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St. Andrew's School
Let Your Light Shine! |
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School Information
Welcome to St. Andrew’s School. St. Andrew’s is a K-12 school that has a warm and supportive atmosphere for all. Our school is a catholic school and as such we focus on respect for God, one’s self, and for others.
This year our staff and students are focusing on improving learning. Our school prides itself on its ability to grow as we pursue excellence for all members of our school community.
We wish you well and hope you enjoy your visit of our school.
Sincerely, Marc Lamoureux Principal, St. Andrew’s School
St. Andrew’s is a Catholic K-12 school with a population of approximately 600 students and 60 staff. We believe in promoting Christian values throughout our school. Our school provides a full complement of core academics, fine arts, technology, CTS and physical education. At St. Andrew’s we strive to make a safe and productive environment for all of our students and staff; to provide them with a place they feel confident and comfortable to strive to be the best they can be.
St. Andrew’s school colors are blue and white. Our school motto is “Let Your Light Shine.” Each symbol in our crest has a significant meaning. The webbed background represents the net St. Andrew used as a fisherman. The swords symbolize defenders of the faith, while the star reminds us of our internal light; the talents and gifts God has given us, which make us unique and special. We are “In Pursuit of Excellence.”
St. Andrew, Our Patron Saint
School History
Religion is an important part of the daily life at St. Andrew’s School. Within the classroom, students from preschool through to high school study the Bible, God’s teaching and the Catholic Faith. Religion class provides an opportunity to learn more about the Christian tradition. Overall, we as educators, hope that students will be guided by our example and teaching. We hope students will love and respect themselves and others, and build a good value system to help them deal with life and what the future holds.
Getting an education not only involves school studies, it also means learning more about one’s self. By joining in various school activities, you’ll not only have fun and meet new people, but also give yourself an opportunity to develop your talents and skills. Some extra-curricular activities include:
Intramural Sports Many noon time sports events are held throughout the year – dodge ball, floor hockey, volleyball, etc. All students are encouraged to participate and join in the fun.
Extra-Curricular Sports There are opportunities to become a member of several sports teams – volleyball, basketball, badminton, golf, x-country running, and track and field. St. Andrew’s has both Junior and Senior teams. If you’re not on a team, make sure you support them by attending games. “Go Saints, Go!”
Speech/Oratorical Learn skills of public speaking and preparing an oral presentation.
Band Become a member of our band.
Youth Group Become a member of the St. Andrew’s Youth Group and participate in activities such as the Shine Retreat that are designed to promote the Catholic faith.
ST. ANDREW’S SCHOOL FEES AND RENTAL There are no school fees this year.
August – Grade 12 Graduation June –Elem. Field Trips, Long Term Service & Honors Awards, Exams and Testing, Father’s Day, ECS Graduation, Closing Activities.
All students are to board the bus immediately upon dismissal. There should be no loud noises, standing, jostling or vulgar language on the buses. Students may be suspended from the school bus for such behavior. The bus drivers need their full attention for driving. Above behavior is distracting and causes unsafe driving conditions. Students who ride the bus must attend school for the day. Students are to bring a note to the teacher and bus drivers if they are not going home on the bus after dismissal. Sometimes much time is spent looking for a child who has left the school or has been picked up without notifying the driver or teacher. Students are reminded that bussing is a privilege and not a right.
In-Town Busing St. Andrew’s School offers free In-Town Busing for students in ECS up to and including Grade 6.
Supervision begins every morning at 8:15 a.m. and continues until all students leave the school at 3:30 p.m. It is encouraged that students not arrive too early nor leave too late.
JR./SR. POLICY FOR RECIPROCAL RESPECT At St. Andrew’s School we encourage students to develop an ability to manage conflictual situations through communication. In an interpersonal conflict, students are encouraged to take what often seems the more difficult route; honest and open discussion. To do otherwise is to lack respect for both parties involved in the conflict. We believe that our students must come to view discussion as a valid tool; one more effective and less destructive than fists or verbal assault. At St. Andrew’s we will be automatically suspending a student from school that is aggressively involved in a fight. The first offence will result in a 3-day suspension, the second in a 5-day suspension and the third offence will result in a recommendation for expulsion from school. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be expected to present themselves and their child for a reinstatement meeting before that student is permitted to attend school. Parents must play an active role when a student is suspended. It is our hope that this time will be used wisely by parents to develop communication skills that their child will need in their adult years.
