ST. BRENDAN SCHOOL

154 E 1ST Street. Clifton, NJ 07011

Phone: (973) 772 - 1149
Fax: (973) 772 – 5547

“CREATING HEARTS TO LOVE AND HANDS TO SERVE”

FAMILY HANDBOOK 2016-2017

Table of Contents

Principal’s letter…………………………………………………………………………………..2

Brief History of St. Brendan School…………. …………………………………………………..3

Mission Statement / Philosophy…………………………………………………………………..4

Purpose of the Handbook /Amendments.………………………………………………..……….4

General Procedures………………………………….…………………………………………….5

Attendance………………………………………………..……………………………………...11

Academics ……..……………………………………..…………………………………………13

Dress Code……………………………………………………………………….………………17

Safety Procedures………………………………………………………………………………...19

Student Discipline…………………………………………… …………………….……………21

Student Life……………………………………………………………………….……………...26

Tuition and Payments……………………………………… …………………….……………..28

Photo Release Form

Parent/Student Agreement Form

Principal’s Letter

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Jesus in the Gospel of Mark says,

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children, welcomes Me.” (Mark 9:37)

Welcome to St. Brendan School! We are a Catholic school CREATING a better society since 1946. We are an educational community that dedicates our energies and resources to our children in a safe, child-centered environment. With blessings from God, we are dedicated to Catholic values by developing each child’s faith formation and academic potential.

This is the FAMILY HANDBOOK for the 2016-2017 school year. We ask that you review the Handbook together as a family. It is important to note that all the Rules and Regulations/Policies and Procedures will be implemented to ensure the optimal academic and safety components of each child’s educational experience. We strive to teach children the value of adhering to rules and accepting consequences for infractions. It is important that you support us in these efforts; especially making sure your child arrives on time. Discipline policies, and contract for same, are included. After reading and discussing the Handbook with your child, please sign and return the slip to your homeroom teacher no later than Friday, September 16th, 2016. Students are not validly enrolled in our school community without a signed Handbook form on file in the Main Office. Your full cooperation is greatly appreciated.

In Christ,

Fr. Jhon Madrid

Principal

A Brief History of St. Brendan School

The year was 1946, Father Louis had purchased the land on the corner ofLakeview Avenueand two army barracks had been purchased and reconditioned for use as a Church. Planning for a school was foremost in the mind of Monsignor Louis, despite the lack of funds or a suitable building. His determination to provide for the education of the youth for Saint Brendan's Parish led to the purchase of a dwelling at425 Trenton Avenueand the job of converting the building into a combination convent/school began.

On September 9, 1946, St. Brendan's School began with a total enrollment of 72 children under the administration of our first principal, Sister Mary Denise and her faculty of three; SisterConstance Mary, Sister Margaret Agnes and Sister Margaret William. Enrollment increased and each year a new grade was added necessitating additional faculty and space. Renovation at425 Trenton Aveand a second house at360KnickerbockerAvebecame "make shift" quarters.It became evident that a real school building was needed.

Plans were drawn and the red brick building housing eight classrooms, a kindergarten, library, offices and a temporary church facility was erected and ready for the opening of school in September 1949. A total of 194 students were enrolled with a faculty of five Sisters of Charity; Sisters Mary Denise; Principal and teacher of grades 4 and 5, AliceRosarii(grade 6), Mary Robert (grade 3), Constance Mary (grade 2), and Margaret William (grade 1). Kindergarten was taught by the one lay teacher, Ms. RitaMerner.

The 1946 to 1956 enrollment increased steadily from 72 to 702 children and by 1966 the number of students had reached an all-time high of 745. The addition or annex had been erected in 1953 to accommodate both the increasing need for classrooms and attendance atSundayMass.

The all-time high enrollment of 745 gradually decreased due to many factors; educational, cultural, social and financial which impacted all Catholic schools across the nation. By 1971, just five years later, the drop in students attending St. Brendan was a noticeable 533, but two classes of each grade were retained with the average class size at 35 students. By 1973, the class size and decrease in Sisters of Charity available to staff the school greatly increased the financial burden on the parish.Tuition had been increasing steadily by this time placing a heavier financial burden on the families.In September of 1983, the enrollment had declined to 271 with single grades throughout the school, with the exception of the second grade which remained a double class. The faculty consisted of only 3 Sisters of Charity and 9 lay teachers.

