Saint Susanna School is accredited by the State of Indiana and by North Central Association. An ongoing plan is a facet of this process, and the school continues to participate in the development and implementation of this plan.

Saint Susanna School serves teh families of Saint Susanna parish and the families from nearby Catholic parishes and welcomes all children regardless of race, religion or national origin.

Indiana State Code requires that those children entering kindergarten must have reached five years of age by August 1st of the year in which they are entering school. Consequently, this date has been adjusted accordingly for students seeking enrollment in the preschool and pre-kindergarten programs of the school.

Admission is available first to the current student body and siblings, next to parishioners of Saint Susanna Church and surrounding parishes, and finally to the public at large.

The Saint Susanna School day begins and ends with prayer. These prayers are read by Father Kevin and the students over the school public address system. All who are in the building at the time of these prayers stop where they are to participate with the students and faculty at this special time.

Announcements of general interest may be made at the end of the school day immediately prior to or following the end of the day prayer. If you have an announcement in which you would like to have read, please make sure that it is brought to the attention of the office personnel. If you have a prayer request, please share the information with the office and the request will become part of our prayers. We welcome such requests.

Saint Susanna School works cooperatively with the famiy, the Church, and the community to provide all students with a foundation that will provide the cornerstone for their lives as they enter adulthood. This foundation involves three aspects:

• A spiritual foundation which seeks to reach a goal that finds that each student:
• is knowledgeable of the rites, traditions, and history of the Catholic Faith.
• understands his or her responsibility to service in the faith community.
• continues to seek a relationship with her or his God through prayer.
• chooses freely to answer the call to discipleship in the world.

• An academic foundation which seeks to reach a goal that finds that each student:
• realizes that learning and personal development is an ongoing process.
• recognizes his or her own giftedness and talents.

• A civil foundation which seeks to reach a goal that finds that each student:
• accepts responsibility for developing a community, a city, and a world in which all people are treated with fairness and compassion.
• excercises his or her rights as a citizen of this country.

The Catholic Indentity of Saint Susanna School ensures the faith formation of its' students. Saint Susanna School strives to instill in students a belief in themselves. Faculty and staff believe that all students are in school to learn. This belief causes teachers to challenge students according to their abilities. Students responding favorably to these challenges discover their abilities, strive to increase their performance, and seek even greater challenges.

Since even an occassional absence might constitute an obstacle to student progress, parents are asked to cooperate by trying to keep absences to a minimum, although it is certainly not prudent to allow a truly ill child to attend class. Parents are requested to call the school office at 839-3713 by 9:00a.m. to report an absence.

If a child needs to be picked up during school hours, a written note or e-mail must be sent to the school office/classroom teacher. The child may be picked up in the main office (reception area).

While school is in session, all children must be signed out of the building by an adult. The sign-out log is located with the school's receptionist. For the sake of safety, we will not send children outside to wait unattended. If you wish to pick up homework for a sick child, please request his/her homework at the time you call in the student's absence. This gives teachers time to gather work while still instructing the students present at school.

Please inform the school as soon as possible if someone other than a parent will be picking up your child. We do not release children to anyone other than the parents without explicit and written permission.

In the case of an unavoidable absence, please realize that all assignments may not be sent home. Assignments may require additional information that has not yet been presented to the student, etc. Therefore, there may be work which will need to be completed upon the student's return. The length of the absence will determine the length of the time allowed to make up missed work (e.g. if a student is absent three days, he/she will have three days to complete missed work).

It is strongly requested that dental and doctor appointments be made outside of school hours. A child may miss instruction or vital work that is impossible to make up if he/she is taken out during school hours. If this cannot be avoided, we ask that a note to the teacher giving the reason and the time be sent with the child. Parents then need to come to the school office and sign out their child in the sign-out book.

Repeated absences may cause a serious learning problem for a child. If a child is absent/tardy excessively, the parents will be notified first by a letter. The administration will take the necessary steps to ensure that the student is receiving a compulsory education. If a student's absence/tardiness continue, a conference will be required with the administration before the child may return to school. Students who are late for school miss directions and work, as well as provide a disruption to the classroom routine. Therefore, punctuality is very important.

Children are considered tardy after the 8:20 bell has run. Younger students should be in their classrooms and middle school students must be in the classroom and not at their lockers when the bell rings.

