The School Day
7:30 a.m. Students supervised in the cafeteria.
8:30 a.m. Students released to go to their lockers.
8:40-8:45 a.m.  Bus arrival
8:45 a.m.  All students in homerooms
11:45-12:15 Lunch served
Students have 45 minutes for lunch and recess.
3:00 p.m.  Classes end
3:00-3:10 p.m.  Closing prayer and preparation for departure.
3:10 p.m.  Bus departure

Morning Arrival
The majority of SFX students are transported by bus. Therefore, in the morning families who drive their child/ren to school are to park on the curb side of the front parking lot and walk their child/ren into the building. Buses use the sidewalk side of the parking lot. When using the parking lot in front of the school building, enter on Fourth Avenue and exit on Second Street North.  The same procedure is used for morning bus arrival and afternoon bus departure.

Attendance Plan
Students are to be in their classrooms at 8:45 a.m.  Punctuality is strongly encouraged.  A student will be allowed four tardies per trimester.

Students in grades four through six:
If a student is tardy more than four times, for each time tardy they will have a make-up session with the teacher whose class they have missed.  The make-up session will be from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on a day determined by the teacher.  Transportation will be the respnsibility of the parents.  The make-up session will take precedence over any ohter after school activity.  If the student does not attend the make-up session, s/he will receive an Imcomplete on his/her Progress Report for that  particular subject(s).

A student not in the building by 10:00 a.m. will be marked a half-day absent.

Absences
Attendance is taken before the morning classes. If a child is not attending school that day, the parents are asked to notify the school by 9:00 a.m.  A written excuse is necessary when the child returns to school after being absent. Tardiness also requires a written excuse. All notes are given to the homeroom teacher. Any student coming to school after the lunch count has been taken must check in with the school secretary.  Parents are urged to make medical and dental appointments for after school hours if at all possible.

Dismissing Students During School Hours
A written note should be sent with your child in the morning and given to the homeroom teacher stating date and time of dismissal.  Parents must come into the school to meet their child.  Parents, if you are designating someone to pick up your child, s/he must have a note signed by you identifying that person.

Medical Appointments
Parents are urged to make medical and dental appointments for after school hours if at all possible.

Emergency Closing
In the event of bad weather, listen to WJON, KCLD, or WCCO radio for cancellations. Sometimes the phrase used is, "Central Minnesota Metro Schools". This phrase means that all schools in the three district area, Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud are following the same school announcement.

Discrimination Guidelines
St. Francis Xavier School admits and does not discriminate against students of any sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin or the physically challenged. All rights, privileges, programs and activities are made available to all students, if with reasonable accommodations our school canmeet their needs. It does not discriminate against them in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, athletic programs or any other school administered program.

Progress Reports
Progress Reports and Parent-Teacher Conferences are two of the principle means by which parents can determine their child's achievement in school. They are also an important means of contact between the parent and teacher. Progress reports are issued at the end of each trimester in November, March and May. Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year.

Access to a Child or Records
Unless a court order or court document indicates that a non-custodial parent may not have access to a child or to the child's records, then that parent does have equal access to the child and his/her records.

Insurance
St. Francis Xavier School does not provide compulsory accident insurance for students. All students participating in school sponsored sports must have insurance provided by their family.

Sports
St. Francis Xavier Parish Athletic Association, PAA, sponsors sports program to fifth and sixth grade students who are member of our school and/or parish.

Lost and Found
Please mark your child/s articles for identification in so far as this is possible.

Books and Equipment
Each student is responsible for taking good care of library books, school books, equipment and furnishings. Students losing or damaging a book will be expected to pay for its replacement, based on the age and condition of the book.

Dress Code
The attire of students should be guided by modesty and sensible judgment.
Students may not wear clothing, t-shirts or buttons which promote or advertises drugs or alcohol is not acceptable at school. Clothing that could be disruptive or distract orderly classroom activity is not acceptable.
All students are expected to wear appropriate footwear.  Shoes, tennis shoes and sandals (that stay on easily) are considered appropriate.  Shoes must be worn at all times.
Hats, caps, bandanas, kerchiefs or other headgear may not be worn during school hours.  They may be worn before school, after school, or during recess only.  This applies to boys and girls alike.  If there is a medical reason for a student to wear some sort of head covering, please contact the school office.
Winter wear-hats, boots, mittens/gloves, and snow pants should be worn.  Students not wearing boots will stay on the sidewalk during outside time and will not be allowed to play in the snow.
Minnesota weather changes from day to day. Students will go outside for physical education and/or recess each day. Students wearing shorts when the weather is chilly will go outside if their class goes outside; please stay current with weather forecasts.  On cool mornings, students may bring shorts in their backpack and change into them later in the day if the weather turns warmer.
SFX does allow the wearing of shorts on warm days. However, there will be no wearing of shorts to Mass. Students may bring shorts and change later that day.

