St. Bruno Catholic School, Whittier, California

 For the benefit of those who may not have the capability of opening a ".pdf" file, the following is a copy of the information contained in the 2010 Application Packet.

ST. BRUNO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

        APPLICATION PACKET

       SCHOOL YEAR 2010-2011

Website:  www.saintbrunoschool.com

E-mail address:  schooloffice@saintbrunoschool.com

Thank you for your interest in St. Bruno Catholic School.

This application packet is intended for parents interested in enrolling their

child/children for the 2010-2011 school year.

St. Bruno is a Kindergarten through Eighth Grade School committed to working in partnership with families for the total development of our children so that they may grow in wisdom, age, and grace, in the sight of God and the community.

We accept applications throughout the month of February, with a closing date of February 28th.  We do continue accepting applications after the closing date but first consideration will be given to the applicants who applied prior to February 28th.

This packet contains an application form and some general information about St. Bruno, including tuition rates as they stand for the current school year.  Please note that in addition to tuition, parent participation in various fundraisers is mandatory.  Please complete both sides of the application form, making certain that you answer all items.  If you are applying for admission for more than one child, a separate application for each must be submitted.

Please return the application in person so that the office staff can verify the original documents requested and photocopies can be made for our files.  We will then return the originals to you.  In order to process your application all documentation must be submitted.  The non-refundable processing fee of $25 may be paid either by cash or check; please ask for a receipt.

All prospective Kindergarten students must be 5 (five) years old on or before

September 1st, 2010 in order for us to accept their application. 

Kindergarten applications must include a student evaluation form completed

by their daycare/pre-school instructor.

An assessment test designed to evaluate school readiness

will be conducted on Thursday, March 4th.

Applicants will receive an email, note card or phone call advising them of their testing time. 

Testing usually takes no more than 20 minutes and parents do not need to be present.  This time is for your child only, so if an aunt, uncle, grandmother/grandfather, etc. need to be called upon to escort your child to the school for the evaluation, please feel free to call upon them.  It is important that you make arrangements to bring your child promptly at their appointed time as each teacher testing has 15 to 20 children scheduled to test.  Depending on the number of applicants, testing could also occur on Friday, March 5th. 

Students applying for Grades 1 through 8 will be tested as openings in their requested grade become available.  You will be notified of a date and time by phone or mail.  When an opening becomes available and your child has completed testing we will contact you regarding a possible interview and opportunity to accept an offer of enrollment.  Openings will be determined upon completion of our annual re-registration in April.  As always, we hope to be able to accommodate all the students who apply and thank you for being a part of this process.  We hope that you are among those accepted.

Mission Statement

At St. Bruno Catholic School we are committed to working in partnership with families for the total development of our children so that they may grow in wisdom, age, and grace, in the sight of God and the community.

Philosophy

We, the community of St. Bruno Catholic School, believe that we share in the gospel mission to proclaim the goodness of God and in partnership with families, to assist in the total development of the children we teach so that they may grow in wisdom, age, and grace, in the sight of God and the community.

In partnership with families...

The faculty community respects the rights of parents as primary educators and strives toward becoming true partners in the education and development of the whole child.  In alliance with families we commit ourselves to continued renewal through study and learning in all areas of our lives.  Working and praying with families, we form a larger community of faith, the St. Bruno Catholic School Family, and as members of this faith community, it is our responsibility to create a Christian atmosphere of faith which will foster a spirit of love, support and openness.

To assist in the total development of the children we teach...

It is our firm belief that we provide an educational environment which strengthens the spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and psychological abilities of each child.  Therefore, we the faculty community, in partnership with families, strive towards awakening these abilities in our children.  It is our goal to produce well-rounded, educated, responsible members of the Christian community through the provision of an outstanding integral education, allowing our faith to permeate every aspect of the school environment including not only academics and religious instruction, but extending to the very atmosphere in the offices and classrooms, on the playground and at school events.

So that they may grow in wisdom, age, and grace...

The philosophy of St. Bruno Catholic School is directed towards the holistic growth and maturation of the child assisting them to grow in wisdom through the pursuit of academic excellence; helping them mature in age making decisions based on Gospel values and cultivating positive attitudes towards self and others; and fostering a growth in grace through sound Christian formation.

