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PROMOTION/RETENTION
Students are expected to do their best in all educational areas including academic and special classes. In order for students to be promoted, they must receive a passing grade in each academic subject. A final grade is determined by averaging the grades for each of the four marking periods. "U" or 69% is not a passing grade. A student who does not receive a passing grade in one academic subject is strongly encouraged to attend summer school. A student who does not receive a passing grade in two or more academic subjects will not be promoted to the next grade unless the student fulfills requirements for promotion. This will take the form of a pre-approved summer school. Each case will be decided individually under the discretion of administration and staff. Eighth graders who are not promoted will not participate in the graduation ceremony. Parents are notified with each report card of the student's standing.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Essentially, a child is in school to learn, not to get grades. However, parents, teachers, and students like to see some tangible evidence of the amount of progress made in learning. Such is the reason for the progress reports. Student progress will be evaluated continuously through a variety of procedures, instruments, and observations, at all times taking into account individual differences of students. The following points are offered for consideration:- Parents who refuse to recognize the capabilities of their children individually are doing them a great injustice. Some expect and demand extremely high achievement when the child is blessed with an average ability. This is frustrating to the child and expecting the impossible of the teacher. On the other hand, there are parents whose child could be doing outstanding work but fails to do so because the parents are satisfied with mediocre effort and achievement.
- Never compare the achievements of one child with another child in the family or with another family's child. This is unfair, as no two children are alike in ability. Demand great effort rather than achievement.
- Each year becomes a little harder. Each teacher imposes different demands. Each year your child is in a new situation. It is, therefore, to be expected that grades may differ from year to year.
- Feel free to contact the teacher at any time regarding your child's progress. Do not wait for scheduled conferences to discuss something that would be of benefit sooner.
GRADING
The following are the established grade equivalents: 99-100 = A+ | 95-98 = A | 93-94 = A- |
90-92 = B+ | 87-89 = B | 85-86 = B- |
82-84 = C+ | 79-81 = C | 77-78 = C- |
74-76 = D+ | 72-73 = D | 70-71 = D- |
69 and lower = U
St. Bernadette School uses the following codes on progress reports to indicate student progress in the classroom:
Progress Toward Personal/Social Growth and Learner Behaviors
S = Secure: Student demonstrates age-appropriate behavior.
P = Progressing: Student has shown progress with age-appropriate behavior.
N = Needs Improvement: Student needs to develop age-appropriate behavior.
Standards/Proficiency for State Standards/Exit Expectations
# = Advanced..."I understand this and can teach others."
+ = Proficient..."I understand this."
/ = Basic..."I'm starting to understand this.
- = Minimal..."I don't understand this."
HIGH ACADEMIC HONORS - Grades 5-8 are eligible.
Student must have a 93% average in the full unit academic subjects. An unsatisfactory grade in any area will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
SECOND ACADEMIC HONORS Grades 5-8 are eligible.
Student must have an 85% average in the full unit academic subjects. An unsatisfactory grade in any area will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
Subjects are weighted in the following manner:
Progress Toward Personal/Social Growth and Learner Behaviors
S = Secure: Student demonstrates age-appropriate behavior.
P = Progressing: Student has shown progress with age-appropriate behavior.
N = Needs Improvement: Student needs to develop age-appropriate behavior.
Standards/Proficiency for State Standards/Exit Expectations
# = Advanced..."I understand this and can teach others."
+ = Proficient..."I understand this."
/ = Basic..."I'm starting to understand this.
- = Minimal..."I don't understand this."
ACADEMIC HONORS
St. Bernadette School believes in recognizing excellence in academics, achievement, attendance, and service, and encourages all students to achieve their best. The formal expression of this takes the form of a recognition ceremony held after each progress report. Students become eligible for recognition in the following ways:
St. Bernadette School believes in recognizing excellence in academics, achievement, attendance, and service, and encourages all students to achieve their best. The formal expression of this takes the form of a recognition ceremony held after each progress report. Students become eligible for recognition in the following ways:
HIGH ACADEMIC HONORS - Grades 5-8 are eligible.
