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St. Louis CatholicSchoolParent-Student Handbook2021-22Table of ContentsMission, Philosophy, & HistoryFaculty, Staff & Office ProceduresGeneral Policies & Procedures-AAdmissions .16Academics. 20Student Records. 20Report Card Grading Codes & Policies . 20Honor Roll . 21Honors Math/Science/Language Arts. 21Standardized Testing/Accommodations . 21Promotion Policy . 22Retention . 22After Care Program . 22Announcements. 23Appearance . 23Arrival and Dismissal . 23School Hours . 23Arriving on Campus . 23ECC Early Morning Drop-off . .24Late Arrivals/Tardies . 24Afternoon Dismissal . 24Severe Weather Dismissal . 25Athletics . 25Athletic Probation . 25Athletics Spectator Code of Conduct. 26Attendance. 26Perfect Attendance. 27 1
Excused Absence . 27Releasing Students During School Hours . 27Early Dismissal. 28Absence for Other Reasons . 28Awards . 28-BBooks. 29Bullying. 30Cyber-bullying .30-CCell Phones & Electronics. 31Communication. 32Contributions . 32Counselor. 32Learning Lab and SOARing. . 33-DDiscipline and Student Conduct . 33Code of Conduct . 33Honor Code . 34Academic Dishonesty. 34Discipline Procedures . 34Drug & Alcohol Policy . 39-EEmergency Communications. 39Emergency Drills . 39Emergency Plan . 402
-FFaculty Meetings. 40Field Trips . 40Fundraisers . 41-GGifts. 41-HHealth Requirements & Screenings .42Homework Assignments . 42-IInclement Weather . 43-LLibrary. 43Liturgies and Religion Program. 43Lost & Found . 43Lunch . 44Lunch Visitors . 44-MMass . 44-PParent-Teacher Conferences . 45Parties/Birthdays . 45Photography . 46Plus Portals . . 463
-RRequests . 46-SSafety . 47Searches and Inspections. 47Smoking . 47Student Illness . 48Medications . 48Student Records . 49-TTechnology Acceptable Use Policy . 50Telephones . 50-UUniform Requirements . 50Guidelines for Out of Uniform Days. 51-VVIRTUS . 52Visitors . 52-WWithdrawal . 53AppendixTechnology Contract . 54Email Policy . 55Photo/Video Release Form . 564
Accredited byCognia, formerly AdvancEdTennessee Department of EducationCertificationAdvancED STEM CertificationMembersNational Association of Supervision and Curriculum DevelopmentNational Catholic Education Association (NCEA)Parochial Athletic AssociationRight to AmendEvery effort has been made to provide you with correct information. TheAdministration reserves the right to change, amend, add or delete any or allof the policies, procedures, or guidelines contained in this student handbookfor just cause. Parents will be notified as these changes occur.5
Mission StatementsThe Catholic Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee As a part of the mission of theRoman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee Catholic Schoolsystem is committed to preparing students to be courageous and faithfulDisciples of Christ by providing a solid spiritual, intellectual, emotional andphysical formation under the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in union withthe Roman Catholic Church.St. Louis Catholic School St. Louis Catholic School is committed to qualityeducation in the spirit of Christ in accordance with the teachings of the RomanCatholic Church. Partnering with families and our community, we prepare ourstudents for the future through faith formation and academic excellence.Our vision: St. Louis Catholic School is committed to developing strongcharacter, high morals, and Christian values within our students. St. LouisCatholic School will continue to improve the achievements of every student,while fostering independent learners, creative thinkers, and academicallywell-rounded students. This is communicated to our entire faculty, staff,students, and stakeholders through the acronym SLS-Students LearningSuccessfully.BELIEF STATEMENTS:1. Our school's primary focus is to educate through spiritual growth and acommitment to the Catholic faith.2. A challenging curriculum encourages students to achieve their optimumlearning potential.3. All students can learn to the best of their ability given appropriate learningopportunities.4. Development of critical thinking and problem solving skills are needed forfuture growth.5. An awareness of cultural diversity encourages students' understanding andacceptance for all peoples.6. Meaningful community service prepares students to assume an active role inthe local and parish community and develops a sense of altruism.7. Mutual respect among students and staff promotes an atmosphere thatfosters and enhances students' self-esteem and emotional maturity.6
