PARENT AND STUDENT HANDBOOKS

This page contains only a handful of the school policies, rules and regulations.

Students in Grades K-8 will be receiving school folders with the Student Handbook printed on them during the first week of school. This will explain various policies and procedures, as they relate to our students, as well as pertinent bits of information. Students should read the contents carefully since they will be held accountable for the rules contained therein. You will also receive a current Parent Handbook on the first day of school. This contains important policies, procedures, rules and regulations of St. Monica Elementary School. Please read this handbook carefully and keep it in a safe place for easy reference. Students and parents will be asked to sign a statement indicating that they have read the information contained in the Parent and Student folders/handbooks.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF SCHOOL POLICIES

First of all, the Parent Handbook should really be considered a Parent/Student Handbook. Even though students have their own handbook in their blue school folders, there is also a lot of student information contained in the Parent Handbook which both parents and students should be aware of. Here are a few highlights of the current Parent Handbook which show changes from handbooks in the past:

• Promoting a healthier lifestyle: Our elementary school now places more emphasis on educating parents and students about good nutrition. You will see information and research in our weekly newsletters about ways to prevent childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. We will also expect students to be involved in physical exercise, games, and activity at recess and lunch, since this also plays a vital role in prevention.
  
  
• Promoting internet awareness: Another goal is to educate students and parents about the dangers involved in internet use. Students will be held accountable for acceptable practices, including posting information on websites. email, and instant messages. This accountability extends to internet activity outside of school, especially when this activity reflects badly upon the school, or upon the reputation of the school.
  
  
• Schoolwide Learning Expectations: Now that our Schoolwide Learning Expectations are in place, it is expected that students will demonstrate them in word and deed. This expectation will be included on the report cards for students in Grades 4-8. Failure to demonstrate Schoolwide Learning Expectations. especially those related to "Confident Students" and "Socially Integrated Students" will result in a check indicating "needs improvement." Students who have a check in this regard will forfeit eligibility for Honor Roll status and CYO sports participation.
  
  
• Boys' hair requirements - Our elementary school, as several others on the westside, will more clearly define this requirement. The following will be added, "Boys' hairstyles must be neat. Fad or extreme hair cuts are not permitted. Hair may not extend below eyebrows, over the ears, and may not touch the collar of the shirt. Students who come to school with an unacceptable style Will be given a uniform/appearance deficiency form. If there is no compliance, within a reasonable period, an in-school suspension will result. The administration reserves the right to determine what is acceptable in this regard."
  
  
• Backpacks for primary grades - Students in Grades K-2 should have backpacks without wheels and plastic luggage handles. The wheeled backpacks are too difficult for young children to maneuver on the stairs. Teachers prefer that students carry traditional backpacks in these grades.

SACK LUNCHES

We encourage all of our elementary school students to bring a sack lunch to school. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD'S NAME IS MARKED ON HIS/HER LUNCHBOX OR BAG.

TELEPHONE USE BY STUDENTS
Use of the school business phones or pay phones by students WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. School personnel will place calls as necessary.

APPOINTMENTS
Early dismissal of a child from class for doctor's appointments or any other reason must be preceded by a phone call or a note from a parent. A doctor's excuse should be turned in to the school office when the student returns to school.

ABSENTEES
Parents must phone the school office in the morning by 8:30 a.m. to report a child's absence. A note must be sent with the child on his/her return, or the absence is regarded as unexcused

TARDIES
Students are tardy at the 8:00 a.m. bell. Late entry into class necessitates a note from the parent. All tardies MUST report to the office to get a late pass to go to class. Chronic tardiness will result in stern penalties. Please see the Parent Handbook for details.

SPORTS PROGRAM
We will again be charging a sports fee for all students who will be participating in any sports activities after school. Students will be charged a $100 participation fee per sport. Team players will be issued uniforms at the beginning of the sport season. Team members will be required to sign a contract, agreeing to maintain the uniform with reasonable care throughout the season, and to return it at the end of the season in the condition they received it prior to the season's opening game.

HOMEWORK NOTEBOOKS
Homework notebooks will be provided for students in Grades 3-8. Students are responsible to keep these notebooks in good condition throughout the school year and to record homework assignments and test dates faithfully each day. We encourage parents to check and sign these assignment books nightly.

FIELD TRIPS
Students will be requested to pay for bus transportation for any field trips which their classes may go on during the school year. Parents will be advised in advance of this transportation cost.

INVITATIONS
Invitations may only be given out at school if the entire class or all the boys or all the girls are being invited to a birthday (or other) celebration. If a select few are invited, invitations must be mailed to avoid hurt feelings.

