St. Bridget School
Cheshire, CT
Parent/Student Handbook
2017-2018
St. Bridget School is accredited by the
New England Association
of Schools and Colleges
Parent/Student Handbook
INTRODUCTION
MISSION STATEMENT i
VISION STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD ii
VISION STATEMENT OF ST. BRIDGET SCHOOL ii
Part I GENERAL INFORMATION
HISTORY / 1OUR PATRON SAINT - St. Bridget / 2
ACCREDITATION / 3
COMMUNICATION / 3
SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY / 3
BUILDING SECURITY / 3
SAFETY PLAN / 4
LOCKERS / 4
LOST & FOUND / 4
SCHOOL PROPERTY / 4
STUDENT SAFETY / 5
VISITORS / 5
VOLUNTEERS / 5
SCHOOL HOURS / 5
OFFICE HOURS / 6
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NOTES / 7
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE / 7
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES / 8
DISMISSAL FOR RIDERS / 8
RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER DISMISSAL / 8
DISMISSAL FOR BUS STUDENTS / 8
BUS SAFETY AND CONDUCT / 9
Part II / STUDENT INFORMATION
ADMISSIONS / 10
TRANSFER STUDENTS / 11
WITHDRAWALS / 11
CHANGE OF INFORMATION / 11
CHILD CUSTODY / 11
ACADEMIC RECORDS / 11
ATTENDANCE / 12
SIGN-OUTS / 12
TRUANCY / 13
LUNCH / 13
RECESS / 13
DRESS CODE / 14-16
SCHOOL SHOES / 16
PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS / 16
SPECIAL DAYS / (spirit wear, sport game, scouting days) 16
GROOMING / 17
DRESS DOWN AND PLAY DAYS / 16
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Parent/Student HandbookBOOKS / 17
SCHOOL SUPPLIES / 17
FIELD TRIPS / 18
RELIGION PROGRAMS, SACRAMENTS & SCHOOL MASSES / 18
STUDENT MINISTRY / 18
ATHLETICS / EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES / 19
CELL PHONES / 19
BIRTHDAYS / 19
PHOTOS/PUBLIC RELATIONS / 20
Part III DISCIPLINE
BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE / 20RESPECT FOR TEACHERS / 20
BULLYING / 20-22
EXPECTATIONS OF THE STUDENTS / 26
COMPLAINT PROCESS / 22-25
EXPULSION / 27
OFF CAMPUS CONDUCT / 27
CHEATING / 27
HARASSMENT / 27
DETENTION SYSTEM / 28
SUSPENSION / 28
IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION / 28
OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION / 28
PERMANENT DISMISSAL FROM ST. BRIDGET SCHOOL / 28
SEARCH AND SEIZURE / 29
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Parent/Student Handbook
Part IV ACADEMIC POLICIES
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS / 29PRE-K CURRICULUM / 30
PRIMARY CURRICULUM / 30
INTERMEDIATE CURRICULUM / 31
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM / 32
HOMEWORK / 33
REPORT CARDS / 34
MARKING SYSTEM / 35-37
HONOR ROLL / 37
ACADEMIC PROBATION / 37
STANDARDIZED TESTING / 38
CRITERIA FOR RETENTION / 38
LIBRARY / 38
Part V FINANCIAL CONCERNS
REGISTRATION FEES / 39REFUND POLICY / 39
DELINQUENT TUITION POLICY / 39
TUITION / 39
TUITION RATE FOR MEMBERS OF ST. BRIDGET PARISH / 39
NON-PARISH SUBSIDY / 40
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE / 40
FUNDRAISING / 40
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Part VI PROGRAMS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION / 41· / 2017-2018 OFFICERS / 41
· / CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS / 41
SCHOOL BOARD / 42
· / CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS / 42
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE / 42
Part VII HEALTH POLICIES
NURSE / 43IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH SCREENINGS / 43
MEDICATIONS / 43
HEALTH OFFICE PROTOCOLS / 44
INSURANCE / 45
ILLNESS OR INJURY / 45
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT / 45
Part VIII ST. BRIDGET EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE / 46OPERATING POLICIES / 46
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Part IX TECHNOLOGY
NETWORK, COMPUTER AND INTERNET RULES / 47-48Part X APPENDIX
Appendix 1 - HOME and SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS / 50-55Appendix 2 / ST. BRIDGET SCHOOL BOARD CONSTITUTION / 56-61
Appendix 3 / ST. BRIDGET SCHOOL BOARD BYLAWS / 62-66
Appendix 4 / ASBESTOS LETTER / 67
Appendix 5 / SIGNATURE FORM / 68
Appendix 6 / TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY SIGNATURE FORM / 69
Appendix 7 / TECHNOLOGY - BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE PERMISSION SLIP / 70
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Parent/Student Handbook
INTRODUCTION
MISSION STATEMENT OF ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC SCHOOL
SERVING STUDENTS IN GRADES PRE-K - 8
WHERE WE ATTEND TO THE
SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL
NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS
BASED UPON THE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF JESUS TO
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”
WITH THE GOAL OF EMPOWERING EACH OF US TO SERVE
THE PARISH AND COMMUNITY
AND
MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
***********************************
VISION STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD
Purpose and Vision For Catholic School Education
