School Handbook

Mission Statement

The Kaukauna Catholic School System educates and challenges each student in our Catholic faith and academic excellence.

Admissions

The Kaukauna Catholic School System does not discriminate by sex, race or national origin in the enrollment and participation of students. All students shall be given equal educational opportunities (Diocesan Policy, #5180).

Admission to the KCSS is on a first come, first serve basis in the following order of priority; families already enrolled in the system, families registered in one of the four Kaukauna parishes, other Catholic families, all other families.

Students entering Kindergarten must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1 of the year entering, and six (6) years of age by September 1 for First Grade.

The School Board sets the KCSS registration fee and tuition each year. Payments can be made annually, twice a year with one payment each in August and January, quarterly with one payment each August, November, February, and May, or 10 monthly payments August through May. Families may apply for tuition grants through the principal.

alcohol/drugs/smoking

The possession, sales, or use of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances on the school grounds is strictly forbidden. Violations will be reported to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

athletics

KCSS offers the following:

Gr. 5-8 Basketball, Volleyball (Girls)

Gr. 6-8 Track, Softball (Girls), Cheerleading

KCSS Athletic Policy and Regulations are found in the Athletic Handbook.

Attendance

Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and the teachers, and is regarded as a very serious problem.

Students are considered 1/2 day absent who arrive after 10:00am or leave before 1:00pm. A student leaving school for an appointment before 10:00am and not returning for the remainder of the school day is considered one (1) day absent. A student, leaving at 10:00am and not returning until after 1:00pm, is considered 1/2 day absent.

Students are expected to be present in school unless ill or otherwise excused. The parent is expected to call the office between 7:30 and 8:15am to report absenteeism. If the absence extends beyond two (2) consecutive days, a doctor's statement may be required. Absences that exceed five (5) days in one quarter will require a conference with the parent(s) and the principal before the student(s) is/are readmitted to classes.

When you need to take your child out of school for an appointment, family matter, or sudden illness, you must stop in the school office and sign your child out before the child leaves the building. The teacher will not be allowed to excuse your child if you do not have a slip from the office noting you have signed them out. If you bring your child back the same day, you will need to come to the office and note the time of return on the form. Pleas do not go directly to your child's classroom without reporting to the office first. This is so the teachers and students are not disturbed during class time. Your child's safety is our primary concern. No student is excused from school during the day unless the parent sends a note to the school office and the principal approves it. Parent and/or guardian must meet and sign out their child in the school office before the student is allowed to leave the school premises.

A Vacation Notice Form must be sent to the principal for approval no later than one week in advance of an absence due to vacation. These forms are available in the school office as well as online.

We discourage the absence of students from school for reasons other than illness.

Tardiness

A student receives an unexcused tardy if he/she is not present in the classroom when the bell rings at the start of the morning or afternoon school sessions. Students who arrive late for any reason before 10:00am are considered tardy for the morning session. Arriving late for the afternoon session, but before 1:00pm, is considered tardy for the afternoon session.

Truancy

Students who are truant from school will be referred to the police liaison officer. Disciplinary action will be taken.

Regular attendance is essential to a student's success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of presentation.

Emergency Closing

KCSS, except the Child Care Center, will not be in session whenever the Kaukauna Area School District closes due to inclement weather. Radio station: WHBY-1150 AM and Channel 11 will have this information for you. The KCSS website will also have a reminder on the homepage.

BUSSING

If you have questions concerning your child's bussing, call Kobussen Bus Company at 920-766-0606.

Emergency Information

An emergency card for your child is to be filled out and kept in the office stating your wishes in case of an emergency. If you change doctors, or there is a change in your child's health, please inform the office. Also, for your child's safety, if there is a change of employment, address, or phone number, please notify the office immediately.

faith formation

The faith formation of each student in the Kaukauna Catholic School System is of primary importance. Certain dimensions of the faith are taught, however, a key ingredient to faith growth is the Catholic environment where areas of faith and morals are experienced or "caught" as they say. How is this accomplished?

Weekly school liturgy and/or prayer service
Daily religion class and daily prayer
Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent
Preparation for the Sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation
Retreats/days of reflection - Gr. 6-7-8
Special service projects, particularly during Advent and Lent
A nurturing environment where "Love for God and Neighbor" is stressed

field trips

Each field trip requires an official permission form signed by the parent. A phone call cannot be accepted in place of the form. A parent has the right to refuse to let their child participate in a field trip.

