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Immanuel Lutheran School | ||
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Parent Student Handbook | ||
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Contents |
Immanuel |
Registration |
General Information |
Student Conduct |
High School |
Extra-curricular
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Immanuel Lutheran School | ||
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Parent Student Handbook | ||
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Students are asked to report to a teacher or the school secretary all injuries and accidents that happen at school or as part of class. In these cases, the school will fill out an accident form.
All students are insured under a “school-time accident plan.” This is paid for with registration fees. If your child is injured at school, submit the forms to your regular insurance company. They will contact the school as needed.
Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, Immanuel will offers an after-school day care students in grades K-6.Immanuel offers an after-school program called the School-Age Care Program for students in grades K-6. Check with the office for details concerning the hours and the cost.
Immanuel does not provide transportation to school. Please direct questions concerning busing to the District #77 transportation office at 387-3224. In general, students in grades 7-12 must live two or more miles from school to receive busing. Kindergarten and elementary students must live at least one mile away from school to be eligible for bus service. The district office will be able to tell you which bus route you are on and which bus company provides service for that route. The three bus companies are Manske, Palmer, and Yeager.
District #77 distributes rules for bus students. Students are the responsibility of District #77 while riding to and from school on school buses. All studentsCertain grade levels in the school are given bus safety instruction and bus evacuation training.
In inclement weather, buses that are forced to return to Mankato with students do not return any students to Immanuel. In this situation, all students will be taken to Mankato West High School or Mankato East High School. Parents are instructed to call the district transportation office (387-3224) for information concerning the location of individual students.
The state of Minnesota has authorized local public school districts to provide certain materials and services to pupils enrolled in nonpublic schools within their districts. These pupils can share educational benefits provided to public school pupils. The aid comes in three forms. The first is “textbooks, standardized tests, and individualized instructional materials” for all students. The second is “district pupil health services,” and includes the nursing services provided by District #77 for all students. The third form is “district secondary guidance or counseling services,” and is used primarily for career guidance for students in grades seven to twelve.
Parents may request or waive these aids by filling out the appropriate form, which may be completed at the time of registration or at orientation. Anyone having questions about these educational aids should contact the Immanuel Lutheran School administrator.
Home visits are done in late summer by the elementary school teachers. Home visit procedures vary from teacher to teacher, but basically, the teachers contact the parents of children who will be new to the classrooms that school year. The initial contact, either by letter or phone call, is followed by a visit to the family home. The teachers, parents, and students discuss classroom procedures, homework, and any questions the parents or student may have.
Members of Immanuel who do not currently send their children to school at Immanuel The Board of Education and the faculty would like to visit members of Immanuel who do not currently send their children to school at Immanuel. A family may request a home visit to discuss Christian education and how we may serve their children.
We operate our school lunch program with the sale of lunch tickets, cash reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and further donations of commodities, time, and money from many of our members. This has enabled us to operate at minimal cost and still provide good, nutritious meals.
Students do not eat school lunch unless they have a lunch ticket. Students purchase lunch tickets in advance. Lunch ticket packs are good for twenty meals. Students who eat school lunches only occasionally may purchase a ticket for a single meal. Students may purchase milk tickets singly or in strips of ten. The cost of a single meal or milk ticket is slightly higher per ticket than the multi-ticket strips. Students may purchase lunch and milk tickets in the school office on any school day. Contact the school office for information about free or reduced-price lunches.
Contact the school office for information about prices and payment for hot lunches and milk. Information is also available from the office regarding free or reduced-price lunches.
For students who bring their own lunches, sSeveral microwaves are available for their use.to students who bring their own lunches.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Dept of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
An Individualized Academic Plan (IAP) is a plan that incorporates tutoring on a regular basis, and the modification of assignments and academic goals for individuals who struggle with school work, but do not qualify for an IEP. The IAP is a plan offered by Immanuel, not by the state or district, to improve a student’s understanding of the material covered in a certain course and help the student complete that course. Students will be considered eligible for an IAP if any of the following situations occur:
In all cases, a meeting of parents, principal, teacher(s), and counselor if necessary, will be held to determine if the student requires an IAP and if so, which modifications should be initiated.
The school is fortunate to have a wide range of library resources available to our students. The following libraries are commonly used by Immanuel students: our own classroom libraries, the church library, the Blue Earth County library, and the Minnesota State University-Mankato library. We also have internet access that may be used by students who are given permission. (Students who use the local library should first read the following section concerning safety section, Safety in the Immanuel neighborhood.)
