SCHOOL MOTTO
“That in All Things God May Be Glorified.”
“Ut In Omnbus Glorificetur Deus”
Sacred
Heart Church
P.O. Box
1085
Cullman, AL
35056
(256) 737-3730
Dear
Parents,
Welcome to you and your children as we
begin another school year here at Sacred Heart School. We are certainly blessed
to have our parish school. It has been, and continues to be, the result of the
loving effort and sacrifice of so many parishioners, teachers, and staff.
Our principal, faculty, and staff share among them many years
of experience, which gives them good depth and scope in our educational effort.
What our students learn in grammar school lasts a lifetime. Our parish school
is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools -
which attests to the academic standards which it must meet. But Catholic
schools are about more than just academic achievement. Our school stresses
ideals, values, and virtues far beyond what is covered in the classroom. The
educational effort of the Church has always been in service to our faith. Our
faith proclaims to us that our God has come to us in the person of Jesus
Christ. This reality is the foundation upon which we build our lives.
Tradition, morality, faith, hope, and love -which our school fosters -
reinforce the values already instilled in children by their parents.
Benedictine priests and sisters have been a part of Sacred
Heart parish for well over one hundred years. Although we no longer have a
sister teaching full time in our school, the Benedictine tradition and heritage
are an important part of who we are as Catholic Christians. Although St.
Benedict wrote his Rule primarily for those who seek to live the monastic life,
its sound principles for working together and living together have proved
relevant to people through fifteen hundred years.
In our Catholic school, we seek to preserve and pass on to
our children the best that we have: our faith,
and a good, solid education. For us to continue to do that will require continued
effort and sacrifice on the part of all of us. Despite a necessary increase in
our tuition this year, we still have one of the lowest rates of any Catholic
school in our Diocese of Birmingham. Thanks to the generosity of our
parishioners, last year we increased the weekly parish subsidy to our school,
in order to raise our teachers' salaries. We still have a long way to go in
order to be where we should be with compensation to our faculty. Our School
Board is working diligently to help our school to prosper as we continue to
respond to the gift, and the challenge, that having a Catholic school brings to
our parish.
Let us pledge ourselves to continue
our commitment to excellence, which Sacred Heart School represents. We have a
school we can believe in and be proud of. Asking the Lord's Blessing, let us do
what we can to make it even better.
Sincerely in Christ,
(Rev.) Kevin D. McGrath,
O.S.B.
Pastor
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome or welcome back to the 2008-2009 school year at Sacred Heart School. We at Sacred Heart are committed to providing your child with a quality education and a firm foundation on how to live their Catholic faith.
With every new school year there are new challenges, new faces, and new adventures. I encourage you to welcome these and to be supportive of one another. We can accomplish more if we stand together as one united body of Christ.
Our theme for Catholic schools this year is “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service”. Building a strong foundation for a lifetime of confidence, faith, and service is the mission of Catholic schools. This year’s theme is a theme that we can relate to here at Sacred Heart. Even with our small numbers we can to big things to serve our school, church and community. Catholic education supports the whole child in learning and leading a faith filled, meaningful life.
Please read the handbook carefully and keep it on hand as a reference. There are several changes and additions for this year. The guidelines are designed to aid the parents, students, faculty, administration, and parish so we all work together well. The principal is the final recourse and reserves the right to amend this handbook. Parents will be given prompt notice. If there are any questions, a member of the School Board Executive Committee or I will be glad to answer them.
The dedication of our staff, parent volunteers, students, and parish is greatly appreciated. You are the reason that we have had continued success at Sacred Heart.
May God bless you,
Shawna Norman,
Principal
PARENTS AS EDUCATORS
Parents have the serious obligation of providing and supervising the education of their children. The family unit provides the learning atmosphere where the child develops his/her values, attitudes, and love of Christ and all people. The family unit, thus, becomes the first school.
Our school is an extension of the education that begins in the home. By the time a child enters school, he/she is not beginning his/her education – but continuing it. The parents must create in the “first” school a family atmosphere filled with love and respect, along with a desire to learn and achieve.
WORKING WITH PARENTS
As the primary educators of their children, parents/guardians freely make the choice of a Catholic education for their sons/daughters. Registration at Sacred Heart School is an agreement by the parent/guardian to accept and abide by the rules and regulations of the institution and to support its philosophy of education.
A cooperative relationship between the Sacred Heart School personnel and a parent/guardian is essential for the overall education of a student. It is critical that a cooperative relationship be maintained through constructive dialogue with the parent/guardian.
