Parent / Student Handbook

Organization

St. John Lutheran School is a ministry of St. John Lutheran Church in Eagle Point, Oregon and is governed by the church Board of Christian Education, which determines the policy of the school. This board is comprised of members of the congregation of St. John Lutheran Church.

Personnel
School Staff

Administrator		Pam Weaver
Administrative Assistant		Tina Pinnell
Teacher	1st Grade	Maggie Smart
Teacher	2nd & 3rd Grade	Linda Lyon
Teacher	4th & 5th Grade	Margaret Scheffler
Teacher	Kindergarten	Linda Tripp, Lead Teacher
Teacher	Pre-Kindergarten	Desiree Fauble
Teacher	Pre-Kindergarten	Lisa Curry
Teacher	PreSchool	Lisa Curry
Teacher	PreSchool	Jennifer Childers
School Aide		Sherri Ross
School Aide		Stacy Atler
School Aide		Jennifer Childers

Cheri Clark, Director	Pam Weaver
Margie Kay	Betty Doolittle
Rick Northrop	Lori Huntley
Barbara Northrop	Chuck Weaver
Rev. Gary Clark, Pastor	Linda Tripp, Staff Liaison

 

Philosophy

St. John Lutheran School is an integral part of the mission and ministry of St. John Lutheran Church. It serves a vital purpose in providing a safe, secure environment for the children enrolled in Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, St. John Lutheran School provides Christ-centered training in God's Word, integrated with excellence in education. The school seeks to develop basic skills of learning, thinking, solving problems, making value judgments and decisions, respecting self, others and property.

Mission Statement

The mission of St. John Lutheran School is to reach children and families through a program of Christ centered, quality education; to equip them academically, socially, emotionally and physically for life; and to enable them to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, so that they will grow in Christian maturity and boldly share their faith with others.

Purpose and Values and Practice

St. John Lutheran School is committed to:

• building a faculty and staff who are professionally prepared and personally sensitive to youth;
• appreciating the value of the individual through God's eyes and a willingness to help students and colleagues grow in their faith toward Christ Jesus;
• a variety of creative educational methods designed to serve student needs;
• an integrated and academically rigorous curriculum which reflects the best of educational standards for increasing school excellence;
• a growing ministry of education within our church and civic community.

As a Christian school we:

• believe in the Triune God and His redemptive activity confessed by the one, holy and apostolic Church;
• value our Lutheran heritage with the church universal;
• depend on the forgiveness of sin purchased by Christ on the cross and strive to share this freedom in our interpersonal relations;
• facilitate the freedom of the individual Christian so he or she may responsibly serve others.

Goals

St. John Lutheran School carries out its philosophy by encouraging each student and staff member to:

• grow in awareness of the grace of God through Jesus Christ;
• facilitate commitment to the Lord and the Church;
• appreciate Christian, Lutheran and American heritage;
• live as responsible citizens;
• develop ability in critical thinking;
• develop constructive physical, recreational, social and vocational skills;
• increase the ecological awareness of, and responsibility toward the created world.

St. John Lutheran School strives to:

• serve families by assisting parents in assuming their parental responsibilities in Christian education;
• promote a close relationship between school and home;
• recognize that the school exists as the secondary partner in the Christian and overall development of children and encourages parents to provide the primary training of their children.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Admission Requirements

1. Each child must meet the appropriate age requirement by September 1:  Preschool - 3; Pre-Kindergarten - 4; Kindergarten - 5; First grade - 6; Second grade - 7; Third grade - 8; Fourth - 9; Fifth - 10.
2. All enrollment forms must be completed and accompanied by the child's birth certificate.
3. Immunization forms must be completed and up to date.
4. The registration fee must be paid prior to admission.
5. The child must be toilet trained.
6. St. John Lutheran School is open to all children who might benefit from the program, regardless of race, nationality, gender or religion.

