School Handbook

1. Holy Cross Lutheran School exists to assist the parents and members of our congregation in the spiritual training of the children of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
2. Holy Cross Lutheran School exists to provide a high quality Christian education for our students that they may be equipped for a lifetime of service to their Savior, their families, their churches, and their communities.
3. Holy Cross Lutheran School exists to reach out to children and families in our community with the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

• believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin, death, and the devil through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God
• strive to live lives that glorify our Savior in thoughts, words, and actions through daily study of God’s Word
• spread the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus to others
• read fluently and comprehend content material and high-quality literature
• research, plan, and produce written work of high quality
• understand English grammar
• prepare to succeed in high school mathematics
• become proficient in the use of technology
• develop a core knowledge in science, history, and geography
• learn to understand and speak a foreign language
• pursue and develop their interests in music, art, and athletics

• provide an atmosphere of Christian love and respect for each member of the Holy Cross family
• reflect Christ’s love to all
• provide a rigorous, challenging curriculum
• provide current and up-to-date instructional materials, equipment, and facilities
• provide qualified teachers who continue growing in the craft of teaching
• work in loving partnership with our parents and congregation
• provide opportunities for athletic and artistic growth

• Mr. Randy Deering 249-8988
• Mr. Phil Dunigan 222-7043
• Mr. Bill Alexander 221-1867
• Mr. Jon Natvig 839-3875
• Mr. Bob Martin 241-5103
• Mr. Dale Suslick 224-0064

Absences

Parents are required by Wisconsin state law to have their children in school every day unless illness interferes. Since we have a "safe arrival" policy, if children are going to be absent or late for school, we ask that the parents call the school and inform the child's teacher. If a child does not arrive after one-half hour of the starting time, the school will call the parents to verify the child's absence.

Parents who wish to take their children along on trips over a period of several days are requested to contact the classroom teacher well in advance of such trips so the teacher may prepare assignments that will be missed.

Please make every effort to have your child at school by the 8:00 opening time. The first few minutes of the school day are spent organizing and preparing students for the instruction of the day. If the weather makes the roads treacherous, please drive safely and make it to school when you can.

In addition to the regular physical education classes, Holy Cross Lutheran School provides opportunities for both girls and boys to participate in an extra-curricular sports program. Practice sessions are held after school hours during the week.

Students in grades five through eight may participate in the following activities throughout the school year: volleyball and cheerleading for girls; cross-country, basketball, softball, and the ELS Olympics for both boys and girls. Parents and students are required to sign and return an athletic code of conduct pledge to the school before participation will be permitted. The goals of our athletic program are as follows:

The athletic program at Holy Cross Lutheran School will

• provide an opportunity for our athletes to use their God-given athletic talents to His glory
• provide training for our athletes in different team and individual sports
• provide a competitive experience for our athletes
• provide Christian fellowship opportunities

1. Our school’s promotion policy guidelines will be used to determine a student’s current eligibility for athletics. A student may regain eligibility when the guidelines of the promotion policy are met.
2. Students who are under school disciplinary suspension are not eligible for participation in athletics at Holy Cross Lutheran School.
3. Parents will receive at least three days notice of their child’s suspension from athletics.
4. Students who are ill on game days will not be allowed to participate in the games in the evening.
5. For pre-excused absences on game day [funerals, etc.] the student will be allowed to participate in the games in the evening. Permission to participate must be received from the principal.

The school colors are green and white. The school teams are known as the Crusaders.

Holy Cross is a member of the Little Lutheran League Athletic Conference. All are invited to come and cheer on our teams!

Please contact your child’s teacher if you have concerns about your child. If after talking with the teacher you’d like to contact the principal please feel free to do so.

We’re a team committed to your child’s academic and spiritual growth. When parents and teachers function as such a team, respectful of each other, our school is stronger and our Lord is glorified.

Each Wednesday during the school year the children have a short chapel service in the church beginning at 9:45 a.m. Parents and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend these services.

In keeping with the Lord's command to "go and teach all nations," a mission offering is collected during the service. Students who will be ushering are asked to wear appropriate clothing.

Worship attendance is an important part of Christian life. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more as we see the Day approaching" [Hebrews 10:25]

To reinforce the children’s learning of the Word here at school parents are encouraged to attend church regularly with their children. What better way can we find to nourish our souls, and those of our children, and to thank and praise our Lord for his overwhelming grace, than by worshipping in God’s house on a regular basis. We desire that our students and their families "grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ," (2 Peter 3:18).->

For our seventh and eighth-grade students 75% church attendance is required for confirmation. The students fill out sermon reports that indicate attendance and participation in worship during their 7^th and 8^th-grade years. The reports can be picked up before services in the church office.