If a parent/guardian refuses to abide by the rules and regulations of Sacred Heart School or by word or action is unsupportive of its goals or otherwise fails to meet his/her obligations under school/center or Diocesan policies, the administrator may require the parent/guardian to withdraw his/her child(ren) from Sacred Heart School.
Additionally, parents/guardians will be held to the same standards of respect as students are in regards to their interactions with administrators, teachers, staff, and students.
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
On December 14, 1878, the Notre Dame Sisters from Milwaukee arrived in the small four-year-old German town of Cullman, Alabama. Two days later, they opened the school for Catholics and non-Catholics. By January 1879, the attendance numbered 100, and one year later, the number enrolled was 150. The Notre Dame Sisters staffed Sacred Heart School, then known as Mary Help School, for twenty years, 1878 – 1898. The Sisters were then asked to return home because the school was considered small and very far from home.
Immediately, Abbot Benedict and the monks at St. Bernard Monastery began to look for a community to take over the school. In September 1898, a group of five Benedictine Sisters from San Antonio, Florida, arrived in Cullman. These five sisters staffed the school from September 1898 to June 1899.
As soon as it was known that Mary Help Community was established as an independent Mother House, requests for admission were received. The community of sisters began to grow.
Thus, the Mary Help community held charge of the Parochial School in Cullman until the summer of 1902, when eight Benedictine Sisters from St. Walburga Convent, Covington, Kentucky, joined the Mother Mary Help group in Cullman. At this time, June 1902, the name of Mary Help School was changed to Sacred Heart School.
Over the Years, the original wooden frame church and the first two-story wooden school building have been replaced by the present beautiful, stone structures.
Sacred Heart School received State Accreditation on January 22, 1973. It was the first church school in Alabama to be accredited.
Two years later, accreditation was received from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Over the 127-year history of the school, there have been many changes. However, the primary purpose of the school continues to be one of providing an instructional program within a Catholic Christian atmosphere of love and guidance.
Sacred Heart’s parish, school, and families continue to work together to form a cornerstone of excellence in education for Cullman, Alabama.
MISSION STATEMENT
Sacred Heart School provides a vibrant Catholic Christian community which encourages intellectual growth, nurtures faith and inspires action.
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Sacred Heart School is a Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. By its total design and operation Sacred Heart School fosters the integration of religion into all aspects of learning and living.
The school recognizes all students as children of God with special talents and needs. Students are members of ever enlarging groups beginning with the family and moving out into society. In cooperation with the family, the school seeks to guide and direct the students in the development of their unique potentials. A balanced academic program is directed toward spiritual, intellectual, emotional, moral judgments and is of service to their families, their Church, their communities, their nation, and the ever-changing world. This service reflects an awareness of the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of the members of a democratic society.
The learning experiences are within a structured academic program which stimulates creative growth and understanding of basic values leading to the development of the skills necessary for living in today’s world. These learning experiences seek to impart self-discipline, self-respect, honesty, and respect for the dignity and rights of others.
Sacred Heart School strives to create a Catholic educational community where human knowledge, enlightened by faith, is shared by all. Within a Christian atmosphere of love, discipline, and guidance, the faculty, the parents, and the students will continue to grow.
SACRED HEART IS:
*ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS SINCE 1975.
*A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
DIRECTORY
Sacred Heart School
112 Second Avenue, S.E.
Cullman, Alabama 35055
Phone: (256) 734-4563
Fax: (256) 734-5882
Email: shschool@hiwaay.net
Web Address: shcullman.net
School Hours: 7:55a.m.-3:10p.m. (Tuesdays-Fridays)
(2:45 p.m.dismissal on
Mondays)
(7:50 a.m. arrival on Mass
Days)
Office Hours 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
School Mass: Friday-8:00 a.m.
Holy Days –8:00 a.m.
