St. Mary's School, North Vernon, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has complied with the EPA School Rule (1982) and AHERA (1986). The management plan for meeting the requirements of AHERA is available upon request in the school office.

The initial required inspection of this school was completed on July 9, 1988, by an accredited inspector/planner. The asbestos-containing building materials identified, if left undisturbed, do not present an immediate danger to building occupants. All response actions and preventive measures called for from the first inspection, have been taken in accordance with the management plan.

In May 1999, Environmental Abatement Inc. removed all asbestos insulation piping from basement area. TEM (air sampling) was taken after removal to ensure complete removal and safety. In June 2005, floor tile was removed from a basement classroom by DHA, Inc.

Furthermore, periodic surveillance of asbestos-containing building materials is completed every six months to ensure that the materials are undisturbed and remain in good condition.

On August 17, 2007, a representative of the United State Environmental Protection Agency conducted an inspection of the Saint Mary School and determined that it was in compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).

Regular school attendance promotes the success of students. The educational process requires a continuous sequence of instruction. When broken by a period of absence, this instruction can never be fully regained by extra work. The regular contact of students with one another in the classroom and their participation in learning activities under the supervision of a qualified teacher will assist each student in attaining his/her maximum potential. The primary purpose of this attendance policy is to develop a sense of responsibility, to promote punctuality, to develop traits of good citizenship, and to enhance academic success.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Student is present 100% of the time. (No tardiness, no early dismissals)

ABSENCE CLASSIFICATIONS

Absences will be classified as excused, unexcused, or truant depending on the reason for the absence.

1. EXCUSED – A student will be excused for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness
2. Personal medical or dental appointments (Medical certificate is requested)
3. Serious illness or death in the immediate family
4. Students may be excused for other reasons if the parent makes a request in writing to the principal PRIOR TO THE REQUESTED ABSENCE. The school may approve an absence without prior notice if circumstances reasonably prevented the student from having obtained prior permission. Missed assignments and homework will be given upon students return to school.

1. UNEXCUSED – All other absences from school will be considered unexcused. A student with an unexcused absence will receive no make-up work and will receive a "0" for work missed.
2. TRUANT – A student will be considered as truant if he or she is absent from school all or part of a day if:

1. The absence is without the prior knowledge and consent of either the parent or school.
2. A "fictitious" phone call is received by the school excusing the absence.
3. A forged note is received excusing an absence.

A student who commits an act of truancy will receive no make-up work.

For excused absences due to illness, medical or dental appointment, serious illness or death in the family the parent/guardian must send a note from home, call the office or provide a medical excuse. The parent/guardian must make a request in writing to the principal prior to requested absence for special events or personal business. Missed assignments and homework will be given upon students return to school.

Upon the 10^th absence, a letter will be sent home to the parent/guardian notifying them of their student’s excessive absenteeism and reinforcing the importance of good attendance. Any absence beyond the tenth day must be for medical or dental appointments, serious illness, injury, or death to a member of the student’s immediate family. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration by the principal.

Severe cases of poor attendance may be prosecuted under Indiana’s Compulsory Attendance Laws.

Homework for days missed may be picked up in the office at the end of the day or upon a student’s return to school.

When it is absolutely necessary for your child to be excused from school for medical or dental appointments, please send a note to the teacher. The parent, or authorized adult, must meet the child in the office and sign the child out. When returning to school the parent or guardian needs to sign child back in school.

SMS has been asked by our neighbors not to block their driveways or parking areas (along Clay Street) when waiting in the pick up line after school. Thank you for honoring this request.

Do not park in parking lot.

Bike riders will be dismissed after car riders leave.

All students are expected to leave the grounds at dismissal. The school will not accept responsibility for children who remain after dismissal time, except for those in Extended Care.

Students arriving after morning bell or leaving prior to dismissal bell will be counted tardy.

Students arriving 1 ½ hours after school begins or leaving 1 ½ hours before dismissal will be counted as ½ day absent (i.e. Arriving after 9:55 AM or leaving in afternoon before 1:15).

It is important that students arrive to school on time. After being tardy four times in a quarter, students will have after school detention. (Exception – tardiness due to doctor’s appointment).

