employer share with the permissions of the diocese. Employee contributions are automatically deducted from their salaries and will reduce the amount of their income that is subject to FICA and federal withholding for that year.
All full-time and benefits-eligible part-time employees are eligible to participate in a retirement program. Personal contributions may begin immediately upon employment. This policy is contingent upon current diocesan policy. Employer contributions will begin after the employee has completed a year of employment. Employee contributions are automatically deducted from their salaries and will reduce the amount of their income that is subject to state and federal withholding for that year. However, such contributions will be subject to FICA withholding for that year.
All full-time and benefits eligible part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Cafeteria Plan. The Cafeteria Plan permits employees to allocate a portion of their salaries to cover medical, vision, and dental expenses, life insurance and child care expenses on a tax-favored basis in accord with the rules of the IRS. Employees participating in this plan redirect a specified amount of salary to be used to pay for one or more of these types of expenses. Individual accounts for each category are used to reimburse qualifying expenses incurred by the employee up to the amount designated for the related account. Income allocated to these accounts by the employee is not subject to federal or state income tax, or to FICA (Social Security) contributions. In accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations, unused balances of employee contributions at the end of the calendar year are forfeited.
Preschool through sixth grade children of all full-time employees of Holy Trinity Catholic School/Parish will be admitted to the school tuition free. All other employees' preschool through sixth grade children of Holy Trinity Catholic School/Parish will be admitted at 1/2 the current tuition.
All personnel at Holy Trinity Catholic School will dress appropriately for a professional work place.
- Before school duty will be from 7:50-8:05 a.m. Teachers will share recess duty and after school bus duty.
- Every attempt to provide a thirty-minute duty free lunch to teachers will be made. In cases of inclement weather, students are expected to play appropriately in their classrooms.
The school principal must authorize all purchases. NO bill will be paid that has not been authorized.
- Policy Overview
- Computers, e-mail, Internet access, and similar electronic devices and media are provided by Holy Trinity Catholic School to designated staff for business related purposes. All equipment, software and data are property of Holy Trinity Catholic School. All use of these devices and media, whether by employees or non-employees, is governed by this policy and Holy Trinity Catholic School's best interests. Inappropriate use of these devices and media is prohibited.
- This policy is intended to provide a range of acceptable and unacceptable computer use, Internet and email systems as provided by the Holy Trinity Catholic School for employees' work performance. This policy is not necessarily exhaustive. Questions about specific uses of computers, Internet or email not addressed in this policy should be directed to either the technology coordinator/network administrator or administration.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School reserves the right to change its policies and rules at any time.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School will examine alleged violations of this policy on a case by case basis. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to or including termination.
- Acceptable Computer Use
- Users may use computers, Internet and email only for activities related to official Holy Trinity Catholic School business and their job description. Incidental personal use is acceptable as long as user has permission from his/her supervisor and the personal use takes place outside or occurs outside of regular work hours.
- Users may transmit data and correspondence, which are in accordance with the policies of the Roman Catholic Church, our bishop and Holy Trinity Catholic School and which respect the human dignity and security of every human being.
- Users are prohibited from installing any additional software or hardware on their personal computers (PC) without prior authorization.
- With prior authorization, users may upload and download data, files, shareware, freeware or other software (after running a virus scan on the file) that is in accordance with copyrights and other applicable laws and rights. In this way, if users have PC problems that arise after downloading, the technology coordinator/network administrator can more effectively pinpoint and solve those problems.
- Users may use the Internet capabilities for normal operations of their job description and any incidental use in accordance with this policy.
III. Computer Viruses
Computer viruses pose a serious threat to the integrity of both the information technology and data assets of Holy Trinity Catholic School. In a networked environment such as exits in Holy Trinity Catholic School, the inadvertent introduction of a virus to one PC could result in the infection of every system connected to the network in a matter of moments. It is the responsibility of each user to exercise extreme caution especially when working with email files, downloaded files and diskettes.
- Users are prohibited from opening any files from users that they do not know unless they have authorization from the technology coordinator/network administrator. These files may contain viruses and may corrupt the users PC or the network. These would include .exe, zip and others files.
- Restricted Computer Use
The Holy Trinity Catholic School provides Internet capabilities to those users that have a need to obtain and share appropriate data according to their job description. All employees and computer users are required to:
- Respect the privacy of all other staff. They shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files or any data maintained by other users, unless explicit permission to do so had been obtained from owner.
- Respect all copyright and license agreements for all software, artwork and all other forms of electronic data. Requests for additional software or equipment must be approved by a supervisor before it will be installed on the PC.
- Protect the integrity of the existing computer systems and networks by not intentionally developing or using programs that will damage or alter any existing computer system or damage any existing data.
- Internet and email activities that are meant for personal gain or advertising personal products or services that are unrelated to Holy Trinity Catholic School activities are forbidden.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School Rights
- Holy Trinity Catholic School reserves the right for the technology coordinator/network administrator to have access to any and all email messages that are sent using any Holy Trinity Catholic School computer. Email, Internet or other uses relating to or in support of improper or illegal activities will be reported to administration and appropriate action will be taken.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School reserves the right for the technology coordinator/network administrator to log all network use and monitor all file server space utilization by computer users. Holy Trinity Catholic School assumes no responsibility for files or data deleted due to file server space allotments or lack of file server capacity.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School reserves the right for the technology coordinator/network administrator to remove a user from Internet, email or network if they fail to comply with policies described in this document.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School reserves the right for the technology coordinator/network administrator to monitor all users Internet service. Users who inadvertently access inappropriate sites, such as sexually explicit sites, for example, should immediately report the error to the technology coordinator/network administrator. The technology coordinator/network administrator can and will use any software or hardware to monitor all Internet usage.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School will not be held responsible for any damages incurred when user fails to comply with this policy.
- Confidentiality/Security of Diocesan Data
- All users have an obligation to protect the confidentiality of Holy Trinity Catholic School data. This includes but is not limited to: Holy Trinity Catholic School employees, students', parents' or benefactors' personal information (phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, donation amounts, etc.). If in doubt about whether information is confidential, please seek advice from your principal, department chair or the Superintendent.
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Huron
of the
Diocese of Sioux Falls
Parental Covenant
Parent Partnership Requirement
Integral Part of Catholic School Culture
Since as parents we are the primary educator of our children, we will participate in the education of our children by:
…recognizing that all we are and have is gift from God
…promoting positive attitudes toward school at home and in the community
…bringing concerns about our child directly to the teacher
…showing respect for the teacher as a professional person working for the well-being of our child
…following the policies of the school
…attending Mass/worship at respective local parish on weekends and holy days with our children
…participating in the sacramental life of the church regularly
…promoting family prayer and faith traditions at home
…volunteering and giving service to the school and parish
…witnessing gospel values in our everyday life
The program of instruction is to meet the requirements of the content standards of the South Dakota Department of Education in all academic subject areas and the requirements of Diocese of Sioux Falls in religion.
No person shall be admitted as a student in any Catholic school unless that person and his/her parent subscribe to the school's philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school and the diocese of Sioux Falls.
No student shall be admitted unconditionally to any Catholic school unless he/she has a reasonable, well-founded hope of successfully completing that school's program. In doubtful cases, students may be admitted on a probationary basis with dates and criteria of evaluation clearly established in writing.
