Handbook

Blessed Sacrament School
Parents’ Handbook
2009-2010

 
Introduction
Welcome to the Blessed Sacrament School family. Blessed Sacrament is a parish based school dedicated to providing a quality Catholic education based on the message of Christ and the values of the Catholic Church within a caring community that promotes academic excellence and a life of service. This Handbook will briefly explain the philosophy and policies of our school and help answer questions about our day to day routine.
 
School Philosophy
Blessed Sacrament is a parish, neighborhood school dedicated to excellence within an atmosphere of Christian love and concern. This goal of excellence is rooted in the teaching mission of the Catholic Church, a mission to assist parents in the development of the whole child. This means giving attention to the child’s spiritual, intellectual, moral, emotional and physical growth. We believe that this can best be accomplished within a community of persons which share a family-like love for each member of the community, along with a determination to work together to accomplish our common goals.
 
Our primary goal is to direct the child toward a mature Christian life. The achievement of growth into a life of full participation within the Christian community should be nurtured within the school setting. The Eucharistic celebration, communal prayer, and participation in sacramental liturgical celebrations are all ways in which the children are guided toward a mature relationship with their Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
Because Blessed Sacrament School believes so firmly in the concept of education for the future, we are determined to strive for excellence in all aspects of the curriculum. The administration and faculty direct their efforts towards continuous program evaluation, quality program development, and professional growth and development. These efforts enable the faculty to enrich the lives of those they teach.
 
Among many educational ideals, the concept of individual needs stands out as basic to our philosophy. Therefore, we are determined to do as much as we can to identify individual needs, research available alternatives, and select for each student the best course of action we are able to provide. Such a concept assumes the investment of time, personnel, money, and effort. Given the assets which we have, we are determined to do as much as possible to ensure that each student achieves his/her potential, thus developing the talent bestowed by God.
 
Perhaps the strongest tool we have toward the achievement of these goals/ideals is our experience of community, unity, and dedication within the faculty and staff. Believing in the basic premise that a child’s welfare is central to a successful education, the faculty shares its concerns. By working together we can solve problems and arrive at solutions for the good of all. We believe that a strong spirit of dedication and unity among the faculty will promote a student body which is more apt to care for every member as if it were truly a family.
 
Maintaining ourselves as a parish, neighborhood school is another advantage, which we strive to continue. The success of the students, faculty, and entire school is the result of a close working relationship within the community. The school is an integral part of the parish, sharing in its liturgies, social outreach, and parish problems as well as its blessings. Students are aware of the needs among families, sharing themselves through prayer, or offering whatever assistance they can. This close working relationship is life-giving to the school community.
 
Because we believe in the necessity of nurturing each individual, we try to provide an atmosphere of friendliness throughout the school. A sense of family characterizes our classrooms; a spirit of caring motivates our actions toward each other; and an attitude of Christian love is evident in the respect which we accord to each other. Parental support and caring are also evident in the areas of home-school association and fundraising. Even more important, parental support is present in the daily life of the school as parent volunteers help with lunch duty, serve as room parents, assist with field trips, work with children on extracurricular activities, and generally lend support where it is needed. This close working relationship adds to the family spirit of the school leaving us free to be ourselves with the knowledge that we will be accepted by our classmates and teachers as brother or sister in the family of God.
 
Finally, because we are a Christian educational facility, we see ourselves as journeying together to the future, a future ripe with hope because we walk with each other as we all walk with Christ.
 
C.A.R.E. Theme: Courtesy, Acceptance and Respect for Everyone. An acronym used as our community symbol which strives to reinforce our mission on a daily basis. This school-wide focus is celebrated in our liturgies and everyday classroom environment.
 
Parent Teacher Covenant
Because Blessed Sacrament strives to be a faith community, parental cooperation and good parent-teacher relations are essential. As a faith community, our first instinct is to assure that each of us – teachers, administrators, parents, guardians and other caregivers- has the child’s best interest at heart.
 
While we are a school excellent in many ways, no one within our community is perfect and problems and misunderstandings will occur. When a problem or disagreement arises, we at Blessed Sacrament School will make every effort to contact you to clarify the situation. Parents, guardians and family members who experience problems or are confused with some matter regarding your child’s educational experience, are asked to show similar respect by striving first to learn the reasons behind a policy or inquire about the teacher’s or school’s understanding or decision before judging or forming an opinion. Those who are not satisfied with what they have learned are asked to approach the administration to investigate the matter. In this way, positive resolutions can be reached.
 
Parents and guardians are asked to follow these guidelines for expressing concern over a school matter.
 
If the problem involves routine procedures such as homework, class assignments, classroom or playground behavior, or student to student problems, then the parent is asked to contact the teacher first. The best way to do this is usually through a phone call or email to the teacher.  For a variety of reasons, parents should not attempt to bring up a difficult or serious matter in front of other students while the teacher is on duty during the regular school day.
 
If the problem is more serious, the parent or guardian should inform the principal in writing, with a phone call or email. Only signed notes or callers who identify themselves will be taken seriously.  Since concern for your child is uppermost in all our minds, we will make every effort to accommodate you and your concerns.
 
All staff members of Blessed Sacrament School promise prompt attention to problems, privacy in discussing matters, professional courtesy and respect when problems are presented and a sincere effort to resolve matters in a Christian manner. That is, we promise to approach problems and misunderstandings in a manner that expresses genuine concern for the welfare of your child spiritually, psychologically, academically and physically, and his or her fellow students.
 
With this in mind, parents and guardians are expected to show the same concern and respect for the staff of Blessed Sacrament School as well as the other children and families in our community. The following behaviors are considered unacceptable within a Christian community. We would not anticipate assaults or harassment of a staff member, student or parent. Nor should we expect intimidation or verbal abuse of any member of the community – in person or in writing. Respect, courtesy and Christian concern for all, as promulgated through our CARE theme, should be our primary response.  All Blessed School community members should communicate with one another with directness, honesty, transparency and responsiveness.


Blessed Sacrament School CARE Covenant
 
Rationale for the CARE Covenant:
Blessed Sacrament School strives to create a nurturing setting for learning and to encourage relationships that are supportive and inspire confidence. All members of the Blessed Sacrament School community, including teachers, priests, administrators, staff, students, and parents/guardians, desire to do their part to ensure that all member of the Blessed Sacrament School community are treated with CARE - Courtesy, Acceptance and Respect. Our goal is to create an environment in which all community members exemplify the call to model love for one another as Jesus did.
 