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford welcome students of all faiths, ethnic groups and socio-economic backgrounds. The fundamental purpose of Catholic schools is to:
Provide a safe, nurturing and secure environment in which students encounter the living God, who in Jesus Christ, reveals His transforming love and truth;
Partner with parents to support students in their learning and in their search for knowledge, meaning and truth;
Create a Catholic climate that contributes to the formation of students as active participants in the parish community;
Foster a culture of educational excellence through critical thinking skills, innovative and rigorous curriculum standards, a global perspective, and an emphasis on moral education, community, and service;
Promote life-long learning that advances the development of the whole person – mind, body, and soul; and
Graduate students prepared to become productive, virtuous citizens and church leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world.
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VISION STATEMENT OF ST. BRIDGET SCHOOL
Saint Bridget School Will:
· Develop faith-filled individuals through preserving and furthering its ministry in Catholic faith and traditions as a center of evangelization for students, families, and teachers.
· Create life-long learners by providing a challenging academic curriculum, integrating faith, culture, diversity, and respect for life and the environment. Critical thinking skills and moral education are emphasized.
· Instill leadership, service, and social responsibility. Graduates of Saint Bridget School will be productive, virtuous, global citizens, and church leaders who have a positive impact on the lives of others.
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Parent/Student Handbook
Dear Parents and Students:
The “St. Bridget School Parent Student Handbook” is attached for your daily reference. The handbook contains valuable information regarding daily procedures, safety regulations, school policy, programs, organizations, and committees. We have made every effort to include all possible topics and procedures to ensure the successful operation of our school. If an issue should arise that has not been included in the handbook, decisions will be made by the administration in consultation with the pastor. It is our philosophy that you, the parents, are partners in education with us and the students are the beneficiaries of this partnership.
Thank you for taking the time to review the information with your child (ren). It is in working together that we achieve the highest degree of success.
After reading the handbook, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE SIGNATURE PAGE (pg.66) along with your child (ren) indicating that you agree to follow the school’s policies and procedures. As always, if you have any questions, please contact the school office.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
The Reverend Jeffrey V. Romans, Pastor
Mrs. Jennifer Furlong, Principal
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Parent/Student Handbook
Part I GENERAL INFORMATION
St. Bridget Catholic Elementary School offers students a faith-based, challenging curriculum designed to promote academic excellence in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and grades 1 through 8 in a safe environment. In addition to a challenging curriculum, we offer many extracurricular activities. We also offer an extended day program for families who require before and/or after school care and an enrichment-based summer school program and writing program.
St. Bridget School admits students without regard to race, creed, or national origin and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact us.
HISTORY
St. Bridget Catholic Elementary School opened on August 30, 1994 offering programs for pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and first grade. Co-Pastors Father James Gunnoud and Father Brian Monnerat had planned thoroughly and worked tirelessly with parishioners to begin an elementary school in St. Bridget Parish. It opened as the only parochial school in the town of Cheshire, Connecticut.
The plan, approved by the Archdiocese of Hartford, provided for the growth of the school by one grade each year until children in pre-kindergarten through grade eight would be served. The school was dedicated to being an educational facility which was and would continue to be Christ-centered and modeled on Christian principles and values functioning within the larger scope of the St. Bridget Catholic Church community.
On March 3, 1998, Archbishop Daniel Cronin presided at the ground-breaking for the new 12-classroom wing which was needed in order to provide for the school’s growth through eighth grade. On August 28, 1998, The Certificate of Occupancy was delivered and the new wing opened for the school year. On November 1, 1998 the dedication of the new wing was celebrated by Bishop Christie Macaluso. The new wing houses the primary classrooms, Pre-K through 3rd grade and a state-of-the-art computer lab.