Excused Absences:

• Generally, students receive an excused absence for the following reasons: illness, appointments (dental/medical), funerals, weddings, service as a page of honoree of the Indiana General Assembly.
• The administration may require verification to determine an excused absence.

Unexcused Absences:

• Please refer to the school calendar before planning family trips or events that will take your child(ren) out of school.
• Generally, vacation days taken while school is in session will be unexcused, meaning:
  • Classwork is not required to be given in advance.
  • Credit for daily work will be affected for unexcused absences.
  • If tests are administered during the absence, the student may be given a make-up test when he/she returns. That may be different than the tests the other students take.

Notification Process:

Please write a signed note to the teacher and the principal for a lengthy absence. Explain the circumstances and dates for the extended absence. The principal will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused. The principal will then notify the students, teachers and school secretary of the decision.

Saint Susanna School does contain some asbestos. It is considered safe and is inspected on a regular basis. All maintenance personnel are trained to work safely around asbestos. The asbestos abatement plan is on file in the front office and may be reviewed upon request. This notice is required by law.

Students are not to sit on the bleachers when the bleachers are folded against the wall. Student cooperation in this effort to maintain our equipment is appreciated.

During the day, visitors to the school are asked to check in at the school office so that they may sign in. At that time, visitors are issued a visitor's badge for use during the time they are visiting in the building. Your coooperation is appreciated. We make every effort to keep our students safe and your assistance is invaluable in this effort.

School doors will be locked Monday through Friday at 4:00p.m. After school hours any children not registered in daycare must be accompanied by and adult including to and from private lessons and tutoring. All children entering the school building on Saturday and Sunday must be accompanied by and adult. All clubs and organizations are expected to leave the room in the same condition as found. Siblings are to remain in the room with the club/organization not running around freely and unsupervised. In order to prevent these issues re-occurring, the West entrance, inside, wood school doors leading to the north/south hallway will be locked at 4:00p.m. Club and organizations may meet in Zore Hall or the middle school rooms only. Clubs/organizations please schedule the room with the school receptionist (if before 6:00p.m.) or schedule with the church if the event is after 6:00p.m.

Our "Buddy" program system fosters a sense of community in our school. All kindergarteners are assigned a "middle school" buddy. Students in sixth through eigth grade demonstrate leadership through our "Buddy" program.

The students may be sitting with their "buddies" during liturgies. Also, throughout the school year, the teachers will coordinate special projects and activities with their "Buddies".

Saint Susanna School will not tolerate the following bullying behaviors:

• Physical aggression
• Social aggresion
• Intimidation
• Written aggression (including the internet, i.e. Facebook and MySpace)
• Sexual harassment
• Racial and ethnic harassment

Bus transportation is a privilege that may be revoked at any time if deemed necessary for the safety of all involved. Saint Susanna School offers bus service at an additional cost. The daily bus route is set by geographic need and varies from year-to-year. All attempts are made to accommodate individual families so that our bus may be utilized to the fullest extent possible.

Your child's cooperation is crucial to the safety of all bus riders. Please review these rules with your child(ren). The majority of these rules would also be applicable when students are participating in study trips that involve the use of the school bus, so all students need to be aware of expectations involving the bus.

• Be on time for the bus.
• Sit down quickly and quietly in your seat... back-to-bak, seated facing front, not blocking the aisle.
• Talk quietly (no tapes, radios, etc...)
• Be responsible for your own behavior. Do not leave your seat. Do not stand whie the bus is moving.
• NO food, drink or chewing gum is allowed on the bus at any time.
• Never wrestle on the bus or throw things on the school bus.
• Throw nothing out of the bus window.
• Any serious violation of these rules will be reported to the principal and could result in exclusion from the opportunity for participation in future bus transportation.

If a student who normally rides the school bus on a regular basis has a change in plans, a note informing the school of such a change MUST be sent to the school prior to the anticipated change. (This includes students who would be staying for an after school activity such as scouts). Otherwise, the student will be asked to board the bus, since that is the normal plan of action.

Students are provided a variety of school materials during the year and are responsible for taking care of those items. Students are responsible for the replacement costs of lost or damaged books and materials, and new books or materials will not be issued until financial responsibility is met. Students should inspect books and materials issued to them for any damage and report this to the issuing teacher or school personnel. Items covered by this policy include, but are not limited to the following:

• Textbooks
• Library books
• Science, art, or P.E. equipment
• Desks
• Computer hardware, software or related items
• Disrespect to school building and/or property

Under no circumstances shall equipment, books, furniture or computer materials be removed from the assigned area without permission from the school administrator.