By choosing to become a member of the Blessed Sacrament School community, each of us covenants and agrees that we will make a conscious effort always to treat one another kindly, charitably, civilly and thoughtfully. All members of the Blessed Sacrament School community are expected to abide at all times by this covenant. Members of our school community who use actions or words that are demeaning, disrespectful, intimidating, malicious, exclusionary, or bullying are behaving in violation of this covenant.
 
The Special Problem of Bullying:
 
Blessed Sacrament School defines bullying as behavior that involves focused and repeated effort to cause physical or emotional discomfort or fear in the target individual, takes advantage of an imbalance (perceived or actual) in power between the aggressor or target, and is intended to isolate, exclude or ridicule the target.
 
Bullying behaviors include but are not limited to:
 
•    Repeated teasing
•    Efforts to embarrass or humiliate
•    Deliberate exclusion from group activities
•    Acts of aggression
•    Spreading of gossip (orally, in written form or through technology)
•    Harassment (including sexual harassment)
•    Intimidation
•    Damage to an individual's property
 
Blessed Sacrament School will not tolerate bullying in any of its forms.
 
Consequences of Violating the CARE Covenant:
 
Blessed Sacrament School wishes to encourage behavior that is consistent with our duties as Christians. In the event that Blessed Sacrament School community members violate the CARE covenant, the following steps will be taken:
 
Process for Responding to Behavior Involving Students:

• First Step: Warning to the child to correct behavior that includes a discussion of expectations and how to meet these expectations
• Second Step: Warning communicated to parent and to child; appropriate behaviors and responses to be suggested and discussed
• Third Step: Administrative conference with parents, child, teachers
• Fourth Step: (conduct indicative of a choice to ignore the School's CARE theme and guidelines):

Consequences may include, but not be limited to, exclusion from participation in school activities, suspension or expulsion
 
Particularly serious infractions may warrant a combination of the listed steps.
 
Process for Responding to Behavior Involving Adult Members of the School Community:

• Behavior will be reported to the Pastor, Principal, or Assistant Principal. A conference will be scheduled with the adult to address the behavior.
• For parents/guardians, consequences may include, but not be limited to, limited access to school property, exclusion from participation in school activities, and non-renewal of registration.
• Reports regarding administration, faculty, staff or priests will be addressed as personnel issues according to the policies of the Archdiocese of Washington.

 
Our Community Commitment:
 
The Blessed Sacrament School faculty and staff will devote time and attention throughout the school year to encourage behavior that is consistent with our CARE theme and to identify and eliminate behaviors that are harmful to our Christian environment.

• All members of the Blessed Sacrament School community must act as role models for each other, demonstrating in all their interactions the values of courtesy, acceptance and respect.
• All members of the Blessed Sacrament School community are encouraged to intervene when bullying or other unacceptable behaviors are observed.
•  Incidents of bullying and unacceptable behavior should be reported as soon as possible to a teacher, administration or the pastor. Reports will be taken seriously and will be treated confidentially.

 
I have reviewed the CARE covenant. I/we commit myself/ourselves to abiding at all times by the Blessed Sacrament School CARE policy.
 
Home and School Association (HSA)
Executive Committee                          
Presidents            Ronald and Mary Slimp              202- 244-8642
V. President         Jessica Caceres                        301-385-9713
Secretary             Stephanie McGovern                 202-237-2907
Treasurer             John and Ann Morrissey           202-362-8120
Faculty Rep.         Betty Lou McQuade                   301-986-0737
Principal                Chris Kelly                                 202-966-6682
Past Presidents    Major and Julie Garrett              202-537-1184
Room Parents       Maria Roginski                           301-654-6415
Co-Chair                                     
 
All families become members of the Home and School Association (HSA) upon the enrollment of their children in Blessed Sacrament. Members of the faculty and administration are also members of the Association. The mission of the Home and School Association is:
 
A.   To promote open communication and cooperation among the parents, teachers and administrators in support of the mission of Blessed Sacrament School.
B.   To provide opportunities for parents to be of service to the school and to coordinate these services.
C.   To enhance the quality of the school through a program of fundraising activities directed toward specific objectives.
 
School-wide meetings of the HSA are generally held in the fall (Back to School Night), winter (financial meeting) and spring (election results and budget presentation). All parents are urged to attend these meetings.
 
The HSA Executive Committee, made up of elected and ex-officio members, meets monthly. Parents wishing to attend these meetings or place items on the agenda should contact the HSA Presidents. Copies of the HSA By-Laws are available by contacting the Secretary.
 
An extensive “Call for Volunteers” is issued by the HSA during the summer. Additional needs for volunteers are announced in the Blessed Sacrament School Weekly. Parents may always call HSA officers to volunteer their services.
 
The HSA sponsors many activities during the year to encourage Teacher-Parent communication and fund raising. These include:
 
Sally Foster Gift Wrap                        New Parent Reception
Book Fair                                             Faculty/Staff Luncheons
Spring Benefit                                      Uniform Exchange
Parent Education Programs               Grocery Receipts Program
Grandparents’ Day                              Italian Dinner                        
Directory/Handbook                            BSS Merchandising
 
School Board
President:  Maureen Casey                 202-244-3382
Treasurer:  John Nolan                        202-364-1075
 
The Pastor appoints nine representatives from the parish community to the School Advisory Board. Members are school parents or interested parishioners. The president of the Home and School Association as well as a teacher representative are also voting members. The Pastor and Principal are non-voting members.
 
The Advisory Board, in collaboration with the Principal, is responsible for developing and recommending an annual budget to the Pastor. The Advisory Board further develops and reviews significant policies for recommendation to the Pastor and Principal with regard to curriculum, tuition, enrollment, admissions, salaries, personnel, technology, facilities, public relations and development. The Advisory Board is a liaison with the Pastoral Council and Monsignor Smyth Fund.
 
 
Office of Development / Constituent Relations
 
In 1999, the Office of Development/Constituent Relations was formed to enhance the school’s relationship with our current and past school parents, grandparents, alumni, parishioners, and the surrounding business community.  Communication is fostered through two publications: THE WORD, which is aimed primarily at alumni, past parents and grandparents and THE BLACKTOP, which is news for current parents. The office of Development/ Constituent Relations also run the school’s annual giving campaign; Annual Fund helps alumni organize reunions, seeks grants and scholarship monies, and pursues all other opportunities to serve constituents and advance the school’s goals.  The office is open 20 hours per week, staffed by a director of development and constituent relations, Nancy Ryan, and a director of alumni relations, Celine Delaney. The office can be reached by calling 202-966-6682, or by emailing alums@blessedsacramentdc.org.
 
