Our Lady
of the Blessed
2007-2008
Student
and Parents Handbook
Introduction
Catholic education is an expression of
the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church he founded. Through education, the
Church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate
this proclamation into action (To Teach as Jesus Did, November 1972). The
policies and procedures contained in this handbook are a result of a concerted
effort to provide guidelines and assistance to the students and parents of this
school. This information has been carefully prepared to assist you in knowing
and understanding the policies of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy
and to solicit your continued support and cooperation. Education is a partnership made up of student
responsibility, parent responsibility, and only a part of that responsibility
is delegated to the school. A student’s success in this school is directly
related to his/her continued and consistent efforts. Note: The principal reserves the
right to amend the Student Handbook at any time during the course of the school
year with the approval of the Pastor and School Council.
Parents Role in Education
We
at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
Academy consider it a privilege to work with parents in the education of
children because we believe parents are the primary educators. Therefore, it is your right and duty to
become the primary role models for the development of your child’s
life—physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, morally, and
psychologically. Your choice of Our Lady
of the Blessed Sacrament Academy involves a commitment to helping your
child recognize God as the greatest
good in his/her life. Your personal relationship with God, with each other, and with the Church community will affect the way your child relates to God and others. Ideals taught in school are not well rooted
in the child unless these ideals are nurtured by the example of good Catholic/Christian morality and by an
honest personal relationship with God
in your family life.
Once
you have chosen to enter into partnership with us at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy, we trust you will remain
loyal to this commitment. During these
formative years (PreK-6), your child
needs constant and consistent support from both home and school in order to
develop morally, intellectually, socially, culturally, and physically. Home and
school must unite in a concerted effort to help students reach their potential. Evidence of mutual respect between parents
and teachers will model good mature behavior and relationship.
It
is important to remember that students are naturally eager to grow and learn,
but as they mature, new interests may cause them to lose focus. As this natural process occurs, the student
needs both understanding and discipline. At times, your child may perceive discipline
as restrictive. However, knowing that
there are boundaries and limits will help provide a young person with both
guidance and security and will teach them responsibility for one’s actions and
choices. It is essential to the
development of children that they take responsibility for the grades earned,
for their behavior, and to also be held
accountable for homework, long-term assignments, major tests, service projects
and any other assignments. This responsibility also extends to times of
absence. Together, let us begin this year with a commitment to partnership as
we support one another in helping our children achieve their greatest
potential. Let us give them, “Roots to ground them firmly, and wings to
help them soar.”
Parents as Partners
As
partners in the educational process at Our
Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy, we ask parents to set rules, times, and
limits, and remain steadfast and consistent, so that your child will:
·
Get
to bed early on school nights, arrive at school on time and is picked up on
time at the end of the day; (School will begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 3:00
p.m.)
·
Is
dressed in uniform according to the school dress code daily
·
Completes
all class assignments, homework, and any other assignments ON TIME
·
Has
lunch money or sack lunch everyday
We
also ask parents to:
·
Actively
participate in school activities such as Model
Parents, Parent-Teacher Conferences and Fund-Raising
·
To
see that students pay for any damages to school books or property due to
carelessness or neglect on the part of the student
·
To notify the school with
a written note when the student has
been absent or is tardy
·
To
notify the school office of any changes
of address or important/emergency
phone numbers
·
To
meet all financial obligations to
the school in a timely manner
·
To
inform the school of any special situation regarding the student’s well-being,
safety and health
·
To
complete and return to school any requested information promptly
·
To
read school notes and newsletters and to show interest in the student’s total
education
·
To
support the religious and educational goals of the school
·
To
treat teachers with respect and courtesy in discussing student
problems
Core Values of Our School
C We are rooted in life and
tradition of the CATHOLIC CHURCH
which is focused on the promotion of spiritual, intellectual, and physical
growth of the youth and families we
serve.
H With HONOR,
we will live up to and take pride in all OLBSA values.
R We regard self and others with RESPECT and great esteem.
I We will maintain our integrity, and a moral and
spiritual code of conduct that is rooted in the Gospel values.
S We are a SELFLESS
people and we value placing the need of others before our own.
T We are committed to
establishing and maintaining a faith centered relationship built on TRUST with students, parents, alumni,
administration, faculty, staff, council members and other friends of OLBSA.
I We believe each child is a
sacred INDIVIDUAL gifted by
God with unique talents and abilities that we can and will develop. We are
committed to the success of each individual.
A We believe in
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE and in providing the finest instruction,
resource, and support services
to enhance the growth and
development of students.
N We believe each individual
has a spirituality which must be NURTURED
and developed through prayer, service, and Knowledge of God.
Goals
of Our School
Spiritual
·
To witness to students as living
examples of Christian faith, trust, and love
·
To provide religious instruction by
means of classroom religion program along with daily prayer, weekly mass and
reception of the sacraments.