If a bus is required, each student pays his/her own fee. Parents who use their personal vehicles to drive students must have Diocesan required insurance coverage for non-family members and a valid driver's license, Virtus Training, and a background check. School volunteers must follow all Diocesan regulations including completing Virtus training.

food program

Hot Lunch

Hot lunch is served daily and milk is provided with each meal at no additional cost.

The cost for hot lunch is $1.65 per day when ordered weekly and $2.05 when ordered occasionally. Adults may ear for $2.10. The menu will be available monthly. The total cost for that month or by the week is listed on the menu.

Applications for free and reduced lunches are contained in the information packet given out at the beginning of the school year. Parents may apply at any time during the year. Participation in this program is confidential.

Lunch is normally purchased on a weekly or monthly basis, sometimes daily. Lunch money should be prepaid and given to the child's teacher in an envelope labeled with the family name, the amount enclosed, and the words "LUNCH MONEY". Checks should be made out to Kaukauna Catholic School System.

If a child is absent, parents may deduct the number of days from the next week or month's payment. Parents may also deduct for snow days.

Bag Lunch

Children bringing "bag" lunches to school may purchase milk. No soda is allowed.

fund raising

Fund raising shall be limited to those activities approved by the KCSS Board of Education.

Each family of KCSS must contribute $150 through fund raising activities (profit of sales only), a cash contribution, or a combination of both. Fund raising in excess of $150 profit will be partially credited to the family's tuition account.

general school rules

Students shall:

Obey and follow the directions of all in authority.
Dress properly and neatly according to the school dress code.
Refrain from chewing gum and eating candy during school hours.
Be honest, truthful, kind and courteous.
Stay in assigned areas at all times during the school day.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves.
Show respect for the person and property of others.
Be a Christian at all times.

health

Communicable Disease

It is recommended that children entering Kindergarten and Grade 6 have a physical and dental examination.

State law requires that all children entering a Wisconsin elementary school be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, varicella (Chicken Pox), and rubella. Those in Kindergarten must also receive a Hepatitis B immunization. These requirements are waived only if a signed health or religious exemption is filed with the school.

All communicable diseases are reported to the school.

Medication

School personnel are not permitted to administer any medication, including Tylenol, aspirin, etc. unless a written "Administration of Medication Request" form, issued by the school, is on file.

A prescription from a doctor also requires the "Administration of Medication Request" form to be completed by the doctor and the parent.

The law provides that an employee and the principal will be immune from civil liability for administering drugs or for providing emergency care.

Insurance

Insurance is made available to students at the beginning of each school year through the National Catholic School Insurance Program.

homework/vacations

Assignments, study and projects will be assigned by teachers to reinforce and supplement classroom learning and foster habits of independent study. Parents are encouraged to provide a quiet environment at home to accomplish these tasks.

For students absent due to vacation, teachers will give the students their work after they return. It will be due one week after the vacation is completed. A Vacation Notice Form must be sent to the principal no later than one week in advance of an absence due to vacation. These forms are available in the school office.

We discourage families taking lengthy vacations during school time.

honor roll

Middle school students (Grades 6-8) have an opportunity to achieve the Academic Honor Roll each quarter.

Honor Roll requirements are:

High Honors: 3.5 and above
Honors: 3.0 - 3.49

parents' grievance procedure

If a parent has a grievance to register, the following procedure should be followed:

If a grievance exists with a teacher(s) and/or any other KCSS affiliated entity, parents confer with that party/those parties to resolve the situation.
If the grievance is not resolved to the parents' satisfaction, the grievance is taken to the principal for resolution.
If the principal does not resolve the grievance to the parents' satisfaction, it may be referred to the System Administrator.
If the System Administrator does not resolve the grievance to the parents' satisfaction, it may be referred to the Kaukauna Catholic School System Board President. In such an event:

The parent must file a formal, written complaint with the president, which gives a full description of the problem and identifies the person(s) and/or entities involved.

The parent(s), teacher(s), KCSS entities and principal are to file with the President all records and statements concerning previous efforts to resolve the problem.

Each party is to receive copies of all materials filed with the President.

If the President does not resolve the problem, all records may be forwarded to the Kaukauna Catholic School System Board, which will review the written grievance record and determine if all steps were adequately followed prior to granting a hearing. The Board may deny the opportunity for a hearing for the following reasons:

The nature of the grievance does not warrant a hearing.