Monsignor Smyth Endowment Fund:
 
Monsignor Thomas G. Smyth Endowment Fund of Blessed Sacrament School
Article III Purpose: By resolution, the Pastor has established the Fund to receive contributions, including subscriptions, grants, donations, gifts, bequests and derrises to be used for the support and aid of the School and its faculty and students primarily tuition relief and teacher enrichment.  The mission of the Board is to act as an advisor to the Pastor in administering the Fund in seeking to assure the continuation of quality Catholic education at the school.  This fund has been in existence since 1988.  The Monsignor Smyth Fund contributes to the BSS budget annually.  Contributions to the Smyth Fund can be sent to the Attention of Jeanne Gildea in the Monsignor Duffy Parish Center.  Each year the Smyth Fund organizes the Father Duffy Golf and Tennis Tournament to support the fund’s mission.
 
Policies and Procedures
1. Admissions
Blessed Sacrament School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, or disability (if with reasonable accommodation, the individual can be successful in the environment) to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Children of all faiths are welcome, but priority is given to children of parishioners in canonical boundaries of Blessed Sacrament Parish.
 
Students must be five years old on or before September 1 for admission to Kindergarten. Children must be 6 by September 1 for first grade.  Baptismal and birth certificates are due with admission registration. By D.C. law, immunization records are due on the first day of school. Transfers from other schools are accepted as space is available and if students meet all requirements. Assessment of students may be a requirement for admission to Blessed Sacrament School.
 
As part of the admissions process, Open Houses are held during the first semester. Parents of prospective students are invited to visit the school and classrooms. A general introductory meeting with the Principal is held during each Open House.
 
2. Aftercare Program
The Aftercare Program is designed to care for BSS students whose parents have a need for this service. The program runs from the close of school until 6:00 p.m. including most half day sessions. A monthly fee, determined by expected days of attendance, is paid in advance. When parents arrive after 6:00 p.m., a charge of $1 per minute is assessed.
 
Children are encouraged to do their homework and are provided with a light snack. Activities vary but may include games, films, arts and crafts, and outdoor sports, depending on the weather.
 
3. Attendance
Absence: When a child is absent from school, he/she is expected to return with a written note of explanation from a parent. A doctor’s certificate is required after a three day illness.
 
Hours of School: School begins at 8:15 for children in Grades K-5 and at 8:10 for Grades 6-8. School ends at 3:10 for Grades K-8. Students are requested to be ready to enter the building at 8:10 a.m. for grades K-8.  Students arriving late must request a pink slip from the front office.
 
On half days each month, students are dismissed at 12:30 so that teachers may attend in-service sessions. Parents are encouraged to use this time to set up any necessary doctor and dental appointments for their children.
 
Arrival Time: Children should not be dropped off at school before 8:00 a.m. The school cannot accept responsibility for children brought to school before 8:00 a.m. Children may not leave the school grounds without permission once they arrive. Parents will be notified and appropriate consequences given for violation of this rule.
 
Message to Parents:  Please do not call the front office after 2:30 p.m. to deliver personal messages to your child.  The front office administrative staff cannot leave the office area to deliver personal messages to students.
 
Tardiness: It is important that everyone makes a resolve to be prompt each day. Tardiness negatively impacts children’s performance at all grade levels. It may also negatively impact high school admission. Children arriving late must obtain a tardy slip from the main office which allows admission to class.  Students in Middle School with four tardies will receive a conduct referral.  Students will begin each quarter with a blank slate.  Children in grades 3-5 who are tardy three times in a quarter will be required to remain at school on Thursday from 3:10-3:20pm.  Each quarter a 3-5 student begins with zero tardies.
 
An excuse for a late arrival due to a doctor’s appointment must be accompanied by a certificate from the doctor’s office.
 
Early Dismissal for Appointments: Normally, children may not leave the school premises under any condition without the permission of the parent and without notifying the school office. No child may be taken from school by anyone except his or her parent or legal guardian unless previous arrangements have been made with the office in writing. When picking up a child before the usual dismissal time, (illness, doctor’s appointment) you must come to the front office where the child will be waiting and “sign out.” Parents are not allowed to go directly to their child’s classroom.  Children may only be dismissed early from school if the request is made in writing by the parent or guardian.
 
School Cancellation for Inclement Weather: In the event of bad weather, Blessed Sacrament follows the decision of the Montgomery County Public Schools with regard to a delayed opening or cancellation with the following exceptions: Blessed Sacrament never dismisses early for bad weather or other emergencies without contacting all the parents individually. Parents are free to come and take their children home early in the event of severe weather.
 
If Montgomery County schools are closed for a scheduled holiday, the Archdiocese of Washington will announce closings.   
 
Please listen to your radio for cancellation or delayed opening information. Please do not call the school or rectory.
 
4.  Cell Phones
Students who possess cell phones must keep them turned off during the school day and in their backpack or locker.  All phone use (whether as a phone, watch, calculator, music devise, electronic camera, etc.) is not permitted during the school day.   Visible possession and/or use of cell phones during the school day will result in confiscation on the student’s first offense and returned to the student at the end of the school day.  Subsequent offenses will result in confiscation and require a parent/guardian of the student to meet with the Principal/Assistant Principal in order for the cell phone to be returned.
 
5. Change of Address/ Email Address
If a change of residence, telephone number or email address occurs, please notify the school office at once. It is extremely important for the security of your children that records be kept up-to-date and that school authorities be able to notify parents immediately if any emergency arises.
 
6. Communication
All faculty, staff and parents are urged to communicate with one another with directness, honesty, transparency and responsiveness.
 
7. Conferences
Effective communication between parents and teachers is a key factor in a successful school year. Teachers and parents are encouraged to contact each other when a problem arises. When problems get to a crisis point, they are much more difficult to address. Teachers are conscientious about making time available for scheduled appointments or phone conversations. Immediately before and after school, teachers are meeting with students, attending scheduled meetings with parents, or preparing for the day with your children. Teachers are not available for unscheduled conferences before or after school. Parents are asked to call the school voice mail or use email to make an appointment with a teacher.
 
Conferences scheduled on  a day when school is closed unexpectedly are cancelled.
 
8. Confidentiality of School Records
A student’s records are confidential and are not released to anyone other than his/her parents or legal guardians without written authorization from parents.
 
9. Discipline
The primary objective of a school disciplinary policy is to foster a sense of self-discipline and character formation. Reasonable rules of behavior, based on respect for the individual, whether the individual is a student or faculty member, create an atmosphere in which good behavior arises naturally.
 
