ACADEMICS

ACADEMICS

CURRICULUM

Santa Cruz School follows the curriculum guidelines of the Diocese of Tucson, which require specific courses, time allotments and instructional material set by the Department of Catholic Schools, the Arizona State Department of Public Instruction and the Western Catholic Education Association.

“The primary goal of the program of instruction in the schools of the Diocese of Tucson is to provide learning experiences which most effectively inculcate worthwhile attitudes and impart knowledge and skills necessary for the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical development of the student.” (# 4200, Handbook of School Policies and Procedures, Diocese of Tucson)

SCHOOL SCHEDULE

The school year includes 180 instructional days for students. On regular school days classes begin at 8:00 AM and students are dismissed at 3:00 PM. Throughout the school year occasional (usually one per week) minimum days occur, with dismissal at 12:30 PM. Minimum days are scheduled so as to provide professional development and planning opportunities for teachers. Minimum days are listed on the school yearly calendar, which is sent home to families at the beginning of the school year.

GRADING SYSTEM

Santa Cruz School follows the grading system and report cards as provided by the Diocese of Tucson Department of Catholic Schools. Report cards are issued four times per year. Copies of each grade’s report card, with the grading standards applied at each grade level, can be found in the Appendix of this handbook.

HOMEWORK

Santa Cruz School follows the recommendations of the Diocese of Tucson Department of Catholic Schools regarding homework policies. The Handbook of School Policies and Procedures, Diocese of Tucson, (#4200-F) states:

Homework is an integral part of the school’s instructional program. It is intended to reinforce learning and to foster habits of independent study. While students’ abilities and concentration will vary, general suggested time allotments for homework in elementary school are as follows:

K – 3 Grades 15 – 30 minutes per day

4 – 6 Grades 30 – 60 minutes per day

7 – 8 Grades 60 – 90 minutes per day

REPORTING TO PARENTS

Santa Cruz School respects and values the parents’/guardians’ role in the education of their children. Conferences are a valuable means of communication, whether in person, by phone, or in writing. The school provides the following:

· Report Cards issued four times per year

· Parent Teacher Conferences – parents/guardians are required to attend the scheduled conferences

· Interim reports issued to students needing improvement

· Regular letters sent home by each classroom teacher

· Phone or written note contacts made by teachers to parents/guardians as needed

Parents/guardians are welcome to contact teachers whenever they have questions or concerns regarding their child. These contacts should be made outside of the teacher’s classroom or school duty times, preferably by appointment if the need warrants a significant amount of time.

PROMOTION / RETENTION

Santa Cruz School follows the Promotion and Retention policy of the Diocese of Tucson, Department of Catholic Schools. This policy can be found in the Appendix of this handbook.

Academic Probation

The goal of Santa Cruz School is that all students succeed. A student who is not displaying the necessary effort to be successful may be placed on academic probation after the teacher(s) and administrator agree that this is best for the student. The parent/guardian will be notified in writing of the academic probation, how the student can be removed from academic probation, the length of time of the probation, and the consequences if the students fails to get removed from academic probation in the specified time. A consequence may be requesting the student to withdraw from the school.

Retention, Placement, and Summer School

Summer school is suggested when a student receives 2 D’s in a subject or 1 F ( or equivalent grades) in a subject.

Summer school is required when a student receives 3 D’s in a subject, 2 D’s and 1 F in a subject or 2 F’s in a subject (or equivalent grades).

The student’s status is an Incomplete in those subjects until the documentation of the successful completion of summer school is provided. The Incomplete at that time will be changed to either a Pass or Fail. When summer school is required, documentation must be provided to the school before the student is allowed to enroll in the next grade for the following year. Without documentation of successfully completing summer school, the student may be retained in the previous grade. If a student fails summer school, the student may be retained in the previous grade.

AWARDS PROGRAM

Santa Cruz School presents the following awards to students on a quarterly basis:

· Principal’s Award for Excellence - Given to the class that displays the best overall spirit of school cooperation for that quarter.

· Outstanding Effort/Outstanding Conduct – given to students whose conduct and effort reflect excellence.

· Spirit of Santa Cruz Award – given to one student from each grade who best reflects the Christian spirit of Santa Cruz Catholic School.

· Handwriting Award – Given to one student from each grade who exhibits consistent pride in their work through neat and correct cursive handwriting and/or printing.

· Fine Arts Award – given in Music and Art to one student in each grade who exhibits excellence in interest and in their positive contribution in these classes.

· Perfect Attendance Award – given to each student who is not tardy or absent, that is, is present for complete days for one full month of the quarter.

· Academic Honor Roll (Grades 4-8 only)

o High Honors: given to each student who meets the following criteria:

- 3.5 GPA or higher in academic subjects

- averages 1-2 in conduct and effort

- has no academic grade on Progress Report below a C-

o Honors: given to each student who meets the following criteria:

- 3.0 GPA in academic subjects

- averages 1-2 in conduct and effort

- has no academic grade on Progress report below a C-

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Students are required to furnish their own regular school supplies throughout the school year. A supply list for each grade is available at the beginning of each school year. Students are expected to have these “tools” ready at all times, e.g., pencils, pens, paper, ruler, pencil case, book bags, glue, etc.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips may be scheduled by classroom teachers throughout the school year. These trips will have an educational purpose, are a part of the curriculum, and, therefore, students will be responsible for completing any school work related to the field trip.

Parents/guardians will receive notification of field trips through the Diocese of Tucson Field Trip Permission Forms requiring their signature. Students will not be allowed to take part in the field trip unless this official form is signed by a parent/guardian and returned to school in advance of the trip. Telephone calls and/or handwritten notes will not be accepted in lieu of the official form, due to legal liability.

Field trips are privileges, and the school retains the right to withhold a student from participating. This decision is made by the principal, in consultation with the teacher(s) involved. Parents/guardians retain the right to withhold permission for their children to participate in field trips.

When parents/guardians are invited to provide transportation for field trips, they must have the following on file at the school office:

· valid driver’s license

· record of current car insurance

· documentation showing they meet the Diocese of Tucson child safety requirements regarding fingerprinting and background check for school volunteers.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Students enrolled in Santa Cruz Catholic School have the opportunity to participate in after school activities as they are offered by Santa Cruz:

Children’s Choir – offered for students in Grades K-8
After School Sports – Santa Cruz School participates in the Diocese of Tucson school sports program, offering volleyball, basketball and track for boys and girls, grades 4-8. Students participating in the school sports program must meet the academic and conduct criteria as described in the school sports policy. A copy of this policy can be found in the Appendix of this handbook.