Students shall not be denied admission to a diocesan school because of handicap unless this handicap seriously impairs the student's ability to complete successfully the school's academic program or unless the school cannot provide sufficient physical care for the handicapped child.
Each Catholic school retains the right to set local admissions standards and policies in addition to those specified by the diocese.
Holy Trinity may admit students who practice other faiths. Parents and students must clearly understand that participating in Catholic religion instruction and school activities related to the Catholic character of the school are required. Tuition for non-Catholic students is at a higher rate than Catholic students.
Students must be five years old on or before September 1. Ages must be verified and a birth certificate and immunization records must be complete. Kindergarten classes are held Monday through Friday all day.
Holy Trinity Catholic School has an early learning program for students ages 3 and 4 (on or before September 1) including preschool and pre-kindergarten classes. Preschool and pre-kindergarten tuition amounts can be found in Appendix 1. A twenty-five dollar non-refundable registration fee is required. No child is to be brought to preschool more than 10 minutes before class begins, nor picked up more than 10 minutes after class is over. If a child is left beyond those limits with no arrangements made, a child care fee of $1.00 for every minute will be assessed and added to the student's monthly tuition statement. Students picked up more than 10 minutes after class is over will be in the school office. (Tuition costs, Days and Hours are located in Appendix 1) See the HTCS Policy Handbook for Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten for more information.
South Dakota Codified Law requires any pupil entering school shall, prior to admission, be required to present to school authorities certification from a licensed medical professional that he or she has received a test, or are in the process of receiving, adequate immunization for childhood diseases. (See appendix 4.)
- HTCS Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Policy
- All families who currently have student(s) attending Holy Trinity Catholic School will be able to pre-register their child for preschool and pre-kindergarten starting on the first Monday of February up to and including the third Monday of February. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. This will be on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten. Registration will continue until all classes are full.
- All Holy Trinity Catholic Parish families who do not currently have children enrolled in Holy Trinity Catholic School will be able to pre-register their child for preschool and pre-kindergarten starting on the first Wednesday after the third Monday of February up to and including the first Wednesday in March. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. This will be on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten. Registration will continue until all classes are full.
- Registration for all other families who wish to attend HTCS preschool or pre-kindergarten will open on the second Monday of March. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. This will be on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten. Registration will continue until all classes are full.
- HTCS Kindergarten Enrollment Policy
- All families who currently have student(s) attending Holy Trinity Catholic School in grades K-5 will be able to pre-register their child for kindergarten starting on the first Monday of February up to and including the third Monday of February. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Kindergarten. This deposit will be applied to book fee and tuition. Registration will continue until all classes are full. If there are more applicants than open spots at this time a lottery will be held. See below for lottery details.
- All Holy Trinity Catholic Parish families who do not currently have children enrolled in Holy Trinity Catholic School (K-5) will be able to pre-register their child for kindergarten starting on the first Wednesday after the third Monday of February up to and including the first Wednesday in March. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Kindergarten. This deposit will be applied to book fee and tuition. Registration will continue until all classes are full. If there are more applicants than open spots at this time a lottery will be held. See below for lottery details.
- Families who currently have student(s) attending Holy Trinity Catholic School Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, or 6th grade will be able to pre-register their child for kindergarten starting on the first Friday after the first Wednesday of March up to and including the second Friday of March. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Kindergarten. This deposit will be applied to book fee and tuition. Registration will continue until all classes are full. If there are more applicants than open spots at this time a lottery will be held. See below for lottery details.
- Registration for all other families who wish to attend HTCS kindergarten will open on the third Monday of March and continue until March 30th. A place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. A non-refundable deposit will be required for Kindergarten. This deposit will be applied to book fee and tuition. Registration will continue until all classes are full. If there are more applicants than open spots at this time a lottery will be held. See below for lottery details.
- Registrations after March 30th will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Lottery: If there are more applicants than open spots a lottery will be held. Complete applications with the required deposit will be included in the lottery. The deposit will be returned if the applicant is not chosen through the lottery. Once enrollment is met, remaining students are placed on a waiting list in lottery order. If an opening occurs, students will be called in this order.
- HTCS 1st – 6th Grade Enrollment Policy
- All families who currently have student(s) attending Holy Trinity Catholic School in grades K-5 will be able to pre-register their child for 1st through 6th grade starting on the first Thursday of April up to and including April 30th. With the book fee payment, a place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. This will be on a first come, first served basis. The non-refundable book fee will be reduced if paid by April 30th. Registration will continue until all classes are full.
- Registration for new families who wish to attend HTCS 1st through 6th grade will open on May 1st. With the book fee payment, a place will be reserved in the class requested until the classes are filled. This will be on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable book fee will be required for 1st through 6th grade. Registration will continue until all classes are full.
The Holy Trinity Catholic School shall maintain neutrality between parents who are involved in a legal action affecting the family, unless otherwise directed by a court order. It is the sole responsibility of the parent(s) to notify the school and provide a copy of such a court order.
The parent(s)/guardian(s) who enrolls a student shall be considered to be custodial parent and that parent's residence shall be considered the student's residence for school purposes, unless a court order or other documentation is presented which specifies otherwise. The parents of the student are solely responsible for informing the school of names and mailing addresses of custodial and non-custodial parent.
Federal law requires that the non-custodial parent of any student enrolled at HTCS shall be provided all report cards, notices of school activities, disciplinary reports, conference information and/or summaries, or other student records which are provided to the custodial parent, unless otherwise expressly curtailed or restricted by a provision of a court order which has been provided to the building principal. The non-custodial parent(s) may participate in all activities including conferences. The school will conduct only one meeting for parents in which both parents will be permitted to participate. If divorced or separated parents request separate teacher conferences, the principal shall have the discretion to grant or deny such a request.
A student enrolled at HTCS may be released from school to either the custodial or non-custodial parent, unless the custodial parent has presented a court or other legally binding document that prohibits such a release.
Pupil's records are to be current, accurate and meaningful. Teachers will be held responsible for recording all information on the permanent record card at the end of each school year. Information on this record is open to review by parents, though this may only be done in the presence of the principal or teacher. There is a sign-in sheet in each folder, which needs to be signed by anyone who views this file. This sign-in sheet will also contain a list of the authorized personnel who will be allowed to view this folder. In a case of court awarded joint custody, student information is provided to both legal parents. Teachers are encouraged to use the cumulative records at any time.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. These rights are:
(1) The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day Holy Trinity Catholic School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
(2) The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask Holy Trinity Catholic School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the Holy Trinity Catholic School principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If Holy Trinity Catholic School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, Holy Trinity Catholic School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Holy Trinity Catholic School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Advisory council; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon completion of sixth grade, Holy Trinity Catholic School forwards education records without consent to officials of the Huron Public School District unless requested by parents to forward these records to a different school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Holy Trinity Catholic School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Privileged communication regarding our students, whether it be permanent records, progress reports, or cumulative folders, are to be considered confidential and treated in a professional manner.
School begins at 8:15 each morning. There is no adult supervision prior to 8:00. Each Wednesday the students will gather for Liturgy at 8:30.
School ends at 3:00 for Kindergarten through second grade and 3:05 for third through sixth grade. Parents are encouraged to pick up students promptly. Students will be sent to the HTCS After-school Program at 3:15. The regular hourly rate will apply with a minimum charge of one hour of drop in care per child.
