Our children are an incredible treasure – each a unique and special gift from God. As a parish-family community, we strive each day to create a child-centered, safe environment that allows each student to grow in grace and character, to develop academic knowledge and skills, and to know and understand our roots as a catholic Christian.

Our Catholic identity and way of life is not something that is added on to the academic day, but rather integral to the very concept of our school as the students are continually challenged to experience and live their faith and encouraged ever increasingly to attempt the more difficult academic endeavors. Most especially, Holy Rosary Bi-parish School is a parish school.

We share our physical space, as well as the mission of communicating our identity and faith to the next generation with our parish community by witnessing scriptural values, worshiping and praying together, and integrating our faith and action as we work to transform our world through our studies and works of service. Welcome to Holy Rosary Bi-parish School.

I. PHILOSOPHY/ MISSION

Vision Statement

With Jesus as our Savior and Teacher in partnership with the parish community, parents, and faculty, our shared vision is to foster a Catholic identity in a safe learning environment, which is child-centered, Christ driven, and based on the premise that all students will develop fully in spirit, mind, and body reaching their God given potential.

Mission

Community Partnership

We are committed to building a faith-centered community through the stewardship of our entire parish, our parents, our children, and our faculty.

Our faith-centered community will strive to establish strong communication to facilitate active participation in the spiritual and educational development of each child.

Fostering a Catholic Identity

We challenge our students to encounter the Gospel values:

· Faith in God

· Prayer and service

· Love and respect for others

· Compassion and responsibility

· Dignity and integrity

· Peace and justice

We urge students to bring these Catholic teachings and values into their lives and into their extended world.

We teach these values not only in daily religion classes, but also integrate them throughout every curriculum subject and each day’s activities.

Safe Learning Environment

We lead by example in teaching moral values to encourage respect and responsibility.

We will provide education for our parents and volunteers consistent with the Safe Environment Education

Guidelines of the Diocese of Boise.

We focus and continually monitor a safe physical environment for our children, staff, and community.

Child Centered

We establish a commitment to cooperation, collaboration, and community within the child’s learning

environment.

We provide a variety of instructional and assessment approaches to support the different ways in which our

children learn.

Reaching the God-given Potential of each Student

We integrate the values and academics that enable each student to grow in spirit, mind, and body. We

emphasize challenging core curricula that stimulate our students to question, evaluate, discover, and

construct meaning.

Code of Conduct

The purpose of our Holy Rosary Bi-parish School Code of Conduct is to provide clarity on how we, as a school and a catholic community, learn to conduct ourselves at school, at home, in our community, and throughout our lives.

Our Code of Conduct will help to define the values and vision of our Catholic school in which all relationships are conducted in a respectful, dignified manner according to the gospel message of Jesus Christ and the social teachings of our church. Christ is the reason for this school and He is the inspiration for our students and all adults.

Our school provides a safe haven for learning in the light of our Catholic faith. The school is a place where children know that they are loved, protected, and safe. They are free to learn and love each other in an atmosphere of care and concern. Our children are taught and expected to behave in a Christ-like manner that demonstrates honesty, kindness, and respect for themselves, their fellow students, and all adults.

SELF-DISCIPLINE AS A BASIS FOR THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Catholic education is based on the principle of self-discipline. This principle includes exercising good judgment and Christian understanding in personal and social relationships. We expect all students to develop self-discipline.

† Self - Discipline is part of the total teaching-learning process, which promotes the development of integrity, accountability, personal ethics, and self-management.

† Self - Discipline enhances self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

† Self - Discipline recognizes and respects cultural diversity and differences.

† Self - Discipline policies adhere to accepted principles of fairness and equity.

† Self - Discipline is a set of skills that allows for effective learning.

† Self - Discipline informs policies that guide intervention strategies for students.

† Self - Discipline guides policies that are dynamic and flexible.

Holy Rosary Bi-parish School History

1921 Sisters of the Holy Cross founded Holy Rosary Bi-parish School on August 26.

1958 A new convent was built at 145 9th Street (current parish hall).

1959 The parish hall, currently housing the cafeteria, gymnasium and stage, was erected.

1966 A new school was constructed under the direction of Rt. Reverend Monsignor Verhooven and was dedicated on May 12, 1967, by His Excellency Sylvester W. Trienen, Bishop of the Diocese of Boise.

1971 The School Board was organized.

1977 Holy Rosary became a state approved school.

1983 A Kindergarten program was added and computers were incorporated into the curriculum.

1984 The Endowment Foundation was established.

1985 The Kindergarten program was expanded to include both morning and afternoon sessions.

1986 The Extended Day and the Pre-Kindergarten programs were added. The last eighth grade class graduated in May.

1987 The Sisters of the Holy Cross withdrew, leaving the school with all lay faculty.

1988 The Summer Enrichment Program was established.

1988 The Preschool program was added.

2003 Multiage (First-Second-Third Grades) was added.

2004 Inaugural Year of the Wiegand Multi-media Center

2006 FAME established.

II. ADMINISTRATION

Faculty

Superintendent Father Joseph McDonald

The Pastor is responsible to the Bishop for the administration of the total parish, including the parish school. The pastor hires, supervises, and evaluates the principal with the assistance of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. In addition, the pastor is responsible for the supervision of religious education programs within the school.

