STANDARDS

 

Our Savior's School is fully accredited by the Middle States

Association of Colleges and Schools (the Commission on

Elementary Schools) and also by the National Lutheran

Schools Accredi­tation Commission. With its small student

body, Our Savior's is able to provide a highly personalized

approach to instruction. Our Savior's also fosters a close

relationship between the home and the school by

encourag­ing parental involvement in school activities.

 

Realizing the demands for excellence in education, the

faculty at Our Savior's is involved in an on-going program

of curriculum review and development. State mandated tests

consistently reflect the high standards of Our Savior's School.

 

HOME-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP

 

In today’s highly technological society, communication

between parents and teachers is more important than ever.

The Our Savior's Lutheran faculty has a number of tools for

communicating with parents. Grade books are available online.

Teachers’ e-mail addresses are published on our school website

www.oursaviorsschool.com and in this book. Our website

features separate pages for each teacher, where you will find

information from philosophy to policy and assignments.

 

Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled during the year,

providing parents with further opportunities to discuss their

child’s progress.  Individual appointments may be made with

teachers throughout the year. All parents are urged to become

active members of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).

Providing educational programs designed to help Christian

parents, the PTO also gives parents many opportunities for

fellowship with the teachers and other parents.

 

 

ENROLLMENT

 

Our Savior's Lutheran School does not discriminate on the

basis of race, color, national or ethnic origins in the

administration of its admission policies or other school

policies and procedures.

 

Since Our Savior's is a church-sponsored school with

limited enrollment, first consideration will be given to siblings

of students currently attending Our Savior's School. Children of members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church will be considered

next for enrollment. Within the limitations of facilities and

personnel, Our Savior's will also enroll children of the

community.

 

Through the registration fee (all registration fees are non-

refundable), students are covered by accident insurance while

school is in session. This insurance provides coverage in excess

of any family insurance plan. A letter that explains this school insurance will be sent to all parents early in the school year.

School related acci­dents should be promptly reported to the

school nurse, and claim forms are available through the school

office.

 

In accordance with local regulations, children entering

kindergarten must be five by December 1 of the year in which

they enroll.  First grade applicants must be six by December

1st.

Certain achievement tests and physical examinations may

be required of all children applying for enrollment. All

applicants must be approved by the School Board.

 

DISCIPLINE

 

Christian discipline is a major objective of Christian education.

Specific guidelines which describe the Christian life style are

found throughout Scripture.  Parents are encouraged to review

the following sections of Scripture with their children: Ephesians

4: 1-3, 15, 25-33; Colossians 3: 12-17; Galatians 5:16, 22-26.

 

Teachers have classroom discipline policies. When an individual

policy has been exhausted, students will be referred to the office.

Students who are referred to the office, may receive detentions

and/or be required to have parent conferences before they return

to class.

 

Students should conduct themselves in a way that honors God.

Any student who fails to follow the rules and procedures

determined by the staff at OSL will be subject to the consequences

of their actions.

 

Teachers will have their detailed classroom rules and discipline

policy available on the website and during Information Night and

home visits.  The individual classrooms will follow the overall

school system which includes the following;

 

-Infractions of the school rules will result in the issuance of a

referral.

-The referral must be signed and returned the following day or

another referral will be issued.

-Referrals can be given for the following but not limited to:

disrespect - fighting (verbal or other) - physical contact

-After 3 referrals a student will be issued an after school

detention.  Detentions will be served on Tuesdays from

3:15-3:45.

-After 3 detentions a student will be removed from class

until a meeting with the parent is held.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Club, RFM, Science Club, Spelling Bee

 

Parents are encouraged to demonstrate their interest and

support by attending these special events that involve their

children.

 

ATTENDANCE

In all circumstances where students are not in school, a note

from parents/guardian will be required. New York State

attendance regulations define excused absences. Students

who accumulate 100 hours of unexcused class time may be

retained in their current grade.

 

CLOTHING

Clothing should be modest, clean, and worn appropriately.

Students must be covered from shoulders to the knees. Shirts

that bear the school logo or are purchased in direct relation to

a school activity may be worn. No other screen printing is

allowed. Heads should not be covered in the building.

Elementary: Students’ shoes must cover their toes and heels.

Middle School: Students’ shoes must be secured to their feet.

 

Students with repeated clothing issues may be subject to a

detention.