Full accreditation was awarded to St. Bridget School by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in the fall of 1999.
In 2005, Rev. Robert Ricciardi became the new pastor of St. Bridget Church. In the same year, Archbishop Henry Mansell presided at the groundbreaking for a 2,200 square foot addition to the library and school office which was completed in the fall of 2005.
On September 13, 2009, Archbishop Henry Mansell cut the ribbon to the new Parish Center which included a dining hall, a Religious Education office, an Admissions office, an art room, a music room, a refurbished gym and baseball /softball and soccer fields.
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St. Bridget School suffered a great loss with the death of Father Robert Ricciardi on November 17, 2013. Father Mark Suslenko was then appointed temporary administrator until the Archbishop would appoint a new pastor. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair appointed The Reverend Jeffrey V. Romans as our new Pastor as of May 17, 2014. In June 2014, Father Roberto D. McCarthy was appointed Parochial Vicar to assist Father Romans here at St. Bridget. In May of 2016 Archbishop Blair appointed, Father Philip O’Neill as Parochial Vicar and Father McCarthy was appointed Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church and School in Waterbury, CT. .
OUR PATRON SAINT - St. Bridget
Saint Bridget was born in 1304. Her father was the governor of Sweden. When she was twelve years old, her mother died and she was raised by an aunt who took care of her until the time of her marriage. She married the Prince of Sweden and they had eight children, one of whom was Saint Catherine of Sweden.
Her husband entered a Cistercian Monastery where he died in 1344. Shortly after his death, Bridget founded a Religious Order of Nuns of the Most Holy Trinity, also known as the BRIGITTINES, who devoted their lives to prayer for people to turn away from sin and to live according to the Gospel, and who continue to spread devotion to Mary and to the Passion of Christ.
Saint Bridget was known for her courage to speak out and to stop wrong doings especially among high officials. She died in 1373. Bridget was declared Patron Saint of Sweden and the church celebrates her feast each year on July 23rd. She is also known as Saint Birgitta.
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Parent/Student Handbook
ACCREDITATION
Saint Bridget School is accredited through the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc. (N.E.A.S.C.). Initial accreditation was earned in 1999. In 2009, Saint Bridget School was re-accredited for ten years.
COMMUNICATION
All general school business and attendance reporting is done through the school office. Please use the number listed below. The school website is a primary form of communication. Please use it to obtain calendars, schedules, forms and other school and classroom news.
Address: 171 Main Street
Cheshire, CT 06410 Phone: (203) 272-5860 FAX: (203) 271-7031
Website: www.stbridgetschool.org
Office email:
Teacher Pages: www.stbridgetschool.org/academics
SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY
Our goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for our pupils, staff and visitors. Everyone, students and parents included, must work together in order to accomplish this goal. To that end policies have been put into place to make our facilities a safe and secure place for all.
BUILDING SECURITY
All doors to the school building are locked at all times. Anyone wishing to enter the building must use the buzzer and intercom at the front entrance. Once the visitor has been recognized by office personnel, the door lock will be released and the door can be opened. Students are not permitted to open the door for visitors.
Once inside the building, all visitors must report directly to the office to sign in and obtain a visitor’s or volunteer’s badge.
Building security includes closed-circuit cameras that allow office personnel to monitor hallway activity and areas outside of the building which is also recorded for future reference as necessary.
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Parent/Student Handbook
SAFETY PLAN
St. Bridget School has a detailed Safety Plan which is evaluated and modified annually or as needed by the Safety Team and the school faculty in consultation with local authorities. All staff members share in the responsibility to keep the children of Saint Bridget School safe. Detailed safety plans are distributed to the staff annually.
Students are instructed in the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency situation (see below). Fire drills are conducted throughout the school year to give the students an opportunity to practice evacuating the building. Teachers will review emergency procedures with the students. During an evacuation, absolute silence is the rule. Students should proceed as quickly as they can to their assigned places.
Fire Alarm (alarm sounds) – Immediate evacuation of the building according to the posted directions in each classroom.
Evacuation to distant location (announcement over P.A.) – Immediate evacuation to Hines Hardware Store, 231 Maple Avenue, Cheshire, and the Cheshire Fire Department, 250 Maple Avenue, Cheshire.
Lockdown (announcement over P.A.) (short term) – For both inside and outside threats immediate perimeter lock down, including doors and windows, students should move beyond view from windows and doors and remain there until the threat is lifted. Announcement shall include specific information. Parents should not attempt to collect or to call their children during a crisis situation, unless notified through the media or called directly to do so.