If it is necessary
for a student to be absent from school the parent or
guardian is responsible for calling the school office at 969-5462. A
note
to the teacher from the parent or guardian is required on the student's
first day back to school. The written excuse should state the date
and
reason for the absence and be signed by the parent or guardian. The
excuse notes will be kept on file for the school year. If the school
is not notified of the child's absence, the parent or guardian will be
contacted at home/work. Absences from school can be excused for the
following:
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illness of student
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serious illness of immediate family member
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death in family
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attendance in court required by subpoena
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pre-approved family trips/activities
Students with excused absences are responsible for making up missed school work upon return to school.
Your
child's attendance at school should not be taken lightly. Class
instruction missed can never really be made up, as a large part of the
learning takes place through the demonstrations and explanations,
the answering of student questions, and discussions which occur in
the classroom at the time of the lesson.
Perfect Attendance
To be recognized for perfect attendance, a student may not have any tardies. Students receive awards for perfect attendance when the trimester Report Cards are distributed.
The goal of Christian
discipline is self-discipline. The student needs to be brought to a
point in his/her life where behavior is freely chosen and the consequences
accepted. The student who chooses actions which violate the rights
of others in the school community must be dealt with in Christian
justice. In guiding a student's growth in habits of virtue and
Christian attitudes, it is well to emphasize positive approaches.
Classes that are well prepared and well conducted reduce disciplinary
problems, particularly when positive motivation for conduct and
achievement is apparent. The following guidelines are given as ways to
achieve positive results:
Effective Disciplinary Action
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An effective disciplinary action must be deserved. The student must understand what he/she has done and the consequences of the act.
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Effective disciplinary action should be constructive and proportionate to the act.
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Such action must be applied as soon as possible after the act, but with careful deliberation by the teachers.
Changing
Inappropriate Behavior (Acceptable Methods)
Procedures for changing inappropriate behavior should follow this sequence
as a normal rule:
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a teacher conference with the student should be held to seek an understanding and solution
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consequences should be set up, such as extra work, detention, etc.
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a conference with the teacher, student, and principal should be held
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a plan for improvement should be formulated; consequences should be set up such as: isolation with supervision, loss of privileges, and a conference with parents
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a probation period is put into effect
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suspension from school is effected
The School Board policy of requiring uniforms shall be enforced from the first day of school to the last. Parents are asked to cooperate in insuring that their children come to school in clean, neat and properly fitted uniforms. It is suggested the identification labels be sewn in all articles of clothing. If an emergency arises and the correct uniform cannot be worn the student must bring a note from the parents, dated, signed and stating the reason. Classroom teachers may have additional restrictions concerning jewelry, watches, etc based upon age, grade level and the extent of distraction created in the classroom.
Description of the
uniform:
Girls (Grs. K-4)
Jumper: school uniform plaid pinafore
Blouse: white rounded collar (long or short
sleeve)
Slacks: gray or navy uniform
regulation (no Dockers, etc.)
Sweaters: maroon, navy, gray, or white cardigan or sports sweater
Socks: white, navy, or maroon socks,
knee-hi's, or tights
(tights must have feet-no leggings or panty hose)
(no stripes or ruffles on socks)
Girls (Grs. 5-8)
Skirt: school uniform
plaid
Blouse: white oxford cloth (long or short sleeve)
Slacks: gray or navy uniform regulation (no
Dockers, etc.)
Sweaters: same as above
Socks: same as above
Boys (Grs. K-4)
Pants: gray or navy uniform
regulation (no Dockers, etc.)
Shirt: white pointed
collar (long or short sleeve)
Sweater: white or maroon cardigan or sports sweater
Socks: white, navy, or maroon
socks (no stripes)
Boys (Grs. 5-8)
Pants: same as above
Shirts: white oxford cloth (long or
short sleeve)
Sweater: same as above
Socks: same as above
Options:
Shorts: navy or gray bermuda length uniform
shorts may be
worn (unless officially representing the school at a
function)
Sweatshirts: white, gray, navy, or maroon sweatshirts may be worn
with or with-out TMA logo (must have a uniform shirt,
blouse, polo shirt, or turtleneck underneath)
Turtleneck: white or maroon (must be worn under sweater,
sweatshirt, or jumper-cannot be worn alone)
Polo shirt: white knit with collar
All Students:
Pants:
must be worn at the waist -no oversized or baggy
looking slacks or shorts are permitted
(tight fitting pants are prohibited)
Skirts/jumpers: the length may not be shorter than 3" above
the knee when kneeling on the floor
Belts:
black, brown, navy, or gray (must be worn if slacks,
pants, or shorts have belt loops)
Shoes: no
sandals, no backless or toeless shoes permitted
*tennis shoes must be worn on P.E. days
Make-up: none
Nails:
clear nail polish is permitted (no artificial, press-on
or glue-on nails are permitted)
Jewelry: earrings-one per
lobe-simple, nothing dangles
Boys may not wear earrings.
necklaces-must be worn inside blouse or shirt
bracelets-none
Logos: no
logos except TMA on sweatshirts, etc.
