ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH &
SCHOOL
200 CHARLESTON AVENUE
MATTOON, ILLINOIS 61938-4428
Church 234-4923
School
234-4911
FAX 234-4925
Rev. Bruce D. Osborne, Senior Pastor
(Revosborne@stjohns-mattoon.org)
Rev.
Del L. Nack, Assistant to the Pastor
Mr. Kent Golchert,
Principal
(mailto:kgolchert@stjohns-mattoon.org)
WELCOME
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to St. John’s Lutheran
School. We look forward to a wonderful year of learning more
about God’s Word, God’s world around us, and His saving
grace. May all of us continue to grow in Christian faith, love
and friendship.
Together in Christ,
Your Pastors and Staff
Randy Rappe
Laverne Schaal
Michael Salinas
Troy Walker
Mrs. Anita Polston apolston@stjohns-mattoon.org
School Office Secretary
Mrs. Christi Diepholz cdiepholz@stjohns-mattoon.org
Preschool Director-Teacher
Mrs. Nina Curry ncurry@stjohns-mattoon.org
Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Brenda Severson bseverson@stjohns-mattoon.org
Kindergarten Teacher AM
Ms. Laura Webster lwebster@stjohns-mattoon.org
Kindergarten Teacher Full-day
Mrs. Judy Nack jnack@stjohns-mattoon.org
First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Lynn Shaffer lshaffer@stjohns-mattoon.org
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Tara Stortzum tstortzum@stjohns-mattoon.org
Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Tina Golchert tgolchert@stjohns-mattoon.org
Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Erin Lawler elawler@stjohns-mattoon.org
Middle School/AM
Mr. Kent Golchert kgolchert@stjohns-mattoon.org
Middle School
Mrs. Brenda Severson bseverson@stjohns-mattoon.org
Middle School/PM
Mr. Roger Kull rkull@stjohns-mattoon.org
Middle School/AM
ST.
JOHN’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we make disciples and equip them for service.
SCHOOL
MOTTO
Equipping for service.
ST.
JOHN’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
We believe that the role of the Lutheran teacher is to model the loving example of the Master by holding to these core values:
1. Christ crucified is our salvation, our strength, our message.
I Corinthians 1:18, 23 The message of the cross is the power of God. We preach Christ crucified.
2. God’s word is our bedrock-teaching and applying it in truth and love, properly distinguishing Law and Gospel, is how we accomplish all our objectives.
II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking and training righteousness.
3. We will help each student grow in faith.
Jude 20 Build yourselves up in you most holy faith.
4. We will encourage all students to live their growing faith in lives of service to God, their families and their neighbors.
Romans 12:1 I urge you … in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices … to God.
5. We will share the message of Christ with the unchurched, in every way that we can.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
6. We will provide academic, quality education, which will help children develop their God-given gifts and abilities.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying.
St. John’s Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.
ACCIDENT INSURANCE
The Primary Accident Insurance for students of St. John’s Lutheran School WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH FAMILY. If you do not have this type of insurance coverage, usually a part of Health Insurance coverage, we encourage you to contact your insurance provider.
A limited number of tuition assistance grants are available through our scholarship fund. *Grand applications will not be accepted after June 1st.
*ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Children who are five years old before September 1st will be eligible to enroll in Kindergarten. Those children six years old on or before September 1st will be eligible to enroll in First Grade.
We must receive a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
*A new law effective July 1, 2005 requires that all students entering Kindergarten, Second Grade or Sixth Grade this fall to have a dental examination performed by a licensed dentist.
A physical examination and immunization record are required by the State of Illinois for all children prior to entering kindergarten and fifth grade, as well as each student transferring into the district. Physical examinations must have been performed within the previous twelve months to be valid and all immunizations must be up to date. Failure to comply with these minimal school health requirements will result in the exclusion of the child from school. If an examination cannot be obtained prior to the start of school, an appointment card from the doctor for the examination should be presented to school officials. Exceptions to receiving the required immunizations must be approved by the Board of Christian Education.
