St. Joseph’s Catholic School educates its students to help form them into becoming edifying, morally ethical individuals who enhance society by the example of their inspiring Catholic lives.  Instruction emphasizes fundamental academic skills based on Christian ethical principles and Western Civilization.

Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual, St. Joseph’s Catholic School challenges students to perfect their characters, cultivate their talents and pursue their full potential.  St. Joseph’s Catholic School’s emphasis is also spiritual, assisting students to cooperate with grace, practice virtue and avoid sin.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic School, parents and students are committed to Catholic education.   The specific goals of our school are first, to gain a deeper understanding of and love for the Catholic Faith; second, to understand the traditions of Catholic culture and preserve them; third, to develop solid academic skills; fourth, to gain an appreciation of the fine arts and develop motor coordination skills.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School is also dedicated to maintaining a safe, secure environment for our students, teachers and staff.  We will follow all necessary safety procedures and policies, and protect the student from harm if at all possible.

Honesty is a trait necessary for every student at St. Joseph’s School.  This includes always being truthful with parents, teachers and fellow students.  Each student should be known for their veracity.

Academic honesty includes doing one’s own work and attributing proper credit to the source when researching.  Plagiarism is using another’s ideas or words without acknowledging the source.  Students need to learn to develop their God given skills.

Students at St. Joseph’s Catholic School will be taught about plagiarism, and all research, will include a bibliography.  Since academic honesty is so important, any research that is not properly credited will merit an “F” for that assignment.

Only those children will be admitted to Kindergarten who have reached their fifth birthday by August 31st, and to the First Grade who have reached their sixth birthday by the same date.  Exceptions may be considered, if necessary.

Students will be admitted at the beginning of either the Fall or Winter semester.

All students, including non-parishioners, who are admitted to the school will be expected to attend all religion classes.   Students must also follow the school schedule, including attendance at Mass and other religious functions and complete all work assigned in all classes.

All new students will be on a 60 day probationary period.

The Principal will interview parents seeking enrollment for their children.  Students seeking admission to St. Joseph’s Catholic School may be required to take a placement test.

Children with learning disabilities, including speech and/or language impairment, mental illness/retardation, behavior disorder(s), excessive tardiness or absenteeism, visual/hearing/physical and/or other health impairments, will be carefully screened for admission, and if admitted, will be on a period of probation at the discretion of the Principal.

The school and parents will work together with other agencies when necessary to help remedy the learning difficulties.  If the school is not equipped to properly address the situation, the child may be dismissed.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School retains the right to permanently or temporarily expel a student at any time for inappropriate behavior, rebellious attitude or other serious misconduct.  If a parent does not regularly make sufficient tuition payments, the student may also be expelled.

Students are expected to be present every day school is in session.  The teacher assigned will take attendance daily.  Tardiness will also be noted.

If absence is foreseen or unplanned (emergency, inclement weather, car condition, etc.) the parent or guardian must call the school at 734-728-6377 and leave a message regarding the situation.  If you need to speak with someone immediately, please call Valerie Bako at 734-231-4246

In accordance with State Law, an excuse for absence signed and written by a parent or guardian is required and must be given to the classroom teacher and will be placed in the student’s file.  It should contain the student’s name, date(s) of absence and legitimate reason for the absence.

The student must complete make-up work within two days of returning to school.  Teachers can extend this period due to extenuating circumstances or extended absences.

A tardy student or one who has to leave before the end of school shall notify their teacher and bring a note stating the reason, signed by the parent or guardian.

Any student missing thirty days or more during one school year will be retained at his present grade level unless he has a doctor’s certificate explaining the cause of absence.  The Principal will determine if a student will be retained at the present level in cases of extreme absenteeism due to illness or other extenuating circumstances.  All work must be completed before the next school year.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School must remain as a physically and emotionally safe environment for all students for their spiritual growth and academic achievement. All teachers and students are expected to demonstrate behavior that is charitable and respectful as taught by Our Lord.

