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Parent Handbook

QUICK START GUIDE FOR PARENTS

It is important for you to become familiar with the contents of the Student Agenda Handbook since it is part of the agreement between you, your child, and Lexington Catholic High School. The pages contain all the rules and regulations that govern the students. It is here that you will find most answers to information most frequently needed by parents. Do not hesitate to call any member of the school staff should you have questions, concerns, or need more information.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

Traffic flow in the mornings and afternoon is crucial to student safety. Parents should not pull into the front parking lot to drop off or pick up students. Students may be dropped off/picked up in the pull-off area located on Clays Mill Road. Many parents use other side streets to drop off and pick up to avoid traffic congestion.

TO REPORT A STUDENT ABSENT, CALL 277-7183, Ext. 250

A parent or guardian should notify the school before 7:55 a.m. the day of the absence. A phone call is required each day of the absence. Upon returning to school, the student must present a note to the Dean of Students signed by one parent or guardian, stating the student’s full name, date, and reason for the absence. If a student should forget a note on the day of return, the student should check in with the Dean’s office. The Absence will be unexcused. No late notes will be accepted.

LATE ARRIVALS/EARLY DEPARTURE

No student may leave school early without permission from the Dean of Students. If the student knows in advance that he/she will have to leave early (for medical appointments, etc.), the student must bring a note to that effect to the Dean of Students before school begins in the morning. Unexpected appointments do arise during the school day, but are discouraged. If this situation does arise, the parent or guardian must come in the building to release the student and sign them out in the office. Parents may also fax a written permission to the school at 277-7183, Extension 256. Even when permission has been secured in the morning, the student must come by the office upon departing and sign out. If the student returns while school is still in session, he/she must sign back in and obtain an admission slip before returning to class.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

An unavoidable absence due to illness, injury, or death in the family will be excused. Completion of homework and assignments is the responsibility of the student.

PERMISSIBLE EXCUSED ABSENCES

An absence approved by the Dean of Students, which requires prior written notification by the parents, will be deemed a permissible excused absence. This type of absence covers necessary and unavoidable doctor/dental appointments, family emergencies, approved family requests, school business, and college visits.

LUNCH

Lunch is spread over the fourth and fifth periods. The cafeteria staff prepares breakfast and lunch every day. Meal plans are available for prepayment. Beverages available through the cafeteria or vending machines include bottled water, milk, juice, and soft drinks. $3 - $5 is the average daily cost of lunch. Many students bring their lunch from home. Microwave ovens are available for student use. After school snacks are available from the vending machines and the school store.

MESSAGES TO STUDENTS

Except in extreme emergencies, no messages will be delivered to a student. At the end of the day, students will be notified that a message has been left for them on the “Message Board” in the school lobby. It is the responsibility of the student to retrieve the message.

DETENTION

Detention, assigned by the Dean or by teachers, will be held each morning at the announced time and place. It will last from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. A student who does not report to an assigned detention may be suspended from school for one day. Detention must be assigned the next school morning. Tardiness will result in further detention. The only excuses for rescheduling detention are personal illness, medical, dental, and legal appointments, and death in the family.

WEEKLY CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Weekly activities, as well as a detailed calendar, can be found on our website, here. The calendar is created and used by the faculty and administration for planning purposes and it provides parents with the best resource for scheduled school activities.

WHO TO CALL IF….

The Lexington Catholic High School main office is open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The school office number is 277-7183 and most questions can be answered at this number. If you would like to speak with Sally Stevens, the principal, please call the school office, extension 223. The following list may help you direct your questions more specifically:

The Freshman Parent Experience

Now that your child is in high school, the school communicates directly to you as parents. We mail a newsletter, In Touch, bimonthly during the school year. This newsletter contains articles of interest about life at LCHS along with calendars of upcoming events. Weekly activities, as well as a detailed calendar, can be found on our website, www.lexingtoncatholic.com. All communication is mailed directly to parents at the home address of record. Be certain to read the newsletter and visit the website to keep yourself informed about happenings at the school.

We encourage all our students to join extracurricular activities. Our experience shows that students who are highly involved in school life do better both in and out of the classroom. Check out the Clubs and Organizations section on the website for a full listing of all groups at school. Parents play a vital role in helping their child select an area or areas of interest. All our activities must raise the funds needed to support their programs and you might be asked to participate in booster organizations to help the students raise the necessary money to fund their activity.

