Curriculum designs are the result of planning and study by the total faculty and the administration.  Involvement of parents is sought during the review of particular curriculum.  The Diocesan School Office provides guidelines that incorporate the requirements as set by the Arizona State Department of Public Instruction.

Kindergarten/Primary                          Intermediate                          Advance Intermediate

Religion                                                 Religion                                  Religion

Christian Family Life                               Christian Family Life                Christian Family Life

Language Arts                                       Language Arts                         Language Arts

Reading                                                Reading                                   Reading

Writing/ English                                     Writing/ English                       Writing/ English

Phonics/ Spelling                                   Spelling                                  Spelling/ Vocabulary

Handwriting                                           Handwriting                             Handwriting

Mathematics                                         Mathematics                           Mathematics

Science/ Health                                     Science/ Health                       Science/ health

Social Studies                                       Social Studies                         Social Studies

Physical Education                                Physical Education                  Physical Education

Music                                                   Music                                      Music

Art/ Fine Art                                          Art/ Fine Art                             Art/ Fine Art

Computers                                            Computers                               Computers

Library                                                  Library                                     Library

Discipline w/ Purpose                            Discipline w/ Purpose               Discipline w/ Purpose  

Literature                                               Literature                                 Literature

Field Trips

In keeping with the Educational Mission and Purpose of Saint John School, all field trips organized, arranged and/or sponsored by the school will have an educational purpose.  Parents must give permission for their child to attend the field trip by signing a field trip form.  The school does not provide transportation to off-campus trips.  Parents must provide transportation to all field trips.  Parents who are able to transport other students are required to complete the parent driver form and provide the office with a copy of driver’s license and proof of insurance at least three days before the field trip. Parents who drive on field trips may only transport students to the specified locations written on the permission forms.  Parents must take care of gas and food prior to the field trip.

Instructional Format

The instructional format at St. John School incorporates accelerated learning strategies for students.  St. John School is committed to utilize the latest research based and experience proven strategies that meet the needs of individual students.  The different teaching strategies are adapted such as global lectures, need to know, choral, and gate assessment. Also effective learning is also accomplished by management practices such as student portfolios, preferred activities, organization of classroom, and an accountability structures. St. John teachers are now entering its fourth year of training through Accelerated Learning Lab.

Class Structures

Each grade has a limit of 25 students in each classroom. St. John School has self-contained and combination classes.  Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th/5th grades are self-contained – one teacher.  The middle school grades, 6th/7th and 7th/8th share two teachers who teach all middle school grades specializing in two to three subject areas.  

Communication

St. John School believes that good communication between parents, staff and administration is essential.  The communication is accomplished in several ways:

·         Weekly School Letters by Teachers         

·         Monthly School Newsletter

·         Student Homework Signed by Parents

·         Progress Reports

·         Quarterly Evaluations

·         Mid-quarter reports

·         Biyearly parent/teacher conferences

·         Phone calls from faculty and staff                             

·         Written discipline plans signed by parents

·         Parental involvement in the classroom, on boards and on committees      

·         Parent Meetings scheduled throughout the year

·         School Bulletin Boards and Postings

·         Written Announcements

·         Parent-Student Handbook

It is important that families read the monthly newsletter and the weekly newsletters to keep informed of school news.  (Make a commitment to read the news and be a part of the school activities.) 

Computer Usage

a.   Students shall use the computer provided at St. John School in a manner consistent with the educational objectives of the school.

b.   The student is ultimately responsible for his/her actions in using the computers, and misuse may result in suspension or termination of access privileges and/or appropriate disciplinary action.

c.   Students must use the computers and information resources for education purposes only. 

d.   Students will not submit, publish, display or retrieve any offensive or inappropriate material.

e.   Students will abide by all copyright regulations.

f.    Students will not use computers and information resources in any way that would disrupt the use of the computers and information resources by others.

h.  Students will not interfere or override system security; or attempt to modify, harm or destroy hardware or software.

Contacting Teachers

Parents may make a request to talk with a teacher by calling the school office and scheduling a conference.  The school secretary will inform the teacher, and the teacher will contact the parent.  Parents may not interrupt class time to talk with teachers once the school day has begun.  It is important that parents contact the teacher first, and not the principal, if there is a problem concerning your child.  

Conference Days

Parents are required to attend at least two formal parent-teacher conference days in the school year. Please consult your calendar for the Planning Day Schedule.  Parents may request additional conferences throughout the year by contacting the school office and making an appointment. Conferences may include student, teacher, parent(s) and/or principal.

Grading System

Student progress is reported four times a year with written evaluations.  Students also receive reports halfway through each quarter.  In addition, at least two conferences a year is held for each child to report students’ progress to parents.

