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Students of Holy Name Catholic School are recognized as unique, endowed by God with special gifts. They are challenged to develop intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Preparation for the future incorporates living the present as fully as we can and seeing the hand of God in the events of life. Students are taught the truths of the Gospel and the importance of putting these truths into practice. Enhanced through participation in liturgies and daily prayer, the practice of faith is reflected in a special concern for those in need.As a Catholic school within the Diocese of Cheyenne, Holy Name Catholic School provides a solid educational program founded on the traditions of the Catholic Church and the curricular standards of the State of Wyoming. Recognizing parents as the primary educators, we are committed to working together to provide a positive learning program that expands individual abilities and promotes creative expression according to each student’s potential.
At Holy Name Catholic School we are dedicated to the conviction that our students of today will become the foundation for tomorrow. It is our mission to motivate our students to seek excellence in becoming that foundation, striving in all their efforts to do ordinary things extraordinarily well.
Holy Name Catholic School Mission Statement
Holy Name Catholic School Challenges each individual to:
Grow spiritually
achieve academic excellence
develop individual gifts and talents, and
model the values, attitudes and behaviors that foster a life committed to Christian service. -
Philosophy in Action
Understanding the Student
Distinctiveness created by GodThe "whole" person -Intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual Developing Character
Adult modeling
6 pillars of characterSelf-directed learner
Victory withRespect for adults/peers/self
Honor School MassChallenging Through Curriculum Exciting/active/hands-on
Team TeachingExtra-curricular variety
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Brief Statement
“Schools are for children"
"Schools belong to the community"
"Together- God, family, and community - schools are people developers"
"By God’s grace and self effort we become educated for His purpose"
Holy Name Catholic School education is characterized by academic excellence, integration of faith and learning, and opportunities to serve others. The school provides a family-like setting in which every student contributes and grows academically, spiritually, and as an individual. Children are encouraged to develop a personal connection to God that will serve them long after they leave the classroom.
The mission of the Holy Name Catholic School is to provide comprehensive, success-oriented learning activities for young people in our community. These opportunities must be designed to develop the person's potential in the areas of academic ability and vocational awareness, cultural appreciation, physical and spiritual well-being, social development, and community contribution.
Holy Name Catholic School:
Committed to God and the Spiritual and Educational Growth of Children
The commitments of Holy Name Catholic School:
Students
We are committed to:
- Every student will be educated mentally, physically, and spiritually to be a productive citizen.
- All students will have equal educational opportunities to achieve their individual potential.
- We have something to offer every student.
- Each student is created by God and is unique.
- Successful education depends on parental commitment to education.
Teachers
We are committed to:
- Teachers are the foundation of a strong educational system.
- Teachers will maintain high expectations for themselves and their students.
- Teachers should serve as positive role models for students.
- Teachers will actively seek parent support and involvement.
Principal
We are committed to:
- A principal is the instructional leader of the school.
- A principal is the facilitator for a positive learning environment.
- A principal actively seeks parent support and involvement.
- A principal serves as a liaison between school and community.
- A principal maintains high expectations and standards for students and staff members.
Holy Name Advisory Board
We are committed to:
- Students are the number-one priority.
- The Board conveys the educational needs and desires of the community to HNCS and establishes policies accordingly.
- The Board maintains high expectations for HNCS and themselves in working toward excellence.
Pastor
We are committed to:
- The Pastor is the spiritual leader, implementer, and facilitator of a successful school.
- The Pastor, under prayer and God’s guidance, implements the directions and policies of the Holy Name Advisory Board.
- The Pastor promotes and upholds the positive educational climate of the School and community.
Management Principles
- We believe: in God and human beings are the most important elements in all transactions.
- We believe: in behaving with uncompromising honesty and integrity.
- We believe: in challenging people to experience their full potential so each individual contributes to educational excellence.
- We believe: in reaching quality decisions through the involvement of people.
- We believe: in establishing priorities that respond to the needs of our students, staff members, and community, and serve as the driving force behind all of our actions.
- We believe: in focusing on excellence in everything we do.