8. A close working relationship with the entire school community is vital to thespiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth of the whole child.9. Students should be provided with a safe and physically comfortableenvironment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.10. The integration of STEM with our core curriculum empowers students tobecome lifelong learners who are able to address challenges with confidenceand a moral perspective.PROFILE OF A ST. LOUIS GRADUATESt. Louis Catholic School has a rich tradition of educating students datingback to 1957. St. Louis students and graduates are expected to demonstrate aChristian moral and spiritual code of conduct, be generous with their time,talent and treasure, and live a life of faith in God. St. Louis graduatesrecognize their responsibility to serve their church and community. Once ourstudents graduate, they are encouraged to continue their spiritual formation,through worship, prayer, mission work, and other activities.When students graduate from St. Louis, they have had many opportunitiesand are fully trained in the utilization of technology and its application indaily life and academic achievement. They receive a strong academicfoundation which incorporates critical thinking, problem solving, conductingresearch, communicating, working effectively and cooperatively in groups,and also continuing to be independent learners as well. Our graduates arefully prepared to enter a college preparatory high school program.HistoryEarly in 1952, Bishop William L. Adrian asked Father John Welsh, the pastor ofBlessed Sacrament Church to find a suitable piece of property to the northeast ofBlessed Sacrament’s parish boundaries for the purpose of establishing a new parishthat would serve the growing Catholic population in that area. Twenty acres at thenorthwest corner of Shady Grove Road and White Station was purchased in 1953.The church was named St. Louis in honor of Msgr. Louis Kemphues, DeanEmeritus of the West Tennessee Deanery, and his patron saint, Louis IX, a 13thcentury French king. A convent was built to house the Dominican sisters, then therectory, school, and church. Fr. Francis Pack was the first priest assigned to St.Louis, however due to illness a second pastor was appointed, Fr. Paul W. Clunan.Msgr. Clunan was the lifeblood of the church for 35 years.CurrentlyUnder the current leadership of Reverend Keith Stewart, pastor, the schoolcontinues to strive for excellence in faith formation, academics, andextracurricular activities to meet the growing needs of its students.7
St. Louis Catholic School is located in East Memphis. Our 22 acre campusincludes St. Louis Catholic Church and Clunan Center, Main School Building,Orians Center/Early Childhood Center and St. John Paul II Youth MinistryCenter. The school is composed of twenty classrooms. Co-curricular classroomsinclude a makerspace/robotics lab, library media center, four Learning Labs,science lab, enrichment classroom, foreign language rooms, Distance LearningCenter, music classroom, and art studio. Five baseball/softball fields, a soccerfield, a football field, two gymnasiums, and two playgrounds are located on theproperty.Presently there are two homerooms for grades Pre K through sixth and threehomerooms for seventh and eighth grade. In addition to the core curriculum,physical education, music, Spanish, art, religious studies, weekly and quarterlySTEM labs, and computer/library skills are offered to all students in kindergartenthrough eighth grades. Computer access is provided throughout the campus.The 7th and 8th grades follow a junior high format, changing classes for eachsubject area. Supplemental programs to enhance the traditional classroominstruction are provided through Learning Lab and SOARing. Using a multisensory approach within a small group setting, Learning Lab providesindividualized and small group instruction in the areas of math and language artsas a means of additional assistance in learning. Our SOARing program is offeredfor those qualifying as academically gifted. This program for qualified studentsin grades 3 - 6 challenges students by offering learning activities that requirehigher order thinking skills, creativity, and rigorous problem solving.St. Louis Catholic School was the first Catholic School in Tennesseeto receive STEM Accreditation through AdvancED/Cognia.LeadershipThe school operates under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Memphis and thePastor of St. Louis Catholic Church. The Diocese of Memphis ensures compliancewith applicable local, state and federal laws. The ultimate governing authority isthe Bishop of the Diocese of Memphis. The principal of St. Louis School assumesresponsibility for maintaining the school-wide focus on student learning. Shemonitors and evaluates curriculum implementation and instructional effectivenessthrough classroom observations, monitored lesson plans, stakeholder feedback,students’ work samples, and a variety of academic and non-academic data. Ourprincipal ensures that all staff attend diocesan professional development sessions aswell as encourages teachers to attend seminars and conferences pertaining tohis/her core areas.The Clunan Endowment FundIn 1957, when St. Louis Parish was established, Monsignor Paul W. Clunanrecognized that providing a quality Catholic education to the children of our8
