IMMUNIZATIONS
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All students must have a current immunization record and any informatio indicating special medical problems on file at school. TexasState law requires: “Students must have been immunized against five diseases: diphtheria tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles and rubella.”
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Students who have not completed the required immunizations when school begins will not be allowed to continue attending beyond a reasonable time (six weeks from the first attendance day) set by the principal for completing this requirement. State vaccination requirements are explained in detail below.
Waco-McLennan County Public Health District Immunization Requirements for 2007-2008 School Year
Vaccine Required Doses
Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoid, and Pertussis Vaccine Five doses of any combination DTaP/DPT unless 4th
(DTP, DTaP, DT, Td) dose was given on or after 4th birthday
Students 7 years or older:
. Three doses of any combination DTP/DTaP/DT/Tc
Vaccine (pertussis vaccine is not required)
. One dose of Td required ten years after last dose of
DTP/DTaP/DT
Polio Four doses unless the 3rd dose was on or after 4th
(IPV) birthday
Measles, Mumps, Rubella Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine with the
(MMR) first dose on or after the first birthday; second dose
by age 5 or entry into kindergarten
Hepatitis B Three doses are required for the following grades in
the following school years:
2005-06 K – 11
2006-07 K - 12
Varicella One dose on or after 1st birthday for the following
grades:
2005 – 2006 K – 5 and 7 – 11
2006 – 2007 K – 12
(Two doses if vaccine given at 13 years of age or older)
Hepatitis A Two doses on or after 2nd birthday for grades K – 3 only
Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Grades 3K & 4K
New: pneumococcal disease and hepatitis A
Already required: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Provisional Enrollment: All immunizations should be completed by the first date of attendance. However, if this is not possible and if permitted by local school district policy, a child/student may be provisionally enrolled and allowed to attend a child-care facility or school, provided at least one immunization in the series has been received. The remaining required immunizations must be completed as soon as medically possible (by the end of the first six weeks) in order for the child/student to remain enrolled.
Documentation: Since many types of personal immunization records are in use, any document will be acceptable, provided it has been validated by a physician or public health personnel. The month, day, and year that the vaccination was received must be recorded on all school immunization records created or updated after September 1, 1991.
Exclusions:Texas law provides for exclusions from these minimum mandatory requirements for medical or religious reasons. Persons on active duty with the United States armed forces are also exempt from these requirements.
INJURY OR ILLNESS AT SCHOOL
When a student becomes ill or is injured at school, the procedures on the emergency card will be followed. It is extremely important that parents notify the office immediately when there is a change in an address and/or telephone number at work or at home. This also applies to secondary contacts.
ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Accident insurance provided by the Diocese is available for students should there be a need. If a student is injured on school property or during a school sponsored activity off campus requiring medical attention; parents are encouraged to contact the secretary or the principal about this insurance.
HEALTH SCREENING
During the year, students in grades 4K through eighth grade are screened for hearing and vision. If students are found in need of medical treatment or more extensive testing, parents will be notified. Scoliosis exams are also required for students in grades 5 and 8 and other grade levels by parent permission. Students are examined at school by a qualified physician. There is no charge for this exam.
FIRE/DISASTER DRILLS
State law requires that schools conduct periodic fire drills. There will be one unobstructed and one obstructed fire drill per month from August through May. Disaster drills will also be enacted periodically during the year.
CURRICULUM (Course of Study)
St. Mary’s School follows the course of study mandated by the Texas Catholic Conference and the Diocese of Austin. Every teacher is issued and instructed in the portion of the curriculum that pertains to her/him. Parents may inspect this information either from the teacher(s) or through the office.
St. Mary’s is fully accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference and accreditation standards are followed in their entirety. Curriculum requirements and instructional time for each are as follows:
Pre-Kindergarten (3k – 4K)
Daily 30 minutes Religion
30 minutes Uninterrupted Free Play
40% Instructional Day - English Language Arts
20% Instructional Day - Mathematics (Cognition Development)
Weekly Physical Education
Health, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance), Social Studies Science, Technology, and Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas above)
Foreign Language instruction may be included as part of the Language Arts program.