Admission Priorities

Enrollment priority is based on the following criteria and begins the first week in April:

1. Currently enrolled students
2. Siblings of currently enrolled students
3. Members of St. John Lutheran Church's congregation
4. Open enrollment

Curriculum

The core curriculum will include instruction in Reading/Literature, Writing, Phonics/Grammar, Spelling, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Health, Physical Education, Art, Music, and Christian Education, taught in a traditional classroom format and from a Christian perspective. The curriculum is consistent with, or higher than, the standards prescribed by the state of Oregon. Current textbooks and related materials are utilized as the content of the curriculum. Choice of textbooks is made by the Board of Christian Education, based on teacher recommendations and assessment of needs. Our religion curriculum is based on the Voyages series from Concordia Publishing House. Daily classroom prayer and devotions are also part of our Christian training. A copy of the curriculum goals for each grade level is given to parents during parent orientation.

Daily Schedule

Tuition Assistance

Families needing financial assistance with tuition costs may submit an Application for Tuition Assistance, available in the school office, as soon as enrollment is complete. Each application will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee of SJLS and held in the strictest confidence. Funds are limited so early application is advised.

Teacher Certification

St. John Lutheran School is registered with, and recognized by, the Oregon State Department of Education as a private school. The SJLS faculty consists of an Administrator, Lead Teacher, classroom teachers and school aides. All teachers from Kindergarten and above are currently certified with the state of Oregon. All teachers participate annually in staff development programs designed for school improvement and professional growth.

POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

Attendance/Absences/Tardiness

Regular school attendance is essential if a student is to make use of the educational opportunities the school offers. Regular attendance develops dependability and responsibility in the student and contributes to his or her academic achievement. Parents share in the responsibility of teaching this vital life skill to their children.

Student Sign In/Out
All preschool and pre-kindergarten students are to be signed in and out of school. Any student leaving school during the day will need to be signed out at the school office. Children arriving late or coming back from an appointment will need to be signed in at the school office.

Excused Absences
Elementary age students are required by law to attend school, if not being home schooled. Absences due to personal illness, serious family illness, deaths in the family, and medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of the school day, are considered excused absences. Assignments and exams missed during excused absences may be made up in a reasonable amount of time (generally one day for each day of absence). Excessive unexcused absences may affect a child's grades or promotion to the next grade level.
Extended absences are discouraged but may occur because of family vacations during the school year. Work missed during that time is to be made up at home, and is due in the number of day's equivalent to the time lost (example: 3 days out-work due 3 days after return). Teachers are not expected to prepare assignments in advance for completion during vacation.
Parents are expected to call the school office by 9:00 am if their child is going to be absent.  Since it is essential that we keep a close check on all children under our care, each teacher will report the names of absent students to the office and the school will contact the home if the parent has not reported the absence. This calling procedure applies only to kindergarten through sixth grade, since preschool and pre-kindergarten students must be signed in and out of classes.

Tardiness
All students not in their assigned seats in their classroom at 8:30 a.m. shall be counted as tardy by the classroom teacher. Habitual tardiness shows disrespect and causes disruption to the teacher and other students, resulting in a loss of instructional time to those students who have arrived on time and are prepared to begin the day at 8:30. Parents of Elementary-age students are to be notified by their child's teacher after a student has been tardy three (3) times within a grading period. If the child continues to be tardy, a conference with the teacher and administrator will be set up after the sixth tardy within a grading period. Please insure that your child arrives at school on time.

School Closures/Class Cancellation
In the event of inclement weather or other emergency, SJLS follows District 9's recommendation for school closures. Information will be on local T.V. and radio should school be canceled or opening late. If schools are opening one hour late, we will have morning PreSchool, PreKindergarten and Kindergarten classes. If schools are opening two hours late, those AM classes will be cancelled.