Achievement and ability tests will be administered each year at the discretion of the teachers and principal while remaining compliant with the South Dakota Department of Education. Test results will be recorded on the child's permanent record. Teachers will then critically evaluate the results of these tests. Achievement scores may be shared with the parents and emphasis should be placed on growth rather than grade level.
- Tuition costs for K-6 are determined each year by the advisory council. (See appendix 1) There is a non-refundable Book Fee for each child for consumable books. There will be a 1.5% interest charge per month or 18% APR on the 15th the following month for the total amount of tuition they are behind. The tuition should be paid in full on registration day if possible. Families not paying the tuition in full during registration must sign a tuition contract stating how they would like to pay their tuition. Personal contact must be made with the Superintendent and/or Principal if payment cannot be made. If tuition and book fees are not paid by the end of the fiscal year, a student cannot register for the next year until they are paid in full.
- Each school should establish a tuition assistance program that will allow those families who cannot afford the published tuition rates. The process of awarding financial aid limits and determining of recipients shall be left to the local school authorities.
- Tuition Assistance Procedures
- All families with Kindergarten through 6th grade students may apply for tuition assistance.
- Requests will be granted according to funds available in the tuition assistance account.
- Applicants' names and financial information will be kept in strict confidence.
- Applications will be created by Catholic School Tuition Assistance Service (CSTAS) and can be picked up in the school office or from the business manager after March 1st each year.
- Parents will be asked to complete an application and mail it to the CSTAS office with copies of federal tax returns, copies of W-2s from all employers, and documentation of non-taxable income. A check or money order payable to CSTAS is required with the application.
- Applications must be received by CSTAS by May 15th.
- When reports have been received from CSTAS, a committee consisting of the pastor, business manager, and principal will meet to award assistance.
- Families will be notified of their assistance award by August 1st.
- Those who apply after the deadline date of May 15th will be considered after current applications have been processed. Applications are not considered late for families moving into the community after the deadline date or from families whose personal circumstances may have changed since the deadline date.
- Report cards are issued every nine (9) weeks to students in all grades. They will be distributed during the first week of the following quarter, with the exception of the fourth quarter, when report cards will be distributed the last day of the school year. Unsatisfactory progress reports will be sent home to parents of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students in danger of failing.
E = Excellent
S = Satisfactory
P = Progressing
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
N/A = Not Applicable
|Exceeds Expectations
|Meets Expectations
|Approaching Expectations
|Needs Additional Support/Practice
|Not assessed at this time
Below 70 F
Holy Trinity is noted for close contact with parents and teachers. Parent-Teacher conferences will be held twice a year with special "get-togethers" throughout the year as teachers/parents plan. Parents are free to make an appointment to visit with your child's teacher at any time.
- Students are promoted to the next grade level based on their academic achievement, behavioral growth, social development, and the recommendations of the administrator and the appropriate teacher.
- Should a child be retained for another year at the same grade level, parents must be involved in the decision process through a scheduled meeting with parents, teacher, and administrator present.
- Should parents refuse to accept the recommendation of the administrator and the appropriate teacher, they may be requested to remove the child from the Holy Trinity Catholic School.
The school office must receive an excuse, either written or by phone, from the parents, before any absence other than illness will be considered excused. This should be before the absence of the child if at all possible. All students are expected to be in regular attendance, and when possible, should schedule activities such as doctor appointments outside of the regular school day. Excused absences will be allowed for the following reasons consistent with South Dakota Law:
Doctor and dental appointments
Emergencies or a death in the family
Illness or injury
Inclement weather
School work missed because of an excused absence must be made up. On the first day the student is back in class, he/she will make arrangements with the teacher for make-up work. The student will have the number of days absent plus one day to complete make-up work. Compulsory education laws mandate school attendance. The truancy laws will be enforced for unexcused absences. A child who comes to school after 9:15 a.m., or leaves before 2:00 p.m. will be marked absent for one-half day.
It shall be school policy to take the following steps or procedures during inclement weather in which school will be called off or buses will not run, or that students may have to be sent home during the day:
- The decision to open school in the morning during inclement weather will rest with the Superintendent of the Huron Public School. He/she shall determine, and properly announce, early dismissal due to weather conditions.
Factors entering into this judgment might include the following:
Snowfall, wind, and temperature (wind chill factor);
Dangerous driving conditions;
Weather forecasts in the early morning or during the day:
Other weather conditions determined to be serious enough to warrant school dismissal.
- The recommendation to operate the buses in the city and rural area during inclement weather will rest with the Transportation Supervisor of Huron Public School. Information received from rural patrons, the bus supervisor, national weather service, and city officials will weigh heavily on his recommendation to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will ultimately make the final decision.
In some instances, buses will operate on a limited schedule. In those instances, it may be desirable for parents to bring their child/children to meet the bus so that they can be transported to school.
- The Superintendent will notify the news media whenever the regular school day is to be altered. The Transportation Supervisor will notify the bus supervisor as to the operation of the bus runs.
- If weather conditions are such that a late school start and late bus run seem advisable, such announcement shall be given to the news media.
- The decision by a principal to release any children from school (such as to individual parental custody) because of inclement weather during the day is permissible.
- The ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual student goes to school during inclement weather is the responsibility of the parent. If the parent decides weather conditions are such that the child should not go to school, a note to the principal will excuse the child for the time missed.
- When school is in operation and the buses do not operate in the rural areas, teachers and administrators should realize that these rural students are absent not because of their choosing and that schoolwork and related activities should be governed by this fact. If there are questions relative to this, teachers are encouraged to talk with their principals.
- In the absence of the Superintendent of Schools, decisions shall be rendered by his designees.
- The principal is to develop a contingency plan with each family regarding the procedure to follow for the dismissal of students if inclement weather forces the early closing of school.
- According to South Dakota Codified Law, any school teacher, counselor, school official or nurse having reason to suspect that a student under 18 years of age has been neglected or starved, emotionally or physically abused (including sexual abuse) shall report the circumstances or cause them to be reported to the State Attorney's office or the Department of Social Services.
- The duty to report concerns suspicion only. The burden of proof does not rest with the person reporting.
- Medical or professional confidentiality does not apply in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.
- Anyone participating in good faith in the reporting of suspected case shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal. On the contrary, failure to report constitutes a misdemeanor.
- Teacher's Responsibilities:
- To gather and document information about the child, including name, family name, addresses, evidence and observation of incidents, child's version of incidents, and any repeated incidents.
- To report the incident to the designated school staff person, the principal.
- To report, when necessary in certain special cases to act immediately upon a suspicion of child abuse or neglect, directly to the Department of Social Services or the State Attorney's Office. It is the legal responsibility of the person suspecting the child abuse or neglect to ensure that the suspicion is reported, if the procedurally designated person does not do so.
- Principal (or designated person's) responsibilities:
- To report the incident to Social Services or the State Attorney's office.
- The principal, or designate, shall immediately report the case by telephone, then inform the school employee initiating the action within 24 hours to action.
In case of injury, a child will be cared for temporarily by the school secretary. School personnel will render first aide treatment. The School Principal will be notified of the accident. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the parents will be contacted. If parents are not available the child will be taken to the emergency room at the hospital. Remember, an emergency telephone number where parents can be reached and the name and telephone number of the student's family doctor must be on file at the school. An accident form will be filled out in duplicate, one copy for the parents and one copy for the student's file. (See Appendix 2.) Every accident or injury must be reported to the principal and parent or guardian. The teacher or supervisor must complete an accident report form on the day that it occurs.
Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicine should, whenever possible, be dispensed by the parent or guardian. The school acknowledges that its personnel have limited or no knowledge of administering medications to students. The Catholic school personnel can refuse to dispense medications to students. First aid materials are to be placed in a designated area, which should be known by all teachers. For pupils who depend on medication in order to stay in school and whose parents cannot be present to dispense, the aide will follow this procedure.
- Written permission from the parent or guardian for dispensing the medication must accompany any medicine. This permission must include instructions.
- Prescribed medications must be in a container provided by the pharmacy with a label, which includes date, student name, doctor name, and dosage.
- Acetaminophen will be dispensed to students upon request, provided parent permission has been granted.
- The permission note will be kept on file in the school office.
- The school will keep a log stating date, time, type of medicine, who dispensed, and who received the medicine, and whether the permission form was checked.
- Medications will be kept in a locked container.
The advisory council recognizes all students should be permitted to attend school in a normal classroom setting. The advisory council also recognizes a responsibility to provide a healthy environment for students and school employees.
The determination of whether an infected person should be excluded from the classroom or building shall be made on a case-by-case basis, under the direction of the school principal/supervisor.
If an infected student is not permitted to attend class or school, the school will provide the student with educational assignments. HTCS will follow Diocesan and South Dakota Department of Health recommendations concerning communicable diseases.
In order for an infected student to be permitted to attend class or school, the parent/guardian must bring the communicable disease school admission form to the office. The form needs to be signed by the County Health Nurse or an equivalent medical professional. (See appendix 3.)
It is recognized that personal hygiene measures are part of creating a healthy environment. Thus, good hand washing techniques are imperative in the school setting. Thorough maintenance cleaning is part of this environment.
Communicable disease is defined as any disease transmitted from one person or animal or another directly, by contact with excreta or other discharges from the body; or indirectly via substances or inanimate objects such as contaminated drinking glasses, toys, or water; or via vectors as flies, ticks, or other insects. To control a communicable disease it is important to identify the organism, prevent its spread to the environment, protect others against contamination, and treat the infected person.
Examples of communicable disease include, but are not limited to:
Scabies The common cold Viral fever outbreaks including
Lice Rubella Acute upper respiratory illness
Chickenpox Pink Eye Diarrheal disease
Measles Roseola Rash Illness
Mumps Scarlet fever Waterborne or food borne
Mononucleosis Fifth disease Illness in child care setting
Smallpox Hepatitis Impetigo
Rabies Herpes Ringworm
Pertussis Legionellosis Pediculosis (lice)
Plantar warts Lyme disease Cytomegalovirus
Staphylococcus Streptuococcus Impetigo
AIDS/HIV Malaria Giardiasis
Haemophilus influenza Encephalitis
Holy Trinity Catholic School Advisory council has adopted the Diocesan Policy on Aids. A copy of this in its entirety may be found in the office. There are four sections: The Church as Pastoral Minister; II. The Church as Employer; III. The Church as Educator: and IV. The Church as Social Service Provider. Only section III (three) will be printed here:
Students with AIDS enrolled or seeking enrollment in grades Preschool through 12 shall be permitted to attend school or parish religious education programs in an unrestricted setting. Students with AIDS shall not be excluded from attending school or parish religious education programs for reasons of the infection unless the following exceptional conditions are evident as determined by the student's attending physician, the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s), the appropriate school or religious program administrator(s), and in a parish setting, the pastor.
- The student is not toilet trained or is incontinent, or is unable to control drooling.
- The student is unusually physically aggressive with a documented history of biting or harming others.
Cases shall be referred to the Superintendent of Schools or the Diocesan Director of Religious Education according to the guidelines and procedures in our diocese when disagreement on the existence of the excluding conditions prevents the student's physician, the student's administrator(s) and, in a parish setting, the pastor from reaching a decision on admission or continued enrollment.
A student with AIDS who is excluded from school shall be provided with an appropriate educational program as well as catechistic instruction at the proper level. A student with AIDS in a parish religious education program who is excluded from attending school, shall be provided with an alternate means of catechistic instruction.
The identity of a student with AIDS and all health records and other pertinent files shall be kept confidential in accordance with the law.
The principles set forth in Section III of this policy shall be applicable to any program operated by the diocese which serves children (e.g., day care center, homeless shelters, etc.). In such cases the appropriate diocesan administrator shall be substituted for the diocesan or parish educational personnel in the procedures outlined in Section III.
The amount of homework that students have will vary with the grade level, the teacher, and subjects involved. The primary grades will have very little assigned homework. In grades 3-6 there will be some assignments which students are required to complete at home.
3.18 COMMUNICATION (Newsletters & Classroom Letters)
Most Thursdays the "Brown Envelope" will be sent home with the oldest child in each family. The "Brown Envelope" contains a weekly newsletter from the principal and any communications from the teachers and the office. The "Brown Envelope" is to be signed and returned on Friday acknowledging that you have read its contents.
Anyone or group who wishes to include information in the "Brown Envelope" should have the information to the office by Wednesday at noon. Anything coming in after Wednesday will go in the next week's envelope.
Students will not be permitted to leave the school grounds any time during the day unless written or verbal permission is submitted to the Principal's Office. Students will not be released from school grounds without parental or adult supervision. No student will be allowed to go home from school because of illness without first notifying the parents and the principal or her/his designee.
So that we can provide the best possible safety environment for the children, driving on the playground during school hours is not permitted. Please avoid parking in the loading/unloading zone at the main entrance of the school. The bus loading zone must be clear for Huron Public and People's Transit busses. Please use the main school doors for pick-up and drop-off.
Please notify the school of any change of address or telephone number. If you plan to move out of town or transfer from one school to another, please notify the school office in time to prepare the necessary withdrawal or transfer information.
There are times during the school year when parents may have some questions about the classroom procedures, grading policies, scheduled activities, or some specific concern relative to the behavior/treatment of their children. Usually a visit with a classroom teacher will provide the necessary answers or clarification of the situation. In the event that this cannot be accomplished, the following is a guideline to follow in dealing with a concern or grievance:
- Any student or his/her parents or guardian will be provided the opportunity to discuss with the student's teacher a decision or situation which he considers unjust or unfair. Such action should be taken within seven days of the incident or occurrence.
- If the incident remains unresolved, the student or his/her parents or guardian or the teacher may bring the matter to the principals' attention for his/her consideration and action within seven days.
- If the matter is still unresolved after the procedure outlined above, it may be brought to the Superintendent for his consideration within seven days.
- Complaints that remain unresolved following any action of the Superintendent may be referred in writing to the Advisory council for review within seven days.
- Complaints that remain unresolved may be referred in writing to the diocese.
Education field trips are part of the school's program. These will be organized by the teacher in cooperation with chaperones and the approval of the principal. Permission forms for each student are to be signed by the parent or guardian and be on file before the student is allowed to take part in the trip. Parents who provide transportation for trips are to have valid driver's licenses, automobile insurance, and enough seat belts for the number of children being transported. Drivers will also be required to follow the Diocesan Safe Environment regulations for volunteers.
