Counseling

Saint Ann has contracted with Catholic Charities to provide two part-time counselors on site for three days a week. Referrals may be made by the school administrator, faculty, or a parent. A student may be seen once without parents’ permission. Subsequent sessions require signed parent authorization, and parents’ involvement in the counseling process is encouraged. Workshops are also conducted in each class by the counselors.


Education/Psychological Testing

Educational psychological testing may be scheduled with Metro schools free of charge. Forms for Metro testing are available in the office. They must be delivered to the school where the child would be zoned. The school can also recommend several private centers where a student’s needs can be evaluated.


Homework Policy

The fundamentals in each subject area need to be reinforced and developed with additional practice outside the classroom. Homework, the extension of class work, will be directly related to the mastery and application of a subject. Homework is a vital part of the learning process. Students must assume responsibility for their homework just as they will assume job responsibility in the future.

Students and their parents/guardians share in the responsibility for the students’ mastery of the
subject matter. The learning process is a joint effort. Homework will be discussed fully in the classroom so that students should be able to complete their homework independently. The nature of the subject matter being taught may lend itself to different types of homework, including long range projects, independent practice of newly learned skills, reading chapters of textbooks, drills on important concepts, etc. Assignments requiring study and
review are as necessary as written work.
 

This time allotment refers to actual concentrated working time.

Parents should strive to provide study conditions in the home and, as much as possible, a specific time during which homework should be done. A table, chair, good lighting, and a quiet atmosphere are helpful for good study habits.

Parents can establish a learning environment in the home by:

1. Showing a positive attitude toward education.

2. Taking an interest in their child’s schoolwork.

3. Establishing good study habits.

4. Monitoring their child’s study habits.

5. Exercising patience as they encourage their child.

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Interim Progress Reports

Interim Progress Reports are sent home at the midpoint of each nine weeks. These midterm reports help parents see areas where their child may need extra effort, support or review before the end of the quarter, as well as to recognize strengths. Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns they may have with their child’s teacher.


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Retention

Kindergarten: A decision to retain a student in the kindergarten program shall be based on the
progress of the child, especially with regards to the level of maturity attained and the ability to
handle the academic program of the first grade. The teacher, parents/guardians, and the principal will make this decision.

Primary Grades 1-2: Retention in the primary grades will be due primarily to the lack of achievement in the language arts. Failure to read well will be a deterrent to achievement all the way through school. Usually the inability to read on grade level will affect all grades. Some students will always read below level, but compensation skills and study techniques can be acquired to allow students to successfully complete a grade level.

Intermediate 3-4: Retention in the intermediate grades occurs if the child is obviously struggling to meet the curricular objectives. Failure to maintain a passing grade in Math or Reading throughout the year would be a signal of problems and possible retention. Also, the child’s emotional and maturity level will be considered. Every effort should be made for possible tutoring or help outside the normal classroom hours, before retention is considered. Parents will be notified in writing or documented conference that their child has the possibility of failing the grade.

Junior High Grades 5-8: Promotion in grades 5-8 will be determined by the average of the grades the student receives in the academic areas. A student must have at least a cumulative year average of 70 percent in these disciplines to be promoted, provided that English, Reading, and Math are passing grades. If a student fails English, Reading, or Math, promotion will not occur until summer school sessions have been successfully completed. Parents shall be notified in writing or by documented conference as soon as possible that their child has a possibility of failing the grade. Students who attend summer school must submit grades before re-admittance into school. Passing grades must be evident for promotion. If, after evaluation, the principal and the teacher find it necessary, a child may be placed in the next grade.

When the report card indicates a child is “placed” in a grade, it indicates serious concerns on the part of the teacher about the child’s ability to be successful in the next grade. However there are circumstances which do not make “retention” the best option.


Report Cards

Report Cards are issued four times each year. The grades for each report period are based on daily work, class participation, assignments completed, and tests and quizzes. Report cards are sent home in Tuesday folders and need to be signed by the parent and returned to school. Students in grades 3-8 are eligible for the Principal’s List and Honor Roll. Students in grades K-8 are eligible for the Perfect Attendance Award. The requirements for eligibility are:

Principal’s List: An overall average of 90.0%-94.9% and a conduct grade of 90% or above.
Honor Roll: An overall average of 95-100% and a conduct grade of 90% or above.
A grade of S or G must be maintained in special classes.

Perfect Attendance: No absences, tardies or early checkouts.

National Junior Honor Society: Students in grades 7-8 may be invited to join the National Junior Honor Society. To be selected students must have the required grade point average, and must display the qualities of leadership, service, character and citizenship.


Standardized Tests

Each year all Catholic Schools in the Diocese administer a series of standardized tests as a means of knowing each child better and thereby improving the instructional program as it relates to the child as an individual and to the class as a whole. It is not the policy of Saint Ann School to release class scores or scores of the child to anyone other than the child’s parents.


Student Activities

Many student activities are available during the school day or after school. In most cases, parent volunteers are needed to organize/assist with the programs.

Some programs available to the students are Accelerated Reading Program, Altar Servers, Athletics, Children’s Choir, Exchange City, Forensics, Junior Achievement, Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops for Heart, Lectors, Library Aides, Model United Nations, National Geographic Geo Bee, Newspaper, School Plays and Programs, Science Fair, Scouts, Service Projects, Metro Nashville Spelling Bee, Student Council, Service Club, Safety Patrol, Senior Friends, St. Jude Math-A-Thon, and Yearbook Staff.

Textbooks

If textbooks are lost or damaged, parents/guardians will be charged the full replacement price.
Hardback books should be covered with paper or cloth covers which can be removed without damaging the books. Contact paper should be used to cover soft back books.

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