Religious Foundation & Worship Services

Springfield Catholic High School exists to provide a Gospel-based education built on a relationship with God and neighbor, through experiences of prayer, community and service in our Catholic tradition.

Masses, Communion services and prayer services are celebrated throughout the school year. Opportunities for the communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are offered periodically. All students also participate in regular service activities and in an annual retreat.

CAMPUS MINISTER—The Campus Minister is responsible for the pastoral leadership of the campus faith community in an academic setting. This includes liturgy and music, faith formation, social ministry, pastoral care of students, faculty, and staff.

All students attending SCHS will attend and fully participate in all religious activities offered as part of our school program.

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Christian Service Recognition

Students at Springfield Catholic High School perform a minimum of 60 hours of Christian service over a four-year period as part of the Theology curriculum. They also engage in theological reflection in a written format once a year and verbally several times throughout the school year. Guided by the spirit of our mission statement, outstanding Christian service will be celebrated and recognized by our school community with the establishment of three levels of recognition.

Level 1 - 120 hours of service
Level 2 - 240 hours of service
Level 3 - 360 or more hours of service

Every student has a service portfolio in which these hours are recorded and tallied. These portfolios also contain their written theological reflections. The theology department will continue to be responsible for maintaining records of service performed by every student. At the time of graduation, those students who have attained one of the above levels will be recognized with a medallion or cross (or some other appropriate award) at the academic awards night or at graduation.

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Communications

  • The school system’s website address is www.scspk12.org. The school reserves the right to use student pictures and or names in publications and on the school’s website. Any parent who does not wish his or her child’s picture and or name used must notify the school principal in writing.
  • Each month, a letter from the principal, a monthly calendar, a listing of activities and sporting events are published on the high school web page.(www.springfieldcatholicschools.org\schs1 ) Parents and students are encouraged to check the school website for announcements, coming events and special activities.
  • It is presumed that students are aware of any announcement presented on the P.A. system. Any posted signs are to be respected. Graffiti and marring of signs are not tolerated. Nothing may be posted on the bulletin board or in the hallways without permission from administration.
  • Students and/or parents discuss any concerns regarding grades, disciplinary action, class curriculum, etc., directly with the course instructors. If a concern remains unresolved, the student/parent may speak with the counselor/administrator. Administration should be the final stage of student-teacher concerns. The counselor or principal may suggest a joint meeting between student/parent and teacher to resolve concerns.
  • In the area of athletics, the starting point to discuss a student difficulty is with the coach. If the difficulty persists, the athletic director may be contacted. Administration is again the final person to see regarding such difficulties.
  • A respectful attitude and a private place are required for such conversations. With these two givens, most situations can be resolved in a calm, just way in a spirit of Christian charity, where all parties learn and grow. Teachers and coaches are not obligated to explain every decision, grade, rule, etc.

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Code of Conduct for Participation in Student Activities

Participation in student activities is a privilege and not a right. Creditable citizenship shall be one of the criteria for participation in school activities. Creditable citizenship includes such things as regular and punctual attendance and a quality of conduct that promotes the best interests of the school. Therefore, students shall exhibit standards of behavior that will bring credit to the student, the activity, the school and the community.

Student activities at Springfield Catholic High School provide a program for students to pursue special interests in addition to the more formal class activities. Student activities help develop leadership abilities, promote school spirit and loyalty, establish habits of good citizenship, and provide opportunities to learn to work as a part of a group. Although student activities are important for the all-around development of students they must necessarily be of secondary importance. Regular classroom work must come first.

Students who attend Springfield Catholic High School should model Christian conduct and decorum while at school, during all school-sponsored events, and/or when representing our school.

When students attend events/activities as representatives of Springfield Catholic High School, their conduct not only reflects on themselves and their families, but also on the entire school and Church community. Hence, behavior outside of school which harms the image of our school or displays attitudes which are contrary to Catholic beliefs and practice may result in disciplinary action. (See VI. Disciplinary Policies).

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Co-curricular Elgibiility

To participate in any co-curricular activities the following standards must be met:

  • Meet all academic, age, transfer, residency, etc., requirements of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) and SCHS in co-curricular activities regulated by the association including but not limited to: interscholastic athletics, music, speech and debate, clubs and organizations.
  • Students with two or more failing grades at the end of first quarter, first semester, third quarter, or second semester are not eligible for participation in any co-curricular activities for the next quarter.
  • If a student earns two failing grades in the second semester, he/she is academically ineligible for the first quarter of the next year, unless credit is earned in summer school.
  • Agree to actively participate on the team/organization.
  • Agree to abide by all rules established by the advisor/coach.
  • Is a good citizen of the school as determined by the administration, in consultation with faculty members.

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Attendance Requirements

A student must attend a full school day in order to practice or participate in any of the day's co- curricular activities unless he/she has been excused by the building administration.

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Transfer Student's Eligibility

In order to preserve our eligibility for inter-scholastic competition, SCHS abides by the rules of MSHSAA concerning transfer students. In certain situations, students transferring from another secondary school might be ineligible to participate in interscholastic varsity competition for one calendar year from the time of enrollment at SCHS. Eligibility must be investigated, not assumed. Students with questions concerning their eligibility should contact the athletic director or the principal.