parish would ensure the vitality of the parish. St. Louis Catholic Schoolremains committed to providing quality education in the spirit of Christ inaccordance with the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.Gifts to the Clunan Fund benefit St. Louis Catholic School in keeping up withthe latest technology and to also make it possible to assist families who areunable to pay the full tuition fee of the school, enabling them to secure aCatholic education for their children. Donations can also be made through ourschool website.Faith Formation and SacramentsSt. Louis Catholic School is dedicated to the following purpose as stated bythe United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:To provide an atmosphere in which The Gospel message is proclaimed The community of Christ is experienced Service to our sisters and brothers is the norm The thanksgiving and worship of our God is cultivatedOur religion program includes religious education classes, sacramental preparation,liturgical and prayer experiences, and opportunities for Christian witness and service.We hope to further each child’s knowledge and practice of their faith and guide themto serve others through the use of their gifts and talents.According to the guidelines of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, all sacramentsare received through the child’s parish and attendance at Sacramental retreatsand parent meetings is required.In second grade, students and their parents participate in the preparation forand reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Eighthgrade students and their parents participate in the preparation and reception ofthe Sacrament of Confirmation.Parents Role in EducationAt St. Louis Catholic School, we consider it a privilege to work with parents in theeducation of children because we believe parents are the primary educators of theirchildren. During these formative years your child needs constant support from bothparents and faculty in order to develop his or her moral, intellectual, social, cultural,and physical endowment. If there is an incident at school, you as parents must makeinvestigation of the complete story your first step. Evidence of mutual respectbetween parents and teachers will model mature behavior and relationships. Whenconcerns arise, please contact your teacher or an administrator. Parents are expectedto support the policies of the school as a condition of enrollment. Just as the parenthas the right to withdraw a child if desired, the school administration, in consultationwith the Pastor, reserves the right to require the withdrawal of a student if theadministration determines that the partnership is irretrievably broken.9
As partners in the educational process we ask parents: To set rules, times, and limits so that your child: gets to bed early onschool nights; arrives at school on time and is picked up on time at theend of the school day; completes class assignments on time; has lunchmoney on their account, or a sack lunch everydayTo ensure the student is dressed according to the school uniform dresscode throughout the entire school yearTo actively participate in school activities such as open house; parentteacher conferences and fundraising activitiesTo notify the school office, in writing, of any changes of address, emailaddress, or important phone numbersTo inform the school office of any special situation regarding thestudent’s well-being, safety, and healthTo promptly complete and return to school any requested informationTo read school notes and newsletters and to show interest in thestudent’s total educationTo inform the administration of concerns which may call foradministrative actionTo meet all financial obligations to the school, including tuition, fees,fines for damage to textbooks or school property, and balances oncafeteria account10
St. Louis Catholic SchoolFaculty & StaffPastorPrincipalRev. Keith StewartMrs. Teddi NiedzwiedzEarly Childhood Center DirectorPK- teachersJK- teachersAssistantsMrs. Kendall LucchesiClaire Thompson, Aubry WilliamsTracy Price, Rachael YearwoodPK- Alana Bell, Silvia HechtJK- Ashley Chism, Jodi JonesKindergarten TeachersBeth Spencer, Wendy MaddenKindergarten Co-TeachersJeanice Spencer, Allison SeatonGrade 1 TeachersGrade 2 TeachersMargaret Reynolds, Shannon McCraryErin Van Epps, Lauren HaydenGrade 3 TeachersGrade 4 TeachersMisty Williams, Dena SoefkerLauren Rutledge, Stephanie HubbardGrades 5 and 6Language ArtsSocial Studies/ReligionMathScienceTraci EdwardsJessica KaluznyKathryn MostellerLisa MorganAssistant Principal/JH DeanTeaching AssistantsGrades 7 and 8LiteratureEnglish/WritingMathReligionSocial StudiesScienceSpanishMrs. Vickie ShawConnie Pierotti, Sue Wynne,Virginia TavoletiMelissa PriolaKaren WallisDenise ChoateCorinne GardinoKelsey BourquinMegan HellenFlavia Dunmyer11
Special TeachersArtMusicTechnologySpanish PK-6LibrarianPhysical EducationSchool Counselor 5th-8thSchool Counselor PreK-4thLearning LabRobin DurdenLeiza CollinsBeth Carson 7th/8thAnniee CervettiJill MullenMargaret SchauweckerKim FracchiaJessica CorderaSusan Holliday, Melissa Brownlee,Karie Ticer, Devin Troy,Maureen HamrickEnrichment (SOARing)Tech SupportNancy GordonBeth Carson, Dave MyersAdministrative fice ManagerSchool SecretaryAthletic DirectorPaul WalkerAmy NewsomKelly WilsonMichael BennettEmail for all Faculty/Staff is firstinitiallastname@stlouismemphis.org12