The cafeteria is located in Zore Hall and is available for lunch for all students. All food and drinks are to stay in the cafeteria unless students have been given specific permission to do otherwise. Students are expected to leave their area clean when leaving the cafeteria and are expected to behave in an orderly manner while eating their lunch. Students who are unable to behave in an orderly manner will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action. Consequences for unacceptable lunchroom behavior may range from temporary or extended loss of cafeteria privileges to detention.

Saint Susanna School offers a school lunch. This is made possible in part by parent volunteers who assist with the serving and other tasks. Without this assistance, it would not be possible to finance a lunch program. Volunteers are needed constantly to assists in serving and clean-up. Please contact the school if you are able to help. We need regular weekly assistance and can benefit from drop-ins to substitute as well.

Students may bring a lunch or may purchase a school lunch; this includes one carton of milk. Menus are printed in the Spartan Express for the coming week and are available in the lunch section of this site as well. If a students forgets his or her sack lunch, the lunch served in the cafeteria will be made available, and the family will be billed for the cost of the meal. We strongly discourage students from calling parents and requesting them to bring lunch to school. (We know that parents must be accountable for their time at their jobs. We try to encourage student responsibility in all areas of their lives.)

If a student has a special dietary need that restricts milk, the school is not required to provide beverages other than milk. Parents will be required to provide a beverage for any child with milk restrictions. All students, regardless of whether they bring their lunch or buy it at school will go to the cafeteria to eat.

Fast food may not be brought to school for your child's lunch. (Please refer to the State Wellness Policy section.) Students may be signed out for lunch by parents and returned to school following the meal.

Parents are most welcome to eat lunch with students. Please let the school know if you are planning to eat the school lunch so that the cafeteria may include that meal in the lunch count.

After examing the lunch menu and making the choice about the meals to be purchased, please return that information and the payment to the school as soon as possible. Parents are requested to make payments for lunch in a timely manner. An excessive balance will result in the request for non-participation in the hot lunch program until the balance has been paid. On selected days, extra servings of the entrée are available for an additional charge. If you would prefer that your child not participate in this activitiy, please notify the school office so that your child will not be allowed to charge extras.

Families who utilize cold lunch will be asked to purchase milk separately. The cost of a carton of milk will be published in the newsletter. All students and classrooms must follow the School Wellness Program. Please refer to the Wellness Policy located section further below.

We make every attempt to follow the school calendar as set forth by the Plainfield Public Schools. However, this is not always possible. When differences in scheduling occur, we make every effort to publish these differences.

Annually, Catholic schools throughout the nation celebrate as a group. A theme is chosen by the national organization (NCEA - National Catholic Educational Association) which describes a positive aspect of the Catholic School experience. Many enjoyable activities are scheduled during this week. We appreciate the assistance from parents that we receive during this time which allows us to celebrate this wonderful gift which parents have chosen to give their children.

Room parents are asked to be responsible for class parties. These include only the Fall Celebration, Valentine's Day, and Christmas. They are requested to communicate with the teachers with whom they are working in advance of the event regarding activities and schedules. Since class parties involve instructional time that is being lost, classes will hold parties only to celebrate specific holidays. These holiday parties will be Fall Celebration, Christman and Valentine's Day.

All classrooms will have one party per month in celebration of birthdays. The day of this party each month will be determined by the classroom teacher.

Teachers and staff should be quick to communicate with parents regarding any information they believe is necessary to share for the well-being of the students. Teachers are always in the school buiding by 8:00a.m., and they remain in the building until at least 3:30p.m. Parents may communicate with teachers by leaving a message that will be returned by the teacher as soon as possible.

If a message for a teacher has not been returned by the end of the next working day, parents are asked to contact the school administrator in order that communication might be facilitated. This link of communication is a strength for this school and every effort will be made to maintain that benefit for our students.

In order to give teachers adequate time with their own families and personal activities, it is suggested that parents not contact teachers at home unless a critical situation exists or the contact has been initiated by the teacher.

