Thank You for Your Alumni Donations
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL |
| Parent-Student Handbook and Family Directory 2008-2009 |
C. ACADEMICS AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Curriculum Offerings: The pastor and principal of the elementary school are responsible for providing the curriculum adopted by the Department of
Catholic Schools. This basic curriculum prescribed for all elementary schools, beginning in kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade, includes
the following areas:
The offering of additional instructional programs and services is dependent on the available resources and needs of the school.
Religion Program and Expectations: Good Shepherd School is a Catholic school and thus considers religion and Catholic values and attitudes an
important part of the school and all its activities. Each class has a daily religion lesson and the school day begins with a morning assembly including
prayer. Prayer permeates the school day. Once a month the entire school attends Mass as a school community. Students in Grade 2 prepare for the
sacraments of reconciliation and communion.
Graduation Requirements: Eighth graders must satisfactorily complete the prescribed course of study for elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles. At the end of the year, students participate in a simple, dignified graduation ceremony. Graduation exercises may not take place earlier than a
week preceding the last day of the school year.
Academic Probation: Good Shepherd School requires that students maintain a cumulative and semester "C” average (2.0 GPA.). A student who falls
below this standard after a progress report or report card receives academic probation status for the following grading period. Notification of academic
probation will be noted on the report card or progress report. Academic Probation restricts the student’s participation in extracurricular activities (Student
Council, sports, etc.). If after the probationary time period, the average has improved, the student will regain academic standing. A student who in June
has a CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE BELOW 2.0 will be asked to register at another school.
Testing and Assessment: Assessment of student learning is a critical component of the educational program, it is ongoing and multi-faceted. To help all
students achieve high standards and become self-directed, responsible and faith filled individuals, Good Shepherd School assesses student learning
with standardized and curriculum based forms of assessment. All new students are given an assessment test before acceptance into Good Shepherd
School. The principal meets with the parents and shares the results of the assessment. In October, students in Grades 1 – 8 take the Iowa Test of Basic
Skills (ITBS). The results of these tests are sent to the school in November and shared with the parents at the scheduled November Parent Conferences.
Teachers use the results of these tests to identify their students’ academic strengths and weaknesses and to plan appropriate instruction and improve
student learning. Students in grades 5 and 8 take the ACRE (Assessment of Catholic Religious Education) tests annually in January. This test is designed
to assess the religious knowledge and outcomes of the school’s religion program.
Homework: Students are required to record their daily homework assignments in an approved assignment book. Homework serves a valid purpose
when it:
The Archdiocesan daily time allotments for homework are as follows:
Gradelink: Parents and students are able to keep up with their grades and progress through an online program called Gradelink. If a parent has a
concern about his/her child's progress, a conference with the teacher should be scheduled.
Progress Reports: Progress Reports will be sent home on a weekly basis. Parents need to sign and return the report to the classroom teacher the
following day. If a parent has a concern about his or her child’s progress, a conference with the teacher should be scheduled.
Report Cards: Students in Grades 1-8 receive report cards four times during the year, usually within the week that follows the end of each quarter.
Kindergarten students receive a progress report twice a year.
Conferences: School-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences are held at the end of the first quarter and in the spring if necessary. Eighth grade students
are required to attend the first quarter conference. If a parent wishes a conference at any other time during the school year, an appointment should be
made by calling the school office during school hours or by sending a note to the teacher. Any note sent to or from a teacher should be in a sealed
envelope.
Curriculum Offerings: The pastor and principal of the elementary school are responsible for providing the curriculum adopted by the Department of
Catholic Schools. This basic curriculum prescribed for all elementary schools, beginning in kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade, includes
the following areas:
The offering of additional instructional programs and services is dependent on the available resources and needs of the school.
Religion Program and Expectations: Good Shepherd School is a Catholic school and thus considers religion and Catholic values and attitudes an
important part of the school and all its activities. Each class has a daily religion lesson and the school day begins with a morning assembly including
prayer. Prayer permeates the school day. Once a month the entire school attends Mass as a school community. Students in Grade 2 prepare for the
sacraments of reconciliation and communion.
Graduation Requirements: Eighth graders must satisfactorily complete the prescribed course of study for elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles. At the end of the year, students participate in a simple, dignified graduation ceremony. Graduation exercises may not take place earlier than a
week preceding the last day of the school year.
Academic Probation: Good Shepherd School requires that students maintain a cumulative and semester "C” average (2.0 GPA.). A student who falls
below this standard after a progress report or report card receives academic probation status for the following grading period. Notification of academic
probation will be noted on the report card or progress report. Academic Probation restricts the student’s participation in extracurricular activities (Student
Council, sports, etc.). If after the probationary time period, the average has improved, the student will regain academic standing. A student who in June
has a CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE BELOW 2.0 will be asked to register at another school.
Testing and Assessment: Assessment of student learning is a critical component of the educational program, it is ongoing and multi-faceted. To help all
students achieve high standards and become self-directed, responsible and faith filled individuals, Good Shepherd School assesses student learning
with standardized and curriculum based forms of assessment. All new students are given an assessment test before acceptance into Good Shepherd
School. The principal meets with the parents and shares the results of the assessment. In October, students in Grades 1 – 8 take the Iowa Test of Basic
Skills (ITBS). The results of these tests are sent to the school in November and shared with the parents at the scheduled November Parent Conferences.
Teachers use the results of these tests to identify their students’ academic strengths and weaknesses and to plan appropriate instruction and improve
student learning. Students in grades 5 and 8 take the ACRE (Assessment of Catholic Religious Education) tests annually in January. This test is designed
to assess the religious knowledge and outcomes of the school’s religion program.
Homework: Students are required to record their daily homework assignments in an approved assignment book. Homework serves a valid purpose
when it:
- provides essential practice in needed skills
- trains pupils in good work habits
- affords opportunities for increasing self-direction
- enriches and expands school experience
- helps children learn to budget time
- promotes growth in responsibility and organizational skills
The Archdiocesan daily time allotments for homework are as follows:
- Grades K-2: Optional; not to exceed one-half hour
- Grades 3-5: Not to exceed one hour
- Grades 6-8: Not to exceed two hours
- Occasional weekend assignments
Gradelink: Parents and students are able to keep up with their grades and progress through an online program called Gradelink. If a parent has a
concern about his/her child's progress, a conference with the teacher should be scheduled.
Progress Reports: Progress Reports will be sent home on a weekly basis. Parents need to sign and return the report to the classroom teacher the
following day. If a parent has a concern about his or her child’s progress, a conference with the teacher should be scheduled.
Report Cards: Students in Grades 1-8 receive report cards four times during the year, usually within the week that follows the end of each quarter.
Kindergarten students receive a progress report twice a year.
Conferences: School-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences are held at the end of the first quarter and in the spring if necessary. Eighth grade students
are required to attend the first quarter conference. If a parent wishes a conference at any other time during the school year, an appointment should be
made by calling the school office during school hours or by sending a note to the teacher. Any note sent to or from a teacher should be in a sealed
envelope.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |