HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS IN EDUCATION?
A Catholic School Education Prepares A Child . . . For Life.
Falling test scores. Discipline problems. Low graduation rates. Less than favorable ratings. It seems like every time you read a newspaper or go online, there's something wrong with the educational system.
But there is good news in education. And you'll find it, at a Catholic school.
At a Catholic school, your child will learn much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. They'll learn the importance of character and integrity. They'll become more understanding, compassionate and loving.
Catholic schools provide smaller classrooms and more personal attention to every student. That's really good news, because every child is unique and will do better in a more individualized and caring environment.
Give your child a Christ-centered education. Contact St. Joseph Catholic School (330.274.2268) today!

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY • SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
DIOCESAN PHILOSOPHY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
ACCREDITATION • PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
ARE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOR YOUR CHILD?
FACTS ABOUT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

At St. Joseph School you will find an atmosphere where faith formation and values are not only promoted but also practiced. Standardized and proficiency testing results are outward signs of the student's ability to achieve. Not only do our students work hard but they have the expertise of state certified teachers who love children and are dedicated to the education process. These include a Fine Arts (music, art, and drama) teacher, as well as Computer, Instrumental Band, Spanish and Physical Education instructors. We are also blessed to have the services of an LD and Title I Tutors, psychologist and speech pathologists at SJS. The K-8 program includes an all-day Kindergarten and a middle school approach to the upper grades that addresses their unique needs. The school is staffed by fully licensed teachers and administrator, is chartered by the State of Ohio, follows the policies of the Department of Education of the Youngstown Diocese, and has received an Accommodation of Excellence as well as re-accreditation from the State of Ohio, 2007-2013.

St. Joseph School Mission Statement

We, the school community of St. Joseph Catholic Church of the Diocese of Youngstown, are a faithful, dedicated family of believers who:

• Witness the Gospel
• Are committed to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Are spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
• Are dedicated to providing the highest quality education in a God centered environment.

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ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL BELIEF STATEMENTS
In order to provide a God-centered environment where all persons can learn and grow to their unique potential as Catholics and responsible citizens, we join together as a school and home family in order to help meet daily life experiences.

• We believe that faith development is integral to every part of school life.
• We believe that student learning is a chief priority.
• We believe all students can learn.
• We believe a student's self-esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and mutual respect among and between students and staff.
• We believe a safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.
• We believe that teachers, administrators, parents, and the community share the responsibility for advancing the school's mission.
• We believe that the commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.

• Emphasize Spiritual, Religious and Value Formation
• Continue the Religious Formation of Your Children Begun in Your Home
• Have a Proven Record of Academic Excellence
• Provide a Challenging Atmosphere
• Maintain a Secure Environment
• Work Closely with Parents for the Good of Their Children
• Have Educators and Support Staff Who Believe All Children Can Succeed!

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FACTS ABOUT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

A Catholic education is affordable for many families.
St. Joseph Parish is required by the Youngstown Diocese to invest in the education and spiritual development of its children's elementary school education. The current out-of-pocket expense per student for SJS parishioners will be $2,150 for Kindergarten and a sliding scale beginning at $2,500 for students of grades one through eight. That's about the cost of one meal a week for a year at a typical restaurant. Moreover, the price for a nine-year (K-8) Catholic education is much less than the cost of an average new vehicle. Tuition assistance, scholarships, and opportunities to earn money in our school are also available to parents wishing to send their children to a Catholic school.

Busing is available for children attending a Catholic school.
The Aurora, Streetsboro, Garfield, Crestwood Public School Systems are required by law to provide busing for parochial school students. This service is available to all students attending Catholic Schools within a 30-minute radius in each district. In the unlikely event that busing is not available, then the parent's cost of transportation will be refunded by the State.

Catholic schools provide an abundance of extra-curricular activities and sports for children.
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) provides numerous opportunities for boys and girls sports. Year-round activities include basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, etc. Sporting events begin and end with a prayer to help foster good sportsmanship. For more information on CYO Athletics, please visit www.akroncyo.org. Catholic schools also provide opportunities for students to participate in band, drama, the arts, etc. The local recreation leagues provide children additional opportunities to participate in sports and enable them to maintain relationships with children in public schools.

Catholic schools are equipped with the latest technology and offer numerous programs.
Computer labs and training classes abound in our Catholic schools along with controlled Internet access. The following is a list of additional programs and/or services that help parents in their decision to choose Catholic schools. Hot Lunch Program, Latchkey Program before and after school, foreign language classes (K-8), Power of the Pen Competition, Anthology of Poetry, BETA Club, Student Advisory Council (K-8), etc. Finally, all courses taught at our local Catholic schools follow the revised State Standards of Ohio.