Many items end up in the lost and found box. Most of these items are clothes. It is helpful if students have their outdoor clothing marked with their names. We frequently remove items from the playground, entryways, and the gymnasium. If you are missing something, please contact the school office. Items not claimed by the last day of school are disposed of.
Whenever possible, parents should make arrangements so that it is not necessary for school personnel to administer medication at school. When we must administer medication, prescription medication must be in a container labeled by the pharmacy or physician with the child’s name, the medication, the dosage, and the physician’s name. Parents, rather than students, should bring the medication to school.
If the students medicate themselves, the school will store the medication in a safe place. A note telling of self-medication is necessary. The school must treat asthma inhalers the same as other medications and keep them in a safe place, unless a contract is on file.
School staff cannot dispense any over-the-counter medication such as cough syrup, pain relievers, and antiseptic.
The Immanuel congregation possesses a rich musical tradition, and finds joy in sharing musical talents for the glory and praise of God. This musical heritage is reflected in a music program for each classroom, and in the variety of musical programs outlined below:
Grade school choir: The grade school choir periodically sings for the worship service in church. This choir consists of the students in grades K-8. (See Singing for church services)
Band: Immanuel’s band program is open to students in grades 5-12. The band performs in several concerts at Immanuel. Students are asked to provide their own instruments. (Some percussion pieces have been purchased by the school and are available for student use at school.) High school students take band for credit. A quarter credit is given for a year of band participation.
Band instrument lessons: Immanuel’s band director offers instrument lessons for students in grades 5-12 who wish to learn to play a band instrument or improve their playing skill. A fee is charged for lessons and is paid directly to the band director. Students are to provide their own instruments. High school students take band lessons for credit. A quarter credit is given for a year of lessons.
Elementary Chorus: See Extracurricular activities—Music
Handbell Choir: Students in grades 5-8 may participate in the handbell choirs. Bell choir practices are scheduled for time periods within the school day. This choir also prepares music for worship services and concerts.
Immanuel participates in an asbestos containment program and is required to post this statement in an official publication.
Immanuel utilizes a licensed, professional pest control service firm for the prevention and control of rodents, insects, and other pests in and around our buildings. Their program consists of:
Pests can sting, bite, cause contamination, damage to property, and spread disease; therefore, we must prevent and control them. The long term health effects on children from the application of such pest control materials, or the class of materials to which they belong, may not be fully understood. All pest control materials are chosen and applied according to label directions per Federal law.
An estimated schedule of interior pest control inspections and possible treatments is available for review or copying at the school office. A similar estimated schedule is available for application of herbicides and other materials to school grounds. Parents of students may request to receive, at their expense, prior notification of any application of a pest control material, should such an application be deemed necessary on a day different from the days specified in the schedule.
The PTO is an organization for all parents with children enrolled in our grade school, high school, or Sunday school. Also, any adult member of the Immanuel congregation is welcome to participate.
The purpose of the PTO is to promote child welfare in the home, school, church, and community; and to form a closer relationship between home and school, so teachers and parents are better able to communicate and cooperate in the training of the children.
The annual calendar of the PTO is set in August by the PTO officers (elected each spring) and the K-12 faculty. Monthly meetings are held on selected Wednesday evenings. Topic suggestions for presentations are welcome.
Student pictures are taken every year, usually in October. All students have their picture taken for the classroom composite picture and their own individual photograph, but no one is obligated to buy any of the photographs. Preschool-aged children of our school families may have their pictures taken also.
We issue report cards at the end of each quarter of the school year. The exact dates that report cards can be expected are normally shown on the calendar. Elementary report cards may be distributed prior to the dates listed on the calendar. For elementary report cards carried home by the student, please follow the teacher’s instructions to verifying receipt of the report card.Please follow the teacher’s instructions as to verifying receipt of the report card. Fourth quarter report cards for elementary school students are distributed after the graduation service. The service is held at 2:30 p.m on the Sunday following the last day of school. If you are not able to attend the graduation service, you can pick up the report card later, or have it mailed to you.
| A= | excellent |
| B= | above average |
| C= | average |
| D= | below average, needs to improve |
| F= | Is far below an acceptable standard in the subject; is unlikely to pass the course without a great improvement; as a final grade, an “F” indicates no credit given and that repeating the course is necessary. |
| I= | incomplete work. Failure to finish incomplete work within two weeks will cause the incomplete to change to an “F.” |
Some elementary school report cards may use the following marks:
| E= | excellent progress | U= | unsatisfactory work |
| S= | satisfactory progress | P= | progress shown |
| N= | needs to improve |
Grade Point Average (GPA) for high school students is based on the following scale:
| A+ = 4.0 | B+ = 3.33 | C+ = 2.333 | D+ = 1.333 | F = 0 |
| A = 4.0 | B = 3.0 | C = 2.0 | D = 1.0 | |
| A- = 3.667 | B- = 2.667 | C- = 1.667 | D- = 0.667 |
The permanent records of the student are private. The parents may access the information by contacting the school office.
