DRESS CODE:

St. Stephen Lutheran School has a school uniform policy.  Students are expected to be in uniform as well as to be neat and clean.  Exceptions may be allowed for field trips and extra-curricular activities.  A specific outline of the uniform requirements will be provided with the registration packet.

BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS:

Report cards
Reports cards are sent home quarterly.  If a child is working below his or her abilities, a notice is sent home prior to the report card date.

Conferences
Conferences are held each semester in an ongoing effort to bring school and home together in the education of each child.

Visits
Parents will naturally wish to inquire into their child's education.  Please make arrangements to visit the classroom or meet with the staff as often as desired.

Friday Flash
The most important written communication tool between parents and teachers is the Friday Flash.  Parents are expected to read the Friday Flash promptly, as it contains time-critical material.

Support
Parents are expected to support the instructors in all academic and disciplinary matters.  If problems arise, parents are asked to address them with the teacher involved.  Subsequently, if necessary, they may confer with the principal and the Board representative.

TESTING PROGRAM:

Stanford 10 achievement tests are administered to students every other year.  These tests monitor the students' accomplishments in the various subject areas and provide a standard means for evaluating progress throughout the educational process.

BOOKS AND SUPPLIES:

Textbooks purchased by the school are expected to be used for several years.  Student fees cover this cost.  These books must be maintained in good order.  Replacement fees are assessed on lost and damaged books.

Each child is expected to bring his or her personal school supplies on the first day of school.  The school furnishes a list of required supplies.  Please replenish supplies as needed throughout the year.

EXTENDED CARE:

An extended care program is available to students of SSLS.  Further information is available by request.

LUNCH:

The school does not provide meals.  Students are asked to bring their own snacks and lunches.  Volunteers are available to warm the children’s meals in a microwave oven.

IMMUNIZATION AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:

California law requires that all students entering first grade receive a complete health checkup and all required immunizations.  Each student entering first grade must submit a report of health examination properly filled out and signed by a physician.  This form contains the student's immunization record.

All medications must be left with the child's teacher.  No medication (including pain relievers) may be dispensed without written parental permission.

Children who are ill must be kept home for the welfare of both the child and others in the school.  Arrangements must be made for students who become ill during school hours.  Parents must designate someone who is available to pick the child up within one-half hour of being notified of an illness or injury.

Parents and volunteers who regularly participate in or otherwise assist during school activities and field trips are required to have a tuberculosis (TB) test.

ACCOUNT PAYMENTS:

Payments may be made annually or monthly.  Monthly payments are divided over ten equal payment periods beginning August 1st and ending May 1st.

1. Monthly payments are due and payable on the first of each month and considered delinquent after the tenth.

2. A $10.00 late fee is added to each account for payments made after the tenth of each month.

3. The late fee will increase to $20.00 for payments made after the twentieth of each month.

4. All accounts must be kept current in order for the student to remain enrolled in the school.

5. If an account becomes 30 days past due, the student will be ineligible from attending classes until the delinquent account is brought up to date.

If a student is dismissed or withdrawn for any reason, the tuition is charged for the entire month, even if the student is in attendance only a portion of that month.  Written notification of withdrawal must be submitted to the school office.  School records are not released until all accounts are made current.

PROPERTY LIABILITY:

The school enjoys the use of the facilities of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.  While normal wear and tear are assumed during the operation of a school such as this, the church reserves the right to charge individual parents for material damage directly attributable to the neglect, abuse, or misuse of these facilities, furnishings, and personal property by their children.

OTHER PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Our parents bring many gifts to SSLS.  We appreciate their participation, which enhances our school immeasurably.  Volunteer opportunities may be discussed with the volunteer coordinator.  Required annual parent involvement includes attending at least two parent-teacher conferences, and four evening meetings (Back to School Night, Spring Fair, and two Book Club Evenings.)  Each family will be included on the weekly cleaning schedule (with the option to hire a cleaner.)  Additional information will be provided at the time of registration.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

St. Stephen Lutheran is most pleased to make this educational opportunity available to you and your children.  The governing body of St. Stephen Lutheran School is the voting membership of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, operating through its Board of Education.  If you have any questions about this handbook, the administration of the school, or the teaching ministry of St. Stephen Lutheran School please direct your inquiries to:

Sara Pfeiffer, Principal
sarafifer@hotmail.com

St. Stephen Lutheran School
320 Moorpark Way
Mountain View, CA  94041
(650) 961-2071
www.ssls.org