The Spartan Express is the weekly newsletter sent via Homework Watcher™ on Thursday of each week. It contains pertinent information about school activities and announcements concerning upcoming events. If you have an announcement you would like to see in the newsletter, please make sure that it is in the office by 9:00a.m. on Wednesday for inclusion in the newsletter on Thursday. This newsletter is in addition to the individual class newsletters sent home by the majority of the classroom teachers, an additional sign that communication is seen as an important link between parent, child and school.

If you wish to get a message to your child during the school day, please contact the school office. We will see that your child receives the message. We would prefer not to disrupt a classroom with an individual message unless it is an emergency. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

In order to maintain an open working relationship with parents, conferences are scheduled for all students during the school year. A conference may be requested at any time a parent feels a need to communicate with a teacher and teachers may request conferences, not only at the time of Progress Reports and report cards, but whenever they feel that such a conference would be in the best interest of the student.

Saint Susanna School adheres to the Indiana State Guidelines for textbook adoption, standardized testing and curriculum. The school is accredited by the State of Indiana.

One of the primary goals of Saint Susanna School is to develop and nurture a Christian love and respect in each student for all people. We expect our students to show courtesy, care and respect for others on a routine basis. Behavior that destroys or compromises this spirit is a serious issue. It is our objective that through imposed discipline, students will learn self-control as well as self-discipline. We are concerned with the development of the total child, which means that throughout the instructional day, we continually stress the importance of self-discipline and personal responsibility in daily living. This must go hand-in-hand with academic studies. We seek to reward good behavior, but will not tolerate irresponsible behavior without consequence. Please review the following rules with your children at intervals throughout the school year.

1. The teacher is responsible for discipline in the classroom. The teacher's classroom rules will be enforced by the teacher with support from the principal, if necessary. Students no abiding by those rules will face disciplinary measures.
2. Classroom and school grounds conduct:
   1. Respect all people. Abusive language, fighting, teasing, disrespect or abusive insults WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
   2. Respect the property of others. Thefts, taking without permission and destruction of property WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
   3. Our classroom teachers, as well as all members of our school and parish staff, have both the right and responsibility to correct misbehavior or rule-breaking by any student, regardless of the grade in which the student is enrolled and regardless of where the activities are taking place.
   4. ANY FORM OF BULLYING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Please refer to the bulying section.

A classroom teacher has both the right and responsibility to correct any wrongdoing by any student, regardless of the grade in which the student is enrolled. The same couresy should be extended to all other members of the school and parish staff as well. Any student who feels that an inappropriate request has been made of them has the freedom and the responsibility to pursue the matter with the school administrator or classroom teacher.

Goals for our discipline program include but are not limited to the following:

• To foster positive approaches to discipline by parents, teachers and staff
• To create a positive learning environment in each classroom which is free from behavioral problems that prevent teachers from teaching and students from learning
• To teach citizenship ideas to all students and to provide students the opportunity to put citizenship into practice.
• To provide for the safety and welfare of all students, faculty and staf in our school

Students are permitted to bring cell phones to school. However, cell phones are to remain off and in book bags or lockers at all times. Students are NOT permitted to bring electronic games or a music device such as iPods and Game Boys to school. Upon violation of these rules, the device will be confiscated and returned to the parent directly.

Saint Susanna School normally follows the Plainfield Community Schools lead for severe weather closings. Please listen to a major radio or television station for announcements. Normally, if the Plainfield schools close for severe weather, Saint Susanna School will also be closed. Every effort will be made to make sure that this information is included in the radio and television announcements and Homework Watcher™. For closings specific to Saint Susanna involving, for example, mechanical difficulties, we would utilize these same radio and television stations to announce closing. There is a telephone chain in place to contact school personnel.

On the days that the start of the school day is delayed, every effort will be made to make sure that the Extended Day Ministry will be open as close to the regular schedule as possible. On the days that the school is not in session at any time, as opposed to those days with a delayed start, the Extended Day Ministry will be closed as well. Please make a contingency plan for these unexpected changes to our normal schedule.

Emergency forms are made available to parents at the beginning of the school year. These forms are extremely important! They are utilized whenever a child is ill or injured in order to contact family members. It is imperative that they be kept up-to-date. If a parent's place of employment changes or the telephone numbers where parents have indicated they may be reached are changed during the school year, the school should be provided with the new information as soon as possible. The information on these sheets is used very frequently and is the link that we have during the day for parent contact. It is the parent's responsibility to update the office and your child(ren)'s classroom teacher with changes to phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and home addresses. Since most of our communication is sent electronically it is vital that we have an e-mail address that is current and checked frequently.