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Athletic Eligibility

SCHS is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) and subscribes to the association's athletic eligibility rules. The MSHSAA has eligibility rules governing transfer students, age, physicals, academic requirements, etc., which are followed by our school in order to participate in their interscholastic events, i.e., speech, drama, music, sports, etc. Questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the faculty sponsor/athletic director, school counselor or administration. Eligibility rules are published and are available to students and parents.

Students who wish to participate in sports at SCHS are required to read and agree to observe specific team rules. Each set of rules is written and must be signed by both the athlete and the parent/guardian before the student is allowed to participate in any interscholastic game.

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Interscholastic Activities

SCHS participates in interscholastic volleyball, football, cross-country, tennis, basketball, baseball, track and field, golf, cheerleading, soccer, vocal and instrumental music and forensics. The administration reserves the right to cancel any sport due to a lack of interest/participation, financial considerations, MSHSAA rulings and/or lack of qualified personnel to coach.

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Physicals

The MSHSAA by-laws provide that a student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until it has verification that he/she has a physician's certificate, basic athletic insurance coverage, and a parent/guardian's permission to participate in interscholastic activities. A physical at the beginning of the year is sufficient for all seasons of the year unless a serious physical problem is detected.

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Recognition: School Letters

School letters may be earned for participation in music, debate, athletics or other MSHSAA programs.

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Dances

Only SCHS students and their dates are admitted to dances. All are expected to follow these rules:

  • A student must attend a full school day on the day of the dance or, if it falls on Saturday, must attend the previous full school day.
  • Students who receive Saturday school detention or suspension will not be allowed to attend the next school dance.
  • Students are to come into the dance promptly, and not loiter in the parking lot.
  • Food and drink may not be brought into the dance.
  • Students must wear appropriate attire.
  • Smoking or use of any tobacco product is never permitted on campus (including at dances).
  • School policy on controlled substances is in effect at all times including at dances.
  • When a student leaves a dance, he/she may not return.
  • Inappropriate displays of affection are not allowed at dances.
  • All dances end by 11:00 pm. Except Junior-Senior prom which will end at midnight
  • Lent is a time of sacrifice and an inappropriate time for a dance.
  • School sponsored dances
    • 1st quarter: mixer after first home football game and Homecoming (football)
    • 2nd quarter: Christmas dance
    • 3rd quarter: LPA (basketball homecoming)
    • 4th quarter: Spring Mixer & Junior/Senior Prom

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Facilities

The school building receives a great deal of wear and tear with over 350 students using it every day. Each student can help keep the wear and tear to a minimum by properly disposing of trash; keeping shoes clean; putting lunch trays, silverware, milk cartons, etc., in their proper location. Students are held responsible for any damage they cause. Malicious vandalism is handled by administration. Any damage should immediately be reported to the main office, administration and/or the maintenance department. Food or drink is not allowed in the chapel, library, study hall, or computer labs at any time. (The only exception is water).

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Auditorium

The auditorium is a comfortable space for school productions, assemblies and meetings. Students are expected to sit like ladies and gentlemen in the auditorium, e.g., feet on the floor, no legs over the seats, etc. All activities in the auditorium are scheduled through the administrative offices.

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Chapel

Located across from the main office, the chapel and reservation chapel provides a haven for prayer, quiet reflection, class Masses and/or prayer services. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved here; hence, Jesus is present at all times. Remembering that the chapel is the house of God, we always enter it with respect and greet God, the "owner and resident" of this holy space. Actions when in the chapel must speak of devotion and praise of God.

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Gymnasium

All activities in the gym are scheduled through the administrative offices. Students are not allowed in the gym unless under the direct supervision of a teacher/coach. Street shoes are not to be worn on the gym floor during physical education classes, athletic practices and events. Gym shoes are needed for these times. Students may never work out alone in the weight room, because of safety constraints. A teacher/coach must be present.

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Library Media Center

The media center/lab is open from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Friday. (The LMC is open until 3:00 on early release days.) Upon receipt of the signed Acceptable Use Policy, each student is given computer privileges and allowed to check out library materials and use the computer network in the school. (See Electronic Information Resources Guidelines)

Students may check out books for 3-week periods. Two renewals are allowed unless another person reserves the book. In certain instances, teachers may place materials on reserve within the library. These materials will not circulate during high demand. Reference materials and audiovisual materials are for in-house use by students except in special circumstances. Students are responsible for returning materials in a timely manner and in good condition. Fines will be assessed on overdue materials and replacement/repair cost will be assessed for damaged items. All materials should be returned and fines paid before the last day of classes.

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Offices

Students are welcome in school offices at any time, especially when they need to conduct school business. Most business, except emergencies, should be handled before school, at lunch or after school, not during class. Students may use the telephones in the offices for any necessary calls to parents.

Staff - Faculty Rooms

Only student aides having an authorized pass are permitted in the faculty workroom. Equipment located in faculty workrooms is for faculty/staff use only. This includes but is not limited to photocopiers, computers, vending machines, and telephones.

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