Grades Kindergarten-5.
Class regulations are formulated by the teachers and students on a class by class basis.
 
Grades 6-8.
Conduct Referrals
At the beginning of the year, Grades 6-8 students and parents are provided with clear written expectations for school behavior. Parents are asked to sign an acknowledgment of these conduct expectations. Classroom misbehavior and student choices that do not honor these expectations result in a Conduct Referral, which must be signed by the parent and the student. As a consequence, the student will be required to report to the next weekly Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. detention. More than one conduct referral will result in the student being ineligible for the Honor Roll for one quarter. More than two conduct referrals, per quarter, qualify the student for a Saturday detention.  Failure to satisfy a Saturday detention could result in suspension from school.  Each quarter a student begins with a clean slate.
 
Procedures for Serious Disruptive Actions
Procedures for dealing with serious disruptive actions, e.g. unacceptable internet use, threatening other students or adults, blatant disrespect, cheating, destruction of school property, theft, etc. are as follows:
•    The Principal or Assistant Principal will investigate the matter.
•    The Principal or Assistant Principal will interview the student.
•    The parent will be notified.
•    The student will be denied access to the school until a satisfactory parent conference has been held.
•    The Principal will make specific recommendations at the parent conference.
•    The student may be conditionally reinstated, with a letter stating the consequences should the action be repeated/may be suspended, may be banned from student activities, may be expelled
 
The Administration reserves the right to discipline students for off campus conduct that is detrimental to the school’s reputation or is not consistent with Christian values and our CARE theme.
 
Drugs and Alcohol
In compliance with Archdiocesan policy, the possession, use, or sale or distribution of illegal drugs, alcohol or weapons by students is strictly prohibited on school grounds, or at any school activity.
 
Any student found using or in possession of illegal drugs, alcohol or weapons may be subject to immediate suspension or may be subject to immediate expulsion.
 
10. Dress Code
All students at Blessed Sacrament School must adhere to a specific dress code.
 
Girls K-5

• Regulation jumper, of modest length.
• Optional: navy blue slacks, allowed November – April 8.  Corduroy is acceptable.  NO JEANS – NO DENIM.
• Optional: navy blue shorts in September and October and after April 8.
•  NO JEANS – NO DENIM of any kind is acceptable.  No cargo pants.
• White, long or short sleeves, button front blouse with round “Peter Pan” collar.
•  White crew socks that cover the entire ankle.
• Navy blue, white or black opaque tights or knee socks may be worn November through April 8.
• Sturdy, low cut, below the ankle school shoes. Tennis shoes may only be worn with the gym uniform.  No boots of any kind are acceptable.

Girls 6-8

•  Regulation skirt, of modest length. (no more than 3 inches above the knee)
• Optional: khaki dress slacks, allowed November – April 8 Khaki walking shorts allowed as part of the summer uniform.
• NAVY GOLF SHIRT with a BSS logo appropriately sized will be worn everyday by grades 6 & 7.  
• White crew socks that cover the entire ankle.  Athletic socks that fall below the ankle are not allowed.
• Navy blue, white or black opaque tights may be worn November through April 8.
• Dark Lavender polo shirt (with BSS logo) for 8th grade only.  Shirts may be purchased from Land’s End.
• Solid black or solid white athletic shoes may be worn everyday.

 
Boys K-5

• Navy blue slacks (not cargo pants) will be worn by all boys.  Corduroy slacks are acceptable.
• NO JEANS/NO DENIM MATERIAL of any kind.  BELTS are to be worn with all pants/slacks that have belt loops.
• Light blue knit golf-style shirt, long or short sleeves.  Only a plain white tee shirt may be worn under the uniform shirt.
• Optional: navy blue shorts (not gym shorts), allowed September-October and April 8 to the end of school year.
•  White crew socks only that cover the entire ankle.
• Sturdy, low cut, below the ankle school shoes. Tennis shoes may only be worn with the gym uniform.

 
Boys 6-8

• Khaki regulation dress slacks will be worn by all boys.  No corduroy, cargo or athletic style pants will be allowed.  Slacks must be purchased from Lands End or Flynn and O’Hara. Khaki walking shorts allowed as part of the summer uniform.
• NAVY BLUE GOLF SHIRT with a BSS logo will be worn everyday.  Only a plain white tee shirt may be worn under the uniform shirt.
•  White crew socks that cover the entire ankle.  Athletic socks that fall below the ankle are not allowed.
• Dark Lavender with the BSS logo for 8th grade only.  Shirts must have the logo and be purchased from Lands End.
• Solid black or solid white athletic shoes.

All Students
Navy knit cardigan, v-neck or crew-neck sweater, or Blessed Sacrament NAVY School sweatshirt with logo may be worn interchangeably.
Shirts must be neatly tucked in.
Only white tee shirts may be worn under the uniform shirt.
 
Special Notes Boys and Girls K - 5
Corduroy navy blue slacks are acceptable; no jeans or denim slacks of any kind are acceptable. Pants must be appropriately hemmed. Belts are to be worn with all pants/slacks that have belt loops.
 
Boys and Girls K - 8
Sweaters must be of sweater knit and not oversized. The regulation Blessed Sacrament NAVY sweatshirt, available from Flynn and O’Hara or Lands’ End is the only alternative to the sweater option.
 
All girls may wear navy blue, white, or black opaque tights or knee socks November through April 8.
Make-up and inappropriate jewelry are not acceptable.
 
Gym Uniform
All 4 pieces of the gym uniform ( correctly sized white golf shirt, navy shorts, navy sweatpants and NAVY sweatshirt, all with the BSS logo) must be ordered through school suppliers. Forms and catalogs are available in school office. Please purchase sufficient quantities of the gym uniform for your child.  All four pieces are available from Flynn and O’Hara.  The white golf shirts and navy shorts are available from Flynn and O’Hara and Lands End.
 
Gym Uniform K-5
The regulation gym uniform (see above) is to be worn on gym days. Navy shorts (jersey or twill) may be worn in September-October and April 8 to the end of school year.
Students K-5 may wear the gym uniform on gym days only.
 
Gym Uniform 6-8
Students may change to gym shorts for PE. Girls may wear regulation gym shorts under the uniform skirt. 6-8 students do not wear sweatpants.  Gym shorts are available from Flynn and O’Hara or Lands End.
 