Please give the Immanuel staff two weeks’ notice when requesting a transcript be sent to another school. Official transcripts are sent directly to institutions.
Health records for students K-11 are kept on file at the District #77 office. Health records of 12th graders are returned to Immanuel during the school year in time to be sent to colleges or elsewhere as requested by the student and parents.
Unfortunately, the part of downtown Mankato where Immanuel is located has developed into an area that has a higher incidence of crime than most other parts of Mankato. Parents and students should be aware of this situation and make decisions that lean more toward cautious rather than casual or naive when safety is at stake.
Car doors should be locked even during the daytime. If valuables must be kept in a car, they should not be left in plain sight.
Students should never be dropped off at school unless they can get inside. There is a doorbell on the left side of the door at the school’s south entrance.
While the local library is very close by, we advise that elementary students not walk to the library unless accompanied by a high school student or an adult. No student, not even a junior or senior high student, should walk to the library alone. Likewise, no student should play alone on the playground after school.
We allow, but do not encourage, high school students to go to the nearby convenience store. Caution must be exercised in this situation also—there is no need to go alone. (Before going to the convenience store, students must receive permission and must sign out.)
Students are warned not to respond to taunts or challenges from passersby. After-school bus students are more likely than others to hear such taunts and challenges.
No one should insert door blocks to keep locked doors open to the street.
Students are asked to report any person seen on campus who is unknown to our group.
Occasionally, our buildings and outdoor fixtures are the targets of graffiti. We remove the symbols or writings as soon as possible, but we have to wait for the completion of the police report to do so. While waiting for the police, we will try to cover graffiti that is obscene or, in other ways, shocking. Please help us take care of these problems by reporting any vandalism you see on our property.
Police statements and newspaper articles pertaining to safety in this neighborhood will be summarized in our Weekly Update or reported at a PTO meeting.
Music has a prominent place at Immanuel Lutheran School and is an important part of the worship services at Immanuel Lutheran Church. We consider it a blessing to have the musical and choral groups from Immanuel school participate in worship services thereby adding their musical talents to the praise and glory of God.
When Jesus’ disciples tried to prevent mothers from bringing their children to Jesus, He told them, “Suffer the little children and do not forbid them for of such is the Kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). Following our Savior’s words, we welcome all of the children in our grade school to take part in the school’s choir and musical presentations during our worship services—“singing and making melody in [their hearts] to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
We also believe that God-pleasing worship is worship that is done “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). Out of love to God and reverence for His Word we seek to treasure God’s Truth and preserve it among us in our preaching, teaching, worship, and way of life. The choir presentations of both Word and song are not simply musical expressions. Since these songs include the Word of God they are also spiritual expressions—expressions of faith and confession. We also believe from God’s Word that God desires scriptural unity among those who join together in the expression of their faith (i.e., “fellowship” see Amos 3:3, Psalm 133:1, 1 Corinthians 1:10, etc.).
As our students mature, we expect them to more fully understand the truths of Scripture. Students who are not members of Immanuel and are involved with another fellowship will, by the time they reach high school, understand the differences in faith and confession between the two fellowships. We believe that high school students are of an age and level of maturity that they are able to make their own decisions concerning their beliefs and church home. Therefore, if the Holy Spirit moves high school students to unite with us in a common confession of faith, they are welcome to display this oneness of faith by musical involvement in our worship services. Students who place themselves under the spiritual care of a Christian congregation other than Immanuel (or sister congregation in the CLC) will, we assume, be fully involved in the ministry of that congregation.
It is our desire to follow God’s Word faithfully. Immanuel’s pastors and school counselor would be happy to meet with you if you have further questions on this or any other spiritual matter and the beliefs of Immanuel congregation.
Students in grades 5-8 are allowed special study hall privileges when they meet certain requirements. Currently, grades 5 and 6 have a separate system, and grades 7 and 8 have their own system. These study hall systems are operated by the classroom teachers; any questions should be directed to the teacher. For grades 9-12 study hall, see page 23.
The elementary and high school teachers compile a list of supplies and materials that students are expected to have for the school year. These supply lists are mailed to each family before August 1. If you do not receive one please contact the school.
Many of the textbooks in use at Immanuel are purchased through the Minnesota nonpublic aid program. We buy books from various publishers including A Beka and Bob Jones University Press. The students are not required to buy their own books, except for religion class as described below.