Saint Susanna School offers an extended day program designed to provide a safe environment for the children of the working parents of Saint Susanna. It is open only to students enrolled in Saint Susanna School. While this includes pre-school, it does not include siblings of students enrolled. The program operates on a daily basis, remaining open from 6:30a.m. until 6:00p.m. on each day that school is in session, including half-day sessions.

All families wishing to utilize the program must register before sending students to Extended Day Ministry for the first time. The registration form must be completed and the registration fee paid.

Charges for this program are per quarter hour. The program is available to those who wish to participate on an irregular or infrequent basis as well as to those who wish to use the program on a regular basis. Billing is done on a biweekly basis. A separate check should be written for EDM fees if at all possible.

Please make sure that fees are paid in a timely manner. Excessive charges which remain unpaid for more than two billing periods may result in the request to withdraw from the program until financial obligations are met. This may happen at any time during the school year when accumulated fees are deemed to have reached an unacceptable level.

For more information, visit the Extended Day Ministry section.

Saint Susanna School encourages extracurricular activities. Brownie troops, Daisy, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts are examples of such activities. CYO sports are available. The school also encourages participation in the many activities provided by local community organizations and is always happy to make such information available to all.

Gum-chewing is not permitted in the school building. This rule is imposed for health and safety reasons. Improperly disposed of gum creates custodial issues and hazardous waste.

One of the chief means of communication between the parents and the school is the process of homework. It provides the parents with the opportunity to follow what and how their children are doing in school.

If an assignment notebook is recommended by your child's teacher, it may be purchased in the school office. Many teachers also take advantage of our Homework Watcher™ e-mail service to notify parents of assignments and special projects. The extent of what is placed on Homework Watcher™ is left to the discretion of the classroom teachers. Please encourage your child to spend an appropriate amount of time doing homework. The following guidelines are the suggested times a child should be spending on completion of assigned work. If your child is spending in excess of the suggested time, please contact the teacher in order to clarify the issue and determine the source of the extended time spent.

In the lower grades, while there is ongoing work such as reading logs and other activities, there is no predetermined amount of time to be spent working on specific tasks assigned for completion at home.

A typical day's homework would not exceed:

Students in grades four through eight will be eligible for placement on a school honor roll. Students who earn this academic honor will be recognized with appropriate certificates at school convocations. There will be a High Honor Roll designation, indicating that the students has achieved all A grades for the academic period, and an A/B Honor Roll, indicating that grade combination. There will also be an Honor Roll consisting of all B's.

Music, art and physical education are not included in the determination of Honor Roll eligibility; however, conduct is considered in determining Honor Roll.

All studentss will be eligible for perfect attendance awards. Students must not have any tardies, unless excused by a doctors note in order to receive this certificate.

In grades kindergarten through third grade, students will be recognized for their citizenship. Each classroom teacher determines the eligibility for the students in their classroom.

All awards are given at the end of the quarter in a convocation in Zore Hall. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Celebrating Liturgy together is a weekly highlight and one of the most important celebrations in our lives as Catholics. Student liturgies are held at 10:00a.m. every Thursday, unless otherwise indicated. Students also attend services on Holy Days of Obligation which occur during the school year. Students actively participate in Mass through readings, singing, petitions, serving as greeters or gift bearers or serving on the altar. Classes follow a schedule for liturgy preparation. If a class is responsible for the preparation of readings, etc..., for a specific liturgy, they are asked to sit together and participate as a group.

The expectation is that students will behave reverently at all times, including entering and exiting Church. Students are to keep their hand and feet to themselves. They are to pay attention, not talk or make gestures at others. As in school, hats, candy and gum are not permissible.

Students not planning the weekly liturgy may sit with their families during Mass. We ask that you help us reinforce being reverent at Mass with the children. Please make sure that your child walks to and from your pew while not talking to join you or their classes. In order to avoid disruption, it would be helpufl if special efforts could be made to arrive at Church early so that students would not need to move after the liturgy has already begun.

All students, Catholic and non-Catholic, attend Church and go forward with their class at the time for Communion distribution. Those who do not receive Communion receive a blessing.