Chapel

All students attending school on Wednesday will attend Chapel. Children should wear their school shirt on Chapel day. Parents are encouraged to send a chapel offering with their child. The amount need not be large. This will instill the importance of caring for others and reaching out with the love of Jesus Christ to those in need. The offering gathered will go to the mission project selected for the school year by the school staff. Preschool students who attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays will have their Chapel day on Thursday and should also wear their school shirts on that day.

Child Abuse Reporting Obligations

Even when the climate of the Lutheran school is loving, caring, warm, and comfortable, a child may suffer abuse which prevents the child from benefiting from that environment. Because school is a caring place, teachers are concerned about what happens to their students both in school and away from it. Awareness is growing about an affliction that affects many students: child abuse. In the U.S., one child dies every four hours from abuse by a parent or someone entrusted with the child's care. The consequences of failure to report child abuse and neglect are staggering. In many cases, the children die or are physically and/or emotionally impaired for life. Some children suffer neurological damage that results in mental retardation or severe learning disabilities. There are established links between abuse or neglect and social maladjustments, juvenile delinquency, and adult criminal behavior. Perhaps the most frustrating statistic is that many abused children grow up to be abusive parents.
In accordance with ORS 418, school staff members are obligated, under penalties of fine and imprisonment, to report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional deprivation, physical neglect, inadequate supervision, or sexual abuse and exploitation. In this very serious and legally narrow area, the school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to legal authorities. The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made to the proper authorities for their investigation and review.
If you feel you need help with abuse issues, please contact your clergy or the school administrator for referral to an agency that can help. These requests will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Communication

SJLS's employees and management are very interested in knowing what you think about how we are doing and what we can do better. Open and regular communication greatly enhances our educational partnership. The weekly newsletter, The St. John Lutheran Star, is our primary form of home-school communication. It contains nothing but valuable information on current and future events, and parents are encouraged to read it thoroughly and keep it for future reference. Teachers also communicate in the form of class newsletters, website, conferences, report cards, notes and weekly folders sent home with the children. We feel that it is of utmost importance that parents feel comfortable contacting the administrator and/or the teacher as problems or concerns arise. To arrange a conference, please call the office and leave a message for the teacher. Please be aware that during the 15 minutes before and after school, the teacher needs to be interacting with the students. This is not the best time for discussing concerns.

To resolve a conflict with a teacher or other staff member, parents are asked to:

1. Speak first directly to the teacher or staff member involved. If a resolution is not found-
2. Speak to the administrator. If an acceptable resolution is still not arranged-
3. See Grievance Procedures in this handbook.

All questions regarding school matters should be discussed with your child's teacher or the administrator. In the spirit of Matthew 18, concerns should be discussed directly with the person involved first, not other members of the staff or other parents.
We invite and encourage parents to visit your child's classroom to enhance your understanding of your child's progress and the nature of the activities in which he or she participates. So that the educational process is not interrupted, we ask that you make arrangements with the teacher in advance of your visit. Small children should be left at home when visiting. Visitors are required to check in at the office to receive a visitor's badge and will be escorted to the classroom by the secretary.

Cumulative Records

Cumulative records will be kept on each student. These records will be made available only to the teaching staff and to office personnel charged with the responsibility of maintaining these records. Parents and legal guardians have the right to inspect their child's permanent record in the presence of the administrator by appointment. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act gives parents the right to inspect, correct, and control access to their child's cumulative file. Parents have the right to have records corrected if they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the child. If parents are not satisfied with informal proceedings concerning removing or changing a portion of their child's records, they are entitled to a hearing. If the outcome of the hearing is that the information, in the opinion of the parent, is not accurate, parents have the right to put a statement in their child's records commenting on the contested information.
ORS 107.154 provides that, unless otherwise ordered by the court, an order of sole custody to one parent shall not deprive the other parent of the right to inspect and receive school records, and to consult with the staff concerning the child's welfare and education, to the same extent as the custodial parent may inspect and receive such records and consult with such staff.
The above statute requires that the educational records that relate to the student will be shared with non-custodial parents upon their request unless the school is presented with a court order to the contrary.
If you wish to restrict the visiting rights of the non-custodial parent, you must present the school with a valid court order denying such right.

