Beginning and Ending Times

The school day begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. and dismissal is at 2:50 p.m. for grades 1 – 8.  Half-Day Kindergarten students are dismissed at 11:00 a.m. Whole-Day Kindergarten students are dismissed at 2:50 p.m. Students in Grades K through 2 who arrive before 7:45 a.m. should go to the Church undercroft and be seated. Students in Grades 3 through 8 who arrive before 7:45 a.m. should go to the cafeteria and be seated.  A supervising adult will be present beginning at 7:30 a.m.  Students should not be in the building or on the school grounds before 7:30 a.m.

Length of School Day and School Year

The length of the school day and the length of the school year are prescribed by Kentucky State Law.

After-School Program

The After-School Program is open to students in Grades 1 through 6. Students who use this program are expected to use the program on all days for which the child is registered. The cost of the program is $5.50. Make arrangements with the Principal. The child may stay no later than 6:00 p.m. on school days only.

Tardiness

All students are expected to be on time.  Parents must help to develop this responsible behavior.  Any student arriving in the classroom after 7:50 a.m. will be listed as tardy and must report to the office for a tardy slip.  Students who come late may be required to spend make-up time after school or complete a written assignment.

Attendance

Parents should see that their child's attendance at school has priority over all other activities.  Regular attendance and promptness are vital for successful progress.

Absence

1. Types of Absence

1.        Excused Absences – Examples of absences that are considered excused are those due to personal illness and/or attendance at family funerals.  A doctor’s excuse may be required for absences in excess of ten.

2.       Un-excused Absences – Examples of absences that are not considered excused are for purposes of vacation, “going-out-of-town,” etc. If a parent decides to remove a student from class for reasons other than illness or funerals, it is helpful to contact the Principal and the teachers.  No teacher is required to give assignments in advance. The Southgate director of Pupil Personnel will be contacted if a child reaches the level of 15 un-excused absences.

    B.    Procedure When a Student is Absent from Class

When a student is absent from class, a parent or guardian must call school before 9:00 A.M. to report the absence.  If the parent wishes to pick up work missed, he/she may request it at this time, but it will not be available until between  2:50 – 3:30 after school.

    C.    Required Note for Return to Class after an Absence

Kentucky attendance laws require that children who are absent from school must present to their homeroom teacher, on the day they return to regular classes, an excuse signed by the parent/guardian which states the reason for the absence. This note is required even though the school was notified by phone. 

    D.     Make-up Work Following Absence

    Regardless of the reason for the absence, students are required to make-up missed work and tests as directed  by the teacher. Students  who have been absent should ask the teacher upon their return to school what needs to be done.

Partial Days

      A.    Tardiness

All students are expected to be on time for school.  Parents must help to develop this responsible behavior.  Any student arriving in the classroom after 7:50 a.m. will be listed as tardy and must report to the office for a tardy slip.  This takes time – the office staff’s time, the teacher’s time, and the class’s learning time.  Tardiness disrupts the class already in session and puts the tardy student at a disadvantage educationally. Continued tardiness will result in the parents being called in for a meeting.  This meeting will occur during the school day.  If, after the meeting, the tardiness continues, the Director of Pupil Personnel will be called.   

        B.    Record-keeping for all Partial Days  

According to Kentucky State Law, all partial days will be listed as follows:

1.        Anything less than two hours (this includes doctor appointments at any time during the school day, tardies in the morning, going home ill, etc.) will be listed as a “tardy”.

2.        Any absence between two and five hours will be recorded as “one half-day absence”.

3.        Any absence of more than five hours will be recorded as “one full day absence”.

        C.    Leaving School Before Dismissal

If a student needs to leave school before the time of dismissal, he/she should present the teacher, on or before the day in question, a note signed by the parent/guardian which verifies the reason given and identifies the party responsible for picking up the student.  Parents or other individuals authorized by the parent/guardian who need to pick up students before dismissal (for illness, appointments, etc.) must come to the office, sign out the students, and wait there.  Photo identification may be required before a student is released. If the child is brought back after an appointment, etc. the parent/guardian must sign in the child.   

 Emergency Closing

If for any reason classes must be canceled or delayed, parents will be notified by phone chain.  Please do not call the school, convent or parish office.

Traffic and Parking

Please follow the directions for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up given at the beginning of the school year.  During the school day, please do not park in the designated playground area.

Emergency Drills

Fire drills are conducted as required by state regulations.  Annual inspection by local and state officials ensures that our procedures and building meet state and local fire codes.  Tornado drills are practiced periodically.  In the event of a tornado warning, children will leave their classes and go to their designated places remaining there until the warning is lifted.  The Earthquake Preparedness Plan is sent to parents at the beginning of the school year.  The emergency release form should be signed and returned  by the specified date.

Visitors

All visitors to school (except cafeteria workers) should report upon arrival to the office, where they will sign-in and receive a visitor's badge to wear during their stay.  The visitor should sign-out and return the badge to the office as he/she leaves the building. 

Birthdays

Students' birthdays are acknowledged by an announcement over the intercom and a small treat.  Sometimes, families like to send in an additional birthday treat for the students in the child's classroom.  If this is done, the treat must be small such as a piece of candy or a cupcake that can be distributed easily.  Students may not have birthday parties during the school day.  Soft drinks, ice cream, cakes, balloons, etc. are not acceptable.  Treats must be brought in before school begins in the morning. They must not require refrigeration. Students may not distribute party invitations at school.