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ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

St. Ambrose Catholic School follows the Course of Study prescribed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore updated in 2005. It complies with the Maryland State Standards for Education. A copy is available in the school office for parent review. Technology assisted instruction and a variety of instructional methods are implemented in the individual classrooms. Remedial assistance is available by individual teachers and through the Title I Program. However, no facilities are available for special education or learning disabled students. If the school suspects a disability, the procedures for evaluating the student through Baltimore City Public Schools will be followed.

TESTING

The Stanford 10 is administered yearly in the spring to all students in grades three through eight. Parents will receive written copies of the test results.

New students are given a test designed by the school in reading, math, and writing to facilitate proper placement in the school.

Teacher made tests are administered on a regular basis to monitor student progress..

REPORTING ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Students are evaluated by their teachers throughout the year. Class work, tests, etc. are sent home on a weekly basis for review. Midterm progress reports are given at 6 week intervals. Progress Reports are issued every 12 weeks. Parent/teacher conferences are required at the first interim report in October and are recommended frequently during the school year.

Additionally, Parent Access through Power School is available to parents of students in grades 3-8. This Web based program allows monitoring of academic progress and attendance weekly on the Internet. training and a password will be provided through the school office. Parents and teachers must work together to ensure student progress. Please do not hesitate to call the school office to make an appointment with your child’s teacher(s).

PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICIES

Academic progress, maturity level, and attendance are the criteria used in promotion and retention. Any student in grades 3-5 who fails (grade of E) two or more major subjects will be retained in the same grade for the following school year. The major subjects are

as follows: language arts and math. In grades K – 2, teacher recommendation will determine promotion or retention.

Middle school students who fail two or more subject areas (language arts, math, science, social studies) will be retained in the same grade for the following year.

To retain a student in the same grade for a second year, the following procedures are followed:

· February 1 - Teacher and principal notify the parent in writing that the student is in danger of being retained. A parent/teacher conference is held and parents must sign a statement indicating the possibility of retention.

· April 15 – A second notice is given to the parent and a second conference is held. Parents must again sign an acknowledgement statement.

· After April 15 – parents may review the decision with the principal.

For 8^th grade graduation: Students must receive a passing grade in every subject in order to participate in the graduation exercises and activities at the end of the school year.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

All students are involved in the religious education program of the school. Religion is regarded as both an academic discipline and a lifestyle. Therefore, all students will attend religion classes and liturgical celebrations as well as participate fully in the religious activities of the school. Students in grades 5-8 will met monthly with the parish priest to discuss the importance of responsibility for one’s behavior, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER SERVICES:

Students will attend mass on the last Wednesday of each month unless a religious holiday dictates otherwise.

Prayer service is held every Friday. Student attendance is rotated by grade level beginning with students in grades 4-8 followed by students in kindergarten through grade 3. Prayer service is conducted by the students and is a direct outgrowth of the religion program that is conducted in the classroom. Parents are welcome to attend all liturgies and prayer services which begin at 9:00 a.m. on the scheduled day.

SUMMER SCHOOL POLICY:

Students who participate in the Title 1 program during the regular school year are eligible to participate in the Title 1 summer school program. Enrollment forms are sent home in April.

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Saint Ambrose Catholic School

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Grades K-2 September 2011

Parents and Students:

Please read together, sign and return the document to the school.

Statement of Purpose:

Saint Ambrose Catholic School believes that all students should have access to technology when they act in a responsible, efficient, courteous and legal manner. Internet access and other online services, available to students and teachers, offer a multitude of global resources. Our goal in providing these services is to enhance the educational development of our students.

Acceptable uses of technology are devoted to activities that support teaching and

learning. The following are our agreements about the use of technology in Saint Ambrose Catholic School.

Terms of Agreement

Using the computer correctly and responsibly is very important. I promise to follow these rules:

1. I promise to use the computer carefully.

2. I promise to only work on the programs and web pages that my teacher tells me to use.

3. I promise to ask for help if I don’t know what to do.

4. I promise to tell an adult if I read or see something on the computer that is not

appropriate.

5. I promise never to use the computer to hurt, frighten or bully others.

6. I promise to print only when my teacher tells me to.

7. I promise to only use my own file or my own folder on the student server.

8. I promise to only share my passwords with my teacher or parent.

9. I understand that if I break any of my promises, I might not be able to use the computers.

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Saint Ambrose Catholic

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Grades K-2 September 2011

I will sign my name to show that I will follow these rules.

Student Name (Print) ______________________________________

Student Signature ______________________________________

Homeroom Teacher ______________________________________

Grade______ Date Signed ___________________________

I have read this Acceptable Use Agreement and have discussed it with my child:

Parent/Guardian Name (Print) _____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________

Date Signed _____________________________

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Saint Ambrose Catholic School

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Grades 3-5 September 2011

Parents and Students:

Please read together, sign and return the document to the school.

Statement of Purpose

The following are our agreements about the use of technology in Saint Ambrose Catholic School:

Terms of Agreement

Using the computer correctly and responsibly is very important. I promise to follow these rules:

1. I promise to use all computer equipment carefully and not damage, change or tamper with the hardware, software, settings or the network.

2. I promise never to use any form of electronic communication1 to harass, frighten, or bully anyone.

3. I promise to use the computer and the Internet for schoolwork only. I will use the programs and websites that my teacher has approved.

4. I promise not to share my passwords.

5. I will not view, send or display inappropriate messages or pictures.

6. I promise to tell an adult if I read or see something on the computer that is inappropriate.

7. I promise to obey copyright laws.

8. I will not use my personal email account or any personal electronic device at school except with the permission of a staff member.

9. I promise to print only when my teacher tells me to.

10. I promise to only use my own file or my own folder on the student server.

11. I understand that if I break any of my promises, I will not be able to use the computers.

“Electronic communication” means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, cellular phone, computer, pager, iPods or other mp3 or audio-video players and cameras.

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Saint Ambrose Catholic School

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Grades 3-5 September 2011

Use of New Web Tools

As part of 21st century learning, teachers and students will be using new Web tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and video-casts. These technologies improve student communication and collaboration skills, provide a real audience, and extend learning beyond the classroom walls while building digital citizenship skills.

At some point during the school year, you may be asked to sign additional permission forms regarding the Use of New Web Tools.

I will sign my name to show that I will follow these rules.

Student Name (Print) ______________________________________

Student Signature ______________________________________

Homeroom Teacher ______________________________________

Grade______ Date Signed ___________________________

I have read this Acceptable Use Agreement and have discussed it with my child:

Parent/Guardian Name (Print) _____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________

Date Signed _____________________________

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Saint Ambrose Catholic School

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Grades 6-8 September 2011

Parents and Students:

Please read together, sign and return the document to the school.

Statement of Purpose

The following are our agreements about the use of technology in Saint Ambrose Catholic School:

Terms of Agreement

1. Acceptable Use: My use of computers, the Internet, and the school network must be in support of education and research within the educational goals and objectives of St. Ambrose Catholic School. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S., state, or school regulations is prohibited. This includes copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material restricted by school policy or staff. The school network includes the use of school computers (including handhelds), and computer peripherals, as well as the use of school network services such as the Internet, school e-mail / web services accounts, and network file folders. Students should have no expectation of computer privacy, as the school may monitor computer, e-mail, and Internet use.

2. Personal Responsibility: As a member of my school community, I will accept responsibility for proper use of school technology and for reporting any misuse of technology. My use of school technology will meet the guidelines below:

 I will respect the privacy and dignity of students and teachers at all times. I will not use, copy, or delete another user’s files, folders, or passwords.

 I will keep my own passwords private and I will not share passwords with a friend.

 I will use appropriate language by refraining from the use of profanity or insulting language. Offensive messages that originate outside of school, but disrupt the school’s educational process may be subject to school consequences.

 I will respect school equipment, including an absence of vandalism or computer viruses.

 I will only use software that is pre-approved by the technology coordinator at St. Ambrose Catholic School.

3. Internet Safety: the Internet provides opportunities to access new resources, but it also provides unique risks to students. St. Ambrose Catholic School provides filtered access to the Internet on all school computers, but to ensure my safety on the Internet, I will follow the guidelines below:

 I will not give out on the Internet personal information such as my full name, phone number, or address.

 I will not give out on the Internet personal information about someone else such as his or her name, phone number, or address.

 I will not correspond with or meet with someone through the Internet without the pre-approval of a teacher.

 I will only access or download sites appropriate for school classes or activities.

 I will immediately report any technology use that makes me uncomfortable or violates school policies.

4. E-Mail / Communication Safety: E-mail and other online communication services provide opportunities for students, but they require careful use. I will follow the guidelines below when using school computers/accounts:

 I will only use an e-mail account at school with the prior permission of a teacher and will get permission from a teacher each time I use e-mail at school. Instant messaging and chat rooms are prohibited.

 I will adhere to all of the aforementioned guidelines in this Acceptable Use Policy when using a school provided e-mail account or other school provided computer service at school or another location. St. Ambrose Catholic School may filter or monitor school provided student e-mail accounts or other school provided computer services regardless of whether the account is accessed from school or another location.

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Saint Ambrose Catholic School

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Grades 6-8 September 2011

I understand and agree to the provisions and conditions of this contract. Both student and parent must sign and return this form to St. Ambrose Catholic.

I will sign my name to show that I will follow these rules.

Student Name (Print) ______________________________________

Student Signature ______________________________________

Homeroom Teacher ______________________________________

Grade______ Date Signed ___________________________

I have read this Acceptable Use Agreement and have discussed it with my child. We understand that failure to adhere to the policy will result is loss of computer privileges.

Parent/Guardian Name (Print) _____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________

Date Signed ____________________________________________________

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St. Ambrose Catholic School Cell Phone Policy and Agreement

Students carry cell phones at their own risk. Saint Ambrose School is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones. Administrative time will not be utilized investigating such incidents.

Students in grades 5-8 may carry a cell phone.

All cell phones must be turned in to the homeroom teacher at the beginning of school daily. Phones will be placed in a plastic bag marked with the student’s name. All bags will be place in a container which is then placed in a locked cabinet until the end of the school day when they will be returned to the student.

No student may have a phone on his or her person during the school day. Students caught with phones on their person will be referred to the office for insubordination.

Any inappropriate use of cell phones, including but not limited to inappropriate photographs, text messaging, and recording/video taping, will result in confiscation of the phone and loss of phone privileges: further consequences include possible police referral.

Students may not send or receive phone calls or text messages during the school day. Parents should call the school office and leave a message with the school secretary. Please try to make all arrangements for pick up or after school activities in advance. Students will not be allowed to use the phone for forgotten homework, books, lunch money basketball uniforms, etc.

Failure to adhere to the policy will result in the loss of the privilege.

I will sign my name to show that I will follow these rules.

Student Name (Print) ______________________________________

Student Signature ______________________________________

Homeroom Teacher ______________________________________

Grade______ Date Signed ___________________________

I have read this Cell Phone Use Agreement and have discussed it with my child. We understand that failure to adhere to the policy will result is loss of phone privileges.

Parent/Guardian Name (Print) _____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________

Date Signed ____________________________________________________