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Parent Handbook and All School Code of Behavior
September 2009

    

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Vision Statement - Department for Catholic Schools, Diocese of Pittsburgh

The Vision for the Department for Catholic Schools is to promote and to sustain Catholic Schools of unparalleled quality, which integrate faith into every aspect of life and culture and which produces graduates who continually strive for human and Christian perfection.

1.2 St. Elizabeth Elementary School Philosophy and Mission

The Philosophy and Mission Statement of St. Elizabeth Elementary School determine the policies and procedures in this booklet. Through them we encourage the students, parents and faculty to choose actions that are Gospel mandates so that we all will be living witnesses to the life of Jesus.


Mission and Philosophy of Saint Elizabeth Elementary School

Saint Elizabeth Elementary School exists to provide our students with the moral and spiritual foundation hat will serve as the basis for life long learning and bring them to a closer relationship with God.  Through a Catholic education which focuses on academic excellence in a loving and caring environment, we serve our students by recognizing and encouraging the development of the gifts, talents and uniqueness of each person.

¨      We believe that our primary purpose is to communicate the gospel message of Jesus Christ as a vital part of the teaching ministry of the Catholic Church.

¨      We believe that parents are the first educators of their children and with them we work to provide an environment that encourages Christ-like living and the optimal academic development of each child.

¨      We believe that we provide a curriculum determined by national, state and diocesan standards and implemented by a staff of highly qualified teachers.

¨      We believe that our goal is to provide the foundation for independent, life-long learning and success in a changing society.


1.3 Middle States Accreditation

St. Elizabeth Elementary School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This accreditation, which publicly validates excellence in education, is an expression of confidence in the school's mission, its goals and objectives, and its performance and resources. Evaluation by the Middle States Association is an ongoing process, which requires continuous growth in excellence as formally documented every three years, with complete re-evaluation every 10 years. St. Elizabeth Elementary School's current accreditation was received in May, 2000.

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1.4 Catechetics (Religious Education)

 Catechetics is the heart of the Catholic school. Hence, every effort is made to integrate catechetics into every aspect of the school's curriculum, creating a Christ-centered atmosphere in each classroom and, indeed, the entire school through emphasis on lived Christian values.
  		 
This school community is grounded in and bound together by faith in Jesus as Christ. Within the context of the Roman Catholic tradition, this faith is expressed in worship and deed, with prayer a central part of each day. Students are familiarized with the Church's tradition of "praying always" through participation in simple communal prayers at the beginning and the end of each school day, prayers of thanksgiving before meals, and formal liturgical celebrations. The gathering of the entire school community for prayer each month (either a prayer service or an Eucharistic Liturgy) is augmented by opportunities for participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and seasonal devotions such as the Stations of the Cross. In addition, students become acquainted with liturgical seasons, saints as examples of faithful discipleship to Christ, peacemakers of our own time, and connections to civil holidays and observances.

Because faith is manifested in living, students on all levels are encouraged, individually and as a community, to live their faith by serving the needs of others as Jesus did. Organized service efforts are complemented by the expectation that each student will endeavor to recognize and respond to others' needs in their own families, classrooms, and communities of residence as their abilities allow.

The school, while its own community, is also part of the larger community of St. Elizabeth Parish and participates in parish sacramental preparation programs which prepare all eligible individuals for first Reconciliation, first Eucharist, and Confirmation. Thus, parents of students in St. Elizabeth Elementary School participate in the  parent programs associated with these sacramental preparation efforts as held by the parish throughout the year. The religious development and formation of the students, including sacramental preparation, is guided by the school faculty as overseen by the School Principal, who works in conjunction with the Pastor and the Director of Religious Education for the parish.

Discipleship is the attitude we foster, as we seek together to learn and follow more closely the way of Christ. Religion, then, is not simply a subject to be mastered, for religious observance is merely the sign of an inner faith, and that faith is the cornerstone of our lives.

Student Responsibilities

At St. Elizabeth Elementary School, learning is a priority. So that all students may fully experience that environment of learning, it is expected that each student will:

  • Live the philosophy and mission statement of St. Elizabeth.

  • Respect and obey all teachers, staff, and volunteers.

  • Respect the school property and not deface it in any way.

  • Refrain from use of foul language.

  • Be responsible for protecting the rights of others.

  • Observe the All School Code of Good Behavior.

  • Do all assigned class work and homework on time.

  • Accept responsibility for his/her actions.

  • Make proper use of all school facilities.

  • Use only the materials assigned to him/her.

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2.0 Daily Practices and Procedures

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