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS &
PROBATIONARY ADMISSION
Students are admitted to the school by action of the Board of Christian Education upon recommendation of the principal. Before admission can be considered, an appropriate test of the student’s academic ability may be administered. Records from other schools are required. All students enrolling in the school for the first time are accepted on a probationary basis. This period ends at the end of the first full grading quarter following the first day of attendance.
HOME DEVOTIONS
Devotions are an important part of the school day. The children can sense an inconsistency if the devotional life ends at 3:15 P.M. The child’s devotion to his Lord and Savior is to be shared and encouraged in the home also. Family worship can be a real blessing for each member of the family and bring you all closer together with God. Fortunate is the family that makes time for reading and talking and praying together.
*DRESS CODE
All children enrolled in St. John’s Lutheran School must wear clothing that will reflect the Christian character of the school. Clothing should not be worn that may be offensive or distracting to the school community. Christian discretion should be used in selecting the appropriate clothing to be worn. Modesty, moderation, cleanliness, neatness, and appropriateness are used as guidelines for making choices regarding school clothing and appearance. Below are minimal standards. Parents are welcome to hold their children to higher standards in keeping with the values of their families.
Jeans should be clean and in good condition (no holes).
T-shirts with inappropriate sayings or pictures are not to be worn. Examples: sayings or pictures that are drug or alcohol related, or depict musical groups with non-Christian messages.
No inappropriate jewelry is to be worn. No jewelry requiring piercing is to be worn anywhere except in the ear lobe *of girls and is to be limited to two per ear. No jewelry be worn in gym class or sporting events for safety reasons.
Hair should be clean and appropriately styled so that it does not hang in the eyes or call undue attention to the student (i.e., stripes, razor cuts, tails, colored hair, mohawks, shaved portions). Boy’s hair length should be no longer than the normal shirt collar and may not be cut so that longer hair on the top of the head hangs over hair cut shorter below.
$ Skirts and shorts finger tip length or longer. No spaghetti straps, bare midriffs or backs or see through material allowed.
$ Body art such as tattoos, glitter or pen drawings is discouraged.
$ Please keep lipstick and makeup kits at home due to spills and cleanup concerns. We encourage makeup to be worn only on special occasions.
$ Gym clothes are required for grades 5th through 8th for gym class. These clothes are available at D to Z.
$ An additional pair of gym shoes (with non–marking soles) is required for all school activities in gym by all students. These shoes are to be worn only for gym class.
$ Due to safety concerns students must wear closed shoes for the playground.
$ Clothing must be appropriate for the weather.
$ No flip-flops.
This code applies to all school days, activities and events unless otherwise directed by the principal. If the teacher determines that some particular clothing or grooming is inappropriate, parents will be contacted for help in correcting the problem.
SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO WEATHER OR
EMERGENCIES
If Mattoon Unit #2 schools close, we will also be closed due to busing arrangements. School closings will be announced on the following stations:
WLBH 96.9 FM or 1170 AM
WMCI 101.3 FM
WEIC 1270 AM WCIA TV Champaign
WHQQ 92 FM WAND TV Decatur
WBGL 91.7 FM
FIRE & TORNADO DRILLS
In compliance with State guidelines for disaster preparations, fire/tornado drills will be held. The following rules apply during these drills:
1. Students will be provided with instructions for exiting the building in case of fire or disaster and safety precautions in case of other emergencies.
2. Students are to walk quickly and quietly to designated areas.
3. In the unlikely event we must evacuate St. John’s and shelter is needed for our students, we will take them to the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Logan and Broadway.
*SCHEDULE
The school day officially begins at 8:15 a.m. Students are allowed to enter the building at 8:00 a.m., those students who come before 8:00 are placed in Before Care and will be charged accordingly. School is dismissed at 3:15 p.m. Students are to leave promptly! Special arrangements will be made for bus students. If students remain at school after 3:30 p.m. they will be placed in the after school care program and the family will be charged accordingly. For those students who do not qualify for after school care (Preschool and Half Day Kindergarten) a $5.00 charge will be made for every 15 minutes they remain after school. The teacher will collect this fee on the day the child remains in the care of the teacher.
