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Student Handbook Table of contents ENROLLMENT INFORMATION |
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Admissions It is the aspiration of Holy Trinity Lutheran School to give the benefits of a Christ-centered education to as many children as possible. It is also the sincere desire of the administration and faculty to insure that each student enrolled at HTLS has the opportunity for academic success. Consequently, all applicants are required to participate in the admission process outlined below. In accordance with county and state requirements, a copy of a birth certificate is required as proof of age when enrolling a student in the following grades:
General Admission Process HTLS follows the schedule as outlined below for those
families who are interested in potential enrollment.
Receipt of a completed Application for Admission will result in a child being placed on the waiting list. General scheduled screenings are usually held November through February prior to the pertinent school year. The process is normally complete by the end of February. Screenings later in the year are held by appointment only. Pre-K3 Admission Process
Pre-K4 Admission Process
Kindergarten Admission Process
Grade 1 and Above Admission Process
We strive to meet the needs of every student. However, Holy Trinity Lutheran School reserves the right to accept and/or re-enroll only those students whose needs we determine we can meet without detracting from the education of our general student population. HTLS is not a special needs school. Evaluations by qualified professionals may be required for some of our students at the expense of the parents. Therefore, before any modifications can be made to the curriculum of any Holy Trinity student, a full professional evaluation must be made, submitted to the classroom teacher, and the school principal. Then, if appropriate, a full IEP (Individualized Educational Program) will be set up. Record of Health Requirements All Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, as well as new students to the State of Florida, must submit a Florida Certification of Immunization form (Form DH 680) and Student Health Examinations form (Form DH 3040) as distributed by the Florida Department of Health. The record of immunizations should include DTP, OPV, HIB, MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella. Immunizations are to be updated as required by the State of Florida. Registration Fees (annually) A non-refundable Registration Fee of $300 for each child must
be paid in full no later than Registration in A Books and Consumables Fee will also be collected for each child no later than Registration. (Pre-K4: $200 or Kindergarten - Grade 5: $250). Current annual tuition rates are available at the school office (sister congregation and member rates are also available). Parents may select to pay the tuition in full in order to receive a 5% discount. The school office must receive this payment no later than May 1 or within 10 days of acceptance. Families who register their child but do not enroll him/her may be financially obligated for the vacated position in the class. Release from this obligation can only be granted by the Holy Trinity Lutheran School Board. Parent Partnership Service Hours Policy Parent involvement is of the utmost importance in Christian education. Children learn most effectively when their parents are an integral part of their learning process. HTLS requires 10 service hours per parent/guardian; 20 service hours for a two-parent household. Throughout the school year, numerous opportunities are available in and out of the classroom to fulfill the service hour requirements. Our School Board policy states that compliance with the Parent Partnership is imperative. Any parent/guardian not fulfilling their required hours will be billed at the rate of $15 per hour. All required Service Hour Cards must be completed and turned in to the School office or cash equivalent paid before May I5. Any unpaid amount will be treated the same as unpaid tuition or unpaid Third Source Funding obligations. Third Source Funding HTLS is funded in three ways. First is through the support of our host church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, who provides utilities, use of church buildings, and insurance needed for the facility. Many church members give of their time, talent, and treasure to insure a well-maintained building and to help our students in their academic endeavors. The second source of funding is through tuition and registration fees. These fees insure that our students have the opportunity for a high-quality education by enabling the school to hire and retain an exemplary faculty and support staff as well as provide for books, curriculum, and classroom supplies. The third source of funding for our school comes from various fundraising projects. In order to keep tuition costs as low as possible, it is necessary to find other means of bringing funds into our school. Our School Board approves the annual walkathon and auction. Walkathon The walkathon is held in the fall (usually October) with pledge packets distributed at Registration to allow ample time to gather pledges. Each family will collect pledges totaling a minimum of $250 per child ($350 if there is more than one child enrolled at HTLS). On the day of the walkathon, at least one parent or responsible adult is required to attend with their child; however, all family members are encouraged to participate. Auction The auction is held in the spring (usually February or March). Each family will be required to contribute to the auction a total of $100 per child ($200 if there is more than one child enrolled at HTLS). Contributions include:
Each family is encouraged to attend the auction and offer help. All families sign a Third Source Funding contract and are required to participate as indicated above. If the requirements are not fulfilled, the family will be invoiced for the obligatory financial amount. Be sure to read the Matching Funds section (under Financial Issues) for valuable information on how to increase your donations. Hours of Operation Hours School office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. School begins for Pre-K3 - Grade 5 at 8:15 A.M. Students should arrive at school between 8:00A.M. and 8:15 A.M. and should go directly to their classrooms. If they arrive prior to 8:00 A.M., they MUST go to Morning Care held in the Fellowship Hall. No student is allowed to wait outside the classroom before the teacher's arrival. Students arriving after 8:15 A.M. must be signed in by a parent in the school office and receive a tardy slip. They will not be permitted in the classroom without a tardy slip. See Tardy Policy on page 7. Standard dismissal for Pre-K3 students is 12:00 P.M. for ½ day students and 3:00 P.M. for full day students. Standard dismissal for Pre-K4 and Elementary students is 3:00 P.M. Students are expected to leave the school grounds immediately upon dismissal. Students who are still on the premises fifteen minutes after dismissal will be escorted to Extended Care where they will remain until their rides arrive. Extended Care fees will be implemented accordingly. The exception is ½ day Pre-K students that are not picked-up by 12:15 P.M. These students will be escorted back to the classroom and a drop in fee of $10.00 an hour, minimum one hour, will be billed. Inclement Weather In the event of severe weather (hurricane, tropical storm, flooding, etc.), Holy Trinity will usually be closed if Hillsborough County schools are closed. This information can be obtained by monitoring local radio or television stations, or logging onto www.sdhc.k12.fl.us. Verification of HTLS' closing can be obtained from our voice mail at 839-0665. Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures All arrival and dismissal is done in the Kensington Avenue parking lot unless otherwise indicated. Arrival is from 8:00 A.M. until 8:15 A.M. Dismissal is from end of day and is complete after 15 minutes. School releases at 3:00 P.M. You may NOT get out of your vehicle while in the pick-up line. If you wish to get out of your car for any reason, park along the fence on the SOUTH side of the orange cones. Due to parking limitations, we would appreciate your not using the El Prado Boulevard parking lot unless you are going to the office. USE ONLY THE LINED SPACES. Parking in front of the hedges causes an obstruction for our flag raising held at precisely 8:20 A.M. Your child's safety is our greatest concern. Teachers have been instructed not to release students to any other adult than the parent. If another adult will be picking up your child, you must complete a Pick-up Authorization Form stating your approval. Persons who are unfamiliar to our staff may be required to show identification. (The Pick-up Authorization Form is used for listing those people who can pick-up your child at any time. If you have a person getting your child for a special circumstance, please send in a note to the teacher and/or Extended Care Director, including the date of pick-up.) The principal or teacher shall not release the child to any person other than the child's parent or guardian without the verified authorization of the parent or guardian who has custody of the child. Exceptions to this policy exist for a law enforcement officer or court official, provided that the person's identity and authority are established. Morning Arrival for All Students All vehicles will enter the east gate and form one lane of traffic on the NORTH side of the orange cones. As each vehicle comes to the front of the line, the student will be retrieved from the vehicle by a staff member and escorted to the classroom. All vehicles will exit the parking lot through the west gate. Pre-K3 Dismissal
Elementary School - Pre-K4 - Grade 5 Dismissal Parents must drive into the east gate and create two lanes of traffic on the NORTH side of the orange cones. Students will be escorted to their parents as the vehicle comes to the front of the line. Exiting is done through the west gate. Early Release/Student Sign Out/Visitor Guidelines If a student must leave during the school day for any reason, a parent or authorized person must first sign him/her out in the school office. Office personnel will then retrieve the student from the classroom and bring them to the office for dismissal. ** Parents may not go directly to a classroom during school
hours. ** Attendance Regular attendance is of the utmost importance to the educational development of children and is required of all pupils. If a child misses more than twenty (20) days of school, he/she may be retained in that grade. Vacations, doctor appointments, etc. should not be scheduled during school days. If a medical or dental appointment must be made during the school day, a written excuse must be submitted. If the absence from school exceeds two hours, the child will be marked ½ day absent. Vacations during school days are unexcused absences. Work must be made up within 3 school days upon the student's return. WORK WILL NOT BE GIVEN IN ADVANCE. Parents are to call the office if their child will be absent. (Our telephone recorder is available 24 hours a day for your convenience.) A written excuse must be sent to the teacher when a student returns to school. There are various special functions throughout the school year, which are considered "required" or "mandatory" attendance. EACH child's participation is extremely important to the group as a whole. Failure to attend programs can have an effect on a student's grade. Tardy Policy The school day begins at 8:15 A.M. Students are considered tardy
if they are not seated at their desks by Students who are tardy to school shall report to the school office with their parent indicating the reason for the tardy in the Sign-In/Out book. It will be considered excused if it is for reasons such as medical appointments, severe weather, or other emergency circumstances over which parents and students have no control. Unexcused tardies include oversleeping, and the like. Uniforms HTLS uniforms must be purchased from our approved vendor listed below. (See price list included in the back of this handbook.) Be sure to allow adequate time for fitting and/or ordering of uniform items.
