Philosophy

We, the faculty of Ss. Peter & Paul School community who have been baptized into Christ Jesus believe that we must "teach as Jesus did." We believe that each child is a unique creation of God with varying degrees of potential in human behavior and academic areas.

 We believe that parents enroll their children at Ss. Peter & Paul because we are a child-centered school that teaches values and morals based on the Catholic religion.

 We believe that our students must not only have a basic understanding of the Catholic faith, but must also have the opportunities to put those beliefs into practice.

 We believe that the Church, Family, and State share the responsibility for the total education of the child: spiritual, physical, mental, moral, individual and social.

 We believe that each child is to be prepared for basic life skills to enable them to achieve future personal goals.

 We believe it is important for children to learn how to function in group situations and that they learn the value of teamwork.

We believe this school has the responsibility of creating and maintaining an environment that assists each student in translating the knowledge he has acquired into purposeful Catholic witness and responsible citizenship.

 We also believe that the students, parents, and faculty are partners in learning. We will do our best to ensure that parents are fully aware of student progress academically and socially to allow them the opportunity to fulfill their role as primary educators.

Religion

The primary reason for the existence of Ss. Peter & Paul School is the religious education, formation, and development of each child. While the essence of this religious growth is centered around daily classroom instruction, it is our belief that Christian worship, the reception of the Sacraments, personal prayer, planned religious faith experiences, and social action are equally necessary factors in the total program of religious education.

As the Catholic Church has increasingly expanded the opportunities for lay involvement, we strive to inspire our students to an understanding of the importance of caring for their fellow man and to utilize their God-given talents and abilities to improve the lot of those less fortunate. Consequently, we begin preparing them for their adult role in the Church by requiring all students to engage in service to the parish or community for which they are to receive no remuneration. These requirements are progressively more demanding by grade level culminating with eighth graders who are required to complete 40 service hours for graduation.

Mass

Students attend 8:15 Mass at Church weekly as follows: Wednesday, Grades K-3, and Thursday, grades 4-8. The entire student body gathers together to celebrate with either a liturgy or prayer service, such events as holy days of obligation, Ash Wednesday, May Crowning, Stations of the Cross, the Living Rosary, and other special celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Our students also meet for prayer on each Monday during Lent and Advent. Please check the liturgy calendar for a complete schedule of school worship.

Prayer

Each day begins with prayer over the intercom led by our principal. Students also pray before lunch and recite an Act of Contrition before dismissal. In addition, all Religion classes begin with spontaneous prayer where students offer personal intentions for family and loved ones.

 Sacramental Preparation

Our students receive the sacrament of Reconciliation in November of second grade. Students in grades 3-8 are afforded the opportunity to receive the sacrament with their homeroom during school hours each semester. Our second graders also receive their First Holy Communion with their classmates in early May. On the Tuesday following their First Communion our entire student body celebrates with them at an all school liturgy. Afterwards, a breakfast is held for all of the Communicants and their parents.

 The Confirmation program begins with preparation throughout the seventh grade Religion classes culminating in the reception of the sacrament during the spring of eighth grade. 

Curriculum

Our desire is for each child to work at his own ability level and to compete with himself to develop a positive self-concept regarding his unique gifts and talents. Beginning in kindergarten our goal is to make school an enjoyable experience and create an environment that will allow each student to be the best he/she can be.

 Our students in the primary grades are taught in self-contained classrooms and grades 4-8 are departmentalized. Religion, Reading, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math are taught daily. Throughout the primary grades, each teacher has a certified aide to assist with smaller group reinforcement. Phonics is introduced at the kindergarten level and continued throughout the primary grades. We also offer small group instruction in Math for students in grades 4-8 and Language Arts for jr. high children. Students also have a special class every day - either Physical Education, Music, Art, Spanish, or Computer.

 Foreign language is offered to all students in second, third, fourth, and fifth grade and becomes an elective in the jr. high when it is offered three days a week, in lieu of Art. Successfully completing the SSPP Foreign Language Program entitles students to enter the same high school foreign language program at the sophomore level.