Damage Responsibility

Families will be required to reimburse the school for loss (careless or willful) for damage to school or library books. Students will also be held responsible for school property, equipment, furniture, and the property of other students which are carelessly or deliberately damaged, defaced, or marred. Willful damage of school property can result in disciplinary action.

Discipline and Conduct

Student Relationships
Christ-honoring relationships are encouraged at SJLS. Relationships shall demonstrate common courtesy, openness, friendliness, and a positive attitude. Students who are unable, for whatever reason, of practicing these Christian behaviors and who demonstrate a negative influence will be reviewed by the faculty and may be asked to withdraw from SJLS.

Saturday Work Days/Detention
Work days may be assigned by the Administrator on select Saturdays from 8am-12noon for certain offenses. The cost for the Saturday work day is $20 payable prior to the work day. Detentions may be required for first time and/or habitual minor offenses at the discretion of the Administrator. The cost for detention is $10 and will be billed to the parents. Work days and detention are not optional. The times and dates will be assigned by the Administrator. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Late students will be subject to further disciplinary action.

Suspensions and Infractions
Suspension from school can be:
• Short-term - 1 day or Saturday workday
• Intermediate-term - 3 days
• Long-term - 5 days
A one day suspension is 24 hours in length. Students must be personally checked out by a parent. No make-up work or tests will be allowed for a suspension, and the suspended student will receive a grade of zero for all work missed during the suspension. Any student who is suspended from school, even though the student was at school for the first part of the day, may not participate in a school activity until the student has been reinstated at school (including weekends). A suspension will not carry over to an authorized school holiday.

Disciplinary Dismissals
Any student dismissed from SJLS for disciplinary reasons will not be permitted to attend any school function without administrative approval and must sit out of SJLS for the remainder of the academic year.

Philosophy of Discipline
SJLS's philosophy of discipline is based on Biblical principles. Authority is established by God and discipline emanates through authority (top-down). Repentance brings forgiveness, but consequences shall occur as a result of a student's wrong choice(s). Disciplinary issues will be handled on a case-by-case basis using the following guidelines as a general framework recognizing that they cannot address all situations. The Administrator is authorized to consider all details regarding a particular incident and to take disciplinary actions which may be more or less severe than those listed below.

K - 5th Grade Disciplinary Procedures
Violations and Resulting Actions
The following behavior incidents are illustrative but are not exclusive of what would merit disciplinary action.

Code 1 Violations
• Three inside classroom or outside the classroom (chapel, playground, etc.) violations in one day
• Spreading malicious rumors
• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Failure to be in designated area
• Failure to return signed document by deadline
• Inappropriate use of computer
• Use of a personal communication device - cell phone, pager, etc.
• Use of a personal battery operated devices - CD player, IPod, Gameboy, etc.
• Dress code violation
Code 1 Resultant Action
A Code 1 infraction will result in a write-up where the student will report to the Administrator for the following action:
1st Offense: Student conference with Administrator
2nd Offense: Student and parents' conference with Administrator
3rd Offense: After school detention
4th Offense: Saturday Workday
5th Offense: One-day suspension
6th Offense: Three-day suspension
7th Offense: Five-day suspension
8th Offense: Case sent to the Board of Christian Education for recommendation of expulsion

Code 2 Violations
• Inappropriate language
• Verbal threatening or intimidation of a student
• Disrespect for authority
• Alteration of grades
• Uncontrollable behavior
• Disabling of computer or related devices
Code 2 Resultant Action
A Code 2 infraction will result in a write-up where the student will report to the Administrator for the following action:
1st Offense: Student and parents' conference with Administrator
2nd Offense: After school detention
3rd Offense: Saturday workday
4th Offense: One-day suspension
5th Offense: Three-day suspension
6th Offense: Five-day suspension
7th Offense: Case sent to the Board of Christian Education for recommendation of expulsion