Uniform Suppliers
Our regulation uniform supplier is the Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Company of Philadelphia, PA. In addition, the company operates one retail outlet, in Rockville, MD and offers mail-order service.
Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Company   1-800-441-4122
2208 Viers Mill Road Rockville, MD   (301) 838-8958
 
Our gym uniform suppliers are:
Flynn and O’Hara Uniform Company
2208 Viers Mill Road Rockville, MD   (301) 838-8958
-OR-
Lands’ End            1-800 469-2222
Preferred School Account # 9000-2636-0   Logo # 9811482k
 
For parents who prefer all cotton clothing, gym shorts and shirts with the BSS logo, girls’ white blouses, boys’ blue Polo shirts, and boys’ and girls’ navy slacks, are available from Lands’ End. For Gym Shorts and Shirts you must ask for Logo #9811482k. Also BSS will receive a commission if you mention the preferred school account number: 9000-2636-0. When placing an order, start your conversation with the operator by saying that you are placing a school uniform order for a preferred school.
 
Uniform Exchange
As a service to parents, the Blessed Sacrament Home and School Association sponsors a Uniform Exchange. Please contact Arantza Murphy to donate or purchase gently used uniform items.
 
11.  Electronic Devices
Ipods, Compact CD Players and other electronic devices must be kept in a student’s bookbag or locker during the school day.  Use of these devices during the school day will result in confiscation of the student’s first offense and returned to the student.  Subsequent offenses will result in confiscation and require a parent/guardian of the student to meet with the Principal/Assistant Principal in order for the device to be returned.
 
12. Grievances
Grievances at Blessed Sacrament School are taken care of as they are in any Christian community. Parents with a grievance toward the administration should see the administrator. If a teacher is involved, the parent is advised to approach the individual teacher and, whenever possible, settle the grievance among teacher, student and parent. The Principal may be invited to these settlements.
 
13. Health Policies and Procedures
There is a nurse on staff between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The nurse is not available to offer any specialized medical care in the event of an illness. Medications – both prescription and over-the-counter - can only be administered with written physician and parent authorization. Only oral medications are administered, except in emergency situations. If your child needs to receive medication at school, please contact the school nurse to make the necessary arrangements.
 
When To Keep Your Child Home
To avoid spreading contagious diseases, please keep your child home if he/she has:
            a fever of 99.5˚ F, diarrhea, or vomiting
            been diagnosed with a strep infection*
            symptoms of conjunctivitis (pink eye)**
            head lice or nits present in the hair.
 
*If your child has been diagnosed with a strep infection, he/she must remain at home for 48 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun and must not have had a fever in the 24 hours preceding his/her return to school.
**Symptoms of conjunctivitis may include red or pink eye, discharge, dried discharge, swelling or tearing. Your child must remain at home until a full 24 hours of antibiotic has been administered and the eyes are clear.
 
When Your Child Becomes Ill at School
If your child becomes sick at school, you will be contacted by the office or the school nurse. In the event that we cannot reach you, we will contact the next person listed on your child’s emergency card. Please be available to pick up your child within 30 minutes. Your child will be sent home if he or she has signs of infectious illness or head lice.
 
Physical Exams and Medical Records
In compliance with the regulations of the District of Columbia, health records on each child are maintained in the Health Room. A complete physical, including a dental exam, is required for all new students and students entering Grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, and 7. The school office will supply you with the required health forms. By D.C. law, children may not attend school and will be sent home if these records are incomplete. The Archdiocese of Washington also requires an immunization form.
 
Food Allergies
Our school has numerous students with allergies to certain food ingredients. It is crucial that we be sensitive to dietary restrictions to the youngsters under our supervision. Please alert the health room if your child has allergies.
 
Allergic reactions to nuts or products containing nuts can be severe and rapid. Please keep this in mind when baking for parties or other school events and do not use nuts or peanut butter in your baked goods.
 
14. Homework
Homework assignments vary with individual teachers. At the first Home and School Association meeting in September, teachers will discuss their policies regarding homework and their views on parental assistance with homework and other school projects.
 
Teachers cannot provide students with advance work to accommodate a vacation during the school year. Missed lessons and tests must be made up within one week of the student’s return in order to receive credit for them.
 
It is expected that each student make arrangements with a homework buddy to obtain missed assignments.
 
 
 15. Honor Roll
Children in Grades 6-8 are eligible for the Honor Roll. First Honors students must receive all A’s in regular academic subjects and at least G’s in other subjects, [including conduct]. Second Honors students must receive A’s and B’s in all academic subjects and at least G’s in all other areas. Students who have more than one Conduct Referral during a quarter will be ineligible for the Honor Roll.
 
16. Internet Policy
Blessed Sacrament School is committed to having each student supervised while on the Internet. We take no responsibility for any information or materials that are transferred through the school’s Internet connection. Any unacceptable materials downloaded at the school will be treated in the same manner as any other unacceptable materials taken to school. The consequences of such actions are addressed in this publication under Discipline. Each student assumes full responsibility and liability while using the school’s Internet connection. Furthermore, each student is required to have a signed Internet Contract on file, in which he/she agrees to adhere to the rules.  This contract must be signed by a parent and returned to school before a student may use a computer at school.
 
17. Legal Custody
In cases of separation or divorce, the school must be informed, in writing, of the parent or individual who has been given legal custody of the child. Please submit a court-certified copy of the custody section of the divorce or separation decree. A reasonable effort will be made to accommodate the non-custodial parent so that both parents can be kept apprised of the child’s progress.
 
18. Library Policies
The Elizabeth Culligan Kearns Memorial Library is open five days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (except Thursday afternoons, when it closes at 3:00 p.m. for faculty meetings, and half days, when it closes at 12:45 p.m.).  The librarian, Jean Nagle, can be reached at 202-363-2760, ext. 2390 or through the regular school number, 202-966-6682. Students are welcome to use the library before/after school or during school hours with the permission of the librarian.
 
From Kindergarten through Grade 6, students visit the library once a week. Students in Grades 7 and 8 visit through their language arts, science, and social studies classes, but on a less regular basis.
 
Despite their best efforts, children will sometimes misplace, damage, or lose books. Our procedures are as follows:
 
Overdue Books:
The student and the teacher will both receive overdue notices. The student should let the parent know that a book has been forgotten by giving the parent the written reminder on which will appear the name and class of the student, the book title, the author’s name, and the due date. The student may not borrow another book until the forgotten book is returned. If the book has not been returned by the second week, another notice is written. At this point, a note from home letting us know that the family is aware of the situation will suffice to enable the student to resume library privileges. If we have received no notice by the third week, the family will receive notification from the library by phone, mail or email.
 
