Aerosol spray cans (deodorants sprays, body sprays, etc.) are not permitted in the gym locker rooms during P.E. classes because the gym area has restricted air flow.  The fumes can be dangerous to students with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.   We also ask that students refrain from using these products in other areas of the building.

Students arriving by car or walking to school should enter the building at door #5. This is the back door to school. Please do not drop your child off on 4th street. The same procedure should be followed at dismissal.

Once again, we would like to remind parents how important a student’s attendance is.   The Department of Education requires us to report each student’s individual absences.  Absences could affect our state accreditation.

Parents MUST fill out the proper paperwork when students are out of the building for anything other than an illness – this would include family trips, job shadowing (8^th graders only), etc.  Students out of the building without the required paperwork will be recorded as unexcused!  This process takes a couple of days.  Please do not wait until the day before the requested date.  Days missed are documented as unexcused if the proper paperwork is not filled out.

As stated in the Student Handbook, students are permitted to bring cells phones to school.  They must be in the off position and left in their backpack/locker.  Effective immediately, any student caught with a cell phone any place but their backpack/locker will have their phone taken from them. 

1^st offense:  Phone will remain in the school office for 24 hours.  It will not be issued back to the student.  Parents will be asked to pick up the phone.

2^nd offense:  The phone will be kept in the office for one week.  Detention will be given and parents will be asked to pick up the phone.

Under Indiana law, Diocesan schools have the right to obtain limited criminal history information about any volunteer who will have contact with, care of, or supervision over enrolled students.  By agreeing to volunteer at a Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocesan school, a person acknowledges that he/she will be subject to such a criminal background check. Before being placed in a volunteer position such as playground monitor, classroom helper, cafeteria helper or field trip chaperone, you must go through this process.

Safe Environment Video

Our criminal check process includes viewing a “Sare Environment Video”.  If you have not done this portion of the process, please call the school to arrange a viewing.

A decision was made to amend our current dress code.  Effective today, September 19^th the following will not be permitted:

• Any clothing/shoes/articles with skulls on it
• Large chains
• Spiked Jewelry/collars

We ask that you please refer to your handbook concerning this procedure.  Some are dropping their child/ren off on 5^th Street and the students are running through the parking lot to get to the building.  At dismissal time, many are using the 5^th Street entrance as an exit and only the Monroe St. is to be used an exit.  For the safety of our students and the supervising staff we ask that you please follow directions.  No cars should start moving until all children are in their cars.

Students are permitted to wear shorts the remaining days of school.  Please check your handbook concerning appropriate attire.  The length of shorts should be no shorter than 7 inches from the bottom of the knee.  It used to be measured by the size of the assignment notebooks, but our notebook size has changed.  Students will not be permitted to stay in if they are wearing shorts and the outside weather is cold.  Please have your child dress accordingly.

Please check your monthly lunch menu or your student handbook for the daily/weekly lunch prices.  Many are sending in odd amounts.  Our handbook also states that we take a daily lunch count.  Students that are not present when attendance is taken in the morning are not counted in that daily count.  If your child comes to school after the daily count is called in at 8:30a.m., they need to bring a sack lunch.  The only exception to this policy is if the office is notified 24 hours in advance that the student will be arriving late.

We ask that you send in the correct amount.  We do not give change.  If you have already made your check out for the week and school is canceled on Monday or your child is sick, issue a new check for the correct amount and then use the original check the next week.  That way you do not need to void a check.

Parents and visitors to the school should use the main door on 4th Street and ring the bell. Everyone must come to the office before going to classrooms or anywhere else in the building.  After signing in the log book, you will be given a badge to wear.  We thank you in advance for cooperation.

Mission - St. Joseph Catholic School provides a Christian learning environment that nurtures the growth of each student in mind, body, and spirit. Our school offers unique educational experiences that provide the values, knowledge, and skills students need to be successful in life.