Code 3 Violations
• Fighting or assault of a student
• Cheating or plagiarism
• Destruction of school property or vandalism
• Intimidation or verbal threatening of school personnel
• Profanity or unacceptable language
• Pulling the fire alarm or placing a false emergency call
• Indecent behavior
• Destruction of teacher's/student's property
• Theft (at school or during school activity)
Code 3 Resultant Action
A Code 3 infraction will result in the following action:
1st Offense: Saturday Workday
2nd Offense: One-day suspension
3rd Offense: Three-day suspension
4th Offense: Five-day suspension
5th Offense: Case sent to the Board of Christian Educational for recommendation of expulsion

Code 4 Violations
• Physical assault of school personnel
• Possession of a weapon (or facsimile) or assault with a weapon
• Breaking and entering
• Setting a fire or possession of explosives
Code 4 Resultant Action
If a student violates a Code 4 infraction, the case will go directly to the Board of Christian Education, where the following actions will be considered:
Suspension from school for one to five days
Expulsion from school at the discretion of the Board of Christian Education

Each student's overall behavior will be considered before any resultant action is taken. If there is a significant lapse in time between offenses, this too will be considered.

Dress Code

Parents are urged to be certain their child is appropriately dressed before they arrive at school. Clothing should reflect a wholesome Christian lifestyle and be God pleasing. Please mark your child's jackets, sweaters and coats, as well as any changes of clothes left at the school, with their name.

• Students should wear their school shirts on Chapel days and for field trips.
• Neat, clean jeans or pants worn at the waist are acceptable. Pants with holes are not appropriate. 
• Clothing with logos, symbols and designs must be of a wholesome nature. No suggestions of Super Heroes, Harry Potter, gang colors, smoking, guns or drugs may be worn.
• Tank tops with spaghetti straps are not acceptable. The midriff must be covered. 
• Shorts and skirts must be of an appropriate length. While standing straight with arms at sides, skirts and shorts should come down to or past the tips of your child's fingers.
• Tight fitting clothing is not appropriate.
• Hats may not be worn indoors.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. For safety reasons, sandals must be worn with socks.
• Either tie-on or Velcro strapped running shoes are required for P.E.
• Any extreme attire is not acceptable for school.

Violating the dress code is a Code 1 Violation of the school's disciplinary procedures.

Emergency Forms

It is critically important that each child have a current Emergency Form on file in the office. This form indicates the procedure you would like us to follow in case of an injury to your child, as well as emergency contacts in the event your child becomes ill at school. Please list people as emergency contacts who are generally available during the school day.

Field Trips

Teachers will plan learning experiences through field trips for the children throughout the year. Assistance with needed transportation is always appreciated. Parents who are driving for field trips will need to provide a copy of their driver's license and proof of insurance with a liability limit of at least 100/300/25. Students are covered under the church insurance policy any time they are attending a school function. Parents are to be given advance notification about any planned field trips as soon as the event is planned with a minimum of ten (10) days notice. Permission slips will come home with your student for each field trip. Students who do not return a signed field trip permission slip will be sent home. Students should wear their school shirt on field trips. Parents/guardians must provide a proper and legal child restraint for their children who are under 8 years of age or under 4' 9" tall. The name of the child must be on the booster seat.

