Communication

Communication

Communication Plan and Policy

The school’s MAIN communication channels are: the handbook/calendar, weekly newsletters, Back to School Night, parent/teacher conferences, website, Sycamore, emails and phone calls. Feedback from school parents is encouraged and welcomed! Please provide positive and constructive feedback to administration and teachers as we are always working to improve our school and our classrooms. Thank you!

Communication Protocol

HTS promotes direct, open and respectful interactions so that problems and concerns can be worked out quickly and efficiently. The communication protocol starts with the staff member closest to the situation, as that person will usually have the most information. In stressful or confidential situations, face-to-face communication is best. Request a conference with the staff member closest to the situation. If the issue is not sufficiently resolved the next person to contact is the school administration (vice principal or principal). If the issue involves life or safety concerns, contact administration immediately The administration keeps the pastor abreast of concerns and issues that arise in the school. If issues are not sufficiently resolved at the administration level, you may contact the pastor.

School Logo, Name Use

No one may use the school name, logo, motto, initials, mascots, etc. on any media (electronic, print, or broadcast) or clothing/equipment/ accessories without expressed written permission of the principal or pastor.

Communication with Teachers

Teachers have the first responsibility for their students. If you have any concern regarding your child’s progress, grades, attitudes or social conduct, please contact his/her homeroom teacher immediately. In stressful or confidential situations, face-to-face communication is best. Request a conference with the staff member closest to the situation. To schedule a meeting time, you may email the teacher by using the teacher’s first initial and last name @htslenexa.org.

Middle school students are encouraged to advocate for themselves. When a middle school student has an issue, concern, academic challenge or is feeling overwhelmed, he/she should schedule time to talk to the teacher before school, after school or during study hall. A middle school student’s homeroom teacher will support and guide the student with this process if needed. 

* In order to protect both the student and teacher, students will include their parents on any email communication with their teacher. Alternatively, students can use Google Classroom to communicate with their teachers.

Conferences with Teachers

There are two scheduled opportunities for parent/teacher conferences. These are in the Fall and Spring. All parents are expected to attend fall conferences. Spring conferences are scheduled by parent or teacher request. 

Confidentiality

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) set forth basic privacy requirements for personally identifiable information for all students. In addition, for students with disabilities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) restricts information regarding a student’s disability, support services and classroom accommodations from being shared with anyone who is not directly serving the child.

What does this mean for my school?

Only the teachers working directly with a student with a disability should be discussing a child’s disability, medical condition, educational status, classroom accommodations, etc. Written parental consent should be required prior to discussing a student’s disability with anyone other than a teacher who is employed by your school or a professional from the public school district supporting the student with special needs.

Family Education Rights & Privacy Act of 1974

On November 10, 1974, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 became law. Under this law, the parents of students enrolled in any educational institution receiving federal funds are given certain rights concerning the school records of their children.

The following rights are accorded to you under this Act: You are entitled to have access to your child’s school. Access must be granted to you within 45 days after receipt of the request by said custodian. The custodian of such school records is usually the principal of the school which your child attends. The parents’ right of access shall include:

1. The right to be provided a list of the types of education records which are maintained by the institution and are directly related to their children; 

2. The right to inspect and review the content of those records; 

3. The right to obtain copies of those records, which may be at the expense of the parent of the eligible student, but not to exceed the actual cost to the school of reproducing such copies; 

4. The right to a response from the school to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of those records; 

5. The right to an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of those records; and, 

6. If any material or document in the education records of a student includes information on more than one student, the right to inspect and review only such part of such material or document as relates to such student or to be informed of specific information contained in such part of such materials.

Inner-School Mail

School mail is a means of communication within the school, not to be used for private party invitations. A letter from a bulk mailing will be opened in the school office before being distributed. Please do not send personal/social invitations through school mail.

School Newsletter

The school newsletter will be sent out via email each week. Deadline for article submission for the newsletter is noon on Wednesdays.

School Telephone

Students will be allowed to call parents using a school phone when requested by a teacher and/or at a student’s request. Students may not make personal calls.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/htslenexa

X(Twitter): #HTSLenexa

Website: www.htslenexa.org

Instagram : @htsmustangs

School Website

Through Sycamore, parents register their family on our school site with a private password. The password should not be shared with others including children in the family. Access will give parents information regarding grades and attendance, and lunch program.

Parent Communication via Text

1. Holy Trinity Catholic School uses a text messaging system to notify parents of snow days, school closures, and emergency situations when necessary throughout the school year.    

2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP" to the short code. After you send the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.

3. If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at htsoffice@htslenexa.org.

4. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages

5. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. You will receive messages when necessary for school emergency closings or situations.  If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.

6. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read Family Education Rights & Privacy Act of 1974 above.