Kindergarten
Bell to Bell: 7 hours, full-day session
Instructional Time: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Daily 30 minutes Religion
40% Instructional Day - English Language Arts
20% Instructional Day - Mathematics
Weekly Physical Education
Fine Arts, (Art, Music, Theater, Dance), Health, Science, Social Studies, Technology, and Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas or taught as a separate subject.
Grades 1 - 3
Bell to Bell: 7 hours
Instructional Time: 6 hours
Daily 30 minutes Religion
60 minutes Mathematics
120 minutes English Language Arts
Weekly Social Studies, Science
Physical Education
Health, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance)
Technology and Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum and or taught as a separate subject) Foreign Language instruction is strongly encouraged.
Grades 4 – 5
Bell to Bell: 7 hours
Instructional Time: 6 hours
Daily 30 minutes Religion
80 – 120 minutes Language Arts
40 – 60 minutes Mathematics
Weekly 200 – 225 minutes Science
200 – 225 minutes Social Studies
Physical Education
Health, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance)
Technology and Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas or taught as a separate
subject)
Foreign Language instruction is strongly encouraged.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENTAL
Grades 6 – 8
Bell to Bell 7 hours
Instructional Time: 6 hours
Minimum of 7 units per year for each year (grades 6, 7 & 8 only)
1 unit = 200 minutes per week for 1 year*
Units Academic Requirements
1 Religion
1 Language Arts
1 Mathematics
1 Science
1 Social Studies (Texas History-Grade 7)** (U.S. History through Reconstruction-Grade8)
½ Physical Education
11/2 Electives, such as: Band, Foreign Language, Music, Theater, Technology Application
7
Physical Education is an important required course in all grades. The Texas Catholic Conference and the Diocesan Education Department mandate that a course of study be implemented that provides the same essential elements as prescribed by the Texas Education Agency. St. Mary’s will provide for the needs of its students in this vital area of the total curriculum. Grading and other evaluation practices shall apply as is done in the other subject areas. The following guidelines shall apply:
1. All students in kindergarten through the seventh grade are required to participate in an organized curriculum-based physical education program, unless there exists a legitimate reason for limiting participation. A modified program will be enacted if necessary for students requiring limited participation.
2. Parent requests to deter or limit a student’s participation for whatever reason and for any length of time must be in writing and referred to the office in time to be transmitted to the teacher in advance as appropriate. The note should outline reasons, any action the school and/or teacher might need to take in order to provide proper care for the student, and the approximate date the student may resume his/her normal activity. Parent requests are limited to four (4) consecutive days. Beyond four (4) consecutive days, a note from a certified physician shall be required stating the reason(s) why the student should not participate and the approximate duration for nonparticipation. Parents should note on the student’s locator card any allergies or other health-related problems that teachers need to be aware of that might necessitate adjustments in his/her activities.
3. A prescribed uniform and proper footwear for participation are required for every student in grades 5 through 8. Middle school students may store uniforms in the lockers provided, while classroom teachers will provide an adequate and safe location within each classroom. These and other requirements will be explained by the teacher.
4. All students will receive a grade just as in other subjects and will be of the same value as in the other subjects.
5. During outside activities, students are not to leave the fenced area without permission from the teacher.
GRADING PRACTICES AND REPORT CARDS
Pre-K through 1st grade progress reporting is based on the following scale:
E Excellent
S Satisfactory
N Needs Improvement
U Unsatisfactory
* Skill Not Introduced or Tested During Grading Period
For grades 2-8, the following grading scale is in effect:
90-100 A
80-89 B
75-79 C
70-74 D Below 70: Failing
Teachers should have frequent contact with parents when students are not performing to their abilities, even if the students are not actually failing any subject. Formal written notification of failure or potential failure of a course will be sent home by way of the student at the conclusion of each third week during that six-week segment. It is then the responsibility of the parent to respond to the teacher. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher(s) at any time during the year. Contact times during the school day when teachers can be reached during non-instructional time and staff telephone numbers will be sent home at the beginning of the school year.
Report cards are issued on Thursday following the end of a six-week period (see school calendar).