St. Louis Catholic Church and School StaffPastorRev. Keith StewartAssociate PastorsRev. Michael OkataRev. Joe SaxRev. Mathew JinsDeaconsDeacon Jeff DrzycimskiDeacon Mike D'AddabboDeacon Bob SkinnerDeacon David DierkesPastor’s Admin Assistant/Accounts Payable Admin Jan O’DonnellBusiness ManagerRonald PierottiAccounts Receivable AdministratorReceptionistAnna SheltonMegan RogersAngela ArnoultPeggy LarkinPaul WalkerStephanie NovareseJana SoefkerDirector of Youth MinistryDirector of Religious EducationParents’ Day Out DirectorDirector of MusicChildren’s Choir DirectorsAthletic DirectorMaintenance SupervisorMaintenance TechnicianCustodial SupervisorCustodianLunch Room SupervisorLunch Room Assistant/MaintenanceAfter Care/Summer Camp DirectorDr. Scott ElscholzDr. Scott ElscholzLeiza CollinsMichael BennettScott CaitlinLester KincaidConsuelo MartellKellen MotenMrs. Carla BurkeMr. Maurice ParsonsMrs. Lori Tucker13
2021-2022 Home and School OfficersOfficeNamePresidentBeth OggVice PresidentLaura HehnTreasurersCorresponding SecretaryLenore VollmarStephanie NovareseAutumn ThronRecording SecretaryKelly LaundreChaplainLeigh GoodwinSocial MediaJulie CrowlAuction ChairKara JamisonAuction BarTommy & Lenore VollmarAuction RentalsKarimeh McDanielLive AuctionTBDAuction Site ManagementJason ParrishAuction DecorationsLyndsay GronostajSilent Auction SetupAlexa BegoniaEmilie WetickHospitalityMaggie CarrierCafeteria StaffingTBDLibrary StaffingAmanda Strain14
Community FundraisingErika PughSpirit NightKarimeh McDanielCardinal CaresPaige MarcantelCardinal ConnectMarjo LabonteLibrary FundraisingLisa CaesarCardinal CropsLeigh GoodwinReceptionsLisa MeginleyHolly GoughnourMaggie CarrierSchool SuppliesAmber SignaigoKatie NormanCardinal 5KTBDSpirit ShopFleece Jacket SalesBrittany FoleyJessica HeinzTiffany KeeFall Festival/ Trunk or TreatBrandi Sciara15
ADMISSIONSAge RequirementsChildren entering PK must be 3 years old on or before August 15. Childrenentering JK must be 4 years old on or before August 15. Children enteringKindergarten must be 5 years old on or before August 15.Admissions ProcessAdmission applications are available on the school website. Please Call or emailPaul Walker (255-1900) pwalker@stlouismemphis.org Enrollment takes place inthe month of January for all returning students. To be considered forenrollment, applicants must submit a birth certificate, proof of up-to-dateimmunizations, transcript from prior school, and any testing that is necessary forappropriate placement.Entrance TestingStudents applying to St. Louis Catholic School may be asked to take a placement testand may be asked to provide a writing sample.Registration Policy for New Students:Due to limited class size, available openings for admission are prioritized in thefollowing sequence: Currently enrolled students advancing to the next year Siblings of currently enrolled students that are registered andconsistently contributing St. Louis Parishioners for at least 6months Children of St. Louis families that are registered and consistentlycontributing parishioners for at least 6 months Children of Catholic families registered and contributing to anotherCatholic parish for at least 6 months Children of all other Faith Traditions, based on the application dateShould there be more applicants than seats available at any grade level, awaiting list will be developed.Re-Enrollment Policy for Currently Enrolled Students: Once a childhas been admitted that place is reserved for the remainder of elementary school, aslong as the child is in continuous enrollment. There will be a well-publicized reregistration day early in the second semester of each school year.Non-Discrimination PolicyThe schools in the Diocese of Memphis do not discriminate on the basis of sex,race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin in administration of their educational16
policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan programs, athletic or otheradministered programs.Non-ResidentsAll students attending SLS must live with parents or legal guardian(s), or thosepersons who have, in writing, been delegated to act as parents or legal guardians inunusual circumstances. The principal and pastor in consultation with theSuperintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Memphis, shall have the authority toask a student to withdraw from school if he/she is residing in a home wherenatural/foster parents, legal guardians, or those persons who have, in writing, beendelegated to act as parents or legal guardians in unusual circumstances, are not inattendance.SCHOOL OFFICEOffice Hours 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday – Friday when school is in session7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (half days)Summer office hours are 9:00am – 2:00pm