School Lunch Program
St. Francis Xavier School is currently participating in the National School Lunch Program, the Fedreal Special Milk Program, and the Minnesota Kindergarten Milk Program.  In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint, write USDA, Director, Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Buillding, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 or (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
All questions regarding our school lunch program can be directed to Linda Wilfahrt.
A menu for the following month is sent home with the last Wednesday Newsletter of each month. We encourage a hot meal, however a child not desiring a hot lunch may bring his/her cold lunch.
Information concerning the school lunch program prices, free or reduced price lunches for those who qualify and free kindergarten milk for those who qualify, are distributed in the packets each family receives at Open House in late August. Money sent for school lunches should be sent in a sealed envelope marked for school lunch with the child/s name, grade and amount.
For academic year 2009/2010 the price of school lunch will be $2.10. One milk is automatically included in this fee. Milk for those eating cold lunch can be purchased for 65 cents.  The price of an adult lunch is $3.15.  Parents are welcome to occasionally join their child for lunch.
Free milk is available for Kindergarten morning snack.
Lactose Reduced Milk
SFX will provied lactose reduced milk for students upon receipt of a written request from parents.  Juice is not substituted for milk.
Food Allergies
When parents provide the cooks with a note from a doctor that a student has a food allergy, food substitutions will be made.

Homework
We believe that homework is a necessary part of your child's education. It enables the child to learn to work independently, to apply what s/he has learned, and to prepare for the next day's lesson. You can help in the following ways:
 
1. Help and encourage your child, but do not do his work for him. A child learn best by doing the work himself with guidance, if necessary.
2. Check to see that the child's homework assignment is completed and of an acceptable quality.
3. To check your child's progress with his homework, ask to see the corrected papers his teacher has returned to him.  Assignments consist of written work, math problems, projects, reading and studying. Not all homework is in written form.
 
The time necessary for doing homework will vary according to the grade level, the assignment given and the child's rate of work. If your child seems to be spending an excessive amount of time on his/her homework assignment, a conference with the teacher will help to clear up this difficulty.
The child should have a daily designated time and a quiet area in which his/her homework will be done.
Books and materials must be carried to and from school in a school bag or a plastic bag.

Office Hours
The school office is open on school days from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. We are happy to serve you. If the person you wish to speak with is not available when you call, we will try to return your call as soon as possible. We enjoy seeing parishioners and parents of our students. We encourage you to stop at the office any time.

Federal/State Aid
Title I
Title I benefits the largest number of public and non-public students of any federally funded program. Students who are one or more years below grade level receive supplementary assistance in reading and/or math in the form of teacher aid, time and materials. Each student's needs are assessed each spring and fall through teachers' judgment. Title I services are provided to SFX students in our own building; students no longer need to go to Pine Meadow Elementary for Title I services.
Title II
Title II funds are given to non-public schools who wish to participate in the program.  Funds, determined on a per pupil rate, are used for staff development.

Textbook Aid
The Minnesota Textbook Aid Law of 1975 (Chapter 396) provides textbook and standardized test materials to all non-public school students wishing to participate, with the per pupil rate based on the previous year's statewide public school average for similar materials. Materials must be for individual student use, secular, neutral and non-ideological.

Health Services
Chapter 396 also provides Health Services. Services of a school nurse are provided by the Sartell School District 748. Students are screened every year for possible vision problems and for hearing difficulties. Health records are kept on all students as required by State Law. Any special health problems of the child should be made known to the school so that adjustments if any, can be made in the classroom seating.

Special Services
The Special Learning and Behavior Problems program is for students who have a special learning problem. The students are referred by the teacher for special testing to discover the cause of the learning problem. The parents of the student are required to request the testing through the family's physician. Service is provided through the public school.

Speech Therapy
Any child who is experiencing a speech difficulty is entitled to service through the public school district. This service is given at Pine Meadow Elementary.

Discipline
It is the responsibility of the Board of Education, administration, teachers and other parish employees to safeguard the health and safety of each student.  Parents and guardians have the legal responsibility for the behavior of their children as determined by law and community practice.  Parents and guardians are expected to exercise the required controls so that the student's behavior will be conducive to the development of self-discipline and will not be disruptive to the parish's education programs.

Discipline and Motivation Plan
I. Philosophy
A. St Francis Xavier Parish's Philosophy of Discipline and Motivation:
Everyone at St. Francis Xavier is expected to do their very best at all times.  Staff and students will all work together to help every person reach their fullest potential.  Any behavior or action which helps someone grow and mature will be encouraged.  Any behavior or action which interferes with another person's growth will be addressed.
B. Discipline as an on-going process:
Discipline is a process, not a product.  The staff must work together to achieve as much consistency as possible, and must be prepared to revise and adapt the procedures when they are ineffective.