Principal Marilyn Reilly

The Principal functions as the chief administrator of the school, and is a member of the parish staff. The Principal is responsible for the operation of the school program. This responsibility includes: 1) the employment, supervision, and evaluation of faculty and staff; 2) establishment and assessment of educational programming; 3) evaluation and management of student behavior, and 4) development of the school’s annual budget.

Faculty

Father Carlos Liturgy and Community Priest

Copp, Nancy Preschool & Pre-K

Ms. Sargent Kindergarten

McGarry, Michelle Multiage Classroom (Grades1, 2, 3)

Jones, Pam First Grade

Koelsch, Marilynn Second Grade

Ferrer, Moira Third Grade

Flaherty, Kaleen Fourth Grade

Warnecke, Susan Fourth Grade

Moretz, Byraun Fifth Grade

Jolly, Amber Sixth Grade

Arnone-Wheat, Sherri ______Spanish

Bonney, Deacon Rick ______Pastoral Associate and Zero Hour Math

Staff

Brookshier, Rose Administrative Specialist

Lund, Mary Technology/Business Manager

Lance, Jane Title I

Arnone-Wheat, Sherri ______Media Center

Conrad, Betty School Nurse

Middleton, Brenda Cafeteria

Jenson, Maria Para-educator

Sheets, Susan Para-educator/Daycare/Extended Day

Herne, Roseanne Daycare/Extended Day Manager

Marcela Goss Daycare/Extended Day

Kimbro, Valerie Daycare/Extended Day

van der Sluys, April Daycare/Extended Day

Neher, Heather Daycare/Extended Day

Green, Craig Guitar

LoPiccolo, John Band, Piano

Vigil, Gary Maintenance

Solano, Otilia Custodial

Douglass, Kathleen School Psychologist/Guidance Counselor

School Board

School Board meetings will take place on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00PM in the 5^th grade classroom and are open to the public.

The establishment of policy is accomplished through the activity of the school board. The school board is composed of the executive team (pastor, principal, and school board chairperson) and the members. When the school board formulates policy and the executive team enacts it, the decision is effective and binding.

Governance is divided into two parts, policy and administration. The school board's responsibilities are in policy matters. The school board is not responsible for administration or the details of administration. Administration is the responsibility of the administrative team (principal and pastor).

The board is consultative in the following sense: the members cannot act apart from the executive team and cannot make decisions binding for the school without the approval of the executive team.

The areas in which the school board will be consulted are:

Planning
Policy development and formulation (formulating policies which give general direction for administrative action)
Recommendation for the selection of the principal
Evaluation of the principal's relationship with the board
Assessment and accountability of school board goals
Major curriculum changes
(Source: Article III of the By-Laws of Holy Rosary Bi-parish School).

The pastor, principal, and/or chairperson can call special board meetings. If non-members attend board meetings, the board will go into executive session whenever the issues involve personnel or other confidential matters.

(Source: Article VI of the By-Laws of Holy Rosary Bi-parish School).

2007-2008 School Board Members:

Father Joseph McDonald, Pastor (non-voting) Marilyn Reilly, Principal (non-voting)

Terry Bukovski, Home & School President Teacher Faculty representative

Gene Watson Don Carey

Rick Bonney Carolina Aller

Kathleen Douglass Clint Behrend

Admissions

Statement of Non-discrimination

As a Catholic school, Holy Rosary is dedicated to the dignity of every human being. Our admission policy is inclusive and shows no discrimination with regard to sex, race, ethnic background, or social or economic status. Since we are a religiously oriented school for the Catholic community, we give preference to members of the Catholic Church, but welcome members of other denominations after our own community is served.

Student Entrance Requirements

Acceptance Guidelines for Admission to Holy Rosary School

· Children currently attending Holy Rosary School

· Sibling of children attending Holy Rosary

· Children of registered at Idaho Falls Catholic Community (parents/guardians) who are practicing Catholics and are committed stewards of their time, talent, and treasure in their relationship to Idaho Falls Catholic Community and Holy Rosary Bi-parish School

· Children of practicing Catholic parents/guardians who are transferring into the community.

· Children of practicing Catholic parents/guardians who belong to another parish

· All other students

Procedures and Requirements

· At the time of admission, transfers, health records, and academic records are required from the previous school

· Pre-school and Pre-K students must be 3 and 4 years old by September 1, respectively

· Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1. Parents/Guardians are required to present copies of original birth certificates and health records

· The latest test scores and report cards for students enrolling in Grades 1 through 6 are also required for entrance

· The Principal interviews older students before acceptance

Academic Records

· The academic records of all students wanting to transfer to Holy Rosary Bi-Parish School will be examined prior to admission. The student records must show that they have been attending school regularly and are in good academic standing. Any requirements for special needs to assist a student’s learning will be discussed and reviewed to determine whether Holy Rosary Bi-Parish School has the ability, facility and expertise to provide the required special assistance.

· All students entering Holy Rosary Bi-Parish School for the first time will be enrolled on a nine-week probationary period. The student’s academics and conduct will be evaluated continuously during this period. If it is determined that Holy Rosary Bi-parish School program is not meeting the needs of the child the child may be dismissed.

Immunization Requirements

The school abides by the rules set forth by the Idaho State Department of Health rega