School pictures are taken in the early fall. Students may be out of uniform. Refer to the section in the student handbook for specific guidelines and regulations.

The freshman retreat is a day of recollection called “Images.” Participation is mandatory. The cost is $20 per student. Make sure that he/she registers for this important event on one of the dates in September. All retreat dates are included on the full school calendar. While the focus of the retreat is the student’s relationship with God, the retreatants get to meet their classmates in a different setting. They can make friendships on this retreat that will carry with them for the next four years.

The freshman guidance counselor is Bob Sphire. Please contact him by telephone or email if you have questions or concerns about your student’s academic progress or any other issue surrounding the experience of their first year in high school.

The Sophomore Parent Experience

With one year behind you, it is hoped that you are familiar with our website, www. lexingtoncatholic.com and visit it often.

The sophomore retreat is called “Visions” and is an overnight retreat held during the week. The cost is $50 per student. Please consult the school calendar for dates for these retreats. Because of extracurricular schedules, this retreat is scheduled during both semesters in order to accommodate every student. Encourage your student to register for the one which best fits his/her schedule. This retreat is voluntary, but a wonderful experience.

Every sophomore will take the PSAT standardized test in October. This is the test used for juniors to qualify for National Merit scholarships. While the sophomores are not eligible for the competition, it is a valuable experience for them to take it before the year in which they will be competing for scholarships. They will also take the PLAN, a version of the ACT designed specifically for 10^th grade students. The guidance office can assist you in early September with registration information.

Sophomores who have achieved a grade average of 90% or above are invited to join the Lexington Catholic chapter of the National Beta Club. To remain an active member the student must complete a specified number of service hours each year. Students enrolled in a second year of a foreign language are also eligible for the foreign language honorary societies.

The sophomore guidance counselor is Troy Hobbs. He can be reached by telephone or email during the school day. Parents are encouraged to speak with him about any concerns they might have regarding the academic, extracurricular, or social development of their student. When registering for junior year classes, please note that eligible students may begin Advanced Placement classes.

The Junior Parent Experience

The junior year begins the upperclassman experience and parental involvement is highly encouraged as discussions should begin about choosing a college. Many students report that the junior year is the most challenging academic year of their high school experience.

All juniors take the PSAT in October in order to qualify to be a National Merit semifinalist. All students at Lexington Catholic take this test on a school day and it is an excellent preparation for their College Board examinations. We encourage our junior students to take the ACT and/or SAT during the spring of their junior year. This registration is done by the student; the guidance office will assist them. Lexington Catholic is a testing site for the ACT. If a student is enrolled in an AP class and is considering applying to highly selective colleges, the SAT II in the AP subject should be considered in June. Advanced registration is required.

The junior retreat, “Search,” is a three (3) day overnight retreat offered in each semester to accommodate those students who are involved in seasonal activities. Please consult the school calendar to choose the one which best fits your needs. The cost of this retreat is $90. The retreat is voluntary, but extremely beneficial for this age.

Juniors will receive in the fall a brochure about the opportunity to purchase a class ring. Rings come in a variety of styles and price ranges. Not every student chooses to purchase a ring. However, it is an expense that requires planning and budgeting. The rings arrive in mid April and are blessed at a special Junior Class Mass for students and parents on April 22. We encourage all juniors and parents to attend this event whether they are receiving a ring or not.

College representatives visit our campus in the fall and spring and juniors are encouraged to attend the sessions of colleges they might be interested in attending. Dates of their visits are available in the guidance office. In the spring the guidance department will conduct an evening seminar to begin the college selection process. They will present information to help your family begin the search for a college, explain their role in the process, and help you locate information and resources about various schools. Located across from the guidance department is an extensive college information resource room that parents, as well as students, are encouraged to use. The summer months between junior and senior year are an excellent time for college visits.

Continue to frequent the website, www.lexingtoncatholic.com for weekly happenings at school and the enhanced calendar.

The junior counselor is Rhonda Cassiday. You are encouraged to contact her via telephone or email with any questions about the college process or with concerns you might have.