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Partnering for an Exceptional, Spirit Filled Education
Parent Expectations
As primary educators of their children, parents work with teachers in helping students meet the learning expectations by modeling what it means to be…
Academically empowered by…
- regular reinforcement of lessons learned and daily independent reading for 30 minutes
- providing a positive study environment at home
- working together with the teachers
- prioritizing educational goals and managing family schedules well
Spiritually infused by…
- modeling personal involvement and growth in the life of the Church
- praying as a family at home
- encouraging respect, proper manners, generosity, tolerance and forgiveness
- making decisions that reflect a well-formed and faith-filled conscience
Personally developed by…
- modeling appropriate social skills and working cooperatively with school staff
- being emotionally and physically available to meet the needs of the children
- utilizing good communication skills between the children and staff
- supporting the academic and extra-curricular endeavors of students and honoring commitments
Teacher Expectations
In the role of teacher-minister, staff members model what it means to be…
Academically empowered by…
- continued professional development
- creating a student-centered learning environment
- implementing alternative educational resources to enhance the classroom activities
- demonstrating an enthusiasm to be a life-long learner
Spiritually infused by…
- providing for daily moments of prayer
- modeling faith in practice by participating in the life of the Church
- demonstrating empathy, compassion and forgiveness
- integrating and instilling moral values within the lessons
Personally developed by…
- modeling good communication skills with students and parents
- building the self-esteem of students through mutual respect
- leading students to increase and take responsibility for their actions
- exhibiting an awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures
Family & Community Engagement PlanThe Holy Name Catholic School recognizes that effective school-family partnerships are critical to student learning and success in school.
Research shows that students receive the following benefits from a collaborative partnership with the school, the family and the community: higher grades and test scores, better attendance and homework completion, fewer placements in special education, more positive attitudes and behavior, higher graduation rates and greater enrollment in post secondary education. The gain for families includes: improved understanding of their child’s development, improved ability to parent, improved ability to assist their children with school and learning, and improved relationships among all stakeholders.
SECTION I - GOALS
Goal 1: Open and two-way communication between families and the district and school both verbally and in writing using a variety of strategies and methods will be supported and increased.
1. Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at the end of the first nine-weeks and the end of the third nine-weeks.
School wide Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at least twice yearly to inform parents of their child’s progress in school including academic performance and assistance with understanding their child’s individual classroom grades and test results to address specific academic needs of their child.
2. “Back to School” Celebration will be held at the beginning and end of each school year, and the following information will be communicated to parents:
• Assessment Results on all State Tests
• School Policies
• Teacher Information
• Parent Rights
• Future Family Engagement Activities
3. A Student Handbook will be sent home at the beginning of each school year to inform parents of district and school policies for enrollment, attendance, homework, safety and discipline procedures, bus routes and bus behavior, Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Parents Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Parents are required to sign attached to the front of the handbook stating that they have read and discussed the handbook with their child.
4. A School-Parent Compact/Philosophy was jointly developed by the Advisory Council that outlines how parents, the school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the HNCS high standards. https://www.hncswy.org/philosophy
5. Teachers will send home in writing to families/parents classroom information including teacher information (phone number and e-mail address), classroom rules and procedures, grading policy, etc. at the beginning of the school year.
6. Teachers will communicate with families/parents concerning their child’s successes and/or problems on a regular basis through reports, notes, letters, phone calls, awards, etc.- Report cards are given to parents at the end of each nine-week period.
- A mid-nine-week report will be sent home at to make parents aware of student progress as well as allow parents the opportunity to request conferences and additional information to provide added supervision of student learning/homework in order to improve grades if needed.
- Folders of student work will be sent home daily to be reviewed by parents on a regular basis. Parents will sign the appropriate form stating they have reviewed the work and will return the folder to school. In addition, some teachers send folders of work, assignments and other information every day for parents to sign that they have looked at the folders, that the child has practiced reading lessons, etc.
- Teachers will document parent contacts and whether made by phone, note, home visit, etc. indicating the date and information discussed.
- Headmaster program available for parents to check student grades daily in grades 4 and up.
7. School/classroom newsletters and notes are sent to parents/families on a regular basis to keep parents informed of school and classroom events and/or activities.
8. Parent/family surveys and checklists will be used to gain parent input and suggestions as to the quality of parent engagement activities in the school.
9. Parents/families will be notified in writing that they may request information about their child’s course of study and have access to all learning materials by making a request to the principal of their child’s school.
