SCHOOL RECORDS
Parents / legal guardians have the right to inspect all official records relating to their own child. Records are confidential. Requests to review should be made directly to the principal. Records must be reviewed in the school office in the presence of the principal. The school respects the right of a non-custodial parent to review the records unless a copy of the divorce decree stating otherwise is supplied by the custodial parent and is on file in the office.
CUSTODY ISSUES
When there is a divorce resulting in custody issues, the school must have a court certified copy of the decree for custody for the permanent records. This document is needed in order to give the school direction regarding the non-custodial parent visiting the school, going on field trips, and picking up the student. Without the correct court papers, the school must assume that both parents have full equal access to the child.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Only those items deemed by the teacher to be necessary for school are to be brought to school. All students are encouraged to have a book bag. Children in grades 4-8 may have rolling backpacks. For children in grades K-3, they are unnecessary. Please be sure that all items related to school (lunch boxes, uniforms, books, etc.) are labeled with the child’s name. Do not bring any item of great value or a large amount of cash to school.
“Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Birmingham make every effort to assure that each student is safe while they are at school. Each school also tries to assure that the teaching/learning process is interrupted as little as possible. Since electronic devices can be disruptive to the teaching/learning process, these items should not be in the school building. If any are used, seen, or heard during school hours, they will be confiscated. Consequences will be decided by the principal. The above pertains to ipods, cell phones, radios, tape players, pagers, televisions, and cameras but is not limited to these items.” Any other items of distraction can be prohibited.
DROP OFF - PICKUP
Children may be dropped off after 7:30 a.m. They must be picked up by 3:15 p.m. if not using the after school care or if not involved in an after school activity. Please remember that school starts at 7:55 am and students need to be in class ready to go. Arrival in order to properly prepare should be at least 5-7 minutes before that time.
Parents are allowed to park and drop-off or pick-up their children only when bringing children to school late or signing children out of school early. No parking is allowed in the car line; please refrain from conversation with the faculty/staff during drop off and pick up. Please be patient; watch for pedestrians and drive slowly. The playground is “off limits” during pick-up and drop-off for safety reasons.
Each family will have a name card containing their last name. Please display this card(s) in your windshield during pick-up to assist the teachers/aides in locating and loading your children. These name cards will be provided to each family who doesn’t already have one. If you will be car-pooling, please be sure to get a name card of the family with whom you are carpooling.
Any student walking to school alone, must have a written note on file in the office. Please, do not allow children to walk to school if they have to cross Hughes Rd.
PARTIES
All parties are to be cleared with the teacher and principal beforehand. Birthday parties are not allowed; however, small treats may be sent to celebrate a student’s birthday. Parents should notify the teacher in advance. Invitations to parties may not be passed out at school.
VISITORS
All visitors, parents, and volunteers must report to the office immediately upon entering the school. Parents wishing to visit classes should make arrangements through the office and teacher. Students visiting from other schools, even St. John alumni, may not be on campus unsupervised. Arrangements for visitors must be pre-approved by the office at least 24 hours in advance.
BICYCLES
Students may not ride bicycles on school grounds during school hours. Bikes used to and from school must be parked and locked in the designated area.
TELEPHONE
The school phone is to be used only by school personnel. In the event of an illness or emergency, the secretary will contact the parent. Emergency messages will be conveyed to your child. We cannot call him/her to the phone.
TEXTBOOKS
All hardcover books are rented and should be covered all year (no contact paper, please). No writing in the books except for the student’s name. Lost or damaged books are to be paid for at replacement value. If workbooks are lost, students must purchase new ones. Rental books are turned in at the end of the school year.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
In determining the need to close during inclement weather, St. John’s will follow our public school system (Madison City). If Madison City Schools close, then St. John’s will close as well. There will not be a separate announcement for St. John’s please follow the Madison City School announcement. Tune in to radio and television stations regarding re-opening and delayed openings. Parents are not allowed to pick up their children during tornado warnings. They are welcome to wait in safe areas with their children. St. John’s also uses a telephone emergency notification system. Parents are issued passwords & logins to add phone numbers to the system.
SAFETY/CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Saint John’s has developed a plan describing procedures for various possible crisis situations. A copy is maintained in the office.