The Senior Parent Experience

The senior year is a whirlwind of activity beginning with the college application process and culminating with baccalaureate and graduation. There is a graduation fee of $150 which is included on your billing statement. This fee covers the cost of a cap and gown and a yearbook. You will have an opportunity to order announcements and other senior class memorabilia during the fall semester.

In the fall of senior year students should plan on taking the ACT and/or SAT College Board exams. The ACT is given at Lexington Catholic in October. Prior registration for both exams is required. During the senior year students are allowed to take two days to go on college visits. The colleges must be more than fifty miles from Lexington and the student is required to bring back a slip from the college to verify attendance and thus receive an excused absence. You may find the college application process much more complicated than you remember. It is important to work closely with the guidance office. Watch for the guidance office sponsored seminar on financial aid information. Scholarship deadlines are often different than regular admission deadlines; stay on top of these dates. Be sure to consult the guidance office timeline for important dates concerning college applications.

The senior year passes very quickly. Many of the students feel a great deal of stress and pressure. They are taking college entrance exams and placement tests. Please be supportive and try to help reduce the anxiety while helping them to meet all those deadlines, complete the paperwork, and still maintain their daily schedules of homework and extracurricular activities. Continue to be the type of parent that has gotten your student to this point in his/her development. They are not yet adults even though they will be out on their own in just a few short months. Until that time, they need the guidelines and structure which has been a hallmark of your home.

The end of the year brings the senior talent show, prom, awards ceremonies, senior picnic and graduation. These activities are treasured memories in later years. We hope that all seniors will participate in all these activities.

The senior retreat, “Awakening” is a moving retreat held during each semester. It is a three (3) day overnight retreat, and parents are invited to a closing ceremony in our theatre when the students return. The cost of the retreat is $90.

Seniors will be going off campus one day a week for Senior Service. This privilege, which entitles them to eat lunch out, is one of trust. Remind them to uphold the high standards of Lexington Catholic and your family.

The website, www.lexingtoncatholic.com remains an excellent source of weekly events and schedules.

The senior and college placement counselor is John Rogers. He is at your service to assist you in any way.

Visitor Parking

Daytime visitors may park in any unnumbered spot. The numbered spots belong to individual faculty members, but the unnumbered are available to senior students and any visitor.

Mass Schedule

Mass is held in the Chapel, just inside the main entrance, each Tuesday and it begins promptly at 7:25 a.m. It will last approximately twenty minutes. In addition, the school calendar reflects dates and times for larger Masses. One all-school Mass is held monthly at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary, located diagonally across the street from the main entrance to LCHS. One class mass is held in the theater each month for a class (Freshmen, sophomores, etc.). These are also listed on the extended school calendar. Visitors are welcome. The Chaplain for LCHS is Father Charles Savarimuthu, H.G.N. He will be having a variety of services for our students throughout the school year. These will be posted on the website here.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences are held on October10 between 10:00 – 2:00 and 4:00 – 7:00 and again on March 6 from 10:00 – 2:00. With each conference, you should have a recent progress report that may prompt your interest in meeting with some faculty more than others. Bring your student’s schedule for the instructor names. Signs are posted around the building to show the assigned rooms for each faculty person. There are students and other parents on hand to help you find your way around the building. Once you get to a classroom, you may have a short wait, or you might be able to walk right in to meet with the teacher. It is a terrific opportunity to understand classroom expectations and your child’s performance issues. It can take some time because there are many parents who seek out this opportunity to meet with faculty. Limit your time with each teacher to five minutes so that the lines move and do not become too long. It’s almost impossible to see three or more faculty in a lunch hour.

Lunch Procedures

Lunch is spread over the fourth and fifth period classes. Every class gets twenty-five minutes for their lunch and twenty-five minutes for FLEX. The two really go hand in hand. The seniors eat first, while the juniors are at FLEX in the old gym. FLEX is a time where students can talk to one another, work on homework, see a guidance counselor, etc. Then these classes switch and the seniors go to FLEX while the juniors eat lunch. Sophomores eat next while the freshmen are at FLEX and then after twenty-five minutes they switch. Students are called from FLEX to lunch based first on if they brought their lunch or are buying their lunch. Those who bring their lunch can go first to the cafeteria. The remaining students are called into the lunch line based on their shirt color. Lexington Catholic devised the shirt color system a few years ago, it insures some randomness to the serving line, and helps the students maintain order. About half of the students bring their lunch and half buy. The cafeteria staff prepares a meal every day in addition to a la carte selections. Available beverages include bottled water, milk, juice, and soft drinks.