Student must have a 93% average in the full unit academic subjects. An unsatisfactory grade in any area will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
SECOND ACADEMIC HONORS Grades 5-8 are eligible.
Student must have an 85% average in the full unit academic subjects. An unsatisfactory grade in any area will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
Subjects are weighted in the following manner:
Reading | 1 unit | Religion | 1/2 unit | ||
Math | 1 unit | Computer | 1/2 unit | ||
Science | 1 unit | Art | 1/3 unit | ||
Social Studies | 1 unit | Physical Ed. | 1/3 unit | ||
Language Arts | 1 unit | Music | 1/3 unit |
RECOGNITION AWARDS
ON-A-ROLL - Grades 4-8 are eligible commencing with the second report card.
Student must do as well as, or better than, the previous report card in all graded areas. An unsatisfactory grade in any area will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
ATTENDANCE AWARDS - All students are eligible.
Students achieving perfect attendance will receive a Perfect Attendance Award. Students with only one (1) day absence will receive a Good Attendance Award. Any tardiness will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
SERVICE AWARDS - All students are eligible.
Students who perform a service for the school beyond that required by all students in a class will receive a Service Award in recognition of that extra effort.
ON-A-ROLL - Grades 4-8 are eligible commencing with the second report card.
Student must do as well as, or better than, the previous report card in all graded areas. An unsatisfactory grade in any area will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
ATTENDANCE AWARDS - All students are eligible.
Students achieving perfect attendance will receive a Perfect Attendance Award. Students with only one (1) day absence will receive a Good Attendance Award. Any tardiness will make the student ineligible for this recognition.
SERVICE AWARDS - All students are eligible.
Students who perform a service for the school beyond that required by all students in a class will receive a Service Award in recognition of that extra effort.
HOMEWORK
The purpose of homework is to enrich what is happening at school as well to reinforce and practice skills which have been taught. Homework consists of experiences which will supplement, enhance, and broaden concepts studied within the classroom. It is not limited to pencil-paper tasks and will attempt to integrate a number of learning options. Reading (silently and aloud depending on the age of the child) is considered a vital family practice each evening.
The amount and type of homework will be determined by the teacher, who takes into consideration the grade level requirements, the ability of the student, and the homework guidelines suggested by the Milwaukee Archdiocese. These guidelines are:
SPECIAL NEEDS
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (EEN)
St. Bernadette School does not offer a Special Education Program for children with Exceptional Educational Needs (EEN). Students who are eligible for placement in an EEN program should take advantage of that program through the local public school where their needs may be more fully met. Some resources are available at St. Bernadette School for students who need extra help but do not qualify for an EEN program. Our Reading Specialist will meet with students at a scheduled time or times each week. Tutors are available on a limited basis once a week. Several of the teachers are available before school, after school, and during lunch time to provide extra help. These sessions must be pre-arranged.
EEN Identification
If the student who is eligible for placement under P.L. 94-142 is enrolled in the school, the principal and staff shall become knowledgeable of the treatment for the student according to the directive of the Wisconsin Department of Public Education, especially Bulletin Number 94.10, August 1994, "Behaviors of Children With EEN that Violate School Rules."
The basic components of the school's plan to identify and provide for at-risk students with special needs is communicated to parents via inclusion in the Family-Student Handbook and is articulated to teachers as part of the Teacher's Handbook.
Identification Model
The following process will be used: 1. Whenever a teacher, parent, or the principal initiates a "concern" about a child, a referral for a "staffing" is scheduled. A concern could be related to a physical, social, emotional, or learning difficulty. A staffing is considered a meeting to discuss the concerns. Appropriate "data" about the child and the specific concern is gathered.
2. A staffing is then scheduled to activate the concern. The principal, teacher(s), parents/guardian, and any support personnel are scheduled as participants in the staffing.
3. Strategies and follow-up decisions will be planned using the suggestions and "brainstorming" from the staffing participants. Need for further student testing/assessment, instructional ideas, support plans, and intervention strategies may be suggested by any of the participants.
4. A future reconvening of the staffing may be scheduled to review the results of any testing and evaluate the strategies, plans, et cetera, which were agreed on at the initial staffing. This is a review of the plans, strategies, et cetera, to determine what is working.