Lost Books:
Because we prefer to have the book eventually returned, WE NEITHER EXPECT NOR WANT IMMEDIATE PAYMENT. We wait until the end of the school year before we determine that a book is truly lost. However, we do remind families at the end of the first semester to keep searching; often the book is somewhere in the home or in a school locker. And, fortunately, many books do surface in a variety of places throughout the school year. If this does not occur, we notify the family of replacement costs by the first week in June and expect the matter to be settled before we mail the final report card.
 
Damaged Books:
When a book is ruined beyond repair, then we will notify the family regarding replacement costs and will expect compensation before the final report card can be released.
 
19. Lunch Program
The Blessed Sacrament School sponsors a hot lunch program for all students under the direction of Katie O’Neil. Lunch orders must be made on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis and should be submitted to the office by the Friday before the purchase period in order to facilitate planning and ordering of supplies. The lunch program offers a balanced, nutritious meal, with a salad bar. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are always available as an alternative to the entree choice. Cheese sandwiches are available for our children with nut allergies.
 
Children may also bring their lunch from home if they prefer.  We encourage healthy food choices and ask that you omit highly caffeinated beverages from your child’s lunch.
 
White, skim, and chocolate milk may be ordered separately from the hot lunch program. Orders are placed in September for the entire year.
 
20. Parties
After notifying the child’s teacher, parents may send in a snack for the entire class to celebrate a child’s birthday. Preferably, the food should be delivered in the morning to the school office. Check with your child’s teacher to determine if there are students with special food needs in the class. Allergic reactions to nuts or products containing nuts can be severe and rapid. Please keep this in mind when baking for parties or other school events and do not include nuts or peanut butter in your baked goods.
 
At various times during the year, seasonal holiday parties are scheduled. These are held within the individual classrooms and are organized by the room parents under the direction of the teachers. Healthy food choices are encouraged.
 
Invitations to private parties should be mailed outside school, rather than distributed in class, to avoid violating our CARE theme and  hurt feelings among those not included.  Please remember our CARE theme when planning birthday parties
 
21. Parent Notices / Friday Folders
Every Friday, your child will bring home a Friday Folder containing completed schoolwork, teacher notes, and school-wide announcements. Please sign the folder and have your child return it to school on Monday.
Every Friday, the Blessed Sacrament School Weekly is sent via email to every family. This is an important source of school information for parents, faculty, and students.
 
In addition, a community bulletin board is available in the front school hall for the posting of any information about events and activities within our community. Personal notices will not be accepted in The BSS Weekly.
 
22. Safety Patrols
Children in Grades 6 -8 may apply to become Safety Patrols under the direction of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and a faculty member. Safety Patrols are stationed at all the intersections surrounding the school, and receive special training on how to assist the younger children to cross the street safely.
 
23. Pick-Up and Discharge of Children
For the safety of all of our children, it is important that parents carefully observe the following regulations regarding the pick-up and discharge of children.
 
If your child needs assistance or you need to enter the school building for any reason, you must plan to park your car on the street and escort your child to or from the school. If anyone has special needs due to physical limitations, please contact the Principal directly.
 
Parents are reminded that parking in front of the school on Chevy Chase Parkway is not permitted during school hours.
 
Morning Drop-Off
Parents must drop off their children in the morning by entering the parking lot from Western Avenue through the apartment building parking lot to the blacktop by the gym doors. Assistants are available to help your children out of the car and expedite the flow of traffic. All traffic must exit down the alley to Quesada Street. Drivers should proceed through the drop off line in single file.  Drivers should never pass on either side of the drop off line. Children should exit cars on the school side of the car. This ensures the safety of the children and minimizes congestion.
 
If Students are Walking
All children should approach the Chevy Chase Parkway entrances to the school from Patterson Street or Chevy Chase Parkway. The alleys bordering the school may never be used during arrival and dismissal.
 
Afternoon Pick-Up
“Choice A” – Carpool. Cars enter the school parking lot from Western Avenue. Cars proceed in rows to the entrance of the gym. The children are dismissed to parents/caregivers once the cars are all stopped and engines turned off. Cars leave the parking lot going left to Quesada Street.
“Choice B” – Gym Pick-up. Parents may choose to park their cars in the neighborhood and wait in the gym to pick up their children.
“Choice C” – Walkers. Grades K-3. Students in these grades who walk must be assisted by an older student. They are picked up in the gmy by an older sibling or older friend in Grade 4-8. Those not responsible for a younger child are dismissed immediately from the classroom.
“Choice D” – Aftercare. Children attending Aftercare report to the Aftercare room at dismissal.  For your convenience and peace of mind, children not picked up by 3:25 p.m. will be escorted to the Aftercare program, where they will be appropriately supervised. Parents will be charged the Aftercare program fee.
 
24. Report Cards
There are four report card periods. Mid-way between each of these periods, teachers in Grades 4-8 will inform parents by email or mail if their child is achieving below an 80% mark. Parents should discuss the progress report with the child and acknowledge receipt of the report directly to the teacher.
 
25. Room Parents
Each classroom has at least one Room Parent. These parent volunteers work closely with the teachers scheduling field trips, organizing classroom parties, and sponsoring the school -wide Mission Fair in the spring. In addition, they operate a telephone/email network for relaying important information to all parents.
 
26. Staff In-Service Training
Several Fridays during the year are designated as faculty in-service days. Please check your calendar. Classes are dismissed at 12:30 p.m. in order to give the teachers time to work individually and in groups, towards developing their own skills and refining the goals of the school - wide curriculum. The faculty also participates in occasional Archdiocesan educational conferences. Hot lunch is not served on half days. Aftercare is available from 12:30-6:00 p.m. on these Fridays. Please contact Ms. Nortz at extension 3100 or enortz@blessedsacramentdc.org to enroll your child if you need this service.
 
27. Safety Plan
In accordance with the Archdiocesan Guidelines, Blessed Sacrament School does have a Safety Plan. The codes for the Safety Plan include:
 
Code Red: Indicates there is an emergency that requires that all areas of the building should be secured. Students and staff remain in the building.  If directed to do so by local authorities, parents access may be denied until all clear is announced by local authorities.
 
Code Green: Exit classroom to nearest designated safe site. Indicates an emergency that requires that all students be under supervision and accounted for.
 
Evacuation Site: Lafayette Elementary School
5701 Broad Branch Road, NW Washington, DC.
 
The Safety Plan addresses bombs and bomb threats, bus transportation accident, explosions, fire, firearms, hazardous materials spills, utility failures, weather related emergencies, chemical and biological threats. Copies of the Safety Plan are located in every classroom.
 