School Sponsored Dances

Lexington Catholic is committed to alcohol/drug free dances. All dances are held on the school campus where the members of the faculty and other parent chaperones can supervise the environment and screen students as they enter the function. If alcohol or drugs are suspected, the parents are contacted immediately and the student is prevented from entering the function. Once students enter the door, they may not leave until the party is over. Members of the LFUCG Division of Police patrol the school parking lot to further insure the student’s safety. In the event that alcohol or drugs are found in a student vehicle, the parents will be contacted. If your student is too young to drive, we encourage you to drop off at the event entrance and watch your student enter the building.

Sports Physicals and Supplemental Insurance

Students who participate in a sport must submit an annual physical evaluation from their physician. Each student must also purchase supplemental insurance for a cost of $30 annually. The supplemental insurance provides families with additional coverage in the event of an accident or injury. Coaches advise students on due dates for the physical and the insurance.

Training Room Access

Students may use the training room with their team or by appointment. An adult must be present when any student uses the facility.

Driving Permits

Manuals covering Kentucky rules for driving are available from your county’s Circuit Court Clerk’s office for the Kentucky State Police. You must be 16 years of age to take the written knowledge test, and a vision test will also be administered. You will need your social security card, birth certificate, or a U.S. passport and for persons under 18 and a parent or guardian to sign the application. IF YOU DO NOT PASS THE PERMIT TEST... You may try again the next available testing day. IF YOU PASS THE PERMIT TEST...Your student may drive only when accompanied by a driver at least 21 years old. For teens under 18, driving is not permittedbetween midnight and 6:00 AM. A student must have their permit for at least 180 days before taking the driving skills test. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. A new "zero alcohol tolerance" level of .02 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) has been established for all drivers under the age of 21. The motor vehicle you use for testing must be properly registered and proof of liability insurance is required. A 4-hour Graduated Licensing education course must be completed within one year AFTER obtaining the license. This is generally offered at the LCHS campus on a scheduled evening annually.

Student Parking

Students may apply for a parking permit at the beginning of the school year. If your student is a senior, he or she will automatically receive a parking permit. The cost is $20 for the tag for the year. If your student is not a senior, but a licensed driver, they may apply for the parking permit at the beginning of the year, but there is no guarantee that a permit will be given. Off campus parking is available around the LCHS neighborhood, but students are advised to take care of the neighborhood by parking carefully between driveways and with respect for curbs and lawns.

Community Service

Seniors are required to do service as a part of their religion curriculum. The other grades may have required service associated with religion class, clubs and societies. It is important to know the number of required hours and work to fulfill the requirement throughout the year, not at the last minute. LCHS students are welcomed by many needy organizations. (See the director of student activities for a complete listing.)

Locks and Lockers

Students are required to purchase a lock from the school office; the fee is $10.00. They will use this same lock for their entire career at Lexington Catholic. The school has a master key to all locks and has the right to inspect the locker. A locked locker is the best way for a student to protect their belongings.

Telephone Use by Students

Students may use any campus telephone with permission from a faculty or staff member. Students may bring a cell phone to school but it may not be used during school hours and it must remain in their locker turned off until school is dismissed.

Course Offerings

Complete course listings can be found here. Early in the second semester, students get an opportunity to test into and/or apply for honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses for the next school year. Students must adhere to the deadlines, complete the necessary paperwork and get approvals from appropriate faculty and parents. Honors and AP courses are weighted heavier than regular courses in calculating the grade average. Students taking honors and AP courses boost their GPA and bring strong credentials to the college application process.