SPEECH THERAPY
Our students are eligible for speech therapy through the Milwaukee Public Schools. If a child is suspected of having a speech difficulty, he/she will be recommended, with the consent of the parents, to the public school for an M-Team evaluation. Students qualifying for speech therapy will receive services at the public school of their home district. There is no fee for the testing or therapy services; however, parents are responsible for transporting their child.
ACCREDITATION
STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION
STRATEGIC PLANNING
St. Bernadette School is involved in Strategic Plan 2005, established by the Archdiocese. A Tri-Parish School Alliance Committee consisting of pastors, principals, parents, and parishioners from St. Bernadette, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and Our Lady of Good Hope has been meeting on a regular basis since 1998. The three schools have formed an Alliance, with the purpose of planning, communication, and exploration of collaborative efforts to develop and continue to keep Catholic education vibrant on the Northwest side of Milwaukee for all three parishes. These efforts have led to increased focus on shared resources and the development of various collaborative activities and events, including shared liturgies, annual musical play production, social events, science adventures, field trips, counseling services, and combined teacher in-services.
The purpose of homework is to enrich what is happening at school as well to reinforce and practice skills which have been taught. Homework consists of experiences which will supplement, enhance, and broaden concepts studied within the classroom. It is not limited to pencil-paper tasks and will attempt to integrate a number of learning options. Reading (silently and aloud depending on the age of the child) is considered a vital family practice each evening.
The amount and type of homework will be determined by the teacher, who takes into consideration the grade level requirements, the ability of the student, and the homework guidelines suggested by the Milwaukee Archdiocese. These guidelines are:
Primary (Gr. 1-2) | 15-30 minutes per night |
Intermediate (Gr. 3-5) | 30-60 minutes per night |
Jr. High (Gr. 6-8) | 60-90 minutes per night |
HOMEWORK PREPARATION STANDARDS - GRADES 5-8
The following are universal rules for homework preparation. Any or all of these may be changed or eliminated at the discretion of the individual course teacher. If a teacher has not specified a change, then all homework, regardless of subject, is to conform to these standards:
The following are universal rules for homework preparation. Any or all of these may be changed or eliminated at the discretion of the individual course teacher. If a teacher has not specified a change, then all homework, regardless of subject, is to conform to these standards:
- All answers need to be written in complete sentences.
- Run-on sentences are unacceptable.
- All written work is to be done in blue or black ink.
- Homework is to be done on looseleaf paper. Paper torn from a notebook is not acceptable.
- Write on only one side of the paper.
- The vertical lines visible on a sheet of looseleaf paper are to be used as margins.
- "And" is an English word. Symbols (& or +) are not acceptable.
- Every pronoun requires an antecedent.
- Correct spelling is a must.
- Appropriate spaces must be left between sentences and between words.
- Legible handwriting is a requirement.
- Paragraph indentations must be obvious.
- Correct punctuation is expected.
- Upper and lower case letters must be recognizable.
- Strikeovers should always be a single line.
- Do not mark on the paper with unrelated doodling.
- Plagiarism (using another person's work and presenting it as one's own without reference to the original author), whether from the internet or another source, is not acceptable.
ASSIGNMENTS
Parents should consistently review with the children their notebooks, graded assignments, and returned tests. All students in Grades 3 and up are required to have an assignment notebook. Late homework will not be accepted unless due to an excused absence or unavoidable circumstances, e.g. emergency situation within the family. Daily assignments will be on each teacher's voicemail by 3:30 p.m. each day. Call 414-358-4603, enter Option #3, and enter the Room Number.
Parents should consistently review with the children their notebooks, graded assignments, and returned tests. All students in Grades 3 and up are required to have an assignment notebook. Late homework will not be accepted unless due to an excused absence or unavoidable circumstances, e.g. emergency situation within the family. Daily assignments will be on each teacher's voicemail by 3:30 p.m. each day. Call 414-358-4603, enter Option #3, and enter the Room Number.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
The standardized testing program used at St. Bernadette School is that required by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:
In addition to the Archdiocesan requirements, St. Bernadette School does the following testing:The standardized testing program used at St. Bernadette School is that required by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:
- All students in Grades 3, 5, and 7 will be administered the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) during the spring (March) of every school year.
