Handbook - Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Atmosphere: Our goal is to encourage the development of responsibility and concern for others out of love for Christ. Our school strives to achieve an atmosphere of love and consideration and a personalized education in a family-type setting. We must all welcome new students and make them feel part of our family. We should treat others, as we would want to be treated.
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is important for your child's education as schoolwork is planned with daily attendance in mind. Tardiness or irregular attendance can cause a child to get behind, become discouraged, and not do as well as he/she can and should do in school. All absences are to be excused either in writing or verbally. Verbal excuses may be made over the telephone the day the child is not going to be in attendance. A written excuse is to be sent with the student the day he/she returns. We expect all students to participate in physical education. If a child is not to participate for a day due to some problem a written excuse from a parent/guardian is needed. If a student is excused for any extended amount of time, a doctor's slip will be needed to return to school.
Attitude: While the Fourth Commandment and so many other Bible passages speak plainly about the sin of disrespect shown to those in authority, yet our culture, in a sense, have popularized this wrongful practice. The entertainment industry provides an assortment of venues featuring a wholesale disrespect for God-given authority that makes a lot of money for those producing them. The culture of which we are a part seems to have a growing appetite for this and other sinful practices. God's Word is treated seriously at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. The Lord would not have us become desensitized to what His Word requires. The staff seeks to help students whenever problems occur. Where a disregard for what the Lord requires becomes a pattern, discipline measures will be taken.
Bicycles: A bicycle rack is provided at the school. Children are requested to use the rack. Once a child arrives on school premises, bikes must remain in the bike rack. Bike locks are recommended.
Booster Club: Good Shepherd Lutheran School Booster Club consists of staff, parents, and friends of the school. This is a way for all of those interested in helping the school and its students. Plan to attend and be active in your child's school life. Booster Club meets on the second Thursday of the month. More details will be shared during the school year.
Chapel: Chapel services are held each Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. giving our students and teachers the opportunity to worship together. Students are encouraged to bring a chapel offering each week, which is sent to a Christian mission. We encourage friends, family, and congregational members to join us for chapel.
Chemical Abuse Policy: No student shall smoke or have in his/her possession tobacco in any form. This rule, which is also public law, shall be rigidly enforced. This rule also applies to alcoholic beverages and drugs not prescribed by a physician.
Classroom Celebrations: Two parties, Christmas and Valentine's Day, are held in the classroom each year. Birthdays may be celebrated with special treats for the class. Parents are asked to speak with their child's teacher as to convenient times and snacks for such events. Unless a blanket invitation is being extended to a class, private party invitations should be distributed away from school.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the school meets the requirements set forth in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's curriculum guide, Integrating the Faith. Generally, the curriculum includes the following: Religion, memorization, reading/literature, language, spelling, mathematics, social studies, science/health, physical education, music, handwriting, and art. Computers are also used as part of the days learning.
Disaster Drill: Fire drills will be conducted at least once a month. Tornado drills will be held in the spring.
Discipline: Discipline at Good Shepherd Lutheran School is based on Christian principles. We expect a oneness of spirit in the hearts of parents, child, and teachers. This does not mean that problems will not arise, but that we share a common basis from which to resolve problems. Our goal is self-discipline, and we begin even at an early age to help a child be aware of his or her own responsibility for his or her own behavior. We believe that simple basic rules with a positive attitude and approach make this possible. Teachers will use age appropriate discipline techniques. If a specific problem of discipline arises, the teacher should communicate with the parents, arranging a meeting if necessary to discuss and resolve the problems. The parents may also initiate discussion.
Dress Code: As Christians we are to let our light shine and glorify God in all things. Among the criteria by which the community judges any school is the appearance and conduct of its pupils. It is also indicated that one's manner of dress has a great effect upon one's conduct. In general, simplicity, suitability (i.e. weather), cleanliness, modesty, safety, and good taste should govern the manner in which our students dress for school. Articles of clothing often removed during the day should be labeled. To avoid excessive tracking of dirt into the building, all children should wear removable boots in snowy weather. During cold and snowy weather, students should have a pair of shoes in addition to the boots that they wear to and from school. This prevents them from sitting in the classroom in stocking feet, which could adversely affect their health. Students should dress for the cold weather throughout the winter months. Weather permitting, we will play outside. Children should have tennis shoes available on P .E. days. They can be worn all day or brought in their book bag.
