This is the complete text version of the St. Bernadette Catholic School Family Handbook for the 2026–2027 school year, published as a web page so it can be read with a screen reader, enlarged, or read aloud on any device.
Official version: the signed PDF handbook is the official document of record. Download the 2026–2027 Family Handbook (PDF). If anything here differs from the PDF, the PDF governs. Questions? Call the office at 740-654-3137.
Mission and Beliefs
St. Bernadette Catholic School educates the whole child — mind, body, and soul — in an authentic Catholic environment.
Faith is meant to be evident in every classroom, and the school works to build and sustain a Christ-centered community.
Admissions and Enrollment
Enrollment priority is given to current students, their siblings, and parish families. Non-Catholic students are admitted as space allows.
Families must provide required documents, including birth certificates, baptismal certificates, and custody orders. The application fee is $125.
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Tuition supports the school’s high-quality education. Active parish participation qualifies a family for a tuition discount.
Financial aid is available through diocesan programs, including the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund and EdChoice scholarships. Application deadlines fall in March.
Tuition accounts must be current before student records are released. Families are responsible for keeping contact information up to date in FACTS.
Academic Program and Grading
The curriculum aligns with Diocesan standards. Instruction includes religion, the arts, library, and technology.
Grading is standards-based in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and percentage-based in grades 3 through 8, using an A to F scale.
Grades are based on tests, homework, participation, projects, and classwork. Individual teachers communicate their own policies.
Make-up work is the student’s responsibility. Teachers allow a reasonable timeframe to complete it; late-work policies vary by teacher.
Academic Integrity and Honors
Cheating, plagiarism, and misuse of artificial intelligence are prohibited and may result in a zero on the work or further disciplinary action.
Each quarter, students earning all A’s are named to the Principal’s List, and students earning A’s and B’s are named to the Honor Roll.
Testing, Promotion, and Placement
Renaissance Star Math and Star Reading assessments are given at least three times each year. Ohio State Tests are administered in grades 3 through 8.
Promotion decisions are based on the welfare of the student. Parents are notified if retention is being considered.
A student may be placed in a different grade, or be required to attend summer school or tutoring.
Special Education and Support Services
The school provides services for students with special needs, including intervention specialists and speech therapists.
Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) receive tailored instruction and quarterly progress reports.
Religious Education and Activities
Religious instruction is daily. Weekly Mass and participation in prayer services are required of all students, and Mass days carry their own dress code requirements.
Sacramental preparation takes place in specific grades. Confession is scheduled monthly.
Arts, Library, and Technology
The arts program includes weekly music and visual arts instruction.
Library and technology resources support student learning, with a one-to-one device ratio.
Arrival, Dismissal, and Attendance
School begins at 7:50 a.m. Students who arrive before 7:30 a.m. report to the Extended Day Program, for which fees apply.
Dismissal begins at 2:50 p.m. Students are released to guardians after ID verification.
Families must report an absence to the school by 8:00 a.m. Unexcused absences can affect course credit and scholarship eligibility.
Excused absences include illness, medical appointments, and the death of a relative. Students are responsible for completing missed assignments.
Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. must sign in at the office. More than four unexcused tardies in a quarter are tracked. Early dismissal requires a parent note, and students leaving during the day must sign out.
Dress Code
Students dress modestly and neatly, following the school’s uniform guidelines.
Infractions result in a warning, detention, or a meeting with parents. Parents may be asked to bring appropriate clothing to school.
Health, Medication, and Field Trips
Medical forms and immunizations are required before a student may attend. Exemptions must be documented.
Health screenings are conducted and health records are maintained by the school nurse.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications require both parent and physician authorization and are stored in the office.
Students with food allergies need a plan from their physician. Students may be permitted to carry emergency medication themselves.
Field trips require a signed permission slip. Only trained staff or approved parents may administer medication on a trip.
Physical education is scheduled weekly, with accommodations for documented health restrictions. The school’s wellness policy addresses nutrition, physical activity, and emotional and spiritual health.
Safety and Emergency Procedures
The school closes for weather when Lancaster City Schools close. Early dismissals are announced through FACTS.
Fire, tornado, and lockdown drills are held regularly, and a written emergency plan is maintained.
Student Conduct and Discipline
Discipline is intended to foster kindness, respect, and personal growth rather than to punish. Teachers enforce classroom rules using warnings, demerits, detention, or suspension for repeated or serious infractions.
Minor infractions include tardiness, dress code violations, and disrupting class. Major infractions such as academic misconduct, physical aggression, or harassment may result in detention, suspension, or expulsion.
Bullying and cyberbullying are prohibited. Reports are investigated and may result in disciplinary action. Off-campus conduct that damages the school’s reputation or endangers others may also be addressed.
Respectful language and behavior are expected. Social media posts must be positive; defamatory or harmful content may result in removal from school.
Substances, Weapons, and Serious Violations
Possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs is prohibited and may lead to expulsion.
Weapons and threats of violence are strictly forbidden. This includes firearms and replica weapons, knives longer than three inches, spring-loaded knives, slingshots, brass knuckles, and throwing stars.
Depending on severity, violations may result in counseling, detention, suspension, expulsion, or referral to law enforcement. Expulsion is mandatory for possession of a deadly weapon.
Technology and Internet Use
Devices are provided for educational use. Personal devices are confiscated if misused.
Internet use must support learning. Violations can result in loss of privileges or, in serious cases, legal action.
Photo, Name, and Branding Rights
The school may use student images and student work for promotional purposes unless a parent opts out in writing.
Use of the school name and logo requires approval. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Parents, Visitors, and Volunteers
Visitors and volunteers must sign in at the office, complete a background check, and attend required training. Child safety, confidentiality, and respectful relationships are emphasized.
Parent conferences are scheduled annually. Concerns should be raised first with the teacher.
Custody arrangements must be documented with the school. Non-custodial parents retain their rights unless restricted by court order. Joint conferences are preferred when possible.
Parents are expected to cooperate with school policies. Refusal to cooperate or interference with school operations may result in withdrawal of the student.
Lunch Program
Students may purchase a hot lunch or bring their own. Lunch accounts are managed through FACTS, with notifications for low or negative balances.
Unpaid balances may carry over or affect re-enrollment. No student will be publicly identified or denied a meal.
Extra-Curricular and Parish Activities
After-school programs including Morning Care and Champions are available. Fees are billed separately.
Parish-sponsored sports and altar serving are offered. Academic eligibility and conduct standards apply.
School Office and Communication
Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Email is answered within 24 hours.
Withdrawal requires payment in full. Records are released once financial obligations are cleared.
High School Transition
Students feed into Fisher Catholic High School. Students choosing public school attend the high school in their own district.
8th graders visit Fisher Catholic in the fall; spring visits include musical events.
Student Records and Privacy
Student data is confidential. Records are accessible only to authorized personnel, parents or guardians, and students age 18 and older.
Guardians or eligible students may request records. Routine classwork is not part of the permanent record.
Reporting and Policy Amendments
The school reserves the right to amend these policies. Serious misconduct may result in immediate suspension or expulsion.
Reporting suspected child abuse or staff misconduct is mandatory. Confidentiality is maintained and reporting procedures are outlined in the handbook.
Questions About This Handbook
Call the school office at 740-654-3137, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you need this handbook in another format, we will provide it.