/ ST. PETER CATHOLIC SCHOOL
STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK
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Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
History of St. Peter Catholic School
Diocesan Schools Mission Statement
St. Peter Parish Mission Statement
St. Peter Catholic School Mission Statement
Accreditation
Parents’ Role in Education
Celebration of Our Catholic Faith
Admission Information
Fees & Payment Schedule
Grievance Policy
Transfer of Schools
Child Abuse Laws
Animals & Pet Policy
School Advisory Board
DAILY LIFE
School Hours & Closing Information
Attendance Policies
Medication
Lunch Program
School Visitor Information
School Safety
Telephone Usage
Lost & Found
Care of Materials, Books & Supplies
Lockers
Service Projects
Celebrations
Smoke Free Policy
Uniform Policy/Dress Code
CURRICULUM
Curriculum & Academic Policy
Assessment of Student Academic Performance
Technology Information
Homework
Testing
Progress Reports & Report Cards
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Honors
National Junior Beta Club
Promotion Policy and Retention Policy
Special Services
Field Trips
CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE
Code of Conduct
Student Honor Code
Classroom Rules
Cheating, Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty
Drugs, Alcohol, and Weapons Policy
Student Harassment and Bullying
Consequences for Violating the Honor Code
Disciplinary Referrals and Detention
Probation & Expulsion
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
St. Peter Catholic School Student Acceptable Use Policy
St. Peter Catholic School Student Acceptable Use Policy
Signature Page
Please read this handbook carefully as it describes the school practices and policies andcontains information regarding student health and safety. By enrolling your child/childrenin St. Peter’s Catholic School, you agree to abide by the practices and policies that arecontained herein. Please review this information with any caregiver that will shareresponsibility for your child.
Right to Amend :St. Peter Catholic School reserves the right to amend this Handbook. Notice of amendments will be sent to parents by letter, by a student’s weekly folder, or on the school website
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GENERAL INFORMATION
History of St. Peter Catholic School
St. Peter Catholic School (formerly known as St. Raphael’s School) opened in 1946 on WestFifth Street in Greenville. The Sister Adorers of the Blood of Christ, a religious community,came from Pennsylvania to open a parochial school. The Sisters lived on the second floor ofthe house, and classes were held on the main floor. A fire destroyed the convent-school onDecember 1,1952, and shortly thereafter the school was relocated to a temporary location in ahouse on East Fourth Street and Latham Street. Within a few days after the fire, the Bishop ofthe Diocese of Raleigh selected a new site on East Fifth Street. On March 29, 1953 groundbreaking was held. Construction was completed on October 15, 1953, and the faculty andstudents moved into the new building on October 21,1953. This structure is now the presentMiddle School and cafeteria.
Over the years, there were several additions: an additional classroom, space for a library, andthe parish hall. The Church sanctuary was formally established in the cafeteria in the 1960’s.The cafeteria was relocated to the parish hall, and the original cafeteria was converted intoclassroom space. The name of the school was changed to St. Peter’s School in 1976. TheSisters concluded their ministry in Greenville in June 1985. The Franciscan Brothers ofBrooklyn, NY, assumed the educational ministry of the school in August 1985. Furtherchanges took place with the addition of the Primary and Intermediate wing and the gymnasiumin the early 1990’s under their leadership.In 1994 St. Peter Catholic School was the first school in the Diocese of Raleigh to beaccredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The school wasreaccredited in 2010 by SACS/Advanced Ed.
Diocesan Schools Mission Statement
The mission of the schools in the Diocese of Raleigh is to engage our school/centercommunities in creating a quality education within a Catholic environment that fosters thecurrent and future development of the whole child.
St. Peter Parish Mission Statement
We believe that our earth and all life are sacred, that all people are gifted with God’s grace andthat God’s Kingdom is a kingdom of patience and peace, faith and hope, love and acceptance.We celebrate our faith by worshipping together, experiencing Christ in Word and Eucharistand in one another, growing in knowledge of our tradition, welcoming with joy all those whocome to us and inviting them into the life of our community. We witness to our love of ChristCrucified by living our faith and spreading the Good News, by seeing his sufferings in thosewho hunger and thirst for human dignity, and by reaching out to the poor, suffering andoppressed people in our community and in our world.
St. Peter Catholic School Mission Statement
Our mission is two-fold: First, as a Catholic School, we aim to “teach as Jesus taught” byinstilling a solid Christian foundation built on attributes, values, and virtues, which Christholds up to each child. Secondly, as educators, we strive to develop an instructional programresponsive to school and community needs, and to various abilities and talents of our students,in order that development of the whole child takes place.
Accreditation
St. Peter Catholic School is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges andSchools (SACS). It is also recognized and associated with the North Carolina Department ofNon-Public Schools, which is a part of the State of North Carolina Department of PublicInstruction.