Entrance Age and Immunization Requirements: A child must be 5 before September 1, 2010 to start the Kindergarten program. All immunization records must be current.
Early Entrance: Children who are five years old after September 1st but before November 1st are eligible to enter the kindergarten provided they meet the following required procedures:
- A written application by the parent(s) for admission stating reason(s) why early entrance is desired.
- A personal interview by school officials with the parents and child.
- Admittance to the program with a six-week review to determine final placement.
Extended Care: See our After School page for more information.
Field Trips: Field trips are a chance for children to learn outside the classroom. A few trips will be planned and permission slips are sent home in time to be returned before the trip. The trips will require parent chaperons and drivers.
Financial Aid: See our Tuition and Fees/Financial Aid page for more information.
Harassment: Students require a safe environment for learning. Harassment prevents student from enjoying fully the educational and fellowship benefits that are part of our program. There will be no harassment (improper conduct of a sexual, physical, or verbal nature which creates a hostile environment) of another student.
Homework: Daily work may be sent home if it is not finished during the day. At other times, it will be expected that the entire project will be finished at home.
Lunch and Lunchroom: We ask that children eat lunch peacefully. No loud talking will be permitted. We encourage children to try all the food served to them. Lunches can be ordered and paid through District 77. All parents will be asked to fill out a form to be submitted for the lunch program. Both hot meals and sack lunches are available. Lunches may also be brought from home. State health law requires no trading food.
Lost Articles: Lost articles are turned into the office. These articles may be claimed through one of the teachers or the pastor. If articles are not claimed in a reasonable amount of time or if any articles are left at the end of the year, they will be disposed of.
Medication Guidelines: Whenever possible parents/guardians should make arrangements so that it is not necessary for school personnel to administer medication at school. There are cases when a student's health could be compromised by not getting medication at school and in those cases we ask you to comply with the following medication guidelines: Prescription medication must be in a container labeled by the pharmacy or physician with the child's name, the medication, the dosage, and the physicians name. Long-term use of medication must have a signed statement by the doctor and parent. Short-term medications must have a statement signed by the parent. A responsible adult should bring the medication to school. Students involved in self-medication must report this to the teacher in order to make arrangements for storing the medication in a safe place. A parent's request should also accompany medication, which will be self-administered. Asthma inhalers must be treated as other medications and kept in a safe place unless the parent/guardian has specified in writing that the inhaler is to stay with the student. In those cases, the student must report to the teacher when he/she has used the inhaler in order for this to be recorded.
Non-discrimination policy: Good Shepherd Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, nation and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis or race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, and all other school-administered programs. This policy is carried out in principle and practice at Good Shepherd Lutheran School.
Parent Teacher Conferences: In working together for the best interests of the children, it is important that the lines of communication between home and school be kept open and that information flow both ways. For that reason, the school issues formal reports at the end of each quarter. Two private conferences that afford parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss matters of importance are scheduled at the conclusion of the first and third quarters. The first and third quarter report cards will be given to the parents at these conferences.
If parents desire further consultation, they should call the school and schedule a meeting with the teacher. Since the need for a conference isn't restricted to report cards, both parents and teachers are encouraged to contact one another any time that they think it is necessary. If you see a problem developing, make an appointment with the teacher before it reaches major proportions. A note or a phone call usually can handle ordinary situations and simple questions.
Physical and Sexual Misconduct Policy: Physical and sexual misconduct are contrary to Christian principles and area prohibited. All persons employed by or volunteers assisting Good Shepherd Lutheran School are subject to church screening procedures and must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding incidents of actual or suspected physical and sexual misconduct. Any suspected physical and sexual misconduct must be reported to Blue Earth County Human Services.
Promotion: Students who have shown satisfactory progress during the school year will be promoted to the next level. In the primary program, children are encouraged to work at their own rate, achieving their individual level or potential. In some cases, it may be determined, after careful study that a child would benefit from an additional year at the primary level. All areas of child development are taken into consideration including social and emotional growth, academic achievement level and physical development before a decision is made. The parents will be informed and included in these discussions.
Registration Procedures: Registration and before school home visits will take place prior to the opening of school. A registration fee of $175.00 will be assessed at the beginning of the school year.