In the sight of God and the community.

We teach our students what it means to live lives of service for others, and we model our own commitment to social justice through our active involvement in service to our Parish, our community, and our world.  We are committed to providing our students with the best possible academic instruction and religious values, preparing them to become confident, competent, and caring Christian citizens in the world of work, and preparing them for full membership in the Church, and active citizenship in their community and nation.  We challenge St. Bruno students to go out and make a difference in the world, to take the gifts that they have received and share them with others and, following the example of Jesus Christ, build the Kingdom of God.

Schoolwide Learning Expectations

At St. Bruno Catholic School we will work in partnership with families to help students...

     Grow in wisdom through the pursuit of academic excellence becoming people who...

• Comprehend, analyze, and express ideas, facts, and opinions effectively and confidently
• Master academic content standards inpreparation for higher education.
• Demonstrate the virtues, study habits, organizational skills, and time management Tools necessary to succeed as independent lifelong learners.

     Grow in age, making decisions based on gospel values becoming people who...

• Exhibit respect for self and others, and model the gospel values taught by Jesus Christ
• Accept responsibility for their own thoughts, words, and actions.
• Employ resourcefulness, critical thinking, and moral principles in making choices.

     Grow in grace through Christian formation becoming people who...

• Know, love and serve God through full participation in the Catholic faith.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Catholic doctrine, history, traditions, and moral teachings.
• Demonstrate a commitment to peace and justice, serving others by sharing their gifts of time, talent, and treasure.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The school, mindful of its mission to be a witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students regardless of race, color, or national and/or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, or national and/or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies and practices, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs, although certain athletic leagues and other programs may limit participation.

While the school does not discriminate against students with special needs, a full range of services may not always be available to them.  Decisions concerning the admission and continued enrollment of a student in the school are based upon the student's emotional, academic and physical abilities and the resources available to the school in meeting the student's needs.

General Admission Policy

All incoming students, upon satisfactory completion of the admissions procedure will be admitted as follows:

• If room is available students who currently have siblings in the school AND who otherwise qualify will have preference.
• If room is available, students who otherwise qualify and whose families are registered and active parishioners in St. Bruno Parish will be accorded the next level of preference.
• If room is available, transferring students who qualify and whose families register in the parish and become active will be accorded the next level of preference.
• If room is available, qualifying students from neighboring Cathoic parishes without a parish school will be accorded the next level of preference.
• If room is available, other qualifying students, who by their behavior and attitude demonstrate an acceptance of St. Bruno Catholic School philosophy, will be accorded the next level of preference.

Admission to Kindergarten

Admission to Kindergarten will be determined by two factors in addition to those outlined under General Admission Policy.  The student applicant must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1st of the academic year for which he/she is seeking admission, and she/he must demonstrate age-appropriate developmental maturity and school readiness at the time of testing.

Registration

The registration fee for new students is $300.  Parents/guardians of all new students must attend a mandatory meeting with Fr. Michael and our principal, Mrs. Vice on May 25th at 6:30pm.  It is important that both parents/guardians attend this meeting.  Various letters and paperwork refers to this event as our "New Parent " Meeting.

Tardiness

Students are considered tardy if they are not present in class, ready for morning exercises at 7:50 a.m., when the bell rings.  It is the parent's responsibility to see that a student arrives on time for school.  Those students who consistently arrive late interrupt the classroom and disturbe the learning process for all students.Persistent tardiness may, at the discretion of the principal, result in denial of re-registration for the next school year.  Tardy students must report to the office for a tardy slip in order to be admitted to class after 7:50 a.m.  Students are permitted 3 tardies before a penalty is issued.  At the recording of the 4th tardy a "tardy detention" is scheduled for the student.  Students earning more than 3 tardy detentions in a quarter will be subject to further discriplinary action, including suspension.  Detention is held two times per month, on Wednesday mornings from 7:00-7:45am.  Failure to report for a scheduled tardy detention will result in an additional detention.

Tuition

Please note that to receive “in-parish” tuition you must be an “active, contributing and participating member of St. Bruno Church and have your correct parish envelope number on file with the school. 

The School Roster is sent to Fr. Michael in June for status and verification.