 

 

CHAPEL

A weekly Chapel service is conducted for all children in the

school, giving them an opportunity to worship together as a

group. These experiences in corporate worship will promote

a responsive, receptive attitude in their daily private worship

times. An offering is taken during this weekly service and is

used for a variety of mission projects. Parents are always

welcome to attend these weekly chapel services generally

conducted by pastors from the area.

 

BOOKS AND SUPPLIES

A portion of the registration fee (registration fees are non-

refundable) is used for the purchase and rental of some of

the textbooks and workbooks that will be used.  Other books

are made available through the public school district in which

the student resides.  We expect each child to take care of the

books entrusted to him.  Negligent use of books and school

property may lead to a pupil assessment for the lost or

damaged article.  The classroom teacher will send you a list of

supplies that you will need to provide for your child.

 

LUNCH-MILK

Children in First-8^th grade will eat their lunch in the

cafeteria.  Parents should pack a lunch of reasonable

proportions so that each child may be expected to eat

his/her entire lunch.  A hot lunch option will also be

available for purchase.  These lunches are ordered one

month in advance.  This hot lunch program is coordinated

by parent volunteers.  OSL participates in the federally

subsidized milk program and offers milk at a reduced rate.

To expedite bookkeeping, children are requested to purchase

milk cards at $10.00 that are good for 60 half pints.  Milk

money should be brought to the school office in a marked

envelope.

 

FIELD TRIPS

Throughout the school year the students will be taking

various field trips to expand their learning experiences

beyond the walls of the classroom. A general Field Trip

Permission Slip will be issued at the beginning of the

school year. Parents may also be requested to provide

transportation for some of these field trips

 

HEALTH

All pupils entering kindergarten, second, fourth and

seventh grades, and all new entrants to Our Savior’s must

have a medical examination.  This examination may be

administered by the family physician.  Forms for the

medical examination and required immunizations are

provided by the school or online.

 

A school nurse is provided by our public school district

and is available for part of the school day. Parents should

immediately inform the school of special medical

recommendations which may affect the child’s progress

in school, or present danger for other students.

 

All required immunizations must be completed for every

child before the first day of school, or the child will be

sent home.

 

If a student needs to be excused from Physical Education

or recess activities, for more than one day, a physician’s

note is required.

 

TELEPHONE USAGE

Students are not allowed to use cell phones under any

circumstances during the school day. Any time a student

needs to make a phone call, it needs to be from the office,

with permission from the teacher and office personnel.

 

PARENT – TEACHER CONTACT

Parents wishing to contact teachers during the day should

anticipate teachers being in class. We can accept messages,

but E-mail is the preferred method of contacting teachers.

 

TRANSPORTATION

Students in New York State are entitled to transportation

through their local public school district if they reside within

a 15 mile radius from Our Savior’s.  We will be happy to

provide you with information to contact your district so you

may make arrangements for transportation. The city of Albany

and the city of Schenectady are exempt from providing

transportation outside of their city limits. Students may

forfeit their privilege of riding on the bus by disrespectful

or unruly behavior.  Parental support is needed to develop

courteous, considerate behavior on the bus. It is right and

courteous for you to contact your bus carrier if your child

will not be riding to or from school on a given day.

 

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

After school care is available for children in grades one-eight

and the extended care program that are registered in Our

Savior's Lutheran School. This after school program is offered

from 3:10-6:00 pm on days that school is in session.  Our

Savior's After School Program consists of supervised study

time, recreation and snacks.

 

After school care is $10 per day.  A card of 20 days may be

bought in advance for $160 ($8 per day) An additional card

for a 2nd child in the family may be bought in advance for

$150 ($7.50 per day for 2^nd child).

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL POLICIES:

Homework Policy:

1. All homework is to be neat, include the proper heading, and complete before it is turned in.  Incomplete work will not be accepted.
2. Homework is due at the beginning of each period.
3. Any work not turned in at the start of class is considered missing.  Students will report to the homework room for their lunch period to begin work on the assignment.
4. Pink homework slips are issued for ALL missing assignments.
5. Pink slips must be signed by parents and returned attached to the make-up assignment for credit to be given.
6. Missing work is graded 10% lower for every day it is late.  After 5 days it is no longer accepted and will receive a zero.
7. Three missing assignments will result in a one week suspension from any extra-curricular activities.
8. Three additional missing assignments will result in removal from the activity.
9. No long term assignments will be accepted late unless prior arrangements have been made.  Long term assignments are posted a minimum of two weeks in advance of the due date on the school website.