Safety and Security

All outside doors except the main entrance to the school are kept locked between 8:00 a.m. and the end of the school day. Anyone coming to the school should enter through the main entrance and report directly to the receptionist. All visitors are asked to sign in and out when coming to the school and visitors are asked to wear a badge acknowledging that they have checked in with the office before proceeding to their destination in the building. The school doors are monitored by eight cameras that operate 24 hours each day, 7 days each week. The school has emergency evacuation plans posted in every room. Drills are conducted periodically both to evacuate the building and to secure the students within the building. School personnel receive training in safety procedures. The Lexington Fayette County Division of Police brings drug dogs to the building during the school year to check both the inside of the building and the parking lot. All students are required to keep personal belongings in lockers which must be secured with locks purchased from the school. This insures the student that books and other personal items are safe during the school day, but the school can access the locker in case of an emergency. Lexington Catholic High School has clearly stated policies on the possession of weapons on school grounds. These can be found in the Student Agenda and appropriate signage is posted in the school. The Agenda also lists procedures in the case of a fight between two students. All staff members, especially the guidance counselors, work with students if a conflict should arise. Students are expected to behave as ladies and gentlemen at all times.

Club and Sports Fees

All club and sport activities are supported with funds from their students. The cost will vary, but parents may be asked to pay a fee of $50 to $350 depending on the extracurricular program. The additional fee can be paid either by the parent directly or through fundraising events such as flower sales, ad sales, concessions and more. Parents who choose to work with the activities and help with the fundraising find themselves knowing more about the school and their student. Fundraising provides an excellent opportunity for parents to meet.

Classroom Fees

Individual classroom teachers may ask students to purchase books or supplies. English classes regularly require students to purchase books for their class reading assignments, but the cost for the year is generally less than $25.00.

School Calendar

A weekly calendar is posted every Monday at www.lexingtoncatholic.com. and the entire school schedule can be checked to determine activities during and after the school day. The website will contain the most up-to-date information available on all Lexington catholic events and schedules.

Grievance Procedure

The Diocesan Office of Catholic Education has established a grievance procedure to facilitate reconciliation and to maintain unity within each Parish/Mission and within the Diocese as a whole. All grievances should be settled "as close to the problem" as possible. Therefore, the first step of every grievance process requires that the aggrieved person (petitioner) should speak directly and privately with the person with whom he or she has the grievance (the respondent). The grievance must be made within ten days of the incident. The two should make every effort to resolve the problem. If the petitioner decides to continue the grievance, the petitioner should next speak with the person to whom the respondent is directly accountable. Again, every effort should be made to resolve the problem. The petitioner may, if necessary, continue the process up the authority line, one step at a time until the final authority on the local level is reached. Every effort should be made to resolve the problem immediately. No step in the process may take more than ten working days. The proper order is: Parent—Teacher—Principal—President—Superintendent of Schools. In the event that all attempts to solve the problem at the parish or local level fail the petitioner may appeal to the Office of Catholic Schools. In order to make an appeal to the Office of Catholic Schools, the petitioner must prepare a written petition. The petition shall include:

Name, address and telephone number of petitioner

Name, address and telephone number of respondent

Description of complaint

Desired remedy

Date letter is sent

Signature

The superintendent of schools shall review the petition, and decide whether the issue falls within the jurisdiction of the department. If so, the Superintendent will talk with both parties, come to a decision, and shall notify the petitioner in writing of the decision within fifteen working days.

A decision of the Superintendent, if the case does not involve termination or non-renewal of contract, may be appealed to the Bishop through the diocesan Conciliation/Arbitration Process. A decision which does involve termination or non-renewal of contract may be appealed to the Chancellor. The Chancellor will notify the petitioner in writing of the decision within fifteen working days.

Student Performance

If a parent believes the student is having difficulty, they should talk to the teacher, coach, or sponsor immediately. Faculty members are available by telephone and email. All faculty provide parents with their school email addresses and voice mailbox numbers. E-mail is the most efficient way to reach teachers because of class schedules. You are encouraged to speak with all faculty and know how your student is performing early in the year.

Arrival and Departure

Students may be dropped off/picked up in the pull off area located on Clays Mill Road. Many parents use other side streets to drop off and pick up to avoid traffic congestion. Parents are discouraged from dropping off in the school parking lot because of the already high traffic as faculty and permitted student parkers arrive at the same time. LCHS does not provide bus transportation.

ADA Compliance Lexington Catholic High School is handicapped accessible throughout the building.

