Kindergarten students are taught:
• Religion
• Reading readiness
• Math readiness
• Auditory
• Language
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Social studies and Social Studies
• Health & safety
• Music and Art
• Physical educations (Certified Instructor)
• Computer Instruction

Grades 1 – 8 are taught:
• Religion
• Mathematics
• English
• Language arts (including phonics, reading, literature, oral & written composition, spelling, and handwriting)
• Science
• Health
• Social Studies
• Music
• Art
• Physical Education
• Computer

Religious Education

Roman Catholic Doctrine is an essential part of SS Cyril & Methodius Parish and School. Catholic Doctrine is presented as a living experience of knowledge and belief rather than another subject. It is our goal to permit children to experience a living community of Faith in which instruction in religious truths and values complements, reinforces, and extends the formation efforts in the home.

• Daily religious instruction, including education in peace, justice, and Christian Formation in Sexuality and Family Life.
• Preparation of and participation in liturgical and non-liturgical celebrations during the year.
• Opportunities provide by the priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Sacramental Programs for Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation which include parent meetings.
• Opportunities for service to others through missions and service projects.

Sacramental Program

• First Communion preparation
• Confirmation preparation

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Homework

Homework is assigned to develop initiative, responsibility, and self direction. A reasonable amount of homework is given daily. There is no minimum or maximum length of time per evening, as this depends on the age, initiative and ability of individual students as well as the type of assignments given. Long range assignments are acceptable and should be planned carefully in order to avoid last minute rush or weekend homework. Each teacher has a homework policy.

If a student fails to complete or submit homework without a valid excuse, the student will NOT receive any credit. The work will need to be done twice, and the student may be detained after school to finish the work. If a student continually fails to he/she may be sent home to complete the homework and return to school that day with the homework completed. Inattention to homework will affect grades and/or result in other consequences explained by the teacher.

In case of absence, parent/guardian should contact the school office to arrange to pick up their child’s assignments for that day. Parents or siblings are to pick up assignments at the main office.

Books

Each student is responsible for his/her textbooks, workbooks, and library books. Each student is required to have a book bag to carry books and supplies to and from school every day. Textbooks are to be covered with a solid paper book covers. Workbooks are to be covered with clear contact paper as indicated by the teacher. Lost or damaged text and/or library books must be paid for in full. If a student damages a book, he/she is required to pay the total cost of the textbook. All books are school property and are to be returned to the teacher on the last day of school.

Attendance

Ohio State Law requires schools to be open for a minimum of 178 instruction days, two parent conference days and ten teacher in-service days. Additional conferences may be scheduled by contacting the teacher.

Absences

In the interest of safety, when a student is to be absent from school, parent/guardian must call the school office before 8:30 A.M.

When the student returns to school, the parent/guardian must submit a signed, written excuse to the homeroom teacher explaining the reason for absence. A student absent for three or more consecutive days must submit a doctor’s excuse before he/she will be allowed to return to school. Students absent for five or more days per month without a doctor’s excuse will not be permitted to participate in any athletic or extracurricular activity.

Any student who is absent for seven or more school days in one month, or fifteen or more school days in a school year is considered a chronic truant. More than five absences or tardiness in a month without doctor verification is considered excessive.

Tardiness

Since tardiness interferes with the student’s progress in school and disrupts the classroom teaching, parents are asked to assist their children in cultivating the habit of punctually.

Students reporting to school after 8:30 A.M. are considered tardy. Tardy student must stop at the office for a tardy slip that will admit them to class.

Three unexcused tardiness will lead to a principal parent/guardian conference. Chronic tardiness will lead to appropriate disciplinary action. Students may be sent home for the remainder of the day. An excused tardiness occurs if a student is tardy due to a school bus, taxi, or public transportation vehicle being late, or if the student is detained by another school official vehicle.

Tardiness prohibits a student from receiving a Perfect Attendance Award.

Early Dismissal
Faculty Meeting – Once a month, on the second Thursday (unless otherwise communicated), there will be a faculty meeting for which early dismissal of all students is necessary. Early dismissal usually means 1:30 P.M. rapid dismissal and no hot lunch.

Due to illness or accident – Parents will be notified as soon as possible if the student needs to be sent home. Emergency Medical Authorization is required for each student. It should contain all medical information needed for emergencies. A release form is signed in the school office or nurse’s office when a child is taken home.
A student may be released from school with permission given by the principal only to the parents or other parent/guardian authorized persons.

NO student may leave school grounds during the day without written permission or parent/guardian and approved by the principal. BOTH ARE NECESSARY.

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Report Cards

Progress reports are issued mid-quarter. Report cards are issued quarterly. The grading system is explained on the report card. Parents are asked to sign and return cards promptly, taking note of teacher’s comments.