Parents’ Role in Education
We, at St. Peter Catholic School, consider it a great blessing to work with parents in the education of children, because we believe parents are the primary educators of their children. Therefore, it is your right and your duty to become the primary role models for the development of your child’s life – physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Your choice of St. Peter Catholic School involves a commitment and exhibits a concern for helping your child to recognize God as the greatest good in his/her life. Setting a good example is the strongest teacher. As the primary teacher of your child, you are his/her greatest influence. Your personal relationship with God, with each other, and with the Church community will affect the way your child relates to God and others. Ideals taught inschool are not well rooted in the child unless these are nurtured by the example of good Catholic/Christian morality and by an honest personal relationship with God in your family life.
Once you have chosen to enter into a partnership with us at St. Peter Catholic School, we trust you will be loyal to this commitment. During these formative years (Pre-K to 8), your child needs constant support from both parents and faculty in order to develop his/her moral, intellectual, social, cultural, and physical gifts. Neither parents nor teachers can afford to doubt the sincerity of the efforts of each other in the quest of challenging, yet nourishing, the student to reach his/her potential. It is vital that both parents and teachers remember that allowing oneself to be caught between the student and the other partner will never have positive results. To divide authority between school and home or within the home will only teach disrespect of all authority. Evidence of mutual respect between parents and teachers will model good mature behavior and relationships. Students are naturally eager to grow and learn. However, sometimes in the process of maturation, new interests may cause them to lose focus. As this natural process occurs, the student needs both understanding and discipline. At times, your child may perceive discipline as restrictive. However, it is boundaries and limits which provide a young person with both guidance and security.
It is essential that a child take responsibility for the grades he/she has earned and be accountable for homework, long-term assignments, major tests, service projects, and all other assignments. This responsibility also extends to times of tardiness and absence.
Parents as Partners
As partners in the educational process at St. Peter Catholic School, we ask parents:
To set rules, times, and limits so that your child:
- Receives an adequate amount of sleep to function properly in the classroom
- Arrives at school on time and is picked up at the end of the day on time
- Is dressed according to the school dress code and the weather
- Completes assignments on time
- Has provisions for a nutritional lunch every day
To assist in the child’s scholastic development by:
- Reinforcing teachers academic requirements
- Examining school work, progress reports, and report cards
- Actively participating in school activities, such as Parent-Teacher conferences, Open House, and school events
To assist in the child’s personal development by:
- Seeing that the student pays for any damage to school books or property due to carelessness or neglect on the part of the student
- Seeing that the student pays library fines, cafeteria and after-school bills, and athletic fees
- Teaching the child to respect authority, classmates, property and to take responsibility for personal behavior
- Fosters independence in the child by allowing the child to walk to his/her classroom alone (after Labor Day)
To support the educational process by:
- Being positive ambassadors for our school in the community
- Supporting the religious and educational goals of the school
- Treating teachers with respect and courtesy in discussing student concerns
- Supporting and cooperating with the discipline policy of the school
- Reading school notes and newsletters and showing interest in the student’s total education
- Completing and returning to school any requested information promptly
- Notifying the school office of any changes of address or important phone numbers or of any special family situations regarding the student’s well-being, safety, and health
- Attending and participating in school functions and volunteering to help with school relatedactivities
Celebration of Our Catholic Faith
Liturgies
Liturgies are generally celebrated on Fridays during the school year, the exceptions being holy days and school breaks. The teachers and students participate in these liturgies.
Guidelines for Receiving Communion
Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive HolyCommunion in fulfillment of Christ’s command to eat HIS body and drink HIS blood. In orderto be disposed properly to receive communion, communicants should not be conscious ofgrave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors. Those persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through thesacrament of Penance. A frequent reception of the sacrament of penance is encouraged for all.
For Other Christians
We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those Christians who are not fully united withus. It is a consequence of the sad divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend to them ageneral invitation to receive Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action ofthe celebrating community signifying a oneness of faith, life, and worship of the community.Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness whichdoes not yet exist, and for which we must all pray.For Those Not Receiving Communion
Those not receiving sacramental communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another. For Non-Christians We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus. While we cannot extend to them an invitation to receive communion, we do invite them to be united with us in prayer.
Sacramental Program
The sacramental life of the children of the Catholic tradition is an important component of thereligion program at St. Peter Catholic School. Preparations for two sacraments,Reconciliation and Eucharist, form the core of our efforts in Grade 2.In accordance with the diocesan guidelines, candidates for the First Eucharist will receive thesacrament of Reconciliation prior to First Eucharist. The sacraments of Reconciliation andEucharist are only conferred to students baptized in the Roman Catholic tradition.
Admission Information
Nondiscriminatory Policy
St. Peter Catholic School is a Roman Catholic non-profit, co-educational school servingstudents in grades JK through 8. Application for admission is open to all students regardless ofrace, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, and disability that possess the motivation,ability, and character that would enable them to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.We welcome all applications for students entering Junior Kindergarten through grade Eight.