NO CHEWING GUM
Please remind our students that chewing gum of any kind is not permitted on the school grounts at all. this year there will be a $1 fine per occurrence for the offense.

SCRIP REQUIREMENT
Each one child Each one child family is required to purchase a minimum of $350 per month and multiple child families are required to purchase $400 per month (10 months) in scrip from a variety of supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, gas stations, speciality stores, etc. Families who are unable or unwilling to do so will be required to pay $35 per month (one child) or $40 per month (multiple child) (checks to St. Monica PTC). Scrip is used as cash at the register and you receive full value for your dollar. Scrip is available after the Sunday morning Masses and will be available in the school office starting with the first day of school.

An important reminder about E Scrip: Because of the minimal return to the school, E Scrip purchases (including some grocery stores) will be limited to $1500 of your total Scrip requirement.

More on Scrip >>

Uniform Information

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS - BOYS (FULL DRESS)

• Pants, navy blue cord or twill
  
  
• Shirts, short sleeved, pointed collar or button down oxford.
  
  
• Sweatshirt, navy blue with school logo
  
  
• PLAIN WHITE T-SHIRTS ONLY TO BE WORN UNDER THE SHIRT

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS - GIRLS (FULL DRESS)

• Blue-black plaid front-zip jumper (K-4) Blue-black plaid skirt (5-8)
  
  
• Blouses, short sleeve, white pointed collar or button down oxford.
  
  
• Sweatshirt, navy blue with school logo
  
  
• PLAIN WHITE T-SHIRT ONLY TO BE WORN UNDER THE BLOUSE
  
  
• Optional navy twill pleated slacks

SHOES AND SOCKS (BOYS AND GIRLS)

• Shoes, oxford type or sport shoe or tennis shoe in royal blue, navy blue, white, gray, or black. (Please note that shoes with flickering lights or wheels are not permitted).
  
  
• Socks, white, navy blue, or light blue. Girls may wear white or navy blue tights.

P.E. UNIFORM (ALSO WARM WEATHER)

• White or gray cotton polo shirt with school logo
  
  
• Navy cotton twill walking shorts - these must be walking shorts. Short shorts or rolled shorts are not acceptable.
  
  
• Last year's Jog-a-Thon t-shirt (P.E. days only)

OPTIONAL P.E. SWEATS

• Navy blue sweatshirt with school logo
  
  
• Navy blue sweatpants
  
  
• White or gray cotton polo shirt with school logo This optional P.E. sweatsuit may only be worn on scheduled P.E. days.

OTHER OPTIONAL UNIFORM ITEMS

• Navy blue cotton crewneck sweater (K-8)
  
  
• Navy blue V-neck sweater (K-8)
  
  
• The polo shirt may also be worn with full length dress pants except on full uniform days.

SCHOOL JACKETS

School jackets only are permitted for outerwear (except on rainy days)

ADDITIONAL UNIFORM INFORMATION

Students are expected to be in dress code at all times during the school day. A proper look is as important as the letter or the rule. Please read the following carefully:

• Only school jackets, school sweatshirts, and sweaters as outerwear will be permitted to be worn to school.
  
  
• Only white shoelaces are permitted on shoes.
  
  
• NO jewelry of any kind is acceptable, except stud earrings for the girls, watches, and a cross on a chain.
  
  
• Fad hairdos and bleached or dyed hair are not appropriate at school.
  
  
• Make-up and nail polish are prohibited.
  
  
• Headbands or ribbons must be in accordance with school colors.
  
  
• Both boys and girls will be required to tuck in their blouses and shirts at school. Boys and girls should wear belts with uniform pants.
  
  
• All clothing should fit properly. No over-sized clothing at all.
  
  
• No raggedy or "hole-y" sweatpants will be allowed.

Please see school handbooks for more complete information.

Many retail stores (J.C. Penney, Sears, Target, etc.) carry uniform items. You may buy the following items at any of these stores:

• White classic collar blouses (girls)
  
  
• White cotton shirts (boys)
  
  
• Navy blue pants and slacks (boys & girls)
  
  
• Navy blue walking shorts (boys & girls)
  
  
• Navy blue sweatpants (boys & girls)

The following items must be purchased from either Michael's, Campus Uniforms, or Lands End:

• Navy blue sweatshirts with school logo.
  
  
• White or gray knit polo shirts with school logo (Only Michael's carries the gray shirts)
  
  
• Girls' jumpers and skirts (Michael's only)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD'S NAME IS MARKED ON ALL CLOTHING ITEMS

Highlights Sack Lunches Telephone Use by Students Appointments Absentees Tardies Sports Program Homework Notebooks Field Trips Invitations No Chewing Gum Scrip Uniforms