Academic, Homework & Student Progress Reports

Academics, Homework & Student Progress Reports

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities, such as athletic events, operate outside of Holy Trinity School jurisdiction and should not interfere with the school day or school responsibilities. Co-curricular activities, such as academic tournaments, require specific approval from parents for participation and transportation.

Field Trips

All parents chaperoning a field trip must be VIRTUS trained and need to sign in at the office but don’t need to wear a “visitor sticker.” Educational field trips are scheduled by classroom teachers. A field trip fee is included under Activity Fee. Permission slip is required - No phone permission or fax is accepted, the slip must have an original signature. Parents may only transport their own child for a field trip.

Formative and Summative Scores

Scores recorded in a teacher’s gradebook will be marked “formative” or “summative”. Formative scores are not included in the grade for the class. The goal of a formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback. The goal of a summative assessment is to evaluate student learning. Only summative scores are included in the grade or average for the class.

Grading

Grades K-2 will receive a standards-based Student Progress Report.

In grades 3-8, the grade cards will show a percentage for each subject area instead of a letter grade. However, printed on the report card will be the following key:

A 94-100%

B 87-93%

C 75-86%

D 68-74%

F 67% or below

Homework

Parents should set aside 10 minutes per grade level for homework (ex: 2nd grade = 20 minutes; 5th grade = 50 minutes). If students spend more than 10 minutes per grade level, then the teacher should be contacted. Extracurricular activities are not an acceptable excuse for incomplete homework assignments.

Homework Makeup/Illness

Your child has two days for every day absent to make up homework assignments (teachers will extend the time for completion if necessary). If this schedule cannot be met, please contact your child's teacher. The student will be responsible for tests/exams on concepts presented in class during his/her absence. Homework is often available online for grades 4-8 through Google Classroom and materials for pickup between 2:30-3:00 on the table outside the office, or sent home with another student as requested through email to the teacher and school nurse by 10:00 am. 

Homework Makeup for Travel

Parents are encouraged to use only school breaks for family travel. Students gone for travel reasons are responsible for all work missed. It is not required for make-up work to be provided until the student returns. Make-up tests may need to be scheduled after school. Please notify all teachers prior to travel-related absences to coordinate any missed academic content.

Middle School Honor Roll

Effort, interest and scholarship are recognized and encouraged through honor rolls. All subjects, including electives,  will be calculated in the Honor Roll.  A grade of D in any one of his/her subjects automatically excludes them from the honor roll.

To mirror the distinctions of our Archdiocesan Catholic High Schools, we will be using a 96-100% average to distinguish our Scholar Honor Roll and a 90-95.99% average for our Achievement Honor Roll.

Theology of the Body

It is the belief of the Catholic Church that parents are the first and primary educators of their children in the area of human sexuality. Parents can best convey the beauty, spirituality, and mystery in the gift of sex.

While the parents will teach their children the physiology of sexuality, the school will assist the parents with the personal, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of human sexuality. However, in seventh and eighth grades the school will begin introducing some of the physiology of sexuality through the Archbishop approved Theology of the Body program while continuing to stress chastity, prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

Response Regarding Critical Race Theory

Library

The library provides an atmosphere for quiet study, a time to enjoy "free reading," and a place for research and enrichment. Students will be given instruction for the necessary skills to make the best use of their time and materials while in the library. Materials may be checked out for a two-week time frame. Lost or damaged library books will be charged the current price to repair or replace the damaged book.

AR (Accelerated Reading)

Accelerated Reading (AR) at HTS is intended to encourage students to read. Students check out books based on their reading level as determined through testing and teacher recommendation. AR tests are taken individually after a book is read. In order to begin earning points students must achieve a minimum score of 60% on an AR test with less than 10 questions and 70% on tests with more than 10 questions. Each classroom teacher assigns points and rewards based on those points as part of the incentive to read more. Only those books that are at, or above, the reading level for each student are counted for part of the goal/reward system. 