Movies, videos, and other audiovisual materials may be important tools in the educational process. At the same time, the use of movies and videos should be limited so that they are used legally and appropriately in achieving legitimate educational objectives. Therefore, it is the purpose of this policy to promote the appropriate educational use of movies and videos in schools. Therefore, the following guidelines represent advisory council policy regarding how and when movies and videos may be used as an instructional strategy to supplement approved course curriculum. Copyright – With regard to rented or privately owned movies and videos, all district employees must comply with copyright laws and other applicable regulations. The director of instruction will be responsible for providing information regarding regulations.
Educational Relevance of Movies and videos – The showing of movies and videos must be limited to specific educational purposes. The following must be considered before showing a movie or video:
- The age, maturity, and sophistication of the group of students;
- The movie or video's MPAA rating or television parent guideline rating;
- The presence of profanity, sexual content, prejudicial stereotypes, or violence in the movie or video;
- The course curriculum and educational benefit of the movie or video;
- The availability of alternate sources to accomplish educational objectives;
- The feasibility of using a lawfully edited version or specific portions of the movie or video rather than in its entirety without seriously weakening the movie or video's educational value;
- The student, teacher, and community interest in viewing the particular movie or video.
The following ratings and guidelines apply before showing a movie or video:
- A movie or video with a G, TY-Y, or TV-G rating may be shown to any grade (K-12) with teacher discretion.
- A movie or video with a PG, TV-PG, or TV-Y-7 rating may be shown in grades 2-12 with school approval and parent notification.
- A movie or video with a PG-13 or TV-14, R, NC-17, or TV-M rating is prohibited.
Parent Objections: If a parent objects to a student's viewing of an approved movie or video and personally communicates such objection to the teacher or administrator, the teacher shall not allow the student to view the movie or video. The teacher shall provide the student alternate assignments or course work similar to that done by students who view the movie or video.
Nothing in this policy grants parents, students, or school staff the authority to prohibit an approved movie's showing based solely on individual objections. At the same time, educators should be sensitive to individual complaints and take all reasonable steps to resolve complaints equitably in a manner that would allow the child full participation in the curriculum.
The principal will be responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy.
Holy Trinity Catholic School contracts with the Huron Public School Lunch Program to provide well-balanced, nutritional hot lunches for students, staff, and guests. HTCS families will pay a school lunch fee to HTCS with their monthly tuition payment to cover the cost of this program. The school lunch fee covers the cost of school lunch every day of the school year for students.
The school lunch fee will be assessed to every student, even if they choose to bring a sack lunch. Families can still apply for free or reduced lunches. With qualification and a signed disclosure statement, the school lunch fee will be reduced or eliminated for these families. Applications for free or reduced lunch can be picked up in the HTCS school office at registration. The current school lunch fee can be found in Appendix 1.
Parents may choose to supplement their child's school lunch tray. For example, a PBJ sandwich could be sent with your child to be eaten with their regular school lunch tray. Parents may also choose to send an entire sack lunch with their child.
In order to encourage healthy eating habits, supplemental items and sack lunches should include healthy choices including dairy, grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Please do not include fast food, pop, energy drinks, sugary foods, or candy in your child's supplemental items or sack lunches. Sack lunches will not be refrigerated so keep food safety in mind when packing items.
- Dress for both boys and girls must be suitable for classroom-wear. School clothes are expected to be clean, neat and modest. Tennis shoes are required for gym. Parents are urged to send their children to school properly dressed to meet existing weather conditions. Warm boots, warm coats, snow pants, hats, and mittens are needed if the playground is snow covered or if the temperature dips below freezing.
Short shorts, tank tops, and clothing with holes in need of repair are not appropriate for school.
- Coordinated Dress Code on Mass Days and Other Special Day: The objective of the coordinated dress code is to exhibit reverence for the Sacrament of the Eucharist while showing school unity and pride. Students in grades K-6 will be expected to follow the coordinated dress code on Mass days (Wednesdays) and other special days as indicated by the school. A special day could be defined as a Holy Day, field trip, special Mass, or a school wide event.
Pants: Any type of Khaki/Tan dress pants or knee length skirt for girls is allowed as long as the material is not a denim jean or sweatpants. Khaki shorts may be worn on field trips.
Shirts: Any plain white or navy collared shirt (long or short sleeved, polo or button down).
Sweaters: Any plain white or navy sweater will be allowed.
Administration of the Dress Code: Teachers will remind the students a day or two prior to Mass day during the first few months of school. Teachers will also give notice a week in advance for a "special day." The brown envelope will list the special days to notify parents. "Special days" will not be declared excessively.
Consequences: 1st time= warning
2nd time= call home
3rd time = call home and parent brings clothes to school
Preschool and Kindergarten students are not allowed to ride bikes to school.
Students are to walk their bikes on the school ground when arriving and leaving between 8 am and 3:05 pm.Put bikes in the racks provided
The school accepts no responsibility for bicycles brought onto the school property.
No child will be called from class unless it is an emergency. Also, please do not call and ask for a teacher during class time. The office will take a message and have them return the call. Phone calls should not be made by students to make arrangements that could have been made earlier. This is to train the child in responsibility. Cell phones will be turned off during school hours.
Articles are kept in a box for parents and students to check for missing clothing. Periodically all unclaimed items will be taken to the St. Francis shop.
Students are discouraged from bringing money to school other than for school related purposes.
Please help your child develop a sense of responsibility for school property. Instilling in students respect for all public facilities promotes good citizenship. Parents will be held financially responsible for damages to school property incurred by their child. Students will be assessed a fine for lost or damaged books.
3.32 DISCIPLINE (See 3.36 Suspension Policy)
It is important that parents, students, and school staff work together to maintain a positive educational atmosphere. Courtesy, respect, and honesty are expected. As a partner in the child's education, the parent will be a part of the disciplinary process. Each teacher will provide specific behavior expectations. In the case of a severe or chronic problem, the student will be referred to the Principal who will notify the parents and Superintendent for immediate action. The principal may suspend the student for up to 5 days. The student will receive a grade of "0" in all subjects for all days suspended. Longer periods of suspension or recommendation of expulsion are referred to the Advisory council for action.
In an effort to instill Catholic values and promote academic excellence by nurturing mind, body, and soul, we pledge to provide all students with a safe, caring, and peaceful atmosphere which ensures the respect and acceptance of all. HTCS recognizes that bullying and intimidation have a negative effect on school climate. Students who are intimidated and fearful cannot give their education the attention necessary for success. It is the right of every student to receive their education in a safe and positive working environment.
- Definition of bullying: Bullying is a pattern of abuse that involves a student causing harm to another student over an extended period of time. Bullying is characterized by a power imbalance and includes physical intimidation or assault, humiliation, extortion, oral or written threats, teasing, putdowns, name calling, threatening looks, gestures, or actions, cruel remarks, false accusations, social isolation, and cyber-bullying, all of which violate HTCS Policy. Bullying can also lead to more serious violence. A person is being bullied when he or she is exposed repeatedly and over time to negative actions on the part of one or more persons. (Olweus, 1993)
- Bullying is prohibited: The HTCS staff will not tolerate bullying on school grounds or during any activity on or off school grounds.
- Staff intervention: HTCS expects all staff members who observe or become aware of any of the acts referred to in section one to take immediate, appropriate steps to intervene—unless intervention becomes a threat to a staff member's safety. The staff member will report the incident to the school principal so that a determination can be made as to whether this is a pattern and/or has occurred over an extended period of time.