 Computer education is enhanced by instruction in both the elementary and junior high labs. Both our elementary and jr. high buildings have their own computer labs. Both labs house 35 PC's which are networked and connected to the Internet. Computers are also available in the Learning Resource Center and in the classrooms. Each classroom can receive Internet and network connections through the wireless LAN which was installed during the summer of 2001. Depending upon the grade level, students complete lab and classroom projects in word processing, graphing, spreadsheet, database, multimedia, Internet, and research. A student lap top lab is also available for teachers to check out and use with their classes.

To help meet the special needs of our students, we have teachers on staff who work with smaller groups of students whose learning style requires additional, or enhanced, instruction. One of these programs is called Project Explore. It teaches higher level thinking skills to all children in grades 3-5 and is offered as a before-school program to qualified students in the junior high.

Another program, Project Discover, provides additional reinforcement in a small group setting for children in grades K-8 whose performance is not commensurate with their abilities.

Extra-Curriculars

Consistent with our philosophy of seeking to develop the total child, we offer a range of extracurricular activities that are fun, interesting, and character building.

Student Activities

• Altar Servers - 4th through 8th grade 
• Safety Patrol - 8th grade 
• Student Council - 5th through 8th grade 
• Band - 4th through 8th grade 
•  Science Olympiad - 6th through 8th grade 
• Problem Solving Bowl - Project Explore students 
• Trojan Tech Team 
• SSPP SCOOP School Newspaper 
• Art Awareness 
• Chess Club
• Math Club
• Spanish Club and Spanish Ladders

Athletics

The philosophy of our athletic program is to allow students who choose to participate to be placed on a team. Wherever numbers allow, we will sponsor an "A" and "B" team so student-athletes can compete at a level commensurate with their abilities. Students are required to remain in good standing both academically and behaviorally in order to participate.

Sportsmanship, teamwork, and fundamentals are the emphasis, not winning. This year our Athletic Association has partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance to promote these qualities amongst parents, coaches, and players.

Fall Activities 

• Boys' Tackle Football - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 
• Girls' Volleyball - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 
• Boys' Volleyball - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 
• Cheerleading -5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 

Winter Activities 

• Boys' Basketball - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 
• Girls' Basketball - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 
• Cheerleading -5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 

Spring Activities 

• Boys' & Girls' Track - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 
• Intramural Basketball - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th boys and girls 
• Intramural Volleyball - 3rd, 4th boys and girls 

 Discipline & Dress Code

 Registration for admission to our school acknowledges the parents' role in fostering in their children a willingness to "obey the rules" and conduct themselves in a gentlemanly and ladylike manner. Corporal punishment, group punishment, or ridiculing the students is not allowed in our school. Students are expected to be respectful of authority, classmates, and the possession of others. In order for learning to take place, each student has the responsibility to help create the proper educational environment in each classroom. Reverence in Church and at all liturgical experiences is assumed. We are very conscious of trying to create an atmosphere where children can come to school each day and be treated by their peers and teachers with respect. Bullying is not tolerated.

 Most of our student body has little or no trouble adhering to school or classroom rules and regulations. The vast majority of students will probably not even receive a demerit over the course of the school year, let alone a detention. Jr. high students who do not receive a demerit over an entire quarter are honored at our Honors Assembly with Citizenship ribbons.

To ensure that the classrooms are conducive to learning, students need to follow teacher and school regulations in order to be invited back for ensuing years. Transfer students in grades 4-8 are automatically on probation for the first marking period, at which point the teacher recommends to the principal whether the child can successfully make the transition to our school. To protect everyone, we reserve the right to inspect the student's desk, locker, and other belongings when suspicion arises that something stolen or harmful may be in a student's possession. Also, since students often represent Ss. Peter & Paul off our school grounds and outside of normal school hours (athletic events, field trips, Nichols Library, musical performances, on the bus, downtown, etc,), they are subject to the same rules, regulations, and discipline as if such unacceptable behavior occurred here.