Shorts are not to be worn by any student on Mass days.

The lost and found is located under the long coat rack entering Zore Hall. Parents are urged to label all items of clothing. Students may claim lost items at anytime during the school year. Unclaimed items are either donated to St. Vincent De Paul or to the Uniform Sale.

Prescription Medication:

1. Must be clearly identified: Child's name and type of medication.
2. Must be in the original container and must be current.
3. Must carry a prescription label with the child's name, drug identity, dosage instructions, doctor's name and prescription date.
4. A note dated and signed by the parent must accompany the medication. This note should include the child's name, dosage amounts, specific dosage times and other instructions. Please attach this to the Prescription Medication Sheet that must be turned in for each prescription.
5. Refridgeration is available if needed.
6. Parents/Adult MUST be the one to bring in the prescription medication. Prescription medication will not be accepted from children or from their backpacks.
7. Students must self-administer their medication under the supervision of school personnel.
8. No more than one week of prescription medication (other than treatment for asthma) can be deliverd and stored at school at one time.
9. Students who take prescription medication on a daily basis will need to see the Principal to set up a School Medication Plan.

Non-Prescription Medication:

1. Over-the-counter medication will be administrered with written consent. Please fill out and complete this on the back of your student information page.
2. Non-prescription medication must be in the original container.
3. Non-prescription medication must be clearly identified: child's name, type of medication and dosage instructions.
4. A note signed and dated by the parent withe the child's name, medication name, dosage instructions, specific dosage times and other necessary instructions must accompany the medication.
5. Parents/Adult MUST be the one to bring in the non-prescription medication. Non-prescription medication will not be accepted from children or from their backpacks.
6. Students must self-administer their medication under the supervision of school personnel.

The acronym PTP stands for Parent Teacher Partnership. This is the parent organization of Saint Susanna School. The purpose of the organization is to provide assistance to the teachers and to the school in general for the benefit of the children enrolled in the school. The group also promotes the achievement of better understanding and communication between parents and children. YOUR involvement is crucial to the success of the many activities in which PTP is involved. Parents become members of this organization simply by having a child enrolled in the school.

The major fund-raiser of the year is the annual Auction. Each school family is expected to assist in the preparation for this event. Information will be provided regarding this activity throughout the school year. This is the sole school event for which participation is an expectation rather than a hope. It is an enjoyable and exciting experience!

Visit the PTP webpage.

Students who have completed a grade satisfactorily will be promoted to the next grade. A decision for retention will be made jointly by the parents, teacher, and principal. Parents will be consulted as soon as possible during the first semester if retention is under consideration, even as a remote possibility. In most situations, if parents disagree with retention then the student will not be promoted to the next grade level, they will be placed there.

Recess is a valuable part of a student's day. It should be a happy, relaxing experience. A twenty-minute recess period is available each day during the lunch period. An adult is always on duty to supervise students. Children are expected to be outside unless the weather is inclement (below 32° F, raining or snowing). Please be sure that your children are dressed for the weather. Students will not be allowed to make phone calls to parents to bring in sweatshirts or pants if a child is cold. Children will go outside regardless of what they were sent to school wearing. Please send a written note to the teacher if your child must stay inside for medical reasons during this free time.

When children are out of the listening range of an adult, they sometimes choose to speak less charitably to other children. Please, continually talk with your children about how they speak to others! Students who would never speak unkindly in the presence of an adult are sometimes cruel to other children. We all need to take the lead in reminding them that this is never acceptable Christian behavior.

We are very fortunate to have playground equipment available for use during student free time. The formation of playground rules is an ongoing process, but current directions include, but are not limited to the following directives:

• Students must slide in a forward position only.
• Wait until the person on the slide is out of the way before sliding.
• No running or walking up or down the slide.
• No shimmying up poles.
• No walking across or sitting on the top of the jungle gym.
• No standing across from children swinging.
• No pushing or shoving.
• No hanging upside-down from equipment.
• Jumping off of the swings is not allowed.
• Benches and tables are for sitting at or on, not walking across.
• Mulch is to stay on the ground.
• Only one person at a time on the tire swing and one person at a time pushing the tire swing.
• Please use all of the playground equipment for the purpose for which it was designed.
• Please share the equipment with other students. Off a chance to everyone.