- Students and parents will report bullying: HTCS expects and encourages students and parents who become aware of an act of bullying to report it to the school principal for further investigation. Any student who retaliates against another for reporting bullying may be subject to consequences.
- Investigatory procedures: Upon learning of a bullying incident, the building administrator will interview both students, and thoroughly investigate. This investigation may include interviews with students, staff, and parents, or a phone call to parents; review of school records, and identification of parent and family issues.
- Consequences/Intervention: Age-appropriate consequences for students who bully others will depend upon the results of the investigation and may include a parent conference, detention, counseling, suspension, or expulsion. Depending on the severity of the incident, the principal may also take appropriate steps to ensure student safety. These may include implementing a safety plan, separating and supervising the students involved, providing staff support for students as necessary, developing a supervision plan with parents and reporting incidents to law enforcement if necessary. Consequences will vary dependent on grade level.
- Be Orderly
We will: a. Walk quietly in the hallways.
- Enter and leave building quietly.
- Be Respectful of Self and Others
We will: a. Be cooperative and respectful to all.
- Not use inappropriate language and gestures.
- Receive permission to use other people's property or materials.
- Keep hats off in the building.
- Keep Hands, Feet, and Other Objects to Yourself
We will: a. Walk without hitting overhead doorways.
- Walk along hallways without marking walls or windows.
- Refrain from defacing school property.
- Keep to the right when walking down halls.
- No Bullying
We will: a. Not use intimidating and/or threatening looks, words, or gestures.
- Help others who are being bullied by speaking out and by getting adult help.
- No Insubordination
We will: a. Obey the rules and follow instruction or directions of all adults.
- Not be defiant or rebellious.
- Verbal warning from the adult in charge.
- Conference with the adult in charge about misbehavior.
- Conference with Principal.
- Note sent home to parents about misbehavior from the adult in charge. Must be signed by parent and returned to the adult that sent the note.
- Serious offenses will be dealt with immediately and individually by a team consisting of the student, teacher, principal, and/or parent.
Children should not arrive at school before 7:50 am. When they arrive, students go immediately to their grade level lines and wait for the supervisor to come get them. Supervision will not be provided before 7:50. Students will not be allowed in the building before 7:50 without supervision.
- Proper manners are expected to be used by all students.
- Students may talk in low voice. No shouting.
- Food should remain on your tray.
- No food will be taken from the lunchroom to the playground.
- Students will take their trays and scrape them at the assigned area.
- Students will return to sit at assigned table.
- Students are expected to remain seated until the lunchroom monitor dismisses them.
- Students line up quietly and orderly.
Consequences for school wide rules will be used for misbehavior in the lunchroom.
Preschool through second grade begin dismissal at 3:00. Third through sixth grade begin dismissal at 3:05. People's Transit students are dismissed from the classroom first to walk to the bus. Students who are walking or have rides are dismissed next.
Stand in line.
Follow all school rules.
Basic Rules:
Obey the adult on duty.
Play safely.
Be kind to others.
No shoving or pushing.
Take care of the equipment.
Stay on the assigned area.
Keep away from stray animals.
Come back to class on time.
Equipment Rules:
Basketball: No hanging from hoop.
Playground Balls: Do not intentionally roof balls.
Merry-go-rounds: Both feet on merry-go-round at all times.
Hang on with at least one hand.
No jumping off while merry-go-round is moving.
Swings: No jumping out.
One person to a swing.
Sitting only.
Horizontal ladder: Move in one direction only.
No climbing on top of bars.
Slides: Slide down only (no climbing up slide or on top of tunnel slide).
No rocks on the slide.
Football: No tackle.
Winter Rules: No climbing on snow hills.
No throwing snow.
No sliding on the ice.
- Verbal warning from adult in charge.
- Conference with adult in charge and/or stand by the wall.
- Conference with principal.
- Serious offenses will be dealt with immediately and individually by a team consisting of the student, adult in charge, principal, and/or parent.
When the Huron School District provides busing for Holy Trinity students. Bus safety is an important topic to be considered by your child. Each parent should take precautions to make sure that all children know the rules and regulations designed for safe bus transportation.
It is evident that the school bus driver is a very important person, with a responsible part to play in our educational system. With that statement as a framework, we have adopted the following Rules for School Bus Riders from the Huron School District No. 2-2.
- The driver is in full charge of the students and the bus. The driver's relationship with the students should be on the same level as that of a teacher in the classroom. Bus transportation for students is not entirely a right, but more like a privilege, conditioned upon courteous behavior and obedience to the established rules. The safety of the bus and its passengers demands cooperation from the students. It shall be the duty of the driver to report to the school administrator the names of any students who persist in violating the rules and regulations. It may be necessary to temporarily withhold bus privileges from those students who fail to cooperate accordingly.
- Students shall obey all instructions from the school bus driver and authorized student monitors.
- Students shall occupy the seat assigned to them, if seats are assigned.
- The same courteous conduct as is expected in the classroom is to be observed while on the bus. Ordinary conversation is permitted. Loud and vulgar language is not permitted.
- Students must be on time at the designated bus stops; the bus cannot wait beyond its regular time schedule for tardy students.
- Students must not stand in the traffic lanes while waiting for the bus.
- Students will assist the driver in keeping the interior of the bus clean, sanitary, and in orderly condition. Students are not to throw waste paper or rubbish on the floor or out Of the windows of the bus.
- Students will not open or close the windows without the permission of the bus driver. Students must not, at any time, put hands, arms, or heads out of the bus windows.
- Students must not move about inside the bus or try to get on or off the bus while it is in motion.
- Students will immediately report to the driver any damage occurring to the bus.
- Students are to follow the instructions of the driver when entering or leaving the bus, and when they must cross the road or highway.
- Students must await the signal from the driver to cross a road or highway, then cross promptly. The crossing should be made approximately 10 feet in front of the bus, in full view of the driver.
- Students desiring to leave the bus at other than their designated bus stop must present the driver with a written permission from their parents.
- Students will be courteous to the driver, fellow students, and the general public.
3.36 SUSPENSION (See 3.32 Discipline Policy)
In guiding children's growth in habits of virtue and Christian attitude, it is good to emphasize positive rather than negative behavior. Suspension is an extreme measure and is enforced only when extreme misbehavior is obvious. When disregard of school rules, or misconduct are clear, parents and students must be ready to accept the consequences of the rules governing school discipline. For any severe disruption of class or activity, students will be removed and sent to the Principal's office. The parents will be called and suspension will take place on the following day.
School should be an example of what is required regarding the observance and respect for law in society at large. Schools also must be highly conscious of the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and the public.
State and federal laws, as well as school policy, forbids the bringing of dangerous or illegal weapons to school or school sponsored activities. No dangerous weapons are permitted on any school premises, in any school vehicle or a vehicle used for school purposes, or in any other building or premises used for a school function. Exceptions include weapons under the control of law enforcement or the United States Military, starting guns used for athletic events, gun shows, and authorized supervised school training sessions for the use of firearms.
Any weapon taken from a pupil shall be reported to the pupil's parents. Weapons will be confiscated and reported to law enforcement authorities. Appropriate disciplinary action, legal action, or both, shall be pursued by the building principal. Any student bringing a dangerous weapon to school can be expelled for up to twelve months. The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend to the School Advisory council that this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case basis.