The Christ-centered curriculum of Holy Cross Lutheran School is rigorous and meets the requirements of the State of Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction. The faculty is engaged in on-going curriculum review to ensure that our school’s curriculum meets current high-quality standards.

• Religion – Christ-Light, Catechism, Hymn Study, Lutheran Worship
• Language Arts – phonics, literature, writing and composition, spelling, English grammar, speaking and penmanship
• Mathematics – general math, algebra, geometry
• Science - general science, physical science, life science, and health
• Social Studies - history, civics, geography, and cultural studies
• The Arts - general music, vocal music, instrumental music, visual arts, and crafts
• Physical Education – health and conditioning, individual and team sports skill development
• Spanish

• Morning PreK3,4- 8:30 A.M.- 11:00 A.M.
• Afternoon PreK4- 12:30-3:00 P.M.
• Kindergarten- 8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
• Grades 1-8 – 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
• Before School Care- 7:00 A.M. – 7:45 A.M.
• PreK4 Before School Care- 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
• After School Care- 11:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
• Faculty Devotion- 7:30 A.M. – 7:45 A.M.

Students are not to arrive at school before 7:45 A.M. If a student needs to arrive early due to parental work schedules the student should report to Before School Care in the cafeteria.

An After/Before School Care handbook explaining fees, procedures, etc. is available from the school office.

Teachers will supervise students waiting for their rides until 3:20 P.M. So that the teachers may begin preparing for the next day, students who are waiting for their rides after 3:20 will be placed in the school’s After School Care program with the fees being charged.->

Students may not leave school grounds during the day without parental and teacher permission. It is appreciated when parents notify teachers in advance when their child will be leaving school during the day. Parents must pick-up their children from the classroom if they are to leave at any time other than the usual dismissal time.

Parents of preschoolers and kindergartners are to pick up their children from their classrooms at dismissal time.

Once students leave school for the day they should not return to the school grounds until After School Care has concluded for the day.

Students will remain at the designated area while they are waiting for their rides.

Lunch begins at 11:25 A.M. for grades 1-4 and at 12:00 for grades 5-8.

As Christians, our daily lives strive to glorify and honor our gracious Lord in thankfulness for all of His bountiful blessings. He has done many things FOR US which we have neither deserved nor earned, not the least of which was saving us from the eternal consequences of our sins by His suffering and death on the cross. The students of Holy Cross Lutheran School will be instructed and encouraged with the Word to grow in their faith and love for Christ, for their parents, teachers, and classmates.

Students who misbehave will be reprimanded and instructed to guide them to behavior, which glorifies the Lord. Openly defiant behavior, complete disregard for others or for our school's mission, violent or threatening behavior, and drug and alcohol use by students will be grounds for suspension and/or termination of attendance at Holy Cross Lutheran School.

The following are some basic rules that are followed school wide. We ask that parents would review these guidelines with their children and assist us in making sure that they are followed.

1. Students are not to bring toys, sports / play equipment, cassette / CD Walkman, or video games for use in school.
2. Please label all student property. Our lost and found box is generally very full with orphaned clothing.
3. School playground equipment is to be used only during school hours.
4. While in the hallways students are to move quietly without running. Students are to keep to the right. Playground balls are not to be bounced as to not disturb classes in session.
5. Students who damage school property will be responsible for its repair or replacement.
6. Students will participate in all recess and physical education activities unless requested by a parent.
7. Gum is not allowed on school property.
8. Snowballs are not allowed within sight of school.

Individual teachers have additional rules pertaining to their classrooms.

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). This statement from Scripture is a guideline on how to use our Christian freedom. As a school we desire to glorify our Savior who has redeemed us from sin, death, and hell. As a school we do not wish to give offense. As a school we do not wish to put obstacles in the way of the Gospel. As a school we do not judge in areas of Christian freedom.

The atmosphere we desire at our school is two-fold. We desire to have an atmosphere of mutual love and respect that reflects Christ’s love. Our school is a spiritual place. We desire to have an atmosphere that states that learning is of utmost importance. Our school’s mission is Christian education. Student dress can, in part, help or hinder attainment of these goals.

Below are some guidelines we ask that the students follow at school and for all school related activities. We ask for our parents’ assistance in meeting our goals for student dress.

• clothing which is comfortable for the season of the year. Please do not forget to send along warmer clothing in the fall/winter months as the children will be outside for various activities.->
• appropriate and durable clothing for learning, recess, and physical education.
• footwear which is safe and appropriate for recess play and physical education.
• clothing that is clean and in good repair.
• clothing which advertises our school, church, and Savior.