Non-Uniform Days-the third Friday of each month
When weather conditions cause school openings to be questionable, one of the following announcements will be made on radio/tv for Catholic Schools in Jefferson County:
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All Catholic elementary schools in Jefferson County will be open.
(Thomas Merton Academy will BE in session). -
Catholic elementary schools in Jefferson County will be open, but on a delayed schedule. (TMA will open at 10:00 a.m.)
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Catholic elementary schools in Jefferson County will be open, except "class T" schools which will be closed.
(TMA will follow the delayed schedule and open at 10:00 a.m.) -
All Catholic elementary schools in Jefferson County are closed.
(TMA will be closed.)
Schools are presumed OPEN unless otherwise announced. Parents are asked not to call the Parish house for information, but to listen to one of the local radio/tv stations which will make one of the above announcements as early as possible.
Field trips are academically-oriented and preceded by preparation and followed by reinforcement. A student may forfeit privileges for not doing assigned work or discipline problems. This applies to the grade 8 class trip as well. No refunds will be made if the student does not attend the field trip. A standardized permission form from the Principal's office is used for all field trips.
Upon a child's initial enrollment in school, the parent/guardian shall furnish a statement from the examining physician who has conducted a medical examination of the child within a period of six (6) months prior to, one (1) month subsequent to, the child's initial enrollment. The statement shall include:
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medical history
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assessment of growth, development, and general appearance
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record of immunizations
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general physical including hearing and vision screening
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report of tuberculin skin test administered within one (1) year prior to entering school
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recommendations to school regarding health problems that may require special attention
An initial enrollee is any student who is entering Thomas Merton Academy from any other school other than a school located in Jefferson County. The Ky. Department for Health Services has issued a policy that requires all students to have two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and a physical exam prior to entry into 6th grade. An annual medical physical is a prerequisite for allowing any student to participate in organized inter-school athletic programs.
Head Lice: All cases of head lice should be reported to the school office immediately. A general screening of students is conducted as soon as possible after a report. Any student found to be infested is sent home, so as to prevent spreading. The student will be admitted back when there is clearance from school personnel.
Medication: If your child needs to take prescription or non-prescription medication during school hours, it is to be brought to the school office. Medication must be in the prescription bottle bearing the student's name and specific directions. Medications must be accompanied by a signed and dated note from the parent or guardian giving school personnel the authority to dispense the medication.
Tests: Tests for height, weight, sight/hearing and scoliosis will be given annually.
Homework assignments may be of the study type as well as written, or a combination of both. Students with missing work may be assigned to an after-school study hall. Students in Grades 1-3 should spend 45 minutes on homework. Students in Grades 4-5 should spend at least one hour on homework. Students in Grades 6-8 should spend about two hours on homework.
Reports to parents
A Student Development Plan is designed for each student. This plan is reviewed and updated annually. Written reports to parents on the progress of the child is issued every twelve weeks. Parent-Teacher-Student conferences are held twice a year. Parents or teachers may request a conference at other times during the school year. Thomas Merton Academy reserves the right to withhold a student's progress report for outstanding accounts.
In order to recognize and encourage academic effort and excellence, Thomas Merton Academy has developed an honor roll program. Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity of making the honor roll, based on the following requirements:
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Principal's List A's in all subjects
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First Honors A's and B's (no more than two in all subjects)
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Second Honors No grade lower than a B
A satisfactory in conduct and effort is needed for each of the above.
In the interest of safety the school doors are kept locked during the school day. A door bell is located next to the front door. All parents and visitors are to enter the school building through the doors nearest the school office. Please do not use any other doors. All visitors must report to the office upon arrival at the school. This includes parents, older brothers and sisters, former graduates, salespersons, etc.
When parents call for students at times other than regular dismissal time, they must sign them out and pick them up at the school office. Parents are not to go directly to the classroom to get their child. Teachers will not release students to any adult at their classroom unless they have permission from the school office.
At registration, parents and guardians indicate in writing the method by which the student is to be transported home. Dismissal from school by any other mode of transportation must be accompanied by the written permission of the parent or guardian. Persons already listed by the parent or guardian on the emergency card do not need a written permission to transport a student. No student may go home with another student unless there is a written permission from both student's parents.
Safety Patrol
Thomas Merton Academy has a school safety patrol whose responsibilities are to help with dismissal from school. They preside in the parking lot and entrance ways to help students get to their cars, buses, and those who are walking or riding bikes to and from school. To be eligible to serve on the safety patrol, students must be in grade 7 or 8 and in good academic standing.
Thomas Merton Academy strives to develop values in those entrusted to us. The goals we reach toward are called valued outcomes. Following are the primary outcomes that we reach for in the school setting:
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application of the commandments/moral principles to practical living
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demonstration of understanding an appreciation of God's call to worship by regular and active participation in worship services
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demonstration of ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle
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demonstration of self-control and self-discipline
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demonstration of ability to make decisions based on ethical values
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demonstration of consistent caring and responsive behavior
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demonstration of ability to accept the rights and responsibilities of self and others
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demonstration of his or her ability to make decisions and take actions which reflect responsibility for the environment