St. Bernadette School
80 University Blvd East
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Tel: (301) 593-5611
Fax: (301) 593-9042
Timely and accurate communication between home and school is extremely important in providing for a successful school day. Individual classroom teachers establish the procedure for keeping parents current on classroom activities and events. The Buzz, the weekly newsletter is sent home every week in the Thursday Folder. Parents who request it, can have The Buzz and other updates e-mailed to them. Parents should read this newsletter completely and carefully.
NEW! E-Mail the Principal with Your Feedback
As announced in the November 29, 2007 HSA meeting, we are introducing another way for you to communicate with Mrs. Wood and the School Advisory Board. Click here to fill out the feedback form with your question, concern, or suggestion. The form should not be used to discuss the curriculum or any personnel issues. Other than that, we are looking for your input and ideas.
Thursday Folders
Each Thursday a folder is sent home with the oldest/only child in the family with The Buzz as well as information regarding school activities, updates, etc. Parents should empty the contents and return the empty folder the following day. Do not send notes, letters, or messages back via the Thursday Folder.
Progress Reports
Progress reports are mailed mid quarter. Eighth grade progress reports will be sent prior to mid quarter during the 4th quarter due to their earlier departure. The purpose of the progress report is to inform parents of their child's academic status so that changes can be made before the grade is recorded.
- Progress reports are sent when the student's average is below a C and/or improvement is needed.
- Progress reports may also indicate the need for a conference.
- Please be aware that a student with a C average at mid quarter could fall below average between mid quarter and the distribution of the report cards. Should this occur the teacher would contact the parents/guardians.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
- There is a scheduled conference after the first report card.
- Parents/guardians are free to make an appointment at any time with a teacher or teachers by sending a letter or e-mail or calling the office to request a conference.
- Parents/guardians may also schedule a conference with the principal after they have met with the teacher(s).
- The principal and teachers must be contacted only through the school office. Do not call either the secretaries or teachers/staff at their homes for any school information.
Parent/Teacher Communication
Parents/guardians may use the school voice and e-mail network or send written notes to school as a vehicle of communicating with your child's teachers or school administration. In most cases, a parent should expect a response within 24 hours. Appointments can be made for an in-school conference directly with the faculty member or through the school office. Since the teacher needs to give her/his full attention to address a parent's concern, please refrain from spontaneous classroom visits or conferences. It is against school policy for students to communicate with teachers using the school voice and e-mail network or to call the school office and request to speak with a teacher. The use of these systems is for parent-teacher communication.
In keeping with the Church principles of subsidiary, problems/concerns should be solved at the lowest level whenever possible. Therefore the proper procedure to handle problems is as follows:
- Talk with the teacher involved. Try to reach a solution to the problem.
- If no solution is reached, tell the teacher that you would like to talk with the principal. The teacher may request to be present at this meeting.
- If there is no resolution, schedule a conference alone with the principal.
- If there still is no resolution, contact the pastor.
- If the problem remains unresolved, contact the Catholic Schools Office.