STUDENT HANDBOOK 2014-2015

Saint Ambrose School

www.StAmbroseLatham.org
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A*m!%!strat!+e Ass!sta%t
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Latham0 N1 12110
$ho%e2 513--35-445,
5a62 513--35-3,-0
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1
!ss!o% Stateme%t
St. Ambrose School is committed to pairing the
Roman Catholic tradition with academic excellence.
We teach respect, self-discipline, empathy and
civility in a safe, nrtring environment throgh
active partnerships with or families. We empower
yor child to embrace the collegiate, family and
global opportnities of the twenty-first centry.
A*m!ss!o% $o'!"!es
St. Ambrose School does not discriminate on the
basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, age !in
accordance with the law", and disability, if, with
reasonable accommodations on the part of the
school, the stdent#s needs can be met.
/e'!g!o.s E*."at!o%
Saint Ambrose School is a Catholic school and is
open to children of all faiths. Althogh some
stdents may not follow the teachings and practices
of the Catholic Chrch, it is re$ired that all stdents
participate in the religios edcation and programs
at the school.
Atte%*a%"e a%* Abse%"e 5rom S"hoo'
%r school doors will open at &'1( a.m. )arents and
gardians mst remain with and spervise their
children ntil the time when school spervision
begins at &'1( a.m.
*he school day begins at +'1( a.m. Stdents mst be
in their classrooms by that time, or they are
considered tardy. ,aily prayer begins at +'-( a.m.
89 a st.*e%t !s %ot ab'e to atte%* s"hoo'0 the
&are%t m.st "a'' the s"hoo' o99!"e be9ore :200 a.m.
)arents are encoraged to schedle vacations dring
extended wee.ends throghot the school year.
/edical appointments shold be made, when
possible, when school is not in session.
)lease remember that to receive a $arterly )erfect
Attendance Award, a stdent may not be absent from
school for any reason.
8t !s re;.!re* b) New 1or< State Law that
st.*e%ts ret.r%!%g to s"hoo' a9ter a%) abse%"e
m.st &rese%t a wr!tte% e6".se s!g%e* b) the
&are%t or 'ega' g.ar*!a%. These %otes='etters w!''
be reta!%e* !% the o99!"e 9or o%e )ear.
$are%ts o9 st.*e%ts who are abse%t or 'ate more
tha% 20 t!mes !% a s"hoo' )ear m.st meet w!th the
a*m!%!strat!o% be9ore re-reg!ster!%g 9or the %e6t
s"hoo' )ear.
Arr!+a' a%* D!sm!ssa'
At arrival time, stdents being dropped off by car are
to se the so.th par.ing lot near the circlar drive.
The "!r".'ar *r!+e !s "'ose* to a'' tra99!" >e6"e&t
s"hoo' b.sses? 9rom -215 am @ 4200 &m. )lease
abide by the signs posted in the circlar drive. 0o
par.ing is permitted in the circlar drive. $are%ts
*ro&&!%g o99 the!r "h!'*re% *.r!%g th!s t!me m.st
&ar< !% the 'ot a%* wa'< them to the s"hoo'
e%tra%"e *oors.
ANEB 9or 2014-2015 All stdents will be dismissed
at 1'2( p.m. Stdents who are wal.ers or riders will
be dismissed at the So.th exit school doors. )lease
se the par.ing lot by the circlar drive. Do %ot
&ar< !% the "!r"'e.
3s riders will board the school bses in 0orth
par.ing lot near the playgrond.
Stdents who are normally bs riders and who need
to be dismissed !on a particlar day" with the
wal.ers and riders UST have a parent written note
re$esting this change. Stdents withot a parent
written note will be pt on the school bs as sal.
S"hoo' (a%"e''at!o%0 Emerge%"!es a%* De'a)s
4or snow or other emergencies, notification will be
made to all local *5 stations. )arents also have the
option of signing p for School Reach, which is an
atomated emergency notification system contacting
via phone and email. 6f 0orth Colonie School
,istrict is annonced as closed or delayed, St.