A dangerous weapon is defined as any firearm, air gun, knife, or device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which is calculated or designed to inflict death or serious bodily harm. A "firearm" includes any weapon that is designed to expel a projectile by an explosive action.
Weather permitting, Kindergarten through 3rd grade students are given three recesses each day. Outside recess during cold weather depends upon the temperature and the wind chill factor. Shorter outside recess times are scheduled on very cold days. Students should dress for outside recess.
Unless the weather is extremely severe, all students are expected to be outside at scheduled times. Please have children bring the necessary warm clothing for cold weather. This applies to preschool through sixth grade. We will use our discretion to determine when the children will remain in the building.
All kindergarten through sixth grade students at our school are enrolled in two 30 minute music classes per week. The music program provides opportunities for students to develop music skills and have a better understanding and enjoyment of music. The basic elements of music are presented to students through various experiences involving singing, playing instruments, listening, movement, expression, and music reading.
Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 may choose to participate in our school choir. The choir is under the direction of our school music teacher. They meet twice weekly during the school year. They perform at our school programs, and also at some community events.
Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 may choose to play violin, viola, cello, or bass violin. They are taught by the orchestra instructor from the Huron Public Schools, who services our school weekly to provide private or small group lessons. Our students participate in group rehearsals and concerts with all the other string students in the Huron Schools.
Students in grades 4, 5, and 6th may choose to play any of the band instruments. They are taught by the band director from the Huron Public Schools, who services our school weekly to provide private or small group lessons. Our students participate in group rehearsals and concerts with all the other band students in the Huron Schools.
Recruiting for these three groups takes place in the fall of every year. The only cost is the rental or purchase of choir shirts, orchestra, or band instruments.
Physical education is taught to each class K-6, for two thirty minute periods each week. The instructor works to develop individual skills and positive personal attitudes which will enable students to participate in physical activities in the future.
All students will attend their scheduled PE class on a regular basis and a written excuse must be presented if a student is to be excused from participation because of illness or injury. To prevent injury all students must wear appropriate athletic shoes and will not be allowed to participate in PE class if they have forgotten.
Holy Trinity Catholic School offers, through the Ruth Ann Bruns Library the opportunity to check out books, reference materials. Students in Kindergarten – 6th grade are able to check-out books or may renew them. Students are given overdue notices when books are not returned by their due date. Final report cards are not sent home unless books are returned or their replacement cost is paid.
The following special education programs/services are currently provided to Holy Trinity School by the Huron School District:
**Language, Speech and Hearing Services
**Learning Lab Program
**Title I Program
In the event that Holy Trinity Catholic School is evacuated, students will be taken to Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Faculty and students have been prepared for fire and severe storm emergencies. In the event that further evacuation is required, students will be taken to Carr Chiropractic Clinic.
In the event that we need to evacuate the building due to a fire the following plan will be used:
- The teacher shall instruct the students on the procedure to leave the room in single file and quietly. Students shall walk outside and gather on the south side of the parking lot away from the school.
- After the students are outside they should line up alphabetically and the teacher will account for all students by using a class roster.
- The principal shall make sure the building is clear and all students and staff are accounted for.
- The following exits will be used:
- South School Door: Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Computer, Library, Speech, and Title
- South CCE Door: Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth
- Main School Door: Multi-Purpose Room, School Office
- West New Edition Door: Music
- If students are on the playground when the alarm sounds, the teacher should gather all students and walk them around the West side of the Church to join the rest of the students.
- Fire drills will be performed twice per semester.
In the event of a tornado the following plan shall be followed:
- The teacher shall instruct the students on the procedure to leave the room in single file and quietly.
- The teacher will account for all students once the class is assembled in their assigned location.
- The designated area for the school wing is the hallway between the fire doors and the computer lab.
- Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First, and Second will use the computer lab
- Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth will be in the hallway.
- Music and Multi-purpose room will use the west bathrooms.
- Tornado drills are done once a semester.
- Safety Management Plan and Crisis Management Guidelines can be found in each classroom, the school office, and the parish office.
Holy Trinity Catholic School could not be an excellent school or offer superior education without parental involvement, volunteer services and donations. If parents/ friends feel you can help out in some capacity, please talk to a classroom teacher, or call the school office. Involvement will also give the parents a knowledge and understanding of what is happening in their school. All visitors/volunteers must sign in and out in the school office. Please do not interrupt teachers while with their students. Volunteers must meet the Safe Environment regulations set forth by the diocese.
- Volunteer Service Program
Because volunteers are vital to the success of our school, each K-6 family attending Holy Trinity Catholic School is required to donate their time and talent for a minimum of 10 hours per year. Families that have only Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten children attending HTCS are encouraged to be involved as volunteers.
Any time that is spent in service to Holy Trinity Catholic School counts toward the required 10 hours of service time. Some examples of service include, but are not limited to working in support of the Development Committee or Family School Organization, driving for field trips, helping in the classroom, office, or lunchroom, and all other activities that help support our school. A list of Service Opportunities will be sent home periodically throughout the year or posted on our website.
After completing service time, parents are to complete a Service Time Card and turn it into the HTCS office. All Service Time Cards need to be turned into the HTCS Office to be credited to the family's account. Service Time Cards will be sent home in the brown envelope at the beginning of each semester and can also be found in the school office.
Volunteer hours will be tracked from April 16th – April 15th. A notice of the number of hours contributed will be sent out to each family in the second semester. This will be done so families have an opportunity to complete their service hours before April 15th of that year.
Holy Trinity Catholic School feels very strongly that our parents' time and talents are more valuable than money; but parents are given the option of choosing to pay $300 instead of the 10 volunteer hours. If a family has not completed their required 10 hours of service by April 15th, the $300.00 will be charged on their May tuition statement.
Holy Trinity Catholic School is generous in lending Audio Visual and other equipment to Parish organizations. It is to be understood that any damage resulting from the lending of this equipment will be the responsibility of the borrower. It is further understood that the borrowed equipment will be returned ASAP when no longer needed, and will be returned in the same condition as when it was borrowed. All equipment use must be cleared through the school office.
3.46 AHERA Notification
In compliance with the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule, the architect responsible for the construction of Holy Trinity Catholic School, has stated that, to the best of his or her knowledge, no asbestos-containing building material was used as in the construction of the Holy Trinity Catholic School building. An Asbestos Management Plan has been developed for Holy Trinity Catholic School and the activities required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 40 CFR Part 763.93 have been fulfilled. A copy of the HTCS Asbestos Management Plan document is currently available for review during regular business hours at the HTCS school office. This document is available for examination upon request.
Electronic readers, simply called "e-Readers", are digital devices that can store books, periodicals, magazines, and other electronic media. HTCS is providing the opportunity for students to use these devices in accordance with our e-Reader Acceptable Use Policy. This opportunity is a privilege that requires extra caution and responsibility both on the part of the students and their parents.
The wide variety of capabilities of available e-Readers makes them challenging to monitor and control in a school environment. The following e-Reader Acceptable Use Policy is specific and clear. A student who violates any portion of the e-Reader Acceptable Use Policy may immediately lose the privilege to use their e-Reader at school.
- All e-Readers must be registered with the school office and accompanied by the Acceptable Use Agreement Form signed both by the parents and the student. The e-Reader Acceptable Use Agreement can be requested in the HTCS school office.
- e-Readers are to be used only for the reading of school approved material (books, etc.) and not for other purposes such as communication, entertainment, music, gaming, etc.