JUNIOR HIGH ATTENDANCE POLICY All absences will be dealt with by a phone call home by the school’s automated calling system. Any discrepancies found must be reported to Student Records by 3:15 pm on the last school day of each week. Students will make up all in-excused absences in the either the learning center or alternate day study. Students will be made aware of their learning responsibilities via administration. A list of students will be provided to student records for input into the SIRS attendance program. Delinquent students will be referred to administration. Delinquent students may be suspended from regular classroom instruction or from attending school.
Please note: Excused absences are defined as:
The parent(s)/guardian(s) will be expected to present themselves and
Regular and punctual attendance in classes is one of the most important contributing factors in the educational success of a student. For this reason, we want our students in class and learning. Those students who are unorganized or late are expected to learn to be more responsible for their education. All students absent for any reason other that for those excused absences listed above will be considered inexcusably absent. We highly encourage the students to organize the necessary permission to leave with their parent/guardian prior to being absent. Responsibility for regular and punctual attendance rests with the students and their parents.
Absences will be dealt with by phone calls home, parent/student/administration meetings, and finally withdrawal from the neglected course(s).
Please note: Excused absences are defined as:
Regular and punctual attendance in classes is one of the most important contributing factors in the educational success of a student. For this reason, we want our students in class and learning. Those students who are unorganized or late are expected to learn to be more responsible for their education. All students absent for any reason other than for those excused absences listed above will be considered inexcusably absent. We highly encourage the students to organize the necessary permission to leave with their parent/guardian prior to being absent. Responsibility for regular and punctual attendance rests with the students and their parents.
JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH LATE POLICY Lates will be dealt with by phone calls home by the school’s automated calling system and/or from an attendance officer. After a student has accumulated 5 lates in any given course the student will be required to serve noon hour detention in the very near future.
After a student has accumulated 3 lates in any given course, the teacher will forward the student’s name to the attendance officer. A second referral in a month will result in the student being placed in the alternate day program for 1 day.
Students will be made aware of their detentions.
Students will be serving detentions that are rounded to the next highest 20 minute increment. That is to say that a student late for 32 minutes will serve two 20 minute detentions as the 32 minutes will be rounded up to 40 minutes. Not only is learning time affected by irresponsible tardiness; teacher and administrative time is wasted as well.
Delinquent detentions will be referred to administration. Delinquent detentions may result in student’s suspension from regular classroom instruction or from attending school.
Please note: Excused lates are defined as:
A parent/guardian will be expected to present themselves and their child for a reinstatement meeting before that student under suspension is permitted to attend school.
Regular and punctual attendance in classes is one of the most important contributing factors in the educational success of a student. For this reason, we want our students in class and learning. Those students who are unorganized or late are expected to learn to be more responsible for their education. Responsibility for regular and punctual attendance rests with the students and their parents.
To help facilitate St. Andrew’s commitment to student learning a Learning Center program will be provided to students from grade 1-12. Learning Center will be geared towards students that, for any reason, require extra help in the core subject areas. In the junior high, some students will be required to attend Learning Center as a replacement for their regularly scheduled general option. Learning Center attendance requirements range from one class to a complete semester, depending on the needs of the student. Administration will inform parents of a student’s placement in the learning center for extended periods of extra help in a subject. Learning Center is not an option to be selected by a student. It is a pull-out program whereby students are transitioned out of and back into their regularly scheduled class by administration.
It is desirous to have students in class and focused on their learning.
St. Andrew’s School staff and school council spent considerable time reviewing homework. The dialogue was in depth and revealed many ideas and points of view both with staff and with parents.
As a school community, we came to the following understanding. Parents are the prime educators for their children, and as such have important responsibilities as to the personal and educational growth of their children. Thus parents must decide what is in the best interest of their children in regards to home work.
Home work will continue to be offered by the school. The homework will be created with the express intent of supporting student learning. Should a parent wish to limit or eliminate homework for a child they are invited by teachers to meet to identify the level of homework that will be done at home.
Students are not to be penalized in any fashion for this parental choice. Student responsibility for assigned activities that can be completed in class will remain.
Core Subjects In Junior High, there are seven required courses – Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math, Physical Education, Health and Religion. Students study these subjects throughout grades 7, 8 and 9 and work on developing their skills and knowledge at each grade level.