28. Standardized Testing
Each spring, Grades 2 - 8 participate in the annual standardized academic achievement testing program under the direction of the Archdiocese. Grades 5 and 8 take the ACRE test in March to assess religious knowledge. Grade 8 takes a Diocesan high school placement test.
 
29. Teachers’ Christmas Fund
Toward the end of November, the Home and School Association sends out a request for donations to the Teachers’ Christmas Bonus Fund. Families are given the opportunity to contribute to this fund in lieu of individual Christmas gifts.
 
30. Telephones
Students may only use school telephones for emergencies. It is the student’s responsibility (or parents for younger students) to see that lunches, homework and the like are brought to school. Parents are not encouraged to bring forgotten items to the students.
 
31. Transfers and Withdrawals
Requests for transfer applications should be made to the school office well in advance of the last attendance date. Transcripts of records and faculty recommendations will be mailed directly to the new school upon request from the parent or new receiving school. For families transferring overseas, the office will provide the transcript to the parents on the child’s last school day. There will be a $5.00 fee charged for this service.  No records are forwarded until all financial obligations to Blessed Sacrament School have been satisfied.
 
For 8th grade students applying to private high schools, in addition to the Archdiocesan high schools, the following procedure is required:
 
1.  Complete a transcript request form available in the office for each request such as a letter of recommendation, transcripts, and the like.
 
2.  A check for 5.00 made out to Blessed Sacrament School to accompany each school’s request.
 
Withdrawals: Please advise the office in writing of any plans to withdraw your child from school as soon as possible.
 
No records will be forthcoming until all unpaid tuition and fees are satisfied.
 
32. Tuition and Fees
Tuition is set annually by the Blessed Sacrament School Board. Each family is required to sign a tuition contract which is sent during the spring for the following year. There are two tuition schedules used at the school.
 
Plan A:  For parishioners. Parishioners in this context are understood as those who live within the canonical boundaries of the parish, attend Sunday Mass regularly at the parish church, are active in parish activities and contribute equitably through the envelope system to the support of the Parish. (Contributions must be identifiable.) Parishioners must be registered and active in the parish for at least one year before application to qualify for Plan A.
 
Plan B:  This is for non-parishioners and parishioners who do not satisfy the requirements for Plan A.
 
TUITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
 
Tuition is collected by Tuition Management Systems, an independent contractor. Tuition Management Systems provides each family with an Enrollment Form to choose a payment plan that best suits them. TMS Enrollment Forms are sent out in March or April each year after the tuition has been set.  Enrollment Forms must be signed, completed and returned  in the spring in order for TMS to enroll each family in the system.  
 
Please refer to the detailed tuition policy statements published annually and available in the school office.  Delinquent tuition payments may result in holding the quarterly report card and/or jeopardizing second semester enrollment
 
Parents are reminded that it is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to make arrangement for payment of tuition and it is also their responsibility to advise either the Principal or the Pastor of any compelling reason for delay in tuition payments.
 
Blessed Sacrament is a parish school and no parishioner would ever be denied entry because of financial reasons. Diocesan/parish financial aid applications are available in the school office.
 
Report Cards and records will be withheld until any past due tuition amounts are paid in full.  Failure to pay before new semester begins will necessitate parents withdrawing their child/children from Blessed Sacrament School.
 
In addition to the tuition, the following fees are charged:
(Enrichment activities that follow this section have separate fees)
 
Assessment Fee: This is a one-time, non-refundable fee for assessment and administrative services when your child is registered to enter school.
 
Re-Registration Fee: This is an annual non-refundable fee that is collected in February for the following fall. Payment of this fee assures that space will be reserved for your child in the upcoming year. This fee is in addition to tuition.
 
33. Visitors
For security reasons, all visitors and parents must report to the office and receive a badge when coming to school for an activity other than a scheduled special program. All visitors are required to wear a badge.
 
When picking up a child before the usual dismissal time (due to illness, doctor’s appointment), you must come to the front office where the child will be waiting and “sign out.” Parents are not allowed to go directly to their child’s classroom. As a safety measure, all the outside doors to the school are locked and equipped with bars operated from the inside only. Please use the main entrance from the playground.
 
34. Volunteer Program
Blessed Sacrament School has an active volunteer program that is crucial to the smooth functioning of the day to day routine. Parents and friends work along side the faculty and staff in many capacities, ranging from room parents, fundraisers, lunch presiders, chaperones, library assistants and more. There is a place and a need for the time and talents of everyone. Volunteer sign-up sheets are distributed in the Summer E-Mailing and again in September at Back to School Night, and all parents are encouraged to pledge some of their energies to the continuance of the volunteer tradition at Blessed Sacrament. All visitors are required to wear a badge. Volunteers who meet the criteria of regular and substantial contract with children are required to be fingerprinted as per the Archdiocese Child Protection Policy.
Please contact Colleen Molloy, our Child Protection Policy coordinator for information.
 
35. Email
Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, teachers no longer have voice mail. Email is the best form of communication.  Parents are welcome to call the office and leave a message with the front desk.
 
Guidelines
1.  Please be sure that the content of your message is such that you would feel comfortable having it read,  repeated or overheard by someone other than the addressee.  Email messages are easily forwarded or copied.
 
2.  Remember that faculty may not have an opportunity to retrieve their emaisl during the day and may not receive your message until the end of the day or the following day.  Emails should be returned within 48 hours.
 
3.  Emails are an ideal way to keep in touch with your child’s teacher about academic and behavioral issues, not necessarily daily arrangements. Please limit your emails to appropriate topics.
 
Enrichment
 
1. Band
Blessed Sacrament School participates in the Archdiocesan Music Program, which offers instruction on band instruments to all interested students in Grades 4-8. The lessons are given at the school during the school day. A rotating schedule is used so that the children do not miss the same class more than once every six or seven weeks. The students are taught in small classes, according to instrument and degree of advancement, by highly qualified teachers who instruct throughout the Archdiocese. The school band performs several times a year and at the Archdiocesan Music Festival in the spring.
 
Instruments on which instruction is offered are: trumpet, cornet, trombone, baritone horn, flute, clarinet, saxophone and snare drum. Tuition is charged by the Archdiocesan Music Program each semester. Instruments may be rented from the Washington Music Center, 11151 Viers Mill Road, Wheaton, Maryland.
 