10. Parents/families will be informed in the Student Handbook of their right to access their children’s official school records. A Pre-K Handbook informs Pre-K parents’ of requirements and guidelines.
11. Teacher certification and qualifications including Highly Qualified information will be available for parent review and can be obtained by taking with the principal.
12. Menus will be published weekly, sent home and are also posted at school.
13. An “end of the year” ceremony will be conducted which includes special activities such as Awards Day, etc.
14. The system and school websites provide information for parents.
15. Teachers and/or principal will give parents pertinent information such as school closure for inclement weather via phone calls and/or texts.
Goal 2: Increased family/parents’ opportunities for involvement in classroom, and school activities.
1. Many activities will be provided at HNCS to allow parents/families to be involved in their child’s school and learning:- Open House. Open House during the school year.
- Family Reading/Math Night. Family Reading/Math Nights are for all parents/families to come and read and do math activities with their child. The Family Reading Nights will be scheduled and published in the school newspaper.
- Parent Volunteer Program. HNCS encourages parents to volunteer in the school with activities such as reading with children, tutoring, designing bulletin boards, or clerical work. A log will be maintained documenting parent volunteers and the number of hours of parent/family volunteer time. Parents are requires to do 20 hours of volunteer work per school year.
2. Transition/Orientation activities will be developed at each school to assist students/parents/families in the transition between Pre-K/K, K/1, 4/5 or 5/6 and 8/9 grades.
3. Parents will be given the opportunity to become involved in their child’s education by participating in the following examples of activities and programs:- Grandparents Day
- Chili Supper and Harvest Dance
- Special Student Programs
- Carnivals/Festivals
- Mayfest
- Veterans’ Day Programs
- Costume Walks
- PTO Meetings
- Awards/Honors Day
- Attendance Recognition/Incentive Program
- Multiplication/Spelling Bees
- Room Mothers/Fathers to help with classroom events such as parties, etc.
- Parent Appreciation Day
- Band Contest
- Music Performances
- Sports Banquets
- Art Exhibit
3. Parents/families will be given assistance by school staff to assist and support their children’s learning and development at home.
Since parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, they will be given parental support for their child’s academic success in school.- Parents will be invited to support their children through attending various school events including student programs, performances, assemblies, sports events, etc.
- A monthly event calendar will be maintained on each school’s website.
- Parents will be provided with curriculum information about the standards.
- Parents will be encouraged to monitor and/or supervise homework and daily reading activities that reinforce or enrich their child’s classroom learning.
- Parents will be encouraged to monitor their children’s television/computer viewing as well as their use of free time.
- Referrals are being made to the provider for court-ordered parenting-classes for students with excessive absences.
- Parents/families participation in joint projects such as the Science Fair, Math Fair, History Day, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee and read-a-thons that involve children and teachers will be encouraged and supported.
- The district and schools will invite parents to participate as partners in decision making activities.
- Everyone is encourage to participate and promote PTO and the School Advisory Board.
- The School will collaborate with business and community organizations.
- The Family Resource Center will collaborate with the community and businesses to link parents/families to school and community resources.
- A Parent/Community/Business Resource Program in which parents and community members share expertise, talents, and experiences will be established.
- Other collaborations have been established to develop a mutual support and appreciation between business, community, and school.
III. EVALUATION
1. The Advisory Council will annually evaluate the content and effectiveness of the Family Engagement Program in the school.
Family and Community feedback concerning the effectiveness will be received through multiple outlets in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the engagement program. Feedback will be accepted from our website, and emails.
2. Documentation from district/school/family engagement activities such as a scrapbook including sign-ins with name and position, minutes of meetings, surveys, questionnaires, invitations, agendas, pictures, videos, newsletters, and news releases will be maintained at the office.
3. The Advisory Council will develop strategies to address respondent concerns.
A. To improve open and two-way communication between families and schools/teachers as listed in Goal I.- Update each school’s website.
- Provide teacher contact information (phone number, e-mail address, and planning time) for parents/families.
C. Place contact information on each correspondence that is sent home to parents throughout the school year.- Send a newsletter home to parents weekly.
4. The Advisory Council will identify and develop strategies to remove barriers that prevents parents from participating in family engagement activities.
Many of our parent/family members work and cannot attend during the school day.- Provide more activities at night.
- Combine parent trainings with Family Reading/Math Night - an activity with high attendance.
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