Grading Scale for K-8                                             Learning Expectations  

A = Mastery & Excellent Quality, 100-93%                      E  =  Evident

B = Partial Mastery & Good Quality, 92 – 85%                 D  = Developing        

C = Inconsistent Mastery & Some Quality, 84 – 77%        NE = Not Evident         

D = Seldom Mastered or Limited Quality, 76 – 70%                     

F = No Mastery and No Quality, 69% and below              Discipline Marks

                                                                                    C = Consistent Application of Skills

NI= Needs Improvement                                                  I  = Inconsistent Application of Skills   

SI = Shows Improvement                                                NO  = Not Observed

S = Satisfactory                                                             Accelerated Marks

U= Unsastisfactory                                                        AP  = Active Participation

                                                                                    IP  = Inconsistent Participation

                                                                                    NP = No Participation

Homework

Homework is assigned to reinforce material already taught and to foster habits of independent study, creativity and self-discipline. 

Suggested time allotment per day:

K – 3..........15 to 30 minutes per day

4 – 6..........30 to 60 minutes per day 

7 – 8..........60 to 120 minutes per day

Students in grades Kindergarten through the Second Grade are assigned homework that is provided by the classroom teacher in the weekly newsletter.  All students in Third through the Eighth Grade are expected to grow in the skill of organization by recording his or her homework assignments daily. 

Homework is a tool for parents to communicate with teachers.  Parents are required to sign the homework and may write comments to the teacher especially if the child is struggling with the assignment.  Parents must be aware when his or her child becomes frustrated with his or her work for lack of understanding the material.  If this occurs, students and parents must stop the homework and communicate with the child’s teacher for more assistance and direction.  In these cases, the teachers may modify homework for the child’s particular needs.

One of the school’s goals for this year is to improve Reading for all grades.  Each child is expected to read daily in addition to the homework.

Student Records

a.   Parents, as primary educators, shall have the right to inspect and review the official record of their child.  Parents should have an opportunity to be heard regarding the content of their child’s record to ensure that record is accurate.  Parent shall also be allowed to provide a written statement regarding the content of the record to be included in their child’s school file.

b.   Custodial parents shall be recognized by the school as the primary decision makers for their children.  Information regarding custody and visitation shall be provided to the school by the custodial parent/s at the time of registration.  A copy of the court decision or order should be kept in the school file.

c.   A parent not having custody of a child, but having the right of visitation, has a right commensurate with the parent having custody to examine the school record of the child, unless restricted by court order.  In order to establish visitation rights, the custodial parent should be asked for a notarized copy of the most recent court order.

d.   Records may be withheld until students or their parents satisfy their educational, financial, and disciplinary obligations to the school.

Usage of Classroom Materials

Students shall use all classroom materials (books, preferred activities, manipulatives, sports equipment, audio equipment, etc.) with care by returning all materials in the appropriate storage areas. Students are responsible for the use of all materials and may have to replace items if  damaged or lost.

Promotion, Retention and Graduation

a.   Promotion

Promotion of students shall be based on the completion of academic work and some mastery of academic skills.  The teachers will make the evaluation of the student’s progress and will consider the social, emotional, physical moral, and academic development of the student.

(Promotion ceremonies for preschool and Kindergarten are to be simple.)

b.   Retention

A student shall be retained on the recommendation of the teachers and the principal.  When making an evaluation of the student’s progress, the teacher will consider the social, emotional, physical, moral, and academic development of the student.

1.   The teachers must be reasonably certain that repetition of a grade by a particular student will be beneficial to him/her.

2.   If the teachers’ judgment, retention is probable, the case must be discussed with the principal and then arrangements made for a conference with the parents.  It is advisable that this should be done no later than the end of January.  A written summary of this conference should be kept.

3.   A follow-up conference with the parents will be held to evaluate the progress of the student.

4.            Evaluations and reports to the parents will have indicated lack of student progress.

5.   If, contrary to the recommendation of the teachers, parents request that their child be placed in the next higher grade, the principal may honor this request.  In this case, the parent shall be required to state their request in writing.  This request will be placed in the school file.  The student is then transferred to the next higher grade.

6.   A recommendation of retention for a second time requires careful consideration.

       A recommendation should be made to transfer the student to another educational setting.

7.            Retention shall not be based solely on the number of days of attendance.

c.   Graduation

Graduation from elementary schools are to be kept appropriately simple and inexpensive. Students are to dress formally for the occasion.  Caps and gowns are not permitted. The graduation shall include a Eucharistic liturgy followed by a simple, dignified exercise, which recognizes the unique value of the Catholic education just completed.

Students and parents of students who are in danger of not graduating are to be notified in writing as soon as reasonably possible, but at least prior to the graduation ceremony.

Diplomas may be withheld until students or their parents satisfy their educational, financial, and disciplinary obligations to the school. Participation in graduation exercises is a privilege, not a right.  A student may be excluded from participation in the graduation exercises even if he/she is not denied a diploma for reasonable cause as determined by the principal in consultation with the pastor and/or the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

d.   Catholic High Schools

St. John School encourages all families to take advantage of the four Catholic High Schools – Salpointe,  Immaculate Heart, St. Augustine, and San Miguel.   All families of graduating students who are considering sending their children to Catholic High Schools must include parish verification that the family is active as part of the application process.  Families must be registered and contributing to be verified as active members.