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.


Media Center

The Saint Ann School libraries exist to support student learning. Policies are in place to ensure a
well-balanced collection that is centered around our Accelerated Reading program and curriculum requirements. All students have a scheduled library period one time per week. Kindergarten through Second Grade meets in the Little Library. Third through Eighth Grades meet in the Main library. The libraries are open for flexible student use during any time when a class is not scheduled. These facilities also serve as the technology center for the campus with video-conferencing and in-house news broadcasts generated here.

There are no overdue fines, however, the student is not allowed to check out another book until the overdue book is returned or replacement payment is made. Kindergarten through Second Grade are not allowed to take books home. Report cards will be held at the end of the school year if there are any outstanding balances in the library.

The Accelerated Reader Program is a valuable tool for strengthening students’ independent reading skills. All students will be asked to do independent reading and are encouraged to take Accelerated Reader tests on the books they read. Students in grades 5-8 are required to read and take tests as part of their Literature grade. The Accelerated Reader program allows teachers to establish individualized reading goals for students based on their ability. It also provides students and parents valuable feedback on reading progress. Students can take Accelerated Reader tests in the Main Library or on the computers in the classrooms.


Parent Involvement

Providing a rich variety of extracurricular activities to our students is not possible without
adequate parent involvement. The Home and School Association, in conjunction with the school, need parents to organize and assist with school events and activities. To this end, a Family Volunteer Opportunity handbook will be distributed to all families during the summer. The handbook describes the variety of ways a family can be involved with Saint Ann throughout the school year.

Diocesan policy requires background checks for staff and volunteers who work with students. This policy applies to all paid employees of the school and all volunteers with frequent and ongoing contact with the students, including, but not limited to coaches, scout leaders, religious education instructors, overnight chaperones, cafeteria aides, counselors, and youth leaders. The school will provide volunteers forms for the background checks which must be carried out by the agency approved by the diocese. The principal must approve all volunteers.


Home and School Association

Parents need to be actively involved in the school. When the home and school work together good community spirit develops. Saint Ann School is a family that works together for the benefit of its children. The Home and School Association coordinates parent volunteers for school events and activities. All parents are members of the Home and School Association. Dues are included in the fees paid with registration/tuition. Parents have the opportunity to sign up for one or more committees or leadership positions. The school encourages all families to contribute forty hours to the school per year. Opportunities may be found in the Volunteer handbook that is sent to all families during the summer.

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Fund-Raising

Fund-raising is an integral part of the operation of Saint Ann School. All parents and students must be actively supportive of our fund-raising projects. Committees of parents are needed to help organize each fund-raiser. Only with parental involvement will the fund-raisers be successful. Typically Home and School Association fund-raising provides increased hands-on resources for students.


Room Coordinators

Several parent volunteers are needed to serve as room coordinators for each class. Room coordinators help teachers organize parties, special activities and field trips. Room coordinators are also involved in class projects for the fund-raisers which each family is encouraged to participate in.

School Advisory Committee

This board helps with policy decisions, strategic planning, and some fundraising activities. Members for this board are selected by the principal from volunteers submitting their names via the Family Volunteer Opportunity Handbook. Meetings are monthly and open to everyone.


Religious instruction and Sacramental Preparation

Since religious instruction is the distinctive mark of the Catholic School, religious instruction is provided daily for all students. Religion must permeate the atmosphere of the school and be an integral part of everyday living. Students are prepared for a proper understanding of the Scriptures, Church doctrine, and the Sacraments. Focus on moral values is a vital part of the religious education program.

The entire school community attends a weekly prayer service each Monday and celebrates Mass together every Wednesday morning. In addition, grades 3 through 8 celebrate Mass followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a rotating basis on Fridays. Parents are invited to attend the liturgies and are always welcome.


Sacramental Preparation

Non-Catholics participate in Sacramental preparation to the extent possible. The goal is to ensure that all students see this time as both positive and spiritual.


First Reconciliation and First Communion

Second grade students make their First Reconciliation and First Communion at Saint Ann.
Parents are notified of the dates and invited to participate in this special event with their
children.


Confirmation

The eighth grade students receive instructions for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They receive the sacrament at Saint Ann, and at a time established by the Bishop of Nashville.

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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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