By 1990, the only Sister of Charity on staff was the Principal. Class sizes were purposely kept small; 25 - 30 to meet the changing educational scene with 12 lay teachers. In 1993 the enrollment was 295 with Sister Anne Donnelly, administrator, 13 full time lay faculty, 3 part-time teachers, a full timesecretary,1 part time teacher aide and 1 part time office assistant. A pre-K class for 3 1/2 to 4 year old was added to the school in 1987. A total of 30 wee ones added a joyful group of eager learners to the school.

St.BrendanSchoolis accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission guaranteeing ongoing self-evaluation and yearly reporting required by both our Diocesan School Office and the AdvancED Accreditation Commission.Facing the challenges of the new century, St. BrendanSchoolcontinues to provide quality education in an environment permeated with Catholic Christian values. Our dedicated Christianfaculty supported by our pastoral staff and with strong parental participation makepossible this reality.

As one can see, St. Brendan School has helped its students to meet the demands and challenges of our society for decades. Our students have become teachers, lawyers and doctors as well as politicians, artists, and dedicated parents. In 2016-2017, we are looking forward to going forth and helping to CREATE a better and more peaceful world.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide a spiritual environment in which our students can learn with confidence and dignity while they strive to reach their highest potential. The enduring purpose of our mission is to advance and promote an educational standard that enables students to attain the skills necessary to become responsible citizens.

Philosophy

We, the community of St. Brendan School, are committed to the Catholic education of our children. We strive to provide a comprehensive education of experience that develops the spiritual awareness, intellectual talents, personal responsibility and social consciousness of each child. We endeavor to foster the values of servant leadership in our staff and students and are dedicated to educating the mind, heart and spirit of each child with a deep appreciation of the uniqueness of each person as a child of God.

Purpose of the Family Handbook

The Handbook exists to foster the efficient operation of St. Brendan School. To meet this objective, the administration is given flexibility and the authority to exercise discretion. In appropriate circumstances, the Principal has the discretion to take actions other than those specified in this Handbook. This Handbook is not intended and should not be considered to create any additional rights for students, parents or guardians.

Amendments to the Handbook

St. Brendan School reserves the right to amend any provisions in the Parent/Student Handbook at any time should the Administration determine it is necessary to do so. This includes provisions relating to discipline and conduct.

Goals and Objectives

Each student completing Grade 8 will demonstrate:

  • A respect for the teachings of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church
  • The ability to read, write and compute in a high school program
  • Basic knowledge and thinking skills in the academic disciplines
  • The skills and attitudes necessary for positive contribution in a democratic society
  • Thinking and problem-solving abilities in real life situations
  • A sense of respect for their own physical and mental well-being, emotional sensitivity, and those same characteristics in others
  • An appreciation for skills necessary for success in the workplace
  • The ability to collaborate with peoples of diverse cultures and lifestyles
  1. GENERAL PROCEDURES

Non-Discriminatory Admission Policy

St. Brendan School admits students of any race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin, or gender to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students in the school.

St. Brendan School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or disability in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Although we accept students from all religions, we require that every student take part in all religious or formal ceremonies and events in a respectful and participatory manner. These include, but are not limited to, the following: morning prayer, lunch prayer, afternoon prayer, Masses, holy days of obligation as well as any special prayer services.

Registration Procedures

Registration for all students already in our school, as well as all new students, will take place duringCatholic Schools Week.At this time all financial responsibilities will be explained and parents of students already in St.Brendan School must have met all financial obligations for the previous year.The specific date for this will be included in the calendar. Tuition is collected bySMART TUITION.

  • If you are registering your child for Pre-K 3, the child must be three years of age by October 1, 2016
  • If you are registering your child for Pre-K 4, the child must be four years of age by October 1, 2016
  • If you are registering your child for Kindergarten, the child must be fiveyears of age by October 1, 2016

There are no exceptions made for registering students.

Please, bring the following documents when you register your child:

  1. A birth certificate is required for all students
  2. A baptismal certificate is required for all Catholic children.
  3. Health records with immunization dates must be provided.
  4. For new students there is a non-refundable registration fee of $240.00 required at the time of registration.For returning or transfer students, there is non-refundable registration fee of $210.00 required at the time of registration.
  5. There is an Academic Fee $100.00 per child in Grades K-8

Morning Drop-Off

Students should be dropped off at the entrance located on East 1st Street starting at 7:50 a.m. Prior to this time, the parking lot is not supervised, and St. Brendan School will NOT assume responsibility for any student left unattended. A Before Care program is available for early arrivals, which is held in the gym.

Students attending Before Care should enter the building through the main entrance by East 1st Street. There will be a nominal fee charged per day for these students.