Enforcement Policy Our uniform and dress code policy must be adhered to at all times. If a student violates policy, he/she will either be given a Dress Code Notice slip to inform the parent of the error or the student will be sent to the office and the parent will be called. It will then become the parent's responsibility to correct the Dress Code violation before the student is able to return to class. A Dress Code violation must be signed by the parent and returned to the issuing teacher. Standard and Dress Uniforms It is important to remember that our uniform policy pertains to the entire year. If a student outgrows his/her uniform, the replacement must be purchased either through our approved vendor or through our PTL used recycling program. Please bear in mind that the styles are designed differently for girls and boys and that uniforms are to be gender specific. Our Parent/Teacher League (PTL) offers a uniform recycling program where items can be purchased for $5 each. If you desire to purchase a recycled uniform, please contact a member of the PTL Board or one of the school office staff. Pre-K3 The Uniform: Tiny Tiger T-shirt (purchased through School Office) and navy blue pull up shorts/pants (no buttons, zippers, or belts) purchased from a vendor of choice. Shoes: sneakers purchased from a vendor of choice. Sneakers must be plain black or white with no characters or light ups. (Socks must be worn with sneakers at all times.) Due to the age of the students, it is mandatory that a large zip-lock bag with a full change of clothing, including underwear and socks, be in the students back pack at all times. It is also suggested that a navy or white sweatshirt or sweater be kept in the back pack at all times. Elementary Boys (Pre-K4 - Grade 5) Chapel and Dress Uniform (may be worn on other days as well): Navy blue pants, white Polo-style shirt with HTLS logo, navy blue or black belt, navy blue or black socks, and the school shoe. Pre-K4 and Kindergarten boys are to wear pull-on pants with an elastic waist. Boys in Grades 1 through 5 must wear fitted pants and a belt. Shirts must be tucked in for all grades. This uniform is required with no exceptions. Standard (Daily) Uniform: Navy blue shorts or pants, light blue or white Polo-style shirt with HTLS logo, navy blue or black belt, white, black, or navy blue socks, and the school shoe. Pre-K4 and Kindergarten boys are to wear pull-on shorts or pants with an elastic waist. Boys in Grades 1 through 5 must wear fitted shorts or pants and a belt. Shirts must be tucked in for all grades. Shoes: Black sneaker-style shoe. The Stride Rite or Golden Egg shoes are recommended. If another brand is selected it must conform to the school specifications. Shoes must be all black, to include the logo, and the sole must be scuff free/proof. (No roller shoes, skate shoes, or wheelies.) Elementary Girls (Pre-K4 - Grade 5) All uniforms (jumper, shorts, and skorts) must be no more than 2" above the back of the knee. Chapel and Dress Uniform (may be worn on other days as well): Plaid jumper (no more than 2" above the back of the knee), white Peter Pan blouse, white or navy blue socks, and the school shoe. Navy blue or black shorts must be worn under the jumper. This uniform is required for all girls with no exceptions. Standard (Daily) Uniform: Navy blue or plaid shorts or navy blue skort or navy blue pants, light blue or white Polo-style shirt with HTLS logo, navy blue or black belt, white or navy blue socks, and the school shoe. Pre-K4 and Kindergarten girls should wear pull-on shorts or pants with an elastic waist. Girls in Grades 1 through 5 must wear fitted shorts or pants and a belt. Shirts must be tucked in for all grades. The jumper must be worn with the blouse. (Girls MUST wear navy blue or black shorts under their jumpers for modesty sake. Shorts may not be visible below the jumper's hemline.) Shoes: White sneaker-style or black Mary Jane-style shoe. The Stride Rite or Golden Egg shoes are recommended. If another brand is selected it must conform to the school specifications. Sneakers must be all white, to include the logo, and the sole must be scuff free/proof. (No roller shoes, skate shoes, or wheelies.) Soles must be continuous (no separate heel) with heel height not exceeding 1 inch. Physical Education Uniform All students in Grade 3 and above will be required to change into P.E. clothing before gym class. Three times in an academic quarter without proper P.E. attire will result in an unsatisfactory grade in P.E. Students in Grades 3-5 are required to wear the gray P.E. T-shirt with HTLS logo and navy blue cotton shorts or navy blue mesh-style shorts with logo. Students may wear their school sneakers or may have an optional pair for class. Cold Weather Uniform As the weather cools, students may wear long-sleeved white polos with HTLS logo. Students may wear the uniform sweatshirts and sweatpants with the HTLS logo ONLY from Oct. 15th to March 15th. These are to be purchased from The Golden Egg. The Golden Egg has Polar Tec fleece jackets available for purchase with the HTLS logo. A student may also wear a plain, navy sweater in the classroom that has been purchased elsewhere. Other sweatshirts and jackets may be worn to and from school and at recess, but must/will be taken off as soon as the child is in the classroom. Elementary girls may also wear white or navy tights under the plaid jumper. Keep in mind that if the weather warms throughout the day and the student wants to remove the sweater or HTLS sweatshirt, he/she must have the required school shirt underneath. Spirit Day Clothing The first Friday of every month is a half-day to allow for teacher planning and is designated as Spirit Day. On Spirit Days, students may wear their Spirit Day T-shirt with dark bottoms to include blue jeans, which must be whole, clean and neat or regular school uniform. Any shoe can be worn, with the exception of sandals, clogs, or wheelies. Dress Code Uniforms must be clean and fit appropriately. Items causing distraction within the classroom will be removed at the discretion of the teacher. Parents will be notified to remedy the distraction. Elementary Boys: Hair will be clean and neatly groomed with a cut above the collar. Boys will not wear hats, earrings, or bracelets. Tattoos are not permitted; and, if worn, students will be sent to the office for removal. The only jewelry that may be worn is a wristwatch without a set alarm and a cross/Christian symbol worn appropriately around the neck. Elementary Girls: Hair will be clean and neatly groomed. Hats, other head coverings, nail polish or acrylic nails, or tattoos are not permitted. If worn, students will be sent to the office for removal. The only jewelry that may be worn is a wristwatch without a set alarm, cross/Christian symbol worn appropriately around the neck and post earrings (not hoop or dangle earrings). Make-up may not be worn or brought to school. Chapel and Worship Chapel services are held for all students on Wednesday mornings in the HTLC sanctuary. Little children and older children will have