Handbook
Admissions
Nondiscriminary Policy
As Roman Catholics dedicated to the God-given dignity of every human being, we state clearly that there can be no discrimination in our enrollment practices according to race, sex, and ethnic background, social or economic status in our school. Since St. Agnes is a religiously oriented school for the Catholic community of the Scottsbluff/Gering Valley, preference is given to members of St. Agnes Catholic Church. After our own community is served, we accept students from other parishes. Members of other creeds are welcomed when the needs of the Catholic community have been met.
Admission Policy
- The parents/guardian of a student admitted to St. Agnes Catholic School must subscribe to the school’s philosophy and agree to abide by the policies and regulations of the school and the Diocese.
- Enrollment priority in Kindergarten is given to children who are currently registered in the Pre-K program. If space allows, the school will accept in this order: siblings of current St. Agnes students, active and financially contributing members of St. Agnes Parish on a first come first serve basis, other Catholics in the parish, Catholics from other parishes, and those of other religious denominations. Admissions at all other grades begins with siblings of current St. Agnes students and follows the priority order listed above and is subject to open space in the classroom.
- Current class (Pre-K through 5) sizes are held to 22 students. Once a class has filled to an enrollment of 22, a waiting list is created to fill seats as they are available.
- No student shall be admitted unconditionally to St. Agnes Catholic School unless he/she has a reasonable, well-founded hope of successfully completing the school’s program. In doubtful cases, a student may be admitted on a probationary basis with dates and criteria of evaluation clearly established in writing.
- Students shall not be denied admission to St. Agnes Catholic School because of physical or academic handicap unless this handicap seriously impairs the students’ ability to successfully complete the school’s academic program, or unless St. Agnes cannot provide sufficient physical or educational care for the child.
- Currently enrolled students may not enroll for the following school year if there is a financial balance on the account. Enrollment for the new school year is not final until the balance from the previous school year is paid in full.
- Currently attending students who do not enroll for the new school year during the current student enrollment period are not guaranteed a space.
- St. Agnes Catholic School reserves the right and may screen new students in pre-school, kindergarten and first grade to determine readiness of the students for the enrolled grade. Testing in academic and social readiness may be held for new incoming students.
Age Requirements
- Children must be 4 years of age on or before August 1 for admission into Pre-Kindergarten.
- Children must be 5 years of age on or before August 1 for admission into Kindergarten.
- Children must be 6 years of age on or before August 1 for admission into First grade.
Record Requirements
- The child’s birth certificate or some other legal verification of the child’s birth date
- Notification and documentation of special health needs
- Sacramental records
- An up-to-date immunization record required by the State of Nebraska.
Registering for the Pre-K or Kindergarten Program
- Please complete the student information sheet and the tuition contract.
- A state-embossed copy of your child’s birth certificate is required. If you do not have one at this time you can obtain one: http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/pages/ced_bicert.aspx (for Nebraska only).
- Immunizations records. Vaccination/Physical records must be current and will not be accepted if they are dated prior to April of the current year. According to NE Statute 79-214, the board shall comply with the requirements of subsection (2) of section 43-2007 and shall require evidence of : (a) A physical examination by a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse within six months prior to the entrance of kindergarten and the seventh grade or, in the case of a transfer from out of state, to any other grade of the local school; and (b) a visual examination by a physician, a physician assistant, and advanced practice registered nurse, or an optometrist within six months prior to the entrance of a child into kindergarten, or in the case of a transfer from out of state, to any other grade of the local school, which consists of testing for amblyopia, strabismus, and internal and external eye health, with testing sufficient to determine visual acuity, except that no such physical examination or visual examination shall be required of any child whose parent or guardian object in writing.
Nebraska law requires children enrolling in Pre-K/Kindergarten to have proof that they’ve received the following vaccinations:- 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine
- 3 doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
- 3 doses of poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
- 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)
- 2 does of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
- Copy of your child(ren) baptismal certificate.
- $100.00 Non-refundable registration fee.
Welcome to the Pre-K Classroom
My name is Mrs. Boness, and I am excited to be your child’s teacher this year at St. Agnes Catholic School. I am looking forward to working with you and getting to know your child. I’m excited to help your child learn, grow, and succeed this year. We are so glad that you have chosen to be part of our St. Agnes Community.
I am truly lucky to do a job that I’m passionate about. While I will only have your child for a short piece of their education, I want to make a contribution that will last a lifetime. For most, this will be their first school experience. I believe it must begin with making each student feel at home in the classroom and helping each one become an active part of our learning community. I want them to learn to love learning and look forward to being at school.
Communication is very important between the parent and teacher. We are the team that will be setting the beginning path for your child’s education now and in the future. Throughout the year I will be communicating with you through email, phone calls, notes, Remind , and parent teacher conferences. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. You can email me at nboness@st-agnes-school.com or you can call me at the school (308- 632-6918).
I look forward to an exciting year with your child!
God Bless,
Mrs. Boness
Pre-K Curriculum
St Agnes Pre-K is an Early Childhood Program designed to provide learning readiness experience in all areas of child development: religious, academic, social-emotional, physical, and creative.
Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines:
The Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines for ages 3-5years old will assist your child’s teacher with developmentally appropriate activities along with overall progress and assessment. Through the use of the seven domains of development your child will successfully have kindergarten readiness skills. The curriculum includes:
Http://www.education.ne.gov/oec/pubs/elg/3_5_english.pdf
In addition, we also use Learning Without Tears: Math, Writing and Literacy
The curriculum at St. Agnes School is coordinated K-5. Textbooks and workbooks are chosen with care. The importance of basics is stressed, incorporating a variety of methods of teaching and enrichment programs. St. Agnes will provide a minimum of 1,032 instructional hours for each student.
The curriculum includes: Reading, English, Handwriting, Spelling, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Literature, Health, and Religion. We follow a curriculum based on Nebraska State Standards and approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.
Additionally, students receive instruction in music, physical education, library and computer skills weekly. Art is taught in the classroom by the homeroom teacher. Social and emotional growth is developed through The Second Step Program, a program designed to promote school success, self-regulation and a sense of safety and support.
Religion is taught as a class, as well as incorporated throughout the school day. Religion classes do not end at school. Parents are the primary educators and the faith must be lived as a family with home involvement.
Students in 1st -5th grades participate in MAPS Testing. Map Growth, a computer adaptive test, created by NWEA, is taken 2-3 times per school year (Fall/Spring). These tests adjust to student’s learning level, providing a unique set of test questions based on the student’s response to previous questions. As the student responds, the test responds to the student, adjusting the difficulty of the question.
The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and determine individual academic growth over time.
CURRICULUMS
Math
Reveal Math
K-5th grade – Reveal math
Reveal math is strategically designed to create meaningful math experiences fueled by active student engagement and a deepening of conceptual understanding for all students. This coherent, vertically aligned K-12 core math solution will help uncover the mathematician in every student. By encouraging curiosity, exploration and growth mindset, Reveal Math, allows students to see math as a dynamic set of problem- solving strategies instead of the application of memorized algorithmic or computational procedures.
Reading/Language Arts/Spelling
Wonders 2020 – K-3rd Grade
Literature Based Reading (using novels) – 4th & 5th grades
Write Source – 4th & 5th grades
Wonders is a comprehensive Pre-K-6 literacy program designed to meet the challenges of today’s classroom and reach all learners. It includes a wealth of research-based print and digital resources that provide unmatched support for building strong literacy foundations, accessing complex fiction & non-fiction texts, developing writing skills and building strong social emotional skills. Wonders uses research-proven instruction and best practices to help students grow as readers, writers and critical thinkers.
The curriculum includes development and practice of skills and understanding in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It helps children develop appreciation of literature, creativity, and expression.
Elevate Science Curriculum
Elevate Science is a complete K-5 science program, including a blended print and digital curriculum, that elevates thinking, learning and teaching. It encourages innovation, collaboration and creativity while promoting understanding, application and synthesis. Elevate promotes investigation, critical thinking and analysis through phenomena-based quests, STEM and engineering activities and interdisciplinary connections.
Social Studies
Pearson My World – 2nd – 5th Grades
Individual units – 1st & 2nd Grade
Scholastic News (current events) – Pre -K – 5th
The curriculum helps children develop an understanding of the world and its people. It includes experiences drawn from geography, history, economics, government, citizenship, career awareness, human relations, current affairs and cultural studies. This includes instruction in American history and stories and about the exploits and deeds of American heroes.
Religion
Religion
PK – Stories of God’s Love
K-5th Grade – RCL Benziger Blest Are We – Faith in Action
Blest Are We Faith in Action invites all learners to explore and grow in Faith, Word, and Action. Using an integrated approach, each unit is based on a particular theme or area of Catholic belief and practice. This theme is studied over four individual chapters that correspond to the four pillars of the Catechism: What Catholics Believe, How Catholics Worship, How Catholics Live, and How Catholics Pray. In this way the essentials of Catholic teaching are presented in an integrated and balanced approach that helps students learn and deepen their faith and Catholic identity.
Technology
St. Agnes School is committed to preparing students for life in the 21st century. Strong computer and technology skills will play a major role in their education and future careers. Our school has made great advances in the area of technology over the past 5 years. Each classroom is equipped with a Bright Links White Board which allows teachers to enhance their core curriculums with virtual lessons, active learning games, testing and more. As well, in 2017, our paddle auction at the Premiere Event raised funds for the purchasing of 60 chrome books and 2 mobi carts. These mobi labs (one per floor) allow for development of keyboarding skills, whole group reach and writing projects, enrichment activities for all levels of students as well as provide the opportunity for our new testing system – MAPS. A GEER fund grant provided 25 new chrome books in 2021.
These experiences with technology will have our students well prepared for the next level of education.
Handwriting
D’Nelian – K-3rd Grades
Tuition Contract
(PRE-K)
Tuition Contract
(K-5)
Tuition Assistance
Physical Form
Handbook
Why Choose St Agnes?
A Christ-Led Education that Inspires Excellence
At St. Agnes, we believe in educating the whole child — spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially. We empower our students with knowledge, confidence, and a strong moral compass to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Have any questions? Contact us today!