Intellectual
·
To provide opportunities for students
to master basic skills, especially in Language Arts and Mathematics
·
To foster good study habits and
reverence to see a task through to completion
·
To provide opportunities to experience
learning through the Arts and Humanities
·
To encourage an atmosphere of concern
for the individual in recognition of
each child’s innate abilities and potential
·
To use a variety of approaches in
teaching so as to reach every child
Social
·
To promote an atmosphere conducive to
self-acceptance and self-discipline
·
To promote respect for all people
through honesty and non-violent conflict resolution
·
To encourage students to respond to the
needs of others
·
To foster concern for the environment
and global awareness
·
To inspire awareness of interdependence
through cooperative learning activities.
Emotional
·
To encourage students to develop
positive self-image.
Physical
·
To demonstrate good health habits as a
means to a sound mind and body
·
To provide opportunities for the
development of coordination and motor skills for work and play.
History of Our School
Our Lady of
the Blessed Sacrament Academy was established over seventy years ago. It was the first parish school to minister to
Black students in the city of
In 1930, an
eighth grade was added and the school flourished in the war years of the
1940's. Disaster struck in 1959 when the newest classroom addition burned. For a time, classes were held in the adjacent
church.
In 1987,
the entire school was moved from the Blessed Sacrament campus to the former
Major
Priorities of Our School
As a school
that is committed to faith formation, academic success, and continual growth,
we commit ourselves to the following:
·
Maintaining a Catholic Identity
·
Improving Student Achievement
·
Improving School Effectiveness
·
Addressing the Growth of Our School
·
Ensuring Student and Staff
Accountability
·
Attracting, Retaining, and Training the
Best Teachers and School Personnel Possible
·
Effective Utilization and Integration
of Technology in Instruction
·
Increasing and Maintaining Strong
Parental Involvement
·
Developing and Expanding a Strong Home
and School Partnership
·
Establishing and Maintaining a faith-filled "Community of Learners and
Leaders"
Mission Statement
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy,
proudly serving students in grades Pre-3 to 6, exist to create and maintain a
positive, productive, and spiritual environment, whereby all who enter, "Enter
to Learn, and Learn to Serve" in a global society.
Philosophy
“All men of every race, condition and age, since
they enjoy the dignity of a human being, have an inalienable right to education
that is in keeping with their ultimate goal, their ability, their sex, their
culture and tradition. For a true
education aims at the formation of the human person in pursuit of his ultimate end and of the good
of the societies of which as man, he is a member, and in whose obligations, as
an adult, he will share.” (Declaration of
Christian Education. The Documents of
In keeping with the above statement from the
Declaration of Christian Education, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy
strives to prepare the students by challenging them to extend themselves fully
in all their capacities, thus enhancing their spiritual, intellectual,
cultural, emotional, social and physical growth.
Recognizing that each person is unique, Our Lady
of the Blessed Sacrament Academy assists parents in the education of their
children by helping each student develop personal faith, habits of prayer,
knowledge, skills, self-respect, concern for others, love for country, ideals,
and values, which will enable them to be responsible members of the community.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy adheres strictly to the Roman
Catholic Christian Philosophy of Education.
Our doors are open to all children.
Vision
Statement
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy, with
the support and assistance of the Church, Diocese and the Office of the
Superintendent, will continue to be the educational choice of this
community. This is reflected in our
students, who achieve exemplary academic standards, live by the Gospel values,
display strong character, and positively contribute to their communities and
humanity. Because of the strong
involvement of the parents, and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church and
Council Members, our school will continue to be strengthened and students will
continue to prosper.
Accreditation
The
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) have given Our Lady of
the Blessed Sacrament an Approval Classification making us a
Admission
Information
Application and
Interview Process
·
Students applying for Kindergarten must
be five (5) years old by September 30 of the
year of entrance. Students entering
First Grade must be six (6) years old by September 30 of the year of entrance.
·
Applications
for Kindergarten through Grade 6 can be obtained from the school
office. The completed form with the full registration fee must be returned to
the Office.
- Parents
of prospective new students will be required to attend an interview with
the school administration.
- Preliminary
records required for new students include a complete medical examination form, an immunization form, social
security number, birth certificate, baptismal certificate (if applicable),
a census form, and an emergency contact card.
Immunization: The
State of
·
4 DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
combined)
·
3 Oral Polio (Last dose must be
administered on or after the 4th birthday)
·
2 MMR (after the 1st birthday)
·
1 Rubella (German measles)
·
4 Hib2
·
3 Hepatitis B Vaccine
·
Student ages 11-14 year , adult type
Tetanus and Diphtheria
Registration and
Fees
- Students
currently enrolled in Our Lady of
the Blessed Sacrament Academy should be registered during the month of
January of each year.
- The full amount of the registration fee must be paid at that time to guarantee a seat for the new school