2010-2011 Tuition payment schedule

• Fees   (All fees paid by check must be made payable to St. Bruno School)
• Athletic/Extra Curricular Activity Fee - $50 per sport/activity                                                        - Payment must be given to the Athletic Director prior to the dispensing of uniforms.
• Social Fee $15 per student covers all class parties.  ( Halloween & Valentine's parties will consist of a cupcake and drink at recess.  Christmas and end of year parties will include a lunch meal.)                        
  - Payment must be given to the Room Captain no later than September 30^th
• Field Trip Fees                                                                                                                                   - Payment must be given to the classroom teacher prior to the scheduled field trip date.

             Other fees may include magazine subscriptions, class novels, and/or special art supplies. 

             The classroom teacher will send notification home and direct you as to the amount needed and

              date it needs to be paid. 

The annual tuition figure is divided into (11) eleven payments, payable monthly from July to May to FACTS Management Company.

Each payment is due on either the 5^th or the 20^th of each month.  Delinquent payments will result in a $25 late fee to the school.  Payments which are returned will be assessed a $25 fee to FACTS Management Company.  There is a minimal annual enrollment fee to utilize FACTS Management Company's services.  If you do not wish to pay tuition through FACTS, you may pay the annual tuition in full to St. Bruno Catholic School prior to July 1^st.  A $100 late fee will be added to the annual tuition amount if paid in full after July 1^st.

Please note that all amounts owed for DayCare are billed by the school on a monthly basis.  DayCare fees are due immediately upon billing.  DayCare charges can be paid in advance but must be paid in full by the 10th of each month.  A late fee of $25 will be charged on balances paid or still outstanding after the 10th of each month.

Delinquent Tuition

Tuition is considered delinquent when a family has not met their monthly financial obligation for two months or longer.  In the case of extenuating circumstances, it is the responsibility of the parent to contact the school office and speak with the principal.  The school is unable to extend long-term credit in all but a few limited situations.  If a family falls 60 days in arrears, the students will not be permitted to attend school until the account is current.

Graduation Fees and Tuition

Eighth grade families must be aware that all tutition and fees for the year must be paid in full well in advance in order for their children to participate in the eighth grade graduation activities.  This includes balances due for Scrip, unserved Bingo hours, unserved PPP hours, unserved Fish Fry or Carnival hours, tuition, graduation fees, late charges, and daycare services.

Transferring Students

Students must possess average grades or above in academic subjects and conduct.  Birth and baptismal certificates, current report card, and standardized test results must be presented at the time of registration.  Parents are asked to agree to actively support the spiritual, academic, and disciplinary standards of St. Bruno Catholic School.  Parents must also agree to meet their financial and service hour obligations as part of the admission contract.  Final approval of the principal is necessary before admission.  All new students will be placed on academic and conduct probation for the period of at least one semester, during which time school staff and parents will assist the student in working towards a successful adjustment to St. Bruno's school life and standards.

Extended Day Care {EDC}

If parents need to drop off students before 7:30 a.m. or cannot make arrangements to have their child or children picked up by 3:10 p.m. they must be checked into the daycare program.  Daycare hours are from 6:30-7:30 a.m. and from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. on days when school is in session.  If there is any chance that your child/children may use EDC sometime during the school year, a contract and paid registration fee {$15} must be submitted at the beginning of the school year so that it may be on file in that eventuality.  All students who are not regular daycare students and are still on campus at 3:15 must either be with their sport coach, if they are having practic that day, or they must sign in with the daycare staff.  These are students who are normally picked up at 3:00, but their driver is late.  The parent will be charged for this daycare service beginning at 3:10, if they have not yet arrived for pickup.  This is intended for the occasional late pickup.  If due to personal scheduling, a driver can never collect their children before 3:10, then those children should become part of the regular daycare population.  These parents, like the parents of regular daycare students, are charged beginning at dismissal time.

On early dismissal days prior to the beginning of a holiday, such as

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, daycare will NOT be available.

Daycare is not available the last day of school in June.

Daily Bell Schedule - Monday through Thursday

After School Activities

All after school activities and practices will take place at the discretion of the adult moderator or coach.  Students not participating in these activities or registered in the After School Program must leave the campus by 3:10 p.m. as there is no supervision after that time.

