SCHOOL HOURS

School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Middle school students are dismissed at 2:30 p.m. Elementary students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. 11:45 dismissals are scheduled before some holidays and at the beginning and end of the school year. These dates are listed in the school calendar. In good weather, the students remain at their assigned places on the playground for Morning Prayer. In cases of inclement weather, students are to enter the school gym at 7:45 a.m. and remain there until picked up by the teacher.

POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHEDULED SCHOOL HOURS

In compliance with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, on regular school days, St. Ambrose Catholic School admits students at 7:45 a.m. and dismisses at 2:45 p.m. On regularly scheduled half-days, the school admits students at 7:45 a.m. and dismisses at 11:45 a.m. The school is not responsible for the supervision of students before or after the times stated above. The school is not liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur. Parents and Guardians are advised, therefore, for the safety of their children, to follow the times as stated above.
If the student is participating in a scheduled, supervised before-or-after school activity, specific arrangements must be made for drop-off and /or pick-up at the designated time. If students are participating in the Watchcare Program, parents/guardians must comply with the rules established by the program for drop-off and pick-up tunes.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of bad weather, St. Ambrose Catholic School follows the Baltimore County Public Schools decision on closings, late openings, and early dismissals. Additionally, Channel 11 WBAL TV will carry the announcement. The school answering machine will carry the information beginning at 6:00 a.m. A two-hour late opening will cancel an 11:45 a.m. dismissal. A one-hour late opening will not cancel an 11:45 a.m. dismissal. Any late opening will cancel a.m. Watchcare, and any early dismissal cancels p.m. Watchcare.

ABSENCE AND TARDINESS

In accordance with Maryland Law, parents/guardians are responsible for their child's attendance and punctuality. Students are expected to be in school everyday on time. Parents must provide a note explaining the child's absence immediately upon return to school. If a child is consistently absent or tardy, the school has the right to retain the child for the following year. Additionally, the parent/guardian will be reported to protective services for chronic absence. This could result in legal prosecution and fines.
Students who are absent 3 times in one marking period will be required to serve detention to make up lost time and work.
Additionally, parents who pick students up for early dismissal, must report to the office, sign the student out, and secure an early dismissal slip. It should be noted that early dismissals will affect attendance negatively. Students, who are habitually late, miss valuable instruction that takes place at the beginning of the day.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Parents desiring bus transportation for their children are directed to contact the individual bus companies for information. The school in no way sanctions any private bus company. All concerns regarding student behavior, payments, etc. must be directed to the bus company.

WATCHCARE PROGRAM

The Watchcare Program is available to all St. Ambrose Catholic School students. It provides supervised activities before and after school hours. The program operates from the closing of school until 5:30 p.m. The program includes supervised homework periods and indoor recreational activities. Fees for this program are in addition to regular tuition. There are also additional fees for late pick-up. A student must be enrolled in the program in order to stay. All rules and regulations of St. Ambrose Catholic School apply during the Watchcare program. Students who do not conform to the rules of the program will not be allowed to participate hi the program. Watchcare is closed and does not open if school opens late or closes early due to inclement weather.

Every student must have an emergency form on record in the office. At least 3 emergency contacts in addition to parent/guardian must be listed. If information changes during the school year, please notify the office immediately.

ILLNESS, INJURY, AND MEDICATION POLICY

NO NURSE IS AVAILABLE AT ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL. If a child becomes ill or is injured during the school day, the office will notify the parent or guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make arrangements to have the child picked up immediately.
Medications may be given only with the written permission from the child's doctor and only through the front office. Forms are available from the school office. No child may carry medication of any kind on his or her person. All medication must come to the office with a doctor's note. This includes cough medicine, Tylenol, etc.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

STAND is the policy of the Archdiocese of Baltimore for the protection of children entrusted to the care of the Church. It ensures that the environment is safe, and personnel are screened closely. This includes employees and volunteers who have any contact with children. In order to ensure compliance with the Archdiocesan policy, STAND training is offered three times each year. Individuals who complete the process will receive a STAND card that is good for five years at any Catholic school or church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Only those parents who have been STAND trained and background checked are able to visit classrooms, chaperone field trips, or volunteer in any capacity at St. Ambrose Catholic School.
Anyone who chooses not to complete the application will not be allowed to volunteer in any capacity. This includes supervising field trips as well as visiting classrooms during the school day.
Our school is committed to providing the best possible and most appropriate learning experiences for all children. Occasionally, there are factors hi a student's appearance or behavior that lead to suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Maryland law requires that all educators, other school employees, and volunteers report suspected abuse or neglect to the proper authorities. This is to ensure that all children are protected from harm and families in danger may be helped. Therefore, all suspected abuse will be reported to the Department of Social Services, Protective Services Division and the local police department. It is considered neglect to leave a child after hours with no one to contact. These occurrences will be reported to Social Services for investigation.

FIRE DRILLS

The school conducts fire drills in accordance with the regulations of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Silence must be maintained during these practices.

TELEPHONE

No student or teacher will be called to the telephone during class time. Parents may leave a message with the school secretary. All arrangements for pick up or after school activities must be made in advance. Students will not be allowed to use the phone for forgotten homework, books, musical instruments, lunch money, basketball clothes, etc. Please note that students are not allowed to have cell phones or pagers on school grounds. These items will be confiscated and returned to the parent.

SCHOOL VISITS AND TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parents/Guardians who have completed STAND, the Archdiocesan program for the protection of youth and children, are welcome to visit then- child's classroom. It is imperative that you check in with the office before going to the classroom and secure a visitor's badge. However, parents may not in any way disrupt the classroom routine. Teachers may not conference with parents during instructional time. All conferences must be scheduled in advance during non-teaching times.
Parents must discuss their concerns with the teacher or staff member before involving the principal. The principal will become involved only after a parent/teacher conference has been held.
It must be noted that all parties must respect one another at all times. Disrespect of a teacher or staff member by a parent or other family member may result in the dismissal of the child in question from St. Ambrose Catholic School. An atmosphere of cooperation and open communication must exist so the best interest of the child may be served.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Middle school students are dismissed at 2:30 p.m. All elementary students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Teachers will escort all students from the building and remain with them for 15 minutes following dismissal. Students remaining after that will be sent to the Watchcare Program, and parents will be charged the daily fee for after school care.