The issue of the grievance has not been adequately documented or has not followed the required process.

The Board feels it is a matter best resolved by the Diocesan Education Office/Diocesan Board of Education. (KCSS Policy #4020)

Parent Organizations/Involvement

In an effort to enhance student learning and build community, parents are encouraged and invited to become a part of various school organizations.

Home & School Association

The KCSS Home and School Association will coordinate student/parent activities. The annual dues are $15.00 per family payable on orientation day. These dues will be divided between the two campuses of your child(ren)'s attendance.

All parents who have children enrolled in the system are members and are invited to participate in the Association through membership on the executive board or on committees. Recruitment for these positions occurs during the spring of each school year.

Board of Education

The KCSS is governed by an advisory Board of Education consisting of representatives from each parish that is part of the system. Recruitment of new members occurs during the spring of each school year. The Board of Education meets once each month.

Volunteer Opportunities

Parents are required to volunteer 10 hours or pay a $100 fee. Parents are also encouraged and invited to become involved as school volunteers in a number of capacities throughout the school year. Communications from school to home inform parents of volunteer opportunities. All school volunteers are required to follow the diocesan regulations before volunteering.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

Progress Reports are issued quarterly. Parent-student-teacher conferences for all students are held once a year. Other conference times are optional upon the request of either the parent or teacher.

philosophy

The ministry of Catholic education in Kaukauna is inspired by the desire to insure the continuation of our Catholic heritage and to carry out the command of Jesus to proclaim the Good News.

The Kaukauna Catholic School System (KCSS) is committed to Catholic education, which provides a unique opportunity for:

Faith development
Basic Christian values
Leadership in setting educational standards for the future

The Kaukauna Catholic School System will:

Affirm the three-fold mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News of Jesus; build Christian community and serve others.
Recognize and involve parents as the primary teachers of children.
Believe in the uniqueness and dignity of each person with the right to develop as a total person.
Provide an educational program of academic excellence in an environment of a faith community integrated with the Gospel message, values and traditions.
Encourage the spiritual, intellectual, social, physical and aesthetic development of children.
Employ competent, qualified, faith-filled educators and staff.
Model justice in its employment policies.
Support students in extending service to the larger community.
Work cooperatively with member parishes to retain and foster parish identity.
Install a global awareness of the unity of all people.
Remain financially affordable to all families who desire a Catholic education for their children.

Programs

Preschool/Prekindergarten

St. Aloysius Preschool/Prekindergarten programs provide an exceptional experience for all children ages 3-5.

3-4 year old program: 1 or 2 sessions per week
4-5 year old program: 3 or 4 sessions per week

Child Care/Before and After School Care

Child care program: St. Aloysius Campus
Before School care: St. Aloysius Campus
After school care: St. Aloysius Campus

Call St. Aloysius Campus for additional information on these programs.

progress report

Students in Grades 1-8 receive a written progress report four times a year. Students in kindergarten receive a written progress report three times a year. The following grading scale is normally applied in the grading process:

Kindergarten	Grades 1-2	Grades 3-5	Grades 6-8
S=Satisfactory	G=Very Good	A= Outstanding	A=100-93
P=Making Progress	S=Satisfactory	B=Very Good	B=92-85
N=Needs Improvement	N=Needs Improvement	C=Satisfactory	C=84-77
		D=Experiencing Difficulty	D=76-70
		U=Unsatisfactory	F=69 & Below

During the 2007-2008 school year, the 3rd-5th grades will also begin to use the 6-8 grading scale.

safety

Child Abuse

Wisconsin Safety Statute 48.981 requires school personnel to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Student Supervision

Due to safety concerns, the campus requests that all parents follow this plan for student drop-off and pick-up. The bell rings at 7:55a.m. We encourage students not arrive before 7:45 a.m. Bussing students who arrive prior to this will wait inside until supervision is available on the playground.

School dismisses at 3:10p.m. If students are not picked up by 3:20 pm. they will be asked to go to the office to wait while we call parents. An authorized person will need to come to the office to meet their child.

Supervision by school personnel will be provided for students before and after school at designated times published annually by each school.

The school assumes no liability for students outside of the designated times. Parents are therefore required to see that their children do not arrive at school before morning supervision or remain after dismissal supervision.

Visitors/Volunteers

All visitors and volunteers must report to the school office prior to their visit. A Visitor/Volunteer badge must be worn in the school.