Ambrose School also will be closed or delayed. 4or
example, a one hor delay means school will start at
7'1( a.m. A two hor delay means school will start at
1-'1( a.m. ,o not bring yor child to school earlier
when school is delayed. *here is no morning care
spervision. 3e advised that St. Ambrose School
has the option of closing or delaying school
independent of 0orth Colonie#s decision.
#ra*!%g a%* Homewor< $o'!"!es
8rades will be determined by a stdent#s class wor.,
homewor., participation, pro9ects, test and $i:
grades. *he final grade at the end of the year will be
determined by averaging the for $arterly grades.
1
Late or !sse* Ass!g%me%ts
;nless a stdent is absent from school, all
assignments mst be trned in on time. <ere is the
school policy on late and missed assignments'
1 *a) 'ate- h!ghest gra*e &oss!b'e !s :0C
2 *a)s 'ate- h!ghest gra*e &oss!b'e !s 30C
, *a)s 'ate-h!ghest gra*e &oss!b'e !s 45C
Assignments will not be accepted when they are
more than three days late. St.*e%ts are %e+er
e6".se* 9rom ass!g%me%ts or e6ams *.e to
abse%"es 9rom s"hoo'. When a stdent is absent
de to illness, a parent may call the school office
be9ore 10200 a.m. to arrange to pic. p homewor.
assignments at the school office between 1'---='--
p.m.
/e&ort (ar*s a%* $rogress /e&orts
*he Schools of the ,iocese of Albany will
implement a new report card template beginning in
the 1-12-1-1( academic year.
All stdents in )re >2 throgh 8rade + will receive
$arterly report cards.Stdents in )re>,
>indergarten and grades 1 and 1 will receive
standards based report which ses a specified rbric
not grades. Stdents in grades =-+ receive nmerical
grades in all sb9ects. &-? and above is considered a
passing grade.
$are%ts o9 st.*e%ts !% gra*es 1-3 w!'' re"e!+e a
$ower S"hoo' 9or $are%ts .ser%ame a%*
&asswor* to "he"< the!r "h!'*re%Ds &rogress
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Ho%or Awar*s
H!gh Ho%or /o'' >#ra*es 5-3 o%')? will be
awarded to 9nior high stdents whose average on
the report card is 72? or higher with no grade on the
report card being less than 71?. 6n addition, all
condct, stdy, s.ills, and effort grades mst be
6mproving, 8ood, or @xcellent. Stdents who
receive more than ( nexcsed tardies or absences a
$arter, or have been sspended dring the $arter
cannot be on the <igh <onor Roll.
Ho%or /o'' will be awarded to stdents in grades 1-
+ whose average on the report card is 7-? or higher
with no grade on the report card being less than
7-?.
6n addition, all condct, stdy, s.ills, and effort
grades mst be 6mproving, 8ood, or @xcellent.
Stdents who receive more than ( nexcsed tardies
a $arter or have been sspended dring the $arter
cannot be on the honor roll.

er!t /o'' will be given to those stdents who
receive an @xcellent, 8ood, or 6mproving mar. in
condct, stdy, s.ills and effort. Stdents who
receive more than ( nexcsed tardies a $arter or
have been sspended dring the $arter cannot be on
the merit roll.
$er9e"t Atte%*a%"e Awar*
*o receive a perfect attendance award each $arter, a
stdent cannot be absent for any reason.
#ra*.at!o%
4or an +
th
grade stdent to gradate from St.
Ambrose School, the following conditions mst be
met'
1. All tition, fees, and fndraising money mst be
paid in fll.
1. An +
th
grade stdent who fails one or two ma9or
sb9ects may attend gradation ceremonies bt
will not receive a diploma, bt instead a
certificate of attendance.
=. 0o stdent may gradate who has failed more
than two ma9or sb9ects.