School Calendar

A "tentative" calendar will be posted on the school website each month.  Each family will receive a copy in their family envelope the week preceeding the new month.  Any changes and/or additions to the calendar will be clearly noted in the Bi-Weekly Bulletin.

ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES "ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY"

Under the "Zero Tolerance Policy" of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, any person guilty of sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 18:

• May not have any paid or volunteer assignment in any "ministry" in the Archdiocese, and
• May not volunteer in any "non-ministerial" activity or event where he/she has any possibility of more than incidental contact or supervisory or disciplinary power over minors.

Any person or guardian who is a registered sex offender must contact the principal to discuss the requirements in order to assure compliance with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Zero Tolerance Policy.

As members of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles community, we want to assure that we are in compliance with both Megan's Law and our "Zero Tolerance Policy."

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Each school and religious education program must establish an ongoing safe environment training program for the children at its site.  Home based materials must be provided to all parents to help them understand and support their children's education regarding child sexual abuse.  The approved programs include Good-Touch/Bad-Touch and VIRTUS Teaching Touching Safety {Mandated September 1 2006}.

Good-Touch/Bad-Touch is being implemented in Grades K-9 in Catholic elementary schools throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,  The program is designed to be age-appropriate, to support children in understanding occasions of abuse, and to give them confidence in reporting and asserting themselves in a situation where they feel unsafe.

VIRTUS Teaching Touching Safety is a K-12 program being implemented in religious education programs and Catholic schools.  This program is a vehicle through which parents, teachers, catechists and youth ministers give children and young people the tools they need to protect themselves from those who might harm them.

The Archdiocesan Officer of Safeguard the Children will work with principals at the schools and Directors of Religious Education in the parishes to establish these programs.  During the 2007-2008 year, training reached most of the children in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Questions concerning this program can be forwarded to Sister Mary Elizabeth Galt, B.V.M., Chancellor, and Coordinator of Children's Programs at (213) 637-7460.

Parent Participation

Tuition and fees do not begin to cover the cost of educating the students of St. Bruno Catholic School.  The deficit is made up by Parish subsidy and fundraising activities.  Participation in the Scrip Program, Bingo, PPP, Carnival and Fish Fry is mandatory.  Families are expected to actively support any additional fundraising activities sponsored by the School and/or Parish.

Each family is required to contribute a minimum of 20 hours of service for PPP, 5 hours of service to Carnival, 10 hours of service, 2 desserts per child and the purchase of 6 meal tickets to Fish Fry, and a minimum of 20 hours of service (4 nights) and 2 desserts to Bingo.

Purpose of Parent Participation Program (PPP)

• to promote a community effort between home and school for the caring and support of one another.
•  
  to assist the administration and faculty in the process of quality education.
• to provide the volunteers necessary to support any new or existing school programs or those deemed by the Principal as necessary.

Parent Participation - PPP (Twenty Hours)

• May be served in a variety of ways as described on the volunteer sheets available at re-registration.  If you decide to earn your PPP hours by puchasing needed items for class projects, the class wish list, DayCare needs, or Home & School requests, etc. each $15 expenditure equates to one PPP hour.  A sales/purchase receipt for the expenditure must be provided.
• You may choose to pay $300 in place of serving these hours.  Payment of the $300 must be made by September 30th.
• Any hours not completed by May 20th will be charged at the rate of $20 for each hour not met.  This amount is due and payale no later than May 31st.
• In order to keep tract of service hours worked each family will receive a coupon booklet with their name and an assigned number.  The coupon is in two parts.  The right side should be completed and signed by an authorized person monitoring the assigned activity.  You must return this portion to the office and place it in the PPP box.  The remaining portion is for your records.  Please keep this in case there may later be a question regarding your service.  The hours submitted will be tallied by the PPP chairpersons.  The hours must be completed between June 1st and May 25th each year.

**Note:  to ensure there are an adequate number of volunteers to support all school programs, school families cannot "donate" service hours to other school families.  If any family is facing a challenge/personal hardship in meeting their required hours, please contact your PPP chairperson.