2. Field Trips
Blessed Sacrament School takes advantage of the rich and varied resources in this area. Each grade plans field trips as an extension of its class work. Field trip permission forms are sent home in advance.  A sample Field Trip Permission Form is located in this Handbook.  A copy of this may be submitted if the form sent home via your child is misplaced.  Permission from the parents is required for participation in these trips. Adult chaperones are an absolute necessity for the safety of the children in all grades. In order to chaperone field trips, parents should complete the fingerprinting requirement per the Archdiocese of Washington Child Protection Policy.  Parents are requested to make room in their schedules to act as a chaperone for at least one trip per year. The room parents and teachers try to schedule these trips as far in advance as possible. Fees to cover the cost of these trips will be determined by the teacher on an individual trip basis. All transportation will usually be by bus or public transit.  Field trips are considered part of the academic curriculum and are required.
 
3. Foreign Languages
Students in grades 3-8 are expected to study either French or Spanish during the school day. New students are placed with regard to prior experience and current openings when possible. There is an additional fee for 7th and 8th grade foreign language.
 
An after school Foreign Language program for grades 1 and 2 is offered on a limited basis twice a week. There is an additional fee for this program.
 
4.  Levie Week of the Arts
Each year, the entire student body participates in a 2-1/2 day program which is exclusively devoted to the arts. Sponsored by the Art Department, this program consists of a series of professional performances, art-related activities, field trips and an array of creative workshops. This fun and exciting enrichment week is conducted by professionals, community participants and school parent volunteers. A great deal of time and effort goes into planning this week. These are regular school days and students are expected to attend.
 
5. Outdoor Education
Selected classes (usually Grades 6, 7, 8) spend one day at an outdoor learning center each year. This program involves problem solving and small group activities that encourage the development of critical thinking and team building skills. The children come away from these programs with a renewed sense of confidence in their own abilities and a better understanding of the importance of working together toward a common goal.
 
6. Special School Liturgies
Special religious services are regularly held throughout the year to mark important events during the school and liturgical year. All students and parents are invited to attend.
 
7. Gatehouse/Literary Club
The Gatehouse is an annual publication of student art, prose, and poetry, brought to the school community through the efforts of the student literary club (grades 6-8), parent volunteers, and under the direction of a faculty sponsor. The Literary Club meets throughout the first semester to read and evaluate student work, create the Gatehouse layout, and participate in various literary activities. Requests for student work start early in the school year, with deadlines for entries in late February to early March. The Gatehouse is published and presented to the school community in May. Our thanks to the HSA for providing funds for this worthwhile publication.
 
8. Yearbook
With the help of a faculty sponsor, eighth grade students produce a memory book every year. Purchase orders are collected from the student body during the winter and the book is published in the spring. This activity serves as a major fund-raiser for 8th grade activities during the year.
 
9. Others
Bake Sales - fundraising by class, Student Council and Home and School Association.
 
Mission Fair - sponsored by the Room Parents and staffed by the parents and students to raise funds for the Sisters of the Holy Cross Overseas Missions. The fair is scheduled for the spring and consists of games, raffles, food and plant sales and a flea market.
 
Dress Up/Dress Down Days - Students may “dress up” in their best or “dress down” in play clothes in exchange for a small donation to the Student Council on this day. The students must be clean, modest and presentable in their casual clothes.  Specific guidelines will be posted in classrooms and emailed to parents.
 
 
School and Parish Organizations
1. Student Council
The student council members, according to their by-laws, are elected by their peers to plan and publicize community building activities, to encourage service to others and to serve as “ambassadors” at school events. These Christian leaders also communicate the requests and needs of the students to the administration.
 
2. Altar Servers
Students in Grades 5-8 are given the opportunity to assist at liturgies under the direction of one of the parish priests. Call the Parish Center at 202-966-6575 for details.
 
3. Athletics
The Athletic Program at Blessed Sacrament is under the direction of a paid parish athletic coordinator and a parish priest. The sports program philosophy encourages all of the youth of the parish to participate in either Catholic Youth Organization teams or in Intramural teams. Emphasis is placed on Christian values such as sportsmanship, responsibility and unity.
 
Children in Grades 1 - 3 (boys and girls) are offered an Intramural basketball program on Saturday mornings in January and February. Parent volunteers serve as coaches.
 
Children in Grades 4 - 8 (boys and girls) may participate in CYO basketball. There are two practices a week (Nov. through Mar.) followed by a game on the weekend. All students who sign up will play. Teams are organized by grade level. Practice begins in the fall.
 
Baseball and softball: There are various opportunities for children from Blessed Sacrament to join baseball and softball teams in city and area leagues.
 
Football:  Blessed Sacrament is affiliated with the Rockville Football League.  Contact www.rfl.cc.
 
Soccer: Blessed Sacrament students fill many soccer teams that play in the Montgomery County Soccer League (MSI),  in the Stoddert Soccer League of DC or CYO Girls Soccer for grades 5, 6 7 and 8.  
 
Special masses and awards ceremonies conclude the various sports seasons.
 
4. Boy Scouts
Troop 90 has been sponsored by Blessed Sacrament for over 60 years. Scouting seeks to inculcate a spirit of service to others; to have fun, adventure and learning (with emphasis on first aid and survival skills). With adult supervision, the boys learn to run their own troop, with the experienced scouts teaching the less experienced ones.
 
5. Cub Scouts
The purpose is to prepare younger boys (6-10) for scouting and to offer an atmosphere of fun and learning in a supervised setting.
 
6. Girl Scouts and Brownies
Girls interested in making new friends, serving others and trying new things—from nature and camping, to arts and crafts, to making brown-bag lunches for the homeless—are invited to join the Blessed Sacrament Girl Scout program. Call for more information. Scouting builds confidence, leadership and self-esteem by encouraging girls to learn to do things for themselves and master new skills. Parent participation is expected.
 
7. Blessed Sacrament Children’s Choir
Boys and girls in Grades 3-8 may join the Children’s Choir. Rehearsals are held Thursday afternoons in the School Music Room or Auditorium located on the ground floor of the school.  Please contact Brigid Forcey at bforcey@blessedsacramentdc.org for further info.
 
8. Blessed Sacrament Theatre
Blessed Sacrament Theatre presents a play each spring. All students are eligible to participate. Information about tryouts is announced in the BSS Theatre News.
 
9. Blessed Sacrament Youth Cantors
Boys and girls in Grades 7 and 8 may audition to participate in the Cantors in Training and Cantor Program during the school year. Rehearsals are held once a week during lunch time in the Music Room. Please email the school music teacher at bforcey@blessedsacramentdc.org  for more information