“There is no better
  instrument by which to
  pass on the Catholic faith
  than our schools.”

      ~ Pope John Paul II

 

 

St. Thomas More Family Handbook

Our goal is to make your child’s educational experience both meaningful and
productive. To accomplish that goal, every family must be informed of school policies and procedures. This handbook should serve as the primary reference source for questions about the operation of St. Thomas More School. We ask that you read the Handbook thoroughly and keep it accessible. Of course, should you still have questions after referring to this handbook, the staff and I are available to assist you.
As Catholic Christians, our debt to God is to create as many harmonious moments as we can. We can do that at St. Thomas More School by keeping abreast of school policies & information while living the message of the Gospels in our every day lives.

Blessings!
Mrs. Sheila Riley, Principal

Middle States Accreditation
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredits St. Thomas More School. Middle States accreditation is an expression of confidence in St. Thomas More School’s mission, goals and objectives, performance and resources and validates publicly the excellence in education. The Middle States Evaluation is an ongoing process requiring the submission of updated plans every three years. After ten years the school is re-evaluated for continued accreditation. We were last accredited in May 2000.

Staff Certification and Development
St. Thomas More School teachers and administration are required to have valid Pennsylvania certifications. Teachers and administration also fulfill all requirements for PA Act 48 continuing education credit. In addition, teachers must receive sixty (60) hours of religious in-service training to be certified as catechists. Catechetical in-service training must be updated every three years. Teachers also receive thirty (30) hours of in-service training on the Catholic philosophy of education and methods to acquire Diocesan accreditation. Teachers at St. Thomas More also participate in a yearly local in-service process entitled, Visions and Values in the Catholic School. This program clarifies and expands the vision of integrating Gospel values within the total school. Activities focus on experiences and values of staff, future changes and need, realities of student life, the purpose of Catholic schooling, and implications for living as Catholic Christians. Each school year the staff chooses one value on which to focus for the school year. That value is presented to parents in action plan form at the beginning of each school year.

Church and School Relationship
St. Thomas More School students attend a liturgical or para-liturgical service in a weekly cycle of Mass, prayer services, Rosary and Stations of the Cross. The students participate fully in all liturgical and para-liturgical services. School Masses begin at 9:30 AM on Wednesday. School prayer services, Rosary and Stations of the Cross begin at 9:15 AM on Wednesdays. Prayer services and masses are listed on the monthly school calendar. Students receive formal sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in second grade. The classroom teacher in conjunction with the parish religious education department conducts this preparation. Grade 8 students begin their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is conferred at St. Thomas More Parish during grade 9.

Curriculum
Continuous Progress
St. Thomas More School and the Diocese of Pittsburgh are committed to a program of education which seeks academic excellence, moral courage, and developing faith in light of social and cultural change. The curricula of St. Thomas More School is based on the teaching concepts that all children are unique, learn at different rates and are to be challenged to their fullest potential.

The goals of Continuous Progress in Mathematics and Readings are:
  •  To recognize and provide for differences in each student’s growth patterns;
  •  To provide an environment in reading and math classes that permits and
      encourages continuous progress;
  •  To adapt the reading and math curriculum to each child so as to challenge
      maximum individual development;
  •  To encourage students to exert effort so that they may experience success in their
      encounter with each school situation.

Daily Practices and Procedures
Assessment/Testing - Formal Testing
Testing is an important part of the formal education of the child. The Diocesan testing program consists of a variety of tests which help the administrator and teacher determine a child’s readiness for formal education, his/her aptitude and capacity for learning, strengths and weaknesses in specific subjects, as well as his/her academic achievement. The tests are reviewed and updated periodically by the Diocesan Testing Committee, under the guidance of the Director of Testing.

The testing program for the elementary schools includes:
  •  Test of students prior to entering Kindergarten.
  •  Test of all Kindergarten students in the spring of the year using
     the Diocesan approved readiness test.
  •  An achievement test administered to students in the elementary grades to assess
     competency in subject areas. Tests results report growth as well as student
     expectancy levels of achievement.
  •  An aptitude test administered in conjunction with the achievement tests in
     grades 2 - 8. This test reports the child’s capacity to learn.
  •  Any achievement tests mandated by the state.
  •  A diagnostic evaluation instrument that accompanies the reading and math
     textbook to be used after each instructional unit.
  •  Teacher made tests administered throughout the school year to assess the
     students’ growth in each subject area.

The results of tests contribute to instructional planning and student grouping. Test results are studied and used by the staff to improve understanding of students’ needs and achievement and to update the instructional program of the school.