Fundraisers

Lexington Catholic depends on monies raised from two school-wide initiatives to supplement the difference in tuition and the cost to educate our students. Both of these events have been a part of Lexington Catholic life for many years and are traditions themselves.

Hoagies

30,000 plus sandwiches are made at the “crack of dawn” on Saturday, October 9^th. These sandwiches are pre-sold by the students and net $60,000 for our operating budget. This is a sight no one wants to miss; fun is had by all!

Mid-Knight Stakes

Our annual dinner and auction evening will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2006 (insert the correct date). Aside from attending the event, there are many ways to get involved and help make the evening a success. Most of the items auctioned during the evening come from “Gift Gathering Parties.” These parties are hosted by LCHS parents and are a wonderful opportunity for you to meet additional parents and to donate a gift for the auction. When you hear about these Gift Gathering Parties, please consider attending and making a cash or gift donation. Also, the evening concludes with our annual Car Raffle where the lucky winner walks away with $25,000 or drives away in a new car! The overall goal of Mid-Knight Stakes is to contribute $120,000 to the operational budget of the school. Every year we hope this number will grow. Parental involvement is the key to success with Mid-Knight Stakes. Everyone can get involved and enjoy this event!

Student File

Student records are transferred to Lexington Catholic High School from each student’s elementary school. The records are maintained in the registrar’s office. The content and use of student records is set by the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s State Records Laws. It is the Lexington Catholic tradition to give each student his or her complete student file during graduation rehearsal. Lexington Catholic maintains minimal information on each student after graduation.

Discipline Issues

The most common discipline infraction is violation of the uniform policy.

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts program at Lexington Catholic High School offers students opportunities in art, photography, theater, chorus, and band. The branches of the fine arts program includes classes in Introduction to Art, Photography I, Photography II, Graphic Design, Ceramics, Drawing, Painting I, Painting II, Printmaking, Sculpture, Honors Advanced Art, and AP Art. The Band section offers a daily Band class. After class, students participate in Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Pep Band. The Choral program includes an intro level class, a Women’s Chorus, a Concert Choir and a Chamber Choir. The Theater and Drama classes include Speech, Drama, Advanced Acting, Technical Theater, and Musical Theater. The theater is a 400 seat facility that hosts four plays, multiple band and choral concerts and numerous other evening events for students and families.

Guidance Services

Guidance and counseling services at Lexington Catholic are provided primarily by the Guidance Office, which employs a full time counselor for each grade level and one full time assistant. The common purpose of the Guidance Office is to help each student develop into a self-motivated, constantly growing person. Working with parents and teachers, the Guidance Office promotes success for each student during the high school years and helps students prepare for success in their personal, academic and career goals after high school. The Guidance Office works toward these goals by assisting each student through:

• Personal counseling and support
• Academic course selection
• Registration and preparation for standardized tests
• Career and vocational counseling
• College search and admissions, including counselor recommendations

Parents are encouraged to be very proactive at each step. As part of the registration process, parents receive a special mailing each year that includes a form about any special needs a student has, whether physical, emotional or academic. Parents can use this form to communicate any concerns for their student – all information is kept confidential. Parents may also contact the Guidance Office at any time by e-mail, phone, or set up a meeting to discuss any other concerns.

Keeping students and parents up to date about the latest events, opportunities and deadlines is a real challenge throughout the fast-paced high school years. The Guidance Office makes many announcements at school about scheduling, workshops, scholarship opportunities, and so on. Students should also visit the Guidance Office to check on posted announcements. Parents and students are encouraged to check the school website frequently to keep track of important dates, such as the dates for in-school testing, applying for honors and AP courses, the deadline for changing schedules, and the dates of the ACT and SAT standardized tests (this is very important in the junior and senior year).

Likewise, students and parents are responsible for communicating their needs to the Guidance Office. The journey from adolescence to adulthood always has some tricky bumps along the way, but it can be hard to tell if a student is seriously struggling with self-image, self-doubt, and relations with friends, parents or teachers, etc. Many times students feel they need to hide their problems or fears, especially from parents and teachers; a student’s worries may not be obvious during the regularly scheduled appointment with a counselor. Parents can remind their students that the counselors are a good sounding board, and parents can call the guidance office themselves if they feel their student is embarrassed or reluctant to seek help. Parents and students can be sure that the counselors are there to provide support and assistance in a confidential way to help the student and family have a positive and memorable high school experience.