- All material on the e-Reader must comply with the spirit and policies of HTCS. Please refer to the HTCS Policy Handbook for more details.
- All e-Readers must have cellular, network, and wireless capabilities disabled (turned off) while the device is at school.
- e-Readers must be used at appropriate times in accordance with teacher instructions. The e-Reader must not be a distraction for the student or those around him/her nor be a source of any classroom disruption.
- e-Readers are not to be used during lunch or playground/recess time.
- The student is responsible for knowing how to properly and effectively use their e-Readers. Teachers will not provide technical support.
Computers are a valuable tool for education and one of Holy Trinity Catholic School's purposes is to encourage the proper use of computer related technology, including the Internet. Students and all users of computer technology have a responsibility to use these tools properly and in accordance with the policy set forth below:
- to provide a variety of electronic tools to help students and teachers develop the ability to evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources and enable them to work effectively with various computer/communications technology
- to encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills, which will be needed in this increasing electronic and global society.
With the right of access comes the responsibility to use the source both correctly and wisely. Access to the Internet may mean that some material found will not meet guidelines set in our Acceptable Use Policy. Monitoring and controlling all such materials is impossible. Holy Trinity Catholic School will make every effort to discourage the appearance of such material; however, the opportunities and information made available by the Internet make it necessary to provide access in order that our students can take advantage of the many resources on the information superhighway.
- All users are required to take simple Internet training from the computer coordinator or his/her designee.
- All users and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign a student access contract governing use of computer resources, which is provided by Holy Trinity Catholic School and set forth below.
- Only students issued passes or permission and have completed training may use Holy Trinity Catholic School's computers to access the Internet.
- Use of stations is limited to those who have a clear need for research, with a teacher assignment to back it up. Use will be limited, if necessary.
- Transferring copyrighted material to or from Holy Trinity Catholic School without express permission of the owner may be a violation of federal law. The user must insure that this does not incur.
- Use of electronic mail and other Internet facilities to harass, offend, or annoy other users is forbidden.
- E-mail accounts through Holy Trinity Catholic School may be restricted and/or monitored.
- Any attempt to circumvent system security, guess passwords, or in any way gain access to secured resources is forbidden.
- Use of the Internet for commercial gain or profit is not allowed from an educational site.
- Users will not move, repair, reconfigure, modify or attach external devices, or load software on the system without the express, prior written consent of Holy Trinity Catholic School.
- The system operator has the right to monitor all computer activity without prior notice to the user.
- Holy Trinity Catholic School may impose additional rules and restrictions at any time.
Violations of these rules will be handled by the computer education coordinator and Holy Trinity Catholic School administration.
- For reasons of personal safety, students must never post or transmit personal information about themselves or other people. This includes name, address, telephone/fax number, school address, social security number, etc.
- Students must not access material that is profane or obscene (e.g., pornography) or that advocates illegal acts, violence, harassment or discrimination toward other people.
- Students must not plagiarize works they find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of another and presenting them as if they were one's own.
- Students must not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude or threatening language. Nor will they, through means of the Internet, harass or annoy other users.
- Students must not knowingly or recklessly post or transmit information about persons or organizations that is false or private.
- Students must not make deliberate attempts to disrupt computer systems or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by other means. These actions are illegal.
- The illegal downloading of copyrighted software or other written works for use on home or School computers is prohibited.
Violations of any of these rules may result in any or all of the following at the discretion of Holy Trinity Catholic School administration:
- Loss of Internet access privileges
- Disciplinary and/or legal action by the school, law enforcement or other involved parties.
STUDENT ACCESS CONTRACT – This contract is to be signed annually by parents at fall registration.
I understand that when I am using the Internet or any other computer/ telecommunication device, I must adhere to all rules of courtesy, etiquette and laws regarding the copying or use of information as prescribed by either Federal, State or local laws, the Diocese of Sioux Falls or Holy Trinity Catholic School). I have read Holy Trinity Catholic School Acceptable Use Policy and discussed it with my parent/guardian. I understand and agree that Holy Trinity Catholic School may monitor my use of computer resources; including without limitation e-mail and Internet activity and that my violation of Holy Trinity Catholic School policy is grounds for punishment.
Parents and Guardians: You must review Holy Trinity Catholic School's Acceptable Use Policy with your child(ren).
I hereby release Holy Trinity Catholic School, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, and the Diocese of Sioux Falls, its personnel and all other institutions with which they may be affiliated, from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from my child's use of or inability to use the computer resources of Holy Trinity Catholic School, including without limitation Internet access, including but not limited to claims that may arise from the unauthorized use of such resources to purchase products or services.
I have reviewed the Acceptable Use Policy with my child(ren). I will instruct my child regarding compliance with the Policy as well as any additional restrictions that I may impose.
As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy. I hereby give permission for my child to use Holy Trinity Catholic School's computer resources and Internet access. I understand that my child has agreed not to access inappropriate material on the Internet. I also understand and agree that Holy Trinity Catholic School may monitor my child's use of computer resources, including without limitation e-mail and Internet activity and that violation of Holy Trinity Catholic School policy is grounds for punishment.
Appendix 1
Monthly payments based on 10 month payment plan.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday $520.00/year
$52.00/month (Aug-May)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday $670.00/year
$67.00/month (Aug-May)
**A non-refundable book fee of $25.00 will be due at the time of registration in order to reserve a place for your child in preschool.
Kindergarten through Grade 6
Catholic $1700 or $170.00/month
Non Catholic $1950 or $195.00/month
**A nonrefundable Book Fee of $57.00 will be due for 1st – 6th grade registration but if paid by April 30th the fee will be $42.00.
**A nonrefundable deposit of $100.00 will be due for Kindergarten registration. This deposit will be applied to the $57.00 book fee and first month's tuition.
Appendix 2
(For Non-Employees)
Appendix 3
Holy Trinity Catholic School Communicable Disease
School Admission Form
I, ______________________________certify that ____________________________(student) has been treated for ____________________________________ (communicable disease) and is eligible to return to Holy Trinity Catholic School.
___________________________________ ______________________________
Signature Title
Appendix 4
South Dakota law (SDCL 13-28-7.1) requires students entering school or early childhood programs to present certification that they have been adequately immunized, according to the recommendations of the Department of Health. The law applies to all children entering school for the first time, including transfer students. Minimum immunization requirements are defined as:
1) At least 4 doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis containing vaccine, at least 1 dose on or after 4th birthday. Children who are 7 years of age or older should receive adult-type-Td vaccine.
2) 3 or more doses of poliovirus vaccine, at least 1 dose on or after age 4; or 4 or more doses of any combination of OPV/IPV given by 4 years of age.
3) At least 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccine separated by at least 28 days, on or after 1st birthday. 2nd dose usually given as a measles/mumps/rubella vaccination. Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae B recommended at this time, but not required.
4) At least 2 doses of a rubella-containing vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, on or after 1st birthday.
5) At least 2 doses of a mumps-containing vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, on or after 1st birthday.
6) Effective August 2007, two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine administered after the age of 12 months, or history of disease. Parental history is acceptable, and physician documentation is not necessary.
Contact the South Dakota Department of Health, Immunization Program, at 1-800-592-1861 (in SD only), or email with your questions. (Complete schedule of recommended childhood immunizations – use ADOBE to view this file from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.