2010-2011 Policy Changes

August 27, 2010

Dear Holy Spirit Parents and Guardians,

Thank you again for making me feel very welcomed to our school.  I am looking forward to an energetic and productive school year.

I have found it necessary to make some policy changes to the parent/student handbook.  This letter will summarize the changes so you will be familiar with them before the handbook comes out in September.

Dress Code: It’s time to say good bye to the long surfer look on many of the boys. Boys’ hair must be above the collar, off the ears and above the eyebrows. I know our weekends are busy, but I would appreciate all boys being compliant with hair regulation by September 23, 2010 (Picture Day).

Shoes: Wow! It’s also time to say goodbye to the neon colored vans, high-tops and the sockless look.  Dress shoes in black, navy and red are always welcomed as long as they have laces or straps to keep them on.  (The young ladies in k-3 look really beautiful in the Mary Jane styled shoes.) Athletic shoes need to be white, black, or red.  They must have laces or Velcro straps to keep them on feet.  As much as I like the Vans style of slip on shoes, they are a safety issue for the children (and a liability for the school.) Please begin to phase non compliant shoes out of your child’s uniform. I would appreciate compliance by October 1, 2010.

Socks:  Socks must cover the ankle and be the crew length type. Ankle socks, “peds” and any other foot covering that sports a sockless look is not permitted.  Girls may wear knee socks or tights in white, red and navy.  Athletic socks for athletic shoes should be white.

Free Dress:  We will no longer have regularly scheduled free dress days for rewards. Free dress will be for various school celebrations which will be announced as the school year proceeds.

Detentions:  Three checks in a two week period warrant a detention.  This has not changed.  However three (3) detentions received in a trimester will warrant a suspension.  If your child receives a second detention, a mandatory meeting with me and your child’s teacher will be set up for you to discuss the situation.

Last but not least is the new cell phone policy.  I know how important it is for your family to stay in touch during the day. However, unsupervised use of cell phones can get our children into trouble. After assessing the various issues that have occurred at our school over cell phone usage, I find it necessary that your child will have to turn their cell phones to their teachers every morning.  They will be returned promptly at 3pm. We are in the process of ordering fabric lined cell phone storage boxes for each classroom.  The storage boxes will be locked in a cabinet.  I will notify you when we will begin this policy. In the mean time, cell phones are to remain shut off and in backpacks. If you need to contact your child during school hours, please call the front office. We need to make sure that your child remains safe at all times while at school.  By going through the front office we are able to ensure their safety.  If your child goes to extension, they may keep their phones with them to stay in touch with you.  They may text and call you, but they may not text friends for entertainment and they may not use their phone to go on the internet. Failure to comply with this policy will warrant a detention. Thank you for cooperating with our safety policies.

Please remember that I have an open door policy.  If you want to come in and discuss any issue concerning our school or your children, I am happy to oblige.  You can also make an appointment if you have been trying to see me on a busy day and were unsuccessful.

God bless you and your families!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fran Wise