>aEor s.bEe"ts are rea*!%g0 math0 E%g'!sh0
s"!e%"e a%* so"!a' st.*!es.?
$romot!o% a%* /ete%t!o% $o'!")
*he minimm passing grade for St. Ambrose School
is &-? or A,.B
*he following indicates the specific failres by
grade level that might reslt in retention at that grade
level'
8rade >- evidence of developmental
immatrity and lac. of readiness s.ills.
8rade 1- @vidence of developmental
immatrity and failre in reading or math.
8rade 1- failre in reading or math
8rade =-+- failres in reading and math, O/
failres in reading or math and failres of
two of the following sb9ects' science, social
stdies, and langage arts.
6f a stdent has been recommended for retention by
both the teacher and principal, the parent has the
option of following the recommendation or
transferring to another school.
T.!t!o% /ates 9or 201,-2014
*he following is the cost of tition'
)re->indergarten' CD1--
>indergarten' C(2--
8rades 1-+' C2&(-
*ition rates are redced when there are
mltiple children attending the school in
grades >-+
5!%a%"!a' A!* 9orms are *.e b) A&r!' 15.

=
$a)me%t o9 T.!t!o%
*ition payments are made atomatically from either
yor chec.ing or savings accont on the (
th
or 1-
th
of
each month from Agst !or Ely" ntil /ay. Since
payments are atomatic, yo don#t have to
remember to write and mail chec.s every month and
yor payments are never missed.
8t !s +er) !m&orta%t that the 9.%*s are a+a!'ab'e
!% )o.r a""o.%t or )o. w!'' be "harge* a F25.00
m!sse* &a)me%t 9ee 9rom the t.!t!o% ma%ageme%t
"om&a%). 1o.r ba%<!%g !%st!t.t!o% ma) a'so
"harge )o. a% a**!t!o%a' !%s.99!"!e%t 9.%*s 9ee.
$'ease %ot!9) the &r!%"!&a' &erso%a'') or *!re"t')
b) &ho%e at 'east - *a)s !% a*+a%"e !9 )o. <%ow
that the 9.%*s 9or t.!t!o% w!'' %ot be !% )o.r
a""o.%t.
%tstanding school tition andFor after school
program tition of two months will reslt in the
stdent not being allowed to attend school. Also,
stdents may not participate in extracrriclar
activities or attend class trips if tition is otstanding
andFor fnd raising money is owed.
Reports cards and stdent records will be withheld
ntil all tition, after school program tition, and
fees are paid in fll.
8radating stdents may not participate in
gradation ceremonies ntil all tition and fees have
been paid in fll.
e*!"at!o%s
All medication mst be registered in the nrse#s
office. 0o self-medication is allowed at school. *he
nrse mst have a written re$est on file from the
family physician that incldes the following
information'
1. condition being treated
1. regimen of treatment recommended
=. fre$ency and dosage
2. effects and side effects
(. stdent#s physical limitations
*he school nrse mst have on file the parent#s
written re$est to administer the medication
prescribed by the physician. )arents mst notify the
school nrse immediately of any changes in stats of
a treatment.
6f yor child has a 4%%, or 3@@ S*608 allergy'
0otify the school and health office
immediately. !verbally first and in writing".
3ring in a note from yor doctor giving
permission to administer medication if
needed.
6f yor child becomes ill'
0otify the school, especially if yor child
has any type of commnicable illness.
>eep yor child at home ntil heFshe is fever
free for at least 12 hors.
Stdents whose temperatre reaches 1-- degrees or
higher or begins vomiting mst be pic.ed-p and
ta.en home where they mst remain for at least 12
hors.
@very stdent mst have all immni:ations p to
date prior to entering school in September.
All stdents entering .indergarten, 1
nd
, 2
th
, or &
th

grades, as well as any stdent who is new to the
school district, mst have a physical exam before
entering school in September. An examination
administered not more than twelve months prior to
the beginning of the school year in which the
examination is re$ired, will be accepted.