To protect the rights of all students for a safe and secure learning environment, acts of bullying, harassment, and other forms of aggression and violence will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action and possible expulsion.

Bullying, taunting, name-calling, or other forms of harassment or aggressive and violent behaviors whether in school, by phone or text or online will not be tolerated.  Bullying must be reported to a teacher or the Principal as soon as possible.   All administrators, faculty, staff, parents, volunteers, and students will do everything possible to eradicate bullying and harassment.

“Bullying” or “harassment” is any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act that is reasonably perceived as being dehumanizing, intimidating, hostile, humiliating, threatening, or otherwise likely to evoke fear of physical harm or cause emotional distress.

Bullying and harassment also includes forms of intimidation and fear of retaliation against individuals who report or cooperate with parents and teachers.

“Bullying” is:

• Reasonably perceived as being dehumanizing, intimidating, hostile, humiliating, threatening, or otherwise likely to evoke fear of physical harm or emotional distress
• Directed at one or more students
• Conveyed through physical, verbal, technological, or emotional means
• Substantially interferes with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one or more students
• Adversely affects the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the school’s educational programs or activities by placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing emotional distress

Encourage your children to speak charitably and to attempt to stop those who insult or taunt others or engage in bullying.  Students need to report these individuals to the Principal or teacher as soon as possible.

Inappropriate fighting, pushing, touching and disrespect for authority will not be tolerated.  All students must follow verbal commands.  Those who continually do not will be expelled.  All members of St. Joseph’s School will follow proper decorum and show respect at all times.

Consequences for a student who commits an act of bullying shall be determined by the acts committed.  Teachers, students, and parents will work together to eradicate all forms of bullying.  Students engaged in such activity are subject to suspension.

With permission of the Principal, only seniors are allowed to bring cell phones to the school.  Their cell phones are to be kept in their locker and not accessed unless absolutely necessary. If the student needs to contact their parents or make other necessary calls, they can use the school telephone.

Students shall be alert and pious in church and keep a reverent posture during Mass and prayers.  Older students should use a missal.

Students will respect and obey parents and teachers at all times.  Out of respect, students will stand when an adult enters the classroom and greet the person with an appropriate salutation: (“Good morning,” etc.) followed by their name.

Each student will show respect for his or her teacher when called on during class.  Students will show courtesy toward teachers and adults by excusing themselves when passing in front of them, getting a chair for them when needed and avoiding overhearing private conversations, etc.

For safety considerations, it is especially important to observe behavioral rules when walking to and from the church.

Students shall treat one another with Christian charity at all times.  Students shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause injury to persons or property at any time, on or off school property at any school function or activity.  No bullying of any kind will be tolerated.  This includes bullying through social media.

Students will behave in an orderly manner at all times.  Anyone who defaces, damages or steals school property or another’s personal property at school will be liable for damages as provided by law and be subject to disciplinary action including suspension and/or expulsion.

Obscene or vulgar language, writing, pictures, signs or acts will not be tolerated.  Students shall neither use and/nor possess tobacco, alcohol or any controlled substance on school grounds or at any school-related function or event.  Those assisting will suffer the consequences of their actions.  If a student is prescribed a medication, the parent needs to notify the teacher.

Regularly listening to rock, hip hop or rap music is detrimental to spiritual, emotional and psychological development.  Parents need to monitor their children in this area.  The words often have objectionable themes.

Students shall not view immoral Internet, movies, DVDs, or TV, nor bring mp3 players, CD’s, or indecent books or magazines to school.  Immoral behavior may lead to dismissal.  Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.  School supplies should be neutral, not promoting themes that would be inappropriate for Catholics.  Those attending St. Joseph’s School need to give a good example to those around them at all times and in all places.

Students must be modestly attired and well groomed at school including school activities. Every student must come to school in his/her uniform which will be neat and clean. The uniform is worn during the school day unless the teacher gives special permission for recreation or other activities. A note from a parent or guardian is required each time a student is out of uniform.