Leaving the Premises

The school is responsible for the safety of students during school hours. This includes waiting for the bus and other rides. Therefore, students are not allowed to leave the school premises during school hours unless a written request from the parent(s) is presented to the principal. A parent and/or guardian must come to the school office to pick up the student and sign him/her out.

Each campus has a closed noon hour.

Bicycles and Cars

Bicycles should always be parked in the racks provided. The bikes are to be walked to and from the streets. The school is not responsible for damage done to bicycles.

Cars are to park in designated areas for drop-off and pick-up of student(s).

suspension and expulsion

There are two general situations, which may lead to suspension or expulsion, both verified by evidence:

When the moral or physical well-being of the student body or staff is endangered.
When there is prolonged and open disregard for school authority.

The Diocesan policies #5080 (suspension) and #5090 (expulsion) will be followed. The method of in-school suspension is preferred.

Parents may request an expulsion hearing to appeal an expulsion. This request should be in writing and sent to the system administrator. Written notice is given to the parents/guardians of the student at least one week prior to an expulsion hearing, which takes place before the KCSS Board in an executive session. The purpose of an expulsion hearing is to review the facts of the incident(s) in order to determine if expulsion is indeed warranted. (KCSS policy #4013)

telephone

Permission is required for students to use the school phone.

transfers

If a parent is planning to transfer their child out of the system, the principal should be notified by the parents in advance of the transfer. A student's records will be sent to the new school upon official written request by the parent and admitting school.

treats

Please refer to the Snack List in the orientation packet when providing treats or snack during the school day. The principal and faculty will decide upon parties for specials occasions. The principal and faculty will decide upon parties for special occasions. Parents may not bring food or drink to the classroom without first informing the teacher. Also, check with the teacher if there are students with special diet needs or allergies. Please do this anonymously student health information is confidential.

tuition

Tuition Payments

The Board of Education sets the KCSS registration fee and tuition each year. Payment is made annually, twice a year with one payment each in August and January, quarterly payments with one payment each in August, November, February, and May, or in 10 monthly payments August through May. Families may apply for tuition grants through the campus principals.

All tuition payments will be processed at the Business Office. It is preferable that after orientation day, all tuition payments be sent to the Business Office for processing.

Questions concerning tuition accounts should be addressed to the Business Manager at 759-4508.

Delinquent Tuition Payments (KCSS Policy #4045)

Rationale: Managing a successful budget for KCSS is contingent upon all tuition income being received in a timely manner. Failure to do so puts KCSS at risk financially.

Realizing that financial issues do arise, KCSS is committed to developing revised Payment Plans and assessing eligibility for Tuition Assistance at the family's request.

Late fees will be charged on all delinquent accounts. This will be charged monthly, until the account is made current. A revised payment plan may be signed and placed on file at the Business Office to avoid the late fees.

If circumstances occur affecting a family's ability to pay, the Business Office should be contacted immediately. Arrangements will be made to determine eligibility for Tuition Assistance.

In order to receive Tuition Assistance , the family's account must be current.

Ten days after the due date, any amount of past due, is considered delinquent. Families who are delinquent will be notified by letter from the Business Office at this point and assessed a late fee.

If the family has failed to apply for tuition assistance or file a revised payment plan after 30 days, they will be notified by the school administrator that the students will be unable to attend class until the issue is resolved in one of the three manners listed below.

Apply for Tuition Assistance
Develop and sign a revised Payment Plan
Pay tuition in full

Families with 8th grade students must have accounts paid in full no later than May 25 of the current school year. Failure to do so may result in students not being allowed to participate in the class trip, graduation ceremony, and graduation dance.

Follow-up Procedures for Delinquent Tuition Payment

KCSS families have the responsibility to make tuition payments on time. A late fee will be charged to any outstanding balances. The business manger will send a delinquent notice to the family if a payment is missed. Outstanding tuition balances that are not paid in a timely fashion will be turned over to a collection agency. In addition registration for the following school year will be denied until payment is made in full. In the case of families with students in eighth grade, extra curricular and graduation activities may be denied.

A written letter, signed by the principal, will be sent informing the family of delinquent status of the account and requesting immediate payment. If a hardship exists, the family is invited to come and discuss a tuition adjustment.
Thirty days thereafter, if the account is still delinquent and no contact has been made by the family regarding the account, a personal contact (phone) is made by the Pastor or principal to discuss the status of the account.
If an account is still delinquent 90 days after initial reminder and the family has not responded, the family will be notified that their registration for the next school year could be denied or in the case of an 8th Grade graduate, participation in graduation services could be denied.
KCSS reserves the right to take past due tuition accounts to small claims court or a collection agency.

