Curriculum

What is a Curriculum Guide?

Academic excellence is a hallmark of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. To assist schools in maintaining academic excellence, the Archdiocese’s Office for Schools has developed curriculum guides for grades 4K‐8th that identify what we want our students to know and be able to do at the end of each grade based on national, state, and local standards. With these guides as a template, each individual school develops a plan to clearly articulate what is taught, how it is taught, and how student achievement is assessed for each grade. This process of “fine tuning” results in a school specific standards‐based curriculum that guides teaching and learning.

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In addition to a daily religion program, the basic subjects of reading, mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, art, music, computer education, and physical education are taught.  Students are taught the basic subjects of reading and mathematics through individual and/or group instruction.

All Saints Catholic School will be using a human growth and development curriculum.  ASCS recognizes the fact that parents are the primary teachers of their children in these matters and that the Archdiocesan policy requires schools to provide this instruction.  The material is chosen to help parents educate their children in the spirit of Christian values and Catholic faith.  The curriculum will be taught in school for grades 1–8.  It is recognized that some parents may choose to educate their children at home.  Those selecting this option will be provided texts as resources.

All Saints Catholic School provides a developmental physical education curriculum within the school setting. Grades 4–8 change into shorts and a t-shirt for physical education classes.  A plastic bag or gym bag must be used to store clothing after gym class.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Grades 3–8 take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.

HOMEWORK GUIDELINES

Homework is a necessary part of learning.  The purpose of homework is to enrich what is happening at school as well as to reinforce and practice skills that have been taught.  It is also intended to develop sound study habits for education.  Homework consists of experiences that will supplement, enhance and broaden concepts studied within the classroom.  It is not limited to paper-pencil tasks and will attempt to integrate a number of learning options.

Recreational reading is encouraged as a vital family practice each evening.

Generally, no homework assignments will be given on weekends or holidays; however, long-term projects will involve weekend time.

When a child has been absent, he/she is responsible for completing the work missed.  Students will be given one day for homework catch up for each day of illness.  Although absence due to family vacations is strongly discouraged, students will be allowed to request work/assistance after their return.  Work missed during vacation absence must be turned in to the teacher within a week of return if credit is to be received.

 Recommended* times for homework assignments are:

• Grades 1-3:  30 minutes
• Grades 4-5:  30-60 minutes
• Grades 6-8:  60-90 minutes

 *Please note that this is merely a GUIDELINE.  Since learning is an individual experience for each student and study skills vary from student to student, the task at hand may require more or less time.  Feel free to confer with your child’s teacher regarding the homework policy if any questions arise.  Kindly note that if your child is spending longer than the recommended time, you will want to confer with your child’s teacher(s) for assistance in study skills and organization.

Homework tip for parents: The greatest support any parent of children in all grades can provide is to furnish a suitable atmosphere in which a child can study each evening.  Parents may want to spend some concentrated time at the start of the school year observing the strategies each child uses to organize the task at hand, set priorities and approach difficult and challenging material.  Since homework serves to give teachers feedback about concepts learned and not clearly understood, parents are invited to assist children in formulating clear questions about concepts or material not understood which can be given to the teacher the next day for clarification.

PERIOD OF ASSIGNED STUDY (PAS)

If a student does not complete his/her homework or incurs a minor rule infraction, he/she, after one warning, will be required to stay after school from 3:20–3:45.  If a student is required to stay, a PAS will be given at least one day in advance to the student to be signed by a parent.

ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOKS

Students are expected to come to class promptly, in appropriate uniforms, and with all required materials such as textbooks, pens, pencils, paper, etc.  Assignment notebooks will be highlighted when these expectations are not met to alert parents to the student’s non-compliance with expectations.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are planned at the discretion of the classroom teacher and approved by the principal.  Teachers are encouraged to vary the experiences from year to year in order to provide students with a wide range of educational experiences.  Field trips are an opportunity to extend LEARNING beyond the classroom walls—to broaden children’s horizons.  Every effort will be made to explore such possibilities and to participate in the wonderful experiences available through nature centers, museums, libraries, art groups, and business and industry.

Parent chaperones are vital to the field trip experience.  The number of supervisors needed is greater when students are younger or in instances when risk is greater.  No field trip can take place without adequate parental cooperation and assistance.

Prior to the field trip date, each student will be issued a permission slip stating the details of the trip—times, date, cost, and mode of transportation.  This slip must be returned prior to the day of the field trip with parent signature and phone number where the parent can be reach in case of emergency on that day.  No student will be permitted to participate in the trip without this form.

Will there be one curriculum?
Yes, there will be one curriculum for this one school, across both campuses. We will take inventory of the curriculum offered at all four schools and determine where the best practices exist. We’ll build a program based on these best practices, and fill in the gaps where needed. Excellence in education will be the focus when developing the curriculum. For example, we hope to have Pre-Algebra offered in 7th grade, with 8th graders completing Algebra. We will keep you informed on the development of our curriculum.

What are the educational/academic philosophies of the new school? 
First and foremost, ‘excellence in education’ will be the cornerstone of the curriculum, and it will be the lens we use when selecting the teachers for this new school. In terms of educational priorities, we will be looking into 21st century learning methods, broader use of technology, greater emphasis on and knowledge of the global community. Ultimately, we want to create an atmosphere where each child can reach his/her full potential.

Beyond the basic academic offerings, what additional classes will be offered? 
We will offer computers, art, music, physical education – and we will have dedicated staff for these subjects. We are also committed to offering a foreign language program, Spanish, at a minimum, with hopes to expand. We are strongly committed to going above and beyond the basics, ensuring a well-rounded experience for all students. We will be hiring a part time resource teacher to serve at each school so that students will have the opportunity to receive either enrichment or remedial help depending on needs.

What will we be doing with current preschool and K3- K4 programs? 
Each campus is committed to offering a full K4-8 grade structure. The question on what to do with current programs is still being explored, and will be addressed over time.

Will there be resources for special needs? 
While the school will not have a specific special education program we will work to ensure a quality education for each and every child at the school. If a child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) we will do our best given the resources available to us to meet a child’s needs.

What is the difference between All Saints Catholic School and St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy?
All Saints Catholic School offers families the option of a K-8 program. At All Saints Catholic School your son or daughter will remain in a building with children from grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. While specific care will be made to create a middle school feel to the child’s 6th –8th grade experience, the K-8 model eliminates the transitioning that takes place when a child leaves an elementary school building and enters a middle school program housed in a new building. The other advantage of a K-8 model is the mentoring program that is built into it. A student in the upper grades acts as a “buddy” to a younger child often accompanying him/her to Mass or completing other projects during Advent/Lent or Christmas together. Ultimately, it is up to each individual family to prayerfully consider which model is best for their son/daughter.