Stdents who have not had their physical exams
before the start of the school year, will be schedled
for an exam by the district#s school physician.
S"hoo' U%!9orm $o'!")
%n school days, stdents are re$ired to wear their
complete school niform while in school and on
school property.
6f a stdent is nable to follow the school niform
policy set forth, a note of explanation mst be
written by the parent and given to both the principal
and the stdent#s teacher. 6f this occrs, stdents
mst still be sent to school in Adress-pB attire.
Eeans, shorts, snea.ers, and t-shirts are not
considered Adress-pB attire.
St.*e%ts who are %ot !% "orre"t .%!9orm att!re
w!'' %ot be &erm!tte* to atte%* "'asses0 a%* the!r
&are%ts w!'' be "a''e* to br!%g to s"hoo' the!r
"orre"t att!re.
Stdents are never permitted to wear
sweatshirts, hoodies, or other types of
9ac.ets over the reglar school niform
dring the school day.
Snea.ers are to be worn only on physical
edcation days or dress down days
2
Stdents are not permitted to change ot of
their school niforms at dismissal time
nless they are involved in an after school
activity re$iring them to wear another
niform.
<ats, bandannas, and other headwear are not
to be worn while in school.
8irls may wear one earring in each ear !not
dangling or large hoop type". 0o other body
piercing is permitted.
3oys may not wear earrings or have any
other type of body piercing.
/a.e-p at any age is not permitted.
)ants mst be at waist level and be held p
with a belt.
S.ortFs.irt length is to the .nee.
Shirts are to be tc.ed in.
Dress Dow% Da)s
Stdents are to dress appropriately. 0o tight
pants or tops !sleeveless tan.s or spaghetti
straps", torn 9eans or short-shorts are to be worn.
6n addition, flannel pants, pa9amas, and flip-flop
type footwear are not permitted. )arents will be
called to bring appropriate clothing to school for
their children when deemed necessary by the
administration.
S"hoo' U%!9orm
8irls->-+
White polo shirt with embroidered logo
0avy s.ort or navy twill pants worn with belt
,ress Shoes !0o ;ggs, boots, flip flops"
5-0ec. Cardinal Red Sweater with logo
0avy 3le >nee Soc.s or 0avy 3le *ights
3oys->-+
White polo shirt with embroidered logo
0avy 3le )ants worn with belt
,ress Shoes !no boots or flipflops"
5-0ec. Cardinal Red Sweater
3lac. or 0avy 3le Soc.s
Gight 3le )olo Shirt !optional for the months of
September, /ay, and Ene"
)re> Stdents
Special logo tee shirts in Royal, A$a or Raspberry
0avy logo sweatpants or navy leggings for girls only
Snea.ers or soft- soled shoes
)hysical @dcation ;niform-All 8rades
8ray or Carolina 3le *-Shirt !wF St. Ambrose
Gogo"
0avy 3le Sweatpants !wF St. Ambrose Gogo"
0avy 3le Sweatshirt optional
0avy 3le 8ym Shorts !wF St. Ambrose Gogo
optional for the months of September, /ay, and
Ene"
Snea.ers
St.*e%t (o%*."t a%* D!s"!&'!%e $ro"e*.res
A St. Ambrose stdent is a St. Ambrose stdent at all
times. A stdent who engages in condct, whether
inside or otside the school bilding, and which is
detrimental to the reptation of St. Ambrose School,
will be disciplined by school officials.
B.'')!%g a%* Harassme%t2 A stdent is being
bllied whenever he or she is exposed
repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the
part of one or more stdents. St. Ambrose School
provides a safe environment for all. 5erbal or written
threats made against the physical or emotional well
being of any individal are ta.en seriosly. Stdents
ma.ing sch threats even in 9est face appropriate
disciplinary action inclding sspension or
explsion. 6f yo believe that yor child is being
harassed or bllied, please notify the principal
immediately.