separate chapel experiences three Wednesdays of the month. We will celebrate a united chapel on the first Wednesday of each month. Parents, family members, and friends are welcome to attend. Chapel is part of our religious instruction. Students are required to sit with their respective classes. Parents may join their child as the class enters the sanctuary. The children learn from experience how to conduct themselves in the house of God and take an active part in the services. The message strives to emphasize a practical lesson in Christianity that children can apply to their daily lives. The offerings collected are directed to missions, charitable institutions, or other worthwhile organizations. Children will be taught that Christians view Sunday as the Lord's Day and regular worship in church and Sunday School is desired. This, of course, is the parent's decision. Since you have enrolled your child in a Christian school, we believe that you are concerned with your child's total spiritual well being. The primary method of translating this concern into action is through regular public worship as a family. All School Choir We require that all students participate in All School Choir performances during the year. There are occasions (usually two) when the students display their God-given talents during Holy Trinity church services. This participation can have an effect on a student's grade in music. If your family does not have a church home, you are invited to attend services at Holy Trinity. Worship services are Sundays at 10:30 A.M. Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes are held on Sundays at 9:00 A.M. HTLC also holds special services for holidays and on Wednesdays during Lent (in the spring before Easter) and Advent (in the winter before Christmas). Health Issues Holy Trinity and the Hillsborough County Public Health Department (HCPHD) cooperate in all matters concerning student health. A nurse visits the school to screen/select students in certain grades for hearing, vision, and/or scoliosis issues. Any recommendations toward correction are made to the parents. Illness Regular and punctual attendance is essential for maximum learning benefits. However, for the protection of your child, the staff, and other children, it is imperative that you keep your child at home if he/she has had any of the following conditions in the previous 24 hours: fever, sore throat, excessive coughing, conjunctivitis (pink eye), diarrhea, bleeding, vomiting, rash (unless a doctor's note specifies the rash is not contagious), or head lice (the child must be nit-free to return to school). If your child has been under a physician's care or recently had a contagious ailment, please bring a written doctor's note stating that the child can return to school. The school cannot supervise sick children. Students may be sent to the office to have their temperatures taken orally. In the event your child becomes seriously injured or ill, you or your designated contact person will be notified. Your Emergency Medical Treatment Authorization covers any injury serious enough to require the attention of a doctor. Minor cuts and scratches will be treated at school with soap and a bandage. Medications In order to protect the safety of each person in our school, we are asking that the following procedures be followed whenever it is necessary to administer medication at school. A Medication Administration Authorization from the physician must accompany all medications. A parental consent form will be filled out when the medication is delivered to the school office. Parents will notify the teacher in writing anytime medication is given.
Financial Issues With the exception of tuition and snack fees, all school-related charges will be billed to an account set up in the student's family name. Statements Due to the advance collection of monies for the majority of expenses, most families will have no outstanding balance on their account. Zero balance statements are not printed. With advance notification, statements can also be issued, such as for tax purposes, at the family's request. Twice monthly (usually the 1st and 15th) statements are printed and distributed through the students' backpacks. ALL OUTSTANDING BALANCES ARE CONSIDERED DUE AND PAYABLE IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT. As with the SMART account, if a school account becomes delinquent the School Board will decide if the child's education needs to be suspended until payment is received. Payment Remittance Remittance is to be made by cash or check only. All checks are to be made payable to Holy Trinity Lutheran School or HTLS. Payment should be placed in an envelope marked 'Office" and sent via the child's backpack. On rare occasion, our Parent-Teacher League (PTL) will request payment for special events (not including their dues payable at Registration). Those checks are to be made payable to HTLS PTL and will NOT appear on the monthly school statement. All checks returned for any reason (i.e., insufficient funds) will incur a fee of $15. The second returned check will result in the account becoming a "cash only" account. All remittances will have to be in the form of cash or money order. Payment Arrears: Complete information under Tuition, page 3. Donations All money given to HTLS that is not for school fees or charges is tax deductible as sanctioned by your accountant and the I.R.S. Please retain a copy of your check, as donations do not appear on your school statement. Matching Funds Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a steadfast supporter of Lutheran education. One of their major areas of support for schools is matching funds through a program called GivingPlus. For those who own a financial product from Thrivent, any donation given to a Lutheran school can be matched, 50 cents on the dollar, up to a maximum of $600 per calendar year. A special bonus of $25 is offered for members who volunteer 25 or more hours at the school. Matching funds can be used for any donation to HTLS to include the walkathon and auction. Curriculum Our curriculum is followed closely under our accreditation requirements. Subjects are re-evaluated on a five year rotating basis. Academic > Religion: Worship, Bible study and verse memorization. Library A library is available for use by the students of our school. Books may be checked out for a period of one week and may be renewed for one extra week provided the book is brought back to school. Lost or damaged books will result in a charge of $15 to replace. Computer Lab Philosophy & Rules PHILOSOPHY: It is our responsibility as Christian stewards to use technology to God's glory. To that end, any use of technology which glorifies God is supported and encouraged, while any use of technology that runs contrary to God's plan for our lives is prohibited. RULES: While computer use is an important part of your school day at Holy Trinity Lutheran School, the use of school computers is a privilege and may be revoked temporarily or permanently if the following basic guidelines are not followed.