Grievances

If a student and his or her parent feel aggrieved on account of any policy of the SJLS Board, the administrator, or a teacher, the parent will use the following procedure:

1. Contact the school administrator and set forth in detail, either written or verbally, the action or policy that is the basis for the grievance. The administrator will be responsible for solving the problem.
2. If the grievance is not settled within a reasonable time (the parent and the administrator will mutually agree on the time-frame), the parent will contact the SJLS Board chair. The Board chair may either refer the matter back to the administrator or arrange for a meeting between him or herself, the administrator, the parent and other appropriate parties.
3. If the grievance is still not settled, the parent may file a written statement with the Board and request a meeting with the whole Board. At the next regularly scheduled Board meeting, the Board chair may, at her or his discretion, call for a special Board meeting. The Board will meet with the parent (s), and all parties involved in the dispute.
4. Following the conference, but not later than the next regularly scheduled meeting, the Board will communicate its decision in writing, together with supporting reasons, to all parties involved. The Board's decision is the final step in the procedure.

In administering this policy:

1. A parent and/or student will never appear before the Board without the offending person also being present and given a chance to defend him/herself. 
2. No reprisals of any kind will be taken by any party to this procedure against any party in interest, any witness, or any other participation in the procedure.
3. The procedure above is the sole and only course available to any aggrieved person.
4. All parties concerned will treat the grievance as confidential information.
5. All grievances will be processed as rapidly as possible.

Illness

Pupils of SJLS will be excluded from attendance if, as determined by the school administrator or the child's health care provider, the child is suffering from an illness or disease identified as highly contagious by the Jackson County Health Department. The exclusion will continue until written release from the child's health care provider is presented as evidence to the school secretary or classroom teacher.
The following conditions are considered highly contagious: chicken pox, measles, mumps, pneumonia, pinworm, scabies, lice, ringworm, whooping cough, impetigo, and pink eye.
In consideration of the staff and other students, we ask that parents keep their children at home if they have symptoms of colds or flu, or a fever over 100 degrees. Children may return to school following non-highly contagious illnesses and/or diseases when parents confirm the absence of fever and symptoms in the immediate 24 hour period.

Immunization

Oregon law requires that each child's immunizations be up-to-date, and a copy of their immunization record be on file in the school office before being admitted to school. The form must show the month, day and year the child received each dose of the required immunizations. Please note that an individual doctor's record which lists a child's immunizations cannot be used in place of the state form. A list of necessary shots is available in the school office.

Library

SJLS has a small library of books, videos, and reference materials for student and parent use. Books and videos may be checked out for one week. A fee equal to the cost of replacement will be charged for lost or damaged books.

Lost and Found

To prevent the loss of clothing and other articles, please label them with your child's name. All unmarked articles found at school will be kept in the office. At the end of the school year unclaimed items will be donated to a charitable organization.

Lunches

Lunches may be brought from home or purchased through SJLS. Lunches are $2.30 and can be purchased in the office between 8:15 and 8:30. Lunches should be purchased ten or more at a time and in advance. As the lunch count must be passed on early to our volunteers daily, elementary students who have paid for lunches will advise their teacher if they are planning to have a hot lunch each day. The hot lunch program is available to the staff and volunteers, but must be ordered and paid for daily or in advance. No child may have more than five lunches on credit at one time.  If sending a cold lunch from home with your student, please provide a balanced, nutritious lunch that your child will eat. If a student arrives at school without a lunch, he or she will be permitted to charge lunch for that day. All students must eat lunch. All full day students must each lunch.  One microwave is available in the lunchroom for student use. Please tell your child on how long their item needs to be micro waved.

Medical Emergency Procedures

At the beginning of each school year, parents are required to fill out an Emergency Medical Form indicating their wishes for medical treatment. In the event of minor scrapes and bumps, the school secretary will administer ice packs, ointments, and band-aids. In the case of non-emergency illnesses, the family or emergency contact will be telephoned and requested to pick up the student.  In the event of an emergency, unless other desires are indicated on the Emergency Medical Form, the following procedures will be followed:

1. Emergency first aid will be administered to stop bleeding, restore breathing and/or heartbeat, or prevent shock.
2. Parents will then be notified. If they can be consulted immediately, the school will abide by the parents' wishes unless, in the opinion of the school representative in charge of the situation, a sufficient emergency exists that might threaten the life or welfare of the student.
3. If deemed necessary, transportation will be arranged to the emergency room.
4. A school representative will remain with the student until a parent assumes responsibility.