Coats or jackets must be worn by students whenever the temperature is 50 degrees or lower. Use of handkerchiefs is encouraged.

Sweaters and vests must have school logo. Grade School attire must have the school name embroidered in silver. High School attire must have the school crest.

Every student must wear gym shoes for recess and Physical Education. Students can change into dress shoes afterwards. Attire worn for recess must be modest.

If a student comes to school out of uniform or with scuffed/soiled shoes, the teacher will avail themselves of the items in the school uniform rental area so the student is in complete uniform and shoes are clean. This area has extra uniform items as well as those for cleaning/shining of shoes. The rental of each item is $1.00/day, and the fee will be added to the tuition payment.

Students with driver’s license must park behind the school. The student will be able to leave the school in their car only with a note from their parents. Students are not to drive on field trips nor are they to drive non-family members without parental permission from both sets of parents.

• Green sweater or vest with St. Joseph’s School logo
• Black slacks
• Belt
• White shirt

White knit polo shirt (field trips and other occasions as determined by Principal)

• Black tie
• Black socks
• Black dress shoes
• School jacket or fleece

Hair will be conservatively cut and neatly trimmed, not dyed or bleached.  Earrings and pierced ears are not permitted.

• Plaid jumper (K-5); skirt (6-8) Special skirt for grades 9-12
• Green sweater or green vest (6-12)
• White blouse (Peter Pan collar for grades K-5)
• White blouse or knit, long sleeved top
• Blouse tie for grades K-6
• Green or black knee socks (K – 8)
• Black tights (9-12)
• Black leggings can be worn underneath skirts as weather dictates
• Black dress shoes
• Green beret for church
• School jacket or fleece

Black pants for field trips or other days as determined by the Principal

Hair will be neatly and conservatively styled, brushed and arranged. Juniors and Seniors may wear conservative make-up, nail polish and earrings.

Students are required to have appropriate clothes for Physical Education.

A+  (100)        A (99-96)     A- (95-93)
B+  (92-89)     B (88-85)     B- (84-82)
C+  (81-79)     C (78-76)     C- (75-72)
D+  (71-69)     D (68-66)     D- (65-63)
F     (62-0)       I= Incomplete

Teachers will assign a reasonable amount of schoolwork to pupils. Assignments that are not completed in class will be taken home to be completed. School assignments will vary as to subject and grade level.

Parents must assist teachers by making sure their children turn in assignments on time. They should also check for neatness and make sure the assignment(s) is completed properly. Students who present sloppy work or do not turn assignments in on time will be graded accordingly.

Make-up work will be assigned if a student has missed school. Students will have two days to complete the work, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

The School Honor Award will be presented to the graduating student who maintains a high grade point average and exhibits exemplary conduct. Laude Awards will be given to those graduating seniors who maintained the designated cumulative grade point average during high school:

1st Honors (Summa cum Laude) 4.0

2nd Honors (Magna cum Laude) 3.99-3.5

3rd Honors (Cum Laude) 3.49-3.2

Individual Subject Awards will be given to students who maintained the highest grade point average. Honor Awards will be presented to those students who maintained the designated grade point average.

There will be Mass on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30.  Attendance is mandatory. School will follow after Mass and breakfast.  Confessions are heard ½ hour before Mass. Contact Fr. Radecki if you have any questions.

Health information and emergency medical forms are required for each student and must be kept current. Allergies must be noted and any special health conditions. All accidents occurring on school property will be reported immediately to the Principal and parent(s) and an accident form will be filled out including date, nature of accident, witnesses, action taken, and all other pertinent information.

If a student requires special equipment (i.e., heating pads, blankets in class, crutches, etc.) or a modification of activities, a note from their physician is required.

The school year is divided into two semesters and four quarters.  Report cards will be handed out by the Principal quarterly.  Parental conferences with teachers may be requested as needed.

Students who have failing grades will repeat their current grade as determined by the Principal.