Here are the typical interaction students and parents can expect each year with the Guidance Office:

Freshman Year

• Incoming students take a placement test to help determine which courses they should take. Parents may want to discuss placement with the freshman counselor, for example, if a student should take honors level (or not) in a subject. At the spring orientation at LCH for new students, students and parents meet with a faculty advisor to go over the student’s schedule, choose an elective and talk about any other concerns.

• At Book Day in August, students pick up their final schedule and purchase books for their coursework. The freshman counselor is available if there are any schedule changes or conflicts that need to be worked out.

• In October, all freshmen take the STS test during the school day; dismissal is at noon on this day. About a month after the test, parents will receive their student’s Performance Profile which provides comparison scores in Reading, Language and Mathematics along with a letter that explains more about the results.

• In the spring, freshmen will meet with the freshmen counselor during the school day to decide on a schedule of classes for the next year. Students who wish to take honors courses in their sophomore year need to complete a form for each course and get the signatures of their parents and teachers.

Sophomore Year

• At Book Day in August, students pick up their final schedule and purchase books. The sophomore counselor is available if there are any schedule changes or conflicts that need to be worked out.

• In October, all sophomores take the PLAN test during the school day. In addition, sophomore students are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT test, which is a preliminary SAT test. The PSAT test is administered on a Saturday morning and requires advance registration with fee payment. Parents receive a separate mailing about the PSAT test well in advance of the registration deadline. Students receive the PLAN results from their counselors. The PSAT test results are mailed directly to the students’ home. Both tests’ score sheets give a breakdown of how students scored in each section and give an estimate of the range of test scores students can expect on the actual SAT and ACT.

• In the spring, sophomores will meet with the sophomore counselor to decide on classes for the next year. Students who wish to take honors and/or Advanced Placement (AP) coursework need to get signatures for each subject from parents and teachers. Parents will receive a copy of the student’s proposed schedule in the report card along with a letter explaining the procedure for requesting a course change. There is a deadline for making a course change without incurring a fee.

Junior Year

• Book Day proceeds as in past years.

• In October, all juniors take the PSAT test during the school day. Students who score in the 98^th percentile or above in their junior year generally qualify for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship programs. As part of the college preparation process, students should take both the SAT and ACT by spring of their junior year. Students can pick up registration packets for the SAT and ACT tests in the Guidance Office (or students can register online). Both tests are offered several different times throughout the school year.

• College planning is very important in the junior year, and the Guidance Office is a valuable resource for finding colleges and universities that match a student’s interests and educational goals. In the fall, the Guidance Office hosts representatives from many different colleges who speak to interested students during the school day. Students can further research colleges in the Guidance Office Resource Room. Students should check with the Guidance Office about the current college visitation policy and find out what sort of verification is needed to receive an excused absence to visit a college campus.

• After the start of the second semester, the Guidance Office hosts a College Night Workshop for juniors and their parents. The workshop features admissions officers from several different colleges who cover various aspects of the college search process and field questions from the audience. The Guidance Office will also explain the LCH policy for obtaining transcripts and requesting counselor recommendations for the college admissions process in senior year.

• In the spring, juniors will meet with the junior counselor to decide on classes for the next year. Students who wish to take honors and/or Advanced Placement (AP) coursework need to get signatures for each subject from parents and teachers. Parents will receive a copy of the student’s proposed schedule in the report card along with a letter explaining the procedure for requesting a course change. There is a deadline for making a course change without incurring a fee.

Senior Year

• Book Day proceeds as in past years.

• Seniors do not take any standardized tests on the LCH testing day in October and are not required to attend school that day. This is a very good date to make a visit to a college campus, if the student is still in the search process. Students need to check with the Guidance Office about the current visitation policies.

• Seniors may want to take the SAT and/or the ACT once more in the fall. Forms are available in the Guidance Office.

• Seniors need to decide which colleges interest them and review each college’s application process. Students should review the Guidance Office policies for requesting transcripts, letters of recommendations, etc. for completing applications for admissions and scholarships. Students need to allow the Guidance Office enough time to prepare all materials!