Medication

Oregon law allows school personnel to assist a student in taking prescription medication provided the necessary written forms have been signed by a student's parent or legal guardian. When a child must take medication at school, either prescribed or "over-the-counter," the school will require a signed "Permission to Dispense Medications" form. Any time a prescription drug is dispensed a Record of Medication Dispensed form must be completed. This record may contain multiple entries for the same medication. Under statute ORS 30,800 and 30,807, all medication must be in a prescription container clearly labeled with the child's name, the type of medication, the dosage and the times (both am and pm).

Nondiscrimination

SJLS admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin with all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, or scholarship programs

Parent Teacher Association

Our Parent Teacher Association is a support group for our school made up of ALL school parents and teachers. We get together for meetings throughout the school year with prior notification so parents can plan to attend. All parents, guardians and grandparents who have children enrolled in the school are encouraged to attend the meetings. We focus our attention on different ways to promote our school in the community and also on fundraising efforts. Parental participation is required in at least one area of the school's fundraising activities.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Teachers will schedule conferences with parents at least twice a year, to review the student's academic, spiritual and social progress at school. This is an important time of sharing for both parent and teacher. Progress reports will be issued to students in pre-kindergarten class and above.
We also encourage both parent and teacher-initiated conferences during the school year if there are any concerns about student progress or behavior. Please contact the teacher at least one day in advance if you desire to schedule a conference.

Parent Prayer Group

Each Monday morning at 8:45 a.m. any and all school parents are invited to join in a parent prayer group. This time is set aside for us to get together, talk, and to pray for our children, teachers, staff and the overall ministry of St. John Lutheran.

Party Policy

SJLS will use a Christian approach and emphasis to all holidays and celebrations. Special classroom activities may be planned for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Teachers may request parent participation in the celebration events. SJLS does not celebrate or promote the celebration of Halloween.
Children enjoy celebrating birthdays. Parents may wish to provide treats for the class on their child's birthday or half-birthday, if this is the case, please contact the teacher. These celebrations will take place during class with the time to be determined by the teacher. Please consult your child's teacher in advance if you are planning to bring birthday treats.
If your child is going to have a private party, please give consideration to the feelings of the other children. If your child cannot invite all the children in the class, the invitations should be mailed. Private party invitations may be distributed at school only if all students in the classroom are being invited. An exception may be made when a party is for boys or girls only. In this case, all the boys or girls in the class must be included. Invitations should be given to the teacher for distribution.

Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights
v To receive respect and consideration as a unique and valuable child of God.
v To be provided an educational environment where he or she can develop to his or her highest potential.
v To expect the rules to be reasonable and applied fairly.
v To expect personal rights and freedoms to be guaranteed.
v To receive caring assistance from all school personnel.
Student Responsibilities
v To know and comply with the rules and guidelines of the school.
v To be diligent in study. Specifically this means:

• Be regular and punctual in attendance.
• Pay close attention to instruction.
• Exhibit Christian character and citizenship at all times.
• Accomplish school work and homework to the best of one's ability.
• Demonstrate a cooperative manner and spirit.

v To respect and submit to teachers and others in authority.
v To willingly cooperate with school personnel in the interest of self-improvement.

Parental Rights
v To receive respect and consideration as a child of God.
v To expect teachers and administrators to provide an educationally sound, spiritually oriented instructional program.
v To be regularly informed of the academic, social, and spiritual status/progress of the student.
v To expect the school staff to communicate potentially serious problems.
Parental Responsibilities
v To raise their children in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Proverbs 22:6)
v To cooperate fully with the school staff by supporting and following the school rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
v To be sure that all required student forms are complete and current.
v To notify the school of situations in the classroom and/or the home which could have a negative effect on the child and her or his behavior or performance.
v To diligently reinforce the work and mission of the school in the home.