Students will need to buy several books used for religious instruction. The books needed are a Bible (New King James Version), a Bible History book, a catechism and workbook (Martin Luther’s Small Catechism-Sydow Edition), and The Lutheran Hymnal. Parents may check the supply list to see the specific grade level in which the religious books are required. Book prices are subject to change.
We require students to have a separate pair of shoes reserved for gymnasium use only. The soles must be non-marking. Please write the student’s name or initials on each shoe.
As part of our educational program, we administer a variety of achievement tests, interest inventories, and other tests as shown below. Currently, we are administering the tests listed below:
| Grade | Test |
|---|---|
| Kg | AGS Reading Readiness and Math |
| 1-2 | AGS Diagnostic Test |
| 3-8 | Iowa Test of Basic Skills |
| 8 | Minnesota Basic Skills Test (math and reading) |
| 9 | DAT (Differential Aptitude Test) |
| 10 | PLAN (this is a preliminary test for the ACT) |
| 10 | Minnesota Basic Skills Test (composition) |
| 11 | PSAT/ NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) |
| 11 | ASVAB available (military prefers this over PSAT) |
| 12 | Strong’s Interest Inventory |
| 12 | Meyer-Briggs Test |
TypicallyCurrently, a Tuesday or Wednesday in mid-October is used for administering these tests in the high school. Students are dismissed for the day when their group has completed all testing. Most classes complete the testing before 1:00 P.M. Parents should be aware of this for transportation concerns as well as the fact there are no high school classes or supervised study halls following the testing.
When the Mankato school district (#77) closes school due to dangerous winter weather, Immanuel will also close. Local radio stations (KTOE 1420 AM, KYSM 1240 AM) broadcast information on school closings. Listen for the announcement that begins with, “Mankato area public and parochial schools….” That announcement includes Immanuel, even though we are not mentioned by name. We will be mentioned separately in the school closings only if District #77’s calendar shows a vacation day for the public schools and we were scheduled to have school. There are several Immanuels in the listening area, so we try to get radio stations to say “Immanuel Lutheran of Mankato” on those rare days when we have to call in our own weather-related school closing.
When school is closed or dismisses early due to winter weather, all after-school events involving students are either postponed to a later date or canceled—even if the bad weather subsides. Even though no student events will be held when inclement weather forces school to close, board meetings and PTO meetings may or may not be canceled or postponed; check with the chairman.
When classes or after-school events are not canceled, but driving conditions in your area are borderline or may pose a threat, PARENTAL DISCRETION IS TO BE USED WHEN DECIDING IF CONDITIONS ARE SAFE ENOUGH TO SEND STUDENTS TO SCHOOL.
The district leaves a recorded message every morning that announces the school start time (or cancellation of school); this may be helpful when planning your day during winter weather. Call the SCHOOL INFORMATION HOT LINE at 386-4777.
Due to arrangements with the utility company, there are days when Immanuel has to reduce its energy consumption. Unseasonably hot days in September, May, or June may cause an energy alert, which in turn may prompt a school closing. If an energy alert is scheduled to start early in the afternoon, we have little choice but to close school. Since we may be the only school in the area that decides to close, our announcement will be broadcast as an “Immanuel Lutheran of Mankato” school closing. If the district does not dismiss early, Immanuel students who ride the bus may stay at school and take the bus home at the regular time.
Teachers, coaches, and school activity leaders do not schedule Wednesday events that extend beyond 2:45 unless they have submitted a written request (in advance of the event) to the Board of Education, and board permission has been granted. Should the board grant permission for the Wednesday event, participation in the event is optional for the members of that team or activity group. New material intended for the group (e.g. a script change or basketball play) is not to be presented at a Wednesday practice or event.
The Weekly Update is the school’s parent bulletin. It lists upcoming events, menus, and changes in scheduling. Other important information is often included. The Weekly Update is given to all students in grades K-12 on the last school day of each week. The Weekly Update will be e-mailed to you upon request.
To withdraw a student from school, either during or at the end of the school year, please fill out a withdrawal form and a release of transcript form.
Early in the fourth quarter, the school asks that all students in grades 8-11 fill out an enrollment form for the next school year. If a student will not be returning in the fall, please indicate this change on the form. Home visits, mailings, rosters, and orders are based on enrollment information received before July 1.
Students and faculty have daily devotions either in their classrooms (grades K-6) or in the church basement (grades 7-12). This is an opportunity to nurture our faith, express our love for God and others, and pray. All students are expected to attend the daily devotions.