As openings become available, the following priorities as established by the St. PeterCatholic Church Pastoral Council will be used to accept students to St. Peter Catholic School.Any exceptions to these guidelines require the approval of the pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church.There are similar but separate pathways for entrance into the JK class and for the K-8 classesas described below. Admission to the JK class does not in any way influence subsequentadmission to the kindergarten class
Admission Priorities (entrance gates) for the St. Peter Junior Kindergarten (JK) class
1. Children of full-time faculty / staff
2. Siblings of currently enrolled Catholic parishioners in grades K-7
3. Catholic students of St. Peter’s Parish
4. Siblings of currently enrolled non-parishioner Catholics in grades K-7
5. Students from other Catholic parishes
6. Siblings of currently enrolled non-Catholic students
7. Children of siblings of Alumni
8. Other non-Catholic students
FOR All GATES:
- If there are more applicants for the class than available slots, all the applicants of theaffected priority gate will be placed into a lottery and the remaining slots awarded based ona drawing from the lottery applicants. Students not accepted by the lottery selection will beplaced on a waiting list ranked by their lottery selection spot.
- If additional applications become available after the class is determined they will beassigned on a waiting list according to the priority admission gates 1-8 as described above.
- To be considered as “Catholic”, the family must demonstrate that they have been active andparticipate in the Catholic Church
- To be considered as a Parishioner, the family must have been a registered, ongoing andactive member of St. Peter Catholic Church giving their time, talents or treasures. Families new toGreenville / St. Peter Catholic Church are expected to register with the church upon their arrival in thecommunity.
- Adults who have full legal guardianship of a child will be considered as being the parent ofthat child.
Admissions Priorities (entrance gates) for the St. Peter Catholic School Kindergarten Class
1. Children of full-time faculty / staff
2. Siblings of currently enrolled Catholic parishioners in grades K-7
3. Catholic students of St. PeterParish
4. Siblings of currently enrolled non-parishioner Catholics in grades K-7
5. Siblings of currently enrolled non-Catholic students in grades K-7
6. Catholic students of other parishes
7. Children or siblings of alumni
8. Other non-Catholic students
- If there are more applicants for a class than available spots, all the applicants of the affectedpriority gate will be placed into a lottery and the remaining slots awarded based on adrawing from the lottery applicants. Students not accepted by the lottery selection will beplaced on a waiting list ranked by their lottery selection spot. If additional applicationsbecome available after the class is determined they will be assigned on a waiting listaccording to the priority admission gates 1-8 as described above.
Admission Priorities (entrance gates) Grades 1-8
Students in grades K-7 are automatically eligible for re-enrollment in the next grade assumingthey remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.Any openings in the upcoming grades 1-8 will be offered to eligible students based on thefollowing gates:
1. Children of full-time faculty/staff
2. Siblings of currently enrolled Catholic parishioners in grades K-7
3. Catholic students of St. Peter Parish
4. Siblings of currently enrolled non-parishioner Catholics in grade K-7
5. Siblings of currently enrolled non-Catholic students in graded K-7
6. Catholic students of other parishes
7. Children or siblings of alumni
8. Other non- Catholic students
Lotteries will be held to place a student not accepted on a “waiting list” based on theirpriority gate. Their position on the waiting list will be maintained for subsequent yearsassuming their gate does not change. Gate prioritization and waiting list revision will bereviewed annually.If an opening occurs at any grade level and is subsequently offered to a student on awaiting list, that offer must be immediately accepted or the student will be dropped tothe end of the waiting list for that gate. If the opening occurs after the midpoint of asemester, the student may accept and begin class with the next semester.
To be considered for entrance into St. Peter Catholic School, a completed application(with application fee) must be turned in to the admissions office on or before thepublished deadlines.
The applications are NOT ranked by order of submission
Students currently on a waiting must renew their application for the following school year, ifadmission was not offered. Their position on the waiting list (prioritized by gate as above) willbe maintained. An additional application fee is not required to renew the applicationApplicants for Kindergarten will be conditionally accepted with full acceptancecontingent upon displayed readiness on the Kindergarten entrance assessment. Prioritization of siblings of newly admitted students will not be effective until thefollowing school year application process.Children entering Junior kindergarten must be 4 years old by August 31stChildren entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by August 31st. The principal is allowed one position to accept a student into the JK and one studentinto the Kindergarten class regardless of the otherwise appropriate gate for that student. The Pastor is allowed one position to accept a student into the JK class and one studentinto the Kindergarten class regardless of the otherwise appropriate gate for that student.All applications are subject to the final approval of the parish pastor. All acceptedapplications are subject to review of the student’s academic records and preparednessfor school.