LUNCH GUIDELINES
*Schedule:
Lunch for All Day Kindergarten through Eighth Grade will be staggered starting at 11:20 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
*Cost:
The cost of each student’s hot lunch will be $2.40; this price includes the milk or orange juice. The cost of milk or orange juice for those who want an extra drink with their meal or for those who have a sack lunch and need to purchase a drink, will be .30 cents. The meals for the entire week or month are to be paid for in the school office on MONDAYS or you may send your child’s lunch money with them to give to their teacher on Monday morning with a note telling us which days they will eat. It is very important that we know on MONDAY so that we will know the amount of food to order for the week.
Rules:
The students will eat by class with assigned tables. This period is not a recess but time devoted to eating, with quiet socializing allowed.
*Parents eating with your children:
Parents are welcome to eat with their children in SPECIAL ROOMS provided for this purpose. When weather permits, a picnic with your child at Peterson Park would make this a special time for you. For those special occasions a date with Mom and Dad going out to eat is welcomed. Please let the classroom teacher know when you are taking your child away from the school grounds. You have from 11:25 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and only your child will be permitted to eat with you.
ABSENCES & ATTENDANCE
In accordance with state laws, all pupils are held to regular and punctual attendance. When a student is to be absent, parents are asked to call the school office (234-4911) by 9:00 a.m. stating the nature of the absence. All absences must be excused in writing by the parent/guardian on the first day of the child’s return to class. If a child is to be absent for reasons other than illness, the teacher shall be informed in advance so that arrangements can be made in regards to class work that will be missed. If a student is absent MORE THAN 15 DAYS IN A SCHOOL YEAR a conference will be held with the parents, teacher and principal to determine if the student is to be retained or passed at the end of the school year.
*TARDY
A student is counted tardy if they are not in their classroom when the 8:15 A.M. bell rings. It is important for a child to be on time for school in order to learn to punctual and for a smooth, organized beginning for the school day.
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
Each Friday or the last day of a school week, a classroom newsletter will be sent home with each student. Once a month, a school newsletter, called the ECHO, will be sent home with each student.
ILLNESS
PLEASE HELP US PROTECT YOUR CHILD
Listed below are some general guidelines for deciding when your child may or may not attend school:
1. Students with vomiting, diarrhea or fever above 99.6 F. in the morning or 100 F. in the afternoon are not eligible to attend school that day or the next. If a child’s temperature is 99.2 F. or above in the morning, parents should suspect it will elevate during the day and should monitor the child at home as a way of preventing the spread of possible communicable diseases.
2. Students must be symptom free (i.e. no rash, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea) for 24 hours prior to returning to school. If medication has been prescribed for a possible contagious disease, they must have a minimum of 24 hours of treatment (48 hours is preferable) as well as be symptom free before returning.
3. When necessary (if contagion is still suspected or the child has been absent over 5 days, has had surgery or been diagnosed with a chronic condition) the parents must provide a physician’s statement and recommendations for school attendance and participation in athletic events for readmission to occur.
THESE GUIDELINES COME FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
*MEDICATION
Medication may be administered at school when necessary. Parents are encouraged, when possible, to arrange the medication period so as to avoid this necessity. All prescription and nonprescription medication, except cough drops (which may not be shared with others) must be administered through the school office. All prescription and nonprescription medication is to be delivered to the school office upon arrival. WRITTEN DIRECTIONS MUST BE PROVIDED. NO prescription drugs will be administered without written authorization from the doctor and signed by the parent. Prescription medication must be in a labeled, original prescription container. Non-prescription, non-aspirin pain relievers may be provided by the school if a parent or guardian gives such permission for each instance. [Exception] The one exception for medication is that of inhalers and some medications, which the classroom teacher will keep.
SCHOOL RULES/GENERAL RULES
St. John’s Lutheran School believes the term “Discipline” is the teaching of self-control, Christian attitudes, orderliness, responsibility and efficiency. Therefore, teachers will deal with children in accordance with the teachings of Christ. The children will be taught to understand that for happy living it is necessary to love one another, serve one another and have respect for each person’s rights and privileges. In the classroom the teacher is the sole disciplinarian. The teacher is expected to maintain discipline at all times in a Christian manner. All teachers have the right to correct any student’s inappropriate behavior if they observe the behavior. All staff members have the right to verbally correct a student on school property or at all school functions and they shall then bring this to the attention of the principal.