Internet Guidelines
TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY PREAMBLE: The use of computers during the school day at HTLS is an integral part of a student's education. However, the use of computers is also a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in the temporary or permanent cancellation of those privileges and, potentially, other disciplinary action. Students will be held responsible for their actions and activity while using technology at HTLS. SCHOOL COMPUTER GUIDELINES:
Computer technology is a gift from God to his people. Like any other gift, it is up to us to use the gift wisely to glorify God and advance His Kingdom. Holy Trinity Lutheran School acknowledges the blessings the Lord has bestowed on his church through technology, and we are committed to empowering our students to use this gift in a way that is in keeping with our Christian faith. We pray that God will bless our efforts to enhance our students' educational experience through technology. Sports, Musical/Drama Presentations: Holy Trinity offers interscholastic activities for students in Grade 4 and above that may include sports and/or musical/drama presentations. Sports offerings may include newcomb, basketball, and/or soccer. (Based upon skill level, selected students in Grade 3 may be invited to participate in these events.) These competitive sports sometimes involve tournaments against other Lutheran schools in the central Florida area. Notification of these events will be sent home in advance along with a request for an athletic fee. All participants are required to have a sports physical prior to any tryouts or practice. Students are required to maintain a C/Satisfactory or above grade average to participate in all extra-curricular programs. Field Trips Special trips may be planned by the teachers and will be announced prior to the event. All local trips are approved by the principal (i.e., Tampa Performing Arts, Jan Platt Library, etc.). Trips outside a ten mile radius of the school will also require School Board approval. Students are expected to participate in all field trips as they occur on school days. Parents will be asked to sign a permission slip for the individual field trips as well as submit any fees. Fees are non-refundable because HTLS pays for these events several weeks before the actual field trip. Parents are needed to act as chaperones/drivers for these special occasions. All drivers must have signed the General Authorization Form that includes insurance information before they will be allowed to be a chaperone. Holy Trinity may cover the chaperone's field trip entrance fee so only a pre-approved number of chaperones are included for said event. Extra tickets may or may not be available for parents (non-drivers) who wish to attend. Siblings are not allowed to attend the field trips with the parents. Field Trip Chaperone Agreement CHAPERONES must comply with all HTLS requirements pertaining to the chaperoning of students:
Homework is considered any or all of the following: completing in-class assignments due the next day; completing exercises specifically given as overnight homework; preparation for the next day's class by reading/reviewing assigned pages; studying for tests; and working on short or long-term projects. For Grades 3 and above, "Yellow Slips" will be issued in each subject where homework is incomplete. Three Yellow slips will earn the student a detention. Homework Policy Holy Trinity Lutheran School assigns homework on the basis of a minimum number of minutes per night per grade level as outlined below. These are based on recommendations of the National Parent Teacher Association. Kindergarten: 10 minutes (50 minutes per week) This is a fair assessment of our program, based upon the abilities of the average student. However, everyone should know that those minutes are based on the following assumptions:
Homework Exceptions It is HTLS policy that classroom work that is not completed by the student during the time provided, automatically becomes work to be finished at home. Conflicts: There may be times when unscheduled family activities occur which interfere with homework. When this happens, parents will send in a note requesting that their child be given an extension on homework. Teachers will normally honor such requests as long as this privilege is not abused. If the request concerns a short- or long-term assignment that the student has waited until the last moment to complete, the assignment will be considered late and a reduction in overall grade assessed. Make-up Policy: For every day that a student is absent for sickness, two (2) days will be given to make up work missed (based on an absence of up to one week). The student and/or parent are to make arrangements with the teacher for any tests missed during the absence. The following percentage grade system is used in Grade 3 and above: A = 100% - 95%
The following letter grade system is used in Kindergarten and above: S = Satisfactory Report Cards Grading periods are divided into four quarters and report cards are issued following the end of each quarter. (Pre-K3/4 assessments are issued twice a year.) In addition to the quarterly report cards, midterm reports are sent home once per quarter to inform parents of students' progress. Report cards and mid-term reports should be signed and returned to school. Final report cards will not be released if there are any
outstanding fees due to Assessment Testing In order to provide a measurement of actual academic growth for our students as well as allowing the opportunity to evaluate and update curriculum, testing is done yearly in Kindergarten and up. At the beginning and end of each year, lower grade students are given a Gates-MacGinitie reading test to assess appropriate reading and comprehension levels. In the Spring, the Stanford Achievement Test is given to grades Kindergarten and up. All of these results become part of the student's permanent record. Awards Principal 's List: consists of students in Grade 3 and above who maintain satisfactory levels in all academic and conduct areas and attain all "As" for the quarter. Honor Roll: consists of students in Grade 3 and above who maintain satisfactory levels in all academic and conduct areas and attain all "As" and "Bs" for the quarter. Perfect Worship Attendance: consists of students in Pre-K 4 and above who have perfect attendance at any church or Sunday School. On the students' Friday Folder Forms, which are sent home each week, the parent is to indicate so by circling Church and/or S.S. Discipline Holy Trinity Lutheran School exists to proclaim the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ and to offer a quality education. In order to live the Christian life, we must know the will of God as it applies to our lives. The Law serves to show us our sin and our need for Jesus as our personal Savior. The Law also functions as a curb to behavior that would lead us into sin and away from the Lord. If God's Law is not taught by the staff of HTLS, students cannot grow into a clear understanding of the principles of a Christian life, nor can the teachers effectively teach the principles of other academic necessities. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is taught and lived. We at HTLS, with the help of God, strive to attain a balance of Law and Gospel. The result is effective teaching of the Christian faith and life-style. Our educational program seeks to develop each student's mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual potential. Our goals for students. as they grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, are to...