%r rles against bllying are as follows'
We will try to help stdents who are
bllied.
We will inclde stdents who are easily
left ot.
When we .now somebody is being bllied,
we will tell an adlt
*hese types of bllying behaviors will not be
allowed to occr at Ambrose School'
$h)s!"a'2 h!tt!%g0 <!"<!%g0 sho+!%g0
s&!tt!%g0 &'a) 9!ght!%g0 ro.gh &'a)0 or gett!%g
a%other &erso% to assa.'t someo%e.
Gerba'2 ta.%t!%g0 threate%!%g0 teas!%g0
*egra*!%g ra"!a' or se6.a' "omme%ts0 or
s&rea*!%g r.mors.
No%-+erba'2 wr!tte%0 obs"e%e gest.res0
*e'!berate e6"'.s!o% 9rom a gro.& or a"t!+!t)0 or
")ber-b.'')!%g.
*hese types of behaviors will be viewed as serios
and may reslt in a sspension of p to three days,
mandatory conseling, or explsion.
$ro&ert) Damage2 Stdents are not to deface, mar.,
or otherwise damage or destroy any type of school
property. @ach incident may reslt in a sspension
p to = days and possible criminal prosection. The
(
st.*e%t w!'' a'so ha+e to ma<e rest!t.t!o% 9or the
*e9a"e* &ro&ert).
D!sres&e"t to Sta99 a%* G!s!tors2 Stdents are to
show proper respect to all who wor. or visit the
school. Arging, bac.tal., and rdeness will not be
tolerated. @ach incident may reslt in a sspension
of p to three days.
$ro9a%!t)2 5lgar remar.s, obscene gestres, and
fol langage have no place in the school setting.
*he act of sing obscene langage by ppils in
verbal, written form, or pictres in or on school
property will not be allowed.
(hem!"a' Ab.se2 St. Ambrose School is a drg free
:one. Stdents shall not possess or se tobacco
prodcts, synthetic cannabinoids, alcohol, drgs
!inclding loo.-ali.e drgs" or have paraphernalia
on school property.
(heat!%g2 8iving, ta.ing, or receiving answers to
tests, $i::es, and other class assignments !inclding
the copying of compter material" is not permitted.
0o credit will be given for wor. that has been
copied. Stdents who cheat will be denied honor roll
and merit roll for the $arter. An +
th
grade stdent
who is caght cheating will be denied being named
the class valedictorian or saltatorian.
G!o'e%"e-Threate%e* a%* A"te*2 A stdent who
poses a safety threat for others in the school will be
removed from the school setting. A stdent who
ma.es a threatening comment abot casing
violence to other stdents, staff, or to the school will
be removed from school and sb9ect to criminal
prosection.
Stea'!%g2 Stdents who are caght stealing may be
sspended for p to three days. ;pon reentry to the
school the stdents will have to ma.e fll restittion.
(a%*) a%* #.m2 Stdents are never permitted to
chew gm or eat candy while on school property or
while on a school class trips. Cogh drops are not
allowed withot permission of both the teacher and
principal.
()ber B.'')!%g2 Any stdents who posts or emails
defamatory messages abot other St. Ambrose
stdents, staff or the school in general on internet
social sites may reslt in a sspension of p to three
days.
(om&.ter a%* 8%ter%et /eg.'at!o%s
Stdents mst have the permission of their parents or
gardians to se the internet on a school compter.
)ictres and first names of stdents on or school
website will not be posted nless the school has
parentFgardian permission. Gast names of stdents
will not be posted. Stdents will lose their internet
privileges if they are fond sing the internet in an
inappropriate manner by logging on to a site that is
inappropriate as determined by the faclty and
principal. Stdents are expected to abide by the
generally accepted rles of networ. eti$ette. *hese
inclde !bt are not limited to" the following'
3e corteos and respectfl in yor
messages to others.