- All students in Grades 3, 5, and 7 will be administered the Cognitive Abilities Test in conjunction with the ITBS during the spring (March) of every school year.
- All students in Grades 3, 5, and 7 will be administered the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Religion Assessment at the time of the spring (March) testing.
- All students in Grade 8 will be administered the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE) test during the fall (November) of every school year.
- All incoming students are administered the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT).
- All students in Grades 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 are administered the ITBS in the fall (October).
- All students in Grades 1, 2, 4, and 6 are administered the ITBS in the spring (March).
- All students in Grade 4 are administered the WKCE in fall (November).
- All students in Grade 3 are administered the Wisconsin Reading Test in the spring.
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (EEN)
St. Bernadette School does not offer a Special Education Program for children with Exceptional Educational Needs (EEN). Students who are eligible for placement in an EEN program should take advantage of that program through the local public school where their needs may be more fully met. Some resources are available at St. Bernadette School for students who need extra help but do not qualify for an EEN program. Our Reading Specialist will meet with students at a scheduled time or times each week. Tutors are available on a limited basis once a week. Several of the teachers are available before school, after school, and during lunch time to provide extra help. These sessions must be pre-arranged.
EEN Identification
If the student who is eligible for placement under P.L. 94-142 is enrolled in the school, the principal and staff shall become knowledgeable of the treatment for the student according to the directive of the Wisconsin Department of Public Education, especially Bulletin Number 94.10, August 1994, "Behaviors of Children With EEN that Violate School Rules."
The basic components of the school's plan to identify and provide for at-risk students with special needs is communicated to parents via inclusion in the Family-Student Handbook and is articulated to teachers as part of the Teacher's Handbook.
Identification Model
The following process will be used: 1. Whenever a teacher, parent, or the principal initiates a "concern" about a child, a referral for a "staffing" is scheduled. A concern could be related to a physical, social, emotional, or learning difficulty. A staffing is considered a meeting to discuss the concerns. Appropriate "data" about the child and the specific concern is gathered.
2. A staffing is then scheduled to activate the concern. The principal, teacher(s), parents/guardian, and any support personnel are scheduled as participants in the staffing.
3. Strategies and follow-up decisions will be planned using the suggestions and "brainstorming" from the staffing participants. Need for further student testing/assessment, instructional ideas, support plans, and intervention strategies may be suggested by any of the participants.
4. A future reconvening of the staffing may be scheduled to review the results of any testing and evaluate the strategies, plans, et cetera, which were agreed on at the initial staffing. This is a review of the plans, strategies, et cetera, to determine what is working.
SPEECH THERAPY
Our students are eligible for speech therapy through the Milwaukee Public Schools. If a child is suspected of having a speech difficulty, he/she will be recommended, with the consent of the parents, to the public school for an M-Team evaluation. Students qualifying for speech therapy will receive services at the public school of their home district. There is no fee for the testing or therapy services; however, parents are responsible for transporting their child.
STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION
St. Bernadette School participates in a planning and accreditation process. St. Bernadette School is accredited through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Office for Schools, Child, & Youth Ministries and the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation (WRISA). The seven-year process leading to accreditation includes long-range planning, self study, plan for improvement, and visitation by an on-site team of principals, teachers, and Archdiocesan personnel. St. Bernadette School was accredited in the 2004-05 school year and is valid through 2012.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
St. Bernadette School is involved in Strategic Plan 2005, established by the Archdiocese. A Tri-Parish School Alliance Committee consisting of pastors, principals, parents, and parishioners from St. Bernadette, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and Our Lady of Good Hope has been meeting on a regular basis since 1998. The three schools have formed an Alliance, with the purpose of planning, communication, and exploration of collaborative efforts to develop and continue to keep Catholic education vibrant on the Northwest side of Milwaukee for all three parishes. These efforts have led to increased focus on shared resources and the development of various collaborative activities and events, including shared liturgies, annual musical play production, social events, science adventures, field trips, counseling services, and combined teacher in-services.