Our goals for teachers, as they grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, are to...
Guiding Principles for Students All students at HTLS are expected to subscribe to the following principles:
What Conduct is Considered Unacceptable? Unacceptable conduct within our classroom environment is characterized under two categories: behavioral and academic. One deals with the individual student's personality and ability to relate to fellow students. The other deals with the individual student's preparation for and participation in classroom activities. Both are disruptive to our classroom setting and cause a loss of precious time in our teaching schedule. Accordingly, both are dealt with under the same rules. General Unacceptable Conduct:
Specific Unacceptable Conduct:
HTLS shall ensure a safe, orderly environment where disruptive students are disciplined, teachers can teach, and students can learn. In order to aid students in making appropriate decisions and to ensure that the school is safe, HTLS has adopted a Code of Student Conduct. This policy implements the zero tolerance policy of the State Board of Education. Students found to have committed certain offenses on school property, while traveling by school-sponsored transportation, or during a school-sponsored activity shall be brought before the School Board for expulsion or change of placement. These offenses include homicide (murder, manslaughter); sexual battery; armed robbery; aggravated battery; battery or aggravated battery on a teacher or other school personnel; kidnapping or abduction; arson; possession, use or sale of any firearm, weapon or illegal drug; possession, use or sale of any explosive device; or continuous disruptive behavior. The expulsion limit shall not exceed the remainder of the term or school year and one additional year. Any student who brings a weapon to the school campus shall be subject to prosecution. Any instructional or administrative staff member shall be authorized to temporarily detain and question a student under circumstances which reasonably indicate that such student has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a violation of Florida statutes or school board rules. No student shall be temporarily detained longer than is reasonably necessary. Such temporary detention shall not extend beyond the place where it was first affected or the immediate vicinity thereof. An administrative staff member may search the storage space or locker of the temporarily detained student for the purpose of disclosing the presence of suspected stolen or illegal property. The school principal shall place a sign which is clearly visible to students and in a prominent location(s) within the school. The sign shall contain the following text:
Notice to Students
School authorities may
search student lockers or other areas when a Harassment is specifically prohibited by state and federal law, and instances of harassment may result in both civil and criminal liability on the part of the individual harasser as well as the school board. The board will not tolerate harassment activity by any of its students. Harassment occurs when a student subjects another student or a school employee to any verbal, non-verbal, graphic, written or physical conduct which is a reflection on an individual's race, color, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, age or religion while on school property or at a school-sponsored event and which is offensive or objectionable to the recipient. The conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an offensive, intimidating or hostile educational environment or substantially interferes with a student's academic performance. Students who engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of punishment to include verbal or written reprimand, in-school or out-of-school suspension, and/or expulsion. The classroom teacher is the recognized authority within the classroom and is empowered with the authority and responsibility for ensuring that the classroom is safe. The teacher shall take appropriate action to remove a grossly disruptive student from the classroom. Grossly disruptive behavior shall include the following: assault on staff or students; threat(s) or violence; willful disregard of a teacher's directions; malicious vandalism; possession of weapons of any type; continuing use of profane language or obscene gestures; and instigation of violence or mass disobedience to legitimate directions. HTLS shall establish a placement review committee to determine whether a student is to be returned to a teacher's class after that student has been removed by the teacher and the teacher has withheld consent for that student to be returned to the teacher's class.
The early school years are very important to molding the personality and self-esteem of the young child. Because each child is testing his or her own methods of behavior, no definite or absolute set of rules can be set for pre-school discipline. Children will be taught that all children are special to God and so we, in turn, love and respect one another. Teachers will work individually with their class and parents to set guidelines for behavior appropriate for the age level. If a problem arises, the teacher will inform the parents and they will work together on a behavior modification plan, asking the Lord to assist them in all they do. Persistent misbehavior will cause the teacher to bring it to the attention of the principal. The parents will be contacted to come in for a conference with the teacher and principal. Severe misbehavior such as chronic hitting or biting will be reason for a call home and a parent pick-up. Continued misbehavior may result in suspension and/or expulsion from school. Discipline for Grade 3 and Above In order to guarantee your child and all the students in our classrooms the excellent educational climate they deserve, we will tolerate no student stopping us from teaching or any student stopping another from learning. This section provides consequences for students who choose to exhibit inappropriate conduct. Classroom Etiquette Teachers will insist that each student adhere to the following specific classroom rules.
