St. Michael Academy 228 North Fourth Street Fernandina Beach, Fl 32034 904- 321-2102

RELIGION PROGRAM The Academic Subject: All grade levels are taught according to the syllabus provided by the Diocese of St. Augustine. Parents are expected to encourage good study habits, as in all other subject areas. All students enrolled in St. Michael's Academy are required to take Religion classes. Students participate in weekly Liturgies and special prayer services. reconciliation services are celebrated during Advent and Lent.

Sacramental Preparation (Catholic Students) Again, the full cooperation of the parent is vital, not only to attend meetings and parent/student sessions, but also to supervise study, to encourage and to lead by example. Only when parents cooperate fully with the teachers and the priests of the parish will the child be both prepared and motivated to receive the sacraments. All students in the parish are prepared together for the Sacramental programs.

Christian Human Sexuality A formal program for students in Grades 4-8 is taught. Parents are given the choice to have their child participate. This program is mandated by the Diocese of St. Augustine.

GRADING PERIODS
A. The academic year is divided into two semesters, each semester into two quarters. Report cards will be distributed after each quarter. Specific distribution dates will be announced in the school calendar for the year.
B. In evaluating students, we stress the importance of each child working to the best of his/her ability. The effort put forth by the student is more important than the grade he/she receives. Interim reports, if necessary, will be sent to parents of students in Grades 1-8 at mid-quarter. These are signed and returned to the teacher. Teachers will send home tests and other papers periodically.
C. If a student is doing unsatisfactory work or has unsatisfactory effort or conduct at other times throughout the marking period, an individual call may be made by the teacher to the parent, or a special deficiency report will be mailed to the parents.
 

THE EVALUATION SYSTEM We depend on symbols, check lists and individualized teacher comments in our Kindergarten class. A letter grade system is used beginning with Grade 1. We all know that a grade, whether letter or numerical, is a symbolic "shorthand" equivalent of the best professional judgment a teacher can make. We employ the following scale of equivalency in Grades 1-8:

Evaluation Key- The grading system for report cards are as follows:

Grade 1-3

O- Outstanding

S- Successful Progress

N- Needs more time to accomplish skills

U- Unsatisfactory Progress

Grades 4-8

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

D: 69-60

F: 59-0

Evaluation of C0-Curriculars: Art, Computer, Music, Spanish and P.E.

Students in Grades K-8 earn a grade of:

"O"- Outstanding

"S"- Satisfactory

"N"- Needs Improvement

The student is then evaluated by the following standards:

-Shows a positive attitude towards learning

-Is courteous and mannerly toward others

- Shows sincere effort

- Finishes all work and assignments on time

- Has appropriate behavior in class

There will be a $5.00 replacement fee for any lost report card.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Parent/Teacher Conferences shall be scheduled after issuance of the report cards. Parents are, of course, welcome to discuss their child's progress with teachers at any time. However, we urge you to call the school office for an appointment in order that the best use may be made of this opportunity. Telephone calls to teachers at home inevitably present some problems, and we ask you to bear this in mind. Teachers have their own families and responsibilities. Furthermore, no teacher likes to discuss a student's work without the relevant records at hand, and this is often not possible at home. Consequently, we ask your understanding if a teacher requests the opportunity to call you back the next day or offers to meet with you personally at a mutually convenient time.

Clinic diagnostic testing by a psychologist or by a school counselor may be mandated. Parent's permission is required before these tests are given. Parent cooperation with the teacher or principal will enable us to give help before poor social, emotional or academic habits have become too deeply ingrained and the child he/she is unsuccessful in school.
 

RETENTION POLICY In order to meet the needs of a student, retention is sometimes used as a tool by the administration, faculty and parent. The procedure for retention is structured in such a manner that it allows for the maximum benefit to be provided for the academic career of the student.

 

Mandatory tutoring during the summer may also be required if a student fails one subject.

SUMMER SCHOOL POLICY

a. Any student failing one major subject must receive 30 hours of tutoring in that subject area.

b. Any student failing two subjects must receive 50 hours of tutoring in those subject areas.

c. The summer school tutor must be a certified teacher approved by the school's administration and provide documentation of completed work.

 

HOMEWORK Routine written and reading assignments for homework are considered an essential part of the education at St. Michael's Academy. The schedule below gives a general guideline for homework assignments:

If you are concerned that your child has too much or too little homework, a visit with the teacher is appropriate. Please remember that homework assignments are made to reinforce and expand upon work done in class. Parental assistance with homework assignments is always of concern, and the rule of good judgment must apply.

On the other hand, take an interest in what your child is doing, ask questions about school assignments, make sure (for younger students especially) that homework assignments are recognized, time allowed for their completion, and that the student leaves the next day with the finished product safely in hand. All of us from time-to-time are going to be asked to "help" with a homework assignment. Often, this help can be most useful; e.g., reviewing vocabulary or spelling words, checking to make sure all questions have been answered.

ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE NEAT, LEGIBLE, SPELLED CORRECTLY AND SUBMITTED WHEN DUE. NO ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD BE HANDED IN ON SPIRAL NOTEBOOK PAPER.

Homework Guidelines:

Primary Grades 1-3

1. Homework is required to be turned in on dates due. No late homework accepted unless ill. In case of absence, all class work must be made up after returning to school. It is the student's and/or parents responsibility to acquire the make up work. Work not completed within the period set up by the teacher will be given a zero grade, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

2. Parents are informed or frequent failure to hand in assignments.

Grades 4-5

1. No late assignments. There will be an automatic zero for homework not completed on the day it is assigned.

2. Homework will not be completed during lunch.

3. Parent's are notified if homework is left at home or not completed.

4. In case of absence, all class work must be made up after returning to school. If a student is absent one day, then the student has on day to make up the work, etc. It is the student's and/or parent's responsibility to acquire make up work. Work not completed within this period will be given a zero grade, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

5. Students who take vacations are responsible for making up all work within the guidelines provided by the teacher. Parents need to send a letter to the Principal and the teacher at least one week in advance of a trip so that plans can be made for makeup work.

6. If requested before noon, homework will be available for pick up on a table near the office at dismissal (2:45 p.m.)

Junior High- Grades 6-8

1. No late assignments. There will be an automatic zero for homework not completed on the day it is assigned.

2. Homework will not be completed during lunch.

3. Parent's are notified if homework is left at home or not completed.

4. In case of absence, all class work must be made up after returning to school. If a student is absent one day, then the student has on day to make up the work, etc. It is the student's and/or parent's responsibility to acquire make up work. Work not completed within this period will be given a zero grade, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

5. In evaluating students, we stress the importance of each child working to the best of his/her ability. The effort put fourth by the students is more important than the grade he/she receives. Interim reports, if necessary, will be sent to the parents of students in grades 1-8 at mid-quarter. These are signed and returned to the teacher. Teachers will send home tests and other papers periodically.

6. If a student is doing unsatisfactory work or has unsatisfactory effort or conduct at other times throughout the marking period, an individual call may be made by the teacher, or a special deficiency report will be mailed to the parents.

 

DIOCESAN TESTING PROGRAM The annual testing program, sponsored by the Diocese of St. Augustine, includes the following areas of the elementary level:
A. Ability Test - Cognitive Abilities Test
B. Annual Standardized Achievement Tests (Grades 3-8) - Iowa Tests of Basic Skills
Tests are administered in the fall for grades 3-8. Grade 2 will be given in the spring.
 

KINDERGARTEN SCREENING Screening and interviews for incoming Kindergarten students will be given after Kindergarten registration has taken place in the spring.