Administrators
Pastor
Father Kevin McGrath, OSB 734-3730
Associate
Pastor
Father John O’Donnell, OSB 734-3730
Principal:
Mrs. Shawna Norman 734-4563
Faculty and
School Personnel:
Secretary: Mrs. Beverly Hinkle
3K: Mrs. Dana Conn
4K: Mrs. Mary Mayo
5K: Mrs. Jennifer Arndt
First Grade: Mrs. Nella McGraw
Second Grade: Mrs. Jennifer Grey
Third Grade: Mrs. Kellie Thompson
Fourth Grade: Mrs. Tracy Holmes
Fifth Grade: Mrs. Jody Stone
Sixth Grade: Mrs. Katherine Chapin
Librarian/Music: Mrs. Sarah Arant
Computer Lab: Mrs. Terri Weekley
P.E./After School Care Mrs. Holly Winfrey
Counselor: Mrs. Susan Hauk
3K Aide: Mrs. Melinda Harris
4K Aide: Mrs. Lisa Bennett
5K Aide: Mrs. Karen Presto
Cafeteria & Class Aide: Mrs. Glenda Gregory
Office & Class Aide: Mrs. Kristi Wilson
Maintenance: Mr. Jimmy Gregory
Cafeteria Manager: Mrs. Kathleen Camardella
Cafeteria Staff: Mrs. Jerella Polancich
Mrs. Ida Echols
Mrs. Shannon Mescher
Traffic Officer: Mr. Terry Davis
P.T.O. OFFICERS:
President:
Mrs. Kim Weissend 796-8078
Vice-President:
Mrs. Apsie Coccia 775-6968
Secretary:
Mrs. Rose Rodriguez 931-247-5567
Financial
Secretary:
Mr. Ron Montgomery 352-7282
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS:
Elected Members:
President
Mr. William Porter 739-1127
Vice President
Mr. David Mescher 737-7483
Secretary
Mrs. Susan Kraft 739-5566
Mr. Wayne Fuller 734-2023
Mrs. Kim Whaley 287-1757
Mr. Drew Green 734-3438
Mr. David Nassetta 734-1434
Appointed
Members:
Mrs. Leah Messick 775-3962
Mrs. Tiffany Lowery 287-3085
Mrs. Kim Weissend 796-8078
Ex-Officio
Members:
Mrs. Shawna Norman
Father Kevin McGrath. O.S.B.
ADMISSION POLICIES
Equal Opportunity – The school admits students without regard to sex, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available by the school. The same holds for its employment practices. However, being a Catholic school, preference will be given to Catholic students/teachers.
Transfer Students – Transfer students shall be accepted according to the regular procedures. Students transferring to Sacred Heart School are required to furnish transcripts of prior education from all schools previously attended. A conference between the prospective student and his or her parent/guardian and the principal is mandatory before acceptance. Moreover, the principal may contact prior schools attended to complete the application process. Normally transfer of students from schools located within the area is prohibited except at the beginning of the school year.
Tuition, Fees, and Expenses – Sacred Heart School exists to provide students in our parish with a quality Catholic education, and we strive to be fiscally responsible as we do so. Tuition, fees, and other expenses must be paid promptly to enable the school to meet its own financial obligations. A family experiencing financial difficulties which may interfere with ability to meet its obligation to the school is encouraged to share the situation with the principal so that alternative strategies can be explored.
POLICY FOR RE-ADMITTANCE TO SACRED HEART SCHOOL
In the event that a former student of Sacred Heart School requests to be re-admitted, the following requirements must be met:
Space must be available in the grade level desired.
The child must re-apply, go through the interview process, and qualify as any new student would.
The parents/guardian must submit a written request for re-admittance. This request must state why the student left Sacred Heart School, how circumstances have changed since leaving, and reasons for desiring their child to return.
Re-admittance will not be guaranteed, but will be handled on a case-by-case basis, following the above requirements.
SACRED HEART SCHOOL TUITION POLICY
INTRODUCTION
We believe that our tuition payments are an investment in your child’s education and religious formation. Therefore, the school’s Board accepts responsibility for recommending to the Principal and Pastor policies concerning the amount of tuition, the manner of payment, and, in general, the development of policy in this area of concern. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the Board to insure that adequate financial resources are available for the school and that enrollment is as available and affordable as possible to all families.
TUITION PAYMENT
I. Families, who are Catholic Parish Members, with children enrolled in the fulltime program of the school, shall receive the benefit of reduced rates of tuition to be determined annually by the Board.
II. Families, who are Catholic Non-Parishioners, with children enrolled in the full time program of the school, shall make tuition payments according the Catholic non-parishioner rate. Exceptions will be made and the Catholic rate will be given if the attending parish sends a subsidy payment each month.
III. Families, who are Non-Catholic with children enrolled in the full time program of the school, shall make tuition payments according to the non-Catholic rate.
IV. All families shall be expected to make tuition payments according to one of the following payment plans. Each family’s preferred manner of payment must be submitted each year at the time of student pre-registration. Options for payment shall include:
A. Full Payment. Under this plan the entire amount of tuition is paid on or before July 1st. A tuition reduction would be applied to the tuition cost of a family who has a child (ren) enrolled in the school. Tuition reductions shall be determined annually by the Board. This payment is made directly to the school office. The tuition reduction for 2008/2009 is 3%.