Hall Passes

1. Students must obtain a hall pass for permission to be outside the classroom at any time.
2. Students found without a pass will receive a referral. (See discipline policy for referral information)

 

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Arrival at School

Children arriving for morning care will need to sign in on the clipboard outside the classroom.  At the same time, please have your child “sign” in by writing their name the best they can on the sign in sheet located on one of the tables.  Please assist them in getting to their assigned cubby to hang up their coat, bag, etc.  Please leave any instructions pertaining to your child’s pick up with the adult in charge.  Any other pertinent information regarding the day, including vacations, birthday treats, etc., should be communicated with the teacher.

Children not using morning or afternoon care need to be signed in and out daily on the clipboard.

 

Pick Up Procedures

As a class, we will be coming down to the entrance by the school office between 11:30 and 11:45 to meet parents for pick ups.  Please wait at that entrance to sign your child out.

If your child is not going to be picked up by his usual pick-up person, alert a teacher to this in the morning.  Please try to have all possible pick up persons listed on the emergency form.  This will help us to ensure your child is going with the right person.

For children that remain in school for the afternoon, we would prefer that children not be picked up between the hours of 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. (quiet time)  If your child needs to go somewhere during quiet time, we ask that you call or let us know ahead of time since we do not want to interrupt this time for those who will be staying.

 

Notification of Absences

If your child is going to be absent from school for either medical or personal reasons, you must notify the school as soon as you know that such an absence will occur.  It is vital that you let us know if your child’s absence is due to illness and what the illness is.  The school provides information to families regarding viruses or illnesses present in our school so that they can monitor their children as soon as possible.  Feel free to phone the school office when your child is absence.  The school number is 459-2273.

 

Illness

While at school, if your child begins vomiting, develops diarrhea, or develops a fever of 100 degree or higher, we will contact you or someone on your emergency list to come and pick up your child immediately.  Before your child can return to school, she must be symptom free for 24 hours.  Should your child become sick with any of these symptoms while at home, please follow the same guidelines.  Although your child may seem to be okay the morning following, it is often the case that the symptoms will redevelop once your child arrives at school, but after you are gone.  Not only for the health of the other children and the staff, buy especially for the well- being of your child , we ask that you please honor this policy.

 

Medication Administration

Should your child need to receive prescription medication while at school, YOU must fill out a medication form, available from the school office or found online. We cannot administer medication without a form filled out.  Medication should be handed to a teacher to preserve the safety of all children present and it will be locked in a cabinet in the nurse’s office.  All medication that is to administered needs to be in its original container.  We are not able to administer medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or other fever reducing medications.  If your child has asthma or develops asthma, it is imperative that we have an asthma action plan.  Forms can be found in the school office.

 

What to Wear to School

There is no “dress code” for preschool although we have some guidelines for you.  Please make sure that your child is dressed comfortable for active play and appropriately for the day.  Dress your child in clothes that can come home dirty and tell you what he did during the day.  For example , your child may have paint drops when they used paint, grape juice from snack, spaghetti for lunch, and a puddle splash they found in the afternoon.  Please be sure that the clothing is “safe” with shoes or sandals with back straps, and shirts that don’t restrict movement, etc.

 

Change of Clothes

Your child should have a complete change of clothes in their cubby at all times.  This includes pants, shirt, socks and underwear for the current season and current size.  We will check periodically to be sure that children have appropriate clothing to change  into in the event of a bathroom accident, a spill, etc.,  but please be sure to bring in clothes the next morning.

 

Encouraging Independence

Whenever possible, please encourage your child to dress themselves.  With a classroom of up to twenty children and only a few adults, the more the children learn to do for themselves, the quicker we get to the next activity.  This is especially true as the cooler weather draws near and outerwear becomes a necessity.  We also encourage the same type of independence in using the restroom, using the water fountain, and changing clothes.

 

Quiet Time

Your child may bring a pillow, blanket, or sheet, as well as one sleeping buddy to help them relax at quiet time.  We will periodically send home blankets to be laundered, especially if your child has been sick, but you are welcome to take home the blanket more often if you prefer.