Students riding bikes to school need to obey all bike safety rules and treat motorists with respect and courtesy. It is recommended that students wear helmets and lock bikes. Students riding bikes will be dismissed after car riders. Walkers and bike riders need to have a note from parents if walking or riding bikes.

The students of St. Mary's who ride the bus must observe the proper rules of safety and courtesy. If the privilege of riding the school bus is abused in any way by misconduct, the child may have to forfeit his/her right to ride the bus. If a bus driver feels that a student's conduct warrants contacting our office, a notice of this will be sent to the parents. If the same child should be cited by the bus driver a second time, we will give a one-day suspension from bus service. A third citation would be a three-day suspension from service.

1. Leave home on time each day.

2. Walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

3. Arrive at the pick-up spot five minutes before the bus.

4. Wait off the roadway, not in the street.

5. Stay off people's lawns.

1. Wait for the bus to come to a full stop.

2. Be polite and take your turn getting on the bus.

1. Follow the directions of the driver.

2. Walk to assigned seat and remain there. Do not stand or move around while bus is moving.

3. Do not talk to the driver unless it is an emergency. (Drivers need to keep their minds on driving and their eyes on the road.)

4. Talk quietly so that the driver can hear traffic sounds.

5. Keep arms, feet, and school books out of the aisles.

6. Do not open or close windows.

7. Keep hands and head inside the bus. Do not stick anything out of the windows.

8. Loud, profane language or yelling is not permitted.

9. Smoking is not permitted.

10. Do not deface or litter the bus.

11. Do not tamper with any safety devise or any equipment.

12. Eating or drinking on the bus is not permitted.

1. Do not leave your seat until the bus comes to a full stop.

2. Take your turn; don't crowd in front of others.

3. Look both ways, and check for turning cars before you cross the street.

1. Stay seated.

2. Do not touch emergency equipment.

3. Depend on the driver's training to take care of the situation.

NOTE: A. Violation of the above rules and regulations may result in suspension of transportation privileges.

B. Bus drivers have the same authority on the bus and in bus loading areas as teachers do in the classroom.

 

 

All students are expected to eat lunch. Children may take advantage of the hot lunch program at school, bring lunches from home, or go home. Children may not bring canned pop to drink with their lunches nor lunches from Fast Food Restaurants. Sack lunches should be packed so that they do not require refrigeration. No yogurt in a tube or pudding in a tube is allowed.

Students may only go to restaurants for lunch if they are accompanied by a member of their family. The parents must send a note to the classroom teacher. The family member must meet the child at the office and sign child out and in when returning. SMS discourages taking students out for lunch on a regular basis.

Hot lunches from the Jennings County Middle School are available each day. Lunches must be prepaid. Accounts will be computerized with each child having an account number. Students eligible for free meals will be provided with a meal at no charge. By having every student in the school use his/her Meal Account Number the anonymity of children receiving free or reduced priced meals is assured.

Parents will fill our deposit slips provided by the cafeteria. It is important that the following information be completed on the proper blanks.

1. Students’ Name 2. Student’s Meal Account Number

3. Check Number for Check Deposit 4. Amount Enclosed.

Cash or checks will be accepted for deposit. Payment into an account can be for one or more meals. Food Services encourages parents to prepay for a number of meals at once in order to reduce the need for frequent deposits and daily cash handling. See the chart below for multiple meal prices:

One Meal One Week One Month

(1) (5 meals) (20 meals)

Reduced Price Lunch $ .40 $ 2.00 $ 8.00

Full Paid Lunch (grades K-6) $ 1.85 $ 9.25 $ 37.00

Full Paid Lunch (grades 7/8) $ 2.10 $10.50 $ 42.00

Milk .40 $ 2.00 $ 8.00

Households with more than one child at the school need to designate the amount of money to be placed into each child’s account. A parent can always ask for a detailed report on available meal money and meal transactions in a child’s account. To request this information, please call the school office.

Courteous, respectful behavior is expected at all times.

You are encouraged to discuss matters with your child's classroom teacher; as a matter of courtesy contact your child’s teacher for an appointment.