Students are not to open any outside door to strangers.  If someone is at the door, the student is to inform one of the teachers.

Students are to obey all instructions when walking to and from the church.

If an injury occurs, the student is to inform the teacher.  The injury will be treated as necessary and an incident report will be completed.

No perishable food is to be left in student lockers.

Students are required to be present at roll call at 8:30 a.m. when the school day begins and be on time for each class. There will be consequences as determined by their first period teacher for unexcused tardiness.

Truancy occurs when a student is absent without the knowledge and consent of his or her parent(s) or is absent from school without the knowledge of the school.  Truancy will result in disciplinary action, suspension or expulsion.

As the school is dependent upon tuition to continue operation, parents are to pay tuition on time according to the payment agreement they chose.

Students are responsible for valuables brought to school and should never bring large amounts of money to school. They are not allowed to bring radios, mp3 players, iPods or other media devices to school. Permission from the teacher should be obtained before toys, games, etc., are brought to school. If Seniors have cell phones, they must be kept in their locker during the school day.

Visitors to the classrooms, including parents and siblings, are to make arrangements ahead of time with the classroom teacher so as not to disturb the students in their studies.

Visits from homeschoolers will be approved beforehand by the Principal and the teacher of the affected class(s). Visiting students will stay in the grade appropriate classroom and will follow that classroom’s lesson plan for the day. If the parent bring non-school aged children, the parent must work with them outside of the classroom. Visiting students should dress in church-appropriate attire:
Girls: skirts/dresses covering the knee when seated. No words or graphics on clothing. No tennis shoes.
Boys: Slacks/trousers, collared shirt and tie (or suit) and dress shoes. No jeans are to be worn in school.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School is a weapon-free zone. It is a violation of Michigan law to possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon on school property or at school functions. A student shall not possess, handle or transmit any object that can be reasonably considered a weapon on school grounds or at any school function or event at any time.

Any student who brings a firearm or dangerous weapon to school or a school-related event will be referred to the criminal justice or juvenile justice system and expelled from the school for at least one year.

The Code of Canon Law offers the official position of the Catholic Church on education: “Parents are bound by a most grave obligation to provide to the best of their ability for the religious and moral, as well as for the physical and civil education of their children, and for their temporal well-being.” (Canon 1113)

“From childhood all the faithful must be so educated that not only are they taught nothing contrary to faith and morals, but that religious and moral training takes the chief place.” (Canon 1373)

“In every elementary school, religious instruction adapted to the age of the children must be given.” (Canon 1373)

“Catholic children must not attend non-Catholic neutral or mixed schools… It is for the bishop of the place alone to decide, according to the instructions of the Apostolic See, in what circumstances and with what precautions attendance at such schools may be tolerated without danger of perversion to the pupils.” (Canon 1374)

“The Church has the right to establish schools of every grade, not only elementary schools, but also high schools and colleges.” (Canon 1375)

The Third Plenary Council of Baltimore promulgated the following law in 1884:

“All parents shall be bound to send their children to a parochial school, unless it is evident that such children obtain a sufficient Christian education at home, or unless they attend some other Catholic school, or unless, for sufficient cause approved by the bishop, with proper cautions and remedies duly applied, they attend another school.  It is left to the Ordinary to decide what constitutes a Catholic school.”

The pastoral letter issued by the American Hierarchy in 1919 stated five principles as the basis of Catholic education: “First: The right of the child to receive education and the correlative duty of providing it are established on the fact that man has a soul created by God and endowed with capacities which need to be developed, for the good of the individual and the good of the society… Second: Since the child is endowed with physical, intellectual and moral capacities, all these must be developed harmoniously… Third: Since the duties we owe our Creator take precedence over all other duties, moral training must accord the first place to religion, that is, to the knowledge of God and His Law, and must cultivate a spirit of obedience to His commands… Fourth: Moral and religious training is most efficacious when it is joined with instruction in other kinds of knowledge… Fifth: An education that unites intellectual, moral and religious elements is the best training for citizenship…”