September Meeting and Introductions
Your child's teacher will communicate the classroom schedule of events and classroom expectations at the mandatory parent meeting held in early September. Parent attendance at this early September meeting is mandatory as it outlines school and classroom procedures and goals for the year.
School Records Policy
The Archdiocese of Chicago, Office of Catholic Education has adopted a policy known as Guidelines for School Records. A copy of the full text of the Guidelines is available in the school office. These rules describe parental rights to their child's records maintained by the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese. These rights include:
Inspect
Parents/guardians have the right to look at all of their child's records in the official school file. In order to do so, a written request must be submitted to the school office twenty-four (24) hours in advance.
Right to prevent disclosures
The school will not disclose anything to a third party from a student's records unless:
- Parent/Guardian consents in writing prior to disclosure.
- The information is directory information which will be kept confidential.
- The request for information meets one of the limited circumstances described in the Guidelines.
Right to request a correction
Parents/guardians have the right to present evidence that the school should amend any part of the child's records which they believe to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of a student's rights. If the school decides not to change the records, parents may insert an explanation therein.
Non-custodial Parent
In cases of separation or divorce, the School assumes that both parents, custodial and non-custodial, have equal access to their children and records pertaining to their children. If a special situation exists, this information must be in writing and on file at the school office, and with the child's teacher.
Saint Andrew School abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, a school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and to other school related information regarding the child. If there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order.
Wednesday Folders
The principal publishes a regular Parent/Guardian Memo to make announcements, share good news and congratulations, inform parents/guardians of special events, make changes in the school calendar, and to address issues of concern to parents/guardians. The memo is sent home on most Wednesdays in a large white envelope with the youngest or only child in a family. The Parent Memo can also be found on line at www.saintandrewchicago.com. The envelope must be signed each week and returned to school on Thursday.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Mandatory Parent-Teacher conferences for Grades K-8 are scheduled for every student's parent/guardian during the first marking period of the school year. The exact date will be announced. Throughout the year, conferences may be held as necessary to discuss a student's academic progress or behavior. Please contact the school office or your child's teacher to arrange a date and time. If a problem or difference of opinion arises between a student's parent and teacher, the matter should be discussed in a parent-teacher conference. A second meeting with the student, parent, and teacher is usually recommended to discuss the resolution of the problem. The principal/assistant principal is available for mediation only after the previous conferences have proven unsatisfactory. Neither the parish priests, nor the Saint Andrew School Board are grievance committees.
Class Lists and Teacher Contact
Confidential class lists with family names and contact information are given to teachers. No contact information is shared without prior consent. When necessary, teachers may contact parents/guardians at home to discuss concerns. To speak to a teacher during school hours, please call the school office to leave a voice message. The teacher will contact you at his/her earliest opportunity. Outside of school hours, press 1 for the school’s voice message system, then dial the teacher’s 3-digit code to leave a voice message. You may also contact the teacher through e-mail. Contact information for faculty is available on the website at www.saintandrewchicago.com.
Use of School Phone
Phone calls will be allowed in an emergency situation only and at the discretion of the classroom teacher.