B. Monthly Payments. Under this plan the entire amount of tuition is paid monthly over a ten (10) month period beginning in August through the SMART Tuition Management Plan. This plan is an automatic payment plan made through your checking or savings account. Those choosing this plan will authorize their bank to make automatic monthly payments to SMART on either the 5th or the 20th of each month. In order to process the applications, the SMART Tuition Management forms must be in the school office by July 1st.
If there are any
questions or concerns, please contact the Principal to address these issues.
LATE REGSTRATIONS
TUITION
Parents may pay tuition at Sacred Heart School by selecting one of the following options:
1. Full registration fee and tuition payment by August 8th, the day before school begins.
2. A ten-month payment program beginning in August and going through May. The SMART Tuition Management Company will handle this method of payment for an annual fee. The money will be electronically debited from your checking or savings account.
3. After August 8th, all families must submit a completed SMART Tuition agreement and pay for the first full month tuition and fees with cash or check. Students will not be allowed to attend class until the proper financial arrangements have been made. Please note that a SMART tuition agreement must be submitted each year. The SMART agreement ends when the school year ends.
In case of student withdrawals, parents should give notice to the school. If the tuition has been paid in advance, parents will be given a prorated refund.
There is also a non-refundable pre-registration fee payable on acceptance into the school.
For tuition assistance information, questions and concerns, please contact the principal.
2008-2009 TUITION AND FEES
REGISTRATION FEE $150.00 PER CHILD
TUITION RATES: CATHOLIC PARISHOINER
3K/4K PER CHILD $2,634.00 (5 DAY)
PER CHILD $1,789.00 (3 DAY)
GRADES 5K-8TH FIRST CHILD $2,662.00
SECOND CHILD $2,000.00
THIRD CHILD $1,505.00
TUITION RATES: CATHOLIC NON-PARISHOINER**
3K/4K PER CHILD SAME AS CATHOLIC RATE
GRADES 5K-8TH FIRST CHILD $3,502.00
SECOND CHILD $2,840.00
THIRD CHILD $2,344.00
TUITION RATES NON-CATHOLIC
3K/4K PER CHILD SAME AS CATHOLIC RATE
GRADES 5K-8TH FIRST CHILD $4,303.00
SECOND CHILD $3,537.00
THIRD CHILD $3,432.00
**Non-parishioners whose parish sends a subsidy will receive the Catholic parishioner rate.
OTHER FEES:
Each class has a set of fees which pertain to the particular needs of their classroom. These fees may be paid in full at registration or may be paid in two monthly installments (August-September). The first payment will be the book fees the second payment will be the balance of fees. A comprehensive list will be provided at registration or may be obtained from the office.
Fees are as follows:
Class Total 1st 2nd
Payment Payment
3K $199.00 $100.00 $ 99.00
4K $259.00 $160.00 $ 99.00
5K $286.00 $160.00 $126.00
1ST $314.00 * $160.00 $154.00
2ND $323.00 * $160.00 $163.00
3RD $326.00 * $160.00 $166.00
4TH $325.00 * $160.00 $165.00
5TH $330.00 * $160.00 $170.00
6TH $310.00 * $160.00 $150.00
*1ST-6TH $15.00 per family PTO fee (covers class parties)
NON-ADMISSION OF STUDENTS DUE TO TUITION DELIQUENCY
School families failing to pay tuition according to the agreement, which they have made with the school or who have been unwilling to make suitable alternative arrangements with the school, will be informed that their child/children will not be re-admitted to our school.
All families must be current in their payments of tuition:
By August 20th:
If not, students will not be admitted on the first day of class after Labor Day.
By December 20th:
If not, students will not be re-admitted on the first day of class in January.
By March 20th:
If not, students will not be re-admitted on the first day of class following Spring break.
By May 20th:
If not, students will not receive report cards from school administration.
DELINQUENT TUITION
FROM PREVIOUS YEAR (S)
All previously unpaid tuition must be paid by July 1 if a student is to be readmitted on the first day of class for a new school year. Payments are to be made directly to the school. If payment is not possible, suitable arrangements must be made with the Principal.
TUITION REFUNDS
Families withdrawing students prior to the first day of school shall be refunded the entire amount of tuition that has been paid for the current school year. After the first day of school, tuition refunds shall be prorated over the number of school days each student was in attendance according to a formula established by the board.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
HOMEWORK
It is expected that most children in first grade through sixth grade will have some homework each evening. Ordinarily, the assignments will require 30-60 minutes daily for students in grades 1 – 4 and 60-90 minutes in grades 5 - 6. However, please bear in mind that it is almost impossible for a teacher to give an assignment that will take everyone in the class that amount of time.