;se appropriate langage. ,o not swear or
se vlgarities. 6llegal activities are strictly
forbidden.
,o not reveal yor home address or phone
nmber, or that of other stdents.
0ote that electronic mail !e-mail" is not
garanteed to be private. )eople who
operate the system do have access to all
mail. /essages related to or in spport of
illegal activities maybe reported to the
athorities.
)roofread before sending messages.
0ever agree to get together will someone
yo AmeetB on-line.
,o not post personal or negative messages
towards the school or other stdents in the
school on websites.
5orgotte% 8tems
,eveloping responsibility and dealing with the
conse$ences of not being prepared are part of a
child#s growth. Stdents may not call home for
items that have been forgotten !homewor., boo.s,
lnches, permission slips etc." nless the teacher and
principal feel it is absoltely essential.
(e'' $ho%e $o'!")
Cell phones are not to be sed by stdents while on
school property or on school trips. Cell phones mst
be trned off and .ept inside loc.ers or boo. bags.
Cell phones will be confiscated if seen or heard.
*hey will be retrned only to a stdent#s parent or
legal gardian. St. Ambrose School is not
responsible for lost or stolen items.
Lea+!%g essages 9or St.*e%ts
)arents and gardians who need to spea. to their
child dring the school day shold leave a message
with the principal or school secretary. $'ease *o %ot
as< to ha+e )o.r "h!'* remo+e* 9rom the
"'assroom to "ome to the &ho%e. $'ease *o %ot
te6t )o.r "h!'* s!%"e "e'' &ho%es are %ot &erm!tte*
D
to be .se* b) st.*e%ts wh!'e !% s"hoo'. We will
ma.e certain that yor child receives yor message
when yo call the school office
Sear"hes a%* Se!H.re o9 $ro&ert)
Goc.ers and des.s belong to the school and are
assigned for the convenience of stdents. *hey are
to be properly cared for by stdents and not sed for
storage of illegal, dangeros, or prohibited items as
detailed by this handboo.. A general
inspectionFsearch of closets, loc.ers, or des.s may
be condcted by school officials on a reglar basis at
any time and for any reason.
,angeros weapons, inclding firearms, loo.-ali.e
weapons, explosives, ammnition, .nives, metal
.nc.les, ra:ors, lasers, or any other weapon, the
prpose of which is to in9re other persons or
property, will be promptly trned over to a
representative of the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
Te6tboo<s a%* L!brar) Boo<s
Stdents are responsible for the proper care of
textboo.s and library boo.s. All textboo.s and
wor.boo.s mst be covered. Stdents mst pay for
the replacement of lost and damaged boo.s.

E6tra".rr!".'ar A"t!+!t!es
6n order to participate in any after school
extracrriclar activity at St. Ambrose School, a
stdent mst be receiving passing grades in all
sb9ects. 6n addition, all tition and fees mst be
paid and p-to-date.
Age%*a $'a%%ers
@very stdent is issed an agenda planner to record
all homewor. assignments. *he agenda contains the
school handboo. and school calendar. )arents
shold loo. at their child#s agenda and sign it
everyday. %ne agenda is issed free to each stdent.
Gost or misplaced agendas mst be prchased for
C&.--.

B!rth*a)=$art) 8%+!tat!o%s
%ccasionally children bring invitations to distribte
to classmates at school. ,istribtion of invitations is
permitted only if the entire class or all boys or all
girls are invited. While it is the family#s decision as
to whom to invite, distribtion to all bt a few is
n.ind.
5!e'* Tr!&s
4ield trips are privileges and stdents can be denied
participation if they fail to meet academic andFor
behavioral re$irements. *hose stdents who may
attend a field trip mst retrn the proper diocesan
permission form filled in completely by the parent or
gardian. 0o verbal permission over the telephone
is permitted, bt faxed permission forms can be
accepted. )arents have the right to refse to allow
their child to participate in a field trip.

&