II. Parisah Staff's Role in Discipline:
A. Every staff person in the parish is an equal and contributing member of the implementation of the discipline policy and procedures.  All adults have the right to implement consequence for infractions of rules.  This is true for paraprofessionals, parent volunteers, secretaries, custodians, cooks, teachers and other parish employees. The classroom teacher is the center of an effective discipline policy.  The teacher will continually emphasize to students and parents the importance of students doing their best.  Whoever is directly supervising students is considered the classroom teacher whether that be physical education, music, computer, or anyone else.  When there is a behavior problem (other than "severe behavior") the staff person will attempt to teach the student how to behave appropriately.  The procedures the staff member uses to accomplish this are at the discretion of that staff person and will be sequential.  If one procedure or set of procedures does not work, that staff member will try something else.  Consistency, follow-up, and true caring are the keys to success.  The staff should give consequences that fir the violations and help students understand that the consequence is a direct result of their choices.
 
III. The Parent's Role in Discipline
A. The major role of parents in discipline is to continually show interest in the support for their child.  The child's knowledge that parents are actively interested and supportive of the school and faith formation programs almost always reduces discipline problems.  Parents may wish to share with the teachers any helpful information about their children.  Such information can help teachers deal more effectively with the special needs of each child.  If there are severe or recurring discipline problems, parents may be asked to work with the staff to teach the child an alternative set of behaviors.
 
IV. Rule for Students:
    •    Respect yourself, others, and property.
    •    Stay where an adult suervisor is present.
    •    Keep the restrooms neat and tidy.
    •    Do not leave the school/parish grounds.
    •    Use an indoor voice.
    •    Please leave directly after school, unless under the supervision of a teacher, coach or administrator.
    •    Leave items which could disrupt class at home.
    •    Keep hands and feet to yourself.
    •    When in the cafeteria, follow the cafeteria rules.
    •    When on the playground, follow the playground rules.
The objective of these and all other rules is to provide guidelines for proper behavior and to define what is expected of students attending St. Francis Xavier School or faith formation programs.  It is our goal to instill in each student the need for respect and responsibility.

Rules Conduct
Disciplinary action will be taken for any behavior which disrupts good order or violates the rights of other.  The following acts are unacceptable behavior subject to disciplinary action.
A. Truancy and Unauthorized Absences
Students shall be in attendance each day that school is in session.  The authority to decide whether an absence is excused or unexcused rests with the principal.  Students returning to school following an absence will be expected to complete all missed assignments within a reasonable period of time.
Truancy, the absenting of one's self from school or class without the knowledge and approval of the school or parent, is not condoned.  Any truancy is considered an unexcused absence and will be cause for disciplinary action.  In addition, action will be taken.  Any departure from the building by a student without prior approval shall be considered an unauthorized departure from the building and shall be subject to disciplinary action.

B. Dangerous, Harmful, and Nuisance Substance and Articles
Drugs and Alcohol:  Students are prohibited from using, possessing, distributing, or being under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol or narcotics.
Use of Tobacco:  Possession or use of any type of tobacco product by a student while at a school or parish sponsored activity is prohibited.
Harmful or Nuisance Articles: Students are prohibited from possessing or using articles that are nuisances, illegal or that may cause harm to persons or party at school or parish sponsored activities.
Weapons: Possession of a weapon by a student or adult (other than a safety officer) in educational or parish faith formation facilities or other designated areas is prohibited.
Definition: "Possession" refers to having a weapon on one's person or in educational areas.  "Weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, any devise or instrument designed as a weapon or through its use capable of threatening or producing great bodily harm or death, or any device or instrument that is used to threaten or cause bodily harm or death.

C. Harrassment
Harrassment includes but is not limited to:
    •    Verbal conduct such as epithets, derogatory comments, slurs or unwanted sexual advances, invitations or comments.
    •    Visual conduct such as derogatory posters, photography, cartoons, drawings or gestures.
    •    Physical conduct such as assault, unwanted touching, blocking normal movement or interfering with a person because of sex, race, or any other protected basis.
    •    Threats of demands to submit to sexual requests and or/
    •    Retaliation for having reported or threatened to report harrassment.
Appropriate desciplinary action will be taken for bullying behavior.  The primary purpose of such action is to proctect the victim and deter such behavior in the future.  The discipline imposed should match the severity of the offense.
St. Francis Xavier School or faith formation programs will discipline or take appropriate action against any person who retaliates against anothe rpreson who makes action.  Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, harrassment, or intentional disparate treatment.

Disciplinary Action
D. Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to the following:  Special meeting with the tacher or administrator, detention, loss of privileges, parents conference with staff, removal from class, suspension (in or out of school), exclusion or expulsion.
 
E. The specific desciplinary action and severity of punishment for inappropriate student behavior will be handled on a casy by case basis.
 
F. Law enforcement officials will be involved when laws have been broken.  Parents/guardians and students will be made aware of their rights under law.