Follow-up Procedures for Delinquent Service

Families who do not follow through on service commitments could be denied registration and/or financial aid for the following year. In the case of an 8th Grade graduate, participation in graduation services could be denied. The procedure for follow-up in the case of financial delinquency will be adapted to fit service delinquency according to the commitments made by each family.

weapons

Any student in possession of a weapon on school grounds will be immediately suspended from school and an expulsion hearing will follow.
Any student with a "look alike" weapon will be given at least a one day out-of-school suspension.
Laser pointers are not permitted on school grounds.

dress code

Kaukauna Catholic School System, as a private educational institution, reserves the right to determine and insist upon a norm of appearance for its students. Students are to dress in a manner that indicates they understand the difference between being dressed for a day at school and dressed for a recreational/social activity outside of school time.

Sloppy clothing or extreme styles in clothing, hair, or accessories are not appropriate and will not be tolerated. No frays, rips, tears, or cuts in clothing will be allowed. Outerwear will not be allowed to be worn in school during school hours. Clothing or jewelry that advertises or displays tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances or other material judged contrary to the school's goals is not allowed at any time in school or at any KCSS activity. Visible tattoos are prohibited. No defacing clothing.

If any question should arise as to what is appropriate, the clothing should be brought (not worn) in and the administration will be the judge. In general, KCSS relies upon the good judgment and cooperation of both students and their parents in the implementation of these norms. General guidelines for students are:

Pants Allowed: All students will wear solid color dress pants, worn with a finished hemmed bottom. No elastic or drawstring at the leg. Colors must be khaki, black, navy, purple, brown or gray. Gouchos are allowed.
Pants not Allowed: Jeans, denim, sweatpants, and wind pants.

Skirts: Reasonable length. Any solid color or simple stripe or plaid. No denim.
Jumpers, Dresses: Any solid color or simple stripe or plaid.

Allowed Shorts, Capri's: Shorts must be a reasonable length and should be neither too tight or nor oversized. Same color as pants. August, September, October, May, and June only. No shorts during Mass.
Not Allowed: Skorts that are not skirted on both sides.

Shirts Allowed: Any KCSS Cyclone wear, except t-shirts. Polo shirts, fleece wear, mock turtle neck or turtle neck. - any solid colors or simple stripe.
Oxford Shirts or Blouse: Must be tucked in - any solid color or simple stripe - collared shirt on Mass day.
Shirts Not Allowed: Writing, characters, graffiti, midriff.

Sweaters: Any KCSS Cyclone wear or any solid color or simple stripe.

Shoes Allowed: Dress shoes, athletic shoes, clogs allowed for 6, 7, and 8th grade, or sandals (with socks).
Not Allowed: Clogs in grades K - 5, open back shoes.
Socks must be worn

Jewelry/Make-up: body piercing, other than the ear is unacceptable. Extremes in jewelry and make-up will not be allowed. For safety, dangling earrings are not allowed in Physical Education class.

Hair: Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and natural shade. Hats, caps, bandannas, scarves or other headwear will not be allowed inside the building.
No dress down days unless school designated.

Out of Uniform Days: Occasionally during the school year, there may be jean days. Expectations on those days still include a tidy appearance (no holes, frays) and appropriate messages. On these days, sleeves and appropriate length of clothing are still expected. Midriffs must be covered. Hats, cap, bandannas, scarves or other headwear are not allowed. If the day is a theme day, students must come to school following the theme or in dress code. Students who do not participate and are out of dress code will have a note sent from the teacher that must be signed notifying the parents that the student will not be allowed to participate in the next theme day.

These guidelines do not cover every possible situation. Questionable attire or appearance will be referred to the principal. Since styles of clothing and hair change rapidly, the administration reserves the right to restrict certain fashions that are inappropriate as well as interpret what is considered to be in poor taste or distracting to the learning environment.

Weekly Communications

Each week the KCSS website www.kcssonline.org will host our weekly newsletter and enclosures. Please download any necessary forms to be completed and returned.

If you do not have access to the web site, please call Holy Cross campus at 920-766-0186.

The deadline to include anything in the Weekly News is Wednesday at 10am. The campus principal must read and approve any information before it can be included in the Weekly News.