• shoes which will leave marks on the gym or hallway floors
• for safety reasons, flip-flops or other foot wear which can easily come off the foot while running or playing
• any clothing that advertises alcohol, tobacco, violence, TV shows/movies which undermine our Christian values, concert shirts
• shirts or tops which are sleeveless, expose the midriff, expose undergarments, are low cut or tight-fitting, or which promote vulgar or sexual themes
• head-coverings of any type
• low-cut pants, shorts, and skirts
• shorts, pants, or skirts which expose the midriff or undergarments
• short shorts or skirts
• hair color other than natural or bleached color
• exposed tattoos or body piercing other than earrings, earring are limited to smaller styles
• excessive make-up
• any clothing which is not in good condition

If a child is injured, or should become ill at school, he/she will be cared for temporarily by a member of the school staff while someone else from the staff notifies the parent. If the parent cannot be reached, the person whom the parent has designated at the beginning of the year as an emergency contact will be informed of the child's condition.

If it is deemed necessary, the Madison paramedics will be called to transport the child to the hospital or urgent care center designated by the parent.

During school emergencies we will follow our crisis plan. In the event we need to leave our campus, students will be temporarily housed at the Hawthorne Branch Library and will be bussed to Eastside Lutheran School for pickup by parents.

If it becomes necessary to close school because of inclement weather, an announcement will be broadcast over these radio and television stations

PreK3: This two-day-a-week program for three-year olds and young four-year olds is intended to be used as preparation for our school’s PreK4 program. A separate handbook explaining the purpose, objectives, curriculum, policies, fees, and activities of Holy Cross Lutheran Preschool is available upon request.

PreK4: This pre-kindergarten program is for children four or five years of age. A separate handbook explaining the purpose, objectives, curriculum, policies, fees, and activities of Holy Cross Lutheran Preschool is available upon request.

Kindergarten: A child must be five years of age on or before September 1 to be eligible for admission to kindergarten. Each child should complete a readiness screening prior to admission. A separate handbook explaining the Holy Cross Lutheran Kindergarten program is available upon request.

Transfers: The parents of any child transferring from another school at any time must provide complete academic and behavioral records before enrollment will be considered. All new student admissions are subject to the approval of the School Board. If the board deems it profitable for the student, the parents, and the teachers it may enroll students on a probationary basis.

All students enrolling at Holy Cross Lutheran School must fill out a registration form and show evidence of meeting the Wisconsin state immunization requirements.

Non-discriminatory Policy - Holy Cross Lutheran School, a part of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School, 2670 Milwaukee Street, Madison, WI 53704, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or handicapping condition in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, personnel practices, and other school-administered programs.

• 99-100% A+0
• 96-98% A 1
• 94-95% A-2
• 91-93% B+3
• 88-90% B 4
• 86-87% B-5
• 83-85% C+6
• 80-82% C 7
• 78-79% C-8
• 75-77% D+9
• 72-74% D10
• 70-71% D-11
• 60-69% F 12
• 50-59% F 13
• 40-49% F 14
• 0 –39% NF 15

A weekly newsletter, NEWS FOR YOU, is sent home every Wednesday. Crusader Times, a larger publication that describes activities at our school and includes a report from each classroom, is distributed each month. These publications are also available on the church and school web site [holycrossmadison.org] if they do not make it home to you.

The academic program at Holy Cross Lutheran School is rigorous and will require that some study be done at home. Each classroom has its set homework policy that is communicated to parents at the beginning of each school year. Homework always depends on the grade level and abilities of the child.

Parents can be helpful by providing encouragement, a scheduled homework time, and a good place to study. If a student is overwhelmed by some particular homework, contact your child’s teacher before high stress and frustration levels are reached.

Wisconsin state law requires that children have certain immunizations prior to school enrollment. A set of guidelines indicating the specific immunizations is available from the school. A record of the immunizations and the dates on which they were received must be on file at the school prior to the child's attendance. Parents may get the form required for these records from the school office.

Preschool and kindergarten children are encouraged to complete a health screening including dental and vision prior to their enrollment.

Holy Cross Lutheran School provides an opportunity for students in grades four through eight to receive instrumental music instruction. Instruction is given for most band instruments and also some string instruments. Details regarding this program and its fees can be obtained by contacting the school office.

Sing praises to the Lord! Holy Cross Lutheran School provides an opportunity for students in grades five through eight to participate in a school choir.

For students in our upper grades Holy Cross Lutheran School provides an opportunity to participate in a hand bell choir. Rehearsals are held after school.

Wisconsin state law requires that parents fill out and sign a Parent/Guardian Medication Consent Form before any school personnel can administer any prescribed or over-the-counter medication to the child(ren) enrolled at Holy Cross Lutheran School. State Law also requires that a Physician’s Instruction Form be completed by the prescribing physician and returned to the school office. School staff cannot administer any prescribed or over-the-counter medication unless these forms have been filed in the school office.