Movies

Movies shown in the classroom will have educational value. The lessons being taught will be made clear to the students. Movies may be shown as part of a unit, at a special time of the year, or in culmination of a project.

Teachers are encouraged to use movies rated “G”. If a teacher wishes to use a “PG” movie, the teachers will preview the movie. The principal of the school will be informed of the intent to show the movie and the reasons it may need Parental Guidance. Parents will then be informed of the showing of a “PG” movie in a timely manner. Parents that do not want their child to view the movie will be required to notify the teacher.  

Religious Activities

Greater appreciation for our Catholic faith is possible by having students attend Mass or other prayer experiences regularly. Prayer experiences may be any of the following: Mass, prayer services, Stations of the Cross, living Rosaries, adoration, penance services, etc. The prayer experiences scheduled will be published in the newsletter. Parents are always encouraged to attend all Mass services.

Parents are the first teachers of the faith through the Domestic Church. Sacramental programs are taught to students who are to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation by their classroom teachers in collaboration with the Parish Sacramental Coordinator.

Gradebook in Sycamore 

By 5 pm on the 15th of each month, assignments and gradebooks will be current on Sycamore. If the 15th falls close to the end of the quarter, the quarterly Report Card will replace the progress reporting. See the school calendar  (QR Code below) for progress reporting dates.

Report Cards

Report Cards will be available online through the Sycamore website. Parents will be notified by email when the Report Cards are accessible. You may view and print the report card at home. By clicking and viewing the electronic grade card, parents' signature is automatically recorded.

Dyslexia Action Plan

Click here to see the HTS Dyslexia Action Plan 

Special Education

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has challenged us to “Teach All God’s Children.” The parish has given permission to the school to use resources available to attempt to teach as many students of parishioners as is feasible. If parishioners have a child who will need special education whom they would like to have enrolled at Holy Trinity School, they are encouraged to contact the Principal. A team of educators will meet with them to discuss feasibility.

Student Learning Services

HTS works closely with the local public school districts to serve our students with learning exceptionalities. If your child is in need of an academic evaluation for special services, your classroom teacher and the resource team coordinator will guide you through the process. You may also contact your local public school. Students receiving services from Shawnee Mission School District are transported to and from Shawnee Mission School District’s designated school for these services. Each public school district has its own set of procedures.

Our HT Resource Team is an exemplary team of educators who assist the classroom teacher to reach and teach all students. If your child is struggling or excelling academically, do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher to create a plan for improvement. At Holy Trinity, we fully support the MTSS process for reading, math, behavior and emotional growth.

All students are assessed throughout the school year in reading, math, and social-emotional. Based on these results, students will receive specific instruction in their greatest area of need. 

Summer School and Retention

Good study habits and "grade level" academic performance are expected at Holy Trinity Catholic School. It is the school's philosophy to do everything it can to maintain high standards and academic performance. It is the duty of the parents, school and its teachers to help the students maintain performance standards according to his/her academic ability. Failure to meet standards will result in one of the following procedures:

The recommendation for summer work is a group decision between administration, teacher and parent. The need for  summer  school  is based on the student failing an academic course in both semesters. Summer school can be required in only two subject matter areas.

The recommendation for grade retention is a group decision between administration, teacher, and parent. Only in extreme situations would this be considered.

Technology

Holy Trinity School has an acceptable use policy. This is available to view on the school website. Archdiocesan policy requires that prior to technology use, parents and students are required to accept the terms and conditions of computer, Gmail, and internet use each year during online registration. All technology —hardware and software- belongs to the school. Students will use technology with the upmost respect and responsibility. Inappropriate activity will result in lost technology privileges and possible disciplinary action.

For more information on Technology, acceptable use, and Disciplinary Action, please refer to the last section of the Code of Conduct page in this website. 

Student Google accounts are disabled in the summer. 

Textbooks

All student textbooks belong to the school and are to be treated with respect and care. Textbooks that are damaged or lost by students during the school year must be paid for by the student. The cost of repair or replacement will be determined by the replacement value.