Catholic schools will assist parents in forming their children to be disciples of Jesus Christ by addressing the following critical directions:

1. Insofar as is possible, make schools available to families who are active stewards.

2. Support and communicate with parents in their role as their children’s primary educator.

3. Offer students a quality Catholic education that forms the total person and prepares them for post- secondary education and their vocation in life.

4. Involve parents in supporting higher academic standards.

5. Promote the parish as the community of the faithful which is committed by stewardship to nurture the family as the “domestic church.” Therefore, invite all parishioners to become more involved in Catholic schools.

6. Cultivate the habit of prayer, the practice of the faith, and participation in liturgical life.

7. Recruit educators who practice their faith and hold themselves to high moral and professional standards.

8. Retain and recognize outstanding teachers and principals.

9. Investigate ways to improve equity among educators’ salaries.

10. Coordinate parish and school efforts to utilize technology effectively and efficiently.

11. Establish a special services coordinator to assist schools in meeting student needs.

12. Pursue public policy that helps all parents.

13. Support a diocesan development effort for schools, especially for high schools and schools that serve the poor.

Together with the family, the parish, and each other,

We will FORM EACH STUDENT INTO

A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

Who seeks the Truth, grows to love It,

And learns to live it.

Together with the family, the parish and each other…

The Catholic school can be successful only if it works with the parents (the Child’s primary educator), in the context of the parish (the basic unit of the Church family) united as one system under the Bishop.

We will form each student…

Catholic Schools must go beyond instruction to shape the total person and foster a mature adult faith capable of living out one’s baptismal promises.

Into a disciple of Jesus Christ…

The definitive aim of Catholic education is to form disciples of Christ. Christ is the foundation of the entire Catholic educational process. Jesus is the Master Teacher, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Who seeks the Truth, grows to love It, and learns to live It…

The Catholic school reaches beyond religion class to emphasize the application of Gospel values to all subject areas at every stage of life. Lifelong faith, not mere memorization, is the ultimate goal of the Catholic educational process. To seek Truth demands teacher and learner alike to think critically, creatively, and deeply. To grow to love Truth requires a relentless pursuit after the true meaning of life. To learn to live Truth requires a commitment to apply moral principles to the changing and challenging issues of everyday life.

Elementary Catholic School students in the Diocese of Wichita are expected to

1. know Church teaching, practice Christian virtue, and participate in their parish faithfully; moreover receive the sacraments all of which were instituted by Christ and each of which has its own vital place in Christian living;

2. demonstrate a reverence for life and respect for self, family, authority, and all cultures;

3. have an informed conscience, distinguish right from wrong, and know how to make choices based on Catholic/Christian values;

4. be respectful and responsible, compassionate and just toward others;

5. demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and desire to continue to learn successfully in middle school or high school;

6. be independent, responsible, and self-disciplined decision-makers who set priorities and boundaries, lead and work on teams, make sacrifices to achieve goals, monitor progress, and apply creative and critical thinking skills;

7. have the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills needed to communicate effectively;

8. read at or above grade level unless there is a handicapping disability;

9. master basic knowledge of religion, language arts, mathematics, geography, history, social science,

10.science, fine arts and P.E.;

utilize appropriate technology to access and communicate information.

1.  FAITHFULNESS

“Remain faithful to what you have learned…”  (2 Timothy 3:14)   Loyal to the teachings of Jesus Christ as taught in our Catholic faith, we believe that the formation of disciples is our first purpose, our critical function, and our ultimate measuring stick.  “Guard this rich trust…”  (2 Timothy 1:14)

2.  RESPECT

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Mark 12:31)  Grounded in charity, we honor the dignity of every human person with respect for all life; for family and community; for peoples of all cultures, and especially for the most vulnerable.  “Let no one have contempt for your youth; but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.” (1 Timothy5:12)

3.  COMMUNITY

“That they all may be one.”  (John 17:21) United as one family with our bishop, Catholic schools are at the service of the family, the parish, and the common good.

4.  STEWARDSHIP

“Place your gifts at the service of one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)  The grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor.

5.  COURAGE

“Stir into flame the gift of God which you have.” (2 Timothy 1:6)  Trusting in God, we have a relentless passion for finding the best way to provide Catholic education, moving forward alone, if necessary.  “Be steadfast and persevering…”  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

6.  SCHOLARSHIP

“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.”  (Luke 12:48) As disciples of Jesus, the Divine Teacher, we will become skilled professionals who infuse virtue into instruction and activity so that our students will be exceptional scholars who use their knowledge and gifts for the glory of God in service to humanity.

According to the law of the State of Kansas, only those children who are five (5) years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year may be admitted to kindergarten.

Kansas Statute 72-5209, amended in 1975, requires that every child entering a Kansas school for the first time must present a Certificate of Immunization completed by a physician. The required forms may be obtained from the school and must be returned as soon as possible. NO COMPLETED IMMUNIZATION RECORD COULD MEAN NO ADMITTANCE TO SCHOOL.

1. All children enrolling in St. Patrick School must have received the required immunizations for their age by the first day of school.

2. If immunizations are not current, parents must provide verification signed by a doctor or nurse that they are in the process of bringing them up to date. This should include an expected completion date. The school should be notified of the progress after each shot so that records can be updated.

3. If parents are choosing not to follow the recommended immunization schedule they must supply the school with an immunization exemption form signed by their physician.

Failure to follow these guidelines will result in denying a child admittance to school until compliance is reached.

A valid birth certificate must also be presented at the time of enrollment.

If your child is entering school for the first time, a physical examination is required. This physical must not be older than one year.

In accordance with the policies of the Diocese of Wichita, new students to the school must first present certificates of Baptism, and/or First Communion, if these sacraments were not received at St. Patrick. Since your child’s permanent record cannot be completed without this information, report cards will be withheld until the information has been recorded.

St. Patrick School welcomes non-Catholic students under the following conditions:

1. There is room for them in a particular class.

2. A parishioner will not be excluded.

3. The tuition for a non-Catholic will be determined at enrollment.

4. A non-Catholic completes all religion assignments and attends Mass with his or her class

FEES

All students are expected to pay an enrollment fee when they enroll. Preschool enrollment – $80.00 per student or $150.00 per family, K-5^th grade – $90.00 per student or $150.00 per family.

Parishioner Tuition:

No tuition is charged for parishioners of St. Patrick Catholic Church. However, parishioners sending their children to St. Patrick School are expected to tithe 8% of their income to the parish. If this creates an undue hardship on the family, please contact the pastor.

Non-Parishioners Tuition:

1. Grades K-5: Full tuition – $2500 per year, per child. Payable monthly at $250 per child. (10 X $250=$2500).

2. Large non-Catholic families who cannot afford the tuition should talk to the St. Patrick Principal and Pastor.