Most infractions of our discipline policy can be dealt with successfully by a stern look, a verbal reprimand, or the issuance of a demerit. Consistent disregard for school rules will lead to detentions which carry graduated consequences such as after school reflection, attendance at Saturday school, internal suspensions, external suspensions, and expulsion.

To minimize distractions and help focus students' attention on learning, our school has a dress code. In addition to wearing uniforms daily, these guidelines restrict student use of make-up, hairstyles, and jewelry. A complete explanation of the dress code can be found in our Parent/Student Handbook.
 

Parent Communication & Involvement

One of the cornerstones of our school's success is the excellent rapport that exists between our parents and teachers. This is due in large part to our efforts to provide parents with sufficient communication on their child's progress to allow them to exercise their role as primary educator. The Parent Co-Operation Form, signed annually by each family, attests to the value placed on education in the home and to the importance of parents working in tandem with school officials.

At the primary grade level, weekly or monthly newsletters highlighting classroom and school activities are sent home to the parents by the teacher. On many occasions, the teacher will contact the parent by phone. This occurs when the child has accomplished something particularly noteworthy, and always if there is a problem academically or socially. Sometimes, it is sufficient to send home one of the following school forms:

• Homework/Study Habit Forms - for children with missing or incomplete homework
• Progress Reports
• Demerits - for misbehavior
• Detentions - for consistent or more serious misbehavior
• Uniform Code Violations - for students out of uniform

There are also formal measures taken by the administration to keep parents informed:

• Parent/Student Handbook - lists all school policies, rules, regulations
• Newsletters - issued online monthly
• Orientation Nights - meet your children's teachers
• Teacher Conferences - held in November after the 1st period and as needed
• Coffees with the Principal
• Open House - visit the classrooms; view the curriculum
• TWASSPP -  Weekly update on the events.

In addition, our parents are very active in leadership roles in our school in organizations such as the School Board, Home & School Association, Development Board, and Athletic Association.

To get a better feel for our school, parents interested in enrolling a child at Ss. Peter & Paul School are invited to call the office and make an appointment to visit classrooms at any time.

Finance

Our school is supported by parish subsidy, tuition, book fees, and donations. Tuition and fees are set by the Ss. Peter & Paul Board of Education prior to the opening of the fall school term.

Families may pay their tuition in one lump sum at the beginning of the year, or spread the costs over ten months. Families now use the FACTS site to register.

Thirteen partial scholarships have been endowed to provide tuition assistance to families experiencing temporary financial difficulties. An Annual Fund Drive is conducted each year to help us fund projects not covered in our operational budget. We also have a $2.1 million Capital Improvement Endowment and are endeavoring to build a $6 million Teachers' Endowment  from which interest earnings would help us to supplement teacher salaries and make it easier for us to attract and retain our dedicated and extremely well qualified faculty. Financial aid is also available to needy families via either from the proceeds of our annual golf outing or from one of fourteen endowed scholarships.

Each family is required to work two fund raising events such as Innisbrook, Fun Fair, or the school Auction. In addition, parents are encouraged to support the Annual Fund Drive. All tax-deductible contributions to this appeal stay in the school and are used to benefit current students by allowing us to purchase items not covered in the operational budget. In previous years, the AFD has provided funding for air conditioning the school, installing a security system, furnishing the computer lab, upgrading our Science labs, and ordering new lockers. During the summer of 2007, we upgraded our entry access security system and also placed cameras around the parish campus and throughout parts of the school buildings. 

Transportation

Ss. Peter & Paul students who reside within School District 203, within our parish boundaries, and live beyond 1 1/2 miles from school are provided free bus service.

In past years, the State of Illinois offered transportation reimbursements for families who reside beyond the 1 1/2 mile limit and do not qualify for free busing. Families residing within 1 1/2 miles also had the opportunity to seek reimbursement if they were able to substantiate the lack of a safe-walk route.