Complementary Subjects Students are also asked to select two optional courses. Options change yearly, some of those offered typically include options such as: Computers (7, 8, 9), French (7, 8, 9), Cree (7, 8, 9), Outdoor Education, Photography, Art, Music and News Media, Food Studies, Hunter Education, Cosemetology, Athletic Training.
GRADE NINE TRIP AND JUNIOR HIGH HONORS TRIP POLICY The St. Andrew’s Honors Trip is designed to reward students who have shown excellence through their academic efforts, respectful behavior and appropriate attendance.
All Grade 7 to 12 subjects and courses will have a final exam. The grade 7 to 9 students will write quarterly exams in the four core subject areas: Math, Language Arts, Science and Social. All complimentary/option course final exams will be administered in class prior to the scheduled final or midterm exams.
It is important for students to complete all assignments and homework, study for tests, and exhibit a positive working attitude. Evaluation of a student’s progress is a continuous process and includes several forms:
Report Cards There are a minimum of three report cards given a year – November, March and June. Parent/Teacher Interviews are held in November and March to discuss the student’s progress. However, we encourage parents to call or visit the school if a concern arises.
Progress Report Students in Junior and Senior High School receive a regular report which gives an indication of their progress. It is essential that students work hard and take their grades seriously. A student may repeat a grade if work is not up to standard and the student is capable of better work, or because attendance is so poor that the student has failed to complete their program requirements.
St. Andrew’s School is a smoke free school. Smoking is permitted in a designated area only. We encourage students to make healthy lifestyle choices and “kick butt”.
SENIOR HIGH DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
Graduation Requirements: 2 routes –
Alberta High School Diploma All students (with the exception of IOP students) entering Grade 10 in the 2000-2001 school year will be working towards the Alberta High School Diploma. Graduation requirements are as follows:
Certificate of Achievement Students in the Integrated Occupations Program work towards a Certificate of Achievement. Graduation requirements are as follows:
As well as regular core area subjects and programs, St. Andrew’s offers a number of specialized programs. These programs serve to meet each student’s learning needs and to broaden the student’s knowledge base.
ECS At St. Andrew’s we consider our ECS program to be the essential cornerstone to a successful future of a young persons education. It is for this reason that we will continue with a 534-hour program that is fully supervised by a qualified teacher. The preschool program seeks to foster cooperative behavior and socialization skills and also to prepare young children to enter regular classroom instruction. The program aids in developing the child’s physical skills and his social, emotional, creative and intellectual development. To enter the ECS program a child must be five by December 31st of that year.
Special Education St. Andrew’s has special education teachers who work with the homeroom teacher and/or with the individual students to provide extra help in areas needed. The special education teachers also work with classroom teachers in establishing programs and goals for students experiencing difficulties.
K & E In Junior High, this is an alternative program for students having difficulty coping with the regular academic route. The Knowledge and Employability program is more vocationally based, and provides instruction in math, language, science, social skills and Life skills, and prepares the student for an occupation.
French or Cree Students from grades 4 to 12 have the opportunity to learn and appreciate another of Canada’s languages. French or Cree is mandatory in grades 4 – 9, but optional in Senior High School.
Technology St. Andrew’s has both well-developed computer rooms and qualified teachers/technicians. Students in are offered instruction in word processing and computer literacy.
Counsellers St. Andrew’s is also staffed with counsellors who are able to offer assistance in both personal and career counselling.
Honours Students in gr. 3-6 who receive honors on the November and/or March report card are entitled to participate on the Honors Trip. In June students receiving honors in the core subjects are presented with certificates at the Honors Awards.
Career and Technology Studies We are offering a CTS program based on four areas of study: Pre-Forestry, Industrial Arts, Food Studies and Information Processing.
Work Experience This program offers students practical experience in various careers out in the community. This program provides opportunities for the student to communicate with the business community and to learn about the requirements of a particular job they may be interested in pursuing.
Registered Apprentice Program The RAP Program gives the student the opportunity to enter and Alberta approved apprentice program as they work towards graduation.
We encourage parents/guardians to become involved in their child’s education and we recognize the importance of parent’s interest. Remember, you are your child’s first teacher!
St. Andrew’s School Council is made up of parents along with a representative from: the staff, the student body, administration, parents, and the community. It has been established to help coordinate the efforts of the school with the home and to allow parents an opportunity to become involved with the education of their child. The Council is open to all parents/guardians with an interest in helping St. Andrew’s provide the best education for students. Everyone is welcome.
The St. Andrew’s website is a great source of information for parents. On our web site one can find:
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