Teacher Rights
v To receive respectful consideration as a child of God.
v To have a classroom environment which guarantees an efficient and productive school day.
v To impose disciplinary controls within the classroom which are fair and reasonable, and to expect obedience from students.
v To be given the tools to provide a quality instructional program.
v To expect that the personal rights and freedoms of all will be guaranteed.
Teacher Responsibilities
v To accept each student as a unique and valuable child of God.
v To set an example of Christian love, patience, kindness, diligence, self-control, gentleness, service, and forgiveness to all.
v To conduct a well-planned and effective Christ-centered classroom program.
v To implement classroom regulations that facilitate respect and effective learning, and to apply them with love, fairness, and understanding.
v To keep parents informed of the academic, social, and spiritual progress of their students, and to request input from them in the most effective methods of guiding and disciplining their children.

Safety & Security

Drills/Emergencies
Fire, earthquake, and security drills, as well as special emergency procedures, are covered in the school policy and procedures manual. All employees have been certified in CPR and First Aid.

Dropping Off & Picking Up Students, Parking
Students may be dropped off and picked-up in front of their classroom building. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY WHILE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. Please park on the side of the building at any other time. Students are not allowed to be in the parking lot without an adult at any time. A list of persons authorized to pick up your child from school must be submitted in writing. Additions to the list must also be given in written form. Preschool and Pre-kindergarten students must be signed in and out daily and must be accompanied into the building by an adult. In case of emergency, where you need to have your child picked up by someone who has not been preauthorized, the code word you supplied will be required of the individual picking up your student, as well as picture identification.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted at the school during school hours. When school is not in session, smoking by adults is only permitted outside the building.

Wheels Day
Several times a year the students are allowed to bring bikes, skates or scooters for "wheels days." As this is a physical education activity, and for the safety of all students, motorized equipment is not allowed for these special events. Helmets are required for participation.

Visitors
Visitors and/or parents are required to sign in at the front desk and will be assigned a "Visitor's Badge." Visitors will be escorted to the classroom and the teacher will be informed. Parents are always welcome in the classroom, but are asked to check in at the office when arriving during school hours. Messages or items to be delivered to a student during class are to be dropped off in the school office. Siblings who are not attending the school are not to be allowed to wander into the classroom during school hours, as this may be disruptive to classroom activities.

Volunteers
Volunteers in contact with students must fill out and sign an Authorization for a Background Check in order to be a volunteer at St. John Lutheran School. Sign in at the front desk each time you volunteer and pick up your "Volunteer Badge." Volunteer 20 or more hours during the school year and receive $50 off your May tuition. For multiple students, volunteer 20 hours per student and receive $50 off each student's May tuition.

Toys

Personal toys, games, etc. are not allowed at school except for the purpose of scheduled "Show and Tell" or as specifically requested by the teacher. When they are brought, they are to remain in your child's backpack, cubby or wherever designated, before and after show and tell. They are never to go out with your child at recess.

Weekly Newsletter

One of the main ways for the school to communicate information to parents is through the weekly newsletter. Most information which needs to be relayed to parents will come in this form. Please take a few minutes each week and read this important bulletin.

Worship

The worship life of your child and your family is very important. Here at SJLS your child will have many opportunities for meaningful worship, ranging from simple classroom prayers and devotions, to midweek Chapel services, which families are encouraged to attend. Regular Sunday worship is a blessing to the entire family. We encourage you to worship each week in your own church. If you have no regular church home, you are warmly invited to worship at St. John Lutheran Church.

Sunday
8:00 a.m. Worship
9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:00 a.m. Fellowship time
10:30 a.m. Worship
6:00 p.m. Youth Group

Wednesday
5:30 p.m. Soup Supper
6:00 p.m. Family Worship (one-hour only)

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