 

Toys from Home

Children are able to bring toys from home to share based on the curriculum being covered.  The teacher will notify the families the specified days for show-n-tell.  Children may not bring in any toys, games, etc. that promotes any fighting or violence:  Pokémon, X-men, Wrestling, Spiderman, Hulk, Batman, and Power Rangers would not be acceptable choices.  The children will also be encouraged to not build or play guns while at school. We would appreciate your advance support with this to eliminate some of conflicts and competition between children in the room that we have experienced with toys that invoke a violent playing atmosphere.  Please make sure your child’s toy is labeled with their name.

 

Parent Communication

A school newsletter will be sent home during each week.  The newsletter will contain information about the school events, preschool events, monthly calendar and special activities.  This can also be found on the school’s website.  The teachers will also keep parents informed with the school web site.  You can find it by looking for the teacher’s name and then clicking on it.  Parents can also communicate with the teacher by e-mail.  We encourage parents to frequent this site often.

 

Curriculum

Our weekly activities will revolve around a theme.  The theme is based on seasons, holidays, and many other topics.  These topics revolve around the Letter People.  We will complete projects and incorporate writing, art, science, math, and social studies into the themes.

 

Jesus Time

Throughout the year, the children will be hearing about Bible stories presented through music, activities, puppets, flannel stories, and pictures books.  We will provide opportunities to pray and to share the importance of God’s love to others.

 

Chapel

Chapel is on Friday mornings at 8:30am.  You are welcomed to attend any of our chapel services and we will be sure to alert you of chapel services in which we will be singing as the choir.  We are currently planning to start attending in October.  This will give us time to assimilate into a classroom situation.

 

Snacks/Lunch

A nutritional morning snack and drink is provided by the school for all children.  We will collect a $30.00 snack fee per semester/$60.00 per year per child.  (The snack fee for 2 mornings will be $20.00 per semester, $25.00 for 3 mornings.)  This enables everyone to have the same snack.  Snack will consist of cheese, various crackers, fruit, and juice.  If a child brings in a special birthday snack, we will have that in lieu of the scheduled morning snack.  If your child is participating in our extended school day, an afternoon snack is also provided. If your child has allergies or medical conditions, please be sure to let us know.

 

Parties/Special Occasions/Birthdays

When there is a special holiday or occasion to be celebrated in our classroom, there will be a signup sheet available.  This allows everyone the chance to participate.  We can celebrate birthdays if you bring in a special treat for your child.  Just make sure you let the teacher know.  We can celebrate our summer birthdays near the end of the school year.

 

Neighborhood Walks

After the children have settled into a school routine, we will occasionally go out into the community to look at nature or the park.  We will be walking on these trips and the children are reminded of safety when crossing streets before and during the walk.  A permission slip that is to be signed at the beginning of the year covers all neighborhood walks during the school year that are within a half-mile radius of the school.

 

Library Program

On Wednesday or Thursday, the children will go to the school library and check out a library book to bring home.  Please take some time to read and reread your child’s book over the week.  It is due back by the next Monday or Tuesday (depending on attendance.)  The children will be able to check out one library book each week as long as the book from the previous week is returned, so we suggest that the library book remain in your child’s backpack or tote bag during the week.  One of the best things you can do for your child is to read to them and with them.

 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences will usually occur in January or February during the school year.  You will have the opportunity to select a time and day that is convenient for you by signing up about two weeks before conferences occur.  This is a very valuable time for you to discuss your child’s progress with their teachers.  We strongly encourage you to attend parent/teacher conferences and can assure you that both you and your child will benefit.

 

Classroom Discipline

We encourage children to come up with solutions to their problems when they become frustrated with another child. Making a choice, taking turns and asking for a toy are a few skills in problem solving your child will learn.  Redirection or giving them another choice within the classroom is often used to help the child’s frustration from the current situation.  Children that physical hurt another child is given time out from play until they are in control of their actions.

Each classroom has a set of rules for the safety of the children.  Teachers and parents will work closely together to help children who are experiencing problems with listening, respecting their teacher and classroom rules, and endangering the safety of other students.

The stoplight system is another method used to inform parents of how their child did throughout the day.  Children are given a verbal warning with redirection.  A second warning will move their name to the green light.  A third warning will move their name to yellow.  A fourth warning will move their name to red.  If a child is on a color he will not be able to receive a sticker at the end of the day.  Every child has a chance to “earn” a color back if they can talk about what they have done and how they can improve behavior next time.  All children who did not get their name moved will receive a sticker on their chart.  Ten stickers earn the child a prize from the treasure chest.

Last Updated (Sunday, 18 September 2011 17:39)