Playground & Recess Etiquette General -No running on sidewalks or in the classrooms and Fellowship
Hall. Climbing Wall -No more than two students on the wall at one time. Parallel Bars -Do not stand on the bars. Triangle Ladder -Go in one direction. Mountain Climber -Go up only. Slides -Go down the slides feet first on your bottom. Failure to follow classroom or playground/recess etiquette rules will result in the following. (Checks are cumulative on a daily basis.) 1st consequence: One check, warning Detention Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Times: Grade 3 and above: 45 minutes Place: Classroom of Supervising Teacher Rules:
Detentions are normally based on five checks in a day for classroom etiquette, three behavioral/academic notification slips during a quarter, or one notification slip for serious breaches of behavioral conduct. An immediate detention can also be given for the following reasons:
Consequences for Repeat Offenses Grade 3 and Above
Suspension Suspensions are issued by the principal upon recommendation of the classroom teacher. The highest grade a student may receive for work completed during a period of suspension is a "C." Based on the quality of the work, the teacher may assign a lesser grade. In-School The student is suspended from attending regular classes and will be expected to work on class assignments in a designated area. The student will be required to complete and earn credit for the work completed while serving an in-school suspension. Also, the student is suspended from all extra-curricular privileges during this time. Out-of-School The student is deprived of all the privileges of attending school for a specified number of days as determined by the principal. The student is required to complete and earn credit for the work completed while serving an out-of-school suspension. All extra-curricular privileges are also suspended. Expulsion Expulsion is the removal of a student from the school by action of the School Board. Parent/Teacher Conferences Conferences are held twice annually usually in October and March. Please make every effort to schedule some one-on-one time with your child's teacher for these important conferences. This is an excellent time for both parent and teacher to discuss a child's progress. If there are concerns at any other time, either the parent or the teacher may initiate a special time for a meeting. Under no circumstances will "impromptu" discussions take place during arrival, dismissal, or the academic day. Please make appointments for all conferences. Parental Concerns Student-related: In keeping with Jesus' admonition in Matthew 18, if a parent has any questions or concerns regarding their child, classroom procedures, or a situation in the classroom, contact the teacher first. The teacher has firsthand knowledge with respect to the child and the class atmosphere. Parents may not disturb the class schedule, an appointment must be made to discuss the issue. Leave a message with the office personnel or send a note to the teacher through the child's backpack. The teacher will return your call when his/her schedule allows. In the event that a parent feels that a problem is not resolved, the principal should be consulted. Policy: Any questions regarding school policies should be directed to the principal. The principal will bring your concerns to the monthly School Board meeting. Parental Interference Students may be expelled as a result of parents or family members causing disruption to the smooth operation of the school or being detrimental to the educational mission of HTLS. Special Needs of Students We strive to meet the needs of every student. However, Holy Trinity Lutheran School reserves the right to accept and/or re-enroll only those students whose needs we determine we can meet without detracting from the education of our general student population. HTLS is not a special needs school. Evaluations by qualified professionals may be required for some of our students at the expense of the parents. Therefore, before any modifications can be made to the curriculum of any Holy Trinity student, a full professional evaluation must be made, submitted to the classroom teacher, and the school principal. If appropriate, a full IEP (Individualized Educational Program) will then be set up. OTHER PROGRAMS AND INFORMATION Extended Care is a service offered to our families for an additional fee and is held in the Fellowship Hall. Morning Care is held from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. Afternoon Care is from dismissal until 6:00 P.M. Extended Care Program fees are on a flat-rate basis and are PAYABLE MONTHLY IN ADVANCE. You should determine your after-school (3:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.) usage as follows:
You must indicate your Extended Care needs before the new month begins on the Extended Program Lunch Order form and include pertinent payment. If you do not submit the form by the designated date, your account will be charged the same rate as the previous month. Any changes made after the deadline will incur a pro-rated amount for Extended Care. If the amount due is not paid by the 5th of the month, your child will not be allowed in Extended Care. Parents may select to pay their Extended Care for the entire year in order to receive a 5% discount. This will only apply to those who are able to select their usage for the entire year - no utilization changes can be made. The school office must receive this payment no later than Registration to be eligible for the discount. Guidelines for Parents A parent or authorized person MUST sign a student in or out on the appropriate sheet. There are two major reasons for this: liability and accounting. HTLS is responsible for every child in our care. Signing them out transfers the accountability to the parent. Secondly, all invoicing is done from the sign-out sheet. Having the parent's initials on the form alleviates any confusion as to when the student has left our care. HTLS offers many extra-curricular activities here on campus as a convenience to our families. If a student uses Extended Care before or after the activity, applicable charges will be charged unless you have paid for part- or full-time care. Schedule for Extended Care After check-in immediately after dismissal, a snack will be provided to all students. Homework time begins at 3:20 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. for those students who have homework. All students will go outside at 4:00 P.M. for unstructured playtime for approximately 45 minutes, weather permitting. Rules for Extended Care All Holy Trinity rules apply including the Discipline Policy and
Procedures. Other rules specifically for
Disciplinary Action in Extended Care