Any student failing in any subject will not be permitted to participate in any sports event.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are mandatory at the end of the first grading period. Any other conference necessary to discuss academic or behavioral concerns will be arranged as needed.

Testing Programs
SS C&M follows the Cleveland Catholic Diocese recommended testing program. Testing is done in the spring. Parent/guardians are forwarded a copy of the results.

• Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF) – Pre Kindergarten
  • Designed to measure strengths and weaknesses in learning modalities of auditory, visual and kinesthetic.
• Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) – Grades 1 – 8
  • Designed to measure achievement
• Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) – Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7
  • Designed to measure ability

Permanent Records
Permanent Record cards are kept on file for each student. This record is updated yearly and contains a cumulative record of student performance. The entire record of grades and standardized test results follows a student through his/her entire academic career, Kindergarten – Twelfth grade.

Promotion and Retention
Students will be promoted on the basis of academic achievement. No student is granted a social promotion. To advance one grade level, the student must attain an average of 70 or above in Religion, Language Arts, and Mathematics. In addition, the student must attain an overall yearly average of 70 or above to be derived by averaging the final numerical grade for language arts, mathematics, social studies and science.

A child will be retained at a given grade level only if it presumed he/she will profit from the experience. Retention must have Principal approval. If parents refuse to have a child retained, a waiver in that regard must be signed by the parents and retained in the student’s file.

Awards
Students in grades Kindergarten through Eight will be recognized for academic achievement and conduct.

Award:
First Honors
Second Honors
Third Honors
Excellent Effort

Field Trip Policy
Field trips are privileges afforded to students. NO student has an absolute right to attend a field trip. Any student with behavioral problems, or proving to be a hazard to themselves, others, or property will remain home unless accompanied by his/her parent/guardian.

If parent/guardian must accompany the student the parent/guardian is responsible for all fees involved with the field trip. This includes but not limited to lunch, bus fare and any entrance fees.

Students are expected to dress in full uniform unless otherwise indicated on permission form.

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Computer Lab Policy

Technology/Computer
Parent/guardians must sign a release form regarding use of the Internet. SS Cyril & Methodius primarily uses the search engine, LEECA (Lake Erie Education Computer Association.) LEECA, provided to us by the state, features no “Pop-Up Ads” preventing your child(ren) being exposed to any unwanted, unpredicted ads. This Internet site can also be accessed at home.

Our Computer Lab consists of twenty-four PC’s. In addition, each classroom features at least two additional computers.

Primary programs that are taught include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. These programs are used in High Schools and businesses. Classes are twice weekly.

Early childhood students will learn the various components of the computer (i.e. monitor, modem, floppy disks, etc.) and their role independently as well as how the components work as a whole. In addition, students will learn basic Keyboarding strokes. Once they have mastered the keyboard, they will be introduced to basic Word Documents. At this age they will begin to type their weekly spelling words, and/or begin tying basic “friendly letters.”

Access is a privilege – not a right
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks, just as they are in the classroom. Network storage areas (Hard drives, Floppy disks, etc.) are treated like school lockers. The Computer teacher may review files and communication to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the stem responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on any server or computer would be private. Students have no privacy right to any data received or disseminated on the network or through e-mail and by utilizing these systems they consent to SS Cyril & Methodius right to audit all e-mails, files, and documents. If a user acts inappropriately through the communications systems, SS C&M reserves the right to report such actions to any outside authorities and/or take appropriate internal disciplinary action.

SS C&M also reserves the right not to allow students the privilege to access computers and/or computer class if:

· Students damage computers, computer systems, or computer networks. Such actions would be pounding on keyboard, swinging the mouse, etc.
· Students accessing their e-mail account
· Students harassing, insulting or attacking others
· Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
· Using another’s password
· Trespassing in another’s folders, work or files
· Posting personal contact information about you or other people
· Employing the network for commercial purposes
· Violating copyright laws
· Intentionally wasting limited resources

The preceding list is not an all-inclusive list of inappropriate uses and activities. Violations WILL result in a loss of access as well as other applicable disciplinary or legal actions.

Technology Policy

Office of Catholic Education
As adopted by SS Cyril & Methodius School

We believe that technology is a vital means to assist those who carry out the educational ministry of SS Cyril & Methodius.

We are pleased to offer students of SS Cyril & Methodius School access to our computer network for the Internet. To gain access the Internet, all students under must obtain parental permission and must sign and return the form to the Principal.

Access to the Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users throughout the world. Families should be warned that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illogical, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages. Ultimately, parent/guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Our network is equipped with a firewall to help prevent unseemly entry into our system. However, no system is immune to the newest intrusions. To that end, SS Cyril & Methodius School support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

SS. Cyril & Methodius Internet Rules

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. Communications on the network are often public in nature.

Presently students will have no private e-mail access. The network is provided for students to conduct research and to communicate with others in education endeavors only.

Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in considerate and responsible manner. Parent permission is required.