 

Bingo - 4 nights - 20 hours plus provide dessert for 2 of the 4 nights  revised April 2010 for the coming school year.  Go to Fundraisers or Calendars and view "Bingo"

Each family is required to work four (4) nights (for a minimum 20 hours) as scheduled by the Bingo Committee.  It is the responsibility of each family to turn in their work voucher each night showing the hours worked, signed off by the Bingo Chairman.  Two of those 4 nights your family must provide a dessert.

 

When individuals do not keep their assigned schedules, the school loses revenue.  You may choose to buy-out of participating in Bingo by paying $750 by July 1st.  Any scheduled bingo night missed, without you providing a substitute, will be billed immediately at the rate of $100 per hour ($500/night) - payment is due immediately.

 

Bingo Committee members fulfill their annual PPP commitment by working a minimum of 3 1/2 hours, 13 Bingo nights starting June 1st and ending May 31st.  {Committee members are divided into 4 weekly groups; four months each year usually have 5 weeks -- each of the four groups will be assigned one of these 5th weeks -- Bingo will never be scheduled on Ash Wednesday.)  It is the responsibility of each committee member to turn in their work voucher each night worked showing the hours worked, and signed off by the Bingo Chairman.  Committee members will be billed $350 for a missed evening.  Committee members are then excused from their 20 hours of PPP service.  They are not however, excused from Fish Fry and Carnival.

 

Scrip - $300 profit

• Purchase scrip to receive $300 profit credit.  Scrip may be purchased year-round; credit must be earned between June 1st and May 20th.
• Contributions/credits for E-scrip, Von's, Ralph's and Sweet N Fresh are posted to individual family accounts once payments are received.  Generally payments are 4-6 months behind.  Contributions/credits not received by May 20th will be applied to the following year's requirement.
• By December 31st one half of your profit credit must be earned ($150).  If this has not been met, you will receive a bill with the balance due by January 31st.  (see "**note" below regarding billings reflecting no scrip profit/purchases.) 
• At the end of each school year 60% of any credit earned over $350 will be given as credit toward tuition for the following school year, usually  your September or October payment.  Parents whose last child is graduating at the end of the school year (June) may apply the amount toward graduation fees.  Parents who choose to leave during the school year are not eligible to receive the scrip rebate nor can it be credited to another family.
• You may choose to buy-out of participating in the Scrip program by paying $350 before June 30th.  Any family choosing to buy-out and paying after June 30th should immediatey contact the school bookkeeper.  They will be expected to pay $400 and it must be paid prior to September 15th.

**note:  Families who choose to NOT pay the buy-out fee of $350 and show a zero scrip profit on December 31st will be billed $225 (one half of the "after June 30th" buy-out fee plus $25 late fee) and will be expected to pay an additional $225 if their May 20th billing also reflects a zero scrip profit.

 

Fall Fundraiser

Each fall the school holds fundraisers to help meet the operating costs of the school.  This fall we plan to have a catalog drive and a Family Fiesta.

 

Although no service hours are required during these fundraisers all families are encouraged to participate (If fundraising goals are not met yearly, participation in the fall fundraisers may be mandatory in subsequent years.)

Each child must provide a $5 item for their class's chosen "Fiesta" prize basket.  Parents volunteering for the Fiesta fundraiser may earn PPP hours.  Fiesta chair will be excused from Bingo and Fish Fry.

 

Fish Fry

Fish Fry is our major fundraiser, held annually on the Fridays of Lent.  There is a mandatory 10-hour committment.  This information is published annually in January.  Any hours not completed will be charged at the rate of $100 per hour.  It is the responsibility of each family to turn in their coupon for hours worked, signed off by the committee  chairperson.  Each family is also required to purchase six (6) Fish Fry meals and provide dessert for Fish Fry as specified on the 2 nights designated for their child's class.  Information regarding this requirement is sent home annually in January.

 

Parish Carnival

The Parish Carnival is held annually on the 3rd Weekend in May.  There is a mandatory 5-hour commitment per family.  Unmet hours will be billed at $100 per hour.  It is the responsibility of each family to turn in their coupon for hours worked, signed off by the committee chairperson.

Refer to the Application page if you wish to submit an application.  Applications are available in the school office beginning February 1st if you are unable to downloand one.

Be sure to include the items listed on the Application Checklist when you submit your application. 

Thank You and Good Luck!