School Closing: On days of bad weather the school may be closed. On such days, radio stations KTOE, KJL Y, KDOG, KYSM and KEEZ will be notified to broadcast the closing. If you hear that District 77 is closing due to bad weather conditions, you will know that Good Shepherd will also be closing. In case of weather related early dismissal, the children will be kept at school until the parents are contacted and arrangements made.
School Hours: The school day runs from 8:10am to 2:20pm. We ask that children do not come to school more than twenty minutes before their class begins. Children are asked to leave the building as soon as school is dismissed, unless they must wait for transportation. The teacher should be told if a child has to remain after closing of the school day, or needs to come to school early.
Scrip: Good Shepherd Lutheran School has a Scrip program. In the scrip program the school sells Scrip or gift certificates for various stores and restaurants. The school gets a percentage of every gift certificate sold. Look for more information as to when orders will be placed and the certificates that are available.
Sickness and Injuries: The school office will maintain emergency cards with names~ addresses, and a phone numbers for parents and doctors and will report student sicknesses or accident to parents as soon as possible. In case of communicable diseases, the school must be notified immediately. If possible, report to the teacher any exposure to communicable diseases.
Student Records: The school office maintains records of student's grades, test scores, and attendance. Health records are on file with the district nurse. Parents may have access to their child's school records upon request. Before school records will be released to a third party, parents must give their written consent. Before school records will be transferred, the parents will be notified of the proposed transfer.
Telephone Usage by Students: Students wishing to use the phone at any time during school hours must first have the permission of the teacher. We urge all calls to be made before or after school or during lunchtime. No cell phones will be allowed in the classroom or on the playground during the school day. All phones must be kept in the backpack and turned off.
Testing: The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is administered to students in the spring of the year. The results from these tests will be shared with parents.
Thrivent-Giving Plus Program: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has a special program for Thrivent members who donate to an eligible educational entity. Good Shepherd is enrolled in this program. Any parents who are not Thrivent members are encouraged to sign a form to become an associate Thrivent member. You can then qualify for free devotional books, etc.
Transportation:
District transportation: District 77 busing is available for students living in such district. Parents wishing to utilize district busing need to let Good Shepherd know so that District 77 can be contacted and arrangements made. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. All bus rules should be observed. In the event that a student repeatedly misbehaves on the bus, such privilege may be revoked.
Non-district transportation: All non-District 77 parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from school. Car pools and district subsidy are possibilities to pursue. Most school districts have reimbursements for transporting your own children to a school outside their district. You may contact your school district's administration office for more information and guidelines concerning this. On the days that Good Shepherd might be in session and the public school is closed, parents will be expected to provide transportation to and from school. If special arrangements are needed, please contact the school.
Transport of Student to School Activities by Parents and Volunteers: All persons transporting children, other than their own, to any school-related activity, must follow the following criteria:
- Provide the office with a copy of a valid driver's license.
- Have no DUIs in the last 36 months and no more than one moving violation in the last six months.
- Show proof of adequate insurance.
- Be at least 21 years of age. Agree to require all passengers to use a seat belt
- Agree to comply with all traffic laws.
- Agree to receive no reimbursement of expenses from Good Shepherd Lutheran for driving to or from a school-sponsored event.
Tuition: Tuition information.
Vandalism Policy: Marking or in any way deliberately marring or destroying congregational property or the property of another person is wasting God's gifts to us. We reserve the right to collect damages in such cases. This will be strictly enforced.
Visiting Classrooms: Parents are encouraged to visit at any time. If you plan to visit a classroom, please notify the teacher in advance of your visit. This is a courtesy to our teacher since there are times when visitors could interrupt the flow of instruction.
Volunteers: There are several areas where parents and friends of the school can directly playa part in the total education program of Good Shepherd Lutheran School. We encourage you to consider assisting in these volunteer programs, if your interest and time allows your participation. Individual training will be given if needed.
- Running off materials
- Classroom assistant
- Tutoring reading and math
- Office assistance
- Library Staff
- Drivers to special events (drivers will need to fill Appropriate paperwork)
- Label programs
- Box Tops
- Bottle Brigade
- Picking up school lunches
Worship: We encourage regular attendance in God's house each Sunday and other special services. There may be times that we will sing for church services throughout the year. More information will be shared with you as the year continues.
Worship Life in the Classroom: School days at Good Shepherd start with devotion; students will ask God's blessing on their meal and thank Him for it in prayer; and at the end of the school day there is another opportunity for worship through prayer.