When dropping off your students, enter the main gate on East 1st Street. Follow cones straight through the parking lot, drop students off on the right side of the car, and exit on Lakeview Avenue. Drivers should remain in their cars; there is no parking on this street during the morning drop-off process. The Safety Patrol will help students who need assistance.The first bell rings at 8:00 a.m. for the students to gather at the gym and start the day with prayer and the pledge of allegiance. This is not the time for parents to approach teachers, as they must attend to their classes. Staff members will supervise the doors on the East 1st Street until 8:15am. At this time, the doors will be locked and students who arrive late MUST enter via the main doors at the parking lot and check-in at the Main Office.

Dismissal

Dismissal times are staggered to reduce congestion in the parking lots: It has been decided that inthe morning parents are to drive into thelarge parking lot by way ofLakeview Avenue, drop children off nearthe gate at East First Street and leave again by way of Lakeview Avenue.You may drop off your childby the yellow curb on EastFirst Street inthe morning.You may not get out ofyour car, this is a drop off location.

At 3 p.m. parents of children in grades 4 - 8 are to park in the parking lotand wait for childrenon the parking lot side ofEast First Street.When driving on Lakeview Avenue between7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., you may not turnonto East First Street to go pastthe school.At no time are you permitted to drive into the parking area next to the school or the parking area behind theschool or outsideof the gatebehind the school.This parking areais reserved forstaff and faculty only.Pleasenote this carefully.It presents a verydangerous situation to your children.Please do not drop your childrenoff or pick them upat the Crooks Avenue gate.Such is a safety hazard also.Parents are requested to influence and encourage safe crossing of streets, instructing children to cross publicstreets only at cross walks and/or where Safety Patrols and PoliceGuards are assigned. Parents of children who consistently walk to and from school will have to submit a form to the school office. Walkers will be dismissed from the gym door.

The main office and/or teacher must be notified by a written note or email when giving permission for someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up a student. Phone calls will not suffice in these case.

Before Care and After Care

The Before/After School Program is a FULL YEAR PROGRAM. When you complete an application for this service, you are enrolling your child for the entire year regardless of the number of days your child attends. If you want to be enrolled in this program, you must sign up using the Enrollment Agreement.

Morning Care will be available from 7:00 a.m. until 7:50 a.m. Any child arriving before 7:50 a.m. will be escorted to Before Care and charged accordingly. The use of After Care is for working parents and in the case of an emergency. It is not to be used for play dates.After Care hours are from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Non-Custodial Parents

In the event that there are restrictions for a parent of a child due to divorce, court orders, restraining orders, etc., a copy of the agreement must be submitted to St. Brendan School so that the school may act in a manner that best serves the student. Any and all restrictions must be given to the Main Office in writing from an official authority.

Trespassing

Trespassing will not be tolerated at St. Brendan School. For the maximum safety and protection of all of our students and staff, loitering by any persons in the main reception hallway is strictly prohibited at any time.

Safety is of utmost importance. Care and concern for each other are hallmarks of St. Brendan School. To further ensure the safety and protection of our children, all VISITORS to the school or school grounds must first report to the Reception Desk to receive a Visitor Pass before going to any other part of the building. The school secretary or receptionist will deliver messages for students. When the school day begins, the school accepts its responsibility for the safety and care of the students. Therefore, the school will supervise all interactions between visitors and students. No one may re-enter the building once the school day has ended to get forgotten items (i.e., homework, books, lunch boxes, jackets). No one is permitted to open any door for a parent or visitor. All parents and visitors must enter through the Main Office. When a PreK to grade 5 child comes to school late, someone from the Main Office will escort the child to his or her classroom.

Transfer Procedures

Parents of students transferring out of St. Brendan are to notify the Administrative Assistant in advance of the date of transfer and present the following information:

  • Name and grade of child
  • Age of child
  • Reason for transfer
  • New address, if transfer is due to change of residence
  • Name and address - including ZIP code - of the school the child will attend
  • Last date the child will attend this school

Upon receipt of the above information, the school’s Administrative Assistant will mail out the transfer, transcript of scholastic record and standardized test results, and the original health record to the school provided that all texts and library books have been returned to the school and all tuition and fee payments have been completed.

For students transferring into St. Brendan for Grades K through 8 will be processed according to the preceding guidelines if the reason for transfer is due to a change of address. Requests for admission for reasons other than a change of address will be processed by the Administration contingent upon a satisfactory explanation for requesting admission and a successful completion of the admission test. Furthermore, new students must be proficient on standardized achievement tests in Reading, Math and English at their previous school.