Fees for Extended Care Registration Fee: $40 per child (once annually) Full-time Part-time Drop-in 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M. $ 25.00/month n/a $ 2.00/day After 6:00 P.M. pick-up rates will be incurred at a rate of $1.00 per minute for the first 15 minutes and $5.00 per minute thereafter. Drop-in usage can be paid at the time of pickup or will be billed to your HTLS account. (Your account must stay current.) Drop-ins may use Extended Care three (3) times before being billed the Registration Fee. All After Care fees include a snack. We will NOT provide Extended Care on the holidays as indicated on the School Calendar. All HTLS rules and disciplinary action regarding behavior and Telephone Usage Except for emergencies, students will not be permitted to place or receive calls on school phones or cell phones. Arrangements for transportation, school activities, gym clothes, lunch, etc., should be made prior to coming to school. If you have a message for your child, a teacher, or the Principal, please call the office personnel. If a student is caught using a cell phone while on campus, the cell phone will be confiscated and the matter brought to the School Board for appropriate disciplinary action. Class Parties There are occasions when parties can be planned for the students. In order to incorporate it successfully into the daily schedule it is imperative that all planning is done IN ADVANCE with the teacher. Holidays and Special Occasions Class parties may be held on the following holidays: Halloween/Oktoberfest, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. The Room Representative is responsible for coordinating the details with the teacher. Student Birthdays Student's birthdays can be recognized with a special treat. However, there will be no in-class parties in celebration of the birthday. If a child has a summer birthday, a "half' birthday can be celebrated. HTLS will not accept deliveries, of any kind (i.e.: flowers) for a student. HTLS will not send home gift bags or the like to students in the class. If a birthday party is being planned for a day outside of school, invitations or thank you notes may be delivered through the children's backpacks ONLY if the entire class is included. If not, please mail invitations to the children's homes. Parent Teacher League (PTL) All parents and/or guardians of students are automatically members of our PTL. The PTL charges dues of $40 per family per year that include some functions as outlined in their welcome letter. This organization helps parents and teachers to become better acquainted and to grow in their knowledge of children and educational topics. We encourage every family to support their activities so that our PTL may do a better job of promoting its goal. The PTL executive committee provides detailed information regarding programs and projects for the school year. Make this a productive year by faithfully participating in the planned events. Listed below are areas for volunteer opportunities. Please reference the school calendar in this handbook for event dates. Holy Trinity Lutheran School has many opportunities for which parents can volunteer. Each of these events or positions contributes to the successful operation of our school and offers the chance to get to know one another as we work together. Please consider the following list and indicate your areas of interest on the Volunteer Checklist form. The committee chairperson for each event will contact you as the event approaches. Your time, no matter how small or great, is a valuable asset to your children and our school. Third Source Funding Our two events held for the purpose of Third Source Funding are great undertakings as they encompass the entire school and all parents. These committees will work directly under the guidance of the principal. Walkathon Our annual walkathon is normally held at Jules Verne/Ballast Point Park in South Tampa with the walk on Bayshore Boulevard. Food and water are provided. Auction Many volunteers are needed for our largest event. Various sub-committees are needed for securing donations, decorations, auction book, administrative work, etc. Meetings are held throughout the school year. Administrative/School Support Volunteers in this area will work directly with the principal or administrative assistant. Many tasks can be done off-site with flexible hours. Substitutes We occasionally need substitutes for teachers or other staff members. No degree is required. Thanksgiving Feast One of our biggest events! The staff and students prepare a full Thanksgiving dinner for the parents, grandparents, and seniors of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Each class prepares a dish and decorations. Grandparent Newsletter Each month our Tiger Times newsletter is mailed to the students' grandparents. Advertising We like to keep the school's name in the local newspapers and other advertising. Office Areas such as counting Chapel offerings; office tasks such as
folding bulletins, mailings. Help maintain the computers in the classrooms and lab and/or input documents and other projects. Library Work in our Library; check books and organize, under the direction of the Librarian. Extended Care Assistance Help supervise children in the after school care program, under the direction of the Extended Care Director. Coaching Be the coach or assistant coach of selected school sport activities (i.e., basketball, soccer). Work with the Principal to field a team in various tournaments. Video In the past, we have provided taped school events for our families to purchase in VHS or DVD format. Photo Assistant Someone to assist the contracted photographer on picture days. Helping with orders, seating, retrieving students from their classes, etc. Yearbook The design and compilation of our school's yearbook. Special Projects Do you have a special talent? Areas can include art, sewing, woodworking, gardening, and more. Public Relations Person to work with the School Board to strategize on ways to better publicize our wonderful school. Room Representative One parent in each grade to act as liaison with the teacher for parties, etc. Rep should attend monthly PTL Board meetings and auction meetings. The staff will choose from the list of volunteers. Parent/Teacher League Support Volunteers in this area will work under the direction of the PTL Board Members and principal. Boo Hoo Breakfast Held at the beginning of the school year to enable parents to meet each other. Volunteers should be parents from Grades Pre-K and up. Book Fairs (Fall and Spring) Fall one held the evening of Parent Night. This Book Fair raises funds for capital improvements for HTLS. Spring one held to raise funds for capital improvements for HTLS and to provide books for Summer Reading Lists. Santa Shop The kids get to shop and purchase gifts for loved ones. Christmas Program The students' annual Christmas play; refreshments are served afterward. Parent Luncheons Parents get to have lunch with their kids. Volunteers should be parents from Grades Pre-K and up. Easter Egg Hunt Purchase candy, fill eggs, and hide eggs for the hunt. Closing Service Our year-end service to close out the school year. Refreshments served afterward. School Picnic Our annual picnic is usually held on our playground. Uniform Recycling As used uniforms are donated, committee will repair and wash them for resale and place them into separate bins. Uniforms are available throughout the year for parents to shop and save.mily Night Coordinator Person needed to organize and coordinate a night each month for a family night at a local restaurant. Library Book Dedication Person to assist with dedications of books bought in the school office, in memory of a student's birthday or other special event. Teacher Appreciation Week Held in May, the committee will organize special events and
gifts to honor the teachers and staff. |
NSLA & FLGA-LCMS Accredited