Saint Susanna School is a part of the ministry of our parish. Religion is taught at each grade level and spirituality is a part of everyday life. Students receive instruction in Scripture, Catholic traditions and history, as well as sacramental preparation. Students plan and participate in weekly liturgies.

At Saint Susanna School, it is a tradition to place a high priority on stewardship or sharing your time, talent, and treasures with others. Stewardship forms are available via download or may be picked up in the school reception area. Prayer is an important part of the day. Prayers are said in the morning, before lunch, and at dismissal. Prayers may be formal, spontaneous, silent reflection, or shared prayer by the students or staff.

At the end of each quarter, the students in kindergarten through grade eight receive report cards. Pre-school and pre-kindergarten students receive progress reports designed to address specific areas. These reports show the progress made academically as well as the progress in the character formation and work habits of the student.

Saint Susanna School has designed and implemented a specific report card for kindergarten which coorelates with nine-week goals which are made available to parents of students in the class. There is also a specific first grade report card designed by Saint Susanna teachers.

Progress reports are sent home with all students in grades kindergarten through eighth at each mid-quarter. These grades do NOT go on the permanent record sheets, but rather serve to inform the student and family of current academic progress, or lack thereof. Teacher comments regarding student progress are part of progress reports and student report cards. These serve to provide additional information about student work and progress.

A parent/teacher conference for each student is scheduled near the first quarter of the school year. There is also the opportunity provided for the indication that a conference is needed at progress report time. Such a conference may be initiated by either the teacher or the parent. Such conferences are encouraged as a means to keep small difficulties small without waiting until report card time when they may suddenly be seen as large problems.

Association with an institution of learning carries with it responsibilities which, when fulfilled, enrich the learning experience and go far toward making the best possible situation for all concerned.

Preparation for the reception of the Sacraments is a continuous process in a Catholic school. Formal instruction and preparation for the Sacraments of First Communion and First Reconciliation occurs formally during the second grade year. Parental involvement is critical for the success of this preparation. Your witness is the real teacher for your child's faith development. As a parent of a child involved in this process, you will be asked to attend preparation meetings and to spend some time with family-centered activities in preparation for these important events.

The Saint Susanna School Commission is the advisory board for the education programs and policies associated with Saint Susanna School. The programs and policies of the Religious Education and in the parish are under the Saint Susanna Faith Formation. School Commission dates, agendas, and minutes from the meetings are posted below. To be placed on the agenda, you must contact the school Principal or the School Commission president one week prior to the scheduled meeting.

All Commission meetings are open to the public with the exception of those segments dealing with personnel or budget decision matters which are designated as closed sessions. The primary functions of the Saint Susanna School Commission are as follows:

• To set the educational policies needed for Saint Susanna School and to review their implementation. After being voted upon by the Commission, all policies must be ratified by the Pastor, who has veto power over all matters. This practice has its roots in Canon Law.
• To receive progress reports from the administrator and to determine if state, Archdiocesan, and local policies are being met.
• To set the educational budget.
• To receive and review information from groups connected with the educational programs (such as PTP).
• To set goals and objectives reflecting the needs of the parish community.
• In practicing shared responsibility, the School Commission's prepared budget must be approved by the parish Finance Committee and ultimately by the parish council. The three-year goals as prepared by the School Commission and the Faith Formation Commission are also approved by the parish council.

The school cannot give school records to parents or any other person for transfer to a new school. Student records will be sent through the mail. Records will be transferred only at such times as tuition and other financial obligations, including hot lunch and Extended Day Ministry, have been paid in full.

In planning social events and activities, parents and teachers need to be sensitive to the feelings of children as well as their safety and welfare. Therefore, the school has set forth the following guidelines regarding social activities involving our students:

1. Invitations to parties or events which are to take place outside of school time are not to be issued at school. Students should be discouraged from discussing such events in the presence of those who are not included.
2. Social gatherings on or off school property should have adequate adult supervision.
3. For classroom parties, please plan on age-appropriate activities.

Specialized psychometric evaluation may be recommended for students in some situations. Testing is available, pending school and parental request, through the local public school system in which the child attends, as well as through private agencies or hospitals. Children will be recommended for testing by the classroom teacher. No testing is performed without the consent of the parent. Arrangements may be made with the local public schools as well as private agencies for speech therapy and language remediation. Children in need of these services may be recommended for evaluation by the classroom teacher.