Catholic schools are not merely an alternative to Public schools.
Catholic schools teach Catholic Doctrine and encourage a life of service to others. As Catholic parents our call is not to merely raise good children. We are instructed to educate our children in the ways of our faith and to foster an attitude of service. Catholic schools remain as the most effective means of assisting parents in meeting this mandate. Unlike in public schools, Catholic school students are:

• Exposed to God, religious symbols, and are free to profess and discuss their faith;
• Each day begins and ends in prayer;
• In addition to formal religious training our faith is integrated daily into each subject;
• Students routinely attend Mass, celebrate the Sacraments, and participate in many different prayer services.

The gift of a Catholic education to your children in their formative years is a wonderful investment in them and your family. Finally, while Catholic schools teach Catholic doctrine, it is not a requirement to be Catholic to attend Catholic schools. As Catholics we are called to spread God's Good News to all, especially our children.

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ACCREDITATION
Our school is a accredited through the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (OCSAA). The purpose of the OCSAA is to strengthen Catholic identity and mission, to engage Catholic schools in ongoing improvement of student learning, and to ensure OCSAA Standards are fully operative in our school. St. Joseph School is reaccredited, 2007-2013 by the State of Ohio through the OCSAA Process.

DIOCESAN PHILOSOPHY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
We believe that each Catholic school, as part of a larger believing community, has the mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through excellence in educational programs and service to the Catholic community in particular and in society in general. The foundations of Catholic belief and practice are tuaght while developing a sense of community, an atmosphere for worship, and concern for social justice. These themes permeate all aspects of the school organization and curriculum which meets the religious, academic, personal, and social needs of the children.
The Office of Catholic Schools provides leadership and support for Catholic schools to be an integral, viable element of the Diocesan Church's mission of education. The Office establishes the climate and framework for fostering excellence in education in the Catholic elementary schools of the Diocese. For more information, please visit the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Catholic Schools web page.

Nondiscrimination Clause
Catholic Schools, administered under the authority of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, comply with those constitutional and statutory provisions, as may be specifically applicable to the schools, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, marital status, handicap or disability, national origin, or citizenship in the administration of their educational, personnel, admissions, financial aid, athletic and other school administered programs.

The Diocese reserves the right, however, to determine whether and under what circumstances priority should be given to Catholics for certain employment positions. In addition, for Catholic employees, conformance with religious tenets of the Catholic faith is a condition of employment. All employees are prohibited from performing, teaching or advocating in the workplace any practices or doctrines which are inconsistent with religious tenets of the Catholic faith. Consistent with the foregoing, it is the policy and practice of the Diocese of Youngstown and the parish to provide equal opportunity in employment, promotions, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

This policy does not conflict with the priority given to Catholics for admission as students. This policy also does not preclude the ability of the school to undertake and/or enforce appropriate actions with respect to students who advocate on school property or at school functions any practices or doctrines which are inconsistent with the religious tenets of the Catholic faith.

Non-Catholic Students
The presence of students from other faiths provides a wonderful diversity to the school. However, the presence of non-Catholic students in the school shall not alter the primacy of Catholic religious formation as an integral component of the educational program in the school. As such:

• Non-Catholic students are expected to participate in the religious formation and education programs of the school.
• Non-Catholic students must participate in liturgies, retreats, other religious functions, and religion classes for credit.
• Non-Catholic students may be exempt from formal co-curricular or extracurricular sacramental preparation programs, but not from the catechesis held during the school day.
• Students are expected, for testing and discussion purposes, to be knowledgeable of the Catholic Church's positions on scripture, revelation and moral practices. While Catholic teaching respects the various faith traditions of the students attending the Catholic school, parents must be aware that it is the Catholic position that will be taught.

Guidelines and Implementations
In light of the unique situations which may arise in the educational process, and because it is impossible to foresee all school issues that arise, the faculty and administration reserve the right to address and to take appropriate action for any such situations not specifically referenced in this manual. In addition, in view of the unique and essential religious mission of the School, it is expressly understood that the school may take actions in cases where moral offenses occur which reflect adversely on the school, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown or the Roman Catholic Church, or which interferes with the ability of the school to perform its religious mission or to effectively maintain the intimate working relationship of the school and the Community of Faith.

The Parent/Student Handbook may be modified by the school after reasonable notice to the parent/students of the effective date of any changes. Any section headings are for convenience of use, and shall not affect the interpretation of any provisions. If the school should elect not to take action in a particular situation, this shall not be construed or interpreted as a waiver or preclude the school from acting in a subsequent situation of the same or similar kind.

All parents are required to sign a form stating they have read the rules and regulations outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook and they agree to abide by those rules and regulations. This signature form will be distributed with a copy of the handbook and the form must be signed and returned as soon as possible, but no later than the Friday of the first week of school, or the first Monday after the Open House in September. Failure to have a signed form on file will not prevent the School from enforcing its policies, but may result in disciplinary action being taken and/or prevent a student from enrolling (or continuing enrollment) in the school.

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