*AFTER SCHOOL STUDENT PICK-UP
If your child or children are picked up after school, please let us know who will be picking them up. If someone new is going to do this, please call the school and let us know the name of the person who will be coming for your child or children.
*Please come into the building to pick up your child at the East door.
ITEMS NOT TO BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL
Toys, CD’s, electronic games and collectable cards or toys and the like are not allowed in school unless a teacher gives special permission for special events.
LIBRARY RULES
1. Children may check out two books at a time.
2. Books will be due the next week.
3. The student must return books previously checked out before checking out more books. No exceptions!
4. Overdue slips will be issued for one week, two weeks and three weeks. The teachers will be given these first, so they are aware of the overdue books. Overdue books are subject to fines.
5. As in any library, we ask that the children be on their best behavior, showing respect for the adults in charge, as well as for their classmates and taking care of the books borrowed.
6. Lost or damaged books must be replaced with the dollar value or $10.00.
SUSPENSION & EXPULSION
Destructive or harmful behavior may result in immediate suspension by the principal and/or expulsion authorized by the Board of Christian Education. The following disciplinary steps will be utilized where applicable and written records will be maintained in the student’s file:
1. The teacher will have a conference with the student and make the principal aware of the problem.
2. The principal will have a conference with the student.
3. If the problem continues to exist, there will be a meeting/conference with the child, parent(s), principal and teacher. Continued problems may result in a suspension. A suspension conference will be held with the student, parents, principal, teacher, pastor(s), and a member(s) of the Board of Christian Education.
4. If the above steps fail to correct the child’s behavior, expulsion by the Board of Christian Education will result.
5. If a student brings to school illegal drugs, firearms, or any other weapon, or exhibits violent behavior that student may be expelled without the above steps being taken.
*CARE OF SCHOOL & CHURCH
PROPERTY
Parents of students who lose or damage school or church property will be responsible for the payment of the replacement of the item. Examples would be damage to ceilings and walls, loss or damage of books, windows, computers, equipment, etc.
TELEPHONE
Students are being taught to be responsible for their property and work. Therefore, students will ONLY BE ALLOWED TO USE THE SCHOOL PHONE under the direction of a teacher, principal or school secretary in the event of an EMERGENCY. LUNCHES, SCHOOLWORK, BOOKS LEFT AT HOME, IN MOST CASES, DO NOT QUALIFY AS AN EMERGENCY
PARTIES
Invitations to parties of any kind are not to be distributed at school in either written or verbal form, unless the ENTIRE class is invited.
*TUITION
Parents or guardians of St. John’s Lutheran School students will pay an annual tuition. This is for the whole school year regardless of illnesses or vacations. A technology fee is due with the application. Tuition is due the FIRST of each month beginning June 1. Tuition checks may be mailed or placed in the wooden box in the school office. *Failure to pay tuition will result in the account being given to a collection agency.
Unless arranged with the Board of Christian Education, the financial account of a family must not become 15 days past due. If an account becomes 30 days past due the matter will be brought to the attention of the Board of Christian Education. *After six months the delinquent tuition will be turned over to a collection agency. The collection fees will be added to the amount due. A $10.00 per month late fee will be added after the 15th of each month.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The support of a large and important undertaking of a quality Christian school must be a team effort. At St. John’s Lutheran School the team is composed of school parents, the membership of St. John’s Lutheran Church and other friends of the school.
The tuition and fees charged of all students
Tuition helps pay for the operating costs of the school including the workbooks, the hard cover book rental and current event materials for St. John’s. Keep in mind that St. John’s feels Christian education is so important the church subsidizes the cost per child. The total cost to educate each child is estimated at $4,000.00 or more.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS, DONATIONS &
OTHER GIFTS
Events and sales are held each year to provide for the purchase of important supplies and equipment by the Parent Teacher League. School families are not required to participate in these events and sales. The guiding value is that since all students benefit, all families will determine how they will participate.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Parents of those children who ride the public school bus MUST call the Bus Garage each day your child does not ride. The number is 238-3270. You may sign up for bus transportation on orientation day. If your child is not riding the bus home we ask that you please send a note with your child to give to their teacher stating they will not be riding the bus on that day.
FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES
A field trip is an educational experience for which a class leaves the school premises; therefore, each student must have a release form signed by a parent or guardian. These forms are signed at the beginning of the school year. Parents will be informed prior to all field trips in the class newsletter. Students are encouraged to wear the St. John’s T-shirt or sweatshirt so that they will be easily identified while they are on the trip.
A bus will be rented for the transportation. All students attending a fieldtrip are required to ride the bus. Due to insurance reasons, siblings are not allowed to ride on the bus if they are not in the class that is taking the fieldtrip.
WEAPONS
It is the policy of St John’s Lutheran School that no person may possess, go armed with, use, or store a “dangerous weapon” on any school property, on any school bus, or at any school related activity. Further, no person may knowingly, or with reckless disregard for the safety of another, discharge or attempt to discharge a firearm on any school property, on any school bus or at any school related activity.
DEFINITION OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS
For purposes of this policy, “dangerous weapon” means any firearm, including, but not limited to and all types of handguns, rifles, shotguns, air guns and any other gun whatsoever, knives, razors, karate sticks; any electric weapon; metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles; nunchaku or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire, leather or other material; a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or some other substance and worn on the hand; a shuriken or any similar pointed star-like object intended to injure a person when thrown; or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends.
Any student making casual or intentional reference to doing bodily harm with any of these weapons will be thoroughly investigated and disciplined accordingly.
“Dangerous weapon” shall also include any other object whatsoever which, by the manner it is used or intended to be used, is capable of inflicting bodily harm or property damage. The fact that a “dangerous weapon” is not loaded, or is a toy, shall NOT make its possession, use, or storage lawful under this policy statement.
REPORTING & DISCIPLINARY
CONSEQUENCES
Individuals violating this policy shall be subject to the penalties outlined under School Board Policies and Illinois law, including suspension and/or expulsion from school in the discretion of the school principal and the Board of Christian Education.
Any and all violations whatsoever of this policy shall be reported to police officials by the school principal. A violation of this policy by a student will also be reported to the parents or guardian of the student.
Weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel and military personnel, acting in the course and scope of official duty, are permitted on the premises of St John’s Lutheran School, on school buses and at school related activities.
MANDATED REPORTING OF PHYSICAL &
SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY
No physical or sexual harassment will be tolerated at St. John’s Lutheran School. By state law it is mandated that teachers and staff are to report suspected physical and sexual abuse to the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services.
BULLYING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT
ST. JOHN’S
This includes physical, verbal or non-verbal forms of bullying.
ADULT INFORMATION CLASSES
All non-member parents are encouraged to take this class. This class teaches the basic beliefs of the Christian faith, in particular, what we, as Lutherans believe. It is led by the Pastor. Contact the Pastor for times and dates.
This class serves a three-fold purpose:
1. It informs parents of the Lutheran doctrine taught to their children.
2. It provides Christian fellowship, a learning experience in the Christian faith, and an opportunity for growth and questions.
3. It may be used as a church membership class. If, at the completion of the class, one believes the doctrine of the Lutheran Church and
desires to grow and serve God at St John’s, he or she may be received into communicant membership.
PARKING
Parking from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. will be restricted on the east side of our building, next to the building, on Second Street. This is reserved for school bus parking. Parking is allowed on the other side or the playground side of Second Street at the above times.
We encourage parents to park in our school parking lot if at all possible.
We strongly recommend that you do not enter 2nd or 3rd Street from Charleston Avenue. Please TURN OFF of Charleston Avenue onto Broadway at Logan or at the 6th Street lights.
Parking is allowed on Third Street at all times.
ONE WAY TRAFFIC IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT
During school hours on school days there will be ONE WAY traffic in the lot. The traffic will enter at the old entrance to the parking lot, at the northwest corner. It will continue toward the school entrance. At the gym it will turn left and exit the lot at that point. Please refer to the map of the parking lot included in the handbook. If you have any questions please call Rev Nack.