Students use of the telephone is restricted. We prefer not to send a child to the telephone to call parents because of forgotten homework. (A child with working parents would be unable to do this; consequently, this provides an added dimension to the development of personal responsibility.) Students should not attempt to change transportation arrangements at school and then call home to verify these changes. Students must have written permission from home in order to deviate from normal dismissal arrangements.

Previously known as field trips, these educational activities are considered integral to our curriculum. Classes are encouraged to participate in study trips which relate to areas of the curriculum. A permission form listing all the pertinent information will be sent home in advance. Students must return the signed permission form in order to participate in the study trip. Verbal permission will not be accepted. Parents may be asked to drive or chaperone these field trips. Parents must sign and abide by the field trip guidelines. Parents who might transport students in their own vehicle must provide proof of insurance (for the vehicle used on the field trip) and a valid driver's license prior to the study trip. This regulation is for the protection of the driver as well as the children being transported. According to the guidelines from the National Catholic Education Association and the Office of Catholic Education, parents who plan to chaperone may not bring younger siblings along on the study trips. Parents must have also completed a background check and VIRTUS training. Parent assistance as chaperones is needed and appreciated. There are basic understandings and rules for bus use as a part of a study trip. In addition to the bus rules mentioned earlier:

• Everyone should remain seated on the bus at all times when the bus in in motion. There should be no moving from seat-to-seat while the bus is moving.
• The aisles should not be blocked with feet, coolers, bags, etc...
• Screaming, yelling or other loud noises are not acceptable.
• There is to be no attempt to get trucks on the highway to honk at the bus.
• No food, candy or beverages are allowed on the bus at any time.
• There should be no talking at a railroad crossing. Everyone needs to be silent so that oncoming trains might be heard. The law states that school buses must stop at all railroad crossings.

Chaperones are asked to assist with this mission, both on and off the bus. We appreciate the cooperation of all.

At grade levels where there is more than one class, the assignment of students to classrooms will be completed by the school. Although it has been a limited practice in the past to consider parental requests for placement of a student with a particular teacher, this avenue is no longer available. Classroom assignments will be made by the school principal using faculty input. A student who has special circumstances (i.e. sibling, IEP, retention) will be placed according to which best needs that student's development along with the input from teachers, parents, and the Special Education reviewing committee.

All students in grades two through eighth are exposed to a form of standardized testing. Students in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades are expected to participate in I-STEP+ testing, which begins in September.

All school fees are determined by the Saint Susanna School Commission. Please visit the tuition section for tuition fees.

Registration fees are non-refundable.

• Registration fee per child: $50.00
• Book fee per child: Kindergarten through 8th grade: $175.00
• Technology fee per child: Pre-school through 8th grade: $50.00
• Activity fee per child: Pre-school through 8th grade: $50.00
• Lab fee per child: 6th through 8th grade: $50.00
• Consumable fee per child: Pre-school & Pre-K: $50.00

The above fees are due no later than August 15th, 2008.

Failure to meet or address financial obligation may result in withholding educational records and the possible dismissal of the student.

Enrollment for the following school year will not be honored if there is a financial balance from the previous year which has not been addressed.

Visitors to Saint Susanna School are welcome at all times! Please check in with the school receptionist upon arrival. We would appreciate a call for an appointment if you wish to schedule a tour, meet with the principal, or to observe a class. The teacher and class may have a study trip or a special activity planned. Please remember that a visit to a classroom is for the purpose of observation only. If there is something that you wish to discuss with the classroom teacher, please make an appointment for a conference to allow adequate time and focus upon the issue. In justice, a teacher should not take instructional time away from the class in order to speak with another adult. Please do not put the teacher in an awkward position by seeking special privileges.

If you are bringing something to your child, please leave it with the school receptionist and it will be delivered. Please do not interrupt the classroom routine in order to deliver it yourself. Your cooperation in keeping the instructional time available to us as child-centered as possible is appreciated.

Volunteers are both welcomed and needed at Saint Susanna School! A student's education experience is facilitated and enriched by the involvement of the variety of resources our volunteers have to offer. Please contact the school receptionist if you are willing to share your time and talent!

Saint Susanna School will abide by the Indiana State Wellness Policy. For information regarding the policy please refer to http://healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.