Reading and studying are very important parts of homework. Many children think that only the written part is of importance. If for some reason (e.g. sickness, death in the family) a child cannot do his/her homework. Please send a note with the child explaining this fact.
Homework Suggestions
for Parents
1. Show an interest in your child’s work.
2. Set up proper conditions for study.
3. Encourage your child to develop good study habits.
GRADING
Grading is a method of communicating student learning and shall be based on the philosophy that students and not subjects are being taught. Catholic schools allow for diversified reporting of student progress. The method used by each school is to be approved by the Superintendent.
Students in grade six may take examinations, but this is a local decision. Examinations will be given in Mathematics, Science, English, Reading/Literature, Social Studies, and Religion.
Progress Reports will be issued every NINE WEEKS. If there are any questions about your child’s report, please contact your child’s teacher. Mid-quarter Grade Reports are sent out for grades 3-6 so you are aware of your child’s achievement. Dates are listed on the school calendar. Progress Reports are to be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher WITHIN TWO DAYS. Please review these papers to determine your child’s progress.
GRADES
Kindergarten and Grade One
Kindergarten and grade one grading will be a checklist developed for all schools in the Diocese. Some flexibility of items will be available at the local level. The coding system will be:
M
Mastered
I Improving
NP No Progress
NA Not applicable at this time
Grades 2 through 6
Grading at these levels will be letter grades with a scale given on the report card. Both percents and letter grades will be listed on the mid-quarter grading reports. Computer and library do not receive letter grades since they are tools to be integrated into all areas of the curriculum. However, they will receive a checklist of skills mastered/ not mastered that will be kept on file. P.E.**, handwriting, music and art will be graded using the effort and conduct code.
*Grade Two will send a checklist as part of the progress report.
**Letter grades will be given in grades 3-6 for P.E.
The grading scale will be as follows:
A 93-100
B 84-92
C 74-83
D 65-73
F 64 and below
The Effort and Conduct Code will be as follows:
S Satisfactory
NI Needs Improving
U Unsatisfactory
SPORTS
School Priority
Parents are encouraged to aid students in establishing priorities and developing good study habits when extra-curricular activities are involved.
Eligibility
Grades 3-6 - In order for a student in grades 3-6 (and 2nd when applicable) to participate in the Pee Wee basketball program or cheerleading program they must maintain a combined “C” average. This rule conforms to the guidelines stated in the Pee Wee guidelines and will be enforced for all students who play. This will be evaluated at every grading period including mid-term progress reports. If a student does not maintain this average they are ineligible to play until the next reporting period if the requirements are met. They may practice, but will not be allowed to participate in the game or dress out.
PROMOTION AND RETENTION
For a student to be retained in grades two through six, the actual grades on the Report Card must indicate failure. If a student receives an “F” in either reading or math for the yearly average, he/she must attend summer school or be tutored by a certified teacher over the summer in order to be promoted. In addition, a student fails for the year if he/she has a yearly average of “F” in two or more of the following areas: Reading/Literature, English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. For primary children not receiving letter grades, the decision as to what constitutes failure is to be made at the local level with discussion between the teacher and principal.
Each student’s status will be clearly indicated on the final report card. Retention will be discussed among teacher(s), parents, and principal. A consensus will try to be reached. When there is disagreement, the decision of the principal is final.
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE
To receive maximum benefit from classroom
instruction, it is important that a child report to school on time each day.
TARDIES/ABSENCES
Tardy- The school day begins at 7:55 a.m. (7:50 a.m. on
Mass Days). Students who arrive after the bell rings are tardy. It is the
responsibility of the parent to “sign-in” a child who is tardy. Students tardy
in the morning may be unprepared for class and their education suffers. They
will be responsible for getting assignments and making up work they miss. Many
students are embarrassed by coming in late. Continued tardiness will
necessitate a conference with the teacher, parents, principal and child to
develop a plan to remedy the situation. Missed instruction due to tardiness
will be the parent’s responsibility. The
teacher and principal may determine that the student will receive a zero for
work missed due to tardiness.
Absence- Sacred Heart School adheres to the laws of the State of Alabama regarding attendance and absenteeism. Alabama State Law makes school attendance obligatory.
A school year of 180 days on roll is to be strictly observed. An official record of enrollment and attendance is to be maintained locally. Daily attendance and punctuality are essential. Parents/guardians have the primary obligation to see that their children attend school each day. A note is required from the parent/guardian when the student is absent from school. Missed absences and make-up work will be assigned once the absence has been excused. If the absence is unexcused, the child may not have the opportunity to make up work assigned that day and he/she may receive a zero for the day. Il