Medication to be given in the school needs the following information printed on the container:

1. Child's full name
2. Name of drug and dosage
3. Time to be given
4. Physician's name

Only limited quantities of any medicine are to be kept at school. If the prescribed medicine is to be taken at home and also at school, please ask your pharmacist to put the medication into two containers meeting the above criteria. Any changes in medication usage requires us to have a new Physician’s Instruction Form.

Holy Cross Lutheran School does not have a daily hot lunch program. Pizza is offered on Tuesdays and sub sandwich meals are available on Thursdays. A list of menu items served and the cost will be available during the first week of school. Pizza and sub orders are taken on Mondays during the lunch hour. Milk is available at a nominal cost. We ask that parents pay for milk at registration.

For children from families with exceptional financial needs, there is a free milk program. Application forms are available at the school office.

Holy Cross Lutheran School will respect the rights of custodial and non-custodial parents equally except unless a court order is presented which specifies otherwise. The parent enrolling a student in school shall be considered to be the custodial parent and that parent's residence shall be considered the student's residence for school purposes unless a court order is presented which specifies otherwise.

COURT ORDERS

STUDENT RECORDS AND REPORTS

a. Unless a court order specifies otherwise, both custodial and non-custodial parents have the right to:

1. view the student's school records
2. receive school progress reports, and
3. attend parent/teacher conferences.

b. It is the responsibility of the non-custodial parent to inform the school office of his/her current name, address and telephone number if he/she wishes to be consulted regarding his/her child(ren) or wishes to be placed on the school mailing list.->

VISITATION

A student may be visited at school by, or released from school to, either the custodial or non-custodial parent unless a court order is on file that prohibits such visitation or release.

Individual pictures of each student are taken in the fall of the year. These pictures will be used for the school yearbook.

• Promotion of students to the next grade level requires
• at least 85% daily attendance,
• at least 95% of daily assignments completed to a student’s ability level and
• at least 95% of projects and tests completed to a student’s ability level.
• Graduation requires at least a "D" average for all courses from gr. 4-8.
• Holy Cross Summer School will be required for students who do not meet these minimum standards.
• Homework more than one week late will not be accepted. This policy may be waived for extended student illness.

Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter. Mid-quarter reports for grades 1-8, which show grades under construction, are issued in accordance with the dates listed on the school calendar.

Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children at school events. This supervision can be accomplished by a parent attending the event with their child[ren] or by designating another adult to be responsible for their children. Children who are dropped off unsupervised may be barred from future school events.

School events include- but are not limited to- home and away athletic contests, band and choir concerts, PTO events, and fund-raising events.

Students at Holy Cross Lutheran School will participate in worship services at Holy Cross Lutheran Church by singing as an entire school or as groups of classrooms. All parents are asked to have their students participate in this activity. If you will not be attending a worship service when your child sings please inform the classroom teacher in advance.

Holy Cross Lutheran School administers the WRCT to 3^rd-graders and the Terra Nova to 4^th through 8^th-graders. These tests are used to ensure that our curriculum meets national and state standards for student achievement as well as to measure each student’s progress.

Parents, please do not telephone your child during school hours unless there is an emergency. Use of the school telephone by students will be reserved for extenuating circumstances or emergencies. Students are permitted to use the telephone only after being granted a telephone use pass by a member of the staff.

Students are not permitted to use cell phones during school hours or after school events.

Holy Cross Lutheran School has no student transportation system. Parents are encouraged to get together with families from their own geographic location to form car pools to and from school. If you desire a list of parents who may live close to you, contact the school office.

Tuition and fees are required for all students attending Holy Cross Lutheran School.

Payment plans are offered to those who wish to spread tuition payments over a period of time. The first payment for any payment plan is at registration in mid- August with the remaining payments due according to the schedule on your family’s tuition and fee forms. A 5% discount on the tuition will be given to families paying in full on registration day. All tuition and fees are payable before the end of the current school year.

Promotion records and report cards will not be issued for families with a tuition balance at the end of the school year. Families with balances at the end of the current school year will be required to pay ½ of tuition and fees in advance before re-enrolling their children for the 2005-06 school year.

Current tuition, registration, and book rental fee information is available upon request.

Financial aid is available to qualifying families through our Partners in Christ program. Applications and guidelines for the program can be obtained from our school secretary.

Parents and others are welcome to visit school in session. The faculty welcomes your support and interest. Please extend the school your courtesy by contacting our principal ahead of time so that he might schedule some time to welcome you.

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