Monday – FridayTuition Payments and FeesThere will be a 150.00 registration fee for all new students. All families must sign atuition contract to finalize registration. All tuition and fees from previous years must bepaid in full before a student can return to begin the next school year. Tuition is payablein ten monthly installments beginning July 1st and ending April 1st. An increase intuition is anticipated annually. All book fees can be paid in full through FACTS over afour month period starting in July. Textbooks being used at St. Louis School areadopted from a suggested list of books from the Diocesan School Office. Textbookswill be inventoried at the end of the school year. Students will be responsible for anydamage to textbooks.Contract Cancellation FeeContracts are sent with registration paperwork in January and must be signed for finalregistration. If a contract is cancelled after it is signed there is a cancellation fee equalto 30% of the tuition and 100% of the book/fees for each contract cancelled. All feesmust be paid in full thirty days after the date the school receives notice of thecancellation(s). Notice of the contract cancellation must be given in writing to theoffice.Payment options:We are pleased to offer FACTS Payment Plans and Grant & Aid Financial NeedsAssessment on the same platform. Enrolling in FACTS tuition payment plan isrequired and allows families to select a payment option that best suits their financialneeds. The following plans are offered:17
Monthly Payments can be spread over 10 monthly installments from JulyAprilPayment in full-FACTS is a quick and secure method for paying yourtuition balance in fullPayments made through FACTS can be made using credit cards orbank draftsPlease note, payments made through a credit card are assessed anadditional charge for processing. For more details about the options above,create an online account at: https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3VY8RFACTS also charges a 30.00 fee for bank overdrafts when using ACH.Tuition RatesTo receive the Contributing Catholic tuition rate, one must be registered in a Catholicparish, regularly attend Mass, participate in the Sacraments when appropriate, andcontribute consistently to their parish using church envelopes, checks, or onlinegiving. Upon enrollment, the admissions office will verify a family’s “ContributingCatholic” status by communicating with the St. Louis church office (members of St.Louis), collecting Contributing Catholic forms (members of other parishes), andcollecting certificates of Baptism (all incoming Catholic students). Once we haveverification on file, new families will receive the discounted Contributing Catholicrate. Rates will be reviewed annually by the tuition administrator. Attending Mass onSundays and Holydays of Obligation and contributing to the support of the Church aretwo of the precepts of the Catholic Church. Catholic parents of St. Louis Schoolchildren who are registered in another church will be required annually (during reenrollment) to present to the school a letter from their pastor stating that they areattending and contributing Catholics of that parish. The church office will verifyannual contributions of parents who are members of St. Louis. If one is registered atSt. Louis parish, but attends and contributes to another parish, it is suggested stronglyto change membership or to contribute to St. Louis on a consistent basis. It is only fairand just that the Catholic rate be given to Catholics who are active, participating,, andcontributing to the parish in which they are registered.Tuition in ArrearsthA student’s tuition is considered in arrears on the 60 day after the due date. Atthat time a student’s grades will be blocked from view by both the parent andstudent. At that time a student may also be asked to withdraw from the school. ThethBusiness Office will notify Administration prior to the 60 day. If there areextenuating circumstances that prevent a family from following the tuitionschedule, these circumstances must be discussed with the Business OfficeManager or Principal before the scheduled due date of the tuition payment.Releasing final report cards, transferring records or registering for the followingschool year will not be allowed until all accounts with the school are settled.18
Tuition AssistanceThe goal of the school is to one day be able to offer assistance to all families, howeverat this time only families that are parishioners of St. Louis may apply for TuitionAssistance. To apply for assistance, the FACTS application found on the homepage ofthe school website must be completed.Tuition Refund Policy Enrollment Fees are non-refundable
PROFILE OF A ST. LOUIS GRADUATE St. Louis Catholic School has a rich tradition of educating students dating back to 1957. St. Louis students and graduates are expected to demonstrate a Christian moral and spiritual code of conduct, be generous with their time, talent and treasure, and live a life of faith in God. St. Louis graduates