• Again, seniors and parents may call, e-mail or make an appointment to discuss any concerns that crop up during the year.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Extracurricular activities offer LCHS students a variety of opportunities to develop their interests and talents outside the traditional classroom. Students are encouraged to become actively involved in clubs and organizations. Participation in activities helps students to develop leadership, express creativity, build confidence, establish friendships and become involved in community service.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS:

Academic Challenge Team participates in KAAC competitions, the Quick Recall and Future Problem Solving League Governor’s Cup competition and the Kentucky Thoroughbred League competitions. Students are chosen for this team by tryouts held at the beginning of each academic year. Practices are held during flex time and after school. Team members have the opportunity to pursue their interest in specific academic areas and to develop interest in other areas through interaction with team members. The Academic Challenge Team strives to promote the highest standards of scholarship, competition and sportsmanship.

Art Club is open to all LCHS students who are interested in Art. Meetings are held after school. A variety of fundraisers are planned by the students in order to take art field trips. Students create artwork for special functions of the school and have their work displayed throughout the school.

Beta Club is an organization that recognizes academic achievement and promotes school and community service. Eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors complete an application for membership and are invited to join following a review by a faculty selection committee. Members must maintain a 90.0 grade average and complete 12 hours of community service annually. Traditional service activities for the Beta Club are participating in the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign (bell-ringing) and volunteering at God’s Pantry.

Chess Club is a special interest group that allows members to participate and compete in chess. It is open to all LCHS students. Members conduct daily matches in the gym during flex and compete in after- school matches arranged by the sponsor. The Chess Club hosts an annual demonstration of chess skill by an internationally ranked player.

Class Officers initiate and coordinate class activities, work closely with class sponsors (faculty members), promote class identity and school spirit through communication and interaction. Each grade/class level elects a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Elections are conducted by the Student Activities Office. Elected officers are automatically members of the Student Council.

Drama Club is open to all interested students. Its purpose is to provide activities and recognition for students who have an interest in and commitment to the theater. This group promotes and assists in LCHS’s theater productions (Fall, Winter and Spring performances) and provides student-assistants for the Summer Theater Camp.

Environmental Club seeks to foster an awareness of environmental issues and promotes a variety of activities such as the recycling program, the Plant-a-Tree Project and community clean-up projects. Club members identify environmental issues around the school and take an active role in targeting areas for improvement. Membership is open to any interested student. Meetings are held twice a month at announced times.

Film Club is open to all LCHS students who like to watch and discuss films. Activities include after-school trips to local cinemas, film rentals for group presentation after school and movie-trivia contests.

French Club is open to all students who have an interest in the French language and culture. The club provides opportunities to experience and enjoy some of French history, culture and customs. Traditional events sponsored by the French Club are a Noel party and Mardi Gras celebrations. Field trips to art museums, French movies and restaurants are planned and coordinated by club members. Many club members also participate in the Foreign Language Festival held in the spring at Transylvania.

French Honor Society is a national organization open to students in French II, III, IV or V. Membership is based on academic achievement in French and other courses. New members are selected at the spring semester of each academic year and inducted in the spring.

Key Club is a club which promotes community service through participation in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Special Olympics projects and other programs that reflect the interest of the club members. The Key Club also performs community service for Lexington Catholic by serving as guides at public assemblies and assisting with Career Day. Membership is open to all LCHS students. The club is affiliated with the local chapter of the Kiwanis Club.

Latin Club is open to Latin students who are interested in expanding Latin knowledge and in learning Latin cultural traditions. Meetings are held before school and during flex. The club sponsors field trips, competitions and dinners that reflect the Latin culture. The Latin Club members participate in the Foreign Language Festival at Transylvania in the spring.

Latin Honor Society recognizes academic excellence in Latin and other courses. Students in Latin II, III, IV and V are eligible for membership. New membership is selected in the spring semester and inducted in the spring.

Liturgy Leadership Team is open to all students who want to get involved in school liturgies. This also includes those interested in Music Ministry. The goal of this group is to get students involved in the planning stages of liturgies and to encourage student participation in those liturgies. They also accept